BREED

Prologue

The harsh winds had swept the battle ground clean of all the smoke that had filled the valley the previous night.  Erin crouched under the shade of a boulder, wrapping her arms around the two small children she protected, covering them in her linen and wool wraps. Together they shed tears in silence, knowing that they would have to flee their home for good. Their people had fought as hard as they could and as long as they could. Erin wondered how many more of the children made it out. Wiping the wetness from her eyes, she took the two children by their hands and led them away from the destruction below. She moved quickly through the craggy hills, trying to put distance between herself and the Hounds. Yes, the Hounds would be coming soon. Erin knew in her heart, she had to make it to Free City West before the next dawn. If she didn’t, they would be run down like mutant dogs and slaughtered for sheer amusement. She looked back one last time, bowing her head to the memory of all her friends and family. Covering her face and lowering her goggles she pressed on, cursing the day the High Breeds came into power.

 Walking under the blazing sun was taking its toll on Erin and the children. The youngest, the girl named Hana, was nearly dehydrated. She decided to carry her on her back and held the boy’s hand. That left her with one free hand to hold her small crossbow and fire it, if it came to that. The boy was about ten summers old and carried a length of metal pipe to defend himself. Erin tried to remember his name but at the moment she could not and focused on the next five miles of trekking through the arid hills. Dusk was upon them and she needed to get the children to safety. These hills belonged to the flesh eating clans, savage mutated degenerates who would rape and murder them in the blink of an eye.

 Erin quickened her pace as she began to see the violet sun setting in the western edge of the hills. Free City was so close….. And the thunder began. The earth seemed to quake with each violent rumble as the black as death clouds swirled above their heads, the acrid rain fell steadily, burning their clothing as they ran for cover. They half leapt, half sprinted through the jagged slopes, the cold acid showers bombarding them.  Approaching a rusted out shell of some long forgotten caravan, Erin smiled under her shawl. It would seem if the All Mother was looking out for them. Diving into the metallic haven, the children curled into Erin immediately, it was their way of thanking her. She embraced them back and was about to say something……

“On your feet low breed “ the mechanized voice commanded as it drew down on her. Its plasma powered rifle aimed at her chest.

Two more voices joined the first. The rain simmered as it hit their pale flesh. They wore light armor of chain and steel and the heavy augmented body parts gave them away. Their sickly, ochre eyes scanned Erin and the children.

The Hounds had found them. Erin bit her tongue and pushed back her tears.

“Away from your brood, low breed. “ The cold, inhuman voice ordered.

Erin pushed the children behind her and raised her crossbow.

Her voice was tired and her mouth was parched, but she said in defiance, “You will have to come through me first you filthy pup ! “

The Hound said no word as he nodded to his team. He powered up his rifle, the wailing of its heat coils forcing the children to cover their ears. Erin’s trigger finger waited patiently as the Hound raised his weapon.

“So be it low breed, disintegration it is.”  He leveled the rifle and aimed.

Erin squeezed the trigger on her crossbow and watched the Hounds head come apart in a shower of gore and circuits. Stunned she fell back as the Hounds lifeless corpse slumped to the ground. She scrambled to her feet as the other two advanced on her, not knowing what just happened. Erin’s arrow never left her weapon; the wire was snagged on her wrist guards.

The two Hounds rushed her, one falling before he reached the body of his comrade- a smoking hole where his chest and heart once were. Erin did not understand nor could she hear anything over the pounding rain and the screeching of the Hounds plasma coils. 

The third Hound began taking defensive stance and firing wildly into the rocks behind the ancient caravan. He hissed and oxygen escaped his respirator. Erin took her chance and fired her arrow into the Hound, the shaft burying into his guts. He reeled for a moment and turned his attention towards Erin instead of the hidden threat. His mistake.

The Hound was kicked so savagely in the face, his jaw nearly came off. His robotic eye came out of his socket and his head snapped back so hard, the vertebrae came loose. He fell over and his assailant was on top of him, a whirlwind of robes and the faint flash of steel in his hands.

Erin stood in front of the children trying to see who had rescued them.

He was whispering to the Hound who was slowly dying. The robed figure plunged his length of steel into the open eye socket of his victim, crushing his brains and putting out of his miserable half life. He stood back and sheathed his steel. He reached into hidden pockets and produced ammunition as he reloaded his sawed off shotgun.

 Erin knew instantly who he was. She felt relieved and fell to her knees, sobbing just a bit as she hugged the children.

“ Now is not the time girl, let’s get the little ones out of here. More Hounds are close by.” He said removing his hood, and giving her his hand.

She took it and the children followed her. He kept a steady pace and never ran in a straight line. The sun was all but gone and Erin could hear the distant engines of the Hounds gunships. They ran until they came to what looked like a stairway, the steps though had long since lost their shape.

“ Down you go girl, you as well little ones. Follow the path until you find the Old Road. It will lead you straight to Free City. Go, and be quick, be safe ! “ He ordered.

The children nodded their heads and began their decent.

Erin shouted to him, “ Ranger ! What about you? “

He smiled at her, his green eyes grim. “ There are others out here that need me girl. I’ll see you again. “

With that she watched him disappear into the rocks and joined the children. She wondered if she really would see the White Ranger again. The last of the warriors of the road, a guardian of a time long gone. She hoped she would see him again, even if it was just to thank him.

VAGABONDS : Gypsy & The King

1.

Star Gypsy and King Rat were wasted again inside Vern's Happy Tavern. Too many Red Moons shoved down their throats while drowning themselves in gallons of cheap booze. They had been partying now for three nights straight with no reason to stop. They were the last of their gang, everyone else had been killed, fled off planet or were in max lock up. They were sure someone would come for them, whether it be the bastard badges or their enemies. You never knew which, living in the K.

Vern did keep the two bikers entertained though, plenty of women, good music and all the food they could keep down. So long as they kept paying, they were determined to live their last days as kings and not as their gang patch proclaimed - Dog Losers. King Rat especially didn't consider himself a loser. The gang took their name from an old saying that related to homeless vagrants that wandered from place to place with a dog as their only friend.

