The group spent all of Sunday doing what they felt was necessary before their mission on Monday morning, whether that was spending time with family members, or seeing friends one more time, the day was theirs. On Monday morning, the group started to gather by the river like they had discussed prior. Of course, Dawn was first.
Soon after Dawn had arrived at the river, he was joined by Elias who seemed to be eager to get going. After Elias arrived, Dusan made his appearance. The three stood in silence as they waited for the rest of their group to arrive. It was clear that all three of them were unable to relax as they anticipated the fight that was waiting for them.
Another minute went by before Rhys and Margit showed up, and were joined by Warin soon after. Warin seemed to be the most anxious about the whole situation.
Rhys: "All of us are here. Are we ready?" He was the first to say something, his tone was very direct.
Dawn: "I think being ready for something like this is easier said than done." He gave a soft chuckle.
Dusan: "Let's get going before anyone changes their mind about showing up." As he spoke his fingers fidgeted with one another.
Dawn: "I agree. If you want to back out, now is the time, but if not consider yourself ready." He stated before heading towards the path that led to the supply port.
Everyone but Warin followed without hesitation. Feeling uncertain, he took a moment to weigh the pros and cons, and to carefully think over every possible outcome. Before he knew it, his friends were far ahead of him, and his feet started to move on their own. Although he had a feeling he would regret going, he would regret staying behind even more.
The walk to the supply port was silent. Rolling fields of wheat surrounded the path, and farmers could be seen working. Small huts were scattered across the fields that provided the farmers with shelter. The further the group walked along the path, the more they could see the port. Small cargo ships landing and exiting from the port acted as a visual for the group. Most of the cargo ships that go to and from the supply port are no bigger than a large home as they are usually operated by a single pilot, and maybe a co-pilot if the load is bigger. Occasionally a larger ship would come into the port, but those usually came to distribute supplies, not to gather.
The supply port is surrounded by a small town named Camcourt. Camcourt offers a few inns where pilots can stay if they are staying overnight or any extended period of time. The town is not fancy by any means, but it is nice enough for people to be able to live. Camcourt thrives off of the pilot population that comes into the port, although traffic is not a lot, the town gets by because of it. The homes that stand in Camcourt are mostly one story and have no yard space, and small markets are scattered throughout the town.
As the group walked through Camcourt they took note of the larger demi human population, as back in Solart there were hardly any. Elias had never seen a demi human before, so of course when he saw a man with the face of a dog his interest peaked, but Warin kept him moving.
Once the group was deep enough into the town, Dusan stopped them.
Dusan: "The port is only about a minute away from here." He said as the group collected behind a smaller home. "If we walked fast enough we should have beat Kowai. This is not my first time coming to the port here, so I have a place where we can lay low and scope everything out."
Elias: "I have one question. What do we do if they are already here?" He said as his eyes followed another demi human.
Dusan: "They shouldn't be here yet, but I am taking us to my spot in case they are. Now follow me."
Dusan then led the group to an inn that was right next to the port. Upon walking in, the person awaiting customers at the desk was in fact another demi human. A shorter sheep beastwoman who seemed like she was about to fall asleep stood up to greet them.
Beastwoman: "Hello, how may I be of service to you lot?"
Dusan: "Bonnie, it's me, Dusan.." He spoke as if they knew each other.
Bonnie: "Dusan… OH! Mr. Kauko's son! Are these your friends?" She seemed to have perked up due to Dusan's presence.
Dusan: "Yes they are. May we access the roof?" He asked politely.
Bonnie: "Go right ahead." She said as she tossed him a key.
Dusan: "Thank you, Bonnie." He said with a smile and waved as he led the group up the inn's staircase.
The inn was on the smaller side, definitely smaller than what the others were used to. Dusan led the group upstairs, and over to a ladder that connected to a hatch on the ceiling. He used the key that Bonnie had given him to unlock the hatch, and climbed to the roof. The roof access was not what any of the others had pictured. They were not actually on the roof, but something like an attic. It was a large room where crates and other random boxes were stored. Dusan walked over to a small window that was the attic's only source of light. The window was only big enough so that two people could look out of it at once, and Rhys took the spot next to Dusan.
Rhys: "Dusan are you seeing that?" His tone became ambivalent.
Dusan: "I see it. Looks like they did beat us here unfortunately." His tone matched that of Rhys'.
