Devil's Dance [S/Not Accepting/PG-16/Season 1]

[Raine]

Gaius emerged from the alleyway, his eyes locked on Job but glancing over to Tyson. Expecting retaliation after his sniping attempt, he held too much of a defensive position to give chase. The situation had turned out more favorable than Gaius had hoped; although now he would have to risk some diplomacy his target was now downrange of his shining pistol. Gaius walked quietly as to not disturb the fragile silence of the stand-off.

His very presence was disruptive; the panic of being teamed up against could be seen in Job's eyes. Gaius spoke calmly by loud enough for Tyson to hear him, [color=#800080]“Red-head,”[/color] his eyes didn’t stray from Job, “[color=#800080]You can shoot him. I just need to ensure I can collect on his head. A lot of people will pay a lot of money, which is something I need... a lot.”[/color] He noticed Job’s reaction as he closed in enough for him to recognize Gaius.

The thought of saying how he must regret not agreeing to ally snuck in his head but the price to break the situation by enraging him wasn’t worth it. Changing the tides into Job’s favor would make him act on it, it’s in his nature he’s reckless… Gaius rethought that maybe allying with him may not have been good for his interest as well… however hindsight is 20/20 as they say.

[Makο]

Rundas carefully maneuvered his way through the burnt skeleton of a structure, being sure to avoid spots that still looked hot.

On one hand, the family that lived here now is homeless, most likely loosing everything they ever had.

On the other hand, Rundas didn't have to walk around the block this time.


He did a quick jog/run hybrid over to the Dunecrawler, where Gunner was using a hammer, some nails, and a few pieces of thin scrap metal to seal up bullet holes. Rundas peered over his shoulder at the mess once called a "town". The occasional fire was still going on, there were bullet holes everywhere, and corpses littered here and there. A standoff was currently going on, but it was nothing he wanted part of. Something about people with red hair rubbed him the wrong way anyway.

"[color=#800000]Oh[/color], hey Boss. Didn't see yah there."

Rundas turned back around to a kneeling Gunner, who was picking up small pieces of broken glass that lay strewed across the ground.

"[color=#008000]...So[/color]. What happened?"

Appearing rather flustered, Gunner quickly got up and climbed back inside the machine, manning his turret.

"[color=#800000]I don't[/color] even know. One moment, I'm sitting there enjoying a nice day, and the next I'm fearing for my life as bullets fly past my head."

Gunner caught Rundas glancing over at a crater in the ground, surrounded by a few deceased men.

"[color=#800000]...Yeah[/color], I shot the 75. You told me yourself." He took out a small note from his pocket. "Shoot only if shot at. Something along those lines?"

"[color=#008000]...I did[/color], but I didn't expect anything to happen. Hm."


By the time Gunner had finally finished cleaning up, Rundas was already looking through the engine parts nearest to the bullet holes.

"[color=#008000]Well[/color], she appears fine. We've also got all shipments loaded, so we should get out of here as soon as possible. We're waiting for exactly 24 hours, just in case someone decides to hitch a ride."

"[color=#800000]Speaking[/color] of she, where's the missus?"

"[color=#008000]...I'll[/color] be back soon. Hold down the fort."

Rundas secured his grip on Carbon and ran off in the opposite direction, twisting his way through a wrecked building and out of sight.

"[color=#800000]Oh[/color] boy."

[Super Chaos Sonic]

[quote name='Raine™' timestamp='1352164144' post='6061847']
Gaius emerged from the alleyway, his eyes locked on Job but glancing over to Tyson. Expecting retaliation after his sniping attempt, he held too much of a defensive position to give chase. The situation had turned out more favorable than Gaius had hoped; although now he would have to risk some diplomacy his target was now downrange of his shining pistol. Gaius walked quietly as to not disturb the fragile silence of the stand-off.

His very presence was disruptive; the panic of being teamed up against could be seen in Job's eyes. Gaius spoke calmly by loud enough for Tyson to hear him, [color=#800080]“Red-head,”[/color] his eyes didn’t stray from Job, “[color=#800080]You can shoot him. I just need to ensure I can collect on his head. A lot of people will pay a lot of money, which is something I need... a lot.”[/color] He noticed Job’s reaction as he closed in enough for him to recognize Gaius.

The thought of saying how he must regret not agreeing to ally snuck in his head but the price to break the situation by enraging him wasn’t worth it. Changing the tides into Job’s favor would make him act on it, it’s in his nature he’s reckless… Gaius rethought that maybe allying with him may not have been good for his interest as well… however hindsight is 20/20 as they say.
[/quote]

[color=#ff0000]"I'm not going to kill him. He has these...connections with his employer and he's going to help me do what I came here for." [/color]Tyson finally broke the silence, not even once looking at Gaius. [color=#ff0000]"The price on his head is crap to me right now...cause I don't really care."[/color]

Job's eyes narrowed as he gripped the pistol tighter. [b]"What could you possibly want from me?! I may have connections with 'The Dealer', but what else could you possibly want? The only thing I have in this city is the damn people and the fact that they fear me and won't ever oppose me! The fact I rule Jenora Rock with an iron fist and will kill those who don't listen!!"[/b]

Tyson never said a word, only put Angelo back in its holster. Then he reached in his pocket and pulled out exactly five playing cards. He held them up, showing Job what they were: A Jack of Diamonds, Queen of Hearts, King of Clubs, A Two of Hearts, and finally an Ace of Spades. Without saying a word, as if they were communicating telepathically....Job got the revelation.

[b][i]T-This kid! I-Is...is he really going to go for THEM? If he is... [/i][/b]Job thought. Multiple thoughts ran through his head after this. If he didn't, what would this kid and group do? What would his employer do if he complied with Tyson. Hell, what would happen if he ran from this...from both his employer and this kid. A moment of silence took over for about twenty minutes, until Job tossed his gun on the ground. [b]"Damned kid...put me in a position that I can't really do anything...consider me surrendered."[/b]

A small smirk appeared on Tyson's face as this was said. [color=#ff0000]"Finally went with reason, eh? Glad to hear it Job."[/color] he said, putting the cards away as well as Diablo. [color=#ff0000]"Well, seems like everything is going in my favor now! Desmond!" [/color]Tyson tossed a small bag with some money in it. [color=#ff0000]"Have a couple of drinks on me."[/color]

[Jake the Sage]

