Chapter 1 - Lone Wanderers

[Guest]

OOC-This part to the conversation isnt really writen that well, it was rushed a bit on my behalf so that others arnt held back from posting. I will change it asap but the meaning will stay the same so you can post the next part.

IC-

"I don't know why that man would want to track me, I have very little to offer him and i have made sure that my business is known to no one in this town."

"Maybe as you say, because i saw the shoot out then they are watching me, assumed that i had some part in it. I do not know but i will be on the lookout for trails for the duration of my time in this town."

"As for the raider situation, I only know that it is prolonging my unintended stay in Tabis."


"You must have some thought on why the raiders are stopping the caravans." Queried Grim, trying to search for a response in the young woman.

"One thing that i do know is that there is more than just raiders in this. For one raiders dont work together, especially not with the amount of raider factions that are involved here and two, some of these raider's have there camps miles apart and have never dealt with one and other before. What ever is going on it must be on a large scale, right across the wastes."

"You could be right Rogue, this is too organized for raiders, my thought is that someone else is pulling the strings in this whole thing."

"I realise that the Blade is marked by the raiders but he could possibly be one of the few people to get me outa here, he can handle himself in a fight which is what is needed at this moment. If i am truly being watched, then we could all be marked and being here talking to you could mean that we are now bound to the same fate." Rogue slowly drank her drink thinking with uncertainty about the future days to come.

"Tell me freind what is your facination with the snitch." Rogue asked looking for a honest answer as she was still weary of Grim.

"I do not know much but i intend to find out what i can. He has been shadowing the Blade since the gun fight and i cought him ealier trying to break into his room with a knife in one hand. That is how our freind earned his wounded hand."

"I have him now working for me, i will try to use him to gathere information of what i can." Grim taking a long drink as the young women infront of him started to talk.

"Surely if he knows that you know he is shadowing the Blade then you are allmost certainly a target as well if he tells somone about your run in." Asked Rogue, becoming a little un easy talking to a potential target, but if what the man says is true then she was allready a target so it would make no difference.

"Maybe, but i have him to an advantage, he didnt get a look at my face but i have seen his and knows it, hopfully this thought should keep him from ratting."

"You have not been seen by the snitch, but i have and his room is too close to mine for liking, I fear that my stay in Tabis is being out welcomed and that my current acommodation is to dangerous for me too keep it now." Rogue stared at her drink, welling at the situation that she was now in.

There was a small silence between the two of them, Rogue slowly drank her drink as, without showing it, Grim slowly looked over the young women as if searching, watching for some sign of who the she really was and what she was doing here.

Rogue broke the silence suddenly with a single sentence, the same that Grim was searching for.

"Tell me freind, what brought you to this town, the lady tells me that you have been here in waiting for over a week, without sounding to nosey, may i ask why?"


OOC- Ok that is pretty much what Rogue thinks about the raiders, they are muscle to an operation run by someone else. She is curios about Grim and is still weiry about what to tell him but is willing to cooperate as he seems to be on the good side if there is such a thing in the wastes.















This is not an auvoir but a bonjour to an ever lasting dream with out wakening....

 

[welsh]

[font size=1" color="#FF0000]LAST EDITED ON Dec-04-02 AT 03:46PM (GMT)[p]OOC- Nice job guys. Caleb! We'll figure out some way to rescue you! Fang- be careful- the conspirators may even be Slayers or Blades. Rogue I am going to wrap this section up and then leave you with a choice as Grim decides to confront Kroeger.

IC-

Rogue thinks about. "Maybe the raiders figure that if they work together they might be able to take the town. Wolves packing together to bring down a Brahman. Bigger spoils to share or maybe a new power in town."

"But what if there were officials cooperating, and these officials administered the Caravans?'

"Than there is an insider that has his own ambitions, and can't be trusted. But catch the insider and the raiders may lose heart."

"Exactly, except what if the other towns are suffering the same problems at the same time?"

Rogue considers that. All at the same time would mean an organization that is united. With the exception of the Slayers and the Blade, there were no other organizations she could think of.

But there were rumors...

In her travels on the caravan, One of the men had talked of a stranger he had met while traveling, a crazed man out in the deserta. He had talked of new groups that crossed the towns, that moved in secret, that could unite caravans and the towns. But for purposes of good or evil? These groups, not wishing for the relative transparency of the Slayers or the Fraternity, that manipulated and plotted, that turned people, that seduced with promises of power and money.

"Secrets within secrets within secrets." the crazed man had said before disappearing again.

There had also been talk of something else, past the Earthen Shores, past the brutal sand storms so fierce they tore the skin from your bones. Another presence. New and powerful, whose shadow only now fell over the towns and the people therein, but a shadow that chilled the skin.

"Than there is something united across towns, something with a communication network that rivals the Slayers or the Blades."

"Yes." Grim nods, watching the woman work it out.

"Something with a purpose. And with the blocades on the towns, each town cut off, each town is made vulnerable."

"That's what I'm thinking too."

"And if it hides, its because its preparing to strike. setting up the pieces on the board." Like the games of pawns and royalty she learned as a child, what her parents had called Chess.

"Or maybe these are the first moves." Grim says.

"Then we need to act fast."

"That man who you bumped into, he seemed to have been following you. Do you recognize him."

"No, I don't think so." Rogue thinks about it, shakes her head negative. "But I wasn't paying attention. But if they are following me, that means that they might be following you as well."

Crap, Grim thinks to himself. And if they were following me than they might suspect the snitch is working two sides. And the snitch might be the bait for a trap. And that would mean that the Blade might be at risk again.

Grim tells Rogue where the Blade is staying. "You'll recognize him in a casino?" he asks Rogue. She nods. "I am supposed to meet him at the Slaughtered Calf. I don't know if I trust the Slayer, but the Blade I think is someone we can. He killed those Red Fangs and he's a target. We'll need to protect him and if they know where he is, than they may target him either at the Inn or on the street. Can you go to the Slaughtered Calf?" Grim gives Rogue the room number and the contents of the message sent.

"And what about you?" Rogue asks.

"He might already be on his way here, and if so I can meet him here and then join you at the Slaughtered Calf. There is also some unresolved business here I need to deal with. I should be able to join you within the hour."

Rogue looks at Grim suspiciously, still not sure of him or whether he can be trusted. "What business do you have here."

Grim sees the suspicion in Rogue's face. Sometimes you have to go with instincts, and his instincts say he should trust her.

"There's a man here, who I think is part of this. The man who left me for dead in the desert, who made me look like this. Who killed my friend. His name is Kroeger and I think he's upstairs."

Rogue shakes her head. "Revenge?"

Grim nods, "Yes, it's all I've got left. But if I can get to him, it might slow things down around here. It might upset their plans enough, or it might reveal to us more of what we need to know. But in any event, you are looking for the Blade and he needs to be protected."

Rogue nods her head, still not sure of who to trust, but now a step closer to getting home. She is about to stand up but Grim pulls her down. Down the stairs rushes the Snitch, who hurriedly exits out the door, the carrier pigeon on a mission.

When he leaves, he lets Rogue go and says, "be careful. They know us but we don't know them. Trust no one."

Rogue nods, does that include Grim? "You too, be quick here and I'll see you at the Slaughtered Calf."

Rogue leaves the Inn, moving through the crowds and into the street. She sees the Snitch moving away, down the street and away from the direction of the Slaughtered Calf. She takes a few steps when she sees on the other side of the market, the tall Blade moving towards her.

Perhaps this will be easier than she expected.

But, before she can call a warning, a man steps out from behind the Blade and appears to punch the Blade quickly from behind, to the back of the head. A flash of a metalic glove in his hand. The Blade grunts and staggers, tries to find his gravity but falls hard like a tree collapsing.

The attacker is not alone, and soon a small group of men gather around the Blade.

"Brother, what ails you!" one of then calls, feigning concern.

"Oh I fear he has drunk to much, and has passed out." calls another, loud enough that even Rogue, now bustling through the crowd, can hear.

"Come friends, let's carry him home so he can sleep off the ale."
says a third.

Rogue is now closer to the group and can hear them speaking in more normal tones. They are rifling through his body, stealing his few possession.

"Nice pistols," explains one.

"Antiques, fool, look for money or identification." says another.

"This old fool has got no money I can find."

"Never mind, the boss says that when he's done with 'em we can sell the possessions. We'll make a tidy profit."

"Be quick, he'll wake up soon."

"Nah, I gave him enough Sleeper that he'll be out for awhile, probably till morning. He'll give us no more trouble."

"Shut up you fools, the Boss wants him for interrogation first, torture second. Come lets pick up the body, now and get on with it."

Rogue can see six of them. Maybe raiders, maybe just thieves. Four of them pick up the body while two others reach under their cloaks, probably guards carrying weapons. She turns away so they don't see her watching them, and reaches for her pistol. Should she follow or intervene now.

Back at the Inn-

Grim waits for Rogue to leave and approaches the Innkeeper. "Where's Kroeger staying."

"Don't know any Kroeger." The Innkeeper says.

"What about that little one armed bastard I saw before."

"Oh him, well, he's up in 23."

Grim thanks the Innkeeper and goes upstairs, and stealthy sneaks up to room 23, his hands on his pistol. The feeling of revenge feeling cold but good. Best that such things be done without emotion.

He listens to the door and hears the voice of the traitor.

Even from behind the door he can hear Kroeger's voice, angry. "Bastards. Wait another day, they say. That Gecko shit of a man. Some fools get killed by a Blade and McKinner loses his balls. Damn, this sets back our plans another day."

"What do you want me to tell the raiders, and the Fangs."

"The Fangs? Those bastards should grab the Blade and turn him over for questioning. Find out what he knows. If he's got friends, or if that damn Slayer is involved, we got to know. Torture him if they have to, but don't kill him until after they're sure they know everything. Dr. Mordrake over in the junkyard, probably be best for that. Then they can kill 'em."

A third man speaks. "And what about the other one."

Kroeger's voice takes on a more quiet note, a sound of respect earned by fear. "The other one. Yeah. Those other interests aren't going to be happy about it. But if its possible that Slayers and Blades are working togother, than they better know."

"what if it's true."

"Then they have to be killed, and all the other Blades and Slayers as well. But that's something we need to do only if we know. Killing Blades and Slayers will attract more attention than we can afford. Better just make 'em, well, disappear."

Three men including Kroeger, but Grim has two pistols. He knocks on the door.

 

[welsh]

OOC- OOPS. This is a bit of a long aside, but-

It seems roguehex (entry 20) and I (entry 21) are entering stuff at the same time. Nice bit of dialogue though for moving the story along.

I am not sure what I should edit, or even if its necessary. It seems that the info exchanged in both dialogues is more or less the same. They meet, they note that something is a miss, they cooperate. Grim knows Rogue is passing through, and Grim tells Rogue he's looking for revenge from Kroeger. They part company to continue the plot along. Enough and similar dialogue I think. Now for a bit of action.

Rogue is in a position to intervene in Caleb's fate or perhaps to tail the muggers and learn more about their plot. She can go it alone or find help with Grim. So far no one has moved on Fang yet.

Got a question for you, do you think the plot is too restrictive for new players? Can new players play bad guys or take over Non Player characters? Fang, you are the creator, I think if anyone, this should be your call.

I think the big bad guys should stay hidden for awhile. What do you think?

IC-

From inside the Kroeger's room, he hear's Kroeger say "shish!"

Then one of the other voices says, "Who is it."

Grim grips the bag of ears. "Got a delivery from the Red Fangs." Slurring his speech and giving it an accent, sounding a bit like a drunk.

"What's the password." One asks.

"I don't know any friggen password, dammit. I got here a bag of stuff to deliver, daz it."

"Leave it outside and get lost."

"Dem's not my orde's Mac,"

"Fuck your orders, just leave it."

"Don't think so."

Kroeger's voice hushed. "Fucking stupid Fangs. Alright, check 'em." Grim holds the bag of ears in his right hand leaning up against the door frame. The revolver in the left, behind the wall.

THe door opens a crack and Grim sees a face. "What do ya want."

"Mckinner said he want's ya to have this, says you'z supposed to pay. He can't because of them Blades an all. He's a friggin' pussy."

