Chapter 78.1 - Catacombs (Patreon)

Author Note: The entire sequence in which the fall of Minister Dekar was executed in was a bit too fast in hindsight, and it felt as though Kyle was losing heavily. In this re-edit, Kyle is shown to have even more doubts about Minister Dekar's ability to uphold the deal, but yet he thinks further ahead and plans to exploit the ensuing turmoil, for it is through chaos in which a crime lord like him will thrive. 

The re-edit of subsequent chapters aim to lengthen the sequence of events to give the story more breathing space as well as more characterization of the intricacy of Tenar. Tenar is a much smaller city than Raktor, but still of notable size. Masir and Makoa plays a larger role in setting a new beachfront for Kyle in Tenar as well instead of being dumped to the wayside in the original version.

The main changes to this chapter is the second half.

As the two of them trekked down the sewers, guided by Dekar’s memory of the layout, Kyle wondered if Raktor had a similar layout. Weird, I don’t recall hearing anything about catacombs, only sewers. But most people stay in the alleyways or in concentrated slums back in Raktor.

“So, who were the people attacking us? Why did they want to kill you?” Kyle asked as they trudged along, avoiding the pools of sludge and rotten carcasses of unidentifiable creatures. They held their rifles at the ready, prepared for anyone that somehow tracked them.

“I assume the industrialists. They’ve been lobbying for the government to release restrictions on the sale and production of weapons for the military, amongst other things.” Dekar responded, his mind locking onto one person. Fucking Harrison!

“I was under the impression that every citizen of Versia could hold a weapon – even an arctech rifle.”

“There are still limitations on how much weaponry a single citizen can hold. They can’t buy cannons or artillery, for example.”

Kyle pondered for a while, coming to a conclusion. “So, the industrialists want full privatisation of the weapons industry.”

“Leeches is what they are – no doubt they want to monopolise the industry, ripping off the government.”

“Are you not also ripping off the military or the taxpayers by having a state monopoly as well?”

Dekar stopped in his tracks, turning around and glaring at Kyle. “You seem to have this impression that every government official is corrupt and out to profit for themselves. Well, I’m here to tell you that Versia is not the same as your noble-infested system that you are so proud of!”

“Surprising for someone who took a bribe from Count Leon.”

“Where the hell did you hear that from?”

“It’s been spreading among the people. Quite a few conversations about, at least enough for me to hear about it on my first day here.”

“I did not take the bribe - I gave it away to charity.”

“You mean you gave it away for safekeeping. Who’s to say that the charity isn’t owned by one of your ‘friends’?”

Dekar fumed as he resumed walking. “Unlike your money-addled brain, I believe in the Versian State! Everything I do is for the people and for the continued existence of the state. Living standards, quality of life, sanitary systems, transportation - I worked for fifteen years to establish everything. To make a better society than ever before! Something your greedy heart will never understand.”

Kyle was a bit astounded, smiling to himself. It’s been a while since I met a man who had such strong ideals – they never lasted long in the Galactic Era. “So that’s why the capital looked so clean.”

“Exactly! I poured my heart and soul into ensuring the best for the citizens of Tenar, and soon I will be able to do the same for the other cities! These idiotic industrialists like Harrison have no shame: their wealth and quality of life today are due to my work.”

Kyle noted down the name of Harrison, recalling having heard it before during the auction of his handgun back in the Central Sector. “Impressive. Yet here you are, powerless.”

“Indeed. I learnt a strict lesson today – peace must be defended with force. Violent force, if necessary. When I get back to the governement…”

Kyle didn’t reply, simply nodding along as Dekar continued to rant and espouse how he would quarter the industrialists, and specifically, Harrison, from head to toe. However, Kyle did not believe the Versia state could achieve true stability.

The issue was with how they came to power – it reduces legitimacy as well as makes subsequent coups easier. Once the first coup is successful, every other interest group out there will know that such a method is possible. And if the current government doesn’t have the power to restrain them…

“You have an insider in your government.”

“What?!” Dekar turned around, indignant at the insuination. “By the industrialists?”

“There’s no other explanation. Someone has been tracking you very closely and seems to be aware of every move and action you take. Either your security detail was compromised, or someone in the government ratted you out to the industrialists.”

But who? Who would support Harrison among the ministers? Could it be…

Suddenly, the Minister yelped out loud in fear as he tripped over a corpse. The lifeless eyes lolled about, its hands and limbs tied together while its chest was riddled with what seemed like sword pierce marks. It’s organs inside were long decaying, maggots infesting the innards and squirming about.

Before the Minister could scream any longer, Kyle grabbed the minister by the mouth, forcing him to shut up. “Listen.” Kyle used his other to point in the distance, the reflection of arctech lanterns off the damp walls of the catacombs along with shadows flickering at a T-junction.

The two of them snuck up to the source, resisting the urge to retch from the slowly horrifying smell that began to assault their noses. The rancid stench somehow began to cling to their clothes, masking their presence slightly while they approached.

As they neared, the shadows slowly separated, allowing them to discern a few people kneeling in front of what seemed to be a single person, inspecting them. A lone female crying could be heard as that person clutched her by the face, checking her features and hair for any issues.

“Masir, the goods you’ve brought in are terrible this time! Only this one has even the slightest chance – but she requires far more work than is necessary! Why did you even come in this early when our agreed delivery date was four days later?!” A gruff old voice from the inspecting person echoed through the catacombs.

Kyle squinted his eyes for a moment but did not act just yet. So this is who he’s selling to – which means it’s a bigger fish.