Just outside of Jenora Rock Russel had managed to bring his stolen horse to a halt on some rocky outcrops before tying it up securely to a tree and heading deeper though the jagged pillars. One wrong move and they would easily cut open your arm bad enough that you'd die from bleeding out- if you fell you'd better hope the rocks pierced your head or heart just so you didn't have to wait for the buzzards to come eat you alive. Most people weren't crazy enough to head into these types of places. Most people weren't Russel. Either he had nerves of steel or he was too drunk to properly realize the situation he put himself in . . . a lot of the times. Making it to the top with a few cuts and scraps that let a few droplets of blood fall to the dried earth, he leaned back to look out towards Jenora Rock. [i]"Ain't smelt any smoke for a while now,"[/i] he thought protecting his eyes against the glaring sun, [i]"Probably means one of the other side got themselves killed."[/i]

He had no way of knowing that Tyson had practically threatened Job by just showing him five separate playing cards. Job would have preferred to kill the boy where he stood the moment he took out the five cards- hell he still planned on killing him. However with most of his men down and only a few shots left in his gun he'd have to be extremely lucky to pull it off now; and with his current run of luck he wasn't willing to test the Lady's temper. Now with the town under [i]his[/i] control Tyson and his group of ruffians could walk freely around and not be concerned, at least overly concerned, they'd get shot on sight. And of course the first place Tyson decided to head too was the saloon for a drink.

As the two men walked through the still bustling streets, people either going through the remains of their houses or helping others, they would get occasional glances from the ash covered face of a man or sweaty glare of a man as he pulled a charred wooden beam away. The town's people had managed to save some of the town from total destruction, but what they had lost was more than they were willing to accept. Rumors began to spread and soon they were trying to put the blame on someone. Someone had to pay. Job Wayne and his lawmen or Tyson and his group. Either or. Someone had to pay . . .

[Raine]

Gaius lowered his weapon from Job, [color=#800080]“Red head,”[/color] he stated, [color=#800080]“I don’t know about whatever parlor tricks you’re running and, frankly, I don’t give a damn.”[/color] Gaius backed away from Job who was instilled with fear, [color=#800080]“However I will get my check, I want him when you’re finished or there will be hell to pay.” [/color]Gaius mocked his pistol making a motion for firing at the air and a bang sound with a smile. Gaius threw his pistol against his shoulder, [color=#800080]“Booze don’t pay for themselves, mister~”[/color]

Gaius waltzed himself away leaving Tyson alone, he didn’t mind this idea. His buzz was wearing off, it’s not that he needed to drink just that it hurt not to and staying long past that would just be an unnecessary nuisance. Gaius just moved himself back to the bar which was fortunately not a victim of the blaze. His hands slammed on the swinging doors as he passed through. A fast grab caught him a nearby bottle as he noticed some of the men from the fire found refuge here too. [color=#800080]“Marcus,”[/color] Gaius yelled to his bartender, [color=#800080]“I’m afraid I have to go on tab.” [/color]He ran up the stairs as fast as he could before a response came,[color=#008000] “Wait, what!?”[/color]

[Admiral_Stalfos19]

[color=#000000]It was about this time that Nova slammed the front door open... in a similar manner to the way she opened the back door earlier. Except [i]this[/i] time, she had a zealous smile on her face. Why she insisted on slamming the door open though was anyone's guess... that was until the barkeeper decided to have a word with her.[/color]

"You should [i]really[/i] stop doing that,"[color=#000000] the bartender stated solemnly, [/color]"Or else I'll have to start charging you for [i]repairs[/i]..."

[color=#4b0082]"Meh, like [i]I[/i] care; I just like [i]slamming[/i] things,"[/color][color=#000000] was the response, before Nova waltzed over to the jukebox.[/color]

[color=#000000]The barkeeper sighed, as this could only mean that it was best to keep an eye on her once [i]again[/i]. Come to think of it, Nova was never [i]really[/i] civilized like everyone else. She was just as prone to cause a ruckus when she was in [i]too good[/i] a mood as she was in a relatively [i]bad[/i] one. Still she at least kept herself busy with the jukebox, until she managed to find a decent song... well, only as far as [i]she[/i] [/color][color=#000000]was concerned, anyway.[/color]

[url="http://www.legendoflegaia.net/legend_of_legaia/music/27_wanna_wanna.mp3"]Legend of Legaia OST - Wanna Wanna[/url]

[color=#4b0082]"[i]There[/i] we go!"[/color][color=#000000] [/color][color="#000000"]Nova exclaimed ecstatically, [/color][color=#4b0082]"Now how do I turn this [i]up[/i]?"[/color]

[Super Chaos Sonic]

[i][url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uYvxSvgRzM"]Detective Conan OST 76[/url][/i]

They were alone now...Tyson and Job now stood inside City Hall...alone. Tyson walked around the desk that Job now sat behind, and from Tyson's point of view, he was in a cold sweat.

[b]"So...what the hell do you want me to do right now, ya dumb kid..." [/b]Job asked, feeling a lump in his throat. Ever since seeing those five cards and what Tyson's "true" goal was...he felt like a little kid scared of the boogeyman.

Tyson stopped in front of the desk and smirked. [color=#FF0000]"There's the phone on your desk...you call your employer...and tell him that you have a predicament and you need back-up. The only back-up he'll be able to send to you is number one on my list...afterwords, I'm done with you. And what happens after that...is none of my concern."[/color] he simply said.

Job gulped a bit and slowly reached for the phone on the desk. His free hand slowly dialed the number. He couldn't believe he was doing this...and he couldn't believe this kid was this stupid enough to actually go after the five of "Them". As he pressed the last digit in the number, he heard nothing but silence, until a woman's voice was heard.

[i]"May I help you?"[/i]

[b]"This is Job Wayne...I need to talk to The Dealer..."[/b]

[b]*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*[/b]

[i][url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvT3us1Ojqw"]Naruto Shippuden OST - Hyouhaku[/url][/i]

A woman walked through a small corridor of a building, reaching a door that was slightly opened. She knocked on it, and waited for an answer.

[color=#800000][b]"What is it now, Nanao?"[/b][/color] a low gruff voice was heard.

Nanao, took this as the voice was giving her entrance. She walked in and saw the voice's owner was in the chair facing the window, the dimmed lighting keeping his appearance in the dark. "I received a call from Jenora Rock just a moment ago, sir." she explained. "It was from Job Wayne."

[color=#800000][b]"Job Wayne. What happened this time? Did the city burn again?" [/b][/color]the man laughed a bit at his own joke.

"Yes sir, but that's not why he called." Nanao said, as the man got quiet. "He has had a bit of trouble over there, apparently. Wayne requests for back-up, on the count of half of his men are dead."

