Snippet #2446127

The Outsider.

Wylde woke on a sand dune to the South of Farpoint. In the sky above Farpoint He could see the burning wreckage of the Leviathan raining over the town as Gretch’s forces attacked from the North. He clicked his tongue and thought deeply for a few seconds before standing and walking away from the town.

“Good Luck Autumn.”

Wylde knew New Mesa was next and there was no point it throwing his life away trying to defend Farpoint. Besides command was supposed to be Autumn’s skill set by the end of the night they would know if it was deserved.

#

The Colonel

Autumn’s forces were in disarray but he understood this was simply a phase in the battle. There was no doubt first blood had gone to the Rebellion but there was no reason for the battle to go their way as well.

His commanders were already reorganising their forces to attack the threat posed by Gretch’s army.

While he had focused a lot of his force on the perimeter of Farpoint he had also decided, given the threat of sabotage, it would be prudent to station snipers in tall buildings around the town. Those snipers were holding Gretch’s forces from pushing south into the town and giving Autumn’s forces time to get into position.

He quickly gathered together his command team and A group of runners to deliver his messages. They were on the top floor of the tallest building in town. It was the recently purchased Kane Hotel. Property of Ernst Kane the son of the late Mary Kane. Ernst had used the inheritance to purchase the building, evict the previous residents and turn it into a hotel.

Autumn had taken out a lease on the top two floors so he could over see the town. A move he was now glad he made as it gave him almost complete tactical control of the battle.


“Alright A, C and D company are in position and seem to be capable of holding the attack. Send B company to flank from the right and deploy those Mortars on the roof. We want to focus our fire on their left flank. Stop them flanking us.”


“Very good sir.” The runners said in unison before taking off to deliver their orders.

#

The Gunslinger

Squire was taking cover in bombed out cafe and couldn’t keep the smile from his face. About five hours ago there were a lot of Sycophantic traitors in this place rubbing shoulders with the Feds. Now the place was a war zone. His smile was cut short however when he heard a low whistle from above.

The mortar detonated overhead but the building held strong.

“Fucking artillery!” Squire cried.

He looked around but couldn’t see anywhere to move. The sniper fire was keeping them pinned down and he could see more Feds getting into position.

“Fuck. Ruby!” He called out. “We need to take out those snipers their causing Gretch’s forces to lag. We’ll get separated if we don’t move together. We’ll cover you from here and give you a chance to slip between their lines. See if you can’t cause a little havoc.”

James waited for her response and they worked out how they were going to do it. Once Ruby was in position Squire called to his men. “Alright Hornets keep the fire on them!”

The Hornet line erupted in a cascade of fire that caused the ‘Feds across the street to take cover.

Squire turned and looked at Ruby. “Go then!”

Ruby stood and began running. She understood her objective was to take out the snipers causing Gretch’s forces to lag.

She kept low and the Hornet’s guns were able to keep the Confederates heads down. She ran to a door way and threw herself against it but it was sturdier than it appeared and she bounced off the wood and onto her back. She quickly pulled one of her revolvers and fired a single round through the lock. She got to her feet and this time the door swung open. She quickly made her way up to the top of the building.

Sitting in chair one of the confederate snipers was taking aim at Gretch’s forces below. Without hesitation Ruby fired a round into the back of the man’s head. Moving quickly she grabbed his rifle and turned it on the other snipers. Once she had taken as many as she could she turned her attention on the Artillery raining down fire on James Squire and the Hornets.

#

The Mad Man.

Gretch’s forces had breached the town of Farpoint thanks to Alexander and the Force from Hope. They had become snared by the snipers but thanks to Ruby Doom he was now free to move.

“Fucking Rush em Boys!” He cried and roar went up from his men. This began the next phase of Gretch’s plan, get right up into the face of you attacker and keep stabbing until there’s nothing left to stab. It wasn’t classical strategy but Gretch wasn’t a Classical guy.

#

The Colonel.

