Ed on the Sand

The night and the next day went by in a flash. Ed and Beep still worked in the mine, watched by Rane and Kang who intimidated a group of hungry bandits that happened to be traveling by. None of the bandits wanted to tangle with two large and armed Shek.

Eddy meanwhile funneled the copper to the stores with the help of Ruka and Crumblejon, trading the ore for food as well as cheap sword-catching batons called jittes for himself and Double-D, and a staff for Crumblejon. Eventually, the group decided to expand the mining operation with Double-D and Crumblejon mining as well. Though Double-D would stop when they found new research material and focus on that.

The group was making a steady income with the expanded mining operation, and it was getting time to grow into new ventures. Eddy walked into the Research and Development Shack, carrying something in his hands.

Double-D took a deep breath, still a bit tense from yesterday's outburst, "Eddy, I wanted to apologize-"

Eddy walked up to Double-D and presented him with a wooden weapon with strings on it, "Yeah, yeah, I forgive you. Here, I'm sorry too or whatever."

Double-D took the weapon and examined it, "…uh, is this a crossbow?" he asked.

Eddy shrugged, "The bartender called it a toothpick. I figured it'd be something you'd like because it looks complicated."

Shryke looked at the crossbow, "That's a Tooth Pick, which is a crossbow. The most basic one in fact, they're usually made by the crooks in the swamps."

Eddy rolled his eyes, "Yeah, okay. Anyway, what are you guys doing aside from holding hands and passing notes?"

Double-D cleared his throat, "Ahem. Well, we have actually found a way for us to expand into a new industry, we will need more space however…" Double-D looked around, the Research and Development Shack was full to max capacity with the research benches, the copper storage, a food storage, a cooking stove, and a general storage for their miscellaneous items.

"Say less, I already bought the shack right next to this one." Eddy told him.

Soon enough, the group had the new shack fixed up and ready for whatever Double-D and Shryke had in mind. The duo showed Eddy the schematics they came up with.

"So, what're you giving me here?" Eddy asked.

"These are blueprints for a loom and a bench to make clothing." Shryke answered.

"So…you want us to make clothes now?" Eddy asked.

"We can sell them, Eddy. Preferably for more than the material cost." Double-D bargained.

Eddy grinned, "You know what I like to hear, Double-D!"

The loom and clothing bench were set up soon after with Double-D and Shryke getting to work. "Have you made clothes before?" Shryke asked Double-D.

"My mother taught me how to sew and stitch. Proper maintenance of one's clothing is a skill all should learn." Double-D explained.

"Could you uh…teach me? I kinda wanted to make my own stuff for a while. It's hard to find anything that fits right."

Double-D's eyes lit up, "Why, of course! I'd be more than happy to!"

It didn't take too long for the duo to run out of fabric which they used to make a bunch of bandanas.

Eddy took a look at the end product, unimpressed, "Double-D, I'd be lucky to sell these at all!" he complained.

Double-D held his hands out, "Now Eddy, I know these items aren't masterworks yet, but Shryke shows a lot of promise when it comes to this craft!"

"I do?" Shryke asked.

Eddy rolled his eyes and grabbed up the bandanas, "Well, I'll see what I can get from these, then run to Squin for more fabric. I better see big dividends for this investment, Rubilocks!"

With that, Eddy left and headed off to Squin.

Shryke looked at Double-D with a smile, "You really think I can make great armor?"

"Of course I do! You already learned all the essentials, the rest is just experience, and you can't teach that."

Shryke nodded and got a bit closer to Double-D, "So, what should we do while we wait for more materials?"

Double-D shrugged, "Well, get to the grind I suppose."

Shryke's smile faded when Double-D whipped out a pickaxe, "Oh, I thought you meant…" she trailed off.

Double-D raised an eyebrow, "Uh, what else could I have implied?"

Shryke shook her head, "Nothing!"

…

"This is fun! Huh Beep?" Ed asked as he and Beep kept mining copper.

"Beep." Beeped Beep in agreement.

Rane the Giant was relaxing on the sand, soaking in the sun, and ogling Ed's muscles as he worked, "Ah, isn't this an easy job, kiddo?" she asked Kang.

