The Brothers Locke, page 6
Bulk raised his eyebrows. It took a second for Mouth to recognize the expression on Bulk’s face and then realized that he knew more about what they had stolen than Solas did.
“You don’t know?” he said, half in realization and half out of joy.
“Wait, you saw what it was?” Bulk asked.
“Yes, he looked in the box,” Echo explained. “Only him. He still hasn’t told me or Sharp what’s in the thing.”
“You looked in the box?” Bulk repeated.
The smile on Mouth’s face quickly turned to a look of concern. As childishly gleeful as he had been for having something finally to hang over Bulk Brown’s head, it appeared that his knowledge might be more trouble than it was worth.
“Well, yeah. I wanted to know if we were getting shafted, and we were! So I took a peek.”
“Mouth, come out with it,” Echo told his brother. “What was in the box? What did Von Strauss take with him?”
Everyone had now gathered around Mouth, their eyes fixed on him waiting for an answer. Echo was impatient while Bulk and Bando seemed to be more concerned than angry.
“The Key of the Spire,” he finally said.
“The Key of the Spire?” Kale repeated. “What’s that?”
“Boy, didn’t you go to school?” Bulk said. “The Spire! You know, that giant diamond way up north that no one has ever known why it’s there or what it’s for?”
“Oh,” Kale said. “That Key of the Spire.”
“Are you sure that’s what it was?” Bando asked Mouth.
“As sure as you are ugly.”
Bando ignored the insult. “You know what this means, Bulk?”
“Yeah, I know what it means.” Bulk put the memory cube into his pocket as if he had no intention now of giving it to whoever was in the shack. “We’ve got to play this smart. Bando, keep your head on a swivel. You know how we do this. Mouth and Echo, say absolutely nothing. I want to see what they know before we get any further into this.”
“I still opt for the ‘stay out here with Kale and Jocelyn’ plan,” Echo said.
Bando grabbed him by the arm and pushed him towards the door. Mouth and Echo started to walk towards the shack, their anxiety over the situation growing with each step they took over sand and rock.
Echo began to whisper to his brother, “The Key of the Spire? The Key of the Spire! Really, Mouth? And you didn’t think to tell us?”
“We’ve been a little busy,” Mouth said. “Plus, you and Sharp didn’t seem to want to know.”
“Well, that’s true. I didn’t want to know because I didn’t want to get in any deeper than we already were.”
“There you go, then.”
Echo pulled his brother closer to him as they continued to inch towards the shack. “But you’re talking about something that is near mythological. Actually, it is mythological. Every powerful creature in the West and the East would give their first, second, and third born children for that thing and you mean to tell me that’s what we stole from The Miscellany?”
“Yes, and what Solas seems to know about it, or doesn’t know, makes me uneasy going in here.”
“What was The Miscellany doing with it?” Echo puzzled to himself.
“Let’s go, you two,” Bando nudged them towards the shack.
Bulk cautiously opened the doors and entered. The brothers and Bando followed him slowly. The interior of the shack was as rundown as the outside. The walls were not much more than cinder block and broken windows. Debris littered the floor, water stains sadly coated the ceiling from the substandard plumbing, and the entire place looked as if it hadn’t been used in years. The wind outside was kicking up again and whistled through the cracks in the dusty windows. The rattle of rocks and pebbles pelting the metal exterior surrounded them in the dimly lit shack.
“Yeah, not creepy at all,” Mouth commented.
“We’re here, you can stop hiding!” Bulk bellowed. “Come on and talk to us.”
No response came. They all looked around the room, waiting for something or someone to move. But nothing did. Four light bulbs overhead buzzed as they tried desperately to stay alive. For a brief moment they shined brightly, bathing the filthy room in their golden glow.
Something shifted in the corners during that moment. Bulk saw it out of the corner of his eye and stepped forward to the center of the room. The others followed as he raised his hand, palm outward, to the corner.
“Come on now, let’s get this done,” he said.
