Brandon `Bimble` Trimble runs into Rezeak`s Racers HQ. He`s crying, screaming, the four members of RR who had just limped in from the pits were in a state of complete panic, a panic so deep it infected everyone within RRs Texan headquarters.

`Get a medic over here, quickly! I SAID QUICKLY GOD DAMNIT!` Brandon yelled as he lay the heavily bleeding gang leader down on the floor.

`We`re even` Steven Choi, recently promoted leader and best gang member Rezeak` Racers had ever seen, was gushing blood from a bullet wound to the side of the head. Brandon knew he was already dead, The bullet had caved in Steven`s skull and crushed his brain, and yet was deliriously trying to get the bleeding to stop using an old towel and the last of the gangs bandages. Minutes later, `we`re even` Steven Choi, best gunner, large gunner, mech and leader that RR had ever seen, was declared dead.

This is how it happened.

---------------------------------------------------

A new platoon of large gunners had arrived at Texan, fresh from Sarsfield. They were old war veterans, one of them an ex leader of RR, all of them could take apart a TG and reassemble it within an hour... they knew their way round a big gun. They were Brandon, Trott, and James, formerly known as Sars 1. Steven wanted to see how they`d fare in Tex.

`It`s a lot different here in Tex, lads.` Steven explained to them over a pint of ale. `Now I know youse lot are used to stting in buzzers and blasting them there pirates with CCs, but here we use Trash trucks. Now these baby`s are huge` Steven points out the window towards the four Trash Trucks in the garage. `They fit a lot of fire power, and a lot of ammo.`

`So I`m not seeing how this is so diff--`

`Shut up and listen! These baby`s are huge, they hold huge amounts of fire power, huge amounts of armour. But here`s the catch, they stand out larger than fox on a chicken farm. You`ll have hordes of enemies beating down on you, and you gotta learn to deal with the stress, got it?`

`Got it, sir!` The three chant in unison.

`Now listen, we`re goin` on a scout right now, us four, my most trusted driver Debbie, and Lottie, A gunner in training. We`re taking Tyranasaur, she`s outfitted with Car Cannon`s on all sides, `cept the front, which has my gun, my centrepiece. The Tank Gun. Let`s go!`

So they set out, ten miles towards Shanty was what they told the quasi scout-gunner.

`AMBUUUUUUUSH!` Steven yelled as he saw the three SUVs coming over the hill. Debbie checked her rear view mirrors; there were at least another seven cars behind, including A Texan strongarm and a Mutant Merc.

`What do you want me to do boss?` Debbie asked, slightly overwhelmed by the task which lay ahead of them. `These are thin roads; tar either side, not much room to manoeuvre`


Image Taken By *Rezeak*

`Nothing else for it, we gotta punch through. Brandon, take this front CC! The rest of you, right and rear!`

And so it began, Steven and Brandon were doing what they could to clear the path ahead, but as they were blasting the landrunner, it stopped abruptly right in the Trash Truck`s path. Debbie couldn`t react in time, so the truck hit the landrunner at over 60mph, the collision forced the truck to ricochet wildly to the left, Debbie made a hard had brake turn to the right, it was all she could do stop the truck from falling into the tar pit.


Image Taken By *Rezeak*

The manoeuvre had forced them to lose valuable speed, and all the while the truck was put under heavy fire from the three SUVs. The right side armour of Tyranasaur was running dangerously thin.

As they pulled away from the tar pit which they had come dangerously close to falling into, a Black rock pulled up beside the truck and began to trade paint. The black rock was firing a left mounted machine gun. This wouldn`t usually bother the crew of Tyranasaur, but the Black Rock was only about 5 turns from breaching the weak side of the truck.
`What do we do boss? Do we shoot?` asked a rattled James.
`No! Hold! The splash will breach us if you fire!` yelled Steven. Debbie, bank left! You gotta get this guy off us!
But boss, there`s a tar pit th
Its shallow; we can make it, just go!


Image Taken By *Rezeak*

So they drove left, into the shallow oil pit, it was too late though, one of the other vehicles had caught up and breached their right side with a car rifle. Brandon was hit in the chest with some shrapnel; no serious damage was done though.
Knrl! Sir, they`ve taken out our right mounted CCs! screamed Lottie, clearly started to panic.
Both of them?! Replied Steven.
Yes sir, both of them! Now what in the name of the solar flare are we supposed to do?
The only thing we can do. Debbie, turn this thing around, if I`m dying, I`m taking some of these mother buzzing knurlers with me.
But sir, were breached, they have guns on our breached side, maybe if we surrender they`ll take pity and just be happy to take out truck Cried a very anxious James.
We will do no such thing while I`m still breathing! Yelled Steven.


Image Taken By *Rezeak*

So Debbie turned the truck around, and for a few minutes everything seemed like it might be okay. Steven and Brandon were blowing anything up that came within 100m of the truck, there was bloody, gutsy glory. But then they began to be overrun, with 2 of their CCs taken out, the crew couldn`t handle being attacked on multiple sides from 5 different vehicles. Debbie was trying desperately to keep the right side safe when a shot from a car rifle passed through.

Lottie was struck dead on the spot.

We have a woman down! I repeat, a woman down! Screamed James, who was now completely demoralized. Sir, we need to give this one up, now!
We will do no such thing, Another car rifle shot passed through the breached right side of the truck, it struck Steven in the head, crushed his skull.


Image Taken By *Rezeak*

STEVEN! Guys, were letting this one go, wave the white flag! We gotta get Steven to a hospital, NOW!

So they gave up, the pirates took mercy and let what was left of the group walk free. Lottie was abandoned in the wastes, no doubt eaten by mutants by now, but she wasn`t important. No, nothing was important as the shadow of Stevens death crushed the hearts and minds of all in Rezeaks Racers. The gang was left completely demoralized, not only in Texan but throughout the whole of Evan, every single member mourned the loss of Steven.

-----------------------

Were even Steven Choi. You will be remembered.

Waldo Cortez of Special Circumstances died at Gates of Somerset.

Emilio Ball of Studly Men died at Elmsfield Hills Rally Circuit.

