“Lovely. The tab just keeps running up,” Richard said.
“Please,” I whispered.
“I didn’t say I wasn’t going to do it,” Richard said. “Just note immortal things remember what humans do not.”
“How did you two guys meet, anyway?” Mercury asked. “You’re, uh … not exactly the sort of people who would normally hang out together.”
Richard started back toward his workshop. “What with him being a Recon and Extermination Ranger and me being the exterminated?”
“Yeah,” Mercury said sheepishly.
Jackie took Mercury’s hand and walked beside her as we reached the entrance to Richard’s garage.
“He was a friend of General Ashton-Smith, my mentor,” I said, recalling another person I would never see again. “The General always had unconventional ideas about how exactly to protect the Remnant. Richard and I struck an odd friendship after being introduced.”
“Yeah, just a boy and his dog-man,” Richard said. “Watch your head.”
The sounds of Old Earth music continued to play in the background as we ducked under the half-closed garage door. The song currently playing was one I’d heard before, an ethereal melody called “Dark Side of the Moon.”
The inside of Richard’s workshop was a wonderland if you were interested in Old Earth technology. The place was dark, greasy, smelly, and covered in soot, but there were more innovations going on here than in most of human civilization. There were stacks of recycled paper covered in charcoal scribbles of machinery parts, clay tablets preserving lost knowledge, and even technical diagrams written on the wallpaper. Hundreds of Pre-Rising homemade items had been disassembled and looked at closely under glass-blown magnifying glasses, while stacks of identical machines showed Richard’s methodical devotion to his craft: the craft of tinkering.
Scrapyard lacked the infrastructure to maintain or repair most of the more complicated pieces of machinery it salvaged, but Richard had taken it as an affront to humanity losing any of its technology. So far, he’d managed to construct items up to the 1960s in complexity and was slowly building his way up. There was even a half-completed plane hanging from the garage’s ceiling.
“Is that a computer?” Mercury blinked, pointing at a strange, hybridized thing with a greenish-tinged screen. “You have computers out here?”
“Yeah, I mostly use it to play old video games. I used to be able to watch movies on it before the drive busted and the monitor failed. Still, it was an experiment which taught me quite a few things. Once we get computers back, it’ll be smooth sailing.” Richard took position in front of a door marked EMPLOYEES ONLY. Pointing, he said, “The girl is in here.”
“Ghouls are interested in computers?” Mercury showed little interest in Jessica’s fate, not that I expected her to.
“No, but humans are. I used to be one, you know.” Richard chuckled before a look of pain passed across his face. His face was similar enough to a human’s that I could recognize the emotion. “I know. It’s hard to tell.”
Not hesitating, I rushed past my friends through the doorway. Inside was a crude medical station equipped with some salvaged hospital equipment. It was inferior to a Remnant hospital but not for lack of trying. IVs, monitors, sterilized equipment, and so on had been placed inside the room, while the place smelled of antiseptic. Richard had done his best to see Jessica was taken care of, for which I owed him a huge debt.
There, lying on an ancient, rusted hospital gurney was Jessica. She was naked under a well-washed, frayed white sheet with a tube injecting homemade morphine into her arm. Her long brown hair trailed over the side of the bed while a couple of strange humming machines kept track of her life signs.
“Thank you,” I said, grateful for what Richard had done.
“Save your thanks for when she makes it out of this alive,” Richard said. “If she makes it out alive.”
My relief at finding her died in the pit of my stomach as I saw a marking on her shoulder. My joy was short-lived however, turning to a disturbed awe, as I saw a handprint made of scars on her right shoulder. It was identical to the one on my own.
“Richard, what’s wrong with her?” I had to ask, a horrible sensation welling up inside my stomach. “You know things we don’t even know we’ve forgotten.”
“John …” Richard trailed off.
I gritted my teeth. “Tell me what’s wrong with her.”
Richard looked sympathetic but nevertheless answered. “As far as I can tell, John, you are.”
