Resistance C13: A Mess

Resistance
Chapter 13: A Mess

Eventually, I ended up going outside and spending the evening doing a bit of gardening. With all the big event popping up all over the place, I hadn't had time for these small things, and my plants were already slightly wilted from a lack of water. Now, with the two dragons asleep, I finally had time to settle these little details...

As I sloshed the water onto the plants, I heard the sound of a bicycle behind. I sighed and quickly finished up, before turning to see Victor walking towards me. He noticed that I was looking his way and started talking, "A friend of mine said that he had an informer amongst the dragons. A silver guy. He bailed a day or so ago and disappeared, saying that he had been found out. I did my homework and validated the claim. Rumour is that he landed somewhere here and died. Do you happen to know anything?"

I heaved the biggest sighs of relief that I could muster. One less thing to explain. "His name wouldn't be Agenor, would it?"

Victor nodded, "Yes! That's it! Have you seen the body?"

I smirked. "Even better, bro. Come in and you'll see."

I brought Victor in and pointed to the lump of snoozing silver scales. "One times Agenor. Stumbled in a while ago. Wasn't dead, but was close enough. Passed out on me and stained my shirt."

Victor nodded. "I see. We'll discuss this later, when the others arrive. Oh, and try not to go to town. Your face is plastered everywhere. A rider came around with wanted posters."

I nodded and shrugged.

"What did you do this time?" Victor added, half-smiling.

"Did the rider have a leg wound and a gold dragon?" I replied.

"Yes. He seemed to dislike you alot. He's also a twit." Victor added, then glanced at my pistol...

I nodded, "Yes, I shot him, but only because he wanted to cut me into little pieces. Long story. Oh, and keep your voice down. We have two dragons here sleeping."

He glanced around and noticed Fenek, who was snoring on the table. The dragon had gone ahead and taken my cushion anyway. I made a face. "Bugger. Little joker stole my cushion."

Victor laughed. "I'll get you another one, and a spare bed also. Remember in bunk?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I know. My bed was the public bench. Some things never change, bro. I upgraded. Now the bed can accomodate dragons also."

Victor chuckled and sat down, "They'll probably leave the other dragon with you I think. We'll see soon. Ren Jie and the rest should be here in a few minutes or so. They're bringing dinner too."

I nodded, smirking, "Good. I'll have to wake Fenek first, though. He's taking up way too much space."

Victor glanced over at the relevant dragon and nodded, "You're getting fond of that lizard, aren't you?"

I chuckled. "Somewhat. He's just a little kiddy, though. Has a way to go still."

Victor laughed along with me. "Yup, I noticed."

It was then that Fenek chose to wake up and glare at me, hurt by my remark. "Is your opinion of me so low?"

I glanced at him and petted him a little to placate him, getting a reluctant purr from the dragon. "It's not low. You have more balls than some people I used to know. You're just young and lacking experience." I then turned to Victor, "Did you tell them to bring beer? I haven't had a good drink in a while."

Fenek seemed appalled at my mentioning of spirits, but Victor just laughed. "Yes, I did. it's been too long since we had a relaxed chat. Maybe after the meeting?"

I nodded, and as if on cue, there was a knock on the door. I got up and went to open up, revealing Ren Jie and a few other familiar faces.

I said my hellos and brought them in, offering to cook dinner, only to be surprised with food by the others. They evidently had not heard about the incidents during the course of the day...

...Or perhaps they had, judging from the fact that the first thing Ren Jie asked was why a rider had come to him, for he was the town medic, on account of him being a former SAF medic, with a pistol bullet in his knee.

That was my cue to recount and explain everything, while laying the table. Luckily, they had also brought along their own cutlery and such, making my job easier since I had only one plate and one bowl.

I had to chase Fenek off the table and ended up with him perching on my shoulder, which ended up with me looking as if I had a scaly scarf draped over my shoulders, which would occasionally reach out with a clawed foreclaw and snatch some of my food.

They had indeed brought beer. In fact, one of the guys, Gerard, rolled in a small barrel, which we broke open and shared around. I offered Fenek some and received a scoff from the dragon, as well as an amusing look of disgust. He settled for water with a lime I tossed in for taste.

Of course, given the commotion and the smell of food, even Agenor woke from his slumber and wolfed down half a chicken, but declined to have beer. Instead, he had water, like Fenek.

Eventually, we had to begin discussions, and the topic of my idea of taking the town came up. Of course, Agenor gave me a look with narrowed eyes once he realised that I was not only part of the Resistance, but also one of those in charge. I promised him an explanation later, though Fenek beat me to it with a growl. I had to drag Fenek back to my shoulder to stop him from picking a fight.

Eventually, we sat round the table again and I began. "Okay, gentlemen," I noted that Fenek was restless and tweaked his nose gently, "Settle down, Fenek. Okay, people, this plan is crazy. I know it, you know it, and even the sleepyhead in the corner knows it, but it is important. Turns out that they already know of our existence and judging from recent events, they have started to take notice, and may have set in motion the cogs to deal with us. So, to remain alive and in operation, we must think big. I suggest we take the town. Preferably as soon as possible, so basically, tomorrow. The townspeople should be on our side mostly, but I am worried about the rider in town. Opinions?"

Ren Jie, who was now as red as a tomato on account of the drink, but evidently still sober, replied, "It is crazy. But if what you say is true, then I doubt sitting on our asses and getting killed is a good idea anyway, and we are hardly in a position to counterattack. The town will let us establish a better base of operations, and have a bigger workforce."

I nodded, "Not to mention not having to climb down a crumbling staircase to discuss things. I propose we move the truck too. No point leaving it to rot in the forest."

I received a chorus of agreement, then someone shouted over, "Do you actually have a plan, or are we going to do it like the warehouse job?"

I shrugged. "We have no intel, no recon and no city plans. I say we fight by the seat of our pants. As always!"

I received another chorus of agreement, while Ren Jie added on, "Keane will drive the truck in tomorrow at dawn, with me and Gerard who will be armed. The rest will bunk with Victor and his lead orchestra. Got it?"

Another chorus of agreement. They must have either been crazy like me, or just outright drunk.

Eventually, after the barrel was emptied people drifted off, probably bound for the town...