Renick guided Axton and 'A' deeper into the quaint town of Coffeyville. The soldier couldn't help but notice how awake everyone seemed while here he was fighting off yawns. The moon was high in the sky, clearly it was the middle of the night, but everyone was chipper and talkative as if it was a Sunday morning in spring. He figured maybe he would be awake and coursing with energy too if his home was attacked in the middle of the night.
He glanced down at 'A', expecting him to be fending off sleep just as he was, but to his surprise the kid was wide eyed, glancing about the town taking in all the sights.
“That's right, first time out in the world.” He muttered to himself. It would only be a matter of time before the kid was exhausted from all the excitement, he needn't worry about 'A' keeping him up.
They rounded a corner in town, coming closer to a wide building with an impressive porch attached to it. Women, but mostly men, gathered on the porch in rocking chairs and at small tables, all chuckling and having a good old time. A young fellow popped in and out of the swinging front doors, carrying a metal tray of drinks and passing them around to the people of the porch. It took Axton a moment to realize that the Honkey-tonk the mayor had referred to was actually a saloon of sorts.
The soldier immediately wondered if this was an appropriate place for 'A' to be staying, but his doubts were all forgotten when the savory smell of hot food wafted out the swinging doors and past him. He grabbed A's hand and hurried him inside after Renick. Axton didn't wait for Renick to approach the man cleaning glasses behind the counter. The soldier practically tore through the dining room, overturning a chair as he charged to the closest bar stool and plopped himself down, depositing 'A' on the one next to him.
“Sir, whatever it is you have cooking back there, I want a whole plate of it!” He smacked his hand on the counter to get the man's attention.
“It's alright Em, Mayor Gratton's paying for them.” Renick called, assuring the startled bar tender.
“Is...is that so?” He stammered, placing the glass down with the others.
“Yup, this here is Axton, he helped us fend off them Clantons. Gratton wants you to put em up here for a few days.” Renick patted the soldiers shoulder.
“W-well that was m-mighty kind of ya.” Em fumbled to dry his hands on his apron, taking in the new comers features. His eyes wondered over to 'A' whose shoulder's barely peeked over the counter. His gaze lingered on the child longer, clearly he wasn't used to seeing much else than humans in his establishment.
“J-just one plate?” He finally turned to Axton, then back to 'A' questioningly. Axton smacked his forehead cursing himself for forgetting about his new responsibility. He couldn't let the kid starve to death.
“Two, two plates.” He held up two fingers as Em nodded and disappeared into the kitchen. Renick slowly scooted himself onto the stool to Axton's right, reaching over the counter to grab a bottle. He popped off the lid and proceeded to pour himself a small glass. He took a quick swig then allowed himself to finally look over the man to his left.
“Dahl soldier huh?” He noted, eyeing a patch on Axton's jacket. He could tell after watching the man fight that he had some sort of training. Axton went stiff, catching the sheriff's gaze with a side eye.
“Yes sir.” He finally nodded, trying to puff out his chest bravely.
“I ain't gonna bite yer head off. Chill son.” Renick chuckled, swallowing another gulp of his drink. “Your story makes more sense now.” He added. After a moment of silence he spun completely, nodding towards 'A'.
“An what of the youngun.” He asked. Axton turned his head towards 'A', as if taking in his features for the first time. Now that he actually had a moment where he wasn't trying to escape Hyperion or defend a town, he could easily see the proof of experimentation littering the child's body. Long pink scars peeked over the top of his shirt collar from the front and back. He was unnaturally scrawny, had they been starving him? His four fingers ended with sharp animalistic like talons, his bare feet were similar. On his shoulders and right cheek was what looked like a patch of scales or panels, he wondered what their purpose was. Then, to top it all off, he had that strange red robotic eye and metal plate that covered half his head and left cheek. It connected to another piece on his neck that looked like a vent of sorts.
“He...he was a child experiment.” He grumbled under his breath, just loud enough to answer Renick's question. The Sheriff leaned closer, as if he hadn't been staring at the kid enough.
“That's a mighty shame. Them Hyperions bastards ain't got no respect for livin creatures.” He noted, turning back to his drink. “So you saved him?” He asked, not bothering to make eye contact this time.
“Yeah.” Axton muttered, relieved when Em emerged from the kitchen with two plates of food. Axton practically grabbed one of them from Em's hand, too hungry for manners. He was also too hungry to care that his meal was a strange assortment of roasted fish, sauteed mushrooms and a half block of cheese. A's plates was the same, but with smaller portions.