A long pistol comes through the crack and is pressed against Grim's head. "How the fuck am I supposed to trust you."

Grim drops the bag to the floor, and reaches for the brahman string around his neck, revealing the long bloody fang. "Is this good enough for ya."

The man looks at the Fang suspiciously. Then back at Grim.

"Jesus Christ what the fuck happened to ya." The man says, now seeing Grim's burnt face more clearly.

"I was a difficult birth, and fuck you too Mac."

The man considers, pulls the pistol back. "Tell Mendez his fucking guys better learn the password. You're lucky I don't smoke you here."

"Ya ya, enough guys gettin' smoked dez days, hunh? More 'z a comin. Here' take diz here. and give me the payment will ya?"
Grim pushes the bag of ears towards the man's face forcing him to back up a step. The door can now swing open with just a little pressure.

The man turns his attention to the bag. And looks in. 'Diz here's a lot of Buck ears. I wonder what they think of Hell, the bastards."

"Why don't you ask 'em yourself." Replies Grim in an easy quiet voice and fires his pistol through the wall.

The bullet easily goes through the wall and catches the man in the throat. He drops the bullet and falls, his hands trying to stop the flow of blood from penetrated arteries.

Grim hits the door, is able to glimpse inside and then ducks to the right side, as one of the others in the room now fires a shot gun. The blast fills the empty door way with buckshot.

He fires again, into the wall. But Grim has already moved.

Before the shotgunner can rechamber another round in the pump, now trained on the wall to the side of the door, Grim steps back and fires his pistol again.

The shot catches the man in the torso. He drops the shotgun and Grim is able to shoot him again, quickly.

The lights go out in the room.

Grim ducks back into the corridor before Kroeger can spot him.

Kroeger is still in the room, using the dark to hide, to get the first shot when Grim goes through the door.

Grim turns back against the wall and then quietly moves back two steps down the corridor and down into a low crouch.

The staccato sounds of bullets, the sounds of bullets passing through the walls and into the hallway, in front and above Grim.

Kroeger sprays the wall, hoping to catch Grim in his line of fire. Hoping to bring him down in the spray. One lucky bullet.

Not sure if Kroeger needs to reload the SMG, Grim dashes for the door and ducks into the room, trips over a body and falls, rolls, bumps up against the other body, and stays prone.

His eyes quickly adjust to the light but its blurry, his vision distorted. He make out a table, a bed.

Then a figure near the window.

Kroeger.

Kroeger fires three times in Grim's direction. Grim hears the thud of the bullets impacting the body next to him.

He fires again three times at Kroeger, aiming for the torso, hoping to hit a critical organ.

Hear here's the ding of his bullets and a richochet.

Armor.

Grim aims for what seems to be the head, fires.

But Kroeger moves, jumps through the window and out into the back alley.

Grim scrambles to his feet and runs to the window. Below he sees Kroeger running down the alley and away, apparently unharmed.

Kroeger turns.

Grim drops to the floor and rolls away from the window. Another burst of gunfire from below, the bullets stitch an arch of bullets through near the window and up into the ceiling.

Grim waits, then gets back up, grabs the shotgun and chambers the round. Then he gets near the wall and swings the shotgun around, aimed for the alley.

But Kroeger has gone.

Cursing himself for letting Kroeger escape, Grim relights the embers of the candle.

Has Kroeger identified Grim? In the speed of the gunfight it's uncertain. But the longer Grim stays the more dangerous it becomes. Quickly he surveys the room, finds various documents, money, weapons, a backpack.

Grim gathers all quickly and exits the room through the back window, back down the alley way before the other patrons arrive. Hiding in the shadows, Grim quickly looks for Kroeger, as if expecting him to be hiding in the shadows.

But Kroeger, the traitor, is gone.

Quickly Grim moves back into the street of vendors, disappearing into the crowd, making his way towards the Slaughtered Calf, his thoughts now occuppied by what he has learned.

Does Kroeger know who is after him? If not, he at least knows someone has come for him. And chances are he won't leave until after the meeting.

 

[Guest]

IC-


Rogue watched as the men carried the Blade of in the opposite direction. Damn she was too late, and now to make things worst, she had to choose whether to go after them alone or to go for help. Her choice had to be rushed as the men were disappearing into the night with Celeb.

“Damn it.” she cursed to her self.

Quickly thinking, she wouldn’t be able to take six men in a straight fire fight and there could be more were ever they were going, there were still to many people out in the streets to open fire on the men here and they had Celeb, she couldn’t afford to hit him if guns raged. Should she go for help? Grim was not far away but that would take time, and the men were disappearing fast into the shadows of the streets.

Rogue made a decision on instinct, she would follow them to there location and then if need be come back for help, but at the moment she couldn’t risk losing the Blade and his aggressors.

Rogue moved quickly through the streets to catch up with the men. They had now left the busy market area and were heading through slightly deserted streets with near no lighting. Rogue kept to the shadows and moved with great caution in her steps not to give away her self. She followed at a distance of about 25 meters and could hear the talking of the men.

“Damn this guy is heavy.”

“Stop your bitching moron, you ain’t got that far to go.”

“Just think of the money that we will get of him, I want his boots.”

“You won’t be taking nout till after the interrogation.”

Rogue followed the men for about 5 minutes, walking till they exit all civilised parts of the town, soon after, they stop at an older abandoned building. Directly in front of the building there is what looks like the entrance to some sort of junkyard. Three more people exit the abandoned building with a light. Rogue pulls herself up against the wall, making sure that she is well out of the way of any light coming her way.

“This him?” A woman asks.

“Yea this is the guy.” Rogue distinguishes the voice as the one who was given the orders on there journey here and evaluates the man as a leader.

Rogue glances round the edge of the wall she is behind and now in the light provided by the three new comers she realises that they are raiders, but from which faction she can not tell, the light still to dim to make any other characteristics out apart from that at least 4 of the nine raiders are packing some heavy heat, smg’s. Shotguns and assault rifles. There would be very little chance of her surviving a direct confrontation against such gun power, not to mention whether the other 5 raiders were packing, which they most likely were. 9 on 1 were not good odds even with the element of surprise on ones side.

“Piece of shit.” One of the raiders shouts and leashes a blow to Celebs stomach with his foot.

“Hey don’t damage the goods, there will be plenty of time after the interrogation for that.” At that the raiders picked up Celeb’s body and walked forward heading through the large gates into the junkyard, the three raiders that had excited the building stayed stood were they were, acting as guards to the entrance to the junkyard.

Rogue now faced another decision, she now knew were Celeb had been taken to, but should she make a rescue attempt on her own, she would have to find another entrance to the junkyard than through this one, To get past the three guards would need guns and that was not an option, unless she wanted a whole army to come up on her.

"Shit" She hissed to her self, she knew well enough that she couldnt do this her self.

She turned direction and headed back the way she had come at great speed but keeping to the walls and in the shadows were she could. The distance seemed to have doubled on her way back but she gradually returned to a more civilised part of town and the voices and hassle of the bars and market place was quickly approaching.

She barged in through the people heading towards the inn, knocking people over as she went, she didn’t stop untill she reached her destination. Up the steps 2 at a time and through the door banging them open with a crunching noise. She was met by the local Law on entry to the bar.

"Sorry this place is off limits to the public for a while." An officer said to her as he moved into her path.

“You have to let me in, I need to find someone.” Exclaimed Rogue in an agitated voice whilst trying to push past the guards.

“That aint going to happen lady, you have to wait until we clear this place, it will be at least a couple of hours so I suggest that you go do something.”

Rogue tried one last failed attempt to pass the authority’s but was pushed back with force.

“You either leave lady or ill have you arrested.” Shouted one of the officers looking over at three of his men stood watching the situation, they moved one step forward in an intimidating way.

She turned and left the building, she looked over the outside structure to see if she could notice anything but nothing. What ever had happened had obviously had something to do with Grim and she hoped he had not been arrested or worst, killed.

She looked around, completely unaware of any other person or sound around her.

“Who am I kidding” She muttered to her self. “There is no time to look around for Grim, he could be anywhere, he could be dead.” She thought to her self.

At that she headed of back towards the Junkyard where Celeb had been taken hoping that she would be able to get to him alone.




OCC- Ok, i think that Rogue will maybe go alone, but i am not sure. It may be too easy just to go in, kill every one and save celeb, like you guys said this aint no Steven Segal flic were you go in against Impossible odds and come out un touched.









This is not an auvoir but a bonjour to an ever lasting dream with out wakening....

 

[welsh]

OOC- Ok sorry but this has to be very quick.

IC-

Grim reaches the Slaughtered Calf and looks for Rogue. The casino and bar are busy, and Grim sees the prostitute he had sent up to Caleb earlier. She's at the bar entertaining another client. Good, that means the message has been sent, but if so where is Caleb.

Another glance about the bar reveals neither Caleb or Rogue.

Strange, but perhaps they have found more privacy in Caleb's room.

Grim goes up to the third landing, finds Calebs door, and stops, listening. Nothing.

He knocks on the door, but there is no answer.

He tries the door knob and finds it unlocked. The last time he opened a door he got shot at, so Grim opens the door slowly, the newly acquired shotgun ready in the other.

When the door is opened he finds the room. Except for the mattress that has been slit opened and the stuffing on the floor, he sees nothing to indicate anyone has been there.

Impatient and worried now, Grim goes to the ground floor and finds the girl speaking to another customer, who carries himself as a gun, but not a raider.

"Excuse me friend, but might I ask the lady a question." Grim says politely.

"Excuse me friend, but you can get that ghoulish mask away, it's spoiling my appetite." The man says.

"Sorry about your appetite friend, but the last human whose appetite I spoiled I ate."

The man reaches for his pistol, but before he can draw it, Grim grabs his hand and holds it down.

"Look friend, I mean you no disrespect and this won't take but a minute. The woman here did me a favor and you understand that when a favor's paid for, one must be sure to get satisfaction."

The man tries to lift his hand with the gun, but Grim holds it steady. "I would hate to ruin this pleasant night by removing your hand friend. I suggest you ease up."

The man relaxes and Grim eases his grip. The man holds up his hands bare. Grim removes the pistol slowly.

"Now I'll send this back to you with the lady, but for now I suggest you go over there." Grim places his free hand on his gun.

The man backs off wearily.

Now to the lady. "So how did it go."

"That old man almost killed me, you bastard. What the hell were you sending me too?"

"Looks like you came out ok. Did you give him the message I told you too."

'Message? what message? I was there to share the night I thought."

Grim sighs, good help is so hard to get these days. "so what happened?"

"Nothin' he paid me more than I'd seen in a long time after buying my sad sack story. Then he let me go. Last I saw he was heading out."

"Alone, or with a woman?"

"I didn't see no woman with 'em. He seemed nice, but maybe, well... he had other ideas."

"Well alright, now I appreciate the business and you can take this gun back to that fellow yonder, just make sure he don't get antsy."

She takes the gun in two fingers and crosses the bar to the man, who takes the pistol, gives Grim a "I could take your punk ass" look and then turns his attention back to the girl.

Could it be that Caleb had gone back to the Inn? If so Grim didn't see him. Could they both have been intercepted by hostile parties.

Grim pauses, thinking about his next move. Go after Rogue or try to go after Kroeger. He thinks about the light on the third floor and approaching McKinner, or heading down the street and seeing if he can pick up any intelligence on the street.

OOC- Might be a great time for extra characters to come in. This might be a good time for a friendly NPC."

 

[Gunslinger]

OOC- Sorry, sorry, and sorry about the late reply. I've got school and all I rarely get anytime to post.

IC-

Caleb lingered in a state of semi-consciousness to comatose as the raiders dragged him. His boots trailed behind him, coughing up dust into the air. The Blade's eyes were still clouded over in pain and he could barely make out his attackers.

The big raider, the one that had coldcocked him on the head, was hauling him by his right arm. He laughed and joked with his comrades as they went through Caleb's belongings while dragging him further still. Though he was in exquisite pain, Caleb's eyes narrowed in rage when the big raider commented that he wanted his boots and guns.

The path to whatever hellhole they would take him to was long and hard. If any passerbys saw him, they just assumed that his friends were hauling him back to his room after a drinking binge. The Blade's limbs were numb and he couldn't move his body, but Caleb bristled inwardly at the affront of being caught off guard. His rage grew inside his helpless body.

