Mutated Lands

By Richard Stone

It’s been nine centuries since civilization was destroyed by the mutants exploding every nuclear arsenal at their disposal. The land and life changed drastically as an alien DNA, that started the mutant revolution, ran rampart over all those years. History was forgotten and new life grew from the ruins. Eventually, humans and mutant kind learn to work together to survive the sometimes hostile lands.
But there were survivors of the mutant dawn, and they figured out how to survive underground by placing their brains in robotic bodies. They slept for all those centuries and returned to the surface to regain control in the name of humans. They would hit innocent villages and kill all the mutants while taking all the humans underground. Their fate was unknown.
The one survivor was a former South African spy named Marty. He had helped the former Secretary of State Burt Isabela escape the destruction and get to an underground super bunker. He was the prototype to have his brain placed in a robotic body and helped the secretary survive a coup by the military to take over the bunker. But trust and fate were not on his side as he had his arms and legs cut off and placed in a hut on the surface. His prison was his body.
But as fate would have it, many miles away, a mixed group of humans and mutants were going to investigate the rumors of raiders destroying villages in the realm of Slimnorah, formerly known as Minnesota. This group was made of an interesting bunch of characters.
A reptilian mutant with secret ambition; a rumored legendary mutant with a mysterious past; a young woman with no memory and a floating neutron bomb to keep her heart beating; an insane human scientist who thinks his wife is the device he carries on his back; a wolf man of great strength; a human thief with secrets; and a mutant assassin there to kill someone in the group; two air breathing fish mutants and a plant man to name a few.
They encounter strange wildlife as well people and mutants with agendas that help and hinder their progress to Slimnorah. The challenges along the way come from both outside the group as well as inside of it. Trust is earned and respect is warranted to survive the challenges along the way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard Stone
• Release date: Jul 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781940385617

Richard Stone

Graduated from Mibly High School in Houston, Texas in 1972 Graduated from SFASU in Nacogdoches, Texas in 1980 Taught for 30+ years in Texas Public schools Wrote first novel "Survivors of the Mutant Dawn" in June 2021 got runner up in the science fiction division of the Hollywood Book Festival in 2021. Publishing 2nd book "Mutated Lands" this summer

Book preview

IN MEMORY OF

Kailyn Monique Nunez

Kailyn

1990-2022

In my thirty-plus years of teaching and coaching in public schools, I easily interacted with thousands of students. Usually the ones that one would remember would be an athlete or a student who was heads and shoulders above the rest. But Kailyn was neither an athlete nor a student who was ahead of the class. I met her in my science class in the fall of 2003.

You’re wondering why this page is in here. It’s simple. The character Kimmandy was inspired by Kailyn. She was the 8th grader who played the RPG game and her character to play was Kimmandy. Her personality was very well grounded for a middle school student. She had a disarming smile that went along with her quiet intelligence.

We kept in touch over the years. She would call me in moments of adversity to discuss life and moments of happiness, like the birth of her son. She was so happy that I wrote this novel and was so looking forward to it. Sadly, she died a month before I got this published.

I dedicate this book to Kailyn and tell you as you read about Kimmandy in this novel, you are actually witnessing the personality of an extraordinary young woman and my dear friend.

1 THE MONASTERY

Year 3054,

Altered Alabama

The sun had yet to rise and the light on the horizon gave the fog an eerie bluish tint. Remco Beta, a reptilian mutant, held a rope and pushed his way through the brush with a hooded figure following him a few steps behind. A floating red metallic sphere was tied to the end of the rope, which halfway down, was clutched in a death grip by the person following the mutant. Remco looked around to get his bearings before he stopped. The individual behind immediately knelt.

Remco had heard of a monastery that cared for travelers for several days and served as a meeting place for people who formed travel parties. He glanced back at the tan-cloaked figure that knelt with a firm grasp on the rope.

Remco, a six-foot-seven drago, scanned the area with his amber reptilian eyes. Small dorsal fins ran from his forehead to the back of his neck. His skin glistened in the emerging light. The thick golden hoop in his left ear contrasted with his gray scaly skin. Faded yellow, dusty ancient military plastic-metal alloy armor covered him, torso to legs, exposing forearms covered with thick long strands of reptilian spines that tensed nervously. He listened intently for a sound and heard something coming from the other side of the small ridge in front of them.

Let’s go, he commanded softly.

He tugged the rope and forced the shorter individual to stand. When they cleared the ridge, Remco counted twenty-eight travelers heading south along a worn-out path.