From out of the four corners of the room emerged winged figures, their bodies a sickly green, heads small and narrow, and eyes blacker than oil. As abnormal as they appeared, even more frightening was what they carried in their veiny hands. Each had a dagger, dirty but lethal. Before they knew it, Bulk and his companions were surrounded on all sides, the point of each dagger aimed at them. Mouth and Echo wilted at the creatures as they stretched their leathery wings to form a barrier around them.
“We thank you for this offering,” a familiar voice came from the shadows of the room. Von Strauss casually strolled behind the wall of winged creatures, his posture that of a man in complete control. “Give us the cube and one may live, or refuse and all will die!”
The Brothers Locke
Episode 3: The Gold of Captain Horsefly
Kale and Jocelyn didn’t understand why they had been made to wait outside the shack while Bulk Brown, Bando and the Locke Brothers were having their mysterious meeting. There was nothing but sand, dust, tumbleweed, and the darkened sky of the West to keep them entertained. Instead of just sitting around wondering what was going on, they decided to play a game of cards.
“It’s your move,” said Jocelyn who had the winning hand.
“I’m thinking, don’t rush me Joc,” responded Kale who was doing his best to try and not look as if he was outmatched.
Jocelyn rarely lost a card game to Kale. If he was honest about it, Kale would admit that he had a unique talent for losing card games. It was one of the last things that he wanted to do right now but unfortunately it was all they had brought with them to pass the time. Jocelyn on the other hand was gleeful at having the chance to beat her friend at cards.
“Your smirking isn’t making me want to play any faster.”
“I’m not smirking,” Jocelyn protested. “I’d say it’s more of a grin.”
“Grin. Smirk. They’re the same thing.”
“Actually, no. A grin is a display of pleasure. A smirk is a sign of arrogance.”
“Okay, so you’re doing both.”
Jocelyn briefly attempted to hide her face but couldn’t help but burst into a full smile. Kale didn’t notice at first. He was deep in thought, but once he looked up, he huffed disgustedly and threw his cards down.
“I can’t play cards with you,” he grunted.
“You can’t play cards at all Kale.”
“That’s probably right. But that’s not the point. We’re supposed to be passing the time.”
Kale opened the door to the jeep and stepped outside. Jocelyn followed him after gathering the cards. There had been no movement or noise from the shack since their companions had entered. Ten minutes had passed and Kale was beginning to worry. What if the others were dead? How would they get home? The jeep was low on gas and they had no knowledge of any nearby fueling stations.
“I hope they’re okay,” Jocelyn said as she shuffled the cards.
“I hope they’re alive. Otherwise, we’re screwed out here.”
Von Strauss’ ego was on full display for his newly acquired prisoners. He had a captive audience — Bulk Brown, Bando and the two Locke Brothers — trapped by a circle of winged creatures holding sharp blades in their hands and scowls on their faces.
“Marvelous creatures they are,” Von Strauss pontificated, his German accent thick. “Bascelics may be terrifying. I think it’s the eyes … so sullen and emotionless.”
“I think the knives in their hands are what’s bothering me right now,” Mouth muttered.
“You have to look deeper though,” Von Strauss continued, ignoring Mouth’s comment. “These wings for example. Elegant in design and yet simplistic. A perfect hybrid of wild animal and natural man.”
“So these are creations of yours?” Bulk Brown asked.
“No, not mine. As much as I admire the abilities that go into making such creatures I do not have the background to do it. This is a creation of a more seasoned mind. Magic and technology, one in the same sometimes, no?”
While Von Strauss continued on with his speech, Mouth and Echo kept their eyes on the Bascelics. Each of the creatures stood like statues, their posture erect and their muscles frozen in a threatening pose. Every so often their wings would twitch involuntarily, which only added to their eldritch appearance. Bando and Bulk Brown were more concerned with Von Strauss as he was clearly in charge. At this moment, he could order the monsters to strike and there would be little they could do about it.
