2054
| | Jul/Aug 2054 |
 Image by Bastille Im telling you. His heart boom! Popped right out of his chest. Youre kidding me right? I never joke about death. Or sex, said Shana Gomez. Anyway, this aint no joke. I swear it was his heart red, fleshy, pulsating on his sodding lap. On his lap Jesse Dalys words tailed off. Jesus, Shana. Is it always like that out there? Not by a long chalk, kiddo. The stupid thing is, it was an easy encounter. We had three SUVs the ram car and a pair of Viscerators. The bad guys had three too. But dregs, you know. Shoulda been a cakewalk. A cakewalk? We lost our leader! Jesses voice was shrill, and a few of Dexters other patrons glanced in their direction. Shana took a long draught of beer. Sure, but we shouldnt ave. No way. Wed knocked out two of them and Jimmy was trying for a bead on the last Flame. The bastard was jinking everywhere so Enrique radioed if we needed help. Jimmy told him to back off. I guess being new and all, he thought he had to impress us. Maybe he was just trying to impress you. Jesses grin was halfway to a leer. Whatever. Id just about lined him up when Enrique vectored in. He mustve been doing 50. He spun the wheel to sear the Flame and just clipped our wing. She shook her head. Goddamn it, Jimmy was unlucky. A gentle nudge like that and next thing you know, his freaking heart explodes. Jesse lowered his voice. They say that this was no accident. They say that Enrique was pissed that the Vanguards called Jimmy up from Badlands after Earl died. They say  Image by Bastille What, exactly, do they say? Jesse froze. Behind him, limned in the red light of the setting sun, Enrique Oquendo stood, massive hairy forearms folded across his muscled chest. Jees, Enrique, You could give a guy a heart attack, sneaking up on im like that. Ill ask again. What, exactly, do they say? N-nothing, Enrique. said Jesse. No-one says nothing, Then what were you lot talking about? Enrique glared around the dim bar. And dont tell me you werent all listening. Ill tell you want people are saying, Enrique, said Shana. She looked straight at Enrique with clear, green eyes. Theyre saying the collision was no accident. Theyre saying that Jimmy wasnt unlucky. Theyre saying that you killed Jimmy to take his job. Are they now? They are. Shana held Enriques gaze for long seconds. She heard the steady thud of her own heartbeat, the loudest noise in the entire bar. Enrique broke first. He leaned forward and planted two fists on the table. Well, you can tell anyone who cares to listen this: Jimmy werent no leader. He could shoot straight. Nothing more. He never knew how to prepare an ambush, or avoid one. How to fix up a car to get us home after a fight. How to drive and how to lead. Jimmy was a one-trick pony, and hedve gotten us all killed. He straightened. Jimmy was no more leader than youre Lady goddamn Godiva. But let me ask you this, Shana Gomez. Even I hada done it on purpose, and I aint saying I did, would you not, deep down in that pretty little breast of your, be glad that the Vanguards are being led by someone who fought for the job? And won. Enrique spun on his heel and strode through the double doors of Dexters, leaving Shana behind in silence, and not a little confused. Story By Valiance.  Image By Bastille The Competition will pass over to the Sept / Oct edition, this allows more time for people to join in and hopefully for some extra prizes. All entries can be seen at this link Sunday 13th June will be the closing date for entries, after this i will close the entry list and create a poll for member voting. Only votes made via the poll will be accepted. You may change an entry at any time prior to close of submissions Please contact me with details if you do so, that way i can update the entry thread. Please keep posting your entries, and let as many other members know as you can. If you have any questions cont myself via PM here *Grograt*.  