The group spent an hour hauling spoiled food and drinks out to one of the dumpsters, which they then wheeled outside the wall and onto the road. There was a slight grade to the road, and they gave the bin a good shove in the downhill direction, watching as it wobbled its way a few hundred yards, picking up speed until it eventually went off onto the shoulder and tipped over.
“We probably should have burned all that.” Allistor observed afterward.
Amanda shook her head. “Better not to send up smoke signals until we know whether the locals are friendly.”
By the time the cleanup was done, Allistor’s favorite drink was chilled enough that he grabbed one and popped it open. The Monster Irish coffee still tasted good after all that time, and he missed the taste. He quickly grabbed a handful of them to put in the RV fridge. The others all did the same, and as the ladies gathered up snacks to stock the cabinets, Nathan turned on the pumps and gassed up the RV.
Allistor took the time to ask Nigel to put him in touch with Ramon.
“Go ahead, Lord Allistor.”
“Hey, Ramon. Just thought I’d let you know we claimed a gas station food mart as an Outpost. It’s on the north side of Denver…” he gave the location and a brief description of what was in the place. After being assured that things were going well at the Citadel and the other locations, he said goodbye.
Back in the RV, he found Dawn face-deep in a pink snowball snack thing, with the sugary pinkness smeared all over her face. When he paused to stare, she looked up at him. “What? I looove these things! And they stay good for, like, a hundred years.” She stuck her tongue out as far as it would go and tried to lick up all the sticky goodness, then held one up for him.
Allistor declined. “Thanks, but I just had a blast of caffeine that’ll keep me awake all night already. Don’t need the sugar. Knock yourself out.”
Dawn shrugged and, after opening the package, made a show of smushing the entire thing against her face, shoving it all into her mouth at once. In the background Allistor heard Nathan chuckling. “Right on, sister. Get it!”
“Iz Guuuud.” she mumbled around her full mouth, causing pink coconut shavings to fly.
Amanda shook her head. “You know how much of that is just sugar?”
Dawn pretended to look thoughtful for a moment, raising her eyes to the ceiling and tapping a sticky pink finger to her chin. “Umm… all of it?” She grinned at Amanda, revealing gooey pinkness stuck to her teeth.
Amanda couldn’t help but laugh. “I suppose it’s fine. It isn’t like you’ll be eating those every day.
“Only every day that I can find them. I’ve got like ten more in my inventory ringy thingy.” Dawn waved her hand proudly, getting a laugh from everyone. Which only got louder when Fuzzy took a good lick of her hand, grabbing hold of her forearm with both paws to hold it still while he lapped up the sugary goodness. “Hey! I was gonna do that!” she grumped at the bear, who was already eyeing her other hand and her face. Noticing this, she retreated to the back of the RV shouting, “Noooo! Bad Fuzzy!”
Amanda got back in the driver’s seat, and they exited the gates, Nigel obligingly closing them behind the RV as it turned southward. Helen called out from the passenger’s seat. “We’ve got a few hours of daylight left. I’ve divided the city into sixteen sectors. We can probably cruise a couple of the northern ones, and still make it back here before dark.”
Chapter 8
Skeleton Keys
Hel watched the display as Baldur zoomed in on the new Outpost created by the human they’d been monitoring. “He chooses wisely. Fuel to keep his vehicles moving, a location with easy access to several avenues of retreat should he need it. And now he ventures close to the other humans. This should be interesting. He has killed many humans who have opposed him. Will he kill these as well?”
Baldur shook his head. “I think not. So far, this Allistor has only shown violence toward those who have attacked him directly, or committed violent acts against other humans. If the humans of Denver do not provoke him, I expect they will become allies.”
“You wish him to succeed.” Hel observed, the tone of her statement half accusing as it floated through the mist toward Baldur.
Her uncle waved two of his tentacles in their species’ equivalent of a shrug. “We helped to evolve man from the primordial slime of their planet. They have shown great promise, though they are one of the more violent species we’ve raised. The ones who survive shall become members of the Collective, and shall be a reflection upon us as our creation. Of course I wish them to be looked upon favorably by the others.”
