The path he'd taken out wasn't exactly the shortest route, at least not to his admittedly ignorant perception, but it was the only path he knew of so far, and without a map trailblazing was too risky. The child, Ruby, told him there was a town that the path led to, roughly ten miles away, and that there would be people willing to look after her there.
"They promised my parents that if anything bad ever happened to them, that they'd take care of us." She told him as he carried her along, their pace a slow, but steady one. They'd been trekking for about an hour now, and were supposedly only about ten minutes from their destination.
He said nothing in response, merely nodding in response. He was honestly more concerned with being on the lookout for these strange black and white creatures the child called "Grimm." He wasn't too sure about what they were, or why they disintegrated upon death, but he knew for sure that these ones weren't so menacing for one such as himself. For the girl, however, he could understand why she'd be afraid, being defenseless and all.
"...you're not from here, are you, mister?" She asked quietly, keeping her chin propped on his shoulder.
"No." He replied simply, only giving a small part of his attention for her question.
"Where are you from?"
"Kamino, kaminoan extragalactic star system beyond the outer rims."
"Are you-"
"No, I'm not an alien."
"What's that weapon on your wrist?"
"It's a disruptor."
"Why's it called that?"
"I don't know, don't understand the science behind it, just that it works."
"Why not?"
He didn't answer this time as he knew the answer that he simply didn't have enough free time on his old schedule wouldn't satisfy. The child was a curious one, he'd say that much, but after about a minute of silence on his end, the girl stopped looking expectantly at the side of his helmet and went back to resting her head on his shoulder.
It was silent from there, save for the crunching of his boots against the snow. The night sky and bitter cold he could tell was affecting the child, if her shivering was anything to go by. He'd have to get the child to the town quickly, since the computer on his helmet told him it was roughly -10 Celsius…
He wasn't sure why, but he expected a bit of a warmer reception than that of the townsfolk trying to avert their eyes or shunt away whenever he came within a dozen paces. Were they scared of him, or were they shunning the child? He honestly had no idea why they were acting like this... or maybe it was normal? Every society had something weird about it in one way or another, after all...
"Kid, is this... normal? These people are acting like we've got the plague or something." Midnight inquired, turning his head to look her in the eyes. She shook her head as if to say no, bringing a fair amount of suspicion to him. Why would these people be acting like this with them if it weren't the norm?
"They're always super friendly... why are they super quiet?" She asked herself, before looking back over her shoulder ahead of them. "Miss Finch promised mommy she'd look after me if anything happened… she should be at the end of this street, in a two story house with a brick chimney."
"Two story, brick chimney... I see it, let's go." He answered as he looked ahead and identified the building she spoke of. Picking up the pace slightly, he stowed his blaster and moved his hand up to support her mid back slightly.
After a few more seconds, he stepped up and knocked on the door heavily with his right fist, before returning it to Ruby's back. He only had to wait about a minute for an answer to come, in the form of a man a little shorter than himself opening the door.
He looked as if he'd seen a ghost as he looked upon Ruby, paling considerably and taking a step back with a gaping mouth. However, he really didn't care if this man was stunned by seeing her or not... though he had an inkling suspicion about what was going on here...
"Are you... Finch?" He asked, cocking his head slightly as the man just continued to tape with a dazed look. Clearing his throat, he continued. "Do you... not speak basic?"
He was still silent at that, drawing a long sigh from the soldier and a confused look from Ruby. "Do you... I don't know... speak huttese?" He tried, before using his limited understanding of the language. "Do Uba... understand... Je Ateema?" He sighed at their continued, almost trancelike silence, before getting pushed out of the way by a woman who was wearing a yellow bonnet and a sundress.
"I'm sorry about my husband, he never did handle unexpected things very well..." she began, before looking at Ruby for a split second, and instantly snapping back to his visor before she could make eye contact.
"Miss Finch, I take it?" He queried, being slightly put off by her suspicious behavior alongside everyone else's.
