Project - Prometheus Ch. 42

"Oh? You think it's ridiculous? You think that fighting with those who want to see those Confederate scum suckers dead is a bad idea? Do you honestly think we can hold back the Confederacy on our own?" Jenque questioned the man, her anger with him apparent.

"We beat them back before, so we can do it again," the man scoffed. Before anyone could say anything, one of the Children caught the man with a roundhouse kick to his face. The tribal who had done so was a strong and rawboned woman by the name of Zandra. She stood over the man as he shook himself back to his senses with a smirk on her face as she giggled at him.

"Think you got the balls to put me down, boy?" she challenged.

Enraged, the man hopped to his feet and charged, thinking to tackle the woman to the ground. Zandra just stood there, taking the hit, but she was not affected by it. She scoffed at the man's effort, then slapped his head, causing him to yelp in pain as he broke away, standing as he did so.

Zandra then grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and flung him into a nearby wall, face first. Blood splattered the wall, as his nose broke from the impact of him being thrown. He groaned in pain as he stumbled back from the wall, clutching his ruined nose with blood soaking his hands. Zandra just laughed as she walked up to the man, taking his head in her hands.

"What are you..." he started to demand, flinging his hands out to ward her off.

"Fixing what I broke. Now hold still!" Zandra snapped, as she took his head in her hands. Gripping his face with her fingers and palms, Zandra used her thumbs to brace his crooked nose as she snapped it back into place. The man yelled in pain, but the bleeding had stopped and he felt better already.

"Still think you don't need our help?" the woman asked him while giving him a look.

"I'd say the lady has made her point. Back with your team, Barnes," Jenque giggled, thinking the whole ordeal funny.

"Now that all of this is settled, I must head back to oversee my men and storehouses," Dagan stated, as everyone received their assignments.

"Captain Min, your help will be needed before this day is over," Jenque pressed, needing him to get on board with helping out in town.

"And you, dear lady, will have it! But I must see to my men I and ensure that none of the storehouses where I have supplies were hit. These supplies can do much in helping repair the damage and alleviate the suffering of the townsfolk," the man told her.

"Very well. When you are done with this, then call in to Sheriff Daved for where you can be of the most use," she told him, seeing the man's reasoning.

"Very good, Madam! Now, if you will excuse me," he stated as he and his men got back into the rover and headed off in the direction of the rover depot.

"All right then, everyone. You all know what's expected of you while in town?" Jenque asked, having finished negotiating and informing their new guests. They all nodded, happy to at least be in a place of safety, even if it was in town.

"OK. Stay with your groups, and you'll all see yourselves looked after while you're here," Jenque told them all.

Everyone then got a move on, eager to be out of the exposed area outside of town. Those who couldn't fight or help were being directed to a few of the near empty shelters and soup kitchens. Those who could do these things were grouped up with several members of the militia and at least one deputy. While the makeup of these groups was ragtag, they were accorded the same level of respect that the deputies were.

It was far from ideal for many of them there, especially those who lived in Tanith's Gully. Though, for the moment, a common enemy united them and, for the sake of survival, put aside their differences. They all knew that no matter what, they had to fight together, if they were going to throw back the Confederacy and kick them off their world. If they didn't, then everything they had fought and bled for would be lost.

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The crew of the Darkstrider had their hands full in treating the wounded they had brought with them. They had been at death's door not too long ago, but many of them were now in better shape and better spirits. Some people had been lost, as their wounds were too great, but they had been blessedly few.

Korsa, Natalya, Jaesa and Delilah were handling those who had been seriously wounded. People who were dealing with non-life-threatening injuries were relegated to the skills of Alex, Kasumi, and Shazza. They knew the basics of treating wounds and could help keep people stable. Taal'ani was still working on cracking the various ciphers she'd intercepted. But she did help in bringing blankets, food and other amenities for the wounded along with Tahral.

"That should hold for a few days. But make sure you check it to be sure that it has gotten better and not worse," he told the Shadow Dancer as Alex bandaged up a nasty gash on his arm.

"Thanks! Never thought an offworlder would care about people who weren't his," the man smiled, grateful for Alex's assistance.