King Rat started the gang in his youth and through his leadership they became the most notorious motorbike gang on the planet. They had even began reaching out to the nearby systems to form chapters of their own, though now it seemed pointless as the Dog Losers days were numbered. The badges had gunned down Joe Lobo. Knucklehead Hector wrecked and died running from the badges. Silly and his brother Muddy were nearly beaten to death and hauled off to the pen. A dozen other brothers were missing and others just plain disappeared. He no longer called them brothers, those that ran. Star Gypsy wanted to track down all the cowards and try to weed out the traitor. No mercy, no second thoughts. As the ancient Terran saying went , snitches are a dying breed.

VAGABONDS : Xanders Tale 1

XANDER'S TALE

1:

Rain. Ice cold rain. The neon flashing lights turning the drops red, blue, yellow-green. The slick streets and damp sidewalks look so clean, probably the only clean thing in this damned place. Killers, junkies, thieves, dealers, gangsters, cyborgs and other social rejects. I hate 'em all. Ah well, it's off these scum and freaks that my belly is full and my head swimming in booze.

Kresge City, named after this centuries most famous general. The savior of the Aartesian Wars; Henzo Kresge. To all the city dwellers though, it’s just called The K and is the biggest city South & East of Babylon Port. No time for history and geography lessons. All those files are memorized in my head and it’s too cold to be out. Too cold and too damn wet. If only I had steady work I could be lounging in a posh unit instead of trying to sleep in my Ranger.

You’d think in a town as alive as the K ,a guy like me could find something to do. There is just not enough ice to move, no hits to be made and so forth. At least Im plenty drunk and plenty full on food.
Things were not always so. I was top gun in this city, pockets deep with cred notes, and women, oh the women. My partner and I were living like kings. That all changed in a blink it seems. As it is just coming back to these streets was dance with fate. Sixteen years hiding in the deserts and six more on the outskirts.It was hell. My bones are old and cold but I welcome the rain and the chilly breeze. Yes sir this jug’o White Whiskey and apple cigarettes are a nice comfort too.

My names Xander, jack of all trades, but gunman and smuggler probably my best trades. Yes sir, I was twenty-six summers, drinking at the Blue Cherub. We were discussing the than new mayor and other politics. Then SHE walked in.

Twisted my world up and over…..

“Everyone says they are for the people, but, this guy, I dunno, he’s got other plans I think. He’s just playing to the crowd. I haven’t seen any changes, no extra bills in my pockets. “

“listen Xander, that’s not the point, this guy he really is for the people. I mean, who would you rather have back that old soldier Vogul!?! I’d rather have this blue collared ted Nash. So what if he plays poker and Zen chips with Red Hand gangsters, at least we don’t gotta worry about martial law again.”

Xander relaxed and took a shot of snake gin. His partner in crime smiled at him.

” Look Xan, He just wants life to be easier for the folks of K, so what if he gots his hands in Skoog’s pockets and all that.”

Skoog. The name made Xander grind his teeth. In all the cities in the great galaxy, Commander Arthur Skoog was the most twisted, two-faced cop he ever met, and Xander knew quite a few.

“ Yeah, your probably right Rey. “

Rey rose from the table and strode over to the jukebox. Xander washed down a couple of red moons and ordered more snake gin, wishing it were tequila.

Red Moons were like all amphetamines, except stronger.For some reason they were the drug of choice for the people of Aartesia. Back on Terra, it was a low grade version of Snow Candy.

My senses were kicked to unnatural heights and I was getting steadily drunk. The Cherub was jumping that night, all sorts dancing and mingling enjoying themselves. Rey was bopping about with his on and off fluessy Priss. Smart girl just a real tramp. Rey didn’t mind though. I was riding on the moons boy! I could hear conversations across the dance floor, smell a cigar being lit in another room. My head was tingling good. That’s when SHE walked in. I followed her long legs all the way to the bar. She sat a few moments then ordered my favorite imported whiskey. Damn, how could she afford that, only gangsters and guys like Rey and me around here order that. I could smell it from her lips, a good sixty paces away. Belladream whiskey. Mmmm. The scent is unmistakable. Stronger and sweeter than this shit snake gin I was sippin. God she was beautiful. Long legs, jet black hair, slender yet supple body and..Ah shit!! She caught me diggin her! She sauntered towards my table. Damn does this dame know me?
I was about to stand when all of sudden…

” Xander you hopped up dreg! Glad to see you smiling’ again!” it was Raz Balethorn. The Big K's knower of all.

“ What brings you this way Raz?”

“ I got great news and some very great propositions” Raz talked on, but I was focused on the girl. She stood arms length from Raz; usually I was all ears for Raz, but this dame…

“Oi! Xander! You all right then? Look a bit flushed, you aint too high are ya?” She was smiling now, and starring.

” No, go on.”

“right, I cant be too specific here but one of the delicacies is that the Navidian Ice is pure, uncut and of a very rare strain.”

Raz kept talking but Xanders mind was focused on this girl, this dark angel of beauty….

“And this Zeetakan he needs three men to do the job and …”

Xanders blood ran cold. The name drop made him practically choke Raz, What did you say! Zeetakan? You talked to him ? Told him about me? Speak you fucking go-tard!”

“Xander! Easy mate! What’s wrong?!!?”

Xander settled his nerves and became very very paranoid.

“ did I say something wrong Xan?”

Xander took a shot and popped two more red moons. There is no way Zeetakan could be alive. No way in hell.

“ You said Zeetakan. Raz, that’s what, did you talk to him personally ? Did you see his face and all that?”

“well yeah, I met him today at Babylon Port. He’s you know tall, like all Veluzian, pale, got a big scar around his neck…"

Raz continued to describe Zeetakan, but it was not the same person Xander had killed almost ten years ago. No, he was describing the evil bastards son. Krug had slit the little boys throat, but I guess he lived.

Xander stopped Raz.

” Did you give him my name?”

Raz was thoroughly puzzled now, not knowing where Xander was going with this.

