Shékil's Story
Damn.
This was going completely off course.
It was supposed to be a simple trade. She had the goods, they had the supplies. Of course, life was never that easy out here.
Especially when dealing with west-siders in the ghetto.
The langly guy, with long greasy black hair smiled, waving his gun back and forth. "K, hand it over, and we can talk about our new price."
Shékil scrowled. "This isn't what we agreed to."
"You're right, but prices just went up. What you got now is worth only half what I brought. Call it a down payment."
Shékil sighed. This contact was scrubbed. No way he would be useful, even if this went well. And they couldn't afford to give up this much of their invaluble supplies this early. Time to scrub this.
"Deal's off," she grunted, nodding to Rossuel. He nodded, closing the container.
The contact's wicked grin wavered, along with his aim. "But-- you can't do this! I'm running this show."
Shékil smirked. "Get lost, now, and we never have to meet again."
Now the contact was angry, his face contorted with rage. He fired off a warning shot.
"Give me my stuff, now! Or so help me, your little warror princess won't ever see the light of day again!"
Shékil almost laughed out loud. Is that they're calling my crew chief now? She would have to tell her about it when they got back.
"Last chance," she repeated. "Drop it, and we part peacefully."
Of course, she knew he wasn't going to. She sensed it long before he even tensed his finger to pull the trigger.
She moved fast, pulling out her knife. Rossuel saw the movement, and joined in. In less than a second, the contact was on the ground, gasping for breath as Shékil held him roughly. Rossuel was already standing again, having policed the pistol.
"I warned you," she growled, the knife pressed against his neck.
The contact grunted. "Fine! We do it your way!"
"Too late..."
She jerked the blade back. She got up quickly before the blood stained hr worn shirt.
The body already stank, and would attract trouble fast. They had to get out of here.
"Let's go."
"And what about him?" Rossuel nodded towards the diseased contact.
"Let the west-siders pick through his clothing. The animals will take care of the body before daybreak tomorrow."
Rossuel chuckled, shaking his head. "You know she isn't going to be happy."
"Yeah, well, we've got what we came for. Grab his crate and let's go. Might as well take it since he's not going anywhere."
They recovered the previous items planned for trade, and set off back up the steep street. Shékil wanted to get back to the hide out while it was still dark, but she had one more affair to take care of.
"You got this?" she asked, motioning to the two heavy crates.
Rossuel nodded. "No problem. Although you might want this..." He handed her the pistol.
Shékil took it with disgust. "Better hope the patrols don't catch me with this."
Rossuel rolled his eyes. "This is the ghetto; not the central gov-district."
The two parted, and Shékil took to the rooftops. She strayed uphill, away from the main outcropping of buildings along the river. The few lit street lamps cast rays of light across the dancing water.
Soon she was at her intended location. She swooped in through the open window, landing cat-like on the wooden floor inside. Someone was waiting in the shadows.
"Shékil...how nice of you to stop by."
"Silence!" Shékil hissed. "No names!"
The dark figure chuckled. "No one is listening."
"Yeah right. Tell that to the Oracle."
The figure shifted nervously. "Whatever. What are you even doing here?"
Shékil dropped down onto the floor. She was already tired, and the night was still early. "I need some more guidance. My powers aren't expanding as they used to."
The figured sighed, irritably. "Patience, child! Patience! They will grow. I prophesied of this, did I not?"
"It has been three years now. How much longer must I wait?"
"Three years is nothing. Do you think our forefathers waited but ten years for the invaders to leave? No. Even now we are still visited by them. And why they have not reclaimed all of our world is still a mystery. But we must learn by their example. Patience."
Shékil stood. "Fine. If you have nothing more to say."
The figure said nothing.
Shékil made to leave.
"Oh, and one more thing..."
Shékil glanced back.
"Tell Kenji i said hi...."
THE END
Stumble!