The Quite Fight – Attack on the Barracks

Fabio Freitas E Silva | Dreamstime.com – Steam punk vintage computer

Attack

After the longest 10 minutes of his life, the ramp began to open. Chester had Emily and three locals, Wendy, Randy, and Manny. They were in front and were to clear the path to the armory. Chester and Emily ran down the ramp set themselves and then fired the beam rifles West at the two guards at the stables and armory. They then ran to either side and aimed in the other direction and the guards on the Administration side fell as well. Chester signaled his group to move forward silently. At the guard station to the stables, Emily grabbed a set of keys. Randy and Chester stood at either door. Manny and Wendy nodded and The doors opened. Again, they rushed in. This time Manny and Wendy took down two grooms. Randy fired at an officer who had been working by and he dropped. Chester looked at his map and said quietly, “Left and stay on either side.” There were two loud crashes. Chester muttered, “So much for secrecy. Step up chaps…we are losing our advantage.” They moved fast through the hallway and reached the armory. There were three guards there. Two dropped immediately from Randy and Wendy. The third got two shots off and shouted, “Alarm,” before Manny finished him with his beam. The room wreaked of burning flesh and clothes. Wendy began to wretch. Chester said, “Steady on, the next crew needs to get here and we have to hold this room and hall.”
Wendy hissed, “Some of us haven’t been butchers before.”
Emily worked her way through the keys. “Shit, none of them work.”
Manny rummaged through the dead officers coat and found a new ring. “Try these.”
The second group of five, led by Constance, came in with carts to load cannon and rifles. She said, “Open yet?”
Emily shouted triumphantly, “Now it is.”
Chester looked at his watch, “10 minutes. A cannon plus whatever rifles you can load.” He then said, “Wendy, Emily, Manny, hold the passage way.” Chester then added his weight to shifting the cannon onto the cart which seemed to lift a bit even with the weight. “Move it. Take the front group with you to the ship.” Chester and the remaining three loaded rifle boxes onto the remaining carts. He heard a shot down the hall. “Ok that is our signal to leave. Connie lead them out. I am going to add a bit of fun to the mix.” As they left, Chester took a rope of slow fuse and put it into a gunpowder barrel. He unrolled the fuse 15 feet out the armory door. More shots were being fired now. He pointed a beam pistol at the slow fuse and it ignited immediately. Chester ran out saying, “Clear out fast, mates. She’s gonna blow.” They retraced their steps back to the quad. At this point, there was a ragged squad of soldiers lining up to shoot. Chester stopped and lined his rifle same as Emily and scythed through the front rank who dropped screaming. He pushed on to the ship. There was a shot and Manny dropped with a grunt. Then Wendy. Chester shouted, “Keep moving.” Then the world behind him turned bright orange and a wave of heat blew him down.

Chester woke up inside the ship as it was landing back at Regent’s Park. Emily was waving smelling salts in front of his now. He coughed and pushed the noxious bottle away. He looked around, “How did we do?”
Cedric answered, “One cannon, two dozen rifles, and 10,000 in pounds. And the notes I left all attributing it to the “New Young Irelanders”.
Chester leaned up, “I don’t remember ‘New Young Irelanders’”
Cedric smiled broadly, “Doesn’t exist. Doesn’t matter. And besides, we’ll need a market for those guns.”

Author’s Note

Attack scenes tend to be long (good for my word count!). That is because of the amount of detail and location information one should supply.  This is the last in this series.

Not much has changed since the last post. I am hoping for a good writing day today. I will be finishing this story up.