” No you dumb ass, I just said I knew three guys who are the best in town. He only needs three, the fourth he says will be someone from his crew I guess.”

Xanders mind raced. He knew this was bad. It had to be a set up. If he takes the job Krug will not be the third man.

“ Well Ill call you later, you don’t look too good. I need a stiff drink and some spicy food.” With that Raz walked out of the Cherub.

Xander was still starring at the girl, when Rey and Priss joined him at the table.

” Say Xan, your gonna burn a hole in her shirt you keep on with that!” Rey said as Priss poured more drinks.

“ Yeah, I hope so. Listen we have to talk, but not here. Raz was just here, has a gig for us, real big. I gotta go though, gotta talk to this dame.” Rey and Priss laughed and nodded in agreement.

Xander followed the girl as she made her way out the bar. The red moons and gin had got the best of him. He was having trouble walking and thinking. Damn Red moons, he thought. Funny, could have sworn she was standing in the doorway to Jujees arcade. Better double check. Best put on my shades in case any swine decides to stop me. There she goes. Who is she and where is she headed? Okay Xander, keep it together. She just entered the bodega. I'll just grab her by the arm and make her talk when she comes out. Gotta focus. Damn red moons, what’s this? Only two smokes left. Ah well, Ill have a smoke and wait. Best charge up my pistol to max just in case.

“ Just in case what?” said a small sultry voice.

“Huh?” was all Xander managed to say before he realized he had been talking aloud.

“ Say handsome, you don’t look too good. Want a detox hit or a ride home?” asked the voice.

Xander tried to aim his pistol but began blacking out.

” Just tell me who you are and you won't…these neon lights sure do make this dame look really cute." Xander began mumbling.

She smiled and he passed out again, this time the concrete giving him a great big hug.

I always have strange dreams. It’s not just the drugs either. Im always lost it seems, trying to get home by streets I have never seen. Yet, the places seem so familiar. Skyscrapers. Bigger than the ones on Earth, bigger than Kresges’. That woman, she’s always in y dreams too. A tiger tattoo, she has green eyes. Black hair too. Im always running, she’s trying to kill me, Dav is there, and Rey.Always two steps ahead of me. Then Im in the desert, I can feel the sand scraping my skin. Just when I think Im going to make it home, she gets me. Im about to die, then the cyborg calls my name and wake up.

“NO!” I scream, forcing myself out of the nightmare.

My eyes try and adjust to the low-key lighting. I’m in my den. My head feels like a broken beer bottle. My legs ain’t working as I try and stand. Rey comes into view.

” Easy partner, you overdosed last night. Don’t move so much. Lay back down, your lucky you didn’t fry your brain, thank God you passed out before the last ‘moon took affect.”

Rey walked into the kitchen area and brought me a cup.

“ Drink this Xan, that dame said it’ll help counter the ‘moon.” Xander sipped the drink, not recognizing the taste.

” What is this, he said.

” Its ice cold lemonade you dumb shit!”

For the life of him he couldn’t remember what that was, or, if he even knew what it was.

” Lemonade?” Xander said, drinking the rest of it.

” Yeah, you know made from lemon juice. From Earth.”Rey sighed,” Anyways, you’re damn lucky that dame dragged your ass back to the club. I stuck you in the ranger and had to give you six detox hits until you stopped convulsing.”

Xander shook his head in disbelief.

” Did you get her name Rey?”

“Nah, but she should be here any minute.” Rey opened the blinds and the sun nearly blinded Xander.

” Fuck! What time is it?”

“Four thirty, you’ve been sleeping all day”

“ We have to contact Raz about that gig. It’s big money, a bit risky though. Too risky for Krug."

Rey looked puzzled. “ Speaking of the gig, Raz says you freaked out when he mentioned this Zeetakan guy. Anything you want to tell me Xan?”

Rey was starring him down. Xander had known Rey for three years now. Trusted him with his life. Still, He never told Rey about Zeetakan, the Fury, the Deep or the real reason he and Krug came to Aartesia.

“ I knew his father a long time ago. Bad blood, that’s all. I don’t think he was old enough to remember, but, Krug wont take that risk.”

Rey relaxed.

”Are you okay with this? I mean what if he does remember?”

“I don’t look the way I used too, and he doesn’t know my name, so I gotta chance at pulling it off clean.” Rey gave his friend a scolding look.

Xander knew the look, Rey was worried and angry.

“ I thought you trusted me Xan, you never mentioned Zeetakan before. Why?”

Xander snapped his teeth.

“Look, it’s not like that at all… Everybody’s got skeletons in their closets. Some more than others. I don’t wanna talk about this now okay!”

Rey shrugged.” Fine, oh and Jorge Blazinov called too. Apparently you owe the Trade Guild some serious cred. He says you better go and see him before things get out of control.”

Xander smiled. Jorgy Boy. Little did anyone know he was related to Xander. They grew up together back on Earth, or as everyone calls it now, Terra.

“ Yeah, yeah, I'll give him a holler later.”

As Rey and Xander ate soup and drank cola’s the Vid-screen droned out the latest news. Two men found dead at Uncle Zeke’s Bar’n’grill in Sin-Sin.Three Enforcer Patrol officers still missing.Unemployment up five percent since last year. Haven Tech opens up two factories in Tokyo and one on Saturn. The weather-droid takes over but is interrupted by the door chime.

“ Identify yourself,” Rey said.

“ Im looking for Rey Quida and Xander Drigo, I uh, met you last night at the Blue Cherub.”

Xanders’ heart raced.

“If it’s the dame let her in dammit.” Rey smirked and tossed his head back.

“Door open,” he said, and the Auto-lock doors unsealed and in the doorway stood an angel worthy of the all the gods.

“ Hello again” she said in her small, sultry voice.

“ Hello,” Rey said back.

” Hello Xander, good to see you feel better, oh, by the way, my name is Zaiyuri Dean.”

Her smile melted my heart like a freakin’ Popsicle. You know one of them fruit icee’s with a plastic handle. Yeah, anyways ………
My heart stopped for a second. She looked even better in full light.

