Orion and the Clockwork (The Carmsborough Vigilantes #2)

Chapter 26

   After a Rami-mandated breakfast, Orion went out with the Clockwork to the Gearmaster's shop. As he entered, the Gearmaster met him there with some inkling of urgency.

"Glad to see you're doing alright. How many ships was it in total?"

"Four that I took care of. When I got down to Blood Moon Island, they were already dealt with. A strange scenario."

"How so?"

"There were Syndra men lined up among the dead."

The Gearmaster looked at him with more worry than before. "Well then, it's a good thing you've tested out your new tools already."

"I'm not totally sure I'm ready for those."

"What better way to find out?"

"I suppose."

They walked into the basement of the shop, where a good most of the tinkering happened, and entered the area that had now been claimed by Orion. The Gearmaster's previous apprentice, a man by the name of Mr. Lowe, had been there before, but after some bad blood between the two that Orion hadn't asked about, it was his turn to one day continue the legacy of the Gearmaster.

In this case, it was two new equipment items he'd been working on: rocket boots and a heavy shield made of the same material as the Clockwork.

One thing that Orion had asked repeatedly is exactly what metal it was, but the Gearmaster was unwilling to share that at this point. Maybe it had something to do with Mr. Lowe. He may never find out.

He threw the rocket boots on, which went over his normal boots, and picked up the heavy shield. It was still a little rough around the edges, but it was his first project as understudy to the Gearmaster, and he was more than happy with how it had turned out. Besides, it didn't have to be beautiful, it had to be functional.

"I adjusted the thrust on these a little so you don't risk breaking your hips on launch anymore," the Gearmaster said, pointing to the boots.

"Yeah, that's a good idea. Appreciate it."

His watch buzzed, and the setup in his room started flashing lights again. This time, there was activity somewhere in the Biomed and Engineering Districts. Two places at once.

"Do we have camera access?" Orion asked, approaching the terminal.

"No, but judging by how slow they're moving and how spread out it is, I'm guessing it's a ground army. Likely came by boat."

"Okay. I'll get word out to the army, and the two of us will head out."

"Good luck out there. And let me know if you find out anything more about Syndra."

"Of course. Do you have the protection system on?"

"Nobody's getting past the twins, Orion. I think we've had our fair share of demonstration on that."

Orion and the Clockwork lifted off towards the Biomed and Engineering Districts, which wasn't too long of a flight from their shop. In the meantime, Orion did what he could to look around the area, making sure there weren't any stray or advancing enemies in the rest of the city. For the most part, it seemed they were all concentrated on those two spots.

Which to go for first? Either way, the one they didn't go for was going to advance and try to take their respective district, doing who-knows-what to the people in it.

Maybe it was time they split up for once.

The Clockwork turned his head completely around and looked at Orion, almost as if to ask if he was sure. But it was decided. He would take the smaller group at the Engineering District, and the Clockwork would take the Biomed District.