GunBarrel Gauntlet: The Last Bronze II

07. "Just ask the Puppet."

"Are we close to it?"

"Should be, probably a few clicks nor-east and parallel with this track." Opening the driver's door, Carrion replied as she stepped down from the rig to release the cramps from 24 hours of driving.

Everyone met outside, content to say nothing as the stability of ground under their feet was comfort enough. Water and food was rationed by Carrion from a locked toolbox hidden under the driver's chair, accessed by lifting out the padded base of the seat.

Whilst the others were repairing the accumulated damage the vehicles had sustained since leaving the underground, Liu wandered listlessly over the dehydrated earth to keep out of their way. Shielding her eyes from the brilliant radiance overhead to search the wastelands for distraction, a blob of movement became distinguishable from the rising heat at the limits of her vision.

"Guys?" She warned, but her voice wasn't loud enough for the argument the three adults were engaged in. "Guys!?"

The apparition strode closer, sheltered from the elements by an umbrella held in one hand.

"Hey! There's someone coming!"

"What!" Carrion called over her shoulder, angry at the younger woman until she too saw the umbrella man walking directly toward them.

"Get the gun!" She hissed at the two men as she tested the weight of a tire iron in her hand.

Apprehensive of the figure, Liu retreated back to the shadow of the trailer.

"He's singing!" Tiny commented as the lyrics of a Christmas song became louder.

"... Santa Clause is comiiing! To Tooowwnn!"

"That's close enough!" Weary barked, using the bonnet of the sedan to rest the rifle across.

"Coca Colaaa! She's suicide! What a beauty..." The stranger's face lit up with childish glee at the sight of the armoured truck, oblivious to the threat of the gun.

Taking an aggressive stance, the ex-medic marched toward the umbrella man and pressed the nozzle into his nose.

"Easy there!" The wild shock of hair around the stranger's head shook like a bushy halo as he adjusted his position and swept back the barrel with a hand covered in a sock puppet. "Was just out pickin' up some drive-through take-away when i heard you lot clickety-clickin'. I ain't no harm, no sir."

"Weary!" Carrion gave the rifleman a dead-eye expression, before focussing on the new arrival. "We ain't no harm neither, looking for the Trans-Con, do you know where that is?"

"The 'Trans-Con' she says." The stranger addressed the sock puppet. "Ain't nobody called it the Trans-Con in years, and i should know."

Bobbing in agreement with the man's words, the puppet's lopsided eyes swung to look at them, scrunching it's mouth in suspicion.

"Say... were'd you lot all come from?"

"That don't matter. Can you tell us how far we are from the road? What's out there? We have water, trade you for some information?" Carrion took a step toward him

"Haitch-two-Oh? Oh you gotta be dreamin!" He squawked, stumbling forward as he licked his crusted lips.

"Talk first."

"Listen lady, you don't wanna be riding the Gauntlet without a ticket from Herules, believe me. That's just bad news, that is. Just ask the puppet, he'd tell you the same thing."

Once again the sock puppet nodded.

"He's crazy!" Weary's lips curled in disgust. "He ain't gonna help us."

"Hold up!" The stranger folded the umbrella, tucked it under his arm and crossed himself before pressing his palms together. "Haitch-two is serious bizzness, and I'm serious! You put one tyre on that blacktop and they'll strip you and your machines for spare parts sista!"

"Who are these people? Zeus and Hercules?" Liu piped up as she looked curiously at the madman.

"Zeussy is the King Elvis, babe! The Big Cheese 'round these parts. He's got the gas... got the guts. He gave the Gunbarrel Gauntlet to Herc two winters back, and he's been runnin' it ever since, patrolling the Gauntlet now in Zeus's name, taxing any scabeaters who dare cross it."

"Is there any way round this... Hercules?" Carrion asked.

"Off road, possibly..."

"Could you take us? For some Haitch-two-oh? We also need some repairs, if there any mechanics out here."

"Could be a Grease-Easy in Dogtown." He rubbed his chin. "I'd take you there sweetheart, but i'm gunna need at least a litre of the haitch-two payed up front. It's risky showin' strangers around without a ticket from Herc."

"Alright, one litre for you to guide us to Dogtown to find a... Grease-Easy."

"Coca-Cola! What's your name, sista?"

"Carrion the Long Hauler. Yours?"

"They call me Socky the Ex-Road Jockey, and this 'ere's me mate, Chocky." The puppet hand bowed. "Pleasure to make your 'quaintance."

As Weary and Carrion returned to the cabin of the truck, he asked the trucker why she trusted the puppet talking lunatic to guide them.

"He's friendly enough, besides, even if he is mad; he knows how to survive..."