Chapter Three: The Journey Begins
Having dried off and changed into new clothes Connor paced back and forth in a small sleeping area, Roscoe the hybrid now dried off and laid on the bed watched the young man pace.
Stopping to say something Connor stopped then continued to pace again seeming to be thinking about what to say or in this case ask the hound who moments ago spoke in the showers.
Taking a breath Connor stopped before turning to Roscoe, "I know I didn't hit my head so you'll have to excuse my surprise back there, I was not expecting you to talk back."
Not saying anything Roscoe watched laying his head on a pillow almost like he was raising an eyebrow at him but chose to remain silent.
"I guess we should start with intros? Hi I am Connor," he introduced before taking another breath, "so, you talk?" Connor asked taking a seat on a seat across from the dog who stared back at him.
"Yes," Roscoe replied seeing Connor take another deep breath and stand up to pace again.
Going into thought Connor turned to the dog, "Was that their intention when they made you? Was talking part of their end goal?"
"No. It wasn't," Roscoe replied turning his head to stare at the wall giving Connor the impression talking about the lab was probably a topic to avoid for now.
"Ok wow, that's amazing, a talking dog eh wolf? Hound, we will go with hound if anyone asks what kind of breed you are," Connor spoke getting Roscoe's attention again.
"What do you mean?" Roscoe asked seeing Connor return to his seat.
"Well buddy, in Albion members of the canine family can't talk, so you may get some odd reactions if you go around talking when we are above ground, so if you can, when in public try to stay quiet, it only safe to talk with me, for now. The last thing I want is people to put a video of you on the internet and get Reaver's attention that the experiment he wanted dead is alive and can talk," Connor explained.
"You don't mind?" Roscoe asked seeing Connor laugh lightly.
"Well, I will confess you surprised me back there, but I don't mind that you talk, just something else that makes you special," Connor smiled seeing the hound turn his head away again.
"Why save me? You only put yourself in more danger by stealing me from Reaver," Roscoe spoke still looking at the wall.
"Because it was not Reaver's choice to decide how your life should go, you are a living breathing thing with emotions, as long as I live, he will never have power over your life again," Connor spoke hearing his phone ring.
Walking over to the table Connor picked up the phone to hear Seth on the other end, "What the hell happened?! We could hear all the sirens from Mourningwood!"
"Well let's say things took a slight turn, I had to use one of our bunkers to change after my disgusting swim," Connor explained.
"Vile. Anyway, what did you find?" Seth asked while Connor sent the new photos over to him.
"Project Night is what Reaver calling it, Whatever that thing in the cage is, it was human, he plans to make hundreds of these super soldier monsters!" Connor explained.
"Bloody hell, it's huge," Seth spoke looking at the pictures and the reports on it, "What is he planning to do with an army of these things?"
"My guess is they plan to invade another country, you heard the rumor of the high tension between Samarkand and Albion, wouldn't surprise me one bit if they plan to declare war on them," Connor spoke looking over to Roscoe.
"Bloody hell with how the President has been acting with these new laws and increase in patrol I honestly wouldn't be surprised he preparing us for a world war against the other countries," Seth sighed looking at the map table, "anything else to report?"
"Yeah, I stole one of their experiments, a hound hybrid scheduled to be killed for his parts," Connor explained.
"Oh, great now we have another mouth to feed? You're responsible for the mutt," Seth spoke looking over to Ginjer who was drawing a mustache on a picture of Reaver in a newspaper.
"Yeah, I don't mind, always wanted a dog, his name is Roscoe, he sort of special," Connor explained almost able to see Seth's skeptical look on the other end of the phone.
"Special? Like he got a snaggle tooth or missing eye?" Seth replied trying to picture what won over Connor to save the dog.
"Not that kind of special you dick," Connor spoke rolling his eyes, "like an INTERESTING kind of special."
Hearing Connor hint Seth understood and leaned against the map table, "Do you think it can help us with the mission?"
