Book 2 Chapter 27: Resupply

Book 2 Chapter 27: Resupply

I made my way out of the tent, looking for a way to occupy my time until I received my payment, and resupply. I took a deep inhale, ignoring the frightened glances of the people in the camp, and started moving toward where the scent of blood was thickest. Eventually I came to a large tent with a large red cross in the center. I pushed my way inside. It was loud, people were screaming, medical tools being deposited onto metal trays, and Doctors barking orders all the while. I moved through the tent, deftly dodging those few people who didnt move aside for me as I made my way toward the back. I saw people missing limbs, gunshot wounds, and large cauterized circles on some people I assumed were the result of lasguns. The smell of their burnt flesh made me hungry.

Near the back corner of the tent I saw Mercy, Leah, and Graves. Graves was sitting on the ground, no chairs within the tent wouldve been capable of supporting his armored weight. Mercy was freshly bandaged, with her fingers splinted. Between that and the burns I knew were under her eye-patch she was starting to look almost as scarred as I was. Leah and Mercy were talking quietly, their voices just barely breaking through the noise that filled the tent.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Graves held up a hand to acknowledge me as I approached, and I returned the gesture. Leah and Mercy looked up at me as I did so.

Donovan, how was your talk with the cabinet? asked Leah.

I wasnt sure of how she knew thats where I had been, but I wasnt surprised. Better than yours, I responded.

Mine went exactly as Id expected, she responded.

I looked over to the bed where Mercy was laying. Mercy, I said, with a tilt of my head.

She surprised me by smiling. Donovan, Im surprised to see you here.

No where else for me to be while I wait for my pay. Besides, I still need coordinates from these two, I gestured at Graves and Leah.

Leahs eyes unfocused for a moment, and suddenly I had the coordinates messaged to me. There you go. Unfortunately, Im grounded indefinitely, but Graves should be able to request to fly you as close as he can.

I nodded, that would make for a pleasantly quiet flight.

Im afraid I lost the book you gave me, said Mercy.

Book? Oh, The Dukes Hammer? You bought it fair and square. What happens to it after that is your business.

Can we do it on the go? I asked. My teeth were itching. I was feeling an urgent need to finally start on my journey across the Cut. It had already been delayed twice, and barring a threat to my immediate life or Potts I intended it to be the next thing I did.

Leah nodded, and fell in next to me and behind Graves who led the way to the outside of the camp where I assumed the Shrike was located.

We are aware that restoring or activating full functionality at the bunker may not actually be possible.

I nodded. I had already considered the possibility of simply lying to them and not turning it on if I decided against it.

Whether it is or isnt, she pulled a stack of black squares from her jacket. We want you to place one of these into whatever terminals you find. We need any information on why it isnt possible if you cant, along with any data stored there. That way we can confirm the job is done.

I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. It was like theyd read my mind, but it didnt really change anything. If I didnt want to activate the parts of the RAS they wanted activated, I wouldnt. I knew they believed it would give them a serious edge in the wastes, and I wouldnt let them have it if I thought it was against the deadmen and Potts best interests.

Pack these in different places, she said, handing them to me. You should only need one. The rest are backups.

I nodded, taking them and began slotting them into different pockets and sections of my pack without even looking. The Shrike came into view shortly after that, and after a nod to Leah, Graves loaded himself in and started its engines. I went to climb inside as well.

One last thing Donovan.

I turned around.

Good luck.

I tipped my hat, and made it the rest of the way inside, taking a spot that would give me the best view of the ground as we flew over it, and settling in. The Republic had fallen. The Remnants had absorbed STAR without bloodshed, and removed The Republic that had been a thorn in their side, in a single day. Aside from a few unaffiliated outskirt settlements, that meant there was only one direction left for them to go, East. I strongly doubted they would find the Khan and the Iron Horde as easy to deal with.

I looked down at STAR territory as I passed over it, automatically cataloging landmarks and towns as I passed over them. This was the last time Id be given a ride in quite some time. It was time to start flexing my walking skill again.