A Quiet Fight – Travel to the Barracks

Fabio Freitas E Silva | Dreamstime.com – Steam punk vintage computer

Travel to the Attack

With the additional 9 people, the group amounted to 15 people again. Chester wondered that 15 people would be able to take over the Headquarters of the British Army. However, a great deal was working in their favor: surprise, speed and the weapons. Everyone had practiced at night in the local parks. There were scorched trees abounding through out the London Botanical Gardens. They had avoided setting things on fire but there were definitely scorch marks. Tonight the attack would happen. The group met outside the Botanical Gardens.
Tecumsah Quanah, Suresh Rohan, and Nessa Boadicea appeared out of the gates of the park. All of them were dressed in dark clothes. Quanah said, “We will be taking you to the transportation. I do not know what the Dunstable group has said, but the ship is unlike anything you have seen. You will be staying in the hold of the ship. We have other crew and they are…private.” Chester saw Suresh snicker a little. You all have your weapons?” There was general agreement. “Suresh and Nessa will be staying by the ship during your attack. They will have one other weapon that operates differently. Its impact will be significant. If there is a door you wish to get through, tell one of them and they will take care of it.” He looked around and then said, “Follow me.”
The group followed the three tall beings into the Botanical Gardens. They came to an open field. The field looked clear except for an odd opening as if there was a door from nowhere to nowhere in the middle of the field. Chester could hear behind him, “What the hell?” and “We are in the middle of a field, where is the transportation?” Chester thought, you people are in for a big surprise. At the door, Chester could see illumination and the light seemed to hint at the ship they would enter. There was a smooth silver surface that seemed to shimmer around the opening. Tecumsah and the other two beings climbed up the stairs in the opening. Chester waited to take tail, but Cedric and Emily headed up. Bertram stopped at the entry and turned to Chester, “What am I getting into?”
“Honestly, chap I have no idea. What I do know is that I took this thing from Dunstable to here in about 15 minutes. I also know I have never seen the whole ship. Inside looks a bit like a warehouse but the lighting is …different.”
Chester heard a shout, “Hurry up, the barracks watch will be changing in an hour. If you want to catch the current shift without having the second shift there at the same time, we need to move…now.”
Chester chived the group up the ramp. In the hold, the reaction was expected. “Core” and “What the hell?” and “What is this?” To be fair, he had had the same reaction and more. Having been in here once, he could play the collected professional for once. He shouted, “Everyone find a hand hold. We should be there in just a moment. But landings can get bumpy.” He grabbed a loading strap as example. Others followed. The ship started moving and two people fell shouting oaths, “Bloody Hell…we could have walked!” Bertram said loudly, “Shut up, Digby. We are not walking into the middle of Wellington Barracks.” And as suddenly it started, it stopped.
Quanah, Rohan and Boadicea came down the stairs, each armed with a new weapon. The lights dimmed and Chester was momentarily blinded by the darkness. Boadicea spoke this time. “When that ramp opens, you will run to your designated targets. Right now, no one is aware of the ships presence anymore than you were in the park. We will keep lights low to keep the surprise. We will assist with hardened targets as needed but your leaders have defined the mission. Execute it.”
Bertie spoke, “We said it before. But it is real now. Spare no one. Once the shooting starts, we may have firepower but they have weapons. The longer we avoid a general quarters call, the more likely we will succeed. We will wait for up to 10 minutes while your eyes adjust.”

Author’s note

I have included an image of what the Uycarran ships might look like.  I am still writing so I haven’t had a chance to do any image work. I have a couple of other ship models I might use as well.   For those who are wondering, I am expecting the ships to have stealth technology.  This technology is good for hiding from primitive civilizations (like us) but would not fool more advanced technology if anyone bothered to look.  From a geography standpoint, Digby has a point – the Botanical Gardens is not that far from the Wellington Barracks. But Bertie is right, no one will simply walk into an army facility with arms without questions and shots fired.

I had a good writing weekend. I am almost at 33,000 word. However, that makes me far behind the schedule for finishing in 3 days (like 13,000 words behind). I will finish the story just because I have always had a problem finishing up.