Bryon Borrego of the mad mad crushers died at Northern Farm Land. Christopher Francis of Devilz Rejectz died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. James `Big guns` Newman of PA Racers died at Southern Plateau. Susan Johnston of shadowguard died at Northern Farm Land. Henry Elliott of shadowguard died at Northern Farm Land. Oscar Munroe of Infinite Improbabilities died at Road to Somerset. Bernetta `Colt` Remington of Guns Gears Getaway died at Forever Yellow Skies. Micheal Adams of Vault Dwellers died at Maure Dore. Zachery `Faster` Santana of Clarinbridge Crushers died at Maure Dore. Christine Eaton of Omnia vincit armor died at Maure Dore. Ollie `Pussycat` Wacker of Clarinbridge Crushers died at Maure Dore. Ronald Polly of The Cheesemakers died at Scattered Grounds. Leonard `Crack Back` Noack of Shattered-n-Bloody died at Once Upon a Town. Jeffrey Chester of Rezeaks Racers died at Southern Plateau. `Mutant Squad!` Richard Simmons of Rezeaks Racers died at Southern Plateau. Edwin Mulligan of Bellingham Branch Davidians died at Devils Fingers. Felix `the Cat` McKay of Bastille the Raging Scavenger died at Somerset Arena. Joe Garofalo of Sphincter Wrinkles died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. Rickey Bobbitt of Devilz Rejectz died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. `Chippin` Dale Dabbs of Tangos Terrors died at Lost Oasis. James Leaf of The Plisskens died at Northern Desert Circuit. John McKnight of Paladins died at Southern Plateau. Ruben Brooks of an0maly died at Lonesome Highway. Jerald `Lucky` Higa of Port Kar Renagades died at Serpentine Road. Dion Martinez of thebills died at Gates of Somerset. Geoffrey `The Rock` Riley of Death Storm Militia died at Northern Desert Circuit. Martha `Torpedo` Atwood of Goldfish died at Blown With the Wind. Irene `Bubbles` Bonner of Goldfish died at Blown With the Wind. Wesley Hiatt of Omnia vincit armor died at Serpentine Road. Darlene `She Bangs` Getchell of Sock Monkey Killaz died at Blown With the Wind. `Saint` Paul Howard of Whiskey Runners died at Northern Farm Land. Easter Bonney of The Lisa Frank FanClub died at Gates of Somerset. Angela Fleming of rebelfishes died at Northern Farm Land. `Gorgeous` George Garcia of French Foreign Legion died at Road to Elmsfield. Louis `Philippe` Aiello of French Foreign Legion died at Road to Elmsfield. Kimberly Bodine of PA Racers died at Southern Plateau. Susan `Q` Strickland of PA Racers died at Southern Plateau. Jeffrey Boehm of black widow died at Somerset Rally Circuit. Rob Tanner of -^-HellRazors-^- died at Burning Skies. Christopher Choate of PA Racers died at Gates of Texan. Glenn `Giga` Watts of CryptKeepers died at Gates of Somerset. Judy Sparks of CryptKeepers died at Lost Trail: Dead River. Donna Mahan of Postapocalypse Paladins died at Lost Trail: Dead River. Sandra `Disco` Defrancisco of Snow Drifters died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop. Philip Gupta of Port Kar Renagades died at Northern Speedway. Salvador `Dala Benz` Bentz of Drive It Like You Stole It died at Road to Somerset. `beverly` Barton Powell of thebills died at Forever Yellow Skies. James Gonzalez of thebills died at Forever Yellow Skies. James `Aid` Porter of Crazy Canucks died at Road to Somerset. Travis `Happy` Gilmour of Drive It Like You Stole It died at Road to Elmsfield. Marion Loftin of Drive It Like You Stole It died at Road to Elmsfield. Coy `Objurate` Box of Drive Backwards BFFs died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. `Mister` Paul Bozek of The Fatalistics died at Road to Somerset. `Baron` Von Blizzard of Guns Gears Getaway died at Gates of Elmsfield. Louis Baker of Firelight Womenhunters died at Northern Farm Land. Thomas Dick of The Cheesemakers died at Road to Somerset. `Crazy` Carolyn Smith of CryptKeepers died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop. Louis `Fix it` Fisher of Devilz Rejectz died at Lonesome Highway. Valentine Trudell of Lattes Raiders died at Scattered Grounds. `Dame` Gloria Grace of Lattes Raiders died at Scattered Grounds. `Dame` Betty Pascarella of Lattes Raiders died at Scattered Grounds. `Sir` Gregory Endicott of Lattes Raiders died at Scattered Grounds. `Sir` James Koon of Lattes Raiders died at Scattered Grounds. `Dame` Elva Dalton of Lattes Raiders died at Scattered Grounds. `Sir` Enrique Miranda of Lattes Raiders died at Scattered Grounds. Raul `F` Yoo of Tartarus Vanguard died at Scattered Grounds. `Deathproof` Diane Denker of Tartarus Vanguard died at Scattered Grounds. Angelo Chee of BD And Sons died at Pathway to Darkness. `Dame` Mary Sykes of Lattes Raiders