Why hello my fellow citizens of Haven city, I had some serious writer's block for a very long time, but I found some motivation to kick my arse into gear and pick up this story again.
We are talking at least 4 months here, I am terrible I know and I have had a pretty busy fire season with my new brigade.
Happy reading,
Love wastelander543 xxx
Serena awoke in Erol's apartment groggy still and just before midday.
She used his shower dressed in her blacks and headed to the underground, careful to ensure she used back routes and kept away from patrols.
Arriving at the underground headquarters, she descended the steps to chaos.
Torn sat on a pile of crates looking sullen as Jak's anger and voice escalated.
"You!" He turned and yelled at Serena walking straight to her, anger etched upon his face.
"This is much of your fault as it is his!" He yelled inches away from her face throwing his arm in Torn's direction.
Serena stared into his eyes, anger on her face.
"Hold up there Mister." She poked him in the chest.
"I may have organized this, but I also organized a way out of this, so get off your freaking high horse and listen a moment, blondie." She growled not in the mood to deal with him.
"Because of you the Baron now has the precursor stone, the kid and our friends!" Jak threw his hand in the air in exasperation and anger.
"Precursors only know what would happen if I hadn't been the one to deliver the message, who do you think is the one who gets their arse handed to them everytime I helped you and the underground out, who do you think is the one who helps facilitate and organise these heists and plans who helps get the information? I bloody do, now you listen and you listen good I have this sorted!" She yelled into his face.
"She has a point Jak, we all know the Baron wouldn't hesitate to kill his own daughter, and she has got the plans to get our friends out, the rest will come later." Torn said.
Jak pushed past Serena roughly and out the door.
"Let's hope this works Seri, I don't know how I am going to keep him in line much longer." Torn sighed and lit a cigarette blowing out the smoke.
"Your telling me, I'm running out of excuses and it is getting risky, Vin should be able to sort through and unlock the doors needed and put it down to the eco failures. The rest is up to him." She sat and lent against the table, "I don't know what we are going to do Torn, this war is getting ugly and is only going to get worse." She took the smoke out of his hand and took a drag
Serena sat in the war room, Jak had successfully released the underground fugitives and for once the Baron didn't suspect her.
"Acheron, these underground vermin are beginning to be a pain, I want you to put Elite troops around the city I want them to know we know!
I want them to fear me!
With commander Errol spending too much time keeping up, city, appearances with the race season and that...mechanic girl." Serena grit her teeth at the mention of the mechanic.
"Did I strike a cord there commander?" The Baron chuckled noticing the change in her face and posture "No sir."
"I need you to ensure the smooth running of the troops, we finally have the ultimate weapon, we have the upper hand against these metalheads." The Baron spoke with enthusiasm she hadn't seen in some time, he was either mad with power or just mentally insane.
"You have been prooving somewhat useful this last week Acheron, dear I say it but keep up the good work." He told her and Serena raised an eyebrow.
"Thank you sir." She said with an air of caution.
"Now get out of here." He grumbled.
Serena got up from her chair bowed and left the war room.
Making her way down to the barracks to prepare her troops for street level deployments.
The day had dragged on and Serena felt in need of good company making her way to the hip hog saloon she sort out her friend Sig.
"Hello my favourite little Cherry." He smiled at her excitement laced his voice.
"Hey Sig, I thought I would come by and give my favourite wastelander a visit." She smiled at the dark skin man.
"Aw now I am touched, you are looking fabulous by the way." "Why the comment Sig I always look like this." She asked him.
"Well normally there is at least one bruise on your face." He looked concerned.
"Hah maybe that is because I am in the good Baron's Grace's for once." She laughed.
"You haven't seen Jinx have you I still need to thank him and pay him." "You just missed him, Krew sent him and his boys off with Jak to the sewers with a butt tonne of explosives." "Oh the precursors this better not bite me in the ass." She sighed.
"Have you booked your airtrain ticket yet?" He asked her, as it was always around this time of year she returned to Spargus to visit her mother's grave.
Serena folded her arms against the bar and put her chin on them.