Axton ate like a starved animal, shoving the cooked fish in his mouth unceremoniously. Within minutes he had completely cleared his plate and was downing a tall glass of beer. Renick chuckled under his breath, but stopped when he eyed A's untouched plate.
“What's the matter kid? You ain't hungry? You look famished.” he noted. This made the soldier slam his now empty glass down, turning his head to eye the experiment. 'A' was hunched in his seat, arms folded into his lap. His eyes were down cast, staring at the floor quietly while his food slowly got cold. Renick had his elbow pressed to the table, waiting for 'A' to answer. Even Em had stopped cleaning glasses for a moment, eyeing the child with a hint of concern.
“What's wrong?” Axton asked, surely the kid was starving, perhaps he was feeling ill. 'A' didn't answer, he just shook his head.
“I'll...I'll go get your room prepared.” Em offered, leaving the counter and disappearing up a wide staircase across the room. After Em left, Axton turned back to 'A'.
“Are you used to eating something else?” He tried again, remembering the kid had grown up in captivity on a Hyperion base. “I know it doesn't look amazing, but it tastes great and it'll give you some energy.” 'A' looked up, his eye wide.
“It's not that at all/ I am grateful for the food/ I'm sure it tastes good.” He whispered, just loud enough for Axton to hear. He wasn't fond of talking around strangers.
“Do you feel sick?” Axton leaned closer, keeping the conversation between the two of them. 'A' shook his head again, not sure how to even explain it.
“I haven't eaten/ It has been a long time since/ It is just too much.” He tried explaining. Axton's shoulder's stiffed, a pang of guilt swept over him. He should have realized he would have to eat light, clearly they had starved him back at the base.
“That man...he didn't feed you?” Axton asked again, sliding the food away from 'A'.
“He did not have to/ My body does not need food/ I make energy.” He answered. Axton raised a brow at this, confused by his response.
“What do you mean?”
“Sun light sustains me/ My energy is solar/ I don't need to eat.” He pointed to the patch over his cheek. Axton made an “oh” sound, realizing the scales were some kind of natural solar panels.
“So...you don't even get hungry?” He huffed, taking a bite of the food from A's untouched plate. 'A' was quiet for a moment as if contemplating his answer.
“Not in the same sense/ It is like a ghost feeling/ remembering it.
It is a mind trick/ Braden explained it to me/ It's not real hunger.” He decided, heaving out a long sigh.
“Ya'll done whispering or what?” Renick suddenly snorted, muttering something else to himself.
“Ah, sorry about that. Kid's a little shy.” Axton turned to explain, patting the Sherif's back apologetically. Renick grunted, sliding his empty glass across the counter, leaving it for Em to clean up.
“As much as I would love and stay to uh...get to know ya, I've got a town to check on. The folks around here are bound to have some questions after another Clanton attack. I'll see you around in the morrow.” The Sheriff nodded before leaving the honkey-tonk and heading out into the night.
Besides the nodding off piano man, slowly tapping away at the keys across the room, the bar was fairly quiet. Most of the guests had set up on the porch, chattering away under the star light as they enjoyed their drinks. The rather young waiter was the only one stepping through the swinging doors, carrying the occasional refill.
Axton nibbled at A's un-eaten food, his hunger had been satisfied, for now. He began to process the information the kid had just poured onto him, debating if that meant he was supposed to feed the kid or not.
“So...you don't want any food?” He raised a brow, just because he didn't need it didn't mean he didn't want it. Axton was fairly certain he didn't need a slice of double chocolate chip cake in the middle of a work night, but that wasn't going to stop him from sneaking a piece whenever the sector cook made it. Food, as Axton had come to figure, was both a necessity and a luxury.
'A' finally shrugged, falling back into a quiet stillness. Axton could appreciate the silence for the time it allowed him to think, but too much silence tended to make him a little on the jumpy side. Sometimes his thoughts could get too deep and the Dahl soldier would find himself contemplating things like the meaning of life, his own inevitable end and if he was content with his current way of living. Whenever this happened, he would do something to stir the pot with Sarah, and lose his focus in her shrill derating speeches of responsibility and teamwork.
However, he was currently stuck with a reclusive child experiment who had every right to keep his words to himself and Axton figured that maybe now wouldn't be the worst time to let his thoughts go to something more important than his next meal or kill count. So, when Em finally returned from the second floor and announced their room was ready, Axton didn't hear him.
