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Adalin Nyx

The Aloof Assassin

0 · 693 views · located in The Flats

a character in “White Group.”, as played by slcam

Description

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Adalin, known as Ada, has long, raven black hair. It frames her face and often falls into her eyes. Her large, pale yellow eyes often seem wary and disapproving. With a lightly tanned complexion and delicate features, Ada seems fragile and doll-like. Her long, straight nose and heart-shaped face only adds to this effect. Her face is normally blank, and she rarely smiles. Ada is 5'6 with a toned, womanly figure. She moves with a dangerous grace that tells of her years of training. Every motion seems deliberate and carefully planned. She is strong from years of training and fighting.

Ada usually wears a dark colored shirt and pants that are tight enough not to get in her way, but loose enough to give her a good range of motion as well as a long, spacious cloak that blends with both the sandy environment and the shadows. She wears bracers made of layered scrap metal over dark grey fingerless gloves. The gloves are to conceal the Guardian's mark on her right hand. Ada also wears soft leather, knee high boots that allow her to move silently. When on a mission, she loosely binds her hair back to keep it out of her face.

Personality

Ada is mostly aloof toward others and will give no one her full trust with few exceptions. Since childhood, she was taught that all outsiders to the city of Hope were impure, untrustworthy, and worthless. Though she has left that life behind, her actions and decisions are still sometimes colored by this view. Overall, she appears cold, unfeeling, and somewhat haughty, and her silent nature makes it easy to overlook her. She prefers to blend in, and rarely speaks her mind. She keeps her feelings carefully hidden and contained, and sees any show of emotion as a sign of weakness.

Ada is more comfortable with acting that with merely talking about it, and quickly becomes frustrated when she has nothing to do. However, she is easily patient when she feels it is accomplishing some objective. She is very observant, and there is little that can escape her notice. Ada is unfailingly loyal to Mister Charles and those she regards as her comrades in the White Group. She dutifully carries out every mission until completion, no matter the cost.

Often, when she does speak, her words are colored with sarcasm. It is rare to see her smile, and few have heard her genuinely laugh. She feels the most alive when she is fighting, but also knows when to restrain herself. She is very conscientious and disciplined in all she does, but is not very flexible when it comes to change in her life. It is hard for her to be open-minded to others thoughts and suggestions, especially when they are not in a position of authority over her.
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Equipment

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Adalin carries little with her since she doesn't need much. Her main weapons are two long curved daggers each with a blade as long as her forearm. The handles are wrapped in leather for a better grip and she keeps them in a sheath attached to her belt. They are New world weapons, and quickly become dull. In her spare moments, she sharpens them with a small whetstone that she keeps with her.

Her secondary weapon is an Old World Sword she was given when she became a Guardian. The blade is black, as if burned, and double edged. Its handle is intricately carved and fits her hand like she was born with it. She keeps it safe in a long sheath on her back. She only uses this sword if stealth is not an option.

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History

Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvXxymw2ra8

Adalin was always told she was orphaned at a young age when her parents were killed in a bandit raid. She was given to the Guardians to be trained to defend the city of Hope. As she grew, she was taught many forms of fighting, loyalty to the town of Hope, and most of all, loyalty to Father Singh and God. She was taught to obey every order and carry out every command without fear of death. Ada became an excellent fighter, and when she was deemed ready, she became an official member of the Guardians.

She vowed to protect Hope at all costs and swore loyalty to the people of Hope, Father Singh and God. Just a year later, however, Father Singh decided to test her loyalty. He informed her that the bandit raid that had killed her parents was not real. Her parents had been murdered by Father Singh's orders because they were "spreading doubt, unrest, and contempt among the people." Immediately knowing the danger she was in, Ada did not react in any way. Thankfully, Father Singh took this as a sign of acceptance of her parents' execution, though nothing was further from the truth.

Over the next months, Ada struggled with this information, and began to see the corruption that was rampant in the city. She began to wonder what else Father Singh had done to deceive the people for his benefit. He later ordered her to carry out the execution of another family who was corrupting the city, whose only real crime was opposing Father Singh. At that moment, Ada realized she could no longer stay there, could no longer serve this evil man who only wanted to keep and increase his power.

Ada left Hope that day, taking with her only weapons and a meager supply of food and water. Even with careful rationing, she nearly died from dehydration before she made it to a small settlement. From that point on, she led a nomadic life, eventually hiring herself out as a mercenary and later an assassin. She taught herself a new way of fighting and learned to use a pair of daggers, only using her sword when completely necessary.

She was able to make a living doing this, but she felt empty, and alone, missing something she could not name. She found the missing piece of her life, or at least began to find it, when she received a contract to kill a man. He was part of the fabled White Group, and, unable to kill him, she found herself joining the man instead. She found a new community, somewhere to belong, and something she could do with her life. Though a couple years have passed, and the man who brought her to the organization is long gone, she found a new home to hone her skills.

So begins...

Adalin Nyx's Story

Setting

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Character Portrait: Adalin Nyx
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#, as written by slcam
Location: Farpoint
Target: The Spruce Framed Havelock Rifle.

A cloaked figure strode through Farpoint, seeming always to blend in the shadows, just another part of the swarming, noisy crowd. Even though it was midday, the large shadows of countless airships covered nearly the whole town. Small shafts of light streamed through, highlighting various piles of refuse and rubbish that served as houses and buildings. A solid kick could probably knock even the most well built shanty to the ground. Countless people, filthy and dressed in rags, swarmed through the streets. All the rich floated above in their airship palaces, unconcerned with the happenings below.

The cloaked woman, Adalin Nix, finally reached her destination, a small, dingy building that served as a tavern. The interior was nearly hotter than it was outdoors, and the floor was hard packed dirt. Rickety chairs and tables were haphazardly strewn about the room. The bar was already nearly full of people ready to spend their weeks wages on the cheap beer. Adalin took a seat in an unoccupied corner and spread out a schematic of the Parnassus that she had acquired earlier along with a Skyhook, lock picks, and some Somnus, a liquid that, if inhaled, would render a person unconscious. Ada preferred to avoid unnecessary killing if possible.

She looked carefully over the faded map, noting how old it seemed. Ada would have to be ready to adjust if new things had been built. She noticed that the airlock design was missing from this particular map, and she wondered what other surprises she might encounter. The guards should not be a problem, she could easily take them out with the Somnus. However, once she took out the first guard, she would have a severe time limit. Once the alarm was raised, her mobility would be severely limited because of those airlock doors. As long as she encountered no major unexpected complications....

Her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice. The young man wore a black outfit complete with a bright read armband that bore the symbol of the Lion-Heart Mercenaries. She had dealings with that group when she had been a wandering mercenary herself. He was boasting of how they had just gotten contacted by Robert Willan for one of his expeditions. Several men gave him a good-natured clap on the shoulder. A contract from Mr. Willan always had a hefty paycheck. The young man, Treven if she recalled correctly, loudly ordered a round for everyone and a loud cheer went up. Ada watched him over loosely folded hands, a contemplative look on her face. As she remembered, Hamud, the leader of the Lion-Hearts, owed her his life, among other things. It seemed she had God's favor on this mission.

A couple hours later, thoroughly inebriated, Treven stumbled out with Ada silently following. He stumbled into a camp at the edge of the city. Ada stood just outside the firelight, letting her eyes adjust as she took in the scene. The group had grown since she had last worked with them. Her eyes passed over at least a dozen of the rowdy mercenaries before she found Hamud sitting alone watching his men. After a moment, she circled around the camp and silently entered the light, lowering her hood and shaking out her hair as she came up beside him. Hamud jerked when he saw her in the corner of his sight and stared a moment before relaxing. "Oh, it's you, Nyx. Been a while. Lookin' for work again?" She nodded once and he continued. "Well, you're in luck. I could use someone like you. Just gotta contract from Robert Willan, yeah, you know 'im. Gonna go see him tomorrow to make it official and find out what we're after. Gonna be a good job. Set us up for a while. You in?"

She paused a moment, as if considering. "Yes, I would not mind going with you to your meeting. I do not think I will be along for the mission though."
"Your up to somthin', aren't you. Never mind, I don't wanna know, do I?" At questioning her look, he gave a heavy sigh, "Yes, yes, I know. I owe you. Fine, come along, but I don't want any part of what you're doin', you hear?"

That next day, the group went out and bought supplies and made themselves ready for the mission. Ada stayed out of sight, not wanting to associate herself with them so they would not be held accountable for her actions. By nightfall, it was time for the meeting and everything had been prepared. Hamud took only a few of his men and Ada, leaving the rest to pack up the camp. They arrived at the air tower the Parnassus was docked at and strode aboard.

With two burly guards guiding them, they soon came close to the center of the ship. Ada began to shift to the back of the group. As they turned the corner that led to the office, Ada slipped away and hid in a small closet. She waited until she heard the group leave again to make sure her absence went unnoticed. As soon as all was quiet again, she slipped out of the supply closet, carefully checking the hall for any sign of life. Seeing no one, she sneaked down the hall to the drawing room. She jiggled the handle, but the door was locked, of course. Kneeling down, she reached for her lock picks and set to work. One broken lockpick and an agonizing minute later, the door popped open.

Adalin walked in, her eyes immediately falling on gorgeous rifle mounted prominently on the wall. It was no wonder the client wanted it. She had never seen a more beautiful gun. Just as Ada removed it from its mountings, she heard the door click closed behind her and cursed herself for her lack of attention. She whirled, taking in a small, dangerous looking Ochilian woman, with a rapier drawn and pointed at Ada from across the desk. So this must be Miss Globe. She set the rifle on the desk and drew her sword. Her daggers would be of little use now that she did not have surprise in her favor.

Miss Globe looked at her with a disdainful interest. Obviously, she thought she could easily defeat this thief in the night. Ada took a fighting stance, blade held up in front of her before her left eye. Globe made the first move, darting around the desk and striking at Ada's stomach almost faster than the eye could follow. Ada dodged and met Globe's blade with her own, a sharp clang ringing through the room. Globe almost seemed surprised, but recovered quickly as she parried Ada's return stroke. They dove and lunged and shuffled around the room, blades clanging together almost faster than the eye could see in a deadly dance. Neither missed a step and a small smile appeared on Ada's face, but this only served to infuriate Miss Globe. Ada was merely enjoying the pleasure that came with fighting with all she had.

As the fight dragged on, Miss Globe's slashes and hacks became filled with rage and her breathing came heavier and heavier. With the pure ferocity of her strokes, she drove Ada into a corner of the room, raining blows upon her with fury. One hit its mark, violently slashing Ada's left shoulder. However, in delivering this stroke, Globe left herself open and unguarded. Without a flinch, Ada brought her sword up to the Ochilian's neck, backing her into the wall. "That was an enjoyable fight, Miss Globe. You did not quite live up to my expectations though," Ada said, a smile lingering on the corners of her mouth. Without making a response, Miss Globe's hand immediately fell to the shelf next to her, knocking over a couple books and triggering a small switch. Immediately, a loud, obnoxious alarm sounded. Ada heard doors whooshing closed with one resounding bang after another.

Taking a Somnus-soaked cloth out of her pouch, she pressed it against the woman's nose and mouth. Within seconds, she slumped limply to the floor. Ada sheathed her weapon and picked the rifle up, sheathing it in a special pocket she had attached to her sword sheath specifically for this mission. Knowing that there was no escaping through the now closed off halls, Ada went to the large window and smashed it with the handle of the Skyhook she brought. Sitting in the window, she ignored the sharp pieces that still lingered there and aimed at the lower gondola of a nearby airship. Whith a loud whirring, the projectile launched off into the night, firmly attaching itself on a railing.

Just as she heard heavy steps pounding down the hall, she pushed off, swinging into the night. Midway down, she realized the line was going to be a bit short. When she was in the middle of her swing, she let go, falling the last fifteen feet to a scrap metal roof. Legs outstretched, she hit the roof with a loud bang, crumpling into a ball and rolling as the house fell. Her left shoulder and foot took the brunt of the impact, and she grunted in pain as her wound began bleeding profusely. She heard the surprised screams of the inhabitants of the house she destroyed as she rolled to a stop and sprung to her feet with a wince.

She began sprinting as fast as her twisted ankle would allow to the edge of the city, reveling in the rush of adrenaline. This left her all too soon, however, and she slowed to a jog, limping heavily. She tore a small strip of cloth from her shirt and tightly wrapped her shoulder. At least it had stopped bleeding for the most part. She continued until the sun rose, putting as much distance as possible between her and the city. She would not like to be found by Robert Willan's mercenaries, not in her condition.

She stopped in the shade of an overhanging rock, and sat down heavily. She did not dare remove her foot from her boot even though it was getting painfully tight, but she did loosen the bindings slightly. She knew she would not be able to get it on again if she took it off, and that would be unwise since she still had a day's travel ahead of her. Instead, she took the rifle out and carefully checked it for damage. Once she was satisfied, she replaced it in the hidden sheath and fell asleep.

Upon waking, she took a small drink of water and stood, but had a difficult time even walking. Nevertheless, walk she did and it slowly got easier as the blood began to flow again. She determinedly made her way back to the White Group Workshop. They day past slowly and painfully, but she was steadily getting closer. Finally, she arrived and proceeded to the Office. Setting the rifle on the desk, she gave him a nod before limping out to her room.

She cleaned her shoulder wound and sewed it closed with a clean needle and thread with an odd familiarity. This was not the first time she had stitched herself up, nor would it be the last. She dragged herself to her bed and unstrapped her weapons and cloak, setting them against her nightstand. Finally, she unlaced first her right boot then her painful left with a small gasp of pain. Wrapping it with a wet, cool cloth, she set pillows under the injured foot and fell into a deep sleep.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Adalin Nyx
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#, as written by slcam
The Desert Dash
Location: Skycove
Target: Corvin Reynolds

Ada awoke almost a full day later, feeling somewhat groggy, but also refreshed. Slipping off the bed, she unwrapped the now dry cloth from her ankle and tentatively moved it around with a grimace. It was still quite sore, but not as bad as before. She quickly pulled on a fresh set of clothes, wincing as the cloth brushed her shoulder. She walked out of her room, still showing a slight limp, intending to get something to eat, but the notices outside the office caught her eye as she passed. One word in particular jumped out at her. Guardians.

Without pause, Ada snatched the notice from the wall and scanned it. She began to think of her own escape from Hope. She, at least, had been smart enough not to take anything of importance. Even then, it was likely the only reason she was not pursued is that Singh had bigger issues to deal with at that time. Even so, could she really do an assignment like this? Engaging in something so close to her past could be dangerous in a way most missions were not. If she was not careful, Father Singh could remember she was still out and alive, and might get the idea that he still wanted her brought to justice.

Even so, she might be the person with the best chance of success. Though Ada had never met this Reynolds, she knew about the Guardians, which could prove crucial for this. At the same time, just the use of that knowledge could endanger her. However, reason was quickly losing to desire. Adalin wanted to do this for little more reason than curiosity, the challenge, and a desire to see something, and perhaps someone, from her past. With that, she decided. She hurriedly made her preparations then retrieved beads from the armory and a waterproof sack to contain the money, and, later, the books. Returning to her room, she abruptly realized she would not be able to bring her sword. The symbol on the guard would mark it as an item from Hope to any who had lived there. Ada stared at the weapon with regret. The thought of going on a mission without it was odd. She had not been parted with it since she earned it and became a Guardian. It was ironic that she would have to leave it on this mission. She tenderly rested her fingers on the pommel, as if bidding the sword a farewell, before whirling out of the room with her cloak flowing behind.

As Ada traveled, her ankle slowly improved, though slower than it should have since she moved as fast as she would have normally, ignoring the pain, and later, the discomfort. It was nearly a week before she arrived at the spot the Skycove was supposed to be. She knew she was in the right place from the thick piles of various junk, debris, and even bodies covering the ground. The stench was far from pleasant. Nearly half a day later, as Ada skirted the thick debris, she came near the edge the city's shadow. Moments later, she happened upon a ferry of sorts. It was a rather small airship, just bigger than a hot air balloon. The gondola was big enough for perhaps half a dozen people including the pilot. A few people were milling about, apparently waiting until the ship was ready to fly. Ada found the captain, obviously a 'retired' pirate from his scars and tattoos, and negotiated passage up to the city. With that, the captain apparently decided he had enough passengers for a trip and they soon docked at the city on one of the more 'permanent' ships.

With that, her search for Reynolds began. After discreetly asking in several rowdy inns and taverns of sorts, she finally found word of a man trying to sell some rather valuable and unique items. At least she had yet to hear of the Guardians chasing him. After checking at the ship he was supposed to be on and greasing a few palms, she finally found his actual location. It was far too easy in her opinion, but this was the Rat Cloud after all. What else was one to expect from these lowlifes.

The sun had just set and the air was cooling, giving Ada much needed relief from the heat. In an effort to conceal her face from any who would remember it, she had not removed her hood. If she were honest with herself, she was anxious, and even afraid, about leaving information behind that could jeopardize her life. At the same time, and for the same reason, she felt invigorated by the challenge, the danger. Ada crossed one of the many rickety bridges to the correct ship. It was one of the smaller of those permanently docked, so finding which room Corvin occupied was not difficult. The stout man who was some form of a land lord/ owner of the ship announced her as, “Some lady interested in whatever it is you’re selling.” Ada had to fight down the compulsion to punch the knowing smirk from his face.

When she entered, Corvin scanned her form nervously, frowning at the gloves covering her hands. Ada knew what he was looking for, but made no indication that she understood, or even cared. She merely thought him foolish for not running if he was so uncertain, though it was much easier for her that he stayed put. He motioned for her to take the only chair in the room, sitting on the bed himself. Obviously, he was waiting for her to make the first move. She sat, noting with satisfaction the look of keen hunger that passed over his face as the beads in her pack clinked together. As she began to speak, he tried to make out her face under the hood, but she was sitting too much in the shadow for him to make anything out.

“I hear you have some rather interesting merchandise. The sort of once-in-a-lifetime buy ‘The Knights' would be interested in,” she said, using the name she had decided on earlier.

“The Knights? Never heard of them,” he questioned, an interested look on his face, though he was still discreetly trying to make out her features. She was glad she had never had contact with the man before. It certainly made this easier.

“Perhaps not, but you will,” she allowed a small, thin smile to show. She was bluffing, but with God's favor, he would never know that. “In any case, I seem to recall that we will not have much time to make this transaction, correct?” At his hesitant nod, she continued, “Five thousand, for all of it.” She named a number a quite a bit less than what she had. He spluttered at the ridiculous figure, and made sure she knew just how much these books were worth with a rather lengthy lecture for time they had. Ada only paid attention with half of her mind, listening for any sign of the Guardians. She knew they would not be far behind her, and she knew they would not rest until Corvin was found. After some negotiating, they finally settled on a number. Instead of counting it out, Ada stood and walked to the door. She could faintly hear a commotion and some yelling outside, perhaps on the top deck of the ship.

“Aren’t we going to make the trade? I just need to go retrieve the books and I will be back,” Reynolds promised nervously. Ada heard the retort of what had to be an Old World rifle, a sound she had only heard one place before. She whirled on the man, startling him, but she could not care less now.

“It seems you have some visitors,” He went wide eyed at the declaration. “I will meet you tomorrow morning at the north dock. We will take one of the ferry ships and finish the transaction there. This room is no longer safe.” She left the room after watching him squeeze out the window with a bulging bag on his back. She exited the airship from a different lower deck window, cursing herself for not bringing a Skyhook. When the commotion on the top deck calmed down, she climbed up the side of the ship and swung herself onto the bridge that connected the airship to the adjacent one, sprinting away without looking back. Ada heard a shout behind her, a man's voice that almost sounded familiar, and two sets of feet running after her. They were too far behind to catch her, and she had the advantage of being somewhat familiar with the area from her search for Reynolds. Approaching a large, uneven stack of crates and barrels, she quickly scaled the makeshift wall, slipping into a tight, awkward space that was both unexpected and hidden from the outside. She heard them rush by, and her heart pounded as she glimpsed a face through one of the cracks.

She had recognized the voice. It was Arret, who Ada had grown up with as a Guardian. He had never forgiven her for being initiated before he was, and there had been a longstanding rivalry between them. He was the closest thing to a friend she had ever had. They quickly passed, and she heard their shouts for some time after that.

Ada woke with a start several hours later, unaware that she had fallen asleep and terribly sore. She awkwardly pulled herself from her hiding place and stretched her stiff muscles, especially her ankle. Her shoulder also ached, but Ada was glad that it had not started bleeding again. She hoped that Corvin Reynolds had also found a good place to hide during the night, or she would have a long and dangerous chase ahead of her, not to mention one from which she would probably not return.

