Chapter 2
“A Guard patrolling the area saw a few Mutant Bruisers.” Terrie told April as she was catching her breath. “Bruisers…crap thats not good. The deserters were locked up by some Bruisers they have to be going back to get them.” April knew the Guards could handle the Bruisers if they get in cover fast enough. Still she found herself worrying about Gruff. She remeber how Gruff dominated the trainers who stood a good foot taller then him back then. Well with that lady Guard going to warn them then she has nothing to worry about…she hoped.
A few blocks from the camp down the empty street with buildings crumbling, burned out cars and a few burned things like burned toys and cells phones not to mention burned bodies left behind by the dead. Mary knew the Captain wouldn’t want her to use her radio never knew if another Sunkin zealot was around capturing surviors from the bombs to enslave. They might be in the city for all they knew but keeping the zealot locked up inside the camps bomb shelter was there best bet. Zelots can almost sense when another zealot is around and in distress. As Mary was walking she felt the ground tremble and rumble. Almost as if something is coming from her left a heavy something too. Mary ducked behind a burnt car watching to see what was coming her way. Maybe a Armed Forces convoy to rebuild the city or a pack of Bruisers that the guards on patrol spotted. Her worse fears were confirmed Down the empty street came marching three Bruisers. They were uglier in person then people described Mary thought.
Mutant Bruisers were about eight feet tall and three feet thick. Bruisers were the main defensive units the mutants had over outsiders. Usually the sight of a Bruiser sends most men running with there massive size usually sporting wild beast hides were intimidating enough but they also had super human strength and speed for such a massive body. Their muscle packed legs can carry them far and fast so once you find one it’s best to kill it quick. Worse then a Bruisers might was the weapons they carried they don’t use conventional weapons such as guns or bombs. Instead they use a long sawed blade that can cut a man in half with two wacks and were often poisoned or drugged so even if you survive the blow the poison or drug will kill you. Mutants tend to live far away from humans most people think the mutants live far for the humans sake seeing as they don’t travel near human settlements.
While the mutants do stay away but every once and a while a few pop up after a Sunkin bombings. Stories have been told of mutants fighting Sunkin zealots over slaves and even defending Unionists from the Zealots. Everyone takes them stories as just that tall tales told by traumatized people who were cought for days in the wilds. No one knew where mutants came from stories are told of the Union Armed Forces created the Mutants from captured Sunkin warriors to hold back the Sunkin from taking over the main content of the North and Southern America’s. These Bruisers were not looking like the friendly type of mutants with small beady cold eyes their skin discolored making them look like there whole body was a moving bruise. They marched forward with a determined look in there faces as they made their way up the street. Mary decided to trail them incase they find the Guards she can warn them before they attack.
The Bruisers were marching fast but then stoped in the middle of the street. Two of the Bruisers then jumped up to the top of a few small crumbling buildings. The third Bruisers stood alone in the street as if he was waiting for something. Captain Shell lead the Guards and the deserters were shuffling along in the middle as Guards blocked them in from all sides. Captain Shell saw the Bruiser standing ahead like a deformed statue. “Outsiders stop! Those humans are ours.” Boomed the Bruiser. Mary never knew the Mutants could talk there never was a story of mutants speaking or even grunting in battle. Captain Shell was just as shocked at the huge lump of flesh speaking to him. “These deserters are wanted by the union armed forces for crimes against the Union.” Captain Shell said while staring down the Bruiser and the Guards raised there automatic rifles.
The Bruiser stood his ground and after a few seconds of silence he spoke “Under Union Law Section 67.4 version five. If a Unionist committed a crime against any nation reconized or not by the Union they are to be handed over to the proper law enforcement officials if that crime is founded to be true. That would be me.” The Bruiser stated as if he was reading a Union law book. Captain Shell was thrown off but didn’t show it. “What crime do you charge these men with?” The Bruiser was obviously offended and struck the ground with his large sword. “These outsiders killed three young breeding aged females and five of my men.” Captain Shell needed to gain control of the situation. “I seen the bodies and the law is what we are hear to enforce. These men will be punished on this I swear. We are the law around this part of the Union.” The Bruiser seemed to relax a little. “Not good enough hand them over I will take them to the royal court to be dealt with. I will take them by force if I have to.”