Finally, after many scrapes and scuffling, the raiders managed to haul him inside a seemingly abandonned warehouse at the outskirts of the town. Before the entrance of the warehouse was junkyard of trash and metal. Inside the warehouse, cobwebs clung about and a fine sheet of dirt covered everything, evidence that the place had been abandonned for a time.

But not any longer. Two lanterns in the center of the room threw flickering flames about the room, illuminating it dimly. Caleb, though his head was slumped down, could see the feet of at least nine other people, including the raiders, and their weapons: assault rifles and shotguns. The entire group of raiders rushed over to help the others drop Caleb onto what looked like a surgical table. Leather constraints strapped down his arms and legs and one industrial raider used Caleb's own mask to gag him.

A splash of cold water from bucket thrown onto his head woke the old cowboy immediately. He gasped as chilling water and the pain throbbing behind his head mingled together. Caleb howled, their his scream was muffled, and he fought against the restraints. The leather straps almost gave away before a raider pistolwhipped the Blade hard against the face. His head reeled backwards and he blinked away stars in his vision.

As he shook his head, he stared into the faces of his captors. Alll of them looked exactly like the raiders he had smoked at the bar and they were dressed in dusty leather armor. They all had faces covered with stubble and they reeked of the open road. Caleb could tell from their dark tans that they were seasoned raiders used to traveling the roads. Most of the raiders carried sawed-off shotguns with pistol grips and one or two even carried an assault rifle, though they were ugly pieces of metal welded crudely together and suggested that they were selfmade. These group of nine were elite raiders; they would not be as easily taken down as the first half dozen in the bar.

As Caleb looked beyond the grim and leering faces of the raiders, his mind instinctively assessed his surrounders. Beyond, he could see military bunks placed along the walls and footlookers lining against them. Pieces of machinery were strewn over the floor along with their repair tools. Off to the side, an armory filled with armor and other simple weapons laid ready. A miniature chemistry lab next to the armory gave evidence that the raiders were making explosives. In the center of the room, besides the lanterns, was a long meeting table with nine chairs. On its mahogany top were maps of the area around Tabis, each marked with red targets. Caleb's heart lurched when he saw that a Blade encampment was marked as one of the raider's targets.

It was obvious that this was the raider's base of operations in Tabis. The maps on the table showed an even larger base being erected east of Tabis.

The nine raiders systematically went through Caleb's belongings. The removed his knapsack containing all his goods and his gunbelt holding his revolvers and then confiscated the shotgun. The checked his pockets, removing the shotgun shells, and took the knife out of his left boot. They even decided to remove the rusted spurs from his boot heels. Finally, they removed his sombrero hat, vest, and boots until he was wearing only his jeans and shirt.

The raiders retreated to their bunks, with their booty in hands. Humbled and humiliated, Caleb glowered darkly at the raiders as they toyed around with his prized revolvers. With their attention diverted, however, Caleb had the opportunity to try to escape. Gingerly, he tested the restraints again and found them firm. The Blade was no Houdini escape artist but he was patient. The raiders were still occupied at Caleb had plenty of time to wear away the restraints. Cautiously, he began wriggling his right hand back and forth from underneath the leather strap.

He stopped suddenly when the back door of the warehouse thundered open and someone marched in. The raiders also stopped toying around and sat up hurriedly, standing erectly, and gave sloppy salutes. The Blade wondered why they were paying the newcomer so much respect and he was dying to know who it was.

He soon found out. The newcomer marched to where Caleb was strapped down, the nine raiders trailing behind the newcomer. It was only when the newcomer was standing before him that Caleb could see a face.

It was the girl. The young doe-eyed and innocent lady sent to his room at the inn just a few hours ago.

But at the same time, it wasn't the same girl he had taken pity upon. Now, she wore an air of superior confidence and a commanding attitude. She was dressed in a dark leather outfit that matched her raven black hair. On her belt were bloody knives and hooks, implements of torture.

She looked down at Caleb as if she was examining a lowly bug. Then she turned her attention to the big raider and asked, "Are you sure this is him? I couldn't see much of the bastard when I was in his dark room."

The raider nodded eagerly like a pup. "Yes, mistress, he's the big hombre that smoked our six brothers at the bar." He took one of the revolvers from another raider's hands and showed it to the girl. "See? These are his antique guns."

She stared down at Caleb from the corner of her eyes. "Fitting weapons to match an equally old man." The girl snapped her fingers and commanded to the raiders, "Well done, Fangs. Now leave me."

None of the raiders argued or minded that they were being commanded by a young woman. They left eagerly from the warehouse and waited outside in the junkyard.

With their presence gone, the girl leaned in close to Caleb. She took a knife from her belt and traced its bloody edge against Caleb's jaw. "Let's see what's under this mask," she wondered outloud before cutting away the bandanna gagging Caleb's mouth.

The bandanna mask fell away, revealing a determinedly set jaw lined with a few whiskers. The skin underneath was remarkable smooth and pale. Caleb bared his lips back and gritted his even, pearly white teeth. To unmask a Blade was a grave offense.

One that was only righted under penalty of death.

The girl smirked as she backhanded Caleb across the chin. The Blade grunted softly in indignation but did not wince in pain. The girl saw this and started pommeling him in earnest, using her bare knuckles and throwing in a few slaps. Caleb bore the beating in reserved silence, letting her throw her tantrum.

The girl saw that her beating was hardly hurting Caleb and she shouted in frustration.

Caleb smirked himself and said innocently, "I guess you'd find whoring easier than torturing, my dear."

Her eyes flashed in rage. The girl was about to scream but she stifled her outburst. Instead, she cooled down and narrowed her eyes. She walked over to the side of the surgical table and patted gently Caleb's face. Her fingers rubbed his smooth skin and lingered there. "With baby skin like that," she crooned, "it wouldn't be so bad having to bed you, old man."

Caleb merely laughed hollowly. "So I suppose you truly a whore, then. The last woman willing to bed me cost at least fifty gold." The Blade smiled inwardly, knowing that he was hardly a good looking man. Perphial appearance hardly mattered when you were a Blade.

The girl snorted in derision. "Hardly, old man." She beamed proudly as she said, "I'm the favorite wife of McKinner, the most powerful man in this dustbowl. And the man who'll soon conquer the rest of the world."

Caleb cursed himself for being a fool. The innocence was merely an act the girl had been faking up in his room. He was not a lustful man or one whose legs wobbled at the sight of a pretty face. But, though he was a hardcase, he had a soft spot for people down on their luck, especially young children. And the girl, only sixteen years old and hardly the proper age to marry, had used that flaw against him.

The Blade had heard the name of McKinner before. He was a man of some high influence and great renown among the townspeople. But if he was dealing with raiders, then he was a corrupt man. Caleb knew his duty. He would have to kill this man.

"Favorite wife?" Caleb scoffed. "Your hardly anything more than a glorified whore."

The girl's eyes flashed once more in anger. It was sick, how she took pride in being married to such scum. "Whore?" she shrieked. "The other fat broads my husband has married are whores. But I've earned my position. My husband favors me the most because I am also his prized agent."

Caleb scoffed once more. "You are no agent, woman. You're a backstabber and a thief who works behind shadows."

The girl smiled sweetly. "But isn't that an action worthy of a Blade?"

Caleb's eyes narrowed in anger. He bristled, shaking in silent and building rage. Nothing could ever express the fury he was feeling. "You bitch!" he whispered, the words dripping with pure hate. He spat a wad of phelgm into the girls face.

The girl roared angrily and slapped the spittle off her face. Her beautiful face contorted into ugly anger. Then, calmly and measuredly, she took out a wide butcher knife and slashed Caleb's right hand that was pinned down.

Pain caused Caleb to wince. The girl laughed condescendingly at this. She sheathed her butcher's knife and leaned in close. "My name is Claire McKinner and you'd do well to remember that name." And with that, she stalked out of the room, leaving him alone.

With pain lancing his arm, Caleb gritted his teeth. "Oh, I'll remember your name, all right," whispered Caleb to the empty air. "Count on it because I'll be coming for you."

The Blade would soon act on his promise because when Claire had slashed him in the arm, she had also ripped through the thick leather strap binding his arm. With a roar, Caleb wrenched free his arm. Cautiously, with blood pouring out of his arm, Caleb unstrapped the rest of the restraints until he was free and standing on his feet.

He waited for the raiders to come rushing in at any moment but they never did. They were busy loafing about in the junkyard to pay him any attention. Caleb had enough time to think.

Firstly, he retrieved all his belongings, redonning his clothes and strapping on his gunbelt and revolver. He salvaged what was left of his mask and wrapped it around his face, declaring that he was a Blade once again. From his knapsack, he removed the healing herbs and spat a wad of spittle on the wide leaves. Then he grinded the leaves and spittle together until it formed a poultice which he liberly applied on his right arm wound and then wrapped it together with a strip from one of the raider's sheets. His right hand still throbbed in pain and he wouldn't be able to use it to fire his gun. Fortunately, he was ambidextrous.

He pilfered through the raider's goods, stealing a hefty small fortune of gold coins and plenty of spare ammunition for his shotgun and revolvers. When he picked up all he could carry, Caleb rushed over to the center table and rolled up all the valuable maps and placed it into his pack. With these, he would give his Fraternity valuable information about raiders strikes. And, he might have a chance to warn the encampment of Blades nearby in the wastelands of Tabis that they were about to be attack.

But first, he would have to get out.

Caleb's quick mind formulated a plan with all the materials he had on hand. The warehouse was well fortified and he could returen quickly to pick up more ammo and guns. But outside, the raiders awaited. The junkyard they hid in would make it a virtual maze with plenty of cover for the raiders to hide behind. Before he did anything, he would have to draw away some of the raider's attention.

All he needed was a diversion before he rained down deadly bullets.

OOC- Rougehex, I think you should take over from here. Be careful though; these are nine highly trained raiders and it would be foolish if Rogue attacked them all at one time. All Caleb needs is very minor diversion to draw the raiders INTO or CLOSE to the warehouse. Then, I suggest you have Rogue become scarce very, very fast. Don't worry, my gunslinger has a plan.

"Credo Ut Intelligam"- I believe so that I may understand.

 

[Guest]

[font size=1" color="#FF0000]LAST EDITED ON Dec-05-02 AT 05:35PM (GMT)[p]OOC-Sorry if this took some time in coming but anyways here it is.
errr...i have just posted this and. may i just ask why it has appeared at the top of the post lists in stead of the next one down at the bottom.


IC-

Rogue rushed through the streets from which she had just passed, remembering the way perfectly. It was not long before she reached her destination.

The entrance to the junkyard was still guarded but only by one guard, perhaps the others were in side the building or had left. Rogue couldn’t afford to chance a forced entry through the main gate; she would have to find another way in.

She moved through the shadows staying close to the walls of the buildings for cover as she went. She started off round the outside of the junkyard fence looking for some sign of second entrance.

It wasn’t long before Rogue found what she was looking for. A small entrance that had been made in the fence, only one problem though, it was guarded as well. Rogue could only see the one raider but that didn’t mean that there weren’t more. She moved to a position in the fence that contained a hole and peered through, still only the one raider.

“This is as good as its going to get.” She whispered to her self.

She searched around the ground for a small stone and unsheathed her knife. She peered through the hole one last time and then threw the stone over the fence. It landed safely on the ground with only a small noise, sufficient for the raider to hear but no one else.

The raider turned his back to Rogue and levelled his gun. Rogue saw her chance and moved quietly but with speed towards him . She came up from behind and rammed the blade into the raiders neck, and then for reassurance she jabbed at the mans right hand side hitting the kidney, she twisted the blade and then pulled it out.

Pulling the raiders body to one side, she took his assault rifle and some clips encase she kneaded some better fire power. Rogue entered the compound checking all around for raiders. The place was poorly lit and in most cases there was no light at all, this would work to Rogues advantage. In what looked like the centre of the compound, stood a large warehouse that was in turn well lit up with lights surrounding at least 3 of the buildings walls.

Rogue headed towards this, but at all times keeping her distance, this was the only lit up area in the yard that was visible and most proberly a camp of some sort.

