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    Dobrynia's Path 3: The Hound Of Loam
    Dobrynia's Path 3: The Hound Of Loam
    Dobrynia's Path 3: The Hound Of Loam
    Ebook394 pages6 hours

    Dobrynia's Path 3: The Hound Of Loam

    By Raymond Towers

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    About this ebook

    The world of Loam is in chaos. Dark sorcerers and massive armies are swallowing up lands and killing their people with the darkest spells imaginable. Enter the Valkyrie Dobrynia, who has come at the Call Of Heroes. She will create an army, one that will defy the gods with the very horrors being used against them. From the ashes, a new king will rise: The Hound Of Loam. Rating: HIGH controversy.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRaymond Towers
    Release dateMar 12, 2017
    ISBN9781370750955
    Dobrynia's Path 3: The Hound Of Loam
    Author

    Raymond Towers

    Raymond Towers is an author of fantasy, horror and science fiction that strays away from the mainstream, plus a little in the way of true paranormal and other genres. He has written and independently published over forty titles, most of them full-length novels and collections, with several more on the way. The author has been a lifelong resident of warm and sunny southern California, a location that pops up frequently in his writing. At the moment, the author is looking for ways to reach new readers all over the world, in addition to pursuing his great love of writing and taking it to the next level.

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      Book preview

      Dobrynia's Path 3 - Raymond Towers

      Dobrynia’s Path 3

      The Hound Of Loam

      Raymond Towers

      Smashwords Edition

      Copyright 2017 Raymond Towers

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes: This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Content Rating: All of the characters in this e-book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, whether living or dead, is purely coincidental. This e-book contains a HIGH amount of controversial subject matter.

      Cover Image: The cover image is titled Close-Up Amazon. It was produced by Andrey Kiselev, and was acquired through Dreamstime.

      #####

      Table of Contents

      Earth

      The Crossroads

      Burech

      Mornov 1

      Mornov 2

      March To The South 1

      March To The South 2

      Benghor 1

      Benghor 2

      Gathering An Army

      When Gods War 1

      When Gods War 2

      When Gods War 3

      The Hound Of Loam

      Aftermath

      About The Author

      #####

      Earth

      Sometimes, it just doesn’t pay to leave the house. Victor No Name said, as he scrutinized the handful of teenage thugs traversing the far end of the nearby, darkened baseball diamond. The miscreants pretended to walk in a path parallel to the one where the young man and his raven-haired lover were sitting. To Victor’s knowledgeable mind, however, he recognized that they were headed directly for them. He continued speaking casually. We could have stayed home, you know. Right now, we could be watching sports on TV, or, you know, doing some other fun things.

      Sitting close at Victor’s side, enjoying her order of rolled tacos with extra cheese and guacamole, the Valkyrie Dobrynia could not help but to grin. She had a pretty good idea of what those ‘other fun things’ were.

      The young couple had left the cottage behind Grandma Wilson’s house just short of midnight. Their intention originally had been to chow down at the all-hours taco shop on 43rd Street. Unfortunately, and despite the late hour, they’d found the small locale so crowded that they took their food about one block and a half away, to the very dark and empty location that Victor referred to as Southcrest Park. Still, Dobrynia found the scene very romantic, to sit and have a meal with the man she’d brought back to life, nurtured into a warrior’s health and had since grown to love so very much.

      Randomly, she said, Grandma Wilson thinks we have too much sex.

      Victor laughed. Did she really tell you that, or are you pulling my leg? Seriously, did she really say that? Do you think we’re having too much sex?

      Purposefully, the couple had taken a seat on a park bench close to a low wattage lamppost. This way anyone passing by, be they friend or foe, would not mistake them for the area’s usual mal-intentioned transients or druggies. When Dobrynia didn’t answer right away, Victor turned to look in her direction.

      I see that big smile on your face. He said.

      Dobrynia giggled, her face radiant and near pale against the dark waves of her hair. The moment her laughter faded, she pulled her hair back and tied it into a firm knot. This, her lover knew, was in case some sort of physical combat ensued. Victor, after being a virgin for the last one thousand years, I will honestly say that I have not yet had my fill of you. Now, since these are your people, tell me what your friends have in mind for us.

      Victor studied the approaching quintet. Well, from their pace and swagger, I can guess that they’re local gangsters. They’re probably from Stoner Town, like I used to be. See, they’re making like they’re not going to come anywhere near us. Once they clear that little announcer’s booth, they’re going to turn and come right at us. The reason they’re going around in a big circle like that is because they want us to think we’re not their targets.