The one in front was human. Most of the rest were of animal and mutant descent. The contingent stopped when they noticed the tall drago looking down at them with the red object floating behind him. The hooded figure stood next to the drago and refused to look up. Remco’s stature was intimidating, but not threatening.

There was an uneasy tension among the people below. They feared road bandits. When they realized he was not a threat, the leader nodded once in a sign of regard and to show no hostile intent. The drago bowed his head respectfully with his hands exposed and moved to the back of the line of the travelers.

Everyone walked along in silence with glances back over their shoulders at the two newcomers. Remco sensed the mistrust.

An hour after sunrise, more people joined the group. Roughly painted red crosses on trees and boulders pointed the way to the monastery. They heard a faint distant gong as they came upon a cliff with paths carved into the wall that sloped down at a forty-five-degree angle.

The town rested in the middle of a valley surrounded by the precipices, except for the South end that opened up toward a taupe sea. The monastery was enclosed by a large wall made of wood, rock, and metal salvaged from an ancient structure. A tall tower topped with a large crystal dominated the site. The crystal refracted the sunlight into an array of colors. A bare-chested hulk of a man slammed a large bronze gong in a slow steady rhythm with a wisteria-colored mallet.

Remco noticed three paths. One curved around the town and gradually sloped downward toward the sea. Another encircled a small forest on the outskirts of the town and led to its main gates. The last path was filled with people along the eastern and western walls of the sheer drop that led to the monastery.

Along the paths, monks dressed in scale armor made of maroon shells stood with menacing authority. They held staffs that bore a rich blue-hued crystal, which glowed ominously as small electrical arcs shot forth sporadically from the colorful quartz. Red crosses were tattooed on their cheeks.

Remco learned they had little patience for rule-breakers. All they asked in return for a few days’ hospitality was either gold or services to benefit the monastery. The monks motioned the crowd to keep moving along.

Remco saw hills with giant boulders. Trees dominated the southeastern part of town. Some rocks were painted white, but Remco could not see the symbols on them. It took a long time to reach the floor of the valley. Each person had to walk between seven-foot rows of dark pink mutated orchids. The plants were sensitive to hostility. The monks only allowed travelers passage if the plants kept their color and stayed silent. If they transformed to orange and moaned deeply, the monks turned that person away by any means possible.

Remco and his companion passed through with no problems. Once inside the valley, they walked through a gauntlet of sellers of every sort. Venders sold dried foods for long trips, medicine, herbs, clothing, equipment, and even old thrust weapons such as daggers, swords, and axes.

The drago pushed through the crowd while maintaining his grip on the rope. On the other end, the hooded figure held tight and followed along. In the next area, they finally reached the distribution of food. It had been over twenty-three hours since their last meal and Remco salivated when he caught the pleasant aroma of a cooked meal. The monks handed out wooden plates with a purplish paste, a slice of fallow bread, and a couple of small strips of a silver fish.

They gave him food and water for one, since his other hand was occupied. Once he found a spot, Remco sat the shrouded soul down and handed over the food. He knelt down and pulled the hood back. The head of a brunette young woman with stunning pink eyes emerged. She looked bewildered and scared when she took in her surroundings.

I will only be gone for a moment to investigate something, he told her while looking around, taking in the area. She instantly grabbed his arm that held the rope. Stay here and eat, he instructed, peeling her arm off. Don’t talk to anybody. Do you understand?

The girl held the plate of food with one hand and remained gripped to the tethered, floating sphere with the other. Her blank look left Remco unsure that she understood. The drago took the rope and looped it. He gently slid it up her arm and tied the loose end into a comfortable knot. She reacted, uncertain, with her eyes darting about.

Remco tested the knot to make sure it would stay before releasing the lariat around her forearm so she could eat.

Eat now. Don’t talk to anyone. Stay here. Do you understand? He tilted her face with his right hand to make eye contact. With his left hand, Remco dipped the bread into the paste and brought it up to her lips. The aroma must have been appealing because she quickly devoured the offering. Satisfied with her state, Remco stood and asked a woman where the traveling parties formed.

The woman pointed to a monk who ambled slowly through the site, offering more water to those who needed it. The red-tattooed man stopped to talk to an elderly gentleman, who was thankful for the refreshment.

Remco wasted no time walking over and interrupting the monk’s conversation. Where is the place where travel groups are formed?

Patience was not a drago virtue. The monk continued to listen to the old man blather. It wasn’t until the elder finished that the monk turned to Remco.

We call the place you seek The Hills of Direction. It is a place southeast of the monastery that would meet your requirements.

