Epilogues.
Gretch
Gretch lifted the spyglass to his eye and observed to scene of bloody violence occurring a few miles away. He was standing with an entourage of not necessarily his brightest but some of his best and overlooking the scene of carnage Alexander Lancaster had wrought.
“Those Feds dickbeaters are learning the first rule on the Flats.” Gretch said.
“Wass tha Boss?” Kara asked one of the Tribals he’d taken as part of entourage.
“Never but never fuck with the Guardians. Gotta be about twenty of ‘em down there beating seven shades of fuck outta those assholes. Looks like the Grocer of the Wastes didn’t do too fucking rough.”
“Wha ‘bout now? They gonna be real angry.”
“You bet your left tit they’ll be pissed. Now we gotta do one of them meeting things, you know... a uh...”
“Parlay Boss?” One of the Entourage offered.
“A fucking PARLAY!”
“Was tha?” Kara asked.
“What are you fucking slow?” Gretch said as he lowered the glass and looked at Kara who gazed dumbly forward. She was tripping on something that much was certain. “Stupid question. Parlay is where we get all the big dicks together in one room and have chat about kicking these fuckers outta New Mesa and outta the Flats.”
#
Autumn
Autumn was nursing a bruised face and looking at Coleman’s notebook when Wylde strode into his office. He walked up to the desk with a swagger Autumn hadn’t witnessed in many years, normally men bowed their heads when they saw Autumn.
“Most people knock Wylde...” Autumn said with a sigh.
“I’m not most people.” Wlyde responded while talking a look at Coleman’s book. He snorted derisively when he saw it was full of children’s poetry and tossed it back onto the desk.
“Well take a seat then.” Autumn said gesturing at the chair opposite him.
“I’d rather stand, I won’t be long. I’m taking command of the Alpha Company of the Specials you will remain in command of Bravo, Charlie and Delta in addition to the regulars.”
“That’s outrageous!”
“What’s outrageous is the Confederate Army is getting bested by crowd of savages. This is not your decision Autumn it comes from the Grand General himself. You are to continue with your movements but leave the Terrorists to me, my men and the Specials.”
“I strongly disagree with...”
“Are you disobeying a direct order from the Grand General?” Autumn slowly shook his head. “I’m not here to take the Glory, I’m from the Cabal there is no Glory for us. Your political ambitions in Mundus will be unaffected by my actions. If anything I’d take this as a sign of trust, the Grand General has seen fit to give you Cabal support. In a few months we’ll be shaking hands in the middle of Hope.”
Autumn was blushing heavily due to Wylde’s surgical exposure of his motivations. “Very well. I agree.”
Wylde smiled thinly. “I didn’t come to ask for your agreement, I’m simply telling what I’m doing. Operations begin today.”
With that Wylde turned on his heel and left the general to lick his wounds.
#
Jenner Reese.
Jenner flipped through the book Ruby had presented him with as she gave her report and made a mental note of a few page numbers. She raised her eyebrows when Ruby told her about Autumn and Wylde but held her comments until the end. After she had delivered her report Jenner eyed Ruby for a second before making up her mind.
“There’s someone I need you meet.”
Jenner than led Ruby down the cold halls of the Workshop towards a section of the Workshop not often visited. She knocked on a non descript door that was answered by Alexia Coleman.
“Alexia... We have a few things to discuss, it really can't wait...”
It was bad and Jenner regretted bringing Ruby along, of course Alexia’s first instinct was to blame Ruby. That quickly passed and the girl was inconsolable for what Jenner thought was the longest time. She could remember how she’d been when she had learned her own family was dead. It seemed like a life time ago now, it had been for some people.
“Alexia I know you’re sad and it feels like it will never end. I can’t tell you that it will, what I can tell you is you need to let it turn.”
“Turn?” Alexia asked through the tears.
“Yes, turn the sadness into something else. Those monsters worked your father against his will, they made him a slave and you an orphan. Are you going to let that stand?”
“What can I do? I’m just... I’m not strong.”
“No you’re not, but we are. She is.” Jenner said nodding to an awkward looking Ruby. “You’re smart. That means something. You give Ruby the tools and she will use them to hurt those that hurt you. I guarantee it.”
“But revenge is wrong, Father always said we... shouldn’t act out of fury.”
