The Collective (17 page)

Tommie concluded his story. “Now, here I am heading to
Warden’s with you.”

“That’s how it happened?” The skepticism was evident in
Abel’s voice.

“From my mouth to God’s ear. I swear.” Tommie said holding
his hand over his heart.

Forsum questioned the story. “So you just walked into the
gang’s camp, cut off their leader’s head and came back without a scratch.”

“Not quite.” Tommie said, with no intention of clarifying
what he meant.

“When you put it that way it seems more unlikely.” Abel
stated as he turned his focus back to the road.

“Who are you to question me?” Tommie shouted looking around
the vehicle. “What have any of you done? What?”

Abel took his right hand off the wheel and lightly punched
Tommie on the arm. “Calm down Tommie. We’re just messing around.”

“Seriously? What?”  Tommie was still heated.

“Hey.” Abel pointed ahead.  “We’re here.”

As they approached the warehouse, the expanse of the
structure spread out before the group. It was larger than Abel remembered. He
was on foot the first time, he thought. They could see the people milling about
the front of the complex and Warden’s men perched strategically along the
rooftop. He could see one of the men looking through a pair of binoculars to
confirm their identity. Another of Warden’s men used the scope on his sniper
rifle as they drew closer.  Abel hoped he was trying to confirm who was inside
the jeep before firing. After all they were expecting two men and Abel had come
back with a jeep full. The black vehicle rounded the building and came up to
the gate entry where they were halted. Abel pulled of his goggles as he
addressed the guard. “What’s going on, is there a hold up?”

“Just stay there.” The guard answered gruffly. “Warden’s
being notified of your return.”

“Somebody tell Warden I’ve been out here for four days, I
found the man he asked for and I’m not in the mood for games.” Abel was
irritated by the treatment.

Another guard stepped from the side door inside the gate.
“Tell him yourself. You’ve been cleared. But leave your weapons in the truck.
All of you.”

Abel grimaced at the guard. “No Problem.”

“You gotta love this guy huh?” Tommie said. “He’s got
security like crazy but he’s worried about the three of you coming in here
causing trouble.”

“Don’t you mean four?” Forsum asked.

“Warden knows they’ll be no trouble from me. I expect you
to project the same sincerity if you want to make it past dinner.” Tommie
patted Grise on the shoulder. “That goes for you too big guy. I don’t think
Warden likes the strong, silent types.”

Grise brushed Tommie’s hand off his shoulder. “Worry about
yourself.”

Tommie lifted his hands and backed up. “Ok. Don’t be so
sensitive. That doesn’t play well in a place like this. Just warning ya.”

“Good advice Tommie. Everyone be alert. This should be a
formality, if not…” Abel’s advice was cut short by the guard.

“Warden is ready.”

The group walked through the doors squinting as their eyes
adjusted to the dim light.  Abel was first through the door with Tommie, Forsum
and Grise following close behind. They walked through the staging area where
Warden fixed and modified his vehicles. Each of Warden’s technicians stood near
a vehicle or weapon staging bay with their eyes locked on the group as they
passed. The room opened into a larger dining hall with tables pushed against
the wall. In this space they were greeted by roughly twenty of Warden’s guards
with weapons exposed. They stared menacingly at the group, itching for a reason
to use force. It was not the greeting that Abel expected. Even Tommie was starting
to wonder about their host’s intentions. They were all unarmed and obviously
vulnerable to whatever Warden had in mind. 

