Kaleb bumped into a large gray body as he walked down the bustling main street of Under-Town. He was definitely feeling the exhaustion debuff. It made his vision a little blurry and he could feel himself sway as he moved. Kaleb mumbled an apology as he settled his grip on the large tub of weapons he was carrying.
“Maybe this wasn’t your best idea.” Daivor said floating near Kaleb’s head.
“It would’ve been fine if I could have gotten get the coffee maker plugged in.” Kaleb gripped back at the hovering Gnome.
“Right, let’s just say you’re lucky there’s a lid on that bin you are carrying.” Daivor whispered scanning the crowd. “If these people knew what is in there, they would mug you and you’d be powerless to stop them.”
“Meh.” Kaleb waved off the Gnome’s concerns. “Just point me toward the Brute Clan’s territory. I’ll get some coffee from them and drop off a few weapons. Then we can sell the rest.”
Daivor shrugged his shoulders and floated above the bustle of the crowd. Kaleb yawned and settled his grip on the large tub. He was lucky he had one that would fit the poles for the spears. Kaleb had spent the rest of his evening making weapons as the others got settled in on the second floor. Two Gun and Jar-lock left sometime around 8 to purchase mattresses for everyone. The rooms weren’t exactly great, but they were livable.
As night fell and the others all logged out or went to sleep in-game, Kaleb fired up his laptop and replayed the video from the other night. He spent the next few hours studying the path to the K-Tech dump site. Once he thought he had it memorized, he loaded his car, and he closed the hangar doors. He waved goodbye Bob as he left the airstrip and made his way to the one entrance to Under-Town he knew about.
Taking the slide down with his large bin of weapons had not been pleasant. But luckily nothing was broken or maimed horrible. Now he was traveling to the Brute Clan hoping that they had coffee and would also know of some expendable muscle. He could feel himself getting more sluggish as he circled around the arena and headed further north. He must have been in a fugue state because before he knew it he was walking toward two large Brute Clan lizards. Seeming him the two happily waved until they saw him swaying on the spot.
“Whoa, there little lizard. Did you drink too much?” Asked the great green blob in Kaleb’s vision.
“Need. Caffeine.” Kaleb said.
The two sentries looked at each other before they burst out into laughter. One ran off to a nearby chair while the other placed a large hand on Kaleb’s shoulder.
“Slow down. We got something that will fix you up.” Said the one in front of Kaleb while the other rushed back with a thermos.
Kaleb stared eagerly at the metal thermos as the second lizard poured a reddish brown liquid into a cup. Kaleb gratefully took the cup with both hands dropping the bin he was carrying. The metal weapons inside made a loud clamor as Kaleb gulped down the still hot drink. As he felt the liquid hit his throat, his eyes widened, and he felt his heart speed up. He noticed the little debuff icon in the corner of his vision sputter and disappear as the drowsiness left him.
“What the hell is that?” Kaleb asked as he stared into his now empty cup.
The two lizards chuckled good-naturedly. The bigger of the two answered Kaleb’s question while refilling his cup. “Just regular black coffee with some warm rat’s blood mixed in.”
Kaleb shook his head as he downed another cup of the stuff. “Whoa! I have got to do that at home.”
Daivor made gagging noises from his chariot as Kaleb ignored him. Deciding that such wonderful people needed to be rewarded, Kaleb threw open the lid to the plastic tub he had been carrying. The two lizard’s tensed up on seeing the weapons but they let Kaleb remove a spear tip and pole. Kaleb screwed on the tip to the spear and passed it on to the large lizard then he did the same for the second lizard.
The smaller of the two guards squinted at the spear before complaining. “But, I prefer using my fists.”
“A spear’s not so hard, Norville. You poke them with the sharp bit until it breaks, then you beat them with the pole bit. Then if they are still alive or if they have friends, then you can use your fists.” Said the bigger lizard guard, nodding gratefully at Kaleb.
“I don’t know.” Said Norville. “Seems like a lot of work to go through just so I can punch people, Terry.”
Kaleb shook his head at the two guards and handed his cup back to Norville. “Anyone awake in the mansion?”
Terry nodded. “Yeah, Wulkun is meeting with a bunch of people from other refuge settlements. They show up at all times of the day.”
“Hence the Jet Fuel.” Norville added holding up their thermos.
Kaleb thanked them both for the information and collected his weapon bin. He waved goodbye to the two guards and moved up the road to the mansion. He saw the odd lizard out and about in the street. Most of the clan seemed to have gathered in the houses closest to the main road. Kaleb nodded at a few as he wobbled along with his large bin.
