Earthblood: Crossroads 26

Voltis' smile is slightly hindered by the bandage on his face, but he is nonetheless beaming at your party as Benjamin and he set the table. His counterpart is less obviously thrilled, but even through his stoic demeanor you can tell Benjamin is excited about something. In moments, a veritable feast of random food and drink from throughout the Den is splayed before you. Kheen is quick to dive in, stuffing his face with the unusual fruit and sugared pastries of this new land.

"Well, I'm glad someone has an appetite." Lady Maybaw's smile is pinched together trying to hold back a laugh as she reaches for a bottle of some alcoholic beverage. Nelo squeezes your hand, clearly happy to have you back safe. You see Lucian shift nervously in his seat beside the Lady. Mikal pushes away the plate of goods set before him.

"What's going on, Lady? Why are we here? That thing just broke in and attacked us, and we're having dinner?" Mikal quiets as the Lady raises a hand. A moment of silence aside from the activity out on the street.

"There is always time to thank my saviors. Had you not thrown yourselves at that thing, I'd surely not be sitting here with you all. So thank you. Kalu. Kheen. Nelo. Mikal. You've only been here a short time, yet I can already see there is so much drive within you. You are fiery and persistent, and we... need more people like that."

"We...?" Nelo looks to Moshet, squirming from the other side of the Lady. 

"Well... Like the Lady said the other night...  we are not the only ones here who have it out for the Patrons, and their guard lackeys." He glances at Maybaw who nods gently. "There is an organization we are a part of, that is working day and night to try and dismantle this system of bastards and oppressors. They're called, the UnderHand. We would like to take you to meet them. Though they are not the quickest to accept new help, we think you would make valuable allies for them, and they in turn, would for you."

"Markus mentioned something about a hidden factory in a place called The Clog? If that place is creating those Drones, it needs to be shut down, right now. You saw how hard it was to kill ONE of those things. We don't have time to be joining a little group and planning parties." Kheen pushes his seat back. "We should get your sailors, sneak into that place, and stop this shit before it can start."

 Moshet and the Lady share another, more nervous glance. 

"The Clog? Are you sure?" Moshet's fingers tapped the table repeatedly.

"Yes. That's what he said. What is it?" Kheen's question hangs in the air a moment, before the Lady speaks up.

"The Clog is an old channel near Henneck Harbor that ships could use to travel further inland and reach the upper city. Years ago, the factories and fisheries in the area dumped so much waste and chemicals into the water, some ships were grounded, and the channel was unable to be cleared for weeks. The chemicals corroded the foundations of some of the buildings along the shore, and several collapsed into the channel. It's been abandoned ever since, left to become a mire of shredded steel, crumbled stone, and chemical smog. It's definitely the last place anyone would go looking. And for good reason."

"So you're saying there would be no one there to stop us..."

"I'm saying it's dangerous, and we wouldn't know what would be waiting for us."

Silence. A distant crackle of fireworks and cheering from a crowd.

"This... UnderHand... could they get us in?" Nelo bites his lip as he thinks.

"They might be able to. If we could convince them that it's worth sending people into that hellhole."

"Show them that thing's body. That ought to be enough, huh?" Kheen scoffs.

"Perhaps..." Moshet looks to you, silently begging you for help.

"Or, Lucian could get us in." Kheen nods towards the hunched figure beside the Lady, clearly unhappy being in so much company. "He showed us-"

"I didn't show you shit."

"Wait, what is it, Lucian? If it's something that could help..." Nelo leans closer, curious for any sort of lead.

"See this is why I don't stick my neck out for you people anymore. It's always one more thing... one more thing, Lucian... just one more. Don't worry, they'll only find another stashhouse and confiscate your stuff. The guards will only give you one more black eye. They'll only break one  more of your fingers..."

Silence. A steam train howls it's arrival at some distant station.

"I want one. I want a Reaper."

Lady Maybaw stands and walks to the window, looking out over the city.

"You know there's only one place we can get one."

"That's my price."

You hear another cheer vibrate the room, and fireworks explode above the distant arena.