"Not sure, will have to see how he fares in the field with us," Connor spoke checking the time, "I'm gonna rest up here then I'll come back to the base tomorrow."
"Rodger that, stay safe," Seth spoke hanging up.
"Now let's get some sleep, The bed will be a little cramped but I'm sure it will be better than sleeping in a cold cage, huh Roscoe?" Connor smiled plugging his phone to charge before turning off the lights and climbing into the small bed lying next to the hound.
"So, what does this mean? Am I like a pet now?" Roscoe asked standing up and moving around before curling up for sleep.
"Well to others yes, but between us, I see this as a partnership, I'll have your back and you will have mine, you have higher senses than me, I am going to be counting on you going forward Roscoe, You have my word I will never let anyone like Reaver lay a hand on you again," Connor vowed seeing Roscoe stare back at him.
"Hmph, I guess I chose the right person to imprint on," Roscoe spoke closing his eyes.
"Imprint? What does that mean?" Connor asked seeing the hound not open his eyes, "hello? Roscoe? Fine, I'm just gonna have to ask in the morning then! Good night, Roscoe."
"Good night, Connor," Roscoe replied before the two slept for the night.
The next morning after changing into new worn-out clothes Connor exited out of the swears taking a peek before helping Roscoe out and the two entered the alley.
"The sky," Roscoe spoke looking up to the cloudy dark sky feeling rain fall against his fur, "I never thought I'd see the sky."
"You should see it when the weather is not so horrible," Connor smiled pulling up and hood and whistling, "Follow me and remember, say nothing and stay close."
Nodding Roscoe followed close behind Connor who led them into the Bowerstone Market District entering through a back alley Connor halted when he looked over to a store he hadn't seen before.
"Magic Marvels?" Connor read looking through the bar-up window to see a store full of oddities he had never seen before, the young man noticed a sign that read 'psychic readings' and snorted, "Seeing the future? Rubbish."
"Not a believer?" Connor heard a man speak jumping back when he noticed a strange graying man had appeared out of nowhere at his side, even Roscoe was taken aback having not heard the man approach.
"Geeze old man, that's a good way to give someone a heart attack!" Connor spoke noticing the blindfold over the man's eyes.
"You young people these days, no one believes in Fables anymore, I remember the time when children eagerly read Fables of legendary heroes of old," the man smiled walking up the steps to his shop and unlocking the door.
'He's blind, right? How is he able to not trip on those steps let alone run a shop? Surely people would steal from him constantly,' Connor thought hearing the old man chuckle when he opened the door.
"I bet you're thinking, how can a blind old man possibly run a store and not get robbed?" the old man spoke making Connor's eyes widen, "No I am not a mind reader, the future is my gift."
"Tch, you're claiming to be a psychic?" Connor spoke crossing his arms and watching the man open the door.
"I prefer the term 'Seer,' Connor," the man smiled seeing the young man raise an eyebrow before the door closed on him.
Heading into the store the old man went behind the counter away from Connor's view of the window and held up three fingers starting a countdown, once he lowered the last finger the door opened and Connor entered with Roscoe.
"How did you know my name? Are you with the Resistance?" Connor asked quietly closing the door behind him.
"No I am not, however, I am a believer in yours and good Seth Finn's cause, I am Gabriel and it is a pleasure to meet you at last," Gabriel introduced holding out a hand to Connor who shook it.
While shaking the hand Connor noticed the odd gauntlets the man wore narrowing his eyes when it looked like the leather was infused into the man's skin. Pulling a hand away Gabriel pulled out a small deck of tarot cards wrapped in a brown fabric.
"So how much is this scam gonna cost?" Connor asked seeing the man chuckle.
"These are sad times indeed, Fables of old have become a myth, magic is all but lost to the world, and no one believes in Heroes, Now is a time for the return of heroes," Gabriel spoke pulling out the strange tarot cards.
"Alright, prove you're a true seer, Tell me something to make me a true believer," Connor spoke watching the man who went into thought and then looked over to Roscoe.