“Explain,” I said. It was more a command than a request.
Katryn stepped past Richard and moved to press her hand against Jessica’s scar. “The Dream-Walker does not have to. I have seen this before. It is the Hand of Nyarlathotep.”
“Just once, I swear, I wished there would be a Wasteland god or monster with a name that wasn’t unpronounceable,” Mercury muttered, looking in on Jessica. She then switched topics and said, “She’s pretty, got some good genes there. No sign of mutation.”
“Your observations aren’t helping,” I said, before looking between Richard and Katryn, trying to regain control over my emotions. “Could you explain? Why is she like this?”
Richard stood in the doorway, his larger than normal frame blocking Mercury and Jackie from entering. “The tribal lady seems to understand more about this than I do. All I know is she was getting better until this morning when she suddenly took a turn for the worst.”
A sinking feeling filled my chest. I was not a believer in coincidence. “Did it start happening about six to seven hours ago?”
“Yeah, how did you know?” Richard looked perplexed, as much as a human canine hybrid could at least.
Because that was about the time I was impaled by the nightgaunt. I didn’t say it aloud, but I could see it on Mercury’s face she was thinking the same thing. Somehow, there was a supernatural connection between Jessica and me, one that was slowly killing her. I had to figure out some way of stopping it, no matter the cost.
Even if it was at the expense of my own life.
Katryn took her hands up to my chest and slowly removed my shirt, exposing the handprint. “You have been marked by the God with a Thousand Forms, John. The one you call the Black Soldier, who we call the Trickster, and who is known by countless other names. Some dreadful sorcery has been worked, feeding your life with this woman’s own. When you suffer, she suffers. Yet, as long as she has life left to give, you will recover from even the worst wounds. This is the nature of the Hand of Nyarlathotep.”
I felt sick to my stomach, stunned at such a horrible thing’s possibility. What sort of mad sorcerer had worked this enchantment on us? Was it Ward? If it was, I needed to find out so I could rip off their head and put it on a pike.
“Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me. Too bad it has to be such a hot young thing,” Richard said, shrugging his shoulders. “No wonder I wasn’t able to get her to wake when you left. You crossed the Dust Zone without any clothes or water. I’m surprised she didn’t die a dozen times getting you back home.”
“Wow, that’s even more tactless than my usual comments. You should be proud, Mister Jameson,” Mercury said, shaking her head.
“Just doing my part,” Richard said, smiling a mouth full of sharp teeth. “I can sound human even if I’ll never be so again.”
I felt helpless and in need of something to shoot.
Mercury reluctantly squeezed passed Richard’s thick, furry form. “Let me have a look at her, I’m a doctor.”
“Is she?” Richard sounded impressed.
“Something like that,” I corrected, not at all happy Mercury was getting near Jessica. Unfortunately, she was the only one here with any real medical expertise. I wanted to say more, but I was still in shock and couldn’t think of anything else to add.
“How do I break the spell?” I asked, deciding to focus on what was important.
“She’s quite beautiful.” Katryn’s eyes lingered over Jessica’s fallen fo
rm. “But you need to think pragmatically. A true warrior would be willing to die for their leader. If you truly wish to kill the Necromancer, I suggest you allow her to serve as your shield. She will give you the strength you need to destroy him.”
“I was her Captain. I still am,” I snapped, disgusted by Katryn’s words. “I’m not going to use her as some sort of … battery. It’s my job to keep her safe. Do you understand? It’s my job!”
“Actually, I’m pretty sure it’s the job of soldiers to complete their mission. At least, that was how it was back in Old Earth. I was a mechanic in the Korean War, you know. Seriously, it sucks my life became about living underground and eating carrion when the Summer of Love was just getting started,” Richard blathered on. I think he was trying to distract me from my troubles, but he was doing a very piss-poor job of it.
“John, I would like to have words with you.” Katryn’s voice was as commanding as mine had earlier been. “We need to discuss what you know of the Necromancer and what I know. Destroying him should be the guiding focus of our efforts.”