      Dobrynia watched the deceptive advance for a few minutes. You are right.

      Of course I am. Her lover answered, only to frown a moment later. You see that guy in the black and white flannel? That’s Wolfie. I’ve had a couple of run-ins with that little turd before. That means all of those guys are Stoner Town Dukes. Doby, I know you don’t like the idea of having to hook up with a local gang. But if we don’t become affiliated with one of the cliques around here, every gang member in Stoner Town is going to harass us when we’re out patrolling at night. That’s just the way things go in this neighborhood.

      But it’s so primitive and tribal. Dobrynia grumbled, as she chomped down on another rolled taco. She paused to consider what her lover was eating. Victor, when this is finished, can I trade you the rest of my tacos for your burrito?

      Yeah, sure. He shrugged, as he left the bench to greet the newcomers. Yo, what’s up? I know what you guys are going to say. We shouldn’t be here, we’re on your turf and all that. How about we do this? How about we walk over to the taco shop, I’ll get you guys some rolled tacos or whatever, and then all of us will be happy?

      From her seat, Dobrynia watched as four of the menaces spread around her lover, is if they expected that Victor or she would run away from them. Always, it would come to violence with these sorts. She noticed that the last man, the one called Wolfie, kept stepping around Victor and closer to her.

      Man, fuck your taco shop! Wolfie snarled, as he lashed out an arm and sent Victor’s little tray of food tumbling into the grass.

      Dude, I was going to give that to my girlfriend! Victor groaned.

      Fuck your girlfriend, fool! Wolfie shouted at him with a pinched face.

      Dobrynia started laughing.

      Oh, you think that’s funny, bitch? I bet you won’t think it’s so funny when I kick your boyfriend’s ass!

      Knowing full well what Victor was capable of, because she had taken great pains to train him in the art of fighting, Dobrynia simply shook her head. You can’t kick my boyfriend’s ass, because he won’t stand still long enough for you to kick it. Besides that, you don’t even know the beginning of physical combat. All you know is punching. Look at the way you’re standing. You have no balance and you have no grace to your movements. She looked at her lover. Very well, Victor. You can have your way. Tell your people that we are now affiliated with Stoner Town.

      You hear that, chumps? Victor scanned the faces of their would-be assailants. Not that long ago, I used to be a Duke. That means I can call you out, Wolfie, one on one.

      You ain’t no Duke. Wolfie spat out. You ain’t nobody!

      That’s not what your momma said last night. Victor quipped, while behind him, Dobrynia laughed again.

      Hoping to score a sucker punch, Wolfie swung out at him. Victor leaned back and bobbed his head to avoid the blow, grabbed Wolfie by the shoulder and waist, and gave him a kick to the midsection that lifted the thug into the air and sent him sprawling in the same direction his burrito had gone.

      Victor turned to face the remaining gangsters, with his arms held out aggressively. What’s up now, fools? You’re looking at an OG Stoner Town Duke right here. Step up and get rolled up. Let’s go, fools! You got my dick hard, so let’s handle this!

      When the thugs didn’t immediately respond, Victor went to them. Dobrynia studied his technique, evaluating it. Although there was some refinement needed, for the most part Victor’s actions were executed well and fluid, almost like water or wind. Always, he kept two thugs on the ground, while he had the last two right in front of him. Her lover was holding back with his strikes, she noticed. If Victor used his full strength, which was god-given and equal to the power of three exceptionally strong men, there would undoubtedly be many broken bones and possibly deaths resulting from this fracas.

      The last thug, the Wolfie, recovered his breath and tried to jump back into the fray. When Dobrynia noticed that he held a weapon in his hand, she moved like lightning to intercept him. The Valkyrie clamped her fingers on Wolfie’s waist, squeezing hard enough to make the thug howl out and drop his weapon. A hard backhanded slap sent Wolfie reeling away and tumbling back into the grass.

      Dobrynia picked the weapon up, discovering it to be only a small switchblade, but with a sharp enough edge to hurt her lover. The Valkyrie stalked over to the fallen thug and used his blade to cut his clothing into long shreds. Once Wolfie was completely naked, she tugged him by the arm and led him back to the tumult, where she unceremoniously dumped him among his over-matched and now exhausted fellows.

