2063
| | May/Jun 2063 |
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*PART 7* "Now!" The referee called, and a dozen white paper balloons sailed into the air, easily visible against the blue sky and green aurora. Brooke tracked her assigned target, fourth from the left in the row, and squeezed her trigger. The Rocket Launcher hissed and sputtered against her chest, and a phalanx of red rockets streaked toward the tumbling targets. Most of the rockets impacted the balloons and blew them out of the air in white flashes, but Brooke's rocket flew under her target and exploded as its time-fuse ran out at the edge of the Firing Range. She cursed under her breath and rotated the launcher's cylinder to bring the next rocket to the trigger mechanism, but her target hit the strands of razor wire overhead and burst, sending shreds of white paper to the soft sand that covered most of the Firing Range. "You're not leading enough," said a voice from behind her. Brooke glanced over her shoulder to see Instructor MacGregor step down from the observers' deck onto the firing platform. She limped to a stop next to Brooke and tapped the hook on her right arm against the rocket launcher's cylinder. "Criddle, you're still shooting like it's a machine gun. Rockets don't go near as fast. When you're leading the target, try doubling the lead." "Yes, ma'am," Brooke said. The instructors at the Training Center were all ganger veterans crippled by injury, and they intimidated Brooke. MacGregor was no exception. "I'll try again, ma'am." "Be sure you do." MacGregor waved her hook under Brooke's nose. "A well-aimed rocket can do a lot of damage, believe me. But unless you hit the target, you might as well be throwing cabbages, farm girl." She limped away to the next trainee in line, and Brooke turned back to the launcher and watched crews in the far end ready the next set of target balloons. Whistles blew on the observation deck, and Brooke turned to see the Training Center staff bustling around a slight figure in the brown uniform of a messenger from the Somerset Militia. A moment later, two of the Training Center staffers rushed over to the flagpole at one end of the Observation Deck and started pulling down the green flag. A red flag took its place, and Brooke straightened. They're closing down the Center for the day. What's going on? Her orders were clear - get back to the Legion compound as quickly as possible. She jogged up to the observation platform and across it to the Firing Range exit, navigating through a crowd of every other ganger on the Range, all competing to get to their gangs. As she was passing the restored pre-Storm tower that housed the Training Center's offices and classrooms, Roger appeared out of the crowd at her elbow. "Any idea what's going on?" Roger shook his head. "No idea. I've heard something about Slavers, but that could be a rumor." Brooke's stomach knotted. All she knew about Slavers came from Father Terrethel, who had alternately damned them as heathen sinners and held them up as God's vengeance upon the sinful and impious. Slavers had not penetrated into the Haven Valley in Brooke's lifetime, but the entire farmhold had gone into alert whenever the Slavers had made one of their periodic raids into the Somerset region. Brooke had hid in the basement bunker while her father's guards and her brothers had patrolled the valley with the militias of all the other farmholds. "I hope that's just a rumor. Let's hurry." ### When they got back to the Legion compound, they found most of the Legion's personnel grouped into the parking yard. Joel Quick was standing on an overturned ammunition crate with his hands in his coat pockets, watching the gangers huddle in the court. When he spotted Roger and Brooke, he held up his hands, and the muttered conversations halted as the gangers gave him their full attention. "An hour ago, the Somerset Militia received a radio message from a Holy Rollers convoy on the road to Gateway. The convoy reported that it was under attack by a large force of Slavers." Brooke felt as if she'd been punched in the stomach. She felt mortally certain that she knew which convoy had been attacked. She'd seen it form up and roll out the gate at dawn. Six Lorries full of food and over a dozen cannon-armed Buzzer escorts... She could not imagine the force needed to defeat a convoy that size. "The Somerset militia is forming up to defend the town. It's quite likely that we'll be part of whatever posse gets organized to hunt down the Slaver band and destroy them before they get back to whatever hellhole they crawled out of. So all of you, stick around. Things are going to get interesting." "Where's Orth?" asked 'Devil' Deweese from the front row. Joel pointed to the west. "She's over at Dexter's, signing us up for whatever comes next." It was at that moment that Brooke realized that Mellie wasn't in the crowd either. ### Chasity Orth strode across the cavernous hall of Dexter's