The mist swirled as Loki entered the chamber. “Ah, but are they smart enough to thrive? Or will they become pets, coveted for their rarity? Perhaps slaves used as attack dogs for their aggressive tendencies?”
Hel waved one tentacle in a slashing motion, a negative indicator. “They breed too slowly for slaves. Only one or two per year, and those are useless for many cycles. More likely they will become a delicacy. Maybe we should consider preserving more of them. One could earn significant reputation creating a market for the more succulent bits…”
Baldur spat his reply, causing the mist to push almost violently against the other two. “Enough! I have warned you both already. We will not tolerate interference. Neither for amusement, nor profit! I tire of your disregard for the rules we all agreed upon. You will not be warned again.”
Baldur’s bulky, tentacled form rose from its resting place and exited the chamber, the mist trailing behind in angry, volatile patterns. When the door slid shut behind him, Loki looked to his daughter.
“When he learns Xar’ Dakra stalks his pet human, he will not be pleased.”
Hel remained motionless, her reply drifting almost serenely across the chamber. “He will not know who loosed the beast unless you reveal it to him, father.”
The two ancient beings stared at one another, both of them considering betrayal, the odds of success, and the consequences.
“Like father, like daughter.” Loki breathed at her before turning and exiting the room himself.
*****
As it turned out, it took much longer to cover each sector than Helen had expected. They were still cruising the first sector when the sun began to set the first day and they had to return to the Outpost. For the next three days they rolled up and down street after street, stopping at likely-looking homes to forage, or where they saw signs of movement. There were monsters to fight – a pack of canids here, a roaming octopoid that followed them into a house and cornered Dawn. One basement had half a dozen of the oversized rats munching on a recently deceased human. The poor guy must have been asleep when they spawned right on top of him.
By mid-afternoon of the third day, they were working their way toward the center of town, having covered most of the north. As they rounded a corner and emerged from behind a four-story building, Nathan stopped the RV and called out, “Uhhh, guys? You need to see this.”
They all crowded toward the front of the vehicle where the large windows gave them a good view of the road ahead. Or the lack of road. A block and a half down, the road ended in a familiar-looking gate connected to twenty-foot tall walls.
“Somebody built a Stronghold!” Dawn gave a little clap of joy. “This is cool! I wonder how many of them are in there?”
Allistor added, “And whether or not they’re friendly. I’ll go approach them. I’ll leave Fuzzy here so they don’t mistake him for a monster. And most of you should stay here and guard the RV, in case there’s an ambush set up around us. One of you ladies want to come with me? Keep in mind it could mean being shot on sight.”
Amanda volunteered, kissing his cheek and taking hold of his arm. “If you get shot, I just couldn’t live without you!” she rolled her eyes with the sarcastic statement. Allistor just snorted.
Nathan shut off the engine and moved back from the large windshield, making himself less of a target. Allistor stepped out of the side door and made a show of putting hi
s rifle over his shoulder. Amanda followed suit, and both of them began to walk toward the wall, hands out to their sides and open.
When they got within about fifty yards, a voice called out from atop the wall. “That’s close enough. Who are you, and why are you here?”
“My name is Allistor! This is Amanda! We’re here looking for other survivors! I have a few Strongholds myself, and I’m hoping we can be friends!”
“Friends are overrated! Go away!” another voice called out, this one off to their left, down at ground level. Allistor thought it came from behind a pickup parked at his ten o’clock.
“Okay… not looking for friends. I can understand that. Can you at least tell me your name? And whether there are other Strongholds? Maybe I can make friends with them?”
The first voice called down. “If you plan to make friends with Paul and his murdering filth, I’ll just shoot you down right here and now, save myself the trouble of doing it later!”
