Here is the final part of Getting Settled, Flux's second story. I did have an idea in mind of how I wanted this section to end before I finished writing it. But, sometimes things don't go to plan. Next time we see Flux I'll add in the idea I originally had for this chapter. Hope you enjoy it. If you haven't read it, here is part 1 of this story.
@killerwot/getting-settled-part-1
Flux had no idea what he was going to be walking into, the underworld. An ominous name for sure, one which was conjuring up ideas and thoughts that he wasn't going to return. The city looked different from this altitude. Saz had been quiet for nearly the whole trip, Flux also didn't have much to say so he chose to just look out the window of their transporter at the city below. It almost looked peaceful, but, he knew better. He had his glimpse of what this city could really be like. If it is like Saz said, that the underworld was the place you could get anything you couldn't get from the surface, he could only imagine what the people who dwelled there were like. He'd be sure to keep his weapon at the ready, he didn't need anyone to warn him of that.
The busy cities centre had come and gone, what had been an abundance of ships coming and going had slowed down now so much that it almost seemed as though theirs was the only one in the air. Where the centre saw the buildings stretch up to touch the sky, now it was almost as if they shrank beneath the ground. Replaced by rubble, a place where a city had once stood. The lights that illuminated the area with advertisements, was now dark as if the outer city was dead.
The transporter took them down in a clearing, when it came to a stop a hiss could be heard before the door started to open. The pressure that had built up in the transporter had dissipated, leaving Flux with a feeling of lightheadedness.
"Keep it running, we won't be long." Saz said to the pilot as she stood up to leave. "Hurry up, I don't like the idea of sitting around here for too long. I hate these under-worlders." The pilot replied. "If you notice anything just take off and do a few laps of the area, I don't want to be stranded on this side of the city."
Flux followed Saz when she had finished gathering up her things, once outside of the ship the doors closed again, sealing behind them. Flux could even hear the distinct sound of them locking. Saz lead the way, there was a makeshift wall on either side of an opening. With a few people posted and patrolling along and beneath it. Some shouted and hooted as they approached.
"You here to make a delivery?" One of the guards out front said. They were wearing tatty rags, but, along with that, they wore random mismatched armour. Which was in varying condition, some pieces hung off the guard by a thread, other pieces though looked brand new. "On Ember's request." "Good. I'll take it down to the boss." He said while stepping forward, readying his blaster while he did. "New policy, no surface dwellers beyond this point." Another behind him said. Saz unholstered her blaster and fired, killing the guard who was approaching. "I'll be the one to deliver it. Or you can explain to your boss why the shipment never arrived." The other guards looked at each other, Flux was waiting for them all to start firing. The one who had spoken before started to laugh while looking at the body on the ground. "I was only joking. Surface dwellers are always free to pass."
Saz started to walk past them, Flux followed her looking down to avoid stepping on the corpse. "Welcome to the under-world." The man said, Flux turned to see him and a few of the others start to squabble and pull at the corpse, taking pieces of armour and weapons for themselves.
They made it to a large staircase, it seemed to go on forever, the light from outside reached down only a third of the way. After that though it got dimmer and the only light from there on was flickering lights in the ceiling or firelight which was spread out. There were a few people on the large stairs, Flux didn't know whether they were alive or dead. The scurry of rodents as they walked made him think the latter. "It used to be a massive sub-terranean transportation centre. You could go from one side of the city to the other in minutes, they even had part of it built up to house the people that worked on it. Far as I've heard it was that big that certain sections of it were like small villages. After the war, most of the city was destroyed so the transportation stopped. People moved in and when the militia tried to get them out it didn't go well for them. The Under-worlders numbers swelled too much. Now it's a city to itself." Saz's voice echoed through the empty concrete and steel corridors.
They turned a corner and there were a few people lined up by a wall. "Do you want safe passage? We're cheap." "No, I know my way." Saz refused the offer without even looking at them. Flux noticed that the smell had started to creep up, as Saz said, it's invasive. It smelled earthy, musky but, also rotting, it was one of the worst smells Flux had come across, he covered his face with his jacket, but it didn't help much. "Let's get this over with fast. I think I'm going to be sick."
