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

[The Funslinger]

Bringing his hat up onto his head and tugging out the cord, Eddie placed it back into his pocket. Then he peeled off his gloves and tucked them into the back of his belt. The metal plate on old lefty glinted slightly in the ship's lighting despite its dullness. He could hear footsteps. Time to move quickly. he hefted the dynamite man's body with one hand, and took it down the hall, leaving it near the man he'd knocked out outside the engine room. Heading back to the stairs, he pulled out a hankerchief and began wiping up spots of blood he'd left behind. His pyrotechnic friend was leaving fresh blood where Eddie had left him and that was fine. There were a couple of doors he hadn't bothered with aside from the engine room, the door to which hung ajar. Heading round to the back of the staircase, Eddie drew his gun and waited.

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

Ruffles nodded. Taking out an end of wire from his contraption, he pried off a panel on the base of his radio and fed the wire in, connecting it delicately. Then he carried everything into the house's kitchen, placing it on a counter, and placing the bottle connected by tube over one of the stove's burners. Hitting the gas, he lit it with a lighter from his pocket. After several minutes, the orange concoction began to bubble, and the length of tubing started to steam up. The condensation took on an orange tinge that gradually darkened to black. The contraption's impromptu areal began to thrum faintly.

Thumbing the frequency dial on his radio, Ruffles spoke. "Howdy-fucken-ho, Scar-face. Come in, Scar-dee cat. This is team Brown Sugar calling in. Also known as Fenrir Squad."

 

[Terratina.]

'Two hours and still nothing.' Maria sighed as she caught her breath.

She tried to turn sadness into anger - the man owed her his life! And just what? He was going to run off as soon as Maria turned his back! Bastard! Sure, he was probably a marked man and not just because of sunburn, but this was intolerable! Maria felt powerless. She couldn't go more than a few miles or so from the hotel, unless those two friendly bandits came back. Maybe she just had to left this one go. It wasn't like he could pay her back in Carbon or anything. So why was she searching for Micky? Well, believe or not, Maria wasn't a heartless person. Sadly, though, compassion wasn't as valuable as Carbon...

***​

...Micky was reminded of that fact as he ran.

He didn't know who, but someone had gotten word of his glorious return to civilisation, of his ascend from a corpse in a sand to an alive human, of the angel -- No, probably not about his rescuer. And that was probably for the best. He didn't ask to be saved, although did he kinda wanted to be, but that was just the good ol' human survival instinct, right? At least that was his excuse. 'No time for excuses, I either run or die, or chose to face my past like an honourable idiot. ' He thought to himself. 'What good would that be? I've already proven that I'm about as trustworthy as a snake or something.' Like he had time to think! The ex-bandit just kept on running...

***​

"I don't expect I missed much. How long was I out?"

"About three hours, Commander." Jun answered, boredom dulling the bite behind the words. After that, the sniper resumed his staring match with the Ashland. 'Grey upon grey upon grey upon grey.' The sniper thought, 'No surprise that we were told only Death and ghosts prowled this place. It is true in its own way.' However, Jun didn't feel particularly nostalgic about his homeland. Conditions were harsh there and in the Ashlands, well, in different ways, but both were harsh places to live. Fortunately, both basically ran by the same rules: might is right, regardless of the different in treatment of the weaker sex. Jun just assumed that the Ashlands chewed them up and spat those try-hards out like any other of the sort.

 

[ProtoChimp]

"Simple, right?"

Aesop winced at the slap he recieved having insulted Rodrigo. Only one of the maidens would be leaving here alive. 'BUT WHAT'S THE FUCKING POINT IF WE'RE GONNA DIE IN A FEW DAYS ANYWAY?!' Aesop sunk his head into his chest, holding out his palms.

"Ask fucker."

 

[Dogmatic99]

"Probably just a little malfunction." Florian said calmly. "Still, better safe than sorry. We're very safety conscious here on the Iron Maiden." He could just imagine the laughter of the rest of the crew as he said it.

He was quick about ushering the two nobles back into their cell and lock the door behind them, all the while trying to seem like a calm tour guide treating this whole thing like a minor nuisance like a fire drill or some false alarm. It was only once the holding cells door was safely locked behind him that Florian picked up the pace and made a dash for for his room, of all the days to leave his gun locked away.

Florian fumbled on his holster before slipping his jacket back on over his pistol and an extra box clip just in case. He was about to leave when the crucifix pendant he kept hung up on the wall caught his eye. Now wasn'tt he time to pause but Florian couldn't help but pull it off the nail its chain dangled from.

["I know, I know."] He muttered to the miniature messiah that was nailed to the cross. ["Just a precaution."]

He quickly caught up with the other two crewmen that had heard the disturbance. The three of them rounded the corner to be met by the grisly red sight. Not a good sign, made even worse when Florian noticed the shock of blonde hair on one of the dead bodies. "Ricky?"

He rushed on ahead to check the bodies. Ricky was already gone, there was no mistaking that but the other fellow still had a pulse. That was something at least. "We've got a survivor." Florian called back to the others. They quickly moved up to collect their unconscious crew mate. "We need get him to the med bay and lock down this area." He grimaced, standing up straight and inspecting the hallway. Something was off here. If they had an intruder then why kill one and not the other?

"Better sound the alarm too."

 

[The Funslinger]

The footsteps rattled noisily down the stairs beneath which Eddie waited.

"Better sound the alarm too."

'Well shit, that ain't good.

Eddie made his move, peering round. The men had their backs to him, crowded around the two casualties, living and dead. His boots were old and well worn in, and creaked not at all as he padded up with the ease of practice. The middle and right men appeared to be bog standard crew, but the left most man was dressed in the black attire of a priest. Bloody complications.

