The Ashlanders - Chapter 6: The Blind Man's Last Gambit (Closed, Started)

[Daystar Clarion]

Spoiler: Play this while reading :D

Lilith pouted, "Can I just pistol whip 'em a little bit?" A cigarette in her mouth as always, she shrugged and wrapped an arm around Sprout's neck and pulling him towards her, ruffling his hair with her other hand. "Me and the lads will sort them posh wankers out, won't we?" she said, turning her head towards the Padre and smirking.

Lilith woke up early, like she did everyday, she relieved the lookout on deck, and had a cigarette and mug of tea for breakfast. Today was a big day, and she wanted to make sure all her gear was up to standard, she disassembled her rifle and revolver, cleaning them both, barely looking at them while doing so. She looked over the Ashlands whizzing by, she loved to start her day in that little lookout nest, it was quiet and she got to watch the sunrise which, for a few short moments, made the place look like something other than an inhospitable wasteland. She sighed, adding more smoke to the already hazy room. Nobody ever liked going on watch after her. She thought about the job later, she would be with the Padre and Sprout, making sure the wealthy folk didn't try anything, which was fine by her. She got to keep an eye on the kid, and listen to Florian's sexy accent, she considered that a win-win situation. She chuckled, a surprisingly clear one, considering how much she smoked. Scratch another down to her luck.

Lilith knew about the kid's crush, hell every man and his bloody dog did, but she didn't really mind, it gave her something to tease him with, he squirmed more than the poor bastards who thought it was a good idea to gamble against her.

As Lilith's shift began to end, she reassembled her weapon, slinging her rifle over her shoulder and holstering her revolver. She was relieved by another member of the crew, curses and complaints following her down the ladder as always for leaving the nest in such a smoky condition, "Laters wanker!" she grinned, lighting another smoke when she got off the ladder.

She had returned to her room and finished gearing up just as Pixie's call came over the speakers.

"I wanna to see my Valkyries down in the hangar ASA-fucking-P! You got it?!"

She smiled, "Show time", and put her arms behind her head, whistling a cheery tune, as she walked towards the hangar.

 

[The Funslinger]

Ruffles rubbed his hands together, and clambered into the back of one of the crawlers. Two weapons were slung over his back. One was the shotgun he kept for "just in case", and the other was a beat up old carbine rifle from the Maiden's stockpile. He couldn't very well provide support fire with a shotgun, after all. That said, he could probably count the number of men he'd shot in his time on his fingers, and less than half of those had been fatal. It was the mark of a truly big job that he was thrust into this role, and the result was that he was even more wired than usual. "Alrighty, Cap-i-tan. Let's get this show on the road. Or tracks. Or whatever!"

=====================================================================

Metal lay on the ridge, watching through his binoculars. In the dead silence, the sounds of his own breathing filled his ears, reflected back by the filter mask that covered the lower part of his head, which was in turn concealed by the careworn dark red scarf pulled up past his nose. A light ash fall was starting, and flecks of it drifted down like snow, settling on the large curved brim of his hat. Looking past the dancing ash flakes, he watched the exchange. The guys on the left were buyers, and the guys on the right were sellers. It was the sellers who were his mark. Or at least their leader was. He was the head distributor of an opium farm/refinery in one of the Eastern domes. Problem was that nobody knew which dome. That would soon change, though Metal didn't really care. All he cared about was the fifteen grams of carbon he was being paid to bring this guy in.

After several minutes, the men boarded their respective transports, the big wagon vehicles colloquially known as ashcrawlers, and went their separate ways. Metal waited a minute before standing and heading back down the ridge he had been spying from, and dusted a light coating of ash from the seat of his quad-bike. He'd customized it for what might be gently termed "bumpy rides" with springs on the axles, and monstrous tires. He took seat, fired up the engine and was off. Racing down the slope, he came to a mild ridge and rode right over it, sailing through the air and landing with a jolt, set to cut off the ashcrawler he was chasing. As he'd suspected, they turned away and headed towards a large ravine, that might almost be big enough to be called a valley. Without missing a beat, he put on speed and chased.

Spoiler: Eddie's theme

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"Care for another?" the mark, who went by the name of Giles Dufraine asked, opening the ornate silver box and passing a cigar to him, over the table in the first class compartment that they shared.

