U.S.S.A HellField

Chapter 8 No Rest For The Weary

Despite my pain and exhaustion, I managed to carry Alice back to the truck, her chest wound was beginning to heal closed. I could only imagine how horrible It has been for her to be trapped in this hellish world for what I've gathered to have been about a year, however long a year is on this planet. Before I put her in the seat, I had to find a place for her spear to go. There looked to be a rack for melee weapons on the back of the driver's side door. When I laid her in the passenger seat, she was fast asleep, I'm just glad she was still alive and breathing. "How's she doing?" - "Other than having her heart punctured by a spear? She seems to be doing fine, her rate of healing is utterly inhuman. The thing is; I'm a lot more worried about you, that explosion you took, It had caused more fractures in both of your legs and ruptured several blood vessels. By all accounts, you shouldn't even be able to stand right now."  I took a moment to check my vitals, they were...mixed, to say the least. My blood levels were doing better but my legs had taken way more damage than I thought, the blood vessels that Metis said had ruptured were in both my lungs and other parts of my chest. I don't know how this armor does It, but I'd be long dead without its help.       

"So where are we off to?"  Metis asked curiously, honestly, I wasn't so sure myself. - "Back to Blood rust, she needs somewhere safe to rest."  I stepped on the pedal and drove away from this place, hopefully never to return. A few hours of late-night driving and Metis playing Eye spy later, we arrived in Blood rust, I parked in the same spot next to a few new vehicles. They appeared to be armored buggies and a tall six-legged animal that was probably ridden much like a horse. I was feeling drowsy and felt like passing out right then and there, I looked over at Alice lying asleep next to me. I kept myself focused on her so I wouldn't pass out. She had to be cold in here with nothing on, that, and I couldn't bring her in and have people recognize who she was. I looked in the back and found a hooded robe, it would have to be enough. I took a moment to inspect the spear wound in Alice's chest, it was covered in dried blood but it seemed the wound had closed and her skin scarred. What the hell had that mad bastard done to her? I covered her as best as I could with the robe and carried her out of the seat. I would also need the spear as proof of the bounty. I held Alice securely in my arms, I wouldn't let her go for anything until I found safety for us both.

I walked up to the town entrance, the guard protecting it was sitting in his chair unaware of my presence Until I walked up to him with an unconscious Alice in my arms. "Whoa, hey Aren't you that...? Who's that you got there?"- "Open the door."  It was all I could muster as I stood there looking him in the eyes.- "Um yeah, sure."  He pressed a button on the controls and the door opened. Now, I just had to find a safe place for us to stay and lay her down so she can recover, but first I needed money. I made my way through the crowded streets of aliens to the guild building, It was going to be difficult to open the door while carrying someone, if only Alice were awake. I managed to fumble it open then walked right in. It was quiet inside, much like last time but with a few more bounty hunters than before. I saw the green alien receptionist over at the desk, she was the only one I'd spoken to so I went to hand it over to her. I approached her slowly with Alice in tow, she gazed up at me with another unusual look expression. I just hoped she didn't recognize her as the witch. * * * 

Today has been a slow slog of unending paperwork, it's all just been wild animal and Mechite contracts. The local wildlife is only a problem now because the Mechites keep killing more and more people, luckily they don't come around here much but who knows when that will change, and what will happen when It does. Anyway, what should I have for lunch? Maybe something less harsh than what I got from that Niralun's butcher shop, they're lovely people but they have hardier stomachs than us Bi'lans do. I heard the door open loudly but I didn't pay it much attention as I was too focused on filling out these forms. The feeling of vibrations from heavy footsteps approaching snapped me from my concentration, I looked up only to be met with a horned dark lumbering figure holding a robed woman in his arms, it was that strange alien that was with those Alsha bounty hunters. "Hello, h...how can I help you?"  He looked at me with determined, serious eyes that glowed white as small moons. He wanted something from me, had he finished his bounty? Where were the rest of his group?

