{"id":6015,"date":"2020-11-01T21:13:25","date_gmt":"2020-11-01T13:13:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.benjamincheah.com\/?p=6015"},"modified":"2020-11-01T21:13:25","modified_gmt":"2020-11-01T13:13:25","slug":"sheriff-of-the-swamps-chapter-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/?p=6015","title":{"rendered":"Sheriff of the Swamps Chapter 6"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou came to Moreno Island in the morning and killed three people. In the evening you went out and killed seven more. What the fuck is wrong with you people?!\u201d Sheriff Joshua Smith exclaimed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayla shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the STS they called it a regular workday. A heavy<\/em> day, to be sure, but after months of high-intensity operations against the worst the New Gods had to offer, this body count was\u2026 normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, what was normal to an operator was outrageous to the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou killed more people in one day than the MISD shot in the entire year!<\/em> Unbelievable!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James sniffed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEvery time you STS show up, you bathe the whole damn island in blood. What do you have to say for yourselves?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seated between them, Clark glanced at her protectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayla raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James spread his hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that<\/em> supposed to mean?\u201d Smith demanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayla hadn\u2019t thought of Smith as the kind of man to fly into a rage. She suspected he was faking at least half of it. His hands were clenched, his voice thunderous, but his face remained pale and his hands loose and relaxed. But with the District Attorney next to him in the conference room, he had to put up a show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn our STS days, we went to the hot zone to do the kind of jobs the cops couldn\u2019t handle,\u201d James said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday, a biker gang marked a sheriff candidate, one of your own detectives, for death, and you couldn\u2019t handle that,\u201d Kayla added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t tolerate disrespect here,\u201d DA Dennis Dillon said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe MISD couldn\u2019t protect me. My protectors did. And you\u2019re slamming us for it,\u201d Clark said coldly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou provoked them,\u201d Dillon retorted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI interviewed<\/em> them, as was my duty as a detective.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd they attacked you for it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey chose to escalate. Not me. We warned them off. They ignored us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you leave them alone? You\u2019re on no-pay leave, Detective Allen was already assigned to the case\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAllen is in bed with\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEnough,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was back to his usual self, cool and authoritative and slimy again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have found no reason to charge you with any crimes,\u201d Smith said. \u201cYou should count your fortunes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wood family lawyer had breezed into the station and played hardball with the cops and the DA. Silverman presented an impenetrable wall of logic and legal arguments demonstrating that everyone had acted within the law, that the trio were in fear of their life, and that the state had no evidence of a crime. Even now, he sat at the far corner of the table, a self-satisfied smirk on his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do that after you deal with the Hatchet Crew,\u201d Clark said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Department will do everything in its power to identify and arrest the attackers.\u201d Smith paused. \u201cThose that are left.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The response to the shooting was a shitshow from start to finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deputies had swarmed the neighborhood, stomping all over the crime scene and contaminating the evidence. They\u2019d escorted the civilians to safety, secured and confiscated all weapons on site, and hauled everyone to the station. The crime scene technicians unceremoniously swabbed their hands for gunshot residue and seized their clothing, forcing them to change into fresh garments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After spending the night in cramped cells, they were called up separately for interviews. It had taken the detectives most of a day to finish talking to everyone, and most of the evening to figure out what to do with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, twenty-four hours after the shoot, here they were again, contemplating another<\/em> press release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat about the black hatchets?\u201d Clark asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve posted a team of deputies to secure the scene. The PSB will send a team of specialists to recover them,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distaste dripped from his words. Whenever the paranormal reared its head, the Bureau would be there. But for good reason. It was the only<\/em> major law enforcement agency with the means to handle artifacts. Including and especially weapons that housed the essence of a malevolent spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur main concern is you, Detective Sergeant Clark,\u201d Dillon said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTwo shootings back-to-back like this is\u2026 unprecedented. Especially for a sheriff candidate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe shootings do not preclude me from campaigning,\u201d Clark said frostily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCorrect. But we are<\/em> worried for your safety. You should go underground with your family and leave the law and order business to the Sheriff\u2019s Department.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to let criminals stop me from running.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smith shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI admire your tenacity, but you are still at risk. Unless\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUnless?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou cancel your no-pay leave and return to active duty.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut that would mean giving up the campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t have everything, Sergeant Clark.