"...that would be me. Can I help you?" She replied, trembling slightly.
"The child said you'd take care of her if something happened to her parents."
"I-I don't know what you're talking about. I don't recall ever making a promise like that." She tried to evade, but he instantly caught her slip up.
"I never said anything about a promise, and you're a terrible liar." He said flatly, making the woman sigh in defeat.
"Ok... I did make a promise to Summer, but I'm sorry, I can't keep it, I just can't." She tried to deny, bringing a frustrated growl from him.
"You promised, you have to follow through." He rebuked, only receiving the same response again.
"I'm sorry, sir, but I just can't take her in, I can't take care of her."
"Why not? Why can't you keep your promise?"
"I just can't, okay?! Please, just leave us alone, and take take her with you!" It was clear she was trying to either stall him or actually ward him away... but he was anything if not persistent.
"Look, either give me a good answer and some supplies to take care of her, or have some-" the crack of a gun firing behind him reached his ears, a single bullet burying itself in the doorframe to his right.
Turning to face whoever fired, he saw a man in a brown leather duster standing about ten paces from himself, a single revolver in his right hand pointed at him. He knew now that the first shot had been a warning shot, frowning under his mask as he narrowed his eyes on the new opponent...
"I suggest ya drop the whole hero complex, fella. 'Lest ya end up in yer grave before yer time is ripe." He suggested, and immediately, he connected the dots.
"You're after the child too."
"Fella, ain't none of this really yer business. Hand 'er over, and there won't be no complications." The man droned back, his grip on his handgun lazy, but still pointed right at him. "These saps ain't gunna help ya, they ain't wanna tango with people who can command the beasts 'round these parts."
"You control the... black beasts?"
"Yeah, the Grimm, y'see? Either they had er' to me, or I sic the Grimm on em."
"Hmph." Midnight grumbled, before feeling a barrel push against his back, trembling like a leaf. Turning his head to look back at them, he merely tilted his helmet downwards slightly at them, intimidating them enough to make them back down. "So that's why the townsfolk are all acting so weird."
"Yer a smart fella, and I can tell from yer stance that you ain't nobody to tango with lightly... so, how bout we act like civilized men here?" He offered, lazily raising his handgun to rest just ahead of his head, pointed towards the skies. "Hand the girl over, and not only will ya live, but I'll pay ya handsomely. How bout it?"
"And if I refuse?" The man chuckled, setting a cigarette in his mouth, pulling a lighter and lighting it. Stowing it, he hit the fag before taking it out with between two fingers and blowing out the smoke.
"Refuse? And I'll take my bruises, but you'll be dead, and I'll still have er'."
"You don't have a clue about what I can do to you."
"Nope. But I know that you ain't got no aura or semblance, an that's all I needs." Midnight just chuckled in response, setting the child down and nodding for her to hide.
"Your strange magical powers won't stop me from doing what I must."
"Y'sure bout that, fella?" He tested in response. Stepping down from the porch after the girl had taken a blaster from his hip and hopped in a barrel to his left, he watched the man holster his gun and saunter down about ten paces from the sidewalk where he himself stopped, before doing an about face and entering a ready stance. A duel if he'd ever seen it. "Let's settle this like real men then, eh fella? First to the draw wins!"
"Fine by me." He didn't bother with any further words, saw no use for further dialogue.
The wind howled around them as the townsfolk gathered round, each watching from cover of their own or attempted concealment. The air was heavy, and the tension was palpable as the two gunslingers assumes their ready stances, their hands just barely hovering over their respective hand cannons. Ruby peeked just out the top of the barrel to watch, keeping her blaster pointed towards the people who'd sold her out the whole while. Everyone else just watched, holding their breath as they knew this mysterious soldier was about to meet his death.