The sniper had held up the main force of Gretch’s army but they hadn’t lasted long enough and Autumn’s force had been split in two. On one hand this could be good as Gretch’s force was now fighting on two fronts, it could also be bad however as Autumn had now lost control of his force and it was down the commanders on the ground.

He turned to his command staff. “Go get out there and command the men.”

The commanders shuffled nervously and glanced at each other.

“Go now!” Autumn cried.

#

The Swordsman.

Lancaster saw his opening when Gretch’s men roared from behind him. He had been holding a building with Avers and the Guardians from Hope waiting for reinforcements now he saw his opportunity.

“Avers let’s go we’re taking Autumn!”

Avers nodded and called his group of Guardians to follow him. The force fought its way across the chaotic town square towards The Kane Hotel. Alexander was twirling like a top as he cut his way through the Confederates. He arrived at the doorway and collapsed through the entryway. Followed by Avers who was wounded.

“I’ll be fine.” He muttered.

“Hold the staircase, I’ll take Autumn.” Avers nodded and arranged his men while Alexander climbed the stairs two at a time. He was on a balcony overlooking the entrance hall when a set of double doors blew open and massive Tanu emerged.

“End of the line.” He said as he lifted mighty warhammer and swung it at Alexander’s head.

Of course the swordsman was far too fast and easily rolled out of the way. He lashed out and caught the Tanu in the knee. He gave the blade a quick twirl that made the giant scream in pain and drop to its knees. He then pulled the blade free and got to his feet.

“Only one kneecap I see.” Alexander commented.

The Tanu roared with rage but was cut short by a flash of Alexander’s sword. A second later the head was on the floor wordlessly looking up at its own body.

“I really don’t have time for this.”

Alexander continued through the broken door and up the staircase to the top floor. He stopped about half way up when he ran into a group of confederate commanders.

The men looked terrified at the sight of Alexander his sword dripping with Tanu blood.

“Oh this is just going to be too easy.” Alexander said with a smile.

#

The Colonel.

The battle was almost over. The Confederates couldn’t compete. Gretch was throwing Tribals at them while the Guardians and Hornets flanked them. They were getting simply overwhelmed.

Then he heard the screams in the staircase behind him. He knew the voices, it was his command staff. The door to his room bust open and Captain Cole staggered through clutching his throat while blood glugged from between his fingers. He then fell to the ground and breathed his last.

Seconds later Alexander strode in.

“Sometimes they get away but they never get far.” He quipped.

“So you’re the one. Alexander Lancaster. The Butcher of the Wastes.”

“I’ve been called a lot of things.”

“Turncoat among them. At one time you were the darling of the White Group but you turned your back to work with Gretch. Why?” Autumn asked.

“Everything I did, I did for the Flats.”

“Whatever assuages your guilt.”

Alexander had his sword drawn and Autumn’s hand was hovering over his revolver.

“You know everything I did was the Flats as well. Can you really say life in the Confederacy would have been any worse than it was before? The chaos was terrible, random killings, we sought to bring order.”

“Look outside that seem very orderly to you?”

“The Flats will fall.” Autumn said simply.

“You won’t live to see it.” Alexander said as he adjusted his grip on his sword.

“Maybe not. I am curious though. Did you know I was invited to join the Cabal?”

Alexander remained silent.

“Of course I didn’t join, I have political ambitions. I was considered because of my skill with the blade. I understand you are considered or rather were considered one of the best sword fighters on the Flats. You must be curious.”

“Not in the least, I’ll cut you down. Then go about my day.”

Autumn’s smile dropped. “Just me then.” He unclasped his gun belt and let it drop before walking to the table in the centre of the room and lifting a sword.

“To the death naturally.”

“Naturally.” Alexander agreed.

Autumn lunged but Alexander hit his attack away with his own blade and kicked at Autumn who was able to twirl out of harm’s way. Alexander pressed the advantage and slashed at Autumn.

Autumn felt the blade slice his Bicep but didn’t cry out. They broke and Autumn inspected his wound.

