The auction had eventually ended. It had lasted four hours, partially due to the generator explosion and intense bidding for a couple of the captives. The Blood Fangs had made the largest profit, with one of the captives reaching an auction record of nineteen stacks. Montgomery Metals had purchased the female captive who made the profit, and Tabs had winced every time John had placed a higher bid, wishing that one of the others would at least buy her. John had shouted, pumping the air when his final bid had not been overturned, and the look on his face was that of a lecherous hound. Tabs dreaded to think what the poor woman would go through on the trip back to the factory before she fell under the rules of Silver hair. She felt physical pain in her stomach from witnessing the whole escapade unfold.
One client or another had purchased all the captives, and Tabs watched as the clients were ushered out of the auction house by Shep before the raiding gangs were released. “Well, tonight, gentlemen, you are in for a treat. We have the finest roasts that have been cooking and tenderising for the past 14 hours, ready for your consumption. As paying clients, tonight’s drinks are on the House, so please indulge. We also have some outstanding fights planned for the card as well.” He stated as he walked by where Tabs and Kyto were sitting. The clients around him nodded in appreciation.
“Let’s hope the next phase goes to plan,” Kyto said as they left the building.
“What next phase? You have not even told me what you have been up to.” Tabs retorted. She was frustrated that he had been up to something without telling her.
It was at that moment that John sauntered past them. “I cannot wait to get that girl in our cab for the journey home.” He said, turning to one of the men with him.
“Silver will blow a gasket if he ever finds out," one of his companions replied, laughing. Tabs recognized the two men with John as factory guards.
“Ha, what he does not know will not hurt him,” John said.
Kyto could feel his blood starting to boil, listening to his comments. After all the stories Tabs had told him about the man, he wanted to kill him. He had never wanted to kill anyone. It wasn’t in him, but this worthless excuse for a human being was an exception. He felt his temper rising and went to stand. Tabs noticed his change in temperament and swiftly took hold of his arm.
“No,” she said, “Don’t you dare think of doing anything stupid.”
Kyto turned and looked at her. She could see the anger on his face, and it was a face she did not recognise. The veins at the side of his forehead were pulsing. She had never seen him like this before. His whole body was tense, and she could feel how tight his arm was under her grip, every fibre of his muscle twitching. “Since you told me how he used to torture, mutilate and beat the slaves, I swore to myself that if I ever saw him again, I would kill him.” He said.
“Maybe, but not now in front of a whole room of raiders.” She said. “If I can let it go for now, so can you.”
She was right, of course. If he did something foolish like attack a client in front of the raiding groups, he would sign his death warrant, and his plan would not be able to play out.
Crystal walked up to where they were sat with TJ and Lars. “We did very well overall, much better than we expected. Even after the house tax, we should be able to cover provisions and fuel for the next four cycles.” She finished saying to TJ.
“Yeah, at least we can break over winter fully and won’t even need to push out immediately in the spring.” He replied. “It helps with reducing the number of gang members as well, though over the past couple of years, it has made things easier.”
“Definitely, and good riddance to the trash that left.” She said.
“Well, hopefully, tonight won’t be as chaotic as normal at the banquet. The usual crew will be on hand as normal if trouble brews.” TJ said.
“What time does it start?” Tabs asked.
“Now, basically, it will run through the rest of the afternoon and evening. Then tomorrow, everyone will leave again.” Crystal said.
“I need to go and prepare for my fight,” TJ said.
“What fight?” asked Tabs.
“TJ is fighting Kilo from the other group tonight. In the main bout, first blood wins.” Crystal said.
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“Who is Kilo?” she asked.
“I don’t know if you noticed the rather large raider in ‘The Pit’ the first night we were here. That’s Kilo. He is the raid leader of the Falcons. We have helped each other out over time, and they are probably our closest allies, but TJ and Kilo always fight the Auctions.” Crystal said. “What’s the score now?”
“7 / 8 to him. I mean to get it back to a tie tonight,” TJ said with what Tabs thought was the first genuine smile she had ever seen him make.
She remembered the guy; he was huge, nearly twice TJ’s size in every way. “He is a monster,” Tabs said, looking at TJ in shock.