died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. `Dame` Kelley Barreto of Lattes Raiders died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. `Sir` Derrick Layden of Lattes Raiders died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. Gary Callahan of shadowguard died at Northern Farm Land. Renee Jones of Bellingham Branch Davidians died at Acid Land. Gloria Gabriele of The Meese died at Road to Elmsfield. Rose `Thorns` Roberts of The Deathrace Pirates died at Highway to Hell. Janice `The Viper` King of Wasters died at Double Down Arena. Mary Palmore of Bellingham Branch Davidians died at Under a Bloody Red Sky. Amanda Bailey of The Pikers died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 2. Arthur McClurg of The Pikers died at Northern Desert Circuit. Otto `My Way` Caldwell of Dachshunds died at Once Upon a Town. Bennie `Bingo!` Blades of Dachshunds died at Once Upon a Town. Charles `Shell Shock` Shellman of Blackwatch died at Northern Farm Land. Emma ``s Dilemma` Jackson of Tartarus Vanguard died at Maure Dore. Timothy Hobson of Devilz Rejectz died at Forever Yellow Skies. Lady Gage of The Meese died at Road to Elmsfield. `Gunmech` Ila Munguia of Comanche died at Road to Somerset. Isabella `No Mercy` Mercier of Knights of the Round Tire died at Gates of Somerset. Genevieve James of Stucky and the Bit Pigs died at Northern Farm Land. Pat Clinard of The Fatalistics died at Southern Plateau. Paul Wilson of Hams Half-Priced Heroes died at Double Down Arena. `Prince` Charles Hamilton of Rezeaks Racers died at Gateway Interstate Figure 8. `Ranger` Nathan Alba of Devilz Rejectz died at Lonesome Highway. `Greedy` Ricardo Chaffin of Devilz Rejectz died at Acid Land. Sylvia Bassett of Pink Picklelovers died at Highway to Hell. Leroy `Loves` Llamas of CryptKeepers died at Highway to Hell. Patricia Hoelscher of Pink Picklelovers died at Highway to Hell. Teresa Holmes of Pink Picklelovers died at Highway to Hell. Joshua Mendez of The Fatalistics died at Gates of Somerset. Richard `Prick` Oquendo of Pink Picklelovers died at Highway to Hell. Harold Middleton of Bellingham Branch Davidians died at Acid Land. Robert `Bob` Jones of The Black Legion died at Under a Bloody Red Sky. Fred Smith of Triumph died at Gates of Somerset. Kenneth Scott of Triumph died at Gates of Somerset. Harlan Rikard of Triumph died at Gates of Somerset. `Mental` Rick Stanley of The BAMFs died at Gates of Firelight. Jeramy `Red Eye` Filkins of Wasters died at Somerset Arena. John `B.F.G.` Sullivan of Wasters died at Somerset Arena. Johnny `The Hammer` Bronk of Blackwatch died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop. Lidia Bush of shadowguard died at Northern Farm Land. `Shepherd` Jude Urena of Guns Gears Getaway died at Road to Somerset. Francis `NoCheeseForU` Brooks of The BAMFs died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. `Red` Rose Reyes of PA Racers died at Gates of Somerset. Susan Andrus of shadowguard died at Northern Farm Land. William `Enduring` Payne of Omnia vincit armor died at Once Upon a Town. Dean Mosley of THERAPISTS died at Smokey Hills. David Sunderland of THERAPISTS died at Smokey Hills. James Benedetto of THERAPISTS died at Smokey Hills. John Fowler of THERAPISTS died at Smokey Hills. Michele Beery of THERAPISTS died at Smokey Hills. James Cambridge of BD And Sons died at Lost Trail: Overland. Allan Tripp of BD And Sons died at Lost Trail: Overland. Ellen `Dallas` Houston of Shattered-n-Bloody died at Dead man`s Road. Chuck `THE ICEMAN` Liddell of Longos Merry Men died at Northern Foothills Racetrack (at night). `Loony` Leslie Stryker of CryptKeepers died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop. `Who?