My stomach rolled as I pulled my knife from the corpse. I’d seen dead people, of course, but it still rubbed against my nerves. Killings a waste, I thought, wiping my knife on the deceased’s clothes and stepping through the door. To my left and right was a corridor, the same deep gray as the room, strewn with faith decoration. Dangling cloth, and relics stacked on tables and crates. Also, limp forms of felled enemies.

The corridor went a hundred meters and turned the same direction at either end. From the corner of my eye, I glimpse the girl put down a Titan’s Wrath female and bolt around the corner. I guess I’ll go that way.

The air felt heavy and smelled of steel as I jogged. I’d waited so long to see the inside of a temple. It wasn’t so special from bunkers. Though the doors would slide open, then close automatically as I moved past. In most abandoned places, forcing everything open was common practice. Things worked here. The lights inset to the walls glowed bright white. Blinking buttons and switches covered panels at various intervals. It was incredible. They’ve had access to this the whole time?

“Look Ex, I got it open!”

Damn it, not now. Slowing my pace, I shook off a memory as it burned my mind. Focusing was near impossible. I can’t afford the distractions. I breathed deep, shrugging off the stress and pushing forward at full speed.

I meant to catch up with the girl, but Jazz was right. She seemed dangerous. I rubbed a hand over my face where her knee split it at my cheek bone. The glare she shot me as she rushed away. It didn’t look hateful though, more like judging. The way faith followers looked at me. Whatever. Escaping needed to be priority one. I’d deal with the rest later.

Rounding a second corner, the hall in front of me turned back in the direction I had come from. The corridor must be a square route around the inside perimeter of the building, I thought as I neared a door in the middle. I recognized it, having seen many like it from the outside. There it is.

My lungs burned as the exit slid open. My body refused to move in the smooth and quick manners I was used to. Sweat dripped from longer portion of my hair and my limbs felt rubbery. This is going to be exceedingly difficult. I was thankful that Jazz, or the girl, cleared the path for me till now.

In the fading light just in front of the temple door, a hodgepodge of inquisitors and heathens half circled the green-haired stranger. To my surprise, many held blasters, but none fired at her. The inquisitors seemed to do the most work. Jabbing at her with their bladed poles. She snatched just behind the sharp steel on a sloppy thrust. Jerked its wielder towards her and with a single slam of her palm to his face, the body dropped to the ground. But another stepped forward, taking the dead one’s place.

The girl now jabbed her spear back at the group. Downing a heathen, then an inquisitor. Before she could launch another barrage, a beam of light hit the spear near her hands. She yelped as the pole dropped away, scorched in half.

I made my decision and charged. I would help her then deal with he consequences. My approach went unnoticed, allowing me to topple five people as I threw myself haphazardly into the fray. My ambush broke the group’s focus, giving the girl a chance to ram through the ranks and escape with a branch of the mob breaking away in her pursuit. The rest turned on me as I staggered to my feet. I’d lost my blaster in the fall, so I yanked the pistol from over my shoulder. A bluff. I hadn’t loaded the gun. Well Jazz, I don’t even have one shot now. Assessing options, I tried to keep the weapon steady, but a shudder ran through me, making the barrel wobble.

The remaining throng consisted mostly of yellow clad Titan’s Wrath members, but still, plenty of inquisitors. Unconvinced they would extend the curtesy of not shooting to me, I stepped back slowly. I have to run, but where? The first attack came, a hard spear thrust from a square faced woman in a white robe. My dodge was agonizingly slow, letting the blade nick my shoulder. Gritting my teeth against the sharp pain, I trained the gun on her, and she eased back.

My position gave me a way out. I had plowed into the swarm enough that my back aligned with a path leading into the settlement’s center. If I could get past the fence around the temple, could I outrun them? Doubtful, not without the H.A.G.’s help and there could be plenty further in if Owls were really integrating heathens with the faith followers.

Before I put together a plan. Another spear shot from my left and my neck surged with burn. I staggered away, reaching for the wound. The warm slick of blood soaked my fingers.

“Don’t kill him, the pontifex wants him and the girl alive,” someone said.

“I’ll do as I want heathen scum.”

The brief in-fighting gave me a respite. If they wouldn’t kill me, I had an edge. Glancing behind at the path, then to the mob. I could read it without them saying. They were ready to rush me. My bluff had run its course. Ok. go, in three, two…

There was a distant rumble. The attackers surrounding me exchanged looks as we all tried to identify the growing sound. A burst of light and raddling metal roared over the group, exploding through the vine-covered fence of the temple. I jumped back as I watched bodies being pulled under the large, knobby tires of the now visible Humvee.

“Get in kid, I squashed these fools!” Jazz said from within the cab.

My blood-soaked hand fumbled and slipped over the smooth steel doorhandle.

“Come on, man. We gotta go.”

Shoving my pistol into its holster on my back, then using both hands to yank open the Humvee, I flopped in belly first. The machine surged forward, my legs dangling out. To avoid being battered by the metallic interior, I clawed my way into the seat properly.

