| Time to get out of dodge... | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 12 2011, 02:27 PM (29 Views) | |
| IBcondemned | Nov 12 2011, 02:27 PM Post #1 |
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*A trading post in upper sierra nevada mountains....Zachary Baines....better known as scattergun baines because his famous perfered weapon....his sawed off short range shotgun which had laid many a foe low....sat in his room going over maps of the area. He had scouts out looking over the area....trying to fix army position....hoping he could spot a seem which he could get his people out through. Close examination seemed to indicated the army had seperated into smaller groups so as not to present a large target. They also were likely cutting off escape routes in all direction...while closing in on them. Of course he had one advantage....he could see where they were going to be while they were not sure where he and his eccentrics had gone. the problem was...the army had a tracker that was too damn good. Despite all the tricks he and his people tried....this tracker...a indian woman seen through his spyglass, seemed to see right through them. She even tracked them over rock. How that was possible he had no idea. It was time to stop going this alone. He had the best and brightest at his disposal....maybe one of them would have an idea. He called in one of the servants....and requested she inform the others to meet his at the big card table downstairs.* Sam wandered in one of her fancier dresses, not at all as revealing as her performance clothes and smiled softly. “Your mother should have warned you about slouching.” She chided him as she smirked at him from the door. “You should straighten your tie too. You’re going to give the new recruit a bad impression like that.” She pointed out as she took a familiar perch , sitting on the corner of his table and looking him over. “How are you, Zach?” *Taylor had been out practicing his skills, using Sam's advice to practice his quick draw and as always lasso'n anything he could get in his sights. It was just after he lasso'd the stray cat he had spotted that he had seen Sam leaving in an outfit he hadn't seen her wear...it perked his interest. As he loosened the knot, allowing the cat to fall from the rope that had tightly joined all of it's paws together, he decided it might be wise to follow her, after all he did have a meeting to goto that she had set up. He wrapped the rope up and hitched it to his hip before he put the lightly dust covered fingers to his mouth and whistled loudly. His mount, a grey mare of great stature galloped towards him and without stopping made a wide circle before him. He smirked and moved suddenly, his hand finding the horn as he kicked off of the ground as she lined up perfectly to let him slip onto the saddle. His feet finding the stirrups quickly and his free hand stroking through the mare's hair before gripping the reins then and slapping them gently as they rode off after Sam. He had kept his distance during the trip and soon they were at what looked like yet another saloon. He rolled his eyes but figured these would be the likely places for shadier people to meet. He dismounted and tied the horse up at the water trough before he began to move to the doorway and moved inside letting his eyes adjust and take in the room* Jacob took the waiting in his stride. True he knew the army was on their tail and if they caught up with them there would be hell to pay but it was nothing Jacob had not experienced before. He'd been both a slave and a soldier in his life and learned to bear the hardships they brought without complaint. He should have died a thousand times in the war, on the front line protecting the white soldiers who often viewed them as little more human shields. Now, at least, he served a purpose with a group who depended on him and he was getting paid fairly for it, even if spending that money brought it's own risks for him. He'd been out on scouts patrol and recently returned to report to Baines and now sat at a nearby table clearing his rifle, he glanced up as Samantha arrived and nodded stoicly to her, continuing his work until Baines needed him. Billy on the other hand was restless. All this waiting around was killing him. Other patrons were few enough in this isolated trading post left him with little to do, while busy towns meant there were always pockets and locks to pick and women to woe. He liked to keep his skills sharp and there was nothing worse for Billy than waiting for the inevitable, it made him moody and irritable. It was only a matter of time before he'd make a break for it, try to make it on his own and to hell with the rest. Having been summoned he trudged down the stairs, his brow creased in ill-humour until he spotted Samantha. And his mood visibly lifted a little, that woman could brighten his day any day as far as Billy was concerned. He beelined around behind her and slide his hand on to her hip and whispered into her ear, "welcome back beautiful." He let his hand linger only a moment before letting it drop, for the moment anyway. So you've been busy. *Baines said chuckling over the fact that even in this dire situation....Sam had time recruit someone new to the fold.