“First Blood, very good.”

Alexander shook his head. This wasn’t sword fighting to him it was play acting. It was clear Autumn wasn’t a skilled swordsman.

He lunged but Autumn side stepped and ran his blade down Alexander’s back.

“Over confidence.” Autumn said with a smirk and Alexander realised Autumn had been hustling him.

Enraged Alexander turned and swung his blade. Autumn was able to block each of his strikes but the younger man was pushing him back. In desperation he kicked out a caught Alexander between the legs. Alexander howled in pain and seeing his opportunity Autumn drove his blade forward into Alexander’s stomach.

Simultaneously Alexander drove his blade forward into Autumn’s chest.

The two men made eye contact and both pushed on their blades on erupting out of eachother’s backs.

They were head to head and both mortally wounded.

“A good fight.” Autumn muttered.

Alexander brought his head back and drove it into Autumn’s face in a brutal headbutt. The colonel fell backwards with Alexander’s blade still sticking in his chest. Autumn’s blade felt like fire running through Alexander and already he was covered in blood. He had severed and artery. Alexander fell to his Knees and watched as Autumn breathed his last.

He looked out at the night sky and thought of Tarken, Balder and the rest of his orphans.

He knew he had an old friend that would see to them. At least he hoped she would.

He collapsed as the last of his life drained from his body and Alexander Lancaster passed on.

#

The Gunslinger.

In the end Ruby Watched the Battle of Farpoint through the scope of a sniper rifle. It wasn’t what she intended but in the end her contribution was invaluable. Her focused fire on Confederate commanders had reduced the army to a rabble no better than Gretch’s. She had provided cover for the Guardian’s and Hornets during their flanking moves and in the end that was what won the battle. Now Gretch’s people were mopping up.

“They should call you dead eye.” Ruby turned and saw James Squire standing behind her.

“They already do in some places.” Ruby said with a smirk.

“I’ve just come from the hotel. They found Lancaster and Autumn in there. Looks like Alexander took out the entire Command unit single handed.”

“That would be his style. How is he?”

“Dead.”

“Autumn?”

“Dead. Killed each other.”

Ruby nodded. She had known Alexander well as a contemporary and respected his work there was something about him and his leaving of the White Group that always bothered her. She resolved to talk Jenner about it later.

“So what now?”

“Reese is calling a big meeting I think they might move on New Mesa tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“Yeah something about pressing the advantage.”

“Well let’s get down there.” Ruby said as she let the sniper rifle clatter to the floor.

#

The Rich Kid.

Jenner Reese looked at the assembled war weary faces in front of her. Squire, Doom, Reynolds, Avers and Gretch had made it. They did look to in a mood to beat around the bush and neither was Jenner.

“New Mesa. Tonight.” She said.

“Fuck yeah! First fucking smart thing that’s passed your lips since I’ve known you.” Gretch said.

Jenner looked at the other faces who seemed undecided.

“We have reclaimed a lot of weapons and the ‘feds are on the back foot now we can push them back.” She explained.

Avers shook his head. “We must regroup.”

“You know the Hornets will go with the White Group.” Squire said.

“Fucking Regroup Avers?! You’re a Guardian you’re supposed to be a mean motherfucker.” Gretch cried.

“I understand your concerns Avers but I’ve received some disturbing News. Wylde is starting to execute prisoners in New Mesa. That’s our future Army.”

“What are you suggesting then?”

“Three things. First a small team of the best Guardians, Hornets and Ruby infiltrate New Mesa and take out their Anti Air Guns. Second The Sky Pirates collect as many weapons as they can and drops them over News Mesa. That will arm the populace. Third Gretch hits them with his Army.”

Avers slowly nodded. “What about Transport?”

“This is Farpoint, we’re going to take the Civilian Airships.”

“Wait a second you’re telling me not only are we gonna retake New Mesa but we get to throw rich turncoat fuckers off their Airships? I fucking love it!” Gretch cackled.