Rogue stopped dead in her tracks, the voice of raiders had suddenly come up on her, she crouched down moving only on her hands and knees through scrap, crates and old abanndoned viecles. As she drew closer the lighting became heavier and the voices began to rise, laughter and merryness were the sounds produced by the raiders. They were gathered round a barrel of fire talking and laughing amongst them selves. They were in front of a large door, the entrance to the building.

Rogue continued to make her way through the junk until she had nearly centered the raiders, keeping to the left side where the light was most dimmest. She climbed in silence a few of the crates and placed her self flat down on an old car that was upside down. She was in complete darkness but the raiders were well illuminated to her.

She took her rife and loaded it, placing her new found assault weapon next to her making sure that it was fully charged. She took aim.

As she took watch, a young women, one that she had never seen before excited the building and made her may across the yard. She was younger than Rogue by some years but considerably confident in her stride. She saluted to the raider’s dismal attempt at respect, obviously a seignior officer.

As Rogue moved her body slightly for a better position, the car she was perched on moved making a slight sound but too loud. The raiders were immediately scattered, there laughter gone and only the commands of one raider could be heard, Rogue took aim but the raiders had already took cover. 4 of the nine raiders suddenly maid a run for the building, Rogue lifted her rifle but was forced too take cover as her entire position was sprayed with rounds.

The other raiders laying down cover fire whilst the 4 made a dash for the ware house.

OOC- oky's. This is the only way that i could think of getting the raiders to either go in the ware house or near it without actually starting a fire fight. The raiders entering the ware house could be un armed searching for there guns, no problmes for Caleb (sorry btw for the speeling mistake on Calebs name)there. That leaves 5 raiders that are armed out side the door. They have there backs to the warehouse so they proberly wont see Calebs exit of the building. I figure Rogue can still shoot 1 or 2 if the needs be, her reletive area was given away but her posistion is still unknown. She just needs a shot.

If this doesnt work with your plan gunslinger, then tell me, and i will mod this too coinside with the plan.




This is not an auvoir but a bonjour to an ever lasting dream with out wakening....

 

[welsh]

OOC- Ok Caleb, help is coming! Still considering the odds against us, I think that we should avoid the Steven Segal/Rambo/Dirty Harry approach and try to figure a way out rather than shoot our way out. Still you are in a warehouse on your own with few exits. Good luck.

IC-

Unsure of what to do Grim continues to watch the happenings of the Slaughtered Calf. He watches the woman continue to talk to the man, and then together they exit.

Curious, normally a Inn's whores stay indoors for easier control.

"Trust no one." He had advised Rogue.

And that was before he knew the depth of the plot. The girl. Could the whore be part of all of this?

If they got the Blade and Rogue, where would they go. Probably the same place. The junkyard. to see Dr Mordrake, the torturer.

Grim had seen how Raider's torture, had seen men break down. Kroeger would have to wait.

Grim follows the girl and her companion out. In the street he sees that they are walking away from the vendors and the crowds towards a darker part of town.

Quietly Grim follows, hiding in the shadows, occassionally watching to see if he is being followed.

The two walk past the few, less popular venues in that part of town, past shanties populated by wondering vagrants and the hovels used by the local farmers. They go further, past the shell of abandoned buildings, and through the maze of a local slum.

Grim almost loses them twice in the Slum which is more lybrinth than community, filled with sad faces, desperate eyes. Children, cripples, old women but few men.

He turns a corner into an intersection and they are gone. He pauses to listen but hears nothing.

From the dark some one whispers "go left and then right."

"thanks," whispers Grim.

Left and then right, into a row of warehouses and further away, at gate guarded by a number of raiders he sees the man and woman slip inside the gate to what appears a junkyard.

At least three guards on the outside, more inside.

There has to be another way.

Grim decides to circle, to see if he can find another way in. As me moves around, through the darkness he hears a whisper.

"hey ugly, over here." A familiar female voice.

OOC- I hope this is Rogue who whispers to Grim!

 

[Guest]

[font size=1" color="#FF0000]LAST EDITED ON Dec-05-02 AT 06:15PM (GMT)[p]OOC-Errrr...lol. We posted at the same time again. Not quite sure what to do. What do you guys think, i can change my earlier post to coincide with Welshes,hmmmm so that would bring us to the same point as were grim is now i think and then go from there. its up to you lot, i dont mind chaning......

This is not an auvoir but a bonjour to an ever lasting dream with out wakening....

 

[Fang]

OOC - I'm introducing my character slowly on purpose, it is a rather more sensitive situation than most I'm used to playing in, and as such I'm approaching with caution. Don't want to rush things. Also, it is Slayer nature to not want outsiders involved unless absolutely essential. Will be joing you guys soon though.

IC -

“Whatever the politics are, our prime goal must be to break these blockades. The chaos that they are causing is too great to worry about the repercussions of that action. We must make our move now.”

“This anarchy may be bad, but think about what will happen if the raiders stay banded together, they could form an army the likes of which these Wastes have never seen and overrun our land. No, we must put a stop to this by dividing the factions.”

“That will take too long, the solution we need must be immediate. Tabis cannot go through this for much long before it collapses, even if the blockades ended today, Tabis’ economics would be devastated.”

“I see that there is no way we could decide between us which course is the correct one, and that decision is not ours to make anyway. We will see what our superiors have to say, and act accordingly. I am sure they will have you take some immediate action, but throwing away the potential of another kind of solution is something I do not think that they will do.”

“I think that I must go out and see this blockade for myself before I can properly judge the situation, breaking through it with a small group should not be a particularly difficult task. What we would need to do afterwards would be the difficult part, ride straight into the raider’s territory. There is a lot that could be done to devastate their efforts.”

“What about Kroeger and McKinner?” This was the first word Razor had had in the conversation. “If it is McKinner who is the one holding back the caravans, with the blockade as his excuse, perhaps with out him they could keep shipping, each one weakening the raiders numbers. As for Kroeger, he seems to be what is keeping the raiders here together.”

“You’re suggesting we simply kill them, both of them?” Fang asked.

“Rather blunt, but yes, that would suffice. Without Kroeger, the raiders could never keep things together.”

“I will look into it.” Fang said confidently. “As soon as we’re done here I’ll head back to the inn, see what I can come up with..”

“Ok.” The other Slayer acknowledged. “I will contact our superiors and see what they have to say about the matter. I definitely feel that the deaths of these two would far aid our cause. I can offer you assistance here, but beyond that, breaking the blockade is entirely up to you. Whether or not you can convince Laramie to start running caravan’s after Mckinner’s ban of it expires with his death will also greatly effect the outcome.”

“Mckinner is a sensitive mater.” Razor interjected. “He plays a large part in local politics, and is no doubt not alone. His death could be complicated, is something that will take much preparation and planning on my part, however Kroeger is away from home, and he certainly is at home. With the raiders warring beneath his feet, he has no true friends. He can be killed easily.”

“Fine.” Fang concluded. “We will meet here again at sun down, by then Kroeger, the traitor, will be dead. I will also see what I can find out about Mckinner’s contacts.”

Fang turned to leave, the Paladin quickly disappeared into shadows of the warehouses. Headed once again for the light of day. By now, the Paladin thought, the sun would be well up above their heads, and the paradise of morning would soon be ending for the scorching heat of the day to come.

“Be careful, Fang.” Razor called as the paladin left. “Watch out for a man named Grim. He has been asking a lot of questions, poking his nose in our business. Whether he is friend or foe is not discerned, but be on the watch. Ever vigilant, my Brother. Speak to you again at Sun Down.”


OOC - I can have the assassination attempt fail if any of you needs Kroeger alive, if not I'll have him (at some point) killed although he will most likely reveal a good deal of the plot first.

I will probably have Grim and Fang meet in the inn sometime soon, depending on how long it takes for you to resolve your current situations.

As for new characters, if there are any people considering joining, could they please post here and we can then find a way to work them into the plot rather than worrying about people that might not exist.

"If we cannot live proudly, we die so!"
-Eladamri, Lord of Leaves

 

[Gunslinger]

OOC- I know this sounds selfish, but is there...well, any room for more characters? Four is little but I think we have a few minor plot ties problems as it is. I'd welcome two more gladly but six seems excessive all in one area. If the group DOES get bigger, perhaps we can branch apart and split up (i.e. Caleb and a few people hurry off to warn the Blade encampment while the others stay in town and deal with Kroeger).

IC-

Caleb waited for a distraction to come but it never did. He hadn't really expected any, anyway. The old cowboy guessed he'd have to create his own diversion.

The Blade waited silently in the warehouse, planning his course of action. The warehouse was dimly light and had too many wide open spaces and lacked any cover. Save for the moonlight and the two lanterns, Caleb would get no light to aid him to find his targets. And the odds were nine to one, in favor with the raiders. These would not be like the greenhorns he blasted back in the bar, but trained and elite raiders, most bearing shotguns and assault rifles and sprayed bullets in a wide radius. He could not take all the raiders at once, it would be suicide. Instead, he would have to pick them off one by one.

With his right arm injured and throbbing with pain, he was hardly at an optimal battle readiness. He could not count on winning in a gunfight. Instead, he would have to rely on stealth. The raiders outside were patrolling the junkyard. Fortunately, they were spaced widely apart and the junkyard was a literal maze with many places to take cover behind.

Caleb's plan formed roughly in his mind. He would take out a few of the raiders until the main force was whittled down a bit and then rush back to the warehouse where he would engage them at front.

The Blade tore up the raiders' blankets into strips and wrapped his revolvers with them so that the moonlight would not reflect off the steel metal and give away his presence. It was also a trick he had learned that would help muffle the gunshot sound if enough pressure was applied around the barrel. But the guns would only be a last resort. Right now, Caleb's weapon of choice was the bowie knife.

There was only but one guard covering the doorway to the warehouse outside. He was lax and leaned against the doorway as he snoozed. Caleb could even hear his loud snores from inside the warehouse. He shook his head at the sloppiness of the raider. He decided to teach the raider a lesson with the sharp edge of his blade.

Cautiously, Caleb creeped over to the door, testing the wooden floor for any warps that might creak and sound off his presence. He had removed his rusty spurs from his boots and had tied down his bullets in his belt so that they would not jingle. Silently, like Death, Caleb crepted all the way to the door.

His heard pounded in anxiety. His uninjured left hand clasped the leather bound handle of his knife while his right arm rested upon the doorknob. He waited until he was calm with determination and then opened the door, pulling it back to him.

The raider leaning against the door fell back as his support gave away. He was about to let out a cry of alarm but Caleb thrust the heel of his hand hard into the raider's throat, damaging his windpipe. The raider's eyes burst wide from their sockets and he made gasping noises as he tried to force air into his broken windpipe. He fell to his knees and cluctched his neck with both hands, thumping his feet feebly on the ground. Though his adversary was incapacitated, Caleb knew that he could still warn off his companions. The Blade brutally jammed the point of his knife into the raider's eyes and twisted into the brain underneath. The raider jerked and broke into spasms as his brain shut down inside his body. Caleb hauled the dying body inside the warehouse and closed the door behind him.

Like a wraith, he fled into the shadows of the junkyard. A few barrels containing burning refuse light up the night but they were scattered randomly about. Caleb avoided these, sticking to the shadows. The junkyard was littered with massive piles of trash and many broken down cars gave the Blade plenty of cover.

Caleb walked hunched over like an ape, minimizing his body. He ran on whisper soft tread like a wraith as he disappeared into the shadows. The elder Blade looked about, scanning around for raiders. His vision was hindered in the dark night but it wasn't his eyes he planned to find his enemies with. Rather, Caleb used his attuned hearing to hunt down his enemies.

The Blade heard a pair of footsteps coming his way and dove underneath a broken down Highwayman automobile. He shimmied underneath the wreckage just in time. Two raiders, chatting idly to each other, passed by him. Caleb saw that their rifles were tied down to their legs and they were preoccupied in their conversation. Their unarmored backs made tempting targets.

Caleb counted to twenty, enough time for the two raiders to pass just in view of his vision, before following them. He trailed them with extra care, his movements quick and soft like the wind. The raiders talked loudly and Caleb's footsteps were overlapped by their conversation. And even better, they walked casually and gave Caleb plenty of time to catch up.