"As you can see, I'm not like most offworlders. Now, head over to your friends there and get some rest. I'll be back with some tea that will help with the pain and help you sleep," he told the man as he helped him up.

The man walked over to the group of his friends who were waiting for him and had been kind enough to save him a spot to rest. At the moment, most of the people were resting in the cargo bay of the Darkstrider, as they couldn't leave just yet. There was room for them in town at the shelters, but many of them could barely move as it was. For now, they hunkered down in the ship until they were well enough to leave on their own.

With all the less than serious wounded dealt with, Alex went and washed his hands before taking a break. He sighed, thinking about how things had gone from bad to worse on this planet. While he was tempted to leave and order the crew to do so, as they had already located Gloria and Matthias, he couldn't.

These people who lived on this world needed their help. With the Confederacy doing everything possible to take this place from them, denying it to them was wrong. Without the help they were giving, it would only be a matter of time until the Confeds had their way with this world. Given their history in the sector, it wasn't just the right thing to do to stop them; it was the only thing to do.

Sighing, he stood up and went to make some of that tea for the recovering Shadow Dancers. As he arrived and puttered about the galley, he thought about what was going on in town. With all that had happened and was happening, it boggled the mind with how much effort the Confederacy had put into taking the Abandoned Frontier.

He wondered if Inari had any insight from the prisoners they were holding. Alex then activated his comms, calling the woman up for both any knowledge she would have, as well as a check in. The woman picked up on the fourth ring, answering the brawny man.

"Hey, Alex. Just checking in?" Inari asked.

"Yeah, but I'm also curious if you've made any progress on those Confed prisoners," he replied.

"Slow, if there's any real progress to be had," the woman answered.

"Well, what have you learned so far?" he wondered.

"At the moment, we know that the damage to the town was made by bombs that were planted in the sewers. They were all strategically placed for maximum levels of carnage, which thankfully wasn't a big thing today," Inari replied.

"Explain."

"The bombs were placed in major arteries of the town, along with the major services the people need in town. Power, food sources, medicine, and so on. We've managed to wrangle the timing of the bombs to coincide with a day that Tanith's Gully celebrates. The day Prodosia became independent of the Federation and stayed free of the Confederacy. People would have been in the streets in droves, celebrating," Inari informed him.

"Not only devastating the people but also showing them that celebrating such things is an exercise in futility," Alex rumbled in anger.

"Exactly! Outside of that, we don't know anything else. If anything else, we at least forced their hand so maximum casualties were avoided. Sargol is being a snide little shit, taunting us whenever we ask him questions, while the other two just stay quiet," she stated.

"Well, that's something, at least! Any idea why they're not talking?" he queried.

"Maybe they're afraid of their boss," Inari supplied.

"Isn't Sargol their boss?" Alex asked, confused.

"From what we've put together, he is not. He sure acts like he is, but the way the councilors act around him, it's almost like he's a clown to them," the Iranian woman answered.

"Do you have any idea who is the big cheese of their little operation is?" Alex questioned, wanting answers.

"Nope. I get the sense that the councilors know, but as I said, they seem too terrified to say," Inari reiterated.

"Hmm. It sounds to me they need a damned good scare. Something that truly terrifies them," Alex chuckled evilly.

"You sending Shazza then?" Inari asked, hoping that was the case.

"Better. I'm sending Shazza, Kasumi, Gloria and Matthias. Sargol might well just shit himself if he sees Matthias alive and well in front of him," Alex smirked.

"Ooooooo! Kiss me and call me a torturer. I love it!!" Inari giggled over the line.

"I'm sure a few... displays of what these folk can potentially do will be more than enough to put the fear of God into them!" Alex laughed.

"Oh, I'm sure it will! You sending them now?"

"They'll be there in about twenty minutes or so. Just need to finish prepping some tea for our guests before I do that," he told the woman.

"All right! I'll be sure to let Daved and the others know that we have guests coming to help," Inari said as she went and killed the line.

Alex chuckled to himself as the kettle whistled and he set up a pot of tea. Once it was done, he grabbed a small sugar bowl, some milk and cups, and left the galley. He made his way to where those who were resting from his patch job were, bringing them what he promised.

