Tag Archives: Duard Ban

Champions of Battle: The Very Best – Opportunity #041

Duard’s luxurious black Qian Fission slipped through the air with the speed of the best military stunt crafts.  This multilevel aircraft was his home away from home. It was as soft on the inside as it was intimidating on the surface.  Soft tan cushions and carpeted floors made this craft a flying apartment. The envy of all but the elite.

He sat comfortably in a rear compartment of the craft viewing West Drop’s city cameras and reading stories of semi-current happenings in the city.  He didn’t drive. He didn’t need to drive. The Fission, like most elite level air cars, could fly itself. He only gave the destination and speed. After that, eventless flights were all but done.  

There was an interesting news feed about some criminals ambushing fighters bound for a tournament.  Duard’s only wish was that Jaquan was one of the unfortunates. It would serve the ignorant ruffian right.  An arrogant prize fighter fooled and slain by thugs? He’d be revived of course, but with the loss of his pride and hopefully, some of his precious gear.  Brisa, of course, would be safe from that threat entirely. However, she had probably found herself a whole other set of problems.

What ditch could his sandwich-girl possibly have found herself in?  Lost?  Of course; and broke no doubt.  So, hungry too? Possibly.  She obviously didn’t have enough money to manage a call to headquarters.  And since she needed money for a call, her handheld must be out of power, broken, or stolen.  It was slim odds that she’d find and cling to him as he searched the city for Jaquan. But, if Brisa was lucky and begged correctly, she’d be allowed to follow along again.  Of course, he’d ditch her unless she had gathered some useful information in her misadventures.

Duard’s focused went back on the news story and he couldn’t help but chuckle.  It was shamelessly biased toward the “brave” and “intuitive” actions of West Drop’s Security force.  The animated photos clearly showed a different story. The intuitive security forces waded cluelessly through the huge pile of stolen equipment.  A pile too large for an intuitive police force to allow.

As the police waded through the gear, they separated some of the more impressive items into a second pile.  The reputation of the West Drop Police Force suggested that this pile would be the “lost” equipment that would later be “found” on the black market.

Two familiar looking people stood in the background looking incredibly bored.  Not at all surprised at the scene, they obviously had been there the longest. Possibly, giving their testimony to a tired detective.  If any intuitive work was done, it would have been through them; the ‘helpful citizens.’

Duard took a quick glance through a window.  The sun was setting quickly as his airship flew over the ocean.  In a few short minutes, the ship would prepare for the final leg of the journey.  

Duard headed for the showers and then to the supply closet.  There was work to do. He’d need to be rested and clean to withstand West Drop.

#1 – Opportunity #40

Champions of Battle: The Very Best – Opportunity #035

The Bome City Shuttle Port was relatively far from the hospital, but Duard’s constant irritations led the cab driver through the fastest possible routes.  Duard had no interest in seeing the sights or even the locals.  Only the shuttle port mattered.  Consequently, it took much less time to reach than usual.  Of course, his next destination was still a mystery but he was definitely leaving this land.  

Being a booming city, Bome’s port was always busy.  There were more shuttles parked than one would care to count.  Every space was full.  A few shuttles were preparing to launch while others hovered and spun in the sky preparing to land in the soon to be empty spots.

Each shuttle had a graphic noting their next stop.  After leaving the cab, Duard leaned on a pillar to think and make a call.  The shuttles’ graphics animations were slightly entertaining.  Duard watched as the graphics described their next destination while writing out the city’s name.

The call was to Champion’s Chronicle Headquarters.  If Duard was to make any impact on events, he had to be informed.  A lot may have changed in a day.  

It was just after hour seventeen so in Bome City it was well into evening.  However in South Coast, it was a very uncomfortable hour of morning .  Understandably, it took more than a few rings for Humberto to answer, but he was there.  The Chief was always there.  As expected, Chief Meng was a little grumpy this time of day; or night.  However, he knew about all the important stories at the Chronicle.  He seemed unusually glad that Duard was up and about and shared the story freely.

The tale of Juquan and the BigBad Crew moved quickly as Humberto only spoke in important facts.  Apparently they partied and cheated the casino.  After that, the story took a few unexpected turns.  The strangest turn was the reporter Humberto used to follow them.  Duard’s keen memory often kept him from asking for the same information twice, but Chief Meng’s selection was simply inconceivable.

“There has to be a mistake,” Duard corrected with unhideable disbelief, “Brisa?  My Brisa?”  Duard had to stop and lean the communicator to his ear.  There was no way he had heard that part right.

