245 Pay Back Your Dues (1/2)
Sin City
Tyrier sat down at one of the tables at the back of the tavern where it offered him a full view of the place and also the entrance. He ordered some food and drinks from the serving slave and slowly nursed the mug of ale that was ordered.
There was barely a crowd in the tavern. Most of the patrons were merchant guards of mixed races. Not long, the doors opened and Hitsu, Loke, and Wolf walked in. They quickly spotted Tyrier and went over to join them.
”Anything new?” Tyrier asked as they settled down.
Hitsu shook his head before replying, ”We can't enter the inner city. Can't even bribe the guards to let us in. I think we need to go Plan B.”
Plan B was to sneak in at night and infiltrate the inner city. Tyrier nodded and said, ”let's wait for the rest before we decide what to do.”
They sat there and ate in silence while waiting for the rest of the team to gather. Only when they finished their meal did the rest returned. Altied, Tavel, and Young joined and ordered some drinks and food before sharing the information they gathered.
”All the gates are too heavily guarded,” Altied said with a full mouthful of grilled grass rodent. ”And there are no tall buildings next to the walls, we can't jump across nor look into the inner city.”
”We saw some merchant wagons entering the inner city,” Young said. ”Looks like they are transporting gold into the inner city.”
”If we wanna sneak in, either we go over the walls, or we stow away with the treasure wagons?” Tyrier frowned while the others nodded. ”How I wish we could just have UAV coverage here... saves us all the troubles...”
Everyone laughed while Hitsu said, ”Well then, won't we be out of business?”
”Alright, we continue to keep an eye out to see if we can find a chance or more ways to enter the inner city undetected,” Tyrier whispered. ”Same as before, keep your tracks clean!”
Everyone nodded and Young raised his mug, ”For Doth!”
”For Doth!”
-----
Haven, Draco Airbase, Terminal One
Liz hugged a large bag looked around with curious eyes at her surroundings inside the strange tall ceiling of the building she was in. One side of the building was lavishly made out of glass! She stood several steps from the glass walls, afraid that she will be in big trouble if she accidentally breaks the glass!
Her eyes went wide as she looked at the large looming oblong shape with long wings being towed to the front of the building where she could see several people fussing around the flying construct.
She found her self being summoned to the headmaster's office in the morning and was told to pack enough clothes for a week as she will be going someplace to help with an investigation. Magister Thorn next told her to be ready within an hour as they were be rushing for time.
An hour later, Liz sat in the ”vee he cle” with Thorn and they were whizzed away and dropped at this strange building. She looked at Thorn who was also watching the flying construct with the excitement of a three year old.
”Headmaster, are we going to ride inside that?” Liz asked nervously. Even doth she has seen how the planes flew around the city and even heard of legends of flying ships and islands, she couldn't really put her trust in that flying construct made out of wood and metal!
”Yes, yes!” Thorn smiled. ”It will be fun!”
”Erm... okay...” Liz stammered. ”Where are we going?”
”We, my dear, are going to the city of Orwell's Point!” Thorn winked. ”Oh, here are the rest!”
Liz turned and saw her friend, Evelyn also totting a bag, next to a female hooman that she recognized as the Doctor who gave her weird vibes.
A soldier appeared from the side and said, ”If you all could follow me, we can board the plane now.”
Thorn nodded and picked his bag which looked more like a sack, while the female hooman dragged a strange silver rectangular box with wheels behind her. Liz went up to Evelyn and held her hand, ”How are you?”
Evelyn gave a small smile, ”I'm feeling better, just tired mostly.”
”Really?” Liz looked concernedly at Evelyn. ”Do you know why we are called along?”
”I think they need our skills in finding out some things that are happening in the city they want us to go,” Evelyn replied slowly. She appeared to be out of breath after that sentence and Liz quickly gave her shoulder for Evelyn to lean against.
”Are you ok?” Liz frowned worriedly. ”I think you better stay behind and rest! I will tell th-”
”No, I am alright,” Evelyn patted Liz's head. ”It seems that Dante had damaged my soul and with him gone, the connection with him was severed.”
”I'll be fine in time,” Evelyn assured Liz. ”Don't worry!”
As they passed through the opening in the glass walls, the loud whine and hum of machinery assailed their ears. A small troop of soldiers was standing in a file with bulging backpacks and gear all over their bodies waited for them next to the plane.
”I am Sergeant Aztes,” A burly soldier strolled up to Dr. Sharon and Magister Thorn and saluted. ”Hundred and First ATI, Claymore Two! We will be in charge of your security at Orwell's Point!”
”Lead the way Sergeant,” Dr. Sharon replied after returning the salute. ”We talk more onboard.”