Even now just a mere half hour after the separation the light from five gods above begins to fade against the dust. Gunfire abiding as fighting positions are cemented in the hours before disaster, soldiers and irregulars bunkering down within buildings and armored machines.
She speaks first, the Bandit taking a long winded sigh as the two quickly pace themselves through the old city districts. “You know Alto I thought we’d never get rid of them. Those three are baaaad news.”
Eyes maintained to the streets, Alto scarcely paying attention to the young woman’s question. “Y-yeah…”
“Judge Murphy’s a monster.” Madeline continues as they fast walk. “He’s got enough blood and bullets behind him, even before the Judiciary Branch put him up in their Judicial Affairs arm.”
She’s fast, barely quick enough to grab the Gunslinger’s shoulder mid-stride. Beneath her wide brimmed hat the insight of the young man catches the tight lipped form of the centralian, words spoken in absolute seriousness. “If we’re traveling with him, we both need to keep an eye out. He’s loyal only to the Federation, not whatever Ar offers him or anything we could ever give. So if he tries to go for me…”
The Bandit hesitates as she stems her words. “Well, you’ll need to make a break for it. Got it?”
Alto Carrin slowly meets the gaze of her hazel eyes, a sentence spoken in delusional faith. “I believe it won’t come to that.”
Exasperation in her answer, a mispronunciation of the armin language. “Whatever you believe in, this isn't going to be good. Now one last thing before we find a car: you called Samuel something while trying to kill him two days ago. What did you mean by lasathi?”
The Gunslinger adverts his eyes as he says the words lodged into his own memory, a non-answer holding an unbreakable oath. “I cannot say.”
She hides her concern, her own consideration for their travels.“I get the feeling this’ll be something that comes up later, and will probably end with either you or one of those twins getting killed. So tell me Alto Carrin, without any lies, is this something that will concern us on our little adventure? Will the nature of Samuel be something that threatens us as we all travel together?”
The Bandit’s insight falls right atop him, amongst the side streets of March she asks a question without any escape avenue. Warm eyes turn cold as she measures every single movement and hesitation from the young man, one single word hanging upon it so much more than just a simple confirmation or denial.
Alto Carrin tries to avoid her gaze in the omission of the truth, so much tragedy befalling him in the answer. “No, it won’t.”
He’s not completely lying, Madeline reads. At least, the man believes himself to not lie in this specific case. A game of technicalities failing, the Bandit giving a harsh glare of knowing before whipping around with a joyful smile. She plays the lie so obviously there is no doubt for the Gunslinger. “Alright, I believe you Alto! Because that’s what this is gonna need, for at least two of us in this merry band of six to trust one another. Especially when we’re toting around a weapon to end our world and a literal god who can’t make up his mind to kill anyone. You got it?”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
The Gunslinger blinks, trying to smile. “Y-yeah…”
“Perfect!” The woman resumes her pace, staring outward into the city streets beyond. “And right about now, gramps and those two will be opening the letter I gave them to send… ”
They attract a surprisingly small amount of attention for their makeup, the only standout form of Judge Murphy hidden beneath a caked layer of attracted dust and grime. A Federation judiciary uniform dirty enough to pass as salvage from the dead bodies littering the streets, several restless days of fighting and dungeon delving presenting an absolutely unkept, wild sight unbefitting of a judicial officer.
The twins walk behind him, two small hands held together as short legs attempt to keep pace with the fast moving leader. Eyes open, darting between possible hostile targets in the readiness for an urban firefight.
The shopping list written on thin cane paper is hardly expansive, but enough to keep the group busy. Various items with associated pricing and quantity to be purchased, alongside smaller errands specifically from Madeline McCormick herself.
He doesn’t even hesitate to open it.
A confirmation from glances behind him, possible observers confirmed nonexistent as the old man takes the sealed envelope from within its pouches. Federation standard written in beautiful handwriting, lettering perfectly even despite the rushed nature of the address.
The principality, the township to be transmitted across radio waves to a receiver in the far distance, and a necessary individual contact’s domicile to be delivered to on a local level.
The Lawman reads the location with a cursory glance, a message to be sent to Centralis itself and an unknown individual’s own home within the central quarters of the great city.
It's a necessary judiciary process to gather evidence in the creation of a case. The Judge thinks to himself.
One slice from his combat blade rips open paper, gorgeous lettering from a vast education revealed to the world. One single line staring back at him.
Hey Judge Murphy,
I know you’ve opened this and you have been reading it right now. Think about it. Do well, be good. Centralis stands fourever.
* M.Mc
Samuel observes the pause in the old man. “What are the contents of the radio-telegraph letter written by Madeline McCormick?”
“Unimportant.” The old man replies, tearing the sheet apart into useless fabric. “We’ll prioritize purchasing the traveling necessities. Food and a refill of your water compressor. Afterwards, we’ll meet Alto Carrin and Madeline McCormick at the northern checkpoint. Understood?”
Only Samantha objects. “Are we certain that both Alto Carrin and Madeline McCormick have not attempted to escape?”
They all slowly turn to the One in their midst.
The childlike form of Ar doesn’t even move, forgotten amongst the rush of last minute preparations. “Their fragments are currently within the bordering city limits.”
Judge Murphy gives the order to a god. “Alert us if their location moves beyond the city.”
“I will.” Ar replies.
A short nod in confirmation, the Judge bringing forth the next order to the rest as he goes through the list. “These items can be purchased within any commercial area. Are any of you experienced in purchasing items within these districts?”
“We are.” Samuel emotionlessly informs from the collective of two, a perfect mind returning a disconnected error. “We do have a limited amount of currency to purchase these items.”
The Judge pauses, then relents. “That’s a problem we’ll solve later son. Move out.”