Lashing out, he struck one man hard with the butt of his gun, letting him fall forward limply. The other was quick to react, although he did so crudely, tackling Eddie despite the fact he was about half the bounty hunter's size. Eddie's metal hand took him by the throat and the crewman was bounced off the hallway wall. That left the holy man. More out of a matter of courtesy in not under estimating his fellow man, Metal pointed the shortened carbine at him like a pistol.

"Now, father, I'm sure we can be reasonable about this. I'm not here to gun down Pixie's crew or nothing. Believe me, I'd have brought more men." Though he had intended to bring at least one more besides himself. Fuck sake...

He did notice the glance at the blonde haired body. Eddie grimaced apologetically. "Sorry," he said, gesturing loosely at the dynamite where it had rolled into a corner. "But he did have that lit up and ready to throw. That fuse there being about a third of what it was." He was rambling and caught himself. "Look, I'd rather not hurt a man of the faith. I ain't religious or nothing, but I respect your work. Don't suppose you can tell me where your captain'd be at?"

 

[Dogmatic99]

The first hit came in the blink of an eye as one man went down like a sack of bricks. Florian and the shorter man spun round in surprise, his companion gave a valiant effort but their attacker was twice his size and swatted him away like a toy and using one hand at that. A hand that glinted in the light... wait... was that metal? Was his hand made of metal?

Who does that!? No, no it must have been a glove.

"Now, father, I'm sure we can be reasonable about this. I'm not here to gun down Pixie's crew or nothing. Believe me, I'd have brought more men."

Or you did and you're lying.

At least he apologiesed for the blood on his hands, even if he was a liar at least he was polite. "But he did have that lit up and ready to throw. That fuse there being about a third of what it was."

Florian glanced down, noticing the dynamite for the first time. "Yes that sounds like him." Florian conceded.

"Look, I'd rather not hurt a man of the faith. I ain't religious or nothing, but I respect your work. Don't suppose you can tell me where your captain'd be at?"

Of course it's the captain he's after/ Florian sighed internally.

"And what would you want with the captain?" Florian asked, holding his hands behind his back.

 

[The Funslinger]

"And what would you want with the captain?"

"Take a wild guess, padre. Blah blah blah, bounty, blah blah blah Basillio. Though honestly, I don't much relish the thought of giving that big, greasy mother fucker what he wants. That said, I've heard rumours you're running on partial crew." He cast around at this, "and seeing as I ain't up to my eyeballs in Maidens, I guess it's true. Is she even on the ship?"

"Wouldn't you feel sorry if she wasn't?" Florian smirked a little allowing his cold demenour to slip a little.

"Not particularly. As I said, I ain't a fan of ol' Bassy. But besides that, I reckon you still got two pretty little hostages in need of liberating," Eddie replied evenly. "Wouldn't be very priestly of ya to hold two young ladies against their will."

"Compared to handing them over to Basillio some might call it downright saintly." Florian said smoothly as he began to slowly pace around the interloper and give himself more space to work in.

"Surely there are more deserving contracts out there, or are you more comfortable in the shadows and stealing young women?"

Moving with the priest, and being sure to keep himself between the stairs and the other man, Eddie replied, "well actually, my orders were a tad more vague concerning the hostages and the crew. Seeing as they're worried sick, honestly I was thinking of returning the girls to their families. Seems the thing to do. But I reckon you're under orders regardless of where I'm taking 'em."

This conversation was getting nowhere. Time to do what he'd been sitting on for a while. At the ceiling were two vents. The air duct he'd crawled through and the steam vents from the engine. Whipping his gun up, he fired repeatedly as he suddenly backed up towards the stairs. Steam began erupting from the vents, increasing vastly with each new hole, rapidly filling the corridor.

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

The poor bastard at the helm had been just dozing off when a juddering throughout the whole ship nearly tumbled him from his seat. Staring around wildly, his gaze found the helm's pressure gauge connected to the engine. It was falling. "Shit, shit, something's wrong with the engine, something's wrong! Losing pressure, shit shit SHIT!"

All he could do was wrestle with the helm as the ship began to come down, bringing it into an almighty scraping landing, the impact of which this time did knock him flying from the seat.

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

Eddie was off up the stairs, sprinting. The ship's impromptu landing nearly toppled him, but he rolled with it as best he could. Now to find the god damn hostages.

 

[ProtoChimp]

Austin had finally made it. He climbed to the top of the RV and seemingly defying the laws of physics he stood strong against the mighty winds of the ashlands as Oliver passed him up some binoculars. His voice boomed with laughter through his breathing apparatus. "I can see it! Its GLORIOUS!" He handed the binocs back to his son as he looked through.

Oliver gasped as he saw it. "I've never seen an airship before father." The young man was literally awestruck, the strong older brother like composure he kept up had withered away and he was a child again. "Its amazing."

Austin laughed as he patted his shoulders. "HA HA! Its great to see your first. I remember the first one I saw, growing up in Yuteni, larger than anything I had ever seen bar the ivory towers of course. It was so large it was even more astounding by the speed in which it soared! This ship may not have the power of that old one long ago with its 'official engineering'... but just from here I can see it is made with HEART! I do hope their engineers are children and not pretenders-"

"FATHER LOOK!" Oliver yelled, cutting off Austin as he passed up the binoculars. Austin grasped them and saw to his shock the ship coming to a clearly unintended, unwanted halt as it scraped to the ground.

"Dammit! It must be another hunter sent by the pretender Basilio!" Austin grabbed his radio and yelled to all of his current family. "We have no time to waste! We can't stick to the original plan, something must have happened. We go in now, loud and hard and do not be afraid to kill!" Austin jumped down into the RV as he grabbed his favourite shotgun. Seven rounds in total. "Drive right up to it, no doubt we outnumber them just charge on ahead." He shouted to the driver to which she responded gladly. The convoy charged on ahead while the scouting ashcralwer from earlier made it there first.