Tavern, navigating the forest of tables and chairs toward the huddle of gangers on the tiled dance floor, at the foot of a knee-high stage reserved for musicians. Mellie Sines walked silently in her wake. She stepped up next to a man wearing Raging Scavengers insignia. "What's going on?" "Dunno. Gray Riders are organizing this thing." He leaned back and crossed his arms as two figures in long gray coats clambered onto the stage. One was a man with ugly shrapnel-scars crisscrossing his shaved scalp, and gold bands on the cuffs of his coat. As he turned to face the crowd, Orth saw the golden "G" insignia on his chest, and she recognized him as Colonel Robert Williams, leader of the Gray Riders bounty hunter gang. The woman took a space behind him, her black hair cut into short, thick spines like the hackle-bristles of a rad-wolf, with blue plastic beads on many of the spines. Her coat was much plainer than her commander's, with the cuffs and insignia done in black-painted steel, and the distinctive rippled pattern of an old burn-scar marred one cheek, from her snub nose to the line of her jaw. The Gray Rider woman looked in their direction, and Orth felt Mellie stiffen beside her. She forced a smile off her face before turning to her scout. "Do you know that woman with Williams?" she whispered to Mellie. Mellie relaxed and shook her head hurriedly, and Orth had to fight not to grin. The prank had seemed like an amusing diversion when Joel Quick had told her about it, but she could feel the joke coming to its end. She made a mental note to break the truth to Mellie after the fight with the Slavers. Assuming, of course, that they all survived, which was by no means certain. Orth snapped her attention back to business as Williams began speaking. "Seventy-six minutes ago, Cross Convoy Zero-Four reported an attack from a Slaver warband numbering over thirty vehicles. Twenty-two minutes later, the convoy went off the air. Eighteen minutes ago, the radio station at Haven Market reported an attack from a Slaver force of unknown size, and immediately went off the air. Both contacts reported insignia of Wave of Mutilation, so we think these are both the same group. They're our target. We're going to roll out within the hour, and we're going to cut them off before they get to Gateway Truckstop." Mellie stiffened again, and Orth raised a hand. "Commander Orth, Fifth Legion. If they've hit a convoy on the Gateway road, and then Haven Market, they aren't heading to Gateway. I think they're heading along the foothills to Morgan to fence their loot, then down to Firelight. The Ironmongers have a new route into the North from Morgan that bypasses Gateway, and they may have sold that route to the Slavers." "I don't have time for - " Williams started, but was stopped by his aide whispering in his ear. A ganger on the other side of the crowd pointed at Orth. "How do you know this, Fifth Legion?" Orth glanced up at the stage, where Williams and his aide were still engaged in a low-voiced discussion. "I've been intercepting a series of Ironmonger convoys just south of the Haven Valley, and they're usually coming north from the foothills. We haven't yet found the specific route they're using, but Slavers use Ironmonger routes all the time." The heckler started to say something else, but Williams turned away from his aide and back to Orth. "Commander Orth, can your scouts guide us to the region where you found these convoys?" She nodded. "I can do it. What's your plan for killing the horde?" Williams turned to the rest of the gathered gangers. "We need as many heavy firepower platforms as possible. The Gray Riders are contributing three Apaches and the Fire Truck Iron Fist. All the rest of you, muster at the southern gate under the flag of Task Group One." That sent a hubbub of muttered discussion through the crowd. Fire Trucks were the largest combat vehicles in Evan. Only a few had been scavenged from the ruins of cities destroyed by the Event, and they could carry firepower that could destroy armies of lesser vehicles. Iron Fist had racked up a famous kill-tally among the pirates of the Northern Desert. Other gang leaders stepped forward to contribute more SUVs. Gang leaders who could not afford SUVs contributed whatever of their vehicles had the most firepower. Orth, trying to imagine the mindset of whatever Slaver warlord had put the horde together, frowned in thought. They've had two good successes, and probably loaded down with food and slaves, both precious commodities down in Firelight. If this warlord is smart at all, he or she will be running as fast as possible. When a leader of the Ghosts finished describing the merits of his bid, Orth raised her hand. "The Fifth Legion contributes six fine muscle cars, the better to chase down the enemy: two Vampires, two Phoenixes, and two Voyagers." The contribution brought sniggers around the half-circle of spectators. "What do you plan to do with that, Orth? Planning for the