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She snorted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t let me back on active duty so soon. I need to take mandatory admin leave, then talk to the shrink and get approval. Twice, one for each shoot. After that, you\u2019ll have me ride a desk until Professional Standards completes their post-shooting investigations. Both of them. That would take months. Am I right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smith smiled unpleasantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have department-wide policies for a reason.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen there\u2019s no reason to quit the election.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs an active-duty deputy, you and your family would be accorded police protection. But as a deputy on no-pay leave, well\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clark\u2019s voice dropped to a whisper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDid I hear you just say that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSheriff, I remind you that what you just said could be construed as a threat,\u201d Silverman added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smith spread his hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m just saying we need to prioritize our resources. Especially with dangerous criminals on the loose.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou know what else is unprecedented? Terrorists targeting a sheriff\u2019s candidate and her family,\u201d Clark said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll the more reason to focus our resources on finding who\u2019s responsible. Since you already have bodyguards, we can concentrate on investigating the attacks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAm I right to say that I can\u2019t count on the MISD to protect me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou already have two highly formidable bodyguards with you. I don\u2019t see how much else we can help you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smith rose to her feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe press will hear about this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dillon grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh, but what will they say<\/em> about this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have time to argue with you two. Am we free to go?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve been free ever since you stepped into the room,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get out of here,\u201d Clark said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the time the SD cleared the paperwork and returned everyone\u2019s belongings\u2014less their clothes, cars, gear and weapons\u2014it was well after dark. A final insult, inconveniencing everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Clarks found and booked a collection of rooms in the Balboa Hotel, one of the two major hotels in Saint Lucile. The civilians settled down for the night. James and Kayla conferred with Clark in her room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They re-scrambled their eyeshields. They stripped down their electronics, checked for suspicious chips and devices, ran anti-malware scans, powered them down and stowed them away in RFID blocking bags.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, and only then, did they talk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t stay here in Saint Lucille for long. We\u2019ve got an X on our back,\u201d Kayla said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt this stage, we\u2019ve got to assume the entire MISD is fatally compromised.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re expecting another attack?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not over until we find out who wants you dead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI smell the New Gods,\u201d James said. \u201cNo way the Department would act like this if only a bike gang were involved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe haven\u2019t seen their involvement,\u201d Clark said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s our next step?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat depends on what you want to do. Still planning to run for elections?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd the shot caller? You want to find him too?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAbsolutely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow do you plan to do both at once when people still want you dead?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clark sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s possible. Not until after the elections. I plan on keeping the family safe and continuing my campaign. Once the dust settles, we can go hunting for the shot caller. Unless new evidence turns up, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSlow down there,\u201d Kayla said. \u201cYou\u2019ve got friends in the department, don\u2019t you? Let them do the heavy lifting. At least until we\u2019re sure you and your family are in the clear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNone of them are detectives. On the other hand\u2026 some of them owe me a favor or two. I\u2019ll see what they can do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd what about your campaign? How do you plan to run it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMoreno is old school. You\u2019ll have to talk to people face-to-face and win their trust. You\u2019ll need rallies, press conferences, advertisements\u2026 There\u2019s only so much you can arrange online.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got any campaign staff?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRemote workers based in Babylon. They take care of the web-based organization, admin, advertising and other stuff for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut no one in Moreno.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, not really. Over here\u2026 it\u2019s just me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loneliness crept into her voice. Her face fell, her eyes cast downwards, yet the rest of her remained upright and composed, poised upon her sofa like a princess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll look at your schedule and see how we can plan around it. But in the meantime, there are two things we need to take care of.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cName them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFirst, we need to plan long-term accommodations for your family. It\u2019s not safe for them to stay in Saint Lucille. You\u2019ve got anywhere else you can take them to?