Allistor raised his hands high. “Hold on! I don’t know Paul, any more than I know you. If you two have problems, that’s none of my business.” He paused, trying to think. “Look! My people and I are just trying to make sure we all survive the year, and make ourselves strong enough to deal with the aliens when they come! There is strength in numbers. Right now, we’re about fifteen hundred, and growing. If we can be allies, help each other out, that makes all of us stronger!”
“You just want our food and weapons!” the second voice called out again.
Amanda stepped in. “We have four Strongholds like this one, a Citadel, and several Outposts. We have plenty of food and a whole arsenal of weapons! What we’re interested in is YOU. You and the rest of our fellow humans. We really do just want to be friends.”
Allistor wasn’t sure if it was the tone of her voice, or the fact that she was female, but her words caused a man atop the wall to stand. He lowered his weapon, which had been aimed at Allistor, and called out again.
“My name is Lars! I’ve heard your name. That announcement a while back, about the Citadel, that was you. It called you a Duke or something.”
Allistor nodded his head. “Yeah, that was unfortunate. I didn’t realize the system would do that. But yes, I’m that guy. Please just call me Allistor. I’m not big on the whole ‘lord’ thing.
“How do we know you’re not with Paul? Here to worm your way into our Stronghold and kill us all?” The voice behind the truck rang out again. Whoever it was, they were really starting to annoy Allistor.
“We came from the north. From Cheyenne. We’ve been here three days, searching the city, block by block. You are the first living people we’ve come across. I don’t know Paul. I take it you guys don’t get along?”
“He’s a lying, thieving murderer!” The man behind the truck finally revealed himself, standing upright with an assault rifle aimed at Allistor, finger on the trigger.
“Well I’m not him! Could you maybe take your finger off that trigger? I don’t want you to sneeze and shoot me by accident.”
The man pulled the rifle tighter against his shoulder and leaned forward. “Screw you! Let’s just waste them, Lars!”
“Hold it!” Lars shouted from atop the wall. “Let’s hear them out.”
“Lars, I really am sincere about wanting to be friends. I’ve asked nicely, but if your friend here doesn’t take his finger off that trigger and point that thing somewhere other than at my face, I’m going to have to kill him. Then we probably can’t be friends. And I’ll bring all fifteen hundred of my people down here in an unfriendly mood.” as he spoke, Allistor cast Barrier in front of himself, motioning discreetly for Amanda to move behind him.
Allistor felt the guy by the truck itching to pull the trigger. He held his breath as Lars considered his words. Behind him, Amanda whispered, “Maybe not the best time to play tough-guy there, pretty boy.” Allistor winced. She was right. He’d let his anger, or his hormones, or his fear, dictate his words. It was probably a stupid thing to do.
“Put your rifle down, Chris!” Lars shouted from above. The man didn’t move a muscle.
“Dammit, Chris! Point your weapon at the ground or I’ll shoot you myself!” Lars’ voice got angry. Chris looked up for a moment, then lowered his weapon.
“Thank you, Lars. And you too, Chris.” Allistor gave a little bow toward Lars on the wall. “Lars, how ‘bout we have a little talk? I won’t ask you to let us inside your walls, so how ‘bout you and a few of your people come talk to us? We can pick a building and chat, or you can join us in our luxurious recreational vehicle!” he said the last part with a smile, and earned a chuckle from Lars.
“I’ll be down in a minute. We can talk right where you are. Chris, don’t shoot anybody.”
The gates opened half a minute later, and Lars came walking out with two other people behind him. One was a giant of a man, nearly seven feet tall and all muscle. He looked as if he could lift the RV if someone made him angry. The other was a woman in a plaid shirt and jeans with her dark hair pulled into a ponytail. She was maybe forty and had a no-nonsense look about her.
Lars himself was an older man, maybe sixty, but built like a lumberjack. Wide shoulders, thick arms and legs, and a square face framed by shaggy blond hair. He looked like he’d stepped out of the forests of 1850s Norway.
The trio stopped a few yards from Allistor, and Lars raised a hand in greeting. “Sorry about Chris. He’s a good man, just a little short-tempered.” He gave the man a sidelong glance where he remained behind the truck.