The man who had called Austin earlier kissed his pregnant girlfriend and 'sister' before leaving the vehicle. "We'll tell him tonight, its not his fucking kid its mine and yours." He ran out carrying an assault rifle. His girlfriend merely waited scared in the car as to what might happen. They awaited the rest of the convoy as they made their way to the hanger of the airship when suddenly bullets were firing down upon them. Austin merely laughed at the maidens who attempted to shoot them.

"Are you prepared to murder children!" He exclaimed. Some of the bullets stopped but not all of them as children, some as young as six, ran to the hanger throwing satchel charges at the borders of the hanger to which it opened up. Running behind the vehicles several other children fired back at the now few maidens who were shooting down upon them before activating the charges. The ship was well maintained indeed as the hanger was soon blown open with a thunderous roar; Austin however rivalled the boom with a thunderous roar of his own as every vehicle soon filled the hanger. Austin kicked open the door of the RV and fired a shot into the air, to which a dozen of his sons and daughters formed a platoon in front of him. "The youngest lead the charge, you elder ones watch our backs."

[HEADING=1] "YES FATHER!" [/HEADING]
Their battle cry was so loud and in such perfect unison it was possible to be heard from around the ship.

"Now we rise, family of mine. Now. We rise."

 

[Dogmatic99]

Oh hell!

Florian didn't even have time to brace himself as he was sent reeling into the wall with a crash. He'd been a fool not to act sooner. For now though all he could do was wrench himself to his feet as he nearly went flying across the hall, instead he managed to fall with some grace.

Whistling steam and a screaming engine as the ship tilted and collided with the ground. The impact alone sent a rumble through the ship that set Florian's bones to shaking. Ruffles was NOT going to be happy. The whole place felt askew as Florian struggled to right himself, holding onto his left shoulder as every nerve in it cried out in pain.

More bursts of gunfire followed but not from upstairs. From the far side of the ship. Guns were sounding off like mad and the unmistakable rumble of explosions rang through the walls. So the hunter did bring support after all.

No! No time for that, got to get to the nobles.

He had to get them out of here to safety. He didn't know where, just anywhere but here. Florian pawed around in the shroud of steam until he got a grip on the stair rail, once he had his bearings Florian set off up the stair in hot pursuit of the would be kidnapper, hoping that adrenaline would help with its part as well.

 

[The Funslinger]

Whiskey had started the morning fairly hungover. The excitement at what came next, however, washed it away. Even if it was tinged with sadness. The door opened, and the little hunchbacked old lady crossed the threshold.

"Hi, mom," Whiskey said, standing to meet her.

"I saw them."

"Yeah... I..." it didn't need saying. Her mother was referring to her ever present Wilkes-Vines watchers. They had obviously followed her here. It soured the occasion, certainly, but her mother overrode it. "None of that. Enjoy your time, daughter." Haughty and formal as it sounded, 'daughter' in her mother's eyes was a damn sight better than Whiskey. A name bestowed by a tipsy Wilkes-Vines captain that had stuck.

"Yeah," replied Whiskey, and crouched down. The smile breaking out on her face was wide, and getting wider. "Hey, hon."

The little girl peeled herself from the old lady's leg she'd been clinging to. Her smile was almost as wide as her eyes. "Mommy!" The five year old ran towards Whiskey, who swept her up and around through the air, making the girl squeal happily before she was brought into a tight hug. "How's my angel, huh? Not causing too much fuss fer your old gran, I hope!"

"Nuh uh!" The girl stuck her tongue out, and Whiskey responded likewise. A vague suggestion of Asian descent was suggested in the girl's features by her eyes, still wide and round from childhood, beginning to form a striking almond shape. Her hair wasn't red like Whiskey's. Her father's hair had been black, and she supposed with her own genes, it'd been too much. Her hair was jet black. It was also much less straight than Whiskey's own, showing the signature waviness of her father's hair. "How you doing, Millie?"

The girl's giggling exterior faltered a little and she nestled her face in Whiskey's neck. "Better..."

"Well, I know what'll make you feel even better yet. You had a long trip over here. Proper ladies tend to their needs and freshen up in the bathroom after a long trip, don'tcha know!" She set Millie down and giggled as the little girl gave a curtsy and headed off towards the bathroom.

"So how've you been, mom?" Whiskey asked. "Both of you doing alright? You're getting plenty of money, right?"

"More than I know what to do with, and you know it. The only thing is the... recent development."

"I know. That doesn't leave me much choice, huh? I gotta do it. For you."

"No. Just for her."

"Mom, I--"

"No. It's not for me, and I wouldn't want it to be. I know what he is to you. I don't deserve that kind of sacrifice from you, my girl. I was never any sort of mother to you after the day I had you. You must do this to save her life, and for no other reason."

"You did the best you could! Besides, I'm only fucking going and doing the same, even if you are her grandma." There was a silence before Whiskey continued. When she did, her voice wavered. "I wish... I wish she could stay here."

"I know, and you both deserve it. She's often asked. But that heartless man -though bless him for saving you- that heartless man's kindness is dependent on your usefulness. Usefulness that is less so when you must tend a child. This is the only choice left."

Whiskey stared at her lap. "I know."

"He will understand. I may not have liked him, but he wanted nothing more than to be a father to her."

Though her heritage was known, Millie had been documented to the general public, Millie Lin Fifer. It soured Whiskey to pass that rapist's name onto her daughter though. The name she had only taken as a sign of open spite. It was only done to avoid suspicion by Wilkes-Vines. But there was a second set of documents, locked away in Whiskey's safe. These documents were identical, except they marked the glowing young girl in the next room as Millie Lin Canton. Daughter of the supposedly late Edward Jacob Canton.

