by J. M. Preiss
"A house?" Mason raised an eyebrow.
"Looks like it anyways. I didn't check it out with the binocs. My guess is that it is some kind of farm. If it is," Jacob stretched, "they are bound to have some supplies that we can get. We should have plenty of power cells."
"If there is a farm house out this far from Respite, I'm guessing that it is a pretty good size community." Mason tested his ribs with his hand and grimaced as he put a little pressure. "I could really use a proper medical facility. That clinic helped, but they apparently didn't have the power or the equipment to actually mend these ribs."
"That or they didn't want to use it on you," Jacob pointed out.
"Or that." Mason nodded. "More than likely that. Maybe we can barter for treatment in Respite."
Hector groaned.
"Not used to sleeping on the ground?" asked Mason.
"Nonsense," said Hector in a hoarse voice. "I've slept outside on the ground many times."
"Then what is the issue?" Jacob asked this time.
"I can never go back home now. That was my home," said Hector.
"Well, there is certainly that," said Jacob. "Sorry."
Hector frowned as he crawled out from under the lean-to. "I don't know what I'm going to do now."
"Show us to Respite first. You can figure out what to do then," Mason stated. "We'll even let you take some of the power cells so you can barter yourself a new start."
"I guess that would work," Hector conceded.
"So not much is known about the River Tribe?" asked Mason.
"I do not know that much about them. We were only told that they were not to be trusted by the Elders." Hector sat next to the fire. "I'm not so sure about the wisdom of that now though."
"I don't blame you," said Jacob. He stood up and looked back off to where he saw the house. "I figure our next stop should be that house. From there, we should be able to get a direct bearing towards Respite."
Hector had an unsure look on his face.
"It's our only real option at this point, Hector," said Mason. He slowly raised himself to his feet.
"Hector, you and Mason start off towards the house. I'll break camp and join you shortly after." Jacob stood up and pushed snow onto the fire causing a plume of steam that quickly subsided as he kept adding snow.
Mason shrugged and started off towards the house. Hector stood for a second, and then he followed Mason.
Jacob finished covering up the fire and scattering the remaining wood they had harvested around trees to make it look like they had fallen there naturally. He then broke down the lean-to and covered up all of the pieces they had cut for it. By the time he had finished, fifteen minutes had passed, and Mason and Hector had a good head start. Jacob shouldered his pack, felt it suck into his back, and started off after them at a trot.
It didn't take him long to catch up.
"I'm telling you, these things are prosthetics. I didn't want to get them," Mason was saying.
"What's a prosthetic?" asked Hector.
"What didn't you understand the first time?" Mason asked. He stopped and shook his head. "Look, it's like this. If you lose a limb, you get a replacement. It's as simple as that. They're called prosthetics."
Hector shuddered. "The thought of losing one of my arms or legs is very disturbing."
Mason nodded. "It isn't very pleasant when it happens for real."
Jacob stayed a few steps back and listened in on the conversation.
"So how did you lose yours?" Hector asked bluntly.
"Long story, but I guess we have time," replied Mason. "It was in the city of New York. Great castle as you call it, I guess. Where Jacob and I come from," he gestured back at Jacob, "we all live in these cities. There is no need to have power rations sent out to us because there is enough power for everyone to do whatever they want."
"Wow," Hector said.
"Yeah," Mason stated. "Anyways, I am a member of the Reactionary Forces. Look at it like the guards of Repose, but we do more than that. Whenever someone causes trouble, we go out to stop them. We try and keep everywhere safe for people."
"Are both of you a member of these, what did you call them, Reactionary Forces?" Hector cocked his head to one side.
"Yeah we are." Mason shook his head. "Well, I was. I retired after New York. They reactivated me to come here with Jacob. Now, I was a member of the general forces, Jacob is still an active member of the special forces."
Hector screwed up his mouth and scratched his head. "What's the difference?"