"Does the working man sweat like a dog?" The Gentleman replied, in his rehearsed southern drawl. They both laughed loudly, before he took the cigar, sliced of the nub, deftly striking a match simultaneously, and savouring the first, long draw. He despised the things in truth. Ostentatious, vulgar even! Were he an honest man, The Gentleman wouldn't be seen dead with one in his hand, for the pipe was, above all doubt, the only way for any respectable sort to take his tobacco. He wasn't however, and so it fell on him to handle the implement as if it were a cherished vice. The wine was better, but only just. It was a 29, dark red and cloying. A good year for reds in truth, as was to be expected in first class. Be that as it may, The Gentleman would have far preferred a crisp white. Today, the Gentleman (or the arms dealer Harris Rosby, as the lack-wit Giles knew him), was grossly fat underneath his pin-stripe suit and plush velvet smoking jacket. His eyes were a ruddy brown, his skin not much lighter, leathery and weather beaten, with a thick, dark beard and bowler hat. A man after Mr. Canton's own heart. Giles was about as close as you got to a self-made man in the Ashlands. He wasn't a commoner in truth, but rather a distant cousin to a middling noble family. There would be little inheritance coming his way, so instead he had made his fortune by cutting in on some of Feroxi's largest Carbon mines, eventually owning them, and rising high above his station. He was new money. Rich, but without the ram-rod stuffiness that infected the cream of the nobility. A persona like Harris, a ruthless glutton with a career in turning former bandits into mercenaries for the various noble families, was like to appeal to him. Harris was just rich enough to be worth Giles' time, but not too rich that Giles couldn't feel secure in acting like the superior in this partnership. That suited the Gentleman just fine. Giles, a man who's middle-class, industrialist status clung to him like an unwanted parasite, would let his finer birth in comparison to Harris' go to his head, as his kind always did. Even for his sort, Giles seemed to love the sound of his own voice, meaning that, meticulously planned and prepared as they always were, this job had been particularly easy for The Gentleman.

"So, we'd got round to talking numbers..." Giles pressed him.

"We had." The Gentleman answered "by the end of this fortnight, I can get the Black Valley Brotherhood and the Blades of Tahocou into your service. That's 65 men, all with rifles, carbines, six-shooters, and shotguns, as well as plenty of machete's and the like if you want to make examples of the ringleaders. They can bring plenty of dynamite too, but if I were you I'd hold off on that. Don't want to give the agitators too high an opinion of themselves, that you'd bring in the big guns to sort 'em!"

They both shared another hearty laugh at that, as he knew his mark's sense of humour well. Truly, Giles was a vile man, and if The Gentleman cared, that would have only made the sucker even more sweet. Still, even if he wasn't on the job, it was share the man's conversation, or do his best to enjoy the view. Not an easy task out here.

"For this," he continued "I'd usually charge 150kg, 60%. But, since you've had the good grace to let me partake in your cigars and fine wine, I'll start you off at a discount of 140."

"You drive a hard bargain, Harris. I was hoping for 100."

"130 then."

"Outrageous!" Giles joked, wagging a fat finger at him. "115, or I might just start to suspect that you're trying to cheat me."

"115... reasonable. I'll take it."

Giles smiled, showing crooked teeth, stained brown from all the cigars. "I think we can do business, Mr. Rosby."

'What you just brought is worth no more than 85 in truth, you blustering oaf!' The Gentleman thought, as they shook hands. 'And once the Black Valley Brotherhood hear the tale of how you cheated me, meaning they'll get only half of what I promised them. They'll relieve you of your little operation, and put you to work as a glorified budgie, if they're feeling kind.'

"More wine?" Giles offered.

"Oh, to be sure."

 

[TheDoctor455]

Spoiler: Push play to set the scene

The woman in blue sat directly across the aisle from her current mark: Lady Josephine. Kitty had done her homework, but there was little to find on Lady Jo and on the whole she didn't seem to be all that different from the average noblewoman in her position. Plus, her family didn't have much influence despite controlling an entire region. Then again, the bounty was for her to be brought in alive, which narrowed down the possibilities somewhat.

Possible motives for the Bounty:

1. She's a runaway, and her family is trying to bring her back into the fold.
2. Another family wants a new bargaining chip.
3. Some perv wants a new pet.
4. Conspiracy theorist wants to interrogate her.

Based on her observations of Lady Jo in person, Kitty started to regret taking this job, but... she needed to pay the rent and fix her plasma revolver, so here she was. And one way or another, Lady Jo was leaving with Kitty. To that end, Kitty got up, and walked towards her mark, keeping a carefully measured pace, and putting on a warm smile.

"Pardon me, milady," she said, curtseying briefly, "Might I join you? A friend of mine was supposed to take this journey with me, but they fell ill and had to cancel their plans."

 

[Evrant-Knight]

It had been a long hard couple of days for Viola, but it was worth it in the end. She had been hunting Miles 'Copper Tooth' Reed, who had been charged with counts of robbery and murder, across three different towns for the past three days; each time she'd be slowed down by some of his posse, thinking that they might be able to do her in. But eventually, the fool had run out of men to throw at her, so it had boiled down to a shootout between the two in an abandoned town a couple of hours drive from Feroxi. A lucky shot in the thigh forced Miles to surrender, but it didn't prevent him from kicking and screaming as he was brought in to the sheriff.

