The Weak Die Hard

By Kaeleb LD Appleby

Detective Kusan is thrown into a dark world of deceit and corruption when a champion athlete is found murdered during the prestigious Me'tra games competition.
In a cut-throat world where only the strongest and most cunning survive, Kusan must navigate through a maze of suspects, each with their own motives, to uncover the truth behind the death of the veteran competitor.
But as the detective delves deeper, she realises that the murder is just the tip of the iceberg in a world where winning comes at any cost, and the stakes are higher than ever.
With the competition heating up and the murderer still on the loose, Kusan must race against time to unravel the mystery before the next tournament.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kaeleb LD Appleby
• Release date: May 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005722968

Kaeleb LD Appleby

May you all enjoy reading my books as much as I enjoyed writing them

Book preview

The Weak Die Hard

A Crime in Me’tra Story

By

Kaeleb LD Appleby

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The Weak Die Hard- A Crime in Me‘tra Story

By Kaeleb LD Appleby

Copyright 2022 Kaeleb LD Appleby

Smashwords Edition

Chapter One

Outside the rain washed across the bay, dampening the waves and bringing a brownish mist into the nooks of the shoreline. It was still very early, the sun had yet to brighten the day, although, from the heavy clouds, it seemed as if there would be no light this morning.

She glanced up from getting changed, to the grey morning and the looming buildings of Me’tra across the bay, their dark silhouettes casting shadows through the clouds and their window lights shining as if the stars had descended from the heavens. That is, if the stars were nothing but advertisement signs of moving images and bright colours.

Not seeing the sights she struggled to pull on her jacket, wincing away the dull pain as she bumped her broken arm that lingered in a sling, and would for some time yet.

Damn it, she grumbled and let out a deep breath, giving up on wearing her jacket and dropping it to the hospital bed.

Something the matter, Kusan? a deep voice called from the other side of the dividing curtain.

No. She was quick to say.

Having trouble with your arm? A nurse asked as she pulled aside the curtain.

Obviously, Demi, Kusan replied dryly, How long do I have to have this sling and plaster on my arm?

I told you before, nurse Demi replied sternly, It’ll take several weeks to repair properly. We can use prosthetics to repair it quicker, but you said you don’t want any more enhancements. Have you changed your mind?

No, Kusan let out a deep breath.

Here, let me help, Demi said kindly, picking up Kusan’s jacket and holding it up for her to slip into. It was tough to repair this coat this time around. You should really look at getting a new one.

No, she replied stiffly as she clenched her jaw and accepted the help, wincing as he arm twitched in pain again.

Well, this on id going to be nothing but rags if you keep wrecking it so much, Demi frowned, Not to mention wrecking yourself so much. How could you let this happen anyway, Vhindr?

Me? the man exclaimed turning from his own bed to give the nurse a perplexed look.

The two of you are partners, aren’t you? Demi glared at him, You supposed to watch each other’s back.

I was already unconscious, Vhindr replied calmly, As Kusan ex-

I know, I know, Demi put her hands on her hips, You’ve already told me everything. But this had better not happen again mister Varrintine.

I can agree with that, the dark haired man mumbled as he finished pulling on his boots and started for the room’s exit.

Just then the doors, swung inwards and a trio of men entered briskly. Each wore an expression of seriousness, their well-made suits all matching.

Ja’ven, Kusan gasped slightly, Damn.

Good morning, Vhindr Varrintine, Ja’ven said, stopping a few paces from the man, his blue eyes were glinting in the light. It is so nice to finally meet you.

Who are you? Vhindr asked back, a slight frown coming to his face.

My name is Ja’ven, the Wynar replied calmly, I work for the government. We’ve been eager to speak with you for some time. Please, come with us if you would.

Ja’ven stepped to the side and motioned for Vhindr to come with him.

What’s going on? Kusan hurried over to stand beside Vhindr.

Detective Kusan, the Wynar turned his stern gaze to her, It is good to see you well. But I can offer you no answer. This matter is of the upmost of importance and does not concern you.