"No not yet I don't even think the Baron would let me leave the city at present."
She looked up at Sig and smiled a weak smile.
"I am sure if you are in his good Grace's he should at least let you have one day."
"Possibly but I don't hold high Hope's."
She watched as Sig began to gather a few pieces from around the bar.
"Look Seri I hate to cut this short but my shift is almost up and I have some things I need to do, be safe Krew is up to something and I do not like it." He told her as Tess walked in behind the bar.
"Thanks Sig, hey Tess, how are things?"
"Good, but ah Krew is looking for you." She smiled as she spoke.
"Krew is looking for me, in Mar's name what would he want with me." Serena laughed.
"Oh wouldn't you like to know eh?" "Oh I thought I could smell lard, what do you want Krew?" The grotesque, obese man hovered into view.
"Oooooh if I didn't need you I'd have your knee caps for that girl!" He growled and came close to Serena's face, she could smell his rotting teeth and had to hold down her dinner.
"The Baron has need of my, ah weapons collection and expertise, I need you to give him this recording it has all the details he needs." He handed her the small device it was warm and sweety.
"Ahhh thanks for that.." Serena wrapped it in a napkin from the bar and placed it in her leather jacket.
"Well, well, well what do we have here?" A far too familiar voice echoed round the bar.
"Ahhhh Errol my boy are you ready for your big win at the class one race? I am counting on you boy, I have a large sum of money on you eh. " Krew chuckled and his fat rolls wobbled with his laughter. Serena turned to see Errol she hadn't seen him since the raid a small thrill spiked in her heart at seeing him.
"Looks as though fat men are really jolly, aren't they Krew." Errol laughed, he turned to Serena her face filled with admiration and that was when she saw it, a strange look of guilt cross his face.
She knew he had been speaking with "her" again and a small amount of sadness crept into Serena's heart at the thought of him flirting and talking with the mechanic girl and extinguished the thrill.
"Oh you are too funny my boy, drinks complimentary of the house, you make me too much money." Krew floated away as Errol sat in the booth across from Serena.
He pulled out a cigarette, lit it and took a drag.
"Now my dear I do hope you will be watching the races this week." He spoke quietly.
"Of course I will be, the Baron has asked me to be by his side." "Moving up in the world now are we?" He chuckled sarcastically at her.
Serena gripped the table edge, as Errol picked up his feet, leant back in the booth and placed his feet upon the table, his hands behind his head.
"The Baron has asked for a rather large elite guard presence among the crowds and himself, you of all people should know this, but if your too busy flirty with that mechanic, maybe you wouldn't know.."
Errol lunged across the table in a flash grabbing her chin hard in his gloved hand.
"You my pretty had better watch your tongue, I will not have you disrespect me." He growled letting her go.
Serena rubbed her jaw from his grasp, she knew it would bruise.
She stood from the booth, "I have things to be doing." She turned and headed for the door.
"Acheron wait!" Errol yelled.
She heard him, but chose to ignore him as she reached the doors Jak walked in.
He glared at her as she passed and left the bar doors.
She knew things would end up heated in there and she could not be bothered to deal with the aftermath and made her way to the palace.
The halls were quiet at night the lights dimmed and gave the palace a haunted look with it's dark red velvet rugs and wall hangings.
Serena had the device to give to The Baron in her hand, as she walked in a daze she rounded a corner and hit a solid object.
"Shit I am so sorry, oh Ashelin it's you." Serena exclaimed quickly.
"It's okay honestly, I was in a daze myself." She laughed. "What are you doing up here anyway?"
"I'm looking for your father I have a recording to give to him."
"Up to no good then?" She smirked.
"As always, when am I not?" "Nice bruises by the way, let me guess, Erol?" Her face was etched with concern.
"Ugh, I didn't think they would show so quick, yes, I spoke when I should have bitten my tongue, I am having a lot of trouble trying to keep this thing going just for the underground's sake." Serena sighed and hung her head.
Ashelin placed her hand on her arm.