“It’s not fury, this is righteous indignation. This is Justice. The Confederate system only works because it’s based on strength and fear. Good in a war but look what that thinking did to the Peaks, to you father. You can stop it here, turn the storm. Your father would have wanted that.”
Alexia sniffled and finally let go of Jenner. She rubbed her eyes which were red and puffy.
“You’re right. I’ll give you’re tools but it will take some time, I’ll be working from scratch.”
“Not exactly.” Jenner said as she fished Coleman’s notebook out of a pocket.
Alexia welled up when she recognised the handwriting but choked back the tears. She took the book and flicked through it.
“My they must have found quite a haul of Old World artefacts down there. Would it be possible to...”
“Forget it. They’re gone.” Ruby said, her first words in quite some time.
“I was wondering if you could focus on these pages.” Jenner said as she turned to the pages she’d made a mental note of earlier.
Alexia nodded at each one but her eyes grew wide at the last one.
“That might take a little more work.”
“Our resources are yours. Kincaid in the Armoury will help as will Armoured Serpent, a Smithy we’ve worked with in the past.”
Alexia nodded slowly. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“That’s all I ask.”
Ruby and Jenner left Alexia to pour over her father’s notes and slowly walked back to the office.
Before they parted ways Jenner turned and spoke to Ruby.
“Very good work. If we can get half of those things working we should be alright in the coming war.”
After saying goodnight Jenner returned to the office and collapsed in her chair. She felt terrible, she had exploited someone’s grief over their dead Father to get them to make weapons, the very weapons their father had refused to make. She felt dirty. She opened the bottom drawer of her desk and produced a bottle of Purified Shine. It was the only Item that remained which had belonged to Mister Charles.
She poured the liquid into a dainty glass and corked the bottle. She looked at the glass for a while before taking a long pull and letting out a long sigh.
#
“Father I must insist we move to The Overwatch.” Guardian Avers said while he walked alongside the fail old man know as Father Singh. Avers was the Commander of the Guardians although his uniform was no different from any other.
“I understand but I am needed here.”
“We cannot trust those confederate wolves.”
“They maybe wolves but I have my Watchdogs.” The old man raised a weak hand in the direction of a pair of Guardian’s perched on Hope’s massive Walls.
“We lost 20 men in that last encounter.”
“I hear over 200 enemies were slew in the battle. The men fought well and drove a dagger of fear into the hearts of our enemies.”
“Yes but we couldn’t survive another fight like that.”
“You are being dramatic. That’s not a trait I knew Guardians possessed.”
“I’m sorry Father I just...”
“You just lost comrades. I understand, they were your brothers in arms, of course you feel their loss. What I will not do though is leave Hope and travel to the Overwatch.”
“Your word is my law.” Guardian Avers said quietly.
“What we now need to address is the fact that there was a battle at all.”
A smile fluttered across Avers face for a second before returning to its normal composed state.
“We have been working on responses. At the moment our focus is on disrupting supply lines, targeting their airships and preventing their rail lines from being built.”
“How soon can you start talking action?”
“Today.”
“Very good Avers. I give you my word.”
Avers nodded and began to walk away from the old man and toward the barracks.
“Guardian wait!” Singh shouted to Avers back. He spun on his heel and was quickly back at the old man’s side. “I’m sor... It was wrong of me to trust the Confederates and it was unfortunate that the Guardians bore the brunt. I thought I was protecting...” Words failed the old man.
“Father you are a man of peace, not meant for the filth of this world, just like all who reside in Hope. You have kept the pure, pure. The Guardians and I are damned yet by defending you and this place we may yet know paradise. This is what we do, the Guardians who died did so in service of something greater. They had the best deaths we can hope for.”
The old man reached out and patted Avers on the shoulder who visibly stiffened at the kind touch something the Guardian wasn’t used to. “Thank you Avers. Do what you must.”
The Barracks was a hive of activity as Guardians were cleaning weapons, exercising, sharpening blades and sparring. All activity ceased when Avers entered and each Guardian looked his way.
“He’s let us off the leash.”
The roar was deafening.
#
Skycove.
The Sleeping Dragon Pub was packed and smelt of a very distinctive mix of stale beer and sweat. The Pub was normally quite raucous but on this evening there was an uncommon hush over the place. Two men were standing in the middle of the floor holding the audience rapt.