Remco thanked him and gave the monk a couple of gold coins. In return, the monk handed him a gray leather patch with a red cross, showing he had given to the monastery in return for their generosity.

He grabbed a plate of food before returning to the girl, only to find a wolfen starting a conversation with her.

My name is Ral Pathar. What’s yours? the muscular wolf-man asked kindly.

The girl looked confused and wanted to answer, but could not find the right words.

Remco approached behind Ral. I found the girl alone in a camp. She doesn’t remember anything.

Ral stood and turned to the drago. The wolfen’s physical presence was noticeable as Remco looked down on the five-foot-six frame. Muscles were stacked across his shoulders and down his bulging arms. The canine man’s opened tawny vest matched his rawhide pants. His bare feet looked human except for sharp-clawed toes.

I just asked for her name, Ral said politely. Is she with you, sir?

She is. Remco’s strong intuition sensed the wolf man’s intentions were sincere. I don’t know her name because she could barely talk. She has probably said no more than four words since I met her.

A dark, long-haired man with thick, black, mutton chop sideburns strolled by leading a mutated kalew through the masses. The kalew had an ape-like face on a Clydesdale’s body, and was covered with olive-green scales. The man walked confidently and made his way through the crowd. A light green sleeveless shirt covered his muscular chest, and was accompanied by much darker pants. His boots were rich brown leather and covered only half his calf muscles. Grayish leather bands, held by five buckles, spread over his forearms. The dark-haired man-made eye contact with Remco, and for a moment, they stared at each other. The drago broke the contact by sitting down to eat his meal, but the man changed his gaze to the girl and the floating object and headed to their location.

Excuse me, what is that? The stranger pointed to the red sphere.

I was about to ask the same thing after I asked for her name, Ral replied.

And what is her name? the stranger asked Ral and then turned to the girl. Tell me, my beauty, what is your name?

The girl shyly looked down, searching for the answer.

Is she with you? The dark-haired man asked, pointing to the muscular wolf.

Oh, no, no, no. This gentleman claims to have found her in a camp. She has no memory or the ability to speak much. The wolfen gestured toward Remco.

The reptilian eyes showed annoyance. He did not want to be bothered while he ate his meal. The lizard-man placed his plate down on the ground and stood. Remco’s intuition could not get a read on the man. This possibly meant that he possessed the same intuition mutation as the gray-scaled man.

I am Remco Beta. Who are you who marches up so boldly and pokes your nose in other people’s business? He looked into the six-foot-three long-haired man’s eyes as he towered over him. The reptilian noticed the man had a row of three pinkish slits on each side of his neck. Gills, he assumed.

For that matter, the both of you are interrupting my meal and invading our privacy. Remco waved his hand, dismissing them.

I’m just a person looking for a meal and a direction to travel. I didn’t mean to meddle. Please accept my apologies. The stranger returned the gaze.

He turned to Ral and extended his hand. My name is Stryder.

Ral. Ral Pathar. The wolfen gripped hands with Stryder.

Stryder nodded to the girl before giving Remco an icy stare as he continued his walk.

That name sounded familiar to Remco, but he couldn’t immediately place it. He shrugged it off, wanting to go back to his meal. As he turned to get his food, a small voice piped out, which caused him to freeze; except for his right hand, which reached to his side.

My name is… Kimmandy.

Stryder stopped in his tracks and turned toward the girl.

Remco looked at her with incredulous eyes.

The wolfen and the long-haired mutant exchanged looks.

A moment of stunned silence overcame the three men.

Stryder broke it with an observation of the reptilian. Do you always do that?

Do what? Remco replied, off guard.

Do you always place your hand on your weapon when a girl remembers her name? Stryder nodded to the reptilian’s gray-scaled right hand resting on his plasma sword, also known as a slicer.

Flustered, Remco reached down and grabbed Kimmandy’s arm. He pulled her petite frame to her feet with her rope still tied to her arm.

Stryder noticed blisters and bruises on her wrists.

Without a word, Remco and Kimmandy walked away.

Ral commented Interesting fellow.

Stryder responded Interesting girl.

Remco led Kimmandy away with the red floating device still attached to her arm. They passed the town square, where several merchants hawked their wares. The powerful presence of monk-guards wandering through the crowd created a sense of peace and stability. A couple of men engaged in a street fight drew a crowd that screamed and encouraged the fighting.

The monk-guards quickly closed in and poked the combatants with staffs. Bluish-purple electrical discharges jolted the fighters. The monks grabbed the stunned fighters and carried them off.