Kang stood still with his arms folded, "This is boring, I haven't killed anyone in days."

"Kid, ya gotta learn to appreciate the time in-between battles. The calm of peace makes ya enjoy the storm of war a lot more."

A bit away from the first mining group was the second mining group of Crumblejon, Double-D, Ruka, and Shryke.

Crumblejon was taking a short break to eat some freshly cooked vegetables, "I never would've expected that Eddy would be a good cook."

Double-D nodded, "It is an uncanny skill for him to have. It could be from his natural tendency to just throw things at the wall to see what sticks."

Ruka grabbed a handful from Crumblejon's bowl and ate some, "Mm…not too filling, but tasty!" she said.

Crumblejon quickly ate what was left, "You could've asked, or better yet go get your own!"

"It was right there, and I took it! That's what you do when you see something you want! Right, Tech Hunter?" Ruka asked Shryke.

Shryke shrugged, holding her spear, "Uh huh, sure."

Ruka frowned a bit, "You know, a unit that only observes does not capture any land."

Shryke jabbed her spear into the ground in a fit, "I know! I just…can't figure out the right time or place right now. Especially since it's still too early."

"We could all end up dead tomorrow, you know."

"That makes it harder!"

"What are you two talking about?" Double-D asked them.

"Girl things! You wouldn't understand!" Shryke told him.

"Oh, uh, okay!" Double-D went back to mining.

"...he's a smart kid but isn't too bright with social stuff." Crumblejon noted.

"Yeah..." Ruka and Shryke agreed.

Suddenly, the group of hungry bandits from the other day approached the second mining group. It apparently took them one more day of starvation to decide to attack.

"I'M TAKING YOUR FOOD!" screeched the bandit leader.

"Take them down! Their food is MINE!" yelled one of the bandits.

"No! Mine! MINE!" yelled another.

In all, there were ten hungry bandits, all of which charged at the second mining group of four.

Kang spotted the attack and smiled as he ran at them, he screamed at the top of his lungs, "PREPARE TO DIE!"

The battle began with the bandit's leader striking Shryke with his sabre as the second mining group tried to move to a better position. The first mining group moving in to assist with Kang and Rane charging in.

Ed and Beep somehow hadn't noticed the battle starting, or that Kang and Rane had run off to join it.

"Ah! Double-D, shoot them!" Shryke cried out.

"I never shot at a person before!" Double-D cried out.

"Just shoot! It's us or them!" Crumblejon yelled as he turned to fight the bandits.

"Where's Lord Eddy?" Ruka asked, brandishing her massive sword.

"He went to get more fabric from Squin!" Double-D told her as he loaded up a bolt into his crossbow. The crossbow accidentally went off and hit Shryke in the leg.

"OW!" Shryke screamed.

"Sorry!" Double-D put the crossbow away and opted instead to block with his jitte.

Kang meanwhile was laughing as he tore into one of the bandits who screamed as Kang jabbed his sabre in and out of the bandit.

It was at this point that Ed and Beep realized their friends were in a massive battle and immediately stopped mining and ran over themselves.

"PROLOOOOOONGED WAAAAAAARCRYYYYYYYYY!" Ed cried out as he charged.

"SAVE SOME FOR BEEP!" Beep screeched.

Rane and Ruka both ended up in combat with one bandit each while Crumblejon and Shryke were both ganged up on. Ed and Beep meanwhile teamed up to quickly take down a bandit who ran at them in record time.

I seriously do not know how that happened, I didn't even notice they were fighting someone until it was over.

Shryke had got knocked down during the fray, and the bandits turned their attention more to Rane who had nearly cut the bandit leader's head off, and Double-D who was just trying to not get hit at this point.

After cutting up one of the bandits and leaving him to bleed out, Kang turned his attention to another who attempted to sneak up behind him. "WHAT'S WRONG, FLATSKIN? TOO SCARED TO HIT ME FROM THE FRONT?" he bellowed before charging the poor bastard.

Ed and Beep teamed up again to take on the bandit leader who managed to block both of their sword swings and then elbowed Beep which knocked him back. Seeing this, Ed swung his axe-sword onto the bandit leader's head, and he fell down like a rotting tree.

