20 Chapter 20: New Craven City

New Craven City is about a three hour drive from Devil Maw. They are driving on a pre-war road that is patrolled and maintained jointly by the Red Scarfs, and New Craven. The mercenary company and the city have an active working relationship. 70% of the jobs the Red Scarfs receive come from New Craven citizens, while the rulers of New Craven get the Red Scarfs services at a discount. 

Marcus and Scorch were riding motorcycles riding on both sides of the truck. Rain was driving while Tech rode shotgun. Rook was manning the mounted machine gun on the back.

Riding to New Craven was uneventful. After a few hours Marcus could finally see the city in the distance. Marcus new the statistics of the city, roughly 100,000 people, largest city in the Drylands, ect. It wasn't until they got close did Marcus realize just how huge the city truly was.

The walls of the city are at least 3 storeys tall. The main gate to the city was large enough to let two lanes of vehicles pass through with room to spare. Marcus can see guards patrolling the walls and watching the main gate. They were equipped with basic armor, a pistol, and an electric baton.

While the city isn't nearly as fortified, or well equipped as the Red Scarfs; they make up for it in sheer volume of guards, and the vast amount of wealth a city makes.

Dagger squad eventually arrived at the gate. Rain showed some credentials and they were let in without out a fuss. The city was bustling with activity. Merchant caravans were loading/unloading supplies from various businesses. Hundreds of people lined the streets going about their day while street vendors beckoned at anyone passing by.

The squad parked their vehicles down the road of their meeting place with the client. It's a two story bar named Scrap Heap. Rook stayed behind to look after the truck and bikes.

As Marcus and the others walked down the street the city people gave them a wide berth, their faces showing fear, and awe. 

"Huh. Hey Rain, do we have a poor reputation with these people? Why are they avoiding us like the plague?"

"It's the opposite, we have a reputation for being the strongest in the Drylands. Even though we've never made a scene in New Craven, or reputation makes everyone cautious around us. You might forget because your used to Red Scarf standards, but augmentors are pretty rare in the wastes. Other than the bodyguards of the Craven family, the only augmentor in the city is the captain of the guards, and his two lackeys." 

Before they got to the bar, they walked past an older man with one leg sitting on the corner of the building with an old bowl in front of him.

"Spare some change for an old guard? Fought in the Raider wars six years ago."

As the others walked by the beggar, Marcus stopped and looked at the man. He reminded Marcus of a vagrant in Dirt Mound who taught him a few survival tricks when he was young. Marcus took out a few credits and put them in the bowl.

The beggar looks surprised, as he didn't expect a Red Scarf to give him the time of day.

"Oh, thank you kind sir! I appreciate it."

"No problem."

"Hey Viper! Hurry it up!"

Marcus turns around and catches up to the rest as they enter the bar. When they walked inside he was surprised by how clean it was. For a name called 'Scrap Heap' the place was well maintained.

The bar was well stocked, and the second floor was a dining area that overlooked the first floor.

Rain searched for a bit before approaching a man at the corner of the bar. The man had a nice haircut, trimmed beard, and clean clothes. He looked clearly out of place in this bar.

"Hey there, Vance right? I'm Rain with the Red Scarfs. We're here to escort your caravan to CoD, you all set to go?"

"Yea, nice to meet you all. Just finished loading the cargo a few minutes ago."

Rain and Vance shook hands, and walked into a back room to talk details. As she entered the room she turned to the three of them.

"Watch the door so no one listens in."

"Got it boss!" Scorch says.

When the door closes Scorch pats Marcus on the shoulder.

"You heard the lady Viper, watch the door for me."

With a wink Scorch turns, and walks to the bar sitting down at one of the stools. Marcus turns to look at Tech who shrugs. 

"I got the door Tech, you can go relax for a bit."

"Alright, let us know if you see anything sketchy."

Nodding, Tech went to join Scorch at the bar. Marcus leaned against the door and idly looked around the room. Other than a few people scattered about, the bar was pretty much empty as it was only 11:30am.

As Marcus was looking around he could faintly hear the conversation in the room behind him. It was basic stuff like what route they are taking, how many personal guards is Vance bringing, what are they transporting the cargo in, ect.

Over time people entered and left the bar. No one went anywhere near the corner they were at in fear they might piss the Red Scarfs off. 

After about fifteen minutes Marcus suddenly got the feeling that someone was watching him. He scanned the bar again, but found no one looking his way. Marcus then looked up at the second floor. The dining area was empty, then Marcus noticed a private room with one-way windows.

'If anyone's watching me, it's from there.' 

The more his gaze lingered on the room, the more his gut was telling him it's dangerous. As Marcus was about to call Rain, she opens the door and walks out. Marcus turns to her and makes a few hand signals, letting her know they are being watched.

Nodding, Rain collects the other two from the bar and leaves with them in tow. As they leave the beggar Marcus gave a few credits to motioned them over.

"Hey since you gave me some credits, I thought i'd let you guys know. After you entered the bar, I saw a few sketchy people enter through the back alleyway. There was a large guy with long, grey, shaggy hair, and had tattoos from his face to his hands. He looked like the leader to me."

"Thanks for the info."

"No need for thanks, you bought me dinner after all!"

The squad continue to walk down the road as Marcus moves to walk next to Rain.

"Do we change up our game plan?"

"Nothing we can really change at this point Viper. Keep an eye out for anyone matching that description. If you see them let me know. Oh, and if you spot anyone that looks hostile, or starts pointing a gun our way, shoot them. We can ask for forgiveness later if we need too."

"Sure Rain, i'll keep my head on a swivel."

They make their way back to the parking lot, and the caravan they were supposed to escort was parked next to them. There was Vance in the driver seat of a large cargo truck that was heavily armored, one Jeep, and four caravan guards. Two guards got in the jeep, one got in the back of the cargo truck, and one road shotgun next to Vance.

When they left the parking lot their formation was Rain's truck in front, then the cargo truck, the jeep bringing up the rear, with a motorcycle on both sides.

While they were leaving Marcus was scanning the streets, windows, and rooftops for anyone that looked suspicious. After driving for fifteen minutes they reach the eastern gate, all the while Marcus swears he feels someone following them, but can't spot them.

Finally they exit the the east gate and drive off into the wasteland. The feeling Marcus had soon disappears, which makes him sigh in relief. 

As they leave a man with shaggy hair and tattoos talks into a radio.

"They left with that Golden Trails caravan truck."

A gravelly voice responds on the other end.

"Did they see you."

"Nah, they didn't spot me."

"Good. Proceed as planned, and don't fuck it up. 'Undamaged' remember?"

"Yea yea, don't worry, we'll take care of it."

The man turns of the radio and turns to look at his crew of mercs.

"Alright everyone, let's get to work."