It's Murder Market 2

[Oddey]

I hoped for that. The interesting thing is, it actually makes sense.

Chapter 12

Now what?

Finklar was still tied up. So was Abe, who was asleep, thinking escape was impossible. Finklar knew otherwise. He just had to wait for that outlaw to leave. He was still messing around with his knife. "You know, if you aren't careful, you'll cute off your finger or something." Said Finklar, unable to contain it in him any longer. As if on cue, the outlaw turned his attention away from the falling knife and to Finklar. The next moment, there was a cry of "Ow!" The knife had indeed cut a considerable wound in his finger. The knife then landed, blade straight down into the wood. Cursing, the outlaw left to put something on his finger, leaving Finklar and Abe unprotected. 'Now to wake up Abe.' Thought Finklar. He couldn't speak too loud, or someone would hear him, yet he would have to yell to get Abe to hear him.
"Wake up." Said Finklar in a mildly raised voice. Abe only stirred.
"Wake up." He said, a notch higher. Abe's eyelids didn't move.
"Wake up now..." Said Finklar, on the brink of a yell. Abe finally opened his eyes. 'Third time around is always the one.' Thought Finklar.

In a near silent voice, Finklar told Abe to try and grab the knife with his foot. Abe understood, but didn't look convinced it was their way out. The knife seemed much further away from Abe than it did from Finklar. Abe shrugged off the thought, and stretched his leg to try and reach it. So close, and yet so far. Stretching it just one bit further, he still couldn't get it. Finklar sucked in his lips.
"Suck in your stomach and let all the air out of you. Maybe then you can get it." Said Finklar. It gave about one more inch. 'That inch is going to have to be enough.' But Abe, who seemed to be smiling, stopped trying to reach the knife. That one extra inch had given him just enough slack to get out of the rops that bound him. His hand were still tied, but now he had much more room to get the knife. Finklar hadn't been expecting such a thing to be possible. As he wondered wether he could do it too, Abe's toes grasped the knife. Slowly pulling it towards him, he somehow got it into his hands. Even more amazing, he managed to cut his binds. Rushing over to help Finklar, they could hear the footsteps of an outlaw coming. If Abe wasn't fast enough, or if that outlaw went one step faster... Finklar didn't wat to think about it. Abe as it turned out, managed to cut through Finklar binds, just as he thought he heard the rustle of keys. Quickly getting right beside the door, he waited for the outlaw to open it. The lock was undone, and the knob was turning. It would be but a moment until he got in. The door started to move... Bang! Finklar had hit the outlaw straight on the head, confusing him. pressing his advantage, he repeated the same process. Eventually, the outlaw came to his knees, and dropped straight to the floor. That was around the time where Finklar realized that he couldn't possibly do this to every guard in here. They had escaped their bounds, but not their captors. Even with Abe's possesion abilities taken into account, this wasn't a great situation. But, now that they had their hands free, there was a slight chance. Gesturing for Abe to follow, he went through the door into a hallway. Apparently, this organization owned their own tavern, as it looked similar to the one they had stayed in. Opening a door right opposite their own room, they found nothing. 'Well, what is the point of this room?' Thought Finklar as walked in, to investigate it further.

It really was empty. There wasn't a single thing inside this room, living or not. Wondering who's idea it was to put in a completely empty room, he turned to walk out, but Abe stopped him and pointed. Finklar turned again to see just what Abe thought was worth noticing. He wasn't dissapointed. What he saw was surely, the unexpected.

[MA]

another well written chapter. nice escape as well.

[Oddey]

This is probrably going to be the last chapter I write in a while, because I'm off for Florida in two days, and internet there isn't certain yet. So for whoever reads this, I present...

Chapter 13

But How?

