Chapter 44 – Journey With Southpaw

“Mittens?” A male shrew pulled up in a large van.

“Yes, Southpaw’s chief technician?” I asked.

“That’s me, but you can call me Screws. That your gear? And where is your tech?” he asked me.

“It is, Mousethief said to go on without him if he is late.”

“Southpaw won’t like that, Mousethief has a been of a rep. Well let’s get you loaded up, so we don’t slow things down.” I loaded up the three duffle bags.

“Jeez, what are you packing?” he asked.

“Just the usual stuff. Gear and personal items,” I replied.

“Fair enough,” Screws said. Southpaw exited the building and walked over.

“Ready to go?” he asked us, but looked at Screws for an answer.

“Just loaded up, all set. Just waiting on-“

“I am right here, never worry,” Mousethief popped up nearby.

“You,” Southpaw said with a glare. “You went over to Mittens?”

“Yes. Don’t worry, you won’t even know I am here,” Mousethief said.

“Whatever, get in, we are wasting time,” Southpaw said. I got in the backseat with Southpaw, while Mousethief took the front passanger seat next to Screws who was driving.

“I can drive-“

“No!” Both Southpaws and Screws said at the same time.

“Just offering,” Mousethief said cheekily. Screws set up at a slow pace. If Southpaw wanted to save time, he should have let Mousethief drive, but I didn’t say anything.

“The mission?” I asked Southpaw.

“Wondering if you would ask. We are handling a string of disappearances at Crescent City. Fairly far North, so little chance of the snakes being involved. But a good chance of some other cult acting up or a serial killer,” he answered.

“We handle those as well?” I asked.

“Not specifically, but disappearances are often tied to cult activity. Occasionally we get a serial killer like Fenrir,” Southpaw explained and I shuddered a bit at the mention of the wolf. “I know Tom Cat likes to go covert in his movements, but I prefer the overt methodology. I have found it to be faster,” Southpaw explained.

“Doesn’t that cause trouble?” I asked.

“It can. But that is why I have the right documentation to back me up. Normally don’t need it, but it does come in handy. Also, Maximilian has someone on staff ready to handle any issues that might come up.”

“And me? Do I need to be worried?” I asked.

“No. See the trick is that I have Screws take the lead most of the time, while standing behind him and staring around menacingly while looking for clues. You will do the same. Follow my lead, don’t go running off without permission, got it?” Southpaw asked.

“Yes Master,” I replied, and he chuckled.

“In time you will develop your own methods for handling missions. Also, a Chief Technician you can trust is important,” he added pointedly. I knew he was insulting Mousethief, but I didn’t understand why Mousethief was an issue.

“What’s the deal between you and Mousethief?” I asked.

“Poaching, on two separate occasions. I was following a lead, and he just showed up, and then threw Tom Cat at the issue without a by your leave.” Ah, it was considered rude for an assassin to take over mid-mission like that.

“We were just passing through,” Mousethief said with a bit of sassiness.

“I doubt that. Also, Tom Cat is many things, but I know it was all you,” Southpaw countered. Mousethief didn’t say anything else, and Southpaw let out a snort before speaking again. “Well, that is the past. For this mission, we will go right to the police station in the city to get information and figure out where and when the deaths are happening exactly.” Investigations had been covered a bit in my classes.

“If there isn’t anything to go by, then we will shake up the underworld. Someone will have seen something. There is always at least one creature. We shake creatures down until the one we need pops out.” I understood that strategy. It was why crime was tolerated and not cracked down on by the Covenant Church as much as it could be. It was what I had done on the last mission, but with Mousethief it hadn’t been necessary.

“So just go in, get leads, and then squash the problem,” I said.

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“Hmm, yes. As Screws goes about and we loom behind him, I want you to pay close attention to any and all details. I want to see how good your investigative talents are.”

“Got it Master Southpaw,” I replied.

“Hmm, we will see. You really are quite favored. Maximilian wouldn’t normally let a Journeymouse, or even an Assassin sit in on such a high level meeting, let alone ask questions.” I kind of knew that, but I hadn’t truly knew.

“Really, but he seemed like he wanted me to ask?”

“Only to help defuse the tension and to remind your father that you are part of the organization. While I have no doubt you could dig up an Apostate in the frozen wastes of the far North, there are good and bad missions.”

“More dangerous ones?” I asked Southpaw.

“Less active ones with a chance of nothing happening. As long as a mission doesn’t resurface in an area for three months and not attached to a previous mission, we can close missions at will without getting into trouble. Weaker assassins will just close them out, and then get in trouble. Or get in trouble for lingering in an area that has nothing happening,” Southpaw chuckled.

“That seems very unfair,” I replied.

“It is. But it is Maximilian’s way of expressing displeasure and making life harder for assassins he doesn’t like. The best ones will rise above such assignments using good judgement. But those with poor judgement or skills will soon be out,” Southpaw explained.

“This is a good mission?” I asked.

