Raider's peril C12.pdf

Raider’s Peril Unguarded Treasure powerful weapons, then selling them for real money?” said Katka. “That’s totally against the rules.” “So, how are we going to prove it and take him down?” asked Jaden. “We need a plan,” said Katka. “We...

Raider’s Peril Unguarded Treasure powerful weapons, then selling them for real money?” said Katka. “That’s totally against the rules.” “So, how are we going to prove it and take him down?” asked Jaden. “We need a plan,” said Katka. “We need to convince the Brittlestars and the Gutvines to join forces against Zircon.” Chapter 12 Unguarded Treasure Mrs Gorman was on break duty the next day when she saw something that nearly made her drop her cup of tea: Katka and Jaden – in cahoots! The odd pair stood together under the trees in the far corner of the playground. Katka muttered energetically, making wild gestures with her hands. Mrs Gorman caught a few words as Jaden replied, “Me too! And if we...” She strained her ears, but the rest was too quiet to hear. Well, well, thought Mrs Gorman. Katka, the first girl you asked when you needed someone sensible to do a job, was hanging around with Jaden, the boy who 127 128  Raider’s Peril Unguarded Treasure once ate a slug for a dare. Was the world upside-down “You mean, you found out Zircon’s real name and and back-to-front? real address?” said Katka. She was almost jumping with excitement. The teacher took a calming sip of tea, and went to break up an argument that was threatening to “Hah. Only if his real name is Fishguts McTrevor,” topple the climbing frame. At least that wasn’t out of Jaden said. “But I reckon he hasn’t used his real name. the ordinary. I did a search for Fishguts McTrevor anyway, just to see what would happen. A load of old social media and Despite appearances, Katka and Jaden weren’t exactly gaming profiles came up. Looks like he’s been using in agreement about the best way to deal with Zircon. that fake name for ages. And guess what username kept popping up next to it?” “It’ll be the ultimate raid,” Katka insisted. Jaden was stripping leaves off a twig he had pulled from the tree “What?” said Katka, though she thought she above them. The scent of tree sap filled Katka’s nostrils. could guess. “Brittlestars and Gutvines turn on Zircon. We corner him in the workshop, take everything we can get our “Zircon.” Jaden’s voice was deadly serious now. hands on –” “So we have proof! That’s exactly what we need. I’ll “But Katka, listen,” Jaden interrupted, waving the go to the Brittlestars, you go to the Gutvines. We’ll leafless twig in her face. “That website, Raider Tradez, strike Zircon’s workshop on Wednesday night. That’s it’s definitely him. I did a domain lookup.” just enough time to gather resources.” “What’s a domain lookup?” “That won’t work,” said Jaden. “Katka, we’re not fighting a game boss or a monster or something. “You can find the name and contact details of anyone Defeating Zircon in Raider’s Peril doesn’t stop him in who’s registered a website,” Jaden explain, throwing real life.” the stick on the ground. 129 130  Raider’s Peril Unguarded Treasure “But it’ll scare him,” said Katka. “It’ll show him he Jaden kicked the tree trunk. Bark dust showered onto can’t push us around. We know his secret.” his shoe. “Think what you like,” he said. “It won’t work.” And he stalked away across the playground. “It won’t. You don’t know Zircon.” Unfortunately, Katka’s plan did not go as smoothly “I want to show Zircon up for the crook he is, Jaden.” as she’d hoped. The ex-Brittlestars were hard to track down, but once Catanna found one, she found them all. “Me too!” Jaden yelled, his voice almost as loud as the year fours squawking on the climbing frame. “And if “We’re the Crocogators now,” Gannymead explained as we think about this carefully, there’ll be a better way.” Catanna surveyed their stronghold. It was green and had crenellations like big, square teeth. “Croctordoctor But Katka didn’t want to find a better way. She could founded it and we all joined.” see the future as clear as a video playing in front of her eyes. She would seek out the old members of her