A hard-faced, grizzled man peered inside. His eyes widened upon seeing who was driving.
“Makara?”
“Chris, step aside. I have a wounded man in here who will die without medical attention.”
“What?” Chris asked. He shined the flashlight inside the Recon, pointing the beam at Makara, Samuel, and then me. “What happened? Where’s Brux? Jade? Tyson?”
“All dead. Let me through, and I don't have time for these questions!”
'What happened?'
'Gunshot wound,” Makara said. “Now step aside unless you want me to run you over!”
“Not so fast,” he said. “I’m not putting my ass on the line until you answer some questions. First, who is this?” he asked, pointing at me.
“Look, Chris,” Makara said, “Just give me clearance to Char or I’ll have him wipe the floor with you. I promise, you not listening to me is more dangerous than this sixteen-year-old kid and a man dying from a gunshot wound.”
Chris sighed, his gaze doing its best to match up with Makara’s. But after a moment, he turned away and raised his communicator to his mouth.
“Makara’s back. I’m sending her up. Have the gates ready, over.”
“Copy that, over,” the voice said from the other end.
“Welcome home, Makara,” Chris said, somewhat sarcastically. “You’re clear. I hope you have a better story for Char than you do for me.”
“I don’t need a story, Chris.” Makara said. “I need a doctor.”
Makara was about to gun the accelerator when Chris grabbed her shoulder.
“What?” she asked, shrugging off his grasp.
“Be careful up there. Things have changed. An emissary from the Empire is in Bluff, talking with Char.”
“The Empire?” Makara asked. “What the hell is the Empire?”
Chris frowned. “You were gone longer than I thought. They’re based in Old Mexico. They’re big, powerful – tens of thousands of people.” He paused. “The emissary’s name is Rex. Just don't get on his bad side. I know you can be mouthy.”
Makara shook her head. “I'll say what I want, when I want, Chris. Is that it?”
“Yeah. You should head on. Just watch your back.”
Makara didn’t waste any more words on him. When Chris stepped aside, Makara floored the Recon, rocketing it into the night.
“The Empire,” I said. “That sounds sinister.”
“I’ve never heard of it before,” Makara said. “Gone a few months, and this is what happens. The game always changes every time I come back. That's nothing new, though.”
Despite those words, I could see the worry in her eyes.
“It’s hard to imagine war at a time like this,” I said. “The world is being taken over by the xenovirus. Leave it to humanity to take itself out first.”
Makara sighed. “All the more reason to patch my brother up quickly and be on our way. We have a mission to finish.”
I looked at Samuel. He was out again. Hopefully, it wasn’t for good this time.
“Just a few minutes, Sam,” Makara said. “Hang on.”
We drove up what seemed an endless series of switchbacks before the land leveled and placed us before the wooden gates of Raider Bluff. These things were huge, probably three stories high. They made the gates of Oasis look like toys in comparison. A giant wooden palisade surrounded all sides of the town, maybe twenty feet high, as if the sheer cliffs weren’t enough. It must have taken an eternity to build. I wondered where they found the labor, until I realized raiders were notorious for employing slaves.
At various points in the perimeter, large watchtowers rose. I had no idea where they had gotten the lumber to build these walls. Trees were growing
The gates then drew back, sliding into the walls on either side. Thick chains rigged to pulleys moved the massive fortifications. Even though I was about to enter the biggest den of thieves in all the world, I couldn’t help but be impressed.
Makara drove down the main drag. Wooden buildings and saloons lined either side of the dirt road. It was like entering an Old West town on steroids. Signs swung above the open doors – liquor, girls, and guns seemed to be the establishments’ main themes. Raiders dressed in dingy apparel flanked both sides of the road, making way for us as we came in. From their widened eyes, it was clear that none of them had seen a Recon before.
The raiders tried to get the Recon to stop but Makara honked the Recon’s horn and sped up when they got too close.
“They’re not going to hurt us,” she said. “They just want to check out the ride.”
Outside, I could hear them yelling her name.
“You seem to be pretty popular around here,” I said.
“They’re all idiots,” Makara said.
The road wound its way around the mesa. I saw we were not even close to the top. There were three levels, and buildings rose from all of them. The bottom, which we were on now, was the largest. It seemed to contain all the places of business, the wide outdoor markets, the bars, pretty much anywhere you could buy something.
“We’re heading to the Alpha’s Compound,” Makara said. “It’s where Char lives. It’s at the very top of Bluff and exclusive. No one will bother us, plus that’s where the clinic is. Char, in addition to being the Alpha, is also good at stitching a wound. Hopefully this isn’t beyond his expertise.”
“Char was the one you raided with, right?”
Makara nodded. “Probably the only decent person who lives here. It’s weird for a decent man to lead a bunch of scum. It’s a wonder he’s still alive.”
We entered the second level. We were halfway up the bluff now. On either side were well-constructed wooden cabins.
Makara pointed out a small building we drove by. A sign overhung the door, reading, “The Bounty.”
“That’s the Bounty,” Makara said. “It’s a bar run by my friend Lisa. I’ve spent many-a-night there.”
“I remember you mentioning it.”
We rounded the last bend. Over the wooden rooftops of Bluff, I could see the vast panorama of dark desert. The black Colorado River flowed south and the sky above was dark and void.
We reached a final gate. A raider pulled it open from the other side, revealing a long cobblestone road that led into a grassy courtyard. The green grass must have been watered and cared for to flourish like that. Flanking either side of the road were tall pines. I rolled down my window, the trees’ crisp, sweet smell pleasant yet foreign to my nostrils. I could see that the stone structure of the compound was a U-shape, surrounding the courtyard. It had narrow slits for windows; open air, no glass. Ahead, the cobblestone drive ended in a cul-de-sac. A wide, yet short, stairway led to a pair of heavy wooden doors. Judging from the thick stone walls, the compound had been constructed to withstand on all-out siege.
“Fancy,” I said.
“It’s grown over the last few years,” Makara said. “Each new Alpha leaves his own mark. Char redid the courtyard. The pines were taken from mountains far to the east.”
“Why is he called Char?” I asked.
Makara smiled grimly. “You will see.”
Makara pulled to a stop in the cul-de-sac. She powered off the vehicle, the hum of the hydrogen pressure tank dimming to nothing.
We hopped out of the vehicle. The air was dry, cold, and sharp. It had definitely dropped a few degrees. We went to Samuel’s side and opened the passenger’s door. Makara and I lifted Samuel from the Recon.
He stirred a bit, and groaned. Though pale as a ghost, it was good to know he was still alive. Despite the sound he made, his whole body was limp. He was dead weight between us.
“Come on,” Makara said. “We’re going to have to drag him.”
