Watching their fellow guard get torn about by a creature none of them had ever seen before was quite the shock. Alexandria however was having the time of her life chasing them back towards the light beam. Of course they didn't know what was about to happen nor could they see it. Alexandria didn't like the eye sight this creature had compared to the other animals she has shifted into. However the claws were a welcomed addition to her arsenal. Moving quickly using her sense of smell to keep better track of the guards since what sight she did have was making sure they made it into the light beams path.
Tyra watches and waits since hearing the scream she knew something was going on but wasn't able to see it yet. Keeping her rifle trained on the open area listening closely to all the action going on in that area. One of the guards appeared in her view as she squeezed the trigger. The bullet sailed through the air tunneling into the guard's forehead blasting the back of the skull and brain matter all over the wall. Expelling the spent cartridge and loading another one waiting for the next guard to appear.
One of the guards finally tried to shoot at the creature. Alexandria went to lean back and found she could balance on her tail. A smirk crept across her face as bullets peppered the ground in front of her. A few clicks came from the gun's barrel as it jammed to the terror of the guard in front of her. Balancing on her tail jumping forward digging her claws into the guards chest ripping it to pieces blood and guts being spread around all over the area. The last guard was sprayed with gore backing up slowly in horror. The bullet went clean through boring into the ground not far from the guard. Dropping to their knees then hitting the ground as the area went completely silent.
Wiping her claws on the guards clothes moving away from the blood soaked area. There wasn't much left in the way of guards. She was hoping that meant all the guards had left or were dead. There was no problem with fighting more since this new shift was turning out to be a lot of fun. Of course the vision problem wasn't ideal but she couldn't win them all. Her sense of smell was leading her towards Lyric since meeting the remaining people in the settlement seemed like the best idea.
Lyric and her small group of people made it to the storage area safely. The screams and cries had finally settled down outside. She was sure that Alexandria had finished off the guards in that area. The question was which animal did she use to take them down? A rifle was also heard so Tyra must have been helping a little bit. Shaking her head making sure all the people were there moving towards the door.
The young girl was right behind her with that worn out saber hanging from her waist. Lyric wasn't sure why she insisted on carrying that thing around. If she could use it well that was what mattered in the end. She had a funny feeling about her that couldn't be placed at the moment. Perhaps after all the craziness was over it would all be figured out. Lyric touched the door handle when a few scratches made her jump back.
Both of them grabbed the handle of their weapons about to draw when a voice came through the door. "Open the door dammit it is me Lyric." Rolling her eyes with a giggle she opened the door to see Alexandria standing there wrinkling her nose. Of course it wasn't the usual wrinkle.
"Did you just shift back into a person?" Lyric asked as Alexandria walked, closing the door behind her. Wrinkling her nose again, sticking out her tongue.
"Yes and the guards seem to be all taken care of. How is everyone doing here?" After asking the question she looked down at the young woman holding the saber.
Lyric clicked her tongue as the three of them walked back into the main area of the building. It was mostly filled with equipment for moving everything from one settlement site to the next. Of course that was the most important thing for a settlement in this world because of attacks. Alexandria wrinkled her nose looking around the room. "Hopefully all the guards who attacked your settlement are dead. I need to get a better understanding as to why this happened. So who is your leader?"
The room went silent for a moment and Lyric slapped her face with the palm of her hand wondering why she didn't think to ask that question. Of course that was why Alexandria was the leader. None of the people stepped up or said anything, not even the young woman with the saber. Alexandria let out an exasperated sigh pinching the bridge of her nose. "If the leader is dead that would be good to know as well. One of you has to have some useful information or am I just talking to myself?"
That may not have been the best thing to say. However she was frustrated at the moment even after getting to rip apart those guards with her new animal shift. Information was key in this world and if you were not able to provide it what value did they really have? Of course she just wasn't going to kill them all for that reason. However taking all their supplies would be payment enough.
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The young woman went to the center of the room. She started to stretch out her body shaking her hands and feet long with rolling her shoulders. Everything fell off her body. A child was still standing there but she was armed to the teeth with throwing weapons. Her hair was in pigtails and the worn saber was gone. Lyric drew her cutlass moving in front of Alexandria a serious look on her face.