“In a moment, Katryn. I’m speaking to Richard.” I raised a hand, trying to be as respectful as possible to my former lover. “My squad mate’s safety comes first.” I wanted revenge against Ward if he was the one responsible for my squadron’s death and Jessica’s current condition. However, if it became a choice of her health versus Ward’s death, I would choose her survival every time.
“As you wish, for now. Afterward, we must speak, though,” Katryn said. “Not a second longer, though.”
“So be it,” I said, nodding. “I am pleased you respect the bond between me and my men.”
“Man, I miss when people talked like normal folk.” Richard sighed, shaking his head. “The English language has seriously regressed since the Rising. You guys sound like you’re from a different century than me.”
“We are from a different century than you.” Mercury pointed out. She’d already started taking notes on a chart that Richard had set aside.
“Touché,” Richard said. “Anyone want some kidney pie? I just opened up some poor sucker and the organs are especially fresh!”
Mercury opened her mouth in mute horror.
“Ha!” Richard said. “Old ghoul joke.”
Chapter Twelve
Certain there was nothing more I could do for Jessica here, I looked to Richard and asked him for the favor I’d mentioned earlier—with an added caveat. “I need you to break the spell binding me and Jessica. I also require a Dreamlands vision-quest. You’ve said it’s possible to travel the mists of time through ghoul ceremonies to this place. I have lost memories I need to recover. The spell breaking the connection between me and Jessica takes priority, however. If we can break our link, maybe she’ll have the strength to recover.”
It was a lot to ask of my friend; Richard was only a hedge magician and I’d never seen him do anything remotely comparable to what I was asking. Yet, I wasn’t sure if I could ask Katryn to do it. Even if she was capable of such magic, things had ended … badly between us.
Richard coughed and raised his hands defensively. “You’re talking some serious juju here. The dream-walking is easy enough. I can do that with just the right smoke and mirrors. Breaking an invocation to Nyarlathotep, though? That requires ancient Pre-Babylonian ‘Age of Sorcerer Kings’ stuff. I’d need to get things from the elders underground for that.”
“Can you do it or not?” My voice rose, I was about ready to snap. I had to know; if not, I’d find someone else.
“Yes.” Richard grinned, and it was highly unsettling. “The issue is cost, John.”
“I see.” Nothing came free in the Wasteland, even from friends. I was disappointed in Richard, though not by much. Thankfully, I had something to barter with. It was another reason I owed Martha. “I have a copy of the English translation of the Necronomicon, Richard. It has the original Arabic text included. I will allow you to read it if you do this for me.”
Richard stopped motionless, his posture suddenly threatening. “Don’t lie to me, John.”
I pulled out the book and opened it, flashing Richard a couple of pages. Specifically, a despicable set describing how the Great Old One Dagon lay with human women in order to sire the debased Deep One race. That particular set on pages had numerous illustrations on how to perform spells designed to attract them.
Richard’s eyes grew wide, taking in the reality of my offer. “Uh … well now… that’s … big.”
Pleased by his reaction, I asked, “Is this enough?”
“Easily. I’ll go get the necessary stuff. See you in five or six hours.” Richard spoke no more and left.
Little Jackie, who had been silent for much of the conversation, stared at Jessica and then glanced up at Mercury. “Is she going to live?”
“The facilities are crude but sufficient. If there’s a scientific basis for this life-transfer phenomenon, which there has to be, then it’s mostly a case of getting her strength built back up,” Mercury said, looking positively tickled to have a patient before her.
“So, yes?” Jackie asked.
“Yes.”
I hoped she was right. “Are you alright staying here for the time being, Jackie?”
“Sure!” Jackie said, more enthusiastically than expected. “Mister Jameson is awesome! I once was dared to sneak into his place but my father smacked me for it after the fact. He’s got some nifty stuff here.”
“Good,” I said. “He’s the only person I really trust here. It’s only temporary, though. I promise.”
“I don’t like it,” Mercury said. “We should take her with us.”