The man kept quiet, until a small sigh was heard. [color=#800000][b]"I suppose he wasn't cut out for leading that city in the first place. Send in his back-up...which one of the five are the closest?"[/b][/color]

"That would be Jack Easton, sir."

[color=#800000][b]"Ahh Jack. Send him to Jenora Rock. And tell him...that if Job happens to still be alive..." [/b][/color]the man stood up, his appearance still hidden. [b][color=#800000]"End his life."[/color][/b]

With that, Nanao nodded as she bowed a bit. "It shall be done, sir." She turned and left, walking back down the corridor.

[b]*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~[/b]

A few miles away from Jenora Rock, [url="http://cdn.buzznet.com/assets/users16/gaarasgirl1/default/some-cool-anime-guy--large-msg-122685865305.jpg"]a man in his late twenties[/url], began to walk away from a corpse of an older man.

[color=#008080]"Next time, you should just do what I say..." [/color]he chuckled, until he heard his cell go off. [color=#008080][i]Oh its Nanao. Wonder what this hoe wants. [/i][/color]he thought, as he answered the phone. [color=#008080]"Jack Easton here." [/color]Jack just stood there as he listened to what Nanao told him. But as he heard this, a wicked grin formed on his face. [color=#008080]"Consider this mission accepted. Tell the boss-man that I'll have their heads on his desk by twilight tomorrow!" [/color]he hung up and placed his cellphone away, staring off toward the distant town of Jenora Rock.

[color=#008080]"Looks like 'The Jack of All Trades' is going to have himself on hell of a time!" [/color]Jack said, laughing.
[hr]
[center][img]http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/516/chaossoniclogo2.png[/img][/center]
[center][b][u]Episode 2 ~ Jack of All Trades! The Showdown at Twilight![/u][/b][/center]

[center][i][url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERvdX10gifo"]Bleach OST - Peaceful Afternoon[/url][/i][/center]

"Here, hand me those nails over there!" a younger man said to a teenaged boy, about twelve.

He nodded and handed the man the nails as per requested. "Here you go sir!"

It was only yesterday that the people of Jenora Rock were scrambling because of the fire caused by Russel, but today, the townspeople began to rebuild their homes and businesses that were effected by the fire. It was like this fire brought them together as a community. To Tyson, who watched as he stood by the abandoned sheriff's office, it touched his heart to see these people pull together when it mattered. It was something he hadn't seen before...especially when he was younger. He began to think about these memories...and how they...

[b]"HEY!"[/b]

Tyson's focus was brought back to the present, after hearing Job yelling from inside the office.

[b]"I did what you asked, you stupid kid! Now why am I just waiting in this god-forsaken cell!!!?" [/b]he yelled.

Tyson sighed, shaking his head a bit. [color=#FF0000]"Your going to run to 'The Jack' and explain things to him...sort of a distraction. Afterwords I'll confront him. Simple as that."[/color]

[b][i]Damned brat...I comply to surrender and he treats me like some piece of damn trash! [/i][/b]Job thought, grumbling.

[ListenToLife]

Desmond shook his head, chuckling to himself. "Lady friends?" He muttered, grinning as he looked towards Tyson. "I save one woman, and he thinks I've got hordes of 'em." He sighed and turned to the woman next to him, offering her some help up from the ground. She seemed to be a rather tough woman, as made obvious from the fact that she seemed perfectly fine, despite having just had a gun to her head a few minutes ago. As he helped her up, he nodded pointedly towards the fire, then towards a pair of buckets on the ground near them.

"Think you could help with this flame?" Desmond asked, walking towards the buckets and lifting both of them in his hands, placing his revolver back into its holster. She gave a quick nod, and Desmond tossed her one of the buckets, heading over to the nearest water source - a rusty, old faucet - and filled his own bucket. The woman followed and copied his movements, and they both proceeded to assist with the efforts, dousing bits of the fire with each bucket full.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It took a few hours, and a lot of work, but the fire was finally out. They had managed to douse the last embers, and though have of the town was now a wreck, no-one had been seriously injured - at least, due to the flames; there were still many bodies on the main street that needed clearing away. But that didn't matter for the moment, for they had managed to control the fire, and Desmond now started to walk towards the town hall, where he was sure he would fine Tyson and Job. And that he did; in a stand off. Both had guns cocked and aimed at each other, ready to fire. Desmond's hand instinctually went for his gun, but he managed to command the reflex, and instead placed his hand in his pocket, waiting to see how this panned out.

And he was sort of happy he did, for Tyson managed to diffuse the situation rather easily, with a rather confusing method. 5 playing cards, just 5, and Job surrendered. Certainly something worth noting. By Jobs reaction, it almost certainly had something to do with the 'Dealer', but what? [i]Seems like these people know more about the dealer than I.[/i] Desmond noted, merely listening for the moment. [i]I could use them, I reckon.[/i]

He sighed and merely watched as Job surrendered, and another man appeared on the scene, also after Job. Desmond merely tipped his hat towards the man, before being thrown a bag full of coins from Tyson, being told to by everyone a round. Desmond merely shrugged and turned towards the Saloon, following Gaius and Nova, who had walked in before him. He heard something about Gaius' tab before the man ran up the stairs, so Desmond decided to sort this out before getting himself a drink.