"Damn! I don't get service this good when I'm at home!" one man said, with a meaningful look at his husband. The man looked sheepish at this, but the first man smiled, as he was just teasing him.

"Well, you lot are recovering from a pretty bad ordeal, so a little service goes a long way. Help yourselves to the milk and sugar, but don't go nuts. The supply is limited to what's on board," Alex told the group, and they nodded in understanding.

As the group of people helped themselves to the tea Alex had brought, he went over to where the rest of the crew were sitting. Most of them were taking a much needed break, having patched up dozens of people over the last bit. He noticed the Korsa, Natalya, Jaesa and Delilah still had their hands full with the more seriously injured in the medbay.

"I assume those four will be a while?" Alex asked as he ambled up to the group.

"Yup! Had a few that were more seriously hurt than we thought! Some of them are going to make it, while others... we'll have to wait and see how their bodies respond to treatment. They're in God's hands now," Kasumi replied as she stretched her arms and cricked her neck.

"I know we've all been busy, but do you ladies fancy a field trip?" he asked.

"What's involved?" Shazza questioned.

"Interrogating some Confed scum who are being tight-lipped about why they're here and what their big plan is. I'd go myself, but I need to help with minding the ship and keeping an eye on our guests to be sure they'll be OK," Alex told them.

"Please tell me they have that scumbag, Sargol!" Shazza begged.

"Oh, he's there. Mocking and taunting the deputies and anyone who tried to question him. I think that bastard needs to understand the meaning of fear," Alex smirked.

"Oh, he'll be well acquainted with fear once we're done with him," Kasumi giggled evilly.

"Who will know fear again?" Matthias asked as he walked over to the group, catching the last snippet of their conversation. Not even a second later, he received a cuff upside his head from Gloria, who was right beside him as they approached.

"Didn't I teach you that eavesdropping is rude?" she admonished her son.

"Mom! Could you please not do that?!?" Matthias griped, rubbing the back of his head.

"I'm your mother, so no matter how old you get, you can be damned sure that I'm going to correct your manners when they get out of line!" she fired back with a smirk on her face.

"Never argue with your mother. It will never end well for you," Alex chuckled.

"Smart man! Maybe you should take a few lessons from this man. No doubt he could straighten out those heathen ways of yours," Gloria said to him with an eyebrow cocked at her son.

"To be fair, I was going to let you two in on what's going anyway," Alex chuckled. Matthias then glared at his mom, who just shrugged and smirked, knowing she could get away with it because she was his mother.

"So, what is it you were going to tell us?" Gloria questioned.

"I was going to ask you two if you wouldn't mind going with Shazza and Kasumi. They're headed to where the local law enforcement are keeping the Confed prisoners they've taken. They're being cocky asshats who need a few lessons in manners and a proper reeducation in the meaning of fear," Alex told them.

"I don't know. I'm not sure that interrogating such people is a proper use of our time," Matthias told the man.

"They have a man that many people want to see beaten or dead," Alex told the pair.

"Oh? Who?" Gloria queried.

"Sargol."

"Wait, wait, wait. You're telling me that the sheriff and his deputies have Sargol in custody right now? And you want us to interrogate him and teach him the true meaning of fear?" Matthias asked.

"Basically, yeah," Alex replied.

"Well, why didn't you say so in the first place?!?" Matthias replied with a jovial smile. "I've been itching to wipe that smug grin from that slimy bastard's face for a while now!"

"Get in line, kid! That asshole has more than a few licks coming to bruise that ugly mug of his. By the time I'm done, not even cosmetic surgery or a vat job will make him pretty again," Shazza stated, flexing her hands so that her knuckles cracked.

"Oh, you're not the only one who has beef with that man, trust me!" Gloria stated as she drew upon her Aetheric power to lift a nearby apple into the air. Once it was aloft, she used her power to crush it until it was nothing but sweet, pasty sludge. Everyone there nodded at the gesture of power, impressed that Gloria could and would do such things.

"What did you imagine the apple was? His head?" Kasumi wondered, almost afraid to ask.

"His balls. No more happy times for that man when this is over," Gloria stated matter-of-factly. Alex and Matthias winced at the involuntary imagery that jumped into their heads. They knew that whatever sort of torture Gloria had planned for the Confederate spy, it would be the furthest thing from pleasant.

