Post-apocalyptic Adventures of Ott & Ren: Q the Madman

By Jeremiah Donaldson

Ott and Ren visit the Brute Squad headquarters for work, lacking gold to even eat after losing the death race. They are easily accepted and are given their first assignment: find Q the Madman and evidence of who is pushing poisoned X-Juice in the Kingdom of Denver.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeremiah Donaldson
• Release date: Dec 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215176535

Jeremiah Donaldson

Jeremiah Donaldson is a science fiction/horror writer, editor, game designer, free thinker, corporate slave, and overly blunt commentator that grew up in rural Kentucky and lived in Florida for 13 years before moving back in 2008.When he's not working...whatever, he always works, let's start that over. When he's not playing his part as a cog in the machine for the specified number of hours per week, or doing housework, or planting fruit trees in preparation for the climatic meltdown we're forcing upon the planet, he strings together words for peoples' enjoyment.

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Post-apocalyptic Adventures of Ott & Ren:

Q the Madman

copyright 2023 by Jeremiah Donaldson

www.ephiroll.com

Cover design by Jeremiah Donaldson

Icons by Lorc and Sbed available under the CC 3.0 license.

www.game-icons.net.

Smashwords ISBN: 9798215176535

All rights reserved. Duplication of this document is only allowed for the ignition of bonfires. Resemblances to people you know is the universe giving us wedges.

Chapter 1

This looks like it, Ren pointed at the piece of rusted steel with 'Brute Squad HQ' wrote in welding across it that hung at the top of the two-story, block building with multi-colored layers of peeling paint flaking off.

A shield shaped, iron plate covered in thick rust hung over the sign between two barred windows, and the blue, red, white, and yellow stripped flag of the Kingdom of Denver flapped in the breeze from the pole that stuck up from the roof. The first floor windows were barred and had steel shutters that stood open. The massive, steel front door that had been reinforced with iron bars was propped open and one member of the squad dressed in riot gear with 'KoD' over the left breast stood to one side, looking bored, sweaty, and uncomfortable. The guard's rifle leaned against the wall on his side of the door.

Ott stomach rumbled. I hope so. I want a real bed and food.

Ren sniffed the air, but couldn't smell their own body odor since they were used to it. However, he was aware of their reek from the layers of smoke and sweat that covered his own arms. And we both need baths. But first things first.

The guard at the side of the door nodded and straightened up at attention when he noticed them approaching.

Ren stopped a couple meters from the guard and looked up at him with his right hand held up to block out the neon orange, morning light coming in from the East. Captain Ashley told us to find the Brute Squad HQ if we wanted work.

The guard sniffed and wiped his nose. You came to the right place. Names?

Ren stabbed himself in the chest with one thumb. Ren, and the big dummy is Ott.

The guard nodded and grabbed his rifle. Follow me.

They went through the doorway single file with the guard leading. The room was big, reaching to the ceiling of the second floor, and was lit only by light from barred windows and the open outside door. It had once been the lobby of the old apartment building and now served as the lobby to the Brute Squad HQ. The hallway at the back of the lobby leading into the building was blocked off by a cast iron gate where another guard stood. Four other doors led out of the lobby, but three of them were closed.

The guard turned to the left and went to the first of the two doors on that side of the room. It stood half open with a crudely painted version of the Kingdom's flag adorning the outside. He knocked on the partially open door with a piece of iron hanging from a chain that had been welded to the door frame. The response was immediate, but faint, from behind the steel framed portal.

Hold on!

The guard turned to them. We have to wait for a minute. I won't be long.

The guard had barely finished speaking when Captain Ashley yelled again.

Come in!

The guard looked back at them, nodded, and pushed the door open on squeaky hinges with them following.

A rusty office desk with several bullet holes in the front and one leg propped up by a brick sat in the middle of the floor of the old studio apartment. A single closed door behind it was an added feature, judging from the imperfect angles of the frame and nonmatching door. A filing cabinet stood in one corner, and there was a rolling chair pushed up under the back of the desk, but the room was completely bare otherwise with block walls that were plain except for yet another Kingdom of Denver flag painted one of them.

Captain Ashley stood behind the desk, facing another man standing in front of it that looked like a local farmer, judging from his ragged hemp clothing and wide brimmed, hand woven hemp hat.

Captain Ashley nodded at the guard that'd led them inside and turned to the farmer. I'll have someone on it, shortly. Look for a couple Squad members to stop by your place later. He winked and pointed at Ott and Ren. Maybe these two.

The farmer dropped his head, and said, Thank you, sir, before hurrying out the door without looking up at anyone.

Captain Ashley watched him leave before turning to Ott and Ren. Have you decided you need some work?

Ren rolled the right braid of his mutton chops back and forth between his fingers, nodding. Yeah...we sorta have loses to rebuild.

Captain Ashley laughed and waved the guard back to his duty outside the door. Lost a gram or two, did you?

You could say that. Ren looked around the bare room. I expected a bit...more. You're not suckering us along, are you?

Captain Ashley shrugged and opened a bent drawer in the battered desk, pulling a sheet of paper and pencil stub from it. This room is...expendable...if the HQ were to be attacked.

Ott looked around at the walls. How so?

"Oh, you