Deadman

Book 2 Chapter 19: The Past

The colored domes of Pott’s Field got closer and closer until we could make out the individual shapes and colors drawn on them. I saw one that depicted a radcat stalking a mouse, another that was painted as if it was hidden by tall grass, and a third that showed a vulture lazily drifting on the wind. I recognized them, they were the buildings marking the agricultural quarter of the city.

That estimation was soon confirmed as the smells of manure began to waft toward us on the gently crackling breeze. Before we quite reached the edge of the city, I smelled something else. I looked toward the scent to see two men posted on top of one of the domes, they were each holding rifles that looked vaguely familiar, but I smelled no gunpowder as we got closer. I also noticed a number of small black pieces of fabric flying like sails above several of the domes as we passed by.

Deux paused as we got to the edge of the second row of domes. “I need to run Goliath here back to the stable...and let them know what happened to Desdemona. I’m not sure if they’re gathered, but the Honored Dead want to see you before you leave for The Cut. It wouldn’t hurt for you to check in with Nico as well.”

I sighed. “I’ll run down a white robe, and go from there.”

Deux went to leave, but paused and put a hand on my shoulder for a moment. “I was happy to be there to watch your back. You can always ask me for help when you need it.”

I paused, feeling a kind of knot in my stomach at his sincerity. I tilted my hat, nodded at him, and walked toward the center of the city.

The murals had changed since the last time I’d been there. A dome that had been painted with bright red flowers was now covered in green hills, and another I’d remembered being painted white with black spirals was now painted as if blood was dripping down it. Some deadmen changed how they decorated with the season, others with their whim.

I made my way to the center of the town, noting an odd amount of both nods and scowls being thrown my way as I passed other deadmen. This was strange. I was very used to scowls, just about everywhere, and friendly nods to any other deadman that passed were fairly typical in Pott’s, but an even mix was different.

Before I’d quite made it to the Mausoleum, a man in a white robe approached me.

“Donovan?”

I nodded.

“The Honored Dead would like to see you immediately.”

I hesitated. I had a childish urge to make them wait, in spite of the fact that I’d been on my way to see them anyway. I fought that down, and followed the white robe, who led me into the Mausoleum, and through to the inner chamber where I’d met the assembled council the last time. They were all there, Mama, Solomon, Julian, Jim, and Kit. They looked tired, their yellow, red, and black eyes all a bit more sunken than usual, their shoulders drooping. Only Julian seemed lively, a kind of spark in his eyes.

I decided, for the first time I realized, to check each of their classes using my ‘Eyes of the Law’ ability. I often got into situations in which I defaulted to Freeze or Under Arrest, but I needed to make a better habit of using my investigative abilities more often. Mama was a teacher, not a surprise. Kit was a farmer, which made sense given her status as head of agriculture. Solomon was listed as a Local Magistrate, Jim an Architect which seemed oddly grandiose compared to his fellow councilmembers, especially since his real job was as Solomon’s lapdog. Julian was the biggest surprise, I’d expected him to be an Administrator, or even Mayor, but he didn’t come up at all. He was like the Kaijin I’d encountered on the road. He wasn’t in the RAS. I wasn’t familiar with his background, but I’d guess he’d been taken by undertakers from one of the deeper Kaijin settlements.

“Welcome home Donovan,” said Mama, her voice filled with the same warmth as always. “You’ve been staying out of trouble?”

“No.”

She chuckled. “At least you’re honest.”

I unslung my pack and began pulling out the journals and maps I’d made adjustments to for them. A white robe came and grabbed them, then brought them over to the table, Kit began to look at them first, she seemed to have the keenest desire to stay on top of any documentation.

I decided to test another of my abilities. “Miss me?” I asked Solomon, activating my lie detector ability as I did so.

He looked down his nonexistent nose at me. “No.”

I saw a reading of his heart beating in my vision, as well as a number of other physiological signals I had no way of recognizing. TRUTH was displayed in my vision. Well, it seemed to be working as far as I could tell at least.

“We have agreed after some discussion to support your collaboration with the Remnants and crossing of the Cut,” said Julian, who I got no read from.

“The decision was difficult, to risk one of our own in such an endeavor, but it was concluded that you likely would do as you pleased either way,” he wore a slight smile as he spoke, he’d likely gotten that bit of insight from both Mama and Solomon.

“There are things you must be told before you go,” interrupted Mama, her heart rate increasing slightly. “Things which are not common knowledge to the majority of those here in Pott’s.”

Julian gestured at the white cloaks at the edges of the room, and they stood, and left, sealing the doors. “This information is not exactly hidden, however only those who’ve served in the honored dead or lived close to the time of the founding know of it.”

“I’d like to again recommend against telling him. I worry about whose side he will take if he has foreknowledge, particularly considering what he’s done so far,” said Solomon.

“Agreed,” chimed in Jim.

“You’ve already been overruled. There’s no way we’re going to send him over blind,” said Kit, glancing up from one of my maps.

“There is a possibility that what we’re about to share with you, may not matter at all, but considering it was a deadman that made his way across in this direction… we feel it necessary to share,” said Mama.

I found myself nodding impatiently. Pott’s was a good place, but it also had its secrets. I’d learned more than my fair share about it over the years, but there always seemed another layer to peel. “Go on.”

Mama spoke. “Hades Johnson was not the only founder of Pott’s,” she started. “He had a friend, another deadman who believed in his vision for a place where deadmen could be safe and grow.”

I nodded, recognizing Mama’s tone as the one she’d use at the schoolhouse when trying to lecture. Though I myself only really paid attention when the subject was maps or guns.

“Unfortunately, Hades and his friend had a different vision for how things should be run. Hades, of course, thought that things would run best if we found a way to integrate ourselves into everyday life of the wastes, put a bit of superstition on who and what we are. Jericho, on the other hand, thought that we should use superstition to create fear rather than mystique. He gathered some followers, and tried to force Pott’s into his way of thinking, but at that point Pott’s had only just been set up. The Deadmen here had only just gotten their first taste of safety, and a violent path was the last thing they were looking for.” She sighed heavily. “Jericho and what followers he had were exiled across the Cut. We assumed they were dead. The originals almost certainly are since it was so long ago, but with the news of the deadman crossing this way, we’re not sure and we don’t know what kind of fallout they may have brought about…if they survived their exile.”

“All of this,” interrupted Julian, “is a warning that may mean nothing. Even if it does and Jericho’s branch of Pott’s exists, we want the same message sent to them that is sent to every deadman. You're welcome here.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to be a little more selective,” noted Solomon.

“It would, actually,” retorted Mama.

“Also, remember, no matter what deal we have with the Remnants, that directive is absolute. We’ve gotten them to sweeten the deal for your work with them, but nothing is worth our fellow deadmen,” said Julian.

I nodded, I didn’t need my lie detector ability to tell he meant that when he said it.

“Don’t think all we have for you is information either. We want you to survive, and have put together a…practical package for you as well.”josei