After a few minutes, the girl came out, playing at an air of regal haughtiness. It was, however, spoiled by a childish squeal of assent when Whiskey asked, "alrighty, Mil. Who wants to play some checkers?!"

 

[Evrant-Knight]

The sky was a dark bloody crimson, very much a stark contrast to the pale shining moons that adorned the night sky. Viola had left the comfort of her room at the tavern a couple of hours earlier in search of an evening meal, and was now on her way back. She noticed that the ladies of the night were out on the prowl, looking for men, or women to sink their teeth into and provide 'comfort', so long as they had the Carbon of course.

A few had even tried using their feminine wiles on her, but was met with disappointment; though she did find it a little intriguing that another woman would want to sleep with her; Viola had heard of such relationships, however she wouldn't stoop to such a level as to pay for the experience of finding out. One might say that Viola was more of a traditional sort of woman, she'd want to find someone she cared for or loved first, but she would take it steady, she never liked to rush.

As Viola neared the tavern, she could hear a faint voice coming from one of the side streets, a male voice, a voice that sounded rather weak. Either someone was talking in their sleep, or, some needed help! Viola chose to investigate, she wanted to make sure that whoever it was, they were at least safe.

Getting closer towards the voice, Viola began to make out a few faint words.

"[sub][sub]Must have... ... ...the parts[/sub][/sub]" The voice sounded vaguely familiar, with it getting louder every few steps.

"[sub]Must have been the parts.[/sub]"

"Must have been the parts." It took her a few more attempts, but the voice soon became clear, it was him.

"Hannibal?! What the hell are you doing in Feroxi?" Viola asked as she ran towards him, and well, he wasn't looking in the best shape. Hannibal looked as though he had been in a fight with someone, as he had cuts, bumps, and bruises all over him; though some looked more recent than others. And to top it all off, not only to did he smell horrible, like he had been drinking gasoline mixed with gunpowder and some assorted chemicals, he was also repeating the same five words over and over again.

"Must have been the parts... Must have been the parts... Must have been the parts..." Judging from the state he was in, Viola had to guess he was also fading in and out of consciousness.

"Hannibal?! It's me, Viola, remember? I dealt with McGregor about... three days ago. What parts are you talking about? This isn't to do with that bomb is it?" Viola asked, sounding both concerned and angry at Hannibal for doing such a thing.

"[sub]Sweet Mother of...[/sub] Look, there isn't any time to be dealing with that now, your badly injured and you need help. I'm going to get you some place safe, then I'm going to call a doctor to come look at these injuries." She then added, before kneeling down to pick him up. Checking to see if he was still breathing, Viola made a dash back to the tavern, and was greeted by the innkeeper.

"Ah welcome Miss Graves, glad to see you back safe and sound..." The older bearded gentleman said with a passive smile before he noticed Hannibal in Viola's arms.

"Good Gracious! What has happened to this poor man?"

"I have no idea sir, found him lying in one of the side streets nearby. Think he is delirious or something. You wouldn't happen to know of any doctors that would be around this time of night?"

"There may be one or two. You run him up to your room, and I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you sir." Viola said, nodding politely before carrying Hannibal up the stairs to her room. She nearly tumbled into her room after trying to get her keys out with one hand, whilst still holding Hannibal in the other, who was getting to be rather heavy by this point.

Viola gently laid the roughed up man on the bed, it still being freshly made from before. She hanged up her coat, hat and revolvers before taking a seat next to Hannibal and held his hand.

"Come on Hannibal, hang in there."

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

By this point, the guests were coming in thick and fast, and The Gentleman was deep in conversation with Gino De Angelo, a nobleman whom he had robbed, under various guises, on precisely four previous occasions. Normally, Di Angelo would be the sort to turn his nose up at the sight of a slightly haggard, middle-management worker bee. However, he had become pleasantly predisposed to journalists after the gentle coverage his cousin Fabio had received over allegations of both slave labour and sexual misconduct at the Di Angelo Carbon Refinery (the black that must have changed hands to sweep away those little indiscretions led The Gentleman to include that he had not been robbing the Di Angelo's nearly enough of late. Currently, The Gentleman shared anecdotes, canapés and cigars with the man, taking care not to look entirely comfortable, which for once was not taxing. The slobbering Gino Di Marco made Giles Dufraine seem positively mild-mannered, ever more distasteful considering Gino's noble birth.

"Friends!" came an altogether too familiar greeting from the booming tones of Sirus Dickens. "Welcome to my humble abode."

A chorus of sycophantic laughter rose in reply. Gino, who had immediately lost all interest in The Gentleman, even gave a piggish snort as he inhaled. When the laughter died however, and Sirus resumed his rather rambling greetings from atop the landing at the far end of the hall, Gino leaned over to the man on his other side, and spoke out of the side of his mouth "What an up-jumped little turd."

The Gentleman's eyes met only for an instant with the figure standing to Sirus' left, smiling serenely down at the congregation. The Golden Rose was blooming as bright as he'd ever seen her tonight, and the score of massive chandeliers seemed to take on an even sharper radiance in her presence. Looking around the room, it was possible to tell which of the guests had had her on previous occasions, and which hadn't. The latter were those who seemed to have enterred some sort of salivating trance, and the former glowered at Sirus the way these men might do if Mr. Dickens had stolen their prize-winning *****. Gino Di Angelo, he noticed, was one of the former. The Gentleman did not normally think too hard on Amy's private affairs when they did not directly concern him, but in that moment he pitied her.

