Deadman

Book 2 Chapter 11: Plot

Book 2 Chapter 11: Plot

I offered to help with the interrogations, but the Khan turned me away. Conducting them himself with only the occasional help of one of his honor guard or Fen, his most heavily tattooed wife. I spent the time sharpening my sword, and waiting. There were screams, some loud and others muffled, and after around an hour for each of his captives, the Khan would come out of a cell, give information to Luther, the guard hed placed in charge of the investigation, and he would go out and round up more people for more cells.

By the end of it there were twenty four people in the cells, and at that point the Khan allowed me to partake, along with a few more men that he had absolved of any potential involvement due to them being on patrol, or otherwise engaged during the activities that had been revealed. By the end of it, we had a clear picture of how everything had happened. It had flowed from Elise, using the Khan and Saras authority to filter oil, parts, and even weapons out of Fette. It had been going on for months, coinciding close enough to my job change and meetings with Leah to make my teeth itch, though I had no real evidence of Remnant involvement.

While the majority of those whod acted on Elises behalf were simply idiots that followed orders unquestioningly, there were several older guards, and mechanics that had acted in direct betrayal of the Khan, and a few younger ones who had simply done so for the promise of women, trade, and patriot points. The true betrayers the Khan interrogated himself, those that had taken bribes were mostly killed mercifully, and those whod had no idea what theyd done were simply demoted, beaten, and sent on their way, though the Khan made a point to have them watched.

Elise and the true betrayers revealed that Jantai was in fact alive, and though they held out during their torture for a long time, eventually they revealed that she was based directly to the East. They had killed a tribe of Kaijin in a remote area, and posed as them to keep outsiders away, all while sending the tribute to the Khan that he expected from them, which gave them cover to meet their contacts in Fette and smuggle goods out of it. This was all given in bits and pieces and broken up by screams and compiled by me.

I laid everything out I had put together to the Khan, his wives, and a few of his Noyan, what he called his trusted generals. The Khan had patches of dried blood on his hands, arms and face, but his expression was as calm as a still pool. Sara was at the table with us as well, shaken, but clearly invited in order to let her know that nothing was held against her, and to show the Noyan that she had his full faith. The other wives looked concerned, but determined. From what I understood based on my discussion with Carmilla, they had no experience with the Khans first three wives aside from half baked stories and rumors. Only Carmilla had even met them, and she had seemingly been too new to have learned much about them. Glancing between her and the Khan it occurred to me that I had little idea of the Khans age. He seemed younger than her, but I had difficulty reading him.

When I was done talking, Carmilla was the first to speak. We have jailed all of those we believe were involved. We know the location of the Kaijin camp that the widows are based in, and that they arent expected to deliver tribute for another week.

Fen nodded. The camp they are based in is actually in the southeastern portion of the territory, near the water. The direction the buses traveled must have been a misdirection.

One of the younger wives, Daphne, spoke up. Arent all of the widows women? Isnt it odd that several of our men were working for them?

Carmilla nodded. The male traitors were mostly bought off, the women seemed to do it more out of loyalty, either to a direct superior, or their gender, though there were plenty of bribes in their cases as well. None of the men are directly in the Widows.

One of the Khans Noyan leaned forward. Should we muster forces to strike, my Khan?

Its a Marshall ability called Freeze. Lets me hold people in place.

He nodded. I definitely prefer it to the time you shot me.

I sighed. Im not sure I do.

Honestly, it would probably save you a lot of trouble in the long run. Shame, with your aim youll probably hit my shoulder again.

Youd find my aim has gotten better. I put my pistol down and turned completely to face him. Howdid you get back here?

Told them I was a friend of yours. Between that and the fact they recognized me, it didnt take much convincing.

I shook my head. Theyd just revealed a massive security threat and Deux still managed to convince them to let him through. If hed been human he probably wouldve been ruling the entirety of the wastes by now. Why are you here?

Got the order from Potts to come straight back to you and tell you to go directly to the Cut. Connecting with whatever Deadmen are there is their biggest priority and they want you on your way as quickly as possible, especially with the sweetener of what the Remnants are offering.

Im in the middle of something at the moment. Ive got to see it through before I can do anything else, or Ill lose all credibility with the Khan, and thats not good for anyone.

Deux scratched his chin. Would backup help?The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))