Clive interrupted “Mitch needs help or he will die lets go.” Captain Shell knew that the one injured deserter will not make it if they stay arguing for to long. “We have an injured person and we need to get him medical help.” The Bruiser then stated. “So hand them over and we will fix it up.” Captain Shell knew he had to haul them into Romo but was it worth risking the camp and the zealot who was worth five times more then all these deserters. “Men stand down. Take them and leave the city limits Bruiser.” The Bruisers had motioned for the deserters to step forward and follow him. The Guards stood back and pushed the men forward. “Wise choice I hate to have my warriors kill that lady with the rifle pointed at my head.” The Bruiser pointed towards Mary crouching behind a car with her rifle ready to shoot. The other two Bruisers plopped down and took the prisoners deep into the bowels of the crumbling city. “Head out men.” Captain Shell told his men as he marched forward to the camp.
After a short walk to the camp Captain Shell told all the Guards “Gear up were leaving in one hour.” The camp was surprised even the Guards were hoping to stay around for a short while before heading out to the Wilds. “Captain you can’t just leave.” Jeremiah told the Captain. “We can and will. Our main objective is getting the zealot back to Romo now.” The captain said in a cold voice. “What about us and your other prisoners?” Jeremiah asked. “The mutants killed them.” Jeremiah was surprised that the deserters were killed off by mutants. “Are we in danger?” Captain Shell just said “Look around Jeremiah of course your in danger but not by the mutants at least not now.” Jeremiah wasn’t buying that. “You just said the mutants killed them deserters-”
“Them deserters got killed by mutants for killing mutants. They know about our laws we had to turn them over. I won’t let them take the zealot from us. It’s better if we leave if it would put you people at ease I’ll post a few Guards here until we return.” Captain Shell then left to get the zealot. Jeremiah was pissed off at the Captain but a few Guards staying is better then none. Gruff and Mary volunteered to stay behind until Romo posts a full Garrison here. That night was silent no more happy cheers and praises from the survivors. Now most cursed or ignored Gruff and Mary the only ones who stayed behind. The rest of the Guards left before dark but would be traveling threw the wilds by dark. “Should be about a week for them to reach Romo and come back here.” said Mary to Gruff who was poking the fire. “Won’t matter the people here made up there minds were worse then the enemy.” Gruff said as he stared into the fire. “Ha not all think that Gruff.” Mary said as April walked up to them. “Hey guys. Why are you all out here in the cold?” April asked. Mary answered “We aren’t the most popular people here now in case you haven’t noticed.” “That’s no reason you guys should stay out in the cold night. Come stay with me..us I’m sure my dad won’t mind.”
After a few days things got better in the camp. Jeremiah got a few men together and set off to make the camp more fortified by building walls and digging a pit to store old bones from the animals that Gruff had been hunting. The camp was soon buzzing with activity while Mary stayed posted in a near by rooftop keeping sentry over the camp waiting for the Guard to come back.
Meanwhile deep underground in the sewer system was the Bruisers with the deserters Mitch was barely standing on his own strength and leaning on Clive for support. “Step in this door and be calm.” A smooth calm voice said in all three prisoners minds. One by one they stepped in and saw a large group of mutants living in a complete unionist luxury status rooms. Huge tv screens showing different views of multiple cities. A large drinking fountain in the middle and dozens of mutants living under the sewers. Then one grotesque looking mutant with a large head and flesh covering its eyes and didn’t have any sign of having a mouth with long and slender body. “I’m called Markus. I have been guiding you all this way. I hope that Mitch is doing better the poison should have been neutralized by now.” Butcher was wondering if he was really in his head. “Yes I am Butcher. You are all safe…for now.” Butcher was amazed this mutant was in his head literally. “Clive we won’t kill for now you all need to be presented to the Royal Court.” Clive wasn’t the brightest guy and the only royal court he knew of was the Sunkin Kingdoms. “No not them the Queen of all the Touched. She is busy dealing with the foreign menace that plagues the top lands. For now you are all safe until judgment. I am here to keep my people alive and you all alive until the Queen decides what to do to you.” A large armoured Bruiser appeared. “If it was up to me all of you would be sent to the tips of my blade.” Markus raised his telepathic voice. “Commander I will not stand for your threats.” The Commander looked at Markus then walked off dragging his large blade on the ground shooting up sparks from the blade. “Don’t mind the Commander he is a young mind who is only good at war and battle, not so much on political matters.” The time spent in the sewers made the deserters tired and Mitch was getting weak again. “Please I know you men are tired and hungry drinks and food will be presented once you enter your cages.” With no control over there own body the men walked into the cages set across the large room. “Welcome to the UnderCraft murders.” The commander stated as he slammed the cage door shut.