Forgotten Gold

To his most Royal Highness,

As you have requested we have transcribed the audio from the files given to us. One had wished to spare you the mainland minutia but one is happy to acquiesce to your requirements.

Of course we understand that you are exceedingly busy, my Leige, and thus we have not only transcribed but also translated the tape from their uncultured tongue. Any reference that you may not be familiar with we shall add as an editorial note. They should be so proud to have a considerate monarch, given the savagery of their lives.

I look forward to seeing you at the weekly ‘get together’, let us hope that the subjects of this particular event are at least more civilized than the ones before.

In your service, eternally

Baron Douglby Matthew Edwin Allendale

39th Baron of Hastings

[Recording Transcript: October 1st 2210]

Transcribed and editorialised by the office of Sir Warren Banbridge KCMG

File: Mainlander Mog Recording: 01

[Tape begins]

What the hell was I even thinking? I don’t even know what I’m doing now I just…I have to get this down so that someone knows what’s going on in case...

My name’s Mog; I’m a Scrapper(1). Fuck, I don’t even know where to start. Sabre, I’m sorry - I just wanted to do something nice and prove that I was worth your time, I just…didn’t think it would…fuck this hurts. I love you - I know that you have so many people who are fighting for you and I’m just some scrub, but know this isn’t your fault! It’s mine! I’m such an idiot!

I heard the place was untouched since before the Crash(2). It was the Outdoor Centre just outside of Soton (3). Rumours said the early looters just grabbed the big expensive things, and all of the loo roll; I guess I can’t blame them.

But I knew what I wanted, and this place might’ve had it; so I took the long trip down to Soton. I’d done it a few times, though I had a little pedal powered cart to help me carry supplies that made the trip a little easier. I’d have loved to have you sat next to me. There’s room for two you know, and we could take a trip to some hill somewhere to watch the fire rise from Fallen Lee(4). I’d have pulled your soft hair back and looked into your beautiful face, getting lost in your water grey eyes as the sun slipped down past the smog, as I took your hand in mine…

It’s…it’s getting hard to think. Where was I? One sec…Ah, yeah. The Outdoor Centre.

The place was a hell of a mess.

The front iron shutter was down over the doors; must have fallen years ago; just my luck. I tried it, but it wouldn’t budge. I would’ve needed a team of people to open it up. I might not have thought this all the way through.

Because, you know, I’m a moron.

I tried the side door, took a metal prybar to it - the lock was as sturdy as ever, more so given the rust, but the wood around the lock was soft. I jabbed at it a few times, put all my strength into it. I’ll be the first to admit I’m not that strong - I’d say I’m about…maybe….okay I’m pretty weak, but you’d have the strength Sabre, you always seem so strong and so vibrant, so…unstoppable.

Anyway, inside was dark, and stuffy - like I was stepping into an old dog food can that had never been opened. With the light from outside you could see all the Death Dust(5). I had my mask up, but even then I’ll have to be quick or I’ll die.

The back rooms were a maze; took me ages to find anything that wasn’t stinking uniforms. I took a few scraps of paper and pocketed them, leaving some behind for the next Scrapper, and one of the coats. Uniforms usually meant trouble, but I may need it when it gets cold.

There was so much still on the shelves. I was only here for one thing…still it didn’t hurt to look around; should have checked my thoughts at the fucking door there but no, I just had to get greedy. I grabbed a metal basket - they make great fire grills, you see - and started filling it with all this fresh-ish stuff; ration packs that were only a few decades past their sell-by date, chemical cleaners and tools. I even found a small stove and a change of clothes!

I know I went there for you Sabre, but I couldn’t help myself - I hadn’t gotten a clean shirt in years. Though I didn’t take more than my fair share as per The Scavver’s Code(6).

The knife case was broken; had this gross gunk all over it, which made me a bit nervous but I managed to snag a pretty nice knife in the bargain. Should have grabbed a watch too as I’d really lost track of time.

‘Cause, as I said, I’m a moron.

That’s when I heard someone, saying something like “Fuck me, look at all this stuff!” so of course I hid. I slipped the knife into my boot and crept around the shelving.

Managed to get a quick look and just my luck it was a group; most of them wore Scrapper rags, though unlike me they had heavy vests, armour and helmets. With them, at the back, was a man in a suit. It was well worn, but it was clean.

We had a greedy-fingered-fucking Tori(7)! And he had backup. I knew I’d be lucky to get out with my skin, let alone my new boots.

I ducked back behind the shelves again; How could I have been so stupid! I came here for one thing and got distracted. I am so sorry, and again none of this is on you Sabre! This was me being an idiot and going after shinies(8).

