Chapter 128 – The Shadow Lingerer (3)

“So we are facing enemies with long-range abilities,” Zola said, wrapping the bandage on Joshua’s head. The thing about Joshua’s ability that it doesn’t work unless it was life-threatening. So when he ran after Zola he got hit in the head. “That should be the case,” replied Joshua, cleaning the gash that Zola sustained. It was regenerating as he does as if her skin were stitching itself. Joshua had seen it so many time that it didn’t bother. “Still, quiet worrying that the technology they have is at this level. Remember those flying ships with black-clad Templars?” She asked. Joshua nodded. “Silo told me. What about them?” Zola wrapped the bandaged on Joshua’s head. Then she moved her hands to Joshua’s arm that had a long gash. “They have long-range communication. These Templars are really tricky and they have probably been scavenging ruins and studying whatever they find and probably advanced to the point of radio communication. Why hide it though?” she asked curiously.

Joshua took a long at Zola who was steadily regenerating. It was quite a waste to dress her wounds but she insisted since she rather not let herself be infected by whatever was in the air. She didn’t want to take chances knowing that there was no augment-doctor that could check her any longer.

“To get an advantage to whatever they are doing?” Joshua replied, scanning the pathetic state of the caravan. Many had lost their lives at the initial strike. There were kids who had their heads split open. There were also people who had been shot. Archie was taking care of them along with Mia.

“Still, wouldn’t they benefit from it?” said Zola. “But I got to admit that they must have expected things like this to happen. It was smart of them to hide technology like that. But knowing that the enemies now have long-range communications, I guess they might as well spread the thing already. It’ll be a liability on their part. Not to mention that this thing happened.” Zola craned her head to the carriages. Joshua looked at the tragic carriage line as well with pity. “If they have something like that maybe things wouldn’t have happened to badly like this.”

“Did I do good Joshua?” said Zola, her face blank. Joshua replied. “You did. Far better than we could ever do, without you, we’d be laying on the ground dead.” A smile appeared on her face. “Thank you, but I think I could have done better. Maybe if I activated my armor then maybe I’ve saved more than I did.

Joshua inclined his head. “Maybe, not like you could have imagined that they’d be pouring down artillery at you.” Zola shook her head. “I know. But I should have sensed it. I was reckless thinking I am invincible. Looks like I paid the price.” She looked at the carriage with a bland face. There was no guilt on her face. It was more of the look of someone who had learned her failure. There was no sympathy other than her own disappointment to her own self.

...

The state of the carriages was unsalvageable. There was no way for them to continue with them. So Mia told the refugees to bury the dead with a mournful tone. The refugees were reluctant but they had no choice but to do it. They buried the dead and left behind at least stones to mark them.

The journey continued with everyone ragged and battered. Zola this time didn’t take chances. She suited up and watched the perimeter with more vigilance than ever. The band didn’t meet anything foes for the next hours. In the evening there was a bit of unrest as the carriages containing food and water got destroyed. There was only a few left and everyone had to share food. Joshua rested under a tree. The tree had big roots and he was able to recline relaxingly. He rested his weary head and looked up where the myriads of stars feasted his eyes. Galaxies and nebulas and a curtain of green and blue lights shaded the sky. The area that the band rested was comfortable enough for him to relax. Not to mention that they were being protected by Zola who didn’t take any chances.

He rested his eyes. He slides down and flattened his back on the grass. He gazed at the skies while thinking how tiresome it was all. He would like to complain. But it was his choice to get out of Edawick. It was his choice to travel for the sake of a friend.

He never wanted this extra work. He found himself wondering why he was struggling when he could just heartlessly leave and carry on his way. But he wasn’t heartless to do that. Still, he wished that things would go out smoothly. It was hard enough to get attack and the worst part was that the refugees were going to starve if they don’t forage for good.

The stars twinkled above him. The cool breeze accompanied and slowly Joshua found himself losing to the relaxing bed of grass. But his paranoia kept him awake. He forced his eyelids open, trying to scrutinize his environments. Joshua thought that maybe he should stop being paranoid, then it hit him that his streak of paranoia has been on point lately and decided to go against it. He pulled himself and instead leaned his right elbow on the tree trunk. He reached for his rifle and checked it. Since he wasn’t going to sleep anyway with his paranoia keeping him away, he decided to maintain his rifle, clearing the barrel and making sure that it didn’t get damaged when used it. He checked the barrel and the chamber of the rifle. He adjusted the sight and made sure that the iron balls that he loads to the rifle would fit in. He rotated the crank and filled the rifle powder and then loaded the weapon. After loading the weapon, Joshua put his rifle aside and checked his other belongings. He didn’t have any bombs anymore but he still has tools that need checking.

With that in mind Joshua checked everything he had and by the time he was done morning was two hours away.