Unity by Carl Stubblefield (epub read online books TXT) 📕

“Probably not the best option with everyone wide awake, Nick,” Gus thought in reply.

“After this, Ether Crafting offers a benefit, followed by your use of Electric Mind in conjunction with the Quorian cube. But these are an order of magnitude less than Telepathy.”

“Anything to make this go away,” Gus pinched his eyes shut and had to lean over and take some deep breaths when a nasty surge of nausea-inducing pain blurred his vision.

Aurora turned, pulling a large swath of wet hair behind her ear. Seeing Gus bracing himself on his knees about fifty feet back, she signaled for Tempest to stop.

“Gus, are you okay?” she asked, jogging over to him. He only lifted a finger, unable to respond with his eyes screwed shut. After a minute, he gasped as whatever was bothering him ebbed.

“What is going on? Gus, talk to me!”

“I… I don’t know,” Gus lied. “Stress headache, I think. The rain isn’t helping, either.”

“It’s been a stressful mission; it can be very overwhelming,” Tempest confirmed. “We’re getting close, do you need us to help you walk?”

“Nah, it is fading a bit more now. I think I can make it. Let’s just go before it comes back.” Gus groaned, forcing himself to stand.

Tempest nodded, giving Gus a pat on the back. “You let me know if it starts again. We can’t help you if you don’t talk to us. Got it? We’ll get BoJack to take a look at you as soon as we all meet up. I’m hoping we get the information and we can all get the hell out of here. I’ve had enough of Hinansho to last me a lifetime.” Tempest waved Gus forward and they continued on their slog.

He knew they were watching him, keeping an eye on him in case he stumbled or showed any signs of relapse. At first it was irritating, but as time progressed, he began to doubt if he wouldn’t pass out at an inopportune moment.

As Gus checked the distance to destination, Tempest was right, they were much closer now. Gus picked up his speed, eager to be finished. The alley finally spilled out into a wider courtyard area. Repurposed bits of technology and materials were used to great effect, and the group began to see more individuals stirring about.

The presence of augments and hybrids, even disheveled and dirty, lifted Gus’ spirits a bit, making him feel more secure they were on the right path, despite the display’s mapping trail being ever-present. The lack of locals in the alleys set him on edge for some reason in such a big, bustling city. Even this group in the courtyard seemed to cluster together, as they opened their tiny stores and workshops which appeared to double as their homes in the off hours.

Following the blue chevrons, this area of Hinansho became more and more developed, giving way to actual storefronts and more foot traffic. At the end of a large intersection, they realized they were at their destination. A large transport resembling a pirate ship was embedded into the nearby shops. With the overgrowth of shops and walkways that stretched overhead to different buildings, the ship’s traveling days were long past, but it was an impressive sight by its sheer size.

A large gangplank led up to the second story opening. A garish holographic sign lit up letter by letter, announcing they had arrived.

Chapter Forty

Jack Sparrow

Walking off the gangway, they stepped onto the creaky wooden floor and took in the ambiance of Kenway’s place.

The esthetic was decidedly nautical—to the extreme. Though it would have no place on an actual transport, there was a large wooden mast in the center of the room, and upon the bow an individual that could only be Kenway sat in a large throne. He was obviously an augment, and he pet a large tiger at his side as he watched his men work.

Different hybrids were rushing to and fro, stacking items into different piles as they assembled orders. Crates were loaded and checked, wrapped with a dark cellophane, then transferred to levitating pallets.

“Aaah, I get it now,” Gus hit his head, nodding. “I wondered why Kenway sounded familiar.” as he took in the decor.

“Does he have a gun instead of a peg-leg?” Aurora whispered, squinting as she looked up at the figure.

“It’s an RPD, and my scan shows that it works,” Tempest confirmed.

“I haven’t seen someone who screams ‘I’m overcompensating for something’ like this in quite a while,” Aurora said while shaking her head.

Tempest elbowed her. “Not the time…”

“Sorry,” she whispered, eyes looking back at Kenway, trying to detect if he had heard her with some augmented senses, despite being over two hundred feet away.

Curled up by the side of the throne was a large tiger. Gus noticed it also equipped a similar, albeit electronic, eyepatch. The large animal raised its head and peered at them with hungry eyes. Well, one hungry eye and the other emanated a ruby colored beam, with servos enlarging and constricting around the synthetic eye.

Seeing them enter, Kenway motioned them forward with a mechanical hand. Gus could see different attachments folded along Kenway’s forearm, among them a blade, a hydraulic clamp, and other attachments he couldn’t make out from this vantage.

As the group approached, it was more evident that the throne was the head of some large robot, the lower jaw jutting forward to form the base of the seat. Kenway leaned forward and spread his arms wide.

“What can I do for you today, my esteemed guests?”

“We are looking for someone; we were told she was in Hinansho.” Tempest said, stepping forward.

“Well then you have come to the right place!” Kenway said as he sprang to his feet. Or foot, in his particular case. “That is what I do. I find things, often very difficult things, and match them with those who want them.” He held a finger out as if lecturing a naughty child. “One thing I must ask though, who referred you to me?