"Here, to pay off his tab." Desmond stated, placing the bag on the counter. "Oh, and everyone gets a drink as well. Should be enough there." He added, grabbing a pint of beer as it was handed to him, before moving back to the seat he had been in when he first entered, right at the back in the corner.

~~~~~~~~~~~

When he woke up the next day, it was with a pain in his head. A sign of aging, he would've called it, were he not that hung over. "Cant hold my liquour as well as I used to, it seems." He muttered, lifting himself out of the rented bed, forcing himself into the Inn room's bathroom; a simple thing with a mirror, sink and toilet. He looked at his ragged face in the mirror, ageless and tough, and sighed. "Guess its time to get down to business."

He quickly got himself dressed and walked down the steps, revolver at his side and Stetson back over his face, his jacket covering him once again. He raised his eyebrow as he looked over at the clock, seeing it was only early morn, and noted he was the only one in the bar; though he was not particularly surprised. As such, he decided to exit the saloon, and dragged one of the seats outside, so as to sit in front of the building. The sun was only just peaking over the horizon, so the sky was painted an odd mixture of night and day, blurring like a seam in the middle.

He sat there for about an hour before hearing shuffling from inside, and walked in to find the bar-owner walking about inside, organising the bar. "Dont suppose you have anything to eat?" Desmond asked, just as he was tossed a simple sandwich, stale bread and sliced meat. He thanked the barman and placed a few coins extra on the counter, before exiting once again and sitting himself outside, awaiting the drama that was soon to unfold.

But all that seemed to happen was the townsfolk, starting to rebuild. He waited a few hours for people to exit the tavern, but he never saw one of the people from the previous day, only men who had lost their homes, waiting to rebuild. He shrugged and pushed himself off his chair, walking towards the town hall. Within a few minutes, he was at the mayors office, knocking on the door. "You in there, Tyson?"

[TotalObelisk]

Jericho heaved a yawn and stretched both arms above her head, letting them fall back down by her sides as she looked out across the town. She was currently sitting atop one of the buildings fortunate enough to have survived the blaze with its major foundations intact and from there could see more or less the entire reconstruction effort. It was somewhat refreshing to see people working together with such detirmination whereas before Jericho had only ever seen people looking out for themselves and showing no care for anybody else, par for the course when you've been kicked out of your home town and forced to wander the wasteland.

"Oi, you!" Jericho heard a cry from the street and looked down to spot the bartender from yesterday glaring up at her "Are you gonna help or are you just gonna just gonna laze around all day!?"

[b]"Ah'm providin' moral s'port!"[/b] Jericho called back down, pumping her fist into the air and giving the man a broad grin [b]"Go team!"[/b]

The man glared at her for a moment before turning away leaving Jericho along with her thoughts once again. She spotted Tyson standing outside the sheriff's office apparently lost in his own thoughts. Jericho hadn't been privy to the conversation he'd had with Job Wayne the previous day but she didn't expect anything good to come of it, she had considered skipping town at the next opportunity but something had made her hang around anyway, perhaps she was curious about where this was all going, if he was going through all this trouble then Tyson must be after something important.

She stood up and hopped off the roof onto the street below, taking a moment to dust herself off before wandering around the streets for a moment, observing the people going about to rebuild everything as best as they could.

[Super Chaos Sonic]

Tyson didn't know Desmond was at City Hall looking for him, nor did he notice Jericho walking by. He was more involved with looking at the horizon...apparently waiting for something or...someone.

[color=#FF0000][i]He's coming, it'll just be a matter of time before he arrives. [/i][/color]Tyson thought, as he pushed off the Sheriff office building and walked away from it. [color=#FF0000]"I'll be back Job. Gonna go for a walk and enjoy the day! Be a good prisoner while I'm gone!" [/color]he snickered as he ran off.

[b]"WHAT?! You little smug sack of-"[/b] Job's words were cut off as Tyson went out of range of the guy's voice.

He walked with his hands in his pocket, glancing at the civilians just working to get their town back together. [color=#FF0000][i]These are some good people...and resilient too. Hopefully someone else will be able to take over this place and help them. But for the time being...I need to find a ride out of here. After 'he' arrives here and I kill him...I need to get the hell out of here. But I don't know if this place has any good Sandsteamers around here... [/i][/color]Tyson sighed, racking his brain over how he'd find a ride to leave Jenora Rock after his business was over. Though about this time, he walked past the Rundas and his group as they kept working on the DuneCrawler.

[Makο]

"[color=#0000ff]I[/color] can't believe you just LEFT me behind like that! Honestly! Once you were gone, I just...froze! And to top it all off, the cashier just. Wouldn't. Shut. Up! I had to drop the stuff and make a break for it! [size=1]I'm hoping it didn't look like I was shoplifting...[size=3]"[/size][/size]

[size=4]"[color=#006400]...Well,[/color] it's not like we were running low on food or anything.[/size] Really."

"[color=#0000ff]Can[/color] you at least ACT concerned? Besides, I check your wallet." Melissa gave the small piece of leather a quick toss towards Rundas. "We'd be better off nibbling on what crumbs we have left until our next pay day. From what you told me, we're gonna need every ounce of cash we've got to repair the Dunecrawler so it doesn't LOOK vulnerable."

The thing about not paying attention to where your going is that you collide into things. Rundas let out a solid grunt as he collided into a man walking in a horizontal direction, causing them both to stumble back a bit. One look, and he knew exactly who he had run into.

"...[color=#008000]Oi,[/color] go over and check up on Gunner. Make sure he doesn't blow something else up."

A quick nod and she was off, yelling to a distracted Gunner. Rundas looked back at the red haired man, then to the city, then back again.

"[color=#008000]...Now,[/color] I don't know at all of what happened here, but word is you might be responsible. I'unno about you, but if I were caught in this situation, I'd be up and out of here fast."

He gestured to the large machine behind him, of which Gunner was polishing at the time.

"[color=#008000]I've[/color] got myself the Dunecrawler back there. A bit of a bumpy ride, but the current shipment is cheap, so you can't beat the price. Plus, protection is top notch."

He stuck his hand out for a handshake, adjusting his sling with his free hand.

"[color=#008000]What[/color] do yah say? We'll be leaving within the next day, so you got time to think if you aren't sure right now."

[Super Chaos Sonic]

[quote name='Mako109' timestamp='1353661763' post='6076113']
A quick nod and she was off, yelling to a distracted Gunner. Rundas looked back at the red haired man, then to the city, then back again.

