5/9/16 AN: Update! Yes, I'm still working on this. However, events in this chapter have taken an unexpected turn and deviated from the outline/already written stuff I have for the future! Gah. Oh well, this is half the fun ;) We'll see where the story goes from here! I do hope you like it.
Now that they were alone, Canard took the opportunity to find out what Big Deke knew about their unlikely comrade. They had been unable to speak during the day, fearing any noise that may reveal their position to the enemy.
"What do you know about this Duke character?"
Big Deke took Duke's previous seat on the upturned bucket. He rubbed at the paint covering his feathers, smearing it and revealing some of the white of his face.
"Now you're willing to listen to me?" At Canard's patient gaze and silent response, he continued. "He's bad news. Full name's Duke Aramis L'Orange, estimated age between thirty and forty. As far as we know, he's mixed up in a crime ring. Might even be their leader. Duke's specialty is gems and jewelry. He's got some sort of vendetta against the Lemieux family; anything they're involved in, he sabotages. Possible ties to three murders. Stalker. RPD only had sketchy eye witness accounts of what he looked like; I've never seen so much as a photograph of him until last night. That eye patch and chipped beak were dead giveaways, as was the sword."
"You said he was tied to three murders," Canard uncrossed his arms and stood straighter. "Tell me more about that."
"Well." He sniffed and scratched his chin in thought. "Those are sketchy. Ever hear of Aiyah Silverdown?"
"No," Canard shook his head.
"Pretty girl," Ailyssa mused. "Singer. Burned in a house fire, right? Bout… Ten years ago?"
"Exactly," Big Deke nodded. "She was the first that we know of. Aiyah was the daughter-in-law of Dierdan Lemieux; married his son in secret. We have reason to suspect that Duke burned their home with Aiyah trapped inside."
"Whoa." Laysan stared at him in shock. "Really? Why would he do something like that?"
"Like I said, there's some sort of vendetta between L'Orange and Lemieux. The second murder was a jewelry store owner. Signs of blades used to break in. Poor Mr. Rimo was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Stabbed clean through the heart, no blade left behind but every emerald in the store was gone. Didn't touch the other gems for whatever reason, just the emeralds. Third possible murder was the leader of a rival gang."
"And you're sure Duke did these?" Something about the information they were being given didn't sit right with Canard.
"No," Big Deke shook his head. "I said ties to the murders. Could be he ordered them, could be he's the one who did the killing. The investigations are still open. I worked the theft cases, so I'm sketchy on the murders."
"What'd steal?" Ailyssa sounded amused.
"Remember the Kerimer Opal that was on display at the museum a few years back?"
"Yeah," Canard nodded. His freshman class was supposed to view the exhibit on a field trip, but it was canceled at the last minute. "Several pieces of the exhibit vanished over night with no sign of who did it."
"That's the work of that damned thief. Two weeks after everything was stolen, several of the gems were found in Lemieux's office with documented proof that they had been previously stolen or were fakes. The Kerimer Opal is still missing."
"Sounds like an interesting fellow," Bico pulled the blanket up to his chest and laid down. "Bet he's got some great stories to tell!"
"I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt without proof that he killed those people," Canard said. "He's been nothing but helpful to us."
"Don't you see?" Big Deke glared at the team captain. "He's conning us! Vanadium's full of valuable artifacts. He's using us to get in there. And when he does, you can be sure things are going to go missing."
"Who's he going to sell them to?" Canard crossed his arms. "Nobody's buying right now. Food's worth more than jewels."
"Never trust a thief," Big Deke spoke firmly. "They'll turn on you the moment they think it's in their interest."
"We'll see," Canard glanced to Bico. "For now, we should all rest up. We've got a long hike ahead of us and a lot to carry."
0000
Duke had returned in silence just before dawn. He dropped a new backpack at Ailyssa's feet on the bed before hunkering down in the corner, wrapping a blanket around himself, and falling asleep within moments.
Canard was the first to wake up when light began filtering through the high, basement window. Yawning, he stretched and stood.
