>>5238254Before you can send Ly to investigate, a bedraggled-looking <span class="mu-r">SKELETON SOLDIER</span> half-stumbles, half-trips into the clearing with a chunk of billboard stuck in his Pickelhaube Helmet! Landing on the ground in a heap, the skeleton reaches for Marcie with a shaky hand!
“H-how… how did you know…”
And as quickly as he arrived, the skeleton expires on the spot. As you and everyone else slowly register what just happened, Gus takes the lead and gives his little sister a high-five.
“Nice.”
“Thanks.”
“Erm, I believe that’s… that’s the contest.” Sybil mutters as the rest of the onlookers break free from the ‘spell’.
“Guess so.” Mitz nods, clearly impressed. “How’d you pick that thing up, anyways, Marce?”
“Pushed it to a higher setting.” Replies the victor as she removes the straps from her shoulders.
“Hey, wait a sec!” Talbot growls, still holding you close, “That’s <span class="mu-i">CHEATING</span>! You cheated!”
“No she <span class="mu-i">didn’t.</span>” Gus replies with narrowed eyes.
“Okay.” Talbot mumbles, the flame in his voice instantly snuffed out.
“Think you can let Stan go now, T.” Mirzi adds, prompting your ex-bodyguard to release you. Err, thanks…
“<span class="mu-i">De nada.</span>” Replies the Rent-A-Cop in a bemused tone. “Cool toy, by the way–especially now that we know it can pick up heavy stuff.”
“Yes…” Sybil nods, rubbing her chin in thought, “This little game proved to be a bit more useful than I thought…”
<span class="mu-b">COOL TRICK–YOUR BACKUUM CAN LAUNCH STUFF ABOUT THE SIZE AND WEIGHT OF A FRUIT CART! NEAT!</span>
Free of your impromptu prison, you quietly retrieve your reward as the crowd dissipates in the direction of the APCs.
“Guess they’re about ta’ head out…” Ly remarks as you watch the rescue team work. Loading the less-mobile folk into the vehicles, you lock eye, uh, lenses, with Cal as he limps into one of the transports. Tapping your signature on his weathered helmet, the goon gives you a final nod as the door closes. Waving at you as another security guard guides her to a vehicle, Sandy smiles your way from behind her ragged scarf before being stuffed into the APC.
With everyone more or less loaded up, the rescue team members exchange a few hushed words through their radios before piling into their transports. Officer W gives you and your team one last wave, then joins his comrades as they burn rubber down the road and out of sight!
“Nice of them to wait until we were done messing with the vacuum.” Eddie muses before turning your way. “We heading out too, Stan?”
“Yes, please.” Sybil adds in a stern voice. “Away from here, at least–we don’t want to run into any more surprises.”
>CONTD. 