Within the hour the sun was well above the horizon, and Ada made her way to the north dock, easily blending into the crowds. Arriving at the dock, she was relieved to see a cloaked figure with a bulging pack that she recognized. So Reynolds had made it through the night! Ada pretended to take no notice of him, instead, arranging passage on the ferry. She hoped he would, or already had done the same. Within minutes, the ferry was full. She made eye contact with Corvin who had apparently been watching her and gave her a nod. They entered the ship, standing near each other in the crowd. Ada carefully set a large coin purse down, and Corvin followed her lead and set the bag down. No one glanced their direction a few moments later when Corvin picked up the purse, eagerly looking at the beads within. Ada slipped Reynolds bag in her own, closing it tightly in the waterproof sack and replacing it on her back, under her cloak.

Just as the ship left the dock, they heard a commotion. As everyone crowded around the windows, Ada caught a glance of the four who were unmistakably Guardians. It was nearly funny how much they stood out, and how much space everyone gave them. The man they were shouting at was shielding his face with his hands as they angrily pointed to the departing airship. Ada watched with frustration as they forcefully commandeered a ship that began after the ferry, and she eyed the cannons uneasily. The Guardians smaller, less encumbered ship was quickly catching up to the ferry. Ada had hoped this would go smoothly, but it did not seem that would be the case. They were nearing the ground, but not quickly enough. Ada watched with irritation as several cannons began to swivel toward the ship. “Brace yourself!” she shouted at Corvin as a boom sounded out and the whole ferry seemed to rumble. Several women screamed, and fear was plain on many faces. Just as many acted as if this was nothing out of the ordinary. Blasted pirates.

The ship shuddered and began falling out of the sky as another volley of cannon fire ripped through it, this time blowing through the passenger compartment and taking lives. Ada grimaced at the screams of the dying. The ferry hit the ground hard, throwing everyone down in a heap. Inevitably, Ada hit her left shoulder on one of the wooden beams, causing her to gasp as the wound open slightly, lazily oozing blood. Luckily, Ada was near the top and was able to scramble through one of the many holes in the ship. Many followed her example, scrambling out and running for safety at the edge of the debris field. She knew they would not make it before the Guardians came after them. Seeing Reynolds, Ada grabbed his arm, attempting to pull him to one of the large piles of trash, but he jerked away and ran further into the rubbish field instead of out of it. Ada threw herself into one of the piles and covered herself, trying not to breath too deeply. She took the book bag off her back and shoved it deeper into the muck. The books would be well protected from the filth by the thick material, and if she was found, there was a chance they would be missed. After all, there was no real reason that they should be in her possession. At least this is what Ada tried to convince herself.

Within minutes, she watched as the commandeered ship landed, four figures jumping out before it completely halted. Obviously, they quickly spotted Corvin. Two split off after him, and the other two went after the other passengers. If he handed off the books, they did not want to lose them. Ada saw that Corvin was quickly caught. He was unable to fight them off, and was dragged back bloody for his trouble. The other two caught up to each passenger, rapidly halting their flight and violently searching them before uncaringly casting them aside like an unwanted toy. The two with Corvin took out guns and began mercilessly shooting those passengers who were fighting back. From this distance, the shots were like child’s play. Within moments, the brutality was over, and the two Guardians who had searched met up with the others who had caught Reynolds. They were uncomfortably close to where Ada now hid, and she could hear snatches of the conversation, quickly picking out who Father Singh had sent.

Besides Arret, there was Dered, a grisly older man who had been a Guardian as long as Ada could remember; Eva, a fierce woman who was deadly with the rifle, as she had just shown; and Trite, a weasely looking man who wielded a short sword and sword breaker with deadly results. She grimaced as she heard what they planned to do with Corvin, though she was not surprised. He would be burned at the stake, and, apparently, they had permission to carry out his execution immediately. Adalin racked her brain for some way to help the man, but came up with nothing. Anything she could do could only hurt the mission or herself, and it would still do him no good. She watched helplessly as they gathered wood from the wreckage for a large fire, all the while debating how they would find the books and how the books could have gotten past them. They looked in surprise as Corvin who was already securely tied on top of the wood pile, interrupted, offering information in exchange for his life. Ada winced as Dered gruffly said, “Tell us what you have to say, and we will decide if it is worth your life.” Ada knew there was no way they would let him live. He had betrayed Hope after all. She prepared herself to run if Corvin decided to reveal where she hid, and her hand stretched back through something that was both slimy and repulsive to firmly grip a handle of the book bag.

Instead, he told them he had hidden the books somewhere in the Skycove, where only he could find them. The Guardians looked unmoved as they lit a torch and brought it to the pile of wood. Corvin Reynolds screams for mercy resounded in Adalin’s ears, and she was frustrated by her inability to do anything. It made her want to scream with him. She rested her hand on the bag and gripped the material tightly. She asked herself, not for the first time, if it as worth it. As the stench of burning flesh filled her nostrils, she hated herself for doing nothing to save him, for her inability to save him. It contradicted her every instinct, and she nearly leapt from her hiding place several times, just barely restrained by a crushing sense of hopelessness.

It seemed to take days for the fire to burn out, leaving only embers, ash, and a foul stench. After a rather heated discussion about whether to trust what Reynolds had said, the Guardians slowly returned to the commandeered ship while half heartedly searching a couple piles. With some shouting, an obviously drunk man, maybe the captain, was thrown overboard and the ship took to the air, headed back to the Floating City.

Once they were out of sight, Ada grabbed the bag and dislodged herself from the pile of refuse. She was covered in filth, but it mattered little. She began to run, not caring where she was going. She only needed to release her frustration. She ran tirelessly for nearly an hour before her ankle gave way, causing her to crumple to the ground. Exhausted, she wrapped herself in her cloak and fell asleep where she had collapsed.

She woke from a nightmare that the books were fake, and she was caught and burned for the mistake. She tore the bag open in a panic and carefully pulled the books out, one by one. They were real, to her relief, and she even recognized one of them. She replaced them in the bag with a dull feeling of relief before heading for home. The rest of the trip back to the Workshop was uneventful, though she did hear many whispered rumors of a roving band of Guardians. Some were absolutely ridiculous, but Ada was cautious to keep herself concealed all the same. She arrived as night was falling, again heading straight to the office. She dropped the bag onto his desk without looking at him, the leftover beads clinking softly as they settled. She stalked out, not really upset but not wanting to be around anyone either. Entering the Practice room, she climbed to the top of the tallest practice ‘building’ and sat with an air of nonchalance, though she was deep in thought.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Adalin Nyx
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#, as written by slcam
Protection.

Location: Skycove.

Objective: Protect Jenner Reese, Deliver Jenner Reese to the Airship Horus.

Before the week was up, Ada had accepted another assignment. It had never been in her nature to be idle for long, and that had not changed. Growing up in Hope, Ada had always been told, ‘An idle mind is the breeding ground of corruption.’ That attitude was solidly ingrained in her, quickly making her tense and antsy when she had nothing to do.

She had taken the first assignment she saw, not caring what she had to do as long as she could avoid sitting around and questioning her actions, as she had been doing for the past few days. Having to retrace her steps back to the Skycove did little to distract her from brooding, but Ada managed to keep her mind sufficiently occupied.

She had mended fairly well from her recent mission to Farpoint, and was able to make excellent time to Skycove, which was now much closer than it was a week ago. Having grown up in a Old World city made of unchanging stone, it was hard for Ada to grasp the concept of a ‘city’ moving around so much in the span of just a few days. It was even irritating to some degree. However, this time the annoying unpredictability of the ‘Floating City’ worked to her advantage. Time was not her ally on this mission, so getting to Skycove ahead of schedule took some pressure off.

If only finding this Jenner Reese and convincing her to come was as simple. The first issue was actually getting to the Thorny Rose Inn. Ada faintly recalled having stopped in there to ask questions at one point, and she thought she could easily find it again from that. However, it was nowhere near where she thought it was. In the end, Ada ended up having to ask after it, and, in a place like Skycove, one does not simply get information with only words. The young woman she asked seemed natural at playing the idiot until Ada flashed a few beads. It was amazing how suddenly the woman remembered where it was.

Finally, after having lost most of the morning, Ada found the inn. Of course, the scrawny, fidgety innkeeper had never seen or boarded a red haired woman in his life. His constant twitching made her want to scream at him to stay still, but she restrained herself, becoming colder and less polite by the minute.

Finally, with a little extra persuasion, he was finally ready to take a message to Jenner, and Ada was ready to punch him. She quietly gave him the passphrase that would identify herself to Jenner as someone her father sent. Though that could possibly backfire, that was all she had at the moment.

He bustled back to the small rooms clustered together down a narrow hall. After several moments, Ada took a seat near a porthole, looking out at an adjacent ship that seemed to be temporarily docked. A moment later, the innkeeper scurried back out and stood expectantly behind the counter, closely followed by a young man who immediately split for the door.

The way the innkeeper’s eye kept darting towards the narrow hall made Ada suspicious. The young man was currently blocking the entrance, and all but staring at her. She was just about to stand and find out what was happening when she glimpsed movement through the porthole out of the corner of her eye. Flaming red hair whipped around a pale face as the young woman swung across the narrow gap between airships.

“Blast it,” Ada murmured under her breath. She whirled and started toward the door, noting the young man tense and crouch as if ready to attack, desperate to keep her from following Jenner. “Let me pass,” Ada growled dangerously, already irritated. Instead of answering, the boy pulled out a knife and lunged at her. Using finesse so she would not permanently injure him, Ada kicked his knee with the bottom of her foot, causing him to trip. Grabbing the arm he flung out for balance, she pivoted with his arm over her shoulder and used his momentum to flip him over. He hit the ground with a solid thud and began gasping for breath, the wind knocked out of his lungs.

Wasting no time, Ada flew out of the door and charged across the rickety walkway to the ship Jenner was sprinting across. She pushed through a couple groups of talking people without pause, ignoring their angry yells. Ada and Jenner ran form ship to ship, leaving either unhappy or laughing people in their wake, yelling curses or cheering them on. After a short time, Jenner ran across a thin plank haphazardly strewn between two permanent-docked ships, dislodging it with her foot when she was safely across, just as Ada came to it.

Without hesitation, Ada jumped the wide gap, landing hard and rolling safely onto the deck. Jenner, seeing this, began climbing the tall central mast of the large ship. The little chase was starting to gather a crowd, all cheering on Jenner to get away or Ada to catch her, making bets on who would win out. Ada heard a couple comments on Jenner’s red hair and how it seemed familiar. ‘This is not good. We are making too much of a commotion,’ Ada thought with a scowl as she started up the mast after the woman. ‘This would be so much easier if she would have listened instead of deciding to expose herself to every money-hungry, would-be assassin in Skycove. Do these blasted pirates have nothing better to do?’

Ada was quickly gaining and Jenner was running out of mast to climb. The fleeing woman pulled herself onto the narrow, flat platform that served as a crow’s nest with Ada close on her heels. As Ada pulled herself up, Jenner began backing away nervously, eyes fixed on the cloaked woman who had so doggedly pursued her.

Jenner took one step too many, tipped back, and gave a shriek. A look of horror crossed Ada’s eyes as she launched herself onto the platform and across, stretching out her hand toward the falling woman. She managed to catch Jenner’s shirt, along with a handful of fiery hair, violently pulling her back onto the platform and spinning Jenner around to pin her to the mast, the cloth of her shirt still balled up tightly in Ada’s fist.

Ada panted for a moment, head down, not only from the chase, but also from the fright of almost losing Jenner over the edge. After a moment, she lifted her eyes up to meet Jenner’s nervous gaze and spoke in a scolding tone, “That was a rash, no, idiotic thing to do.” She slowly released her fist, and Jenner shakily leaned against the mast. “You have decimated any cover you might have had and made this much more difficult than it should have been.” Ada stopped then, taking a couple breaths to calm herself and release her anger.

Jenner retorted, “How did you find me and what do you want?” She cursed vehemently. “No, more importantly, what does my father want?”

“If you did not notice, you have a price on your head. Which means every money hungry pirate who recognizes you will be out to kill you. Someone has already tried, have they not? Yet here you are, blowing what little cover you had and flaunting yourself to everyone.” Ada’s voice was emotionless and stony, making Jenner wince. “Your father wants you safe. Whether you like it or not, that is your only option if you do not want to be murdered in the night.” Ada peered over the edge at the slowly dispersing crowd. Finally, they were getting bored and wandering off, denied the excitement of a fight and, thankfully, unable to hear the conversation.

Jenner took a cautious step toward her, still holding the mast, as Ada turned to face her again. “What makes you think I would want my father’s help? I came out here to get away from that overprotective, hot tempered maniac. I can take care of myself and don’t need him intruding in my life anymore!” Jenner’s voice steadily rose until she was shouting at the unflinching Ada.

“And you have been so responsible with your safety already. It seemed you father was not the only hot headed person in your family,” Ada said in a dry, sarcastic tone. She continued, “If I must, I will bind you in a burlap sack and carry you out of here on my back.” There was no humor or anger in Ada’s tone; she was merely stating a fact. She watched impatiently as the sun sunk lower in the sky, casting sharp, long shadows.

Something slowly changed in Jenner’s eyes. Defiance was replaced with defeat and a weary acceptance. Finally, under Ada’s impatient, questioning stare, she asked, “What’s the plan?”

“I am taking you to Farpoint. You will be a passenger on the airship, Horus, where a man named Mr. Costner will look after you,” Ada said, every word firm and authoritative, allowing no argument.

Jenner’s eyes seemed to light up when Ada mentioned Mr. Costner. “James? Of course father would send him for this.” She smiled softly. “Fine, I will let you take me to him.” She tried to sound irritated, but the happily nostalgic look in her eye ruined the effect. It seemed as though she both known and trusted this Mr. Costner.

Ada made Jenner wear her cloak to cover her bright hair. Perhaps they could reduce the number of people who might guess her identity. They made the decent to the deck, this time moving slower and more carefully. Ada was watchful and tense as she waited for Jenner to join her safely on the deck. She watched carefully for any sign of an attack, but it seemed no one was paying attention to them now.

They headed west to find a transport. Ada watched the people around them closely as she argued with Jenner about going back to retrieving her things and say goodbye to her boyfriend. Apparently that was the young man who attempted to keep Ada from following Jenner. “You lost the opportunity for goodbyes when you ran. Perhaps you can write a letter when you are safe, but now is not the time.” She had to stare coldly at the woman for a moment before Jenner whirled around and stomped off, still heading toward the dock. At least she was cooperating a bit better now. Ada still kept a close eye on her, following silently.

They had no issues finding a ship down from the city. There were only a couple other small groups of people with them, but Ada watched one particular group of three men out of the corner of her eye. They had boarded right after Jenner and Ada had, and were watching Jenner far too closely for Ada’s liking. They made no move on the ship, though, and she and Jenner began their journey. Ada knew she might be acting too paranoid, but she decided they would travel north before turning west so no one watching would be able to guess their destination easily.

After a short time, the sun was beginning to set. They saw a line of hulking forms that were clustered together. At first Ada dismissed it as piles of debris; but coming closer, she realized it was horses, all tied together and picketed so they would not wander.

Moments later, she caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of her eye. She covertly watched three figures steadily proceeding toward them as the darkness began to fall, weaving around the piles of garbage. Ada’s heart quickened for a moment, though nothing showed through her expression. Jenner seemed almost startled when Ada began quietly speaking in a calm voice a few moments later. Jenner, for the most part, had been sulking quietly after a couple horribly unsuccessful attempts to escape from Ada.

“Do not look around. We are being followed.”

Jenner’s eyes grew wide, perhaps realizing the seriousness of the situation for the first time. “Who is it?”

“I am not sure, but they are trying to sneak up on us
. Perhaps those men from before?” she said, the last part murmured as if she had not meant to speak aloud. A plan was already beginning to form in her head.

--------------------------------------------
As the darkness began to settle and the moon was beginning to peek over the horizon, Ada and Jenner began to sneak around to the horses. Jenner seemed somewhat loud to Ada’s keen ears, though she was barely making noise. The men behind them were beginning to realize what was happening, and after a moment, they dropped any pretense of being silent and catching the women off guard.

By that time, it was already too late. Ada and Jenner had freed one of the horses, jumped on, and rode past the men sitting around a fire guarding the animals. They all stood with a yell as Jenner’s pursuers noisily reached the horses. Thinking they were there to steal an animal as well, several of the horse-guards charged the assassins, weapons drawn, while a couple others jumped on their own horses and began pursuing the fast-fleeing women.

The wind whipped Ada’s hair as she crouched low over the horse’s withers, feeling the animal move underneath her as Jenner held desperately to her waist. She heard the two sets of hoof beats behind them, and headed for the opening of a rocky ravine to their right. Hopefully, if they were fast enough they would make it in and quickly lose their pursuers.

They darted through the ravine, though slower than Ada would have liked. She had only ridden a few times before. And, though she had usually ridden at a gallop before, for either a getaway or pursuit, she had never ridden for very long. She had no idea how long the animal would last at such a high speed.

She noticed a large crevice mostly blocked by a boulder, barely visible from the front, and slowed the horse. She dismounted and half pulled Jenner from the horses back when she started to argue. Ada whacked the horse’s rump, startling it and causing it to gallop away. She pushed Jenner into the small space, getting as far in as they could before stopping to listen. Their pursuers were not far behind, and she could soon hear them pounding through the sandy soil.

Just a moment later, they slowed to a trot as they cautiously rounded the next corner, moving away. Jenner gave a heavy sigh of relief and Ada looked at her with sharp disapproval. Jenner sighed again in exasperation, though much quieter this time. Soon all was quiet, including Jenner, and Ada whispered, “We will stay here for the night.”

“Why’d you chase that horse off? We could have been halfway to Farpoint by dawn!” Jenner said, rather loudly.

“That is what they wanted, is it not?” Ada replied softly as she turned toward the entrance. “We do not need more people tracking us than already are. Stay here,” she intoned as she walked to the small opening.

Ada carefully watched for any sign of someone watching before cautiously walking out. She carefully wiped their tracks from the sand and strewed a few sticks and other debris randomly around the swept ground. A completely clear track would be like a beacon for an experienced tracker. After a few moments, she was satisfied with her work and returned to the small opening in the rock. It was only about ten feet deep, and the rock converged overhead to make a roof. The moon shone brightly through small openings overhead, illuminating their faces in a pale light.

Ada kept watch, listening for any noise. She pulled out some food from a small bag and they ate silently. Jenner was soon fast asleep, still wrapped in Ada’s cloak. The night was cool and silent, and Ada allowed herself to drowse, coming wide away at every sound. It was a trick she had been taught early in life, and it came easily to her. Finally, the sun rose. Ada stood stiffly, stretching briefly before turning to wake Jenner.

They traveled quickly for the next couple days with Jenner frequently complaining about nearly everything she could think of, from the heat to their ‘brutal’ pace. Eventually, she became bored with this and started asking Ada questions about her life, her sword, or her profession, which she answered vaguely with only half her mind, still very aware of their surroundings. Usually, each of these questions would end with Jenner complaining about some part of her past and that she would be going back to her father. Surprisingly, Ada did not mind all the meaningless chatter. It at least kept the hotheaded woman from trying to plan more escapes.

On the third night, they made a small camp without a fire, as they had for the past couple nights. After eating, Jenner fell asleep, exhausted from the day’s travels-- and complaints. Ada wearily kept watch, leaning against a dead, dry tree that was probably centuries old. It had been struck by lightning at some point, and was blackened and split about halfway up. Ada was wary; though, she was fairly sure they had lost their pursuers. They would arrive at Farpoint sometime the next day.

In the early morning, when the moon was just beginning to sink, Ada dozed. Suddenly, a noise awoke her. She did not raise her head or open her eyes, but merely listened. She heard the noise again, closer this time. Whispered words, a sword unsheathing, and a shuffling step resounded in Ada’s ears.

Moving quickly, Ada harshly shook Jenner awake, saying, “Climb the tree, you will be easier to defend.” She pulled the confused, half-awake woman to her feet and pushed Jenner toward the tree where she obediently began climbing without argument for once. Probably because she was not awake enough to argue yet.

Ada pulled out her daggers, watching the deep shadows around them. She cursed herself for not being more careful and covering their tracks. It must have been easy to follow them, but she had been overconfident that they had lost their pursuers. A man with a rifle appeared to her right, and Ada whirled to face him, keeping her back to the old tree and her ears listening for any other attackers.

