Chapter 21 Deals
"I haven't been to the beach in over 50 years." Infinity said as he, Arry and Beau walked east through the streets of Old Sydney.
"What did it used to be like?" Arry asked as Infinity thought for a moment.
"Lots of people liked to live beside the beach before the bombs dropped and after they dropped that didn't' change and a small town popped up there for a little while. At its peak I think at least 50 people used to live there."
"What happened to them?" Arry asked curiously as Infinity looked to Beau.
"After the Beach Raiders arrived I don't know what happened." He said looking at Beau and crossing his arms.
"You have nothing to worry about for those people who lived there became members of the Beach Raiders under our new leader." Beau replied looking back at the two.
"They all choose to become murderers did they?" Infinity sneered but Beau remained quiet and said nothing.
"We should be entering our territory within the hour." Beau said calmly as Arry nodded.
The group continued to walk for at least another hour until Arry could finally begin to smell the salty ocean and its cool sea breeze started to flow down the empty streets.
It was now that the larger buildings in the city began to fade away to a more residential type area and where Arry saw her first hint that they were entering a claimed territory, a large spray painted sign that read, "Beach Raider territory, go back!"
Taking her chance to speak with Beau Arry quickly walked up beside her as they walked past the sign.
"Your leader took a huge risk sending you to New Harbour on your own." Arry said looking at Beau who didn't seem very concerned.
"I trust his judgment." Beau replied calmly.
"Does everyone in the Beach Raiders follow him like you do?"
"We all believe that our leader wants what's best for us and for all the people living in this country." She paused and thought for a moment. "He will help us create a new fair world and those who stand against him will be removed from it." She said eyeing Arry who frowned a little but kept calm.
"So Beau right?" Infinity said quickly walking up to the pair as Beau turned to him. "That's a very strange name for a woman." Arry gave him an annoyed look at the question but said nothing.
"The Beach Raiders are strong warriors and we have declared to do away with soft sounding feminine names and so all who are born or are accepted into our clan adopt a new name that represents strength, power and masculinity."
"Was this a decision your leader made?" Arry queried as Beau nodded.
Before any of them had a chance to say anything else Arry suddenly noticed that in the not too far distance she could see a huge makeshift wall that extended both north and south into the distance. The wall was at least 9 foot high and was made mostly of concrete blocks and metal panels.
As they neared the wall Arry could soon spot at least 3 or 4 people standing on top of the wall looking down at the three all with guns drawn. Starting to feel a little nervous Arry took a deep breath hoping that the promise of safety the leader had given her was true and that they weren't simply going to be killed on the spot.
When they reached the base of the wall beside what appeared to be a door Arry watched as Beau looked up at two men standing on top of the wall looking down at them.
"Our leader's guest has arrived!" Beau yelled up at the men who nodded. "Our home is a no-gun zone." Beau continued turning around to face Arry and Infinity.
"What about there's?" Infinity said looking up at the men on the wall each of whom were carrying a shotgun.
"Our border guards carry weapons to defend against intruders, ghouls and wild animals that is all." Beau continued in her calm voice as she turned to Arry.
"Will we get them back when we leave?" Arry asked.
"If we leave…" Infinity mumbled under his breath.
"Of course you will, you will leave with whatever you have brought here with you." Beau nodded and held out her hand as Arry sighed and nodded before taking off her bag and handing it to Beau who then turned to Infinity who grumbled a little bit before reluctantly handing over his bag and shotgun. "Thank you for your understanding, you may now enter."
Arry watched as Beau turned around and made a hand signal to the two men upstairs as they called out something and slowly the door in the large wall opened.
"Please follow me our leader will be anxious to meet with you as soon as possible." Beau said turning around and stepping through the door.
Feeling a little nervous from imagining what types of horrors this horrible place was filled with Arry slowly followed in after Beau into Beach Raider territory.
Stepping through the doorway Arry was instantly surprised by what she saw, it was nothing like she had imagined the home of murderers, hunters and killers would be like. In front of Arry was a large completely clear walkway that was at least 30 meters wide that led directly into the distance for about 300 metres till it met with the ocean. On either side of this long walkway to the beach there were makeshift houses and huts just like what she had seen in New Harbour.