“Yeah Brisa Gan, your errand girl,” the Chief said with certainty, “She hasn’t called in for a while though.  She’s either doing fine or she’s dead.”

“What do you mean dead?”  He asked the question without thinking.  This whole situation seemed like a road trip horror story, “Where did they go?”

“West Drop.”

“West Drop!”  Duard knew for certain that his errand girl hoped to be as good a decent reporter.  However, following the BigBad Crew was too much for her as was going to West Drop.  The two facts together made absolutely no sense.   “Why not throw her to the bear-frogs while you’re at it!”

“She was there, and she could walk,” Humberto shouted back reminding Duard that he could not at the time, “If you want to catch up on the rest of the story, I suggest you go there and talk with her.”  Those were the Chief’s words before ending the connection.

Things were going terribly.  Sadly, things were probably much worse than Duard believed.  His plan to destroy Jaquan hung on a thread.  How could he find evidence to damage Jaquan if he couldn’t find Jaquan.  However, he was glad to have called.  He would look a fool if he had walked into this with the information he had only yesterday.  

Duard rushed to his private craft.  There was no time to lose. He should be there in a few hours.  

He scoffed at the idea of Brisa doing fine on anything.  All she’s fine for is getting my tea and sandwiches.  If she went to West Drop, chances are that she’s already robbed and stranded.  I’ll have to clean up whatever mess she’s found herself in.

#1 – Opportunity #34 – Opportunity #36

Champions of Battle: The Very Best – Opportunity #034

Finishing the quick conversation with Neely, Liana turned her whole attention to Jaquan.  She watched as he struggled with the oversized bundle on his shoulders.  Every bit of motion challenged all of his strength and focus.  She had barely seen him take five tiny steps into the light.  Already, he was sweating.  It would be a wonder if he made it to the street.

The whole dilemma brought back memories of the time before he was a household name.  Just as before, she knew better than to even offer any help.  He wanted and needed to earn this victory for himself.  All she could do was offer advice.

After giving the update on Neely and Catlin she said as much as she could in offering help, “You should slow down a bit.  You won’t gain anything if you hurt yourself.”  In all honesty, she could carry the load herself.  Little would trouble her other than balance.  Her advanced Mech suit ridiculously increased her strength, was made of plated compressed metal, and flew.

After a few minutes Jaquan miraculously reached the curb.  He stood as strong as he could pretending not to be completely exhausted.  He wasn’t convincing.  “I’m… fine,” he heaved breath as he spoke.  Setting “the pack” down was more of a challenge than picking it up.  He fell backwards in the attempt.  Getting back up, he rubbed his shoulder, “Might need a heal later though.”

“I gotchu,” Justice offered with no hesitation.

Liana was surprised at the speed of his comment.  Even more so when she remembered that Justice did not use the healing talents; Jaquan did.  Liana decided against commenting on the issue.  Instead, she made a note of it in her suit’s computer.  A few seconds later, she called for the cab to take them to the caravan.  They’d be leaving the city soon

——-

Bome Castle Hospital:

Finally, he had the release forms.  He grabbed a pen immediately.  He was standing and walking on his own power quite easily for the last ten minutes.  The staff should have had the papers waiting for him at the front desk.  He had more important things to do than waste precious time.  Perhaps if he did a subtle story on this hospital’s efficiency they would make changes.

His rushed signature looked more like a looping lasso than a name, but whatever.  They all knew who he was.  He didn’t stop to chat on his way out either.  There was too much for Ace Reporter Duard Ban to do.

The staff had kept him there for almost an entre day.  Granted he needed a carrier droid to get there.  Still their service was the worst he had received in a while.

Cracked ribs, crushed wing joints, and cracked shoulder blades.  Bome Castle’s hospital had completely healed it all with a day’s rest.  Still, South Coast could do the same in an hour or so.  Technology of the day was amazing for those that could afford the treatment.

Duard had the gold.  Now, if only Bome Castle could improve their methods and efficiency a bit.  It made better sense if all healing facilities were up to about the same level.  But, what could he expect from these developing kingdoms.

More importantly, he was now free of the hospital.  Duard had to get back on the trail of that ruffian that which landed him in there in the first place.  Never had he experienced such disrespect.

A scowl enveloped his face at the very thought of the man.  That son of a rat step on me!  I’ll drag his name through catfish infested water!  He could and he would, with little trouble.  Ban had led to the demise of more important people than Jaquan Zu.

#1 – Opportunity #33 – Opportunity #35