The two gunslingers' eyes locked, despite his helmet, as their hands slowly inched closer and closer, each reading the other's every move with immense scrutiny. Too soon or too fast, and the slip up would mean death. Steeling his nerves, Mignight let his face morph into a stony look of gritted determination behind his mask, waiting for just the right moment...
And, with the singular settling of the last falling snowflake, they both drew-
*BOW!*
A shocked gasp resonated through the crowd, as before the man could even clear leather, he'd hit the floor, a hole burnt straight through his heart. A grim look settled on his face, as he cautiously approached his fallen foe. He kept his blaster trained on him the whole while, knowing well that man may still have some fight left in him.
Halting just about two feet from the body, he gave it a small kick, and shot it in the head. In his experience, it was always safest to double-tap an enemy if he was unsure whether or not they were actually dead. Now that he was sure they were dead, he looked up and around at all the townsfolk who quietly whispered among each other. The time for civility was over, now he was making demands.
"Supplies, clothing, maps, and transport. I'm taking the child with me, and you'll all provide us with what we need!" He barked his orders at the townsfolk, immediately getting them all in motion. He sneered at the lot of them, before jerking his head back while looking at the barrel Ruby hid in, with the girl hopping into motion and running up beside him.
"Wow... you... you killed him before he could even raise his aura..." She spoke in amazement, before watching him kneel down and search his body.
"Ammo, his gun, a knife, what looks like currency... kid, take the weapons and ammo, I'll take the money, may be useful later." He ordered gently, handing the aforementioned items to the girl and stowing the cash in the loose space of one of his pouches.
Turning back, he saw the woman from earlier had followed him out, shaking slightly in fright of his capabilities, both the known and the unknown most likely.
"E-excuse me, sir, b-but now that he's gone, you can leave Ruby with us... we'll look after-"
"No." He interrupted her without hesitation, looking down into her eyes after rising to his full height. "As I said earlier, you're a terrible liar. More of his kind will come for the child, I'm certain of it. You've sold her out once already, and I know you'll do it again if it means saving your own hide. The child is coming with me."
"B-b-b-but if she's not here when they come for her, they'll kill us all! Please, you have to leave her with us or we'll die!" She begged, falling to her knees and tearing up as she groveled at his feet.
"I missed the part where that's my problem." He coldly replied before turning towards the rest of the townsfolk that had gathered with supplies, all shaking in their boots much like the woman was. They'd gathered up four full duffel bags filled with food, water, cooking supplies and utensils, hygiene supplies, and clothing appropriate for the weather. Additionally, they'd brought out four thick blankets with it all, and a fairly new looking truck along with it.
"The truck belonged to Taiyang, and we'd only just finished repairing rear axle... might as well send it off with his descendant's guardian." An older man explained, seemingly the least concerned there. As far as trucks went, it wasn't anything inconsiderable. High profile, armored, a hatch and weapon mount up top, reinforced windows, four big wheels and an armored door at the rear. "It's a modified MRAP truck. Better engine, improved armor, suspension, and internal electronic systems. Meant to comfortably transport a full team of hunters."
"Is it fully fueled?"
"Yes, we changed the oil and filled ten red 5 gallon fuel tanks and put them inside beside the ten blue ones filled with water. You'll find everything you need to repair small deficiencies inside as well." He checked the underside for anything suspicious, finding nothing that didn't look right, and opened up the driver's door and took a look inside, noting that it was suitably spacious for their needs. There was also two bunk beds in place of where he assumed seats normally sat, with some open space underneath for stowing items. Lastly, the rear door seemed to have steps on them, implying that rather than being just a door, it served as ramp as well.
"It'll do." He answered, hanging from the open door handle with one foot on the step up and one hanging loosely. Looking towards Ruby, he waved her over with his unoccupied hand. She came running along, stopping just before him so he could drop down. It was far too high up for her to pull herself inside, so he hopped down, wrapped both hands around her waist, and lifted her up and into the vehicle. "Figure out how to open that rear door, open it, then get comfortable. I'll bring everything inside."