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She shook her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot on Moreno Island. I was thinking of stashing them in one of the smaller towns. Or Babylon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI could speak to my parents, see what they have to say,\u201d James said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to go out of the way for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith eight people to manage, and just the three of us, it\u2019ll be extremely difficult. Better to stash them somewhere remote and well-protected. The family farm is at the top of my list.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got room and board for eight?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe get plenty of seasonal workers. We can cope. Besides, there are many empty rooms you can use.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour brothers don\u2019t live with you anymore?\u201d Kayla asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey\u2026 I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He sighed. Shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTheir wives belonged to different gods. One chose the Singularity Network, the other joined the Guild. They brought their husbands with them. They lived in peace under the same roof for a while. Then came the Temple Commission.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey were investigated too?\u201d Clark asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOnly indirectly. Only because of me. But it was enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I returned home\u2026 well, they said in no uncertain terms they couldn\u2019t live under the same roof as a mass murderer. I, in turn, told them I came back to protect them, and Mom and Dad, from retaliation. It\u2026 didn\u2019t end well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Kayla said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWater under the bridge now. They packed their things and moved out. Last I heard they were somewhere in Saint Lucile, more actively involved in their respective religions than before. The Commission opened up positions in the hierarchy, and they\u2019re scrambling to make the most of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFamily is supposed to stick with family,\u201d Clark said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s what the New Gods do. They divide brother against brother, son against father.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey\u2019re false gods. All of them,\u201d Clark said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayla chuckled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYuri said that too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSounds like an interesting man. And a fellow believer. I should meet him someday.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayla pursed her lips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s\u2026 overseas. He\u2019s not coming back anytime soon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s he doing there?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDrawing the wrath of the New Gods away from the rest of us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a huge cross to bear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be fine. I hope.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut without Yuri, we have to deal with the New Gods by ourselves,\u201d James said. \u201cI\u2019ve got more guns at home, but I don\u2019t want to keep donating hardware to the evidence locker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s if the hardware even helps,\u201d Clark said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the second issue we need to handle. Fortunately\u2026 I can help with that,\u201d Kayla said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have a friend in Babylon. He can put together a care package for us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat kind of package?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMan-portable railguns.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James\u2019 eyes widened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRailguns? I heard about those. Didn\u2019t the Guild use them in Babylon?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey did. Have they made their way over here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot yet.\u201d James sighed. \u201cBut soon. The Sinners and the Guild are waiting on the results of the election before they will decide what to do next.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow did you get your hands on railguns?\u201d Clark asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cReverse-engineered Guild tech.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo they work?\u201d James asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey\u2019re the most powerful guns I\u2019ve ever used. The railgun fires a five millimeter flechette at two kilometers per second. Laser-straight trajectory out to eight hundred meters. It will kill everything that isn\u2019t a tank.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve seen in action?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clark blinked. James smiled grimly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGuns like that could give us an edge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBest of all\u2026 a railgun not even a gun.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA railgun is neither a firearm nor a directed energy weapon. It doesn\u2019t fall into any legal classification. Dot gov has no idea how to deal with one. Legally, we\u2019re in the clear. Even if we use one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt sounds scary,\u201d Clark said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDamn straight it is. The Guild figured out how to build railguns using a 3D printer and commercial off the shelf parts. And they\u2019ve got a strong presence here. You\u2019re going to see railguns on the street sooner or later. Guaranteed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clark shook her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat a fucked-up world we live in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI keep thinking that every day,\u201d James said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat do you plan to do with these railguns?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe go hunting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHunting? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHaven\u2019t you realized it yet? This isn\u2019t law enforcement any more. This is war.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is Nova Babylonia. This is Moreno Island. There\u2019s no war\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeople tried to kill you. MISD isn\u2019t going to help. How is this not<\/em> a war against you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have to follow the evidence, and the evidence doesn\u2019t point to terrorism, or the New Gods, or whatever. A hit by a biker gang at most. That\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what they want you to think. Someone\u2019s backing them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know. But we can\u2019t act without evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow much more evidence do we need? When they send assault armor and demons after you?