“We go south and just use the southern Trade routes. We can work outta the Red Coast.” Gull Barbour said in summation of the short speech he had just gave.
The cry of applause went up from the assorted Sky-pirates. When it had died down the other man cleared his throat and gave his rebuttal. “Aye but then where? They’ll keep nipping at yer heels till they run ya out right outta land.” It was Blinky Waters speaking. Again he got a round of applause.
“Are you dense Blinky! I know you only got one eye but even you can see we’re in fucking airships we don’t need land!” A roar of support went up for Gull.
Blinky stood “Food, bed, women, fences all them are on LAND! We can’t be just be floatin’ ‘round up here. We’re sky pirates, PIRATES! Ya stupid Manpleaser!”
Gull stood with fire in his eyes. “What did you say! That was only the one time and I was in prison and it was dark and he sorta looked like a woman. A body gets lonely, Damn it!” He screamed before rushing Blinky. “I’ll take that other fuckin eye!”
This was how most of the Sky Pirates attempts at civilised debate ended up, nothing was achieved and a couple of people died. This time was different though.
A shot rang out and the fighting stopped immediately.
“Who’s shootin’!? Youse all know no shootin’ in the bar! You might hit bottle, waste the booze!” The barkeep shouted from somewhere deep in the scrap.
“If you boys are done having your wee wrestling match we’re gonna have us a talk.”
Every set of eyes in the place turned to Captain Carla Reynolds, a diminutive woman with brunette hair and a large old world revolver on her hip.
“Now Blinky and Gull are both right, but nobody cares. We’re pirates we only care about one thing which is...”
“Women?” Blinky offered
Reynolds shook her head.
“Drink?” Someone from the crowd shouted.
Reynolds shook her head.
“Violence?” Another anonymous voice called.
Reynolds shook her head. “In addition to all those things the only thing we care about is... Booty.”
“But I said women.” Blinky said looking dejected.
“Plunder ya morons!” Reynolds shouted, finally losing her cool. “All of ya sit down. We’re going to talk business.”
The pirates who moments before had been locked in mortal struggle now sat down. Some right beside the person they’d been beating.
“Alright here’s what’s going on. The Confederates are going to push us outta the Flats and down south to the Red Coast. Maybe they follow us and push us into the sea I don’t know nor do I care because the Red Coast may as well be the ocean. There’s only small towns down there and not a lot of targets. The Pirates that are down their already ain’t making a lot of beads.”
There was a murmur of agreement and Captain Reynolds continued.
“So there’s no plunder down on the Coast and then we arrive. We’d be eating each other in a week. Unless we all promise we’ll go different ways, like say half of us go in any other direction but south and into the arms of certain death or slavery. We can trust half of youse to do that right?”
“Naw Reynolds, that sounds terrible.” Gull said sincerely.
“It’s a rhetorical question idiot. That’s technique used in the art of rhetoric, which is to say the art of orating.”
Gull looked confused but nodded and leaned back in his chair in a lame attempt to feign comprehension.
“So we can’t go South and that was the only option. Which means we gotta stand, but I ain’t getting shot at saving the day for all these idiot flatlanders for no financial compensation.”
There wasn’t any applause but Reynolds could tell by their faces they were gripped.
“Now what do we know about Confederate Airships?”
“They’re big?”
“They got soldiers on ‘em?”
“No, stop it we’re not doing that again. They got plunder, weapons, food, beads, clothes, all the same shit you got on your ships except more better. We go to war with these Snowdwellers and we take what’s theirs and makes it ours. Then we fence it. We’ll make a killing.”
“Or get killed.”Blinky said.
“When was not getting killed part of piracy? This right here is a great deal, we stay on the Flats, we get plunder and we get to buzz the Feds at the same time. Its called war profiteering dummy! What’s not to love?”
The crowd devolved into a rabble as twenty people tried to make themselves heard at the same time.
Reynolds shouted and the crowd hushed again.
“Look this aint gonna work. I’m gonna find these resistance fools and tell ‘em me and the Crew of the Arcadia are gonna stand with ‘em. If any of you wish to do similarwise come find me. The Arcadia is docked near that Pub that smells real bad like bird shit.”
With that she left.
#
Grievous Wylde.
