Chapter 44: Behind Closed Doors

Perspective: Kay


"We can't return to the Shelter," said Tyron.

"We need to regroup with Lucy somehow. If they know where the Shelter is, they'll have killed her by the time we arrive. Even if we order her and the civilians to come meet us, we'll be asking them to cross miles of no man's land," responded Steve.

Destiny said nothing but stood up and nodded furiously when Lucy's name was mentioned. Unsurprising. Even when Destiny had been in the pits of grief, the lessons she gave to Lucy had brought out an uncharacteristic energy in her. She may have been civilian staff, but her survival was imperative to continued military viability.

"We can't stay there, though," said Rose. "It needs to be a quick in-and-out job."

"Yeah, a quick jaunt into the mortuary before coming out in coffins," Astro snarked.

Tyron gestured to him tensely, as though he were living evidence of his rightness.

The flickering light of the torches coloured everyone an abrasive orange tint. It was like we were all part of a receding twilight, ready to fade out into the night of defeat.

"Gussying up our loss in purple prose will not change our fortunes," My Book scolded.

As my Inner Circle continued to debate, I contemplated the Shelter. When it was Fire's, I had wanted to make it into a fortress, easily defended by guerilla tactics. Fire had opposed that, but I drew up plans anyway in the hope of persuading him. That would be achievable.

"They will know the blueprints. Exits, entrances, weak points to hit."

It occurred to me that we could change the layout. Not so much within the base - if they got inside a massacre would occur no matter what - but the exits and entrances could be chopped and changed. The functions of rooms could be shuffled. Traps laid. Steve and Jennifer and the other builders would have to work overtime, but it could be done.

"What is the goal in the long-term?"

Put simply, we had to find allies. For allies we needed portal technology. Voidblade and the others were scouting for one of their facilities. It was only a matter of time before they found it. Then, a thought occurred to me.

"Destiny," I began, breaking up the debate. "Suppose we were to travel to your world. Would we find many allies?"

It was the only portal which we knew the location and destination of.

Destiny paused for a moment and looked guilty.

"Nothing military, barely any cities - the Sovereign did a number on Minera," sighed Destiny. "There's a few of Carter and Anya's old Liberator comrades. Clarke, Kami, a few others. Not nearly enough to make a difference."

"And the Sovereign? They were in conflict with the Tower, weren't they? Are there any remnants that might put aside their evilness and help us?" asked Steve somewhat indelicately, though I awaited an answer with bated breath.

"The Sovereign wouldn't think twice about killing you. If you tried to talk to them, you would deserve it."

Destiny's tone in the second half of her answer became so acrid that I couldn't help but think she was threatening Steve, whose head sank in embarrassment. I carefully averted my eyes in order to disassociate myself from the idea. They fell on the brace on my leg. The healing magic had improved my condition drastically, but it would still be fragile and easily break again. Additionally, I don't know if this was physical or psychosomatic or whatever, but something about standing on it too long made me feel frail and ill.

"And if you fail to obtain portals?"

"Then we die failing to obtain portals," I respond. "Or retreat into another world where, if we're lucky, we come across someone who might help us."

"I prefer the latter."

I nodded without particular commitment, mentally rubber stamping the stance I was about to put forward.

"As I see it, we have little choice but to return to the Shelter and remain there at least until we come across a portal facility. Then, we can start enlisting allies. We'll have to alter the layout - mainly entrances and exits - and fortify the place to ensure they can't profit from any knowledge Claw may provide them with. And, naturally, I'm going to propose we set up the guerilla defences I recommended under Fire's leadership. Any objections?"

Tyron spoke up, undeterred.

"It's hard to accept but we need to stay on the move for the time being. You seriously think Claw's knowledge of our defences, and location won't grant them a serious advantage?"

"Actually," said Astro. "We don't know how much he knows."

"What?" Tyron and I asked in unison.

Astro cleared his throat.

"Kay, you were pretty dinged up when he said this, but as he was leaving Claw said you were his first 'proper fight'."

"Yes, I'm great at fighting, that was never in doubt," I chuckled. "And?"

"Well, we know he's been out on hunts before. Either he's never had a hunt he considers worthwhile before, or he doesn't remember them properly."

I chewed the inside of my cheek thoughtfully.

"He did say Claw last broke out fighting a group of hunters. Must have been pretty serious if they broke Fire's composure. Mods know I struggled..."

"It would explain why they haven't killed Lucy already," offered Rose.

"And if his memories come back?" said Tyron.