"Beep, are you okay?" Ed asked.

"Beep! Fine! Chest hurts!" Beep answered.

"Put on a bandage! I gotta help Double-D!" Ed ordered as he ran to the bandits ganging up on his sock hatted friend. One of the bandits noticed Ed approaching and prepared to meet him sword for sword.

Shryke stayed low and mended her wounds, seeing the insanity play out around her. She saw one of the bandits crawling with an injured leg. "I can't believe how desperate these people are…" she thought.

Rane didn't have a scratch on her, and called over to Ruka, "Little Ruka, are you still standing?"

"Worry about your own damn self!" Ruka yelled back.

"I don't need to! Look out!"

Ruka then got hit by the bandit she was battling and dodged the second strike which instead hit Shryke who got knocked unconscious. Rane knocked out the bandit she was toying with and rushed to help her comrades.

Ed meanwhile swung his axe-sword, cutting the incoming bandit through the stomach, knocking him down and incapacitating him. He then ran to the bandit pinning Double-D down with Beep in tow who had patched up his flesh wound. When the two of them grabbed the bandit's attention, Double-D got a bit of distance and pulled out his crossbow again. He uttered a small prayer as he prepared to fire.

He missed.

Beep then slashed at the distracted bandit, slicing open his chest and ending the battle.

"YES! BEEP WINS! BEEP IS THE STRONGEST WARRIOR!" Beep cried out.

There was, however, still the bandit with the injured leg trying to retreat. Ruka and Rane put a stop to them, knocking them out.

"Is…is anyone hurt?" Double-D asked.

"ALL OF BEEP'S ENEMIES WILL BE DESTROYED!" Beep cried out in bloodlust.

"I'm nicked a bit, this wouldn't have happened in my youth…" Crumblejon complained, "They wouldn't have landed a single hit on me. Ah, to be back in my prime again…"

"BEEP IS THE STRONGEST NOW! THERE WILL BE CHANGES!"

"Fucking hell, Beep!" Ruka yelled.

Beep's puffed out chest deflated, "...beep."

Crumblejon walked over to Beep, "I fared well in the United Cities, you know. They found me 'exotic', and I was once the most feared warrior in the land. But then one day, my lord passed away and I was left a drifting ronin from here to there until nobody wanted me. Nothing ever lasts. Status never lasts. You'd do well to remember that, young'un."

"Beep?" Beep had no idea what Crumblejon was talking about.

Double-D then spotted Shryke unconscious and wounded. He rushed over and patched up her wounds, "Shryke is down! Ed, get her to safety!"

"You got it, chief!" Ed cheered as he effortlessly lifted Shryke up and ran off to The Hub. Beep ran with them as well.

Rane smiled as she watched Ed run, "You know, seeing a giant flatskin work his body was fun but seeing him in combat, wow! I think I've found a worthy mate!"

"You just have zero shame, don't you?" Ruka scoffed.

Double-D shook his head and looked over the ten bandits, all unconscious and bloodied but still alive. He noticed that Kang was taking the weapon of one and inspecting it.

"Hold it right there, Mister Kang!" Double-D yelled out.

Kang froze in place, "Held."

"What do you think you're doing? The bodies of these people are still warm and as they lay here bleeding out on the sand, you're going to steal their belongings?" Double-D scolded.

Kang shrugged, "It isn't stealing. If someone attacks you, and you end up slaughtering them in self-preservation their stuff becomes rightfully yours."

Double-D was dumbfounded, "Is… is that a Shek thing?" he asked.

Crumblejon shook his head, "Nah, that happens everywhere on the continent by the international law of go fuck yourselves."

Double-D's eye twitched a bit, "Well, I rather we do NOT do that! That's utterly barbaric!"

Rane shrugged, "It's how this world is. If this were the other way around, they'd have taken everything we had and left us for dead. Or they would take everything we have and sell us into slavery. Or they would take everything we have and conscript us into being their meat shields. Or-"

"Okay! I get it! But we are BETTER than that!" Double-D told them all.

"Speak for yourself." Kang remarked.