Finklar was looking straight at the Raisen. How he could have missed him, Finklar couldn't tell, but he was there. Abe stared with his mouth open as wide as his stitches would permit. Finklar was the first to break the silent awe.
"How... How did you get here? They said you weren't!" Said a very confused Finklar. How could something so big have been here, unoticed to the outlaws eyes? It just wasn't possible.
"That is not of your concern. Right now, your problem is Vykker's Labs. They plan to attack in just nine days. It would seem impossible to hold them off with so small a security team. But if you make it back within two days, using the Big Well, you can win." Said the Raisen slowly. Finklar was not about to give in to a surely impossible task.
"It must be possible to alter the route of the ship. They must have their troops some place where they can board it. If we can avoid that place-"
"the coding of that route is far too old to be messed with. Nobody can descipher such a thing. Get back to the ship with in two days, and then... And then..." The Raisen said dramatically before falling asleep.
"Not again... Well, we'd better get going." Said Finklar. Abe didn't need words to respond.

The way out was surprisingly simple. There seemed to be nobody left. 'If they've all gone off to take down Vykker's Labs...' Finklar decided it was better not to think of the consequences. As they got to what looked like an exit, Abe prepared to open it. The door swung open as soon as the handle was bent down. It seemed that they had walked onto a loading bay of sorts. The many ships that housed the army Abe and Finklar would have to fight, were sailing away, creating a huge gale. Finklar valiantly tried to step onto the dock, with Abe not far behind. The dock, already slick as it was, was near impossible to keep your feet on to. There seemed to be no ships left over for Abe and Finklar either. Apparently, they weren't intent upon making it easy for them. They'd have to walk to the big well, and get back up to Vykker Labs, the way they had last time. 'Well not exactly last time.' Thought Finklar, correcting himself.

After a struggled walk, the winds began to dampen, as the ships faded away from view. It was now much easier to walk, but still a tricky business. As the last of the wind vanished, Finklar and Abe climbed down the rather short ladder. 'Couldn't afford to make it so high up either.' Thought Finklar thankfully. The ground finally neared and Finklar looked at the surroundings. It seemed they were a slight bit off from the same canyon that Finklar had desperately wanted to get out off. 'The journey here took about five days... The way back has to take two. Maybe that Grubb village has some kind of quick transport.' Thought Finklar.
"We're going back the way we came, but a little faster." Said Finklar, as they set off towards the grubb village, with a quicker speed than could be considered casual. 'If all goes right, we might be able to reach the grubb village before it gets too dark. We'll have to walk even when it's dark...' Thought Finklar.

In the escape from their captors, Finklar hadn't thought of bringing any supplies. This proved not a good idea. They began to tire about halfway through. It didn't take much more to get Finklar to slow down. finklar estimated that they were a little over halfway. 'Shame I didn't bring a radio or something. Then we could just have called back our airship.' Thought Finklar as he forced himself to keep going. Abe was definately tired now. He didn't normally walk quite so fast for so long.

It turned out that Finklar had underestimated, for the grubb village was just visible in the sunset. 'Please have a quick transport, please have a quick transport.' Thought Finklar as he tried to go just a bit faster.

[MA]

i like the chapter, and i will be waiting for your next update.

have a good time in Florida!

[Oddey]

Turns out, there was an internet connection here, so here's the next chapter.

Chapter 14

Prayers Answered

Finklar and Abe were oh so very close to the Grubb village. He could just make out the warnings given out by the crazed fortune tellers. The sun was finally gone once they arrived. The grubbs seized the advantage of night to help enhance the theme. Finklar was in no mood for it, so he cut off their ramblings of doom, despair, and whatever was on their mind.
"I don't have the time for this. I need to get to the big well, if you know where that is, in less than two days. You must know a faster way there, than to travel the entire desert." Said Finklar. But it seemed the fortune tellers were bent on getting into Finklar's wallet, and Finklar's breath was wasted.

A little further into the actual village, where there might be someone who knew what they were talking about, Finklar and Abe found a much older grubb.
"Do you know if there's a way to get to the big well in about a day?" Asked Finklar, not really caring if he sounded mean or random. The old grubb looked up in surprise, and after a long moment, he frowned.
"Back in my day, yer little young'un, we used to say hello, before getting round ter getting to the big'un well in a day. I guess yer new gernertation is jus' too quick fer yer own good eh? Yer'll not be gettin' anythin' outer me with them manners ya fast little nut." Said the grubb in a barely understandable voice.
"Fine. Hello. You wouldn't happen to know of a fast way to the big well? Only, I'm in a bit of a rush to get there, and so I can't take the time I'd like to." Said Finklar. After that, the grubb's expression brightened up.
"Weeeeell, I thinks there was somfing' round ere'... Maybe the village eldas' know... Lets seee... There's uhhh... Ryn... And uhhh... That's me. Yeah if yer goes under the bridge... There was some kind o' 'overcraft left o'er from Skektok... or was it Seetko... I can't remember... Ey' where'd yall go?" Said the grubb as Finklar and Abe took off in direction of the bridge.