Abel stood stoically looking defiantly into the eyes of
each man, waiting for any sign of hostility. He still had the 9mm in the small
of his back just in case. He was sure Tommie and Grise had followed Abel’s
stealth and tucked away a spare weapon. Forsum stood to his right. Abel looked
over and could see the concern growing on his face. He would find out quickly
if he had made the right decision bringing his childhood friend along. If the
situation turned messy, Forsum would be forced to fend for himself. Smartly, he
was positioned between the two men from Gravope. Grise stood tall, arms by his
side ready for what would come next. Tommie, on Abel’s opposite shoulder, had a
strange smile on his face, as if he had been in this situation before, maybe
more than once. Tommie calmly scanned the room as he caressed the point of the
hidden knife sticking out of his sleeve and resting in his palm. Abel relaxed
his stance and placed his hands behind his back, hand in palm as a soldier
would do. He wanted to position himself for quicker access to his weapon. One
thing he knew for sure, they would go down fighting.  As the room grew increasingly
silent and the group continued to face off, a booming familiar voice parted the
guards. “Abel, my friend! You’ve made it back. With Tommie Gun no less. When I
was told, I couldn’t believe it.”

To Abel’s surprise Warden was dressed similar to his men
with camouflage pants and flak jacket, underneath he wore a white tank top. The
prophet robe was gone. He was unarmed as far as Abel could tell, wearing the
same wicked smile across his face.

“I never had any intentions of not coming back. Hope I
didn’t disappoint you Warden.” Abel responded.

“How could I be disappointed? The principles of living
greatly include the capacity to face trouble with courage while accepting
disappointment with cheerfulness.” Warden said with his arms spread wide
towards the group. “I ask you to find one man and you come back with three. And
so quickly. Did you have any troubles?”

“I found more than Tommie in those woods.” Abel answered.
“There was a man out there…half-man, half-machine. He was looking for Tommie
and he destroyed a good chunk of the forest.”

“A man you say?” His host was intrigued.

“Yes.” Abel scanned the room of guards. “With advanced
weaponry I’ve never seen before. Some type of high-tech goggles. I was able to
surprise him and get the upper hand for a while, but he eventually turned the
tables. His marksmanship was impressive. Have you heard of such a man, Warden?”

Tommie Gun interceded.  “Warden’s heard of him before. 
They’ve all heard of The Mountie”

A hush fell over the compound. Warden and his followers
knew well of whom he spoke. He was an instrument of destruction often sent out
at Xonox’s whim. His presence showed the value of the information that Tommie
had obtained. Warden knew their paths would cross soon. He enjoyed the thought
of testing his skills versus a renowned mercenary.

“So now you know what I had to go through to get Tommie
back here.” Abel said making sure Warden would acknowledge that he had
accomplished more than he was asked.

“This must be some sort of sign, young Abel. Few people
have seen The Mountie’s face and escaped his bullet in the same day. Xonox’s
defeat is surely at hand. That is if you have the information I need?” Warden
directed his last comment at Tommie, but Abel answered for him, placing himself
in front of Tommie. “He does. But do you have what I need?”

“Yes. Yes. You were promised your own personal army to take
on Xonox. Together we will fight side by side to victory.” The host reminded.
“Water and revenge will flow in abundance.” The fighters around him lifted
their weapons and cheered.

“And for that I thank you Warden. You are a man of your
word.” Abel said.

Warden stared at Abel, he was smart to protect the data.
“My word is all I have Abel. And it’s worth more than all the treasures you
could imagine.”

Abel looked around the room. “Where’s Isnor and Keera?”

“They have been taken care of and enjoyed more privileges
than any outsider before them.” Warden responded.

Abel was not appeased. “I’d like to see for myself.”

“You question me?” The self-proclaimed king laughed. “Has your
adventure to the Grazen Woods made you so bold or has it made you so foolish?
Give me the data drive and you will lay eyes on your friends.”

Abel was growing tired of Warden’s game. He slid his hand
from his back revealing the gun. Warden’s people stiffened. Warden had
instructed his guards to bring them in without weapons. Clearly he intended to
dictate the terms of the arraignment. Abel showing up with two more men besides
Tommie Gun was also unexpected. Not only was Abel armed, but Tommie held a knife
in each hand, the large man near Abel had somehow snuck in a sawn off shotgun
that he held at waist level. Warden did not know what to make of the last man
in Abel’s troop. Either he was very skilled or he had been thrust into the
wrong situation. Nevertheless, Warden did not plan on killing them, he just
wanted to exercise his authority. Abel had made that difficult. That is what he
admired about the young man, but one day he knew his brashness would get him
killed.

