Cabre groaned, adjusting Levy’s arms to fit snugly over his shoulders. Running through the city would have been much easier without someone the same height as him strapped to his back. It felt like every block he advanced towards the gates, he had to stop and hoist the man back up to keep his feet from dragging over the road.

“Oh my god, why did you have to be the same height as me.” He grumbled, trudging as quickly through an alley as he could.

Cabre poked his head around the corner. Past a bustling crowd of civilians was the front gate. He’d almost made it out, but that’s when it hit him. How would he get through the gates carrying an unconscious man? He’d had the thought earlier, but dismissed it as a problem for future him. Well, now future him had to deal with that dilemma. Pressed as close to the alley wall as he could, he paused his escape, taking a quick breather as he mulled over a plan. It was rough and risky, but it would have to do. He inhaled sharply before ducking quickly into the crowd. He knew he didn’t blend in, but he could use it as cover. Making his way closer and closer to the gate, he watched the guards closely. There were a few off to the side, inspecting exports and other people who had goods leaving the city. Others were at the main civilian gate, inspecting identification cards. Cabre waited at the edge of the crowd, just out of view of the guards. To his surprise, no one had thought his behavior suspicious enough to report. That was about to change, however. As soon as the portcullis started to lift, Cabre bolted towards it, weaving as fast as he could between the guard, the startled citizen and another person trying to enter the city. He’d made it! There were a few guards on the other side of the wall, but not enough to stop him now. He’d made it past the portcullis and had a vast expanse of wasteland to disappear into. It would be aways before he made it to the sand, which was harder to walk through, but he figured the guards would give up before then. For now, the ground was solid and supportive. Sure, loose grains here and there threatened to bring him down, but he’d made enough escapes and chases in the past to know how to avoid that fate.

Then, there was a hard jerk as something dug hard and fast into the ground, pulling him to a halt before he landed with a wrenching thud. He closed his eyes and braced himself for the impact of his captive, but it never came. Instead, he felt a sort of desperate tugging against his back and shoulder where he’d secured the man with his carrying cords.

“What the-” He started, rolling over.

His eyes widened as they met Levy’s, who was frantically trying to free himself. Cabre glared. No. He couldn’t let this chance slip away from him. He quickly grabbed Levy by the shoulders and rolled over, pressing all of his weight onto the man. With one arm braced over his captive’s chest, he searched the pockets of his bag desperately for a sedative. That was his only chance. Just as his fingers glanced over the capsule, a glint of purple caught his eyes and he felt the firm pressure of a boot on his stomach.

‘Shit!’ He gritted his teeth.

Before he could react, Levy kicked Cabre over his head, rolling back on his shoulders to send his captor further. With one fluid motion, almost too easy to be natural, Levy slid out of the carrying cords and made a break for the city gate. He skidded to a halt and swerved, changing course as he realized that this was the gate he’d come in through. Yes, he could disappear into the city and truly make his escape later, but this would be just as effective. Surely the guards would be on top of his captor soon enough.

Cabre growled and got to his feet, untangling his capture cords as he looked around for his target. Luckily, the guards hadn’t decided what to do yet. He could see them gathering at the gate, some pointing at him while others pointed towards the speeder stable. There! He jerked his head to the side, watching as his target mounted one of the vehicles. He took off running. Maybe he could catch him before the thing started up. From the looks of it, it was old and worn and, as he suspected, it looked to be having a bit of trouble starting.

“Come on, come on!”

He heard the frustrated grumbling as he approached before it was drowned out by the rumble of the speeder’s engine. Cabre glared as Levy lifted his head, his mouth turned up in a smirk. Not a moment later he roared past, leaving Cabre in the dust. Cabre stood for a moment, fuming in his defeat before approaching footsteps behind him pulled him back to the task at hand. He took a deep breath, gathered his thoughts, and took off after Levy. He may not be able to catch up, but he could escape the Foolshope guards. It didn’t take long for the sounds of pursuit to die down. He figured they weren’t as concerned because his target had escaped. Maybe they’d been more concerned about Levy in the first place and had only chased after him to get part of the story. Either way, he didn’t have to concern himself with them anymore.

“I have to find him.” Cabre mumbled, scanning his surroundings.

He can’t have gotten far. The speeder didn’t look like it was going horrendously fast. Maybe he could intercept him? It would help if he’d known where he’d flee too.

Then he saw it.

Something moving fast in the distance. As quickly as he could, he pulled his sniper from his hip and assembled it. Finally securing the scope in place, he followed the moving figure. It was him. He smiled. He wouldn’t be going back to camp empty-handed after all. He wouldn’t fail. Not this time.

Inhale. Hold. Exhale.

He squeezed the trigger, watching through the scope as his shot hit its mark. The figure on the speeder grasped the back of their neck, before slowing down. For a moment, they tried to shake off the effects but Cabre watched their arms go weak as they slumped forward, lying still. He scrambled down the dunes, running as fast as he could. When he reached the speeder, he heaved the rider to an upright position. He looked from his assignment log to Levy. Tan skin with freckles. Short blond hair. He pulled the man's hood back. Brown tips in the front. This had to be him. Not to mention he’d not only been able to fight off the sedative from his bullets when most people fell instantly, but he’d also woken up in half the time. Sure, it was a weak sedative and everyone had different tolerances, but this was different. Just like the Patron had said.

He pulled Levy’s sand cloak away from his neck and stuck him with the stronger sedative.

Then, Cabre frowned. Normally he would have tied his target with his carrying cords and been on his way by now, but he wasn’t sure that was the best option. He couldn't be sure when the sedative effects would wear off and making his way through the city had been trouble enough. Besides, he didn’t exactly want to be stuck to this guy with his carrying cords like last time. He’d figured out his target’s skills the hard way and didn’t want a second lesson. Maybe this guy had rope on him he could use. He flipped Levy’s sand cloak up, rummaging through his bag. Eventually, after what felt like forever of him feeling the hempen texture of the wound rope a dozen times over, he was able to wrestle it out of the pack. As well as he could, he tied Levy up, securing the last of the rope around his arms.

“Alright, here we go.” He huffed.

Bracing his arms around the man's torso, he pulled him off the speeder with a heave, nearly stumbling to the ground in the process. He tied his carrying cords to the ropes, giving them enough slack so that Levy’s head would drag along the ground as they traveled. With that, Cabre dug a foot into the loose sand, trying to start towards Camp Primary.

“How much do you weigh?” He grumbled, not making it far before stopping to look behind at the unconscious man he was dragging.

Maybe it had been the adrenaline of trying to escape the city, but it was almost like the man felt heavier. I mean, he hadn’t been light the first time he was carrying him. He sighed, looking forward into the wasteland before turning his gaze to the speeder. He hesitated, but ultimately hauled Levy back up onto the vehicle before uncliping his carrying cords from his shirt, attaching them to the seat of the speeder.

Though it was awkward, he climbed onto the speeder behind Levy. Cabre figured this way he could make sure he stayed on the speeder if he woke up.

“Let’s give this a shot.” He mumbled to himself.

It was rocky at first and the controls were confusing, to say the least, it wasn’t long before Cabre set off. At a slow pace, sure, but he was headed in the right direction. Probably. Hopefully. If he was, he’d make it back to camp in no time. If not, he’d know soon enough and could adjust accordingly. To his dismay, the sun would be setting soon, which meant he’d have to stop and set up camp somewhere. He shook his head and pushed the thought aside. That was a problem for later. For now, he kept his focus on the speeder and the horizon ahead of him.