The grubbs didn't bother stopping anyone for the fee at this time of day, if there even was a fee, so Finklar and Abe has an easy access to the "some kind o' 'overcraft". Finding it was not quite so easy. It was strapped to the bridge, just out of general reach. It wasn't until after ten minutes of failure, that Abe noticed a pulley to bring the vehicle over to the ledge they were standing on. Upon untieing it, it seemed it hovered on it's own. Clambering in, Finklar took a moment to observe the control panel. Unlike what he had been expecting, everything was laid out and very simple, thought Abe still thought it was confusing. After a short amount of testing, they began the not quite so long trek back home. The hovercraft easily cut time in half. And again. It was rather like some kind of boat mutated with a wingless plane. Finklar had no idea of what Sekto had been thinking of when it came to the outer design, but everything else was fine. Finklar would have an adjustment to some particular things, and added an airbag, but otherwise, it was a very capable vehicle. This was not going to be a long night.

[MA]

nice chapter. you had an accidental rhyme in it also;

"Do you know if there's a way to get to the big well in about a day?"

i keep wondering what Germ would be doing at the moment.

[AlexFili]

Love the rhyme. Good work so far.

[Oddey]

Purely accidental. After a long break, I'm back to write the last chapters of Murder Market Two.

Chapter 15

A Warm Welcome

THe only thing that wasn't self explanitory about the vehicle, was the brakes. Finklar had looked everywhere for it, underneath the seat, behind the wheel, behind him, and the floor. Searching for it, as the craft seemed to know where Finklar generally wanted to go, he looked around desperately for something that could be a brake pedal or lever. Finally out of frustration, Finklar tried to pull off the wheel. The vehicle stopped instantly, flinging Abe and Finklar forward.
"That solves that mystery." Said Finklar in a very irritated voice.

Not long after, a small herd of paramites came crossing over the same route Finklar and Abe were on. Finklar didn't dare touch the brake after what happened before, so it seemed that either the paramites or the hovercraft was doomed. Maybe even both. The vehicle didn't seem to like this very much, and so simply floated over the herd. Finklar and Abe were just as stunned as the paramites were.
"Who built this thing?" Asked Abe.
"I don't know. But whoever it was, he thought ahead." Said Finklar, who was looking back at the confused pack of paramites.

The Big well was coming up fast, as was the sun. It was nearly dawn and that meant Finklar and Abe had made it to Vykker's Labs in less than two days. The ship was also close by the well now. Unfortunatly, it wasn't built for speed and was moving at a ridiculously low speed in Finklar's opinion. He'd have to wait until the ship was in proper position. When they had reached the well, Finklar claculated an aproximate 15 minutes of waiting.
"So, what are we going to do while we're waiting?"
"How do you drive that thing?" Asked Abe curiously. Getting back into the hovercraft, Finklar explained which button did what.

As the ship neared, Abe was attempting to make a full circle using the craft. You never knew when this kind of training could come in handy. Finklar was watching Abe struggle with the controls, and shotuing bits of advice. It didn't seem to be helping. As Finklar told Abe about how you could hold down the accelerator, Abe decided he'd had enough. Clambering out of the vehicle, he sat down to wait. He didn't have to wait very long. The labs had finally stationed themselves directly above the well again. With no time to waste, they jumped into the well. A moment later, they were shot up into the air towards Vykker's Labs.

[MA]

"That solves that mystery." i'm pretty sure that could be sig material.

nice work Oddey. you're a good writer.

[AlexFili]

I'm curious as to what will happen next . This is one of the best fanfics here!

[Oddey]

Fear not, you needn't wait longer.