Bico and Ailyssa huddled together for warmth on the mattress while Big Deke hid under the stairs by himself. Laysan had the final watch and would be upstairs keeping lookout for enemies. Duke's good eye opened a crack at the sound of Canard's boots scuffing against the concrete floor. The gray drake watched Canard silently.
Canard went back upstairs and found his pack in the garage, along with everyone else's gear and two dozing bourica. He stepped outside through the garage door. Snow had fallen over night, blanketing the world in sparkling silence. There was a nice backyard with the framework for an unmaintained rink and a swing set.
Digging in the breast pocket of his vest, he found a cigarette and lighter. At least he didn't have to worry about drones seeing the burning of the cigarette during the day. Taking a long drag, he inhaled deeply. Goddess, he needed that. Smoke curled from his nostrils as he exhaled in the frigid air. Despite the temptation to walk around outside and explore a little, he stayed on the damp, bare pavement the roof overhang had prevented snow from falling on.
Taking one last puff from the cigarette, he dropped the butt to the snow and watched it melt through to the frozen ground. He grabbed his pack from the pile by the door before heading back inside.
The kitchen was so inviting and tempting for making a decent breakfast in. Duke had picked an excellent hide out. It was virtually undisturbed from the invasion. Out of curiosity, Canard opened the cupboards to see what was in there. All the food was gone, but cooking utensils and dishes were neatly stacked where the original owners had left them. Well, cooking was out of the question. The spike in temperature from turning on a stove would be sure to bring hunter drones. Instead, he grabbed a stack of plates, cups, forks, and knives. A search through the dining room provided some nice napkins. Carrying his borrowed dishes downstairs, he quietly set about making breakfast look fancy for his team.
Granola bars and dried fruit were placed on each plate. He poured water into the cups and lined everything up near the bed.
"Hey, time to get up." Canard gently shook Ailyssa's shoulder.
The Zaban duck instantly woke up, eyes flying open. She nodded and sat up. Ailyssa woke Bico and Big Deke while Canard went back upstairs to deliver Laysan her food. Duke woke on his own and joined them.
"Nice set up," Duke complimented when Canard returned. He sat cross legged on the floor, plate resting in his lap, a speared piece of granola bar at the end of his fork. "Been a while since I've had an actual meal served like this."
Big Deke glared at Duke but kept his beak shut.
Canard smiled and picked up his own plate.
When they were finished, Ailyssa changed Bico's bandages while Big Deke took the dishes back upstairs. Duke left for the garage to prepare the bourica for their trip to Vanadium. Canard made sure everyone had their gear before heading upstairs to find Laysan and send her down to pack.
0000
Canard stepped into the garage to see if Duke was still there of they'd been rescued and abandoned. The gray drake stood next to the largest bourica, a brush in hand, quietly murmuring to the beast.
"Yeah, you're a good boy. Ain't ya?" Duke reached up and scratched between the antlers. Larceny's head lowered with the motion as he leaned into it and closed his eyes, whuffing his contentment. "We're going for a long hike today. Might even get ya some good feed instead of whatever weeds are growing out there."
Larceny shook his head, the antlers never coming near Duke in a dangerous manner.
"What's with the bourica?" Canard asked Duke as he watched the thief brush down the furry animal. "I mean, you obviously know how to ride and all, but why keep them around? Seems like they'd slow you down."
"You'd think," Duke nodded, running the brush down Larceny's side. The bourica bobbed his head up and down in time with the even strokes, rumbling in pleasure at the attention. "Fact is, they're pretty useful. Drones can track footprints, skates, snowshoes, vehicles. What they haven't figured out yet, is we can ride. Anywhere I go on these two, drones don't follow. Plus, they can carry a fair bit. I can get more supplies into camps with these two than I could carry by myself."
Canard mulled over the answer and found no deceit in it. "Where'd you get them?"
"Knew bout a family that had a herd. Figured they'd never notice if a couple went missing, considering they were all dead when I got there."