"But... I can help with the stuff too..." she offered, making him shake his head in denial.
"You said you were only five. There's no reason someone as young as you should be lifting 80 pound duffel bags into a vehicle like this." He lightly chided, stepping down as soon as she started making her way into the back.
He was surprised that she'd gotten the rear door down so quickly, having dropped the ramp before he'd even taken five steps from the vehicle. Pushing the thought aside, he firmly grasped the handles of the duffel bags, two in each hand, and marched back over, hauling all of them inside and stowing them under the bunk beds, one of which the child was sitting on. Checking the duffel bag with the tag marking clothing quickly, Midnight pulled out a black polar fleece jacket and held it against the child's torso. It was a little big, but it would still keep her warm at the very least.
"Put this on to ward off the cold." He told, before raising the ramp and climbing into the driver's seat. Reaching over, he closed the door and held the keys in his hand. He was more used to electronic keys rather than physical ones such as this one, but he nonetheless understood how it worked.
After stowing his DC-15X in the weapon rack at the head of the driver's side bunk, and letting the child ogle at his 17M after she was in the shotgun seat and the canister was out, he slotted the key back in, bringing the machine to life. Taking out one of the maps, he began looking over the local region, so strangely titled the "Island of Patch."
"So, there's a bridge that leads off the island, and it's roughly 10 kilometers long. We'll take that, stop in Vale to get some more information..." his open thoughts halted, as the same old timer from earlier approached again...
"If you're running from these people, you might consider Vacuo." He told, earning the soldier's attention.
"What's so special about Vacuo, old man?"
"Open range. It's vast, hard to track people there, easy to hide... if you can take the heat, that is. It is a desert, after all." He waved off the heat advisory, knowing that it wouldn't bother him any.
"How far?"
"Well... it's on the other side of the continent... a few thousand miles southwest." He sighed in clear annoyance, rolling his neck to emphasize such. "Your truck has a top speed of 65 mph... give a few hundred more miles from the road, if you drive ten hours a day every day, you should be there within a week."
"Well, it's better than by foot. Alright then." He nodded in thanks to the older gentleman, before rolling up the window and turning his head to look at Ruby. Despite everything from only about two hours ago, she seemed somewhat alright at the very least. Certainly, she was better composed than he'd thought she would be, giving him a clear example of her mental fortitude. Smiling down on the little child in the fleece jacket that was playing with his gun, he ruffled her hair a little after making sure she was buckled in properly, before firmly grasping the wheel with both hands.
Carefully maneuvering the big truck out of the town and onto the coastal road, he set his sights on Vale, metaphorically speaking, and set out to complete his newest objective...
He wished that he could say he was surprised, but the bridge was in poor condition, and it was bad enough that he had to keep it slow, carefully navigating around holes and the sort that threatened to trap them down as they went along. Turned what should've been a five minute easy drive into a several hour test of his vehicular skills.
Much to his relief, the child had managed to fall asleep despite the noise of the vehicle, quietly snoring as she puffed up and deflated with each little breath. He tried to keep the ride as smooth as possible, not wanting to wake her with a rough ride.
Eventually he arrived at the gate, slowing to a stop just before it and stepping out to meet them. Immediately, a few of the officers approaching him reached for their pistols, and he had to raise his hands in a disarming manner to show he was no threat...
"We were watching you cross the bridge. Not bad, pretty impressive to get a vehicle this big across... at all. But why drive and not take aerial transport? Probably the first to use that damn thing in a good four years, a decade maybe for a vehicle." The sheriff there asked, himself being the least tense of anyone there. He was, if looks were anything to go by, the oldest one there, looking to be maybe in his early forties.
"In a bit of a rush, you could say. Long story short, I need to get to Vacuo to keep someone safe." He replied, with the older man looking over his shoulder at the windows of his new truck.
"Is that someone in the passenger seat?" He asked, a curious expression playing over his face.