“You know you will crash harder the longer you stay up, don’t you?” Daivor asked.
Kaleb waved his hand at the Gnome again. But Daivor wasn’t to be ignored. “Boss, you are about to try to steal from a large corporation tonight. You should at least have your wits about you and without using caffeine. It’s around midnight now, at least get a few hours sleep when we get to the mansion.”
Kaleb groaned. “Argh, I hate it when you are right. I’ll try. But that Jet Fuel they gave me has my heart pumping.”
Kaleb got to the large wooden door of the mansion and knocked loudly. The door creaked open and a small green face peered up at him. The child lizard smiled wide when he realized it was Kaleb. Kaleb grinned down at the small child who was obviously enamored with meeting him. That feeling vanished when the small lizard child turned and yelled into the house.
“IT’S THE LAB LIZARD!”
Kaleb frowned at the back of the kid's head as he moved inside. The kid ran off to let as many people as he could know that the ‘Lab Lizard’ had come back. Kaleb bit his tongue and sat on his bin of weapons as he waited for someone else to come and greet him. Soon a familiar voice sounded from above him.
“Back so soon?” Aqwen asked as she moved around the second floor toward the stairs.
Kaleb shrugged. “It’s funny how things work out.”
Aqwen shook her head as she descended the stairs. Seeing the bin he was sitting on she asked. “Did you bring gifts?”
Kaleb tapped the bin. “Just a few weapons. Figured I’d pass out a few here then sell the rest out on main street.”
“You’re not giving them all to us?” Aqwen asked sounding a little angry.
“Nope. Sorry, but money will be tight for me in the foreseeable future.” Kaleb said tapping his wrist where the HLO communicator had been.
Aqwen looked like she was about to say something else but Wulkun’s voice cut her off. “We will happily take whatever you can share. And if the Brute Clan can help, let me know.”
Kaleb turned toward the voice and saw Wulkun exiting the kitchen with a few other large lizards. He stood and flipped the lid off the bin. Assembling another spear Kaleb held it out to Wulkun who took and made a show of looking it over. The other lizards beside Wulkun all study the weapon too, all with varying degrees of interest.
“Really, I just need supplies. Metal to work with and such.” Kaleb explained. “I would like to gather a few random thugs from Main street.”
Wulkun took his eyes away from the spear and shook his head at Kaleb. “No need. A few of the Clan would be more than happy to help.”
Kaleb shook his own head. “No, Wulkun. Not for now. It would be better to use people who are more expendable until we know the risks.”
“Typical Lab Lizard. Letting others do the work.” Said one of the large lizards behind Wulkun.
“Did I say I wasn’t going?!” Kaleb snapped back staring daggers at the lizard who spoke.
The lizards compatriots all shushed their friend as Wulkun moved to Kaleb and grabbed his arm. Leading him away a bit Wulkun whispered to Kaleb.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“These are a few members of another Clan in Texas. They have shown interest in joining us here.”
Kaleb nodded. “I figured. But I wasn’t about to let them walk all over us. This is our home. THEY are joining US. We must be firm on this, Wulkun.”
Wulkun nodded his head slowly before scanning Kaleb’s face. “Are you all right? You look a little worn.”
Kaleb ran a hand over his face and waggled his head. “I could use a rest, yes. Do you have a free bed? Also, I will need someone to wake me in two hours.”
“AHEM!” Daivor coughed, giving Kaleb a pointed look.
“In three hours.” Kaleb amended staring back at Daivor.
The Gnome just threw up his hands and grumbled to himself. Wulkun seemed to think on the question for a bit until he thought of something. But he looked a little pensive about saying something.
“Yes, there are a few rooms. But they are not exactly comfortable. As for a wake up call: I am sure we can arrange something. Right, Aqwen?”
Aqwen was hovering around Kaleb’s plastic bin of weapons. She had assembled her own spear, and she was admiring it as she answered Wulkun.
“Oh yes, I’m sure I can wake him up somehow.”
Not liking the look in the female lizard's eyes, Kaleb turned to Wulkun pleading. “Please don’t let her dump water on me or something.”
Wulkun chuckled as he moved back toward the lizards from the other Brute Clan. “Don’t worry I won’t let her defile you.”
Kaleb sighed and rubbed below his eyes. Remembering Wulkun’s words, he asked. “So where are is a room I can crash in.”