Spoiler: Backing Theme For Tavern

For now at least, Viola was enjoying a quiet drink up at the Silver Dollar Saloon, the sounds of a piano and much conversation filled the room with life. Though the peace didn't last long as she felt a presence loom over her, and the smell of cheap alcohol on the back of her neck.

"Hey there babe. That's a purdy looking outfit you got on there. You know what I think? It'd look even better as a crumpled heap on the floor." Viola laughed at the man's failed attempt of a chat up line.

"That's funny, so would you." Viola said as she took a sip of her drink, knowing that she'd ruffled a few feathers. At that moment, the man tried to reach round and cop a feel of Viola; to that end, she proceeded to elbow him in the chest, which given his drunken state, made him topple over onto the floor. She then drew one of her revolvers and aimed it at the man's head.

"Why you... how DARE you deny me. Just who do you think you are?" The man said in anger and through gritted teeth.

"Viola... Viola Greaves, otherwise known as the Gunslinger." Viola said as she took another sip of her drink. This announcement caused the whole room to suddenly go quiet, and a look of fear to be cast on the posse that was with the man.

"Awwwwwwww shit! I told you it was her boss, I told you that you shouldn't mess with her."

"You should listen to your friend there more often. Now then, you've got five seconds to beat it, before I beat you."

"We probably should run boss, heaven knows we'd survive longer out there than in here." Spoke one of the posse rather nervously, copious amounts of sweat dripping from his brow. Despite how calm the gang leader looked, deep down he was fuming, but realised his underling had a point. After being helped up by his posse, he turned to face the saloon.

"Heh, come on boys, let's try elsewhere." The leader said in a defeated, flat tone as the gang left the saloon. The place was still quiet for a few moments before Viola spoke.

"What? You didn't expect me to actually submit. I came in here to have a nice relaxing drink, not harassed by some drunken yahoo." Feeling satisfied with the response, life came back to the tavern.

 

[The Funslinger]

His men dead, Metal had his mark literally by the throat, and slammed him hard against the wall of the ravine, tuning out the stream of mixed threats, begging and attempted bribery. Spineless ass. Metal let him fall, and then clipped him across the head with his left hand, the one that earned him his name. The man fell unconscious in a limp heap, and Metal holstered his gun; a repeater with the barrel sawed off and the stock cut down to size so it could work as either a rifle or impromptu pistol. The man's small entourage had gone down quickly in the confined space. Retrieving a length of rope from the bag he'd strapped to the quad, he quickly tied the man up and threw him over the vehicle's back then set about casting around until he found what he was looking for. A scuffed leather pouch. Undoing the rawhide cord, he opened the flap, and smooth jet black stones glinted up at him. Setting the bag down, he removed one of them, about the size of his thumb and drew a lighter out from inside his coat. He pressed the small flame against the stone, and then licked it. It left an acrid, bitter taste on his tongue and he spat, then grinned. The real deal. Picking up the pouch he weighed it roughly in his hand. About six hundred grams, give or take. Way more than the shitty little bounty he would get. Nice.

Once it was safely stowed in his pack on the quad, he mounted up and headed off back towards Star Dome, to get his shitty little bounty. No sense letting it go to waste.

 

[roushutsu]

Spoiler: And here be some pretty Josephine music for your enjoyment

When her household had received their invitation to attend the Basilio Maribel wedding, Lady Josephine made her traveling arrangements immediately. As the future Matriarch of the Tigereye family, she was expected to attend on behalf of the household. She knew very little of the bride, but was aware that this would be the groom's second ceremony. Surely there is a story behind it, one she will probably hear several times during this trip.

Once she settled into her seat, she took in her surroundings. Several of the nobles that shared the first class car with her she recognized from previous gatherings or she had the pleasure of sharing council with, none of whom piqued her interest. Her fingers lightly grazed the golden pin on her breast. The seat across from her was empty. Whoever would share the journey would her could be anyone, even a prey she had been hunting for fifteen long years.

"Lady Josephine I presume? I'm Elizabeth Maribel. It's a pleasure to meet you."

She raised her brown eyes to meet golden hazel ones. Maribel... Marry! This poppet is the bride? Surely, this couldn't have been a coincidence. But nevertheless Josephine flashed her a smile in return.

"Aye, Lady Maribel. Good morrow. How art thou?"

Not long after the two ladies began conversing, a third voice joined in. "Pardon me, milady. Might I join you? A friend of mine was supposed to take this journey with me, but they fell ill and had to cancel their plans."

Josephine turned to the third lady. She didn't recognize her. "Art thou a guest of Lady Maribel?"