A Quiet Fight – Plans for the Attack

Fabio Freitas E Silva | Dreamstime.com – Steam punk vintage computer

Final plans

The following day, the group met at Constance’s flat. When Chester, Cedric and Emily had arrived, they were quickly sent to the dining room, served tea and left alone. Constance had her staff working in the kitchen or cleaning other rooms and were afforded privacy as they met. Darrin and Bertram were drinking theirs. Darrin still looked pale. Bertram was eating heartily and said, “Constance always provides a great spread. Emily, try the fruit torte. It is simply divine.” Emily helped herself to a portion. Chester prepared his tea and took a savory biscuit. Chester opened the London Times he had grabbed on the way to breakfast. On the third page, a fire in the Wapping area resulted in four deaths, numerous injuries and closed a popular pub. Cedric had the London Telegraph and said, “Well look here, mysterious fire in Wapping. Pub closed. Explosions reported but no signs of bomb.” He tsked, “Four deaths. Apparently overcrowding was an issue because people couldn’t get out.”
Darrin’s hand shook, “Could we not discuss this during breakfast. Constance isn’t here.”
Bertram sipped his tea, “Chessie, you said you weren’t using full power. How strong is that thing?”
Chester moved to the sports section to review the Rugby match between London and Edinburgh, “I don’t know for sure…our associates seemed to be using them full tilt in our first encounter.” London had lost. Chester closed the paper in distaste, “That fire took out a whole block. Stone was broken in the heat.” He scratch his beard, “I also think there are some other weapon types, but we do not get those until we prove ourselves with these.”
Bertram asked, “How many of these things can we get?”
Chester said, “30 pistols and 30 rifles. How many will we have in support of the attack?”
Bertram leaned back and sipped his tea, “We each have three recruits. That is correct, isn’t it Darrin?”
Darrin was a bit more composed, “There are lot of locale workman who are unhappy with the competition for jobs.”
Cedric asked, “They aren’t going to have a problem attacking British army?”
Darrin shrugged, “The three I am working with see the game. We attack. Make it look like Irish separatists. Then others start agitating for a crack down on Ireland.”
Chester put his cup down and looked at Darrin, “Are you going to have a problem, Darrin? You seem a bit off after last night.”
Darrin glared at Chester, “You caught me by surprise. It won’t happen again.”
Chester smiled, “Good, because once I’ve introduced you to our partner, there really is no turning back. He took very unkindly to some of our lot in Dunstable who tried to escape the contract.”
Cedric choked. Bertram grumbled, “Oh hell, I’ll ask. How unkindly?”
Emily smiled as she took a bite of her sweet torte, “He killed two and had us kill the other two in a sign of commitment.”
Bertram frowned, “That seems a bit extreme.”
Cedric said, “I thought so myself. But they are foreigners,”
Chester chuckled, “That’s putting it mildly.”
Cedric continued, “They are foreigners and apparently on the lam. They prefer to operate without fuss. It seems there is someone here who can disrupt their activities.” He took a deep breath, “So they are being cautious about who knows about them.”
At that point Constance came in, “Hello everyone, getting the staff sorted has been a pill this morning. Apparently I am disrupting no end of schedules by keeping them out of the front section. Did I miss anything?”
Darrin said, “Only that we are about to enter a contract of blood, breakable only by death.”
Constance laughed, “Darrin dear, you are such a drama boy.”
Bertram, “Connie, normally I’d agree with you, but this time he is right.”
Constance looked at the two Londoners who were very serious. She then looked to Chester, Cedric and Emily. “Explain”
Cedric filled Constance in on the previous conversation.
Chester pulled out a pocket watch, “I expect Mr. Quanah will be arriving in about 10 minutes. Key to this plan working will be he and his companions delivering us to the barracks quad secretly. I can verify without equivocation they can do that. But in doing so, all who know how it is done become…a potential risk to them.” He put the watch in his pocket and stood by Cedric and Emily. “If you are not prepared to follow through with all the unpleasantness that will be following, now is your chance to end it. Once Mr. Quanah arrives and discusses the final details of transportation and support, there will be no turning back.”