Linda Harris of rebelfishes died at Gates of Somerset.

Keven Howell of Mirrored Pain died at Lonesome Highway.

Jorge `Sparks` Parker of Marloks died at Blown With the Wind.

Donald Vila of black widow died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 3.

`The` John Marcus of Harlequins Fortune died at Gates of Elmsfield.

Grant Johnson of an0maly died at Gates of Elmsfield.

Edwin `Ranger` Henley of Tartarus Vanguard died at Road to Somerset.

Della `Toilet-Face` Tollett of Road Lords died at Northern Farm Land.

Jeffrey Gill of CryptKeepers died at Lost Oasis.

Dane Setser of Bellingham Branch Davidians died at Road to Somerset.

Robert `Muscles` Maglione of an0maly died at Northern Farm Land.

Robert `Running Man` Clarke of an0maly died at Somerset Dirt Racing Track.

Jeffrey Dillion of an0maly died at Gates of Somerset.

Michael Bresnahan of Triumph died at Scattered Grounds.

Mary Sullivan of Triumph died at Scattered Grounds.

Bessie Kuntz of Triumph died at Scattered Grounds.

Amy Jones of MADHAT died at Road to Somerset.

Harriet Stanley of MADHAT died at Road to Somerset.

Patricia Simmons of MADHAT died at Road to Somerset.

Richard Blosser of MADHAT died at Road to Somerset.

Stewart Martinez of Nightmares Revenge died at Northern Desert Circuit.

Eva Malave of MADHAT died at Road to Somerset.

`Mysterious` Bok Bova of Racingspiders died at Pathway to Darkness.

Delores Harley of Midville MONDOs died at Northern Farm Land.

Tony Benford of shadowguard died at Gates of Somerset.

Linda Toller of Devilz Rejectz died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 1.

Rachel Fairbanks of Infinite Improbabilities died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 1.

Oscar Munroe of Infinite Improbabilities died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 1.

Sophia Benton of Devilz Rejectz died at Highway to Hell.

Martin `Lippy` Edwards of Rezeaks Racers died at Somerset Arena.

Lyle Rousseau of MADHAT died at Road to Somerset.

Marsha `Gates` Davis of rebelfishes died at Northern Farm Land.

Dora Hoff of thebills died at Gates of Somerset.

Tiffany `True` Davis of Crazy Canucks died at Blown With the Wind.

Betty `Boop` Sandberg of Skulls And Bones died at Somerset Rally Circuit.

William `Dr. Feelgood` Teeter of The Flying Hellfish died at Northern Speedway.

Josefina Saucier of Crazy Canucks died at Gates of Firelight.

Raphael Bull of Crazy Canucks died at Gates of Firelight.

Benjamin `Necromancer` Stubblefield of Schadenfreude died at Gates of Somerset.

Rex Haley of Triumph died at The Pits.

David Mitchell of Sons of Asgard died at Road to Elmsfield.

Nicole `Fake E.S.P.` Guerrero of Drive Backwards BFFs died at Road to Elmsfield.

Robert Allen of entropy police died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 2.

Willow Prue of Tangos Terrors died at Double Down Arena.

Darwin Charles of Tangos Terrors died at Somerset Arena.

Bob Bliss of Triumph died at Northern Farm Land.

Edgar Thomas of French Foreign Legion died at Gates of Elmsfield.

Edward `the Bloody` Butcher of Wasters died at The Pit.

Elisa `Curves` Graybill of Weak Head Normal Forms died at Road to Somerset.

Kenneth `Mallet` Sherwood of Route 666 died at Road to Somerset.

Frank Driscoll of Triumph died at Gates of Elmsfield.

Robert Davis of Triumph died at Gates of Elmsfield.

Dot Burris of Road Lords died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 3.

Robert `GILLS` Gillis of Mirrored Pain died at The Pits.

`Sir` Craig Thompson of Lattes Raiders died at Lonesome Highway.

Elsa `Sureshot` Swank of Canis Lupus died at Spooky Forest.

Joanne `sex bomb` Tomlin of thebills died at Highway to Hell.

Sam Xavier of thebills died at Highway to Hell.

`Got Back` Justin Black of Crazy Canucks died at Burning Skies.

Sandra Green of Crazy Canucks died at Burning Skies.

Sandra `In-` Clement of Whiskey Runners died at Northern Farm Land.

Sheri `Koochie` Kinch of Whiskey Runners died at Northern Farm Land.

Jestine Cameron of Salvage Inc. died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 3.

Mabel Thomas of Wasters died at Road to Somerset.

Marie Miller of Garage Boyz died at Pathway to Darkness.

John Chavez of Garage Boyz died at Gates of Somerset.

Scott Gonzalez of BD And Sons died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop.

Cleveland McCord of Devilz Rejectz died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 2.

Edward Gonzales of Zeerius died at Somerset Dirt Racing Track.

Arnold Cooper of Tartarus Vanguard died at Blown With the Wind.

Paul Tyler of shadowguard died at Gates of Somerset.

`Dull` Jesse Sharpless of headXplode died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop.

Dean `Wormer` Jimenez of Whiskey Runners died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop.

Ernie `Double E` Earnhardt of Skulls And Bones died at Northern Desert Circuit.

Jacqueline Torres of Wasters died at Gates of Somerset.

Robin Knapp of entropy police died at Somerset Dirt Racing Track.

Heather Hewitt of Triumph died at Pathway to Darkness.

Joseph `Da Snipah` Fitzsimmons of The Cosmic Kids died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop.

Gene Johnson of MADHAT died at Road to Somerset.

Dave `Stumpy` Kaufmann of Route 666 died at Gates of Somerset.

`Boring` James Jones of Rezeaks Racers died at The Pits.

Todd `Botswana` Parker of Rezeaks Racers died at The Pits.

Joseph `Stooge` Anthony of Rezeaks Racers died at The Pits.

`Don`t molest` Celeste William of Rezeaks Racers died at The Pits.

Wynona Paris of Studly Men died at Double Down Arena.

Amber Fisher of Postapocalypse Paladins died at Double Down Arena.

