Chapter 2: Blood and Rumors
Three red Zaber Fangs marched into a forest.
"Do you think the boss will get mad?"
"The boss has already gone mad."
"That's not what I meant, Flang."
"We have to tell him about it, though."
"Yeah, he'll find out even if we don't tell him."
"We COULD just tell him everything but that."
"Quiet, both of you! I'll hear none of that! We do what the boss says. Besides, we want another war, don't we? And the only way we'll taste blood is to follow the boss. So shut your traps!"
They approached a group of tents.
"We're here."
The pilots got out of their Zoids and walked up to the largest tent. They entered, two of them fearing for the worst. A tall man sat at a rather beat-up looking table in the center of the tent. He was clothed entirely in black. His dark, narrow eyes and his unnaturally gray hair added to his sinister appearance. Maps covered the table and the walls of the tent. He motioned them forward.
"Have you completed your mission?" His eyes darted from Preig, then to Sintar, and then to Flang.
"Yes and no sir…"
"What do you mean 'yes and no'?"
Sintar elbowed Flang. "Well sir, we destroyed the town and everyone in it except," He gulped, "except one person escaped–"
Sintar interrupted. "B-but I'm sure they didn't survive the wastelands."
The boss tried hard to control his anger.
"Are you angry? Sir?"
"No, of course not." His eyes had an evil gleam to them. "Sintar, Flang, you may go."
The two of them left, relieved that they had not been punished. Preig watched them go, a bit puzzled.
"Is there something you want to ask me, sir?"
"Oh, I just wanted to mention that I know how hard you work. We would never have gotten this far were it not for your efforts. Those other two are nothing more than bumbling fools. I think you deserve a promotion. That is all, you may go, but tell Flang to come see me."
"Yes sir!" Preig walked out feeling very confident.
Flang came in. "You wanted to see me, sir?"
"Yes. I just wanted to tell you that I know you're the brains of these operations. The other two are just idiots. I think you deserve a promotion. Preig thinks he's the best, but we all know you are. That is all; you may go now. Tell Sintar to come see me."
"Why, yes sir!" Flang walked out feeling quite proud of himself.
In came Sintar. "Did you ask to see me sir?"
"Yes, I did. I wanted to tell you that without your superior piloting skill, this mission would never have been successful. Those other two seem to think they're getting promotions, but you're the only one who deserves to be promoted. Why don't you go tell them that for me?"
"Oh, yes sir! I will!" Sintar left in a hurry, ready to tell the others what he had been told.
Some moments later a loud, heated argument ensued, followed by several gunshots. Three dead bodies hit the ground.
The boss smirked. "Always leave problems to solve themselves. That way, you never have to get your hands dirty." He laughed maniacally. "Tenzina, dispose of those corpses."
"Yes sir!" The pink-haired girl left quickly, hoping she wouldn't suffer the same fate.
"Pity, I lose so many minions that way." He broke once more into maniacal laughter.
* * * * *
"We're here! Dinseo city! We'll stop to buy supplies here." Dregan said as he stopped. "I don't have much money, but I have enough for some supplies and maybe dinner."
"Well, that's good, because I don't have any money at all." Mina sighed. "Come on, let's head over to the marketplace before it starts getting dark."
"I was just about to suggest that very thing."
They walked toward the marketplace. Festive banners were hung around merchant stalls, trying to attract customers. But strangely, it was almost empty. Dregan and Mina strolled over to a food stall.
"Let's see, we want oranges, some bread, and a bit of meat. I'll get the meat and bread, you take care of the fruit." Dregan gave her a bit of money and walked off toward another stall.
"Let's see oranges, and maybe some apples…" She glanced around the marketplace. "My, you sure don't have many customers today. Slow day?"
The woman selling fruit nodded. "Yes, very slow. And it's been like this for quite some time. If I don't get customers soon I'll go out of business."
"Really? Why are there so few customers?"
"It's all because of those rumors."
"Rumors? What rumors?" Mina asked curiously.
"Then you haven't heard? There's been talk of a wild dragon Zoid that lives in the northern ruins. They say it stalks every Zoid to pass within fifty kilometers of it, then attacks without warning."
"But the northern ruins are quite a ways from here. How does that hurt your business?"
"The best trade route passes right by there. So now, tourists and merchants don't come here because of the danger. If you're headed, north be careful."
"Wow, that's quite curious." She paid the woman for the fruit and walked over to Dregan.
"Get all the fruit we needed?"
"Oh yes, plenty. And I heard something very interesting. I'll tell you about it during dinner."