A devious smile spread across the young girl's face waving her hand in the air. "You have no reason to fear me. I am the one who made sure that body your friend blew away wasn't found. The settlement's leader was killed in the attack so I brought these people to the makeshift tent you found us in."
Alexandria scoffed with a smile. It would seem another person with abilities had landed right in front of her. However, this one was a bit young. She also didn't introduce herself. Why the big show instead of just taking out the guards will all those weapons? "If you had those weapons and moved a body, why didn't you take out the rest of the guards? Instead my crew and I did the work instead. Which means you owe us." She rolled her eyes at the young woman.
Lyric sheathed her cutlass letting out a soft giggle. She wasn't sure what was going on but it seemed very interesting at least. At least now that feeling she was having about the girl was brought to light.
"Those are all good questions and I do owe you a ship as per the agreement. Also you can call me Eve." Giving a bow with that same smile still plastered on her face. It would seem there was always a show wherever Alexandria decided to go. Rolling her shoulders and cracking her neck this was going to be interesting.
"Well Eve, it is good to know your word carries weight. However, keeping this little secret will cost you a bit more. I had fun killing those guards but information as I said is important right now." Alexandria moved closer to Eve entending her hand.
Eve smirked grasping Alexandria's hand firmly. "If that was a jab at my height I can respect that. As far as information goes that will be a bit tricky. I move around so much the information I have might already be outdated. I do know the raid on this settlement was successful, just not sure what they took. The guards your crew killed were just mopping up."
That was an interesting piece of information. It was concerning that a walled city was able to gain something else considering they already had most everything that was still high class in this world. "How do you know they were able to complete their mission? That is some very strong information to carry around, especially seeing as you could have fixed the issue before the settlement was reduced to only these people." Alexandria needed to make sure this Eve was trustworthy since there were not many of those people left.
"That is a good point. I was in the process of doing my own things when I stumbled upon the attack. There wasn't much time to do much. My look was off of a girl I found dead in the leader's home. Sadly the whole family was killed. If I had come a bit sooner it would have been different." Eve was sad about all the deaths. She had her own things to worry about. These were the only people she could save at the moment.
"I was actually trying to leave since I still have other business to attend to. That ship in the harbor used to belong to the leader of the settlement. Now that most of the people are gone there is no need for it. The people here don't want any more trouble so take whatever you need. After getting all their things together they will most likely restart elsewhere." Eve broke the handshake turning back to the people who were all nodding their heads in agreement.
Alexandria shook her head in disbelief at all the information that was just unloaded on her. There was a lot of unpack here but the best thing was hitting the jackpot on supplies. However the ship was something she wasn't sure they could accept. After finding out how everything that happened the remaining people heard could use it to rebuild. Even if they were in agreement with Eve. There was also the point not to look a gift horse in the mouth. Another useful saying she read in a book.
"Having the extra supplies will be very helpful. However, are the people really sure the ship is something they can part with right now. I will accept it and for the lives lost grant protection in the future if needed." Everyone including Lyric were stunned by Alexandria's comment. She was stepping outside of the norm for a moment to give something that usually wasn't given unless earned. Now it was time to figure out what to do next. Alexandria wanted Eve to join them but that was going to be a bit tricky. Loaded up on crewmembers so quickly could have her miss out on other things.
Lyric let out a soft giggle. "It would seem someone doesn't understand what she should be doing at the moment. However I do like the fact we are helping people that actually need it. We should go back to the ship and talk to Tyra so that things can get moving." She turned to Eve giving her a nod of approval as she left the room heading back to the ship.
Eve nodded back looking up at Alexandria. "Perhaps we will meet up again soon. However for now stay clear of the larger areas. The walled cities seem to be making moves against medium sized settlements. You don't want to get caught in that crossfire especially if you're enhanced with something they might want." Before Alexandria could respond Eve left the room as well.
She was now standing there with the few settlers. Letting out an exasperated sigh rolling her eyes. "Alright we should get to work separating everything that is trash and what you all are taking with you. We will burn what can't be used and I will take the rest. Do you have a means of transportation?"
The settlers nodded as everyone started to get to work. Alexandria now had a new ally and possible future crewmate. There was also a small group of people she decided to protect. A smile crept across her face rubbing her hands together. Things were starting to get even more interesting. What was going to fall in her path next?