= Chapter 1: The Gap =
The harshness of the sands was intolerable. It's hard to believe that anyone could walk more than a few miles of an ocean-sized desert without eventually succumbing to the sands and being torn apart by the desert-dwelling birds. But as long as someone had water, they could survive for a little while. If they had food, they could survive a bit longer. Dignam had both, a reasonable supply at that. Fingers crossed, it would be enough to take him to Torl, if not he'd have to ration himself. He was already rationing the food as it is, but he could adjust his rationing more.
Dignam hadn't just completed the basic survival program. He knew virtually everything there was to know about the self regulation of body temperature, control of emotions and desires... truth be told he could go hungry for days at a time if he had to. But he didn't want it to come to that, yet. He didn't know what exactly would be out in the sands waiting for him. He had to be at least semi-concious so that he could deal with any threat that might appear. He took another bite of his popkin. The jam inside trickled out a bit and hit the sand. He wiped his mouth with his hand and then wiped his hand on his shorts. He adjusted his bulky backpack, making sure the straps were tight enough, and continued walking.
For a while nothing happened, then he stumbled across a ravine. This was a large ravine which went from left to right as far as the eye could see. 'A detour could take too long', he thought to himself, 'I had better see if I can jump over it" Dignam eventually got closer and peered down. It was at least a few hundred feet to the bottom. He didn't trust his legs to survive the fall so he looked around for a shorter distance to jump. After a few minutes he found the place where the ravine was thinner. He took a little while to plan before starting a run and then clearing the ravine with relative ease. This would be the first obstacle, but not the last. Not by a long shot.
= Chapter 2: The Hunted =
For the next few minutes, Dignam was uneasy. He could sense 'something' but he had no idea what it was. There were a few large rocks around the area that something could hide behind. Better for him to feign ignorance for now and see what happens. He continued to walk, glancing back every so often. He then saw it out of the corner of his eye, a Sand Sneaker. He could hear a soft whispering noise as his In-Ear Translator did it's work automatically. The creature was repeating "Gotcha, gotcha, gotcha" over and over, barely audible over the swishing of the sand lightly in the wind. Dignam let his hand fall to his right gun holster and flexed his fingers.
In a flash, Dignam turned around and surprised the creature, Dignam's coat moving along with his motion. Dignam fired three shots in rapid succession. The creature was hit by some of the bullets and slithered out of the way. Could have been two or three hits, Dignam didn't know. The creature hid behind one of the large rocks and hissed menacingly. "Youse got gutsssss", it said. Dignam put three more bullets into his revolver and then hid behind a large rock which was nearby. Dignam could hear the metallic ping as the three bullets were promptly dug out by the Sand Sneaker. "Well wouldn't you know it, the thing can dig out the bullets. That could be a problem" Dignam decided it was best to end this fast.
When the creature was done digging out the bullets, he slithered from behind the rock, but his prey was gone. The Sand Sneaker narrowed his eyes and looked around. It sniffed and then moved forwards. It came up to the large rock which was nearest, got ready to pounce, began pouncing and... didn't see anything there. It had just enough time to look around again before it was hit on the head by a medium-sized rock that lay nearby. It barely had time to hiss before Dignam jumped out from behind yet another large rock and whipped out both of his revolvers. After twelve bangs, the creature shrieked loudly and fell forwards. 'That's what happens to those that follow me', Dignam thought. Dignam walked on, but unbeknownst to him, he was still being followed.
= Chapter 3: A Purpose =
On his way to the City of Seff, he started thinking more about what he was going to do when he got there. 'I have to find some people that can help me. I'll need two... maybe three at a stretch, can't do this by myself, not on my own' He then remembered what the Elder of the last village he visited had said:
"The world is wounded, we're running out of time" Dignam pictured the Elder in his long flowing cloak and his feathery headdress, no doubt obtained from the last mudokon in the town, which was a contrast with his grubb features and long beard. "There is a great evil beneath the planet which is threatening to cause all life to degenerate and die. The world will end in four weeks"
Digman didn't agree with that last comment. He knew that it would end within a week. How he know this he couldn't explain, but he felt as if he had known this for much longer, perhaps since he was young. Dignam spotted the city sign marking Seff in the distance and kept walking. The outline of the town was only waist-high fences, he could see peep holes in the fence where defenders would mount their rifles and ward off potential attackers. The lone guard stood in the watchtower nodded at Dignam as he walked in. Dignam headed to the centre of town and found what he was looking for, the local bar. Dignam entered the Red Rascal, moving past the tables of people playing poker and the few remaining dancers in the shady areas. "Gimme a Snaflax" he said to the barman, the barman nodded and poured out a frothy green brew. Dignam rummaged though his small wallet and left two slightly bent silver coins. Was this where he was going to find those he was seeking?
= Chapter 4: The Chosen =
Dignam looked around and eyed up the people at the bar. Only a few might be worthy candidates. Most of them hadn't seen enough action, some had seem too much action and looked too frail to be of much use. He approached the far side of the bar where he saw a slig with a yellow bandana, a distance scope above his right eye and a large square-shaped battle rifle on his back. The slig turned around and looked at Digman. "Yo", he said in that metallic voice of his. Dignam raised the corner of his mouth a little. "I'm after someone for an important mission" The slig sipped his drink and asked, "Just me? Or others too?" Dignam took a quick glance around, "At least one more. It's a risky mission"
"Hmmm" the slig said, contemplating Dignam's offer. "Well, okay. Normally I wouldn't work with them other folks, but for you I'll make an exception. Awfully far out for a baskken, aren't ya?" Dignam smiled, "Well... the world is wounded, so they say. But if I can fix it I will" The slig sighed. "Name's Cadrig, nice to meet ya"
Dignam placed his left hand near his gun as two figures approached. One of them, a mudokon spoke "We heard what you were saying, we want to tag along" Dignam eyed them suspiciously. The smaller figure was a mudokon with a large bow and several curved knives, the taller figure was a vykker, the first one he saw for the past decade. Dignam closed his eyes and thought deeply. He opened his eyes and then said, "Okay. But we leave in an hour, got it?" The two newcomers nodded. The vykker held out his hand, "I'm Scazz and this is Rolf" Dignam shook his hand. And so the party was formed
= Chapter 5: Dark Deep =
Dignam, Cadrig, Scazz and Rolf left the bar. The swinging doors kept on swinging as they went past, eventually stopping due to the lack of momentum. The light wind was blowing some sand across the street, as well as a few bits of dead trees and branches. Dignam turned to face the others, "Take one last look at the town, this may be your last chance" Cadrig did so, but the others didn't. Rolf smiled, "We'll be back, I know it" Dignam couldn't help smiling at the optimism of youth. "Okay then, to the pit"
Seff Pit, the world's entrance to the very depths of the underworld. Few entered, even fewer returned. But if anywhere was the cause of all the world's problems, it was here. Dignam took out his flashlight, said "I do not fear death" and then proceeded to enter. Cadrig pulled down his viewfinder, putting night vision mode on with an audible click. Rolf and Scazz followed closely behind. Scazz was humming a tune and twirling a circular sawblade.
The first thing that hits you when you enter the pit, the god-awful stench of rotten meat, mouldy bread and dead fungus. The second thing... the lack of light and disorientating corridors which twisted and turned, by the gods, it was enough to bring a grown mudokon to their knees faster than you can say Meech Munchies. But they had to persevere. This was only the entrance, and they must travel far. The third thing that hits you, the noise... the noise of the drums going thump-thump-thump tha-thump. Every few seconds, the noise grew louder and louder... Scazz turned around, thinking that he could hear something, but he saw nothing and moved onwards.