“Hmm, no. I would classify as somewhere in the middle. There are confirmed deaths in a unique manner. So clearly it is either some kind of ritual, uncommon creature, or a serial killer. From most likely to least likely. There is something. We need to get a resolution and can’t just close without a resolution,” Southpaw replied.

“So it is good since there is something actually there, but not that good, since no Apostates?” I asked.

“Exactly. While it would be nice to have Apostates causing trouble on every mission, most often it is something more minor. While your father has scooped up a lot of good missions, I am hoping some of his good luck has rubbed off on you, and will rub off on me,” he said.

“You want something like a Quackening?” I asked.

“Oh yes,” the rat chuckled. “While that is a regular mission for Tom Cat, that would have been one of the highlights of my year. The same for any other assassin in the organization. Part of the purpose of this mission is to see how you handle yourself in less exciting missions.”

“I understand Master Southpaw. Thank you for bringing me along,” I replied.

“Well, as long as you are as competent in investigating as you are at slaying Apostates, then this will be quite enjoyable. Also, no getting help from Mousethief.” I froze up at that. I had been planning to lean on Mousethief for help if I got into trouble.

“Normally I wouldn’t say such a thing. But this mission is meant as a test for you and your skills. Normally it is the other way around, where it takes time to confirm the combat skills of a Journeymouse in the field, while they easily clear their investigation portion.” Southpaw turned to me with a grin.

“But you Mittens are going about things backwards. You cleared your combat portion of your evaluation first. All that is left is the investigation portion. So, consider yourself in charge of this mission, but no asking Mousethief. While it isn’t common knowledge, anyone reading the submitted reports, will quickly realize that your father is only mediocre in terms of investigation.”

I didn’t know what to say to all that. All I could do was agree. “Yes, Master Southpaw. I won’t seek his advice,” I replied.

“I know you are listening Mousethief. No trying to sneak around my orders,” Southpaw said.

“No problem!” Mousethief said from the front seat. The van pulled into the dockyards and we quickly moved through a checkpoint and onto a smaller ship, driving right up onto it. It was bigger than the small boat Paladin Bloodclaw had transported the applicants on, but smaller than the cargo ships.

I followed everyone else getting out as Screws rushed off. “This is the Sea Sword, my vessel and primary base,” Southpaw said as two crewmice began getting the ropes separated from the dock and the boat set off. I was already feeling ill. “I know Tom Cat loves his container, but that is a personal choice,” Southpaw said.

“Yes…urg,” I felt weak, and now my stomach was heaving.

“Cats. Weak sea stomachs,” Southpaw said with a grin. “Rest up. You, show her to her room,” Southpaw told one of the crewmice who quickly guided me to a room. I collapsed on the bed, focusing on my breathing as the Sea Sword began to pick up speed through the ocean to our destination.

Mousethief dropped off my duffle bag. I wasn’t paying attention, focusing on not dying. Cats and water really did not agree. I ended up throwing up and forcing myself to drink water. The open ocean was choppy and the Sea Sword was no cargo ship.

I felt each and every wave. ‘Avatar,’ I finally called.

‘Hello Mittens,’ Mes said with a grin as they floated in front of me.

‘Help me. I can’t go on like this. This is a matter of life or death. If I don’t get a skill to handle this, I really will die. Please,’ I begged. Mes brough a paw up to their chin and looked thoughtful.

‘Well, there is a minor skill or two and you really can’t stand boats. Can’t have my user dying on me. Alright, call up the interface and then store and will let you have a little credit. It will be our secret,’ Mes said.

‘Thank you. Thank you. Interface. Store.’

Sea Legs (T1) – 1,000 EXP

Sea Stomach (T1) – 1,000 EXP

‘Yes! Purchase.’ I gestured at the two skills with my paw. I felt knowledge enter my mind, and my gut relax fractionally. It didn’t feel like it wanted to claw its way out of my stomach.

‘It will take them time to level up. But they should help you. Sea Legs will help you move about on a boat. While Sea Stomach will help you resist turbulent motion from upsetting your constitution.’

‘Thank you,’ I thought since I could finally breathe.

‘Your welcome Mittens. I am happy to help. This was a minor matter and I am sure we will get lots of EXP in missions together. Can’t have you falling apart for something as minor as a rocking boat or some water. That would be embarrassing to be honest.’

‘Well, don’t worry. I won’t be embarrassing you anytime soon. We have a lot of snakes to kill and Faststrike. He got away,’ I thought bitterly.

‘It happens. The important thing is that you are alive and there is no permanent injury. The great thing about skills and the features I offer, is that you will only improve with time. You will only get stronger, better than the previous version of you far faster than other creatures.’

‘Some might call it downright unfair or cheating.’

‘If you aren’t cheating, you aren’t trying. Thanks Mes,’ I replied as I got up and Mes disappeared from my sight. I washed my face and slowly made my way out to the deck, breathing in the salt air. I felt the wind on my fur and whiskers. It felt nice as my stomach only shook a bit, and didn’t try to leap out of my throat.