“I understand. We’ve had our share of betrayal and assholishness from other humans too. Had to kill a few, unfortunately.”
The large man behind Lars bristled at that. Allistor gave him a friendly smile. “I don’t think we’ll have that issue here. You folks seem friendly enough, for the most part.”
Lars was about to speak when a howl rang out, echoing between the buildings. Instantly Chris and the others had their weapons back up. Chris shouted, “You brought friggin’ wolves with you!”
Allistor shook his head. Pointing down the street to his right, he shouted, “No! The howl came from down there. We came from that way!” He pointed left at the corner they’d come around in the RV.
“He’s right!” the big man shouted, his rifle pointing down the street. “We need to get back inside!”
“Not them!” Chris had his weapon pointed at Allistor again. He was walking sideways now, retreating from behind the truck toward the open gate. Allistor watched him for a moment, then looked down the road where a small pack of canids was emerging from a building.
“I’m sorry.” Lars said, as he too backed toward the gate. “I just can’t let you in. Not yet.”
“No worries, Lars. Get your people inside where it’s safe. We’ll take care of the canids. Also, I have a pet bear in the RV. I’m going to bring him out. Don’t let your people shoot him, okay?”
Lars nodded briefly, then turned with his people and jogged through the gates. As they closed, Allistor called out, “Nathan! Dawn! Helen! We’ve got a pack to deal with!”
The three other party members, along with Fuzzy, emerged from the RV and joined Allistor and Amanda. The canid pack, seven of them that Allistor could see, were now loping down the street toward them.
Allistor and friends all raised their weapons. Their fights over the previous days had helped them coordinate as a group. Fuzzy roared a challenge at the six-legged wolves as all five rifles fired. Three of the canids dropped to the ground, and a fourth staggered but didn’t fall. It continued forward, limping and slowed significantly.
The remaining canids had to leap over or dodge their fallen pack members, but once they were clear they merged into a rough line, one in the lead and the others behind. No more taking out several at once with a single volley.
Allistor shouted. “One at a time, in line. Me first!” He fired another round, knocking down the lead canid but not killing it. Amanda fired next, but the canid she was aiming at leapt up over the one
Allistor had hit, causing her to miss. Dawn hit it as it landed, and Nathan hit the one behind it. Helen’s shot slammed into the shoulder of another. None of them were kill shots, but that was okay. They just needed to slow the pack’s advance enough to give them time to finish off the wounded.
Only two were still on their feet, and only one of those was moving at full speed. The other was the one wounded in the first volley, and it was still limping along.
Allistor cast Restraint on the last fast-mover and told Amanda to kill it even as he started casting Flame Shot. He built up the spell in his hand while he waited for the limper to get closer to the second group of injured canids. When he let it loose, the ball of flame flew toward the monster, impacting it directly in the chest and splashing flame onto two of the other wounded. Howls of pain echoed down the block.
Amanda had taken careful aim and put a round through the head of the stunned canid. It lay dead at the front of the pack. Nathan began to walk forward, firing at the prone or slow-moving wounded mobs as he got closer. Dawn and the others followed his lead, getting closer and taking time to make sure they hit the monsters in vital spots. Fifteen seconds later, the entire pack was dead. Dawn and Amanda leveled up, both of them smiling as the glow surrounded them. Dawn said, “One more level and I get to pick a class!”
They took a moment to loot the monsters, then Nate, Helen, and Dawn took out knives and began harvesting the skins and additional meat. This was standard practice by this point, and nobody even stopped to think about it. Fuzzy helped himself to some leftover bits they discarded. Allistor turned toward the wall and shouted, “Hey, you guys like canid meat?”
Lars and the others had already emerged from the gates, having seen how one-sided the fight was. As they approached, they watched Nathan and Dawn working. “It… never occurred to us that we could get more from the monsters than what we looted.”
“Yep! We’ve learned a lot of things like that. For example, if you have the points for it, you can set up a sensor system that would have alerted you when the canids got that close.”
Shadow Sun Expansion Page 14