Chapter 237: Underlayer Understanding
Coop accompanied Jones, Camila, and Charlie as they entered the Clumsy Shark together. It was still the premiere hangout in Ghost Reef, despite the growing population driving demand for other venues that were popping up around the fort, diversifying the options. The group sat themselves at a table in the center of the half-filled dining area of the Tavern, letting themselves in just like old times. The main difference was that they were surrounded by phantoms and a small number of human residents who were scattered between the bar, the central tables, and the more private booths. The place certainly had more customers compared to when the population of the island was barely above 10 total residents.
Even with the majority of human residents following Madison to Central America, the atmosphere of the tavern was like a relatively busy breakfast spot after the early rush was settling down on a lazy Saturday morning. A handful of waiters checked on tables while groups took their time and enjoyed each other's company. The fire crackled beneath the mantle of the large fireplace and the large carpet-like tapestries that were hung from the wooden rafters against the walls muted the conversations that were taking place, though bouts of laughter still managed to fill the room. The sounds of their seats sliding on the wooden floor did nothing to diminish the ambiance.
The relaxed setting was a welcome change compared to what Coop had experienced in the Yucatan. Only Juan, the fisherman in Corozal, could create a similar feeling, but even then, the other elders were always keeping an eye on how things were developing, doing what they could to make sure they wouldn’t be caught by surprise. The dynamic of the Yucatan had required a level of vigilance that never quite went away. Inside the Clumsy Shark, Coop felt like he was the only one with any worries.
The appetizing scent of the house stew filled Coop with nostalgia for the simpler times where he was blissfully ignorant of the constant greater threats to their survival. The Ancient Defenders had been enough of a challenge for him back then, while Balor and Jones focused on the layout of the undeveloped fort courtyard. Coop felt like he should be savoring the brief respite.
A human waiter came to take their orders, holding a pad and stubby pencil-like writing implement, even with the easy to remember menu, like he was brand new. Coop glanced around the room, finding it odd that Desmond and Maeve were absent despite assurances that the alien residents were back to work. There were only humans and phantoms within the dining area, eating or serving. In fact, now that he thought about it, Coop hadn’t seen any contracted residents in the settlement at all. That seemed strange. He shook his head, trying to focus on one concern at a time. Two if he added filling his stomach with being brought up to speed with regard to the Underlayer Event.
Jones refrained from ordering, having already eaten, but the other three all requested bowls of stew, the house special. The waiter left them to their conversation with a pleasant smile. Coop was amused because he didn’t think the man recognized him, instead deferring to Jones as the senior representative of the settlement. Coop wouldn’t have it any other way.
Charlie was uncharacteristically chatty and Coop was happy to listen to the eager descriptions of their trip, saving his topics for when they were all caught up. She was really excited to share her observations of Neon Park, from the ivy-like vines climbing the skyscrapers, the gargoyle-like Primal Construct variants, the outer boroughs defensive patrols, and the safety established in a communal underground. She tried to share every detail with Camila adding particulars to help paint an accurate picture.
Coop had to admit, he felt a twinge of regret that he hadn’t been able to accompany them to the post-mana version of New York City. From what they shared with him, it was another massive settlement, easily rivaling what the Cult of Chakyum had established in the Yucatan Settlement, but without all of the Oaths, human sacrifice, and necromancy. Instead, it had embraced the stubborn resistance that was also personified within Ghost Reef, though with a different “don’t tell me what to do,” kind of attitude toward the broader galactic community.
The fact that an Unchosen bartender and a DJ had claimed the civilization shard and managed to hold onto it while hundreds of factions, Chosen or not, vied for control was a testament to the pair’s shrewd savviness and outright strength. Coop got the impression that they would be a force on any kind of battlefield, whether it came down to physical conflict or diplomacy. Coop was happy to hear that they already considered Ghost Reef an ally, though the distance would make networking difficult. Taming the wilds in between would be a project for another time, one that Coop didn’t think he would be adding to his list any time soon.
In turn, Coop shared the details of his adventure in Central America, starting with Corozal and culminating in the incredible reinforcements brought by Charlie’s mother. The Jaguar Sun may not have been nearly as organized as their newest allies in the Northeast, but they had their own admirable virtues that Coop was happy to espouse. Rather than clever diplomacy, they expressed the resilience that Coop respected in the human spirit. Between Tzultacaj the Thunder Axe, Juliana the Beast Soul, Mateo the Ingenious Guerrilla, and Sierra the Cloud Dancer, Coop thought the Jaguar Sun Elites could rival the best that Neon Park could offer. Coop teased the girls as if they were agents of the respective groups, claiming the superiority of the Jaguars.
Camila and Charlie hadn’t seen most of Neon Park’s combat potential, but they weren’t ready to concede anything. Even though Neon Park hadn’t been under the same combat pressures as the Mayan rebellion, the combination of the elites in Camila’s family with Platinum and Neon would already present equally potent levels, and the population of Neon Park and its allies was even larger than the Yucatan’s.
Luckily for everyone involved, Ghost Reef would be the bridge between the different groups. Together they were building a united force that recognized the external threats that endangered them all.