He shadowed them. Their path lead them behind the warehouse, far away from their fellow raiders and even farther from any lights. The paused, reaching into their pockets for a cartoon of cigarettes and a box of matches. Caleb was so close that he could whipser in their ears, though he would not do anything so foolish. Instead, he snaked his right hand over the closest raiders shoulder to clamp down on his mouth, his left hand holding his knife.

Just at that crucial moment, one of the raiders struck a match to light their cigarrettes and the tiny ember revealed the glint of steel on Caleb's knife. The Blade cursed as the raiders turned around in alarm. The raider closest to him dropped his match and grabbed Caleb's outstretched arm in a vice grip while the other raider unstrapped his rifle.

Caleb cursed. The raider was crushing the bones in his already injured arm and Caleb could tell that the raider was about to shout an alarm. But the Blade never gave him the chance. He jabbed his knife between the raider's ribs, right into his heart. The raider froze frigidly as every muscle in his body locked up. Caleb merely tapped the raider and he toppled over to the ground like a statue. The old cowboy considered retrieving the knife when he saw the other raider with his rifle out. The raider had the butt of the gun propped against his shoulder and he was thumbing back the safety.

Caleb's instincts took over. He grapped the barrel of the automated rifle and pushed it upwards. The raider had his finger pressed down on the trigger and bullets fired harmlessly into the air. As the two grappled for control of the gun, it spat out its bullets in rapid succession until it was empty. Caleb let go of the rifle the minute he heard the empty clicks and pushed the raider away. The raider fell to the ground with his empty rifle across his chest. Drawing his revolver with his good hand, Caleb shot the man in the chest but not before the raider had enough time to give out a shout of alarm.

Caleb cursed once more. The gunfight had been enough to wake up half of the town and the remaining raiders were rushing towards him now. He heard footsteps and shouts coming closer to him and the Blade fled into the warehouse through the back door.

The remaining six raiders would burst into the warehouse at any minute now. Caleb acted fast. He pushed the huge meeting table against the backdoor of the warehouse so that they could not sneak up upon him. Then, he placed both of the burning lanterns on either side of the warehouse's entry doorway. When he erected his ambush, Caleb waited before the doorway, in the center of the room, with his loaded revolver in his left hand.

Three raiders burst into the room in a column formation. The formation was useful in a ambush, minimizing the threat factor. But here, in Caleb's own ambush, it proved to be their undoing.

The minute they cleared the doorway, Caleb shot the two lanterns lined up against both sides. The lanterns exploded, sending the kerosene fuel and bits of fireheated metal into the air. The three raiders screamed in agony as their clothes caught on fire and the heated shrapnel dug into their skin. Caleb fired his remaining four shots into the dying corpses for mercy's sake.

He holstered his empty revolver into his holster and whipped out his full one just in time. Only three raiders remained, but these had been more cautious then the others. One rushed in, jumping over the burning corpses of his companions, and unloaded his shotgun into the room. Caleb took cover as the buckshot roared towards him and was able to dodge most of the blast. But, a few pellets grazed the side of his leg and he screamed in agony.

Caleb took cover behind the bunks as the other two raiders rushed into the room. The first raider with the shotgun reloaded his weapon while the other two raiders unloaded with their assault rifles. The fired full auto, not bothering to aim, and the recoil caused them to miss horribly. Caleb would not have trouble with these two if he moved quickly. But it was the shotgunner he would have to worry about.

The two raiders fired all their bullets into the general area Caleb was, not hitting once. Caleb waited for them to reload before diving out from his cover. In midair, he drew a bead on one of the raiders with the assault rifles and fired two shots. The first bullet went wide but the second one caught him in the chest, blowing out half of his torso and arm. The raider went down.

Now only the shotgunner and another raider with a rifle remained. Caleb strafed back and forth on his injured leg while the raiders reloaded their guns. He fired a few blind shots at the raiders, causing them to pause while they reloaded. The shotgunner dropped his shells in panic and scrambled to find them. Caleb kept pulling the trigger of his revolver but it was empty, both of them. It was an excruiciatingly long process to reload each gun and he didn't have the time. Caleb dove back behind the bed and picked up his double barrel shotgun.

By now, the raider with the assault rifle had his gun readied. As Caleb's hands clasped around his shotgun, the raider ran forward with his gun pointed at Caleb like a lance. Caleb picked himself off the floor as the raider closed the distance between him. He tried to bring up his shotgun in time but the the raider was now stopping right in front of Caleb, the rifle jabbing into Caleb's chest.

The raider grinned fiercely as he pulled the trigger of his rifle. Caleb scrunched up his eyes, waiting for oblivion to come.

But it never did.

Caleb opened his eyes cautiously saw the raider panickally pressing down on his trigger. He looked at the ugly, homemade assault rifle and knew what had happened. The rifle had misfired and was jammed. Caleb chuckled darkly, his battle laughter, as he hefted up his shotgun. The raider screamed in horror and rage as Caleb unloaded both barrels.

At point blank range, the effects were devastiting. The raider's body jolted about as hundreds of buckshot pellets tore into his body. He flew back ten feet as his body was flung into the air.

All was quiet until Caleb heard the click of a shotgun barrel snapping down. He looked all the way to the other end of the room and saw the shotgunner crouching on one knee, his weapon loaded and aimed at Caleb.

Caleb cursed. All of his weapons, his revolvers and shotgun, were empty. He would not have time to reload. And his knife was still stuck in a raider's dead body. He would not have time to attack.

The raider was crouched before the door, blocking his exit at the other end of the room. There was nothing to hide behind. The bunks were too far away from Caleb and the armory was too far away to rush into and grab a loaded weapon. All that was left was the table a few feet away from Caleb bearing the miniature lab of sulfur and nitroglycerin.

A grim thought came to Caleb. He knew his duty.

The Blade chuckled deeply and loudly, like a berserker. The raider at the other end of the room flinched back in suprise as Caleb began rushing towards him. The shotgunner leveled his shotgun at the rushing maniac, his eyes staring down the front sight.

Caleb pumped his legs and took leaping, powerful strides. He ran ever closer, despite the two barrels of lead death pointed at him. The Blade was an impossible blur of movement. He ran from side to side, never staying in one place. The shotgunner fired blindly, trying to trace his steps, and unloaded both barrels vainly.

Caleb's laughter grew as he closed in near the miniature lab. He could smell the rotten egg odor of sulfur and see boiling flasks of acid on the table's surface. Still running, he caught the table's edge with his hands and pushed it along on its wheels. He wheeled it about until it pointed at the shotgunner. Then, he used all his forward momentum to push towards the raider.

The shotgunner was reloading his weapon, stuck in place in horror. He saw the table coming towards him and even then he knew what would happen.

The wheeled table crashed into the prone raider, spilling the miniature lab onto him. Flasks of burning acid and sulfur fell atop the raider. He screamed in agony, a high pitched wail, as the toxic material burned into his skin and melted away his face. A charred, burnt smell rose into the air.

Caleb walked over to the dying raider slowly. With each step he took, he loaded a bullet into his revolvers' empty chamber and reloaded his shotgun.

His boots stopped before the dying corpse. To his horror, he found the raider still alive. He looked down and saw him writhing in pain, his face melted away and his body badly burnt. Caleb finished reloading his left hand revolver, called Regulator, and thumbed back the hammer. He pointed his gun at the raider's chest and fired once, putting him out of his misery. Then he left.

It was the second time in a day that Caleb had left a scene with the burning smell of sulfur hanging in the air and a pile of dead corpses behind him.

The Blade ran off, to find the pockmarked man, his helpful shadow, and to warn the encampment of Blades outside of Tabis about the upcoming raider attacks.

"Credo Ut Intelligam"- I believe so that I may understand.

 

[welsh]

OOC- Rogue, I would go with what you got. Right now my character might have a gun to his head so I am kind of hope it's you he's hearing.

I think there are a few ways into this Junkyard, but we'll have to be clever about it.

 

[welsh]

IC-

Grim is unsure of what to do. Is it Rogue? He can't be sure, as the voice, a whisper, was unclear.

He is about to say "Rogue?" when he hears the sounds of gunshots and screaming from inside the Junkyard. A woman runs out the doors, she heads towards where Grim is standing, and then turns. Orders the men there to close the gates.

"Where's Mendez! Damn you, sound the alarm! No one gets out of that Junkyard alive damn you."

One of the guards runs over to an alarm. Grim listens to the sounds of more gunshots firing.

Every gun sings a different tune. He'd heard this one before, from the Inn, earlier the day. It's the Blade.

The raiders shut the gate on the junkyard as the other begins to turn the handgrill of an old siren. A number of other raiders converge on the gate as the woman shouts her orders.

"The Blade has escaped the warehouse. We can't let him out. When the others arrive we will flush him out like a rabid dog."

One of the raiders says, "But McKinder said we were to find out. ANd Kroeger..."

"Kroeger is not your leader, nor is McKinder. Now do as I say. I speak for Mendez."

Only if the Fangs had no fear of the local law would they sound an alarm. Either the law enforcement are too worried about intervening or someone is holding them back. Regardless, with the gate closed and more Fangs arriving, the Blade will find it difficult to escape without outside help.

They have to act, and fast. An attack from both directions and they can still escape before the other Red Fangs show up.

Grim knows he needs to act and that he can't stand by.

Rogue, Rogue, I hope that's you or things are about to get violent between us. Grim thinks.

OOC- Sorry, just read through Caleb's little battle in the junkyard. Problem, I think there are more than 9 people in there with you, Caleb. Also there are the outside guards.

Sorry if this bit above frustrates your plan, Gunslinger. but we can't let you have all the fun. Besides, a good little battle will help seal this unity between at least three of the characters. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

But right now, as far as Grim is concerned, the next move is Rogue's. Caleb's wound will probably slow him down a bit and these characters will probably have to hide out unless Caleb can find the other local Blades.

I don't have any problem with the idea of playing two characters if that's what Gunslinger has in mind, but I think the characters should be very different people.

I am a little worried that our stories are going to run into conflict, so I think that we need to think about a bit more structure so we are all on the same page.

Not sure what you folks had in mind for either Kroeger or McKinner, but I figured these two were minor functionaries. McKinner is an official and with the help of the local sherriff is planning to takeover the town. Mendez, who we haven't met yet (or maybe was killed by Caleb) is leader of the Fangs in town. Incidently, I don't think that there should be that many Fangs left. But there might be other raiders in town.

As for Kroeger- Kroeger the trader is from Bordertown and was/is and official and part of the governing counsel. Grim has a personal issue with Kroeger as it was Kroeger that betrayed Grim and his group that were hunting down a group of raiders. Kroeger didn't act alone and now Grim is tracking them down, one by one, to get revenge. Kroeger also is involved in commerce, mostly with traders, and the reason he survived his encounter with Grim (three bullets to the chest) was that he is wearing some pretty good armor.

Now what if the raiders were to get organized and armored? And where is Kroeger getting his armor from. The Slayers might now, just as the Slayers may know that Kroeger has been doing a lot of commerce with raiders, and not just around Bordertown. Kroeger's commercial connections might be part of the reason why the raiders are gathering up as well, but that might be giving him too much credit.

Grim was close to finding out what Kroeger's connection was to armor and the raiders when Kroeger betrayed him. Kroeger is also here because he has business with McKinner, parties of a similar conspiracy. Grim would really like to put the brakes on Kroeger personally (rad scorpion stings, radiation posioning and the worst damn case of sunburn are just the start of it).

I think it would be wise, if we want to stick with this plot, that both McKinner and Kroeger are front men. If they should be disposed of, than chances are this might end the current situation, but not the real threat. As I am seeing this Kroeger and McKinner are pawns in this game too, useful but not essential.

Chances are Kroeger has already slipped over the wall and is out of town, but he won't leave until business with McKinner is finished.

McKinner's girlfriend- it would be interesting if she had a connection with either the Blades or the Slayers. But maybe the Slayers and the Blades are also involved, of a faction from either. I think she's an interesting addition. I find the slashing of the restraints on Caleb to be suspicious. Maybe she's working both sides, and the slashing wasn't quite the accident Caleb thinks. She might also be the puppet master behind all of what's going on (but that's a lot for a 16 year old).