“We were supposed to meet up with another party here,” Bulk Brown said. “What did you do with them?”
“They’ve been taken care of,” Von Strauss replied cryptically.
“So you just thought you’d take their place huh? And you really thought we’d just hand this over to you?”
“I was thinking more like I would take it from you.”
“With these playthings you brought with you. No, no, no man. That’s not how this plays out.”
Bando cleared his throat before speaking, “Why do you need the cube anyway? What does this have to do with you?”
Von Strauss grunted in acknowledgment of Bando’s question.
“If you’re trying to get me to explain what my ‘master plan’ is you’re wasting your breath Mr. Bando. My reasons for getting the cube are none of your concern.”
Bulk wasn’t happy with the answer, “Come off it man! You know what’s on the cube so stop with all the theatrics and get on with it.”
“Let’s just say it is necessary for my employer. As I’m sure it is for yours. Unfortunately, there can only be one winner in all of this.”
“Winner?” laughed Mouth. “You’re a joke Von Strauss.”
Bulk Brown glared at him. Mouth noticed the look but ignored it. He was done letting these adults control this situation. It had brought nothing but problems since the start. His brother was missing and now he and Echo were stuck in the middle of a game between a bunch of mercenaries. He was going to let Von Strauss know what he thought about him if it was the last thing in his life he’d do.
“Whatever you two are debating doesn’t matter to me. There’s still the matter of payment. We did a job for you and you kidnapped us and threatened us. Now you’re doing it again. I mean, talk about unprofessional!”
“Mouth, I really don’t think this is the time to list your grievances with our former client,” Echo interrupted.
“I said keep your mouth shut!” Bulk whispered to Mouth.
“No, this has to be said. You’re a filthy crook Von Strauss! Whoever it is you are working for you’re probably planning on backstabbing them as well. Now, I’m just a kid and I know I’m not supposed to know what’s going on, but there used to be a code that we all followed.”
“Shut it Mouth!” Bulk said, louder this time through his clenched teeth.
With a tap of the shoulder, Von Strauss made one of the Bascelics lower its weapon and back away from the circle. Von Strauss took the creature’s spot, as close to Mouth as he could. There was no fear in Mouth, almost foolishly so. He didn’t wither from Von Strauss and stared harshly back at his captor.
“We hired you and your brothers because we thought you’d be little trouble to deal with. Clearly, I was wrong about that. You have become quite a pain lately.”
“That’s one of my gifts,” Mouth said with a smirk.
“No matter. Even though you’re a pain you’re not a threat. In fact, you are of such little consequence to this whole thing I might even let you go just to amuse myself.”
“Little consequence?” Mouth repeated Von Strauss’ words, the insult clear on his voice. “Let me tell you something …”
“Not one more word Mouth!” Bulk said.
“... I know a lot more than you think I do. You think you’ve got some master plan? You think we’re just some dumb kids who don’t know anything? You think you can just rob us blind?”
“Oh no,” Bulk sighed.
“I know what the Key of the Spire is. And you thought you could just pay us nothing for it? Then just take it? You clearly don’t know who you’re messing with.”
Bulk turned to Echo. “Does he ever shut up?”
“No, not really,” Echo replied.
“Change of plans.” Von Strauss ordered the Bascelics to lowered their knives and back away from the captives. “We’re taking the cube and the boy.”
“Excuse me?” said Mouth.
“Not only have you talked too much, but now you’ve seen too much. But we can fix that. Grab the boy.”
“Hey!” Mouth protested as the Bascelics took hold of both of his arms.
The creatures were stronger than they looked, their grip like vices around his wrists. Mouth could do very little to resist without causing himself more pain. Bulk and Bando made a motion towards them but the Bascelics hissed at them.
“They will rip the boy apart if you don’t back off and hand over the cube. I’d much rather question him alive but there are ways to do that if he’s dead too. Hand it over Bulk!”
“Did you hear that?” Kale asked Jocelyn.
