Unlikely Heros

Reacquainting and New Acquaintances

The Tahlah District was completely different from what he had experienced to this point. Raffi marveled at how one City could have areas that were so completely different from each other.

This district was made up a several reclaimed industrial complexes. Several of these complexes rose over 20 stories in the air and sported numerous docks, walk ways, bridges and causeways connecting them in a spiderweb like maze above them.

Hundreds of Gamers called this home and the commerce in the district was centered to cater to their needs and whims. The entire place glowed with light from thousands upon thousands of individual signs, flags, banners, holovids, holo-advertising, billboards and all manner of advertising mediums in between.

The air throbbed with the sound of music from around the Galaxy blaring from buildings, loudspeakers, personal devices and vehicle sound systems. It was rhythmic, pulsating, electronic and overwhelming.

The air was fragrant with foods, perfumes, smoke, exhaust and sweat swirled in the heat. With every step, a different smell would take the fore, instantly replaced by the muddled mess or a new specific scent in the next one.

The denizens were dressed colorfully, most all of them had glowing jewelry or clothing of some type. Body modifications including tattoos, implants, and piercings abounded. Many of the implants were aesthetic and more than a few were cybernetic as well.

Every square inch of the old complexes had been converted in to use. There was no open wall space up to 20ft. They were covered in shelves, racks, advertising and platforms of every variety. Every nook and cranny were packed. Counters, benches, carts, and tables of every variety and size crowded out into the street creating an obstacle course and making the going slow.

As the three wound their way through the chaotic crowds, Raffi tried to focus and find his center. The surrounding interference made this impossible for him. He was being jostled from every angle, the deafening noise, the smells, the flashing lights!

It was all too much; he couldn't find his inner calm. He tried again and again and felt fear beginning to creep into his mind and his anger flared. His team was counting on him, he was going to let them down. His fear gave fuel to his anger, his anger roiled about in his consciousness, building and growing.

He was jostled hard by another passerby and almost knocked to the ground. Raffi felt his anger threaten to force him to action, he felt the lure of its power. It was his to control!

Chi-Losch caught him and kept him on his feet, smiling at him, "whoa there, Raffi, watch your step!" His smile faded quickly as he saw the look on Raffi's face.

"What's wrong?" Chi-Losch said, looking around quickly. "Did you sense something again?" He glanced under his jacket to ensure that his scrambling program was running.

The darkness of his anger had obliterated his fear and he stood tall, he reached out with his senses and felt the connections with everything instantly. This time however, his connection was that of a puppet master instead of feeling at one with it all. He felt as though he could manipulate these connections. He would make THEM feel fear. They would cower before him; the power of his hatred and anger could spread to all he could touch!

Suddenly, the crowd parted just a bit in front of him and he saw Hurlish, for just a second. He was wearing brown robes with a simple white tunic beneath it. Raffi couldn't tell if it was the ambient lighting but his old friend seemed to have an ethereal glow.

Although he saw him for the briefest moment, the look they shared was profound. He suddenly realized his anger and fear had almost taken him. Hurlish had shown the faintest of smiles on his face and that memory flashed once more. He took several deep breaths and relaxed. The anger and fear flowing from him with each one.