Wylde had collected his team and given orders to the Alpha Company. From Mundus he had brought Five other Cabal members all like him were specialists at their various roles. Wylde was an expert in individual combat specialising in the Martial Arts, to aid him on his mission two of his protégées were at his side. He also brought along an expert Sharpshooter, Interrogator and Tracker completing the Cabal Team of five.
He entered the small house the Cabal had claimed as their own and the Men all quickly got to their feet and stood to attention.
“At ease. We have the Alpha Team of the Specials, they’re not well trained but better than the regulars.”
The men followed Wylde into a room that had at one time been a family kitchen.
“Autumn is going to take Farpoint, however with recent losses he will be stretched too thin if he decides to push on. He knows this and those problems are his own. He will most likely have to wait for reinforcements. We are to focus on Terrorist activity.”
“So now we play detective.” Rakamil, the Tanu tracker, asked.
“Yes. We play detective. Shouldn’t be too hard though this resistance movement depends on numbers and luck. I encountered a group called the Black Hornets that seemed to made up entirely of drug addicted Flat Landers.”
“Easy prey.” Williams, the Sharpshooter, commented.
“There’s more to it than that. I’m thinking there are multiple groups with either no leadership or a cell structure.”
“So what’s the lead?” Asked Blackthorn, the interrogator.
“We have Names, lots in fact. Top of the list is Joland Grey, then James Squire who was in confederate custody until he was freed. Then there’s Ruby Doom, she’s something of an Enigma, there’s also been isolated reports about a group or individual called the Butcher of the Wastes. Lastly there’s the contractor Autumn used to take New Mesa. A tribal by the Name of Gretch.”
“So where do we start?” Asked Oswald one of Wylde’s Protégés.
“Our own house. Joland Grey must be found and interrogated. Additionally it’s obvious Ruby Doom has some connection to New Mesa, so we start knocking on doors.”
Blackthorn smiled.
Wylde Laid out his plan in simple steps.
#
James Squire.
An explosion of red and then the tiny body fell to the ground. Yet the accusing eyes remained on James. He felt them boring into him, making him feel the guilt.
He jerked awake and found himself sitting at desk in the modest bedroom he had in the Black Hornets Safe house in Farpoint. He hadn’t slept in days since he’d killed the child and it felt like he’d only been out for a few seconds. He looked at the untouched bottle of shine sitting in front of him and reached for it, he was about to pop it open when he felt the bile rise in his throat. He kicked the chair back as he stood and shattered the bottle on the wall opposite.
“LANCASTER!” He roared. As he punched the desk in front of him, any fear he had for Alexander had now long since dissipated and been replaced with fury. From James’ perspective Alexander was responsible for the death of Balder. It had been his stupid plan that led to the killing and more importantly it had put the guilt of killing a child on James. As much as he blamed Alexander he now understood what Ruby Doom had meant when she said.
“It's up to you how far you take this James Squire. I ain't disputin' the Feds are bad. I know better than anyone what they're capable of. But you also gotta know, It's not all black and white! And uniting the Flats, making a change... It ain't gonna start with random killing, of anyone.”
He got it now, his hatred of the ‘Feds had made him oblivious to the shades of grey. It made it impossible for him to see the bigger picture. That was something Gretch had preyed on, something Lancaster had preyed on.
He was pulled from his thoughts by a knock at the door and Joland Grey’s ruddy face appearing in the door Jam.
“Just got a letter from Gretch for you.” Joland said offering a crumpled piece of paper.
“Thanks.” Squire said as he opened the letter and scanned it’s contents.
"Dear Concerned Citizen.
How you doing? I am well.
But enough small talk.
Like you, I too have noticed the bags of shit walking around dressed in Confederate Army Uniforms. Like you this turn of events has disturbed me greatly and I wish to do something about it.
If, like me you, wish to address this most fucked of issues I would like to invite you to a meeting or PARLAY at Sula Rise.
Your fellow concerned citizen, Gretch."
Squire noted the location and decided he would attend.
He then made a decision, lifted his own pen and began writing.
“Ruby,
You were right, I got in over my head and wound up doing something I didn’t want to do. That’s mine to carry. I was blinded by hate or some old black and white morality. I don’t know.
What I do know is you are right and the enemy of my enemy is not my friend. Gretch and his kind stand for something I can’t support. I just want a life of peace and freedom. It seems the only way to get that though is through the sword, I just want to make sure it’s pointed at the right people.