"[color=#008000]...Now,[/color] I don't know at all of what happened here, but word is you might be responsible. I'unno about you, but if I were caught in this situation, I'd be up and out of here fast."

He gestured to the large machine behind him, of which Gunner was polishing at the time.

"[color=#008000]I've[/color] got myself the Dunecrawler back there. A bit of a bumpy ride, but the current shipment is cheap, so you can't beat the price. Plus, protection is top notch."

He stuck his hand out for a handshake, adjusting his sling with his free hand.

"[color=#008000]What[/color] do yah say? We'll be leaving within the next day, so you got time to think if you aren't sure right now."
[/quote]

[color=#FF0000]"Ow, oh sorry my bad." [/color]Tyson said, chuckling nervously, until he stopped and heard what Rundas had said. [color=#FF0000][i]Wow...I guess word DOES travel fast around this place. [/i][/color]he thought before sighing. [color=#FF0000]"You'd be right. Name's Tyson "The Red Blaze" Hawks, nice to meet you." [/color]he said, shaking the man's hand.

Then he decided to glance at the DuneCrawler, as he smirked. [color=#FF0000][i]The missing part of my equation...I guess I just found it. [/i][/color]Tyson smirked, then hearing Rundas' last sentence. [color=#FF0000]"Great minds think alike I suppose. As I was actually looking for a mode of transportation for later. I'd leave today...but there's just one piece of work I haven't finished working with yet, so yeah. Consider your offer taken."[/color]

[Makο]

"[color=#008000]Fantastic[/color]." Rundas reached his hand into his pocket, pulling out a small slip of paper and a short, broken pencil, and began jotting down something. Looking over it, satisfied, he folded it over and passed it to Tyson.

"[color=#008000]Be[/color] there by this time with this amount of money. We're just carrying small amounts of fuel this shipment; nothing to draw too much attention. But, just in case..." He turned away and started walking towards the Dunecrawler.

"...[color=#008000]I hope[/color] you can man a turret well. And, if you can, bring some friends. The more the merrier." Rundas broke out into a quick sprint as he ducked into one of the Dunecrawlers many entrances.

[Jake the Sage]

"What a pathetic looking down trotted place," a female said lowering binoculars. Her raven black hair moved about her head in the dry wind as the others of her group finished preparing for what was to come. The only one not working, their boss, placed a wary hand on her shoulder and gave a smile, his silver hair gleaming in the sunlight, "Don't fret about it love . . . these punks just managed to piss of the boss-man is all, you shouldn't expect much."

"R-Right," the girl said, her face turning red in embarrassment then crimson with rage hearing one of her cohorts mocking her. The man, twice her size and the build of a bull, with brains to match, had made a sly remark about her showing affection towards Jack. In her furry she hurled the binoculars at him and squarely pegged him in the head; the binoculars didn't even phase him. Chuckling Jack turned and spoke loosely to his subordinate, "Durham I shouldn't wonder why the girls fall head over heels for me. After all I am Jack Easton!"

With a laugh he leaned his head back then gazed down at the village below. His face grew serious, "Are we ready?"

"Sir! Yes sir!" another of the men said turning a massive iron weapon so that it pointed at the town. A wicked grin inched across his face, finishing the moment Jack had mounted his Sandstreamer. Taking out a revolver in one hand and a double barreled shotgun in the other he ordered his men to mount up and 'get ready for some fun!' Ten men and women mounted their Sandstreamers beside the Jack, weapons drawn, and hollered in excitement. They were happy to be going into battle alongside their group leader, even if it was a small battle like this. Waving his shotgun forward Jack cried out, "Fire!"

Then a moment later- they charged down the hillside.

[hr]

The town was rebuilding after last nights fire. However, like the arrival of Tyson "The Red Blaze" Hawk being the beginning of some bad omen, all their hard work was soon too be made useless. The distinct sound of cannon fire made everyone's head lift up skyward. Soon the sounds of shouting and cannons exploding spread through the town. Mixed amongst those sounds was another, the loud roar of Sandstreamers with the excited screams of their riders.

The Jack had arrived with his men had arrived in Jenora Rock

[Super Chaos Sonic]

[color=#FF0000]"Mhmm...so bring this and this and friends...OK you got it!" [/color]Tyson chuckled, as he shoved the paper in his pocket, turning the opposite direction...when...

[b][i][color=#000000]INCOMING!!![/color][/i][/b]
[center][i][url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loSkhwnr4E4]Trigun OST - Yellow Alert[/url][/i][/center]

Tyson heard the sounds of cannon fire, as he quickly dropped to the ground, covering his head. [color=#FF0000]"HOLY CRAP! That was freakin' close!!" [/color]he said, as he quickly jumped up, seeing the faint dust clouds of Sandsteamers over the horizon. [color=#FF0000]"Wow...the dude got here A LOT quicker than I originally thought he would..." [/color]he said, blinking a bit, before rushing to the Sheriff's Office...while dodging the rushing crowds that tried to escape from the gunfire.

[i]Meanwhile, back at the Sheriff's Office in a cell...[/i]

[b]"S***...don't tell me he's already here!" [/b]Job gulped, as he heard the cannon fire. His skin coloration left as he became white as a ghost. He had many things run through his head...but the main one was this: He was royally screwed.

[color=#FF0000]"Hey Job! Missed me?" [/color]Tyson asked, kicking the Sheriff's Office door down, quickly unlocking the door to the cell. [color=#FF0000]"Things are progressing even faster than I hoped for!"[/color]

Job grumbled as he was pulled by Tyson, being forced outside, as his handcuffs were finally off. [b]"So I see...and I don't feel like being a part of this!" [/b]he said, but gulped a bit. [b]"But...whatever...I'm off, ya damn kid." [/b]And with that, Job Wayne was off to the edge of Jenora Rock...to wait for "The Jack of All Trades".

Tyson, however, instead of running to hide...he just stood near the Sheriff's building, waiting to see how things transpire.

[Jake the Sage]

"Well look what my little eye spies," a tall, thin man said stopping his Sandstreamer so he could properly fix his monocle to focus on the approaching figure. He could see despite the range that it was Job Wayne running towards them and let his leader know so. Jack, biting into an apple he had taken from an abandoned stall, looked up in actual surprise chewing the piece, "Seriously? I thought that no balls Sheriff would take a hint and hide in a corner somewhere."

Swallowing he tossed the apple over his shoulder, leaned back in his Sandstreamer, and waited for Job Wayne to get to them. When he had the former Sheriff was so out of breath he could hardly speak, though he continued to try until Jack allowed him to catch his breath. Once hew as able to speak properly he ended up rambling off- trying his hardest to explain that it was Red Blaze that had forced him to do all of this and that he was still a man of the Dealer. Jack hopped down off of his Sandstreamer and smiled, shaking Wayne's shoulder hard all the while laughing, "Job, Job, Job . . . you sound like a man begging for your life! Don't worry we ain't gonna kill you. I mean you held Jenora Rock for so long until you screwed it up. How many men did you loose fighting one small group? Ten . . . fifteen?"