Rumors of their fate ranged from banishment to being sold to the sea slave lords, or as ingredients for the monastery’s evening supper for the masses. Sea slave lords were always looking for the combative type to work on the ships.

Kimmandy held onto the rope and was pulled along by the tall reptilian. They hurried to the other side of town where they found a private spot by a tree.

Sit here and tell me everything you remember! His tone was forceful at first.

The young woman cowered and cried. She thrust her arms up to protect herself.

Remco was taken aback. He realized his tactic was too strong. The lizard man stepped away from her until she slowly looked over her forearms and saw his retreat. Remco looked around to see if he had attracted any attention and noticed a monk-guard eyeing him. He held both hands up and smiled to show the guard he meant no harm.

The guard stopped at a distance where he could observe their actions but not hear their conversation.

Kimmandy let down her hands. You are angry with me. Why?

Remco slowly moved forward and dropped himself back to his right knee. He smiled to reassure her she need not be afraid of him. His intuition told him he terrified her.

No, I’m not. You just surprised me, that’s all, the lizard man spoke softly. What can you remember? Can you remember where you’re from?

Kimmandy fought back tears. Her face displayed a search through her memory until she shook her head. No.

What do you remember about me? Remco’s eyes widened with interest.

You found me. I was alone.

Lizard man exhaled slowly. Do you remember who you were with at the camp?

I see faces of an old man and two small people. Her answers came too quickly and caused Remco’s scaly eyebrows to rise.

Small peop... Remco was cut off.

J.D.! J.D. was his name! Kimmandy excitedly pieced together her memory. J.D. Gongreen. He was the nice man who took care of me.

Remco looked at her suspiciously and rubbed his chin. How do you know he was a nice man?

Because J.D. was taking me to Slimnorah to find his son. J.D. would taste my food for me and I helped him with his breathing problem. I guess he had bad lungs. Kimmandy talked more confidently each second. Her memory was coming back.

Remco looked at her, puzzled for a moment.

Oh! I can’t taste anything. Never have, she told him, embarrassed.

He was about to say something when another memory came into focus.

Piper... and... Lavin!

What? Remco was both surprised and uneasy at the way her memory was coming back. He peeked at the monk-guard to see if he was still watching. Unfortunately, he was.

The little people, she explained with her hands showing him their height, about a yard off the ground. Lavin had a spiny beard full of quills or something like your arms, only hairier! She pointed to the thick hair-like strands on his arms. And he had these ‘things’ coming out of his head. Her fists were on her forehead, with her index fingers pointed up.

Antennae? Remco guessed.

Yes! Antennae! And Piper had green hair. The excitement in her voice was hard to contain.

His voice became stern as he moved his hand to his slicer. What else can you tell me about them? His thumb rested on the handle casing.

Oh, they were very nice to me, she replied. They helped me after J.D. left. Her face changed from excitement to uncertainty. He left me, but…where did he go?

Remco removed his hand from his weapon and grabbed her hands. His intuition had monitored her intentions to see if she was telling the truth. She had been swaying from confusion to elation throughout the conversation. Now she was back to confusion. It was no act.

What happened to Mr. J.D. Gongreen, Kimmandy? Remco could sense this conversation was stressful for her, and so far, he was satisfied with the directions of her responses.

I... don’t know, she stammered. Her eyes gazed across the ground like the answer was there. Kimmandy felt faint and leaned back onto her elbows. I... I... don’t remember. She sounded tired. She tried to fight off an oncoming inertia.

Remco helped her get comfortable. He placed his hands on her head to rest it against a small rock. He also had his hands there in case he got an answer to his final question. He did not want her to remember.

What happened to Piper and Lavin, Kimmandy? the drago noticed the monk-guard had his back to them. He only needed a second to break her neck.

The girl was close to falling asleep, I can’t… remember. And with that, she passed out.

He rolled up her hood so it would cushion her head against the hardness of the stone. Remco held her head for a minute before resting it gently on the rock. He sat back against the tree. The events of the day had also caught up with him. Even though the drago could not fill his stomach, his eyes felt heavy. The timing was inconvenient because he had thinking to do. He looked at the sleeping girl and tried to decide what his next move would be before succumbing to fatigue.

The combination of a soft cool breeze and a partly cloudy day made it conducive to a good three-hour nap. While Remco snored lightly, a voice woke Kimmandy. She saw the drago’s body leaning to the left with the tree’s uneven bark allowing for a bit of support.