Luvenia Scarlett of The Vermin died at Road to Elmsfield.

Gerald Aguilar of Red Wrench died at Northern Desert Circuit.

Kerry Nelson of Triumph died at Pathway to Darkness.

Donna Falbo of French Foreign Legion died at Gates of Elmsfield.

Daniel Labarre of Riotous Assembly died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop.

Dennis `Clint` Miller of Canis Lupus died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop.

Carl Ramsey of Omnia vincit armor died at Northern Farm Land.

Hector Stubbs of rebelfishes died at Northern Farm Land.

Jose Bostick of rebelfishes died at Northern Farm Land.

Stephen Houser of CryptKeepers died at Lost Oasis.

`Captain` Kirk Pena of CryptKeepers died at Lost Oasis.

Diego Renteria of PA Racers died at Southern Plateau.

Tony Palmer of Firelight Womenhunters died at Gateway Dry Lake Track.

Ralph Brookshire of PA Racers died at Acid Land.

Donald `Duck` Franklin of Postapocalypse Paladins died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 3.

Richard Lam of Whitecross died at Sandy.

Edward Ho of The Bloody Beekeepers died at Double Down Arena.

`Judge` Duane Vanhorne of Arbiters died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 2.

George Duong of PA Racers died at The Maze.

Barbara Harris of The Privateers died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 1.

Gerald `Pony Boy` Lacy of Produce_Vendors died at Northern Farm Land.

`One Sock` Juan Duke of Produce_Vendors died at Northern Farm Land.

Larry Alexander of The Interceptors died at Double Down Arena.

Paul Berry of Tartarus Vanguard died at Sandy.

Willie `The Knob` Hobson of Tartarus Vanguard died at Sandy.

Fred `The Ped` Lutz of Tartarus Vanguard died at Road to Somerset.

Eric Nielson of Garage Boyz died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop.

Nicky Freeland of Garage Boyz died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop.

Matthew Heitzman of Garage Boyz died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop.

Nancy Martin of Garage Boyz died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop.

Lanny Watson of Seekers died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop.

`Laughin` Arnold Horton of Tartarus Vanguard died at Road to Somerset.

`Ditches` Thomas Mitchell of Crazy Canucks died at Gates of Somerset.

Ralph Porter of Psygang died at Interstate Mythos.

`Marshal` Eric Shin of Luna Sea died at Highway to Hell.

Maria `Perfumed` Yardley of Riotous Assembly died at Forever Yellow Skies.

Tiffany Fager of Produce_Vendors died at Burning Skies.

`Long Gunner` Francis Brewer of Comanche died at Gates of Somerset.

Scott Tosh of Tangos Terrors died at Road to Somerset.

Patricia Holmes of the mad mad crushers died at Highway to Hell.

Robert `Super` Grover of French Foreign Legion died at Northern Desert Circuit.

Jack `Mac` Burger of Tartarus Vanguard died at Road to Somerset.

Alicia Franson of Tartarus Vanguard died at Road to Somerset.

John `In The Bag` Baggett of headXplode died at Somerset Rally Circuit.

Timothy Lytle of MADHAT died at Double Down Arena.

Herman Richards of Anarchist Relief Front died at Northern Farm Land.

`Gat Attax` Christine Kimes of Anarchist Relief Front died at Northern Farm Land.

Amy Lawrence of Postapocalypse Paladins died at Road to Somerset.

William Miller of the mad mad crushers died at Road to Elmsfield.

Jeff Davis of The Pikers died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 2.

George Bush of rebelfishes died at Gates of Somerset.

Danielle McCaffrey of Knights of the Round Tire died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop.

`Camp Fixer` Jay Nunley of Rezeaks Racers died at The Maze.

Ian `Shrapnel` Brown of headXplode died at Northern Farm Land.

Valerie Poe of The Agency died at The Pit.

Hunter Thompson of BD And Sons died at Lost Trail: Dead River.

Thomas Drennon of the mad mad crushers died at The Pit.

Ron Williams of Bellingham Branch Davidians died at The Pits.

Cecil Barbour of Bellingham Branch Davidians died at Gates of Texan.

Thomas Stone of The Agency died at Double Down Arena.

Howard Helms of Triumph died at Once Upon a Town.

John Johnson of Eatm up died at Northern Foothills Racetrack (at night).

Robert Coria of The Black Legion died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 3.

Joseph `Idiot` Choi of Tartarus Vanguard died at Gates of Somerset.

Paul `Tyrannosaurus` Rex of Bellingham Branch Davidians died at The Pits.

Zackary Luther of the mad mad crushers died at Gates of Somerset.

Steve Russo of Wasters died at Gates of Somerset.

`Peppy` Clara Perez of Rezeaks Racers died at Acid Land.

`Spooky` Susan Alvarez of Canis Lupus died at Scattered Grounds.

Lucas Davis of MADHAT died at Road to Somerset.

Ray `Ray` Castro of PA Racers died at Salt Flats Canyon.

Franklin `Punch and` Judy of Special Circumstances died at Telegraph Road.

Mark McCullum of BD And Sons died at Gates of Firelight.

Melvin Diggs of The Fatalistics died at The Pits.

Casey Bayer of Woblly1 died at Northern Speedway.

Derek `take a` Nappi of v.i.n.d.i.c.a.to.r.s. died at Devils Fingers.

David Deberry of Triumph died at Forever Yellow Skies.

Mary Hicks of Riotous Assembly died at Salt Flats Canyon.

Larry Mason of Hard Ass Racing died at Once Upon a Town.

Harold `Bender` Bentley of Crazy Canucks died at Under a Bloody Red Sky.

`Gat Attax` Stephanie Nelson of Anarchist Relief Front died at Once Upon a Town.

Charles Williams of Woblly1 died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 3.

`Golden` Gloria Gildersleeve of The Vanguards died at Acid Land.

`Judge` William Schlichting of Arbiters died at Devils Fingers.

Claudia `Ironsights` Smith of The Vermin died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 3.

Arnoldo Barnes of The Pikers died at Northern Desert Circuit.