Everyone else seemed pretty on board with going back to the Shelter - and Astro had been the only one on Tyron's side to begin with. So, I was tempted to say, "Then, we deal with it," but that didn't seem very inspiring or leader-like.

"Don't say it," said my Book.

Thankfully, Astro had an actual idea of how to undermine Tyron's objections.

"Claw might not have a say in the matter. Fire's still in there - at least, that's what Shadow believes - and he's unlikely to cede control completely. Granted, we don't know how Claw got free, but it's pretty clear he's not possessed directly by the Entity, otherwise Claw wouldn't be there at all."

There were murmurs of assent.

"Maybe Fire's deliberately withholding information from Claw," proposed Steve with a laugh. "Literally undermining him from the inside."

"Okay, it's a little speculative, but so long as Steve doesn't start making puns, you've convinced me," Tyron conceded. "Our best shot is going back. It's unanimous. Can I just say that we should be ready to up sticks at the first sign of danger?"

"Of course. Steve, would you and the builders be able to get on constructing escape routes as soon as we return?" I asked.

"Sure," he said with a thumbs-up. "Dig down deep, hide the entrance and make sure it leads far away. Sounds doable."

"Excellent," I said contentedly, and started a polite round of applause. Then, with a much flatter tone: "That concludes the foreign policy segment of the meeting."

Everyone shuffled uneasily.

"As you may have noticed," I began. "Shadow has developed a conflict of interest and cannot necessarily be relied upon. This is not her fault, and in-fighting must be avoided, if at all possible, but it is nonetheless concerning. Her Void form is potentially useful against the Entity, but also potentially unstable and dangerous. As such, Astro, I would ask you to ensure your presence at any future lesson she conducts with Warnado. I want to know what abilities she is teaching him, and any indications of a deteriorating mental state."

Astro agreed reluctantly.

"Now, we have a more pressing matter in the same vein. I would like to ask that none of what we are about to discuss leave this room."

No one objected. They knew what was coming. I tried to make it look like I had difficulty saying it - I wish it were more difficult - but I knew it was a necessary measure:

"I propose that we introduce an unofficial kill-on-sight policy for Claw. Astro, I and his victims can testify to his combat ability. And, as we just discussed, he may or may not have access to certain intelligence which could help the enemy. Additionally, the popular consensus among the troops is that Fire has betrayed us. We may issue any statement we like on the matter - he might be possessed by the Entity, or we might try fruitlessly to explain Claw - but we are unlikely to shake this impression. His body murdered the Prophet and his guardian, and they will never stop wanting revenge upon it. So, killing him is likely to provide a boost to morale."

There was a stunned silence.

"We shall put this to a vote," I dryly instructed. "Any arguments?"

"He's our friend," Tyron said in disbelief. "We-"

"-Shadow isn't naturally as powerful as she is," Astro cut in. "Even when their 'server' is considered, she underwent a procedure to cure a condition she had, and this severed her from reality. You all notice it, don't lie. The way she talks like she's watching us through a window, the slightly over-technical explanations, and the way she's able to intuitively understand and manipulate the very being of Nexus. When she went after the Entity, she did not just become more powerful, she shed her physical being. She ripped herself open and just walked it off. I'm worried Fire might just be the only thing tying her back to reality. Do we really want to deal with the consequences of her fully dissociating from us mere mortals?"

Silence begat silence. It was as though a poison gas hung in the air, and no one dared open their mouth and risk inhaling it.

"I'll do it, then," I concluded. "I will kill Claw and I will deal with the consequences. I only ask you don't try to stop me."

"You're mad," the Book hissed. "You are ruining our chances of survival."

"Survival necessitates risk-taking."

Steve looked at me with a strange mix of horror and respect. Tyron averted his eyes and became very interested in scratching a mark on the table. Then, there was a thud. Rose had stuck her knife into the wooden surface.

"You won't deal with the consequences alone," she stated. "If you'll have me, I'll serve as your bodyguard, I have experience in the field."

"I told you," I thought. "Our risk-taking has been rewarded. One of Fire's main supporters offers herself as bodyguard against his sister."

"She's injured," it griped.

My eyes drift toward Rose's splinted leg, and bandaged hip. I scanned her features and wondered if she didn't look a little paler or less alert than usual. But no, she looked sharp as a razor.

"Thank you Rose, though I'd be remiss not to ask if you're absolutely certain?"

With a smirk Rose said: "Give me a few days, I picked up a ritual or two working for that slightly unhinged cult leader. I have some Old Gods I need to get back in touch with."