I AM THE RAGING ROAD

Chp 23

Nothing.

"... Damn. I've got nothin. That's the most pumped I can get before hulkin out, yknow?"

"So I was right... Well, this can only mean one thing: These pills are giving you all some strain of Den Rot disease that's been cured and treated by... Wang Co, in China. And that's why we've gotta eat more healthy crap... I'll tell ya what, I really should have connected those dots years ago."

"Well, to be fair, we should eat healthy regardless of whatever Martian radiation is affecting our body," Ricky said.

Holly interjected.

"... Pardon my questioning, but... what the hell just happened? Is Red okay... what were all of those noises? Wait... Buddy wants to come onto the call. Explain to her.

I need to take a nap."

Holly left the call, and Buddy walked to the camera. She looked like she just woke up, cause her hair was tied up to keep away from her mid morning mask. A muddy grey slime over a young, freckled face, with dyed blonde hair pinned up behind the face. From the look of her roots, she was born with red hair. She looked like a gremlin.

"What's up? He tell you about the pill thing?"

"Yeah."

"Alright. So I guess he wants to restrict earth immigration because we're overpopulating their planet and bringing in business for those pill companies. Here's some pictures of the Redwood epidemic off-world. Got them off a proxy server. Real risky."

The gang peered upon the photos.

The users developed a red, rash-like growth on their neck when on a high, and experienced an increase in physical capabilities. They all looked jacked, but almost immediately after the high was over, they returned to their normal, albeit slightly more gross looking, selves.

"Angie... did you know about this?"

"No. I swear that, on my grave. They must have been giving us the Queen pills as Guinea Pigs for their weakened mass production versions, way back when. This means, though, that the stronger version we took are probably better overall, as the amount of enzymes produced by it kill off the virus that spreads and damages the body, like with those rashes their on their necks, and with the Den Rot kids down here, though obviously these 'better' pills still have their drawbacks. From what we've seen, officers are still knowingly given these Military grade pills made by the same brand, and that could only mean..."

"...That Minister Louis is acting outside of the interest of the defense department and military by attempting to stop the production of these pills." Buddy replied.

Everybody was quite confused at this revelation.

"So what you're saying is... Louis is the good guy?" Red asked.

"NO, because he kills people and takes away their right to immigrate in order to do the 'Right Thing'. The ends don't justify the means here. Also, he's essentially playing both sides by using the officers that get pills and are probably being bankrolled by Wang, to then also try to cut off their enterprise. " Ricky replied.

Aaron pitched in, to mediate a resolution.

"We have to talk to him so we can see if he can agree with us to not hurt Earth people to stop the bad people making the drugs."

"But in order for it to be effective, he'll need to get his constituents on our side... somehow. This is a bit of a stretch, huh?" Red said.

"...Right." Angie said.

"What? You guys are talking in circles. I have no idea what the hell is going on. I don't know how to help you guys, so I'll try to keep quiet for now. If you can just give me an idea of what you're trying to say, I might be able to figure something out... maybe."