<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;">The terrain was cold, but that was a given when the entire planet was covered in ice and snow. Hardly anyone lived up on the surface when the only food that could be consumed was the thick furred beasts that could tunnel through the thick ice to get to the fish and other life forms that lived below the surface. They were a dangerous creature to kill with their sharp claws, teeth and the spikes that protruded from their backs. Kubracks were what they were called, and there was more than any person could imagine.<br/><br/>Just below the surface, in the mid region between the surface and the city below was the loading dock and market area. It was long abandoned but it was still the only connection between the surface and below. The markets were full of small puddles of water that crept between the cracks in the air ducts and debris from what was left behind. Cans and baskets were discarded in the streets left to collect dust and lay motionless. A few cans and baskets were gently tapped as boots clicked against the metal floor, breaking the silence that had filled the marketplace. Trails of wet boot prints were left in their wake as the figure walked towards the elevator shafts. <br/><br/>“Riley King?” A voice came from the Councilman waiting beside the elevators. He sat on a stool as if he had been waiting there for a long time, which he had. <br/><br/>The man that had been walking towards the elevators stopped, his boots let a low thump ring through the metal floor. He was cloaked in thick layers, which no one could determine unless he pulled them all off. Lifting his arms out from under his shall, he pulled back his hood, letting short blond hair shake out. He lifted goggles from his eyes and a single distinct scar ran down over his left eye to the middle of his cheek.<br/><br/>“Who else would come down here?” He said in a hoarse voice. Stubble peppered his chin from lack of shaving for a couple weeks and it looked as if it irritated him with the way he scratched his chin lightly as he let his hand fall from his goggles. “This place has been abandoned for nearly fifty years, only the poor that manage to climb the elevator shafts get up here.” And from the lack of people, it was obvious no one made it. When they did, there was nothing waiting for them, so they just waited until they died. <br/><br/>The man on the stool stood up and shifted a bit, his bones ached from being so close to the cold surface above. “You are cruel to this old man.” He chuckled lightly and picked up a suitcase, “This is the first half of your payment. You will receive the other half when you return back here with the young lady and the item we seek.” He tossed the suitcase across the floor. It hit cans and baskets until it slowly stopped at Riley’s feet. <br/><br/>The scavenger put his foot on the case to stop it. “And what if we don’t return? What if I take off with the girl and the money and leave your city to perish?” He tilted his head, chuckling low in his throat. “Up there, I am one of the only people that can navigate the barren snow-scape.” He grinned.<br/><br/>The Councilman shook his head, “Trust me, you will have to return if you want to or not.” He sat back down on his stool. “Now, just stay there while we wait for the girl.” He wrapped his arms around himself again, sighing lightly as the cold chill covered him again.<br/><br/>Riley sighed and shook his head, tugging his shall off, letting it drape over his arm as he unbuttoned his first of many layers. When he was done, he had three open jackets, exposing a muscular form covered by a form fitting black shirt. It was hot in the marketplace to him. He tugged the scarf that was around his neck off and threw it over his shoulder and his gloves were tucked into his pockets. Riley wanted to leave quickly, but he knew that it wasn’t going to be. When he was finally done, he pulled off the three layers he wore and walked over to the Councilman, putting it over his shoulders, “Prepare yourself next time. Be grateful you are not going to the surface.” He shook his head, pocketing his hands into his pants before walking over to the suitcase, sitting on it. <br/><br/>Now… it was time to wait.</span>