guild “Oh. Right,” said Katka. She felt like she’d been punched and they would jump at the chance to raid Zircon, the in the guts. Her old teammates uniting together to very person who had brought them to ruin, uniting form a guild without her? That hurt. “I just – well – I again under the Brittlestar banner. Once they’d beaten have this plan.” Zircon, looted his workshop and equipped themselves with the best weapons that game gold could buy, Katka explained everything that she knew about they’d be sure to forgive her and join the Brittlestars Zircon, and her idea to make him pay for what he’d again. It was the perfect plan. done. Gannymead didn’t react with much enthusiasm, but she didn’t say no either. “I’ll put it to the guild,” “You’re just scared,” Katka said to Jaden. She said it she said. on purpose, not because she believed it, but because she knew that the only way to get Jaden to agree to “Shall I wait?” her plan was to taunt him until he cracked. “You’re a coward.” “We know where to find you.” And with that, 131 132  Raider’s Peril Unguarded Treasure Gannymead slammed the stronghold door in Catanna’s “Out,” snapped Katka, slamming the wooden stronghold face. It was made of steel. door. Her grand scheme was falling apart. At least Perian was on Katka’s side. Perian had offered to round up Gutvines, since Jaden wouldn’t. Katka wanted Zircon to have as few defences as possible, and that meant stripping him of followers. “We don’t have to do it tonight,” said Perian, the instant that Katka logged in on Wednesday. Katka had “Xandon would have had an easier time convincing tried again – unsuccessfully – to convince Jaden to them,” Perian explained, when she returned from her join them. trip. “They trust him. But at least they recognise me.” Nevertheless, she was ready. She had gathered snacks “How many are willing to work with us?” from the kitchen cupboards – raisins for energy, and crisps because they were delicious – and had filled “Not many. They didn’t say it, but I think they’re her school water bottle. She had even dragged her scared.” heavy chest of drawers in front of the bedroom door, so that there was no way for Milana to disturb her at Katka felt a pang of worry, remembering that she had a crucial moment. accused Jaden of the same thing. Perhaps there really was something to be afraid of. “No. It has to be tonight,” she said. “We won’t have time to get the message out if we change it, and Later that evening, a Crocogator messenger arrived once Zircon knows there’s a plot against him, we lose at the stronghold. “The Crocogators have taken a our advantage.” vote,” said the messenger, a rookie whom Katka didn’t recognise. “We have voted not to assist the Brittlestar Catanna took out the tiger’s eye spear that she now guild at this time,” she said. “Is this your stronghold? used and inspected it. It wasn’t a bad spear, but would Not very strong, is it?” it be good enough? It was no use pining for a fire opal 133 134  Raider’s Peril Unguarded Treasure spear now, Katka told herself. That had just been a “Pinksocks?” Catanna ran downstairs. glittering lie Zircon had used to buy her. “We came,” said Pinksocks. As the group stepped “How long until the raid?” Perian asked. She closer, Katka counted seven armoured figures, all ex- sounded nervous. Brittlestar raiders. “Croctordoctor didn’t want us to help you, but, well...” “Still another hour until we meet outside the city. Why didn’t we organise it for earlier?” Katka felt jumpy “We want to see Zircon eat dirt,” Gannymead finished. and full of energy. She just wanted to get this fight over with. Katka’s chest felt full and her eyes prickled. Crying is not leader-like behaviour, she told herself, especially at “You know why,” said Perian. “Not everyone can get a time like this. Just do what you always do. online until five. Anyway, I think I know where we can get some more resources. I’ll be back in time, “Right, team,” said Katka. “This isn’t an ordinary raid. I promise.” Our main objective is to destroy Zircon’s workstations. To do that we need to take out the Gutvines – Zircon Perian disappeared into the desert