“Sir...if you'll just follow me I'll show you your room.” Em spoke louder, stepping closer to the bar. Axton's brows were furrowed together as his brain thought out possibilities on how to get home.
“Sir...” Em repeated, concern lacing his voice. It was 'A', sending a quick elbow jab into the soldier's ribs, that finally got Axton's attention.
“Ow...what now?” He rubbed at his side, facing Em when he noticed the jittery bar tender.
“Your room...it's uhm...ready now.” Em stammered, wringing his hands together.
“Oh, thank you. Which...”
“Last one on the right!” Em pointed to a door just visible beyond the second floor railing before he darted back behind the counter and used his nervous energy to clean dishes. Axton shrugged off Em's timid behavior and slid himself off the bar stool. 'A' hopped in line behind him, following the soldier to where they would be temporarily staying.
It was a small room with an equally small window on the far wall, looking out over the river. Two twin beds were pressed against opposite walls, draped with fresh linens. The beds were separated by a rickety dresser that sat under the window. Other than a burning candle, wool rug and small bathroom, there was not much else in the room.
Axton didn't fight the yawn that came when he eyed the bed. It creaked under his weight as he slumped onto it, shedding his belts and guns. It wasn't until he kicked off his boots and removed his jacket that he noticed 'A' standing silently by the closed door. He was staring at his feet again as if he had a question he was too scared to ask.
“Sarah says I snore but I don't believe her.” he chuckled trying to lighten the mood. “You'll have to tell me if she's right.” His smile faded when 'A' made no response to the joke. Axton pointed over to the bed opposite him,
“That's yours...you gonna sleep or stand there all night?” He teased again, but figured the kid would actually stay by the door if Axton didn't tell him otherwise. As if a switch had flipped inside of him, 'A' darted towards the bed and shimmied himself under the covers. He gave a satisfied sigh earning a chuckle from the soldier.
A hush fell over the room, the distant sound of the weary piano barely reaching their door. The noise had a drowsing effect on the soldier, but he managed to fight it off a bit longer. He grabbed up his sniper rifle and began to go through his memorized steps of disassembling, cleaning, a re-assembling the gun. It was a stress reliever of sorts, his mental way of knowing that the day was over and once his guns had been taken care of, then he could take care of himself and get some much needed sleep. By now, the process was solely muscle memory and he hardly thought about what he was actually doing. It was as familiar to him as breathing.
While his hands worked, his mind wondered back to his current problem. He was stuck, on a planet called Spurcus in the middle of what appeared to be a clan feud. He had no way of getting home and needed to find some place to leave the kid before he could return to his base. Yeah, Sarah was going to be pissed. Trouble was, he wasn't sure how long it would take him to find a place for 'A', he had gotten too attached to leave him with just anyone. It needed to be people capable of caring for him, willing to raise him and fine with the idea of Axton maybe coming to visit every now and again.
“In the morning we'll go looking for a salesman or someone who owns a ship. Maybe I can strike up some type of deal or something.” He huffed aloud, not sure if 'A' was still awake to even hear him. The young experiment rolled over so his eyes fell on the soldier, placing his last gun neatly against the wall.
“I'm sure we'll find one/ But even if we do not/ this place is not bad.” 'A' hummed. Axton raised a brow as he made himself comfortable on the small bed.
“Is that so? You like this dump hole of a planet? It's a little dusty for me, and outdated for that matter.” He laughed, tucking his arms behind his head.
“The stars are bright here/ Against the darkness above/ like back in the ship.” He explained. Axton closed his eyes and nodded, succumbing to another yawn.
“What else do you like about this place?” His voice was a grumble in the dark, his breathes growing long a few between.
“The air is warm here/ Like a blanket around me/ close and comforting.” The experiment continued, quietly describing what he found desirable about Spurcus. Axton slowly drifted asleep, lulled by the words of A's haiku's and the sloppy tune of a tired pianist.
When the soldier finally awoke, it was to the sound of screechy wagon wheels rolling up and down the street outside, the quiet chatter of townsfolk and the clonking of boots walking along the wooden floors of the honkey-tonk. What he did not wake to was warm morning rays of sunshine peaking through the window to dance across his face.
The Dahl-soldier sat up with a snort, his blankets half falling off the bed. His sudden motion earned a yelp of surprise from 'A' who was just emerging from the bathroom, towel draped over his damp hair. Axton ran a hand down his face, feeling the rough stubble that had grown over night. Groaning to himself he eyed the window, frowning to see nothing but pitch darkness, the only light coming from the candle that was only an inch from being nothing more than a melted wax puddle.