Reynolds cracked a smile as well, this plan appealed to her Pirate roots.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.” Jenner said.

#

The Gunslinger.

Five hours later the Hornets and Guardians were assembled in the middle of nowhere while Ruby Doom and James Squire searched the desert floor.

After a few minutes Squire finally stopped and let out a low whistle. The small team assembled on him as he was clearing dirt off a large metal door.

“What is this?” Avers asked.
“The back door to New Mesa.” Ruby said.

It was actually a long forgotten access point to the New Mesa Sewers.

“We know all the ways into New Mesa.” Avers said.

“Not all of them.” Ruby smirked. It was good to know the White Group still had some intelligence the other Groups didn’t.

“We make our way through the Sewers and emerge in the Charmant Madame. From there we should be able to get access to the buildings with the Anti Air guns.”

Avers nodded while his Guardians helped Squire and the Hornets lift the heavy Grate.

#

Ruby gently pushed open the sewer in the Charmant Madame and peeked into the room. She recalled her previous visit here when she had encountered the Grey brothers.

Slowly she pulled herself into the room. She ruffled her hair and opened the door that led out into the hall. The place had changed a lot since she had last been there, all the rooms appeared to be locked and it was quiet as a morgue. She crept through the halls but couldn’t find anyone. Eventually she found herself in the main hall looking at a Confederate Soldier flicking through a book while looking bored.

“Hey what are you doing out of your room!” Ruby turned as saw a short solider looking angrily at her. He reached out and tried to grab Ruby’s arm but she pulled free.

The Solider that had been reading walked towards his comrade.

“What the matter?”

“This one’s out of her room.”

“Maybe she just wants some action. Is that right whore?”

“Excuse me?” Ruby said.

“I said...”

He didn’t finish his sentence.

Ruby took them silently and neither of them saw it coming. Both were dead before they hit floor. She found a set of keys on one of the bodies and went to open the first bedroom door. The smell was over powering as she entered.

A very thin and badly beaten woman dressed in little more than rags was chained to the bed. She tried to whisper something to Ruby but was too weak to be heard clearly.

Rage flashed through Ruby as she unshackled the woman.

“Fuck me. What the hell is this place?” Squire said from behind her.

“I thought you and Avers were waiting while I checked the place out.” Ruby said.

“We were but you were taking forever. What the fuck is going on.”

“Comfort women.” Ruby said simply. She tossed Squire the keys. “Release them.”

“Bastards.” Squire muttered as he looked around the squalor of the room. Deep red stains on the carpet made him ponder the horror.

“Now James.”

Squire left and began opening doors a freeing women.

#

After fifteen minutes all the women were free although some were so badly beaten they couldn’t be moved.

Ruby was speaking to a young girl who was in a better shape than most, she explained she had only been there a week.

“Pulled me outta the internment camp, they did. Said they needed me for Morale. Are we leaving?”

“Yes but not yet you need to stay here. Help is on the way we’re taking New Mesa.” Ruby told the girl.

“You’re her ain’t ya? You’re Ruby Doom?”

Ruby looked at Squire who shrugged.

“Yes. Right now I need you to stay quiet though. We have a plan.”

The girl looked at the collected force of Hornets and Guardians. “There’s an Army out there Missus. Plan or not you don’t have enough guns.”

“We’ll worry about that. You just keep the other women safe and try to be ready to move. Help is coming.”

The girl frowned. “Ok Miss Doom but only because of the stories I’ve heard about you.”

Ruby nodded.

#

Getting to the AA guns was easier than expected most of the Feds were looking out towards the Flats and were not prepared for the assault coming from inside their lines especially considering the attackers were able to use the sewers under the city to move around. The Hornets took one position, the Guardians another while Ruby and Squire took the last one.

The Guardians got to theirs first despite it being the furthest away, the Hornets Gun was the next to explode while Ruby and Squire were making their way up the staircase to the roof Fat Nick’s Casino. The Gun Crew was finishing preparations on the weapon when Ruby and Squire crashed onto the roof.

