Scorpius (Apotheocons Book 2) by James David Victor

Author:James David Victor [Victor, James David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fairfield Publishing
Published: 2018-05-22T18:30:00+00:00

9

Day of the Living Mulcleyhs

The four Auggie Stingers began making their way into the supposed Mulcleyh city. All around, they noticed various different races of aliens moving to and fro. In some ways, the city seemed lively, but on some level, there was something very awry about it all.

“Something's...missing here,” whispered Hazel. “It's not that the place is quiet, but it just doesn't sound like an ordinary city.”

“It's the voices,” Ace pointed out.

“Huh?”

“Vehicles and the shuffling sounds of everyone's feet can be heard, but almost no one in the streets is saying a word.”

“I think you're right, Captain,” Cooper muttered. “I almost didn't see it, but I just noticed how vacant the faces of some of these passing aliens are. It's as if even with their disguises, they're still trying to guard their emotions.”

“If that's true,” began Julius, “then we'd best begin following their example. Otherwise, we'll be getting ourselves—” Julius paused his speech for a moment, waiting for an alien couple to pass before continuing, “—in a lot of trouble. We'll have to be discreet.”

The group continued moving through the eerie city, until they reached a poster.

“Ranger, what does it say?” Hatfield inquired.

“I believe it says: 'Rhingstel City — Home of All Your Most Cherished Things.'”

“Geez,” sighed Hazel, “could they be any more conceited? They might as well as have tag-lined the place as 'If it's missing, well, we probably took it.'”

“Hmm, you kind of have to give them credit though,” Ace stated. “At least they were kind enough to give a low-key heads up. Not that I think we'd have given it a second thought were it not for Alak's warning.”

“Hey, guys,” said Hatfield, “is it just me or are there virtually no traces of surveillance in this city? We passed a lot of traffic lights and what seemed like banking centers, and not a single camera. Traffic lights I understand, but in a city this developed, you'd think the banks would be highly supervised.”

“What good would it do them?” asked Hazel.

“Huh?”

“I'm just saying, isn't this the one planet on the stars where catching a snapshot of a burglar would be utterly useless? Them being shapeshifters and all.”

“Well, you do have a point there.”

“Also,” said Julius, “I imagine a lack of cameras would make it easier to prey on the unsuspecting. In a way, the citizens here are the cameras.”

“Honestly, I'm less worried about the Mulcleyhs' observational powers,” Hazel admitted. “This atmosphere is so desert dry that it feels like there's a cactus prickling in my throat.”

Suddenly, the group heard a scream.

“Give me back my purse!” The words had come from a very grandiose-looking human woman, who most surely was a tourist and who was being heckled by a stocky alien.

Julius was about to take a step to go help the woman, but he immediately felt Ace's hand grab him, furtively commanding him to remain where he was.

“Don't.”

“W-Why?” asked Julius, looking astonished.

“For the very reason you stated earlier. I want to help too, but I have a feeling things are more treacherous than they appear.

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