about it. His only consolation was that the lizards didn't want the pair dead. It was not necessary to send twelve to kill two, but Omany knew it took at least that many to capture these two.
Omany watched, helpless as the ambush happened. He was very proud of his protege for knowing when she was outnumbered and not attempting to fight, therefore prolonging her life. Omany could do nothing but follow as Nathan and Remi were led away.
He followed them out of the market and into the city proper. He found it odd that this gang of thugs could be openly escorting prisoners and go unnoticed and un-harrassed by any form of law enforcement. Either this group was very well connected, or the Rhadasians were not overly concerned with 'law and order.' Omany imagined it was a little of both.
The procession entered a large warehouse, through an unguarded door, leaving two of their number behind to guard it. Omany smiled at the observation. It increased the likelihood that twelve was all they were going to have to deal with. Timing was going to be the important part.
If he was going to get the timing right, he had to figure out what was going on inside and that meant at least a guess as to why they had been brought here.
A lone lizard had likely confronted Daniels in the tavern. Probably because the captain had done something to anger a local crime syndicate. The syndicate, knowing Daniels was a loner, had dispatched the single lizard to confront him and bring him here for a meeting with the syndicate boss. When that failed, the larger group was sent. The fact that Remi was brought as well was a mystery. Possibly it was because she either witnessed or was a part of the altercation in the tavern.
It was possible the syndicate had discovered who Remi was and this was some kind of kidnapping ransom plot, but if that was the case, more than one lizard would have been sent immediately to make the grab at the tavern.
So, they were probably only there for a meeting. If Daniels agrees with the crime boss's perception of reality, they'll be let go. Omany silently 'harrumphed.' More likely Nathan would say something that would get both of them killed, and sooner rather than later.
He glanced back down at the guards. They looked rather relaxed, like they didn't expect trouble. Obviously they knew Nathan's reputation for being a loner. Omany made his move. Subduing the first two guards would be easy.
* * *
Nathan and Remi were led into a large room, obviously an audience chamber of sorts. Their guard had dwindled to a half dozen. Most of the room was in semi-darkness, several bright lights shone down on a raised platform in the center of the room. On the platform was the biggest, oldest lizard Nathan had ever seen.
“ Captain Danielsss,” the big lizard said as they entered the room. The door they entered from shut behind them, reducing the light in the room still more. “The last time you were here, you cheated me.” The lizard's voice filled the room. It was impossible to tell if the volume was real or artificial.
“ I got the best price for my cargo fair and square. You were not cheated.” Nathan was defiant.
“ We had a deal at a fair price!” The big lizard bellowed.
“ Your thug Ixlar came to me when I landed and told me we had a deal. I never agreed to it because I knew I could do better.”
“ Sssilence!” The impact of the sound nearly knocked Nathan and Remi over. “I understand you have a load of Halifren gems. You will sell the gems to me for 250,000 which will still allow you a small profit. Once you do that, your debt will be clear. To ensure you do not cheat me again, the girl stays here until I have my gems!”
Nathan and Remi were separated and Nathan was marched out by the guards.
* * *
After subduing the two lizards at the entrance, Omany used their clothing to bind and gag them. He removed the power packs from their
Omany watched, helpless as the ambush happened. He was very proud of his protege for knowing when she was outnumbered and not attempting to fight, therefore prolonging her life. Omany could do nothing but follow as Nathan and Remi were led away.
He followed them out of the market and into the city proper. He found it odd that this gang of thugs could be openly escorting prisoners and go unnoticed and un-harrassed by any form of law enforcement. Either this group was very well connected, or the Rhadasians were not overly concerned with 'law and order.' Omany imagined it was a little of both.
The procession entered a large warehouse, through an unguarded door, leaving two of their number behind to guard it. Omany smiled at the observation. It increased the likelihood that twelve was all they were going to have to deal with. Timing was going to be the important part.
If he was going to get the timing right, he had to figure out what was going on inside and that meant at least a guess as to why they had been brought here.
A lone lizard had likely confronted Daniels in the tavern. Probably because the captain had done something to anger a local crime syndicate. The syndicate, knowing Daniels was a loner, had dispatched the single lizard to confront him and bring him here for a meeting with the syndicate boss. When that failed, the larger group was sent. The fact that Remi was brought as well was a mystery. Possibly it was because she either witnessed or was a part of the altercation in the tavern.
It was possible the syndicate had discovered who Remi was and this was some kind of kidnapping ransom plot, but if that was the case, more than one lizard would have been sent immediately to make the grab at the tavern.
So, they were probably only there for a meeting. If Daniels agrees with the crime boss's perception of reality, they'll be let go. Omany silently 'harrumphed.' More likely Nathan would say something that would get both of them killed, and sooner rather than later.
He glanced back down at the guards. They looked rather relaxed, like they didn't expect trouble. Obviously they knew Nathan's reputation for being a loner. Omany made his move. Subduing the first two guards would be easy.
* * *
Nathan and Remi were led into a large room, obviously an audience chamber of sorts. Their guard had dwindled to a half dozen. Most of the room was in semi-darkness, several bright lights shone down on a raised platform in the center of the room. On the platform was the biggest, oldest lizard Nathan had ever seen.
“ Captain Danielsss,” the big lizard said as they entered the room. The door they entered from shut behind them, reducing the light in the room still more. “The last time you were here, you cheated me.” The lizard's voice filled the room. It was impossible to tell if the volume was real or artificial.
“ I got the best price for my cargo fair and square. You were not cheated.” Nathan was defiant.
“ We had a deal at a fair price!” The big lizard bellowed.
“ Your thug Ixlar came to me when I landed and told me we had a deal. I never agreed to it because I knew I could do better.”
“ Sssilence!” The impact of the sound nearly knocked Nathan and Remi over. “I understand you have a load of Halifren gems. You will sell the gems to me for 250,000 which will still allow you a small profit. Once you do that, your debt will be clear. To ensure you do not cheat me again, the girl stays here until I have my gems!”
Nathan and Remi were separated and Nathan was marched out by the guards.
* * *
After subduing the two lizards at the entrance, Omany used their clothing to bind and gag them. He removed the power packs from their
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