AWKWARD ZOMBIE

[actually, I'm pretty sure the massacre was in another town? Mander never specified Mekanos.]

"Eh, nothing much," Jade answered, shrugging. "I've mostly been keeping out of trouble," mostly being the key word. "Yourself?" He continued to watch the game with mild interest.

Martin walked into the store with Roger. The place was packed with books. "Are you sure this isn't a library?" Joked Martin. He noticed an old man sitting at the counter with a beer bottle next to him. Martin got his attention "You must be Jacob, the storeowner."

The old man took a swig of beer and said "Yep, I own this place. She's been mine for twenty years."

"That's great! I need to see if you know something about this." Martin pulled out the strange book and handed it to Jacob.

"Hmmmmmm." The old man flipped through the pages. "Sorry, this a very old language that I can't possibly decipher." Martins heart sank and he dropped his head in dissapoint. "Oh don't do that kid. I know someone who can decipher any language ever created." Martin's head swung back up in joy. "He lives far away though. He lives in the Arondas valley."

"Arondas Valley huh?" The Arondas valley was very dangerous, almost as dangerous as the dead lands. It would take awhile to get there, even by train. "I guess he lives in Sketen city." Sketen city is a strange place, it's basically the last Eternal settlement still intact. During the war the city was the last refuge for Eternal seeking peace, the valley itself was merely a form of protection. "Is there anyway for him to come to me?" Martin asked. Joseph shook his head. Martin groaned, "This going to really suck." Martin exited the building looking at book's pages.
[BLUH BLUH Library computer]

After failing to rouse the girl from her slumber, Hel figured it was best to get her to a doctor. She began to walk her way to Mekano once more. Thump thump thump thump snap crunch thump thump thump thump. A flash of purple whizzed out of the underbrush, nearly crashing into her. WHANG. The assailant, whoever it was, was not so lucky and bounced off of Hel's steely exterior. He quickly got up and demanded "Where is Eloh Mrow?!" The man was dressed very oddly, like a king with the most curious of crowns.

Hel tilted her head in confusion. At least she thought she looked confused. It's hard to emote when you have a face of immovable metal. "Wait a moment, is that Damsel?"The man who looked like a king aimed a odd gun at Hel. "What did you do to her?! "Nothing. I assume you know this girl?" she replied.

Zephiur was about to start up the game when a soldier came rushing by, nearly knocking him out of his seat. "daisies military thinks they own everyone.." he grumbles, straightening himself out and "stretching" his mechanical arm to make sure it was intact. He shook his head and took up his dealt cards, discarding two as rules dictated.

Tanner walked back to the casino, still wondering if there was something he could have done. He had never felt so afraid in his life. He found the man he had ran into first, Pardon me, sir, but I must apologize, I had an emergency and had to hurry. I need to speak with you, do you have time? Tanner asked as politely as he could, without sounding so polite to be considered sarcastic.

Zephiur turned and looked at the man, and recognized him as the soldier from the square. "I ain't done anything wrong, have I?" he asked somewhat defiantly, returning to the game.

Not by me, no sir, but the military believes you're a terrorist. I've been sent to arrest you, but I'm starting to have doubts.Tanner took his helmet off and held it at his side.

Zephiur sighed and folded in his hand. "My apologies." he offered to Galiena as he stood up to walk with the soldier. He looked at the man critically, and slid his goggles onto his face. The directory scan showed this man to be Allen Tanner, but that's all Zephiur could find. He shook his head and lifted his goggles back. "Doubts, eh?" he said. Perhaps this man wouldn't be so bad. "Well, what does the military got on me that makes 'em think I'm a terrorist?" he motioned for them to head outside.

Tanner decided he'd just come clean: I dunno, sir, but they think it's serious. I'd get outta town if I were you. I was told by my major, who told him is unknown to me. I can't deal with this 'military'. More like marshals. I only wanted to help people, but helping them certainly doesn't accomplish that, does it? I've done things I'm not proud of, and I can't just put it all behind me. I need to pay for what I've done.

Zephiur looked at the man sideways. He seemed sincere, and certainly not the type to lie to someone's face... By choice, anyway. He placed a hand on Allen's shoulder and nodded. "Look, I've been meaning to get away from all this anyway, but I can't leave my dad here." he said. "I'm gonna hold out until I can bust him outta prison. Besides.." he looked around warily; he wasn't sure if he should trust a soldier with this knowledge, but Allen looked like he wouldn't tell. "I've got a little trick up my sleeve." He led Allen into a side-way where nobody could see, and then snapped his mechanical fingers to spark a controlled fire in his hand; it was no more dangerous than a torch.

[~Secret twist ending: the leader of the Mekanos military is an Umbra]

I can help you. I've failed to capture a known terrorist, the penalty for this will be prison duty tonight.It won't be easy, and we won't be able to do it alone. Tanner was finished with this town's lack of true law.

Zephiur smirked and extinguished the fire by clenching his hand into a fist. "Alright then, I'll get back to my shop and prepare." he said, but then put his hand to his chin in a thoughtful pose. "No reason we can't make this a bit more interesting." he said with a grin, then started dashing off as if running away from Tanner. "You couldn't catch me if you tried, soldier-boy!" he shouted, playing the part of fleeing suspect. Hopefully Allen had enough sense to play along; Zephiur was banking on it.

STOP RIGHT THERE, CRIMINAL SCUM!!!
Tanner was forcing back a smile as he pursued his 'suspect', the other guards were sure to notice. He didn't know what 'trick' this Zephiur had, but it had better be worth it.

[~Pssst the "trick" was his Eterni powers]

Zephiur laughed out loud in mock contempt as he kicked his boots on; he channeled the fire through the vents in the bottom of the sole and practically rocket-jumped up onto a roof, rolling up onto his feet and looking back. "Good, he knows what he's doing." he thought as he quick-drew both of his pistols and spun them on the respective trigger fingers.

Martin dropped the book when a man with a mechanical arm bumbed into him. "Hey!" The man kept running. Martin reconnized the man "Huh. It's that guy I met yesterday." A guard ran past him shouting for the man to stop. "The hell is going on here?" He thought. He picked up the book and started to persue the guard wanting to know what was happening.