` Mark Jones of Snow Drifters died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop. Marie `Sabbatical` France of Dramamine died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop. Ladonna Gabrielson of The Meese died at Road to Elmsfield. Margarito `on the rocks` Walton of Afrika Korps died at Gates of Texan. James Brunner of Bellingham Branch Davidians died at Devils Fingers. Ruby Myers of Devilz Rejectz died at Acid Land. Nathan `Nature Boy` Harris of CryptKeepers died at Highway to Hell. Wally `Bishop` Noah of an0maly died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop. Joe `Vermin` Vermillion of Dachshunds died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop. Athena Thompson of rancid brothers died at Interstate Mythos. Ja `ra` Zabel of rancid brothers died at Interstate Mythos. Sal Hardy of The Privateers died at Road to Somerset. `Blue` Cecelia Brown of Crazy Canucks died at Northern Farm Land. Gay `MayDay` Johnstone of Crazy Canucks died at Northern Farm Land. Christina Goldberg of Port Kar Renagades died at Scattered Grounds. April Wilson of The Pikers died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 1. David `Hassel` Hoffman of Knights of the Round Tire died at Gates of Somerset. Michael Breckenridge of Triumph died at Dead man`s Road. Scott Sloan of Triumph died at Dead man`s Road. Arnold `Riceball` Rice of Blackwatch died at Dead man`s Road. Earl `Heavy Metal` Crowley of Blackwatch died at Dead man`s Road. Bennie Woods of Blackwatch died at Scattered Grounds. Thomas Miles of The Cheesemakers died at Once Upon a Town. Heidi `Fore` Ward of Vault Dwellers died at Gates of Firelight. Virgil Patton of Goldfish died at Road to Elmsfield. John Metoyer of Port Kar Renagades died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 3. Tiffany Tusing of THERAPISTS died at Smokey Hills. Joseph Heath of entropy police died at Gates of Somerset. Lisa Saldivar of black widow died at Lost Oasis. Toni Corlett of Drive It Like You Stole It died at Northern Farm Land. Louise `The 16th` Whitaker of French Foreign Legion died at Lost Oasis. `no mercy` Percy Tarwater of The Pikers died at Road to Somerset. Elisa Archer of The Pikers died at Road to Somerset. Barbara `Barbie` Mitchell of Drive It Like You Stole It died at Gates of Elmsfield. Lisa `Paint Rainer` McKnight of The BAMFs died at Devils Fingers. Craig Miller of Blackwatch died at Telegraph Road. Johnny `Rick Rolled` Roland of Blackwatch died at Telegraph Road. Melanie Ledbetter of Postapocalypse Paladins died at Road to Elmsfield. Grace Nixon of Stucky and the Bit Pigs died at Somerset Rally Circuit. Erin Cameron of Giggly Schoolgirl Assassins died at Salt Flats Canyon. `Teddy` Roosevelt Hansen of Bellingham Branch Davidians died at The Pits. Timothy Hunter of Bellingham Branch Davidians died at The Pits. Marian Grigsby of shadowguard died at Once Upon a Town. Henry Williams of Sons of Asgard died at Lost Oasis. Angela Cummings of Port Kar Renagades died at Gates of Somerset. Michael Thomas of Sons of Asgard died at Sandy. `Wiley` Paul Weiland of Drive It Like You Stole It died at Northern Farm Land. Timothy Hoy of Abysmal Horrors died at Gates of Elmsfield. Russell Vanderhoff of French Foreign Legion died at Northern Speedway. `Golden Eye` Eddie Golden of Rebels died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. Fernando Grundy of Port Kar Renagades died at Shantyville. Rufus `Doofus` Knudsen of Street Pizza died at Forever Yellow Skies. Joseph `Big Guns` Rohrer of Street Pizza died at Forever Yellow Skies. Hiram `Sniper` Ronan of Street Pizza died at Forever Yellow Skies. Rhea `The Ostrich` Garcia of Street Pizza died at Forever Yellow Skies. Jared Collard of DarkBlue died at Double Down Arena. `The Tasman` Jaclyn Quin of Giggly Schoolgirl Assassins died at Gates of Elmsfield. David `Jolt` Williams of Highway Hellriders died at Serpentine Road. Edward Agee of Mirrored Pain died at Road to Somerset. `Girl Scout` Brittaney Ogawa of The BAMFs died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. Clinton Majors of Port Kar Renagades died at Highway to Hell. Jason `Junk Yard Dog` Rooks of Port Kar Renagades died at Highway to Hell. John Hare of Port Kar Renagades died at Highway to Hell. Leonard `Tex` Novak of Port Kar Renagades died at Highway to Hell. Iva Gay of Port Kar Renagades died at Highway to Hell. Arthur Tse of Port Kar Renagades died at Highway to Hell. Tina `upskirt` Xiong of The Meese died at Once Upon a Town. Lacy Vacca of The Meese died at Once Upon a Town. Steve `b Gunner` Copeland of Port Kar Renagades died at Under a Bloody Red Sky. Eddie Simpson of Port Kar Renagades died at Under a Bloody Red Sky. Bernard Sullivan of Port Kar Renagades died at Under a Bloody Red Sky. Winston `Cup` Moore of Dachshunds died at Northern Speedway. Andrew Richards of Port Kar Renagades died at Telegraph Road. James Smith of Big Liver