Arry turned around and looked up at the wall to see a small walkway behind it where the two men that had been watching them looked down at them but they no longer had their guns drawn and they didn't look as threatening as they had before.
"Please let us hurry, our leaders day residence is on the beach." Beau said motioning Arry and Infinity down the walkway towards the beach.
Walking down the pathway Arry had a better chance to see the small houses and huts that were on either side of the walkway and she began to notice the Beach Raider residents going about their daily business. She had expected to see a camp full of hardened tough warriors but what she could see was the complete opposite because she could see families on the streets and children playing with each other just like in a normal town. How could these people, the ones who had murdered people in the vaults including Arry's mother and have such a vicious representation seem to look and act so normal and non-threatening?
"Ever seen the beach before?" Infinity said looking down at Arry who snapped out of her gaze at looking at the town and turned around to see directly in front of her a golden beach with the calm blue ocean in front of her gently rolling waves to the shore. She looked down at the ground and noticed for the first time that she was standing not on solid ground anymore but was standing on a sandy beach. Taking in a deep breath Arry also noticed that compared to the air further inland this air seemed to be so much fresher and there was a constant cool breeze.
"This is…amazing." Arry said in shock never in her life believing that a place in this post-apocalyptic world could look so beautiful and untouched.
"Please we must continue." Beau said urgently motioning Arry further down the beach towards a large black tent.
Nodding and once again snapping out of her daze she quickly followed after Infinity and Beau. Shaking her head Arry had to remember why she was here and who these people really were, they were murders, right?
As the group walked up to the large black tent Arry could see three guards each with a huge feral looking dog guarding the front entrance to the tent.
"It's very rare to see any trained feral dogs." Infinity said sounding a little impressed as he looked down at the three huge black dogs who watched him and Arry very carefully.
"We pride ourselves on breeding these amazing animals." One of the guards said patting one of the huge dogs on the head.
"Is the leader ready to see our guest?" Beau asked one of the guards who nodded.
"Yes he has been alerted to your presence and will see you now…but he will only see you alone." A guard said looking from Arry to Infinity.
"Now wait a minute…" Infinity said angrily as Arry quickly stopped him.
"Is there no way my friend can come with me?" Arry asked and watched as the guard shook his head.
"Only your presence is wanted." The guard replied as Arry thought to herself before nodding she didn't want to upset any of the Beach Raiders just in case they grew angry and wouldn't' allow both her and Infinity to leave. It was a risk she couldn't take so she had to do what she was told.
"I'll be fine I promise." Arry said quickly and turned around to Infinity who didn't look too happy.
"We will allow you to wait out here if you wish." Beau said.
"Alright fine but I'll be waiting right out here." Infinity said crossing his arms as Beau just nodded.
"I'll be back soon." Arry said starting to feel a little nervous as she watched one of the guards push the door into the tent open as Arry slowly took a step inside.
Once she was inside she noticed a wall inside that stretched up to the top of the tent and another makeshift door with another guard standing in front of it.
"Please go in." The man said opening the door as Arry stepped forward and quickly walked through it.
Once she was inside the main room of the large tent she saw a man sitting down at a long wooden desk which was covered in all sorts of old world artefacts such as old radios, small television sets, old toys and clocks. Arry had been expecting the leader of the Beach Raiders to be a very gruff old man but the man she saw in front of her was a middle aged man who was cleanly shaven who had thick dark grey hair and looked just like a typical gentlemen. When he looked up to see Arry he quickly stood up.
"Welcome! Arry please come and sit down." Ryder said motioning Arry forward to a chair in front of his desk that she slowly walked over and sat down in.
"I got a message that you wanted to see me Governor?" Arry asked trying to hide the nervousness she was feeling.
"Please call me Ryder!" He smiled. "Governor is just a title I gave myself although I do like it I have to admit it does get tiring hearing it all the time." He said shaking his head. "So how was the trip? Did Beau treat you well? The guards didn't frighten you did they? I suppose you have a million questions I mean you are the first person from the vaults I've ever allowed in my territory." Arry was completely put off by how casual he seemed to be considering who he was and what he was doing to people.