#

The Mad Man.

The Anti Aircraft guns were little more than smouldering wreckages and Sky Pirates were moving in. Dropping supplies and troops into Farpoint. Avers’ Guardians after taking out the AA gun made a run for the Interment Cells where they began releasing and arming the prisoners who were desperate for some kind of vengeance.

Gretch’s army was being dropped by the Pirates outside New Mesa and the remaining Confederates soon found themselves fighting two armies. One outside the city and the other inside it.

Gretch however was not with his troops, he was on board the Arcadia high above the fighting where Reynolds and Jenner Reese were watching the fighting unfold. The Arcadia was down to a skeleton Crew after the Pirates had commandeered the civilian ships from Farpoint. This would make Gretch’s work far easier.

Of course he wasn’t supposed to be there but in recent months people had forgotten that before his rise to power while Gretch may not have been the strongest tribal he was the most lethal. He succeeded because he shared many traits with the White Group, he the stealthy and ruthless. Now he was using those skills to kill Jenner Reese.

It was easy sneaking on board the Arcadia as the crew was greatly reduced so he was able to find a hiding spot in the bowels of the ship quite easily. He remained hidden until he could hear the explosions from the city below. He then began his hunt.

#

Gretch had taken out around half the remaining crew without being detected, a job made far easier by the reduced numbers on board, when he arrived in the steam room. A large muscular pirate was rapidly shovelling coal into the large furnace that powered the Arcadia. The noise in the room meant Gretch didn’t even need to sneak up behind the man, he simply walked up and slit his throat. For all his musculature the man died just as easy as the rest.

#

He finally arrived at the Bridge where he found Reynolds calling into her speaking tube enquiring why power to the Arcadia had dropped. Gretch quietly crept behind the woman as she kept the Arcadia in the air and cried to the Steam Room.

“We’re losing height here get those fires hotter!”

“I think your man is sleeping on the Job.” Gretch said as the startled woman quickly swung around. Terror filled her eyes for a second as her hand dropped to her gun belt but Gretch was too fast.

#

The Gunslinger.

Ruby was trapped on the Roof of the Casino with James Squire. They had successfully taken out the Anti Aircraft Gun but the Casino was full of troops running up to engage the pair. Squire had been wounded in the arm while Ruby was starting to feel the fatigue of constantly fighting. They were happy though, the more Confederates that they killed, the less were able to engage the other forces. Soon though they would be out of bullets.

Avers Guardians were liberating the internment camps and arming the prisoners who were all to eager to strike out at the Confederates that had been their captors. It had increased the total force by a quarter. Gretch’s troops were also joining the fray and it was clear the battle was going the way of the Flats. Ruby just wasn’t sure if she’d live to see victory.

#

The Mad Man

He had some fun with Reynolds but he was hurried, she wasn’t the main target after all. He’d enjoy Jenner Reese, that’s where he’d have a good time.

He left Reynolds on the bridge of her ship and made his way down to the room Reese had been using as an office. He was quite pleased with himself, he’d taken out an Airship crew on board their own Airship without being detected. It was sad in a way that nobody would ever know as he would be the only one to get off the ship alive.

#

The Gunslinger.

Abruptly the waves of Confederates making their way to the roof stopped and Ruby and Squire felt capable of moving. They were almost at the doorway when Grievous Wylde stepped through.

“Ah Miss Doom. I had hoped it was you.”

#

The Rich Kid.

Jenner Reese was studying a map of New Mesa when the door to her office swung open revealing Gretch picking his nails with a small knife.

“Gretch, you finally made it.” Jenner said calmly.

“Kept you waiting did I?” He said as he sloped into the room and closed the door behind him forcing Jenner to impulsively take a step backwards.

“Well we both knew this was coming.”