I am also thinking that if McKinner dies or is caught, the caravan will start again, and probably more in force than before. While the raiders might still be stronger, they would have to worry about their strength relative to the other raiders. Like wolves in a pack, the weakness of one could be an opportunity for the others. No honor among thieves.

While it would probably be unwise to plot this too much ahead, I think too much free wheeling might be a lot of trouble.

As Fang said, its important that we meet and probably resolve something to create a sense of fellowship. Where the story goes, not sure. I also agree with Gunslinger- we got to stop chasing each other around.

 

[Fang]

OOC – Ok, I’ll see what I can do about Kroeger, I don’t think that he would have left town this easily. If they have gone to all of this trouble to meet, then it must be pretty damned important. And something tells me that McKinner cannot accomplish his plans of taking over the town without Kroeger.

I don’t know how long you are going to be sorting out Caleb’s rescue so I am going to have to come up with some sideplot for my character for now, which will likely involve Kroeger. I will make sure I keep him alive for you though.

IC –

The building was one of many hanging loosely around the central streets of Tabis where the markets were established and the majority of business done. These were all sorts of ‘lesser’ establishments which could not afford to purchase a presence more central. Some of these buildings were still quite important however. The local law established it’s presence in a semi-circular arc ringing around the east side of the center. Somewhat west of that however, was the largest building of them all.

Fang strode confidently between its doors. This was a place of law just like any other, but here the men were resourceful and knowledgeable, and they were not afraid to do something about their problems. This was the home of the Border Patrol Forces. They were the law of Border Town, while they rarely acted as normal ‘police’ there, they were a crucial part of the town’s defense against the Earthen Shores and raiders in general.

They had also established a presence in other towns, and Tabis was one of them. Due to it’s relative closeness to Border Town, Tabis was the ideal place. Perhaps the men within these walls could answer some of the still remaining questions he had.

The front room looked rather much like the inn, only it was not so dark. Where the Slaughtered Calf had thick shutters over it boarded windows, these were clear and empty and the heat was made almost refreshing. There were tables dotted around the room and various elevations of the floor, with the counter back against the far wall.

The man behind it was a large man, who looked more suited to guarding a caravan than serving in this manner. With the blockade, and other recent events, the Border Patrol Forces had not been moving much, and were confined to Tabis, this meant that, like Laramie, the front room had turned into a bar. Although, unlike Laramie, The Border Patrol Forces did not allow their men to get some frightfully drunk. Empty bottles of beer could be seen gathering at all of the tables, but none in excess.

Fang approached the counter, the man, who for now was serving out drinks from the cold boxes beneath the counter which he currently re-filling from the refrigerators to either side of the back of the room. As soon as the man was finished with his current task, Fang drew his attention and began to speak.

“Excuse me, Sir, but I was wondering if you could answer me some questions about local politics as of late. I’m sure you know a lot of what is going on at the Earthen Shores and in Border Town.”

The man coughed into his hand, then looked up and spoke. “I’m not the man for such a task, I have been here for a very long time, and while I pick up much that happens there, another you could speak too who has first hand experience in the matter.”

“Very well, and thank you for your assistance, if he is here, I would like to speak with him now.” All Slayers held a sort of authority over others and it was not his place to refuse the questions of such a man, for all he knew, and he probably would have been correct in the assumption, this information could one day save lives. Or perhaps more importantly, his life.

He pointed out one of the men in the crowd, strolling over and speaking a quick word into the man’s ear, he stood immediately and approached the Slayer who remained at the center of the room.

“Hail, Slayer.” The man greeted with an open smile on his face. “It has been a long time since I have had the joy of seeing one of your kind. What is it I can help you with?”

“Just some questions.” Fang replied, he was pleased at the man’s enthusiasm. “Anything you know could be very helpful to our cause.”

“Of course, I’m sure one of the back rooms is free.” He drew Fang through a door at the far edge of the room, into a narrow corridor which branched off into a selection of large rooms he supposed were meeting rooms. Counting across the number on the door, he reached the one of his choice, pulling a ring of keys from his belt, he slid one into the lock, and turned it open. “My name’s Mark by the way.”

“I go by Fang,” Fang introduced himself. “Which is actually my real name in my home.”

“It’s good to meet you, and take as much time as you need with your questions, it will be a long time before there’s ever any action around here again.”

“Good, and thank you.” Fang said. “I understand you were the last man to leave Border Town and the last to cross through the established blockade.”

“Yes,” Mark slowly remember the chilling experiences of the prior months with rather enthusiasm for thoughts so horrible. He no longer appeared to be with the Slayer, instead, his mind was off in the past, slowly recalling these events. “We could tell that something was in the air for months, there had been an unusual silence on the part of the raiders, and our town was close on prospering.

One day, it happened somehow, that the Raider Chieftain made contact with us. We never spoke to him directly, but we had many messages from him, and the Border Patrol even allowed groups of raiders into the town to relay them. It was a longtime before he himself gain to grace out halls. But when he did, we saw that these many messages of peace were not exaggerated, in fact, perhaps they were. His visions of reformation on the Earthen Shores were nothing less than unbelievable. We began in many talks, and he was determined to sort out the peace.

Soon, during the end of it, he was growing cautious, weary, and his visits to us were rare. He acted as if he was constantly looking over his shoulder, watching his back. His changes were now hurried, and he sought to bring our dealings to a close as quickly as possible. Then, one day we got the word. But rather than from messengers, it came in the form of a furious charge the likes of which we had not seen for months. This brought with it the word with it that the Chieftain was dead, and another had taken his place on the Steel Throne, another now bore than name and ruled the people.

While his beliefs still focused around uniting the raiders factions, he sought to unite them against everyone else. Deadly attacks came from that day on, and every day was a struggle for our lives, but we fought on with continued vigor. There did come a day, however, when Border Town was entirely swamped in raiders, and while they hurt few, they ruled the town, and used it as a launching ground for their forces to towns elsewhere.

I was the last to retreat here, fleeing in the hope that we could do something more here than back there. As I reached Tabis, the blockade was just being established, and as soon as I made into the town, with gunfire roaring in my wake, I found that McKinner had put a stop to incoming and outgoing caravans, and that includes anyone coming or going now.”

“So all this begins with McKinner?” Fang asked.

“He’s been looking for an excuse to lock the town down for a long time, the blockade serves as nothing more than this excuse. And, from what I can tell, the lockdown is also in place to prevent the blockade ever being broken.”

“What about Kroeger?” Fang asked, pressing deeper into the situation.

“He left Border Town a while before me, something tells me that he had connections with the new Chieftain, because his escape coincided with the first attacks.” Mark was eager to share what he knew with the Slayer. “As for his part now, he is what is keeping the raider factions together, but what else he is doing here I am not sure. I think, perhaps, he is also working for someone over the head of the Chieftain.”

“Whatever he is doing, it can’t be good. And his death will put a stop to it.”

“Kroeger is rumored to have left town already, but somehow I don’t think so. He seems to be instrumental in McKinner’s plan to gain control of the town. Lawmen are being absolutely slaughtered in ambushes, and that is weakening the town. Also, many of the other council members are turning up dead. One way or another, this cannot be good, and must relate to McKinner and Kroeger’s alliance in some way.

Kroeger’s death would be a solution to the immediate problem, but only McKinner would be here to pick up the pieces. And McKinner’s death would leave Kroeger unopposed to usurp leadership of the town. No, the two would-be friends cancel each other out, the death of one would only be to the benefit of the other. No, you must look elsewhere for your solution.”

“What do you propose?” Fang asked.

“There are many people who’s death would be beneficial, if they all die, and the situation dissolves. Only there must not be one force left to pick up the pieces. I doubt the Slayers or the Blades could spare the manpower to drive out the raiders that would remain, but there are factions who could: The Bucks. I will leave to divulge your own conclusions.”

“Thank you, Mark. You have been most helpful. I hope we meet again in the future, only under better circumstances.”

“I too.” Mark replied.

With new found information, and a new found outlook on the situation. Fang stood and walked away. While this was not quite what he was after from the Border Patrol, it would certainly do. There were many people he would now need to speak to.

 

[Guest]

[font size=1" color="#FF0000]LAST EDITED ON Dec-06-02 AT 04:31PM (GMT)[p][font size=1" color="#FF0000]LAST EDITED ON Dec-06-02 AT 12:31 PM (GMT)

OOC-Sorry about all the confusion with the post's. The last one that i posted can be found at the top of the list (Third down i think. It did contain a sort of half diversion, but im not sure if you saw it. Oh well....forget that part. The following post should bring things up to date and might fit better with your posts....


IC-

Rogue rushed back towards the place were Caleb hade been taken as fast as she could, moving at great speed but keeping towards the shadows. She quickly approached the gate to the junkyard. The guards remained were she had them, they were alert with there rifles ready.

Rogue cursed to her self, she would have to find another way into the compound. She headed out keeping close to the wall in order not to be seen by the three guards. She started to circle the outer walls of the junkyard in search of another entrance. She soon found what she was looking for; a second entrance to the compound lay ahead of her, smaller than the main entrance but unprotected. A perfect way in. she crept slowly towards the small opening keeping crouched encase of any raiders who might be on the inside.

Rogue slowly peered her head around the outside of the opening and peered in. The path inside was empty. Rogue smiled to her self. “Raiders, they will never learn.” She thought.

Rogue was about to enter the compound when she heard footsteps coming from the same direction that she had took. Maybe this post wasn’t unwatched after all. Rogue drew her knife and moved to the inside of the opening, waiting for her target to move into the opening to end their life.

Rogue waited but the footsteps stopped slightly short of the entrance and silence overcame the situation. Rogue dared to peer round the entrance, keeping her head down on the ground and as quick as her body would allow her she glanced and pulled her head back.

She sighed, showing relief and smiled to her self, Grim was crouched at the outside of the opening.

Rogue, crawled to wards the entrance, but stopped, she didn’t want to startle Grim, and people tend to shoot when something startles them in a situation like this. She lowered her voice, “Hey ugly, over here.” She whispered. No answer came.

Not sure whether Grim had heard her call, she prepared to say again, but she was startled by gunshots and the loud voices. Chaos broke out in the compound and more shots went fired.

“Shit”

With little time, Rogue shouted Grim, not bothering to whisper, as the gunshots would drown her voice. And she slowly peered her head from round the entrance, the barrel of a gun now pointing straight at her met her, Rogue froze on the spot.

“Damn it” Rogue recognized the voice and allowed her to look away from the barrel of the gun.

“Grim, Boy am I relieved to see you.” Rogue smiled taking a deep breath.

“Rogue, you scared the crap out of me, I nearly shot you there.” Replied Grim lowering his gun and stepping forward.

They both crouched to the ground as another burst of gun fire was let off and more shouting came form the centre of the compound.

“Caleb.” Exclaimed Grim readying his weapons, “He’s in here some were.”

“Well lets get him out” Answered Rogue un strapping her rifle, the alarm had been sounded, guns shots wouldn’t matter now.

OOC-i can continue with this, or you can do some fighting if you like Welsh..
Errr....sorry guys....i aint gonna be here this weekend, well atleast i wont have access to the net anyways. I will be back on sunday. Just continue with the story....you can proberly play Rogue for me, just dont get her killed or turn her into a whore. She could get shot or somthing. Sorry if this blows things up a bit, but if one or all of you play her as well as your own characters then not much will change.

CYA.....



This is not an auvoir but a bonjour to an ever lasting dream with out wakening....

 

[welsh]

OOC- Thanks! Whew! I was getting worried!

Roguehex, I'm going to let you handle most of this fight. Caleb and Grim have had their gunfights today, I figure it's fair for you to draw some blood.

If it's alright I am going to pick up on some of the NPC's.

IC-

Grim eases up on his gun. Maybe I'm getting too old for this kind of fun, he thinks to himself.

The wall of the junkyard is marked by sheets of metal and the hulks of old cars, but like so much else the wall is in disrepair. Rust holes in the side of the wall, and even the cabins of cars could be used to gain access to the junkyard. Inside Grim can see a maze of derelict cars, trash cans, rubber tires of every shape and size, piles of refuse.