"I heard about what happened to last man who tried to escape from here." Arry said frowning slightly.
"Oh my please don't believe those horrible rumours you hear!" Ryder sighed shaking his head. "That man attacked my home and my people! He deserved what he got…"
"Just like those people in the vaults!" Arry said angrily without thinking and instantly regretted the outburst realizing that she had wanted to try and be as calm and collected as possible and had already failed and to the leader of the Beach Raiders no less.
"My dear please accept my apology over what happened to your mother at the vaults…I do so hate it when civilians are injured. My men are given strict orders to only attack in self-defence so only those who rebel are hurt…but your mother's death was clearly an accident so please accept my apology." He said with a sigh.
"How did you know my mother was killed?" Arry asked confused.
"I have my spies everywhere because I must be kept informed of the goings on in my land at all times." He said calmly.
"You said you wanted to see me?" Arry said changing the subject knowing that she didn't want to push her luck any further and wanted to get to business straight away so she and Infinity could leave.
"Oh of course forgive me for my babbling I do talk too much." Riley said with a laugh before standing up. "Now I need a favour from you." He said turning to Arry who looked confused, what could he possibly want with her? She thought to herself and watched as he paced slightly behind his desk. "I need you to deliver two warnings for me."
"Warnings?" Arry asked.
"Yes I need you to give that man in charge of New Harbour and that woman in charge of New Sydney a warning. I need you to tell them that they are to either to join me and hand over all their territory and resources and acknowledge my leadership or they will be destroyed." He said calmly.
"Is that all?" Arry said in shock wondering why he couldn't have just gotten someone else to deliver his messages.
"You're probably wondering why I chose you for this task." He said looking at Arry who nodded. "There are two reasons I chose you, the first reason is because I know for a fact that Major will listen to you and your friend and due to your families working relationship with the Matriarch on the Dam at New Sydney she too will listen to you and take your warning seriously. The second reason is because if I send any of my people to deliver these warnings I know both Major and Matriarch will not allow them to leave their towns and will most likely kill them without even hearing my warning. Despite the rumours you may have heard about me I am not a mindless murderer and would rather not have my men captured and killed."
"How do you know my family works for the Matriarch on the dam?" Arry asked as Ryder just grinned.
"I know more than you think I do Arry, I know about your real brother and real father in New Sydney and your ghoul friend outside but alas my spies cannot take all the credit for this knowledge of you and your history." He said clicking his fingers as Arry glanced around to see the door into the room open again and she watched as a guard pushed someone inside so hard that they fell to the ground. "An old friend of yours?" Ryder said as Arry looked down at man only to realize it was Hustler who sat up and looked at her.
"You." Arry said angrily glaring down at Hustler who looked very beaten up with bruises and bloodstains over his face.
"He told me all about you as well as how to get inside the vaults. Now I didn't just bring him here for a show and tell he's here because he is my bargaining chip."
"I'm listening…" Arry said in a low voice as she stood up.
"You deliver these messages for me because I know that like me you're a person of your word and will want to warn your friends and family about my forthcoming and in return for doing me a favour I will return it and put this man and his fate in your hands."
"You're saying that I can take him?" Arry said turning back around to look at Ryder who nodded. "Don't you…" Arry started trying to think of why Ryder would give away his ticket into the vaults.
"He is of no more use to me." Ryder said shaking his head. "I was just going to kill him if you had not come here to meet with me but that doesn't mean you can't do it instead." Ryder said with a wicked smile as he pulled out a small pistol from one of his desk drawers and threw it on the table in front of where Arry stood.
Looking down at the pistol on the table Arry slowly picked it up and looked at it in her hands and she could feel the anger boiling inside her that it was because of Hustler that her mother had died and that so many others had died in the vaults. She had come here to find Hustler and seek revenge but now that she was being given the opportunity she didn't know what to do, could she really just kill him like this in cold blood? She turned to look at Hustler who was looking up at her through his blackened and bruised eyes with a look of fear and panic.