Constance looked at her tea then set it down. She went to the liquor cart and poured herself a sherry. She looked at Emily, “care for one? If I am about to sign my life away, I think a drink is in order.”
Emily nodded negative, “I’ve already done that bit. Sherry at this hour will just go to my head. But go ahead.”
Constance took the glass and said, “To a new regime.”
Chester smiled and raised his tea cup.
After the drink, there was a bit of small talk and then the door chime. The maid brought in the very tall Tecumsah Quanah. Unlike his visit in Dunstable, he had a respectable suit on. His hair, was pulled into a pony tail but well washed and straight. His dark features were undoubtedly unnerving to the Londoners. They had been to Chester. Chester was sure the man had a sense of humor. The maid closed the door behind Quanah. He looked around and then to Cedric, “It seems the demonstration last night was more in line with your expectations Mr. Michaelson.”
Cedric smiled broadly, “No problems at all. And a very clean get away.”
Tecumsah settled himself into a large chair that still looked small on his large frame. “That there were survivors, I found problematic.”
Darrin coughed a little and then said, “Our goal was to scare some workers that were organizing. The company still needs workers.”
Quanah nodded in response, “An answer I understand…Mr.?”
“Darrin Kipling. Call me Darrin.”
“Very well …Darrin. I assume that Cedric, Chester and Emily have explained my conditions from here.”
Constance said, “Yes,…Mr. Quanah. I must wonder at the severe measures. And my name is Constance Guilford.”
“A fair question …Miss Guildford.” He folded his hands together, “Mr. Brown and Miss Stanhope may or may not have explained, but your planet will be taken over shortly. Mr. Brown and Miss Stanhope have aligned themselves with the coming force. My understanding is that that you are to …ease the takeover for Mr. Brown and Miss Stanhope. Me and my associates have no interest one way or another in your planet. However, we see a market for goods and…your labor. We are taking advantage of the open market before authorities arrive to complicate matters.” He leaned forward, “When we demonstrated the weapons in Dunstable, we encountered unexpected resistance. Such resistance would complicate our commerce.” He leaned back and said, “So naturally you understand that I intend to keep the number of people who know about me and my intentions to a minimum. And I am certainly not going to let people who don’t have the stomach for activities you yourselves advocate stay around to inform authorities about my existence or intentions.” He folded his hands again, “Are we clear?”
Bertram crossed his own hands, “Perfectly. Cedric and Chester have filled us in a bit on your resources. Shall we discuss our plan at this point?”
Quanah smiled, “A man of resolve and business. Mr?”
“Bertram Scowling…my friends call me Bertie. We can wait on that moniker, Mr. Quanah.”
“Very well…Mr. Scowling. I will need to know how many people will be involved and your intended targets.”
Cedric and Bertram and Constance began to explain what they were planning, what outcomes and what resources they were bringing. Quanah provided his own suggestions and explanations of what would happen during the transport. Details of the attack were finalized by mid afternoon.
Quanah rose and said, “It is Tuesday. We will attack early Saturday morning. The Dunstable people know where to meet us. “He moved to the door. I will bring pistols for your crews. Rifles for everyone in this room. See that you and your people know how they work. People will be firing at you this time.”

Author’s Note

I had to come up with a place for them to attack.  Wellington Barracks is where the Queen’s guard quarter.  I am also presuming/assuming that the Barracks were a key administrative point in the 1800s. This is a long section and I will post several entries from here as it is an action sequence.

I am progressing along in my story. I have almost 30,000 words at this point. I expect tomorrow will be a big day.  I am hoping to get close to caught up by the end of the day tomorrow.

.

 

A Quiet Fight – Return to London

Fabio Freitas E Silva | Dreamstime.com – Steam punk vintage computer

Return to London

Edward rode with Stephan into London. Stephan loaded most of the contents of his office into the wagon with his help. Stephanie, Jolene and Wynn ahead. They would meet near the University at Abigail’s cafe. The ride was bumpy. Stephan was quiet most of the way. As they approached the outskirts of North London Edward asked, “Why are we going to London?”
Stephan sighed, “If I can’t run off to Prague, London isn’t a bad second choice.” He paused, “Abigail has her own resources. If we combine resources and maybe get some from the University, we might be able to find our visitors.” He clicked at the horses as the traffic slowed, “The attackers were Uycarrans. In my experience, they don’t really work with the Guild. That could be good news because the Guild fleet is still on its way.” The horses and wagon slowed to a near stop in the crush of humanity and horses of London. “It is bad news because they do not want to be found.”

After a couple of hours, They pulled up to the cafe off Oxford. Stephan handed Edward the reigns and hopped off the wagon. The door burst open in a jangle and Stephanie greeted him with a hug. Abigail came out shouting in a good natured tone, “Move that wagon. I’ve got a business to run. Deliveries go in the back.” Edward looked at the reigns in his hand.
Stephanie hopped up on the wagon and hit Edward on the knee, “Useless toffs. I’ll get it round back.”
Edward said in a pained fashion, “We’re not entirely useless.”
Stephanie said, “We all know that, Edward. I expect you’ll be getting more than your share soon. It is just too easy for country folk to pick on city sometimes.” She expertly moved the wagon around to the side of the building. Edward hopped down and opened the gate. Stephan came and directed the unloading of the wagon. Abigail stood at the cafe door and directed the incoming equipment. There were the guns and rifles. But there were also some other instruments that Edward did not understand. He came to the door with a box labeled “Atomic particle sensor”. Abigail looked at it and said, “Dining room”. Stephanie was behind him with a pair of hand guns and Abigail said, “Kitchen”. The inside was as he remembered when he visited, the tables filled a small entry way. There was a case, now empty, for the pastries in the morning. He took his box to the dining room. As he was setting it down, he heard shouting  French, <I cannot work with these …things in my kitchen…they must go.> Abigail shouted back, <I just need them out of the way for a bit. Your dough will still rise.> The French came back <you will make this up to me…>. In a much more friendly tone, <I will scrub your back tonight>.