“Give us the girl, and we might not kill you,” the man growled in a rumbling voice. Ada made no reply, readying herself to lunge at him or dodge. When he noted her refusal, the rifleman intoned, “Finish her.” He turned, as if to disappear back into the shadows. As soon as the man turned his back on her, Ada lunged, not willing to let the man dismiss her that easily. Before she could finish her attack, she saw a movement out of the corner of her eye and flung herself to the side, rolling to a kneeling position, the swipe of a club just missing her head.

The brute who wielded the inelegant weapon brought it over his head to slam it down on her. Ada dodged the slow, if powerful movement, immediately lunging to deliver a deep gash to his arm. He roared in pain as she swung around behind him, ready to end him. The thought felt natural, to kill in defense of someone she must protect, and it only made her more determined to bring this band of murderers down.

Before she could move, she was caught off guard by the man’s wild swing with his uninjured arm, which, while nowhere near full strength, was enough to send her flying off her feet. She hit the ground hard, but scrambled up again, ready to defend or attack. A couple of her ribs must have been broken, and they screamed in protest as she moved. ‘If you let pain overwhelm you, you will be useless.’ The words of an old Guardian echoed in her mind, and she ignored the pain, not allowing it to slow her.

Ada heard Jenner scream her name, the first time she had used Ada’s name since Ada had told Jenner to call her Lyn, and her eyes immediately swept to the tree. Another man she had not noticed before was agilely climbing toward Jenner, grasping a curved sword in his teeth. Perhaps he had been a pirate, used to climbing through a ship’s rigging. Without losing a moment, she began to charge toward him. She could not let him get to Jenner, at any cost.

Suddenly, the brute with the club was nearly in front of Ada, blocking her path. She stopped, wracking her brain for a way to stop the climbing man. Before two seconds had passed, she desperately threw one of her daggers, watching as it seemed to slowly whirl through the air and sink into the man’s fingers, immediately amputating a couple of his digits. He gave an agonized scream as he fell back down to the hard earth with a groan and an agonized scream.

Without pause, she threw the other dagger at the throat of the brute before her. He was far too slow to block the weapon before it sunk into his throat, and he gagged and fell to the ground as the blood rushed from his jugular and seeped out of his wide mouth.

The man whose fingers had been cut off finally stopped screaming, probably falling unconscious. ‘One more,’ Ada thought, though she was not sure if she was reminding or reassuring herself. She drew her sword and began backing up towards the tree, her eyes sweeping the shadows. She heard the click of the rifleman’s gun being loaded, and located the man in the shadows. The arrogant man had probably thought he would not need to waste any of his precious bullets on her, leaving the dirty work to his subordinates. Now, he fumbled with the cartridges as Ada charged.

The rifleman calmly stood from his hiding place and leveled his gun at Ada, squeezing the trigger as she attempted to dodge. The bullet grazed her temple, leaving a deep gash. Ada stumbled and the man kicked her away, loading once more. As Ada lay panting on the ground for a short moment, he casually began loading once more.

Ada struggled to her feet, her head wound bleeding profusely near the corner of her right eye. “Lyn!” Jenner yelled. Suddenly, she saw Jenner behind the man, a rock spiraling toward his head. Using the opportunity, she lunged as the stone made contact, distracting the rifleman for the briefest instant. He tried to take aim, but he had no time for accuracy. His gun discharged just as Ada’s sword found its target, plunging through his stomach.

As the bullet found her flesh, Ada moaned in pain. The rifleman fell back off her sword and she sunk to her knees, dropping her sword and holding the injured shoulder just below her collarbone. Jenner screamed her name once more as she collapsed, briefly fainting from the shock to her body and pain finally washing over her in full force.

She only lost consciousness for an instant, but when she opened her eyes, Jenner was already crouching over her prostrate form. She struggled to rise, and Jenner gently helped her come to a sitting position with concern in her eyes. Ada waved her off, reassuring Jenner that she only needed a moment. When she no longer felt dizzy, Ada cautiously shrugged the backpack from her shoulders with a wince. A few minutes later, she had bound her wounds with a roll of bandages Jenner pulled from her bag. The bullet had thankfully gone all the way through, so she would not have to dig it out later. Though Jenner begged her to rest for a bit longer, Ada refused. The sun was just rising, and they had to get to Farpoint that day or the ship would be finished loading and gone, along with Jenner’s way home. They tightly bound the man who was still living to the tree, his sword just out of easy reach.

With a long drink of the water they had left, Ada rose and they headed off toward Farpoint. Though Ada pushed herself, what should have been a relatively morning’s journey took them until late in the evening. It was not difficult to find the Horus, and they were soon safely aboard. Mr. Costner, a man who seemed old enough to be Jenner’s father, had been anxiously waiting for them on the deck. He was surprised when Jenner flung herself into his arms, but awkwardly returned the hug after a moment. However, it seemed clear he had some affection for the girl. Ada received her pay, stuffing the money in her bag, and nodded to the two, turning to walk away.

“Wait!” Jenner yelled, running after her. She unclasped the cloak and slid it from her back, handing it to Ada. Ada looked surprised as she grasped the material. She had completely forgotten it. Jenner gave a shaky, somewhat sarcastic, “Thank you,” before pulling Ada into a hug. Ada gave a small gasp of pain as her ribs protested, and Jenner released her, apologizing profusely. They said a simple goodbye, and Ada walked off the ship, a rare smile curving her lips. ‘She has spirit. I think she will make it,’ Ada thought decisively.

Ada lodged at a small inn, allowing some time to regain her strength, before journeying back to the workshop. It was a much easier journey going back, though much quieter.

Ada checked in with Mr. Charles, telling him what was necessary and nothing more in a properly emotionless voice as she handed him the payment for the mission.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Adalin Nyx Character Portrait: Colonel Augustus Autumn Character Portrait: Mister Charles Character Portrait: Arachne Webspinner Character Portrait: Gretch Character Portrait: Alexander Lancaster
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#, as written by Bosch
Gretch groggily got to his feet and pulled a knife from his coat but he was far too late, Alexander had long since left.

“That little fucking cun...”

“Boss!” Max burst into the room interrupting Gretch . His gun was drawn and he instinctively checked the corners of the room. Gretch noted the small but important display of tactical knowledge. His replacement for Jenks might be a fool but he knew how to handle a gun.

“What the fuck just happened Max? Who was that fucker with Skycove Smile?”

Max knew Gretch was referring to the intruder with the cut up face.

“Dunno Boss, but I know who might know. You know Jimmy No lips who drinks in Gregger’s?”

“How many people do you think live in this town are called Jimmy and also have no lips? Of course I fucking know him! Get to the point!”

Gretch was pacing like a caged animal, he wanted blood and come hell or high water he was going to get it.

“He says he saw the Bartender talking to the guy.”

“Who? The Ochillian?”

“No the woman, whatdaya call her. She only pours drinks.”

“Harper Bell, frigid bitch.” Gretch muttered as he went for the door.

#

Sixty seconds later Gretch was barrelling through the front door of Gregger’s. His nose was still a bloody mess from where Alexander had broken it but he still brought enough fear with him to silence the entire bar. It wouldn’t heal right but Gretch didn’t care. He stood in the middle of the bar and dared anyone to make eye contact.

“Jimmy?” He said finally to the room.

“Yeah?” A hideously ugly man nervously replied from one of the tables. True to his name Jimmy no lips had no lips after an unfortunate tryst with a tribal who was going through withdrawal. Apparently she’d chewed the lips right off his head while he was passed out drunk.

“The little fucker who was in here, chased the girl, who was he talking to?” Gretch asked but his eyes had already fallen on Harper Bell.

“Her!” Jimmy shouted releasing a rope of spit from his disfigured face as he pointed a trembling hand at Harper.

“Everybody out! Now , Now, Now!” He yelled pointing at the door.

“Go on off you fuck!” He said as the crowd made its way past him and toward the door. Harper didn’t move as she was transfixed by Gretch’s stare.

Once the bar was empty Gretch pointed at Harper. Max and another of Gretch’s boys grabbed hold of the woman and sat her down at one of the tables. Gretch removed his Duster and gently draped it on the chair opposite. Finally he removed a large cleaver from his apron and set it in the fire that was burning under the hot water stove.

Silence reigned once again.

“Grecth you can’t trust...” Harper started.

“Shut your fucking mouth!” Gretch screamed his face inches from Harper’s.

The silence was thick and oppressive for a few more minutes while Gretch lifted the cleaver and tapped a knuckle to it. A sizzling sound told him it was ready. He returned it to the fire and pulled out a second Cleaver.

“Arm.” He said.

Max grabbed Harper’s left arm and held it out straight on the table. Gretch shimmied up to the table and watched Harped squirm for a few seconds with a look of utter panic on her face.

“Pleas...” She started but was cut short when Gretch slammed the cleaver down severing her left arm in the middle of the forearm.

“I told you to shut your fucking mouth, Harper.” He said calmly while she collapsed in a screaming heap. Gretch dropped the cleaver and nonchalantly walked back to the fire under the hot water stove where he retrieved his other cleaver which was now dully glowing. He quickly returned to Harper, grabbed the bloody stump and pressed the cleaver against it.

“Gotta stop the bleeding, don’t want you passing... Too late.” He said as Harper’s scream ceased and she slipped into unconsciousness. The last thing Harper remembered was the smell of her own scalding flesh.

#
She came round a few seconds later to find herself still sitting at the table. She first looked at her left arm which was minus hand. Gretch was sitting opposite her using said hand as a back scratcher.

“Wakey, Wakey sleepy head!” Gretch said with a genuine smile.

“Wh.. Why?”

“I got questions, you got answers. Never really saw the point in fucking about with beatings or threats or theatrics. I’ve come in shown you I’m not fucking around. I have shown that right?”

“Right.” She said quickly her eyes wide from fear and skin pale from blood loss.

Gretch slapped her hand down on the table and pointed with his own.

“The man who you were speaking to, chased the slut over to my place, what was his name?”

“He never said.” She said panic and fear choking her answer.

“Ok that’s ok. I believe you. What did he want?”

“Wynn, he was asking about Wynn.”

“Wynn Carnival?” Gretch asked.

“Yes.” She said. Gretch caught the look of surprise in her eye. People always assumed he was just a dumb violent thug who happened to get lucky. It was a perception he cultivated far better to have people underestimate you than overestimate you.

“It’s my business to know stuff, just like how right now it’s your business not to fuck me off. Why was he asking this?”

“He said Wynn worked for the White Group and that he was there to find him. Said somebody had killed Wynn and he was here to find out who.”

“So mystery man works for The White Group?”

“Yes that’s what it seemed like.”

“You’re doing great Harper. Where they headed and why’d he pinch my whore? He sweet on her or something?”

“No, nothing like that. I overhead them he’s going to try to find a woman called Miss Globe.”

“Don’t know her.”

“She’s an Ochillian I think. A mercenary. Barbra was working for her, helped her track down Wynn.”

“Righto. Last question then it’ll all be over.” Gretch said as he stood up and pulled his Duster back on.

“What is it?” She moaned.

“You didn’t juggle or nothing? I mean I’d feel just terrible about this whole...” He managed to get out before he broke into peals of laughter while he waved goodbye to Harper with her own severed hand.

#

Back at the casino Gretch decided it was time to put get some questions answered. He collapsed into his chair and put his feet on his desk.

“Maxy, looks like The Cripple has either gone off the deep end and wants to start something or he’s got a dog off the lead. I want everybody doing everything they can to make New Mesa as unwelcoming to those White Group fuckers as possible. If there’s even a wiff that somebody’s one of their spies he goes on a spike out the front. I want people scared to even whisper the name.”

Gretch opened a drawer and pulled out a bottle a clear liquid Max knew was shine. Gretch took a long swing before resuming his orders.

“Second I want the fucker that came in here broken down until he’s a fucking paste and I want this Miss Globe bitch to explain why she’s bringing her shit to my door. Lastly that crippled fucker Mister Charles. I want him dead.”

Max just nodded this was a tall order. He turned and made his way out of the room.

“Oh and Max get rid of this.” Gretch said lobbing something at Max who was too slow to react which earned him a slap across the cheek from Harper Bell’s disembodied hand.

Max left the office to the sound of Gretch screeching with laughter.

#

Mister Charles approached the Long-hut with the smithy attached, apparently the Ochillian that ran it was something of an Artisan. He was immaculately turned out as usual despite his ride from the workshop but he was travelling light and would be carrying less on the return trip.

He knocked the door with his cane and was soon greeted by a not unattractive Ochillian who was covered in dirt from a hard day of labouring. He knew she was alone as Arachne was in training at the moment, he was sure of her routine.

“Hello how can I help you?” She said with a cheery smile.

“Hello. I’m looking for Armoured Serpent, the blacksmith.” Charles said extending his hand.

They shook while the Ochillian explained he had found her.

“I represent a rather large band of mercenaries and they’re in need of quality arms. I understand you’re the best in the area.”

“Well I don’t know about that...” Serpent began to bashfully explain.

“No, no need for modesty a good friend of mine, Arachne Webspinner, recommended you.”

“Ah a friend of Arachne’s you should have said.” Serpent said as he welcomed him inside.

She offered him a seat and some food but he declined citing the need to return to his mercenary unit.

“I’m simply here to offer you a retainer. This retainer in fact.” He said as he handed her the plain canvas Napsack he had been carrying.

Serpent opened it and sharply drew in a breath.

“Mister there’s more beads in here than I’d make in three months.”

“Consider that your retainer, someone will be by next month with more of the same.”

“What do you want?”

“At the moment nothing, but one day I will call on you and ask you to use your skill as a blacksmith to earn these beads. I expect you to be ready for that day.”

Serpent just nodded as she let the beads fall through her fingers.

“ I’m sorry but I must be going, it’s getting late.”

Serpent stood and extended her hand.

“Mister I don’t know what... I don ‘t even know your name?”

“Charles, Mister Charles. Speak to Arachne I’m sure she’ll tell you all about me.”

He doffed his hat and returned to his horse and the road back to The Workshop.

He knew it was a low move and he didn’t begrudge Arachne happiness, if anything he hoped this would make it easier for her to tell the truth. Charles knew it was near impossible to keep secrets from one you genuinely cared for. He hoped Armoured Serpent would be seduced by the beads and know to keep her mouth shut.

He also knew Arachne would pick up the subtle message of his visit, there are no secrets in the White Group.

#

Augustus Autumn rolled his shoulders and perused a report sitting in front of him telling him increasing numbers of Tribals had been mounting near the camp. It was resulting in small skirmishes between them and his men. While he’d yet to lose one of his specials he was worried about needlessly wasting supplies.

He clucked his tongue and made a decision.

#
Twenty minutes later he had his Captains assembled.

“Cole, the Gating gun is now operational and installed on our Flagship?”

“Yes Sir.” Captain Cole said with a slight note of giddiness in his voice.

“Outstanding. Captains Baker, Franklin and Lewis your groups are rested and ready to move?”

“Yes Sir we can be on the move in two hours.” Franklin responded.

“What about if we disassemble the camp?”

“Give us three.” Baker said.

“Make it happen. We’re marching on New Mesa. It’s time to let these goddamn savages know The Confederates are here and we’re going to fix this rotten excuse for a region.”

“Yes Sir.” The four Captains said in unison as Autumn dismissed them with a wave of his hand.

#

James Costner slowly pulled back the curtain and peeked out the window of the hotel room he was staying in. A blizzard was blowing outside but he was warm from the fire Jenner had kept burning in their small room at the Inn.

“Are they still out there?” Jenner asked from the bed.

“Yes. Three at least, They don’t know we’re here.”

“So we wait it out.”

“Yes.” Costner said as he let the curtain fall back into place. He glanced at Jenner who was sitting in a chair by the fire. She still looked strange to him even though she’d dyed her hair black over three weeks ago.

“I’ve been thinking James. I know someone that might be able to help us.”

“Help us escape?”

“No help me find and the kill the bastard that killed my father. Then whoever ordered him to do that and from there anyone who benefitted from it.”

Costner was only mildly shocked to hear the coldness in her voice. She’d lost her father, brother and two sisters all in a war between business men she didn’t understand. She’d mourned, briefly, then the hardness began to creep into her voice. Costner knew then that her childhood was over, her innocence lost. She ran to The Flats to find out who she was but in the end The Peaks told her. Her path would be one of death, blood, revenge and tears.

Costner knew this because he’d walk the path with as long he could.

“Who’d you have in mind?” Costner asked as he walked over to his own seat.

“Lyn the mercenary who brought me to you.”

Costner exhaled in a low whistle as he sat down.

“I don’t think mercenary covers exactly who rescued you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well... Assassin is probably closer to the truth and they don’t come cheap.”

“Please, James I’m a Reese. I can give as many beads as she wants. Father wasn’t stupid he set aside enough in case of a blizzard like this. Enough to pay Lyn the Assassin to wrest control of my family’s fortune to me, after that beads won’t be a problem.”

Setting

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Character Portrait: Adalin Nyx
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#, as written by slcam
FAQ.
Location: Farpoint.
Target: Kevin Winslow.


Despite her better judgment, Ada took a mission the moment she felt her injuries would not get in the way too much. In other words, she was barely half healed, but decided she had to tough it out anyway. Her ribs ached with every step, but it was not unbearable when they were tightly bound. Because she still only had limited mobility in her injured shoulder, she took a mission that she felt would not be terribly physical, as long as she set her stones right.

The trip to Farpoint had few difficulties, and Ada's first stop was to a busy local tavern. She casually asked after her target, Kevin Winslow, to see what she could find out. The tavern's owner gave her little of use, but a few questions to the poorly clothed waitresses brought her to the conclusion that Winslow favored a small bar a few blocks away. She rented a small room and began gathering information. It did not take her long to find out that Winslow seemed to be quite the heavy drinker. Over the course of a few days, she had even seen him enter the bar several times, always coming out at an ungodly hour of the night, dead drunk as he staggered home to his airship, often with a woman on his arm. It seemed to be his usual routine. This would be the easiest way in, though Ada did not love the idea.

The next day, she entered the bar shortly after he did, missing her cloak and long sword with only a single dagger hidden in the small of her back. After he had downed a few drinks, quickly beginning to lose any sobriety as he noisily laughed at the slightest provocation, Ada approached him and offered to buy him a drink. All cheer left his face immediately as he took her in, seeming nearly sober with that suspicious stare. When Ada confidently called out to the barkeep for a couple drinks, as if she had done this hundreds of times before, he slowly began to relax. As he took a large swig of the bitter liquid, the happy fool from before began to return.

Though they talked a bit and he asked her about herself, she found she only had to give a vague answer and he would soon be off on some tale of his life in the specials or of his 'treasure hunting' adventures. He certainly was a loud drunk, to say the least. Ada did her best to look impressed by the belching man before her, though she was not terribly convincing. Luckily, he was already pretty out of it.

She nonchalantly asked him about his work, asking if he had done anything interesting recently. That really seemed to set him off and he blasted into a tirade about how this person had bought something for this much, and he had duped this person into buying some piece of junk, and how this other person had passed up his 'excellent services' for some amateur. Ada just about had given up on learning anything useful pertaining to her mission when he suddenly mentioned selling a safe to a rich woman without even having the combination. Apparently, he had been unable to get the combination when he took the safe, but knew where it was if the lady ever paid him for it. Before Ada could learn any more, he quickly moved on, not wanting to talk too much about business. A bit late for that, though.

By the time it was early morning, Winslow decided he had drunk himself senseless enough and half asked, half commanded Ada to "come see the airship of a wealthy man." With the slightest pretended hesitancy, Ada relented and held his arm as he staggered out. They slowly made their way through the streets with only a few catcalls and threatening looks toward the pair.

They were soon aboard his little airship, and Ada noticed three of his reported 'gunslingers' as they made their way to Winslow's rooms. Not of these guards paid Ada any notice, apparently used to this kind of behavior. He led her through his office, and she shut the door as he stumbled over to his bedroom door, half-falling in with a laugh. Wasting no time, Ada drew her dagger and hit him sharply behind the ear with the hilt before he could turn and see what she was doing. He slumped limply to the floor with a soft grown. With much effort and small groans at the pain emanating from her ribs and shoulder, Ada dragged him to the bed, positioning him so it seemed he passed out on his own. It was likely he would wake up with little memory of the night, and Ada was sure his head would ache little more than usual.