“Ha. You’re just like Charles you know that? So fucking superior but what are you without your assassins to order around? Without Doom, Lancaster, Costner, Nyx or Webspinner?” He laughed as he stepped further into the room. “Nothing just a girl planning a man’s game. At least Charles was challenging, he fucking thought about things. You? You ran the White group into the ground. Hell even Lancaster turned on you.”

“Did he?” Jenner said with a deep smile.

Gretch stopped his pacing. “What?”

“Lancaster never betrayed the White Group. He was my spy, Gretch and he played you like a fiddle. You think I’d leave myself exposed like that? If Lancaster had been a threat to the White Group we would have killed him.”

“What are you talking about bitch?”

“Lancaster was always in the White Group. He told me all about your plans for the war. You thought you’d pick me off, destroy the Hornets and make peace with the Guardians. Then take New Mesa as your own and run the city just like in the old days.” She explained calmly despite the fact her heart was racing.

“The thought had crossed my mind.”

“I know it did because Lancaster told me so. You see your friend Lancaster was actually my friend Lancaster. He told me everything you’ve done in this war of yours, including the Guardian Massacre out in the Badlands that brought them into the war.”

“Massacre? That was Lancaster’s fucking job! Nothing to do with me.”

“Was it? Ooops details like that sometimes escape me being a girl in a man’s game and all. I must have forgotten to tell Avers that... which is probably why the Guardians are cutting down your tribal army as we speak. The Hornets were more than happy to help as were the Ochil. You’re the leader of nothing Gretch.”

Gretch had been out manoeuvred and he knew it. It may have cost Lancaster his soul and ultimately his life but the Swordsman got Gretch in the end.

“Still enough time to gut you.” Gretch said as a smile crept onto his face.

Jenner glanced at the door and panic spread across her face.

“Looking fer help? It’s just me and you, sweetheart. I took care of those fucking pirates down stairs. Saved Reynolds till last. Slut fought to the end but I put her down.” He produced a bloody cleaver and whistled a jaunty tune for a second. “Goona take my time with you, sweetheart. I’ve been aching for it.”

“It won’t change anything Gretch. The Guardians won’t stop till they find you.”

“Yeah well if they’re down there killing my army I guess that gives me a head start.”

Quickly Jenner reached for the gun on her side but Gretch was too fast, a small dagger flew out of his hand and caught Jenner in the back of her right hand. The point was protruding out of the palm of her hand.

Gretch quickly crossed the room, grabbed Jenner by the throat and slammed her onto the desk. He leaned over and gently caressed her face with a knife blade as he drew a path lower.

“Now where to start.”

The door of the room exploded open and a badly wounded Carla Reynolds stood in the frame clutching a Shotgun.

She woozily took aim and shot wide but the interruption had given Jenner the opening she needed. She drove her palm into Gretch’s right eye and jerked down, obliterating his eye and carving his cheek from his face. Gretch howled and staggered backwards. Jenner sat up and quickly pulled her revolver from her boot with her left hand and emptied it into the mad man. All six shots found their mark in his chest, Gretch collapsed to the ground and convulsed for a few seconds before finally stopping. Jenner reloaded her pistol fumbling a little because of her wounded right hand and adrenaline before firing another six shots directly into the man’s head.

She wasn’t taking any chances.

When she was finished she ran to Reynolds side.

“Did I get him?” The Sky Captain asked lamely and Jenner could see blood was running into her eyes blinding her.

“Yeah you got him.” Jenner said as she cleaned the woman’s face.

Jenner tried to patch up Reynolds but she batted her away.

“Cut it out. The piece of shit killed my crew. I need to get the bird down, help me to the bridge.”

Jenner took the shotgun and helped the woman up to the bridge.

#

The Gunslinger.

Wylde smirked at Squire and Doom. “So this is it. I must admit I didn’t think you had it in you. Organising all this, bringing together the tribes.”

“Funny how an asshole like you can really pull a team together.” Squire said.

“It is funny really, this is exactly how the Confederation started. Separate groups pulling together to fight a common evil. I wonder if in fifty years...” Wylde mused.