I guess what I’m trying to say is the Black Hornets no longer work with Gretch. We’ll stand on our own if we have to but I think your people and mine could work together. All I ask is you consider the offer.
Sincerely
James Squire."
James pocketed the letter and left the room. His eyes were finally open and he didn’t like what he saw.
#
James Costner.
Costner walked up the small ridge and spotted a decrepit looking outhouse. He drew his pistol, walked up to the rickety door and kicked it open.
The Feral tribal screamed and Costner nearly gagged from the smell. He’d caught the guy in middle of talking a dump.
“Shit!” The tribal yelled as he kicked the door closed.
Costner smirked. “Yes it is.”
A few moments later the Tribal remerged and Costner pointed the gun at the skinny man. Who stopped in his tracks.
“Can’t scare the shit outta me pal, I’m all empty inside.” The feral said he rubbed his belly.
“I’m here to see Gretch.”
“Well he ain’t here.”
“The note said...”
“Note said you come here not Gretch would be here.” The tribal smiled, showing off the few teeth he had in his head. “I gotta bring you to him.”
Costner nodded it made sense, in fact he was surprised Gretch had thought of it at all. All the representatives would have been given different locations to go to and it ensured if the Feds got wind of the Parlay only one group would be affected.
“Where?”
“Tell ya when we get there.” The tribal said as he grabbed his skinny horse and climbed on. Costner did the same with his and they started to head west.
They had been riding for a few hours and Costner noted that the Tribal kept taking snorts from a small leather pouch. Costner guessed it was red sand from the way the Tribal was getting talkative.
“Ya know, I know you. I know you from somewhere.”
“I think I just got one of them faces.”
“Naw, naw I know you. What was it...”
Costner had a feeling he knew where they were going.
Back west.
Back to the caves.
“It was... oh yeah. Hehehehe. Your one of them scary assassins right? Weren’t so scary when Gretch got aholdya.”
Costner raised his gun and shot the Tribal’s horse in the head. The Tribal and horse landed in a heap with a sickening crack.
Costner leapt off his horse and grabbed the Tribal by the shoulders dragging him from under the horse. The tribal’s leg was broken and shards of bone had broken the skin.
“That looks real sore.” Costner said as he placed his foot on the broken leg and applied the slightest pressure. The tribal screamed and his eyes rolled back in his head. Costner took his foot away quickly. “You’re gonna die out here but I don’t want you to feel bad about that because I personally am going to choke the life out of every single one of your friends. Then I’m going to kill Gretch and the world will be a better place for it.”
He stripped a rusted revolver and knife from the tribal while he spoke. “You know me? The only way that’s possible is you were there the last time I met Tribals which was when they killed my friend. That’s why I’m gonna kill all of you but not before I’ve used up all you got.”
He then stood and returned to his horse.
“Not many people pass though this way, you won’t get found. Should be a hot one today as well. I’d hate to not have any shade.” Costner threw the rusted knife at ground beside the moaning tribal. “You can try to crawl but I’d suggest using that.”
Costner then started to trot towards the Caves the only place where the meeting could be taking place.
“You can’t leave me!” The tribal shouted after Costner.
“You won’t be lonely long.” Costner shouted over his shoulder.
#
The Parlay.
Gretch sat at the head of a long mahogany table in a throne like chair. The table was in the middle of a spacious cave. Costner entered and saw that there were already a lot of people in the place. He recognised James Squire, Gretch and a Guardian from the Uniform but the small brunette woman was a mystery.
“Fuckin’ finally. Out of everyone I thought you’d be the one who’d find this place easiest.” Gretch moaned. “Take a seat... No surprises underneath this time.” He said with a wink.
Costner grabbed the chair Gretch had intended him to sit at and instead pulled it over so it was opposite Gretch placing them at opposite ends of the table.
“Great Gangs all here. Before we get started I think we should introduce everyone. Ya’ll know me, Gretch Saviour of the Flats. That there’s Jimmy Squire, representing the Black Hornets, Next we got Avery from the...”
“Avers from The Guardians of Hope.” Avers interrupted.
“That was rude AV very fucking rude I was speaking and you just interrupted like a...”
“Get on with it you sick fuck.” Costner said through gritted teeth.
