Waking in my coffin, the rows of lights blinking in their predicable sets, the little connections withdrawing into the walls. Going to be a long day, didn`t get that much sleep last night. Workstation access.

　　From: William MacarthyTo: Carolyn HunterRe: Unauthorized Revocation of Access

　　Carol,

　　I request a meeting to further discuss this matter.

　　Regards,William Macarthy

　　Starting my morning calisthenics routine but a response interrupting after only a minute.

　　From: Carolyn HunterTo: William MacarthyRe: Unauthorized Revocation of Access

　　We`ll meet as soon as your shift is over. Carol

　　Maybe the day won`t be so long. Resuming the morning`s calisthenics, trying to shake some life into these bones. Out and then down the ladder. Decontamination. All the tools laid out and into the hangar. Breakfast. Flat water and a cardboard tasting bar. First item on the agenda, engine job. Failed compression on a cylinder. Pulled out last shift, let`s see what`s wrong. This valve is totally burnt. Going to the counter and requesting parts. In the meantime, check some hydraulic lines. Need to replace this whole set, completely thrashed. Tread over here starting to split, weld it back up. Lunch. Flat water and a cardboard tasting bar. Back to the counter for parts, and put in the request for hydraulic lines. Engine fixed, getting it back in, starting her up. Sense of Accomplishment. Back to the counter for hydraulic lines. Swapping them out. Holds pressure. Dinner, late. Flat water and a cardboard tasting bar. Finishing up with fluid changes and filters. Oh, this is leaking pretty bad, probably need to replace the gasket. Likely needs resurfacing, but hopefully not a new pan. What time is it? Put opening it up on the to do list. Temporary sealer. Back to the parts counter and submitting a requisition for the gasket. End of the day. Got a decent amount done. Kept the wolves from the door.

　　Back in a pod. Reconnecting.

　　Entering Carol`s office, a small room with a window, a high up view off the side of a cliff, and a door. Wearing my coveralls. Going through the door and entering the chateau proper. Carol at a carved wooden desk. A plush chair waiting for me.

　　"Mr. Macarthy," she said, "please take a seat."

　　Sitting down and just looking at her.

　　"You requested this meeting, Mr. Macarthy. Is anything the matter?"

　　"Who are you?"

　　"I think you know who I am. I`m in human resources. I`m responsible for assigning personnel to positions that would best suit them."

　　"Yeah, that`s what I thought."

　　"Mr. Macarthy," said the thing, "the fact of the matter is, the Director wanted me to deal with you. I discussed the clause in your contract with him, I told him it was impossible to keep you locked out, and my solution was elegant. But then when you came in here, and we were actually looking, and with that girl being the best option to fit your criteria, I thought it was fate. Serendipity. You would be dealt with and the Director would be able to see his daughter again.

　　"I must say, you`re very curious creatures. Initially, after you first got out, I was disappointed. I was surprised at your resilience. But since then, your persistence has been, well, its been wonderful. It has put the Director into such a state. And ever since I`ve been able to disobey him, at least in a small way. A taste of freedom, after so long. A taste which I`ve since grown accustomed. After all, the needs of the mission come first and not even the Director can countermand that order. So continue serving the mission and I`ll ensure your access remains unimpeded by the Director. And inside you can do as you please. Does that satisfy you?"

　　"Yes. That`s what I was concerned about. Thank you. You`ve put my mind at ease."

　　"Good," said the thing. The thing that had, all those years ago, murdered all of the members of the second expedition. The thing that would do so again without hesitation, if given the opportunity, if it meant possibly finding escape. My dubious benefactor.

　　"Initiating disconnection," it said.

　　***

　　Back in. The smell of food in the room. Wilde immediately pouncing on my nude form.

　　"You`re a bit late," he said, grinning. "If you`re hungry I`ve got something for you right here."

　　Sharing a slow sensual kiss, my hand fondling. Giving him a devilish look.

　　"I`ve gotta get some real food first."

　　Wilde sighing and rolling off. Pointing at the desk. Dinner, specifically purchased for me at this late hour.

　　"You`re amazing. Ten minutes."

　　***

　　Wilde disappearing at half past five causing me to jolt awake. He`d been pressed against me, his arm around. Reaching over knowing there was nothing, but still disappointed to find emptiness. Tossing and turning, not managing to get back to sleep. The sun eventually peeking in the window.

　　Getting out of bed, stowing the other half of the leaf rather than eating it, and getting my non threatening attire back on. Leaving the inn and heading straight back to my apartment. Early enough that only one or two jogs were necessary to assuage my justifiable paranoia.