"Yes. A child. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time to save her from kidnappers... her parents weren't lucky enough to survive long enough for me to arrive, and her sister is nowhere to be found." Midnight explained, with the Sheriff nodding as he slowly comprehended what he was being told.
"... and so, you're deciding to flee with her to Vacuo to... hide? Is that it? Why not let law enforcement here handle it, son?"
"With all due respect, sir, I believe this job's a little out of your police force's league." He told him bluntly, before looking back at his truck. "The child explained to me what your "Hunters" are, and two supposed veterans weren't enough to protect her from the crazies after her."
"Hmmm..." the older man scratched at his beard, before looking over his shoulder at the island. "And why do they want her? What makes you think you'll be able to do alone what two hunters or a whole police department can't?"
He didn't say anything, but felt a small tug at his Kama from behind, which drew both parties attention. The officer looked her down for a few seconds, before pausing on the handgun on her hip...
"Wait... that's Morrison the Bloody's revolver, Blood Moon!" The sheriff exclaimed, taking a step back with wide eyes.
"Who the what? What are you talking about?" He shot back, being notable confused.
"Morrison the Bloody is a ruthless killer, serial rapist, among many other nasty things. He's killed about forty different hunters... and you have his revolver, little one..."
"Y-yes officer... mister Midnight gave it to me after killing him in a duel." She admit, making the man take a step back in disbelief.
"Well hell, consider my doubts cleared! I still have to log your entry into the city, but-"
"Don't do that. It'll give them something to back-track should they come through here." He cut him off, receiving an exasperated look from the officer.
"Sir, it's just our job, we have to put something in or the brass will get on our asses."
"Simple solution. According to all documentation, We never existed here, and everyone save those here tonight will be none the wiser." The officer stood in silence for a few minutes, rapidly tapping his foot in an antsy manner, before finally relenting after another dozen or so moments.
"Alright... don't make me regret this, buddy." He sighed, before motioning for the rest of the gate detail to let them through. "Open it up and let e'm through!"
Midnight only nodded in response, before hefting Ruby back up into the passenger's seat, shutting the door and hopping back in the driver's. Giving the police officer a simple nod, he held up one last time as it seemed the man had something left to say...
"24 hours. You have 24 hours to return here from inside the city, and leave via the ramp down there." He pointed to the ramp turning off from the gate that led down onto the coastal street of the mainland, a point that, unlike the bridge, showed signs of frequent usage. "If you're not back and on your way, I'm gonna log your entry. Got it?"
"Understood." With nothing left say, he drove through with Ruby in tow, his eyes set on wherever he might be able to get some info...
"Hey, buddy, this is a pub! You can't bring a child-"
"She won't be drinking." He interrupted while simply pushing past the man with little resistance. He assumed his intimidating presence and just how heavily armed he was gave him all the the wiggle room he needed to go through unhindered. He held the child up much how he had earlier back on the island, which she seemed to find comfortable, so it all worked out.
Normally, this wouldn't be a place he'd wanna bring a child, but these were... strange circumstances. He couldn't risk leaving her alone for any more than a few moments, not until he was sure those weirdos were off their trail. So, taking a seat at the bar counter, he sat Ruby in his lap and let her look over the menu, while he himself hailed the barkeep.
"How'd you manage to get a child in here, pal?" The man asked first, resting both elbows on the counter and cautiously tried to read the strange duo.
"Not important. I need some information on some weirdos. Kidnappers or... something along those lines." He was about to continue, before feeling a slight tap on his breastplate. Looking down, he saw Ruby quietly pointing at a plate of grilled salmon. "No, were on a tight budget and that dish is bigger than you are." He looked back at the menu, then up at the barkeep. "She'll take a side of beef soup and a glass of milk."