“What...what time is it?” He muttered, pawing for his ECHO device somewhere on the dresser.
“It is ten AM/ You slept for several hours/ Did I wake you up?” A' scrubbed the towel over his wet hair, trying to dry the unruly locks.
“No you didn't I...” He suddenly paused, eyes widening. “Did you say ten AM?” He jumped from the bed and practically toppled over the dresser as he pressed himself close to the window. “If it's ten then why in the world is it dark as night outside?” He demanded to know. “Where is the clock? There's no way it's really ten.” He huffed.
“As for the darkness/ I sadly cannot explain/ But I have a clock.” He said tapping at the mechanical implant on the side of his head. Axton looked at him curiously but didn't question further. He figured the experiment must be right because his stomach was agreeing that it was definitely time for breakfast. He listened to it rumble as he quickly freshened up in their smaller than average restroom. Before long all his guns and belts were strapped back onto his person and him and 'A' were darting down the stairs towards the bar. Em, who was wiping a table piled with glasses and empty plates, hurried behind the counter when he saw the soldier. Axton was a bit surprised to find Renick at the bar again, as if expectantly waiting for their guests to appear for breakfast.
“Em, how about some grub?” The soldier called, scooting back onto the same bar stool as before, right next to Renick. Em nodded, shuffling off to the kitchen. Before a second could pass, Axton turned to Renick, back facing 'A'.
“Think you can answer some questions for me?” He asked. Renick, who was munching away at a plate of his own simply shrugged.
“D'pends on what yer questions are.” He grumbled. The soldier got the sense that maybe the Sheriff had not actually been waiting for him that morning, and perhaps the honkey-tonk was just his regular hang out spot. From the put off look on the Sheriff's face, he could tell he wasn't exactly in the talking kind of mood.
“Well, two questions really. First off, I'm wondering why it's still dark outside. Does Spurcus have long night cycles or something?” Axton gestured toward the window at the midnight. Renick grumped, flicking a crumb from his beard.
“What gave you that idea? Yeah we got long night cycles, three hundred and sixty hours long to be exact. It don't help none that the day cycles are only twelve hours. What's yer other question?” He leaned on the bar, watching as Em emerged from the kitchen with a tray. He set down a plate in front of Axton who quickly turned from the Sheriff and smiled down at his meal of corn beef hash, eggs, and biscuits and gravy.
Em then timidly placed a small bowl of chocolate pudding on the bar and slid it ever so carefully toward 'A'. Not waiting to see how the child would react, Em darted down the bar and busied himself with refilling Renick's glass.
“Yeah,” Axton finally started again, speaking through a mouth full of hash. “As you know, I'm in the need for a ship that can get me off planet and through space. Know anyone around here that's selling?”
Renick suddenly doubled over with laughter, letting his bald head fall into his hands.
“You sure are ignorant.” He chuckled. “Have you seen this town? If we had space ships we wouldn't be livin like this.” He snorted, his laughter dying back into sarcasm. Axton felt a bubble of irritation pop inside of him, but he quickly swallowed it down with a spoon full of eggs.
“So you guys have the technology to build rockets strong enough to blast a ship out of orbit, but you can't build an actual air craft?” He took a jab at the Sheriff. Renick was quiet, his eyes cautiously trailing over the soldier, picking his next words carefully. Silently he slid his empty plate away and swallowed the last drops in his glass.
“We had to build the rockets first.” He began, taking a deep sigh. “About a year ago Hyperion ships showed up here on Spurcus. Had a bunch of fancy men in yell'a with em. They wanted control over out mines. Said they'd give us a nice sum of money if we gave em our purple gold. Mayor Gratton, and the whole town for that matter, refused to sell. Coffeyville was founded on them mines. Our fathers and their fathers before them worked their lives away hauling purple gold out of the hills. Most men here work in the mines, without them the town would crumble. So when Hyperion found out we wouldn't sell, they thought they'd bomb the town from their ships way up in the sky.” Renick waved his arm over his head, pointing out to space.
“So you built rockets?” Axton twerked an eye brow up skeptically.
“Don't interrupt.” Renick spat. “We didn't build no rockets, we didn't know how. We are miners, laborers. W. Bill built the rockets, he built a shield around the town too. Bill is smart like that, he's always been tinkering and creating high tech junk in his garage a mile out from town. So he built us them rockets. I reckon if he was still around he would have built us all space-ships eventually. He had one or two of em in his garage.”