night, leaving Katka most of all – and burn the workshop down. The Gutvines feeling uneasy and impatient. To take her mind off the have more powerful weapons than us, so it won’t be battle, she decided to add a stone tower to the east easy. Are we ready to cook Gutvine flesh for dinner?” wing of the stronghold. “Yeah!” Everyone cheered, and Katka felt herself smile She was just designing crenellations – inspired by the for the first time in days. Crocogators – when she saw running figures in the sand below. Was Perian back from her mysterious mission? “To the Silken City!” Pinksocks cried. “Catanna?” It was a voice Katka recognised, but it “No, wait,” Catanna ran to catch up with the group wasn’t Perian. already striding across the desert. “Perian isn’t back.” 135 136  Raider’s Peril Unguarded Treasure “She’ll know where to find us,” said Pinksocks, with “Fine,” Katka said. “I’ll come now. But we need a plan a casualness that Katka didn’t share. “We’re not here of action.” as a favour, Catanna. We’re here to crush Zircon. And we’re not going to wait around.” After a short discussion, the group headed into the multicoloured hangings and babbling throng of the The night was still and quiet. Soon, they reached the city. Catanna trailed Pinksocks’ bobbing pink hair gates of the Silken City. closely as they wove their way to the bazaar. “We should wait for Perian,” said Katka. The group huddled in the dimly-lit corridor outside the Gutvine workshop. “How do we know when she’ll arrive?” asked Pinksocks. “Remember,” said Pinksocks, “our best chance is to act “She said she’d be here by five.” quick, and take them by surprise. Now get in there!” “Too long.” Pinksocks turned towards the iron gates. Katka winced as the group roared in excitement. They “Let’s head in.” needed to be stealthy, not loud! Already trailing, Catanna followed them down the narrow passage “She’s bringing reinforcements!” towards the workshop entrance. “Or else we go without you.” Catanna was the last to cross the threshold. She held her spear ready, expecting to enter a chaos of arrows Katka fiddled with her controller, uncertainly. Either and blades, but what she saw surprised her. Catanna went now, with only seven allies, or she let the Crocogators raid Zircon’s workshop without her. The gloomy workshop was completely deserted. Seven They could be knocked out of action before Perian quiet workstations and seven closed chests stood even arrived. against the walls, unguarded. 137 138  Raider’s Peril Unguarded Treasure “Raid the chests,” said Pinksocks, adapting hastily to “Uh huh,” said Katka. Catanna took a step backwards, the situation. “Get all the loot you can.” towards the door. The Crocogators dashed to all corners and began to “Is it possible to put a workstation in a lootbag?” rummage for treasure. Only Catanna didn’t move. “Pinksocks, we should go.” “Diamonds,” squealed one raider, gleefully. “Chill out, Catanna,” said Pinksocks. “No one’s here.” “Obsidian!” Warily, Catanna took another step backwards towards “Opal!” the door. An eerie feeling crept over Katka like fog. This was all BASH! wrong. The blow from behind hit Catanna so hard that she “See, Catanna?” said Pinksocks. “A bloodless raid. sprawled on the floor. Her health bar dropped to half. We’ll torch the place and go.” She stumbled onto her feet and turned round. Catanna kept her spear poised as the raiders filled “Gutvines!” she yelled. their lootbags. Where was Zircon? Where were the Gutvines? The Crocogators erupted into panic. “Hurry,” she urged, but the Crocogators lingered. “The Gutvines are here.” “Hey, are these the magic workstations?” asked “We’ve been ambushed!” Pinksocks, gesturing to the tool-adorned tables. “Run!” 139 140  Raider’s Peril Unguarded Treasure Enemy warriors crowded inside, brandishing swords But the Gutvines crowded in too close, a dense, and axes. Each weapon was made of powerful unbeatable wall. Catanna threw her spear into the gemstones. Before the Crocogators had time to arm throng, knowing that it was hopeless. Another blow themselves, they were under attack. The Gutvines struck her and she didn’t even see which side