Ada hastily went back into the office, and began quietly opening the drawers of his desk. Several were locked, and she pawed around for a key before going back to Winslow’s slumped form and digging through his pockets. He gave a small, groggy moan and Ada froze until he let out an obnoxious, breathy belch and a snore. He was not waking up any time soon.

Ada finally found a set of small keys in the breast pocket of his coat, and, after a little trial and error, she unlocked the right drawer and dug through the papers inside. She found a small piece of paper with vague instructions to some half buried, Old World ruin, a couple days from New Mesa, where he had found a heavy safe. There was a tiny, scrawled note on the back about digging a bit further into a building to get a small locked box that could have the safe combo inside, as well as a crude drawing. Satisfied that this was about all she would get, Ada carefully replaced everything so the drawer seemed untouched, re-locking it and replacing the key in the snoring man's pocket. She stuffed the paper in a hidden opening in the lining of the boots where it would be safe.

Ada simply walked out, carefully closing the door, and strolled right past the heavily armed men. There searching stares made Ada uncomfortable, but she ignored them. They seemed unsurprised at her departure, already having heard several loud snores from their boss' rooms. Ada returned to her own rented room, gathering her belongings, paying the owner, and leaving for New Mesa as the sun began to dawn.

It took her nearly two weeks of searching, gathering information, and even several bribes before she got a promising location. One band of Ochillian traders knew the place and warned her that the ruins were falling apart and dangerous enough that only the insane would enter.

Soon after she spotted small bits of the ruins poking up through the sand, a sand storm blew up. She took cover as well as she could in an abandoned, run down shack at the edge of the ruins as the storm hit, sending sand flying through the many holes and crack in the walls. It was nearly two days before the storm died down, and Ada had to crawl out of the nearly buried shack. Looking around, she was surprised to see much what seemed to be an ancient city now exposed, roofless, ruined walls reaching for the pale sky.

Taking the stolen paper from her boot, Ada followed the brief instructions until she found what seemed to have been some sort of mansion, now in a sorry, dilapidated state. Entering through a missing wall, Ada began carefully navigating through the long abandoned residence. In several places, parts of the floor was entirely missing, revealing a long drop into darkness. The floor creaked dangerously with her every step. Though some of the rooms were entirely open to the elements and decimated by years of wear, just heaps of rotting wood, others seemed virtually untouched, many with only a single opening that used to be a window or a door. It seemed there used to be an upper level to the residence, but it was long gone. The room she was looking for was on the lower level of the building, but she doubted there were any intact steps.

Going back outside the building, she peered at the small, faded schematic of where Winslow thought the combination might be, realizing that there was some sort of entrance on the south side of the house. It took her a few minutes to find the half buried stone steps, still littered with rotting wood from what might have been cellar doors. She hastily began pulling out what she could and digging through the sand until she could squeeze through.

She hurried down the crumbling, debris-filled stone steps, the cryptic map on the stolen paper finally beginning to make sense. Ada came to the area marked on the map and began sorting through piles of ruble sitting under gaping holes in the floor above. She did not slow for her injuries, often grunting in pain as she strained her tender ribs. After several minutes of sorting, she came across a sharp, sandy groove in the floor near an intact wall that must have been where the safe was. Not far away was a small metal plate in the wall, half covered.

Ada walked over, scanning the surface of the metal. Long, ragged scratches covered the surface, showing someone had tried to open it by force, as well as pry it out of the wall. After a few minutes of digging and pushing rubble out of the way, Ada managed to uncover the whole box. There was a single, badly damaged keyhole near the top of the door. It looked like someone had tried to pick the lock with an ax.

Taking out a lock pick, Ada experimentally pushed it into the lock, raking the tumblers. Fortunately, it seemed that most of the damage to the lockbox had been external. Whoever had tried to open it must not have known much about lock picking, or just did not have enough time and patience.

It did not take her long to realize just how difficult this particular lock was. It was much more complicated than she had thought at first. After what seemed like hours, Ada was down to her last couple lock picks and her fingers were painfully cramped, but she managed to get it unlocked. Getting the battered door open took a while longer, but finally the bent piece of metal unexpectedly burst open. As Ada stumbled backward, barely avoiding the swinging door, she tripped over a piece of wood and sat with a thud on the dusty ground.
Scrambling up again, she peered into the cramped, dark interior of the box, seeing a small wooden case sitting on several old, stained papers. She excitedly took everything out, shifting to a small pool of light from one of the many holes in the ceiling. The wooden case contained a long, gold chain studded with gemstones. Snapping the case closed, Ada stuffed it into a small knapsack on her belt. Though it was obviously valuable, it was not what she was looking for. Shuffling through the papers, she saw nothing that even vaguely resembled a combination, the words terribly faded and often missing. She carefully rolled up the papers and stored them with the wooden case.

She returned to the lockbox, checking it thoroughly to make sure she did not miss anything. Frustratingly, there was nothing else inside. Ada began to search around the perimeter of the basement, dodging around debris and piles of sand. There was nothing else there that was of any use.

Suddenly, the wind unexpectedly picked up, blowing everything around. Ada heard a groan from the wood overhead, and she paused, immediately aware of the danger of the house crumbling even more. The wind increased to a shrill screech, followed by a sickening crack overhead. Ada ran for one of the solid stone walls as the ceiling began to fall around her, covering her head with her arms while numerous chunks of wood hit her as she ran. She reached a corner and whirled around, watching as the debris slowly stopped falling.

There was no way for her to get to the other side of the room, much less the stairs. The pile of debris blocked her in. Looking around, she realized her only chance was to get out through one of the openings in the floor. Coughing from the settling dust, Ada began adding wood to the largest pile of debris. Her ribs and shoulder ached, and she had to force herself to rest a couple times before beginning again. It was quickly getting dark as the sun began to descend, and Ada worked as fast as she could. She soon became impatient and scrambled up the pile, several feet short of being able to reach the edge of the opening.

Not willing to stay there overnight, Ada decided to risk a jump. Leaping as hard as she could, she managed to catch the edge. She gasped, almost losing her grip as splinters gouged into her hand and her ribs and shoulder screamed in protest, making her feel numb for a moment. She painfully pulled herself up with a groan and crumpled onto the dirt-encrusted floor, quickly rising and hurrying away from the flimsy edge. Exiting through one of the many gaping holes in the walls, Ada slumped to her knees and took a moment to compose herself. The sun had already sunk below the horizon, leaving the sky a quickly fading crimson.

Moments later, she heard voices approaching. Ada pressed herself up against a wall, taking a moment before peering around the corner. There were several men, all holding flickering torches. One turned slightly, illuminating his face. Ada was surprised to recognize him as one of the gunmen on Winslow’s airship. It seemed her knockout was not as effectively memory erasing as she had hoped.

From the few snatches of conversation she could hear, they were definitely after her, and not happy about it either. Her best option was to get out of there and hope she could search for the combination later. She silently edged around the building, careful to keep out of sight as much as possible. The wind began to pick up again, throwing sand into the air and pelting Ada’s bare face. When Ada was far enough away, she broke away from the cover of the house to another ruin nearby. It would not be good for them to find her, and she was sure they would search the mansion for any sign of her.

Soon she was concealed, her footprints slowly being covered by the fierce wind. She hoped her prints would be gone before the gunmen could find them. It was only moments before two began coming around the corner, carefully scrutinizing the ground. Ada knew she was in trouble then. The tracks were still apparent and there was no way the wind would conceal them in time. They came closer and closer, and Ada knew she only had two options: run or fight. However, if she fought, she would likely lose her chance to come back and search again.

Just as she was ready to run, sure she would hear one of them call out that they found her tracks, the wind swept through. Both men paused, cursing and muttering, before pulling thick scarves up around their heads and faces, stumbling half blind through the driving sand. Their torches were madly flickering, threatening to go out, and the two men hurried around the next corner which was better sheltered from the wind.

Ada was exhilarated by her narrow escape, but soon that exhilaration faded to impatience. Ada peered into the growing darkness for several minutes, squinting against the stinging sand. She had almost decided to give up and find shelter when she heard an odd noise, nearly drowned out by the wind, which steadily grew. It took a few moments before she realized what it was, and she nearly flung herself from her hiding place. They were burning the ruins of the house.

She watched intently, hoping she was wrong, but her certainty grew with each passing moment. She realized what they must have seen: disturbed sand and one set of footprints going down, but none coming up. It was likely they thought she was still down there, trapped by the flames. Ada gritted her teeth in frustration. Now it would be impossible to find anything at all in the ruins. It would take much more than Ada alone could do.

She was sure, then, that she would fail her mission, though she was not ready to admit it yet. Infuriated by the whole situation, Ada rose and stalked away taking more care about leaving tracks behind. However, she told herself she would not have cared, or might have even liked it, if one of the gunmen came after her. Her ribs gave a twinge and she grimaced, reminded that she would be at a great disadvantage in any fight. ‘Why do I have to be so hasty?’ she mused, still hearing the growing fire even as she steadily moved away.

She found the dilapidated shack where she had sheltered from the storm before, now only half buried, and made her way inside. Having to abandon the flaming house made her antsy, but there was nothing she could do until the gunmen left. At least they thought she was dead and would have no reason to stay.

The night passed as slowly as the day had. Ada was unable to manage more than a light drowse, constantly alert for any noise. She did not think they would find her, or even think she was alive; however, she was unable to relax. Finally, morning came. The wind finally died down to a persistent, fluttering breeze. Ada felt terribly sore, barely able to rise from where she had been sitting. It took her several minutes and a lot of pain for her to stretch out the cramped muscles. She debated whether to wait a while longer, but impatience inevitably won out.

She began a slow, cautious trek back to the ruined mansion, darting from cover to cover until she reached a place with a good view of the house. It was now little more than a pile of crumbling ashes, the original first floor now almost filling the basement with burnt chunks and ash. Only a couple charred sections of wall still stood, the rest of the structure totally flattened. If anything worthwhile survived the flames, it would be nearly impossible to get to, especially if you had no idea where to begin to look. It would also be days, perhaps weeks or months, before the ruins were cool enough to walk on, much less dig through.

A noise in the background caught her attention, and her eyes darted to the area behind the house. The gunmen were still there, sitting around a fire that had long since gone out. They had already set up a rude campsite. It seemed they planned to stay for a while. Perhaps they had other orders than just coming to find her?

In any case, Ada decided she could accomplish nothing by staying here. As much as she hated it, this would have to be a failed mission. Reluctantly, she traced her steps back to the shack before setting out for the Workshop once more.

On the entire trek back, Ada wracked her brain for what she could have done differently, where she had gone wrong, why she had failed. She came up with nothing and decided it must be general incompetence. She was simply not good enough. Instead of feelings of disappointment, Ada only felt a strong determination to become better in every way. She was angry with herself for becoming so weak and feeble as to fail what should have been an easy mission, at least easy to her mind.

After a few days, she arrived back at the Workshop. She entered the office to intending to give her report.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Adalin Nyx Character Portrait: Mister Charles Character Portrait: Arachne Webspinner Character Portrait: Alexander Lancaster
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#, as written by Bosch
“He did what?” Mister Charles asked his mouth agape.

“Bust right in there and give Gretch a hell of a beating. Bastard had a broken nose” Elaine McGovern said with a snort as she threw a cup of Tanu Tea down her neck.

“Then what?”

“Gretch threw everyone outta Gregger’s except Harper Bell. Last I saw her she was minus an arm and talking about getting out of New Mesa.”

“Not a bad idea.”

“Why?”

“I just got word something big is going to hit there soon.”

“Thanks for the warning.”

“Warning you now”

She snorted and took another slug of the tea. It was a viscous dark blue liquid that was popular in New Mesa and with the Confederate Army. Charles thought they would be quite happy there.

“Well C here’s your warning Gretch is on the war path for the White Group. Word is he’s killing people based on even a hint they’re connected to you, which means I’m leaving anyway, good thing to, I’m too old for this dancing nonsense. Maybe I could find a rich man to take me under his wing.”

Charles smiled and stood from the small table they were sharing at the small Pub.

“Until next time Elaine.”

#
Job: The Medua Mission.

Charles returned to the Workshop a few hours later where he found Arachne’s mission was complete but still no word from Alexander or Ada. Alexander would get a tongue lashing for going after Gretch and Mister Charles wondered if he should have Gretch killed. With the Confederate Army on the move to New Mesa though it was possible that job would be taken care of for him.

He was sitting reviewing Arachne’s report when a runner burst in through the door. It was a young boy, one of his “Alleyway Allies”. While he would avoid using a child in a combat role he had found them to second to none at the great game. They could slip in and out of places relatively unnoticed even in plain view. Adults like Elaine had their place, for there were things that people would only share on a bedroom pillow, but his eyes on The Flats often belonged to children.
The child standing in front of him was called Puck.

“Puck how did you get in here!?”

“Mister! Mister! They got the... they got...”

“Take a breath, sit down.”

The filthy child sat on the chair opposite Charles’ desk and struggled for breath. Mister Charles rose and called for a glass of water.

“What is it? How did you find this place?”

Mister Charles never met contacts in the workshop, he didn’t want people knowing the exact location of his bed.
“Followed you a few months back.” Puck explained as he took a gulp of water.

“How many know where this place is?”

“Just me.”

“Good.” Charles said as his heart rate dropped. Puck didn’t know it but the Workshop was now his home, and rightfully so the child had stalked Mister Charles all the way back to his lair. If that didn’t warrant inclusion into the White Group nothing did.

“Now what did you want to tell me?”

“The big man, your big man. They got him.”

“Alexander? Who got him?”

“The Ochillian woman. She’s scary. Hit him with an arrow.”

“Is he dead?”


“Don’t think so they took him away with them.”

“Took him where?”

Puck scrunched his face up in a thoughtful pose.

“Madua, The Ghost town.”

“How long ago was this?”

“Bout a day and a half.”

#

Mister Charles grabbed a pen and quickly scribbled a note to Arachne.

Arachne,

Alexander has been taken, the boy handing you this message is called Puck he will guide you to the town of Medua. It’s a mining town that has been abandoned these twenty years. They say a tribal band called “The Ridgebacks” operate in the area and live in Medua. They are easily the most powerful gang in the east although not the largest. This tells you something about their methods.

The Mercenary group that has taken Alexander is not believed to be a part of this gang however they are operating in Medua so expect there to be some sort of business dealing there.

I’m going to send Ada after you but it is imperative you not waste time. I want you to go to Medua and have a skulk around. See if you can locate Alexander or glean any intelligence. Do not assault until Ada arrives or two days pass from you read this sentence. If possible retrieve Alexander. If not he is to be killed. We can’t risk leaks.

C.

#

Puck handed the letter to the Ochillian woman and scratched his ear.

“So we going or what lady?”

#

A few hours after Puck had left his office Ada walked in looking tired and a little beaten. He knew she had failed her mission. The Guardian’s stance told Charles that her ribs were still in pain and he wondered if he was doing the right thing sending her out again.

If he didn’t though it would leave Alexander and Arachne on their own.

She began by explaining that her mission was not a success but Charles simply held his hand up.

“Later. Right now we have a much larger problem.”

He produced a map and pointed to the town Medua.

“Alexander was supposed to find the killer of Wynn Carnival, a bartender and one of our contacts. Something went wrong. Alexander apparently had a run in with Gretch before getting snatched by a mercenary band led by an Ochillian female.”

He looked up from the map at Ada and wondered if she would be able to pull this off. He knew Guardians were tough but this could be suicidal. Whoever had taken Alexander down was clearly smart and his team would need their wits about them. He continued with his briefing.

“Arachne is already on the way with a boy called Puck who knows the way. She’s going to observe and start working on a plan. You need to follow them and save Alexander. They only have a head start of a couple of hours but you’re going to need to lug the equipment. From the look of you I’d recommend a rifle and engaging from a distance, let Arachne get up close. Kincaid might be able to help you, he’s developed an item called a silencer that may help conceal your position.”

He gave a smile but knew it was weak. He was asking them to go against two enemy forces one of which had already taken down one of their comrades. His operatives were tired beaten and he had precious little intelligence to offer them. It could be a massacre or their finest hour.

“Of course that could all change when you get on the ground. Medua is also home to a tribal gang called the Ridgebacks. It’s made up of Ochil, Tanu and Humans so be careful. I don’t think they are working with the Mercs but they will defend their territory. “

Charles let out a long sigh.

“I’m sorry it worked out like this but this is what we do. Get the job done Ada.”

He waited for any question before dismissing the fragile looking Guardian.

#

Miss Globe watched Alexander rave under the effects of her drug.

The Blackwort was a terrible plant, it’s roots when ground up and consumed enabled the user to travel through their own memories to most painful times in their lives. She’d seen killers turn into gibbering buffoons in a matter of minutes. Alexander though was holding on and she respected him for it.

Wouldn’t change anything though.

So far he’d admitted to being in the White Group and all but admitted he knew where the Workshop was. The location he wasn’t about to give up.

That’s why she would move on to the next stage of her Blackwort interrogation. Blackwort was sometimes called scab. This was because of its highly addictive qualities. Like a child that picks a scab despite reopening a wound, addicts to Blackwort would continue to use despite its effects. By now Alexander would have enough in his system to be dependent.

She ordered he would receive no more and see if he felt like talking after a few days of withdrawal.

Alexander was chained in a basement below a shattered Old World Town. The place had been picked clean by scavengers years ago and was now home to a Gang called the Ridgebacks. Their leader, Blasta was a large man who Miss Globe suspected carried Tanu blood as well as a wicked addiction to sand. An addiction she was able to exploit. That’s how they had been given access to the Ghost Town.

The Ridgebacks provided security around the town while she and her band of mercenaries remained in the destroyed old world basement which was actually part of a larger network of tunnels that ran all over Medua.

Up top the Town was over looked by the Ridge from which the Ridgebacks took their name, this was a tactical disadvantage as a sniper could play merry Hell but if they wanted to get Miss Globe any attackers would have fight their way though the Ridgebacks and Her Mercenaries.

She felt she had enough time to break Alexander before the White Group could save him.

Setting

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Character Portrait: Adalin Nyx Character Portrait: Arachne Webspinner
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Arachne was roused from her sleep by a frantic knocking on her door. Blearily, she rose and wiped the sleep from her eyes, only pausing to throw a cloak around herself before answering the door. What awaited her came as a surprise. A small child hopped back and forth, clutching a note in his grubby hands and staring into her eyes anxiously.She impatiently snatched the note from him, scanning it with a frown.

"So we goin' or what, lady?" chirped the orphan. She sighed, shaking her head.

"I need a grain or two. Quit fussing," she instructed him. The child frowned, acting as if he was going to argue, but she shut the door in his face first. As Arachne began to dress, Serpent awoke from her slumber with questions already forming on her lips. Arachne assured her that it was just a small job, and that she'd be back soon enough. Thusly reassured, the armorer rolled over and resumed her dreaming. A small grin manifested itself on her face as Arachne kissed Serpent's forehead affectionately. She grabbed her bow and quiver, pulled the hood of her cloak over her head, and stepped outside. The child, Puck, hadn't stopped his frantic movement, much to Arachne's annoyance.

"Okay, youthful. Get showin' me some breadtrails. We've a man to pluck." Puck stopped and cocked his head at her, completely mystified. Her shooing motion, however, communicated her desire effectively and set him of in the correct direction. Arachne trailed behind the child, maintaining awareness of the environment around them. It wouldn't do to be caught unawares, after all.

Meanwhile, Ada began her report, pulling the interesting papers and the wooden case containing a priceless necklace from the small pouch on her waist. Before she could explain where she had found them, or even that she had failed her mission, Mister Charles held up a hand as if he already knew what she would say. Ada met his eyes with a keen intrest that belied her apparent fatigue as he explained the situation. Her eyes widened slightly at the thought of a White Group operative being captured. That in itself told her much about their enemy. She scrutinized the map carefully, quickly noting its location among familiar landmarks and figuring the quickest route to Medua with part of her mind while calmly taking in what Charles said. She felt his eyes on her for a moment as she studied the map, but a breath later, he continued. The mention of an Ochillian female awoke a vague, nameless worry somewhere in the back of her mind, but she paid it no notice as she intently absorbed the information.

"Get the job done Ada.” Ada gave a short silent nod, setting the items in her hand on the desk with little care as she nearly whirled out of the room. Mister Charles could draw his own conclusions about them, but they were of little use to her and she had no need for unnecessary baggage. She quickly gathered supplies, visiting Kincaid briefly, and left within little more than half an hour of arriving at the Workshop. All traces of her previous lack of confidence were swept away as she traveled out across the wasteland with a ground-eating stride. Occasionally, she would move wrong and a twinge of pain would run up her ribs, however she paid it as much attention as she would a fly. She had no time for weakness or recovery now, and no patience for it either.