"Twenty five," Job muttered trying to avoid Jack's steely gaze. With a smile Jack leaned in close, repeating the number once- twice- three times. When he said twenty five for the third time he kneed Wayne so hard in the stomach it knocked him to the ground, where Jack tossed him to Durham with the order to hold him so he could be brought to King and executed properly for his failure. Pulling his hat down Jack looked back as he walked further into the town, not giving a second thought to the cannon fire falling all around him, "Remember Wayne, those who fail ain't accepted in the Dealer's gang. Success or suicide. That is the law of the Dealer."

[Makο]

[i][url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=t1HAAExO8XU"]>Starhawk OST - Battle at Ballard's Crossing<[/url][/i]

Explosions rocked the areas in and around the city as the siege had commenced. Bits of dust and dirt flew into the air, with the occasional shot grazing the Dunecrawler. Melissa scrambled out from under the machine, tripping over a newly uprooted stone. Amidst the cannon fire, she had drawn her Boombringer, resting up against the machine for cover with a look of panic and frustration in her eyes.

"[color=#0000ff]Are[/color] you KIDDING me? No, seriously! Are you freakin' kidding me!"

Rundas had already sprinted over to her, actually notably pissed.

"[color=#008000]Keep[/color] them from getting close with your gun. I'm climbing inside the Dunecrawler to ferry around, giving Gunner a better shot at these pricks. Gunne-"

Fire and smoke erupted from one of the top cannons. The one with the broken glass. Following a spent shell, Gunner poked his head out.

"[color=#800000]Way[/color] ahead of you, boss! I ain't letting anymore of my glass get broken."

Rundas couldn't help but let a small grin emerge on his face at the eagerness of his friend. Shaking the grin off in favor of a more serious stance, he charged inside the machine. In a matter of moments, in was on the cockpit of the Dunecrawler, surrounded by various levers, valves, and gauges. Obviously quite the veteran, several levers were pulled down in a matter of moments, triggering the roaring of the engine. Turned a knob, checked a valve, and he was ready. Gunner's and Melissa's radios sparked to life to the sound of Rundas.

[color=#008000]"Melissa,[/color] hop on! Remember what I told you. Gunner, shoot to kill! We're moving out!"

Slowly, but surely, the legs on the main engine block begun to pull the entire contraption forward. One by one, the rest of the legs began to move, being pulled by the main pair. This action started the engine block for each pair of legs, now moving under their own power. Before long, the entire machine was moving along at a steady pace. Not nearly full speed, but fast enough to get from point A to point B. The 75 fired yet again, manned by Gunner, rocking the cabin back and forth.

"[color=#800000]Come[/color] and get some!"

Melissa leaned outside the door while the machine was moving, taking careful aim to the closest enemy she could find. Upon squeezing the trigger, a small gyrojet shot out of the barrel, moving slowly along before jetting quickly forward, exploding on impact. A silly grin ran across her face.

"[color=#0000ff]Eeeee![/color] It still works! And here I thought the gunpowder had leaked out earlier!"

Now at full speed, with various explosive projectiles being fired, the Dunecrawler and her crew moved further into the fray.

[Admiral_Stalfos19]

[color=#000000]All this time, Nova remained stationary on a roof, overlooking the battlefield and strategizing on how to kill off all those Sandstreamers. No doubt she'd have to board one of them, but how she'd manage it was up in the air... quite [i]literally[/i] as it would eventually turn out.[/color]

[url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyZSoxDoZYU&feature=relmfu"][color=#000000]Valkyria Chronicles II OST - Close Battle[/color][/url]

[color=#000000]The pilot of one of the Sandstreamers had managed to catch some huge air, and, after seeing Nova, pulled out dual revolvers and tried to shoot at her. Unfortunately for [i]him[/i], Nova managed to see him first, deflected the bullets and rammed him off the Sandstreamer, before lopping off his head with the Grandfather. Smirking at the fact that she had just boarded her own Sandstreamer, Nova put the pedal to the metal, and accelerated into the distant battlefield, looking for some more Sandstreamers cruising around and causing general mayhem. She got behind one, and opened fire with the Vastatio.[/color]

"GAH!! Friendly [i]fire[/i], dumba-...!"[color=#000000] said pilot shouted, before realizing that it was [i]Nova[/i] behind the wheel of the attacking Sandstreamer.[/color]

[color=#4b0082]"[i]You're[/i] no friend of mine!"[/color][color=#000000] Nova remarked with a slasher grin, before shooting him in the head and pulling away again, in search for more pilots to kill.[/color]

[Jake the Sage]

The Sandstreamers were beginning to fall into chaos, a giant mechanical Dunecrawler breaking through their ranks without even slowing down at the ping of their gunshots. Not only that but somehow some girl had amanged to acquire her own Sandstreamer and was using it to zip through their flanks and gun down as many people as possible before breaking away; each time she did this she took down at least one person, worse sometimes three. The ranks thinning the men held close as Jack looked on, off of his Sandstreamer for once, and spit out the chewed up cigarette, calmly drawing his pistol while the Dunecrawler advanced. Chuckling to himself he shot forward, dodging gunfire with what appeared to be ease. Twenty feet . . . ten feet . . . he was on the Dunecrawler! On top where he was not able to be hit by the machine's massive firepower he pressed one foot against the cannon and waited. Waited for the moment Nova was zipping back through before kicking it so that one of their shells fired at the position she was heading towards. The explosion tore open a wound in the earth, kicking the Sandstreamer out from underneath her and sent her body flailing through the air. He knew once she hit the ground his men would be able to handle her promptly.

However with the Dunecrawler still causing problems Jack decided he should take it out himself. Spinning around to avoid the gunshot of one of the men aboard it he swung on one of the legs, hooking his feet on it and maneuvered his way until he was clinging to the underbelly. Even in mechanics the underside was always the weakest part. Taking something out of his pocket Jack wedged it somewhere it wouldn't fall out, striking a match and setting the fuse. Dropping to the ground he rolled onto his back and caught a hand that was riding on a passing Sandstreamer. Pulling himself up Durham handed Jack his hat back, shouting that they've yet to find out where Red Blaze is.

"No matter," he called back pulling his hat down, "If he ain't gonna come out and die like a dog then he ain't worth the Dealer's time, or mine for that matter."

[Raine]

His eyes tried to open, blinded by foreign light. Gaius grunted and groaned as he forced his body to start moving. It wasn’t painful, he was just lazy. After last night, he thought. Gaius was tired and unpaid, yesterday was awful he deserved a rest. Slowly, he stopped resisting as his body lay dormant. Well, at least until a blast of wind scorched over his face. Gaius jump up, his eyes still blinded by vision returned quickly. He was outside. [color=#800080]“Oh dear,“[/color] Gaius rested his palm over his face, [color=#800080]“It’s the New Haven Gunapalozza all over again.”[/color] He smelled his sleeve, [color=#800080]“but with less cooking sherry.”[/color]