      There would not be any shit going down, if you chumps hadn’t started any shit! Victor scolded them all. And Wolfie, the next time you run up on me or my girlfriend with a shank, I’m going to really fuck you up!

      You ain’t no Duke! The naked Wolfie shouted back.

      You know what? Victor replied. You’re right. I used to be a Duke, but not anymore. When I was out putting in work for Stoner Town, I would be running up all stupid on people, the way you chumps just did to us. I was going up to fools and saying, hey, this is Stoner Town. I was the guy that threw the first punch! Well, I’m not doing any of that shit anymore. Respect us and we’ll respect you. If you and all these fools around you are what the Dukes are about nowadays, I don’t want any part of your gang!

      Stoner Town Dukes, and fuck the rest! One of the homeboys shouted at him.

      Yeah, that’s why your homie is standing there with no clothes on. Victor pointed out. Doby, are you ready to go home now?

      No. I want a burrito like the one you had.

      Yeah, okay. Let’s go buy one.

      Angrily, Victor stalked off, leaving the Valkyrie to face the five beaten thugs.

      We live in Stoner Town, the same as you. She said. As my boyfriend remarked, if you respect us, we’ll respect you. We would much rather have allies than enemies.

      After taking a moment to wrap up her remaining food, she jogged over to catch up with her lover, who was still brooding.

      I can’t believe we just got into it with homies from my old gang. Victor said, shaking his head.

      I have to commend you, Victor. Dobrynia told him. You fought with honor and you spoke with honor. Well, mostly.

      It sure didn’t feel like honor. Victor replied. I can’t believe that just a few months ago, I was doing the exact same thing those fools are doing now. I mean seriously, those dummies have no regard for anything. I’ve done some stupid things before, but I would always think about them before I did them. These dummies don’t even think.

      Victor, your qualities aren’t only those of a warrior, but of a leader as well. She consoled him. You have honor where most others don’t. This is why I love you, Victor.

      Hearing that made him pause, as the words sunk into his thick head. He reached out to clasp his lover’s hand and they resumed their walk together.

      I love you, Doby. He said.

      Dobrynia squeezed his hand in response. These ruffians have no discipline. Perhaps they would make good soldiers if we trained them properly.

      Are you serious? You want to train them now?

      We are largely isolated here in Stoner Town. The Valkyrie reminded him. The news we come across is too infrequent to be of any great use, either from the few men we know from the Bloods gang or from Sergeant Pederson. I feel it would be good for us to have other sources of information. Having a small group of trained soldiers and informants would have been very helpful to us in the past.

      You mean former Sergeant Pederson. Victor corrected. The police department never gave Pederson his job back after his unexplained absence. He can’t just tell everybody that he took a month off because a Viking god kidnapped him out of this world. Hearing his lover’s regretful sigh over her destroyed universe prompted Victor to quickly change the subject. But yeah, that’s a great idea, about training some new people. We can train some of these dummies so they’ll be less than dummies. Just not those Dukes we just beat up. Those guys are chumps.

      Someone else then, but from this same neighborhood?

      Yeah, we’ll find someone else.

      Grandma Wilson owned a two-bedroom home, which had recently been painted in a pastel peach thanks to the efforts of her two renters. The backyard was ample enough to fit up to three cars on its cement surface, although none were actually present. Also, there was enough room for a small cottage with the interior dimensions of a cozy, single bedroom studio. This backyard and cottage were places where Dobrynia and Victor spend much of their days, unless they were in the main house eating and chatting with their landlord.

      After a light lunch of sandwiches and salads, the two young lovers decided to head out to another park, this one closer and off of Ocean View Boulevard. Their plan was to burn off their recently consumed calories with mid to high intensity running, jogging, wrestling, martial arts, or any other fairly strenuous activity that came to mind. There were two routes available for them to travel to the park. One was a more roundabout way that would skirt around three full city blocks, while the second involved walking half a block, crossing a tiny ravine, and heading past the edge of an elementary school. They’d used both routes before, but this time they opted for the short route through the ravine.

      Even when she’d been homeless and dressed in rags, Dobrynia’s natural beauty had shined through. Now, dressed in a black halter-top and black running shorts, with narrow rainbow stripes going down the sides of both, she looked fantastic. Her hair was pulled back into its usual ponytail, revealing her gorgeous face. While the Valkyrie knew her looks could easily capture a man’s attention, she would hardly fawn over this like other women would.

      You have an admirer back there. Victor commented, as he bounced a basketball on the street while he kept pace with her.

      I see him.