Don’t go over there, Gloria. Let them sleep. We can ask them when they wake up, a man said.

After a couple of seconds, Kimmandy heard the same man talking. It sounded like he was having a conversation, but no one else spoke.

You know, you should rest, too. It’s a long walk to where we’re going, and we need to be well-rested.

After a brief silence, the man continued to babble.

What do you mean, where are we going? You don’t know where we are going? Well, I’ll tell you where we are going. We are going to a place that is…. uh… hmm… good! Yes! That’s it! Good. A good place for us to live and for our family, too.

The strange conversation piqued Kimmandy’s interest. She lifted her head and looked around. All she could see was the back of a shaved head with signs of stubble. He had goggles resting on the top of his head. His head moved when he spoke again.

You know, you really should try to eat their food here. It’s not too bad except for the gas it gives you. A muffled sound was barely audible. Oops! Oh, dear, the man said, embarrassed as he waved his hand about. Oh my, that’s going to linger for a while. Sorry. Sorry. I’m sorry.

Kimmandy grabbed her rope and glanced back at Remco, still asleep. Slowly and quietly, she walked around the bush to spy on the pudgy man.

He wore a dirty purple jacket that hung at mid-thigh with an emerald undershirt showing, and dark blue pants. The man struggled to tie the laces on his right black shoe. He had a pleasant smile while, on the ground across from him, sat a blackish-green cylinder three-feet long by two-feet wide. The man jumped when he saw Kimmandy.

Oh! Good! You’re awake! he exclaimed with excited energy. He pushed himself up in a way that revealed his lack of coordination. It took a couple of seconds to control his balance to get up. The man walked over to the young woman while speaking to the cylinder. Look, Gloria. She’s awake. I told you that she wouldn’t sleep the whole day.

He reached out and took Kimmandy’s hand, shaking it roughly. He stood a good six inches over her. Hi! My name is Semper Feye, and this is my wife, Gloria. He extended his hand in the cylinder’s direction.

Kimmandy regretted coming over. She awkwardly said hello to Gloria.

The eccentric man’s attention darted from the girl to the object floating on her rope. Is this what I think it is? Semper walked around it. Wow! he repeated the word twice before she shrugged.

His face expressed shock when he stopped and looked at her with his mouth opened wide. The man quickly regained his composure. Really, you don’t know what you’ve got? Wow! He walked around two more times before he stopped and looked at it with great concentration. His voice changed from ranting excitement to dead serious.

What you have here, my dear, is an OL-2206 OSSM neutron bomb.

Kimmandy did not understand a word, but a curious voice behind her asked a question.

What exactly is an OL-2206 USSM neutron bomb? Remco stood with crossed arms.

Kimmandy gave a startled jump when she saw the drago. She knew she had done nothing wrong, but her insecurity overwhelmed her. She hurried to the drago with her head bowed and her hands halfway up to signal mercy. Her pink eyes avoided direct contact with his amber eyes. Suddenly, before she could reach Remco, she jerked to a stop when Semper Feye gripped the rope next to the floating neutron bomb.

Remco’s eyes widened then slowly drew to a hard stare. Sir, he began slowly but forcefully, I suggest you release the rope. Now!

The crazed man’s attention was focused on the red bomb. His mind rapidly studied it. He ran his hand over the four small devices which circled the metallic casing. What are these? They are not supposed to be on this type of OL-2206. He was oblivious to Remco and, for that matter, the rest of the world. They must be gravity nullifiers to allow it to float.

Remco removed his energy blaster and pointed it at Semper. He pressed a small button with his thumb. A laser sighting dot appeared on the bald man’s left temple. Kimmandy shielded her eyes from an unseen brightness.

I asked politely, Remco declared. Now I’m demanding it. My next step will be to shoo…

Wow! Is this what I think it is? Semper’s voice grew more and more excited. He reached out to something on the bomb, released the rope with one hand while he held on with the other. His chubby fingers quickly reached into his shirt pocket and removed a unique five-inch tool. I’ve only heard about these through myths. I never thought I would ever get the chance to see one. He looked right at Remco.

Remco felt like he was within his right to shoot, but something told him he should wait and see what the peculiar smiling human was up to.

Semper grunted and yanked until he heard an audible click. He dragged out a red crescent-shaped device attached to a couple of wires, a short red wire along with a long white one.

It’s all right, Gloria, he yelled over his shoulder to the cylinder. Semper looked at Remco, who had yet to lower his weapon. The nice man wouldn’t dare shoot me. Not with this blade ready to cut this wire. It would be a shame not to know what you died from when your whole life vanishes in a flash. The tool looped white wire.