"Listen! With Eddy away, I'm responsible for this group! I am his advisor, and I say we do NOT just take these people's belongings and leave them for dead, no matter how ill their intentions were!" Double-D ordered.

"Okay, as Lord Eddy's advisor, what would you think he'd want us to do?" Ruka asked.

Devil Eddy then appeared on Double-D's shoulder, "He'd want you to take all their stuff and leave them for dead." he flatly told Double-D.

Double-D flicked Devil Eddy away and cleared his throat, "Ahem, I know very well what he'd want, and I would advise him to search his humanity and do the right thing."

"We kill them all and take all their stuff?" Kang asked.

"NO! We are patching them up!"

"You want us to use up our resources on a bunch of bandits who attacked us for our resources?" Rane asked.

"I…well…it's the right thing to do!" Double-D argued.

Crumblejon raised his hand, "If I can make a suggestion, how about a compromise?"

Double-D raised an eyebrow, "What did you have in mind?"

"How about we…confiscate their weapons, then patch them up? Maybe take them into town and let the Trade Ninjas deal with them. Even if they want to cause trouble with us after we help them, they'd have no way to attack us." Crumblejon explained.

"Couldn't they just use their fists?" Ruka asked.

"If they were any good with their fists, they wouldn't rely on swords or clubs." Rane told her.

Double-D gritted his teeth, the group seemed to like this compromise, and he himself did think that taking away their weapons would be beneficial. "Okay…let's do that."

It took a bit of time, but Double-D and the others managed to perform first aid on the bandits. One of which got up after being fixed up and tried to fight them again, but Ruka struck him back down and patched him up again.

Once all patched up, the group picked up five of the bandits in an attempt to bring them into town, but another got up to attack them again. And so, they all knocked him down and patched him up again.

After two trips, they decided to call their job done and headed into The Hub themselves to rest up from the exhausting encounter.

…

Eddy meanwhile had finally got his shopping done and headed back to The Hub. Along the way, he came across a camp of a mix of humans and Shek who all wore crudely made spiked metal helmets. The one with the nicest looking sword ran up to him.

"You! Drop your weapons or die!" he yelled.

Eddy held his hands up, "Woah, okay, let's just talk about this, fella."

"We want your Cats! Your food! Your gear! Everything!" he yelled.

Eddy unfortunately had spent all his Cats on supplies, "I'm out of Cats!"

The bandit then pulled out his sword, "Then tough shit! I'll take everything you have! Even the clothes off your back!"

At this point Eddy took off running. He was closer to The Hub so that's where he headed. The entire camp of thirteen bandits ran after him. Fortunately, Eddy was much faster and had gotten into town first. He stopped to catch his breath.

"DIE, BLEEDER!" yelled the bandit leader.

"You've gotta be kidding me!" Eddy yelled as he pulled out his jitte to block the bandit's sword.

One of the Trade Ninjas then showed up to save Eddy from his assailant. Ed and Beep also appeared from the Eds' main shack.

"Hi Eddy!" Ed called out.

"Ed, get over here!" Eddy ordered.

Double-D came out as well, "What is all the- NOT AGAIN!" he cried out.

Rane followed after and ran into the fight, "Ha! It never ends!"

With the combined fighting power of Ed, Beep, Rane, Eddy, and the Trade Ninja, they managed to take down the bandit boss easily. The Trade ninja skewered the bandit's chest and left him to bleed out in the street.

"What was this guy's problem?" Eddy asked.

"Dust Bandits." The Trade Ninja answered, "They're a big problem in the Border Zone. They shake down anyone they can with their higher numbers." He then pulled out a wanted poster with the moniker "Dust King" written on it and handed it to Eddy, "Their big boss has a thirty-thousand Cats bounty on his head, if you're interested."

"Interested in what?" Eddy asked.

But the sound of panpipes played, and the Trade Ninja was gone.

"Eddy, are you okay?" Double-D asked.

"I'm fine. This guy is a lot worse." Eddy motioned to the bandit leader who was bleeding out.

"Are we doing the same thing we did to those other bandits?" Rane asked Double-D.

"Wait, what other bandits?" Eddy asked.