Spoiler: Some OOC

As mentioned on Jo's character sheet, she speaks with an Elizabethan flair. I hope I'm not butchering it too terribly, but here are the sites that I referenced for vocabulary.
Learn the Language - Faire Speak
Life in Elizabethan England
If I do goof it up, by all means correct me!

 

[TheDoctor455]

Spoiler: Another Gunpoint track for your listening pleasure.

"Art thou a guest of Lady Maribel?" Lady Josephine said, her chosen manner of speech momentarily throwing the bounty hunter off.

"I'm a guest of a guest, to be honest," Kitty said, recovering quickly, "My friend is Lord Roxton."

Eyeing what she thought was a suspicious look from 'Lady Maribel', Kitty decided to hedge her bets a little.

"Oh that wicked man!" she pouted, trying to affect an accent similar to Lady Jo's, "He's not on the guest list at all is he? His idea of a joke. Cruel man. I'm sorry to have bothered you, miladies. Please accept my humblest apologies."

Kitty gave a shallow bow.

 

[ProtoChimp]

Aesop awoke the same as he always had, visions of an old life where pride became shame. He sat up in his cot and ran his hands through his hair tugging on it before grabbing a hair band and making his trademark ponytail. He grabbed the ponytail and pulled on it roughly. The pain would take away bad thoughts, bring him new ones. He would focus only on the pain until he made himself forget. Once he had succeeded and forgotten his nightmares he made a long sigh and began forcing a smile until it became genuine and would likely not leave his face until he hit his next pillow. He stood up and promptly got to work on his daily ritual. Pushups, pullups, jogging around the ship, telling bad jokes and sprouting self motivation into the mirror etc. He was almost done with his exercise routine when he heard his Captain over the PA system. Quickly he threw on his gear and what had now become his uniform and set off to meet the rest of the Valkyries.

He chuckled at Sprouts expense but only a little laugh. He couldn't say anything against the little lad, he himself had a bit of a crush on Casino, only difference being he was good at hiding it. He stood stiff with his arms crossed as it was business time while listening intently to Pixie. "Any questions?"

"Not from me Cap'."

 

[Fappy]

"Aye, Lady Maribel. Good morrow. How art thou?"

It had been awhile since Elizabeth had heard such a manner of speech. Meeting new kinds of people was so delightful! Sadly, before she could respond another woman appeared. The women exchanged pleasantries, though Elizabeth was sure she had never seen this woman before.

Also... she hadn't greeted them properly at all! She offered no name!

"He's not on the guest list at all is he? His idea of a joke. Cruel man. I'm sorry to have bothered you, miladies. Please accept my humblest apologies."

Some of Elizabeth's suspicion evaporated at the woman's desperate plea. The last thing she wanted was to offend someone at her wedding, "Please, do not fret milady!" She said as she stood up and placed a hand on the woman's shoulder. "You may sit with us if you desire, uh... I'm sorry, what was your name again?"

Josephine was a proper woman. She must have caught on to this oddity as well.

 

[Dogmatic99]

Work surfaces scrubbed. Check.
Untensils cleaned. Check.
Ingredients Organized. Check.
Sidearm properly maintained and secured. Check

Well that was everthing done for now. Florian wiped his hands, content that his routine had been satisfied and hung up his apron on the the canteen kitchen door. His room had recieved a going over this morning and the rest of the crew were too busy too need anything from him just yet. If Ruffles had wanted any help in engineering he would have knocked on by now. It seemed Florian had some free time on his hands.

...Oh... ummm He looked around for inspiration, there must be something left to do? Then the call went out over the ship as the captain demanded their presence in the hangar. Oh thank God. Florian threw on his jacket and strode down the tight corridor that led to his quaters with a purposful march.

Most of Pixie's "Valkyres" had already assembled. Florian still had no idea what had possessed her to name him as one of what passed for a special operative among the crew. As far as they all knew he didn't have nearly as much combat expierence as the others. Though next to no-one in the crew wanted anything to do with a priest and he had to pull his weight somehow.

"Kid, you and Casino will make yer way ta' the first class car and secure it. You need ta' escort Padre there as soon as yer able, cause' the nobles'll have a cow real quick if we don't have him there to work his magic and calm them the fuck down. Tradin' bullets with soldiers is one thing, but being cramped in a tight space with a bunch'a pissed off folks is an entirely different animal. Watch each other's backs and DO NOT kill any of the passengers, got that!?"


Ah, so I'm to play the diplomat. Now it makes sense. Though the need for an escort still left him feeling more like a burden in these situations. But a job was a job and any actions they had to take now would pay off later for those they helped. At least that was what Florian told himself. Some day we'll need to infiltrate a cathedral, then it'll be my time to shine.