Big Deke's words about Duke's possible involvement in three murders came back to mind. Had Duke killed the family he stole the bourica from? He frowned, considering the possibility.
"I didn't kill 'em, if that's what you're thinking." Duke must have read his mind. "You ain't got much of a poker face kid. Probably a good thing you wear that mask; your eyes give away too much."
"What about the others?"
"Others?" His focus never wavered from the sable fur in front of him as he continued to brush down Larceny.
"Aiyah Silverdown, some guy named Rimo, a gang leader."
"Ah," Duke nodded. "Still trying to pin Aiyah on me." He heaved a sigh larger than the creature in front of him. "Can't blame 'em for that one; but, no, I didn't kill her. Or the others. Like I said, most of what that screw tells ya bout me will be lies."
"Then tell me the truth." Canard crossed his arms. "I'll listen."
"Hah!" Duke's scoffing laugh didn't bode well for an answer. "Don't matter what I've done in the past. Fact is, I've changed my skates. Believe it or not, I'm on your side now."
Canard nodded before reaching into his breast pocket for another cigarette. He stopped at Petty Theft's gentle nudging. The smaller antlered bourica lipped his hand, trying to take the crumpled packet from him.
"Careful," Duke warned. "She'll take those right outta your hand and eat 'em. Dumb girl." He chuckled, the insult sounding more affectionate than derogatory. He moved from Larceny and began brushing her neck. "This girl eats anything and everything she can get her mouth on."
Canard watched him work in silence before he softly spoke again.
"I believe you."
0000
Pale sunlight reflected off the snow covered streets. There was nothing the salvaging team could do to hide their trail as they left the house and headed out of Rooklyn. Hopefully, the hunter drones would be too busy elsewhere to notice the small group sticking to the shadows and moving as quietly and quickly as possible.
Duke had loaded up most of their gear onto Petty Theft while he and Bico rode Grand Larceny. Bico was fortunate to have something to ride so he didn't have to further injure his leg or slow everyone down.
Hours passed while the group followed the small-footed Ailyssa back towards Vanadium. They each stepped in the foot prints left in front of them while the bourica followed last, covering the avian prints with their own. It wasn't a perfect plan, but it at least hid their numbers. Ailyssa wandered towards bushes and weeds as if the horned creatures were foraging.
They were nearly out of the city when Larceny began dancing in place, snorting loudly.
"Whoa," Duke soothed.
Canard's hand dove into the pouch storing the mask before he even realized what he was doing. He donned the relic and scanned the area for danger.
Pavement two arpens from them exploded, showering the soldiers with rocks, snow, and shrapnel.
"Drones!" Canard shout. "Four cloaked!" He fired at the invisible attackers while his team took care of the dozen drones working to surround them.
Lasers and pucks shrieked death. Bourica trumped their fear. Larceny reared, dumping Bico. Duke slid off and ripped his saber from his arm. The blade shimmered into existence.
"RAAAH!" The gray drake charged forward, golden sword flashing. His blade blocked blasts aimed at him; he dodged others, rolling out of the way.
"Aah!" Bico grunted as he hit the ground. Scrambling, he fumbled for the puck blaster attached to his hip. His finger found the trigger. He pulled and pulled and pulled, firing rapidly. One drone fell. Others kept advancing.
Ailyssa knelt and threw ammo into her bazooka. Three drones exploded as she cheered.
Canard ran towards the cloaked drones. He shot with every footfall, missing more than he hit.
Danger? he thought to the Mask, asking for help. A red shape behind a building began to glow.
Sensing approaching danger from the left, Canard stopped running and stood his ground. A missile sailed right past him, exploding a nearby house. He raised an arm, protecting his face from the flying debris. Scanning for invisible dangers, he saw another cloaked drone and fired. The red robot shimmered into visibility as it sparked and fell to pieces. One down, three more invisible ones to go.
One of the bourica trumpeted in pain, its cry echoing off the tall buildings. Canard glanced back to see the black one scrambling for footing on the slick ground, its back legs useless and blood gushing from a wound in its hip.