Further away, down the wall, Grim and Rogue here the woman shout. "There he is, shoot!" And the have dozen Fangs at the gate open fire in a crecendo of automatic fire, shotguns and pistol blasts.

"Shit!" they here the Blade yell from inside. The Fangs pause, and then they hear the report of a pistol. One of the Fangs spins away from the door clutching his ear. He falls down.

Still holding his ear he yells, "That motherfucker shot my ear off!"

The woman ignores him. "Keep the Blade pinned down behind. He shows his head, shoot it off. When there are enough of us, we go in and get 'em."

Rogue is looking down the barrel, pointed at the woman.

"I could take her." says Rogue.

"Yes, and leaderless we might have more of a chance, six guns to our two, and the odds are getting worse by the minute."

A small group of new raiders run to the gate, except these are in different colors than the Fangs. It's only when one of them lights a torch to the barrel of a weapon that Grim notes that the weapon is a flamer. Probably Sand Dragons. Another of them parts his tunic. Although painted in brown there can be no mistaking the armor the new raider carries.

"What about this side exit? No guards, we can set a diversion here and then get him out. "

'Maybe and I am willing to think that the Fangs's were just lazy to leave this exit undefended. But I think it might be a trap too. Maybe they have someone in there waiting. Hoping the Blade will try that escape. Or maybe they just left a booby trap inside, something that would go bang should any try the entrance."

Rogue nods, but then gestures at the Flamer. "Look what they brought to the party."

"We can still try to take the gate from here, but it won't be easy. Alternatively try to go over or through the wall. Even if the exits are trapped, I doubt that the Fangs would have spent too much time protecting the rest of the wall. But even if we get to the Blade, and get him out, the Raiders will know it and pursue."

******

The Snitch speaks fast- "Yes, Kroeger was here, at the Inn, says he don't want to stay. Finish his business and get out. Says he's worried he'll be found out."

"I can not believe you that Blade come here."

"What was I to do, sir. He being a Blade an all. I was going to take his head with me knife for yeah, but... well, I got spotted and 'ad to run. But don't you worry sir, them Red Fangs, they got 'em now. In the Junkyard I think. They say they going to torture 'em. But I think Mr. Kroeger got 'es own ideas bout that."

Mckinner thinks about this more. Blades would be bad enough but Slayers too. The Other has said they didn't have to worry about the Slayers at least. To find Slayers and Blades cooperating and now, of all times, it was all too suspicious.

"What do you know about the gunfight." McKinner asks.

"Well, see, after I left and was comin to you with Mr. Kroeger's messages, but then I heard all this shootin. When I got back I see Kroeger running from the Inn and down the way, I think to the exit. Then a little bit later this other fellow comes running out. Ugly bastard he was, all burnt and all, like he'd been in a fire or somethin."

"Where you seen?" Mckinner demands.

The Snitch pauses. "No sir, no one saw me. Well like I was saying, the law showed up and took over the floor for a bit, took out the bodies and looted."

"Bodies? how many?"

"Just the two, I think, Kroeger men I wager."

McKinner weighed the odds. The situation had gotten worse, but it wasn't yet decided. The Council would demand more action, but none were willing to risk fighting the Raiders yet. For now the uneasy truce would keep them from acting. Good. As for the law, well, that deal had been made. With so much violence in the town the law would not be sent out to fight the raiders, but kept here. So much violence would make people scared, and fear was good. The more the people feared, the more the town's people would protest to the counsel. This would set up the moment where McKinner, with the support of the police, would take over. Payoff the raiders with the Laramie caravan, and McKinner would be the new boss.

But how close was he to being exposed? For not, not very. Any allegations against McKinner would be disavowed and rebuked. The accusor turned victim.

Mckinner tells the Snitch to leave and then speaks to
But they had to get to the Blade first, and the Slayer... yes, he would have to go too.

The town was becoming an unsafe place to meet. But Kroeger would set the next meet.

McKinner hears the sounds of gunfire coming from the Junkard and goes to the window to look. From a distance he can see the flash of gun barrels, hears the reports of firearms, but in the dark can see little.

McKinner turns to Mendez, "Your Fangs have the Blade? In the Junkyard? I think the Blade is more elusive than you thought. You are running out of men, my friend. I have given the Sand Dragons the permission to assist you while you nurse your wounds. You have a loan, the dozen or so Sand Dragons are at your disposal. Find the Blade, Find out what he knows. And then kill him. And then have the Slayer disappear."

Mendez opens his mouth to speak. "I said now. Don't disappoint me."

Silenced, Mendez leaves the room.

The other man is the police chief. "I don't like this. It's not going as well as you said."

McKinner nods. "yes, a set back, but only that. Your men have taken the sidelines for now. But we have fugitives in this city, men who have committed murder. I think its fair to say they are part of this problem with the raiders, don't you?"

The Chief nods.

"We can't count on these Fangs to resolve this issue, and I don't like those Border Patrol police wannabes stepping in either. Put out the word. The fugitives are to either captured or killed. They are to be considered very dangerous and a menace to our peaceful town."

The chief nods again, "I'll do it, but be careful McKinner. We should not use the police lightly."

'If you want a share in the wealth, then you will have to put in your share of the stakes. Set out your network, find out what they know."

So much of this is in the dark, so much uncertain. He thinks to himself. He'd been a gambler all his life. His position won as a wager in a bet. The dice was cast, now it was time to see the roll through. The table was fixed, but for the first time McKinner wondered if the table was fixed against him.

Perhaps it's time to consider an exit strategy.
*******

Kroeger also hears the sound of gunfire. Earlier that evening he had slipped passed the cards, a pass from McKinner giving him access. Now, in the skeletal remains of an old building on the outskirts of the town Kroeger felt safe for the first time since the gunfight earlier.

Two men dead, the assailant unknown. Was it an attempt on his life? Could his part in the fall of Bordertown be known?

First the meeting with the Slayer and the Blade. McKinner should have called the meeting earlier. Damn him. Now they would wait another night to meet.

With Kroeger are a dozen men and women, his own. War profiteers and mercenaries. His lieutenant speaks. "We've found out why we've got no news from Chandler sir. I'm afraid he's dead."

"Dead?" Chandler, his old partner, who had been left at Bordertown to handle the business. "How?"

"Murdered, looked like a garote. Murdered and robbed."

"Did he speak."

"He weren't tortured, no. But who's to know what he'd said before he died. They didn't catch the killer neither, but the rumor was that it was a ghoul that did it."

Kroeger thought about that, but he could not recall any dealings with Ghouls that would merit such revenge.

But if Chandler spoke, than his presence here was known.

"What about the armor and the weapons."

"Still safe. Sir. Soon as we get payment we can make the delivery."

With the armor and the weapons, even if McKinner was disposed of, Tabis could still be taken, and even the Slayers and the Blades would pose little threat.

Kroeger hears the gunfight coming from the junkyard. He goes to the third floor window and looks in. From there he can barely see the gate, but though a telescope sees the Raiders firing on a man below.

"Red Fangs are amatuers." He mutters.

"Dr Mandrake is not." says the lieutenant.

*****

In the junkard, atop the warehouse, Dr Mandrake watches the events, watches the Blade as he slew the Red Fangs. Through the windows of the warehouse he watched as the Blade killed those who came in.

Mandrake notices the Blade move, his wound. An advantage.

He moves with a whisper. He is dark against the night.

The tribals to the south call him "shadow of death." The Bucks called him "head stealer" for the times he creeped into their camp and removed the heads of his targets. They say he stole the eyes of deathclaw once. Dr. Mandrake, assassin, interrogator.

His weapon is terror and fear, and his knowledge of pain is encylopedic, his skills make him legendary.

Nor is he cheap. Kroeger has paid well for his services, and contracts need be honored.

He watches the Blade race towards the gate, then duck as the raiders try to kill him from the gate. Foolish raiders, foolish girl. Impatient, insolent. They should have waited.

Only the amatuer kills from a distance. Better to get in close, to drive the knife between the armor, to feel the last breath of the victom on your skin, to see his eyes go lifeless, the blood become cold. Any fool can kill from a distance. The artist kills up close and personal.

His eyes accustomed to the darkness now as if daylight. Mandrake is the quiet killer, the shadow on the wall, the wind in the tree.

Quietly he gathers his weapons close. This will be a joy. Blades, yes its been awhile since he's caught a Blade.

He slips from the roof of the building, down to the ground of the junkyard. Soundless, a giant cat, he stalks his prey.

 

[Guest]

OOC-I can do the shooting. Cool. but you will have to wait till sonday if you want me too do it. I leave in about 20 mins and dont get access to the net till sunday afternoon. I can allways try and do it now...but it will be half assed so i would prefer not to.


This is not an auvoir but a bonjour to an ever lasting dream with out wakening....

 

[welsh]

OOC- ok Roguehex, I will wait until tomorrow morning to do pick up this fight if you don't get to it earlier.

For everyone- Dr. Mandrake is a new NPC introduced earlier. Think of him as a Victor-the-Cleaner type for the bad guys, or the Jean Reno character in "the Professional' (No women, no children). And he's a big bad guy. Kind of a loner assassin type, high level, melee combat better. My ideas for him are that he will stalk the characters for awhile. This is a chance for the bad guys to chase us, rather than us chase badguys. ALso the law will complicate things. I am not that concerned with who whacks him in the end- probably Caleb or Fang. But I think he should be our shadow for awhile (at least a day).

Hope this adds something to the plot. I figured it was probably that Kroeger had his own "man" in the town to watch over things. I also think it makes sense for McKinner, who is on to the trouble, to use his official capacity and alliance with the law to his advantage.

Note that the badguys might start mistrusting each other soon. Not sure if the Fangs or the Slayers are involved in this plot of not, but that might be an interesting plot twist. Personally I don't trust all of Fang's buddies.

By the way, Caleb still doesn't quite know what this is all about, and Fang is a day ahead. Sooner or later we have to make these connections work.

Time to go back to the other thread for these OOC's?

 

[welsh]

The raiders by the gate open fire in a continuous stream. There fire is like angry hornets sent against a rock. The Blade, if pinned down behind a pile of refuse, is shielded from the fire.

The woman at the gates. "Don't waste your ammo, you fools, wait till you see a chance then fire. But don't let him leave. Anything suspicious, kill it."

The raiders wait attentively, then the loud report of Caleb's pistols. The raiders return fire, a thunderous pouring of lead, but which has little effect except to waste ammunition.

The raider with the Flamer adjusts his weapon. They will use fire to chase Caleb into the open, or they will turn him into a human torch.

Rogue thinks it over as Grim climbs up onto of the cars, kneeling low, the distraction of the gunfight used to the best advantage. "better if I create the diversion. From here I might be able to take out the leader, maybe the flamer too, but then they will be after me, after that. But that's an opportunity for you to move."

Grim busily removes a wrapped package from his pack and his automatic pistol. From the packages he attaches a metal shoulder butt to then end. He also screws on a long cylinder to the end of the weapon, a home made device of washers, cylinders, and a small forward grip, converting the automatic to a single shot, if silenced, carbine. Then he attaches a small cylinder to the top of the gun, sights the scope and then puts the gun down and reaches down to Rogue, helping pull her up to the top of the cars. They both go prone and Grim hands Rogue the home-made carbine.

Rogue gives Grim a questioning look and Grim shrugs. "Sometimes you don't want your presence known. Here, you can use this for now. It might buy you a few extra minutes. It will still make noise and the range and accuracy is not as good as your rifle. but it might give you an edge."

"You made this?"

"Yeah well, what? I work alone, you know. Life's hard without friends." Rogue raises her eyebrow.

Grim sighs, "Jeez, how hard does it have to be? A loner, ghoulish looking poisoned, radiated, stung by scorpions, chased by unknown assassin, now the only woman who speaks to him implies he's a geek. Thanks a lot."

"I'll divert their attention at the count of 50 or if the Flamer takes to the wall. First the girl than the heavy weapons. Then as many as I can until either you get here or I come to get you."

"Rogue, I don't have many comrades around here. Be careful ok. Don't let them get too close."

Rogue nods, "Be safe."

Grim rolls across the car and down into junkyard, crouching to the floor. In his mind he counts 50, 49, 48...