* Excellent....we'll need all the help we can get. *He told her smiling. He felt like kissing her on the cheek but refrained. Sam was the type of woman...that when you kissed her...you never wanted to stop. Was he ready for something like that? Yes it has been 8 years since Sherman marched through the south....and some of his men..drunk, wild, flush with the thrill of victory gunned down his sons, his daughter....and did much worse to his wife before the lords gentle hands took her home....but still he felt being with someone he cared about was almost a betrayl of the memory of his family.* A few steps brougth him into the main gaming room of the trading post. He moved past the pool table...and over to the largest of the four card tables within. He gestured for the others to be seated.....only then would he follow.* You must be the new man. *Baines told the lasso expert.* Sam thinks you're worthy of joining us....high praise. I think you'll be getting a chance to use your skills soon enough. Jacob....any new roprts on the movments of the army? There was tension in the air as Zach moved to talk to the rest of those assembled and she let out a deep sigh. She always felt hot and cold around him, like he wanted to make a move but was afraid to for whatever reason. She kept swearing up and down that she was over him and that she was ready to move on, but… she always seemed to forget that when he was close. But being back on familiar ground with familiar faces was always nice and it always made her feel like being wrapped up in a nice big blanket. Billy approached her and she couldn’t help but smile as he whispered in her ear. She chuckled a little. “Nice to see you too, Billy.” She purred in his ear before turning to look at him again before she held out her hand to retrieve whatever it was he’d lifted off of her. *His eyes watched Sam, seemed she truly did know how to use her charm but as he watched her hold out her hand like the man had taken something of hers he smirked and figured he was known for theivery and the others he'd figure out with time. He watched as the man moved more into the room and Taylor followed at a distance figuring this was Zach, the man Sam had told him to meet with. He listened as the man spoke to him and told him they might be in need of his skills soon, he liked the sound of that. His eyes would fall upon the others gathering trying to get a grip on who they all were and what they brought to the table. He couldn't help the way his eyes moved to Sam wondering what she brought to the table other then beauty and a skill to talk men into joining this crazy group* Outside, a raggedy horse leading two equally raggedy mules were being tied up by an even more raggedy man. No sense in buying good mounts when they blew up so often. Strapped to each of the mults were well padded chests filled with the tools of his trade. He hobbled the nags, no sudden movements were wanted, and brushed a dusty hand across a dirty mouth. Damn he was dry. Hope drinks weren't too expensive. Even these near death excuses for mules had wiped out his funds. He walked to the door, and talked a bit with the man guarding it. The man remembered him, though he couldn't recall the meeting. Probably during the war ... which side had he been on? Hopefully the same side .... The man made Deacon tie down his gun. Not an issue ... he preferred his derringer anway. Deacon stepped into the room, and glanced about. Had it been a century later, his entrance would have reminded one of a certain Peanuts character. He waited for his eyes to adjust to the gloom, which they did quickly. He preferred shadow to that damned bright light outside. It was incredibly hard on the nitro. His features hardened a bit as Billy worked his 'charms' on Samantha, the man had no self control and it was likely to get himself killed and them along with him. His stoic features hid his disgust however and he, instead Jacob leveled his gaze at the new arrival, sizing him up silently as the other conversed. When Baines finally addressed him he turned his gaze to him. "They are closing in, as is the weather. They have set up small camps on the larger passes to the west and south of us. The remains of army has broken up, and is scouring the remaining area. It is only a matter of time before the weather brings them here and if we do not get out we will be trapped. I have scouted a smaller, more dangerous pass that the army have yet to hold, probably because they imagine that if we were to take it the pass would likely finish the job for them." It was a grim vision to be sure. A grin slipped out as Samantha held out her hand to him, "What if I said the only thing I took was the pleasure of your beauty," he took her hand in his and kissed it, then dropped a ribbon he'd stolen from her hair. "Well perhaps that wasn't the only thing." He arched a brow at the newcomer but paid him little heed, more interested in Samantha, though Jacob's words caused his brow to wrinkle. "So either we get the hell out of here or we've as good as buried outselves." *Baines kept his gaze on the Taylor since he took a seat. He looked more like a boy than a man...but that did not mean damn thingBilly did not look old to him either.....did not act it either. He could put taylor through his paces later...right now...he would offer up introductions.* Allow me to introduce you around. Sam you've met. Best gambler I've ever seen. If her card dealing skills don't get you....her charms will. The rather gruff gentleman entering is Deacon Hill. I'm sure you've heard of him. Kid Dynamite he's also known as....pretty deadly man with the explosives. *He gestured towards others present.