“Downstairs.” Wulkun said over his shoulder as he moved away with his group of lizards.
“Downstairs? There’s nothing down there but…” Kaleb started before he realized. Turning to Aqwen he asked.
“He can’t be serious.”
Aqwen just smiled and spun her spear in her hands. Kaleb groaned and moved toward the kitchen. He grabbed the side of his weapon bin and slid it over near the wall. Kaleb left the bin open and glanced around the room for something to write with.
“What are you looking for?” Aqwen asked.
“Something to write on. I want to let the Clan know to leave me something to sell.” Kaleb explained.
Aqwen nodded. “I will let them know. You shall have enough to sell when you wake up. Now go to sleep little lab lizard.”
“Not crazy about that nickname.” Kaleb grumbled as he walked through the kitchen and down the stairs to the cellar and the prison cells.
A few hours after he had settled on down on a nice straw mattress a loud clanging noise woke him up. He felt like he had barely closed his eyes. Looking for the source of the noise he found a smiling Aqwen with the butt of her spear between the bars of his cell. She was smiling so wide Kaleb thought he could count her teeth.
“Time to get up, maggot!” Aqwen yelled in a gruff voice.
Kaleb rubbed his face, asking through his hands. “Really? You’re a drill instructor now?”
“I’m whatever the Clan requires.” Aqwen smiled as she walked off toward the stairs.
Kaleb groaned as he stood and walked out of his cell. He followed Aqwen up the stairs and out to the kitchen where he found Daivor. The small Gnome was sleeping in his chariot, snoring away. like the disgusting cherub he was. Kaleb gave him a gently prod rocking the Gnome awake.
“Time to go Master Gnome. We got weapons to sell and junk to steal. But first.”
After waking the Gnome Kaleb moved around the kitchen finding himself a thermos and the coffeemaker. Luckily there was already a pot of coffee made and it had the same red tint as the stuff Norville gave him. Sure enough, as soon as he took his first sip he felt his heart rate pick up. He smiled at Daivor as the Gnome powered up his Chariot.
“You have blood on your lip, you cannibal.” Daivor grumbled.
Kaleb just smiled as he walked back out to the lobby. “Throw factual statements at me as if they are insults all you want. I feel good.”
Kaleb glanced beside the door to the bin he had left Aqwen in charge of. Surprisingly, there were still weapons in it. He had thought he would have to talk to Wulkun about getting some returned. But it looked like they had left a good deal. Mostly the Tiger Claws though. It seemed the Brute Clan favored spears.
“Is there enough in there for you?” Aqwen asked as she climbed the stairs.
Kaleb nodded and drank from his thermos. “Yep. Thanks for your help. Is Wulkun up? I wanted to say goodbye.”
Aqwen shook her hand as she got to the second floor landing. “No. he went to sleep when the delegates from the other Clan left.”
“Well, Okay then. I’ll see you next time, Aqwen.” Kaleb said shrugging his shoulders and putting the lid back on his weapons bin.
Aqwen waved halfheartedly as she vanished behind the second floor banister. Kaleb ignored the tired lizard and carried his weapons out of the mansion and back down the street. The walk back to main street was faster than the walk to the mansion had been. However, once he was there Kaleb ran into a new problem: He didn’t know where to set up to sell his stuff.
He wanted a place close to the arena so that prospective fighters would stop by. But still near the main road. He eventually settled on a spot away from the arena, backed up against an abandoned shack. Making sure he was visible to the main street, Kaleb removed a few spears and claws and set them up around the bin. He saw a few people take interest at what he had displayed but not much. Taking a hint from the other vendors nearby, Kaleb leaned back and yelled.
“SPEARS AND CLAWS. 500 CREDITS APIECE!”
Kaleb heard a few people crack up laughing as he finished shouting. “500 credits?! What are you stupid? No one is buying a spear for 500 credits.”
Looking for the source of the voice Kaleb responded. “Not even for Ifrit bone tipped spears?!”
A crowd of people pulled in closer as Kaleb asked his question. He could see the looks of disbelief on a few faces. The main street hustle and bustle was still ongoing, but he had got more than a few people's attention.
“Bullshit!” Someone cried from the ring of people. “No one’s selling Ifirt bone for 500 credits.”
Kaleb sighed and grabbed a spear, showing off its white bone spiral tip to the crowd. “I assure you I am. I can also assure you that this is 100% pure Ifrit bone. This stuff is strong as steel and can penetrate anything.”