Chapter 16

Deja Vu

Abe and Finklar had already been through this once. There would normally have been a bunch of shallow water vats infested with slogs, but Finklar had seen to it that security was enhanced. Now they had actual guards. They weren't much better, as they were asleep whenever Finklar and Abe passed by their posts. However, now was not the time to do such a thing. Now was the time to make an announcement. They didn't have much time either, so the fewer delays, the better.

They reached the guards who worked down here's quarters. Finklar hadn't the time to name them anything in particular, so they were just Sector 12. Here, the guards were actually worse than the one's sleeping at their posts. They ran away as soon as they saw Finklar and Abe approaching. Probrably for two reasons. The first being that Finklar was their sometimes nasty boss, and that if he wasn't actually their boss, he still looked angry. 'I think security could be raised a notch or two.' Thought Finklar.

Even after they had gotten out of the lower levels, they had yet to be caught. They had reached the hub of the craft, where general research was conducted. There were several Vykkers there, getting a qucik start on the day. Finklar ignored them if they were saying anything, which was unlikely, as they were very distracted with their work. 'Some people just don't pay enough attention.' Thought Finklar. Pressing the button for his private elevator, he tapped one of his three feet in impatience. It arrived in about ten seconds. Stepping inside, he pressed the button for his office. The elevator got there in about ten seconds as well.

Quickly holding down the intercomm, Finklar spoke into it. "Everyone, drop whatever you're doing and listen. I mean everyone. Now listen carefully. We are going to be attacking in a few days, and we need to get you all ready for it. All of you need to help. Please proceed to the barracks, even if you are not a guard. Those who do not come, will be fighting on the frontline. No exceptions. Thank you." Said Finklar, letting go of the button. Finklar then turned around to see that Abe was already pressing the button for the elevator.


I think there'll be about four more chapters.

[MA]

nice work my friend.

it will be strange when this finishes. its been here so long and is so enjoyable to read that i think it will be missed.

[Oddey]

As a slight spoiler to what I was going to hint at the end of the story, I aim to continue the series for quite a while.
Chapter 17

Training

Finklar walked out of the elevater to find that everyone had left their work to go to this meeting. A couple of expiriments were looking a little wierd, and a large bucket was overflowing with some kind of glue-like purple substance. Trying to ignore all the unfinished work, he marched towards the barracks. The barracks was large on it's own, but with the shear amount of workers in Vykker Labs, it was hard to squish everybody in.

When Finklar reached the podium, he explained everything very quickly.
"While I was away on business, I discovered that we were to be attacked in matter of days. Fortunatly, I managed to get back here in time to fend them off. But I need all of you to get into fighting shape. Starting now." Said Finklar, stepping away from the microphone, grabbing a snuzi, and walking towards the shooting gallery. At least a hundred vykkers followed suit.

The next few days of training were odd. Everywhere, employes could here the sound of gunshots and, if you went by the barracks, a lot of whirring. Nobody really had that much skill. Not even the actual security teams, who weren't really needed. Luckily, Finklar thought of the brilliant idea of unleashing all the failed killing machines they had one the enemy. Abe wasn't anywere to be seen, but rumours were flying about that he had gone into the sewers to meditate. Finklar himself even took part in most of the training. All possible entryways were on constant watch. Finklar had ripped the headphones off nearly every intern to maximize efficiency. Though the initial shock prevented them from doing nearly anything, after a while the effect of being able to actually hear what others were saying would make an impact. Instead of being lazy and incompetent as they usually were, they would respond faster, work faster, and be faster. Finklar was rather pleased with himself. Or perhaps it was just the interns working harder to get their headphones back.

Finklar hadn't seen Germ's army, so with no idea how many troops he'd need, he snooped around the base looking for things useful in a fight and personal trying to weasel out of training. A couple of bizzare tools, some blood sucking leech-like things, a few bits of near impenetrable material that could be made into a shield of sorts, several lazing guards, and a couple hundred fuzzle traps. Determining where they would be weakest, Finklar placed most of the things he'd found in strategic locations. Except the leeches. Those he wanted to keep for the actual battle. It wasn't until Finklar found a boombat nest nestled into a corner, that Finklar realized how much space Vykker's Labs really had. And it didn't stop there. Small bundles of explosives, a device that looked like it was designed for latching onto airships, a bunch of normal things welded togethpr and Finklar thought he had seen a mudokon look straight at him before scampering off. 'I really need to get some better guards around here. My office is the only really safe place.' Thought Finklar one day, while trying to aim for the head of the next target at the shooting range.