retreat already?" asked a portly officer of the Children of the Apocalypse. Orth scowled, though she was grinning inside. "You impugn my honor, sir. My men and women will fight just as brave and fierce as yours, but our tactics are different." She stepped into the center of the half-circle and took up a stiff posture with her hands clasped behind her back. "Colonel Williams, my gang's bravery and honor have been insulted. I request the honor of leading a fast reconnaissance element, in order to pinpoint the enemy and slow them down enough for the heavier forces to deliver the killing blow." Williams scowled, but several of the gang leaders, shamed by the slur on the Fifth Legion, nodded enthusiastically. Orth allowed herself a small smile. Little boys. Their toys and their precious reputations are all that matter. So easy to get what I want. "Go ahead, Commander Orth. Muster your force at the South Gate, under the name of Task Force One - Recon." "For honor, Colonel." Orth saluted Williams, then turned and headed for the door with Sines at her side. As she emerged into the harsh Somerset sunlight, she allowed herself to grin.  Joyce Shepherd of Justifiable died at Highway to Hell. Margie `Big Red Dog` Clifford of Justifiable died at Highway to Hell. Rosemary Hodgkins of TotalCarnage died at Lost Trail: Dead River. Margaret Thurman of TotalCarnage died at Lost Trail: Dead River. Kim `Kitten` Kittle of Dementia died at Road to Elmsfield. Chris `Half step` Carson of Caesars Ghosts died at Interstate Mythos. Edwin Marshall of Blood and Iron died at Road to Somerset. Raymond `Mad Mech` McCallister of Blood and Iron died at Road to Somerset. Melissa Harder of Blood and Iron died at Road to Somerset. Jerry `The Mekanoid` Venters of Maxxed Out died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop. Chris `Baal` Ivory of WarGasM died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop. William Ready of Golden Warriors died at Gates of Somerset. William `Blood` Harvey of Caesars Ghosts died at Lonesome Highway. Page Meyers of Caesars Ghosts died at Lonesome Highway. Judith Joachim of Golden Warriors died at Never Plains: Sand Storm. Roger Kirby of Road Rifters died at Highway to Hell. `Jumpin` Joseph Harris of Blood and Iron died at Once Upon a Town. Eric Taylor of Bandicoots died at Scattered Grounds. Marvin Norris of Bandicoots died at Scattered Grounds. Tanya Baade of TotalCarnage died at Lost Trail: Overland. Gregory Delaney of TotalCarnage died at Lost Trail: Overland. Sonya Flores of v.i.n.d.i.c.a.to.r.s. died at Lost Oasis. Nathaniel `Alan` Jackson of SwordStroke Enterprises died at Northern Desert Circuit. John Sears of Caesars Ghosts died at Gates of Somerset. `Fishlips` James Powell of Maxxed Out died at Once Upon a Town. Gloria Thomas of Caesars Ghosts died at Lonesome Highway. Ronald `Mousetrap` Ketcham of Blood and Iron died at Northern Farm Land. Deborah Barr of MADHAT died at Northern Farm Land. Jack O`Neill of KRU died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop. Greg `Parker` Parker of WarGasM died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop. Love `Long Time` Whiteman of finger3 died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop. Grace Hackney of Science Ninja Team died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop. Nathanial `Nate-O` Vaughn of Loose Cannons died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop. `Walkabout` Willie Palmer of Caesars Ghosts died at Gates of Somerset. Shawn Rhames of Bandicoots died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop. Clarence Burrows of Justifiable died at Once Upon a Town. Colleen Gomez of TotalCarnage died at Gates of Somerset. Gidget Goodyear of Ragnaks Reavers died at Forever Yellow Skies. Hank Hammer of Ragnaks Reavers died at Forever Yellow Skies. Michele McCarter of The Autumn Wind died at Lost Oasis. Melvin Rice of The Autumn Wind died at Road to Somerset. Richard Huff of Caesars Ghosts died at Acid Land. Linda Swiderski of THERAPISTS died at Gates of Firelight. Val Cox of Hellions died at Gates of Firelight. Ronnie `Buck` Rogers of Justifiable died at Gates of Somerset. Myron Gray of The Ghosts died at Lost Oasis. Ivan Richter of The Ghosts died at Lost Oasis. Robert Meachum of SwordStroke Enterprises died at Double Down Arena. Harold `The Terrible` Hawkins of The Mighty People Of Armadillo died at Highway to Hell. William Smith of The Mighty People Of Armadillo died at Highway to Hell. Marty Snyder of Caesars Ghosts died at Under a Bloody Red Sky. Gregory Thomas of Road Rifters died at Pathway to Darkness. Homer `Simpson` Bradford of SwordStroke Enterprises died at Northern Farm Land. Mary Amador of TotalCarnage died at Lost Trail: Broken Ground. Mary Tucker of TotalCarnage died at Lost Trail: Broken Ground. Jason `From Above` Fox of Coolerheads died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop. Denise `ShotAbitch` Toner of The Suits died at Never Plains: Sand