He reached for a long metal object on his back. It was a spear, I heard rumors that the blood Witch wielded a massive spear that she used to cut unsuspecting victims to pieces. He placed it against the desk. By Elosoi! That spear was taller than he was. -"The reward?"  Was all he asked for in a soft voice, he didn't sound as intense as he did before. I inspected the large polearm, It fit all the descriptions of her weapon.  - "What happened to the rest?"  He shifted his posture and then looked down at the woman,- "I helped them get something more valuable in exchange, they helped me find who I came for. Now about that reward" - "Oh yes, of course, I'll be right back with it."  As I went into the back where the safe with his reward was, I let out a deep sigh of relief. Goddess, he was terrifying, I'm glad he at least seems to have a soft spot. Who was that woman though?

I entered the combination symbols, turning them into place and just like that, it was open. Just like clockwork. I took out the 6000 Helva for his payment and put it into a lockbox, we always gave these for free to any high-earning bounties. Goddess I wished I made this kind of money, these bounty hunters can make more in a day than I do in 3 months, unfortunately, I'm not so good in a fight. When I got back from the vault I saw him brushing the woman's hair with his hand, maybe one day I would find a mate who would go to such lengths to save me. The thud of the heavy metal box hitting the desk got his attention. "Here you are, spend it wisely,"  I said with a smile. - "Hmm"  He grabbed the box with one sharp-fingered gauntlet and attached it to his thigh, how strong was this Hue-man? After he had taken his payment he was about to leave but then he turned back to face me. "What's your name"  The question surprised me, clients rarely asked for my name unless they wanted to complain or had less than professional intentions with me.- "My name is Ifra'nyah."  He just nodded then turned back and left. I suppose that was his way of saying thank you.

Now that I had my money, I needed to find a place to stay for a few nights. I made my way around the market to avoid the large crowds that would slow me down, I'll have to ask around and find out if there is at least a motel or their closest equivalent. I approached to ask several strangers, but they would walk away when they figured I wanted to talk to them. My legs were getting tired from everything and carrying Alice along with this heavy box attached to my leg. -"I'm back!"  Metis announced cheerfully. "I was doing some scanning of the area and I detected a location that may provide you and Alice a place to rest, you both could certainly use it."  I let Metis lead the way, hoping that was true. After a few minutes, we reached a small wide building, no more than a story, this had to be the right place. I walked up to the entrance and pushed open the heavy metal door. The alien at the front desk was one I don't think I had seen before, its large bulk nearly filled out the small space it inhabited behind the desk, and two large limbs seemed to support it while it had two smaller ones that did all the manual work.

-"Hmm, greetings. Would you two care for a room?"  It hissed in a lizard-like manner. I noticed the four large fangs in its mouth, much like a snake. "Are they alright?"  The alien pointed with one of its small arms at Alice." -"Yes, she's just tired is all. We've had a long day, so how much for a room?"  - "50 Helva for the two of you per night, don't expect luxury service."  It said very matter of factly. I couldn't exactly reach for any of the money in the box so I'll have to give It what I have left in the coin purse, I placed the coin purse right in front of it.- "What room?"  It handed me a key with a number I still didn't recognize.- "Room 34, to your left down the hall."  I took the key and went on my way with Alice to where we could finally get some rest.

I used the strangely shaped key to open the door, the inside of the room was nothing special, with no TV or holo screen in sight. There was a single queen-sized bed against the wall, It wasn't too bad looking. I laid Alice slowly onto the bed, I couldn't feel how soft the sheets were but they looked comfortable enough, hopefully, they are to her. I put her hood down, laying her head against a pillow, her messy blond hair covering my hands. Despite her disheveled appearance, she was still beautiful. I felt my eyes get heavy and my head began to sway. - "Whoa, It would not be a good idea for you to fall asleep on this flimsy bed, remember, you weigh half a metric tonne." Metis warned. She was right, so I guess I'll be sleeping on the floor. I got myself into as comfortable of a position as I could and drifted into a deep sleep. Goodnight Alice.