      The admirer came in the form of a young man on a bike, who trailed them by about half a block. He wore a black cap, a baggy white shirt, and long, denim shorts with a red bandana hanging out of one pocket.

      Victor paused to flash this kid the Stoner Town gang sign, which the young man returned. Victor then motioned for the thug to come closer. The bike rider was soon gliding up next to them.

      You checking out my girl? Victor asked.

      Yeah. The kid grinned back. He looked to be in his late teens. I’ve seen both of you before, walking around the ‘hood after dark. I’ve never seen your girl looking like that before. I’m just wondering if she has a sister.

      My sisters are far, far away from this place. Dobrynia lamented.

      You want to go shoot some hoops with us? Victor invited.

      That’s cool. The kid nodded.

      The three of them walked on, toward the cul-de-sac on the end of the street and the little ravine.

      So, I’ve been seeing all this graffiti around the block. Victor said. Are you one of these Dead End Boys?

      Yeah.

      What’s your tag?

      I don’t have one. I just go by my name Lucas. What about you?

      I used to hang out with the Dukes. Victor replied. I don’t anymore, because we kind of parted ways a few months ago. My name’s Victor.

      Yeah, them older Dukes either get shot up or locked up. Lucas nodded.

      Victor winced, as he’d been among those who’d gotten shot up, and had very nearly died. More than once, he’d nearly died.

      Lucas rode his bike down the side of the short ravine, while the couple walked their way through it. Dobrynia and Victor took up a jog after clearing the terrain and kept this up until they reached the park. Once they were on grassy terrain, the two shifted into a full run, while their new companion could only watch and marvel at their pace. After the run came the wrestling, and after that came the sprints. When those were done, finally, they all went into the basketball courts to shoot hoops.

      After a couple of hours, the trio retired into the shade of a large, brown gazebo with a rounded roof. The shady structure could accommodate some thirty people, and sometimes it was reserved for families celebrating birthday parties or other special occasions. At the moment, they were the only people there.

      Lucas checked his phone for the time. Some of the homies are going to be coming by soon. You guys going to be here?

      Dobrynia glanced to Victor, who nodded back.

      All right. Lucas said. I bring them over to meet you guys.

      The couple watched as Lucas pedaled off and vanished around a corner.

      I have the sense that we’re being evaluated, just as much as we’re evaluating them. Dobrynia commented.

      We are. Victor nodded. That’s the way it works around here.

      You’ll have to explain all of these unwritten rules for me, Victor, because I can’t make heads or tails of them.

      A short while later, several thuggish forms were seen accompanying the returning Lucas. These included two couples, one young man walking alone and a second one on a bike. Taking Lucas into account, the thugs totaled in at seven. The small group filtered into the gazebo. Except for one thug, they all kept their distance from the Valkyrie and her ward.

      The single gang member stepped over to eye them both very closely, with a toothpick sticking out of his mouth.

      What’s up? Victor asked.

      The thug merely nodded back.

      Victor, what is happening here? Dobrynia asked.

      Well, this guy is looking at me and I’m looking at him.

      I can see that! What does it mean?

      I think he likes me. Victor quipped, which caused both him and the other guy to start chuckling.

      Dobrynia shook her head and started out from the gazebo. Do whatever negotiating you need to do, Victor. I’ll be over here stretching out until you need me.

      Gotcha.

      The two thugs on the bikes pedaled over the grass, once the Valkyrie found a good flat spot to stand in. They were riding around her in a circle and at the same time checking her out.

      Victor addressed the single gangster standing close to him. So, are you the guy in charge or what?

      What do you want? The other young man asked. Why are you here?

      We’re here looking to make a deal.

      What kind of deal?

      You’ve seen us around the neighborhood, right? I know you have, because people always have to keep their eyes open around here. We’re out of the loop right now, as far as news in the ‘hood goes. We’re just trying to get back into the loop. Maybe we can work something out between us where we can watch each other’s backs.

      What are you selling?

      Nothing. Victor admitted. We’re legit, one hundred percent heroes. We might have bad guys after us and we might have cops after us. We just want to stay one step ahead in the game, and maybe have somebody give us a warning when they see something out of place.

      The thug pointed across the park, at the rec. center, where several black gang members were loitering. You see those guys? We’ve got an agreement with the local Bloods, ever since these drug dealers from Market Street tried to muscle in on Stoner Town a few months ago. We’re already watching each other’s backs around here.