Ernest `Grill `em` Gill of The Flying Hellfish died at Road to Somerset.

John `Bender` Mitchell of The Deathrace Pirates died at Maure Dore.

`GermanShepard` Germaine Shepherd of Drive It Like You Stole It died at Once Upon a Town.

David `Sights` Lane of Marloks died at Sandy.

Steve `Wrench` Morgan of Demolition Crew died at Blown With the Wind.

James Miller of S.S.S. died at Acid Land.

Marcus Albert of S.S.S. died at Acid Land.

Jennifer Sizer of Sons of Asgard died at Gates of Somerset.

Eric `Crosshair` Lloyd of Devilz Rejectz died at Gates of Somerset.

John Lawson of Saints of Somerset died at Somerset Arena.

Tish Gannaway of Saints of Somerset died at Road to Somerset.

Antonio Carvajal of Pooks Prangksters died at Road to Elmsfield.

Rudy Corbett of the mad mad crushers died at Sandy.

John King of the mad mad crushers died at Sandy.

Angie Walker of CryptKeepers died at Lost Oasis.

Otto Williams of PA Desk Jockeys died at Double Down Arena.

James `Sandman` Sanders of CryptKeepers died at Gates of Somerset.

Erica Longnecker of thebills died at Scattered Grounds.

Albert Leiva of Tartarus Vanguard died at Pathway to Darkness.

Aileen Worley of 5ive Crew died at Gates of Somerset.

Joseph `Quicksilver` Guerra of PA Racers died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 3.

`Sneaky` Patricia Jackson of Marloks died at Road to Somerset.

Fred `Loves` Bass of Produce_Vendors died at Lost Trail: Broken Ground.

Patricia McCluskey of Demolition Crew died at Road to Somerset.

Mary Curran of The Vermin died at The Pit.

John `Fishbone` Castaneda of The Flying Hellfish died at Scattered Grounds.

Vivian Walker of The Flying Hellfish died at Scattered Grounds.

Jim Nguyen of Big Liver died at Gates of Elmsfield.

Leonard `Bones` McCoy of Street Pizza died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop.

Yvonne `Uzi` Shuler of Street Pizza died at Acid Land.

Tricia `Oh Oh` Ochoa of Bellingham Branch Davidians died at Gates of Texan.

Anita Roberts of shadowguard died at Northern Farm Land.

Jack Weber of Drive It Like You Stole It died at Northern Farm Land.

Myrna Wooster of Drive It Like You Stole It died at Northern Farm Land.

`Sir` Oliver Griffin of CryptKeepers died at The Maze.

Kami Miller of an0maly died at Northern Farm Land.

`Voodoo` Anthony Mejia of Fifth Legion died at Northern Farm Land.

`Bragg` James Nieves of Fifth Legion died at Northern Farm Land.

`Willie` William Silva of Fifth Legion died at Northern Farm Land.

Derrick `Huey` Lewis of Rebels died at Smokey Hills.

1. The Dionysian Dozen (Somerset): $787.
2. Tartarus Vanguard (Elmsfield): $576.
3. Firelight Womenhunters (Somerset): $516.
4. Special Circumstances (Shantyville): $224.
5. Lattes Raiders (Badlands Truckstop): $153.
6. Mambas Maniacs (Elmsfield): $146.
7. Firelight Womenhunters (Sarsfield): $106.
8. Firelight Womenhunters (Gateway Truckstop): $101.
9. v.i.n.d.i.c.a.to.r.s. (Somerset): $90.
10. Firelight Womenhunters (Elmsfield): $83.

Due to a diplomatic incident following allegations of the hoarding of essential medicines for personal profit, relations have soured between the Civs and the Merchants.

The current leaders of Evan`s major leagues are as follows:

Evan Race Ladder - Highway Hellriders
Evan Deathrace Ladder - Lattes Raiders
Evan Arena Combat Ladder - an0maly
Evan Paintball Combat Ladder - Tartarus Vanguard

In addition, the leaders of the minor leagues are:

Northern Semi-Pro Combat League - Tangos Terrors
Somerset Winter Warmup League - PA Racers
Somerset Pedestrian Combat 1 League - Joels Bastards
Northern Paintball League - Joels Bastards
Somerset Race League - -^-HellRazors-^-

Angela Dike took a deep breath and pushed open the door to Dexters.

Image by Grograt
After the glare of the noonday sun, the bar was gloomy and dark. Shards of glass crunched under her feet.

Beg your pardon, she said as she barked her shin on something hard.

She heard a throaty chuckle. Stand still for a moment, love. Your eyes will adjust soon enough.

She did as she was told. After a couple of blinks, her pupils dilated and the ruins of the bar emerged. She stood by an upended table. One of its legs was missing, probably snapped off and used as a club last night. There were broken chairs, damaged tables, even an eight inch combat knife sticking up from the wooden bar and vibrating every time someone moved.

A girl, no more than fifteen, was sweeping shattered bottles off the floor.

Bad night? Angela asked.

The girl stayed mute.

No worse than usual. It was Dexter who spoke, his bass tones rumbling in the darkness. But we wont be open for business for an hour or two.

Im not here for a drink. I`m looking for Robert Hickey. She paused. The leader of the Vanguards.

You dont need to tell me who he is, said Dexter. Everyone knows Earl. The barman shrugged one massive shoulder in the direction of a darkened alcove. Hes over there. But tread carefully. Hes got papers with him.

* * *

Do we really need this crap?

Robert Hickey spoke aloud into the darkness. Ever since Amy had died in the ambush at the truckstop, hed been leading the Vanguards.

And he couldnt believe the paperwork. Invoices from Jakes for repairs. Training rosters. Bills of lading for the trade runs from Badlands. Recommendations from the team leaders for gangers whod earned the right to a gang name.

Hed never wanted to be the leader. He was a mechanic. A good one. But now he had to deal with everything. With a curse, he pushed Dexters latest damage claims away. A large file fell to the floor with a clatter.

Mr Hickey?

What? he snapped.

The girl recoiled. She had dark hair, held back in a high ponytail. He sat back in his chair and wiped his forehead.

