Chase Hatter's Origin of Pangaea

Chapter Fifteen

"Do I even have to say it at this point?" Waylon Brose asked over the radio.

"Nearing Las Vegas, Nevada." Axel informed him. "We're almost there, my friend."

"Good to know." The radio went silent again.

"We're almost to California." Carl told Cole. "Mr. Richards?" Carl called out to the front of the Jeep. Cole thought it was cute how Carl got to talk to Jack.

"Yes, Carl?"

"When we get to California, may we stop at the Berkeley campus? I'd like to show Cole the view of the bridge from there. I promise to keep it brief." Jack seemed hesitant.

"I shall like to stop there as well." Axel told Jack. "Berkeley is this lifetime's alma mater. I should like to visit." Cole could hear Jack growl.

"Fine." Jack said. "We'll make a stop, but you get one hour."

"Ample time." Axel said. Jack continued to drive and as he did Axel spotted the tilted 'Welcome to Las Vegas' sign. He whistled out of the window and smiled. "You boys did a number." Axel said. "By the way, Jack, is Charlie still in Las Vegas? If so, we should visit."

"Who's Charlie?" Cole asked.

"Five years," Axel began, "and you haven't shared any war stories with your best friend? Jack, you're terrible."

"Cole isn't my best friend." Jack told Axel. "I don't have a best friend. I don't need a best friend. And we're not stopping. This isn't a road trip. We stop when we have to, not when we want to."

"You're very fair." Axel said. "A very reasonable man. And given that fact, I'd like to point something out to you." Axel reached over the wheel and tapped on the glass, right above the fuel gauge. They were almost out. "And I'd also like to make a guess. Maybe Charlie has some gas?"

Jack growled.

"And Charlie is?" Cole asked again.

"Charlie Chance is Jack's old war buddy." Axel explained. "Jack, tell him about your friend."

"Cole." Jack called out in a low growl.

"Yes, Jack."

"I might need you to kill someone for me."

Pleasant.

A little while after, Jack stopped the Jeep in the empty parking lot of a fully operational casino in the middle of a completely demolished tourist attraction. They all hopped out. Cole looked up at the casino's bright, neon sign as the sun disappeared behind the building.

(Casino Name) : Take Your Chances

How creative. Cole's attention was snatched back when he heard Axel knocking on the casino doors.

"Charlie!" He called out. "Long time, no see!"

For a long time, Cole thought that Axel was the craziest man he had ever met, but then came Charlie Chance.

The doors of the casino slowly creaked open and Cole hovered his hand over his pistol. In the door, Cole made out a man. This man saw Axel and smiled mischievously. He was clearly out of his mind.

"Oh my." Charlie said. "God seems to have sent you to me, wrapped in a bow."

"Charlie." Jack called out. "We're looking for gas. Can you help us?" Charlie's smile got wider.

"Jack Richards, is that you?" He stepped out of the casino and made his way towards Jack. Cole's superior tensed up, but was only met with a hug from the casino owner. "How long has it been?"