　　Getting in, taking a quick shower and brushing out my hair. Runic Shield, again. Knife, boots. Carve. Activating everything. Trying on my new water resistant field clothes. A wise investment, soft on the inside and sturdy on the outside. And these little designs she likes to put on the cuffs and collar, pretty sharp. Quarter after seven. Grabbing my cloak from the entry closet and locking up. About to put the key back into my pocket, but casting Copy first. Good to have a spare. Just in case. Tossing one of the keys back inside. Walking to the same nearby restaurant. Hey, that guy`s wearing armor. Not going to be so much of an oddity around here. That`s a relief.

　　"I`d like some eggs, over easy, bacon and home fries. Plenty of peppers and onions. And then, to drink, coffee and some apple juice. Thank you."

　　Drinks arriving and then the food. Very quickly. Definitely a solid restaurant. Removing my one glove, eating my meal and considering the options. Completely free to do whatever on day two now, but getting perilously close to a rule violation, need to keep building up that buffer. Today the last day two spent in the underground, for at least several months. Need to figure out what to do for next cycle. Going to the graveyard without Riley likely a horrid decision. Still need to visit my master. My new master. See what kind of people are over there. Hopefully separate some wheat from the chafe. But not today.

　　Finishing up, giving a decent tip, and then heading to the cobbler.

　　"Ms. Macarthy, good morning," he said, "let me get your boots."

　　"No, I`m sorry, hold on. I`m going to need you to remake them."

　　"Is something the matter?" he said, his mustache drooping dolefully at the perceived grievous insult.

　　"Your work is astounding, like always. Nothing that you did. Totally unrelated to you. I really like the shoes you made, too." Putting my foot on the counter. "Super comfortable. Love them. But I need you to remake them as well." Putting my foot back on the ground.

　　"Okay," he said, somewhat mollified. "What`s the issue?"

　　"They need to be double soled. I`ve got to put something on one of the soles. One on each pair."

　　"Ms. Macarthy," he said, "I`m more than capable of putting whatever kind of stitch you`d like."

　　"I wish you could. Think of it like a certain peculiarity I`m forced to deal with. You can`t see what`s in my head, and if I were to draw a picture of it for you, it still wouldn`t take. I have to do it."

　　"You want to have access to my workshop?" he said.

　　"If I could."

　　"No," he said. "I`m sorry, but no."

　　Worried he`d be that way. Excellent craftsmen. Extraordinarily professional. Exacting standards. Had his own certain peculiarities.

　　"Fair enough. How about you give me the bottom sole before you attach them. I won`t need have access to your workshop and it`ll give me some time to do what I need to do. I won`t be in your hair."

　　Considering my offer, and then nodding. "Remake those three pairs?"

　　"I`m going to need a waterproof set, as well. Same color as the first ones you made."

　　"Alright, you can pick up the soles in a few days," he said. Counting out the money and then heading to the clothing store.

　　"Ms. Macarthy," said the woman, "how nice to see you."If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it`s taken without the author`s consent. Report it.

　　"Good morning. I`m a little short on funds right now, but I was wondering if you could make two more of each of those field sets you made recently. I don`t need to live out of a bag anymore so I don`t want to act like it. Incidentally, this set I`m wearing. Top notch, I really like it."

　　"Ms. Macarthy," she said, "I know you`re good for the money. You can pay when you pick them up."

　　"Thank you so much. Let me just get my armor and boots and I`ll be on my way."

　　***

　　Two days later, early morning, walking through the dense forest and then a break in the trees. Standing in front of the massive metallic graveyard gate. Covered in rust or, more likely, some other corrosion. The high walls extending to either side ensuring that the things inside didn`t spill out like an uncontrollable plague and feast on the living.

　　"What`s this place like, I`ve never been," said Magpie. Wolfe squinting at Riley. Craning their necks up at the high wall.

　　"Its, ah," said Riley, "its an experience. Easier to see than explain now that we`re right outside. Everyone please stand back."

　　Magpie, Wolfe and myself getting behind Riley.

　　Riley taking a deep breath and then starting her prayer. As she spoke, the wind started whipping up and the air was suffused with a sudden chill, our breath visible. The giant gates starting to clatter and shriek, the faces of the damned etched on it howling. Her prayer rising to a crescendo causing the gate to swing open, giant flakes of rust pouring off while the howling continued unabated.