Im sorry, he said. Just this damn paperwork.

Dexter warned me, she said. She stepped forward and her smile lit up her face. Hickey was struck by how attractive she was, even in these squalid surroundings.

So, what can I do for you, Miss?

Angela. You can call me Angela. I came about the job.

Hickey struggled to remember what the Vanguards were recruiting for this week. Medic? Trucker? She saw his hesitation.

I`m a good driver. Ive been practising since I was twelve. I can throw a Phoenix into a powerslide and punch it out clean. I can find the racing line on every track in Somerset. You dont have to look down on me just because Im a girl. The confidence in her voice was palpable.

Hell no, you`ve got me all wrong, said Hickey, getting to his feet. The best scout, the best driver, the best goddamn leader I ever knew. They was all women. There aint no prejudice in the Vanguards.

I just thought I mean, you didnt seem very keen, she said.

Just my tired brain trying to remember what we was recruiting for. We need a driver. Hickey extended his right hand. Welcome to the Vanguards, Angela.

* * *


Image by Grograt

Big Billie Hadley pushed the old broom deep into the car cannon. He rotated the handle as the swab disappeared down the bore. He withdrew the broom and the bundle of rags lashed to the end, now coated with carbon, copper and sand, and swilled it in a bucket of solvents. Thats the problem with having a mech as a gang leader, he thought. Hes damn hard on keeping the cars in good condition.

Hey, Billie.

Speak of the devil. Yeah, Boss.

Billie turned. Hickey came into the garage, leading a young girl with him. Damn, she was pretty. Dark hair, grey eyes, dimple in her left cheek when she smiled like she did now.

Meet Angela. Shes just joined as a driver.

Billie stretched out one dirty hand to shake, but thought better of it. Nice to meet you, hen, he said.

Theres a deathrace this afternoon on the Junkyard Track. Pitbulls. Thought wed break her in gently, put her through her paces. Will you take the Ma Deuce?

Sure. Itll be my pleasure.

Angela grinned at him, and he realised that for once, his reflex response would be the gospel truth.

* * *

So thats all there is to it? she asked. Stay out of the line of fire, keep my foot down, youll shoot when you can.

That`s about it, said Billie.

No special tactics? Advanced lessons?

Nope. Jes concentrate and well come through it alive.

Dont you mean well win?

Billie laughed and clapped her on the shoulder with one massive hand. Winning is great, hen. Staying alive is better.

He straightened and stretched. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a figure approaching. Uh-oh.

What? Angela asked.

Trouble. Listen, just ignore him. Hes jes trying to rile you afore the race. He turned to greet the newcomer.

Harris. What can I do you for?

Just coming to check out the new meat. Is this she? Albert Harris leered at Angela. The left side of his face was a patchwork of livid scars where the skin had melted and puckered into sharp ridges. His eye was red and bloody and drooped with his skin. He smiled and the result was repulsive, a reptilian leer that was hungry and predatory.

What say you to a wager on the race, Billie? he asked without taking his gaze off Angela. He licked thin, bloodless lips. A small stream of spittle ran out of the deformed corner.

What sort of wager? Billies voice was wary.

Oh, the usual. If you win, I`ll pay you five kay. If I win, well, I dont need the money. His leer deepened. He gestured at Angela. I get half an hour with her.

Billies fist was arcing through the air even as Angela caught his arm. Albert danced back, delight evident on his face.

Hes just trying to wind you up, Billie, said Angela. Besides, I can fight my own battles. She put her hands on her hips and eyed Albert. And alright. Give me half an hour with him if we lose. Hell wish hed never been born.

Albert cackled. Well see about that, missy. Break a leg. And with that, he turned and was gone.

* * *

Are ye sure that was wise? asked Billie.

What?

The bet.

Angela shrugged. He was just trying to wind us up. I couldnt let him get to us, so I took the bet. Well beat him, it will be no problem. She grinned and punched his arm. Besides, I cant let you get over-protective of me already.

A crimson glow spread over Billies face. He bent over the targeting reticule of the front mounted heavy machine gun to hide his discomfort.

Angelas peal of laughter was lost in the sudden blare of the starting klaxon.

* * *

What the hell are you doing? shouted Billie over the roar of the engine. The sluggish Pitbull must have been pushing 110 as it hurtled down the opening hill of the Junkyard. I thought we agreed to sit at the back.

Relax, big boy, said Angela. She shifted the wheel to the left, knocked another racer off its line, and slipped in front. Check the countdown. We`ve got 15 seconds to weapons free.

She hugged the crash barrier tight. Orange and yellow chevrons flashed past in a kaleidoscopic blur. Billie braced himself against the door as the turn pushed his bulk outwards.

Five seconds, hen.

Time, she said. She straightened the wheel and eased her foot off the gas. The Pitbull left the wall, slowing as it rose up an incline. The rest of the pack leaped ahead and Angela nipped in behind. As the timer reached zero, Billies heavy machine gun was lined up on Albert and not a single car could get a bead on the Vanguards.

Smooth, he said as he depressed the firing stud and sent several rounds of steel slugs into Alberts rear armour. He was rewarded as the deathracer jumped sideways across the blasted asphalt.

Now lets jes stay out of trouble and let the others clear the field.

* * *

Angela glanced at the status board. Four dead or quit, two up ahead, one other trailing four hundred metres behind, spouting great plumes of black smoke. She threw the wheel hard left to avoid a wreck.

Cant you hold it still, hen? shouted Billie. I cannae hit if you jerk so much.

Ill do my job, you do yours, said Angela. She squinted up the hill. Those idiots are firing so much, the recoils slowing them down. Hold your fire, I`ll take them on the inside.

Image by Grograt


She stamped down on the gas, willing the heavy Pitbull up the sloping asphalt. The engine whined its protests and acrid fumes rose out of the overheating engine.

Watch it, said Billie.

I know what Im doing.

Further ahead, Harris fired a burst into the right hand side of a flame red Pitbull. The armour gave way, and the driver flagged his surrender. The next burst caught him full in the head. It disappeared in a crimson mist which coated the windscreen and covered his gangmate with blood and brains.