“But size isn’t all that matters in a blood fight. If I were going against him in a fistfight or knock-out, he would probably destroy me every time, but in a bloodfight, it’s just that. The first one to draw blood wins, and I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Anyway, I need to go and prepare myself.” He said and walked towards the exit.
Kyto’s gaze followed John and his companions as they left the auction house behind Shep. Tabs had to poke him hard in the ribs to get him to respond. “Oi, come on.” Tabs said.
Kyto slowly stood, turned to Tabs, and smiled at her. “All good.” He said.
“What has got into him?” Crystal asked, noticing Kyto’s rather strange behaviour.
“The group that just left were all from Montgomery Metals, where I was a slave. The big man is their head slaver at the factory.” Tabs said.
Crystal looked ahead at the group as they exited the building. “Well, he has just bought many of our captives we brought.” She replied.
“Shit, the poor bastards. We just overheard him saying by all accounts that the girl they purchased is likely to be abused on their journey home.” Tabs said.
Crystal did not reply, but Tabs noticed her eyes narrow slightly as she watched them.
“Crystal, could I have a word before we head to ‘The Pit’?” Kyto asked.
“About?”
“Just an idea I have.” He said, looking at Tabs.
“Lars, could you make sure no one takes our table? I will catch up in a few minutes.” She said, looking at him.
Lars gave a nod and continued towards the bar.
“So, what’s this idea?” she asked.
Kyto ushered them to the side of the path out of the bodies, heading to the bar. “You may not like what I am about to say," he said, pre-warning her.
Crystal raised her eyebrow questioningly at his remark.
Kyto explained his plan to them, starting with his initial idea of what he had done. Crystal's face went from surprise to anger to frustration and back to calm as he spoke, without her interrupting him once.
“Why the hell did you not tell me.” Tabs said to him.
“You were already so upset I did not want to add to your fears.” He replied.
“Well, with what you have done, you have not left us with an option but to help,” Crystal said sharply.
Kyto winced at her response. “Well, yes and no. The poison could be down to anyone or even bad cooking; the next part is where I need your help.” He said.
“What next part?” Crystal said, giving him a warning glare.
“I need you to help me with the guards at the auction house. I know they will be leaving three of them down there on a rota throughout the night to stop anyone getting any ideas with the captives.” He said.
“Go on,” Crystal said, staring at him.
“I need you to take food to the guards looking after the captives since they all know you. If Tabs or I did it, they might think something suspicious was going on as they do not know us, but they are unlikely to question you taking them something.” Kyto said.
“And why would I do that?” Crystal asked.
“Well, I need the auction house guards incapacitated to free the captives.” He said.
“WHAT?” Crystal stated loudly, getting a glance from a couple of passing raiders.
“If we want to break from here and for you to start a new life, then we need the entire site to be turned upside down, and the best way would be to free the captives and allow them to fight for their freedom. If we disappear during the potential mayhem it may cause, no one will question it," he finished.
Crystal and Tabs both stood silently for a long moment before Tabs responded.
“We do not even know if the venom you added to the baste will work,” she said.
“Nope, it may have no effect at all, and if that's the case, then we leave tomorrow as planned and think of another way to free Crystal in the future," he said.
“I still don’t believe what you have done already,” Crystal said, shaking her head. “You are a crafty bastard or a bloody fool. If you had been caught, you would have been killed on the spot.”
“Just make sure you do not eat any of the roasts. I don’t know if it will work, but I hope it does.” He said.
“You have not given me much choice, have you?” Crystal said. “I am not sure what good it will do the captives, though, if they are freed here. Guards still surround the place.”
“Yes, but most will be at the banquet, won’t they? Since that is where everyone else will be, there is no need for them to be spread out apart from the captives down at the auction house. They will provide security between the raiders, especially with the clients in the bar, and I am sure they will also be eating.” He said.
“We will just have to see,” Crystal replied, resigning to what he had planned and shaking her head at him. "Next time you have a 'good idea, ' can we discuss it first?" gave him a warning look.
"Sure, sis," he replied with a crafty smile.
Crystal's eyebrows shot up with surprise at his comment, and then a broad smile spread across her face.