"You named the hound Roscoe and our little fury friend here can talk, Isn't that right my four-legged friend?" Gabriel smiled seeing Roscoe turn his head.
"What do you mean? Dogs cannot talk!" Connor spoke trying to keep the hound a secret but saw Gabriel hold up a card with an image of a dog at the side of an armored hero.
"The Hound: Loyal companion to the end, with a quick tongue and bite this ally is ready to aid any worthy hero to battle," Gabriel spoke placing the card in front of Connor on the counter.
"Lucky guess," Roscoe spoke seeing Gabriel chuckle while Connor picked up the card flipping it over to notice the Guild Seal symbol, and looked to the seer who held up a card with a figure pointing a sword forward with an army behind him.
"The Leader: a friend for many years. This hero leads a cause that will aid you in bringing all of Albion together against the darkness," Gabriel spoke placing the card on the counter.
"Aid me?" Connor repeated in confusion picking up the card that strangely reminded him of Seth.
"Yes, aid you," Gabriel spoke placing a card of a gloved hand holding a strange sword with a crown around the hilt.
"The Hero: a hero that will rise in a time when heroes must return. One who can bring together many to fight for a noble cause and return that true heir to the throne," Gabriel spoke seeing Connor snort trying to hold in laughter.
"Right, let me guess the 'Lost Hero' supposed to be me? Yeah, I've heard enough," Connor spoke putting the card on the counter and getting ready to leave.
"Leave and you'll never know what happened to Taylor," Gabriel spoke making Connor stop in his tracks when he placed his hand on the doorknob.
"What did you just say?" Connor asked narrowing his eyes and turning to the seer who motioned for him to come back to the counter.
Locking the door Connor approached, "How the bloody hell do you know that name?!"
"I believe I said I was a seer? Did you not hear me the first time? Taylor, your sister, she left when you and Seth were children, she disappeared and you never heard from her again. You can leave, continue to follow Seth, and fight the fight but you won't win, not when there is a traitor among you," Gabriel warned seeing Connor's eyes widen.
"What?! What do you mean?!" Connor demanded hearing the helicopter spinning wings high above.
"Someone betrayed the Resistance, Go, warn Seth and get as many people out, they are coming and they have orders to kill," Gabriel warned.
"Roscoe, stay here, I promise I'll be back as soon as I can, I have to go warn my friends!" Connor spoke running out the doors into the heavy rain.
Watching Connor leave Roscoe turned to Gabriel who petted his head, "Do not fear, death is not his destiny today, he will be back."
"What about the Resistance?" Roscoe asked seeing Gabriel's face sadden.
"Many outcomes, but I fear only three will walk out of this," Gabriel spoke looking at the stack of cards he's yet to show Connor.
Running through the streets Connor ducked and weaved through the alley running past a crowd of factory workers that were leaving the Industrial District and quickly racing to the docks where the homeless were quickly trying to pack their thing with a police spotlight above.
Hearing cars approaching Connor ran down and through the abandoned tent entering the entrance to the Resistance base, "SETH!"
Running to the bars Connor quickly lifted the gate ducking under to see the members trying to grab what they could and could hear yelling from the war room.
Running through the doors Connor walked into a standoff with Seth and a young lady with frizzy red hair who both held pistols to one another, "Please Seth, just come quietly! They promised a fair trial if you come peacefully."
"You gotta be out of your bloody damn mind! Reaver promises are lies! Do you have any idea what you have done?!" Seth yelled narrowing his eyes and seeing Ginjer sneaking behind the girl pulling out sharp scissors.
"Lizzie please put the gun down there is still time to do the right thing," Connor pleaded holding his hands up in an attempt to get the girl to lower weapon.
"This is the right thing," she spoke taking off the safety and was about to shoot but cried out in pain when Ginjer sliced the back of her ankle with her scissors distracting the girl long enough for Seth to shoot her in the shoulder making her drop her pistol and hit the ground.
"NGH! Bloody bastards you doomed us!" she yelled stopping when Ginjer held the blade to her throat.
