Origins (The Wasteland Chronicles, #2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

that happen,” Makara said. “He doesn’t want a single one returning to Colossus to tell the Empire.”
    “That’s what I was thinking,” Anna said.
    As if mentioning Char were a summons, I spotted him walking down the road from the direction of the compound, surrounded by a contingent of Raiders. He appeared calm, in control – Makara and I were anything but.
    Char approached us. “What’s the situation?”
    “They’re still holed up in there,” Anna said. “Two, maybe a few more, are on the top floor. They want out of Bluff in exchange for Lisa’s life.”
    Char faced upward. “Alright,” he yelled, “I’m here. What do you want?”
    Everyone quieted. Only the wind blew through the dust-strewn street. The people in front of the Bounty began to murmur.
    A full minute passed with no response from the bar.
    “I demand an answer!” Char bellowed.
    “Let us out of here,” a voice said. “You know what happens if you don’t.”
    “You kill her, then what?” Char asked. “You die.”
    “We’ll do it if you leave us no choice.”
    “There is no need for that,” Char said. “I am glad to let you scum out of my town if it means saving Lisa.”
    It was quiet. I could imagine the men in that upstairs bedroom, debating quietly what they should do.
    “How can you guarantee our safety?” the same one said.
    “I promise, none of my men will lay a finger on you. I’ll have them set down their guns when you come out. We can escort you by Recon on your way out, which should protect you if anyone decides to go commando on your sorry asses.”
    “I never agreed to that,” Makara said.
    Char held a hand up, silencing her. “Work with me, Makara.”
    The men on the second floor were quiet.
    Then: “Have everyone drop their weapons,” the man said. “We agree.”
    Char scowled, and waited a long moment. I didn’t see why he hesitated – this seemed like the best deal he could get. Finally, he answered.
    “Alright. In another minute, everyone outside will have dropped their weapons. All of them.”
    “How can we be guaranteed of that?” the man asked.
    “I guess you’re just going to have to trust me on that one, aren’t you?”
    Char waved for everyone to set their guns down. Grumbling, the men did as they were told. Makara seemed least happy of all to do it.
    Nothing happened for a long while. It was hard to tell whether they had accepted or not.
    “Are the weapons on the ground?” the man asked.
    Char grunted. “Yeah.”
    The shutters of the window upstairs slammed open. Inside was a man with a rifle, aiming right for Char.
    “Get down!” Makara yelled.
    But no shot came. Instead, the man screamed. Inside the window stood Anna, her blade slicing toward the man’s neck. It cut through, severing the man’s head from his body. The head flew out the window, landing at Char’s feet.
    Anna turned quickly, slashing her sword. Another man cried out. She raised the blade above her head, and stabbed downward.
    Anna sighed, wiped off her blade, and sheathed it. She came to the window and looked down. “They’re all dead.”
    Makara stood silent. It was hard to tell if she was relieved, or angry. Maybe she was both.
    “I didn’t even see her leave!” I said.
    “That was the point,” Char said. “Neither did those scumbags up there.”
    Makara went into the building. I followed her in. The wooden interior was dark, and crowded with round circular tables. The room was narrow, but long. The bar itself sat on the right-hand side.
    Two pairs of feet pounded down the steps. Anna was the first to appear. She passed us and walked outside. The second was Lisa. She was tall, slender, and had long wavy brown hair and blue eyes. Her skin was tan and slightly freckled.
    Makara ran forward and embraced her. “Lisa, it’s so good to see you.”
    Lisa smiled. “Why did it take a hostage situation for you to come down and visit me?”
    Makara pulled back. “I’m sorry. It’s been so busy, with my