ELDRITCH NIGHT (Rough Draft)

Chapter Eleven: All Aboard

The survivors had taken over the port. Shipping containers and cars had been stacked to reinforce the existing fence, giving it the feel of a fortress. It was already dark as we arrived, and spotlights quickly fixed on to our position. Seemed we were expected, or perhaps nightly attacks were common.

Mohawk, who had introduced himself as Sam Worthington, had marched between Catayla and I to the outskirts of the makeshift fort. Three of his men marched close behind us, while the rest of the guards had stayed at the bridge.

I noted that the three following us all carried their guns at the ready, barrels down but obviously pointed in Catayla's direction. All three sets of eyes never left her.

Sam was the only one who seemed unfazed by the blue scaled seven-foot alien.

Catayla had been reluctant to give up her rifle but had relented after using her communication disk to contact her superiors.

It seemed a little odd to me. I didn't have any experience with the military, other than my dad's old stories. Still, I knew they never put one of their own at risk, unless it was critical to the mission. The Peacekeepers could have stormed through any barricade the survivors had put up. I would have at least expected them to send an envoy. Trained diplomats, maybe.

Catayla had a different mission beyond just 'making contact with the natives.' I just wasn't sure what it was.

What I did know was that the mission would come first, even if it went against what was good for what remained of Charleston.

Looking over at her I didn't see any obvious signs of tension. Her shoulders were relaxed, and she held her arms loosely down at her side, barely moving them as she walked. She looked straight ahead, I had become so accustomed to her constant scanning that it caught me off guard to see her so relaxed.

I had tried to use analyze on her during our journey, prior to reaching the bridge, but it had failed. I had the same experience with Sam and the rest of his guards. At first, I had thought just Peacekeepers were immune, but it seemed the protection extended to 'citizens,' as well. Or perhaps it only worked on monsters. Same thing in the end.

The rest of downtown had been abandoned. Too many threats, not enough people to hold it, or so I'd been told. Only a few outposts had been established outside the port, they acted as spotters and as a base of operations for scouting parties.

We stood just outside a makeshift gate the survivors had made from an old chain link fence, with car doors added for reinforcement. Car tires had been attached to the bottom, no doubt so it could be rolled open.

"So, Sam," I said.

"Call me Worthy," Sam said. His voice was deep and clear. It projected through the empty space outside the gate, drawing everyone's eyes. A skill maybe? Or perhaps he had spent some time in the theater?

"All right, Worthy. Anything you can tell me about who's in charge?"

"You'll find out soon, Finn," he said. "Boss man's not the type to keep you waiting."

He turned to look at Catayla, "specially not with such an interesting traveling companion."

Catayla turned her head slightly but gave no indication that she was worried. Myself, the grin Sam had as he described Catayla as 'interesting' unnerved me. It was the smile of a predator. Wide and with lots of teeth, without ever touching his eyes.

"All right," I said. "So how about telling me how much longer we have to stand out here."

"Radios don't work," Sam said. "A runner will be down shortly. Just a little patience goes a long way." He rolled the 'l' in 'long' drawing out the word.