DIRE : BORN (The Dire Saga Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

maybe they'll show.”
    “There were heroes at that collapsed building. Tomorrow Force.”
    “They don't come round here unless there's other costumes involved. And they don't stick around. Heroes show up, the Bloods run'em out or hide until they're gone. Heroes leave sooner or later, Bloods come out again and anyone who ratted them out or talked bad about'em disappears in the night.”
    We moved past the old showerhouse, back toward the tents.
    I frowned.  “What purpose do the Bloods serve?”
    “Themselves.”
    “They have no function within your societal structure?”
    “You got a weird-ass way of talking.”
    “She is asking whether or not they do anything beneficial for your group, this area, or the other cultures within.”
    “Oh. Well, no. They sell drugs, but I wouldn't call that good. They keep other gangs out, but most of the other ones are better than they are. Still assholes in their own unique ways, but not as bad overall. No, they're pretty much bad for the Brownstones.” Roy looked at me again, shook his head as we approached the women's tent. “Look. Get some sleep. They won't come tonight, not after I dropped Sangre's name. We'll talk it over tomorrow, if it needs talking.”
    I nodded, moved to the doorway, and paused.
    “Why did you follow Dire in the first place?”
    “I heard a gunshot up the beach, then saw you walkin' away from there. I was suspicious so I followed.”
    What? I'd used a silencer—
    No. No I hadn't. I'd used a makeshift noise baffle, and evidently it hadn't worked as well as I'd hoped. Probably would have worked better with a smaller caliber gun. I'd remember that for the future. Roy continued, as I mused.
    “And you got the look of someone who doesn't belong out here. You look soft. I kept an eye on you, figgerin' something was up, that maybe you were a criminal trying to lie low, or a spy of some sort for some reason or the other. When you snuck away I followed. Then you put that weird mask on. Didn't know what to think.”
    I chuckled. “For the record, neither does she. Well, for what it's worth, thank you for the assistance.”
    “Hey. Woulda been wrong if I didn't help out. Besides, if I let them take one of mine, I look weak, and you never want to look weak to enemies. But you're welcome. We'll talk in the morning.” Then he was gone, back to the campfire, and his friends.
    I found my little enclosure and secured my belongings under the sheets, then I curled around them and let myself relax. Sleep found me in short order, and I didn't dream.

CHAPTER 3: Fixing Facilities and Fighting Fools
    “The advantage of this approach, is that you're going in as a virtual unknown. Keep your intellect hidden and downplay the fact that you're a supergenius, and you'll have ample time to set up shop and figure out who the players are.”
     
    --Excerpt #47 from the Dire Monologues
     
    I woke in the pre-dawn light, night's darkness replaced by gray nothing. For a minute I lay there, taking stock before I tried my treacherous memory again. Nothing. At least I felt a little better. Though I was quite thirsty, and my bladder ached something fierce. I remembered Joan's words, and padded outside, looking for the port-a-john. After doing my business I hastily returned to the warmth of the tent, shivering under my clothes.
    A few people nodded to me as I passed, and more scrutinized me with no particular emotion. Most seemed to still be asleep.
    I could use this quiet time.
    Returning to my partitioned section, I pulled open my backpack, and started pulling out the tools and toys I'd taken from my lair.
    The force field generator was down to half-charge. The universal remote was still at full. The mask... didn't seem to have a charge indicator. I tried feeling around on it for buttons, switches, anything. Nothing.
    How the devil was I supposed to figure out the interface for this thing? I could wear it and try random actions and commands, but if it was going to make my voice shout