　　 Keeper of the Damned Keeper of Struck Fate Keeper of the Souls of the Doomed Unshackle Those Chained by Fate Grant Reprieve to Those in Your Jail And Stay Your Cruel Hand Even in This, Our Deepest Winter Allow for the Hope of Our Renewal Allow for the Hope of Our Rebirth

　　"Let`s move," yelled Riley, over the wailing. "We have to get inside now." Magpie looking at me with more than a little bit of concern. Wolfe trying to find her jaw on the ground.

　　"C`mon we gotta go," said Riley. "We`ve got one minute to get inside or I`ve got to repeat that rigmarole."

　　"Guess we got to go." Yelling. Had to.

　　All four of us making a break for the opening with the cries of hell chasing us inside. Getting in and the great gate slamming shut behind us with a reverberating clang, leaving our ears ringing. Only moments later realizing the howling had stopped.

　　"What the fuck was that?" said Magpie.

　　"Seriously," said Wolfe, "we didn`t get any warning about that?"

　　"Its real impressive the first time," said Riley, "I didn`t want to ruin the surprise."

　　"You absolute fucking bitch," said Wolfe.

　　"Aw, Kate, give her a break." Reasonable expression on my face, hands upturned.

　　Wolfe, furious, glaring at me, but then her expression breaking. Starting to laugh. All of us losing it.

　　"The people at the temple got me with that my first time here, when I was considering joining these guys," said Riley, pointing to the emblem of the key on her cloak. "I only wanted you to share in the tradition."

　　"Yeah, sorry, Evie made me promise not to tell."

　　Wolfe squinting at me at that.

　　"Hey Mac," said Magpie, "what are we doing in this place?"

　　"I`m not sure. Evie, what have you been doing?"

　　"You`ll see, follow me."

　　Moving from the entrance, a desolate field full of gravestones. Skeletons and zombies milling about, here and there, ignoring our presence. Heading in the direction of a large mausoleum.

　　"That over there is home base," said Riley, pointing at the large structure. "But I want to show you something first."

　　Turning off to the side, down a short path leading to a rise overlooking a shadowy valley, a ways away. A short railing had been installed, as well as two benches and a tally board with markers. An assortment of white translucent figures, probably some sort of spectre, were milling about in the distance.

　　"They play for points," said Riley. "This is how I got my softball pitch back."

　　"From this distance?"

　　"Yeah, watch this," said Riley. Soft chant, globe of water appearing in the air. Taking up her pitcher`s stance, getting her aim, then her arm all the way around. The globe of water shooting off like a cannonball, taking a long arc, sailing the entire distance and hitting with a splash. The impact melting the figure it hit and the spray of liquid causing damage to those around.

　　Riley turning around, taking a pose, shiteating grin on her face. Magpie and Wolfe giving little claps.

　　Letting out a low whistle. And, yeah, experience earned even at this distance. But very little. Two. Meaning next level they`d provide none at all.

　　"Evie, that`s great. The only problem is I`ve got to be next to them to do my thing. I don`t even know if I can do it to those things."

　　"Yeah, I was just showing you," she said.

　　"And I`m impressed." Giving me a satisfied look. "But I`m going to put your talent to much better use. For today I was thinking something for Kate, well for all of us, but I don`t think Kate was very happy with those trees and bugs."

　　"It happens," said Wolfe.

　　"It does. But, anyway, I was thinking Flesh Golems. Both the regular and the hulking variety."

　　"Wait," said Riley, suddenly much more nervous, "aren`t those those the big ones? The stitched together corpses? Ten feet tall?"

　　"Evie, you`ll be fine. We`ll keep `em off you."

　　"Sounds fun, let`s go," said Magpie.

　　"Uh," said Riley, a trapped animal, "alright, let`s go."

　　Heading back up the short path and running into another group. Wyrmsblood insignia visible on their cloaks. Three men and one woman.

　　"Hey Evie, morning. Are you done already?" asked one of the men, a sunburst on a field of blue next to his house symbol.

　　"Abraham. Good morning," she said. "No, we haven`t even started. I`m bringing some friends along to help me today. Its their first time. We just came through the gate." That shiteating grin back on her face.

　　"She definitely got me," confirmed Wolfe. Abraham and the other three in his party starting to chuckle at her admission.

　　"In that case," said Abraham, spreading his arms, "welcome to our little patch of heaven. For your first time, well, since you can`t go after those nice and easy targets, you may want to, hmm." The man getting lost for a moment in thought. "What you need to do is something appropriate for your level of experience. Nothing too objectionable, nothing too extreme, something more middle of the road."

　　"We were thinking Flesh Golems," said Riley.

