Trigun: A Cruel Endless Wasteland

Chapter 1: A Warm Welcome

It had been many days since the last attack from the newest frequent gang calling themselves "The Dumstrum's Wasters" a strange name for a new gang, but the intentions of this gang was to be fully uncovered, most gangs would simply set down a typical objective of terrorizing, stealing or mugging as many people as possible. Trying to make a living from the people of the land, instead of offering to contribute to it.

In the large town of Vanaverd, one of more larger cities, compared to July it was small, but still had a large community and a thriving business complex. A rare market square, such was a rare sight in most towns due to unprovoked and expected violence from random gang's or thieves. Since the Dumstrum's Wasters had managed to steal various parts of quality metal and wood, other pieces of what some would call construction equipment. The town lacked defence, there where few men that would put up a resistance against the gang, but in recent week's had lost a quite a number in gun fights and now the city was recruiting and accepting any type of help to fight back against the gang's.

It was midday as Vash the Stampede was walking in through the city gates accompanied by Meryl Stryfe, Milly Thompson and Nicholas Wolfwood. They had been travelling for sometime, their next destination unknown at this moment, the city gate guards stopping them for the usual questioning.

Guard: Hey, stop right there..

Vash and other's stopped, of course Vash carried the normal nervous look, worried that he'd been recognized and forced the leave the city that took them days to reach.

Vash: Heh, Heh…w-what's the problem officer? Heh…

Guard: You folk's are new in town arent'ya?

Meryl: Yes, that's right, we're just here in travel business.

Guard: Travel business? Ahehe! Well you've come to the right place then, dis'ere be Vanaverd, city of opportunity! But eh…if ya don't mind me askin' what type of business?

Milly: Were here on important business!

Meryl: That's right, we are here from the Bernardelli Insurance Society, keeping a close eye on the famous humanoid typhoon!

Wolfwood: Yeah, that's right and these pretty ladies are doing a great job so far!

Vash: Oh yeah, take their side…

Vash whined as he turned to the large wanted poster on the wall, noticing large streak across it, with no picture just a reward and a gang name.

Guard: What?! Vash the Stampede here? Naw…you must be mistakin' lil'lady, it's been quiet round this parts for awhile now, except those bastard Dumstrum's boys…stirin' up the place y'know, causing a riot…manage to steal some of the town's vital resources also…

This had caught their attention, as this was serious, they'd dealt with people like this before but, a gang who actually managed to escape a large city with plentiful resource.

Meryl: Dumstrum gang? There's a new gang operating and attacking the city?

Guard: That's right…

Wolfwood: Well, isn't there anyone here that can stop the attacks?

Guard: Well, we don't have a Sherriff and I wouldn't be one to brag about our poor situation for town's guards either.

Vash: Why? What's happened them?

The guard stood silently for a few seconds, rubbing his eyes under his glasses, sighing a little, turning towards the open desert behind the open gate and answered.

Guard: Well, most of em' are dead…

Milly: Dead?! Did you hear that Meryl!?

Meryl: Yeah, I heard…

Guard: Heck! I'm only here doing my job as a father and a citizen of Vanaverd! Protecting my family and my home from thugs like them. If your interested you can go over to the recruitment officer and sign up to help if ya like, little pay in it for ya.

Wolfwood: Greaaaat! I like the sound of that idea! A little honest and hard work? Eh? Wadda'ya say partner?

Vash: But…We haven't got to eat yet…eh heh!

A quick smack suddenly connected with Vash's head, sending him sliding sideways off the Thomas onto the ground, whining, holding his head.

Meryl: Seriously! We haven't even got inside the city yet and your already crying over food!

Milly: Haha!

Wolfwood: Alright lets go! We'll hit the recruitment office and see what we can do to help, while were in the city…

Vash: Aghhh…it's gonna leave a mark…wait a minute you're a priest you can't get involved in gun fights and unholy act's of sin!

Wolfwood: Shut up..!

Vash suddenly found himself smacked across the head again as he hit the ground after just climbing back onto the Thomas, rolling about, in pain.

Vash: Be more gentle! I've already been attacked by that nasty vicious lady!

Meryl: What did you say!?

Vash: I mean, wonderful cute…eh…nice lady, heh heh…

Milly: Hahaha, mister Vash and Meryl sure do get along don't they? Haha!

Wolfwood: Yes, you could say, they have a great thumping time…

Vash: Yeah…a great thumping time…

Meryl: What was your name?

Guard: Oh? It's Giody! Thanks for helping, enjoy your stay in Vanaverd!

With that, they carried on into the city, heading towards the Inn firstly to unpack their belongings, they'd be here awhile to help out as much as possible.