“You’re going to assist her in regaining consciousness?” I ignored Mercury’s objections; it was becoming the chief way I dealt with her.
“As soon as I make sure that won’t adversely affect her health, unless you have any objections to a ‘professional torturer’ helping your friend?” Mercury said, looking up at me with a strained expression on her face. She looked genuinely hurt by my earlier words, something I was unprepared for.
“Just do it. If you can, I will speak no more ill of you,” I said, leaving the room, trying to catch my breath. Seeing Jessica in her current condition, knowing it was my fault, was too much. I also didn’t want to watch Mercury working on her given how I’d treated her. Despite all the things she’d done, I owed her my life and soon I would owe her my squad mate’s life. She deserved better.
“I need a minute alone,” I muttered, talking to myself. I decided Richard’s guest bedroom was the best place to do so. I’d stayed there a couple of nights in the past.
Heading inside, I felt someone coming up behind me. Slightly moving my head to the left, I saw Katryn’s fist coming at the back of my head. Immediately, I ducked underneath her blow.
Barely.
“What the hell are you doing!?” I asked, turning around and backing into the room. Katryn was ready to fight, that much was easy to see from her battle-ready stance and flaring eyes.
Katryn spun around with her bare foot moving to spin-kick me in the stomach. I managed to catch it and proceeded to sweep her other foot out from under her.
Katryn moved with an effortless grace, somersaulting out of my grip onto her feet. Her fighting style was reminiscent of Brazilian capoeira, more dance-like than my own training.
I raised my fists defensively. “I thought we were going to hold off on killing me until after this Necromancer business was settled.”
“Fighting you is not killing you,” Katryn said, tossing her spear to one side.
“I’m glad that distinction is being made!” I said, annoyed. I didn’t have time for this. Jessica was dying and Katryn wanted to fight? What was wrong with her?
Katryn continued her explanation, her movements graceful yet deadly. “You have a way of showing up when most needed. I am not one to question the will of the gods, but I need to know if your reflexes are still as capable as they were a year ago.”
“There are
easier ways to test my reflexes!” I said, my frown turning into a smirk. It was hard not to think of our time together. It had been four years into the disintegration of my marriage; she’d been both forward and exotic, two things I loved.
“You gave up that right when you left the mating circle,” Katryn said, coolly. Her words held hints of her own attraction, however. Just the way she spoke them said that she still wanted me as much as I wanted her.
“I didn’t have a choice to enter it!”
Jumping up, she attempted to knee me in the face. I managed to grab her by the arms and tossed her on the ground. That proved a mistake as she somehow reversed my hold and sent me flying up against the wall. By the time I was looking up, she was already moving to bring down her foot onto my face. I barely managed to roll out of the way before her foot slammed into the ground beside me. The dust of the floor was now flying up from our athletic contest, covering us both.
“You’re lucky I’m holding back.” I moved my hands up in front of my face, guarding it against her attacks.
In truth, I wasn’t, but psychological warfare was the only edge I had. The Dunwych valued strength as much as they did honor. I had called into question both by leaving her, showing myself to be weak-willed and an oath-breaker. It was now up to me to prove I still had the personal fortitude to be a worthy ally. I had no intention of disappointing.
“If you were holding back, I’d know it.” Katryn proceeded to pull a knife from her leather outfit.
I was surprised by that, less because of her willingness to escalate our conflict than because hers was not the most concealing of garments. It opened up all sorts of questions as to where exactly she’d been hiding it.
Slashing toward my chest, I avoided each of her blows before making a move for her knife. I could have drawn my R’lyehian blade, but I intended to prove I didn’t need it. “Maybe you overestimate yourself.”
“Show me.” Katryn anticipated my attack and immediately spun around to kick me in the chest. It was here the general discrepancy of our body weights proved to my advantage. Most men could not stand a blow from Katryn and remain standing; once they were down, she killed them with one easy blow. If I’d had any less of a pound advantage, I’d be on the ground crippled.
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