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

While all this was going on, Amy, from her vantage point atop the landing, saw and read Meredith's expression as the man she had been speaking with just moments before made his way towards the exit. Not changing her expression, Amy slowly and subtly turned her head towards one of her sisters down on the floor, currently unclaimed, and gave a barely noticeable nod of her head. Her sister returned the gesture, and waiting a few seconds for the door to swing shut behind him, so as not to arose suspicion, made her own way out. Sirus was too busy drinking in the feigned approval of his betters to notice anything.

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

"...A toast then: To good health, better wine, and even better business!" Sirus concluded, and his guests echoed him with gusto. Taking his leave of the repulsive Di Marco, The Gentleman made his way back over to Meredith, who was looking, worryingly, as if she might have seen a ghost, as Amy and Sirus made their way down the stairs to begin their duties as host and hostess, namely listening to the empty compliments of the parasites that they had allowed into these walls.

"Mr. Dickens will be eager to speak with us, I know." he whispered to her "but the social pecking order demands that we will be the last two he hears from tonight. In the mean time, I think I shall go in search of the restroom. I do hope my sense of direction steers me clear of any places that a humble guest like myself shouldn't find themselves in. Hold the fort while I'm away, will you."

With a mischievous wink, The Gentleman slipped out of the room as well.

 

[Ruedyn]

Tobin

"I reckon the girls they got here ar' nice 'n clean! Don' worry none, my friend!"

"I will believe when I see, my precocious friend." Tobin muttered, taking another swig. His lady friend/date/mom(?) was looking at them all weird. Probably because he was already drinking too much, it sounded like. And because people of his height were rare. Thank god there wasn't a rainbow about, or else he'd probably need to shoot someone.

"'Spose yer not in town fer whores 'n booze alone, though. What's yer story if ya' don' mind indulgin' a first time drunk?"

"My my, aren't we forward when we're drunk?" Tobin smirked, he didn't mind sharing his occupation. Not like it was particularly challenging as far as things went.

"Christ kid, how many have you had? And you're already asking strangers for their life stories?"

'Less likely a date, surrogate mom or just really good friend. I hope.' Tobin rolled his eyes, taking another drink.

"Slow down, don't make me take it away from you."

"Poor kid asked an innocent enough question, I think. I'm a bodyguard, off-duty." Tobin cleared his throat, waiting to see if they'd laugh, or anything.

"I know I don't exactly look the part, but my reputation is FAR bigger than I am. My name is Tobin, some call me the 'Knee-Capper' when they mistake a bullet for an extra brain cell. Pleased to meet you both." Tobin did an awkward, half bow in his seat.

 

[Fappy]

"Don't make me take it away from you."

Sprout shot her a mocking glare in return.

"Poor kid asked an innocent enough question, I think."

"I reckon I'll just sneak in a few more drinks when she's good'n drunk 'erself!" Sprout remarked, chuckling as he placed his glass back on the bar.

"I'm a bodyguard, off-duty. I know I don't exactly look the part, but my reputation is FAR bigger than I am. My name is Tobin, some call me the 'Knee-Capper' when they mistake a bullet for an extra brain cell. Pleased to meet you both."

Sprout shook his head, "No, no, the pleasure's all 'ars, trust me. We're purty borin' people!" Sprout's voice cracked a bit, prompting more stupid laughter. "Well, I hope y'all find yerself a good whore ta' plow. I reckon ya' know yer way 'round a woman! Can' say I do, unfortunately."

His inhibitions vanished far quicker than Lilith could have ever imagined. Sprout blushed, "Ya' see, I'm a virgin. This one here's nothin' but a tease, ain't that right, Lily?"

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

Spoiler: Bandito Theme

"Ask fucker."

Rodrigo smirked, his bronze dentures glistening from the dim light in the room. Grasping the revolver once more he turned and placed it in front of Silo, "Not as eager as yer friend, are ya'?" Silo didn't look up at him as he spoke. "Pick it up."

Silo didn't budge, "PICK IT UP!"

Silo closed his eyes and sighed. Conceding to the man's demands, he picked up the revolver, pointing it in no direction in particular. His eyes darted around the room, finding their way to Aesop only after a loud, metallic click echoed through the small room. One of the banditos behind Aesop had placed a pistol to the back of his head.

Rodrigo leaned forward and whispered into Silo's ear, "Careful where ya' point that thing. My men get a lil' jumpy when we do this, ya' know?"

Silo glanced at him but for a moment before placing the barrel of the revolver against his temple, "Ask your question."

Rodrigo clapped his hands in excitement, prompting the others to chatter amongst themselves. It would appear they'd have a show after all. Rodrigo sat on the edge of the table by Silo and grinned, "This one's simple. Why are y'all here?"

Silo shook his head, "No."

The room was silent for what seemed like an eternity as Rodrigo stared daggers into the man. After more than a few confused glances were exchanged among the banditos, Rodrigo finally broke the silence with a hardy laugh. With only a slight delay, the others joined in, "Oh! OH THAT'S RICH! 'No'. Just 'No'? WOW! You are one cocking, fuckn' pendejo, aren't you! Pull the trigger."

Again, Silo hesitated. His brow twitched as a drop of sweat escaped his hairline, "PULL THE FUCKN' TRIGGER!"

Closing shut his eyes, Silo inhaled deeply and pulled the trigger. A dull click followed. Unsure if he'd survived for a brief moment, Silo released the nervous air from his lungs and stared down at the gun in his hand, "Lucky you!" Rodrigo announced as he wrenched the weapon from Silo's grasp, spun the chamber and placed it in front of Aesop. "You're turn, pig-fucker. Same question."

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

"Still, better safe than sorry. We're very safety conscious here on the Iron Maiden."