      My girlfriend and I, we broke those drug dealers up. Victor revealed.

      Prove it.

      I can do this a couple of different ways. Victor replied. One, I can call up an ex-cop who helped us. Do you know who Sergeant Pederson is?

      Yeah. How come we haven’t seen him around lately?

      He knows a few things about what went down with those drug dealers, and he refused to tell his cop supervisors about them. Victor cryptically answered. They took his badge away because of that. If Pederson’s not busy, I can have him drive down here in about ten minutes.

      What’s another way you can prove it?

      Victor grinned as he pulled out his wallet. From it, he took a large denomination bill and set it on the bench between them. One hundred dollars says that none of you can take my girlfriend down to the ground, even if all of you jump on her at once.

      The thug glanced back at Dobrynia, who was comfortably stretching out with the two bike-riding hawks still ogling her from various angles. You serious?

      Why don’t you try it? Prove me wrong. All of you, at the same time.

      All right. The thug agreed, as he swiped the bill and went over to his homeboys on the other end of the gazebo.

      A moment later, he was leading them back before Victor. I think these two fools can take that girl down. Are you saying that they can’t?

      I think you should throw in the guys on the bikes, too. She’ll still win.

      All right, I’ll do that. The young man nodded. He whistled for the two bike riders to come over and gave all four of them instructions to wrestle Dobrynia to the ground. Once he’d sent them off to do the Valkyrie harm, he turned to see if Victor would change his mind. Victor merely took a seat where he could get a good view of the action.

      In short order, all four gang members were seen flying through the air and tumbling across the grass at the hands of adept Valkyrie. They didn’t stand a chance against her.

      So the lady has skills. The lead thug said. What do you really want?

      Basically, if you keep us in the loop, we’ll show all of you how to fight. If that works out, we might do some other things with you guys down the line.

      Lucas said you used to be a Duke.

      That’s true. Victor admitted. But I can’t prove that part, unless you can believe that I died and came back as somebody else.

      That’s some trippy shit. I’m not saying I believe you, but we had some trippy shit going on around here too, not that long ago. But I’m not going to talk about that right now. I want to know why we should trust you.

      I told you. We’re the good guys. Are you going to tell me what they call you or not?

      Sparks. You can call me Sparks.

      Victor noticed that the two girls that had accompanied the thugs, the Bloods across the park, and pretty much everyone else around was watching the one-sided wrestling match taking place on the grass. You don’t mind if I call my girlfriend back now, do you? I don’t want anybody recording her and putting a video up on Youtube. That’s how Sergeant Pederson first started tracking us down.

      All right. Sparks said, as he stepped over to the edge of the gazebo and whistled for his cohorts to come back. When he returned, he held out Victor’s cash. Here’s your money, man. Like you said, my boys couldn’t take her down.

      Hold on to it. Victor said. As a matter of fact, do you know anybody who can deliver pizza out here?

      Yeah, I know a place.

      So order pizza for all of us. Victor shrugged. I’m a little empty after all the running around I did earlier. Get some sports drinks for us, too.

      Sparks turned to one of the girls standing nearby. Angie, look. Here’s a hundred dollars. Order us some pizza from that place on 36th Street, and a bunch of sports drinks too. For all of us, yeah?

      He handed the money over, just as his worn out homeboys returned to the shade of the gazebo. Even the two bike riders were too winded to ride and simply walked their bikes in. Behind the group came a perky and unflustered Dobrynia.

      She pointed at one of the thugs. This one is the most athletic of the bunch.

      That’s Boxer. Sparks said. He’s supposed to be good at boxing, except today it looks like he got his ass handed to him.

      Fuck you, Sparks! The insulted thug snapped. I didn’t see you out there doing anything!

      Sparks compared the red faces and panting of his homies, to the quiet and careless attitude of Dobrynia, who did not look shaken up whatsoever. He shook his head as he addressed Victor. That’s some trippy shit, homie.

      Later that evening, a familiar silver sedan pulled up alongside the curb, near the end of the street where the Dead End Boys sometimes hung out. The driver was one sturdy black man by the name of Gordon Pederson. He was in his mid-thirties and formerly part of the San Diego Police Department. Pederson stepped out and casually made his way to the small gathering of thugs at the cul-de-sac.

      He eyed his two youthful companions warily, and especially centered his focus on Victor. Old habits die hard, I see.

      It’s not like that, man. Victor shook his head, knowing that Pederson meant he shouldn’t be hanging out with gang members again. We’re just trying to keep up with current events, that’s all.