Moving fast throught he junkyard, his cloak like a shadow, his scared visage appears almost a demonic shadow moving through a cemetary of fallen technology. Quick and light. His revolver loaded, the pump shotgun ready.

What if the raiders are also in the junkyard. It would seem probably that there are others inside, and that they are closing in on the trapped Blade.

38, 37, 36...

Around him are walls of garbage, broken and rusted cars, trucks, cans of debries. Remnants of the past. The entire world is a remnant, a wounded but would be corpse, tired and bleeding but not yet dead. The Junkyard is a maze, and only the sound of panic and the report of firearms give him direction. He turns a corner and runs headlong into another figure, dressed in black with some kind of sword in his hand. The person is knocked against a rusted Highwayman, surprised at the attack from behind.

He lifts up his weapon to strike, but Grim uses the shoulder stock of the shutgun as a club, rams the man in the shoulder. He doubles over, and Grim hits him again, now in the back of the head with the shotgun, and the man collapses.

No time to check if the man is dead, Grim continues.

30,29,28.

He sees light up ahead and croaches to get a better look. He sees the Blade and near him, at his feet, a dead raider, a useless cattle prod in his lifeless hands.

A raider on the wall crouches, and aims, thinks better of it, and moves further down the wall for a better angle at the Blade.

Caleb is crouched behind a pile of old rubber tires, huge black rubber things that must have belonged to a monsterous vehicle. He peers to either side. The Raiders are spreading out, hoping to catch him in triangulated fire. He waits, waits, and then fires his revolver at the Raider, who drops his rifle before tumbling over the wall. The other raider fires a burst of automatic fire, some of the bullets impact the hard rubber with a thud, others hit the metal behind Caleb, screaming in richochet behind him.

Grim calls in a harsh whisper. "Blade! You have friends near."

Caleb turns and points his gun at the new voice. Expecting raiders to attack from behind.

"Make yourself known, damn you, or taste my lead.".

Grim tries to poke his head out, so that the Blade can see him, but the raiders cannot. "Your friend. The one who gave you the message that you were in danger. Who saved your life once tonight already and will do so again."

20, 19, 18....

"Saved by a Ghoul? The fates are unkind." Caleb shakes his head. Like other organizations, the Blades had their prejudice of ghouls.

"No a man, who just looks like a ghoul. Never mind that, the raiders have a flamer up there and will torch you if you stay here. In about few moments we will try to divert them. Come with me me if you want to live."

"How can I trust you?"

"How can you not?"

10, 9, 8.

Grim readies his shotgun.

*****

Rogue, further away, holds the carbine close, getting used to the foreign grip and handle. The scope, barrel, hand grip, even the stock is not comfortable and somewhat awkward compared to the rifle she is used too. She is prone on the wall, counting, trying to stay calm.

Near by her pistol is ready for closer work and her rifle slung around her back.

By the gate more raiders now, different raiders. She watches them through the magnified sighting of the carbine. Unlike the Red Fangs, who dress in normal town clothes. The new Raiders are dressed in tan, with brown headcoverings, desert camoflage. Through the sight she sees one of them adjust a strap. Armor, but what kind? Then a group of them put on helmets, and prepare themselves with Close quarters and melee weapons.

They plan to strike with fire, to toast the area, then bring down their targets with rifle fire, and then rush and finish them.

The woman talks to what appears to be the leader of the new gang. She points her fingers at the different men then the leader, speaking angrily, but the sound is lost in the sound of gunfire.

The flamer is climbing to the top of the gate, the pilot light of his weapon burning clearly.

The count is 7 and she can no longer wait.

She takes aim at the woman, aiming for the head, unsure if the target is armored. She pulls the trigger and hears the sound of the bullet. As loud as a book dropped to a table, but still quieter than a normal rifle, and there is no flash. The woman collapses.

The other raider leader bends over to investigate, turns the woman over and sees the wound to the back of the head. He stands up and calls up to the flamer, but not soon enough.

Rogue fires again, and he collapses.

She remembers the lessons of her childhood, from a distance, take the leaders first, ignore the pawns and go for the royalty. One kills a snake best by removing its head.

Rogue turns her eye quickly to the flamer. The Flamer on the wall, now looking back at the dead leader. Calling to the others for instructions. The Fangs are equally and temporarily leaderless. A few gather by the Flamer.

One of the Sand Dragons tells the Flamer to attack and he turns to fire. Rogue tries to fire but a Red Fang is in the way, the shot is not clear.

A stream of fire goes from the wall to the junkyard below. Rogue fires now, and the shot spins the Red Fang around, hitting him in the shoulder. The Red Fang turns around in an 180 degree, into and through the stream of fire which engulfs him. The wounded Fang becomes a screaming human torch scattering the others. the Flamer tries to get out of the way, sends the stream of fire away, across the junkard, away from the targets and across the top of the wall, towards three Red Fangs.

One is able to jump down into the junkyard and escape the tongue of fire. But the other two are consumed in the inferno. As they dance about the top of the gate, they spread the fire around until both fall away. One into the junkyard, the other into the crowd below. The Flamer is surrounded now by his own destruction, trapped in his own blaze.

Rogue targets him and fires repeatedly. She is unsure of the damage down by the rifle to the armored man, but the shots are like strong punches. The man squeezes the trigger of his weapon. his hand becoming burnt and twisted around the trigger, he continues to spew fire in all directions.

Below Grim fires his shotgun at the raider he sees. "Come on, Blade, Time to go." The raider ducks behind cover, and lifts his head to shoot. Grim fires again, keeping the raider's head down.

The Blade dashes towards Grim as Grim fires the shot gun repeatedly, keeping the raider down. Caleb stops, near the a shadowy entrance to the Junkyard Maze, Grim follows him, deeper into the cover of the debries field. Out of the range of the Flamer, Caleb and Grim watch the spectacle of the burning man dance, sending sprays of fire around him.

Both men take out their seperate pistols and unload shot after shot into the Flamer until he topples over the wall into the crowd below.

With his six bullets fired, Grim reloads quickly, putting the shotgun down. He wonders if there are other raiders still in the Junkyard, closing in.

Caleb puts his gun under Grim's chin. "Who are you, friend or foe, and why do you come for me. Speak to me true, for I have had a difficult night, and know not the nature of my enemies."

Grim feels the hot barrel against his peeling skin.
"Your enemies are all around you and they fear you. What you see before you is the consequence of suspicion, suspicion of you and the Slayer."

"The Slayer?" Caleb asks.

"Those you slew tonight where of the same gang that you slew earlier in the tavern. But they work for others, some of whom are my sworn enemy. Who made me look like this."

Behind them they can hear angry voices now. The panic of the diversion wearing thin.

"And what of them?" says Caleb.

"They come for you because they fear that you will upset their plotting. For what purpose they plot, I know not. But it works against the interests of as all."

"And the girl?" Caleb thinks. The doe-eyed mistress who brings knives with seduction.

"The girl? Nothing, a common whore who worked at the establishment. She went to make sure you got the message, nothing more." Grim thinks about Rogue. Is she still safe, has she moved.

"The girl brings knives and malice to her parties."

"Look I don't know about that. I thought you might get laid but at least get a gift with the message. But the longer we stay here the harder it will be for us to get out. There's a young lady who is risking her life so you might live, right this moment. So if you don't mind, I think it best we discuss this later."

****

On the wall Rogue continues to shoot. She does more damage to the Fangs than to the Sand Dragons, but one or two are now wounded.

A sergeant tries to gather up his forces, using cover against the unknown sniper. He gathers his men, points says something and points in Rogue's direction. Rogue fires at him, the bullet hits the helmet, penetrates, and the man goes down.

But now the others are racing towards her position. She fires twice more, and hears the empty click of the carbine. Empty. But the remaining shots make the raiders cautious. A few of them take cover and return fire in her direction while the others approach carefully.

Grim, where the hell are you? she thinks.

******

Inside the junkard, barely a shadow on the night sky, Mandrake approaches the gate. Having ducked and observed the Flamer go down, Mandrake stops, observes.

Silly raiders, so tactical, so conventional.

Mandrake watches the ghoulish cowboy and the Blade run into the junkyard. It would be easier to take them one at a time, of course. But it's just a matter of planning really.

The Blade, oh the Blade. It's been so long since he's had the pleasure of killing a Blade. So proud and strong, so honest and well intentioned. Their screams are like music. How will you sound oh noble Blade.

As for the ghoul, ah well, ghouls. At least they live longer thus extending the pleasure. But this one doen's move like a ghoul. Interesting.

Two, yes, and probably good too. But then, why else would Kroeger pay for talent.

Besides, the more the merrier, as they say.

He stops to watch the events on the wall, makes out the shape of a woman, a young woman, loves the curves.

She holds some shortened rifle with a scope. Yes, one so lovely, so talented and deadly. Mandrake watches her aim her pistol at someone outside the wall.

Then she sees a raider on the wall. She fires. The gun has a terrific boom. Powerful gun for such a delicate creature, thinks Mandrake.

Delicious.

He wets his lips.

The prostitutes and addicts that are the usual fare can taste so mundane after awhile.

Such a lovely bird, a shame to kill her fast. Better to savior the essence of it.

Yes, a bird to be captured, to be savored and enjoyed.

What is one's work if it's pleasured.


OOC- ok anyone want to take it from there. I have tried to paint Mandrake as a bit of a sick fuck. Hope you have some fun with him.

The group is temporarily divided, so I think the next posts should be about bringing the trio together. There are only about 15 or so Sand Dragons in town, and I would think no more than 5-10 Red Fangs left. The Red Fangs will probably be thinking about conserving their strength, and there are not that many Sand Dragons. But there are a lot of cops.

Hope you have fun.

 

[welsh]

[font size=1" color="#FF0000]LAST EDITED ON Dec-09-02 AT 03:07PM (GMT)[p]
IC- As Fang leaves the Border Patrol barracks, a squad of local policeman approach. Grim and determined the local law relies on the Border Patrol for protection outside the walls but also fears the smaller unit. The Border Patrol's heroic exploits are legendary, and many of the local policeman aspire to be invited ot the Border Patrol's ranks. That said, none would wish to change their old friend for a foe.

Fang considers approaching the guards, but, if McKinner is indeed part of the conspiracy, perhaps the conspiracy goes even further. Perhaps the local law might be involved. He turns aside and walks away from the squad.

From under the canopy of a building he watches the squad approach the Border Patrol. They seem nervous, edgy, as if on some unfavored and possibly dangerous mission.

Mark appears at the door and waits for them to approach. "Morning." he calls out a greeting.

"Good morning friend. We need to ask you some questions."

"You have no reason to ask permission to ask questions from the Border Patrol."

"Your friendship does us honor. We seek a Slayer."

"A Slayer? What for?"

"You are no doubt aware of the fighting of yesterday, the shootout at the McSorley's Inn, where six men fell, and perhaps you are aware that last night there was much fighting in the Junkyard."

"Yes, I heard the firing last night. But I thought that was a raider fight."

"Indeed, but we fear that the Slayer is involved in all of this. We have connected him with a mixed gang. A violent tempered Blade, a half dead bounty hunter- who may be a ghoul we are not sure, and woman who is good with a rifle. We fear the Slayer may be a dangerous to the peace and security of Tabis."

Mark nods his head. "Yes, I could see how a man posing as a Slayer could be dangerous. But he would do well to avoid our post, for we would have to bring him in."

"So you have not seen this one?" The policeman says.

"No, not this morning."

Fang is listening to this exchange and is unaware of a cloaked man appraoch.

"Hiss!" says the cloaked man, "Slayer, I bring you a message."

Fang turns to face this new man, his hands ready to grab at his pistol.

"Who are you to hiss at me?"

"Just a sad and unfortunate ghoul, but one not without friends."
The man looks up at Fang, and Fang can see the decay of the leper like face.

"What is your message?"

"The one you seek, Grim and the woman. THey are hiding near the junkyard. They seek you out and tell you to be careful. You are under observation and should be careful of who to trust. Others in town mean you ill. They send you friendship."

"And your connection?"

"We ghouls have our interests as well as you humies. You can follow me and I can take you there."

OOC- sorry this is quick. Fang I hope this helps you make connection.