The Castoff by Taylor S Shafer

Author:Taylor S Shafer
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2020-04-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

The muck in the sewers sucked at Garrick’s boots, and the smell was enough to make him heave. He hoped the stench wasn’t too much for Seven, who rode in his saddlebags. “Why are we taking the sewers? The transport tunnels were cleaner.”

“They were clean, but now they’re infested with scanners,” Raoul said. “I wonder why?” he added dryly.

“Hush,” Gabriel said. “Listen to the water flow. We’re coming up on the falls.”

The group quieted and listened for the sound of rushing water. The trio led a squad of Cajuns through Istrouma’s sewers. Each Cajun hauled an explosive charge on his back.

They slowed their pace as they approached the sloped waterfall. It was a short drop, but enough to knock a man off his feet. The Cajuns hammered spikes into the ground at the top of the falls and then secured climbing ropes to the anchors.

Gabriel and Garrick descended the slope first. Garrick hit the bottom hard, splashing the dirty water onto his pant legs. He wrinkled his nose in disgust. He stood to the side of the tunnel and tried to shake the filth from his legs as the rest of the crew slid down the falls.

A few twists and turns later, they arrived at their destination. A white X was spray painted on the grimy, gray-green bricks. Beyond those bricks, Garrick knew, was the Istrouma border wall. If they could blow another hole in the wall, there would be a new entrance to the enclave and a new way to smuggle in the guns. Garrick wondered who the real smuggler was, but he quickly decided he didn’t want to meet him.

“Your scouts are sure this is the place?” Raoul asked.

“Positively sure,” Gabriel said. Garrick noticed the Cajun lieutenant’s cape had somehow managed to stay clean during the trek through the sewers.

Raoul looked at his watch. “Looks like we’re right on time. Let’s set the charges.”

The Cajuns went to work sticking the explosives to the wall. One of them swore. “Looks like we have a problem, boss.”

“Out with it,” Gabriel demanded.

“The fuses got wet. I don’t know if they will light.”

Gabriel swore too. “You didn’t bring any extra line?”

“We did, but it will take a while to fit the bomb properly.”

Raoul picked up his radio. “Delta team, do you copy?”

Static.

Raoul swore next. He tossed his radio to Garrick. “It’s time to go to work, courier. We can’t blow the wall without a diversion or the guard will pounce. Garrick, get back to the surface as fast as you can and radio the distraction team. They should not proceed with the operation until you hear from me. Got it?”

“Got it,” Garrick said. “Are you sure you want me to tell them?”

“That’s why you’re here, Garrick. We’ve got our hands full with the explosives. Get moving.”

Garrick breathed deep to calm his nerves. He instantly regretted that decision as the noxious fumes of the sewer flooded his nostrils. He gagged. “Alright. I got it.”

He followed the turns of the tunnel back to the sloped falls.

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