"I love him, but since Jak's escape he has become obsessed with trying to bring him down and take him out, he has distanced himself from me, not only in work but out of it too." A tear escaped Serena's eye, " how can you both hate and love someone at the same time, when he is not busy obsessing and having his violent outbursts he is the complete opposite, one's mind can only take so much, I need out." "I will speak with Torn." Ashelin said quietly, "this conversation never happened, just remember look after you Seri." Ashelin hugged her.
"My father is in the throne room, I think he is contemplating his next move."
Ashelin walked past serena leaving her to quietly think of her words.
Look after you Seri.
Those words echoed through her head as she made her way through the winding halls to the throne room.
The door slid open as she approached, as she entered the Baron spoke.
"There you are commander I have been expecting you." He said without looking away from the window, the rain distorted the image of the city below.
"I believe you hold the answer to my request in your hand?" He turned to her slowly, his hand rested on the hilt of his sword at his side.
"Yes Baron Praxis. I believe I do." She stood infront of him.
"This may be the moment the war changes, Acheron and you will be remembered as one of those who helped change it into our hands, give this city the final victory it needs." He said proudly opening his hand palm up, serena placed the device in his hand.
"Good work Acheron, I will let you know when I need you next, but I believe you need to have a word with commander Erol and help put him in line, he has been spotted racing in the streets with the freak." He turned and looked out of the window again the device nestled in his hand.
"Yes Baron Praxis I will have a word with him." She responded quickly.
"Dismissed." Serena bowed and quickly backed out of the throne room leaving the Baron ponder as she herself wondered what Krew's message was on that device.
Serena entered her house and Sasha just about knocked her down at the door.
"Oh precursors, Sasha I am happy to see you too." She said as the muse purred and rubbed herself against her.
Putting the keys on the table she fed the muse and made herself a cup of tea and sat upon the couch making herself comfortable.
The quiet of the room gave her ease and let her relax, she picked up her book and began to read.
Time passed her drink long forgotten and cold and a few chapters in, the door to her apartment began to open.
Serena drew her pistol and aimed it at the door, breath held and finger waiting.
Sasha growled her heckles up.
The door crashed open and in stumbled a dishevelled Erol.
"What the hell Erol?" Serena yelled across the room holstering her pistol.
"I misssssed you." He slurred as he made his way to the couch where she sat arms crossed.
"You are drunk Erol." She told him she could smell the whiskey. "Let me guess you lost your little zoomer race against Jak and drank your sorrows away?" She smirked.
"Haha your funny." He said with a blank expression as he sat on the couch.
"Well?" She asked.
"Your right yes, I almost had him though, but not to worry I will take him on the track next week, in front of the whole city, watch the underground's only hope sink and die." He smiled wickedly.
"Well let's aim for that, the Baron isn't too happy about it, news spreads quickly in this city."
"Screw it he will get over it. But as for you my pretty we have some unfinished buissness." Erol's eyes darkened and Serena's breath hitched.
"Erol you are drunk, let's do this at a better time, when you are sober." She smiled reassuringly.
He leaned over her pressing her back into the couch.
"As I said earlier," placing the palm of his hand along her face and slipping it to her throat, he inched his face closer and closer his lips inches away from hers. "I missed you." Serena felt the slight squeeze from his hand, she wasn't scared, they had played this game many times over the years and a thrill of excitement washed over her at the fact he was finally paying attention to her, this is what she loved about him.
"Do you want me?" His eyes searched hers waiting for her answer.
In a small whisper the word slipped her soft lips.
"Yes." At those words his mouth crashed upon Serena's and she revelled in the feel it had been too long since she had felt passion in his kiss.
A flame of hope began in her heart again hoping she could save what small flame was there.
Erol pulled back from her and stared into her grey eyes.
"Good girl." He smiled wickedly.
Erol slouched on the couch his eyes fluttering shut.
"Do you want a coffee?" Serena asked.
"Sure." Serena busied herself in the kitchen as she came back with the cup Erol was passed out asleep, half dressed, she grabbed a blanket and placed it over him not wanting to disturb him and made her way to bed, alone.