"I would hush those pretty little duck lips dust ball, I have been dying to test my new scissors," Ginjer smirked.
Turning to Connor Seth was about to speak but an explosion from the other room would send Seth and Connor flying and crashing into some crates.
Groaning Connor sat up to see smoke coming out of the room where the rest of the Resistance Members had been scrambling to escape. He could hear heavy footsteps entering the base followed by a lot of gunfire making Connor turn to Seth and pull him to his feet.
"This way!" Ginjer yelled climbing up the rafters above the knocked-over map table.
Climbing up after Connor followed the gnome then by Seth who looked back to their home in ruins one last time before following Ginjer through their emergency escape.
Groaning Lizzie propped herself against a crate looking up when the Patrol with goggles and laser-pointed rifles stormed the room and locked their weapons on her.
About to speak a bullet made her gasp putting a hand to her neck where she had been shot looking to see Reaver enter the roof having been the shooter who slowly approached her, watching her fall to the ground bleeding out and drowning in her blood.
"Damn, it would appear she failed to get us the leader of this sad lot, no matter with their base now destroyed let their men's bodies be a warning sign to anyone else who tries to rebel," Reaver spoke firing another shot.
In a tunnel Connor and Seth looked back to the gunfire they heard, following Ginjer she led them to an abandoned warehouse where they quickly climbed a ladder to another floor level.
Approaching a broken dirty window Seth and Connor peeked through to see the docks below and saw all their friend's bodies being dragged out one by one, any still alive were shot on sight before their bodies were tossed into the waters.
Standing behind a barricade of Patrol factory workers watched on seeing Reaver exit the entrance to the base brushing dust off his shoulder before approaching the factory works where he snapped his fingers having a Patrol guard start to film.
"This is Vice President Reaver my lovelies, at the ungodly early morning we were given an anonymous tip to the hidden terrorist base of the so-called 'New Bowerstone Resistance,' I am proud to say due to the brave action of our fearless, loyal Guard Patrol we eradicated every last member, let their bodies be a warning," Reaver spoke having the cameraman film a body getting tossed into the harbor, "any who dare to rebel against our mighty kingdom will be destroyed. The leader Seth Finn is still on the run and any who see this dangerous criminal must report in immediately or face very nasty consequences, That will be all."
Motioning to shut off the camera Reaver walked away while in the factory Seth moved away from the window kicking a crate in anger, "DAMMIT!"
Connor wanted to tell his friend it was okay but that would have been a lie, he was angry too, he and Seth befriended every member of the Resistance and considered them family, Seeing their bodies so disrespectfully tossed into the sea like garbage was upsetting.
"Seth we can't stay here," Connor spoke seeing Seth nod.
"What the point Connor? Our base is gone, our friends are all dead! It's over! We will never be able to rebuild the Resistance like we did before! May as well shoot ourselves!" Seth yelled kicking and smashing another crate.
"Oi mutt face! What that sticking out of your birches?" Ginjer asked pointing to Connor's pant waist.
Looking down Connor raised an eyebrow lifting out the Lost Hero Card from Gabriel's shop, 'How on earth did that get there?' Connor was sure he had left it on the counter, the old man was not anywhere near him to put the card in his pants.
Flipping it over he studied the Guild Seal symbol, it was the same symbol the Resistance used for their flags, perhaps Gabriel was right. Seth's base had strong connections to the heroes of Fables. The old man was right Albion needed heroes.
"A seer gave me this," Connor spoke seeing Ginjer raise an eyebrow.
"Does his name start with a G?" Ginjer asked getting both Connor and Seth's attention.
"Yes, it was, how on earth did you know that?" Connor asked seeing the gnome go into thought then looked at Connor.
"Yeah, there is no question about it," Ginjer spoke quietly before grinning, "It means there's hope, ya TWATS! Come take us to the seer!"
"Yeah sure let's see a bloody fortune teller, probably will tell us the lottery numbers," Seth spoke bitterly seeing nothing better to do given their situation.