Elizabeth didn't buy that excuse for a second. Judging by the look on the other men's faces it was clear something was wrong. After being locked in their room once more, Elizabeth sat on her bed and pouted, "We finally get out of this room only to be thrown back in minutes later!"

"Milady, I---" Josephine paused mid-sentence as another gunshot rang out through the hallow behemoth.

"We need to get out of here, NOW!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she started for the door, not knowing exactly what she'd do.

"No, wait Milady!" Josephine sensed the inertia shift before Elizabeth did, springing immediately to her feet behind her. Elizabeth lost her footing as the ship tilted awkwardly to one side, sending her tumbling backwards. Absorbing the impact, Josephine caught Elizabeth in her arms and the two came crashing down against the far wall. A loud *ping* noise bounced around the room as they crumpled to the floor. A massive impact followed, sending the pair tumbling across the floor as the ship crashed into the ashes below.

After taking a moment to regain her composure, Elizabeth checked on Josephine who remained limp at her side, "Milady! Milady are you alright!?" Josephine's eyes were closed shut and her skin was pale. "Oh my God..." Terrified, Elizabeth checked her pulse. She was breathing. A concussion maybe? From the sound she'd just heard it was likely Josephine had hit her head against a pipe lining the wall.

With an unconscious Josephine limp in her lap, Elizabeth was completely lost as to what to do. The sudden sound of explosions and gunfire sunk Elizabeth's heart into her stomach. Trembling violently, she muttered to herself, "God... w-what, what do I do?!"

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

"About three hours, Commander."

Jun, as short as ever. Tsubaki covered a yawn before turning her head to face the rest of her squad, "Have either of you ever been to Frostfall? Business, personal, doesn't matter."

That's right kids, enough of your pointless prattling. Time to talk business.

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

"They're everywhere! Why the fuck would you pull something like that!?" Col. Esteban Ortega whispered as he fell in next to Dr. Pym. He always spat through his teeth when he was angry. Deplorable behavior, really. "That dumb, money-grubbing **** on stage doesn't even realize he's being played! I get that with him, but you?! Again, what---"

"Let me stop you right there." Adrian interjected, holding his palm out. "What was your job again?"

Esteban's brow furrowed as he grit his teeth. He never did appreciate Adrian's condescending tendencies, "Security. You understand what that entails, don't you?!"

Adrian tilted his head and offered a knowing smirk, "I do. You're to inform me of potential threats and you've done you're job with flying colors. Now keep your mouth shut. Basilio pays me to think! Remember that."

Esteban shook his head in frustration, "Look, we need to get to the chopper and---" Esteban trailed off as soon as he noticed the young Doctor Richards approaching the pair.

Adrian turned to face his protege, "We're leaving. This gathering is crawling with spies. I suggest you call a cab and get to your hotel as soon as possible." Adrian looked the man over and grimaced. His face was flushed and his suit, disheveled. He was already drunk this early into the evening? "On second thought... Esteban, have one of your men escort the young doctor home."

Dr. Richards shook his head, smiling stupidly, "No, n-no! It's okay, I don't need an escort! Don't b-be silly!"

Adrian and Esteban exchanged glances, "Send two." Esteban nodded and the two continued towards the helipad.

Two bodyguards appeared shortly after and escorted the man to the lobby where they'd leave to call a cab. Keeping her distance, Amy's sister followed the trio into the lobby. Getting the man alone would prove to be a fun challenge.

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

Pixie remained standing there, motionless in a see of human traffic. She didn't see or hear any of them. Not that she'd want to. She didn't know how long she'd remained like that and only came to her senses once the Gentleman had appeared at her side. For a moment she didn't recognize him. The scientist had caught her flatfooted. Still perplexed by the message on the back of the card, she'd somehow forgotten where she was and what she was doing.

Focus...

She met the Gentleman's subtle gaze as if nothing had happened. She'd bury her fear for now.

"Mr. Dickens will be eager to speak with us, I know. But the social pecking order demands that we will be the last two he hears from tonight. In the mean time, I think I shall go in search of the restroom. I do hope my sense of direction steers me clear of any places that a humble guest like myself shouldn't find themselves in. Hold the fort while I'm away, will you."

Pixie nodded and glanced across the room just as one of Amy's sister's disappeared through the door. Was she following Adrian?

FOCUS!

"Y-yeah. Yes. Ya' can count on me. Go check yer prostate 'ar whatever y'all ol' fucks do in yer spare time." She whispered back, forcing a chuckle as she broke off from him.

It didn't take her long to find what she wanted. The serving boy did a double-take as Pixie grabbed two glasses of wine and downed them both, one after the other. She smiled at him. He blushed, "Is' gonna be a long night, I reckon." The boy simply nodded in response and quickly disappeared back into the crowd.

Pixie sighed and looked around at all the guests in the hall. Disgust was the only word she could find to describe what she felt. Disgust for all those who enjoyed this life while their victims, the helpless masses, suffered and toiled away under the weight of their regime. Pixie didn't think herself a revolutionary, no, she was a bandit, a thief first and foremost. However, that didn't stop her from fantasizing about turning the world on its head. Purging the filth from this rotten world.

"Hello... Ms. Hill, I believe?" Pixie turned to see an older, dark skinned man. She didn't recognize him, but by the cloths he was wearing she figured he was a low ranking member in some noble's court. A lapdog willing to do whatever it was his master asked so long as he was allowed to sleep at the foot of his bed.

You were no different...

Still dwelling on her primal rage, Pixie's eye twitched and she balled her hands into fists.

No Pixie. NO!

She let out a sigh and gave the man a hardy laugh in reply. Act tipsy if all else fails, "Oh, yes. That's me, alright! Are you familiar with my work?"

