Tribe Fiction: THE MESSENGER

Author's Note: A little one-shot I did a few years ago, but better edited. Takes place in a later AU S5.

THE MESSENGER

This isn’t right.

We’ve been through this…

Waves lapped against the trolley as the fresh scent of sea salt blew gently in the cool autumn wind. The skies were perfectly clear, no sign of any storm. Just like the sun, Lady Luck had shined her light on the Fish Tailer (not the best of names) and its two passengers. One being the captain, the sole owner of the trolley. The other a guest, making his way across the ocean, his business his own.

You sure you won’t go?

I can’t. Not while there’s still much to do here. She’ll understand. They all will.

And you are sure they are still in the city?

According to Ved. He may have been a Techno, but he has earned my trust.

You dot on him too much. You’re acting like some big brother…

Are you done?

“There she is,” the captain said, pointing out into the distance. He nodded silently, having noticed the image of the city from moments ago growing bigger with every minute.

The captain continued. “Doesn’t look like any border patrols about. Maybe the intel was right about.”

“Maybe,” he said quietly.

Sometime later, they pulled up to the docks. When he tried to compensate the captain for his troubles, the man his own age brushed it aside.

“After everything you’ve done, this one’s on the house,” he said. “I’ll be staying at least three days to load up on supplies, in case you need a ride back.”

He frowned. “I might be staying longer.”

If he did, the captain gave him a few recommendations from his own network of sailors and fishermen. With one exception.

“Whatever you do, keep away from the one called Zak. He may have a boat, but he’s no sailor. Just…trust me on this.”

He nodded and, throwing over the weather-beaten backpack over his shoulder, departed for the city. Having been on a boat for two-and-a-half days, the solid ground made his legs feel funny at first, taking seconds to getting used to it again. It was nice not to be wobbling for a change.

You have the message?

Safe and sound.

If we’re leaving, now’s the time!

Well…this is it.

Be safe. Hopefully, we will all see each other again soon.

Soon. Until then…good journey.

Good journey.

No sooner after leaving the docks, he found himself surrounded in a concrete jungle, with tall buildings and outlet stores in the place of tall pine trees and green hills. Outdoor markets were all over the place, selling everything from food to electronics, and by judging the large crowds, business was good.

It had been years since he’d been in a city, and honestly, they pretty much looked alike. Kind of like a low-budget movie, where the filmmakers used the same scenery over and over again, just using a different name for the setting.

Lucky for him, the map Ved made was spot-on. Going by sectors was a little easier than having to remember a street’s name, even if a little bland. That was the least of his problems, though, when he noted the pairs of eyes following him around, some with curiosity, others with ideas. Luckily, no one put those ideas into fruition.

Still, he touched his left wrist, making sure it was still there.

Finally, after recovering from the maze of the tribe markets, it was not long before he found his destination:

CENTRAL CITY PLAZA, as it said on the building’s front entrance. Plain as day.

This is it then, the Phoenix Mall, he thought with relief. He started for the door…

…and instinctively backed away when someone approached from inside. Hidden behind the wall, he glanced around the corner, checking for both a Techno uniform and symbol. He found neither.

The person in question was female.

No signs of weaponry visible.

She turned her head in his direction, looking like she was checking if the path…was…

Whoa.

His head tilted a bit more, almost forgetting he was hiding. Forgetting he had a mission. Even forgetting where he was.

She filled his vision. A heart-shaped face, pale as the moonlight and framed perfectly in dark and purple hair, with hazel eyes and purple lipstick. She reminded him of the sunset, just as captivating. But there was a sadness in her eyes...

Before he could act, the purple angel turned away from him and started walking. He slowly peeled himself away from the wall, still watching her from afar.

Who is that girl, he wondered. Maybe the universe would side with him and give him an answer, though most unlikely.

Or so he thought, until the girl in question lifted her hands, adjusting the collar of her coat. His eyes lit up when he noticed the pentagram on her left hand. The exact symbol like the others.

Mall Rat.

He contemplated catching up with her, only second-guessing when in doubt of her reaction. Just his luck, she would suddenly spin around and whack him good. On the other hand, maybe she was sweet and kind and happy to assist him. Maybe even give her name as well.

He pushed such thoughts aside when he noticed two dark figures emerge behind her. Their movements alone gave their intentions away, like shadows ready to engulf her.

His legs moved on their own, slowly at first, keeping his eyes on them as they inched closer. They were just in the second alleyway from the mall, when the largest of them grabbed the girl from behind and pulled her between the buildings.

He bolted, slamming his hands against the nearest building to stop.

In the alleyway, the large figure held a hand over the girl’s mouth, a massive arm around her shoulders, while his smaller partner-in-crime checked the other side of the alley, all while the girl struggled against her captor. It was at that moment he noticed their suits and the matching symbols on their foreheads

Technos.