For now he'd just have to make things work. Especially if there were going to be hostages. If Smiles got ahold of one of them then thigs could turn very ugly, he'd have to keep an eye on them even after the train then. Meanwhile Lilith was playing with sprout and doing her part to brighten their team spirits, hooking Axel under her arm. Something the boy no doubt enjoyed.

"Me and the lads will sort them posh wankers out, won't we?"

Florian, who was stood straight and proper, thumbs tucked into his pockets, gave a slight nod to her and a faint smile. "I don't see how they could resist such charming company."

 

[TheDoctor455]

"Thank you, milady. You truly are a gracious person." The bounty hunter said, sitting down across from Lady Jo. "And again, I apologize for not introducing myself properly. Slipped my mind. People call me Kitty."

Kitty sat in silence for a moment, observing her two new traveling companions. Lady Jo was even more impeccably dressed in person than was previously described to the bounty hunter. And well, Kitty hadn't really heard anything about Elizabeth Maribel except that she was getting married.

"Thank you again, Lady Maribel. And congratulations on your wedding." Kitty tried to muster up the kind of enthusiasm that would be appropriate in this situation, even some fake excitement would do in a pinch, but well, she just couldn't do it. To cover for it, "I apologize if I don't seem as umm... happy for you as I really am. I've had a hard journey so far."

Kitty briefly checked the window. There was a distant glint some ways off, and Kitty almost thought she could make out a shape back there but... it was gone again. If it had even been there to begin with.

"Sorry. Thought I saw something out there."

If there is something there... most likely... bandits. This train is full of nobles. Would be a tempting prize. Hmm... better be careful. Still, if I'm right, this could prove to be a useful opportunity.

 

[roushutsu]

Something just did not seem right, and Lady Elizabeth's reluctance confirmed it. It wouldn't be the first time danger was brought to Josephine's family, but has the bride ever faced any threats?

Thou could be a common cutpurse. And all of the noble blood collected in one car would be quite the catch. Josephine bowed her head, her eyes still on the new guest. "How now, Lady Kitty." The other nobles appeared to be too involved in their own affairs to notice anything peculiar happening around them.

"I apologize if I don't seem as umm... happy for you as I really am. I've had a hard journey so far."

"Prithee, do not worry. Thou shalt have plenty of time to relax." Just then, Kitty turned her attention to the window. Surely this lady knew common noble etiquette. Not excusing oneself from conversation was considered quite rude.

"Sorry. Thought I saw something out there." Josephine did not dare to look out the window. The uneasy feeling did not waver. Something was going to happen on this train. She only hoped that Lady Elizabeth was not the prized target. "So Lady Maribel, tell us of thy groom."

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"I tell you, Mr. Rosby, I reckon it's high time us members of the decent, enterprising class all banded together, in a common cause like, to remind them common folk of their place for good and all. This bothersome business of 'Worker's Rights" simply cannot continue, I say! Idleness! Sloth and evil humours is what it is, I do solemnly declare it! What's more, it's dangerous. We are the engine that keeps this world turning, and if we are not seem by the common working man as his better, and if that man will listen to the orators among his ranks over us, then that engine will seize up. And what will we have then, I ask you? Anarchy! Anarchy is what, I do declare it sir!"

The Gentleman felt it prudent to let Mr. Dufraine continue prattling on, growing louder and more declarative with each glass of wine that passed his lips. If Giles wanted to fill in the rest of their journey with a lecture on how decent, God-fearing folk should conduct their affairs, then The Gentleman would be only too happy to oblige him, occasionally smiling sagely and adding the odd "most certainly" or "quite true" etc., to show he was listening, and to spur Giles on in his tirade. The deal was done. hands had been shaken and papers had been signed, and all that was left for The Gentlemen to do was to keep his mark distracted from the details until they reached journey's end, which was hardly difficult. The delightful Mr. Dufraine was a bully top the core. The mines from which he had made his fortune had been soft targets, run by impoverished houses who had fallen from grace, and were desperate for any investment they could find, or by doddery old men who could no longer keep accounts in order. Once he had bought his way in, it hadn't been hard for Giles to take the establishments over through brute force. The man had never required wits, or the acute eyesight necessary to read a small print. Still, it amused The Gentleman to imagine how far he could travel in a hot-air balloon powered solely by Mr. Dufraine's verbalized ego.