      Gordon turned to address Dobrynia. And I hope you’ll make sure that Victor will stay out of trouble, when it comes to the law here in San Diego.

      I will. The Valkyrie nodded.

      Victor motioned at their new buddies. Do you know these guys?

      Sure I do. Gordon nodded, before he scanned their faces and called out their names. That’s Sparks and his girl Angie. Then we have Chapo and Boxer, and Lucas over there on the bike. He pointed at one female. I don’t know who she is.

      That’s Rosie. Angie informed him. She’s with Chapo.

      Well, hello, Rosie. Gordon said, before he addressed the thugs as a whole. You can all relax. I’m not a policeman anymore, and I don’t think I will be one again in the near future. The department isn’t interested in letting me have my job back.

      Why is that? Sparks asked.

      Because I went somewhere with these two. Gordon nodded toward his friends. And my supervisors didn’t believe me when I said a ran off to Mexico for a month because I was burned out. As a matter of fact, I’m still under investigation by the department. They think I might have stolen money or drugs from the drug cartel we broke up over on Market Street.

      So where did you really go? Sparks asked.

      Gordon looked over at his two fellow adventurers.

      We’re not ready to talk about that. Victor said. We might tell you the whole story some other time. For now, all you have to know is that some powerful people might be after us. That might mean the cops and that might mean some of the bad guys in charge of the drug cartel, because we basically messed up their business.

      And it was a bad business. Gordon nodded. They could have killed a lot of people if we hadn’t stopped them when we did. Their drugs were laced with some bad chemicals.

      Hey, Pederson. Lucas pulled up close to the former cop with a big smile on his face. One time, when you were driving by in your police car, I threw a rock at you and hid in the bushes. You never figured out it was me.

      That’s because you’re a little shit. Gordon made a face. Have you ever been tazed?

      No.

      Well, if you keep doing shit like that, sooner or later you will be tazed. Gordon told him. Or worse. Some of these new cops, they just don’t respect the law like us older guys do. Going back to you, Victor and Dobrynia. I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news for you.

      What is it? Victor asked.

      Dobrynia, who’d been standing to one side and away from the group, came closer to listen.

      The word I’m getting from the couple of guys I know in the force, is that they’ve loosely tied Doby to a bunch of different places. From the drug dealer and rapist incidents in East San Diego, to the fight in Tijuana, to the battle you two had over at Market Street. They’re fairly sure Doby was at all of those places. Now they’re at the point of tying all that together with the night Darnell Wilson was killed. If they do that, they’re going to come knocking on Grandma Wilson’s door. Both of you have to make yourselves scarce until all of this blows over.

      We’ll go into Mexico and hang out with Don Diego. Victor decided.

      No, Victor. Dobrynia shook her head. That place is too far away from the city. I came to this world to make a difference in it and not to hide away in some remote village. We have money. We’ll just find another place to stay.

      Do you want to leave Stoner Town? Victor asked.

      No, I like it here. It reminds me of some of the places I used to live in, back when I was… She paused to glance at their new friends. Before I was in San Diego.

      Well, I don’t want to be the one saying I told you so later. Gordon said. My advice is to keep out of sight until I tell you otherwise. When I say things are hot right now, I mean it.

      Victor motioned toward the thugs. See, that’s why we need more eyes and ears around here. These guys can tell us if they see a stake-out van parked near Grandma Wilson’s house.

      That won’t be enough. Gordon said. You really have to get out of town for a while.

      Victor sighed. Doby, what do you think?

      If Pederson really thinks we should leave for a time, then I guess we should listen to him. I will not allow the police to incarcerate me.

      But where are we going to go?

      The Valkyrie turned away for a moment, before coming back with a hopeful look. We can contact Tekkin. He can bring the Chaos Rift to us.

      Are you sure you want to go there? Victor asked.

      Do we have a choice?

      What did she say? Sparks cut in.

      Uh, she’s talking about a passport. Gordon answered him. It will allow them to go to a whole lot of places.

      We’ll use the Rift. Dobrynia resolved. We’ll leave San Diego for a duration, and we’ll come back when things are more stable.

      What is she talking about again? Sparks queried.

      Victor grinned. We can’t tell you. It’s top secret. But on the plus side, you’ll get to meet Tekkin.

      Who the hell is that?

      You’ll find out.

      Being that said Tekkin was residing only a couple of cities

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