“The Flats will never end up like the Confederation.” Ruby said cutting him short.

“Can you be so sure? Think of the sacrifices you’ve made already to combat us? If you want to stop the possibility of counter attack you’ll need to do even more. You know this Doom.”

Ruby shifted her weight and Wylde smiled, she was getting ready to draw. In response Wylde twirled his blade.

“21 feet. On average it takes an average man less than two seconds to cover that distance. I think we can all agree I am anything but average. I wonder if the Gunslinger Ruby Doom can draw and fire before I plant this blade in her chest?”

Wylde smirked as Ruby dropped her hand to Coleman.

Then time slowed.

Ruby’s hand found the weapon but her eyes didn’t leave Wylde’s.

Ruby’s fingers curled round the grip and started to remove the weapon.

Wylde was holding the blade high and close to his chest, he just going to go for an explosive jab that would penetrate deep.

The gun was clear of the holster and she began to depress the hammer to cock the weapon.

Neither recognised fear in the eyes of the other only bloodlust.

Wylde was bounding with the grace and speed of a sprinter.

The gun was rising and Ruby was ready to fire but first she needed to line up a shot no point shooting wild when she wanted to shoot Wylde.

He was a step away now and started pushing the knife forwards. The momentum and his weight would be more than enough the puncture her sternum.

Ruby had him lined up when Squire threw himself between the two.

Ruby jerked her aim clear to avoid hitting him while Wylde drove the point of blade deep into Squire’s chest.

Then time returned to normal.

Squire grunted but drove a strong fist into Wylde’s face sending the man backwards. He then collapsed to his knees. Wylde recovered and delivered a brutal kick to the man’s face knocking him unconscious immediately.

Ruby had recovered her aim but Wylde was now within striking distance. He dropped to his knees and swept Ruby off her feet. She landed with thud and Coleman clattered from her grasp.

Wylde laughed as he pulled his knife free of Squire’s chest causing the wounded man to gasp and open his eyes with the pain.

Ruby rolled onto her stomach and reached wildly for Coleman but a swift kick to her rib cage stopped her.

On the other side of the roof Squire woozily checked his holster for his gun but it was gone. He saw Ruby was in trouble but any weapon was too far away. His hand fell to the wound in his chest and brushed against his skyhook.

He pulled it from his chest holster and took careful aim while trying to ignore the pain in his chest. Wylde was gleefully stomping on Ruby but gave a sidewards glance towards Squire. When he noticed the gun in the wounded man’s hand’s he stopped for a second.

A second was all Squire needed.

The skyhook screamed as the claw shot forward and the wire unspooled behind it.

The crawl tore through Wylde’s chest and erupted out of his back as it threw the man backwards. The claw lost momentum and arced down the side of the casino.

Ruby seeing her chance grabbed Coleman and fired off a quick five rounds. Each one hitting Wylde.

Wylde gasped and fell to his knees. His chest was a gory mess and he couldn’t catch his breath which probably had something to do with the fact his lungs were splattered across the roof. Squire dropped the grip of the Skyhook while bubbles of blood formed at corners of the Man’s mouth.

Ruby got to her feet and looked at the broken man. Their eyes met and Wylde’s flash with hate before going glassy and then the man slumped over.

She ran to Squire’s side and checked his wound.

“You’ll be fine. He missed the heart.”

“I don’t feel like I’ll be fine. Bastard near took my head off.”

Ruby helped Squire to his feet and the pair limped to the roof off the casino leaving Wylde on the roof.

#

Reynolds had successfully got the Airship down but she couldn’t be moved from the controls as her condition had worsened. That was why Ruby was surprised to see an armed Jenner Reese getting off the Airship to help them aboard.

“Didn’t expect to see you, Miss Reese.” Ruby offered.

“Gretch moved up his time line. Took out Reynolds crew and tried to get me.”

“How’s Reynolds?” Squire asked. He was now walking under his own steam after Ruby had patched his wound.