” Its so nice to finally meet you properly.” She said.” The pleasure’s all mine Zaiyuri, I mean for helping me and all, I was off my head last night.”

She smiled again” Your welcome, I wanted to talk to you last night but you were busy with that older gentleman…. and Im a bit shy, but I really wanted to talk to you.”


Then I did the most uncool thing in the world. I blushed like a ten year old kid, me! She didn’t care though; she just laughed a little cute giggle.

Then Rey spoke up.” Care for a drink Ms. Dean?”

“ Oh, no thank you, I just wanted to introduce myself. I must be running along though. You understand don’t you?”

“ No harm at all Ms. Dean,” Rey said.

“ I sure do hope you feel better Xander, I’d love to see you soon.”

Here’s my chance I thought. No more high priced whores, exotic dancers, loud mouthed bar sluts. She’s beautiful and nice. A real keeper.

“ How about tomorrow, if its okay with you. Pick a spot, I’ll be there.”

She grinned from ear to ear. She walked up to me and whispered in my ear.

” Call me tonight, my number is in your coat pocket.” She smiled again, waved goodbye and walked out of my unit.

“ Whoa, Xan, bro that dame really digs you. Hot Damn boy, what she say anyhow?”

“ She said to call her.”





We spent the rest of the day relaxing and prepping for the meeting with Raz and Zeetakan. I still couldn’t believe he lived. Krug had ripped his throat out from ear to ear. The memory still burns bright. The kid was laying on the white carpet of old Zeetas’ room trying to scream. I know he never saw my face, but Krug, He wanted the boy to see he was the one taking his life. It was the vilest murder we ever committed. Revenge was necessary though.
Rey and I loaded up for this little meeting. I charged my Laz-pulse pistols and holstered them in my coat. Rey packed his stiletto and sawed off plasma rifle. Young Zeetakan chose the meeting place. We were to be at the Silk Lounge at eight thirty exactly. I was not used to high-class affairs like the Silk Lounge. I like all the excesses that money brought, but rubbing elbows with the Big K’s aristos and fat cats didn’t exactly make my day.

“ This place is too nice for a couple of gunmen like us” Ray said.

I relaxed and ordered a drink from the Oriental looking cyborg girl.
She came back with two glasses of imported amber Sake.

“ The rest of your party will be here in five minutes,” the cyber-girl said.

“ Rest of our party? Its only Zeetakan and Raz right?” Rey asked.

“ Don’t know, maybe this is just a trap.”

Xander pulled out his pistols and kept them just below the table. Rey followed suit. When Reys’ timepiece buzzed out the five-minute mark, the Lounge began clearing out.

“ Shit Rey, it is a trap.”

The pair stood and made their way for the door. Then a ghost appeared in front of Xander. No, it was just young Zeetakan. He looked exactly like his father, just with a horrid scar on his jugular and flashy expensive clothes. Raz came in second.

” Hey, you guys aint leaving are ya?”

Zeetakan looked the two men over. Xander glared back at him.” I thought we had to leave with everybody else.”

Raz laughed.” Nah, Mr. Zeetakan rented out the Silk Lounge for the rest of the night. Come on lets have some drinks. “

Rey and Xander sat back at the table. Zeetakan had five bodyguards. All impressive in size and all of the Weisein race. Good choice boy, just like your daddy, thought Xander.

“ So, I am Dedric Zeetakan, these are my associates whose names are not important. Balethorn tells me you are the best gunmen in town, and your discreet. Tell me your names and the name of the third person, since he is not here.”

Xander smiled inside. Arrogant just like the old man.

“ Um, Xander said” Our usual third party is on vacation. But this is Mr. Dark and I am Mr. Dead.” Xander said flatly.

Zeetakan studied Xanders facial expressions.” I see, aliases will do. But, you do have third gunman yes? I can only provide the fourth person.”

Rey thought for minute.” We will have the third man by tomorrow, probably Mr. Fear, another associate of ours.”

Xander stood quiet, but tried to think of whom Rey had in mind.

Zeetakan spoke.

” Very well, the job itself is very simple, the other parts, such as fencing, escape and evasion is what’s dangerous. Balethorn tells me you will have no problem though. Tell me, do you know this man they call “Galron” ? “

Rey and Xander looked at each other.

“ Anyhow, this Galron has a tight knit group of killers who work full time for him. Galron is whom the Navidian ice is supposed to go to. These killers, The White Dawn Assassins, have murdered my main vendor for ice. Their leader, Vinn Hobb, must die. No one disrespects a Zeetakan and lives.The acquisition of the ice and death of Mr. Hobb is only one part. The other part is getting the ice back to my securities. You also have to worry about the local enforcers and possibly this Galron character. Im offering five hundred thousand Terran credits now, and another five hundred thousand upon completion. What say you?”

Xander wiped the sweat from his brow and Rey swallowed hard. They both now knew just how big this gig was.

“ Well do it, but, Im gonna need to hire some extra hands. You know, decoys, pilots, etc.”

Zeetakan winced.

“ Very well, but they are to know nothing of me or the true purposes. If they must ask, you’re just stealing some gemstones or whatever.”

Zeetakan got up to leave.

Rey called to him before he reached the door.

” Who’s the fourth gunman?”

Zeetakan turned and smiled.” Its no man, I will tell you that much. Could not make it to the meeting had things to attend to. She’s worked for me before. Deadly little thief. You wont be let down Mr. Dark.”

With that said Zeetakan and his party left the Lounge. Xander and Rey walked out the back door heading for the ranger.

“ A girl gunner?” said Rey.

“ Its been done before buddy.” Xander added, “ Mr. Fear? Just who is that supposed to be?”

“ I was thinking that creep Volter Hesh. He s pretty good and has no problem killing and keeping his mouth shut.”

Xander shrugged and grinned.” This is really big Rey, we could retire with that much cred. We just must pull it off with no slips ups. Galron and The White Dawn’s aint no joke.”