…

After taking the bandit leader's gear, patching him up, and leaving him in the middle of the road in town, Double-D gave Eddy the after-action report on the attack earlier that day.

"Well damn, Double-D, it's a good thing we hired Ranny and Kangy after all, huh?" Eddy figured. He was now wearing the Dust Boss's helmet, boots, and combat skirt.

Double-D nodded, "It sure is."

Rane smiled and patted Ed's shoulder, "Ah, weren't nothin'! Big Ed here took most of them down!"

Ed smiled, "I did?"

"Don't forget Beep!" Beep added.

"Yes Beep, you helped too." Double-D affirmed.

"So, everyone else is just resting up?" Eddy asked.

"That's correct. Shryke got hit pretty hard, and the rest had some damage."

"Alright…so that just leaves us with all this loot!" Eddy gestured to the general storage with all the confiscated weapons.

Double-D nodded, "Right…well, what's your call Eddy?"

Eddy grabbed the sabre the Dust Boss had, "Well, I'm keeping this. I say we hand out whatever is good to the others and sell the rest."

Ed grabbed one of the iron clubs, "These things are fun!"

Rane grabbed Ed, "Say Big Ed, I gotta ask you something in private."

"Oh? Uh, okay! See you guys later!" Ed told them as Rane picked him up.

"Beep?" Beep beeped as he started to follow.

"Ah, just Ed, little bugman." Rane told him.

"Beeep…." Beep sadly beeped.

Rane carried Ed away

"Uh, what is going on?" Eddy asked.

Double-D whispered something into Eddy's ear.

Eddy laughed, "Ha! Well, Ed is a big boy, he can handle himself!"

Double-D sighed, "He's certainly been through worse."

"What are you two talking about?" Beep asked.

Eddy grinned mischievously, "Well that depends Beeper, how much do ya wanna know about female human ladies?"

…

Later that night at The Hub's only bar, Ruka informed Shryke of all that went down after the latter got knocked out.

"So Double-D just…took charge?" Shryke asked.

Ruka nodded, "It was almost like he was a completely different person. I didn't know what to think, I was almost impressed. You would've loved it."

Shryke shrugged and drank some grog, "I don't know…honestly, I am still not sure how I feel about him."

"Are you serious?"

"Maybe I'm just clinging to him because he pulled me out of Mongrel. Maybe he reminds me of my dear older brother. Maybe I am just worrying I'll be dead soon and with the regret of not doing everything I wanted. Maybe-"

Ruka playfully patted Shryke's head, "Maybe you're just overthinking it with that smart head of yours, Tech Hunter."

Shryke playfully slapped Ruka's hand away, "So…anything new with you and our fearless leader?"

Ruka shook her head, "Yeah, no. I don't think it'll work out with us."

Shryke nodded, "I understand completely, I mean, the height difference-"

"It's not that he's short! It's just that he seems to be looking so far ahead, and I haven't the foggiest idea what he's looking at. It certainly isn't me."

Shryke shrugged, "So, what if he orders you to be with him?"

"Well, I'll obey. No question."

Rane entered the bar with a smile, getting the attention of Ruka and Shryke.

"There she is. The lady of the hour." Ruka announced as Rane sat with them.

"How did things go with you and Big Ed?" Shryke asked.

Rane smiled at them, "Oh, he rejected my offer."

Ruka looked down out of pity, " …damn."

Shryke tugged on her collar a bit, "Are you…taking it well?"

Rane nodded, her fake smile twitching a bit, "I'm fine…" she turned to the bartender, "Say bartender, I'll take your hardest drink and keep giving me drinks until you run out or I pass out."

A few drinks later, and Rane was bawling her eyes out on the counter.

"Is it jus' dat ah'm too BIG?" She asked in desperation.

Ruka patted her back, "No, no, you're a beautiful, powerful warrior that any man would be lucky to be with."

Rane sobbed, "Ah KNOW! This es wurst dan mah last mate!"

"Did he leave and never see you again?" Shryke asked.

Rane sniffed, "Nuu, HE DIED DURIN' DA MIDST OF IT!"

Ruka groaned, "Narko's balls…"