“Hear what?”
“Over there. Behind the shed.”
Jocelyn turned her head and looked in the direction Kale was pointing. The sand had kicked up again but through the golden haze she could make out a figure coming down the sandy hill. Her eyes widened as she put away her cards.
“Well, I guess it’s time to go to work.”
“Time’s ticking away Bulk. Hand over the cube,” Von Strauss demanded again, his minions tightening their grip on Mouth’s wrists. “Or, should I have these beautiful creations rip this boy into two pieces?”
All eyes were on Bulk now. Mouth and Echo had a panicked look on their faces. They were trying to figure out whether or not Bulk valued the information on the cube more than Mouth’s life. So far, they hadn’t thought of him as callous but then again he had never been put to the test like this. Bando was more concerned with the Bascelics who had now formed a wall between them and the door. Whatever they were going to do, they’d have to do it quick because there was little chance of them fighting their way out of the shed at this point.
“Fine then,” Von Strauss said suddenly.
A scratching could be heard from the far wall. It was growing louder and louder, commanding the attention of everyone in the shed. Von Strauss motioned to one of the creatures to investigate. It did slowly, dragging its body towards the sound’s origin. It made a few inquisitive sounds before lowering down on its haunches and pressing its pointed ear against the wall.
The second its skin made contact with the surface the wall erupted in a shower of fire, mortar, dust and metal. This was their cue. Bando and Bulk tackled the Bascelics who were holding Mouth and immediately shouted for the brothers to leave. They didn’t have to say it twice. Echo grabbed his brother and both exited the building. Kale and Jocelyn were waiting outside with the jeep ready to go.
Inside, the scene had turned into chaos. A cloud of smoke and falling debris filled the small shed. Through the newly created opening came a familiar face.
“That’s my girl!” Bulk Brown laughed.
Dana marched through the opening with a look on her face so deadly it even made her friends take a step backwards. Von Strauss didn’t know how she had managed it but that didn’t matter. The girl was talented, that was for certain. The Bascelics were disoriented, howling at the ceiling in pain. The building's integrity had been compromised and the walls were beginning to buckle under the weight of the roof. Von Strauss knew he had lost this round and without another word, followed Dana through the opening.
He didn’t get very far as the roof collapsed just as he touched the jagged edges of the hole. Dana turned and watched as the entire shed imploded into a plume of dust and smoke. She then retrieved a case sitting a few yards from the shed and headed back to the jeep.
“Let’s go!” Bando shouted as he took his seat behind the wheel.
Mouth and Echo had made it to the van and were pleasantly surprised at who was already sitting inside. Sharp was there waiting for them, his expression a mix of concern and joy as his eyes locked with that of his siblings. They hugged briefly before Dana hopped into the jeep, shoving the large case she carried with her into the back.
“Finally found a use for those explosives,” she said. “I don’t know what those things were but I don’t think we want to wait around and find out.”
“We’re out of here,” Bando said.
The oversized jeep kicked up more dust into the air as it sped away from the scene. They left behind them a demolished outpost and hopefully, for their sake, the remains of Von Strauss and his mutated henchmen.
***
Sim Sam hadn’t traveled outside of Avidity for a few years. In the past, others who worked directly for the city’s leader — The Miscellany — would often go beyond the city’s borders to broker deals, spread word about their utopia of technology, or other less-than-honorable reasons.
Times were different now. There was a change in the Dea, especially in the West, that required a more hands-on approach from Sim Sam. With a few bodyguards at his side, he headed north from the sparkling city of technology and lights to the more desolate, industrialized metropolis of Icagoro. His contact there, a female scientist, had been sent a new test subject and Sim Sam was eager to see the results of her work.
He entered the seemingly abandoned warehouse, doing his best to ignore the dilapidated conditions in which the woman lived and worked. The place was essentially a rusted dump with corrosion and decay teeming from every inch of the building. Deep inside was her lab and it was here that he waited patiently for her.