Rey agreed. They drove back towards their side of town.

Xander gave Zaiyuri a call. Three rings before she picked up.

” Hel-lo?”

“ Hi, its Xander, can I come see you, or is too late?”

“ No, I’ve been waiting for your call “ she said with her little voice.

“ Okay, Im on my way then.”

Xander sped off to her unit. He buzzed her digits in and the slow hum of the hydraulic gates hissed and let him in. Her place was really nice. Nicer than other broads unit he had known anyways. He waited in her living room not sure what to expect. I mean, this girl knows he uses drugs. She knows I carry a gun. What could she possibly want with scum like me? Just gotta find out I guess. I slicked my hair back again and popped a mint to cover up the cigar smoke. Then all of a sudden there she was. An angel in sheer lace, a true justice to womanhood.

“ Hi, would you like something to drink?”

I nodded.

“ I hope you like Belladream, it’s all I ever drink!” she said laughing.

We sat on the couch chatting for while.

“ I just thought you where the most handsome man I ever saw, and you looked mysterious, I dunno, I know its silly but I really like you Xander.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. This gorgeous girl was going to be mine. I moved in to taste her lips but she beat me to the punch.
She threw her arms around my body, I caressed her legs. She moaned and whispered a faint “ YES” in my ears. Breathing heavily I kissed her deeper. Pure passion swept over us, we made love until the sun came up and all the Belladream was gone. She slept all morning. I sat there watching the rising of her breasts. When she woke, we made love one more time and then I left for home. Incredibly I made it home without crashing. Zaiyuri called me before I lay down.” Just wanted to say thank you and I hope to see you real soon.” Xander smiled and fell asleep.


While Xander slumbered, Rey was busy getting a hold of Volter. He was a hard person to reach, even for a low life scum bag.

” Hesh, Its Quida. Yeah, got a big job if you’re interested. Ah-huh, Drigo and me. Yup, and some girl gunner. The usual, run and gun, cherry pick and scatter. Yeah. Okay then. At the Cherub, tonight at ten, sure, sure. You'll be paid good pal, just gotta keep your lips tight. Right see you then.”

Rey hung up the phone and dialed another friend’s number.

“ Hi, can I speak with Johnny please, tell him its Rey Quida. Hey Johnny how goes it? Good. Listen you wanna make some creds? At a boy. Come over to Xander’s place in about an hour. Right see you then.”

Rey smiled. So far so good.

When Xander woke up Rey told him the plans. The four of them, Rey, Xander, Volter and the mystery girl would sneak into the cargo bay of the ship while Johnny and gang of hoodlums caused a big commotion at the Ports main terminal. Priss would be waiting nearby in a light cruiser with a course set for Sernek, Aartesia’s smaller moon. There they would turn over the ice and proof of Vinn Hobbs death. It should go pretty smooth. The cargo ship will have only two White Dawn guards and Hobb. The Navidian dealer would have to die as well. They had exactly fifteen minutes to high tail out of Babylon Port before the Enforcer’s actually realize what’s going on. All Johnny would know is that they are hi-jacking a shipment. Xander liked the plan.

Johnny Davis. Born and raised in Neo Haven. The Big K’s ball breaker. A true blue hoodlum. He would have fit in back on Terra like a fly on shit. He even dressed the part. You know, denim pants rolled up to his boots, hair all slick and greasy. Shit he even wears a leather jacket. Seen too many Terran movies I guess.Johnny he and his crew are real bunch of bad asses right. They all drive tricked out mean looking rangers. Hell, people in Neo Haven even call him Johnny Danger, ‘cuss he is so nuts. Like I was saying………

“ Johnny’ll be here any minute Xan, so clean up and quit smiling so damn much!” Rey scolded.

“ Fuck you, I can smile if I want.” I says.

Just then the door chime went off.

“ Uh, Its Johnny man, let me in yeah Xander?”

The auto lock door opened and in walked the teenage terror of Kresge.

“ Whataya hear, Whataya say man!” Johnny smirked.

“ Have a beer kid, we got a lot to talk about.”

Johnny took the beer, chugging the whole thing.

” Rey and I got a little jacking to do, nothing big, but, we need someone to run distraction so the Port Enforcers wont be up my ass while Im trying to work you know.”

Johnny shook his head,” yeah, we could do that, rough up some chums bust some fucking skulls. Yep, not a problem Xander man.”

Rey gave Johnny another beer. Xander liked the kid a lot. He had balls. Not too much of that anymore, and he didn’t ask questions.

“ You let me know if you need anything Johnny, guns, bombs whatever.”

Johnny grinned evil. “ Sure, sure, guns I got though. The boys, they just want to know what’s their stash gonna be though.”

“ I’ll be paying you four hundred creds apiece and you get an additional ten when the jobs done.”

Johnny choked on his beer.

“ That’s alotta dough, Xander man.”

Rey laughed.

“ Yes sir it is, you do a good job I might consider hiring you again and maybe even sub lease your crazy ass.” Xander finished.

The trio drank until ten pm when they met up with Volter Hesh at the Cherub. Xander had never worked with him. Johnny knew of him. Rey had pulled a few jobs with him. Xander knew of his reputation mostly. A cold hearted killer, a decent sneak thief and fearless as the grave.

BLACK UNIT : OPERATION HAZARD

Message: CAUTION

IDN: TDC-138

4.29.2011

19:46 PST

Commander, I fear this is my final transmission. We have done are best to locate the remainder of the team. These things have overpowered us even with the aid of our battle suits. I am wounded but alive, for how long I do not know. Please use extreme caution if you plan on re-entering the Gate. The gravity is unstable and the air highly toxic. Myself and Icer are all that’s left having witnessed Goliath, Hessian and Lady Hawk being ripped apart. I'm sorry I was unable to finish the mission, but have encrypted a detailed map of the area as well as the Shao's specs. As I write this a force of twelve Shao's have me cornered from exiting the Gate. Commander, please, destroy the fucking thing or send a nuke through their portal when it re-opens. I'm sure Mexico can deal with the fallout. God save us.