Mason chuckled and grimaced a bit from the pain that caused. "Good question. Nobody really knows what the special forces guys do. We have ideas sure, but we never really know for certain. That used to bother me when I was younger, but after New York, I stopped caring."
"What happened in New York?" Hector asked.
Mason sighed and shook his head. "Something that never should have happened. I tell you, despite the advances that we come up with to make life better and easier, there are those that are never happy. They want things to be under their control." Mason stopped. "At the center of the New York Complex is a massive reactor. This reactor provides power for the entire complex as well as the region. There are secondary reactors, but they produce nowhere near the amount of power as the primary. An armed contingent of the Hades Group, that's what these people called themselves, managed to sneak past the outer ring of security and get to a nano-fac-"
"What's a nano-fac?"
Jacob spoke up. "It's a lot like the replicator that you have in Repose, but it works on a much larger scale and can make more complex items. It also uses a lot more power."
Mason looked at Jacob. "Thanks. Anyways, they got to the nano-fac and replicated a bunch of weaponry, and I mean it was some serious equipment. You have seen the auto-rifle in action, but they're nothing compared to some of the other advanced weaponry that's out there. This Hades Group somehow had managed to get a hold of military grade schematics. They had auto-rifles, beam rifles, pulse cannons, and plasma launchers. I know you don't know what all that stuff is, but it's stuff that even I didn't get much training with. Never needed to break them out. Regardless," he waved his hand, "they used this equipment to lock down the primary reactor as well as another nano-fac to allow themselves to replace lost equipment. The fighting took hours after initial contact, and it wasn't until five hours later that my company landed on-site. We took those three platoons and began making our way into the primary reactor facility." Mason sighed. "They had it locked down. We were fighting in one of the outer corridors when Third Platoon bought the farm."
Hector raised an eyebrow. "What does buying a farm have to do with fighting?"
"It's a metaphor for dying," said Jacob.
"Oh," Hector trailed off.
"Anyways, Third Platoon was advancing down one of the outer corridors. They had made it halfway down the corridor when one of those plasma launchers I told you about opened up. They were vaporized. Those that weren't died when the ceiling gave way." Mason sighed. "Fifteen men. They died without a chance. Up until this time, we had no real idea about the equipment that was being fielded. After this, we became much more careful. We were complacent and people died. Throughout the rest of the engagement, we took horrible attrition. First and Second platoon were whittled down to practically nothing by the time we made it to the control room of the reactor. In the fighting outside of that room, Second Platoon ended up getting wiped out, and the rest of us almost bought it too. The leader of the group managed to get a lucky grenade off down the corridor I was at. The blast mangled the left side of my body and knocked me unconscious. The rest of the fight was fought without me even knowing what happened." Mason closed his eyes. "I was responsible for those men, and almost all of them died."
"Nothing you could have done," said Jacob.
"I realize that now, but I didn't at the time," Mason said back. "After the fighting was over, I was transported to a local hospital - it's like your clinic, but bigger - and they patc
hed me up. They had to remove what was left of my arm and leg and graft on the prosthetics. I was in physical therapy for a number of weeks learning how to walk and function again. These prosthetics are amazing things, but you still have to get used to them. There was also the pain. They were giving me some pretty strong medication, but the pain was such that it would almost make you unconscious at times. The doctors said that was normal."
"So they work just like normal arms and legs?" Hector asked.
"More or less," said Mason. "I can feel everything just as if it were my own skin. I feel hot and cold. I can use them just as effectively as my old arm and leg. Hell, I can actually do more with them. My arm and leg don't get tired like my right ones. I can lift a lot of weight with my left arm as long as I don't overdo it." He patted where his arm met the rest of his body. "Don't want to damage the rest of my body."
"I guess that I can understand that," said Hector. He looked closely at Mason's left hand. "There is no visible way to tell that it isn't real?"
"Nope. The only way to tell that it isn't real is by either thermal imaging or some other means that we, as people, cannot detect," Mason explained.