died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop. Walter `Red Eye` Reyes of The Black Legion died at Northern Farm Land. `Dangerous` Dale Reed of CryptKeepers died at Telegraph Road. Kris `The Killer` Williams of CryptKeepers died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop. Frank `The Butcher` Wright of CryptKeepers died at Blown With the Wind. Cameron Harrington of Bellingham Branch Davidians died at The Maze. Bennett Simpkins of Bellingham Branch Davidians died at Telegraph Road. Robert Fierro of Something else died at The Pit. Jessica Vela of Road Lords died at Gates of Somerset. Jose `Quervo` Hamilton of Scarzams Dragoons died at Northern Farm Land. Charley Payne of MADHAT died at The Pits. Rafael Lo of Pale Riders died at Gates of Somerset. Chester `Fruity` Tarango of Burdens Heavyweights died at Gates of Somerset. Ariana Payne of Road Lords died at Gates of Somerset. Ronald Martens of Road Lords died at Gates of Somerset. David Hardy of Bellingham Branch Davidians died at Gates of Firelight. Garrett `The Preacher` Pimental of The Black Legion died at Northern Farm Land. Leora Harris of Black Haze died at Somerset Arena. Tommy Sabatino of The Pikers died at Somerset Dirt Racing Track. Mark Brock of entropy police died at Road to Somerset. Robert Osborn of entropy police died at Gates of Somerset. David Noble of entropy police died at Gates of Somerset. Richard Wood of The BAMFs died at The Maze. Alex `Tre` Beck of Guns Gears Getaway died at Gates of Elmsfield. Warren `Bainbridge` Gann of Guns Gears Getaway died at Gates of Elmsfield. Chang Mason of Drive It Like You Stole It died at Northern Farm Land. Anthony `All Day` Long of Bellingham Branch Davidians died at Salt Flats Canyon. Isabel Rogers of CryptKeepers died at Somerset Dirt Racing Track. Carmen `Bean Power` Bauer of Produce_Vendors died at Gates of Somerset. Christopher `oSo` Bland of Produce_Vendors died at Gates of Somerset. Petra Cutler of The Cheesemakers died at Northern Farm Land. `Skinny` Benny Bearden of The Flying Hellfish died at Gates of Somerset. Amy `Warhead` Mullen of The Flying Hellfish died at Gates of Somerset. `Scarlet` Siobhan Sinclair of Seekers died at Gates of Somerset. `The Angel` Gabriel Dismuke of Izzys Irregulars died at Gates of Somerset. James Worthington of Port Kar Renagades died at Telegraph Road. Thomas Gee of Port Kar Renagades died at Telegraph Road. Willie Wildes of Bollox Bashers died at Somerset Arena. Becky Ball of Bollox Bashers died at Double Down Arena. Clara Galindo of Cattz died at Lost Oasis. Tina Race of The Meese died at Gates of Somerset. Wayne `the Wrench` Baldwin of 11 Bang-Bang died at Gates of Elmsfield. Elliott Wilds of MADHAT died at Road to Somerset. Jose Brier of MADHAT died at Road to Somerset. Scott Holmstrom of Danse Macabre died at Northern Farm Land. Sharon Yoon of Ogrefist died at Lost Trail: Broken Ground. Dan `13` Marino of Ogrefist died at Road to Elmsfield. Daniel `King` Royals of Ogrefist died at Road to Elmsfield. Maryann Hayden of entropy police died at Gates of Somerset. Bill `Westcoat` Walsh of Ogrefist died at Road to Somerset. Orlando Reding of Danse Macabre died at Lost Oasis. Clayton `Rain` Shain of Afrika Korps died at Gates of Somerset. `Snot Crusted` Arthur Williams of Drive Backwards BFFs died at Gates of Somerset. Al Foster of Theusweare died at Somerset Rally Circuit. Aaron Finch of Triumph died at Dead man`s Road. Robert Floyd of Triumph died at Dead man`s Road. Zachery Sever of Triumph died at Dead man`s Road. Christopher Fulton of Triumph died at Dead man`s Road. John Peters of Triumph died at Scattered Grounds. Jesus Sharp of Triumph died at Scattered Grounds. Yvonne Carvajal of Port Kar Renagades died at The Pit. Robert `Chief` Price of Bastille the Raging Scavenger died at Lost Trail: Dead River. Anthony `All Day` Long of Bellingham Branch Davidians died at Devils Fingers. Melissa Naugle of The Panzers died at Gates of Somerset. James Daniel of The Ghosts died at Northern Farm Land. Michael Lustig of The Ghosts died at Northern Farm Land. Chastity Gilmore of The Ghosts died at Northern Farm Land. Joan `Boss` Voss of The Ghosts died at Northern Farm Land. Marilyn `Spinout` Bermudez of BD And Sons died at Interstate Mythos. Quentin `No Repentin`` Janzen of Big Liver died at The Pit. Jeffrey Williford of The BAMFs died at The Maze. Vida `Icy Spice` Estep of The Fatalistics died at Pathway to Darkness. |