"I…I can't." Arry said looking at Hustler who sighed in relief as Arry shook her head and quickly put the gun back down on the desk. "I just can't do it, Infinity was right I'm not like that…" She sighed turning back to Ryder who looked a little disappointed.
"Can't say I'm not disappointed but he is yours now and you can do what you like with him." Ryder shrugged picking up the gun and throwing it back into his desk drawer. "Now you have my permission to leave to deliver my warnings and make sure they understand that I am not joking and that those who oppose me will be killed when the time comes." He finished in serious tone as he sat back down at his desk.
"How will you know if I have delivered the messages?" Arry asked.
"I will know trust me and oh just one thing before you leave…" Riley said looking up. "This was a onetime visit and you will not be allowed back into my territory again without consequences."
"I understand." Arry said as she turned around watching as Hustler stood up beside her and the two walked out of the room into the previous small room before walking outside of the tent.
"Arry…oh you found him." Infinity said quickly looking past Arry at Hustler who said nothing. "Did you do that?" He asked pointing to Hustler as Arry shook her head.
"I am sorry but you must now leave please follow me." Beau said walking up to the group.
"He's coming with us?" Infinity said looking at Hustler before turning to Arry who nodded.
"His life has been put in my hands but I can explain later." Arry urged wanting to leave as soon as possible and get back to New Harbour and away from here.
Beau led the three back to the entrance where both Arry and Infinity were given back their bags.
"Goodbye." Beau said as Arry, Hustler and Infinity stepped back outside through the door in the wall before Beau closed it behind them.
"Quick let's get out of this place." Arry said as the three quickly began to walk away from the wall back into Old Sydney and away from the beaches.
Once they were back inside the city ruins Infinity turned to Hustler.
"Looks like someone got exactly what they deserved." Infinity sneered.
"I had no choice." Hustler said as the group stopped walking. "They captured me, stole all my stuff and threatened to kill me unless I could be of some use to them."
"That is no reason to be a little coward! Do you have any idea how many people are dead because of you?" Infinity said angrily.
"Don't you think I know that?!" Hustler said angrily. "Don't you think I know that…" He repeated softly looking at the ground.
"I think…" Infinity started but was quickly interrupted.
"Enough!" Arry said angrily spinning around to look at the two. "I just want to get back to New Harbour and then Hustler can get looked at by North and then leave." She said with a sigh.
"You didn't tell him did you?" Infinity said angrily as Arry shook her head sadly.
"Tell me what?" Hustler said looking confused.
"Arry's mother died because of you and as far as I'm concerned she's taking you being here extremely well considering everything you've done!"
"Arry I'm so…" Hustler looked up and started but didn't get to finish.
"Please let's just keeping going I don't want to talk about it." Arry said turning around and continuing to walk back towards New Harbour.
Looking after her Infinity gave one last look at Hustler before they both followed after her.
On the way back to New Harbour Arry explained to Infinity what had happened when she had been talking with Ryder and why he had wanted to her to come and see him.
"I still think you took a huge gamble going there but I can understand Ryder's thinking because he knows if you give the warning to Matriarch she will take it seriously and she would have killed anyone else claiming to be a Beach Raider before evening listening to their message." Infinity said with a nod.
"What about Major?" Arry asked not convinced that he will even believe her story. "You don't think he'll try and kill us because we met with the Beach Raiders do you?" She continued sounding a little concerned.
"He may be a little angry but I doubt he'll be all to upset because hopefully he'll be more concerned with the proposal Ryder has given him which is unless he wants to start a war he can't win then he and the town need to leave." He paused for a moment before continuing. "I just want to let you know that I'm proud of you."
"For what?" Arry asked confused.
"You had a chance to get back at Hustler for everything he had done to you and others and you decided to put that hate aside and let him live and escape with us. I hope he understands what you've done for him."
"I couldn't do it Infinity, I couldn't hurt him despite everything he has done it's just not in me to do that, I'm not a murderer like those men who killed my mother and the other vaultee's. I think he has already suffered enough for what he has done." She paused. "That means I never want to see him again after we get to New Harbour." She said nodding her head as Infinity grinned.