The madness evaporated from his personality. He stared down the drago, who slowly lowered his weapon.

Suddenly, a sound came from behind Remco and a voice caused him to go cold with fear.

Do we have a problem here? One of three monk-guards approached with their staffs sparking static charges.

No. Remco eased his weapon back into its holster. No problem. Just a simple misunderstanding, that’s all. I thought the girl was being bothered by this gentleman, but I was wrong.

The monk-guard stared at the gray-scaled man suspiciously before shifting his eyes to Semper. With his knife still on the wire, a big smile broke out on his pudgy face when he bobbed his head towards the cylinder. Have you met my wife?

The monk-guard stared blankly at the cylinder for a moment before looking back at Semper. After glancing at Remco, the largest monk motioned to the other two guards to move on.

Let there be peace in your hearts. He followed the other two guards.

Remco nodded his head in appreciation.

Semper thanked them loudly.

After they were alone again, the two men returned to their staring match, but with less tension.

You were about to tell me about the bomb, death, and a flash? Remco spoke with his arms crossed again. His intuition tried to decipher the human’s intentions, but the unstable human appeared to be fascinated with the floating neutron bomb.

True madness his reptilian gut told him and that underneath the insanity was a brilliant mind. Remco could sense Semper loved to impress people with his knowledge and wasted no time in sharing it with the drago and the pink-eyed woman.

This weapon was created when ancient governments wanted to take over their enemy’s territory without destroying important facilities, such as factories or a useful strategic location. The Organized States Sigma Marines deployed the OL-2206. They would use them to gain access to any area. The bomb destroyed everything inside a kilometer to a kilometer and a half. But all life forms within a twenty-kilometer radius would die of neuron-shock. Their nervous systems would implode inside their brains and spines. Truly a hideous death. The buildings outside of the blast area would remain intact. Semper held up the red-colored item in his hand. Now, this is an ECT also known as an Electromagnetic Cardio-Trigger.

Remco’s attention intensified as the bald man talked. What does that do? He pointed to the curved-shaped device. He could see the quirky man was in his element.

Do you see this white wire? He held it up by the blade. It’s connected to a transmitter inside the bomb. It transmits to a receiver that’s surgically implanted in a soldier or a person of power’s heart. If the individual walks out of range or the heart stops beating, the weapon discharges.

The reptilian inquired. Let me guess. If you cut the white wire while the heart is still beating, the bomb would explode.

Semper smiled and nodded in agreement before he unexpectedly cut the wire in half. Remco and Kimmandy both jerked in shock, expecting an explosion. A soft giggle came from the madman. He shook his head in disagreement. No, the red wire does that. I just needed to get your attention. I simply cut the wire to free the person in question to walk away from the bomb. But if that person’s heart stops beating, it will detonate instantly.

Semper walked up to Remco. Can you feel a hard object in your chest near the heart?

No. I don’t. Remco looked puzzled and rubbed his chest to make sure.

Semper turned to Kimmandy, who looked nervous and would not return his gaze.

What about you? he asked nicely.

She anxiously clutched her rope a little tighter.

Semper looked at Remco. Has she always had this floating object as long as you have known her?

The drago nodded. You suspect she has an ECT, don’t you?

I do. This only means that you have to keep her alive until I can find the right equipment to neutralize or remove it. Semper moved to place Gloria on his back.

Remove what from what? The object from her heart or the crescent from the bomb? Remco watched Semper gather his things and start to walk away.

Exactly! the strange madman said.

The gray-scaled man and Kimmandy exchanged confused glances.

Remco walked behind Semper and took him by the arm. Your knowledge of this bomb is very impressive.

Flattered, Semper grinned with pride.

Remco slowly released his grip when he saw he had the madman’s attention.

Listen, where we are going, a man of your expertise would be very valuable and you will be well rewarded.

Really? Semper readjusted the weight of Gloria on his back. Can I bring my wife along?

Uh… Sure, Remco answered Why not? Uh, what exactly is your wife, if I may ask?

Gloria? Why, she’s the woman of my heart. The madman spoke lovingly as he stepped rapidly from side to side.

Is that a fact? the drago asked, and why so… unique-looking?

Finally, Semper stopped moving and focused on Remco. Because she’s a dirty thermonuclear weapon who loves me. His eyes closed tightly as though he suffered an unknown agony. Then, after slowly rotating his head along his shoulders, his insanity opened his emotionless eyes.

I’ve got to pee,