Storm. `Murderin` Matthew Massey of The Suits died at Never Plains: Sand Storm. `Legend of` Zelda Link of finger3 died at Once Upon a Town. Benjamin `Sharktooth` Lambert of Collision Force died at Outback of Nowhere. Michael `Green` Bennett of Collision Force died at Outback of Nowhere. Patricia `Jugs` Roberson of Collision Force died at Outback of Nowhere. Michael `Gavinator` Gavin of Collision Force died at Outback of Nowhere. Richard Zick of TotalCarnage died at Acid Land. Philip Fishback of Golden Warriors died at The Pit. Theodore Cleaver of SwordStroke Enterprises died at Forever Yellow Skies. Christina Harris of Road Rifters died at Once Upon a Town. Stella Ferreira of Blue Giants died at Northern Foothills Racetrack (at night). Jason Martin of Rabid died at Gates of Somerset. Dawn Celestine of The Ghosts died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop. Drew Young of Cavefish died at Acid Land. Noel Vanleer of Cavefish died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop. `The Scout` Sam Martin of Dolce Gabbana died at Gates of Morgan. Ben Christmas of The Peacekeepers died at Gates of Somerset. Kyoko `Thi` Ling of finger3 died at Gates of Somerset. Patricia Rude of Bad Baby Bunnies died at Sandy. Jordan Finch of Blood and Iron died at Northern Farm Land. Harold Steele of Bandicoots died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. Kenneth Duren of Golden Warriors died at Under a Bloody Red Sky. Sherri Gagnon of Golden Warriors died at Under a Bloody Red Sky. Richard `Death Angel` Sharp of Joels Bastards died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. Janet Lamb of KRU died at Gates of Somerset. Kittie Daniels of Steel Panther died at Somerset Rally Circuit. Jack Wright of Caesars Ghosts died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. Lady Macey of Cavefish died at Scattered Grounds. Ben Austin of Golden Warriors died at Salt Flats Canyon. Robert `Alley-oop` Throop of sunset samurai died at Road to Somerset. Nicholas `The Iceberg` Weisberg of sunset samurai died at Road to Somerset. Jennifer Wetzel of sunset samurai died at Road to Somerset. Miguel `Texas Cyclone` Davis of sunset samurai died at Road to Somerset. Terry Donovan of sunset samurai died at Road to Somerset. Gary Dunn of Road Rifters died at Once Upon a Town. Rebecca `REM EM!!!` Rachal of WarGasM died at Once Upon a Town. Jaqueline `Pris` Anthony of WarGasM died at Once Upon a Town. Sharon Escalante of Garage Boyz died at Lonesome Highway. William Torres of Brassicas died at Northern Foothills Racetrack (at night). Dan Wakeman of Neo-Paradigm died at Somerset Arena. Issac Martinez of Neo-Paradigm died at Somerset Arena. Nancy `One Eye` Dawson of The Autumn Wind died at Gates of Somerset. Jason Clifford of Dementia died at Somerset Arena. Carolyn `Bad Attitude` Benitez of Caesars Ghosts died at Gates of Somerset. Marilyn `Voracious` Vanhorn of Caesars Ghosts died at Gates of Somerset. Debra Mounce of SwordStroke Enterprises died at Southern Plateau. `The Kid` Dalton Oxley of Loose Cannons died at Interstate Mythos. Alvaro `Que Sera` Sera of Loose Cannons died at Interstate Mythos. `Rusty` Richard Seabolt of Blood and Iron died at Northern Farm Land. Joan Tucker of PA Racers died at Elmsfield Lake Track. Vincent `Bogey` Bogart of Loose Cannons died at Elmsfield Lake Track. Robert Morrison of Meles died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. David Webster of Meles died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. Andrew `ESPANA` Espinal of 69th Battalion died at Gates of Somerset. Rhonda Jacobson of Rabid died at Lost Oasis. Kelly `Half Rack` Goodrich of Rabid died at Lost Oasis. Lamar Slusher of Iron Guard Elite died at Gates of Elmsfield. Denise Grisham of The Pikers died at Telegraph Road. Gregory Diamond of The Pikers died at Telegraph Road. Paul `Junior` Tuttle of Joels Bastards died at Ring of Death Arena. Chester Chatham of The Pikers died at Gates of Somerset. Pearl Sevilla of The Pikers died at Gates of Somerset. William `and his` Walker of The Dionysian Dozen -CHQ- died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 3. `Freaky` Frank Schmit of 69th Battalion died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. Amy Lewis of Loose Cannons died at The Dunes Race Course. `Crazy` Luis Corso of 69th Battalion died at Road to Somerset. Ike Turner of Bandicoots died at Road to Somerset. |
 As the year progresses, here are the leaders of the major leagues: Evan Race Ladder - -^-HellRazors-^- In addition, the leaders of the minor leagues are: Circuit of Evan Wilderness Rally I League - -^-HellRazors-^- The relationship between the Badlands Truckstop and Merchants faction has cooled, due to what is perceived as `extortionate` gates fees charged to convoys passing through the truckstop. The most well-known vehicles currently active in Evan are listed below. Have you seen these vehicles out on da streets? 1. Counter Point owned by Hitmen Trucking Inc -CTS-. |