"Make that two of us."
When the three arrived back at New Harbour after a few hours Mark 5-0 eagerly hovered over to them and spun around as though he was excited to see them.
"Arry-Human I am pleased you and Infinity-Human have returned alive." Mark 5-0 said.
"Thanks for the concern this time." Infinity said looking at Mark 5-0.
"Hustler-Human however I am not pleased to see." Mark 5-0 said causing Infinity to laugh.
"You're growing on me." Infinity said grinning as Mark 5-0 let Randy know that they had arrived back.
Opening the door into New Harbour the three quickly stepped inside where Randy was waiting for them.
"You are not welcome here." Randy said looking at Hustler with a frown.
"He's just going to get checked over by Dr North and then he's going." Arry said quickly looking at Randy who reluctantly nodded.
"Alright then Arry but don't let Major see him or else he may have been better off with the Beach Raiders. What did they say?"
"They want me to deliver a warning to all the people in New Harbour and New Sydney to leave because if they stay they are going to be killed when the Beach Raiders attack." Arry said looking at the concerned look on Randy's face.
"Did they say when?" Randy asked as Arry shook her head. "You really should go tell Major about this."
"We should go see him before it gets dark." Infinity said pointing to the sun which was slowly starting to set in the distance.
"You need to go and get yourself checked up by Dr North and then you need to leave." Arry said turning to Hustler who simply nodded and without a word slinked away towards Dr North's practice in town.
"He doesn't deserve to be here." Randy hissed turning to Arry who sighed and nodded.
"I know but please just leave him and let him go." She said looking up at Randy who nodded reluctantly before she and Infinity began to walk towards Major's office.
"Now we need to think of what to say so I know let's pretend I'm Major and you're you." Infinity said turning to Arry.
"Not this game again." Arry said shaking her head. "I'm just going to tell him straight and if he gets angry we can just…"
"Kill him?" Infinity said looking down at the shocked looked on Arry's face. "I'm joking." Infinity said quickly with a laugh.
The two approached Major's office where they saw the same guard from yesterday guarding the door.
"We have some important news." Arry said looking up at the guard. "About the Beach Raiders."
"Yes Major is expecting a report from you about what you found at the vaults." The guard said with a nod as he stepped aside letting Arry and Infinity inside.
When they entered the building they saw Major standing up in the room reading some papers in his hand.
"Ah yes you've returned, what happened?" He asked looking at them as Arry took a deep breath.
"The Beach Raiders managed to break into some of the vaults. Infinity and I were then given a message and saw the Leader of the Beach Raiders and he gave me a message to tell you…" Arry said looking up at Major who to her surprise didn't look angry at all. "He says that you are to leave or else be faced with an attack and the destruction of New Harbour and its residents."
"I see…" Major said calmly as he paced for a moment. "When did he give you this message? And did he say when this attack will be?"
"He gave us the message today and didn't say when the attack would be." Infinity replied as Major just nodded.
"Yes very alarming. Look it's getting late now so I suggest you come back tomorrow and we can discuss this further I need time to think..." Major continued in a concerned voice as a surprised Arry simply nodded.
"It will have to be early because I plan to leave tomorrow to go back to New Sydney." Arry said quickly as Major just nodded and she and Infinity walked back outside onto the street.
"He seemed to take the news that we met with the Beach Raiders well." Infinity said looking at Arry who looked just as surprised.
"He has a big decision to make in regards to the people who live here." She said looking around at the people around her. "He always said they were his responsibility so now it's time for him to look after them."
"Did you want to go see North tonight?" Infinity asked looking at Arry who shook her head.
"We can see him tomorrow morning and get his answer then. This will give enough time for Hustler to see him and hopefully be gone by the morning as well."
"Well I know a great place we can stay at tonight, it's called Sally's Inn…"
"I remember you mentioning her, I mean that place before. What will she want in trade so we can stay the night?" Arry asked.
"Don't worry she owes me a favour so we should be able to get two single rooms for the night!" Infinity said walking forward. "Come on it's not far from here." He said as Arry walked after him glad to be safely back in New Harbour and away from the Beach Raiders and their territory.