[Slig75]

Chapter 9
Arrival and Delay (Part 1)

Meanwhile in the S District, Rigel and Lotice were still making their way towards the settlement. It was still night time “Where is this settlement” asked Rigel. “It’s just one block away based in an old sewage runoff system” Lotice Replied as they were coming towards the entrance of an alleyway, “you can’t miss it”. “Surely the settlement would be a cause of concern with the soldiers” said Rigel looking out at any activity along the road. “No actually” Lotice said surprisingly, “they don’t bother the settlement because they don’t cause any sort of trouble or disturbance and the soldiers think it’s just a place where others can live in, as long as they don’t stir up any trouble”. Rigel looked both ways across the road, but there was no sign of any soldier activity. “Looks like the coast is clear” said Rigel looking back at Lotice. She nodded and they both crossed the road quickly. Now the settlement was only a couple of alleyways away.

Meanwhile, Tarios and Skye were still being held at gunpoint near the broken electrical barrier. But it was then that a soldier abruptly hit the two Sligs in the head with the butt of his M16 assault rifle. They were rendered unconscious and were soon dragged towards the outpost. “Take them to the detention cells” said one of the soldiers standing by the entrance to the outpost. The soldier dragging the Sligs nodded and took them down through the outpost’s underground passageways.

Rigel and Lotice were now within a stone’s throw away from the entrance to the settlement. It was made up of a broken sewer grate partly covering the runoff hole. The runoff chamber had long been drained out to house the many residents who had no other place to go. However, there were still a couple of damp patches in the chamber. “Well, here we are” Lotice said stopping at the entrance of the settlement. “Not bad” Rigel commented on the settlement’s construction and the social structure that was housed inside it. The residents had built small shelters out of corrugated iron and other types of metal. Some shelters were beginning to rust away. “Let’s get inside” said Lotice now walking through the broken sewer grate. Rigel quickly followed behind.

Most of the residents were sleeping in their makeshift shelters. The two crept across the area, trying to keep the noise level of their footsteps as quiet as possible. The sleeping area was connected to a smaller room ahead. This was where the medical and other supplies were kept. “This way” Lotice whispered pointing towards the supply room, “we can meet the head of the settlement in there”. Rigel nodded back to her. Once they were in the supply room, Lotice walked to the back of the room where a grey Slig was sat on a small wooden chair facing an old desk. “Ah, welcome back Lotice” he said rather calmly, Lotice smiled back to him, happy that she was now in safe hands, “and who’s this”. “This is Rigel” she replied bringing him to the front of the desk with her arm, “I found him one of the alleyways in this district, he needed somewhere to stay and he did save me from a Soldier, so I helped him out”. “It is good to meet a newcomer to the settlement” the grey Slig said, “I’m Lewis, the head, the sheriff and the negotiator of this settlement”. He took out his hand as a gesture to shake hands with Rigel. He responded by firmly gripping Lewis’ hand with his. “Good to know that we can get along with each other” Lewis said smiling at the same time. Rigel gave a smile back. Lotice stood there looking content with her doing. Rigel was now safe at last.