“Just like Charlie. AV is from Hope. Capt Reynolds represents the Cloudfuckers and our late comer there is from the White Group.” Every set of eyes turned to Costner. “Yeah they’re real and very over-fucking-rated. Where’s the red head? I hear she’s much more fuckable than old Charlie was.”
“We won’t work with you.” Costner said ignoring Gretch’s attempts to get a rise out of him. The truth was Jenner had wanted to come but it was agreed it would be a poor idea. Instead Costner was to go and tell them the decision of the White Group. “However we would be open to working with any other group.”
“Are you actually White Group?” Captain Reynolds asked. “I was expecting some kind of lithe sexy little hard body with a set of blades.”
Avers tutted. “Hope will work with whoever wishes to end this occupation. In times such as these we’re willing to hold our nose.”
“The Black Hornets won’t work with Gretch anymore. We stand with the White Group.” Squire said.
Costner smiled when he saw Gretch’s disfigured face twist into a mask of shock.
“You little cunt. After all I’ve done for you!” He said in disbelief.
“You turned me into something I don’t want to be...”
“Who gives a fuck? Did it fucking work? DID IT FUCKING WORK?!” Gretch shouter suddenly seething.
“That’s not the point.”
Gretch turned his head in disgust. “See that’s the problem nobody wants to get their hands dirty. Jimmy here is sad because he hadda do something that goes against his personal code of fucking ethics! Avers you know what I mean. Sometimes we all gotta do things for the greater fucking good.”
Avers Nodded. “Everything to protect Hope.”
Squire shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He wanted to turn and tell Avers what had really happened to his men but if he did there would be no way the Guardians would work with any of the groups. This would weaken the resistance as a whole. So he kept quiet.
“Fuck it, it’s fine, your people were shite anyway.” Gretch exhaled loudly.
“The White Group accepts.” Costner said. Ruby had received the letter Squire had sent and Costner knew it was a possibility that The Hornets could turn. Jenner and the rest of the White Group had decided this was a good thing as it would give them some much needed manpower.
“Fan-fucking-tastic. So Avers what about Hope?”
Avers glanced at Costner and then at Gretch. “We fight for Hope and care nothing for your alliances. We will work with Gretch and his rebels so long as they are the best choice. At the moment they have the weapons and people. We will not garrison your people and will only trade supplies and intelligence. We will also lead your people in combat.”
“Yeah your boys don’t really know what the fuck’s going out outside those big walls to much do ya? But you sure know how to leave a lot a confederate uniforms on the floor.”
“So Captain Reynolds where’s the Sky Pirate Armada landing on this?” Squire asked.
“No offense to either of your boys but here’s the story.” She turned to Gretch. “You are a fucking psychotic who under normal circumstances I’d shoot on sight.” She then turned to Costner. “You work for a bunch of murderers for hire. Look I’ve done a lot of bad things for plunder but I ain’t never killed nobody I don’t know for beads as the only reason.” She then looked at Avers. “Sexually repressed cult of emotionally dead killers.” She then looked at Squire. “I don’t even know who the fuck you are. The Black birds or something? You was a nothing who got lucky a few times. That luck is gonna run out for you.” She leaned back in her chair. “Then there’s us, the pirates who, if we were all inclined to be logical here, have the power. We got the Ships with the guns on ‘em, no show without us.”
“True points all of ‘em but none of that matters. All you gotta do is choose a fucking side and stop waxing lyrical.” Gretch moaned. He felt his position of power slipping. He’d have to find away to gain complete control of the Pirate Armada.
“Well we don’t really care ‘bout the spat between the psychos and the Assassins. So we’ll offer our services to whoever needs ‘em.”
“What you can’t... You need to fucking choose!” Gretch cried.
“I am. You can use our ships to quickly transport troops while these sneaky sons of guns can do the same. No point backing one horse.” Reynolds said with a shrug.
“So Hope will fight alongside Gretch’s resistance and we’ll fight with the White Group. While the Sky Pirates will act as transport.” Squire said.
“Yeah, only Transport, ain’t no way we’re going up against their Leviathan with that Gatling gun. We’d be cut to shreds.”
“Well that concludes our Parlay. I hope it was as good for you fuckers as it was for me.” Gretch said with a smile.
“For now, Gretch. After all this is over we still got business.” Costner said as he stood and walked for the door.