He pulled his attention back to the situation. Every time his team took out drones, more teleported in from somewhere. This wasn't just a random patrol finding them; someone was guiding them.
He again focused on the red shape the mask had highlighted as dangerous.
"Ailyssa!"
"Yeah?" She paused in her firing, listening to her team captain.
"Our target's behind that building. Cover me."
She nodded and reloaded, ready to follow.
Duke watched them, eye narrowed. He dropped from the fight and vanished around the back of the building.
"Coward!" Big Deke yelled. He stood over Bico, helping protect the downed, but still fighting, youth.
"Jakla saurians," Bico spat, cursing the invaders. He kept fighting, refusing to let the drones finish killing him off.
"Hah!" the former slave laughed. He hadn't expected to hear such vehemence from a kid.
Canard paused as he rounded the corner. He scanned the area for whatever danger the mask had pointed out.
Ailyssa hung back, ready to fire at a moment's notice.
An invisible saurian looked straight at him and smirked. Ridges of small horns protruded from his bluish-green snout and over-armored brows. His thick neck bulged from the leather armor he wore. He was one of the larger, burlier invaders. A small device in the lizard's hand glowed under the mask's heightened vision.
"I see you," Canard growled, aiming for the alien's head.
The saurian raised an eyebrow in curiosity, as if unsure to believe the duck or not. He took several steps to the right and stopped again when the gun smoothly followed his movements. He pushed a button on the cloaking device and revealed himself.
The drones suddenly stopped firing, all standing up straight and moving into two lines.
The ducks paused, wondering what was up. Laysan seized the opportunity and fired on them, prompting the others to destroy the rest of the present danger.
The day grew strangely silent except for the pained cries of the injured bourica while the stench of burning metal and oil filled the air.
"Well, well, well." The green saurian strode forward. "Looks like we have some more slaves."
"Not quite," Canard refused to lower his blaster. "Are you Dragaunus?"
"That's Lord Dragaunus, slave," the lizard hissed. "No, I am General Dallarth and I am your death." He reached for a saurian blaster holstered at his side.
"Tell your paska boss his days are numbered." Squeezing the trigger, he fired at the remote.
The saurian grunted in pain as he dropped the sparking, destroyed remote. Two cloaked hunter drones became visible and fell over, useless.
"We will find you, duck." He pushed a button on his wrist gauntlet and vanished in a haze of green.
"Well, that was interesting." Duke said from his vantage point on a fire escape just above them. "Now they know we've got the mask."
"Whatever." Canard scanned the area once more for danger. They were clear, for now. "Let's get back to base."
They returned to the waiting resistance members to see what damage had been done. Petty Theft lay unmoving, the load she'd been carrying scattered across the ground. Big Deke stood next to Bico and Laysan was picking through drone pieces for salvageable bits. Grand Larceny bugled his agony and struggled to stand, his hooves slipping on the snow and blood covered ground.
"Everyone okay?" Canard looked them over, relieved to see the only one unable to stand was Bico.
"What happened?" Big Deke demanded. "What'd you do?"
"Saurians," Canard stepped closer to Bico and offered him a hand. He pulled the youth to his feet and helped him balance, keeping weight off his bad leg.
Duke calmly walked up to the injured beast and grabbed one of the antlers. With one strong tug, he'd thrown the mount to the ground. He kept a foot on the curved horn to prevent the beast from moving further and covered the eye with one hand. Quickly, he slid his saber across the black throat. Once Grand Larceny had stopped breathing, he stood and wiped the blood from his saber on the bourica's side. Standing, he replaced the hilt on his shoulder.
"Best get moving before they find you again." The thief grabbed a pack and slung it across his back.
Canard eyed the drake, remembering Big Deke's warning about his connections to murder. Life had become cheap since the Saurians had arrived. Still, the complete lack of emotion when the gray drake had killed his mount was disturbing.
"I'll carry Bico. The rest of you grab our gear and move out."
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