"We should have started public hangings for suspected agitators three generations ago, before the rot set this deep, Mark my words!" Giles went on, his jowls a quiver, and his cheeks and nose now a blotchy red in hue. Why, I had the Foreman of the Rockfall Creek site say to my face, to my face in front of all and sundry, that conditions had become "unacceptable". Unacceptable! That's what he said. Why, I could scarcely believe my own ears, could you? The cheek of it, the brazen cheek of it!" He slammed his flabby palm down on the table to emphasise his distress. "Why, I said to him: "Your impertinence is all that is unacceptable here, Hansen. I shall decide what steps to take, and you will defer to me, or I declare I shall find myself a new Foreman from among these men who better knows his place." Well, I should think that was a far calmer response than he had earned, wouldn't you say, my good man? But then, and I shan't tell a lie, no sir I shan't, this is how he chose to repay my wisdom. He said to me: "You'll find no replacements among these men sir. One word from me and each and every one of them throws down their tools!". I swear it sir, I swear on my mother's life this is the truth of it! That's not all, no sir. The way theyt all looked at me when he said it, the... defiance, in their eyes. Well, I call it insolence! Still, let no man say I was cowed by such rebellion, let no man strain my honour so! I had that blasted Foreman flogged, and told the rest that any man who dared raise his voice in protest would be going home to their families with their flesh stripped bare! Ha! That made them remember their courtesies. Still, now they have the gall to threaten a strike, a strike of all things, if don't improve working conditions and raise their pay! A farce I call it, indeed sir I do! Still, with the men and weapons you've supplied me, we shall show those unwashed ruffians what befalls the common man who dares to step out of line. That we shall!"

"As you say." The gentleman replied, his eyes flickering to the right as a shadow fell over their window. It had been just for a second, and yet the day was markedly clear. The Gentleman had learned long ago to trust his instincts, and his instincts told him that trouble was on its way.

'Blast! If I do not leave this train with this writ, this whole journey has been a bust...'

"Something bothering you Harris, you seemed distracted for a second there." Giles inquired.

"A trick of the light. Nothing more."

 

[Redryhno]

Spoiler

The day had started out pretty standard for Ricky-Ticky. Waking up long before the lights came on, he got off his cot he'd gotten set up a few weeks after it had become apparent that he'd be staying in the workshop when he'd first come aboard. He continued working almost exactly where he'd left off the night before. Restoring a piece of junk to usability, maybe to be sold next time the ship docked wherever. Not like he had much use for it after that, his joys in life came from fixing, restoring and salvaging junk. This thing he was working on looked like some kind of engine, and he'd been able to jury-rig most of the missing parts from various other sources. A lamp's switch here, some melted rubber there(that hadn't been easy, the damn stuff had some kind of industrial grade heat resistance or something).

Then the announcement came and Ricky hadn't even noticed the time passing, so he grabbed up his little bag he had a few pounds of explosives in and arrived about the time the orders were being handed out. Turns out those explosives he'd planted a few days back would actually be used. That pleased him that he hadn't scavenged the parts for nothing. They'd be using them for a train robbery! What fun that would be! And he'd get to blow up a few mechanisms on the trains too! And he'd have plenty of parts just lying around that he could use for his next boomer! Today was going to be a very good day, both for his explosive personality and his quieter mechanical self. Maybe. He caught a few glances at the Casino girl, nothing he really understood, but who was he to understand the rest of the crew's affection towards her? She had no real value to him, she had trouble knowing the difference between a converter and a toaster, so her scavenging skills were minimal, and she didn't have much mechanical experience. About the only person on the ship that he considered an equal was Ruffles, and even he had a very narrow field of what he could do.

Sure Ricky couldn't fix everything on the ship, but he could rig it to explode if they needed to, or realign the engines, or a number of other things with certain parts of the ship, but nothing all that much with the thing as a whole. But the one thing he really had no experience with at all was fighting, so he could see the usefulness of the rest of the crew. He was a fixer, not a breaker...persay.

 

[Fappy]

"So Lady Maribel, tell us of thy groom."

Elizabeth caught herself dwelling on this suspicious character instead of listening to the conversation at hand. What poor manners! Thankfully she caught the last part and smiled warmly, "Oh, well I actually--"

She was interrupted suddenly when the piston at the front of the train blew loudly and the train lurched into motion. A look of surprise appeared on Elizabeth's face followed by a renewed smile. The excitement was getting to her, "Um, as I was saying milady, I actually don't really know Master Basilio all that well. You see, we only met once when I was a child. What I know of him, however, is that he is an intelligent and elegant man."

Her smile faded a bit as she looked down at her hands clutching her dress, "Though, I shan't lie to you. I am a tad anxious about this whole affair." Her face went beat-red.

*********************************************************************************************************************************************************

Seemed like everyone was on board. Good. If you go into a score filled with doubts your liable to return from it full of holes. Pixie smiled and slammed both hands down on the table, "Alright-y varmints, I think it's high time we show these tit-suckin' sons-o'-bitches who runs this wasteland! Everyone, get yer shit together. We're hittin' the dirt in fifteen minutes!"