That bastard, screamed Angela. Thats cold-blooded murder.

It is a death-race, said Billie

I dont care. We aint gonna let that toerag win. The Pitbull bounced over the broken asphalt as Angela cut the corner. The heavy car drifted sideways and slammed into Harriss wing. He spun out and Angela punched the gas again.

Thatll show him, she exulted.

Its not over yet, cautioned Billie.

His words were punctuated by a staccato burst of .50 calibre slugs on the rear armour. Angela tightened her grip on the wheel, jinking left and right.

Break his lock, hen!

Sonly two hundred metres. We can make it!

Go wide, let him through if you must.

No way. Were gonna show that murdering bastard how to win.

Another burst caught the rear, and another. Sunlight streamed through the shattered armour, dancing across the bare metal of the interior. Angela hunched down in her seat, as if that would make her harder to hit. The telegraph poles that marked the finish flashed into view and she straightened the wheel to give the screaming engine maximum acceleration.

Hes still behind us, said Billie, craning to track Harris. Lets finish this.

The Pitbull rattled and rocked as it crossed the line. The adulation of the crowds filled Angelas ears as she roared her success. She spun the wheel into a T-stop and turned to share the win with Billie.

Who hung in his safety harness, bright, glistening blood spreading across his blue coveralls and with a fist sized hole punched in his chest.