[AlexFili]

I've not read this in a long while. I'll be sure to pick it up again sometime soon. I'm so glad that we've got some fantastic writers here.

[AlexFili]

Any date for the next chapter Oddey?

Edit: No problem mate

[Oddey]

Soory about the delay, I've not been very busy, but I was distracted enough to forget to post here.

Chapter 18

Before the Storm

It was the day Germ's army would come along, and still Abe was nowhere to be found. Finklar wasn't really all that concerned though. While having a bit of last minute grenade throwing practice, he heard the sirens go off. Instantly, Finklar knew what he had to do. So, the grenade he was going to have thrown at the target, ended up coming with him.

It was a good thing Finklar had prepared himself for this, by strapping on all the armour he could. But walking around with weapons was a bit much, so Finklar had to make a stop around the relatively new armoury anyway. A few workers were already there, suiting up. He grabed whatever weapon was nearest, which turned out ot be a baton. Thinking the better of it, he replaced it with a snuzi. Armed, he left and wondered where the army would be coming from. Vykker's Labs had about three loading bays, and a couple of other ways in. Heading for the nearest one, he found an awful lot of workers headed that way. Wondering just how many Germ had, he hoped it would be enough.

It turned out the one he was heading for, was the biggest way in. As soon as he stepped outside, he felt he must have been dreaming. There must have been about one hundred airships, some passenger carrying, others just for shooting. Finklar wouldn't see a sight like this for a long time.

'Maybe I should have taken a bigger gun... Or maybe we should have made some bigger guns. At least we can fall back if need be.' Wondering if one of the many things he was carrying around to tip the scales would be able to blow up one or two of the transports, he watched as Germ's army crawled forward slowly. As if it knew it couldn't be stopped anyway. There wasn't any need for them to go any faster. Even if the whole of Vykker's Labs was there. 'Which reminds me...' Thought Finklar as he looked for his portable intercom. Hoping it was working, he said quite clearly:
"We need everyone on loading bay 2 immediatly please." Placing that back in his pocket, he wondered if the other ways were facing the same problem. Taking it out again, he added:
"Unless the bay you're supposed to be at is in need of defense." Sticking it back in his pocket for the last time, he searched his pack of defensive items. 'I know it's in here somewhere...' While he did so, he heard the sound of footsteps coming up behind. And not just one. Tons. Hoping that wasn't their attackers, he turned around and pulled his hands out of his pack.

Whatever Finklar was expecting, it wasn't what was there. It seemed Abe hadn't been meditating. He had been gathering a bunch of mudokons.

[Oddey]

Where'd you all go?

Chapter 19

Battle Horns

Finklar's mouth hung open in shock at the sight. After regaining control, he closed his mouth, only to open it again and say something. Abe saw this and merely said:
"This isn't really the right time for that." Said Abe, forcing Finklar's questions back. After a slight pause, Finklar snapped back to normal. Pulling out the leeches he had saved for this exactly, he calculated just how fast they would get to the loading bay. It wasn't as precise as Finklar would have liked, but he estimated that they had about one minute.

Twenty seconds. Nothing but the breeze disturbed them as they waited. Finklar tried to pass the time by trying to visualize just how many things that were sitting in the airships slowly approaching.

Thirty seconds. Maybe they'd win. Finklar doubted they had expected any resistance.

Forty seconds. Germ didn't even know it was Finklar in the armour he was wearing. As a sudden impulse, he pulled back the helmet he was wearing. His vision behind the helmet wasn't 100% clear. 'I have to change so much stuff around here, don't I?' He thought. Besides, maybe the shock of his escape would demoralize Germ's troops. 'They aren't technically his though, they're whoever leads them, which I don't think Germ does. It's probrably someone else.'

Fifty seconds. they were close enough to see Finklar now. some of the troops were already on the edge of the ship, nearly ready. Unfortuneatly for them, they hadn't thought about the enemy having guns. So Finklar signaled for whoever had a gun to shoot at them. Most of them were hit and either fell right off the edge, or slumped down onto the deck of the ship. the ones that weren't shot scrambled for their weapons, and some of them ran inside. 'Well, they're not too smart, as the last outlaw fumbling with the door, was shot down.'