A quick examination of his surroundings he noticed destruction; bullets, cannons, and bears. [color=#800080]“Yup, just like Gunapalozza,” [/color]Gaius chuckled, [color=#800080]“It’s like home~”[/color]

Gaius noticed his guns spread over the dust; it was a quick retrieval but a sad face that he couldn’t keep them cleaner. A quick climb placed him onto a building, as his mouth opened in surprise at the number of Sandstreams. A deep sigh came out of Gaius, as he moved back to the street. Preparing his large rifle in hand, he readied himself as he strolled through cover towards the action.

“I don’t stand a chance with my equipment,” he muttered to himself. Gaius looked down at Gaé Bolg, he could pierce armor but attacking blind opens you to an easy counter. A thought struck, Gaius. …he could just collect Job, he doesn’t need this s***. His feet launched himself, towards town hall, [color=#800080]“RED--HEAD!!!”[/color]

Gaius made City Hall, it was apparent no one was here until he noticed a familiar man, in front of Sheriff Hall. He approached him aggravated, [color=#800080]“I gave you time, red-head! I don’t need this siege s***! Give me, Job!” [/color]His hand went into his pocket, ready for his pistol…

[TotalObelisk]

Jericho wasn't sure where the new mass of gunfire and explosions had come from but there was no point debating about it now, one moment everything was peace and harmony with civilians doing their best to fix that damage from yesterday and then chaos had decided peace and harmony had been going on long enough and decided to rampage around again. She could hear the sounds of Sandstreamers in in the distance and had decided to stick to the cover of the town, however that had quickly been invaded by foot soldiers who were just randomly shooting up and civilian they found.

As Jericho rounded a corner she whipped out Bronze Rose from under her skirt and fired at a goon about to shoot a woman cradling a baby, taking off a couple of the man's fingers and a significant amount of his hand causing his to scream in pain and buying time for the woman to escape. As the man fainted from bloodloss his buddies spotted Jericho and rounded on her, raising their own rifles.

[b]"Don't s'pose ya wanna talk 'bout this?"[/b] Jericho asked aloud. Her rely came in the form of a hail of gunfire which she dived aside to avoid, drawing two of the custom rifles from the holster on her back. [b]"Guess not, ah well, bullet holes it is then!"[/b]

She ran forwards, gun in each hand. The goon squad was slightly taken aback by her choice to charge straight towards them using rifles in one hand but their shock was short lived as she took out the first man by smacking him across the face with the barrel of one weapon, quickly bringing her other gun around to fire into the rest of them, artfully dodging and dancing around as they attempted to return fire and clipping each of them in turn in either their shoulder, arm or leg. A few minutes later Jericho was left with a pile of groaning or unconscious henchmen at her feet.

[b]"Tha' was fun,"[/b] she said brightly [b]"Now then, any'a ya wanna tell me what's goin' on?"[/b]

She poked one of the still conscious goons with her foot causing him to groan in pain slightly.

"T-the dealer... Sent us," he managed to cough up "He... He sent the Jack."

Jericho froze momentarily upon hearing the man's reply. [b]"The dealer?"[/b] She repeated [b]"Ooooooh crraaaaaap."[/b]

She hadn't heard exactly what Tyson had been talking about with Job the previous day but the penny quickly dropped and she promptly turned about and sprinted in the other direction.

[i]Okay, step 1. Don't die, step 2. Get the hell outta dodge, step 3. Uh... Step 4. Profit![/i]

[Super Chaos Sonic]

[quote name='Raine™' timestamp='1353993159' post='6079011']
His eyes tried to open, blinded by foreign light. Gaius grunted and groaned as he forced his body to start moving. It wasn’t painful, he was just lazy. After last night, he thought. Gaius was tired and unpaid, yesterday was awful he deserved a rest. Slowly, he stopped resisting as his body lay dormant. Well, at least until a blast of wind scorched over his face. Gaius jump up, his eyes still blinded by vision returned quickly. He was outside. [color=#800080]“Oh dear,“[/color] Gaius rested his palm over his face, [color=#800080]“It’s the New Haven Gunapalozza all over again.”[/color] He smelled his sleeve, [color=#800080]“but with less cooking sherry.”[/color]

A quick examination of his surroundings he noticed destruction; bullets, cannons, and bears. [color=#800080]“Yup, just like Gunapalozza,” [/color]Gaius chuckled, [color=#800080]“It’s like home~”[/color]

Gaius noticed his guns spread over the dust; it was a quick retrieval but a sad face that he couldn’t keep them cleaner. A quick climb placed him onto a building, as his mouth opened in surprise at the number of Sandstreams. A deep sigh came out of Gaius, as he moved back to the street. Preparing his large rifle in hand, he readied himself as he strolled through cover towards the action.

“I don’t stand a chance with my equipment,” he muttered to himself. Gaius looked down at Gaé Bolg, he could pierce armor but attacking blind opens you to an easy counter. A thought struck, Gaius. …he could just collect Job, he doesn’t need this s***. His feet launched himself, towards town hall, [color=#800080]“RED--HEAD!!!”[/color]

Gaius made City Hall, it was apparent no one was here until he noticed a familiar man, in front of Sheriff Hall. He approached him aggravated, [color=#800080]“I gave you time, red-head! I don’t need this siege s***! Give me, Job!” [/color]His hand went into his pocket, ready for his pistol…
[/quote]

[color=#ff0000]"I don't have him...Gaius was it?"[/color] Tyson said as he walked passed Gaius, his hands in his pocket. [color=#ff0000]"He was more like a pawn for getting this guy out in the open. He played a good part in it...now my mission can go without a problem."[/color] With that, Tyson Hawks walked towards the dust cloud that was caused from all the sandsteamers. As he walked through it, he saw himself in front of a main sandsteamer: Jack's. He glanced over and saw a convenient pulley with a net of crates on it. He grabbed the rope and shot the second rope that kept it down...then he propelled himself upward...as he landed on the sandsteamer's deck. [color=#ff0000]"Well couldn't do that again if I try...."[/color] he laughed, until he had all the sandsteamer's crew pointing a weapon at his face.

[color=#ff0000]"Oh crap...um....hi!"[/color] Tyson said, nervously smiling as he usually did.

[Makο]

"[color=#0000ff]Uh[/color], we've got a situation over here!"

The massive machine continued it's stomping through the battlefield, much akin to an unstoppable train. Melissa gripped the side of the Dunecrawler, dumbfounded as that man hopped away. Even more so, she was upset that she had failed her only duty as of now.

"[color=#0000ff]Oi, [/color]Gunner! Why the hell'd you let him aim for you like that!"

Poking his head out just enough to see her, he shrugged ever so slightly.

"[color=#800000]What[/color] can I say? I was reaching down to grab my .22, and I accidentally pulled the trigger. By the time I recovered from the recoil, he was up and gone!"

