They sent giants who crept over the walls and killed sentries. When they tried to radio for help, they realised their communications did not function, nor did any electrical device within the town. The Immortals blasted a hole in the wall and sent troops in who looted, committed arson and retrieved choice slaves. They brought these to a man in a mechanical suit, not unlike the one Loma wore. He picked the slaves he wanted, then they all departed on vehicles which were unseen.
An old man with a hawkish face piped up. “We need to fight them as soon as possible. It would take years to regain our full strength, every day they grow stronger.”
Another spoke up “We still have not found them. Only rumours.”
“They are slavers. We find the slave markets, from there we will find who supplies them.”
“I don’t think they sell the slaves,” said the old woman. “They keep to themselves, or else we would know of people who had dealings with them.”
Another spoke up: “I believe they come from Lundun. From the underground. That’s how they stay hidden, and there’s ancient technology there.”
“No,” said another. “The first towns to disappear were in the deep south. They are a foreign empire, from beyond the sea.”
“They’re not Frenchmen!” said another “They come from… up there” he said pointing to the sky. “They’re not of this world.” Most of the crowd loudly dismissed this.
“You there, Ranger,” said Ben. “You said you saw another town they raided, do you have any information?”
Alana shook her head. “It was just the same as here. They came at night, they burned the buildings, they took a few people and they left.”
The room descended into disarray, five or six separate conversations emerged, all vying for audible supremacy. Rumours they had heard – villages that had disappeared. They discussed methods of finding the Immortals, stratagems they might use against them. Loma sat with her thumb under her chin, her eyebrows furrowed. She snapped out of it.
“I know where they are,” she said. She had to repeat herself, and then a second time, louder, this slowly silenced the room.
“How?” said Ben.
“It was the reason I was sent here – to this island, to investigate a place we called the Citadel. According to our records there was technology hidden there, from the Last War. I believe a local tribe or gang has inhabited the Citadel, and has found that technology. They used it against us, and now they’ve used it against you.”
“You know where this ‘Citadel’ is?” said Ben, his voice full of wonder.
“I’ve been there,” said Loma. “I barely made it out alive.”
“Will you show us the way?” said Ben.
“Of course.”
“We’ll tear them out root and stem, no matter how long it takes. This I swear.”
The room erupted in hearty cheers, guns were fired in the air.
“Since they raid at night, we should do as they did to us – wait until their warriors have left their keep – that is the moment to strike.”
“How far is this citadel of theirs?”
Loma put her helmet on. The crowd waited, murmuring. “Four days from here, give or take.”
“Then we must leave at once. Who’s with me?”
A loud cheer erupted, more guns were fired. Saburo nudged Alana and whispered. “They’ll be out of ammo before they get there.”
“Gather your weapons and your supplies, we leave in an hour.” The crowd dispersed in generally high spirits. Many who had recently been in mourning found new strength and determination, they had teetered on the abyss and now unexpectedly stood on solid ground. There were still some who remained glassy eyed and stone faced.
The four travellers exited the meeting, they found a secluded space near a blackened tree and the shell of a concrete house.
“We better leave soon,” said Alana. “Give them the co-ordinates and we’ll try the next town for vehicles. These guys are a couple drinks away from pressing us into service.”
“I’m going with them,” said Loma suddenly.
A shocked silence followed.
“They need all the help they can get,” she continued.
“You can say that again,” said Saburo. “If your squad got wiped out, I don’t hold much hope for these.”
“I feel bad for them,” said Alana. “But I’ve done my part, I spent the day helping them. I’m not going to die for them. They wouldn’t die for me.”
“My mission was to investigate the Immortals. Their – Citadel. They killed my crew before we even opened our mouths to greet them. That wasn’t even supposed to be possible.”
Alana interjected “These slaver empires come and go, they always burn themselves out after a couple of years. At least fly back to Avalon, call for reinforcements.”
“It’s not that simple,” Loma began. “I don’t know if I my ship will be able to fly at all even with the parts we got from Lundun. Secondly, I’m not a queen, I can’t just order in reinforcements – It’ll take time for the council to determine whether to send more troops in.
We have a small population, we don’t like to lose people for nothing. Which is exactly what happened on my first flight here – this will weaken my position… by the time the reinforcements came – if they came – these people will have already gone to war… and probably lost.”
“But you’ll make all the difference?”
“Possibly. I have access to more knowledge than they have. I have tools at my disposal that they lack, I’ve fought the Immortals before—”
“And lost,” said Alana.
“Listen,” said Loma, irritated. “If you want to go -for the last time – I won’t stop you. You can have a reward now if you want.”
“I just don’t want you to throw your life away for no reason. I like you Loma, but you have to admit, a lot of your plans don’t pan out well.”
“So you’re happy to let all these people die?”
“I’m not happy about it, but there’s not much I can do… I mean, what do you think Saburo?”
Saburo listened intently, his arms crossed. “I think we should just go back to Moortown,” he muttered. “Like you said, we did more than most would. We don’t owe them anything. Your heart is in the right place Loma, but this is isn’t my battle. You promised my clan you’d lead us to your ship, and we could have anything that wasn’t bolted down. How are we meant to do that if you’re going on crusades, getting yourself killed?”
“Is that all you care about? The deal?”
“No. I care about you, like Alana said, I don’t want you to throw your life away.”
“Give me a minute,” said Loma, sealing her helmet and walking away.
Saburo turned to Kirwyn. “What do you think?” Kirwyn was startled by the question, then he merely shrugged. Saburo and Alana looked at each other in exasperation, Loma returned. She tossed Saburo a holodisk.
“This is linked up to my heartbeat. If it stops, it’ll reveal the co-ordinates of my ship. Now you don’t have to worry about me dying.”
Saburo looked at her, hurt.
“Don’t lose it this time,” she said. “I’m going with the Sevenokes, my mind is made up. What about you guys?”
They waited a moment, looking to one another. Alana raised her hands. “I’m going home. Sorry.”
Saburo exhaled loudly, and spoke quickly – “I’m with you Loma. Fuck it.”
Loma was surprised, she grabbed his forearm and held him close for a moment. Alana looked away, then stared at Kirwyn.
“I’m… with you Loma.” Said Kirwyn.
Loma smiled – “I never doubted you.”