Stephanie came in saying, “What was that all about? The cook was furious.”
Edward smirked a little, “Negotiations. Abigail will be making up the inconvenience to Alice later.”
Stephanie said, “That sounds like Mum and Da’” She stopped and looked at the kitchen and then the front door, “you mean they’re …”
Edward shrugged, “I think it is a poorly kept secret in the University.” He sniffed deeply, “And with Alice’s croissant’s with some of Abigail’s coffee I am not going to make judgments.”
Stephanie looked around and sat, “Not my concern I suppose. Just don’t understand.”
Edward sat at the table, “No one understands love.”

The weapons were moved to an upstairs closet. Stephan was to move in with Jolene. Stephanie was sharing a room with Athena (to Athena’s great delight). Wynn grabbed Edward’s duffel and headed out the door. “We’re staying at the pub down the street.”
Edward said, “I should carry that.”
Wynn said, “You’ve been on the wagon for days, old chap. You need to stretch.”
Edward said, “But your leg; your injury.”
Wynn shrugged, “It’s a might better now.” He lifted the bag and headed at a brisk pace down the street.
Edward kept pace, “More than a might.”
Wynn said, “A side benefit of nanotechnology -you heal much faster.”

Wynn and Edward returned to the cafe, now formally closed. A dining area was set up in the main cafe area and everyone gathered a meal of casserole and broccoli and a glass of wine and sat at the tables. Stephan reviewed with Abigail what had happened. “They were using beam weapons. High grade ones. And they weren’t expedient with the power.”
Wynn said, “Local thugs were there. Chester and Cedric have been recruiting. They have a little anger club going at O’Douls, beer and rants mostly.”
Stephan said, “Until now.”
Wynn said, “Until now.”
Abigail said, “Maybe the Uycarrans didn’t know you had technology.”
Jolene said, “Well they know now. And they burnt the place like they wanted it gone.”
Abigail walked up and down the room, “Millicent was going to sell that ship drive. What if it got into the wrong hands?”
Stephan said, “I got the impression John Smith was selling them too and he would not be so particular. So some Dark Uycarrans have decided to set up shop. Millicent, and now Smith, claim rights to the planet. They will be livid if they find out their grounds are being poached.”
Abigail stopped, “Just so. Let’s assume they are here without permission…what are they going to take?”
Jolene snapped, “Does that really matter?”
Wynn said, “This time it does. It will help us find them for starters.”
Abigail looked at Jolene, “I am as frustrated as you. But we need to surprise them.” Abigail turned on a device and began adjusting it and then turned to the group, “This device detects when a ship is in the area. I will leave it on. It detects changes in the local gravitation field.”
Wynn, “I was using that. Only worked locally. 500 meters at most.”
Abigail said, “This is tuned for standard fluctuations. I’ve got it out to four kilometers.  We may get nothing if they use their new engines. The screen will show a rough location when the ship appears.”
At that point a small voice said from the corner, “Mummy, what are those three dots on the screen?”
Wynn, Abigail, and Stephan stared at the green open mouth. Edward knelt to the young girl, “That means we’ve found the bad people. Well done for someone who is supposed to be in bed.”
Athena stuck her tongue out and headed to Alice’s arms.

Author’s Note

I’ve missed Abigail and Alice. I am a foody and I love the smell of good baking in the morning.  I will also be working up  a bit of banter with Abigail and Stephan.  My writing is slowing down mostly because of time but also because I’ve hit a lull in the story. One of my writing buddies suggests blowing things up to get things moving again.

 

A Quiet Fight – Regrouping

Fabio Freitas E Silva | Dreamstime.com – Steam punk vintage computer

Regrouping

Tecumsah said, “Get her back to the ships and getting in a healing pod. I’ll head back to O’Douls. I want to see how many of these reliables come back after that cock up.”

Suresh grunted and headed off a side street with Nessa in tow. Tecumsah watched the burning Pig and Cow from a shadowed alley as two pumping trailers pulled up and started dousing the buildings with water. Their target was already steaming as if some fire suppression had acted. The attached market was blazing brightly even though no beams had been fired directly into it. Other humans had organized a line of buckets to throw on other houses where small fires were trying to start. They were remarkably cooperative and acted quickly in a crisis. If he understood the local history and science, they had reached the industrial age very quickly and were on the cusp of scientific inference without much help. He could understand why the senior races in the Guild feared Earth: very little would stay the same if they got out of this swamp. He straightened his broad flat hat and closed his coat to the light mist and headed to O’Douls to watch his potential partners.

