Hunter's Guilt by Amy Unger

Listen, Dolfie, the curvaceous woman behind the counter at Arima's weapons shop, Roni, playfully called Rudo, you know that if I say explosives have been banned for civilian use, I'm not lying. You're probably the only person I don't lie to.

I know, I know, Rudo grumbled back in frustration. That's my luck, too. Another ban just in time for me to need explosives.

Doll, I would love nothing more than to sell you what I have left, really, Roni sympathized in her raspy voice as she flipped some of her wild, flame-orange hair behind her shoulder and leaned suggestively into the counter. Normally I wouldn't even give a damn what that piece of junk computer has banned. Arima is under a microscope right now, though, thanks to those idiotic scoundrels. I'm just waiting for the military or some bootlicking guardians to confiscate what I have back there, she complained, sticking out a thumb in the direction of the shop's storage room.

Rudo thought for a moment, scratching his chin. He leaned his elbows into the counter and got eye-level with Roni. He threw on all the rugged charm he could muster as he tried his best at persuasion. All right, then. What if I tell you it's for a good cause? To rescue a little girl?

Aw, Dolfie, it's always for a good cause, Roni whined. In the two years I've known you, you've only taken the jobs involving so-and-so's kid or so-and-so's dear granny, the stuff no one else picks up because the families don't have much meseta to spare for the work. Twice the risk for half the pay! That pension of yours must be pretty sweet. Maybe you'll share it with me? She toyed with the cool, blond hunter as she leaned forward a bit more, showing some cleavage in the process. She swung her hips side-to-side and gave Rudo a coy pout.

My money already has a habit of disappearing in this shop, Roni! But if it means getting my hands on some dynamite... he bartered, raising his eyebrows. She replied by giving him a "sorry, but no" head shake. The two weapons experts were known to carry on flirting with each other, though neither was ever serious about it. Roni thought it was good for business and Rudo thought it got him some bargains; both were right. Today, though, Rudo wasn't getting anywhere with the usual playful banter. He had one final trick up his sleeve, literally.

Rudo pushed up the sleeve of his black uniform to reveal a pouch velcroed around his forearm. He took it off and opened it, setting a red money card on the counter. He pushed it towards Roni. All yours. You know how much the red ones are worth.

She eyed the card and put a finger on it, sliding it back and forth across the counter. She let out a long whistle and shook her head in awe. Twelve thousand, huh? She picked it up and played with it in her hand, then shot Rudo a wicked grin. Y'know, it's pretty dangerous letting me hold this thing. I might just decide to keep it, hide it on me somewhere and leave it up to you to get it back, she teased, winking at him.

Cute, Rudo replied with a smirk. It's not going to get me the dynamite, is it?

Roni sighed and handed him his card back provocatively between her index and middle fingers. Sorry, Dollface, she apologized. Why d'ya need dynamite to save a kid for, anyway? Sounds dangerous, she suddenly turned serious, giving Rudo a concerned expression.

He seemed puzzled she was worried. Isn't it always?

I meant for the girl, she groaned and cocked her hips to one side.

Oh, right.

You sure this is a good idea?

No, but unless you have a master key to Nido, it's my only option.

Nido? she exclaimed, standing up straight, You're breaking into an agritech building? Rudo, this isn't like you...

Roni, Rudo interrupted, looking at a spot on the wall, due respect and all that, but if there's ever a time to be above the law, this is it. He stared back at the shocked store owner; his eyes carried a sadness she recalled from their first meeting two years ago. Suddenly she realized why he would risk coming under the scrutiny of the guardians, which made her sympathize even more with the sometimes dark and unpredictable hunter.

The scoundrels. They're keeping her there, right? I get it now. I won't breathe a word of this, of course, she told him sincerely.

I know, he sighed. Now, about that dyn...

Just then the front door buzzed, indicating the two friends had company. Rudo turned around to see a government agent and a human-like creature that looked eerily familiar enter the shop, but the agent alone was enough to end his pursuit of explosives.

Damn, he thought. I almost had Roni convinced, too.

He turned back to Roni and shook his head. She gave him a weary smile and a friendly pat on the upper arm.

Sorry, Dollface. Bad timing strikes again. Who would've guessed an agent, huh? Don't they do sissy stuff like investigate fraud?

Rudo chuckled. You're not making bogus insurance claims, are you? he asked in jest.

All right, you got me, she joked back, punching him lightly in the shoulder. Now scram. Looks like I'm going to have to grab my books and get down to business with this guy. Though, I don't get her... Roni glared inquisitively at the purple-haired teenager accompanying the agent.

Well, have fun with that, Rudo exhaled as he picked up his shotgun by the sling. He leaned into the counter one last time before leaving and murmured, Meanwhile I'll be knocking on Fulvio's door and asking to borrow a cup of nitroglycerin.