As the Valkyries began to disperse Pixie made her way over to Casino. Sprout had wandered over to his ashcrawler, out of earshot, "Hey Casino, keep n' eye on the kid, alright?" She placed her hand on her shoulder as she passed her. "It'll be yer sweet lil' ass if anything happens to him out there. Ya' here?"

Without waiting for a reply Pixie continued on her way towards Ruffles and Aesop. Sprout, having just finished properly equipping himself, looked over in their direction just in time to see that something was said. He sighed and muttered under his breathe, "Cock-blockn' *****."

Pixie dropped her gear at the foot of the ashcrawler's passenger seat: her trusty rifle, Mr. Monroe, an RPG, and a handful of grenades. She plopped down in the seat and looked to Aesop, who already had his hands on the wheel, "Y'all know I don't normally let men drive me around. Do'n make me regret this lapse in judgement, ya' here?"

Sprout got behind the wheel of his ashcrawler just as Casino and Florian arrived, "Y'all ready ta' get yer dicks wet?!" In truth, Sprout wasn't quite sure what it is that phrase exactly meant. He'd heard the other men in the crew say it a few times and he was confident that his use of it was appropriate. It didn't stop the two if them replying with cocked eyebrows. Before Sprout could think to be embarrassed he heard his mother shout over the hubbub.

"LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!" As if by voice command the hangar doors opened up, summoning within itself a huge gust of wind and ash. Sprout scrambled to put on his breathing mask and black bandanna whilst covering his eyes from the burning ash. The ramp lowered and hit the ground with a mechanical thump. Standing up in her seat, her rifle held high; Pixie's crawler was the first out the door.

And in but a moment, the dark confines of the hangar were transformed into the vast, bright wasteland of the Rock. The bitter, hot winds of the ashlands burned her face as they picked up speed. Still standing--her boot planted on the vehicle's console--Pixie pointed in the direction of their target which wasn't in sight quite yet, "ONWARD VALKYRIES! LET'S SEND'A FEW SORRY SAPS TA' VALHALLA WITH OUR REGARDS!"

Spoiler

 

[ProtoChimp]

Aesop loved Pixie's speeches. They were so endearing and exciting, they were entertainment in their own right, but much more than that they gave him purpose-something the man DESPERATELY needed. With the speech done Aesop set off to his ashcrawler, grabbing a set of twin revolvers and two pistols which he kissed before getting in the driver's seat. Aesop was possibly the only Valkyrie who didn't have a special gun or set of guns; he used whatever he felt like at the time, and of course whatever was appropriate. With driving duty four handguns seemed suitable (and fun). Ruffles and Pixie had gotten into the transport. "Y'all know I don't normally let men drive me around. Do'n make me regret this lapse in judgement, ya' here?"

"Oh Pixie, if there's one thing I can guarantee," he paused as he started the ignition to wake up a roaring engine, "its that you'll regret it." He winked as he threw on his gas mask and awaited her command to leave.

"LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!" Roaring in anticipation Aesop flew the ashrawler out into the wasteland and into the general direction of the target. "ONWARD VALKYRIES! LET'S SEND'A FEW SORRY SORRY SAPS TA' VALHALLA WITH OUR REGARDS!" Aesop howled through his mask as he drove onwards. The heat blasting his face as they kicked up dirt around them. This was gonna be fun!

 

[Daystar Clarion]

"Hey Casino, keep n' eye on the kid, alright?" She placed her hand on her shoulder as she passed her. "It'll be yer sweet lil' ass if anything happens to him out there. Ya' here?"

Lilith snapped to attention, putting a hand to her head in mock salute, "Yes ma'am, sir, ma'am, ma'am, sir!" she said sharply, with a grin on her face. She'd watch the kid, like she always did, no need to worry about that.

Casino made her way to the ashcrawler that Sprout, the Padre and herself would be using.

"Y'all ready ta' get yer dicks wet?!"

Lilith raised an eyebrow and looked as if she was about to say something, but then decided against it, she shook her head and climbed aboard the vehicle.

"Oh shit, Sprout's drivin'?!" she teased, nudging the Padre with her elbow, "Hope you got your prayer book with you Padre, 'cos we are going to die." She loved these little moments.

Casino pulled her goggles down from the top of her head and made sure they fit snuggle over her eyes, she took one long final drag of her cigarette and flicked the nub over her shoulder.

"Let's blow this scene." She grinned, as the hangar doors opened she pulled her scarf over her face, also making sure that the breather inside was fitted securely.

Beneath the confines of her oversized poncho, she held the poker chip that hung from her neck and uttered a silent prayer to Lady Luck, and requested that her makeshift family make it home safely.