The trip proved uneventful, but somehow still managed to be tense and stressing, probably because Arachne kept checking over her shoulder every two seconds to make sure they weren't being pursued. Puck tried to make some semblance of conversation several times, but his journey partner remained tight lipped and refused to make a peep. She simply had no patience for small talk while trying to formulate plans and contingencies in her head. She hoped that Ada would meet them at the site, so they could form a plan and not just rush this place suicidally.

Though she was forced to stop for the night, Ada continued as soon as it was light enough to see. Though she wasn't exactly refreshed, a sense of urgency drove her on. She was eager to find her comrade, but she was already preparing herself for the worst. She began fretting and running various senarios through her head as she walked, though she was quickly able to calm herself when she caught sight of her destination. Careful to keep herself hidden, she carefully scoped out the ghost town. Mister Charles was right, this was a great place for a sniper, however, Ada wondered if that was the only way to handle this gang. She took in as many details as she could before heading off to meet Arachne.

Startled out of her reverie, Arachne realized that Puck had been whispering in her ear for some time now, pointing behind him and jabbering on. Appearently he'd spotted Ada and shown her the way to Arachne's overlook. The assassin stood and brushed off her legs, raising an arm in greeting to her fellow.

It was not long before Ada happened upon a boy. She was half startled when he actually noticed her watching from the shadows and softly called out her name this was no ordinary boy, it seemed. He quickly guided her to Arachne, getting her attention.Ada merely nodded in response to Arachne's greeting, immediately getting to the point. "What information have you gathered?"

"The camp tends a fair mass, but their ways are stiff. With a bit of glimming, we shouldn't meet any nasties." Arachne handed Ada her spyglass and pointed out several reinforced points throughout the camp, as well as certain patrols. Examining her partner more closely, Arachne frowned.

"Are you in full shape to be raiding? You look a mite raggedy."

Ada noted eachpoint Arachne showed her, a general plan forming in her mind as she gauged distances and blindspots. She was quickly, though hesitantly, realizing she had no alternative but to use the rifle, though the thought of killing in such a manner gave her chills, and always had. She did not enjoy the idea of killing without giving the opponent any chance to defend, or even see the attack coming. It made her feel cowardly either way. Nevertheless, especially in Ada's condition, this would be the most efficient and least risky. The important thing now was getting to Alexander, and there was no way she would put the enemies well-being above her own comrade, no matter what her feelings on the method.

Ada was half caught off guard by Arachne's observation. She had not realized she had still been holding herself awkwardly and irritation showed briefly on her face, though it was directed fully at herself. She unconsciously straightened, as if denying her injuries, but quickly realized how childish the action was. Her ribs protested slightly, but she gave no further sign. "I will manage. In any case, provisions have already been made," she said, her tone emotionless. She motioned to the rifle strapped to her back.

Eyeing the rifle, Arachne decided not to question her friend's skill with it, nor its origins, and instead simply nodded and jogged down the path down the mountain. At the base of the path, the road widened, morphing into the main broadway through the small town. Every few hundred feet, a guard patrolled whatever route he'd set for himself. There were about fifteen guards moving throughout the town, meaning that at all times, there was at least two sets of eyes in her direction. If she wasn't careful, or missed a step, then the chances of getting Alex out alive (quietly at least) were going to be dashed on the ground. She watched the street for a good five minutes, measuring everyone's movements and when she felt confident that she knew their patterns, Arachne dashed forward into the shade of a nearby house.

One of the guards passed around the corner, whistling tunelessly and playing with his spear. He spotted Arachne at the same time she did him, and the two stood frozen for what felt like a year. Shaking herself out of her stupor, Arachne leapt at the man, clearing over ten feet of distance, and crushed him to the ground with her momentum. She quickly drew her knife and put it up to his throat, hushing the man gently.

"Oi, guardman. I've a few curiosities that I feel you'd be able to satisfiy. Shiny?" Petrified, the guard nodded slowly and swallowed. Her interrogation didn't last very long, as her captive spoke readily and she asked very specific questions. Having finished with her prisoner, Arachne shoved her knife through both arteries and his windpipe, wiped it off on his clothes, and stowed it back in its sheath. She stashed the body within the house and covered up the blood on the dirt, then returned to Ada.

As Arachne loped into the town, Ada wasted no time watching, instead quickly finding a good position to set up where she would have a view with the least blind spots. In her cloak, she nearly disappeared into the shadows. She watched carefully as Arachne came into view again, observing the movement of the guards, before dashing into the shade of one of the houses. Her timing was almost perfect, but her luck was not, and seconds later a guard happened upon her hardly a moment passed before Arachne was upon him. If it had been the other way around, Ada would have shot the man, but for the moment, she trusted that Arachne was in control of the situation. Moments later, as Ada carefully monitered the rest of the guards to make sure none would happen upon the pair, Arachne was done with the man, giving him a quick end. She soon returned, again skillfuly avoiding the other guards. Either she was very lucky, or very skilled at strategizing. Perhaps it was a combination of both. Ada rose slightly as Arachne approached, ready to hear what she had gained from the encounter.

Of all the foolish things Arachne had ever agreed to do, this had to be the most foolish. Not only did she have to cut through a heavily patrolled township, but then she had to make it through an equally heavily populated mine to the very depths to spring their comrade, who the guard revealed was under some heavy drug influence and might not even want to come with them. She explained all this to Ada, sketching a very, very rough plan out in her mind.

"I muse I can ghost the houses with a fair breeze and nary a scent on the wind. Alexander is gonna put some lead in my balloons, though. I've not the bulk to carry him, and if he's truly on the mush, mayhap he won't want to tag along. Should the Dunes smile upon us, we'll need that bangstick of yours to keep any gritters off our knees, yeah?" Arachne got up to leave, but stopped suddenly. She took the bow and quiver off her back and set them down next to Ada.

"If things go whirly and I don't come for these, take them to Armored Serpent back in the flats. Mr. Charles can tell you the way. Don't stay too long, as I can't guarentee she won't be a bit swingy with her fists."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Adalin Nyx Character Portrait: Arachne Webspinner Character Portrait: Alexander Lancaster
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The drug had been working it's way into Alexanders brain for days now. He was afraid, but more importantly angry. Now at everyone and everything. Miss Globe opened the door for his annual torture on top of the drugs. She swayed forward coming towards Alexander in an almost alluring manner. Her body was saying that she was friendly and inviting. But, her eyes told a different story. She was angry, but not at Alexander. Alexander was just an outlet for said anger there was something deeper. Some true hatred. Maybe Charles had wronged her in some way. Or maybe the world had. Either way, Alexander had come to love those eyes. Even when she was torturing him all he could think of was fixing that look in her eyes no matter what caused it. But, Alexander was a survivor. And he knew what had to be done. When she stepped within reach of Alexander he grabbed her very suddenly and pulled her to the ground. He then slammed his fist against her face several times, but she was recovering. She kicked him off then stood up. But, she wasn't stupid she knew she couldn't beat a trained white group agent, so she called in Dill. He charged in with sword drawn. He slashed at Alexander in a large arch. Alexander dogged, but his reflexes were slowed from not standing up for several days. Alexander then tackled Dill to the ground. And was about to throw a punch when Miss globe slammed a chair on his back. His forehead slammed into Dill's nose as he was hit. It killed him instantly. Alexander then got up and kicked Globe into the nearby wall. He picked up Dill's sword then stopped. "You are an unbelievable tease you know?" Alexander said, then he ran out and locked the door behind him. Alexander then sneaked through the mine taking out any unsuspecting guard that got in his way. Alexander finally made it outside. There was about a quarter mile to the nearest cliff. That is where Alexander was headed. He continued on with a crouched run, but he didn't see any enemies. He climbed to the top of the hill and immediately hit the deck. It was Ada, she looked pretty banged up. He stood again and tapped her on the shoulder. She immediately had him down with his stomach on the ground, Alexander cried out "Ow, fuck it's me Ada." She didn't release right away. She looked pissed that Alexander had gotten captured. They then gathered up Arachne and when back to base. But, something didn't feel right. There hadn't been enough resistance to his escape. The girls looked like they were ready to go through an army and Alexander had just walked out. Maybe he was lucky, or maybe they had a tail. But, at this point Alexander didn't much care.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Adalin Nyx Character Portrait: Arachne Webspinner Character Portrait: Alexander Lancaster
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#, as written by slcam
As Arachne gave her general plan, Ada realized how great the odds against them were. It did not especially lessen her determination, but the thought lent itself to her tension. She nodded as Arachne finished and indicated the rifle sitting across her lap. Despite her dislike of the cold separation the rifle gave from her enemies, Ada would not hesitate to use it to their advantage as much as was necessary.

She frowned as Arachne made arrangements for if she did not come back, stubbornly refusing to accept the possibility of failure. Nevertheless, she nodded firmly. "Understood. May the hand of the Lord guide you," she said, adding the customary blessing without a thought as she scanned the area.

Arachne soon started off, and Ada again took up her position, monitoring the motion of the guards and Arachne's path to the mine. They would certainly need perfect timing and the favor of God to make it out with Alexander. Ada did not know the man well, but she was not much for socializing. However, she still took this rescue mission with the same attitude and determination as if she had been rescuing a family member. In a way, she almost was.

So far, the plan was going smoothly. Arachne was certainly skilled, though Ada had expected no less. However, on Ada's second scan of the guarded entrance of the mine, she found the guards lying flat on their faces. She scanned the area nearby and soon spotted what must be Alexander. He had made it out himself.

Ada immediately began racking her brain for a way to get him out without issue and notify Arachne to get back. "Why did we not agree on some signal?" Ada muttered to herself, irritated by the oversight. Finally, Ada decided on something that would give them a bit of breathing room. Hopefully, it would be no issue. Arachne was sharp enough to figure it out. It would not take her long to realise it was not for her sake that Ada had been firing since she was in no immediate danger.

Alexander's path out was thick with patrols. Not wanting him to run into big trouble, Ada quickly put her makeshift plan into motion. She quickly scoped out a couple guards a few hundred yards across the town, well away from the escape route. Ada aimed and fired, loading then firing again in quick succession. The shots were aimed so the men would turn slightly as they fell, making it more difficult to figure out where they were coming from. Though the gun still seemed loud, Ada could easily see the difference. The guards closest to her had not heard anything yet. Ada dropped a couple others in that region, missing only once when a man unexpectedly stopped to look at something, but that was quickly rectified.

Finally, she was satisfied with the damage and fired a non-fatal shot at a man in easy view of several others. His screams could easily be heard, and Ada let out a slow sigh of relief as the rest of the guards began to run toward the noise with yells of their own. Ada figured it would be awhile before they figured out what was going on and where the shots were fired from, since a quality gun capable of such shots was difficult to come by in the Flats.

While she was observing, she suddenly felt a tap to her shoulder. She moved reflexively, kicking the legs out from under the unknown threat and Pulling her dagger. As soon as the man hit the ground, she had a knee planted in his back and a dagger to his throat. Instead of one of the guards, Ada found herself looking into a familiar, if somewhat battered face. She had forgotten how quickly Alexander had been approaching in her consuming task. She looked him over with a emotionless, somewhat distant gaze, slowly letting him up. She let out a short sigh, releasing the pain the sudden movement had given her before gathering up her gear. They did not have much time.

It was not long before their little group hastened away from the town. Ada frequently left the makeshift group to watch their tail and disguise their tracks however she could, watching for any sign of a tail. Something was off, there should be some pursuit with that noisy of an escape. There seemed to be nothing behind but a long stretch of desert. She returned often to allow Arachne to do her own scouting if she wished, making sure Alexander was moving along despite whatever damage had been done to him.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: [NPC] Bartender Character Portrait: Adalin Nyx Character Portrait: Colonel Augustus Autumn Character Portrait: Mister Charles Character Portrait: Ruby Gowen Character Portrait: Gretch
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#, as written by Bosch
Ten hours Later.

“Marvin this heat is getting unbearable. I swear it’s getting warmer.”

Marvin looked up at the Sun and then back at his travelling partner, Christine Carol. They were sitting on a wagon being dragged along by sullen looking nag. Christine was a trader operating between Farpoint and New Mesa, she’d employed Marvin as a guard a few years ago when the route started to get a little dangerous and she felt she could use the backup. She now viewed the man as a kind of surrogate son despite his attempts to be taken seriously as a mean guard.

“We can stop for water in few miles, there should be an oasis coming up.”

They sat in the comfortable silence of friendship and watched as the countryside crawled by.

“What’s that?” Marvin said with a tinge of surprise to his voice as he pointed to a form off to the left.

Carol looked but could only see a small dark lump.

“It’s moving.” Marvin said as he dug around in his pack of the brass telescope he always carried.

Carol slowed the horse while Marvin investigated.

“Oh my, it’s a woman!”

Carol slowed the horse while Marvin jumped out and slowly pulled his rifle from its scabbard. She shook her head at his exuberance, the man was a romantic despite all his posturing as a tough mercenary. He was always looking for a damsel to rescue.

As he approached he could see she was an Ochillian although it was difficult through the dirt and dried blood. It was clear she’d been badly beaten.

“Are you alright?” Marvin asked as he approached and attempted to look heroic.

“Of course I’m no... I mean no I need help, bandits raided my caravan on the way to Farpoint, beat me and stole my cargo. Bastards.”

Marvin lowered his rifle and helped the woman to her feet. He quickly glanced along the horizon as he had heard of these honey pot ambushes before.

“Come on we’ll patch you up.” Marvin said as he supported the woman toward Carol and the caravan.

One Week Later

Jenner Reese looked out of the porthole of the Airship she had spent the last three weeks onboard, behind her Costner adjusted finalised his preparations and rechecked the bags he had packed. He didn’t bother with Jenner’s as he didn’t think it right to check the young woman’s personal items but he’d made it clear she’d have to carry whatever she packed.

“Ready Jenner?” He asked.

She nodded and lifted the small pack she’d prepared.

They were both dressed for further travel and stood out from the rest of the passengers because of it. It wouldn’t matter though once they were on the ground, in The Flats. Up in the Airship the assassin’s blade could come from any angle at least out on The Flats they could see it coming.

They disembarked and found themselves standing on a rickety pontoon in the middle of Farpoint. They walked along and passed an urchin clutching a raggedy stack of papers.

“New Mesa Falls to the Fed Army! Read all about!”

Jenner stopped and was about to speak to the child but Costner pushed her along. She bumbled along for a few moments until they finally got out of the throng of the crowd.

“The Confederates are here? I hope the White Group is still functioning they’re the only ones that can help us.”

One Week Later.

The truth was the White Group was in bad shape. The kidnap of Alexander and the work load had taken its toll on the team. Mister Charles knew he was pushing the team too hard but that was a good thing it meant they had too much work coming in. It was for this reason that Charles decided it was time to recruit again.

Of course contracts were still coming in through Mister Charles’ network but with the Confederate invasion it was better to lay low. He hadn’t been out of the Workshop in weeks and was starting to feel cabin fever setting in. The other members of the White Group where recuperating from their numerous injuries but there was no rest for Mister Charles, he was marshalling all his resources to learn as much as he could about the Confederate Army, try to find Gretch and lastly work out what was happening with Miss Globe who apparently had taken an interest in the White Group.

Charles was in his office going over some reports when Puck wandered in. Recently Puck had been given a wider role in the network acting as an intermediary between Mr Charles and the informants he had out on The Flats.

“Morning Puck I thought you were still out collecting reports?”

“I was but I ‘eard summat that I thought you should know.”

“Which was?” Charles asked.

“Some girl and this man she didn’t want people know she was with were walking ‘round Farpoint trying to find out about Miss Ada and The White Group.”

“Really? Do you have names?”

“Yep, She’s calling herself Carla or something and dyed her hair but it’s Jenner Reese.”

“How do you know that?”

“I was the one who told you about the bloke looking to set up a contract. I knew her from Kiladeys.”

“You went to Kiladey’s? At your age?”

“Yeah not anymore though getting too old. Gotta start saving my cash.”

“You’re ten... nevermind do with your money what you will. Send word to Farpoint. I’ll meet with Reese from what I hear she’s suffered a family tragedy.”

Puck nodded and left the office whistling a jaunty tune.

One Week Later.

Miss Globe had been travelling with Carol and Marvin for almost two weeks. Marvin was blinded by a woman being in his proximity to the extent he couldn’t look her in the eye. Miss Globe thought this was pathetic. Carol was a different story, the old woman had quizzed her about her story and was sure to keep an eye on Globe at all times. Miss Globe couldn’t be sure if it was old fashioned racism or if Carol was just a good judge of character but Globe only needed to get to the length of Farpoint where she could restock, rebuild and then go after the White Group again. She wasn’t sure how it had happened but somehow they’d slipped through her fingers again, once more shaming her. She thought how many people had died how much pain had been caused for the Spruce Framed Havelock Rifle. Of course now it was so much more than business she would finish what she’d started with Ada and she knew Alexander would be carrying the psychological scars from what she’d put him through for the rest of his life. That man would be irreparably changed and for that they would meet again.

They had stopped for the evening and Marvin was getting the fire started. Globe felt uneasy not about her situation but something in the air was disturbing her.

“Marvin you checked the perimeter?”

“Uh why yes... I checked it right and proper isn’t nothing out there gonna get you ma’am.”

Globe nodded but still she felt uneasy she looked out from the small camp they’d set and looked out across the Flats. As happenstance would have it Marvin’s kindling caught light as Miss Globe was looking across the Flats. She wasn’t even sure she’d seen it but for a brief second she caught something glinting that seemed to have ducked behind a sand dune.

She stretched and cracked her back before walking to the wagon and grabbing a small spade or as Carol called it the portable toilet.

“Excuse me.” Miss Globe said as she walked away from the Camp.

Once she felt she was far enough away to be undetected she broke into a jog and looped back around the camp. Sure enough behind the dune she found two Feral Tribals. Both heavily sunburnt and muttering amongst themselves.

Quietly she snuck along as she raised the spade high above her head. At the last moment she turned it in her hand to ensure she striking with edge of the spade and not the flat of it. All Ochil had to think about the best ways to maximise damage given their diminutive size.

She brought the spade down with all the force she could muster and sickening crack echoed across the Flats. Her victim instantly began to spasm so Globe let go of the spade and turned her attention to the other Tribal who was wide eyed with disbelief. Globe leapt on to his back and curled her lithe arms around his neck before squeezing the air out of him with the crook of her elbow.

The man collapsed and Globe quickly patted down both for whatever she could find. One was carrying a rusty looking blade while the other had a particularly shoddy looking New World revolver. She grabbed both and was about to kill the unconscious tribal when she heard a scream coming from the camp.

She peaked over the dune and saw a man wearing a battered looking duster standing over Carol’s motionless body. Marvin was pointing his rifle at the man who was brandishing a tiny knife like it was a dart.

After a swift movement too quick for Globe to see from distance the stranger was suddenly standing behind Marvin while Marvin clutched a bloody wound running the length of his right arm.

“Hell he’s fast.” Globe whispered.

The man didn’t kill Marvin but instead produced a long knife.

“Alright little one! Bet you think you’re real lucky but that luck’s done run out!” He shouted across the Flats.

“Now my two amigos ain’t shown up yet which makes me think they’re face down in some ditch which...” The stranger looked at Marvin. “What’s yer name pecker breath?”

“Fuck you.” Marvin muttered.

“Wrong answer.” I a fluid motion the stranger stabbed Marvin through his cheek causing the man to roar in pain.

“Which means Peckerbreath here is gonna pay!” The stranger called out.

Globe quickly went to the unconscious tribal and tied him up using torn clothing from the dead one she then slapped him awake. He tried to scream but Globe had gagged his mouth. When he started to struggle she punched him repeatedly until he stopped. She had to do this couple of times but she knew even a tribal would get the idea when beaten enough. Besides she liked it because she imagined it was Alexander’s face.

When the Tribal was feeling more cooperative she pulled him to his feet and marched towards the Camp.

“I have a hostage!” She called out to the stranger in the duster. As she approached she could the man’s face was a patchwork of scar’s sunburn and dirt. His hair grew at crazy angles at it looked like his skin was on the wrong skull. In the flickering of the campfire in front of them it looked like his skin was constantly shifting.

“Lady I don’t give a good fuck about no hostages.” The stranger called out as punched Marvin hard in the ribs.

Miss Globe’s hostage muttered a protest but she silenced him by jerk his hair back.