“That wasn’t the deal Warden.”

“Abel. Take a moment and assess your current situation. I
see two guns, two knives and one man who is woefully unprepared. On the other
hand my men outnumber yours five to one. Is this really the time you’ve chosen
to try and gain the upper hand?”

Abel surveyed the room and looked back at Warden. He was
unmoved by Warden’s words. “I’ve had worse odds.”

“I doubt it Abel.” Warden surmised. “The opponents you’ve
faced thus far have been inferior.”

Abel gripped the handle of the gun tighter. “Except The
Mountie.”

Warden took little notice of the young man’s threats.
“Abel, you don’t need to be so fierce and bluffing…if you already know I can’t
be intimidated.”

Abel looked from Warden and his men to the people following
him. This was not how he wanted it to end. He could not fight Xonox from the
grave. He relaxed and concealed the weapon in his back. Tommie looked at him
with a confused expression. “If you cannot be honorable in this place.” Abel
reasoned to his host. “How can I expect different in battle?”

Warden turned away from Abel and walked towards his men. He
contemplated killing them and taking the data from their cold bodies. But Abel
had impressed him. He was sent on a suicide mission and somehow succeeded. If
Grazen did not kill him then he may still be of use against Xonox. “Men, lower
your weapons and put them away. Abel and his friends are guests in this house.
They are to be treated as such.”

“Are we guests Warden? Or am I to lead a faction of your
forces to victory in your name?”

Warden understood what Abel meant. “You’re right Abel.
You’re right. From hence forth you are officially a member…no, a ranking member
of this humble clan. With all the rights afforded that position.” Warden
shouted to the men. “To Abel!”

“To Abel!” The words resounded from the warehouse ceilings.
Then they all spoke their battle creed in unison. “Kill or Die!!” 

Warden walked towards Abel. “You’ve impressed me Abel.
Xonox has much to fear.”

“I appreciate the honor.” Abel said graciously.

“I know it was a long journey so we’ll speak more when you
are settled.” Warden waved his hand and from the crowd stepped Isnor. Abel
moved to greet his friend. 

“Isnor.” The two shared a hearty handshake. “You’re looking
good kid, had us waiting a bit though. I’m getting too old for suspense.”

‘There was never a doubt.” Abel said. “You should have
known that.”

Isnor surveyed Abel’s group. “I’m surprised you had any
luck with this ragtag, dirty bunch.”

“Hey, you give any of these guys a decent scrub and a
loaded gun and the results will speak for themselves.” Abel assured.

“I’ll take the loaded gun, but I’ll pass on the scrub. The
name’s Tommie Gun. But my friends call me Tommie Gun.”

“So you’re the guy Abel needed to find. Didn’t make it easy
on him I see.” Isnor noted.

Tommie played along as there was a more relaxed air in the
atmosphere. “As much as I could. He helped me outta that scrap with The
Mountie, so he’s okay with me.”

Abel introduced his friend from Gravope. “This is Forsum.”

Forsum grabbed Isnor’s hand, as he sensed the tension leaving
the room. “Nice to meet you sir.”

“Sir?” The merchant was indignant. “Call me that again if
you’re trying to make enemies boy.”

“No…I…no…” Forsum turned red as he released Isnor’s hand.

Isnor patted Forsum on the side of his shoulder. “It’s
okay. Really. A friend of Abel is a friend of mine.”

Isnor looked at Grise inquisitively. “And this is?”

Abel’s protector stood broadly. “Here with Abel.”

Isnor looked at Abel. “Doesn’t talk much I see.”

“No. But he’s good in a fight.”

“You left to find one man and brought back a little army.
Smart thinking.” Isnor winked at Abel.

“I got lucky stopping in Gravope.” Abel responded flatly.

“Gravope?” Isnor was taken aback. “Your parents. Are they…”