I heard one, had to be the cock-womble Tori as he spoke real well, tell the others “There’s a little worm on our property, we need to find them and then start to reclaim what was ours by right.”

Well that shot my plans to hell. I was going to come back with a crew and take what we could to feed Winch(9), but I knew that if I stood up and shouted my claim these guys would rip me to little meat chunks.

What’s worse is Tories don’t follow The Scavver Code, or at least not how you’re supposed to - according to the letter, they said, they can take everything because they “need” everything but the idea of the Code was that it would mean you could share what you found from the before times, so we don’t redo what happened.(10)

Was in a panic then, looking everywhere for a way out, when I saw it; what I wanted to find you.

That dirty gold necklace; a heart on a chain worn by a bonebag at the front desk thing. I’d heard so much about it, and there it was! The old boys said you gave gold to the lady you love and I’d found some for you! I could feel my heart beating as I looked for a way to get at it without going in the open.

No dice; it was too exposed.

I took in everything that was around me…and came up with the stupidest plan ever because even if I’m a moron, I’m a creative moron and I’ll go as I live; 100% big moron energy!

I grabbed up some fishing line and a hook that had been in a large wire bin. This stuff was worth a mint on the coast, but I had bigger…smaller plans. Used the knife and cut part of the old display to make a hook and tied the line around it. That’s right; I attempted to fish for the necklace. Had to be quick as I heard the Tori’s goons(11) nearby.

Didn’t get it the first time, or the third; was proper ready to piss myself, but I couldn’t stop now. I just…I wanted you, Sabre, and this was my way to prove it. Took me ages but I managed to hook the little gold heart! Wasn’t sure on the grip but it’d have to do so I started to pull. I mean, it was on a skeleton; figured even a light tug would pull it off and drag it over.

I guess…I didn’t care what happened so long as I got the chain. I knew in my bones how much you’d like it. You were always reading that stitch-book romance stuff between work hours.

I...I miss you, so much. I’m here, just…just thinking about you. What I wouldn’t give for your hands, patching my wounds(12), listening to me ramble.

Pulled the rope, fishing line…fuck…I pulled the thing, the line went tight; something wasn’t moving.

That’s when that bloody goon came around the corner and tripped on the line. You could hardly see it against the old carpet. He hit the deck hard and that stiff’s head snapped right off. The necklace hit the floor, the heart locket popped open and started playing a damned tune as I dove for it, but I was shaking so bad I couldn’t get hold of it.

That’s when the goon grunted, rolled over and looked right at the tangle of fishing line, old bones and my dumb ass trying to close the locket. I looked at him and knew I was beyond fucked.

He opened his mouth, and I had to get him. It’s…fuzzy, but I lost the knife some when and things got worse…much worse.

I know there was a bang. Something hit me.

Ears ringing. Pain.

Burning inside.

Someone laughing.

Managed to slip away.

Something wrong in my chest, something warm leaving me...and I feel…Sleepy.

I’m going to try and get…get some rest. Just a little bit. I…made good time on the cart so those guys won’t know where I went.

I’m near home…so if they find it I’m…just…just got to…

[There is the sound of a thud as the recording seems to have been dropped.]

[Tape Ends]

Editorial Notes:

1) A scrapper seems to be some form of professional scavenger.

2) “The Crash” seems to be what mainlanders refer to as the banking stumble of 2120 which lead to the evacuation of the indispensable people to the island Havens. It has been generally agreed by all Havens that the “Crash” wasn’t that bad.

3) Soton seems to be what the Mainlanders call Southampton. Every city has been abridged in such a fashion; poor literacy leading to preferring the abridged versions found on street signs.

4) We believe Fallen Lee may refer to Fawley Oil Refinery, which apparently is still aflame after all these years.

5) We assume they mean something akin to asbestos dust. It was a substance banned in more wealthy areas, though was reintroduced to poorer areas in 2065 as a cheap building material.

6) The Scavvers Code is a litany whereupon these vultures only take what they deem they need. This is proof that the Mainlander menials need to learn to craft instead of steal.

7) Tori was pre-2120 slang for a person who voted conservative. I find this implication insulting; furthermore we have to ask about the previous labour government who put us in the 2120 situation, to begin with.

8) The fact that these things are "Shiny" speaks volumes on the Menial's degredation.

9) Another pre-2120 city, this time Winchester.

10) A most natural thought process, one finds.

11) A goon is an old term equated to guard or minion.

12) It would seem that this ‘Sabre’ is a medic. I have recommended we investigate this possibility.