Shopping for a Ride

Elder Khanst wandered through the market. His little shanty had recovered nicely since the last storm. The barricades where rebuilt and the gates repaired. Even the local businesses had been restored to their previous glory. As a matter of fact the recovery had been getting along so well he was now in the market for some new rides for his newly recruited defenses. Having to recruit almost an entirely new gang afforded him the opportunity to be more aggressive in his tactics. No longer would they sit and wait for the Nomads to attack, they would go out on patrol. Maybe even venture in-hive to forage from time to time.

“Ah, Gaul! How are we doing this fine day?” Khanst’s voice reverberated nicely through his respirator.

“Elder Khanst! So good to see you well this morning. What can my humble little trading post offer you today?”

Khanst despised the rotund little man. He was always scarce when the town needed work done, but impossible to get rid off when things needed to be acquired. Still, the man was resourceful in getting those hard to find items – either sanctioned by the ruling house or otherwise.

“Mobility Gaul, mobility. What can you do for me in the way of transportation for me and my boys?”

“Ah, yes, right this way my friend.” The Guilder led his client to the back of the little shack where he bartered goods and then out through a little door. Once out back Khanst looked upon a sizable stable, fully enclosed of course. Roaming among several vehicles was a wide variety of animals. “Let us start with a wonderful truck. Right over here.”

It was a truck in name only. There were no doors, no windows, the cargo area was the only thing with a complete floor, but it was sizable. With eight wheels, and such a large cargo area it was not really what the Elder had in mind.

“Gaul, I said I need mobility. Does it look like I’m going to be running caravans back and forth across the wastes to you?”

“Ha ha ha, perhaps I misunderstood you,” the man said with a smile. “Perhaps a buggy, or a few cycles then? Right this way.”

Walking around the back of the truck the guilder had to shoo away several dog sized reptiles. “They are not much now, but once they reach their full size they will tower over these bikes,” the guilder said as he waved his hand to direct Khanst’s attention. As the elder followed the guilder’s hand he saw some very nice specimens. Three hefty looking bikes with good dust gripping tires, and one sported a small side car with a pintle mount. This was more of what he was looking for. Slightly behind the bikes was a buggy. A two-seater with a pintle welded to the roll bar above the riders seat. And in the back, just behind the engine, was small cargo area.

“Much better Gaul, much better. But what about something that does not require as much maintenance?”

The guilder seemed to hesitate for a moment. Almost as if he was distressed – like he had lost a sale. “Perhaps these animals would suit you better Elder Khanst?” The little man pointed just over Khanst’s shoulder to a small herd of reptilian-like animals.

No two were identical. Several were bipedal, most had four legs. There was even one with eight. They ranged in size from about the size of the cycles he had just seen to one larger than the truck. The range of colors was also widely varied, but all of them were suited for their harsh environment.

“Wonderful Gaul. Let’s get down to business…”