Commander Domingo looked up from his data pad and stood to address the Black Unit. Their faces were grim and he could feel their sadness at the loss of their friends, even through their steely eyes. He let the screen behind keep running the text and cycling through the images. He could feel their hate rising in their hearts.

“ That was the last we heard of Mad Dog of Team Death Crush gentlemen. We have full clearance by all the Nations aware of the situation. Under Protocol Seventy Nine we are sanctioned to finish this job by any means necessary short of nuking the area. Interpool, CIA and The UN have code named this Operation Hazard, and as always- never happened. We are going up against an enemy of the likes you have never and hopefully will not see again. Not only are we going after our boys we have green light to seek and destroy. These creatures call themselves the Shao-Telal, a galaxy wandering race of warriors who's first contact with humans was noted around the time of the ancient Sumerians , hence the use of their language. From what we know, they stand a full seven feet high, though they hunch over. They resemble a modern hog and a vulture- if you can imagine that. Ancient accounts have stated that they once flew using their wings, but millenia of interstellar travel has robbed them of that gift as the recent encounter with the Serbians has confirmed that. I have reviewed the vid logs that Team Death Crush sent before we lost all contact. I know most of you can stomach what you are about to see, but be advised- I have not slept well since. "

ETERNAL REAPER : 1

The familiar scent of burning bodies filled Ash's nostrils. He inhaled deeply,enjoying the aroma of death. A twisted fetish he allowed himself from time to time. The village just below the hillside where he stood was a smoldering heap. Pleased with his work he slipped back on his face mask and switched on his two way com-link.

" Ash to Black Unit. Copy. " Ash spoke into his com-link, peering at the night sky.

" Copy. Status update. "

" Objective nullified. Requesting extraction. Copy. "

" Copy. ETA five minutes from your fix. Over. "

Ash did not bother replying. He switched off and stared into the stars. Something about being on the Steppes of Mongolia under the cover of darkness and starlight always brought back good memories. Mostly good memories. Closing his eyes for a moment he could hear the thunder of hooves and the cold wind rushing to meet him. He pushed those thoughts aside when he could hear the roaring engine of the Black Units' modified F-22 raptor. He had to. He knew Mason would be trying to read his mind, like always. The raptor pulled to a stop right over Ash as the zip line shot down. No time was wasted. Ash was hooked to the D ring and was hauled up in a matter of seconds. He could already feel Mason probing his brain, his emotions before he was even inside the raptor.

" Give it a rest M. I just want a cigarette. " Ash said as flatly as he could.

" Fine. Just always wondering what's going on in that big, ugly head of yours Ash." Mason tossed him a pack of smokes and a lighter.

" Nothing. Not a damn thing. " Ash glared at him. lighting up. " You just can't wrap your brain around about how I can slaughter a whole village of innocent people to make one hit. It's easy M. I'm getting paid to do my job. There is no grand scheme. No poetry behind my actions. I just happen to enjoy the act of murder a little more than you or Ghost One does. " He took a long drag and exhaled heavily.

Mason stared at Ash, shook his head in displeasure. That's where the two of them varied. Mason viewed their life as a service to the United States of America. Ash viewed it as a job and nothing else. Mason contemplated continuing the argument but decided against it. Ash was right after all. He did do the teams dirtiest work without question or conscience. For that reason he dropped the issue and instead walked back to the cockpit.

Ash finally sat down and strapped in for the flight home. Two rookies sat opposite him , unsure of what to say. One of them finally cleared his throat and gave Ash a thumb-up. The other stared blankly at his boots. Ash crossed his arms and let his body drift to sleep. The last thought to cross his mind was the dying face of the young boy he was sent to kill. His eyes saying more than words ever could.

VAGABONDS : The Fury & The Deep 1

THE FURY AND THE DEEP

1.

If you have never experienced life in Los Angeles, I'm not sure you can relate to my story. If you have never sold drugs, run from the police or a rival gang - you may think I'm a fool for living the life I do. The thing is, it's all I know, all I'm good at. I could have been a city worker like my old man, scratching out a living doing mindless work in the sprawl. I could have been like my momma, living off the GR from the Tri-State Aid Relief. Fuck that noise. I'm a gangster and that's all right by me. I have no doubts I may die from this life, but money is out there and I want it. I may be only twenty two years old but I've made a name for myself and even got my two younger brothers working with me. My name is Kody Drigo but on the streets people know me as Krug. Don't ask me why, it's just a silly nickname my friends gave me and it stuck. Anyways, it's been harder and harder to make money ever since the old Mexican/ Chinese Mafia crumbled and Velusians took over. Fucking off planet thugs got money for days and days. Especially here on the West Coast. I mainly slang Pony and Gods Green but we've gotten good at stealing and fencing Ice. Big money, especially to the those pale assed creepers. Anyways, it was just before Fall and my best bud Rozzer was back from a few years of living in the Deep. You know, Deep Space, the fringe of the galaxy before it' all goes black and all you can see is Andromeda far, far away......

“Aye, Krug ya greasy fuck! Have those chinks come through with the ice yet?” Xander yelled to his big brother as he finished loading a shipment into the bed of the Ranger.

“Nah, must of got stalled by the patrol, or worse some of Zeetakans’ men.” Krug answered as he lit up a cigarette.

Xander paced about the garage they used as a base of operations.A couple of glide bikes were parked next to Krug's ancient Ford Mustang- a real relic from the 1990's. The rest of their space was filled with crates and boxes and shelving with tools, parts and ammo scattered about.

“Well, I guess we ought to buzz 'em or swing past Pings' in a while. It’s been three hours, you would think they would be back with it already.” Krug shuffled uneasy.

He didn’t like the way things where going. Xander looked around the room, uneasy and getting nervous.

Pings' gang of thieves never took that long to steal ice. He also had no intention of paying a visit to Ping. China Town was number two on his list of most dangerous places in L.A., hell it made the top ten for the Confederacy Of Planets highest crime rates and had the most documented missing persons reports from the Pacific Nations to the South Irish Union.

