Maniacs: 01 - The Krittika Conflict by Nick S. Thomas

Author:Nick S. Thomas [Thomas, Nick S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Swordworks
Published: 2013-02-11T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Liu looked surprised to see Mason walk through the door with two new faces that were clearly fighters. Mitchell was still complaining as he knocked back the local root based soda.

“This is Liu and our pilot Mitchell.”

“Vincent Hughes,” he replied, and reached out and shook their hands.

Viktor stayed back and seemed to care little for instructions.

“That’s Viktor.”

“Both these guys signed up?”

“What, Liu, you doubted I’d come through?”

“No, Captain, I just wasn’t sure you’d find anybody crazy enough to sign on.”

“Maybe not in a pussy place like this,” muttered Viktor.

Kaper wanted to disagree, but he could see Viktor was not a man to cross.

“So what now?” asked Viktor. “We taking this fight to the man?”

“No, no need. He’ll come to us.”

“He turned, strode over to the bar, and pointed for a drink.”

“This is no time to be drinking,” insisted Hughes.

Viktor ignored him. The others looked to Mason to do something, but he knew he could not risk causing a rift among such a newly formed team.

“Can I have a word with you a moment, Captain?”

“Yeah, sure, Liu.”

They stepped outside beyond the hearing of the others.

“This is no good. We’re going into one of the most dangerous jobs of our lives and taking on newcomers we know nothing about.”

“Tell me we have a choice?”

“What?”

“You’re telling me what isn’t ideal. I’m asking you what can we do different?”

Liu didn’t have any answers.

“Can’t just call for backup on this one.”

“Maybe we can. Put out a bulletin and try and get some of our old contacts on board.”

“Old contacts? Near enough everyone who has ever worked with us is either dead or retired.”

“But it’s got to be worth a shot?”

“We can try, but in the meantime, we need to get down to the job. Come on, time isn’t exactly on our side.”

He led Liu back inside where the rest of them were awaiting his command, except for Viktor who had settled down with his drink.

“Here’s the deal. Volkov is gonna come for us with whatever he can muster. We are going to hold here in the town where we have cover and the support of the locals. When he comes, we’re gonna offer him peace, or give him the gun if he refuses.”

“That’s it? That’s the plan?” asked Erin.

“What else would you do?”

“Seems a bit basic. Hunker down and wait for him.”

“Sometimes the simple plans are the best ones. Mitchell, I want you back at the ship to help Wizard with his repairs.”

“I ain’t no mechanic.”

“No, but it’s either you or Liu goes, and you suck with a gun.”

Viktor chuckled to himself in the corner. Mitchell took offence, looking to Mason to do something.

“Hey, don’t look at me. Learn how to handle yourself, and I’ll stop ragging you for it. Now, when you get back to the ship, I want you to send Hella our way with all the extra ammo we have. We’ll need her here in the fight.”

“What about protecting the ship?” Liu asked.

“Fact is it can’t fly, and once we’ve taken all the weapons and ammo, there really ain’t much that can be robbed.

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