“All I’m saying is you let my boy go and I let yours go.”

The stranger started laughing.

“Lady do you know who I am? Seriously I don’t care about that fuckstick.”

The hostage again whined and again she pulled his hair to silence him.

“To be on the level I don’t care him either.”

“That so lady? You can’t steal my fucking bit.”

The stranger lifted a gleaming blade and threw it directly into the throat of Miss Globe’s hostage. She felt the Tribal’s blood roll out of his neck and on to her hand so she let the corpse drop.

“See what I mean you have to be willing to commit to the bit.”

Miss globe raised the Tribal’s pistol and sent a bullet directly into Marvin’s face.

The stranger let Marvin’s body drop.

“Now that is surprising.”

“I know you. You’re Gretch.”

Gretch took a theatrical bow.

“Indeed I am and you sure as shit ain’t no caravan guard.”

“No but from what I hear you’re on the way out now the Feds have taken Mesa.”

“Ha, it’s only loaned to them.”

“ I think we can work together and get ourselves back on our feet. Looks like you could use some quality help and I need a posse.”

“Why what’s a sweet little Ochillian like you need with a posse?”

“I got a bone to pick with the White Group.”

Gretch’s face slowly curled into something approximating a smile.

One Week Later.

New Mesa was completely under Confederate control while there were some incidents of the local populace rising up in an attempt to defy Confederate control these were limited to a number of isolated individuals. Cornel Augustus Autumn put this down to a simple lack of leadership it was for that reason he ensured a list was drawn up of any potential rabble rousers and they were taken care of.

Unfortunately one name had not been checked off his list.

Gretch.

He knew it would be far too fortunate to have Gretch die in the assault but still he had hoped. Now the madman was out there on the Flats plotting revenge, Autumn wanted to send out squads to look for him but his force was stretched enough holding the town.

Nevertheless word from the Peaks was his ambitious gambit had paid off. He was being hailed as a military genius for taking New Mesa with such a small force. He had to admit himself it had been a brilliant idea to use Gretch to take the town only to attack when the tribal had done the dirty work. Now Autumn was being widely tipped to be the next leader of the Confederacy all he had to do was maintain the tempo of his campaign which thankfully was being given a shot in the arm by reinforcements coming from the north. He was to receive two regular units as well as a small boys unit and a Specials unit. More than enough to hold the town which meant he could focus on expanding his borders.

Of course he still had multiple problems to overcome. Hope wouldn’t stand for an invasion of their borders and if the stories were to be believed the Guardians of Hope had the potential to cause a lot of damage before they were conquered. Farpoint wouldn’t be as tough to crack but everyday he didn’t attack gave them time to develop a resistance. Autumn was betting on the independent spirit of the Flats being their downfall. It was often said getting Flatlanders to work together is like trying to herd flies.


One Week Later.


Jenner Reese had begged, and Mister Charles had felt uncomfortable. She needed help taking on Mozambique, the man who had her family murdered, but she didn’t have the money to pay. Of course she did have something Mister Charles wanted.
“A simple trade you and your Mister Costner work for us and we’ll gladly help. I need help doing organisational work in the office and when I go out, with the way things are in New Mesa, I need some kind of protection. It seems Mister Costner has a penchant for keeping people alive so I’m sure he can do for me what he did for you.”

Of course they agreed. Jenner though hadn’t counted on enjoying the work though, she’d been at it for a few weeks and for the first time in her life felt truly useful. Sure she was collating information for a group of Assassins but she’d lived on the Flats she knew it was a rough place and in a way the White Group helped keep some semblance of order.

She was standing in the large Library, a room that contained all the information the White Group had gathered over their existence. She found it fascinating reading, it seemed like all she had done was pour over records from past jobs and surveillance reports.

Mister Charles had given her an important job, she was to prepare the briefs for the next round of jobs. She’d dropped them into Mister Charles and he was currently perusing them. It reminded her of her when her tutors would check her multiplication answers.

Mister Charles entered the study and set the stack of papers in front of her.

“Excellent work Miss Reese. The agents are ready for action, as is our new recruit, the spirited Miss Gowen. Post the Jobs.”

Jenner nodded and lifted the stack of papers before leaving to post them.

The Inside Job.

Location- The Peaks, Southern Territory. Igur Penal Mine.

Target- Hanzo Guinness

Information- This one will require a bit of travel. Igur is a Confederate operated Penal Mine in the south of the Peaks. It is quite different from the Flats in terms of Climate and Geography with its tall mountains and cold climate. The mine produces various metals and ores used by the Confederate Army including metal ores and coal.

Igur is famous for being notoriously tough with an astronomical inmate death rate. This is because Igur contains the absolute worst the Confederacy has offer. It does not divide for gender race or creed and the only thing that really matters inside its walls is how strong or smart you are. The guards are little help due to their corrupt nature which includes organised betting on fight between inmates. In closing Igur is not a nice place.

You are to find a way into Igur and find the man Hanzo Guinness. Guinness was part of a gang that pulled a diamond heist . Guinness found himself holding the bag and was able to stash it somewhere on the Flats unfortunately he was then captured by the Confederates. It is your job to break Hanzo out so he can lead the members of his gang to the stones. No doubt the Confederates are also aware that Hanzo knows where the stones are and will be asking him where they are. I’m sure they aren’t asking nicely.

Planning to Fail.

Location- New Mesa

Target- Confederate Plans for future troop movements

Information- New Mesa is now completely under Confederate control. The force is being led by Colonel Augustus Autumn who by all accounts is a masterful tactician and fighting man. Of course this says nothing about his morals.
Having seen what is happening in New Mesa several parties have become very interested in knowing where the army plans to move in the future as this information would be of great financial importance. Therefore these plans are to be located and recovered by an operative. Of course it is vital that this operation is undertaken in complete stealth as if the Confederates become aware that they have been infiltrated it is likely their plans will change. It is also for this reason that the operative should copy rather than steal the plans. So be sure to bring a pencil and paper.

While it may be possible to pass off one or two killings and blame it on the local people know that if the body count racks up the Confederates will become aware of your presence and the mission will be failed. Additionally the local people will pay dearly if you do decide to pin a murder of a Confederate on them.

House Call.

Location- Farpoint

Target- The Widow Mary Kane

Information- Mary Kane has been a pillar of the Farpoint community for over thirty years. She is widely respected for helping build the town and is a permanent fixture of its aristocracy. She has been known to undertake charitable works particularly among street youth in New Mesa, for example her Kane carts provide food and blankets when the temperature drops. She is viewed as either a force for good on the Flats or as a foolish old woman with more money than sense depending on how cynical the person is you talk you. One thing is clear though she’s a force for good on the Flats.

You are to kill her.

The widow Kane has been in poor health recently and our client would prefer she does not get better. The only stipulation is the death cannot appear to be a murder.

Kane lives on the airship her husband bought before his death with the money he made from his airship freight company or rather the airship freight company he sold to the Walkers. In recent months she has become somewhat reclusive with the only visitor she admits being her Doctor. If you are able to intercept the Doctor you may be able to present yourself as a replacement. If not you may rather take the direct approach and sneak in to kill her in her sleep.

Kane has become quite paranoid in her old age and maintains a rather large staff of ten guards each one of whom is intensely loyal to her. Additionally she has a cook and a maid.

Whatever method you choose the murder must look like an accident or natural causes there can be no suggestion of foul play.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: [NPC] Bartender Character Portrait: Adalin Nyx Character Portrait: Colonel Augustus Autumn Character Portrait: Mister Charles Character Portrait: Ruby Gowen Character Portrait: Gretch
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Target: Hanzo Guinness
Location: The Peaks, Southern Territory. Igur Penal Mine.

Induction:

In truth, Ruby wasn't sure what she expected joining the White Group. They were mere Flats mythology as far as she'd been concerned up until now, and for all intents and purposes, Ruby wasn't exactly the quiet methodical type in most scenarios. But, Mr. Charles had made contact with her and apparently Ruby had something to bring to this table. It had taken her two weeks to mull over the decision. But it was when New Mesa fell to the Confederates that sealed Ruby's fate. Fuck the Confederates. Fuck their rules. Fuck everything they did, will do and if Ruby has anything to say about it, fuck them until they can't do anything anymore.

It took her two days to make her way to the Workshop, the mysterious headquarters and her new home as it were. Entering with an uncharacteristically nervous apprehension, Ruby for the first time realised how claustrophobic she was. Perhaps it was her pirates blood and love of the wide open spaces of the Flats. The bunker itself wasn't all that unwelcoming and when Mr.Charles had initially inducted her, explained what was expected and laid out the do's, don'ts and everything in between, Ruby began to feel a sense of belonging.

It was a few days after her arrival that Ruby took the opportunity to jump at a job. Cabin fever had begun to set in and the quiet nature of the bunker was starting to have adverse effects. Ruby hadn't met her other 'colleagues' yet, and that probably contributed to her sense of loneliness. When Miss Reese posted the first of the jobs, Ruby was quick to sort through them. Two required more patience and care than Ruby had to offer but the first one, that sounded like something Ruby could sink her teeth into.


Ingur Penal Mines:

Ruby awoke abruptly, three days later. Her hands were cuffed tightly and her wrists were raw and tinged slightly with pain. Her vision was blurry initially but it didn't take long for her to realise what was going on when she came to full consciousness. The air was almost cuuting as it brushed past her face. Looking to the ground below she could see snow. It seemed the Fed's had taken the bait and Ruby was just moments away from being dropped into the mines. She hadn't accounted for the three day sleep though, or the fact they'd suspend her hanging over the side of an airship for god knows how long. She breathed in deep, thankfully they hadn't beaten her -yet. And apart from a dull headache and her wrists, she was otherwise fine.

Someone yelled from the deck above and Ruby felt the ship descend through some mist and she saw a platform suspended about a mile up from the ground on the side of a mountain. The airship docked and Ruby plunged to the ground about three feet as her captors released her hold. Hitting the ground hard Ruby coughed as she was roughly picked up by mine guards.

"The bitch is to go down to the deep. Colonel Autumn wants her.. repenting deeply".

The escorting guard from the airship laughed. He looked to Ruby, holding her equipment up from arms reach,

"Colonel says you can get these back when you've earned them."

Ruby pulled out from her holder grip and kicked the taunter fair in the groin causing him to keel over with his eyes popping out of his skull,

"Look after them for me."

she chided as her escort punched her in the back and dragged her off the platform and into the Prison-mine.

It had been nearly three days since Ruby's arrival to the mines and she almost regretted this entire assignment. In the short time she'd been here she'd been forced to wander the deep - the roughest most dangerous part of this prison mine. The deep was the most horrific place of this entire operation. This place was meant as a productive prison. Littered with people of all ages, sizes, ethnicity and more. The prison was established on and into the side of a mountain named the Peak. The prisoners were essentially allowed to free roam, but placed into specific sectors. In the deep, the prisoners were forced to dig and build the prison further while collecting resources from these establishing mines for the Confederacy.

Ruby was in a constant battle to keep herself from being tortured or forced into some sort of bet-brawl by the guards within the few short days she'd already spent in the deep. Forced to work in near darkness and sleep wherever there wasn't someone else, the deep was a literal mind-fuck and a special destination it turned out, for those who personally pissed Autumn off. It turned out hijacking one of his Fed crews that wandering the Flats and killing them wasn't looked highly upon.

But Ruby was persistent and determined that her first job was going to succeed. So far she'd sussed out how the deep was monitored, and buddied up to a few inmates already; she'd also learned that the airship that had brought her here was still docked and was due to leave in a days time, and by chance learned that Hanzo Guinness was currently being interrogated at the Flank, or more commonly known as the Guard's Level - also the level above her's. Apparently the Confederates wanted the diamonds he'd stolen and hidden too, just as expected. But apparently getting the information wasn't as easy as expected and taking him into their nest was apparently where they kept their 'persuasion devices'.

Ruby had to move fast and she wasted no time putting a plan together. Fortunately for her the sector of this prison-mine had to use dynamite to clear more tunnels for further development. Unfortunately for Ruby, she was expressly prohibited to use them. But, like always, Ruby silently said fuck it to herself and when the place quietened down for the night, she set about putting a full-throttle plan into motion. Ruby was going to use the organised-chaos the guards had going against the entire prison. She found herself a dark corner to hide in while the guards did their check.

As two of the guards approached Ruby, she kept herself flush against the wall. The two, unbeknownst, ignored her and Ruby moved fast, kicking the one closest to her in the kidneys, then the back of his knee, forcing him to the ground in submission. The dim light gave her enough cover and she was able to punch the other guard in the stomach causing him to double over as she placed her hands on either side of his neck and pulled her knee upwards to collide with his face. The guard fell slumped to the floor as Ruby patted him down taking a small automatic handgun from his body and a stun baton too. Turning the baton on, she hit the other guard who was fumbling back to his feet causing him to slump next to his comrade unconscious too.

Ruby heaved in triumph and was caught off guard when suddenly a bright light shone into her eyes and another guard swore out loud and yelled into some sort of communication device,

"Back up in main tunnel of the deep!".

Ruby suddenly had to squint as the almost darkness was suddenly blinded by blaring lights. So the bastards kept everyone in the dark on purpose. Ruby adjusted and looked up in time to see her snitch aiming a handgun right at her and a number of inmates around them watching. He looked nervous, but Ruby could tell he'd shoot if given the opportunity, so she did the only thing she ever did; Ruby got loud.

"RIOT!" was all she needed to say.

A nearby inmate watching the scene unfold lost his shit at Ruby's words and king hit the guard holding her up. Her words, and the other inmate's actions sent a shockwave of unstoppable rioting that like a venom, poisoned the entire place within minutes. Ruby had her diversion. Grabbing a few remote controlled dynamite, Ruby began her ascent through the maze of mines, following small maps situated on the corners of intersections until she found herself back in the established part of the prison and soon slipping up into the Flank.

It was utter chaos everywhere else in this place but the Flank. True to her nature but unbeknownst to her, Ruby's one syllable word apparently had more power and drive than she'd thought. The Flank, normally a hotbed of Confederate Prison Guards was silent and abandoned. The Guards were all out in the rest of the mines bashing, killing inmates, trying to keep whatever order they had before and in turn they were being bashed and killed. By pure chance she found herself outside what was marked 'Interrogation Room' and from the inside she could hear shouting and arguing.

"What the fuck do we do?"

"I don't know, why the fuck are they this bad?"

"That bitch Ruby Doom -"

"Don't fucking call her that -"

Ruby pushed the door open slowly, letting it fall open as suddenly the inside went quiet. She heard the movement of guns as they were aimed towards the door. Ruby took a deep breath as she looked behind her and in front. She could hear the chaos a ways off, but no one seemed too concerned with the Flank. Ruby moved fast, turning the corner into the room crouching, her right leg stretched out as she crouched to provide a crutch and left leg stabilizing as she fired once into the face of one guard and then once again into the other.

Ruby pulled her right leg back in and stood up, pocketing the gun into the pocket of her prison pants, looking over the man sitting in the middle of a room, cocking his head to the side with a hood over his face and his hands tied behind him.

"What do you want?" he asked with a static, gruff voice.

Ruby smirked, pulling the hood of his face, "I want you."

The two made their way up each level of this sadistic prison as fast as they could. Unfortunately for Ruby, Hanzo was frail from weeks of apparent interrogation. He was a man of approximately 50 years of age, and while in reasonable mental and somewhat physical health, he had endured pretty exhausting trauma. But Ruby pushed him hard and with a bit of difficulty, the loss of all her ammunition, and stun baton, Ruby and Hanzo made their way to the same platform she'd been dropped off at earlier, appearing out in a giant hanger that overlooked the platform just in time to watch the airship that brought her here take off.

"Fuck. My guns and clothes!" Ruby grunted. "Bloody Cowards!"

She ran to the edge of the platform, looking down, too far; besides, it would take weeks to get back to the Flats and then some to get back to the workshop. Ruby turned back to Hanzo, shrugging her shoulders, that's when she noticed the small airship in the hangar that led off the platform.

"That's our ticket out of here." Hanzo chimed in, cottoning on to Ruby's plan.

Starting up the ship, Ruby cheered as it roared into life and breathed a sigh of relief as she and Hanzo took to the sky. They sailed for two hours before they managed to catch up to the ship that had left the Mining Prison to sort itself out - if it ever would. Ruby took the opportunity of being disguised as a Fed ship and pulled up on the side of the other airship dressed in a spare uniform left on board she'd found. Hanzo looked nervous but Ruby just smirked again,

"They've got a few of my things..."

It was ten minutes later Ruby made the leap back to the small airship, looking to Hanzo calmly as she told him he might want to distance themselves quickly. As they pulled away from the airship Ruby turned to wave as what was left of the crew on that airship waved erratically at her.

"3,2,1..."

The airship suddenly exploded, breaking in two, falling about a mile or two to the ground below. Ruby yee-hawed and blew a kiss to the smoking rubble that hit the ground below with another explosion.

"Girl's gotta have her stuff" she joked holding her clothes and weapons up.

Ruby settled behind the controls of this ship and rode the journey out all the way back to a few miles from the workshop. Ruby pushed down a rope ladder when they were about twenty feet from the ground and made Hanzo climb to the ground, quickly switching the airship to an ascent and locking the controls, Ruby made her way down the rope ladder having to fall about three feet to make a safe landing. Hitting the ground jarred her ribs again and Ruby winced in pain as Hanzo helped her back to her feet.

"It's all good.. It's all good." she boasted as she straightened up.

The two walked the rest of the distance, a total of thirteen miles to the Workshop. Ruby had succeeded this time. Hanzo was safe. But it was at the cost of her physical body, and one big target by the confederation she'd placed on herself. Still though, Ruby had fun for what it was worth.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Adalin Nyx
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#, as written by slcam
Planning to Fail.

Location- New Mesa

Target- Confederate Plans for future troop movements


For the first time in weeks, Ada was out on a mission. After Alexander’s ‘rescue,’ she decided to hold off until her injuries were completely healed and no longer a hindrance. Now, the night air was refreshing, and she moved across the Flats like a shadow. It was not long before she spotted New Mesa, taking in the few flickering lights that illuminated the moonlit city. It seemed quiet, especially when compared to the boisterous, murderous racket from when Gretch was in control just weeks ago. The whole town seemed somewhat subdued to Ada’s eyes.

As she stealthily came closer, circling part of the city, she began to note the patrols of various guards, as well as the noise of those who were off duty. Even so, it seemed that the guard was somewhat stretched for the size of the city, and there was plenty of activity that went unnoticed by the guard. This was very much in her favor. However, there was too great of a chance that she would stand out on the streets, especially near the headquarters of the operation, which were in Gretch’s old place.

Ada watched the patrols carefully to figure out their timing. Soon, she stealthily approached the city. However, instead of sticking to the many alleys and side streets, she pulled herself onto a low roof, quickly scaling the building until she could easily jump to the next building. Though there was variance in the height, and quality, of the roofs, it was not difficult to find a way across. Ada was only forced to touch the ground a couple times, and was back up within seconds.

The convenient thing about traveling in this manner was that people rarely looked up, and even more so in a town like New Mesa where no one wanted to get involved in trouble. She had seen people brutally robbed and beaten for looking the wrong way, as others walked by without a glance. That, however, enabled her to be almost completely unnoticed, moving silently from rooftop to rooftop.

Soon, she came to the center of the city, in clear view of what used to be Gretch’s casino. Now, instead of the usual thugs and lowlifes, it was swarming with soldiers. Ada could only imagine what it would be like during the day. However, for now, the traffic was mostly patrols doing their rounds, and the numerous others who do their business at night or in secret.

She quickly decided the front of the building had no opportunities for entry, and took the time to make her way around to where she had a view of the back. A single patrol of two men circled the building every few minutes, but that seemed to be the extent of the activity. Ada approached the building and hid herself until the guards passed again while grumbling about having to take the night watch. They soon passed, and Ada shot from her hiding place to begin scaling the side of the building, using the many cracks, battered window ledges, and holes in the siding for footholds. It took several tries before she found a window that was open and led to an uninhabited room. She quickly slipped inside, leaving the window open a crack. Ada stretched her hands for a moment. It had been a while since she had last done this, but the activity felt good after doing nothing for so long.

She listened at the door for a moment for any noise from the hall. Hearing nothing, she cracked open the door and peeked out. Soon, she was proceeding through halls that were mostly deserted, ducking into doorways and around corners when someone came close. She needed to find out where the main office was. The plans would be there. Finally, Ada spotted a couple guards in front of a door. Every few minutes, someone would come in, stay a few moments, and then rush out again as if on a mission. She could not stay there long herself or she would risk discovery.

