Hellbenders

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the bikers set off in opposing directions, to continue their sec circuit of the ville.

“Let’s go,” Dean barked, breaking into a jog trot as they began to cover the distance to the outcrop cover that was being used by the recce party. As Ayesha and Danny tried to keep pace, Dean wondered if the others had fared well in their part of the mission—indeed, even if they had made it back alive.

A question that was answered as they reached the seemingly deserted rendezvous. From out of nowhere— at least, nowhere they could see—Doc’s voice sounded low and amused.

“Well, well, my young gentlemen, what do we have here? I had no idea that we had to bring back souvenirs.”

Chapter Eleven

“What the hell have you done now, Danny?” Lonnie growled as he moved from out of cover and into an area where Dean could see him.

“I’ve done nothing,” Danny replied defensively.

“Then what do you call that?” Lonnie countered angrily. He came down from a point of cover, his blaster waving angrily. Behind them, and to one side, Doc, Jak, Mik and Tilly also slipped out of cover until they formed a circle around the returning trio.

Considering the hostility she faced, and the fact that she was now surrounded by the recce party, Ayesha kept herself cool. The Thompson remained on her shoulder, and although she felt anger at the reaction, she didn’t let it show.

“I’ve got a name…and I’ve got a reason for being here,” she replied calmly. Dean noticed that her cool manner made Danny cast further admiring glances at her.

“It’s gonna have to be good,” Mik murmured, making sure that Ayesha was more than aware of the fact that his blaster was leveled at her by gesturing with it as he spoke.

Doc interjected, “I feel sure that Dean would not have allowed a stranger to endanger this mission. If he is assured that she is safe, and that there is a reason strong enough for her to be here, then the very least that we can do is hear her out.”

Lonnie shot Doc a look of venom. If the old man was trying to undermine his authority… Jak caught this, and fixed the patrol leader with his fiery, piercing red eyes.

“Doc right—let’s hear,” he said simply, but in a tone that would brook little argument.

Lonnie looked away, unable to hold the albino hunter’s gaze. He knew that during the preceding few hours, the combined skills of the albino and the old man had been useful, and that he owed them that much. “Well, spill it,” he barked at Ayesha. So the baron’s daughter told them everything that she had already told Dean and Danny. When she explained how she had caught them, Dean saw that Doc was gazing at him speculatively. He knew that the old man would be amused that Dean had allowed himself to get caught in such a manner, but also anxious for the young Cawdor to explain how much of the old tech he had been able to unlock. It had been unspoken among the companions since the start of their mission, but the CD-ROM that the friends possessed was an item that held their curiosity. Could Dean have discovered how to unlock its secrets? Doc would be anxious to question the young Cawdor when they had some privacy, or when they were back at the redoubt with the rest of their party.

Meanwhile, Ayesha had reached the end of her tale, and had told the rest of the recce party about the deal she had struck with Dean and Danny. Instead of it being greeted with the consent she had expected, she was astonished to find Lonnie whirl around to the bespectacled teenager.

“You nuke shit cretin,” Lonnie screamed, white with rage. “What the fuck gives you the right to make deals without telling the rest of us? Who runs this fucking recce party? What, you want to let us do the business while you sneak off and then come back with some kind of stupe scheme that could give everything away?”

“It’s not like that,” Danny began, but was cut short by the enraged man.

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