With a lot of twists and turns, they finally came to some sort of opening. The place was alive with people, where before they saw only a few stragglers or small groups now they were amongst an uncountable amount. Flux was surprised to see buildings and shop fronts in the large area, however, they were all crammed together, so much so, that at some sections they had to squeeze their way past.
They came to a door which was guarded on both sides, the people out-front stopped them, but, let them pass once Saz explained what they were here for. Once inside the rotting smell was replaced with a sweeter aroma, still though, the sudden change was enough to make Flux feel a bit gag. "Keep your mouth shut when we're in here, if he talks to you just go along with whatever he says. Chem heads can be a bit strange."
At the back of the building was a large group of people all gathered throughout, drinking and talking, in the centre at the back though sitting on some sort of makeshift throne was no doubt the one they were selling to. "Shika Tang." Saz said loudly once they reached the foot of the throne. "You must be Embers envoys. Come down here to bask in the presence of the Lord of the Under-world. You have brought gifts for me?"
"I wouldn't say it's a gift. A deal, from one of the Lords of the surface." Shika started to laugh once Saz finished. "It's nice to speak with someone who has brains enough to play along. Most of these people I surround myself with can't even formulate a sentence. I trust you had no trouble arriving." "Not really. One of your guards tried to stop us from entering, but, I made sure he won't do that again." Shika nodded once Saz finished. "Anyone who steps in the way of one of my guests is stepping in the way of me. They should be treated as such. Your money." One of his servants exchanged the parcel for a stash of Tokens. Once Saz had them she hid them on her person, so quick that Flux didn't even see where. "Pleasure doing business with you, Ember wanted me to let you know that if there is ever anything you need just ask." "Very helpful. There are others I'm working with at the moment, I will make a decision to go exclusive once I know what else is out there. For now though, safe return. Offer Ember my gratitude." Saz nodded once Shika finished and the two of them made their way back out.
They made their way slowly out of the large area and back into the corridors they arrived through. Flux could hear footsteps trailing behind them. "Saz." Flux whispered. "I know, I count Five. Hard to say how many there really are though." Saz ducked around a corner, Flux turned to see some shadows dance across the walls of the gloomy dank corridor. Everything fell silent for a moment. Saz peaked around the corner to Flux, but then she was dragged back behind the wall. Flux rounded it to see her struggle against two shadows. He fired, missing first but hitting one with his second shot. With that Saz fired. "They have the payment on them." one of them shouted. Flux heard footsteps behind him, but too late. He was charged and landed hard on the ground. He didn't drop his pistol though, he managed to spin firing wildly. Most of the shots ricocheted off the walls, but two hit the one that had grabbed him. He scrambled to get back to his feet, seeing another person in the distance. Without thinking he fired on them too, they dropped and everything was silent again. But, Saz was gone, he looked to where she was and saw her blaster, picking it up.
He could hear muffled echoes though coming from deeper into the maze. Turning a corner he saw nothing, having to trust only his ears he searched until the muffled voice grew louder. "Where are they. I know Shika paid you!" Turning the corner, he saw Saz and four others around her. Without warning, Flux fired a flurry of shots with the two pistols. Two dropped, one was hit, but, not fatally. The two left standing ran into the darkness leaving them behind. Flux helped Saz to her feet and they started to walk back. "They must have been following us since we arrived. Either that or Shika set us up." Flux said. Saz got out her communicator. "Be ready to pick us up, we'll be out soon." The two of them made their way back to the stairs. Flux handed Saz her pistol back. "You keep it. You're more lethal duel wielding. Might need a bit more practice though."
End
If you want to read some of the other stories I've written set in this world. Here are some links.
Flux's First Chapter - A Trip Off-world. Part 1
@killerwot/a-trip-off-world
Loeta's First Chapter - Assignment Day. Part 1
@killerwot/assignment-day-part-1
Chiv Sketter's First Chapter - Bounty Hunt. Part 1
@killerwot/bounty-hunt-part-1