“She’s up in the Bridge. It’s not good.”

Ruby stepped aboard followed by Jenner who quickly handed over the shotgun.

“I think this is more your kind of thing.”

Ruby smiled and nodded.

“Wylde?” Jenner enquired

“Dead. Gretch?”

“Dead.”

“Well looks like we got a full house then.” Jenner beamed.

The Airship jerked as it lifted off from the Casino roof and quickly rose.

#

Ruby was looking over the prow of the Airship at the burning city below. The Guardian’s, The Ochil and The Hornets were finishing the last of Gretch’s Army and taking whatever Confederate prisoners they could. Ruby had no doubt the streets were still a chaotic mess but from this high they looked peaceful.

“Reynolds just died. She told me enough to get this thing back down but it won’t be pretty.”

Ruby turned to see Jenner had joined her.

“Dead?” She was shocked Reynolds had seemed so cool and collected it was impossible to imagine her dying even if it was at the hands of Gretch.

“I thought you would want to know. Squire is keeping the Ship in the Air but I’m going to bring us down somewhere outside of New Mesa. Last I saw The Guardians, The Ochil and the Hornet were cleaning up. We won.” Jenner said with a weak smile.

“I don’t think we’d survive another win like this.” Ruby said glumly.

“I know the work is really only beginning, but for now we’ve run them out of the Flats. We’ve captured a lot of their command structure and with all the groups working together for once we might be able to protect the borders of the Flats.”

“What about the White Group?”

“The White Group? No idea what you’re talking about. They’re just a spook story.” Jenner said as she patted Ruby on the back and made her way back to Squire on the bridge.

Ruby nodded and looked down at the burning city below her. New Mesa wasn’t in as good a shape as Farpoint and the rebuilding work would take time. She wondered about what Wylde had said about the beginnings of the Confederacy and if she was witnessing the birth of something similar. The Flats was a changed place and there was little she could do to reverse it. She didn’t even know she would if she could. There was freedom in the way things had used to be done but that freedom had let men like Gretch size power. Maybe they were moving into a new Era on the Flats, an Era of cooperation, where individual strength meant less and people like Alexia Coleman could flourish.

A renaissance of sorts.

On the other hand maybe things would go back to the same they had ever been leaving them open to Confederate Attack again.

Those were worries for later. For the time being Ruby was happy watching the sunrise over the devastated city.

“Ruby?”

She turned and James Squire was standing behind her.

“I had Wylde in my sights you know.” She said playfully.

“Not a chance he was on you. I had to do it.” He said smiling as he joined her in admiring the scenery.

“So that was your grand plan, take a stabbing?”

“Well it was supposed to be more of a push you to the side sort of move but he was too fast.”

“The bodyguard moves are more Costner’s forte.”

The mention of the missing man brought the playfulness of the conversation to a halt.

“I had no idea about Lancaster. He was a spy the whole time, I hated him.” Squire shook his at the memory.

“He wanted you to. Part of the cover.” Ruby said simply. “The White Group wasn’t all about explosions and shooting people.”

Squire shook his head. “Coulda fooled me.”

Ruby shrugged and just looked at the scenery. Squire leaned on the rail and allowed his hand to meet Ruby’s. She interlocked her fingers in his but they both remained silent and watched the sun rise.

#

The Rich Kid.

The White Group had ended but that didn’t mean the Flats had no use for people like Jenner any more. In fact now they would need the people working in the shadows more than ever. Now she understood where Mister Charles had gone wrong, he had been motivated by greed and power, that lead him to working for people like Gretch. Jenner now understood that there had to something more, something higher.

She couldn’t articulate the feeling yet but she knew she wanted to put her energy towards making the Flats a better place. While her goal was lofty she knew that to achieve it the tactics of the White Group would have to be employed.

These were concerns for another time though, at that moment she was more concerned about getting the Arcadia back down to the ground.

It was going to be a bumpy ride.