Kaleb drew back the spear and made a thrust into the metal shack behind him. To his surprise, he heard a muffled voice yelp. “Hey!”
“Could have sworn that house was abandoned.” Kaleb muttered as he withdrew his spear. “Sorry.” Kaleb whispered into the hole he had made as an angry eye glared at him.
“Ahem! Anyway, that’s what I’m selling. So either buy one or move on!” Kaleb announced.
The crowd around his little area remained silent for a few seconds until a voice yelled out. “2,000 credits for 5 spears!”
“2,200 credits for 5!” Countered a second voice.
“2,300 credits!” Yelled a third.
Kaleb smiled and waited as the mini bidding war raged on in front of him. He only had around ten spears to sell. But maybe after he sold all the spears he could show off the power of the Tiger Claws. That is if he could find a house to use them on.
The bidding war raged for a short time. When Kaleb had gotten down to the last few spears a few people from the crowd devolved into fighting each other. Kaleb quickly put a stop to that by stating that he would only sell the spears one at a time. But those last few spears went for almost 1,000 credits apiece.
Kaleb smiled as he pocketed his collected credit sticks. He was about to start up selling the Tiger Claws when a male voice spoke up from the crowd.
“Well, well, well. Look who it is. It’s the lizard that sent me up the river.” Said a short ginger-haired man as he stepped from the crowd.
Kaleb didn’t recognize the man and before he could probably look him over Kaleb’s eyes were drawn to the short man’s friends. Slightly behind the ginger-haired man was a tall pale man in a cloak and top hat, a hulking Rhino-man in a white sleeveless shirt, and a stocky teenager who seemed to have something long and tubular writhing under his skin.
“It doesn’t look like he recognizes me.” Said the short man smiling at Kaleb.
Kaleb came to his senses and glanced above the man’s head. Seeing his name Kaleb had to blink and read it again. “No way. Shaggy?”
Shaggy the half-werewolf man that Kaleb had caught for mugging raised his hands in triumph. “He Remembers!”
“Yeah, sorry, I didn’t recognize you without the…” Kaleb said waving a hand around his face.
“Yeah, it’s still a bitch to turn on and off. But that’s not important. What is important is that you were right! Jail was the perfect place to meet other villains. And this place, Under-Town, is a small-time crooks dream.” Shaggy said waving at the people behind him and then to the street overall.
Kaleb looked around to see the pensive look of his prospective buyers. They all seemed to want to wait and see how everything would turn out. He even caught a couple of people trying to side-step closer to his bin full of weapons. Clapping his hands, Kaleb got everyone’s attention.
“Okay, folks. that’s enough selling for today. I am gonna have a chat with my friend here, so skedaddle.”
“Or else what?” asked a hunchbacked man with a melted face.
“Or else,” Kaleb started before he glanced up at Daivor who was floating above the crowd looking bored. “Or else my flying friend up there will rain down fire!”
Daivor seemed startled at having been brought into the conversation. But he played the part well: cracking his fingers and neck and summoning two balls of fire to each of his hands. Didn’t know he could do that. Kaleb thought as he drew his Cybar pistol.
“Me, however. I’ll just shoot you.”
The crowd grumbled and slowly dispersed as a few of them shot glances up at Daivor. Meanwhile Shaggy sauntered a bit closer to Kaleb. Looking down at Kaleb’s box of Tiger Claws, Shaggy chuckled out loud. He bent over and picked one up.
“You shouldn’t rely on these weapons, you know.” Shaggy said holding the claw sideways by its blades. “You never know when they will break.”
Shaggy finished his sentence by flexing his hands, trying to bend the metal knives. Kaleb just smiled at the werewolf as Shaggy’s eyes got big in surprise. No matter how he tried to twist or bend the metal it would not break. Kaleb could see that this rarely happened to the lycanthrope.
“Performance issues?” Kaleb asked smiling.
“Oh Ha Ha, Asshole. What the hell is this stuff made of?” Shaggy asked turning over the Tiger Claw.
“Forged in the fires of Ifrit bone ash!” Kaleb said dramatically.
Shaggy snorted. “Whatever it is, it’s damn sturdy.”
Kaleb nodded before he leaned over and asked the other player quietly. “How would you and your friends like to earn a couple? Along with a payday.”
Shaggy looked dubious, but Kaleb just raised his wrist. Not seeing the HLO communicator, Shaggy’s eyes grew wide again, before a smile spread across his lips.