"What's thermal imaging?" asked Hector as he scratched his head.
"That's a story for another time, Hector," spoke up Jacob. "For now, let's finish getting back to that house there in the distance. We've got close to an hour, hopefully less, to reach that house."
"What makes you think that?" asked Hector as he squinted to look off in the distance.
Jacob started walking. "Well, it's just a guess really. Just running a thought based on how tall we are, how far away the horizon looks because of that, and how fast we've been walking."
"So you can guess how far away it is based on that?"
"Roughly," Jacob replied to Hector.
Mason started walking after Jacob and looked back at Hector. "Kid here has a lot of extra training and learning. Part of his job, I guess."
Hector shook his head and mumbled to himself as he followed after the two.
Chapter XVIII
It didn't take them much more than an hour to reach the house that they had seen in the distance. The terrain hadn't changed that much. There were still stands of trees now and then, but they had thinned out quite a bit. There was mostly scraggly brush that spotted the ground in all directions. Nearer the house, there were sections of land that had been completely cleared and fenced. As they got even closer to the house, they noticed that it wasn't as small as they were thinking.
It was a large house, three stories tall. The first story had a deck running all around the house with a mirroring balcony on the second with supporting columns running from the deck of the first floor all the way to the bottom of the floor of the third. The columns were a simple white rounded column. The house appeared to be made out of simple wood and shingles. The windows were unassuming, and window treatments were drawn over most of the windows except one of them on the first story. Not much could be seen through the window. The fences further out from the house were stone, but the fence immediately around the house was a simple three-rail board fence that looked more ornamental than anything.
Nearer still, and after they had crossed a number of fences to get on a pathway, they could see that the snow had been swept away from the deck. On the deck, there were a number of chairs and a few swings. Places for flowers and other plants could be seen, but the items that went in them could not be seen. On the other side of the house, they saw a large structure that Jacob thought was akin to an old barn.
They stopped outside of the wood fence and looked at each other.
"Well, guess we might as well go say hello," said Jacob.
"That's why we're here," Mason replied.
Hector stood there dumbfounded as he looked at the house and all around. "The River Tribe is certainly prosperous. You could probably fit all of Repose in there."
"Yeah, probably," said Jacob as he walked through the opening in the fence and crossed the distance to the deck.
He stepped up onto the deck, kicked the snow off his boots at the side, and then proceeded to knock on the door. After a few short moments, a man in his mid-forties answered the door. He was shorter than Jacob and had brown hair that was graying at the temples. It could be told in his face that he had seen a number of harsh winters, the beard kept thick but trimmed. He was wearing a thick wool overcoat that hid anything under it. His hazel eyes had a stern look to them as he took in Jacob.
"Don't get many visitors out this way," the man said. "Just what do you want."
"My friends and I were wondering if we could ask for directions and perhaps barter for some equipment," said Jacob.
The man harrumphed. "Directions I can do. Equipment is another problem."
"We're willing to give a fair bargain, sir." Jacob looked the main squarely in the eye.
The man stared back, not flinching. He then looked around Jacob to see Mason and Hector. He sighed. "Ok, you three can come on in. Mind the carpet." He left the door open as he walked deeper into the house.
Jacob motioned for Mason and Hector to come on up. When they got there, the group entered the house together and shut the door.
The inside of the house was as large as the outside led someone to believe. The walls were all wood, and the floor was all carpeted except for in the entryway where it was a polished wooden floor. Sconces holding oil lamps were hanging on the wall every so often, keeping the hallway well lit. Ahead, the man turned to his right and entered one of the rooms.
When Jacob entered, he was greeted by a grand room that extended back to the front of the house. There were animal heads mounted on the wall, obvious trophies. The carpet was even plusher in the great room. There were large furniture pieces set up, denoting multiple sitting areas. In the center of the room where the largest furniture was, there was a fireplace that they framed.