“I didn’t get to choose, Sir Tian! Someone forced me to come in earlier than I planned!” Masir complained,

“Hmm… the man with Makoa and Kola, you mean?”

“Yes, exactly – I need your help to kill him!”

“I saw him grabbed off by the Versian Special Division. He might as well be dead by now.” Sir Tian waved his hands dismissively before motioning to two other underlings. The sound of metal cuffs clinking resounded, a chain linking the slaves together in a long column. “Let’s move – better to deliver them while they are still fresh.”

Masir started to follow them, before Sir Tian turned around, staring him down with a simmering rage. “And why are you following us..?”

“Sir, please, I really do need help to kill that person. I’m not entirely sure that he is dead – he is far stronger than you imagine. Also… you haven’t paid me.”

“Even stronger than the state’s best knights? Preposterous.” A pouch of Versian coins was flung at Masir’s head unceremoniously by one of the underlings. “Now scram!”

Dekar nearly lunged out, enraged at the idea of slavery happening this blatantly under his very nose in the capital. Kyle quickly grabbed him by the collar and dragged him back, preventing the two underlings and Sir Tian from noticing them observing from the side. Kyle retreated to a small nook, forcing Dekar’s mouth shut.

Dekar tried to break free, but Kyle’s strength was just overwhelming, preventing Dekar from even moving. All they could do was watch as Sir Tian and his new entourage of sobbing slaves being coerced to walk on their bare feet marched towards an unknown direction.

A minute passed, before Kyle turned to Dekar. “Have you composed yourself?”

Dekar nodded vigorously, finally being let go. “Sorry, I let my emotions get the better of me. But we should track where they are heading to and save the slaves. Some of them are Versians!”

Before Dekar could take another step, a clicking sound could be heard, the sound of a rifle’s safety button going off. He turned around to see Kyle aiming the rifle right at his head, the barrel glinting dangerously under the flicking reflections of the dim arctech lanterns off the sludge swirling through the sewers.

“I highly suggest you make your way to the government palace instead.” Kyle spoke gently.

Dekar was unintimidated, walking up to the rifle’s barrel with stern eyes. “If not? You’ll kill me? Someone of my stature?”

“I have killed men far greater than you.” Kyle’s finger rested on the trigger, causing Dekar’s heart to jump slightly.

A moment of silence passed as the two stared each other down, before Dekar finally relented. “Fine. But I’ll be coming back down to save these slaves after I’ve reached the government palace.”

“As long as you sign the deal first.”

Selfish swine. Dekar gnashed his teeth in anger before walking the opposite direction from the procession of slaves were heading. Once I reach the government, I will make sure to enslave this fucker.

Kyle kept his rifle at the ready, aimed at Dekar’s back, their tenuous alliance the only reason why the two were still together. However, deep in Kyle’s mind, he already had a sinking feeling that this ship has already sunk.

If his assumption of an insider in the government was true, Dekar would have no chance of returning as a Minister. If it were false, he would be powerless to fight off all of the soldiers that the Minister would have at his beck and call. Perhaps I should cut my losses and return to Raktor.

Yet the imminent war still proved to be far too valuable to simply just ‘give up’. It was like a coasting treasure fleet of starships sailing through his borders. Kyle remained confident that he could handle any number of setbacks and still come out on top no matter what.

They walked for half an hour, while Kyle kept a tight memory on the path they took lest Dekar was misleading him yet into another trap. If necessary, he would return to where Masir’s deal took place. If Masir could sneak the slaves into Tenar via the catacombs, it means that there is a way out of the city through there as well. That will be my escape route.

However, Dekar stayed true to his word, eventually leading them to a ladder that led up towards a manhole, with the hustle and bustle of the main city heard over them, wagon wheels creaking against the lid of the manhole, rattling it.

Instead of climbing the ladder immediately, Dekar stopped in place, staring at the manhole in confusion.

“What’s wrong?” Kyle asked warily, his eyes darting around the area to check for any potential ambush.

“Do you hear that?”

“The sludge?”

“No, above us. It’s too rowdy for this time of the day in the streets.”

Kyle focused on his hearing, noticing what seemed to be the reverberations of chanting and shouting. “Have you heard about someone offering coin for people to gather in the square today?”

“What? No? That’s illegal?”

“This entire sequence of events has been illegal so far, and it’s not been even a day since I got here.” Kyle shrugged.

Dekar’s face paled, as he began to put everything together. “That damn Harrison is trying to get me lynched?”

“Sounds like a good way to capture you.”

“Johan would never fucking stand for this! We just need to get back to the government palace!”

“Right, but we’re going to need a disguise before moving in.”

“… what? But we got nothing here!” Dekar motioned with his hands around the empty sewer system.

“I see plenty of makeup options here.” Kyle gestured.

Dekar was about to protest, but didn’t see another option. It would be foolish to walk around in the open when Nest’s operatives and an entire crowd of obviously biased protestors was swarming the city. “Fucking hell, I didn’t expect to have to do this one day…” He bent over to the free-flowing sludge of sewage coursing through the system, gingerly dipping his finger into it and masking his face with it.

The horrid smell, slimy feel of human waste and chunky bits of god knows what was slathered over his face, Dekar holding in the urge to retch as much as he could. He even picked up a few rotten pieces of newspaper to make his current clothes seem more rundown than ever. “Right, this should be good enough.”

He stood up only to see Kyle, who had used the algae and soot of the walls to mask his own face, making him look like a unruly homeless miner of sorts. The two stared at each other for a brief moment as it was apparent who drew the short straw.

“I didn’t know you had a fetish for such… bodily refuse.”

“Shut up.”