 

[TheDoctor455]

"Though, I shan't lie to you, I am a tad anxious about this whole affair," Lady Maribel said, hitting Kitty uncomfortably close to home.

---
Several years ago.

Nicole dropped the last clasp of her rippling white dress as her hands were trembling. One of her bridesmaids, her dear friend, Trisha, a commoner by birth and very minor noble by marriage, closed the strap for the soon-to-be bride.

"Nervous?" Trisha asked, probably already knowing the answer.

"Yeah... fair bit." Nicole replied, wringing her hands together.

"You're so lucky," Trisha went on, "He's a handsome young man, by all... credible accounts, he's a perfect gentleman, and his family is quite a bit more wealthy and powerful than yours and mine combined."

"I don't-"

"I know I know. You don't care about that last bit. But..."

"This wasn't my choice. I never..." Nicole buried her face in her hands.

"Oh dear," Trisha said in a tone that Nicole had always found soothing as she rubbed the nervous bride to-be's shoulders, "I know you didn't. But this is the hand you've been dealt, and you've got to bear it."

"Why? Its not as though my family will ever get anything out of this marriage, he's not even the heir of his!"

"There's always the chance that he might one day be. But... its too soon to tell what'll come from the mist of maybes." Though even as she said it, Trisha squeezed the young Miss Cartagia's shoulders, hard. Though, that isn't entirely accurate, as she is soon to be Mrs. Roxton. Trisha continued, "I'm sure he's a fine young man and you have nothing to worry about. I'm sure you'll have a long and happy marriage together, with lots of little happy children to keep you busy. Who knows? They might take after their mother and start tinkering with old technology in ways you never dreamed of!"

Nicole smiled at that thought. If there was any reason to have a... legacy... let it be for a brighter future.

----
Back to the Present.

"I'm sorry," Kitty blurted out. Then, in an attempt to cover for it, "I wish I could give you whole-hearted encouragement, Lady Maribel. Unfortunately, I have been almost exactly where you are now. I was arranged to be married to a nobleman once as well. It... didn't end well. I'd rather not talk about the specifics of our... relationship, no more than I do the details of our separation. Other than to say it was a brutal, and painful process that I would like to leave behind me."

Kitty coughed.

"But... but..." she cleared her throat, "I will admit that on my wedding day I was probably just as excited and nervous about it as you are, Lady Maribel. It really could have gone either way for me. I quite literally hadn't met him until the rehearsal. But you say that you've met him at least once before, right? Well... what was he like then? If he was a perfect little gentlemen, then hopefully he hasn't changed. If he wasn't... well, hopefully he has."

Kitty struggled to keep her eyes dry at this point. Struggled to keep the memories at bay.

"I'm sorry if I seem to be a bit forward with you, milady," Kitty said, gently placing her hand on Elizabeth's, in plain view for everyone in the cabin to see, a single tear traveled down her cheek, unbidden, "I... will give you practical advice now. If worst comes to worst, and you need to get out of the marriage. Go to your family, tell them whatever is wrong and tell them you want out if that becomes necessary. And if they won't help you. I will."

With that, Kitty brought her hand up to wipe her tear away, leaving a business card in Lady Maribel's hand.

It read:

Kitty's Solutions.
Courier. Bodyguard. Private Investigator.

Followed by an address, phone number, and long-range radio frequency.

"Now..." Kitty sniffed, still trying to keep more tears from escaping the makeshift prison she thought she'd locked them up in, "We might want to find somewhere to hide because I think there's something heading for this train."

Kitty pointed to the growing shape in the window.

"And whoever's on it... I doubt they're friendly."

 

[Dogmatic99]

"Y'all ready ta' get yer dicks wet?!"

Florian had to resist the urge to smirk and give a snide combeback as he and Lilith glancd at each other quizzically. Florian let it go and took his seat in the back of the crawler, fiddling with the straps on his mask. Axel had already claimed the driver's seat as his own.

"Oh shit, Sprout's drivin'?!" she teased, nudging the Padre with her elbow, "Hope you got your prayer book with you Padre, 'cos we are going to die." Lilith teased, nudging at Florian's side.

"Never leave home without it." Florian patted his jacket, where his bible was safely nestled into one of the inner pockets.

The captain gave the command, the ramp went down and the crawlers rumbled to life like a herd of angry bison as they rolled out onto the open as plains amid various shouts and cheers. Florian pulled his mask on, it was a bulky full face thing. It did it's part to keep the brunt of the heat off his face but it had the habit of cooking him slowy if he wore it for too long, unlike the half masks that just let the wearer get flash fried. A they hit the ash and neared their mark the straps on the holster that kept Florian's pistol in place under his jacket, just above his waist, began to bite in anticipation of what was to come.

Someday I'll leave this behind when we go out. But you know what they say about old habits.