 As the year progresses, here are the leaders of the major leagues: Evan Race Ladder - Highway Hellriders In addition, the leaders of the minor leagues are: Northern Summer League - PA Racers Have you felt the urge to add something to the Role playing section !!! have you a story line itching to see the light of day !!! been on a scout that requires the attention of everyone else !!! have a car design you wish to share with the community !!!  Image courtesy of google I am looking for submissions for the upcoming gazettes, submissions have dried up of late, and i am beginning to suffer finding anything to add to our gazette, if you feel you have anything to contribute please contact me via PM here *Grograt*.. Thanks Grograt Relationships between the slavers and the merchants has improved substantially, following the delivery of three hundred strong backed workers to the factories in Texan.  Image by Grograt Good all round design, hard hitting on the front end, with the ability to watch those flankers, with the side gats, highly recommended vehicle for the sandy downs of Somerset and the steep climbs of Texan. Additional seats: 3 2 Heavy Gatling Gun magazines 2 Heavy Machine Gun magazines 2 Gatling Gun magazines Combat Rating 213 Weight 6826  Image by Grograt  Image by Bastille Shana Gomez grumbled. Great gouts of black smoke shot skyward from the engine compartment. Soot and grease, oil and sand, all mixed on the windshield. Goddamnit, she swore, as she leaned out of the Blasters ruined side door. Her face was soon black with oil and gritty with dust, but at least she could see the damn road. Its nothing personal, she mimicked. Youre just new, and for now, that means you drive the shot-up cars. If we meet anyone on the way home, you have my full permission to abandon the car. She wriggled in the seat, closing her mind to the squelching and the sickening miasma of blood and fear that even overheating oil couldnt disguise. Damn right Ill abandon it, Hickey she said to the empty wasteland of Evan, and got a mouthful of oily sand for her trouble.  Image by Bastille Two hours later, the convoy crawled into through the foothills that marked the outskirts of Somerset. The eight cars, half of them in the colours of the Vanguards, wove between low sand dunes and rocky hillocks. Maybe it was bad luck. Maybe it was Enrique sleeping on the job. Or maybe it was the black plume of greasy smoke that drew the pirates as surely as a different pillar drew the Israelites out of a different desert. Either way, the Turpins were waiting. Goddamit, Shana cursed again. You know the drill, Shana. Hickey called over the radio. Execute. Shana threw the wheel hard towards the nearest hill. She propped the gas pedal down with a looted rifle barrel and threw herself out of the door. The Turpins opened fire on the doomed Blaster as Shana ran in a shambling half-sprint, half-crouch towards the rolling dunes and the haven of the corrugated fencing that surrounded Somerset. The sand was soft and her booted feet sank deep into the treacherous slope. Her breath came fast and perspiration ran down her face. She heard a dull crump as several heavy machine gun rounds blew what little remained of the Blasters engine to shreds. She crested a dune and dropped below the summit before turning back and peeking over the top. The Turpins had made short work of the Blaster and were looking for new targets. The rest of the Vanguards were nearing the safety of the gates but an Enforcer and a pair of Marauders, rocket-toting pickups, slewed round to give chase.  