The alarm woke her as it always did at five am, the sun peaked through the curtains after last nights rain.
Starting her morning routine Serena eventually made her way to the lounge.
She looked at the couch to see the blanket folded neatly and Erol gone not a trace of their passionate night together.
She sighed the flame in her heart dwindled again, she stopped though when she noticed the smell and then the flowers on the kitchen bench, her favourite Lillies.
A small note was sat with them.
Apologies for last night, I was an ass I will see you at work Love Erol Xxx
Serena smiled and made her way to the palace.
The war room was quiet being the first one there Serena began making plans for the group one races at the request of The Baron.
The security detail was large and was requiring some concentration on reports, she had her back to the room as she worked on her tablet at one of the control panels for the security cameras.
Arms brushed either side of her and pinned her against the panel.
Serena instantly knew who it was she knew the smell of his cologne the smell of whiskey and leather, her lips curled into a smile.
"I know your secret..." his voice whispered in her ear.
Serena froze, there was no way he could know she was working for the underground.
Erol kept her pinned, "I know you work for him on the side, I know you helped him escape, it has been you this whole time." His anger seethed in her ear.
Serena remained silent holding her breath, thinking of what to say.
"I do not know what you are on about Erol." she said calmly trying to not raise suspicion.
"Don't lie to me, you think I am stupid, a little bird has kept tabs on you, now I have the proof to take you down, unless you do some things for me." He laughed wickedly his mouth right by her ear.
"Commander leave the poor girl alone and let's get this meeting started I have stuff that needs both of your attention."
The Baron growled.
"Your lucky I will deal with you later." He growled as he let her go to make her way to the holo map.
"Acheron I hope you have that security detail I asked for this afternoon?" The Baron paced round the map.
Serena docked her tablet into the maps control panel and the yellow markers began to appear around the stadium.
"As you can see your excellency I have established the more experienced crews around the inner sanctum of the stadium." She pointed on the map as the small yellow dots started to make planned out routes.
"Each man has been given his task and route."
"Dear I may it but good work Acheron, I also need some more crews out at the dig and weapons factory, the U-86 bots a re finally online a d are almost ready for deployment but I have another special project out there I need guarded." He told her.
"You can't be talking about the piercer bomb?" Erol interrupted.
"Oh but I do dear commander, that bomb will be delivered right into the metal head nest with the next shipment of eco." The Baron laughed.
"When it arrives it will crack the precursor stone leaving them all dead and this war finally over and the people will revel in my victory over them."
"I will organise crews a soon as I can Baron Praxis." Serena told him.
"Good go get it done now, I no longer need you, stick to today's plan and all should go well."
Serena bowed and left the war room in a hurry wanting to get away from Erol as he glared her down as she left the room.
As soon as Serena made it out of the room and down the hall she sprinted.
Finding an empty room she locked the door and pulled out her communicator.
"Seri what is wrong?" The gruff voice asked.
"Torn, he knows!" Panic laced her voice.
"What do you mean he knows? Who knows?" "Erol he knows I work for the underground, I have no idea if he is telling Praxis right now, I am in the shit big time I am compromised." "Whoa slow down Seri, look if he threatened you he isn't just going to come out and tell the Baron, no that is too easy, he wants to embarrass you, make you pay in the worst way possible. Continue on as you would."
"Shit Torn, you might just be right, that does sound like something Erol would do. Look there is something else too, Krew is working with Praxis on a piercer bomb to destroy the metal head nest." "The hell, he is a damned well mad man!" Torn yelled, "not even Mar could finish them off."
"He plans to launch it shortly by what I can tell, healed for more security detail at the dig."
"I will get Jak onto it, but Seri if anything, if chaos breaks out at the track today, that is your chance to disappear in the chaos. I will help you get out, Ashelin has already spoken with me, look for Jinx if shit hits the fan."
"Yes I will."
"Promise?" His voice full of concern.
"I promise."
"Good luck Seri, may the precursors guide you." The communicator clicked off, her escape route had finally been planned.
For once she knew she could trust Torn to get her out alive.
She unlocked the door and walked out down the hall.