The man must have picked up on her "tipsy" disposition as he shot her a sly grin and eyed her up and down in a very obvious fashion. He shook his head, "Oh, no. I am not from Boomhower you see. I overheard your discussion with Dr. Pym earlier. He's a brilliant man!"

Pixie nodded, "Oh, yes... I'm sure he is."

Hold the fort he said. He wouldn't be long he said. Actually, did he say that? Pixie went into autopilot mode as the man before her attempted to hit on her. Though she was far from impressed, she played along.

Hurry up, Gents. I'd rather choke an orphan than spend another minute talkn' to these fuckn' ivory dildos.

Hers was a cruel fate.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Lilith narrowed her eyes slightly. Turns out the boy was a cheeky drunk, more so than usual.

"I reckon I'll just sneak in a few more drinks when she's good'n drunk 'erself!"

After releasing the boy's wrist, she crossed her arms on the counter. As the bar maid topped up her glass, she glanced up, flashing her a small smile. "Beer for him from now on, cheers." the bar maid nodded, a small knowing smile on her face.

"Poor kid asked an innocent enough question, I think." Lilith sighed and shook her head, the smile still on her face as she took a sip of her scotch.

"I'm a bodyguard, off-duty. I know I don't exactly look the part, but my reputation is FAR bigger than I am. My name is Tobin, some call me the 'Knee-Capper' when they mistake a bullet for an extra brain cell. Pleased to meet you both."

Without taking her eyes off the glass in front of her, Lilith tapped a finger to her head, tilting it slightly as she saluted, the kid went ahead and spoke for them both. This was a mistake, the boy was getting far drunker and far more loose lipped than she had anticipated in such a short amount of time.

"Ya' see, I'm a virgin. This one here's nothin' but a tease, ain't that right, Lily?"

Lifting a palm to her face, she propped her head up, her elbow on the counter. "Bloody hell..." she muttered to herself as she raised her glass with the other hand, taking a not so small sip. She placed the empty glass back on the counter a little harder than she intended, breathing in sharply through clenched teeth as the liquor burned her throat.

"Only for you kid, only for you." She croaked, resting her arms back on the counter. For the first time in forever, Lilith lost her desire to continue drinking, no, she wanted something else, the booze wasn't cutting it. She took a deep drag of her cigarette, burning it down to the filter. The cigarettes weren't cutting it either, she stubbed it out in the ashtray, glancing to her side as the boy continued to spill his guts, blowing the smoke out of the side of her mouth.

Maybe she was just tired, she reached up to her cheek, brushing her fingers gently across the stitched wound there.

"Bollocks." She whispered to herself, she didn't know what she wanted, or maybe she did and she didn't want to admit it.

 

[ProtoChimp]

Aesop kept his head sunk against his chest, his eyes looking up to Silo's face. He guessed that it wouldn't be the first shot but he couldn't be sure. These bastards were unpredictable. It would most likely be the last for dramatic effect, though there was a good chance of it being third or fourth, but he really didn't know. Suddenly he felt the unmistakeble feel of a barrel at the back of his head. This week and he assumed for the rest of the week he would have more guns pointed at him than he had the past month. Silo had to comply with the demands. Aesop looked up with quivering eyes as he may very well see Silo commit forced suicide and-

'Oh thank Christ.'

"You're turn, pig-fucker. Same question." said the sadist as he placed the gun in front of Aesop. Without looking up at him Aesop swiftly grabbed the gun, put it to his own head and pulled the trigger quicker than his fear could kick in. Empty. He slammed it back down onto the table, silent the entire time.
=====================================
"Must have been the parts.... must have been the parts... must have been..." Hannibal repeated his mantra over and over again, having no idea of his surroundings, though he did feel like he was suddenly more comfortable, his face no longer against a cold surface. Suddenly he felt he was more comfortable, his body against something soft. He was drooling on himself too.

 

[The Funslinger]

"God... w-what, what do I do?!"

There. And the door was different from the others he'd passed on the mid-deck in that there was a slit that could be opened at the top for looking in. An old hand at kicking down doors, the sturdy iron fucker only took a couple of attempts before it crashed to the ground in a somewhat spacious room with a couple of sleeping pallets at the other side. A woman was knelt on the ground with the other woman's head in her lap. The conscious one was staring at him, wide eyed. He supposed he must cut a pretty intimidating figure, filling the doorway with the brim of his hat shading his eyes. Turning so his back was to the right hand wall and he could watch both the women on one side and the doorway on the other, he pushed the hat back a little and crouched. "I'm here to get ya. Just come with me, I'll have you back to your families in no time. Now she looks concussed--"

he heard gunshots from quite some way off. Muffled, but still audible. And then...

"YES FATHER!"

That wouldn't be the padre. It was from the wrong direction, and wouldn'e explain the gunshots. Oh shit...

"Ohhh, fuck!" He shook himself. "Lady Elizabeth? We need to leave. Now. There are people coming. Very dangerous people. Led by a very psychotic man. They catch us, they'll make you one of them, 'cause you're young. Lady... Josephine there, they'll kill. She looks about thirty. You need to come with me. You ever heard of Father Austin and his child army?"

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

"Have either of you ever been to Frostfall? Business, personal, doesn't matter."

"I have, once. Spent about three days here after waking up on a shuttle crawler just pulling in here. Was naked, except fer my swords and my filter mask. Which ain't a good condition to be in in a place like this." He gave a chuckle. "Got a hold o'some warm clothes, spent about three days here gambling up a good bit o'money to leave. Made a cool third of a kilo. Anyway, I know the bars and like. Should be useful causing chaos under the name of..." he tugged at the lapels of his suit to make his point. "There's a lot of in fighting here too, by the way. Nearly got shanked or shot a few times a day when I was here last. Back when I was here of course, people would have good old fashioned one on one scrapes, but I reckon that's up shit creek now. It was a few years ago."