Image by Bastille Youll never get them, bozos, said Shana, as she stood bent over, hands on knees, to get her breath back. She saw a volley of rockets miss Hickeys SUV as he passed the town fence. Thats it, losers, she said. You aint got nothing but a hunk of junk Blaster. Now just give up and go home. And with that, she turned and started a slow, steady jog across the dunes to the fence. For two seconds. What the? A rocket flew past her left ear, maybe two feet away. She was close enough to feel the wind of its passing, for wisps of her dark hair to sizzle in the rocket exhaust. She risked a glance over her shoulder. The entire strength of the Turpin squad was ranged against her. Nine cars. Rocket-laden pickups. Enforcers with super-accurate rifles. Even a tiny little Sonic, weighed down by its ludicrously-oversized heavy-calibre machine gun. The entire goddamn fleet was chasing her. She dropped her head, dug her toes in and ran. Every few seconds, she pumped another round into the shotgun, swung round and fired wildly before taking off running again. A round from a car rifle hit the ground by her feet and she jinked left. Her breathing was steady and easy now, adrenaline flowing through her as she danced across the dunes. A rocket missed to the right and she swerved again. Halfway there. Another glance. They were gaining. That pickup must have been doing at least 60 as it barrelled across a dune trying to get a lock. She reached the top of a hillock and leaped down it, feeling sand and rocks peppering her back as three rockets impacted into the sand behind it. Come on, you bastards, she screamed as she ran. Nine of you against one woman and you still cant win. She heard the whine of an engine as the pickup launched itself over the hillock. She stopped and emptied two rounds of her shotgun into the exposed underbelly, hoping to hit the transmission or an oil-line. Dont just stand there, Shana! Run! She looked round. The Vanguards were lining the fence. Every single one of them. Hickey. Enrique. Marcus with his crossbow. Even wingnut had raced out of the hospital, arm in a sling, and rested his rifle on the fence. Come on! She took off as if the hounds of hell were on her very heels. The Marauder behind landed awkwardly and rolled, and the crowd cheered. She dropped her head to watch where her feet were going, instinctively leaping left or right every few seconds. By the time she looked up the crowd had doubled, tripled. Someone must have told Dexter what was going on. And no-one in Dexters wants to miss a scrap. They scrambled for the fence, cocking weapons as they ran. The Madhats and BamBam, The BroadRausters and Cats Laughing. Doc Matthias was there, elegant and dapper, as he braced an antique Magnum on the fence. The Somerset agent of Lattes Raiders and the War Hippies. A faceless member of the BFFs and his speaking puppet. Even one of the Klingons midget strippers was there, sitting on Enriques shoulders with a shotgun held in her folded arms. She had never felt so alive. This was her moment. Moments stretched into eternity as she jumped and dodged. Her every sense was attuned. She could feel where rifle rounds were going and ducked around them. Her feet found solid ground in the scree and sand and she dropped her head again just as a rocket whistled through the space it had occupied half a second before. She set her eyes on the fence, between Hickey and Enrique. With every remaining ounce of strength she took three long strides and soared. Her right hand found the top of the fence, her feet didnt touch. She landed in a crouch and the crowd roared their approval. And they showed what they thought of the Turpins. As if they had been waiting for a signal, the assembled gangers turned on the Turpins. They say that hand-weapons are no match for vehicles. They have obviously never been on the receiving end of the might of an entire town. The volley was deafening. And then another. And another. The Turpins turned tail and fled. They abandoned their looted car and scattered, scared bullies running home to mummy. A hand appeared in front of Shanas face. She took a deep breath and looked into Hickeys face. Which broke into a broad smile. Congratulations, he said, as Somerset crowded round. I guess youve proved your worth. No more Blasters for you. Shana exulted as she was hoisted shoulder high and carried into Dexters. She belonged to the Vanguards now. And boy, did it feel good. The most wanted gangs in Evan today are listed below. The bounty listed for each gang is a combination of the amount offered by local vigilante groups and by disgrunted individuals, and represents the amount of money you would expect to be paid for each senior member of the gang you kill. 1. Drive Backwards BFFs Somerset: 881.  This list shows just who has been winning the most lucrative prizes on the circuits and arenas of Evan, during the past month. 1. Joels Bastards: 1225115. |