Chapter Nine

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"You're an impressive creature, Zan McCawl," the Mayor said. He had a deep, gravelly voice with a commanding presence that demanded attention.

Zan stood there, fists clenched by his side.

"But I cannot let you continue, I'm afraid." The Mayor began to pace, slow and deliberate, his cloak swishing quietly along the ground. "I know you learned of the failsafe. You won't understand this, but it's for the greater good that everyone remains in the city."

"It should be their choice," Zan said, the fire within him raising his voice. Now faced with the man behind his da's murder, rather than being struck with a crippling fear, he burned with a shivering emotion. "Why can't you see that we owe it to the world to restore the atmosphere? We should be living outside. People shouldn't be kept inside against their will, even if they don't know it's against their will."

"So that we can destroy the world once again?" the Mayor said, frowning. "We are destined to ruin all we create. Sometimes we have to do things we don't like for the greater good."

"Like killing my ma," Zan said, gritting his teeth. "And my da."

"Your mother was a terrible loss, to us all. But she meddled where she shouldn't have. I see you take after her. I did care for her greatly. And your father. It pained me to keep him away from the broken machines. My men are still looking into the problem, though. Maybe I should've kept one good man behind."

"You just kill whoever you like, and say it's for the greater good. There's no good in killing people."

"Some might disagree with that."

A metal door on the side opened with a loud hiss, throwing smoke into the room. A shadow moved through the dissipating smoke, revealing himself to be Ryker.

"Ryker, my boy," the Mayor said casually. "It's good to see you again."

"Alpheus," Ryker said, standing tense with the staff by his side. His hair had come loose and hung wildly over his sweaty, dirty face. "It's over."

Somewhere in the distance, Zan determined a low buzzing sound, like shifting gears.

"I'm afraid I have to disagree with that, old friend." The Mayor unclipped his cloak and it fell away, revealing a black combat suit with augmented metal parts, giving him a powerful, menacing appearance despite his years.

"Nice suit," Ryker said.

"Mostly a bit of fancy," the Mayor said. "I don't expect to best you in combat. I have my personal guards for that. You know my special creatures?"

The buzzing sound increased and behind the Mayor a platform rose into view and came to a stop. Six of the black armoured guards stepped into the arena, all over six foot tall with hulking, powerful frames. The head guard wore studded shoulder pads and a red armband. The one who killed his da. They extended similar staffs to Ryker, and some held out batons.

"Guns would only risk damaging the core," the Mayor went on, "or cause a reaction that'll blow up the entire structure. Either way that would mean the definitive end to everyone here. But, my suit does have a few tricks. Let me show you."

The Mayor raised a hand and two small black objects broke away from his suit, flicking into sharply pointed spikes. They hovered around him for a moment – drones, Zan realised – before shooting towards Ryker. His staff swung out and knocked both drones out of the air.

"You always were a talented one," the Mayor said. His eyes softened as he smiled at Ryker, the way someone recalls fond memories. Then his expression twisted into an angry, hideous scowl. "Kill them both."

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