Desperado (Murphy's Lawless: Watch the Skies Book 2) by Kevin Ikenberry (any book recommendations txt) 📕

and it had ended earlier than normal. The crowd of revelers had also been smaller. Aliza didn’t know if that was because many of the migrant farmers had decided to leave the city and press north, or if it was due to the influx of tribal militias. As the sun continued its progress across the sky, they continued to enter the city in a constant trickle of small bands, as if seeking their fortunes in beat-up, thrown-together vehicles.

The bazaar, once the central place in town for commerce and trading, now appeared to be an arms market. The different factions traded and sold weaponry next to stalls filled with produce, precious stones, and other wares. It was an odd sight, but Aliza decided it was normal when the Sear approached. As she made her way through the streets, she spoke with several people whom she knew, at least in a passing way. Many of the older inhabitants behaved as if nothing was wrong regarding the change in the town, but Aliza could tell it was different, and not necessarily for the better.

The smiles were gone. The open arms and welcoming faces of those who she’d met were closed under their thick, sun-protective paint. Tension and fear filled the air. The presence of weapons, something that had been uncommon on her arrival, wasn’t the only visible change. The locals feared those gathering there. With the approach of the Sear, they expected—even welcomed—the storing of resources for both survival and defense. Yet it seemed like none of the citizens wanted it in this manic fashion. For whatever reason, they had appeared much more at ease before the soldiers arrived. Aliza couldn’t help but wonder if it was a fear of the Harvesters, too.

By afternoon, she had estimated that the strength of the collected militias now stood at about two thousand five hundred, but without any clear commander or cadre. A few small bands possessed true leadership, but the others just appeared to be looking for work or hoping to be noticed. Still, there were enough of them that she feared Bo and the others would not be able to take the town, and she’d be trapped inside or have to take her chances crossing the wastes alone.

That line of thinking was nothing new. After having been a prisoner, Aliza always considered her options and tried to find places where she could retreat should the need arise. Along with her daily information collection, she started searching for those places.

It would have been easier without her tail, however.

As she returned to the bazaar, and the shadows started lengthening, Aliza realized she was being followed. Tracking her every move was a young boy, only twelve or thirteen years old. He kept to the deepest shadows but was always there. The boy reminded her of a young Ben Mazza, having the same dark hair and dimples. He’d have been cute if not for the fearful and wary look on his face. When he walked, it was all a motion of gangly arms and legs. He almost looked ungraceful and frail, yet he’d done a good job with his surveillance. Aliza didn’t know how long the boy had been following her, but once she reentered the bazaar, she identified him and became certain of his intent.

As to who would want her followed, that wasn’t in question. Waornaak, who she gathered was a warlord of a medium-sized element of about two hundred and fifty soldiers, had disliked her since she’d run into him. He’d probably dispatched the boy to follow her and gain intelligence. To her knowledge, she hadn’t given up anything. She hadn’t seen him during the previous night’s festivities, and he hadn’t been part of the group at the thermal pool for the harvest. Her report to Bo had been unobserved. Which was a good thing, because of how it had unsettled her.

“We’re coming in soon,” Bo had said. “I figure you’re in the top of the ninth inning right now. I’ve got your relief pitcher standing by.”

Aliza had closed her eyes and muttered a quick prayer. “The other team has a lot more players now. I’m worried.”

Bo replied, “Try not to worry, honey. We’re going to get in there and get you. I promise.”

His words made her feel better, but knowing the attack was coming either that day or evening put her on edge.

Aliza took her time winding through the remainder of the bazaar, taking time to visit a few of the stalls she frequented. Most of them, though, had gone. She heard conversations among the merchants. As usual, they did not hold back their opinions. Many of the families had indeed moved north. The arrival of the soldiers appeared to have heralded much more than fear and violence.

“The Harvesters are coming, and once they take what we have, they might even take us.”

The overheard comment sparked Aliza’s caution and speculation. Would the Kulsian Harvesters do that? Was slavery really something they practiced? Picking up innocent residents and moving them off planet to somewhere else? She believed it was possible. Hadn’t their part-ancestors the Ktor done just that when they abducted her and the others from Earth? Given the Sear and how inhospitable much of the planet would become, moving people off the planet to do the dirty work someplace else wasn’t that far-fetched at all.

Experience had taught her that the best way to handle such nebulous fears was to calm herself and focus on the things she still needed to do. One was to find the white-haired outsider she’d seen a couple times but had never been able to follow. The second was to locate a spot in the outer glacis that was potentially thin enough or weak enough to be breached. She would wait near that point when the battle was joined, and the cavalry came charging in.

“When you hear the guns, stop everything you’re doing and move