Chapter 25: THE BOUNTY HUNTERS [PART SIX]

A pound of compressed food is set in place amongst the circle surrounding the chemical flame, the outdoor set of a served meal from the Collective improvised with the materials at hand.

Kneeling in a traditional stance upon a dusty world the Mage carefully collapses her hands together. Short prayer sounded, more ritual than spiritual in execution. “May Armin bless the gift before us, to consume with insight and fulfillment.”

Split evenly between three parties, each member is fed to a perfect allocation of food.

Samantha immediately tears open her ration pack at the end of prayer, finding four different sub-groups within. The desert course is the first victim, a mass of dried sugar, carbohydrates, and chocolate stuffed into the mouth without thought or consideration.

“Take care when eating, Samantha.” Samuel informs from his kneeling position as he artfully retrieves an included utensil from within his already opened ration.

Ignoring fraternal advice the girl continues to consume unabated, another secondary rational torn open.

“I must ask, but Samuel and Samantha are not names of the Collective.” The Auditor notes as she slowly draws a bite into her mouth. “Have you chosen them for integration to this nation?”

“Your assumption is well founded.” Samuel replies.

“And I do not sense any emotion emanating from you.” The Mage adds. “I find it strange that a losathi would be in such a state when confronted with an Auditor.”

Samuel blinks. “We are not your Huntarus Audmotum, there is no reason for concern. If you were here to terminate us, you would not be having this conversation.”

“You are correct.” The Auditor smiles warmly, the thin gaze allowing no insight into a centered mind. “And to close your previous inquiry; my Huntarus Audmotum is a losathi Mage from my district. Her defection is problematic, as she carries with her a masterwork weapon stolen from the vaults. Such a device inhibits my ability to detect her.”

“But yet you are here, upon the Baitan Plateau.”

“I am here based on the information I have interrogated from this society.” The Auditor answers. “The spoken word tells of a Bandit from the Collective. I have assumed that this individual is my Huntarus Audmotum.”

Samuel pauses as his mind makes the connection. A familiar face on posters, an award of immense temptation memorized for identification. “Her name is Naro.”

“Siddin Naro of District Two.” The Auditor adds with surprise. “How are you aware of this?”

“She is a wanted criminal. A bounty of forty thousand dollars dead.” Samuel informs. “She is amongst the most dangerous entities currently within the Southlands of the Federated Cities.”

The Auditor blinks. “It seems that I am perhaps not the only individual in this Huntari. Do you know her location?”

“No.” Samuel replies as he turns to watch his sister eat, her progress now upon the main entree course. “However I believe that our primary objectives have aligned.”

“Explain.”

“Many Criminal Collectives have gathered within this location. An excavation is occurring in relation to a mechanism discovered within the abandoned mining facilities of this Plateau. This excavation is primarily labored by these elements.”

“You are Civilia Huntara.” The Auditor blinks as she glances between the pair.

Samuel processes the words before replying. “The term is only applicable in the Collective. The people of the Federated Cities refer to us as bounty hunters.”

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“Of course.” The woman nods respectfully.

“If I may ask, what is your primary arcane school?”

The Collective Mage blinks at the mention, a curious expression dawning upon a stoic face. “Of what interest is that of a male? And your, may I presume sibling?”

“My sister.” Samuel turns towards the consuming form next to him, crumbs of food falling onto her clothing as she stuffs her face full of foodstuffs. “And I have a minor interest in arcanum, despite my status as a male.”

“I understand such an interest: I have a brother, who is approximately four years your younger, who also maintains such an obsession as well.” The thing pauses as she recollects the question. “I primarily practice Aanar, with a passing of Observa.”

“As expected of a Collective Auditor.” Samuel blinks as he refocuses. A decision is made, the power from arcane warfare too tempting against the risk of betrayal. “Auditor Manara of District Two, I believe there is a case for an alignment.”

Blinking in surprise the mage replies. “On what terms of alignment are you suggesting?”

Samanta suddenly speaks up at the notion, a dried mouthful of bread stifling her voice. “We are not offering an alignment. Such is foolish with a Collective Auditor.”

“I would not dismiss the opportunity with generalization.” Samuel replies as he finally takes a single bite of his slightly charred meal. “A Collective Auditor would allow for a more efficient harvest of criminal elements.”

“Samuel is correct.” The Mage agrees with a warm acknowledgement as she senses through a tactical analysis. “Samantha, you are not an augment and therefore have limitations upon your combat potential.”

“Did you scan me?” The girl narrows her eyes.

“Once your weapon was no longer in your possession, I did.” The Mage’s eyes glow for a moment as she confirms her report, turning back to Samuel. “I do not suppose you have a weapon.”

“I do not.” The boy answers with uncanny calmness.

“Then my assistance would greatly benefit your task.” The Collective Mage pauses to eat. “Are there any objections?”

“What is your stake within this alignment?” Samantha directly asks, a sour note left at the end of the sentence.

Samuel answers for the Auditor. “These Criminal Collectives have access to heavy firearms. I believe other Bounty Hunters within the area have encountered emplacements that are equipped with twelve millimeter machine guns and anti-armor weapons.”

The boy detects a minor movement from the Mage, the reference to lethal weaponry enough to trigger an ever subtle twitch from her form.

“We offer a supportive asset.” Samuel continues. “We destroy the high risk emplacements to allow for safer engagement. In exchange, we can recover the bounties of the criminal collectives. Are those terms sufficient?”

The Auditor blinks. “I have no use for currency, I am only here for the losethi Mage and her weapon. The bodies of the terminated are yours to scavenge.”

Samuel bows in respect of rank and offering. “If this is sufficient, then I believe that we are…”

“No.” Samantha stops him. “I am not in agreement.”