it came surged forward in a cacophony of shouts and clangs. from. The screen flashed red, a warning that she was Catanna dodged, ducked and flung herself against the nearly out of health. She stepped closer to her spear, wall. She flung her spear, hard. It smacked the side sure that she would never reach it. of a gold-armoured warrior and bounced off, barely denting the raider’s health. Then, suddenly, the warrior before her dropped with a thud. The warriors on either side followed, each Running to collect her spear, Catanna stumbled pierced by a glinting arrow. over the figures of two Crocogators already knocked unconscious. In front of Catanna, a diamond arrow “Take that, Gutvines. You’re all a bunch of banana- struck Gannymead and she fell. Before she could get brains,” yelled a voice that Katka recognised. Perian! to her feet, a warrior with an emerald axe slammed it She was back. down. Gannymead was knocked out. “You made it,” said Katka. Catanna reached for her Catanna flung her spear again, but it flew wide. They spear. Her screen stopped blinking red, though her were doomed! Three – no, four – of her allies were health was still critically low. down, the Gutvines had more powerful weapons, and now she couldn’t even aim straight. As Catanna “And I brought reinforcements,” said Perian, nocking grabbed for her spear, a ruby sword whacked her in another arrow. the head. Her health fell again. “Yarr! Let’s send these sandlubbers to Davy Jones’ “Run! Run!” she urged her allies. She staggered towards locker.” A tricorn-wearing pirate leapt into the fray, the door. swinging her cutlass wildly. 141 142  Raider’s Peril Unguarded Treasure “The Lemonheads?” whole room held its breath. “I told them about a mysterious diamond grenade [17:02] Zircon117: SOME OF YOU KNOW WHAT that could destroy half a stronghold with one blast, THIS IS. rumoured to be in possession of the Gutvines,” said Perian. “They couldn’t resist.” Katka stared. Her hands grew sweaty. She wondered whether Catanna could flee the workshop before Zircon As Catanna’s health crept back up, she fought with used it. renewed vigour. Now that Perian and the Lemonheads were on their side, perhaps they stood a chance. [17:02] Zircon117: THE BRITTLESTARS WILL TELL Swords swished, arrows whooshed, and Gutvines fell. YOU WHAT SORT OF DAMAGE THIS OBJECT CAN DO. “We’re winning,” said Katka to herself. “Take that, Zircon.” Around the room, weapons shifted, pointing at Zircon. If there was some way to coordinate them so everyone Suddenly, Zircon was there: tall, crimson and struck at once, maybe – maybe – they could take him commanding. out. But how could they get the timing right without alerting Zircon? Katka wasn’t expecting it. She had assumed that he was hiding, letting his minions do the dirty work for [17:03] Zircon117: I SWEAR THAT IF THE him. But there he was. As he strode into the centre PEOPLE INVADING THIS PLACE DON’T of the room, clothed in sleek, fire opal armour, the LEAVE RIGHT NOW, I WILL DESTROY EVERY fighters fell still. Everyone turned to look at him. STRONGHOLD OF EVERY GUILD THEY EVER JOIN, FOR ETERNITY. In his hand, he held a diamond grenade. [17:03] Zircon117: NOT EXACTLY HARD, WITH A As words began to appear on the screen, it was like the DIAMOND GRENADE. 143 144  Raider’s Peril Real Friends Catanna lifted her spear. Perhaps if she just yelled ‘NOW!’, everyone would attack him at once. Perhaps they wouldn’t. [17:03] Zircon117: IN FACT, I MIGHT DESTROY THEM WHETHER YOU LEAVE OR NOT. Katka took a deep breath, ready to give the order. [17:03] Zircon117: JUST AS A LITTLE REMINDER… Chapter 13 [17:03] Zircon117: NEVER Real Friends [17:03] Zircon117: MESS For a moment, the raiders and warriors assembled [17:03] Zircon117: WITH in the workshop gaped at the place where Zircon had disappeared. Then, without a flash or a bang or even a squeak, Zircon vanished. “Where’s he gone?” said a voice over Katka’s headset. “Did he take the diamond grenade with him?” said another. “Protect the workshop!” said a third. That did it. Vicious scuffles broke out all around the room. Gutvines and Crocogators and Brittlestars 145 146