Reddened Wasteland by Kyle Perkins Page A

the nature of that detour?”
    Alerik had a moment of internal panic and he hoped it
didn’t register on his face. “Yeah, back when I was younger, we used to
scavenge in those trash heaps. Just part-time work for extra credits. Some days
we would find great stuff to sell, other days we wouldn’t find anything. I
thought maybe those attackers had done the same and found the flask there. If I
were able to find where she found it, I might find other identifying garbage in
the same area,” he shrugged, “It was just a shot in the dark.”
    Aemon scratched his chin for a moment before
responding. “Well, did you find anything?”
    “Unfortunately, no. That’s why I didn’t bother
mentioning it. There is just too much trash to really link anyone to it,” he
sighed, hoping Aemon bought the lie.
    “Very well. It was a good try,” he said, his eyes
constantly studying Alerik’s face. After a moment, he must’ve been satisfied
because he finally spoke. “I suppose you have questions?”
    Alerik barked a laugh and leaned forward onto the
desk. “Of course I do. What is going on outside? Why were the mines shut down?
This is the way these people feed their families!”
    “Oh, that? Let me explain. I have devised a brilliant
plan, if I do say so myself. We will only shut the mines down for a few days,
but we will let everyone think they are closed down for good. Then our best
guards, yourself included, will follow these people and see what they do with
their time off,” Aemon said with a wicked smile.
    “What? Follow them? You’re punishing a lot of people
for the actions of a few… how do you even justify that?” Alerik asked, anger
etched into his features.
    “Yes. Without the hope of a way to feed their
families, we will see how strong their resolve is. If they are easily persuaded
by a terroristic organization… well, are those the kind of people we want in
the settlement, causing trouble for the everyman just trying to live
peacefully?”
    Alerik indulged a daydream where he swung his pickaxe
across the desk and took off Aemon’s head, but it stayed that way. Just a dream.
If he actually attempted something like that, the guards would execute him
within seconds. He shook his head, “I suppose not, but you are creating
dissidence yourself. Of course people will rebel when they can’t feed their
families. That is the sign of a failing government.”
    “We only want the strongest in our settlement. The
people that show they are in this with us, for better or for worse. To be a
part of the machine that is rebuilding humanity. Any thoughts or opinions that
variate from our ultimate goal, only serves to distract. We can’t have pieces
that do not fit in a machine. All it takes is one to make it malfunction,”
Aemon said with a certain seriousness in his voice. “They do not deserve to
exist.”
    Alerik wasn’t buying what the man was selling, but he
knew that arguing would do no good. Not with this guy. All he could do was
pretend to agree while he formed his own opinion. He also reminded himself that
even though The Union seemed completely evil, they weren’t the ones plotting to
kill droves of innocent people. Liberty’s Hammer was.
    He resolved himself to continuing his work. Not for
The Union, but for the people in the settlement. The same people who absolutely
hated him at that moment. He hoped that one day they might understand.
    “Right… So, what do you need from me exactly?” he
asked.
    “I want you to return home and think on our
conversation. Tomorrow, I will be sending another guard, one of my elites to
assist you in the investigation. You will both scour the city to find any information
that you can. She will give you the details in the morning when she arrives at
your new home,” Aemon stretched and rested his hands behind his head.
    “A partner? I don’t need a partner, I have been doing
great on my own,” he scoffed. Trying to investigate with a Union lackey up his
ass was the last