"Sure thing, pal..." he groaned, before taking the order back to the kitchen, and returning with the milk only a minute later. "The soup will be a minute... now, you said you wanted... info?" Midnight nodded, drawing a bit of a sigh out of the man as he started wiping down the counter. "Well, sorry, all I got is rumors and gossip, and I really can't remember-" the jingling of lien upon the hard wood counter drew his attention, split part to be to cover the cost of the meal, part to pay for the info. "Well... as it would so happen, I think I do remember a few things!"
"Why would these people be after the child? What's so special about her?" He asked, making the man look her up and down, eventually settling on her eyes...
"Silver, Huh? Alright, I think I got something." He mused, tapping the counter a moment before looking back at him. "Silver eyes are a pretty rare trait, right? Dead giveaway if you're looking for em. Well, I heard that someone out there, for whatever reason, wants anyone with this trait either dead, or brought to them alive. I dunno to what end, but that's how the story's went every time I'd heard it so far."
"Hmph..." Midnight quietly contemplated the new information, taking a moment to consider what that would mean. Wiping out or capturing every one on the planet with a specific genetic trait would certainly be a monumental task, though if they managed to rouse enough support to execute such a sinister plan, then as long as he had Ruby with him, there was a target on his back. Not to forget, those townsfolk had said that they could command those weird black creatures. "Do you have any idea where I might find whoever is calling the shots for something like that?"
"Friend, you're asking the wrong guy for something like that. I deal in gathering gossip and rumors, not digging into it." The man sighed, drawing another dissatisfied grunt from the clone. "Well, if those rumors got any credence, then you and the child must be on the run, right?"
"Something like that. We're headed to Vacuo to lie low."
"A sound bet, it's where I'd go were I in your shoes. You flying?"
"Too risky, would put us on documentation. We're traveling by land for this one."
"Huh. Really thought trying to disappear through, haven't ya?"
"Wouldn't have survived as long as I have if I wasn't good at it." He finished, looking down at the child quietly eating her soup that had just arrived. Sighing deeply, he turned back to the barkeep and continued with a different subject. "Do you know anywhere I could get educational supplies or some entertainment stuff for the child?"
"Well, there's Yoko's Game Center on Northwood street. If that big vehicle of yours hasn't had the electronic systems ripped out, then you could get a console and monitor and hook them up, or keep a laptop on a charger... if you're on a budget though, you might wanna hold off unless you're willing to accept a little job."
"And that job would be?" He asked, setting his hands on the child's shoulders.
"Some deadbeats who haven't paid their tabs. Substantial tabs. There's also a package waiting at the post office for my boss, just tell e'm Cody sent ya. Collect the debts, retrieve the package, bring em both back to me. Simple enough?" He detailed, though the questions weren't quite done yet.
"And the reward? How long will this all take?"
"Shouldn't take more than a few hours, maybe six tops. Reward will be a quarter of the debt plus 250 lien for package delivery."
"Make it a third and you have a deal." He crosses his arms and leaned back slightly. It wasn't his first time doing something like this, and he'd developed a certain smoothness through experience. Being a solo operator meant that often times, he had to mingle with the locals from time to time to complete his objective or learn new info, which suited him just fine because it served to build up a sort of personal resume.
The man sighed, before shaking his head and shrugging. "Ah, what the hell, it'll be a helluva accomplishment in of itself if you can get them to pay up. A third it is... but I don't want none of e'm dead, got me?"
"Crystal clear." He affirmed, giving the man's hand a firm shake, before looking down on the child in his lap. She was, for the most part, done with her food, now just sort of looking up at him expectantly. Silently, after the deal was solidified, he held Ruby around the waist and lowered her down as he stood, before shifting his arm placement and carrying her out again.
He'd take the girl along with him, show her a few tips and tricks, but keep her just out of the way enough that she wouldn't be at risk of getting hurt. It was nice to have a more rigid set of objectives again, and the prospect of teaching did always intrigue him. So, with a slight pep in his step and eager to pass on a few skills, he set off with the eager child in tow, ready to bust some faces in...