Part 6 : A Story Submitted By JS - Guidos Hitmen

Three months had passed since the day Dory Thurston and John Williams, for that was the name of Knox`s unknown gunner, had gone missing in the wastes. The majority of the Family believed them dead. Those few that chose to not erase the strange visions from their minds, or suppress them, clung to the hope that she was alive somewhere. Williams was definitely dead, Schultz and Zito had found his body a week after the incident near the place where the ambush had happened. Left for the vultures and waste creatures. Knox Thurston had added his name to the list he intended to avenge, it was his little way of apologizing to the mans soul for forgetting he had been with Dory on that fateful day. He had been strangled, although his wounds were likely grievous enough to have finished him eventually. The cruelty of the garrote was probably a small mercy as compared to a slow death from his untended wounds. And there were worse things in teh wastes than slowly bleeding to death. As for Dory`s whereabouts nothing conclusive was found. Zito seemed to think everything pointed to her being alive, while Schultz was adamant she had died. Either way , the Hitmen also added Williams` unnamed murderer to their own lists. Those were getting longer by the day. They all pressed on as best as possible with Knox at the helm
In those three months Knox had busied himself in the mechanic shop, repairing and upgrading half a dozen Apache chassis to a standard Hitman load out. Several things had been tried, to include large caliber cannons. While they had certainly proved effective when they scored a hit, the recoil was a bit much for the chassis, and threatened to shake the vehicle apart when fired. There were always loose and lost bits and pieces after a combat in which the things were fired. Despite his best efforts on the suspension and mounting system the large guns simply produced too much recoil. The longer barreled heavy recoilless rifles worked a bit better, and were certainly better for not kicking so hard but took up too much room in the cramped cab. A significant portion of them were exposed to the outside elements. Their traverse left something to be desired based on their length as well. The current flagship Response still sported the HCR as the locals called it, but it was the only one that still did. The Hitmen`s combat leader favored the type. The final solution had been a combination of a trusty old .50 cal machine gun and a higher tech Gatling gun. The Gats were a heavy version and quite fiddly, prone to breaking and jamming in the cursedly sandy and dirty wastes. But they spit out enough lead to choke a whale. Knox had never seen a whale, but he understood they ate a lot. The old `fifty` was common, powerful and reliable. All the properties that `played well` together in the wastes. The combination had proved potent and with the recent addition of two heavy rockets held in a rack Knox had rigged, the Apaches were the match and more for anything the reavers could field in the north lands.
Currently Knox was putting the finishing touches on his newest baby, a Buzzer chassis he had bought by prying open Reginald`s wallet with a crow bar and being careful not to get caught on the fish hooks. The Buzzer was old military equipment, back when nations had professional, standing armies and incredibly solid. Not quite a `Tank` but close enough in the new world. Every tank Knox had seen was full of holes or worse, things had gotten bad in the days after the fall, and there had never been very many of the things in the first place. Tanks were also relatively high tech, something that worked against them in the brave new world, and the Buzz was certainly not. Knox had heard some few Tanks might be still operational, thankfully, not near here. Those were however, just rumors, as likely to be false as true. The only thing traded more than water and fuel in Evan was gossip and the pervasive rumors. At least the gossip and rumors were free, most of the time. To be fair to old Reggie, the Buzz was stupidly expensive, yet eminently worth it, the ultimate powerhouse and all around line vehicle.
Reginald `Las` Vargas was the Families accountant and general pain in the arse tight wad. To say he was thrifty was to say the sun was of middling brightness. But he knew his numbers, and had some connections with the local government. Knox didn`t want to know and so did not ask, but the rumor was he `personally` knew some of the tax collectors. Knox happened to know most of them were men, so he just let that lie without getting into it. It had taken him a week to talk Vargas into cutting the money lose, and that was with Knox being on the man`s generally good side. He supposed if the Hitmen`s coin man was going to be one thing, it should be conservative with the funds, even if he was unorthodox in his personal life. Knox knew he was certainly not the one to hold the key to the lock box, there were too many clothes to buy, and women to woo. Not to mention goodies at Jakes.
He had named the Buzzer `Statement`, he felt the thing would certainly make one. And was just now finishing the wiring on the rocket racks, with a covered arming switch and a separate firing button on the drivers wheel, also covered to prevent inadvertent firing. As the vehicles were often lined next to each other in combat, a miss fire would not be good at all. The rockets were meant to be aimed by the driver by turning the car for aiming. As they fired to the side it was a bit of a trick, and took a lot of practice. Each vehicle had one on the right or left, depending on which side of the line they would sit on, allowing coverage of flanking vehicles on both ends. Danielle called it `refusing the line`, whatever that meant. A couple of the drivers were getting quite skilled in firing the things from the Apaches, but he was a bit concerned how it would work with the larger, and frankly ungainly Buzzer. There was only one way to find out, try it. The good news was they were huge and even a near miss often produced the desired results. A direct hit usually proved fatal.
Heaving himself out of the Buzzer, he came face to face with Zito. Knox had no idea how long the little man had been there, as he regularly got lost in his work and the rest of the world just faded away. He nearly jumped back into the vehicle he was so startled.
`C`mon kid, there`s someone you need to talk to` said old Stumpy. Knox had taken to calling him Stumpy recently, as the full moniker `Stumpy Troll` was a mouth full, and the little dwarf was really getting angry about the nick name lately. Not that Stumpy was much better Knox thought, but the Troll didn`t react to it as badly. He`d said something about being called worse all his life in relation to his stature. The rest of the family was following suit, Stumpy just fit the guy. It seemed the word `Troll` set him off for some reason. Knox followed him out of the garage, which was quite enlarged over the last three months and by now was mostly enclosed by metal or wood vice tarps or open sky. The cover was welcome, anything to reduce the exposure to the radiation was an improvement over most peoples situation, even if expensive. Their scrounging, salvage and recovery operations in the local ruins had gone well lately, in between helping keep the trade routes open and tamping down the more zealous reavers. Zito disappeared into the little office off to the side of the garage area, banging the flimsy door open with a loud crash. Knox winced, he had no idea why the guy had to slam open every door he ever met as if it had just insulted his mother. Must be a little man complex . What did the oldsters call it? Napoleon Dynamite Syndrome, or some such? Entering after Zito, he noticed Danielle Erhart was sitting in one of the office chairs, pushing the wheeled chair around the room and flipping a knife through the air then catching the handle after two or three rotations. Knox frowned at her unsettling habit, it made him nervous. `Danielle, you already lost two toes, still trying to lose a few fingers`? Danielle waved her other hand at him in dismissal and made a shush sound, then pushed off and rolled backward again while flipping the knife.
`When I miss, and lose those fingers, I`ll know it`s time to quit this biz`. She said without taking her eyes off the knife. Actually, it was nearly a damn short sword, or what was it they used to call it? A dagger, he thought. Yeah, it was a dagger, double edged and about eight inches long, nasty thing. And she could throw it like a bullet. She was a scary damn woman for sure. Her Family name was `Wrong Way`, for an incident where she led them, or stumbled upon actually, an FLMH camp when she was new to the Family. She had claimed to be a scout with lots of local knowledge, as that is what they needed at the time she was hired. She was no more a scout than Knox was a salamander. Fortunately, she actually turned out to be an amazing combat leader, and had shown that in the ensuing battle. Wrong Way fought like a tigress protecting her young and despite being able to get lost going to the bathroom, tactically she was a full on genius, and fearless to boot. The Family just made sure she always had a scout with her, especially when heading to the bathroom. In the last month she had become the Hitmen`s combat leader and head butt kicker, both the enemies and the gang`s, as required.
Knox had decided soon after trying to take over for his missing sister that he was not going to be able to exactly fill her shoes, not in the same way in any event. So he spilt the duties a bit. Zito took over the general management, day to day admin and such. Danielle took over the combat command, amd whatever discipline was required. Knox kept on in the garage as well as serving as figurehead leader. At least until Dory came back. If she came back. God`s he hoped she would hurry. He felt like a man who had been slowly drowning for three months.