“What happened to him?” Axton questioned, biting into a gravy covered biscuit.
“I'm getting to that. After he built the rockets, and we blasted one of them Hyperion ships out the sky, Hyperion went across the swamp to Cochise Canyon where the Clanton's have their headquarters. Somehow they convinced them no good Clanton's to sell them their mines in exchange for high tech weaponry. Of course, stupid as them Clanton's are, they agreed but didn't get nothing from them double crossers at Hyperion. After they lost their mines, I reckon they came after W. Bill. They snatched him and hauled em back to Cochise and forced him to build them those fancy wagons you saw em terrorizing the town in. They're trying to take our mines from us, after they done lost their own. We've been holding them off as long as we can but they always come back with something better, some new technology we can hardly keep up with.” Renick folded his arms.
“So...W.Bill was the only one who had space-ships...” Axton grumbled under his breath.
“Yeah, him and Hyperion. They've set up shop outside the old Clanton mines, but getting anything from them is suicide.” Renick added. The two sat in silence, mulling over the story in their heads. Renick was the first to break the spell, standing from his stool as he dropped some coins on the counter.
“What are you planning?” He asked Axton before turning to leave.
“Well it seems to me that W. Bill is my best bet off this planet...got a map I can borrow?” He smiled, eyes glistening with determination. Renick looked at him thoughtfully for a moment before chuckling.
“I've seen you fight. If anyone is rescuing ol Bill...it's you. If you're ready to go now I'll take you to Cochise Canyon, but I ain't sticking around.” Renick offered, tapping his foot impatiently on the floor. Axton pushed his empty plate toward Em, standing from the bar, however, he stopped in his tracks when he heard 'A' hop off the stool beside him.
Axton looked down to see 'A', left cheek smeared with a bit of pudding, standing beside him.
“A...You're not coming with me...” He stated, watching as the excitement faded in the child's emerald green eye. His smile turned downward as a hurt expression settled on his soft features.
“B-but Axton I...” He was cut off as the soldier held a finger up to silence him.
“This is dangerous, I'm not taking you with me because you could easily get hurt or lost. You're just too young for this kind of stuff and too inexperienced.” Axton explained, patting 'A' on the head encouragingly. “I need you to stay here and wait for me...can you do that?” He smiled kindly.
'A' looked up to meet the soldier's gaze. He wanted to please the man who had risked his life to save him, who had liberated him from Braden's cruelty and a life of experimentation. Yet, at the same time he couldn't stand to see the man go, to watch him disappear into the night with no guarantee that he would come back. What was to stop Axton from vanishing just as Tabitha had, just as Clap-Trap...and just like Clay. The very thought made tears tug at the corner of his eye but he quickly blinked them back, refusing to show his vulnerability in front of Em or the Sheriff. Instead he simply nodded.
“Good, I'll be back before too long and hopefully we'll be that much closer to having a ship.” Axton laughed. “Em,” the soldier turned toward the bar keep, “Don't let him leave the building please, I don't exactly want him running around town. I doubt he'll give you any trouble, he'll probably stay upstairs.” Axton explained, watching as 'A' climbed the stairs and retreated to their shared room. Em nodded, giving the soldier a silent thumbs up, turning back to cleaning Renick's plate. Axton and the Sheriff hurried from the honkey-tonk and out into the warm dark air of the town.
Em was a shy fellow who always aimed to please whoever walked into his establishment. So the sight of the empty pudding bowl sitting on the counter brought a grin to his melancholy face and a whistle to his work. He was pleased to have found something the scrawny child would eat, so much so he considered saving another bowl for him to indulge in later. He was so thrilled that the tune of his song drowned out the click of the last door on the right as it was carefully pulled closed. He didn't hear the whisper of bare feet treading down the stair case or the ghost like creak of the swinging doors as 'A' escaped into the streets, determined to make sure he didn't lose the soldier like he had lost the others.
Author: You get food, and you get food, everybody gets food! *waves arms dramatically*
A: I don't need to eat.
Axton: You keep saying that but I fell like that isn't right.
Author: Have some food anyways! *viciously throws pudding cup in A's direction.*
A: No, I don't want it.
Axton: Please, for my sanity, eat the food. I'm starting to think you have eating guilt.
Author: Hold on now, just because he doesn't need to eat doesn't mean he has an eating disorder.
Axton: That's not what I meant. When he doesn't eat...it makes ME feel guilty.
Author/ A: For crying out loud. *smacks forehead*
ns 15.158.61.55da2