The supply port was a large pad of concrete, big enough for two ships to be on at one time, this was the main landing pad where supplies were received and distributed. At the moment, two ships were stationary on the pad, and they were both surrounded by Kowai members. Usually the type of ship that was on the pad would be loading crates and barrels full of supplies, but none of that was being loaded. It was clear to Dusan and Rhys that it was people loading onto the ships, Kowai members at that. Three members on the pad stood out to Dusan, one being a man he had met before, and another he had seen his father talking to, but the other face was new.
Dusan: "This situation has become a lot more complicated out of nowhere. We need to act fast before they fully load the two ships. I recognize two of the members that are down there, and what seems to be the leader." He turned around to face the group.
Dawn: "What is your plan, Dusan?"
Dusan: "Based on what I have seen, you and Rhys are the group's best fighters. You two will come with me. If we beat the leaders then the group will be in shambles. Elias and Warin should stay up here with Margit. They will be safe here."
Elias: "Are you kidding me?! There is absolutely no way in hell that I'm staying up here!" His voice raised as he spoke.
Margit: "I'm with Elias on that. I came here to do something."
Rhys: "They did show up. I respect that you are trying to protect them, but we knew the whole way here that they would be a part of this regardless." He gave his sister a nod.
Warin did not speak up at all, and from the way he was holding himself it seemed like he had hoped the others would have stayed quiet too.
Dusan: "Well I still plan for us three" he eyed Dawn and Rhys, "to take on the three in the middle of the pad. Elias and Warin should stay with Margit no matter what happens. Is that acceptable?"
Elias: "As long as you don't make me stay up here."
Margit: "I am okay with that." She said, her hands shaking.
Warin gave a nod.
Rhys: "Seems like that's the plan. Dawn, you ready?" He had a determined look on his face.
Dawn: "I am." He had that same look on his own face.
The group then exited the inn and made their way to the pad where Kowai had been awaiting them. Dusan stood at the front of the group, with Rhys and Dawn to the side of him. The two members he recognized, and what he assumed to be the leader, started walking towards them.
Dusan's fists clenched, and Rhys seemed like he was going to explode. Dawn on the other hand seemed to be calmer than everyone else. The amassed group of Kowai members had directed their gaze to the group of teenagers that their leader had spoken of. They expected a fight, and with tensions forming out of thin air, it seemed as if they would get one.
Soe: "Seems as if you really were right, Gento." A smirk came across his face.
Gento: "Aren't you glad I went with Elliott, Soe?"
As soon as Elliott's name was mentioned, the group knew that the man named Gento must have been watching them the whole time they were in the Kauko's mansion.
Soe: "I am. It's a shame, I'm sure Galindo would have loved to see Elliott's dead body. Ain't that right?" He referred to the third man standing with them.
Galindo: "Damn right." He chuckled.
Gento and Galindo were both bigger than Soe, and a little taller. Both men were very muscular and had shaved heads that revealed snake tattoos. They looked like they could be brothers, but their face shapes did not resemble each other. Gento had a round face, while Galindo had more of a pointed chin.
Dusan: "So you were there, Gento?"
Soe seemed like he was shocked that anyone other than him and his people said anything.
Gento: "Good ole Dusan Kauko. Of course I was there, I basically just gave it away." He spoke in a way as if to make Dusan feel stupid.
As the talking continued, Warin was clearly becoming more and more anxious.
Dusan: "And this guy, Soe, you must be the leader?"
Soe: "That would be correct. I am shocked that all of you actually decided to show up, especially you, Dawn Carter." His eyes were glued to Dawn.
Dawn stared right back at Soe, his heart sinking.
Rhys looked at Dawn, feeling angry for him. He wanted Dawn to have this closure, but he knew it wasn't easy to endure.
Elias: "Soe!" He shouted from behind Rhys.
Everyone turned to look at Elias, as nobody expected him to say anything.
Elias: "Was John Norred ever involved in what happened at the Carter estate ten years ago?" His voice started to shake as his fists clenched at his sides. His hazel eyes glaring at Soe.
Soe: "John Norred…" He started to scratch his chin as he thought. "Name doesn't ring a bell, kid. That your Dad or something?" He chuckled.
Elias nodded in disbelief. He was sure that his father took part in what happened that night. An instant relief filled him as a weight was lifted from his chest.
Elias: Thank the Gods..
A smile appeared on Warren's face despite his anxiety. He knew how much this meant to Elias.
Soe: "I don't know what you all hope to accomplish, but if you came here to fight, let's go ahead and do it. I can't stay on this planet for another minute."
After hearing the information Soe had given him, Elias now had all the answers he needed. He was certain Oliver Kauko had his parents killed. With that closure, Elias was ready to protect Warin and Margit with everything he had.