Deadman

Book 2 Chapter 4: A Visit

Book 2 Chapter 4: A Visit

As I walked back to my deadzone I thought through the investigation Id just opened. The Widows had become real players in the wasteland, bold enough to make attacks deep within Horde territory and get away with it, at least for now. The question in my mind was resources. Every time Id encountered them they seemed to get stronger. The first time on the way to the Black Woods they were just thugs with guns. Then suddenly they had radio equipment and ambushes. Now they had multiple fully armored buses with mounted machine guns.

There were a few possibilities. They couldve somehow uncovered a cache of equipment somewhere. Its been known to happen, and had upended the balance within the wastes more than once. They could also be receiving support from outside. STAR wouldnt mind doing a little something to weaken the Horde, possibly even the Remnants were involved. They werent my primary suspects though, for one major reason, those buses needed fuel, and the only major source of fuel in this part of the wastes was Fette. My teeth itched, and I brought up a hand to pick at them as I walked.

I could feel my transition into the deadzone. The tingling on my skin as the radiation levels hit the point at which humans would be killed, felt pleasant. I walked the short path Id cut for myself through the woods up to my lake and could tell almost immediately that something was off. I drew my pistol as I came closer to the boat. The raft I used to get to and from it wasn't where I left it, and was instead sitting next to the railing. I looked to the far edge of the lake and noticed Gus lounging, a half lidded eye lazily regarding me, and a few down feathers stuck to the scales around his mouth. I caught a whiff of tobacco on the air and that told me everything I needed to know.

I let out a heavy sigh and holstered my pistol. It looked like I wouldn't get the rest and solitude I was so looking forward to after all.

Deux! Send the raft back my way! I yelled.

After a few moments Deuxs head popped up over the railing, a wide grin across his face as usual. He waved. Hey Donny! Welcome home.

The raft, I hollered back, gesturing to it.

He moved over to the rope and started pulling it, sending the raft back to the shore of the lake. As he did I was surprised to see a second face pop up next to him. Wearing her usual brown hat and a frown as low as Deuxs grin was high, stood Nico. She was around a head taller than him, and rather than saying hello she gave me a small nod which I returned, moderately relieved. Deux was always chipper, but Nica and I were almost dour enough to bring him down to bearable.

I stepped on the raft and Nica pulled the rope to draw me over to the boat. I climbed on board.

Deux moved over to hug me and I took that moment to freeze him, grab him by the heels, hold him upside down, and start shaking.

What the hell!? he asked, with a kind of amused half-yell.

Thats when several packets of instant coffee and meat Id taken the time to dry started to tumble out of his pockets onto the deck of the boat. I spun him back around and placed him gently back onto his feet, then I patted his leather jacket smooth. I pointed to the pile of my things that had tumbled out. Thats what the hell.

He smiled. I only took essentials. What if my pistol had tumbled out and gone off?

Then youd be dumber about keeping your gun secured than I remember you being.

Nica sighed. Patting him down wouldve worked just as well.

I shrugged. This felt more direct.

Are you going to try that on me next? she asked.

I shook my head. No, you can have some coffee and food if you want. Any ammo you need too.

Like the ones we ran into on the way to Potts? asked Nico.

I nodded. Yeah. They went from ambushes to coordinated raids across the wasteland.

She shook her head. Thats a big leap. Outside help?

I nodded. Thats my theory.

Luckily not a major problem for Potts at least, noted Deux.

Thats not, but I did also have another run in with the remnants.

Deux took a deep inhale of his cigarette, and flicked the butt into my lake, a half smile and raised eyebrow on his face. Maybe you shouldve led with that.

I nodded, and took a few minutes to explain the encounter Id had with the Remnants, the Pilgrim, and what theyd all offered for it. I ended the tale by placing the contract container Leah had given me on the counter.

Nico looked at Deux, We should prioritize getting this back to Potts before we get back to the usual work.

Deux grabbed it and slipped it into his jacket. Ill take care of it. Its not like those Kaijin knew I was planning on visiting anyway. They can wait for now.

I shook my head. I think its keyed to my thumbprint, like the last one was.

Deux chuckled. I wouldnt worry about that. Julian figured out how to crack them using the last one as a test case.

Really?

Nico nodded. Hes been hard at work in that factory the remnants gave to us since we negotiated with them. Hes apparently been cultivating quite a few Deadmen with technical skills for years, and now that he has a place to put them to use theyve been really throwing themselves into the work.

Hows the rest of the council handling things? I asked.

For the rest its been business as usual. Potts is a little stirred up though, and when I tell them what you just told us about the Cut well Things may get even more serious, answered Deux.

How do you think theyll want to act? I asked.

Deux smiled. Considering our number one goal is to find other Deadmen and bring them home? Im thinking theyll want you across the cut just as much as the Remnants do.