\u201d Clark asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJosh Smith already hinted that he\u2019s not going to go out of his way to protect you. We must protect ourselves. Easiest way to do that is to go on the offensive,\u201d Kayla added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd that means hunting for the shot caller.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She shook her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2026 I can\u2019t authorize this. We have laws here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayla sighed. Some people were just so damn stubborn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, how many had to confront the New Gods on a regular basis?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou still have your badge. That opens doors for us. We don\u2019t necessarily have to go kicking in doors, but we still need protection,\u201d James said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have to kill them all either,\u201d Kayla said. \u201cWe just need them out of play. Arresting them is good enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf anybody dares to arrest them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clark screwed her eyes shut and massaged her temples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m\u2026 I\u2019m a cop. I\u2019m running for sheriff. This is conspiracy. This is a crime. I cannot hear this. I cannot not<\/em> act on it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEveryone says you\u2019re a great detective. If anyone deserves to be sheriff, it\u2019s you. But you must understand, you\u2019re way out of your depth here. The rules of the game have changed. We can\u2019t play checkers when the other side is playing chess,\u201d James said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clark drummed her fingers against her armrest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is\u2026 this is just worst case scenario planning?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes,\u201d James said. \u201cIt\u2019s better to have the railguns and not need them, than to need them and not have them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd what about hunting the ones hunting me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t do this without you,\u201d Kayla said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe regular MISD isn\u2019t equipped to take on the New Gods. Most don\u2019t even want<\/em> to. The three of us, we\u2019re the only ones who can do anything about it. If the New Gods are in play, they won\u2019t stop until they\u2019re out of the game. Or you,\u201d James said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clark held up her hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlright, alright. If<\/em> the evidence points to the New Gods, if<\/em> there is no other way to deal with this through legal measures, then<\/em> we talk about dealing with them\u2026 unofficially. But that\u2019s the only circumstance I\u2019ll even consider it. Got that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUnderstood,\u201d Kayla said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In another time, the ferry was the only economical way to travel between Babylon and Moreno Island. Then came the advent of gravity mirrors and long-endurance flying vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were few gravcars on the island, almost all of them the property of the rich or the municipal government. Moreno was just too small a market for gravcar manufacturers to bother with. On the other hand, it made surreptitious trips from Babylon to Moreno and back much, much more convenient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

West of Saint Lucille, long stretches of empty beaches stared across the waters at distant Babylon. The capital city was a blur of glittering towers just beyond the horizon, just out of sight. From far away it tempted witnesses with offers of wealth, glamor, and fortune. Kayla had seen the view up close too often and too long to fall for it now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She saw the gravcar long before she heard it. A sleek black slab slicing through the humid air, darker than the pre-dawn sky, perilously close to the calm seas. It altered its approach ever so slightly, angling towards them. James cracked a pair of bright green chemlights, waving them in wide, lazy circles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James and Clark had assured them that Winfield Bay was one of the most remote beaches on the island. No one came here, especially this early in the morning. Even so, Kayla scanned the world around them, checking for inconvenient witnesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And suddenly the gravcar was there,<\/em> right there in front of her. It stopped instantaneously, floating five feet off the ground, its engine humming softly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It drifted towards a patch of empty beach. Halted again. And settled down on the soft sand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The driver door swung open. Out stepped a giant, sleek and muscular, thick of neck and arms and legs. A mane of hair billowed from his shadowed face. James held out his chemlights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHeya,\u201d Daniel Lamb said. \u201cGood to see you again, Kayla.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSame here,\u201d she said. \u201cDaniel, this is James Wood and Janet Clark.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lamb smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJames Wood! Yuri spoke well of you. Said you were the best second-in-command he ever had.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d James said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou worked with Yuri Yamamoto?\u201d Clark asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYup.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSTS?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secrets glinted in his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNaw. I just helped them source for custom gear now and then, back when they were still active. And speaking of gear, I\u2019ve got yours in the trunk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone gathered around the rear of the gravcar. Lamb drew a small but powerful penlight, clicked it on, and opened the trunk. Inside was a pair of duffel bags.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour order, as requested.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James and Kayla lifted them out and set them down on the sand. Lamb pulled out two heavy-duty groundsheets and spread them on the sand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHere you go. Feel free to check the goods.