At O’Doul’s a small number of the original fifteen returned. The barkeep pulled the sandwich board in and turned the closed sign out and ushered four angry drunks out onto the street. Tecumsah moved up to the alcove next to the bar and heard the shouting.

“Are they bloody well trying to burn the town down?”

“What the hell is going on?”

Finally Chester shouted, “Enough”

Tecumsah moved closer to the door and heard Cedric speak, “Miller and one of his flunkies started firing back. Sorry, we didn’t know that was going to happen.”

There was more shouting and then Chester shouted again, “Enough… did ‘ya think we’re going to take over without a fight? You got back…at least the smart ones did. Where are the others?”

There was a female voice, “Rob and Ronnie said they didn’t sign up to be shot at.”

“They always preferred picking on little guys.” There was laughter. “What about you? Cedric and I have to leave…for obvious reasons. We are heading to London and taking on a new target. We’ll be meeting some of Winifred Stanhope’s circle. Are you in?”

Two voices spoke up and said, “This is getting a bit more than we thought.”

Cedric spoke, “Sorry to hear that Willa, Farrell. I think you should leave.”

Tecumsah quickly ducked into an alley. The two came out and stopped on the landing of the bar. The glow of the fire and the crowd were finally waning. The man said, “Jesus Christ, I was told we were getting weapons. That is insanity. Even if we win, all we’ll have left is rubble.”

The woman spoke, “When we started, it was just to scare the government.” She paused, “That’s just bloody crazy.”

The man said, “I am probably going to stay low for awhile.”

The woman said, “I think I will be visiting my aunt in the north.”

They took a side street away from the main road. Tecumsah followed. At another crossed street they parted ways. Tecumsah followed the man for two houses. At a dark spot between houses and lights, Tecumsah rushed up and tackled the man harshly. As he landed, he held the man’s head and there was a sicking crunch. He looked down the road. The woman was still walking away. As he closed the distance, she turned into a house. As she started to walk up on the porch, he grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth and lifting her off the ground. His hand covered her mouth and nose. His second arm pushed into her belly pushing the air out. She struggled harshly kicking her boots and trying to make muffled screams. Eventually the kicks became weaker and then she slumped. Down the street was an abandoned house with an odd pond. He took her body to the house and dropped it inside. He ran and repeated the process with the man. So far as he could tell, no one had been on this lawn in over a year. The cool weather would hold the stench down and he would be long gone before the bodies were found.

Tecumsah returned to the bar, straightened his coat and hat and walked in. There were 11 left. He looked at Cedric and Chester, “This is your group?”

Cedric replied “The Dunstable brigade. London has more.”

Tecumsah said, “Good. Before we go, you need to deal with Rob and Ronnie. I have already dealt with the other two.”

Cedric’s face went wan, “Dealt with?”

Tecumsah said, “They knew too much just as Rob and Ronnie know too much. The barkeep who so annoyed you has more knowledge and capability than I expected. I want no loose ends here that might…jeopardize our ongoing relationship.”

Cedric stuttered, “What do you want us to do?”

Tecumsah smiled at Chester, “Can you explain it to him?”

Chester took a puff on his now small cigar, “Cedric. Quanah here has killed Willa and Farrell as a precaution.” The human winked at Tecumsah. “I think we are being given our first test. We are to deal with Rob and Ronnie in an equally expeditious fashion.” He waved to the group, “In fact, I’ll take volunteers for this small task. Tecumsah might even provide tools to help.” Emily, <>, <> and <> raised their hands. Cedric sat down as Chester smiled broadly, “That’s the can do spirit.” He looked at Tecumsah and said, “If you have some support for the team, I think the results will be far more satisfying.”

Tecumsah stood and headed to the door, “Meet me outside.” He looked back at the group, “I hope for your sakes this turns out better than our last venture.” He stepped outside and then explained how the hand beam guns worked to the group of four.

Author’s Note

This section and the next are after the fight in front of the Pig and Cow. I am not great at describing deaths or killing people. I read and edited a friend’s first chapter of a mystery. Oh my, such gore in such loving detail. Not my style but I can admire the art.

I will have the aftermath from Stephan and friends tomorrow.