“I dunno Xander, lets wait till Davin gets back with the Rozzer and the rest of the boys.” Krug knew something was just not right and if any trouble was near they needed to have deep numbers.

“Look Krug, Dav is too far to help us, this shit has got to be settled now. If Zeetakan is to blame we are all fucked and so is Ping.”

Krug knew this all to well.If any money was being made than Zeetakan got a fat cut. The problem was, Krug and the gang had been going through Ping and other fences to get the cash. They were all part of a network that decided not to pay dues. Zeetakan was a merciless killer who destroyed city blocks to get one man. He was Lord of San Francisco and was looking after L.A. until the Veluzian West Coast Syndicate selected the new turf boss.

" Load up bro. I'll shoot Dav and Rozzer a text let 'em know where we are. I want my money. " Krug said, grabbing a sawed off shotgun and tossing a semi auto rifle to Xander.

They got into the Ranger and left the East Side sprawl for China Town. Krug was unsure how his brother would do in a gun fight, he had done real good in skin on skin brawls and was handy with a blade. The problem was, as Krug often forgot, he was was only sixteen and had never killed anyone. Unlike Davin, who was eighteen and didn't seem to have any problem killing, Xander was different.

By the time they reached Pings' they where both certain something was wrong. They had driven into the heart of China Town, and had no problems, no run ins- no assaults, not even a vendor trying to hock his shit on the curb. The place was a ghost town.

“What the fuck is going on Krug ? Why is it so damn quiet and where the hell is everybody?” Xanders' anxiety finally showed up.

Krug stepped out of the Ranger carefully and drew his gun. China Town was usually crowded and always, always smelled of food being prepared and music being played.He wasn't sure if the place was raided or if it was an ambush waiting to happen.

" Just cover my ass Xandy and keep quiet" Krug scolded him.

The two slowly crept into Pings' place.It was a renovated dance hall that now was run as Militray surplus store- great front.They walked around the stire front and finally made their way towards the offices were Ping ran pussy and Zen chips. The room was dimly lit but there sat Ping and several of his men, wide-eyed and smirking fiendishly like a bunch of hopped up Pony boys.

Krug spoke loud and clear.

“Ping, what the fuck is going on and where’s the goddamn ice?”

Ping did not acknowledge him. Krug stepped into the light and brandished his gun.

“Ping you fucking chink bastard! Answer me!” Krug yelled with anger.

The slim and dark Asian finally looked at Xander and said in a faint whisper, “No need to yell, tell your bro we got the ice and something else I think your gonna like.”

Xander and Krug where now at the boiling point but a little interested.

“Why didn’t you buzz me, and what’s this other thing?” said Xander.

Ping finally got up and walked towards Krug with a vial in his hand. It shined a blue light in the dark.

“The boys got the ice but also came upon a few cases of these vials. They tortured the Jaqquan trader 'till he finally gave up and told them what it was.”

Krug and Xander’s eyes where focused on the vial.

“This blue liquid is called the Fury. The most potent drug in the galaxy. In small doses it gets a high more superb than Pony.It makes Day Trippers and Snow Candy feel like a joke.It's an upper, a downwer and everything in between. It'll enhance your emotions or block them, whatever you like. In larger amounts you reach a state of pleasure so beyond human understanding you go mad with rage because your mind can not grasp the level of pleasure.I been taking this shit for a week now and let me tell you- it's well worth the risk I took to get it. We began distributing it to our people. So far they are so intoxicated the streets are empty, save those who come back for more.” Ping smiled, lighting up a cigar.

Krug knew of the Fury. He knew it was big money, bigger than ice,bigger than any street dope, bigger than Zeetakan.He also knew it was too dangerous if it was not sold properly. Too many people have had their brains melt in the heads or went bat shit crazy and killed themselves or others.

“Ping,So what now? We gonna sell this shit? How much did you get?” Krug asked.

Ping and his henchmen began to laugh. Then he said, “We jacked that mother fuckers entire shipment of eighty cases each containing a thousand vials. Problem is....... the shipment was Zeetakans'. He will be looking for the thieves. That means you and me Kruggy my boy. I’m giving you a choice you. You can join me in selling the Fury and owning the West Coast, or don’t and Zeetakan will kill you. You see if you’re with me, he can’t touch you,not even the fucking Syndicate would dare risk it. the Fury is too valuable for him to attack us guns blazing and all. It’s perfect. We can own L.A., we can own the world!” Ping stepped back and his men began clapping.

Krug didn't know what to make of this situation. Ping was power mad from whatever trip the Fury took him on and now they were going to be in deep shit with Zeetakan. Ping did make a damn good point though.

" I'll be back in a few hours then to make a deal with you bro. I just gotta run the ice and let the boys in on the plan." Krug bullshitted a smile and grabbed Xander to walk out.

" Don't worry Krug, I'll be waiting for you. When you get back you gotta try this stuff. It's like getting a blow job from god while you kill the devil ! " Ping roared in laughter.

Xander and Krug had been arguing fiercely when Davin and the Rozzer finally pulled into the garage on their roadsters with two older gang members that worked for Krug.

“What’s up guys, did we score the ice tonight?” Dav said.

Xander looked long and hard at his brother.

“Yeah, we got the ice and I fenced it already" Krug rubbed his head.

" Ping ended up robbing the Jaqquan contact and ended up with a huge stash of the Fury and he wants us to sell it with him.” Xander said flatly.

” Ping ripped of Zeetakan? Chinga-ling, that idiots's deader than dead. " Dav snickered.

“Well,” Krug said, “We got the choice of joining Ping and selling this shit or answering to Zeetakan. We have to give Ping our answer later tonight. I ain't sure whats gonna happen if we go against Zeetakan but Ping's making it sound like we ain't gotta choice. I know this whole crew is my thing, but If you want no part of this shit, walk away. I won't be mad."

The gang debated for awhile, then Daz stood up.

” I say we kill Ping and his whole posse, keep the shipment for ourselves and deal with Zeetakan when the time is right.”