There would be no way to get in through the front entrance. She would have to go out through another window and try that approach. She marked where the room was and proceeded back down the hall, trying a couple doors once she was sure the rooms were empty. The windows, however, were locked or boarded shut. She soon decided to go back to the room she had first entered and make her way from there.

It was not long before she was back in the room. She waited for the patrol to pass again before opening the window. She found the window where she thought the main office was, and exited the room, managing to close the window behind her before finding a frustratingly roundabout way to get to the office. It was the only way, short of going through the inside, so Ada began her trip up to the roof.

She made it to the eves of the roof, pulling herself up slightly to peek up the roughly shingled surface. There was a small, flat area at the apex of the roof where two soldiers were looking out toward the city. Thankfully, they had their backs to her, but this would be more difficult than she had anticipated. She pulled herself onto the roof in a crouching position, watching carefully for the patrol down below and watching the guards on the roof. She slowly crawled, stopping and flattening whenever one of the guards on the roof turned.

The minutes passed slowly until she was above the window she needed. She waited for the patrol to pass again, glanced once more at the two guards, and slowly let herself slide over the edge. Ada had to search for a toehold for a moment before she was able to make her way down and to the side of the window so she could peek inside. She saw an older man sitting behind the old desk, maps and various papers scattered around him in an organized mess. The man was large in the muscular sense and his bearing made it obvious that he had been in the military for years. This had to be Colonel Augustus Autumn.

Now all Ada needed was a distraction of some sort to get the man out of the room. Having verified that this was the room she needed, Ada was forced to again scale up to the roof to avoid the patrol. She flattened herself on the rough shingles just as the men passed by, never suspecting anything. The men near her were also still unaware of her presence, and Ada inwardly mocked them for their lack of awareness. All the better for her mission, though.

Just as she was about to look for something to create a distraction and lure the Colonel from his office, she heard a ruckus from the front of the building. The patrol hastened around the corner to find out what was happening and the guards on the roof moved closer to the front. Ada quickly scaled down again, faster this time, and listened by the window. It was not long before she heard the door slam open, a muffled voice urgently, and loudly, saying something about an imposter that needed interrogation. Ada heard the voice of the Colonel, though she could not make out what he said, and soon after, the door closed again.

She risked a peek inside, and found the room entirely empty. Without a doubt, there were still guards outside the room, but this was her chance. She pried the window open and slipped inside, quickly sorting through the papers on the desk and writing down anything related to troop movements, though there was nothing major. She hurried, carefully making sure to put everything exactly where she had found it. She sorted through the drawers, and even managed to pick the lock on the safe, but still did not find what she was looking for. She closed everything up and looked around to make sure she had not overlooked anything.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching outside. She half leapt out the window, forcing it closed with little consideration for noise. She moved until she was at the side of the window, out of sight if any were to look out from the room. As she hung there, her fingers cramping slightly, she heard some noise from the inside of the room as someone approached the window. They should not be able to see her, but she still froze in anticipation. Finally, they moved away.

Ada peered in from the corner of the window, hoping that there would be some indication of where the man kept his plans for troop movement. Perhaps they were somewhere on his person. That would make this difficult. She had to go up to the roof a couple more times to allow the patrol to pass as the night slowly passed.

On the last time, the Colonel seemed to be getting ready to retire for the night, and Ada realized she might have to do this again the next night, or figure out another approach. She groaned inwardly, but soon noticed another soldier enter the room as Colonel Autumn rose to leave for the night, locking the maps and papers in a drawer. The soldiers dress and bag seemed to indicate he was some sort of messenger, and Ada watched cautiously. The Colonel spoke with him a moment before handing him several sealed envelopes. After a bit of saluting and more talking, the messenger turned and left.

Ada wasted no time in getting down, dashing into an alleyway just as the patrol rounded the corner again. They paused and looked around, as if they had noticed some noise, and Ada concealed herself better, waiting to see what they would do. After a few moments, they continued their rounds, and Ada made her way around to the front of the building.

She scanned the small plaza in front of Gretch’s old casino for any sign of the messenger. She caught sight of the man turning up a major street. Ada took to the rooftops once more, and hardly a minute passed before she had come to the street and was able to trail the man. He would be the best possibility of getting the plans, but he seemed wary of being followed. Ada, however, literally had the upper ground and she was easily able to keep herself concealed.

Finally, the messenger came to the edge of the city, greeted the patrol, and proceeded out into the desert. Ada followed unseen, waiting for an opportunity to ambush the man. It was likely she could ambush him, knock him unconscious, and make it look like a burglary, especially since the plans would still be safely in his bag.

As she followed, Ada realized the man seemed fatigued. He had probably been traveling most of the day. Soon, he stopped and made a small camp and a fire. Ada watched from the darkness as he made a warm meal and prepared to sleep, her eyes never leaving the bag at his side. Finally, he kicked dirt over the fire and rolled out a blanket to sleep on. Ada waited until she heard him snoring softly before she crept over, cautiously grabbing the messenger bag from his side and opening it. She made sure to note how the letters were arranged before taking out the sealed ones the Colonel had given him.

She heated one of her daggers in the embers of the fire and slid it under the seal, carefully watching to make sure the messenger did not wake up. Soon, the seal was off and still undamaged, and Ada scanned the contents in the dim lighting, taking notes and re-sealing it within a couple minutes. She did the same with the others as well. Thankfully, these were exactly what she needed. She inspected the seals, confirming that they did not look tampered with, before replacing them. She put the satchel next to the man again and left the camp. He never even stirred.

When the army’s movements were predicted, Ada figured all they would suspect is a spy somewhere in their ranks. The confusion and mistrust would be all the better for whoever planned to resist them.

Ada made her way to the Workshop as the sun began to rise, arriving about midday. She took a moment to fill in her notes and make sure they were clear and accurate before entering Mr. Charles office. She gave him the completed notes and her originals, as well as a short, dispassionate report that all had gone well and she had eluded discovery to the best of her knowledge.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Adalin Nyx Character Portrait: James Costner Character Portrait: Colonel Augustus Autumn Character Portrait: Mister Charles Character Portrait: Puck Character Portrait: Ruby Gowen
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#, as written by Bosch
Epilogues.

Hanzo Guinness was safely in the hands of his criminal gang who had been more than happy to pay Mister Charles and the White Group what they owed. Hanzo on the other hand was too happy with his reversal of fortunes to make much sense.
Mister Charles was happy as well, Ruby had performed admirably and would make an excellent addition to the team. He was slightly concerned about the interest her job would generate in the Confederate army. His concern only grew when he received the report of Alexander’s mission.

Around the same time Mister Charles was learning about Alexander’s Antics Colonel Autumn was doing the same. He was sitting in the office that had once been Fat Nic Escobar’s then Gretch’s and now his. Fat Nic’s Casino had been rebuilt and was now the Confederate nerve centre the gaming tables that had once stood in the place had been replaced by Models and maps of the surrounding areas and towns. Each one, with the exception of Hope, was well detailed thanks to the reports of the Confederate’s sources.

Colonel Autumn was lost in a world of thought and deeply reading a report by a survivor of a caravan ambush. Apparently the Confederate patrol had blundered into an ambush masquerading as a trade caravan. The Attack had apparently been led by a native calling himself the Butcher of the Wastes.

Autumn sighed and dropped the report before looking at the assembled captains before him. They were fighting men, all very good at following plans but poor at coming up with them. They needed Autumn to tell them what to do.

“At this point I see no reason to be worried about this Butcher. I have arrived at this conclusion through method of... Captain Hayes?”

“Deduction Sir?” Captain Hayes offered.

“Correct Captain. What I have deduced is this was not the work of a single man. The survivor, clearly traumatised, is having trouble remembering what he saw. I have no doubt it was a single man who threatened him but I imagine the massacre involved a well organised group. One man taking on an entire patrol? Unlikely.”

Autumn smiled, a gesture designed to inspire confidence.

“Secondly, by leaving a man alive we know this group to be vain. They wanted us to know what they had done, so that we might fear them. The Confederate Army does not fear, in particular we do not fear highwaymen with delusions of grandeur.”

The Captains nodded, happy that Autumn was there to take charge and ease their worried minds. The last thing any of them wanted was terrorist campaign.

“Lastly are any of you aware of who this Butcher of The Wastes is? Apparently our group of miscreants are unaware of the history that name carries around The Flats. Depending on who you speak to he’s either a hero of the weak or a mercenary that murdered fifty three Women and Children to celebrate a victory. Innocent people, not Slaves or Ochil, free Humans murdered by this butcher. Say’s a lot about them that they would choose such a name.”

The Captains stood in silence for a moment before Captain Lewis spoke up, the dead Confederates had been a part of his garrison.

“What will our response be?”

“Of course Captain we can’t let this stand and a strong message must be sent to any who are involved or are thinking about getting involved in this sort of thing. Our response must be swift and decisive.”

Autumn bridged his fingers and returned to his thoughts before standing and gesturing to a map.

“There is a small town, a trading stop really, called Ganhj about five miles south of New Mesa. Your squad is to travel there and select fifty three people. Execute half on the spot, ensure this is witnessed and the reason for the action is made clear. It is a response to the killings committed by the gang calling themselves the Butcher of the Wastes. The rest are to be brought to New Mesa where they too will be executed and displayed as a deterrent. Hopefully this will discourage the Flatlanders from picking up arms in an unwinnable war. The Confederate Army also shows mercy on their opponents even when they do not ask it.”

#

Mister Charles shook with anger as he read the report of Alexander’s actions. His actions had put the entire White Group at risk for the sake of a single Caravan. He waited for the Confederate response which he was sure would be swift.

It was.

Puck told him about the massacre at Ganhj and the reason behind it. Apparently the Confederate troops had really worked the place over before murdering fifty three of the town’s inhabitants as a response to the actions of the Butcher Of Wastes. Half of the bodies were currently hanging around New Mesa, just as Gretch had done when he had been in charge.

Charles collected the report he had received about the massacre and sent it to Alexander. He also included his message alongside the report.

“I do hope you had fun playing the Hero Alexander, However I do feel it doesn’t suit you just ask the fifty three Innocents. Or is it One hundred and six now?”

Charles regretted sending the message but he could not abide recklessness and felt it had to said. For all his combat skill Alexander still had to learn the wider consequences his actions could have especially when facing an enemy like the Confederate Army.

#

Ada as always reported directly to Mister Charles after her mission had been completed, not only had she successfully reproduced the plans but she had completely avoided detection. Charles commended her on her work and watched as the young woman left his office. She didn’t respond to his praise and not for the first time he wondered what Hope did to turn children into such emotionless killers.

#

The next day Charles had the plans Ada copied in his possession and was getting ready for an arduous journey.

“Ready Mister Costner?”

“Ready Mister Charles.”

Charles nodded and threw his pack onto the back of his horse before climbing on. Costner did the same with his own horse.
The two men were setting off from the Workshop and making their way to another meeting. The client had chosen a meeting point deep in The Flats which was becoming more common as the fear of Confederate spies was becoming more real.

Already Charles was seeing more and more signs of the occupation. Confederate Airship were making piracy a top priority as well as increasing their hold on New Mesa and the surrounding lands. It was clear the Confederates thought they were there to stay but what this meant for The Flats remained to be seen. Skycove was an obvious choice to attack as Charles had heard rumblings the Pirates were trying to sort out an Independent Navy although there were voices of dissent that thought it would be wiser to just migrate south and leave the Flats to the Confederates. Hope was something of a mystery as its interactions with the other towns were limited. There was no doubt they had weapons stockpiles but their religious beliefs meant they did not have many soldiers and would be unlikely to attack the Confederates unless directly threatened. Nevertheless Hope would be a place the Confederates would be wise to stay out of. Farpoint would fall quickly as it was a town founded on commerce and the Confederates had the most beads. To Charles it seemed unlikely that the Flats would be able to resist Confederate rule. While there was a willingness there to resist the people of the Flats were too disorganised to present a real threat.

They needed a leader.

The meeting they were travelling to would conclude Ada’s plan copying job. Mister Charles had been approached by a Group claiming to be attempting to put together an Independent Army that could one day dead direct blows to the Confederate Army. Of course Mister Charles had no interest in their fight. The White Group would always exist regardless of which flag the Flat’s where under. However when it became clear the group had substantial financial backing, thanks to Claude Kane who had recently inherited his mother’s fortune. In all the White Group had been heavily involved in starting the Resistance even if they were doing it for beads.

After a few days travelling they eventually arrived at the meet. It was taking place in a cave network to the west, a nice out of the way place where a meeting could take place away from prying eyes.

The two men spent a few hours scoping the place out but could see no signs of life.

Eventually Costner stealthily entered the cave but didn’t find anything amiss. The pair entered the tunnel network and eventually found themselves in the chamber where the meeting was to take place. Charles could feel the hair on his neck bristle, there was something off about the meet but he felt confident with Costner there.

Soon they heard a distinctive clip of heels against rock. Both men turned to face an Ochillian Woman wearing a white shirt and tan trousers.

“Madame Ti’loke?” Charles asked.

“Yes I assume you two are representatives from the Organisation?”

“The White Group? Yes, it’s fine to say the name.”

“Good Then it’s fine to say our name, the Flats Resistance Army.”

“Not an Army quite yet is it?” James asked.

“We’re recruiting.” The woman said a little defensively.

“We have the information as requested and our operative was undetected. In fact she tells me she was feet away from Colonel Autumn himself. Could have ended the whole thing there.”

“Why didn’t she?”

“If you’re good at something never do it for free. The Operative completed her task as instructed. Now to business.”

He opened the bag containing the plans but instead of producing them he pulled out a Revolver and pointed it at the woman.

“Miss Globe, I presume?” Charles asked solemnly as he pointed the weapon at the woman’s head.

“How’d you...”

“Know? The lie was good in fact it almost had me convinced. Until I saw your face. My Operatives told me about their encounters with you and the wounds on your face seemed familiar. The rest was guess work I don’t know any other female Ochillians that would need to resort to this kind of deception to get my attention.”

Miss Globe smiled.

“Very good. I hope you don’t think me a rank amateur but time was against us.”

“Us?”

“Ah it would appear you don’t know everything.”

Charles heard a sudden whoosh pass by his ear. Costner roared a curse of pain and when Charles glanced back he saw the man had a large blade sticking out of his shoulder. Costner quickly wrenched it out but Charles didn’t have time to consider what was happening as he quickly found himself tagged with an similar knife. Immediately he knew it was drugged.

“If it’s any consolation I got your man Alexander in a similar fashion.” Miss Globe explained.

Charles heard Costner hit the floor behind him and knew he was a few short seconds away from unconsciousness himself. He tried to steady his aim but Miss Globe was floating around the sights so he lowered the weapon.

“Bugger it.” He said before raising it and firing off every round he had.

He then collapsed.

#

A slap woke Mister Charles up and he saw himself staring into a horribly scarred face he knew all too well.

“Charlie! Welcome to the party.” Gretch beamed. He was wearing a leather apron that was covered in various knives and cleavers. “Me and your partner here where just getting acquainted, playing us some twenty questions.”

Charles took a second to get his bearings. He still in the cave but was now tied to a wooden chair as was Costner who was about twenty feet away and facing him. Costner had taken a beating to be sure but he was still more or less in one piece.

“I got questions Charlie. A lot of fucking questions and you two fuckers got answers!”

“If he finds the Workshop he will rape and murder everyone he finds in there do you understand?” Charles called out to Costner.
Gretch turned and looked at Costner. “Not even necessarily in that order.” He shrugged.

Gretch stretched and walked into a space roughly half way between the two men.

“Now we’re going to play another game. Twenty Questions is getting fucking boring. What to play though... what to play...” Gretch pondered as he stroked his chin in a theatrical display.

He abruptly clicked his fingers. “Mum’s not here, so why don’t we do something... bad?”

“Could you bloody well get on with it? I don’t have time to indulge your ramblings.” Charles said staring hard at the Madman.

“Alright. See Charlie that’s why I like you. Straight to the point. All Business. We coulda worked together and run these Confederate dickpleasers out of town but you hadda send one of your fuckers after me. So now you gotta die, then that piece of shit assassin you sent is gonna die and finally you know what’s gonna happen? All your little fucking killers are gonna work for me. Wanna know why?”

“As I said, let’s move this along.”

“The War. I’m the resistance, I wasn’t shitting ya. Who else is gonna stand up to these Confederate fucks? Who else can lead men? I took a bunch of fucking know nothing tribals and took New Mesa. I can send these solider boys back to whatever diseased whore spawned ‘em.”

“Eloquent as always.” Charles sighed.

“Here’s the deal, I want to know where the White Group club house is first. You know take care of the past so I can move on. So I’ve come up with a simple game to get me answers. Let’s take a closer fucking look at your friend’s chair.”

Gretch strode over to Costner and booted him in the chest knocking over his chair.

“See all these twigs and straw and wood and shit?” Charles looked at the heap that was tied under Costner’s chair. “That’s kindling! Don’t you worry now Charlie boy. Yours is exactly the same.”

Gretch heaved Costner’s chair back up.

“We’re gonna play us some Eeny Meeny Miney Moe. The loser gets to be barbecue and the winner gets to watch. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Gretch pointed at Charles.

“Eeny Meeny... Wait I don’t want any cheating so before you ask I’ve pulled those fucking false teeth Charlie. You can’t be sucking down no poison to get out of it, the loser is going to feel this shit.”

Gretch pointed at Costner and began his rhyme again.

“Eeny Meeny Miney Moe,
Catch a Tanu by the toe,
If he hollers let him go,
Eeny Meeny Miney Moe.”

He stared at his finger for a long moment before following it to the loser.

“I’m sorry Charlie. To be honest though it was always going to be you.” Gretch shrugged.

“You Fucker!” Costner yelled from across the room.

“Do NOT tell them anything! We WILL be avenged!” Charles shouted at Costner.

“Sure thing Charlie, whatever you say.” Gretch said as he gathered together some flint and crouched down behind Mister Charles.

“Do not let me down. Tell him nothing.” Charles said making eye contact with James.

Gretch theatrically smelled the air.

“I think something’s burning!”

Gretch exploded into gleeful laughter and got to fanning the flames.

“NO you Bastard! You sick fucking bastard!” Costner screamed from his chair.

The kindling quickly erupted and the flame travelled to the leg of Charles’ trousers. The man gritted his teeth and stared at the floor while trying to ignore the pain and Gretch’s frantic waving and dancing. He tried to go somewhere else, to a time when he was happy and undamaged but after a lifetime spent killing people for beads he couldn’t think of a single happy moment.

Like Gretch said he was going to feel the flame.

Costner watched as Mister Charles seemed to ripple behind the heat haze. Blood was running down Charles’ mouth from how tightly he was gritting his teeth but eventually he threw his head back screamed with pain. The scream filled the room and Costner thought it was loudest, longest thing he’d ever heard.

Gretch dropped to his knees with the twisted joy he was getting from the moment.

“Let it out Charlie! Die knowing I killed you!”

Soon Costner couldn’t see Mister Charles through the smoke and flame. All that told him Mister Charles was still there was the screaming but eventually it stopped. Then only the crackling of the fire remained.

Costner dropped his head.

As the fire died Gretch got to his feet and walked to Costner.

“I’m going to leave this here for you to take a right long fucking peep at. Tomorrow morning at dawn you are going to tell me where the White Group call home. What I did to that is nothing compared to what I’ll do to you. I just wanted to kill him. You I want answers from. You’ll be alive for days while I work on you. Fucking days.”

Gretch patted Costner on the cheek before standing and leaving the cave.

#

Eventually the smoke cleared enough for Costner to see what was left of Mister Charles and he felt his resolve waver. Gretch was going to kill him of that there was no doubt what Costner had to decide was if he was going to die keeping his word to Mister Charles or die quickly.

Costner didn’t sleep instead he spent hours just staring at Mister Charles’ immolated body and thinking about his failure. His first time out with Mister Charles and he’d let him died in the worst way it was possible to imagine. Costner closed his eyes and prayed to whatever God he could remember.

He prayed for the chance of revenge.

He was interrupted when he heard shifting rocks behind him and for a second felt fear grab his heart that it was already dawn.

“Psst James?”

Costner tried to turn in his seat but couldn’t see where the voice was coming from, then he felt small hands working at the ropes that held him. Once he was free he quickly stood and turned to face his rescuer.

Grubby faced Puck stood in front of him and wiped his nose.