Doesn’t concern me? she narrowed her eyes."

It’s alright, Vhindr cut in calmly, Of course I would be happy to join you, Ja’ven.

Good, the Wynar smiled slightly, We must leave immediately.

Vhindr? Kusan turned a worried look to her friend.

It’ll be alright, Vhindr reassured her, I’ll talk to you later.

With a smile the man turned away and headed for the exit, joining Ja’ven as they left the room and disappeared from view.

I wonder what that was about. Demi asked aloud.

Letting out a deep breath Kusan moved back to her hospital bed and awkwardly pulled on her boots. An uneasy feeling bubbled in her gut as she continued to glance towards the exit.

I’ve called a taxi for you, Kusan, Demi said, still standing in the room, But I still think you should rest here for a while longer.

I’m not staying here, Kusan was quick to reply, standing up from her bed and turning for the door. I’d be back at work if I could.

No, Demi said emphatically, You must rest for a few weeks more. Until that cast is off your arm. Understood?

I know, he replied with a sigh, The Chief has already told me he will not be giving me any cases until my arm is healed. I’ll talk to you later, and thanks Demi.

Of course, the nurse smiled sweetly as Kusan headed out the door.

In the main hallways the place was quiet, a few nurse androids walked about the place tending to patients and doing other basic duties. It was strange to think that the only humans in this place were the ones who were sick and dying. Demi was only human nurse in this entire wing, and real doctors only came to the hospital when they were needed, which was hardly ever. The most humans in this place were the ones doing maintenance on the machines that kept the human patients alive.

As she moved closer to the main entrance it became busier with androids rushing about to aid those in the emergency room and seeing to people at the main desk.

As she moved through the crowds all she would see was worry and pain on those who came to this place. Even the ones leaving, such as herself, did not wear a smile. Hospitals were places where people died all the time and the smell of death was soaked into the very walls, lingering like a shadow beneath the overpowering smell of disinfectant.

It was a strange thought that nearly everyone in all of Nevārance started and ended their lives in hospitals. It was a thought that made her feel sick.

It came as a relief as she left the main entrance and walked out into the passenger pick up zone outside the front doors. The spray of rain on the wind felt good against her face, slapping away the think cloud that had consumed her thoughts. If it were not for Dami the depression that lived in hospitals would have enveloped her even more so.

How do you do it Dami? Kusan muttered as she glanced over her shoulder to the large hospital building.

Taking a deep breath she turned her attention back to her path and to the taxi that waited in the drop off bay under the cover of a wide port.

As she approached the window slid down and an older man called out to her.

You Kusan? the driver called to her curiously, Dami called you a cab, yeah?

Yes, that’s right, she replied, moving to the back door and slipping inside.

Atlas building, Central, yeah? asked the driver as she closed the door.

Yes.

Without another word the driver headed off, out from the cover and into the rain. The morning traffic congested the roads through Bayside, slowing the path of her taxi and making her sigh despondently as she gazed out the window.

Damn traffic, the driver mutter before looking in his rear view mirror to her. You heard about the Bayside upgrades, yeah? There’ll soon be flight lanes all through here. About time too, if you ask me, traffic here has been bad for years. The flight lanes can’t come quick enough, yeah?

She gave the man a slight nod, her eyes staying on the view out of the window to the road works that were being done by the machines and androids. Tirelessly they worked in the rain, and would continue to do so even in the worst of weather. By the looks of things the taxi driver was right in saying there would be flight lanes through Bayside soon, for that was what the androids were working on.

With the traffic moving so slowly the driver flicked the radio on to listen to the news and consistent advertisements. She would have preferred to simply sit there in silence listening to the rain of the roof and windows, but she did not protest.

… moving to sports now we cross to Drook at the stadium, the news reported said through the speakers, Drook, how are things over there?

I’m glad you asked, the sport reported said cheerfully, "Spirits are high here despite the rains, and with the first round of the Fighting Championships