Universe:
They ran.
The stranger took Jimmy and Julie on quite a chase, ducking down alleyways, sprinting across side streets, whatever it took to stay out of sight and get as far away from the bar as possible.
"Wait up!" Jimmy panted, his legs ready to give out after several minutes of this. He was used to standing in one place pretty much all day. This business of jaunting all over town threatened to put him out of commission. His legs were sore, lungs on fire. He just wanted the stranger to stop. Stop, and give them a more complete explanation.
The man did stop, coming back to the young man and woman he'd saved from the wrath of a Hand minutes before. "We can't stop moving. I already told you, you were attacked by a Hand. The Summoned want you dead. There's not much more to discuss. If you want to live, you need to come with me. Now."
"Like hell!" Julie retorted. "Look, thanks a lot for saving us, but where are we going? We live here. Where do you think you're taking us?"
The man sighed. "This planet is no longer safe for either of you. We have to leave."
"And go where?" Jimmy probed.
The man surveyed their current location--an alley between office buildings, lit only by a lamp over an auxiliary exit. Jimmy had seen the occasional police action, and knew this fellow was just securing their perimeter, making sure no one could spot them from the street. In a moment, the stranger suggested the other two follow him--at a walk this time. They went behind the tall, rectangular structure, away from prying eyes. With only a meter or so between the rear of the building and a high fence, it wasn't a comfortable place to have a conversation, but at least no one would spot them.
"What are we doing?" Julie asked, pacing in the narrow space. "Someone just tried to kill us, right?"
"Calm down," the dark-haired man instructed. "We have a few moments. If answering some questions will get you to trust me, so be it. Your lives are important."
"Why's that?" Jimmy inquired.
"It's complicated to explain. You know things--things you may not even be aware of. Dangerous things."
"Oh really? Such as?" Julie wasn't buying it.
He sighed. "I can't tell you that right now. Like I said, it's complicated."
"Fine. Who are you? How did you find us?"
"You can call me Shrike. I was sent by friends."
"I don't suppose you could name any of them," Jimmy guessed, crossing his arms.
"Nope."
"And what's this about the Summoned? I'm not sure I've even heard of that before."
"You probably haven't. You know what Thotgo is, right?"
They both nodded.
"They're a part of it. A very important part. They sent that man to kill you."
"But you got him, so what's the big deal?" Julie wondered.
Shrike's tone became even more serious, if such a thing was possible. "He was only the first. Virtually no one survives an encounter with a Hand. They'll send others as soon as this one doesn't report in. That's why we have to get away, as far away from here as we can."
"To where?"
"At this moment, it doesn't much matter. We just need to get offworld."
"I get the impression you aren't from here, though. Don't you have a ship?"
Shrike shook his head in the negative. "I was dropped off. I've been keeping an eye on you two for weeks."
"Okay, let me make sure I've got all this right," Julie began. "You've been stalking us for weeks. You saved our lives, and you want us to trust you, even though you basically can't tell us why we're marked for death, where we're going, or anything. You want us to follow you pretty much blindly, is that about right?"
"I would think saving your lives more than cancels out the stalking in this equation," Shrike countered.
Julie rolled her eyes. "That's certainly convincing."
Jimmy shrugged. "What else are we going to do? That other guy tried to kill us. Shrike saved us. All else aside, that's a plus--at least he wants us alive. And haven't you been the one saying I should get off this rock, Julie?"
"This isn't what I meant!" she protested.
"Why don't we just head for the starport?" Shrike suggested. "We'll see what ships are available and where we can go. My primary objective here is to keep the two of you safe from harm. Whatever else happens, that is my mission." He held out his hand to both of them as a gesture of trust.
Jimmy shook it first. "Deal."
Julie sighed, following suit. "Fine. But you better give us some answers, and soon!"
Shrike grinned. "We should be fortunate to live so long."