The whole gang cheered and yelled in excitement. The thought had crossed Krugs' mind many times that night; he knew it could be done. He and his brother had done this before to rivals in the past.

“ Alright, how are we gonna pull this off though? You don’t think Ping will be expecting it. I say we do it right now. They wont be in the right mind to deal with us right now, they’ve been high on Fury all week.”

Xander looked over the gang and all of them nodded to him, letting him know it was the best thing to do.

" I'm down then. If my brothers say it's a good plan and everyone else is in. So am I. "

Dav roared , ” Lets stomp those little bastards!”

" Get the rest of the crew here fast" Krug said to Xander.

With that the gang armed themselves to the teeth and rode off on their glide cycles and roadsters towards Chinatown in the late night chill as the fog moved in.


Dav rode side by side his brother and he noticed the stern look in his face. He had seen it before, every time his brother was about to kill. Krug didn’t kill a lot, but when he did he turned into a zombie. He was cold and calculating, no remorse. Dav relished in all manners of violence, he lived for it. Their mother had locked up Dav at the age of ten in a mental hospital. Krug broke him out on his thirteenth birthday. Only Krug understands the bitter insanity that his brother holds on to. Xander tries to, but he's just too young to get it.

They parked just two blocks from Pings'. Xander and Dav shared a cigarette while they looked over their gang. Krug was anxious for a fight; he stood there cocking the sawed off back and forth. The Rozzer, as always, stood there nonchalantly twirling his blade, an eleven-inch combat knife that he took off a military officer in a riot. The rest of the gang where much older than them, they where hardened criminals, men who did time in maximum prisons, men who Xander and Dav trusted with their lives everyday. Tommy Two Tone,Brock Sanchez, Ricky Luna, Fast Eddie and Jose Doza. These thugs where all feared in Los Angeles. They once had power in their own time, but now worked for Krug for the simple pleasure of fast cash and violence.

Pings front door burst into a million pieces as Dozas' M-60 spit death into the confused body of the Chinese thieves that sat getting high. The rest of the gang came through firing headshots at those who stumbled about in the madness. Dav and Xander searched the rooms until finally finding Ping. He was busy pleasuring several women and did not hear the commotion. The girls where crying and screaming. Ping did not rise from his bed. Dav stomped him to death with his boot heels and Xander shot the whores where they laid. Ping died smiling, high on the Fury.

The sun was out by the time the crates where all secured. Krug lit a cigar.

“ Ya know something Xander? This shipment aint going to last forever. Sooner or later we gotta see Zeetakan for more.”

Xander laughed. “ We’ll have so much money we can buy more, wherever it comes from.”

“ In the Deep, that’s where it’s from man.” The Rozzer said in a sullen voice, walking off.

In the days to follow the gang had made more money than they had fencing ice for three years. In two weeks they had to upgrade their base of operation to a warehouse near Alameda. The drug users embraced the Fury with such vigor that a code word had to now be used to purchase it. Tommy and Doza also hired twelve, small local gangs to protect them from Zeetakans forces. Small gun fights, drive bys, bombings and the occasional beheading were becoming common in Los Angeles now. Zeetakan was had been made a fool, and now people all over were paying for it. As long as the Fury was around, no one cared.

The Rozzer knew something that they didn’t. He had been to the Deep before. He spent a whole year as a space smuggler in those distant star systems.He knew how it was made, what it was and who really controlled it. With each passing day he became more grim.

Three months had now passed since they murdered Ping. Things where going very well for the brothers and their gang. Everyone was up to their elbows in cash. Only a few deaths had occurred from overdoses of the fury. They now competed openly with Zeetakan for the drug war. Dav was actually looking for Zeetakans men and killing them onsite, taking money, weapons and the Fury.

On a warm Tuesday night the Rozzer and Xander were eating tacos in the Down Town Sprawl.

“ Something’s not right Xander.” Rozzer said.” Why hasn’t Zeeta tried to contact us, why hasn’t he killed us yet?”

Xander swallowed his food and sipped his beer.

” Who knows, I know he aint scared, I think he’s waiting for us to run out of the Fury so we can go crawling to him. Roz, ya must tell me where they make this shit man. I know you know. You been to the Deep man. Tell me what I gotta do.”

The Rozzer sunk down into himself.

” I never want to go back. I’ll tell you where to go, but count me out. The blackness man,the number of stars, they drive me insane! I’d rather die than face the Deep again.The loneliness even when your with a crew, it ain't normal and I never wish we found the Fury. Or them. I never want to face THEM again!” Rozzer shook his head, tears forming in his eyes.

” Look, it can’t be that bad, why you so spooked about a bunch of fucking aliens man, they walk around here and you aint scared. We have the chance to pass up Zeetakan and eventually move off this overcrowded shit-hole.”

The Rozzer just shook his head.” I don’t care about that, I like Terra , man, I was born here, I seen plenty of the galaxy and I don’t like it. Other races have powers you cant imagine, some look human but act like animals or worse. It's just not what I want.Not even for money bro ”

Xander gave his old friend a glaring eye and said,” Fine, just tell me where to go, Ill give you a cut of the dough and you go about your way. Your either with us 100% or your not.”

” Go to Mars, hook up with Baab, he's a dock master out of Port Nord.Just tell him you’re my friend and he’ll show you the way. He owes me his life. I don’t know exactly where to go, so you assholes gotta figure it out. Baab will probably take you as far as the outer ring, but from there on, it's just you and the Deep. You could be out their for months before running into THEM. Even so, they may or may not sell you the Fury. They may just slave you out, take your ship or maybe just eat you- if your lucky." Rozzer finished his beer.

Xander didn't know what to make of the conversation so he just left Rozzer and went home.

A few days later the infamous Lon Gerlof , a hit man for the Syndicate ,beat Doza to a pulp with a message for Krug and associates. The Syndicate wanted a cease fire. Blood shed was bad for business in L.A. A meeting was to be arranged in the Vegas sprawl, and Krug could not say no. Zeetakan was to be present as well and the Fury was their main concern.