 

[Daystar Clarion]

"Have either of you ever been to Frostfall? Business, personal, doesn't matter."

Asad nodded, while waiting for Bryan to finish.

"Can't say my time there was as exciting as O'Lafferty's, I was stationed there for a few weeks about, oh I don't know, ten years ago?" He smiled slightly. "Slight recon, nothing major, things have probably changed a lot since I last visited, but I doubt the weather has."

He shivered just thinking about it.

"We'll want to wrap up warm commander, and I mean really wrap up, especially at night."

 

[Fappy]

"Only for you kid, only for you."

Sprout rolled his eyes, "Sure, sure, ya' prude!" After being served a beer by the barmaid, Sprout snatched it off the counter and took a large swig. Holding his stomach, he reeled back before belching loudly. "Whoops!" He laughed.

Putting the bottle to his lips once more, he scanned the room to see the bar had grown significantly more crowded since they first arrived. Girls were out and about now. Girls. It was then that Sprout released he really needed to pee. Like, right now, "Don' mind me. I'll be right back! Gonna go bleed the lizard!" He hopped off the stool, balanced himself against the bar and started for the bathroom.

A slender black woman with an afro had just appeared from upstairs as Sprout was opening the bathroom door. He glanced back at his new drinking buddy, Tobin and then to the girl passing him by, "Wait." He muttered in her direction.

She stopped and looked to him with a beautiful, charming grin, "Well aren't you the cutest thing ever did see!"

Sprout blushed and chuckled, "Yeah, well yer purty cute too, Missy. Anyways, I was wondern'... ya' think ya' can give my older brother a good time this evenin'? He's had a purty rough week an' he could use some time with a fine thin' like yerself."

The woman laughed. Her grin grew ever larger, "Awwwww, he's a lucky man if he's got such a cute lil' brother out pimpn' for him. Sure, I'll see what I can do." She looked Sprout over once more, noting his drunk state. "Good luck in there, okay?"

Sprout nodded and gave a half-assed salute, "My thanks, ma'am!" Sprout proceeded to stumble into a stall and struggle to do his business.

The woman he'd solicited sauntered over to Tobin, the same grin on her face, "Word from your lil' brother is you're look'n for some company tonight. Because he's so cute I reckon I can give y'all a discount. What do you say?"

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

Rodrigo was unamused. In a low growl he commanded, "Again."

Silo scoffed, "Breaking your own rules this early?" Without a second thought Rodrigo turned and slapped Silo across the face. The rings on his fingers cut through Silo's flesh.

Shaking the dull pain from his hand, Rodrigo spat, "It's not your turn to speak. Now," He turned his attention back towards Aesop. "Pull the trigger again."

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

Elizabeth screeched in terror as the door came crashing down. A tall, imposing man stood in the doorway.

"I'm here to get ya. Just come with me, I'll have you back to your families in no time. Now she looks concussed--"

The firefight continued to rage in the distance, but it was louder now. Was the fight coming to them?!

"Ohhh, fuck! Lady Elizabeth? We need to leave. Now. There are people coming. Very dangerous people. Led by a very psychotic man. They catch us, they'll make you one of them, 'cause you're young. Lady... Josephine there, they'll kill. She looks about thirty. You need to come with me. You ever heard of Father Austin and his child army?"

What in the world was he on about? Elizabeth couldn't make sense of the situation. Too much information in too short a window of time. She had a thousand questions, but time enough for only one. She clutched Eddie's arms, her eyes wild and her lips quivering, "What about the Priest?! What happened to Florian!?"

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

Tsubaki stared blankly at her men as they described their experiences in Frostfall. Nothing she didn't already know, but asking again would help fill in any gaps she may have had in her memory. Once they were done she nodded, "Thank you. Considering the two of you have been there you will have to take special precautions in concealing your identities. If anyone recognizes you it may compromise the entire mission. Now..."

Slouched over, Tsubaki fingered through a binder in her lap before finding the documents she was looking for. After a quick scan of its contents she turned back to her men, "Once we reach the dome we're to set up shop in an inn on the outskirts of the city. We have a contact there, Jacob Skinner; he'll have the whole place on lock-down. An inn all to ourselves. The peace talks are planned to start in precisely 50 hours, which doesn't give us much time to prepare seeing as we're still roughly 38 hours from our destination."

Flipping through the pages once more she she nodded to herself upon finding what she was looking for. Removing it from her binder she gave the document to the pair at her back. It was a bio of a Frostfall noble with a series of pictures attached by a paperclip, "This man is the key to our entire operation. Jerome Carthage, a low-ranking member of the Ivory court in Frostfall. He's the fall guy, for lack of a better label. A few weeks ago he met with who he believes to be a representative of the Wilks-Vine family to arrange the assassination of Vasa Bejic. Once our operation is complete and Vasa still lives, his supposed deal will be made known. Both sides will be made to believe Carthage contracted Wilks-Vine to eliminate the bandits."

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"Must have been the parts.... must have been the parts... must have been..." Spoke Hannibal as he repeated the same five words over and over again, at one point he even began to drool a little bit, the spittle coming from the right hand corner of his mouth was creating a relatively "clean" line through the dirt and grime that Hannibal's face was covered in.

Viola let out an annoyed sounding huff as she stood up from the chair and unbuckled her body armour, placing it on a nearby table. She then went back to the bedside and knelt down next to Hannibal; part of her would dislike herself for doing this, but if it got him out of his delusional slumber, then it was a necessary act.

"Rise and shine, Mr. Hannibal, rise and shine. Wake up. McGregor is here to see you, and he isn't very happy, in fact, he is very unhappy." Viola then delivered a quick slap across both of Hannibal's cheeks to make sure.