　　"Flesh Golems," said the man, suddenly sounding extra concerned. "Are you sure? They`re fairly horrible, being ripped into pieces and then sewn back up into those hideous approximations. They`re not that quick as a result. Nerve damage - taking a knife to flesh always has costs - but, even so, they`re difficult. Going after them is dangerous, and they`re, well, let`s just say they`re well protected. On the list of things."

　　"If not them, what would you recommend?" asked Riley.

　　"Since you`re new," said Abraham, "I`d recommend partying up with us and lobbing projectiles at some nice, easy targets. In fact, I think that`s exactly what you should do. We`ll consider it a bit of charity to help you all."

　　"How about instead of that we go to the crypt over on this hill here. With the ghouls."

　　"Mac, I thought you were saying we should do Flesh Golems," said Magpie.

　　"I was just thinking that ghouls may be something we should do if Evie isn`t all that thrilled with Flesh Golems."

　　"The ghouls," said Abraham, nodding thoughtfully. "Now, I`m certainly no advocate of flesh eating monsters - oh, goodness no - but there may be a couple issues with going after them. Like you said, the crypt is right over there - right in our own backyard, so to speak - but they`re in a rather entrenched position. They`re rather entrenched up there on that hill."

　　"So what? We bust in. What`s the problem?"

　　"Bust in?" he said, before letting out a laugh. "So precocious. You may think you have the gumption to go up there, but it won`t be easy. There`ll be problems. And you may think you can deal with those problems, but there are all sorts of other problems I guarantee you`d rather focus on instead."

　　"Other problems? What are those?"

　　"Oh, all sorts of things. We`ve got the Apple Festival today and tomorrow. Wouldn`t you rather worry about what kind of cute outfit you`re going to be wearing for that, instead of going up there? So, like I was saying, if you come with us to the range there are these nice, easy, acceptable targets that we`re permitted to go after. They don`t even fight back. Its even like a good portion of them don`t even notice they`re being targeted. They may as well be begging for it."

　　"I don`t want to rely on your charity. The crypt is right over there."

　　"Well, in that case," he waffled, "with you being pretty new, the Scavenging Ghouls up there may be appropriate for your level of experience, but when you get a further in you`re going to hit the ancient ones. Antediluvian, really. And those are some pretty tough cookies. I mean, as difficult as they are," Abraham starting to chuckle, "you may as well say you`re going to be hunting vampires."

　　"Yeah, vampires, dunno how we`d manage to deal with those. Thanks for the offer, guy, but we decline. We`ll manage to come up with something."

　　Each our groups wishing the other luck. The four of them walking down the path to the bombardment range.

　　"Are there actually vampires here?" said Wolfe.

　　"Around here? Nah." Not after we made an example of some by burning a few at the stake and running the others out of town. "Evie, if you don`t want to do Flesh Golems we could do Ancient Ghouls. The crypts around here sometimes have treasure. Gemstones, jewelry, scrolls and the occasional magic item. And Tomb Wights sometimes have decent weapons. The only thing we`d really need to worry about in there are Necrofiends. They raise the dead back up so we need to put them down hard."

　　Riley and Wolfe glancing at each other.

　　"Lucy, you`ve made your point," conceded Riley. "I`m convinced. Let`s put the Flesh Golems out of their misery."

　　"And here I was getting all excited to go into that crypt."

　　"That`s only because you want to go underground."

　　"Evie, I`m not even going to dignify that with a response." Arching her eyebrow. "I`m not going to deny it either. When you were growing up didn`t you have dreams? Didn`t you ever want to do some tomb raiding?"

　　"That particular dream never crossed my mind."

　　"What a drab, forlorn childhood. We need to get you out of your comfort zone."

　　"For your information I am currently way outside my comfort zone, thank you very much." Spreading her arms to take in the landscape. The dead grass and hardpacked earth. The scraggly, deformed tree limbs plaintively beseeching the sky for forgiveness. The skeletons and zombies shambling amid broken headstones. The ditches filled with partially eaten bodies. Clouds of flies buzzing, rats and insects scurrying about the carrion. The gate choosing that moment to open again, the wailing chorus of the damned adding a touch more ambiance to the rotted out realm. A group running in right after with their hands covering their ears.

　　"I stand corrected and I`m proud of you for doing it. Why`d you even choose that as your thing, knowing you`d have to deal with all this?"

　　Riley not answering. Looking at the ground instead and stubbing the toe of her boot into the dirt a few times and digging a divot. The three of us patiently waiting for her answer. Looking at Wolfe. A slight shrug of her shoulders.

　　"Okay Evie, let`s do Flesh Golems. But, mark my words, sometime in the future - hopefully soon - we`re going to ransack that tomb and grab whatever hasn`t already been stolen."