“I’m quaking in my fucking boots, last time we played that game you near pissed yourself!”
Costner left the cave with Gretch’s laughter still echoing off the walls.
#
Joland Grey
Joland was sitting in the Black Hornet’s safe house cleaning his revolver, an act he found slightly more fiddly now he was down a finger. He dropped the cylinder and sighed. He lost his brother and his place in the Confederate Army but at least he could have pride in who he was now. With the Hornets there was none of the guilt that came with being a Confederate.
Someone cleared their throat behind him and he turned to see the face of Grievous Wylde staring back. He was flanked by Oswald and Harvey, his protégés.
Joland leapt to his feet and immediately fell over the stool he’d been sitting on. Oswald snorted and walked over to the man.
“Don’t touch me! Don’t touch me!” Joland screamed.
Oswald viciously kicked the fallen man in the face and sneered in his ear. “You’re a fucking traitor, I should gut you right here.”
“That’s when Joland realised how much trouble he was in. If they wanted him dead he’d be dead already that meant they wanted to take him in.
“Please no I can’t, I don’t want to... Just let me go?”
“You betrayed the Confederacy and your own brother for... this.” Wylde said with distain as he looked around the shabby room. “There are questions that must be answered.”
#
In New Mesa Blackthorn had broken Joland in record time. Joland spilled everything about the Black Hornet operation in Farpoint. Now Blackthorn kept going just for the sport of it. Wylde strode into Autumn’s war room and dropped a dossier on top of a map of Farpoint Autumn was studying with his command staff.
“What’s that?” Autumn said looking at the slightly blood stained dossier.
“Names and locations of Black Hornet safe houses in Farpoint. That’s where we found Joland Grey. Said a woman called Ruby Doom killed Roland Grey and sent Joland packing to Skycove. There he met a Group called The Black Hornets led by a man called Squire. Turned out the Pirates weren’t too fond of harbouring terrorists so they sent them packing before too long. They ended up in Farpoint.”
“Squire, I know that name. He escaped execution a few weeks ago and that obviously I know Doom. Good work, Wylde very good work.”
“I know.” Wylde said as he marched back out of the office.
He returned to Blackthorn’s ‘office’ and ended the interrogation. Joland was swinging by his arms which were tied to a beam that ran the length of the ceiling.
“He’s had enough Blackthorn. It’s time for the trail.”
Blackthorn looked sad but placed the bloody saw he had been wielding on the table.
“Joland Grey you have been charged with Treason. How do you plead?” Wylde asked.
Joland blubbed something indecipherable. Wylde leaned a little closer and raised a hand to his ear in a mock attempt to hear the man better.
“Guilty. A wise choice, by the powers afforded to me by the Grand General I sentence you to be hung by the neck until you are dead.”
Joland cried but through the blood and broken teeth it came out like a gurgle.
Twenty minutes later Joland Grey had been publically executed and Grievous Wyle was on the hunt for Ruby Doom.
#
Squire.
He had arranged to meet with the White Group later in the week and had returned to Farpoint. The small town that was nestled below the Airships of the rich. There was no will to fight there, the only thing that interested most of the population was money and power. The Confederates represented both. At least now Skycove was open to them again and he’d take the first opportunity to move the Black Hornets there. Gretch was going to Garrison some of his troops there as well which would make for an interesting dynamic. While Squire didn’t want to work for Gretch he could work with him towards a common goal. He knew the distinction was tenuous but to Squire it was there.
He tied up his horse and entered the safehouse he shared with Joland and few other members of the resistance. As soon as he set foot inside he knew something was wrong. The place had been ransacked and the three resistance fighters who had been with Joland lay dead only one had his sword drawn. Joland was missing. Could he have been a confederate spy?
Squire did a quick sweep of the area and found Joland’s revolver in bits. It was in the middle of being cleaned. That meant Joland had been taken by surprise.
“Fuck.” Squire whispered as he ran out of the house and back to his horse. He went directly to one of the other Safehouses and battered on the door until it swung open.
A young woman answered the door and her eyes went wide when she realised who it was.
“James... I do...”
“We have been found out. Everyone needs to get out now and to Skycove. You need to complete the chain ok?”
The girl nodded and shut the door in his face. He didn’t mind, it was what she was supposed to. Complete the chain meant she would need to pass on the message to the next safehouse who would pass it on the next and so on. The rest of the resistance fighters would need to sanitise their safe houses and bring what they could to Skycove.