"[color=#0000ff]Tch...[/color]" She slowly lowered herself onto her knees, making sure not to fall off from a random bump or cannon shot. She gave herself just enough distance to peer under the hulking machine. Just barely visible between the quick moving legs and pistons was a small fuse looking device. Her eyes lit up with horror, as she scrambled to get herself back up.

"[color=#0000ff]Oooooi![/color] There's a bomb!"

Just as loud hacking could be heard from Gunner's cannon, he popped all the way out, eyes wide.

"[color=#800000]Say[/color] WHAT?"

[color=#0000ff]"Shut[/color] up and toss me your .22! I'm going to try and shoot it out! In the mean time, go get Rundas and tell him!"

"[color=#800000]Uh,[/color] who?"

[color=#0000ff]"Ergh...[/color] the boss!"

She almost instinctively caught the pistol as it soared to her, watching as Gunner ran off in the other direction. Looking back beneath the Dunecrawler, she could see the fuse slowly going down between the legs. She attempted to steady herself as she took aim from her upside-down position. All it would take would be one good shot to knock it loose.

[i][color=#0000ff]Steady[/color]...slow trigger press...don't anticipate the shot.[/i]

A small amount of recoil shook her aim up slightly, only to see the shot ping off of one of the quick moving legs. Unfazed, she took aim again, letting another shot out. Close, but it bounced off the area about a quarter of a foot away from the bomb.

[i][color=#0000ff]Almost...[/color]got...it...[/i]

[i]=======[/i]

Smack dab in the midsection of the Dunecrawler, an explosion tore through, jetting the two ends caught on both sides of the blast upward. At the speed it was moving, the machine began to tumble, sending each of the ten compartments rolling and crashing into each other. The connective pieces between the compartments sheered and snapped, sending the occasional piece of metal flying at random intervals. Iron and steel ripped like paper as a few compartments settled into the ground, with some smashing into nearby structures. Eventually, the flaming wreck had settled, with very few compartments still connected to each other. Scorching dirt and sand mounds stood raised above the compartments buried into the ground, of which were ablaze due to oil leakages.

[Admiral_Stalfos19]

[color=#000000]Had Nova been keeping an eye on the Dunecrawler, rather than too busy flipping off a Sandstreamer pilot that was proving hard to kill until she used up the final shell of Vastatio, she would've seen who boarded the mighty "tank", shot the cannon at her and blew up the Sandstreamer she was [i]on[/i]. Now it was completely totalled, but Nova had saved her own life from a direct hit via back-flip, only to end up flailing in the air thanks to the unwelcome "boost" of the shell's explosion, and hitting the ground 3 times, before sliding to a halt on one knee, and bolting in the opposite direction. She [i]had[/i] to get to a nearby Sandstreamer; her life depended on it.[/color]

[color=#000000]Luckily, a mechanic was held at gunpoint being forced to [i]repair[/i] one. All Nova had to do was run all the way [i]over[/i] to the Sandstreamer, and kill the crew whilst they had their backs turned. Easy as stealing candy from a baby. The only hard part was running the mile necessary to [i]get[/i] there, and still have the energy to swing the Grandfather a few times. Still, [acronym='If there are more than three guys there, then just say that Nova managed to kill 2 in one swing as necessary]three slashes was all it took to dispatch the entire crew[/acronym], leaving Nova time to catch her breath.[/color]

[color=#4b0082]"I hope to [i]hell[/i] you don't mind me taking this bike..."[/color][color=#000000] Nova told the mechanic.[/color]

"No, uh... not at all,"[color=#000000] he replied, as Nova hopped on the Sandstreamer, [/color]"Oh, and um... thanks for saving my [i]ass [/i]back there,"

[color=#4b0082]"Don't mention it,"[/color][color=#000000] were the last words Nova said before taking off, in hopes of checking up on that Dunecrawler relatively unharmed.[/color]

[Jake the Sage]

“Well looks like a rat managed to crawl on board,” Jack said mockingly as Tyson gave a nervous chuckle, the entire group aiming at him; if he even sneezed they’d blow his head off without a second thought. Walking over to stare him face-to-face Jack grinned wider than humanly possible, drinking in the sight of the troublemaker having come to him for once. Turning his back boldly to Tyson Jack barked orders above the loud roaring of the engine, “Durham, if you would, relieve our guest of those heavy firearms . . .”

“My pleasure Jack,” the burly man said, stepping forward and glaring at Tyson. Quickly drawing his own pistol he whipped it through the air, knocking Tyson square in the head hard enough to bring him to his knees. Blood quickly trickled down his forehead, blurring Tyson’s vision, but he could plainly feel the large man’s hands roaming over his body to discard any and all weapons he had on him. Once he no longer had so much as a shaving razor handy to fight with Jack ordered someone to hold him up, “You know kid, you’ve got balls . . . taking on Wayne and then sending a threat to the boss. Now you see the boss, he is a big picture man and wouldn’t lose a wink of sleep knowing you’re scrawny hide is feeding the buzzards. Me . . . me I think you’d make a good errand boy, but I am not about to disobey the boss’ orders.”

Taking out a whistle Jack blew into it- a high pitched whistle that was easily overheard over anything else. When the whistle died out the Sandstreamers of Jack’s crew slowed down, dragging alongside members of the town that had been hog tied up and currently covered in dirt; Jericho and Gaius only a small portion of the group. The Sandstreamers came to a halt as well as the cannon fire, making the silence twice as eerie. Stepping off of the Sandstreamer Jack looked around at the nearly demolished town- fire burns and shattered wood showing the signs of the trauma it had gone through in less than a week. Pulling out a cigarette Jack lite it and exhaled, raising his voice, “People of Jenora Rock! This man . . .”

Jack pointed to Tyson, still bound and bleeding. Durham hit him in the back of the knee with the butt of his rifle so he toppled onto the ground. “This man has caused all of your problems. Had you listened to Job Wayne, had you not aligned yourself with him and went against the Dealer’s orders none of the destruction would have happened. But the Dealer is kind, yes indeed he can be very kind . . . all you have to do is string [i]this[/i] man up by his scrawny neck! Once he is dead the Dealer will leave you in peace!”

The civilians, beaten and worse off than Tyson was, had reached their breaking point. It was true; in less than a week they had more dead than living and couldn’t take it anymore. Taking pitchfork or whatever they could in hand the town was swayed by Jack’s words; he was always a smooth talker, capable of making a nun steal or a lying man tell the truth. Shouting and screaming for Tyson to be hanged they were out for blood. They truly believed by killing Tyson, and the rest of the people who had been rounded it, they were so far convinced, that the Dealer would actually leave them alone. Jack grinned seeing the mob form and motioned to Durham- only Durham and he knew what the odd series of motions means. [i]“Target soon dead. Message Barlow. Cannons set to destroy town.”[/i]

Jack was readying to wipe Jenora Rock off the face of the map . . . and didn’t give a rat’s ass who died in the process.