Roni sighed heavily. Just be careful, okay? Fulvio is on about a million guardian watchlists, ya know? she cautioned him as she reached under the counter and pulled out a computer pad and a tag reader, ready to show the agent her inventory and accounting.

Rudo had already turned around when he put his hand up in a halfhearted farewell. Yeah, yeah, he replied, brushing off the risk involved in obtaining dynamite from Motavia's most infamous rogue hunter.

He eyed the agent and his odd companion on the way out and finally remembered why the girl looked familiar. He had met a similar creature a little over seven months ago, only the one he had encountered was much younger, probably around eight years old. The one he was looking at now was almost identical except for the age difference. Had Mother Brain approved a new homo species on Motavia? Not that he really cared, but with all the crazy things happening on his planet lately he figured it might be somewhat significant. In any event, the two visitors to Roni's shop looked ill-prepared for a world full of biohazards.

While you're here, he said, looking into the girl's striking red eyes, make sure he gets something better than those knives, huh? Rudo winked and pointed to the only weapons—two simple hunting knives—hanging from the agent's utility belt.

Rolf spun his head around, startled that the hunter was talking to them. Nei was most surprised, however, as she knew exactly who the hunter was. She didn't know him by name, but she had met him before Rolf took her in. She reached into the glove of one of her claws and pulled out a small charm. She was about to show it to the hunter, but he had already exited the store.

Rolf! she exclaimed, tugging on his shirt. I know that guy!

Rolf was still a bit embarrassed by the hunter's comment about his choice of weapons. Really, Nei? If so, is he always that blunt? Rolf looked at Nei and frowned.

He's a good hunter, I swear! He gave me this, she showed him the charm that was hanging around a necklace chain.

When did this happen? Rolf was baffled. You never told me about this.

I guess I never really thought about it until now. I met him right before you rescued me, and everything before I met you is kind of a blur to me.

I understand, Rolf said sympathetically, rustling Nei's purple hair. Things haven't exactly been easy for you.

Nei stood in silence for a few seconds, contemplating her second encounter with the hunter. Her instincts told her that she had to talk to him again, that there was something important about seeing him at this moment. She didn't know what, as she didn't always understand her animal instincts, but she couldn't brush it off as coincidence. She gave Rolf an untamed look he was very familiar with. She often looked this way when her animal half was about to lead her to do something completely unpredictable.

Nei? he asked slowly. What's going...

Before Rolf could finish, Nei darted out the door.

Rolf slumped over and rolled his eyes. Not again, he groaned as he put his hand out to catch the door as it slid shut. He turned to the shop owner and told her they'd be back in a little while.

Sure thing, Roni called back. Later, Ace!

Rolf stepped outside and saw that Nei had already caught up with the hunter and was showing him her necklace. Flashes of reflected light flickered off the shiny silver charm in the shape of a bullet as Nei let it dangle from its chain. Rolf watched as the hunter, stunned, took the necklace in his hand and shook his head in disbelief. He made a gesture towards Nei, and Nei nodded back to him, pointing at herself.

As Rolf got closer to the pair of acquaintances, the hunter turned to him and shrugged his shoulders.

What kind of creature is she, anyway? he asked Rolf, amazed by Nei's rapid growth. You know, the last time I saw her, she was... well she looked like she was less than ten years old, but who knows.

Rolf scowled. Could you not talk about Nei like that? She's right there and understands Palman, too.

Oh, I don't mind, Rolf, Nei smiled at him. This is Rudolf, by the way. She turned to Rudo again and took her necklace back so he could shake Rolf's hand.

Rudolf Steiner, or just Rudo is fine, he greeted Rolf with an outstretched hand.

Rolf Landale, he replied shaking Rudo's hand but giving him a cold stare.

So you're... partners with Nei or something? I can't keep up with what the government is doing anymore, Rudo asked.

Rolf had no interest in talking with Rudo. He had come to Arima for a weapons boost, a quick visit to the medical clinic, and maybe press a few locals for information about the hunter currently holding up traffic on the north bridge, Darum, and his kidnapped daughter, Teim. It was almost high noon and with Arima's climate control systems having been downed by the invading scoundrels, the city was positively stifling. The longer Rolf stood outside the shop, the more he felt like he would melt into the shrapnel-fractured pavement. Rolf wanted to get out of the terror-wasted city as soon as possible.

She's not my partner, but she's allowed to accompany me while I'm on official duty. Which, by the way, I need to get back to. Come on, Nei, Rolf said as he reached for her arm.

Nei quickly dodged his grasp. Hey, wait a minute! she griped at Rolf.

Nei... Rolf started but was immediately cut off by the overly excited numan.

I think Rudo can help us! she interrupted in a buoyant voice.