Zito motioned to Knox`s desk chair, `Have a seat boyo, got some info you might find interesting`. Knox sighed inwardly, about every two days Zito had some `Interesting Info` about Dory, or goings on down south he thought might be related to her. To hear him go on you`d think the entire south land was involved in a massive conspiracy against the Hitmen and Dory. The man was relentless, and maybe a bit off his rocker about finding his sister. Still, Knox always listened, one never knew what might be found, but so far it had all been red herrings, and blue ones, and rotten ones, etc. Sitting down Knox gestured with his had as if to say, bring it and steeled himself to hear yet another obscure tidbit which would add up to jack and . Zito looked at Danielle as if to say, go on with it. That was curious, typically Danielle was just here to be in the know, Zito usually had the info.
`Well, it`s like this, we captured some Ironmongers today, you know, working for the merchant syndicate that hates their ideology, whatever that means`. She paused while shrugging her shoulders, politics were not her thing, you couldn`t shoot politics, or zing a knife into it`s chest, so she had little use for it. `Anyway, we did the usual questioning, asking where they had been, where they were gong, the usual crap the merchants want us to ask. Turns out these guys had been south for some weeks recently. How Ironmongers got that far south I have no idea as they typically steer clear of Shanty and the long road to Sarsfield, but they were carrying Texan fuel, and had the receipts. I believed them, though they could have stolen the lot I suppose, seemed legit overall`. So far Knox did not see where this was going, so some Ironmongers had got lucky and made it far enough south to bring up fuel from Texan, so what? Before he could interject Stumpy growled at Danielle. `Get to the point woman`.
That was a mistake, Knox knew it immediately, although Zito did not for a few seconds more. He was made aware of the mistake as Wrong Way`s knife whipped past his head and thumped into the wall with a wicked thwack, and sat there vibrating from the force. There was an uncomfortable pause for several seconds before Danielle spoke.
`Manners Zito, your manners, use them Stumpy man`. There was a a further tense moment where Knox though Zito might actually get in a fist fight with Danielle. She appeared game, and stood up slowly, and walked toward the little man, a smile on her lips. Zito reached behind him, eyes still on Danielle, and pulled the knife from the wall, flipping it and presenting it handle first towards Wrong Way, he smiled. `You seem to have let this slip out of your lovely hands, you should be more careful, someone could get hurt`. The man must have eyes in the back of his head Knox thought, he didn`t take his eyes off Wrong Way while grabbing hold of the knife handle. Danielle took the knife, then bizarrely, so Knox thought anyway, they both laughed out loud. As if some incredibly funny thing had just happened. Knox was at a loss, he had no idea what these maniacs were laughing about. But it seemed the moment had passed, Danielle put the dagger away, sat back down, and continued her story.
`So this Ironmonger, claimed he had been south, to Texan. When he realized who we were, and by the way, we are getting well known by the low life`s out there fellas, which could be good or bad depending on the situation`. She paused a moment raising one eyebrow for effect. `He said he had some info we might fancy, if we let him go and did not turn him over to the merchant syndicate`. Prisoners were known to say anything to get out of a bad spot, Knox figured this was more of the same, but it was intriguing that the man seemed to know who the Family was. Danielle continued, `This guy claimed he had been drinking with some of Slash`s people in Texan`. The last bit peaked Knox`s interest, he immediately paid more attention. `Seems they got a bit drunk, and one of Slash`s `ladies` took a fancy to our Monger. They spent the night, which by the way grosses me out cause this dude is butt ugly`. Wrong Way made a face like sour dishwater then went on. `No accounting for taste I guess, I suppose they were quite smitten with each other, or perhaps she had another motive, and she divulged quite a lot of info on Slash`s operations for some reason. The Monger seemed to think she was looking to escape Slash`s tender mercies, and jump ship to the north with Monger boy. He said the girl was terrified and seemed to think she was being watched by the others`. Danielle shook her head sadly at that point, frowning slightly. `Apparently she was actually being watched and as they tried to make an escape, the Mongers lady friend was killed, you know how poorly they take deserters`. Knox had no idea yet why any of this was important.
`Ok Wrong Way, got it, another sordid and in the end pathetically sad tale from the wastes, love found, love lost, and more death, so what`?
Danielle laughed a bit `I`m getting there fancy pants`. Knox hated that name, she called him that all the time; so what if he liked fancy clothes? She dressed like a damn hobo, well, a hobo with a giant knife and a gun, and some brass knuckles. He waited for her to go on. Zito just shook his head and smirked.
`Here`s the juicy bit Mr. Impatient, he claimed this lady knew Dory Thurston`. Knox`s heart nearly stopped, and that room swimming thing was back with a vengeance. Zito grabbed his arm and squeezed it hard, real hard. `Not now Knox, none of that mind game , concentrate`. The physical pain brought him back to the here and now, with an obvious effort he gathered his wits. The only word he could muster was `What`?!
Danielle looked at Zito as if to ask for permission to continue, he nodded for her to do so.
`Look, I think the Monger is telling the truth, how he could know who we were, who we were looking for and where Dory might be is just too much. Sure, he could be making it up to save his ass, but no one really knows we are looking for her and we`ve been very discreet in our inquires. Either he is very clever, very lucky, or he`s telling the truth. All he knew was his late lover had been a house servant who took care of cleaning Slash`s living areas and their little prison. She had apparently been quite taken by Dory, and had been sent away from Sarsfield because Dory was getting to her. That may actually be the one piece of info that proves its true. I happen to think she was probably bringing a message north, which is why she tried to jump ship, and why she was caught and liquidated. Slash is a clever little runt, he was probably trying to see what she was up to and who she would contact. The Ironmonger may have done us a favor by sleeping with the poor woman and forcing the issue`.
Knox looked at Zito, who was now beaming with an `I told you so` smugness that was quite annoying. Then he said it. `I told you she was alive Knox, you damn doubting Thomas, I told you, hot damn, she`s alive and in Sarsfield. Time for a Family meeting boyo, we gotta work the rescue mission up`.
Knox stood up and walked over to the office window, which opened to the garage. There was no glass, that being an expensive extravagance, he pulled the frayed string on the old blinds, flipping them open, and found what he figured he`d find. Nearly the entire Family was standing in the garage looking at the office door and the window. Knox heard someone scurry away from below the window sill. Secrets were not kept long in the Family, most of them being overbearing, and excruciatingly annoying nannies when it came to Family matters. Plus they all lived nearly on top of each other. Knox smiled at the nosy crowd of them. `Get back to work you irritating rabble, we`re going to get her, soon, just not this minute`. Knox didn`t know what to expect from that, but what he got was determined nods, slaps on the back, hand shaking and a bit of subdued fist pumping as well as a pleased murmur from the people in the garage. That, more than a loud `Hurrah` ever could have, buoyed his spirits and determination. He had little idea how they were going to do it, but the Family looked to be with him. They knew it was a tall order, and not something that was going to happen immediately. Rushing Slash, his gang, and his allies was not a good idea, it was best to plan carefully. The man was, difficult, to say the least. Whoever was backing him was likely to be more so. Zito and Danielle moved up next to him and looked out the window as the family members dispersed back to the daily work. Knox spoke out loud, to no one in particular. `We need allies to do this, we can`t take the alliance that killed my dad alone. Slash is just a part of it. And there is something else going on down there that is bigger than him, as if he wasn`t bad enough`. That was the first time Knox had admitted that last part to anyone, he knew it to be true now. Things were afoot, things larger than him and the Family, but they were caught up in it somehow and had to make the best of it. Zito nodded, `I have some ideas`. Knox looked sideways at Stumpy, `Oh, who`?
`Never mind that fancy pants, don`t want to say right now, but there are a few groups here in Somerset that we work particularly well with. I`ll approach them and see what shakes out`. Knox considered that for a moment. `Are you going to divulge what we are ultimately looking to do`? Zito laughed, `Do I look like an idiot to you? That would get us nowhere, but a business proposition on the other hand, that would be much sweeter honey. Anyway, we don`t need them to do our fighting, we just need more equipment and our own base closer to the south. We can`t do that alone, at least not as fast. And I think time is of the essence here, don`t you? So we`ll find a mutually beneficial arrangement`. Knox nodded, clenched his jaw and hissed, `Then we strike, we kill that scum bag, and we get my sister out of there`. Zito spun on his heels and walked toward the door. `That`s the spirit boyo, good to see some steel in your spine for a change`.
`I`m out, gonna go see the fellers over at the Dionysian Dozen, seems a good place to start`.
Knox looked confused, `Isn`t that some kind of religious cult`?
Zito shot back as he left the room, `If it is, it`s my kind of religion, consists mostly of smoking and drinking, booya, think I`ll go a negotiatin` tonight`. Erhart hurried after him, `Not without me shorty`.