We rolled down and skirted the square center of the settlement slamming the edges of several domes, the Humvee too wide for the path. From our position, I could see a huge crowd standing near a tall steel pillar circled with small flames. This explained the lack of people in our way. On another platform left of the pillar, Owls stood next to his throne. He and the onlookers turned in our direction as we traveled. Oh, why did Deimos let us go if we were your path to the demons? I thought, staring, suddenly glad that this Humvee ran on liquid fuel. The combustion engine growled and clattered, drawing the attention of the entire settlement.

“Man, your neck looks bad. Use this,” Jazz said, and a small red box hit my shoulder. A medical kit. I opened it in time for a large bounce to send the contents flying around.

“Shit, I’m sorry!” Jazz said. The vehicle swerved hard. In the distance, the border fast approached. It wasn’t likely we were being perused yet. The heathens would need to get to their by-wheels. Home free.

“Did you see where the girl went?” I asked, wrapping bandaging around my neck. The material dampened immediately, and the pressure caused me to wince.

Jazz bit his lip and his features pinched. Several minutes passed and my head fell against the seat. The ancient road grinding under the tires was hypnotic. Jazz has been right all along. Perhaps this is for the best. My eyes grew heavy. I’d been beaten before even reaching the red. Giving up could be the realistic choice. Things grew ever hazier.

An image of the girl flashed. Her outlandish appearance, the suit. No, I’m not going back without knowing. A sudden high ran through my veins. Not like the effects of the useless H.A.G, but enough to push the cobwebs off my brain.

“Jazz, did you see her?” I repeated louder.

The sound of slapping stem grass and vehicle skittered to a stop, throwing me against the front. “The hell-,”

Jazz was already out of the Humvee, moving to the back. I gingerly hopped out to follow. We’d stopped between two rock faces just off the road, two or three kilometers from German Olympus.

By the time I reached Jazz, he had yanked the large cargo doors open. Then started pulling out a machine. It only took a second for me to recognize it as his by-wheel. He stood still for a moment. Then drew in a long, loud breath.

“Ex, look over there.” He pointed two fingers at the horizon. In the dark, a small line of lights wobbled away from the glowing settlement. “I think they are after her. She ran past while I was stealing this rig.” Jazz articulated with something I didn’t recognize in his tone. Not angry. Or his usual slang. He sounded tired.

“HAG, magnify,” I said the words, unsure if it would work. Relief wafted as the familiar window appeared. At this distance, there was no detail. But the sizeable gap between the front most light and then the rest trailing behind suggested a chase. “Jazz, I want to help her. Or at least try.” At that moment, I wasn’t sure I could even catch them. My body felt awake but heavy and there was a growing ringing in my ears. He shook his head, but a corner of his mouth lifted to a smile.

“All these years and I still don’t fully get you. That neck wound is dangerous, and there is nothing out there, kid. I’ve covered a lot of it. There’s just not. I don’t know, this could be my fault.”

I tried to protest, but he waved his hand.

“You’re your own man and my best friend. Family, really. After I kill. Or severely injure Cragg, I won’t have many of those left. But if your set on going, then go. Take my By-wheel and get moving. They’ll reach the Valles Marineris before you catch them. Either that lady has a plan, or she really is from somewhere very different and has no clue where she is going.”

Jazz clapped me on the shoulder, sending a shock through my wounded neck. I couldn’t remember the man ever talking to me like this. Like a capable equal. Though he still seemed to disagree with my motives. “You won’t come with me,” I asked.

“Ha, no. There is nothing out there for me, even if there really is something. I am old, after all.” He looked me over. “You need some more gear.”

He dug out a white robe from the Humvee, which was well stocked with supplies. Like when I was young, he worked over my attire.

Fully outfitted, my belts and bandoliers wrapped over the open robe instead of under. All the pouches were full of food wraps and medical supplies. Also, we loaded his by-wheel’s single saddle bag. Standing back, Jazz touched the bandage on my neck. “I shouldn’t have left you like that. I’m sorry.”

“I had it under control. Thanks, old man,” I said. Ignoring the throbs in my chest.

“You have to be careful from now on. I won’t be there to help.” Jazz paused, then his features grew dark. “You know, you will not save that girl or yourself if you won’t pull the trigger. And if that thing’s not working.” He pointed at the H.A.G. “You have to be willing, Ex.”

My mentors faced seem to age in front of me. There were lines in the usually taut dark skin. His eyes didn’t hold their usual ferocity, genuine concern had taken its place. He was waiting for my answer. I knew he was right, but I couldn’t bring myself to think of it at that moment.

“I’ll do my best.”

Jazz stuck his hand out. In it, familiar scraps of paper. Taking them and shaking his hand firmly, I stifled my emotions. Now that this was happening, I’m going to miss him. I yanked the man in, wrapping my free arm around his neck. His extra height made the hug awkward, but I didn’t care. “Thanks for everything.”

Finally, I released and worked my way onto the by-wheel, blinking out the moisture in my eyes. Jazz stepped back when the engine engaged. His face was blank. And with only the faintest of light from the tiny moons, his eyes seemed glazed. “I’m still coming back one day.” My voice cracked. Jazz tilted his chin.

Behind us, a wide band of lights roared in our direction. I turned to my friend. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this. Just go a kilometer before you kick the head lamp on.” He said.

I swallowed hard and nodded, tears spilling out of control. Then I sped away. All was said that needed saying. My friend would continue his own adventure as I started mine.

Goodbye Jazz.