“Puck how did you get here?”

“Found a hole in the ground.” The child explained simply.

“Why are you here?”

“Didn’t trust the meet. I always watch meets I’m not sure about. I have Mister Charles’ back only he don’t know I do.”

“Puck about Mister Charles...” Costner started as he positioned himself between the boy the horror of Mister Charles’ corpse.

“I know, but we gotta get outta here and tell the others. Ain’t no way we’re gonna take on nobody. No weapons and Gretch got an Army in the next chamber over.”

“An army?”

“Tribals all of ‘em but he sure got a lot. Let’s get out of here.” Puck sounded scared and the courage it must have taken for the boy the rescue him became apparent.

“Ok.”

#

Puck showed Costner the hole in the ground through which he entered the cave and Costner followed him out. On the way they passed along a rock shelf that took them over Gretch’s Army. Costner counted at least fifty tribals and there had to be more on patrols. It wasn’t enough to take on the Confederates but Gretch was building his army.

Eventually the duo found themselves looking at a make shift stable with a lone guard. Costner guessed there were only a few hours left until dawn.

“Don’t worry I know how we can sneak past him.” Puck said but Costner put a hand on the boy’s shoulder.

“You wait here and don’t come in. I’ll get the horse and bring it out.”
Costner got to his feet and walked to the Stable. Puck waited for about five minutes before Costner returned with a horse and covered in blood.

“James, you’re bleeding!”

“Not my blood kid.”

#

At dawn Gretch was surprised to learn Costner had been able to escape. He had assumed the cave only had one entrance but it was no matter without their leader the White Group would be no more, he’d had his revenge. As for Alexander without Mister Charles’ network to protect him eventually Gretch would track him down.

A thought then occurred to Gretch which sent him to the stable where the stench of death was over powering.

Every horse in the Stable was dead as was the guard. In fact it looked like before he’d left Costner had taken his time killing and mutilating the man. On the wall in blood was a simple message.

“Soon.”

#

“James are you alright?” Jenner Reese asked James Costner after he explained what had happened to Mister Charles.

“It was pretty rough but he took it like man. He was more worried about me breaking than he was about himself. He was one tough old bastard.”

“We have to let the others know. I’ll brief them when I put up this week’s jobs.”

“What do you mean? There’s no White Group, not anymore.”

“I’ve been working with Mister Charles for a few months now I’m sure between us we can keep it running. The operatives all know what they’re doing and I’m sure they’ll be out for revenge, we owe Mister Charles that as well, he took us in. We also need to find information about Mozambique or have you forgotten about that? I’M though running James, we make our stand here. We’ll kill Gretch, Avenge Mister Charles and go back to work.”

Costner nodded and left the office.

Jenner lifted a pen and started to write.

Jobs.

Before the usual posting of Jobs it falls to me to inform you of the death of Mister Charles at the hands of Gretch and Miss Globe. I assure you this action will not go unanswered. I am using all resources at our disposal to track down this man as well as his associates. To this end all operatives are to remain vigilant for any information regarding Gretch, Miss Globe or any Groups claiming to be the Resistance to the Confederate Army as this is the group Gretch is now commanding.
Additionally, according to Mister Costner, Gretch has a particular interest in the White Group therefore Operatives should take precautions while on Jobs.

Lastly while the death of Mister Charles is a tragedy I assure you the White Group will continue to operate. This would have been his will.

The Ringleader.

Jenner Reese.


Leave no Man Behind.


Target- The remains of Mister Charles.

Location- A cave Network to the west, in the Badlands.

Information- The Body of Mister Charles is to be recovered if possible and brought back to the Workshop where it can be interred.

James Costner can offer the precise location of caves, he should be consulted before you set out. The caves are in the middle of the Badlands so expect to encounter feral gangs of Tribals as well as the occasional, hopefully friendly, tribe of Ochillian nomads.
Lastly while we believe Gretch and his army have moved on, you are to collect any information possible about the group. This can be achieved through analysis of physical evidence or interviewing those who may have seen them passing through the area.
Be aware Gretch is a feral tribal and he is considered a legend amongst these groups if you are detected by a gang of roaming psychos odds are Gretch will hear about it.


Zong


Target- Cuervo “Slim” Banner

Location- The Zong.

Information- Unlike on the Flats Slavery is common in the Peaks. All races and genders have the potential to become slaves and once someone is branded a slave that is their station for life. Branding takes place on the cheeks as a method to easily identify slaves.

Slim Banner is a Slaver who is currently operating in the Flats he seems to be specialising in Ochillians, particularly women and children. Apparently they are sought after on The Peaks by the wealthy as they are seen as exotic.

It’s a dirty trade for dirty people. The client is the Ran-du Tribe who are nomadic traders like all Ochil. Apparently five of their group, two women and three children, were captured by Slim and his gang of Slavers.

Pirates are not welcome in most places in the Flats including Skycove, probably because many pirates are escaped Slaves. The Pirates have established a market called The Zong where slaves are traded before being brought north to the Peaks. Apparently Slim and his Slavers are currently there with the kidnapped Ran-du. You are to kill Slim and recover the five Ran-Du if possible. Expect them to be heavily drugged as this is the preferred Method to keep Slaves controllable. The Zong it’s self will be crawling with Slavers so be aware.


Tit for tat for tit for tat...


Target- Captain Melvyn Lewis

Location- New Mesa and the surrounding area.

Information- Captain Lewis led the attack on Ganhj that resulted in the execution of fifty three innocent people in retaliation for the deaths of Confederate Soldiers under his command. Apparently one of the fifty three killed is worth paying for revenge.
You are to locate and assassinate Captain Lewis. The client has specified, and these are the clients own words, “Let the bastard know his death is coming”. I’ll let the operative decide what that statement means.

Security in New Mesa is much tighter after the ambush so it may be easier to engage the Captain while he is on patrol. We have his previous patrol routes and times available in library.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Adalin Nyx Character Portrait: Mister Charles
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

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#, as written by slcam
Target- The remains of Mister Charles.

Location- A cave Network to the west, in the Badlands.

Ada was caught off guard when she next read the job board. Mister Charles
 dead? Though he had been absent a bit longer than usual, she had not expected something this drastic. What shocked her even more was the name that came after. It was no great leap to think that Gretch was involved, but the name ‘Miss Globe’ was all too familiar. It was a few jobs ago, when she was getting a rifle. She had fought the woman, but incapacitated her instead of killing her. Could it be that the woman was now after the White Group with Gretch? If so, it would be a direct consequence of Ada’s actions. Could she have prevented this?

Ada stood before the board for a moment, trying to organize her thoughts. It was hard to believe that this Ochillian woman, Miss Globe, would take a defeat so hard as to come after the White Group, or more specifically, after Ada. Suddenly, a thought popped into Ada’s mind, troubling her further. She turned from the board and began to search for Alexander.

After a bit of looking, she found him. With little regard for what he was doing, Ada bluntly asked, “Was the Ochillian woman who held you hostage known as Miss Globe?" Though the question sounded strained, as if she was holding in anger, her face remained an emotionless mask.

"Yea, that's her name. And just a word of advice. If you think you're going to be captured. Chomp down on a bullet," Alexander answered.

Not wanting, or needing, to take any more of his time, Ada returned to the job board. It seemed this Miss Globe really was after the White Group, and Ada was the reason. The woman was behind both the murder of the White Group informant, and Alexander’s capture. Ada knew she would have to go after the woman. It was her responsibility for not killing her in the first place.

However, even with this knowledge, she had to admit that she would have made the same choice. It was not in Ada to kill when it was not necessary, and the woman had only been doing her job at the time. Now it was Ada’s duty to kill Miss Globe, and Gretch if the opportunity arose, to avenge Mister Charles.

Reading the jobs with only half her mind, she soon saw the mission to retrieve Mister Charles. She read half of it before she realized what she was reading. She pulled it down and reread it more carefully. She immediately sought out James for details on the location, and was interested in his brief recounting of how he escaped. The extra exit could come in handy.

She quickly gathered supplies, including a spare horse and a light, two-wheel cart to carry the simple casket, and set out. Something else was troubling her, however. She delayed starting the mission for a couple days and headed to Farpoint. She began asking around about the Lion-Heart Mercenaries. It was not long before she found out about the demise of the entire group, and the news was staggering. Though she had made every effort to keep from being associated with them, she still had killed them all. There was only one woman who could have done it, and only one way to avenge them. She would kill Miss Globe, and make at least that amend to the Lion-Hearts.

She quickly left Farpoint, and was able to keep a good pace for some time across the Flats. The sun beat down overhead, but Ada took little notice of it. Soon the badlands came into view, with their many peaks and canyons that suddenly sprang up before her. It was not long before she entered the shadow of a tall mesa at the entrance of a large canyon, stopping to allow the horse to rest before they would continue.

Suddenly, she heard something from deeper in the canyon. She peeked around the rock to see a group of Tribals. She could make out some mumbled curses as they slowly made their way through and eventually up a small path. Several times, she heard the name ‘Gretch’ and something about an army. However, despite all the swearing, Ada could not tell whether the men were going to join him, or merely mocking him. She kept herself carefully out of sight and returned to the horse to keep it quiet until the men were long gone. She did not want a confrontation with a bunch of insane Tribals now. She would take it if it came, but she would not go looking for a fight.

Finally, the men were gone, and Ada continued through the canyon. She led the horse instead of sitting in the cart, hoping it would be quieter that way, and not as rough over the uneven ground. She followed James’ directions carefully, but still had to backtrack a couple times. Soon, she was close to the caves. Ada hid the horse and cart a bit away from the caves, not wanting to be seen if anyone was still there. When she secured the horse, she continued the rest of the distance to the destination.

She highly suspected Gretch would not just leave Mister Charles’ body unguarded. The brute would suspect that the White Group would be loath to leave Mister Charles to rot in some cave. Ada was cautious as she checked the area, soon finding the spot where Gretch’s men camped. Ada carefully examined the ground, noting that the numbers could have been nearer to a hundred than to fifty by the time they headed out further west. Gretch was quickly gathering men. However, there was no sign of anyone currently there.

Ada cautiously proceeded into the caves themselves, still wary. Though she had steeled herself, seeing Mister Charles’ burned corpse was still gruesome. She stood for a moment, sealing her emotions so she could do her duty. Though Ada felt a cold rage building, she detached herself from it. Anger would not help her to make logical decisions now. She began the work of releasing him from what was left of the chair, working methodically.

Abruptly, she heard a sound behind her. Ada stood and turned, not surprised when she saw Miss Globe approaching, weapon drawn. The smirk on her face said that she had wanted Ada to hear her approaching.

“Adalin Nyx, I knew they’d have to send someone but I didn’t think I’d be lucky enough to see you so soon.”

“Do not count yourself lucky. You owe a blood debt and you will not leave alive,” Ada said calmly, no doubt in her voice.
Ada drew her own blade, watching the woman closely and waiting for her to make a move. She heard a slight scuff on the sand behind her and whirled to see a man throwing a knife. Ada quickly dodged, knocking the blade away with her sword. A metallic clang resounded in the cave, along with the man’s swearing. Ada covered the space between them before he could react. His curses abruptly cut off as Ada’s blade plunged up through his diaphragm.

Ada withdrew her blade and allowed the man to drop to the floor, turning slowly as the rest of Globe’s rats crawled from their hiding places. ‘Murderers, all of them,’ Ada thought, disgust plain on her face. She slowly backed nearer to the wall, attempting to protect her back, though she did not like it. Globe just stood back, a smug look on her face.

“Don’t kill her! Just... maim her. She’s to be mine.”

Ada watched Globe out of the corner of her eye as the remaining four members of the woman’s group draw closer, each with a sword, dagger, or blunt weapon. They all looked like unintelligent grunts, but Ada knew better than to underestimate any of them. They obviously thought she would be easy to take down, and would pay for that dearly. Ada knew there may be more grunts somewhere out of sight, and kept her guard up.

Suddenly, a man with a short sword lunged. Ada easily dodged the blow, forcefully kicking him aside before hastily meeting blades with another of them. She exchanged a couple blows in quick succession before noticing another large man with a crude, spiked cudgel attempting to land a blow from behind. She ducked under the swordsman’s next blow, slashing at him and placing him between her and the club bearer as the brute swung. He hit the swordsman’s shoulder with the sound of ripping flesh and an angry bellow from the both of them. Though the men bellowed, shouted, and cursed, Ada was completely silent as she fought.

She turned to face the next man, as he levered a pistol at her. She rolled out of the way, causing him to miss. She heard Globe’s cruel laugh. It only served to intensify Ada’s desire to kill the woman, and she snapped back to her feet, lunging at the swordsman. He raised his blade, a fraction too late to protect himself fully from Ada’s superior speed. Her blade found his throat as his sword slashed her side, making a deep gash. A look of surprise appeared on his face as blood began to gush from the hole in his throat.

Most of these men were bigger than Ada was, but her strength and speed were more than one would expect by her frame. Now, she was out to kill, and each move was deadly and merciless, and meant to inflict killing damage. With a Guardian of Hope, even a former one, that meant almost certain death.

Ada whirled on the remaining three, watching as they again attempted to surround her. She gripped her wound for a moment as she forced the pain back in her mind, temporarily banishing it to the same place as her emotions. Smirking darkly, she stuck the tip of her sword in the sand at her feet and whipped it up, slinging it in the cudgel-bearer’s eyes and causing the others to flinch. That moment was all she needed. In an instant, she was at the man’s side. He managed to block the first two blows, but could not keep his gritty eyes open. In that moment, she slashed his stomach and he groaned in pain, crumpling to his knees.

Ada turned to face the last two, and she could see the fear in their eyes. She kept Globe in her line of vision, but the woman seemed content to allow Ada to slaughter her men. The man with the gun was aiming once more, having reloaded it. Ada charged before he could get his aim, expecting to plunge her sword through him. However, the man with the short sword lunged in front of him, blocking Ada’s blade with a surprising speed. Ada faintly saw a resemblance between the two, and wondered in the back of her mind if they were related.

Her sword clashed with the man’s with a slight screech, the force of the impact almost causing him to lose his footing. She jumped back, carefully watching the pistol man. Apparently, he had shot and missed, and he was now loading again. That was rather tricky with his New World weapon, so Ada had a bit of time. She had to make use of it.

She circled the remaining swordsman, watching for an opening. He lunged at her, but she parried the blow, using the opening she created to slash his left shoulder almost to the bone. She whirled again to face him, watching rage build on his features. He lunged again, raining blows on her harder than she expected. She blocked them with some effort, but knew he would not defeat her with this. She endeavored to keep the man between her and the man with a pistol, hoping that would prevent him from firing.

Finally, she heard a sickening crunch as the man’s blade snapped off, unable to take the hard blows on Ada’s Old World sword. He jumped back, but not before Ada landed a blow to the side of his thigh. He clutched it, his eyes flickering to the other man.

Ada turned her attention toward him again as he aimed and pulled the trigger. She leapt to the side, but was grazed just above her elbow. She used her momentum and lunged toward the gunman, who backed away. He knew he would not escape her, and closed his eyes calmly as she plunged her blade through his chest.

The swordsman screamed in rage, but the gunman was dead before he hit the floor. The swordsman jumped up and charged, still yelling, but Ada deftly stepped to the side, sweeping her blade at his legs and cutting deep into one ankle. As he fell, she pulled her sword back, deepening the cut. He hit the ground hard with a scream of pain. Ada met Miss Globe’s loathing glare as she stabbed her blade through his neck, silencing him.

Blood covered Ada, her blood mixing with that of the men. She walked toward the Ochillian woman, a cold, pitiless look in her eye. Miss Globe was still confident she could beat the ex-Guardian, the woman who she had pursued because of an ornamental rifle. Ada cared little; she would dispatch the woman with the same fervor with which she had slain her cronies.

Miss globe felt almost giddy with anticipation of the coming the fight. She felt stronger and faster than she ever had in her life and knew this encounter could only end in the death of Adalin Nyx. Still she couldn’t resist goading the assassin.

“I watched him, Charles, as he burned and screamed. I used to think people like Gretch were worthy only of scorn, thought them honourless curs. Now I see my error, it really wasn’t that bad, honour is how the weak control the strong. You’d know all about that coming from your orphan cradle in Hope...”

Ada cut off Miss Globe’s words with a precise lunge, starting their fight. They were almost as evenly matched as before, but this time, Ada was out to kill. She began to gain the advantage, not holding anything back. This time, her intent was to kill, not incapacitate, and she could feel Miss Globe’s surprise at the change. Ada slashed and ducked, parrying blows and trying to find a good opening. However, despite Globe’s lesser strength, the Ochillian woman was slightly faster.

Ada managed to knock Globe’s blade aside for a moment, and aimed her blade for the woman’s throat. Globe managed to knock the attack aside, but Ada’s blade lodged itself into her flesh, just above her collarbone before Ada jerked it up and out. Globe lost some of the mobility of her left arm, but lost none of her fury.

The woman unexpectedly kicked low and fast at Ada’s legs, making her lose some of her balance as she jumped back. Globe then slashed at Ada’s face, taking advantage of her weak stance. Instead of plunging her rapier through Ada’s eye, Ada managed to dodge slightly and a shallow cut appeared under her left eye. She stumbled back for a second before leaning forward and pushing a leg behind her to regain her balance.

When Miss Globe lunged forward again, Ada was ready, and met her blade with a sharp clang. Ada grimaced slightly as the pain in her side intensified for a moment, but she did not allow herself to be slowed. Slow meant death and she would not die without taking the Ochillian with her.

Both Ada and the woman jumped back, and Ada took the short moment to catch her breath. She was coming to the limit of her endurance, and would have to end this quickly. She remembered how easy it was to get the Ochillian riled, and how easily the woman forgot herself in rage. At the same time, Ada remembered the last thing she had said to the woman.

Without allowing any emotion on her face she straightened. She allowed a small smirk, saying in a bored tone, “What an enjoyable fight, Miss Globe. You are still not living up to my expectations though."

The woman’s angry response was immediate, but would ultimately be her downfall. Ada readied herself as the woman charged with all the ferocity and curses that Ada remembered. However, this time, instead of beating Ada back easily with her rage-filled blows, Ada was holding her ground for the most part. Globe began to tire slightly, and that was all it took. Ada began driving the small woman back, but this served to infuriate the woman more. She managed to slash Ada a couple more times, but never inflicted any real damage. However, Ada’s smirk only grew.

Finally, the Ochillian discovered why as she found her foot caught. She blacked out for a second, almost instantly regaining consciousness to find her hand gone, still attached to her sword a few feet away. Ada had her other arm pinned to the ground with a heel, and planted a knee on the woman’s chest as she laid her blade across Globe’s throat.

“Killing for your own convenience, your own pleasure, is despicable. Now you pay the price,” Ada said, an oddly calm tone to her voice. She cut off any last words Globe might have had, slashing her throat. It was too easy a death for such a woman, but Ada would not stoop to her level of indulging in torture. There was no justice in that.

She wiped her blade on the woman’s dirty blouse before sheathing it. She left her corpse lying in the corner, turning her attention back to Mister Charles’ remains. She pulled a thick roll of linen from her pack, and laid out his body, gently wrapping it. She carried the linen-wrapped corpse, sparing no other thought for the bodies she was leaving behind. They deserved no burial and no respect.

She quickly came back to the horse, which started at her arrival. Ada gently placed Mister Charles body in the casket, shutting the lid. She stopped a moment to say a short prayer for the dead, before tending to her own injuries. She managed to stop most the bleeding in her side, but still forced herself to rest for a while.

Soon, she mounted the cart and started out of the canyon, leaving the caves behind. Fortunately, she encountered no one on her way out of the badlands, though she would not have been surprised if some Tribals had seen her. She did not try to be silent, instead, focusing on getting back to the flatlands. She did not really care if Gretch found out about her and began coming after her. In fact, she welcomed it. However, nothing happened.

Finally, she emerged into the evening sun, taking a moment to observe the landscape before her and check for anyone following. Over the next few hours, she made sure to conceal the carts tracks and lose any possible pursuers. Ada went to the arranged burial place, finding Puck there. He immediately went to notify the others, but as soon as Jenner and James arrived, Ada left.

She had never believed funerals were necessary. In Hope, she was taught to ‘let the dead bury the dead.’ Guardians, and those training to be a Guardian, left burial to gravediggers, and a deceased Guardian, no matter how important in life, was buried simply and without ceremony.

She wandered for a while on the pretense of making sure she had no pursuers, and did not return to the Workshop to deliver her information until well after the moon had risen.