"This is why you never piss off a mother. You do that and she will guarantee that your life is a living hell," Kasumi said with an evil smirk.

"Noted."

"Shazza?" Alex called, catching his lady's attention.

"Yes?" she asked. Alex then pulled her in for a hug, embracing the woman, which she found a nice gesture of affection. She sighed into the man, enjoying the feel of his embrace, when she heard him whisper something into her ear.

'Only if all options are exhausted.'

Shazza smiled and nodded at the man, understanding the need for secrecy in front of their audience. She hugged him a bit more before pulling away, looking at the man that was her boyfriend. The woman saw concern in his eyes, as he wanted to be sure that she was safe. The tall tales of the Xuul'khan were well known across the galaxy, and he didn't want her to become the target of some witch hunt.

"If you're all for it, then maybe you all should get a move on. The sooner we learn about what the big plan is, the sooner we'll be able to stop it," Alex stated. He smiled at Shazza and Kasumi, entrusting the redhead to keep them both safe.

Not needing to be told twice, his two ladies and his descendants left the Darkstrider. They were sure to grab some weapons from the armory before they left, not wanting to chance being caught without a weapon out there. Alex smiled as they headed off to the town gates, eager to crack some Confed heads! Natalya walked out of the medbay a few minutes later, inquiring where those four had gotten off to.

"That is so not fair!! I wanted to bust some Confed balls! Especially that asshole, Sargol!" Natalya whined as she was filled in on what was going on.

"I made the decision to send them there, because you're needed here. None of them have the level of medical training that you do, courtesy of your mother," Alex reminded her.

"This sucks!" Natalya huffed, as she felt cheated on the fun to be had.

"I might have an idea or two that might perk you up," Alex chuckled as he leaned down and whispered in his love's ear. Natalya's frown changed gradually, going from confused to a megawatt grin that brightened the whole room.

"You... really want to... do that??" Natalya breathed as she fanned herself.

"Once you are done with the people who need helping. The moment you are no longer needed by your mother in the medbay, come find me. You won't be disappointed, I promise," Alex told her. Natalya then squeed in anticipation at the pillaging to come, then rushed back into the medbay, eager to finish as quickly as she could.

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At the Sheriff's Station, some semblance of order had been restored to the area. Once the smoke had cleared, getting things back to the way they were took some doing, but it got done. The prisoners were secured once again, and a new perimeter had been established, ensuring the security of the area.

Daved and his most trusted deputies were now headquartered in one of the nearby houses that had been empty at the time. No one had lived in it in a while, which made it ideal to set up shop and hold the most valuable prisoners. Some prisoners tried running during the chaos, but they were now rotting corpses. With Martial Law enacted across town, those who pushed the boundaries were quickly put back in their place.

"Patrol eleven, report in," Daved demanded over the intercom.

"Yes, sir! So far, things are tilting in our favor, sir! Martial Law has got a lot of these gangers and looters thinking twice about doing their usual behavior! They seem to have gotten the message that we're done playing!" the sergeant reported.

"This is good news! Has your area been fully pacified yet?" Daved questioned.

"Not quite, but we've made considerable progress to that end! Still have the odd looter or opportunist trying to grab something, but we take them down quick. In our zone, the situation is at least contained," the man finished.

"Very good! Keep up the good work and keep me posted!" Daved told the man.

"Yes, sir!" the deputy told him before the line went dead.

"Good news, hon?" Jenque asked as she watched and tended to Jack as he lay there on a hover stretcher, sleeping.

"So far, yeah. Consensus is that the town is drifting back in our direction. Reports from the deputy patrols is the situation is overall contained," Daved told his wife as he took a deep breath, feeling better already.

"Well, that's good news! Better than dealing with those three idiots!" Jenque huffed.

Sargol, Lohrek and Cahlayn were under heavy guard, as they had tried to get away, but were quickly caught and subdued. It was only because of what they knew is why they weren't corpses like the other prisoners who tried to escape custody. They all knew it, but Lohrek and Cahlayn did what they could to stay quiet. Sargol was the only one who decided to push the boundaries.