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayla produced her own light and opened the duffel bag. Inside was the boxy, familiar profile of a railgun. But it was\u2026 different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was much shorter. Even with the smuzzle, a muzzle device as long as her forearm that served as a suppressor and muzzle brake, it was only slightly longer than an M83 with a 20-inch barrel. The magazine was still the same, but the pistol grip behind it featured a sharper angle and an oversized trigger guard. Past the pistol grip, a hydrogen fuel cell cartridge was slotted into the stock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She slung the weapon around her neck, turned around, and aimed it out at the ocean. Through the LVPO, the bright lights of Babylon blazed in crystal clarity. Just ahead of her support hand rested a grip pod, slightly out of reach. She made a note to shift its position later. A green light blazed within a small window at the base of the 12 o\u2019clock accessory rail, a light only she could see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The weapon was live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is different from the one you sold me,\u201d Kayla said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat happened to it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLanguishing in long-term storage. I hadn\u2019t expected to need it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t need it again any more. Based on your feedback, we made some improvements to the original design. We\u2019ve increased the efficiency of the railgun, so we can afford to shorten the rails. We\u2019ve also managed to increase the rate of fire to thirty shots per minute, same as a real smooth bolt-action, but now we also have a velocity dial. Dial it down to half power and you can double the effective ROF. It\u2019s quieter too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs it waterproof?\u201d James asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a bit finnicky with water. The huge electric current will vaporize stray drops of water and blow them out the muzzle, no problem. It\u2019ll hold up to the increased pressure. But you wouldn\u2019t want to shoot it underwater. You could electrocute yourself if you aren\u2019t wearing a wetsuit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow many shots do we get?\u201d James asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe mag holds twenty rounds. Fuel cartridge will give you sixty shots before it needs replacing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got six magazines, two fuel cartridges, two hundred rounds of penetrators, two hundred more of tumblers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the side pockets, Kayla found the spare mags, the extra cartridge, and a half-dozen ammo boxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd sidearms?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHard case inside the main compartment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She felt around the bag until she found it. She opened it on the ground sheet, finding an OZ-72 pistol with a red dot sight and three magazines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all here,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clark stood watch. James and Kayla inspected the gear. They stripped the pistols, examined every part under the harsh glow of their flashlights, and put them back together. Lamb walked them through the disassembly and reassembly of the railguns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the sun rose above the horizon, James and Kayla scrutinized the ammo. Every magazine, every round, every flechette, they checked them all for irregularities. It was long, monotonous, tedious, but better tediousness now than a failure to fire later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No rejections. This was Lamb, after all, gunsmith for the great white sharks of the military and law enforcement worlds. Even so, trust but verify.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the waters of the bay, they test-fired their guns. Single shots, then strings of semi-auto fire for the pistols; ear-tearing high velocity flechettes and whisper-quiet shots for the railguns. James took a little longer, acclimatizing himself to the unfamiliar recoil, controls and cadence of his railgun. They took care to aim away from Babylon. Away from anything visible out to the horizon. Clark marveled at the weapons, discussing them animatedly with Clark, and checked her email on her eyeshields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At last they were done. Kayla packed up her weapons and handed over a stack of banknotes. One thousand five hundred dollars. A steal, really, given the lethal potential of the railguns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But as Lamb had told her, the railguns were obscenely cheap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank ya very much,\u201d Lamb said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo problem,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou need me again, you know how to reach me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lamb took off in his car, rocketing off to the horizon. When he was out of sight, the protectors gathered around their client.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cReady to head back?\u201d Kayla said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSomething just came up,\u201d Clark said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne of my CIs just sent me a message. We have a lead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For more stories of faith, demons and firefights in neon-drenched streets, check out BABYLON BLUES<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cYou came to Moreno Island in the morning and killed three people. In the evening you went out and killed seven more. What the fuck is wrong with you people?!\u201d Sheriff Joshua Smith exclaimed. Kayla shrugged. In the STS they called it a regular workday. A heavy day, to be sure, but after months of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[68,106,143,168,216,253,277,278,284,289],"class_list":["post-6015","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fiction","tag-babylon-red","tag-cyberpunk","tag-free-story","tag-horror","tag-military-science-fiction","tag-pulprev","tag-science-fantasy","tag-science-fiction","tag-sheriff-of-the-swamps","tag-singlit"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6015"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6015"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6015\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6015"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6015"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6015"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}