Squire went directly to his horse and rode out of Farpoint.
#
Autumn
The Confederate Army took Farpoint with one casualty and ten Terrorists dead. It was a good operation and it seemed like most of Farpoint was happy to see the Confederates. It was something of a relief to Autumn who needed something to go right. Now he was in charge of two locations New Mesa and Farpoint although he knew Farpoint wouldn’t cause as much trouble as New Mesa. In fact some of the local populace had offered to join the Confederate Army.
A downside had been they had only taken ten members of the Black Hornets and none of them alive. It seemed like their dedication was growing as the occupation wore on.
He was still supremely confident that he could take the Flats, he was due another deployment of troops and that meant he could better defend his conquests. All he had to do was keep the momentum up.
#
Gretch.
The Confederate Captain moaned and a thick hand slapped him awake. His eyes filled with terror as a large scarred face came into focus.
“You know who I am?”
“Y-y-y-yess.”
“You know what I do?”
“Y-y-y-y-yess.”
“I’m gonna do it to you if you don’t tell when this Airship fulla your fucking Fed buddies comes in understand.”
“Due next week, it’s called the Rising Sun just please don’t...”
Gretch slit the man’s throat before lifting a piece of paper and scrawling Alexander’s orders.
#
Jenner Reese.
“So they weren’t at the meeting?” Jenner asked.
“Nope, I know Gretch is a sadistic fucker and I guess we can add racist as well.” Costner responded.
They were standing in her office discussing the Parlay.
“Well then I guess we have some friends to make.”
#
Gretch Jobs.
Return to Sender.
Target- Confederate Troop Transport Rising Sun.
Location- In about a week it should be around the Northern Flats
Information- Good Fucking work getting the religious nut jobs or our side. Maybe you’re not a complete fuck up after all. That’s why I’m giving you this one. The Feds have got another load of troops coming in on an Airship called the Rising Sun. Problem is when those fucks get here they spread out like ants and we can’t kill ‘em all. Better to find the ant hill and burn ‘em out.
Point is I need you take out the Airship before it lands. Should fuck up Autumn’s plans and take some of the wind outta the Confederate Sails. Now he’s got Farpoint he’s a little stretched.
This is gonna be a Gang bang though. Hope, the pirates and me are in on it. You are going as my representative the Guardians are sending some prick called Brother Jacob and the Pirate Ship is called the Spry Pigeon that’s captained by a cloudfucker called Gull Barbour.
Job is simple use the Spry Pigeon to get close then get onboard. Apparently this Gull fella is so shit hot at piloting he can get close enough to drop youse off without being seen. Then you and the Brother will sneak on and take out the Soldiers. I’d suggested doing it quietlike. Use blades if you gotta drop someone and blow the fucker up. You can use smoke bombs or something to signal Gull for the pick-up. No way you’re jumping off unless you wanna end up a fucking mystery stain in the middle of the desert.
Gretch.
White Group Jobs
Hot Shot
Target- Williams, The Cabal Sniper.
Location- The Badlands.
Information- Gretch is a moron. This is clear now. He had his little Parlay and left out one of the major forces on the Flats. I speak of course of the Ochil. The Confederates have not made the same mistake. The Ochil have been trying to get together their war council but efforts are being thwarted as the clan leaders are being assassinated by a Confederate Sniper called Williams. We believe he is one of Grievous Wylde’s Cabal team and all we could get was a second name, Puck was lucky to get that much. Williams is lethal with his rifle and is a master of concealment. You could walk right past him and not know. He’s cabal so expect him to be a deadly quarry.
The Ochil have sent out war parties but Williams has dropped them with ease. When I learned about this situation I offered the White Group services free of charge. Hopefully this will lead to a more stable working partnership with the Ochil Clans. Assuming this Sniper doesn’t kill the leadership before then.
The Sky pirates can provide transport if you wish but I recommend using something lower key. The Hornets have offered you a squad of two members to assist, but let’s be honest their main use will be as bullet magnets, use them to identify the shooters location. The Ochil will also supply a tracker.
The sniper seems to be operating in the Badlands in a small mountain rocky mountain range called Sula Rise.
Kill Williams and secure Ochil support for the White Group.
Jenner Reese.