The man shucked off his large coat to reveal a grey business suit. It was well tailored, and he had a blue tie to finish it off. He sat down in an oversized chair and motioned for the others to take a seat. Mason sat down while Jacob and Hector took off their packs, and then they sat down near him.
The man looked at Jacob. "So why are you here on my farm?"
Jacob smiled. "Sorry to trespass on your territory, sir, but we are travelling towards Respite and would like some directions as well as some provisions and equipment."
The man cocked his head to one side. "Respite?"
"Yes, sir," said Hector. "Home of the River Tribe."
The man chuckled. "River Tribe?" He shook his head and smiled. "I've not heard it called that it a long, long time."
"You mean it's not called the River Tribe?" asked Jacob.
"Well, it used to be called that a long time ago before the rebellion, but it hasn't been called that since," the man explained. "This region is known as Marland."
"Marland?" asked Mason.
"That's right. Mark is the name of the man that led the rebellion against the Elders of Respite perhaps fifty years ago now. We chose the name in honor of him. In fact," he started, "my parents fought in the rebellion."
His eyes lost focus and he seemed lost in memory for a moment. He shook his head and came out of his memories.
"You obviously aren't from around here," the man said.
"No, sir. We," Jacob motioned to himself and Mason, "are from far away. Hector here," he pointed at Hector," is from the Forest Tribe."
The man blinked a few times. "Forest Tribe?" He squinted. "You're going to have to leave."
"But, I," started Jacob.
"No buts. Your kind aren't welcome around here. "The man stood up and motioned to the door."Good day, sirs."
Mason opened his mouth to say something, but Jacob shook his head.
"Well, sir, I think we understand. If we could bother you for directions to the nearest town though," Jacob trailed off.
The man harrumphed. "Head out down the path from the house, and you'll reach the road. Turn east on it
, and that'll take you to Hedington. It'll take about a day to get there. Now, please, get out of my house."
Jacob nodded and stood. Hector and he grabbed the packs, and Mason led the way out of the room and down the hallway. They all exited the house, and the man closed the door and locked it after them. Walking down the path, Mason turned to Jacob.
"Wonder what that was all about," Mason said.
"Beats me," Jacob responded. "Hector?"
Hector shook his head. "Why was he so rude?"
Jacob just shook his head and kept walking.
"So we have another day of walking head of us." Mason sighed. "I'm so happy that we planned this trip, Jacob."
"Tell me about it." Jacob chuckled. He looked at the sky for the location of the sun. The sky was overcast still, threatening more snow. "Hopefully, we can make it there before too long after nightfall."
"Sounds like a plan," replied Mason as he shook his head. "The people in Hedington are going to have to be more hospitable. We're zero for two."
"At least we have Hector," added Jacob.
"What's that?" Hector asked, obviously lost in his thoughts.
"Don't worry about it," said Mason.
Jacob chuckled and took the lead. It was going to be a long walk.
Chapter XIX
The journey was largely uneventful for the majority of the way. They managed to keep a decent pace despite the snow that started to come down heavier and heavier as the day dragged on. They passed farmhouses both large and small, but they never stopped for fear of a similar incident happening again. They had agreed to not mention Respite, Repose, or the Tribes, though Hector was still uncertain as to why it was an issue. Mason and Jacob had a pretty good idea, but they weren't about to get into the long discussion that would ensue if it were to be brought up.
Not too long after nightfall, the sky still had a dull glow to it; they crested a hill and were granted their first view of Hedington.
"Ok," said Mason. "Not what I was expecting."
It was difficult to tell the overall architecture since light to see by was quickly fading away, but what could be seen showed a much more outwardly advanced culture. While there were no obvious electric lights, there was plenty of light around the settlement. The settlement was also large. While it didn't stretch about from horizon to horizon, it sprawled across the land. There were innumerable buildings that appeared to be houses littering the landscape further away from the center. Closer to the center, the buildings got larger and more imposing.