* Meet jacob Carter. Fastest gun in I've ever encountered. And Billy Aubery....master thief. And I am Zachary Baines. And our mission is to loot goverment facilities...and fill our pockets....while embarassing the adminstration. You might think that's crazy.....I say...it's just trifle eccentric. Our current situation is rather...shall we say..grim. *He turned to Billy.* Well said. That's absolutely right. *Then jacob spoke...and Baines liked what her heard..but..........* Good....excellent in fact. Just one question......could it be a trap?? She smoothed out the ribbon and laugh a little. “You just can’t help yourself sometimes, can you?” she said as she wrapped the ribbon around his wrist and proceeded to tie it in a bow as she finished her speech to him. “But I had better leave here with my earrings, bracelet and coinpurse in tact, or you will find yourself very very hurt, Billy.” She told him sweetly, patting the bow she had made and grinned up at him. “Taylor. I’m glad you could make it.” She said, moving over to him with a soft smile. “Is that where Anne is?” She asked softly. “She was useful in looking for ways through passes like that.” She pointed out and shrugged a little. “Otherwise I can keep you all hidden well enough, but laying low was never any of your particular strong points.” She said with a smirk. *Taylor followed Zach's gaze as he looked at each member of his...team in order explaining their gifts which seemed odd to do at a first meeting given he could be a spy or something but who knows. Then again he'd never work for Grant so what did it matter anyways. It was good to know who did what and who he might wanna watch for certain tips but all in all it seemed like the normal gang layout in his eyes. It was Sam that had him in a twist, what did they need a gambler for, that was the strange one but then again he assumed that could be used to score cash in a pinch. The others were weapons and stealing and explosives so that all made sense to him. However as he listened to Jacob it didn't sound like this had been a good time to meet up with them. He eyed Sam as she moved close and spoke to him, like she had any doubts he'd make it eventually. He tipped his hat towards her along with his smirk* "I wouldn't miss the chance to gaze upon your beauty a little longer." *He smiled and tried to go back to listening to the other men as they spoke about the idea of fleeing* Jacob nodded as he was introduced but there was no smile, polite or otherwise, he simply considered to observe the man. He seemed rather young but he'd see younger talent in his travels. "That is possible but the pass is narrow and there are places there are plenty of steep drops making a trap difficult." It seemed to him that there was no easy solution. They could take their chances with the narrow eastern pass and find either a natural or army trap, or make a very lucky escape. Equally they could try to flank one of the smaller camps holding one of the larger passes and with proper planning take them unexpectedly and make a speedy getaway. So long as the army did not catch up to them. "Unless of course I want you to come for me, in which case I'd be getting exactly what I wanted," he winked at her. He slid into the seat next to Samantha, "and I'd happily lay low with you any day." He snorted a little, "doesn't sound like either option is all that good to me and frankly I'm not in any rush to get myself killed." *Baines gave a rueful glance towards Billy...and then the new man Taylor. He did not mind flirting among his people....but not when a sistuation like this was upon them. He did not tolerate that from his troops back in the war....and he certainly would not tolerate it now.* Gentlemen...I realize miss tate is rather...shall we say....easy on the eye but we've more important work to do right now....like keep our necks from being stretched by army nooses. Now get your heads on straight. Now!!! *He move beyond such petty annoyance....and considered what Jacob was saying. It was rickey...but he he saw no other choice. * Alright...we'll go for....come nightfall everyone saddle up...and we'll try to sneak out under cover of darkness. She smiled and looked like each of them, she did very much enjoy these two competing for her affections, especially since it seemed to make Zach angry. Not like she hadn’t given him a million chances before… “Seems this is where we part, gentlemen. But it’s been nice seeing you again, Billy.” She said then looked to her other side. “I enjoyed meeting you the other night. You’ll find a lot of success with these folk.” She told him seriously as she crossed her other leg over the top and changed her posture a little. *Taylor eyed Zach, who was he to be yelling at him for responding to a beautiful woman, plus he could ride out of town just fine. He smiled then at Sam and tipped his hat again* "Pleasure was all mine Miss Tate." *He then looked back to Zach and listened to his plan but again he didn't think adding an extra horse and man to an escape attempt made much sense, though he might make for a distraction. He cleared his throat a little and moved a smidge closer* "Um...not that I'm trying to pick at things but as I'm seeing it I don't rightfully have to sneak out of town like ya'll do. I'm pretty sure no one's gonna stop me cause they don't know me, but I could come around and spook whomever you might be trying to sneak past to make it easier." |
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1:11 PM Jul 11