The Book of Abbadon

The Ring is God

More people begin to emerge from the buildings and you can see others coming to the windows to stare at the three of you as you walk down the crumbling roadside. Tom speaks to you telepathically as you walk beside him.

" Get ready, Donny. Based on what everyone here is thinking, we're probably going to be approached by the gang that owns this territory. If things get ugly, don't make it obvious that we have unnatural abilities. "

As if it's right on cue, a group of seven armed men with matching coats and rifles emerge from the buildings and meet the three of you in the middle of the sidewalk. Four more of them approach from behind to stop you from retreating and a short man with long pink hair who's presumably the leader emerges from the group of seven in front of you. He peers at you with his glowing yellow eyes and his voice sounds sly as he speaks.

" Look what we got here, boys! What are a bunch of Corpos doing on our turf? "

Reylesh expectedly looks around at the group of men with a dirty look in her eyes and Tom responds to the man in a polite demeanor.

" We're not Corpos. We're operatives on our way to speak to a hacker who breached The Monument's security system last night. "

The man laughs in a derisive manner as he responds.

" Ohoho! Operatives from The Monument, huh? Tell me, what kind of operatives dress all fancy and travel with a small girl? "

Tom remains patient with the man as he tries to calm things down.

" We're not here to cause problems with anybody. We just want to pass peacefully and speak to the man who hacked our system. "

" You're on Lynch Mob turf, cron. The only way things are gonna end peacefully is if you pay the toll for stepping here when you're not welcome. "

The men all brandish their rifles as they step closer. Tom, completely unfazed, continues putting up the front and asks the man a question.

" Alright. What would you ask of us to let us cross peacefully? "

" Three million creds. You ain't got that, we're gonna have a problem. "

Tom looks around at the crowd as he calmly sizes them up. Knowing that he can't actually deliver on their request, he looks back at the leader and responds respectfully.

" Three million? I'm afraid we can't make any transactions on that scale while we're out on our mission. "

The men all immediately put the barrels of their rifles in your faces as the leader responds.

" Wrong answer, cron. "

All of the bystanders on the roadside and in the buildings around you begin to stare as the gang members aim their weapons at you, but the leader then looks down and sees the ring that Aatu gave you on your finger. You look down as well and see that it's glowing, presumably tempting him. The man looks hypnotized for a moment as he stares at it, then he speaks up, changing his mind.

" Hold up, boys! "

The men all lower their weapons as the leader steps forward and gets in your face.

" Lemme see that ring. "

" Are you sure? "

You ask the man cautiously.

" Don't make me tell you twice. "

The leader says as he puts his hand out for you to put the ring in. You raise your hand to take the ring off but Tom reaches in front of you, grabbing your arm as he talks to you telepathically.