Just as the transporting airships reached the edge of the bay, they turned around, revealing openings in the side of the ship, intended for dropping out of quickly, Finklar reckoned. Soldiers jumped out, most of them wearing armour. The ones behind them weren't. 'So they don't just get slaughtered instantly.' Thought finklar, jamming his helmet back on. It wasn't all that likely that his head would go unscathed without it.

Finklar watched as the last few soldiers came out, followed by a slig. Not justany slig. It was Germ. Fully armoured, and weilding a shotgun of sorts. 'Doesn't look like the one he used to have. What else havethey got?' Finklar wondered. He hadn't seen most of the weapons the other soldiers were carrying. Germ then cleared his throat and shouted, "If you give up Vykker's Labs, we'll let you live."
Finklar replied in an emotionless tone, "No."

Now the battle had begun.

[AlexFili]

I'm checking out Murder Market I again, it really is quite a nice story. I like the way you wrote Germ. He's sort of simple-minded, but very loyal... and pretty good with his gun Never thought I'd see a heroic Vykker as well!

[scipionyx]

hey this is great! i already read MM1 and now i started reading this it's so cool ^^

well i'll need time to catch up but i had to leave a comment

[Oddey]

Boy oh boy it has been a while. The explanation lies in part with my longing for a new story. I'm in a bit of a pickle. To begin with, I want the story finished. I've had more than enough of Finklar and the crew, and now I want to move on. I don't want to just give up with only two chapters to go, but I don't think I'll be in the mood for writing those last two chapters for quite a while. I don't want to leave this series either or spoil it by not ending properly, because it's so treasured. Rather like the one ring to rule them all. Despite it's weight, I can't let go. So in short, I don't want to write the last two chapters, but I want to end this properly. By all means, I will write a summary of the last two chapters, as there really isn't much to tell about them, but only if those of you who actually read this decide it's fair.

I feel a need to explain the origins of both stories.

Murder Market was originally just going to be a short detective story, but became a long adventure. It all began when I couldn't find a detective story on OWF, and decided to make my own. Murder Market two was an almost mandatory sequel. I didn't want to leave you guys hanging, and not only that, I liked Finklar far too much to part with him. I also had a crazy idea of having a really long span of sequels, just to set a forum record.

Now however, I just want to stat anew, and let this stand as it is. In my mind I picture it as an enourmous paper tower, strapped together with tape. I feel that if I try to make it taller, something will snap. An impressive sight, but what happens when you push it just a bit to the left?

So now I leave it up to you guys. Come back much much later and finish? Or waste no time in writing a summary? I don't want to choose this, so I ask you guys, as the customer is always right.

[MA]

oh god i haven't replied for a while. i just caught up and i don't see how i missed all the previous updates, sorry about that. just with the sudden influx of gaming threads here i must have overlooked it while skimming.

last chapter was brilliant, and i personally would love it to be finished just like your previous posts, but when you wish, and feel able, to finish it.

you should never feel pressured to finish a piece of fiction. i know how that feels and it can sometimes cause rushed chapters and not much variety in the storyline. now whenever i post a new fiction i will finish and tweak it until it is safe to simply copy and paste it into the forums, chapter by chapter. that way i won't be influenced by readers to alter the plot/storyline and it won't be rushed.

then again there's always the feeling to want to start it as soon as possible; its always fun to start a new fiction thread when you get another idea.

anyway, that's my tuppence worth. just know i will be following this until its end.

[scipionyx]

I only had the chance to reply once to this story
because of darn school I didn#t even had the time to catch up properly ...
and it's a great story... :<

still i understand your decission... but since you gave us the option to choose what will happen to this fanfiction (hehehe )

why don't you come back much much much later and finish it someday in the distant future? and after a while when you still don#t feel like finnishing the story you can still post the summaries after all... but like that there#s still a tiny chance for it to end. (and more time for those who still need to catch up on it)

because from what i know.. I usually got new inspiration when i stopped my stories for a few months and reread them then.


but do what you think is right...