His blood boiled.

“Hey!”

All eyes snapped to him.

"You a Mall Rat?" the smaller Techno asked.

"No..."

“Then get lost!” the bigger one snapped.

“Sure. Right after you let her go.”

"Get rid of him," the big guy ordered to his companion.

“On it.” The smaller guy stepped towards him, raising his arm where a small device was strapped to his wrist. But last Ved told him about the old weapons...

“Back away, now! This is official Techno business.”

He scoffed.

“Yeah, I guess it is. Kidnapping is what you Technos do, after all” He nodded to the zapper. “Does that thing even work anymore?”

“You’re about to find out, virt.” The Techno stretched his arm out further. Still, no sound came from his weapon.

“Of course, I assume if it did, I’d probably be out cold or dead by now. No witnesses, right?”

Neither Techno replied.

“But assuming your zapper does work, then how about we play a little wager?”

Mirroring the Techno, he raised his arm, pulling back the sleeve of his jacket. Around his wrist, a zapper hummed to life, though its design was smoother and less complex compared to his adversary’s.

The armed Techno’s face turned pale when he noticed the weapon, his partner mirroring his expression.

“That’s…”

“Can’t be…”

“But it is, so what do you say? Winner take all.”

Neither Techno said a word. Even the girl looked in shock of his weapon. He caught her eye and winked. Hopefully that would reassure her.

“I’ll take your silence as a victory. Now then, if you’ll kindly let the lady go, then you both get to walk away from this, together.”

Fear vanished from the bigger Techno's face, contorting in anger.

“You think you can scare us with that toy? A virt like you wouldn’t know how to use it.”

He sighed, re-directed his arm, and fired. A blue pulse slammed into a nearby garbage can, knocking it back loudly as its contents spilled onto the ground. The Technos and their hostage all jumped in surprise.

The side of the can wasn’t just crushed in–it was burned away, leaving a black ring.

He aimed at the smaller Techno again.

“Well?”

Releasing the girl, the big Techno raised both his hands up over his head, stepping away. His partner did the same. The girl looked ready to run to him but spun around instead. Whatever she did, it made the big Techno groan and drop to his knees, his hands grabbing at—oh. Well, that would be painful.

“You owed her that. Now,” his zapper hummed again, “get lost.”

The Technos didn’t hesitate, even as the big one struggled, both disappearing around the corner.

He sighed again, this time from relief. Thank you, Ved. He switched off the zapper as the girl slowly approached him.

“You’re...not a Techno?”

His ears perked up when he noticed the girl closer to him. She was even prettier up-close, and her voice angelic. But then he saw the worry in her eyes, and his brain started working again. Now was not the time to get all lovestruck.

“No, I’m not.”

She spoke again. “Then, the weapon…?”

“A gift, from a friend.” Cryptic, but not a lie.

The girl relaxed and nodded to him.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. I don’t mean to pry or anything, but… you’re a Mall Rat, aren’t you.”

Her relief shifted to suspicion as she eyed him carefully.

“That mark there,” he pointed to her left hand, “That's your tribe's symbol, right? The mark of the Mall Rats.”

“…Who…are you?”

“Oh, right. Where are my manners. I’m...oh.” He accidently raised the same arm with the weapon, causing Trudy to edge back. Quickly, he covered it back up with his jacket sleeve. "Sorry."

"It's fine... I'm Trudy."

“Trudy…” He started to say it was a cute name, until it rang a bell in the back of his head. Seriously, it was on the tip of his tongue.../

“Trudy… You mean, the Trudy?”

She blinked in surprise. "I-I guess."

He broke out into big grin. “Then it looks like this was fate, after all.”

“What?” she demanded as he swung his backpack in front of him and unzipped it. He pulled out a blank blue DVD in a protective plastic case, holding it out to her.

“You and your friends are going to want to watch this.”

Knowing she was still suspicious, he felt relieved when Trudy took him back to the mall, all while keeping the others off his back. Including the ones called Lex and Jay (who was evidently Ved’s brother from the hair alone).

The Mall Rats moved into the cafe and gathered around the computer. Jack powered it up before inserting the DVD into the player. A second passed before an image of a person appeared onscreen.

Not just any person.

Trudy gasped, but it was Amber’s reaction he was more concerned about.

She looked confused at first, her eyes contemplating what she saw on the monitor was real. Doubt filled her eyes, and she shook her head defiantly. Only to hesitate, her eyes softening, as she slowly leaned towards the screen.

“Bray…?”

“Amber. I hope you’re watching this…”

Bray’s words trailed away as he stepped back, folding his arms. A small smile formed on his lips as he watched the Mall Rats gather closer around the computer, his job as messenger done.

End.