ELDRITCH NIGHT (Rough Draft)

Chapter Twelve: Shore Leave

"Before we start," I said. "I'm hoping you can help me find some people."

"Of course," Captain Smith said. "Give their names to Pat here once we're done, she'll be happy to check them against our records and put out the word. See if anyone has heard anything. Won't you Pat?"

"Of course, Sir," She said. "Not an issue."

"First thing most folks want to know," the captain continued. "We even started up a bit of a census, tried to get a count and the names of everyone in the camp. Tiller here is working on a program, trying to catalogue skill and feats. It's very promising."

Sergeant Tiller nodded his head but didn't say anymore.

"Now, back to why you're here," the captain said.

The captain's chair groaned as he sat back. He looked over at Catayla and steepled his fingers in front of his mouth. "You were sent here, yes?"

Catayla stepped forward, clasping her hands in front of her before giving a small bow.

"My mission was to escort Finn as far the bridge. Enroute I was given additional orders to contact the residents of Charleston, and to assess the situation here."

"Assess?" Pat raised an eyebrow. Sher raised her shoulders and placed a hand on one of her knives.

"Let's not jump to conclusions, now Pat," said Captain Smith. "To what end were you tasked with making contact?"

"I am part of a force of Peacekeepers assigned the duty of containing and destroying eldritch lifeforms, and to enforce the quarantine zone. The Peacekeepers wish to discuss the requirements of that quarantine, and to offer some assistance in return."

"Eldritch Lifeforms?" The captain asked. "You mean all these monsters running around?"

Catayla nodded. "Yes, we can provide some assistance against them."

"That's it?" Said the captain. "What kind of assistance are we talking about?"

"I'm not qualified to negotiate or to make any promises. Material aid, mostly. Equipment, maybe even some training. My only role, however, is only to make initial contact, and to facilitate the invitation of a representative."

"All right," the captain said. "We'll discuss the timing and size of such an envoy. Not right now though. I need to discuss this with my advisors. Pat?"

"If you'll come with me," Pat said. "Rooms have already been prepared for you."

After we left the dining room Pat gave me a pen and a sheet of paper and asked me to write down the names of the people I was looking for. I quickly jotted down a note and passed it back. She took the paper and glanced at it before handing it off to one of her men.

Without another word to me the blonde woman looked over at Catayla and extended her arm, pointing forward.

"If you'll come with me," she said.

Catayla and I followed, but we were split up at the stairs. I considered insisting I stay with Catayla, but after hesitating for a moment I realized that I didn't have a good reason to object. Did I expect we would share a room? Since the scout went along with it I decided not to protest.

Pat escorted Catayla to a room on a higher floor, while a guard led me down an access hatch and through a dark narrow hallway. After less than a minute of walking we reached a door and the guard grunted as he pushed it open. I walked in, closing the door behind me, and taking note of the fact that the guard was still outside.

The room was small, no more than two meters wide and three long. It had low slanted ceilings that tilted downward toward the back of the room. The walls were smoke gray, and a small cot was unfolded against the far wall taking up half the space of the room. With the cot unfolded the door to the small cabin couldn't open all the way.