Nirvana Effect

66



Edward recognized the Onge. It was Lee’tep, Nockwe’s cousin. Edward liked Lee’tep; he wished he hadn’t slammed him so hard. For now, though, Lee’tep was an enemy. The Onge would kill Edward if he had the chance, if only out of fear. Edward would not give him that chance.

“Lee’tep,” Edward said down the barrel of his unloaded gun. The native’s head was bleeding quite a bit. Edward ripped off a piece of his own shirt with his left hand and handed it to the Onge. If Lee’tep so much as tensed a muscle, Edward would kick him off the jeep. He would take no risks. “Put this on your head. You’re bleeding.”

Lee’tep did so, impressed by the gun so close to his face.

“Where is the tribe?” asked Edward.

“At the village,” said Lee’tep. Edward could see he was lying.

“Lee’tep,” said Edward, as though scolding a child. Edward chose the traditional Onge tongue to address Lee’tep. He had to startle the man, to trick him into giving him the confirmation he needed. “As your master sees your lies, so do I. I am the devil to your god. For every fortune he might seek, I can create demise. For every blow he may strike, I may strike back. We are in a deadly dance, he and I, and I cry to see the tribe in the middle. For the tribe there should be mercy…” Edward paused, then changed the pace by slamming home a question. “How far north is the tribe off the coast?!”

“I’m not telling you!” yelled Lee’tep. He’s on the coast.

“You shall! You are a cowardly hog!” It was quite a curse in traditional Onge. Edward saw Lee’tep restrain himself from jumping at him. “I am sure that Manassa has not the might he brags of. My only prayer is that the tribe be not armed for war. I fear an army could tip the balances in Manassa’s favor.”

“Well, prepare to meet your death, Devil, for Manassa has at his command one hundred and fifty men armed with the lightness and the bang-bows.” Lee-tep spit at him

Edward spoke in English. “James, turn the car to the right a bit.” He then resumed in Onge: “I turn to the north, to catch your Manassah by surprise from his rear.”

Lee’tep examined the scenery outside the jeep and got his bearings. Edward could tell the man almost said something, but then decided better. “My Lord will give you death no matter your surprises.”

Certainly, we’re headed straight for them, now.

“Stop the Jeep, James,” said Edward. He pitched Lee’tep out of the vehicle. The Onge watched them drive away. “Now drive. And watch out. We’re about to go straight into hell and I don’t have any bullets in this damn gun.”

“There aren’t any guns in here?” asked James as he drove.

Edward looked around more closely to humor him. He’d seen the guns drop of out the limp bodies’ hands onto the road. Only a few clips remained on the floorboards, for guns they’d left in Lisbaad.