Both men grumbled and tried not to look at each other. Rolf instead watched the frenzied activity at the teleport station, where a line wrapped around the entire building maybe three or four times. Guardians and hunters acted as interim crowd control in place of the usual patrol robots, which had all been taken out as part of the attack on Arima a few days prior to Rolf's arrival. People were attempting to leave the city, but the only way out was through the teleportation tubes, of which only two had been successfully reactivated since the attack. It was a terrible evacuation system, and for some reason the military still had not been deployed to Arima to help with the process.

Suddenly Rolf felt Nei nudging him.

I mean it, guys, Nei said as she put her hands on both Rolf and Rudo. Rolf, tell him what we're doing.

Nei! Seriously, we're done here. You know I can't tell him...

Driven once again by instinct rather than proper judgment, Nei burst out again, not caring about the sensitivity of Rolf's mission. We're rescuing Darum's daughter, Teim!

Both men shouted at once. Rolf bellowed Nei's name and Rudo repeated Teim's name, not at all expecting to hear the agent was assigned to a hostage situation.

You're insane, Agent Landale! You expect to get into Nido with a pair of knives? Rudo blurted out in utter shock.

Rolf was about to chastise Nei for her outburst, but was taken aback at the mention of Nido.

What are you talking about? The scoundrels aren't in Nido.

Seems I have better intell than the government, then, Rudo eyed Rolf suspiciously, crossing his arms.

You think Teim's in Nido? Rolf asked.

Rudo said nothing but continued to stare at the confused agent. After a few moments Rudo finally broke the silence. I think I've told you enough.

No kidding, Rolf retaliated, taking Nei by the arm and turning back to the weapons shop.

Nei fumed. Stop! Stop it right now! she yelled, breaking away from Rolf and giving Rudo a look of desperation. Rudo, please help us. The scoundrels haven't been active for two days now. Central Command thinks they're dead.

Nei! Rolf screamed.

Rudo shifted his eyes back to the agent again. Dead? How would they know?

Rolf looked like he was ready to explode. If you think...

One of the scoundrels is a tree, Nei offered.

Rolf groaned and put his head in his hands. Rudo was thoroughly confused.

A... tree? Rudo stared at Nei.

Plant, Rolf sighed. She means a plant. You might as well know that since Nei has no discretion. He glared at his traveling companion.

You'll thank me, Rolf, she smiled back at him. Rolf just shook his head.

If that's the case, then it's important we get to Nido right away, Rudo asserted. Maybe now that you're here, we won't need explosives.

Explo... we? What's going on here? There is no we! Rolf proclaimed.

Don't worry! Nei said to Rudo. The tree told us...

Plant, Nei, and would you stop talking, please? Rolf ordered.

Rudo stepped directly in front of Rolf and looked the agent over. Looks like we both have information that's useful to rescuing Teim. I have no idea why the government is involved, as they don't give a damn what happens to people once they step outside the city, but in this case I don't care. You're an agent; get us a key or explosives and I will deliver Teim to you.

That's just it, though, Nei joined in. The scoundrels have explosives. In Shure!

Rolf threw his hands up and barked at Nei, Why did I even bother to bring you along?

Someone within the scoundrels must have suspected your tree, since he was unaware Teim is actually in Nido, Rudo continued, talking around the enraged agent. So there are explosives in Shure? All right, but how are we getting into Shure?

There is... no... we! Rolf insisted.

Oh, there's a we, kid, and there's no way you're leading this motley crew until you get some firepower or at least a blade that's bigger than your pinky.

Rudo's coming with us! Nei squealed with excitement.

Rolf looked up and wailed at the bright, noonday sky. Why? Why? Wasn't there anyone else Commander O'Conner could have sent on this mission? His voice trailed off into a long, frustrated moan. He stood there in defeat, half wishing lightning would strike him.

Rudo and Nei were already making their way back to the weapons shop. Rolf could hear Nei blabbing all the details of his mission to Rudo, and even offering her own insight into what they should do. Rudo listened intently to all her talking, and nodded his head as Nei went on.

Rolf said biomonsters breached Shure and cornered the scoundrels on the upper floor. That's the last we heard from the tree guy. Anyone can walk right into Shure now, but it's crawling with biomonsters! We've been there! We had to come back for better weapons.

Smart move, Rudo replied.

Oh! You know what Rolf is really good with? Swords! He used to be in some kind of swordy-type competitions. He has awards all over the house!

I bet that impresses the ladies, Rudo dryly remarked.

Let's get him a sword! Nei jumped up and down, thrilled to help out Rolf.

This better be worth all the overtime and hazard pay, Rolf grumbled in his own head as he followed Nei and Rudo into the weapons store, gathering what was left of his sanity along the way.

Next chapter