Tin men

"Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?"- Abraham Lincoln

Of course the damn gondola just had to be out. I rubbed my eyes with my fingers, of course I had another hurdle before I finished the race. "It looks like this runs exclusively on Shock Jockey." Elizabeth said, looking at the power station.

"Great, where in the hell are we gonna find that at? It could be anywhere." I said in irritation.

Elizabeth looked to the sign near the station and read aloud, "Shock Jockey, come see the power of the future at the hall of heroes." she said smiling.

I grinned, "Nice going. Now we just need to find it. Any idea where it could be?" I asked, hopping it wasn't on the other side of Columbia.

Elizabeth thought for a moment before answering, "I think I might have seen a sign advertising it back near that theatre, we could look around there for directions."

Ok yeah that's a good a plan as any. "Alright, let's head back and see if we can't find this place." Elizabeth nodded and we began to retrace our steps.

When we passed the Duke and Dimwit theatre, the P.A. system came to life, "The False Shepard is among us, a prowler of women and children, what will you do? Act. Act for your womenfolk, and bring his machinations to a stop."

Ok it's one thing to not like me, but I just hate gossip, "What do you think our chances are that they're looking for us?" I asked, Elizabeth had a worried look on her face, "I'd say pretty good, considering that." she said, pointing to the road block up ahead.

Shit, well from past experience if someone's guarding something, it's worth checking out. And since they had a sign that read 'Hall of Heroes this way' above their head in lights, I guessed we where in the right direction.

Before we moved on, I pulled Elizabeth over into a alleyway, "What's wrong? That's the way to the Hall of Heroes right?" she asked, I nodded grimly, "Yeah, and it looks like we're expected."

Elizabeth's expression said that she understood, "So you going to have to kill them." she said in a quite voice. I nodded, "Yeah. I probably will." I could see she wasn't comfortable about this, she had that same look after we left the gondola at Battleship Bay.

"Elizabeth look, I want you to stay here, and don't come out until I say so." That got her attention, "No! I'm not defenseless, I can take care of myself!" she said defiantly.

I exhaled a breath, "Elizabeth it's going to get bloody, and I'm taking from experience here. Plus who knows what will happen? What if you catch a stray bullet? I'm not that knowledgeable with medicine!"

Elizabeth glared at me intensely, "And I am! What if you get hurt like at the ticket counter? Only this time it'll be a bullet though the arm!" I still wasn't convinced, "Elizabeth, I...I just don't you to get hurt."

It was true, so far Elizabeth was the one person who actually cared for me since I got here. I don't want her to get hurt. But she's probably right about knowing more about medicine than I do.

I sighed, "You stay close to me and if it gets to dangerous, you fall back. Deal?" I asked holding out my hand. Elizabeth smiled at her victory, "Deal." she said taking my hand and shaking it.

Peeking out from the alley corner, I saw the blockade's men was six in total from what I could see. I looked back at Elizabeth, "You ready?" I asked.

"Honestly? Not at all." well she's honest, gotta give her credit, I smiled, "Don't worry, neither am I." I said, trying to lighten the mood.

Taking one last look of their positions, I charged out from cover, Elizabeth right behind me. We where spotted immediately by the point man, "It's the lamb! And the Fal-" my carbine shots to his chest stopped him from saying anything.

The others spring into action, I unleashed a Murder of Crows at a group of three of them, I then tossed a fire grenade at their feet and-Holy shit! The crows caught on fire and dive themselves into the founders! I could hear Elizabeth gasp from the scene and I wasn't that far behind.

The shots to my shield brought me back from the gruesome scene, switching to my shotgun, I turned and blasted the gunman away, "Jacob look out!" I turned and saw one last man coming at me with his club. Clicking the shotgun's leaver, I slammed the barrel at the side of his head and pointed the muzzle at his face.

I pulled the trigger and the treat was no more. Wiping the man's blood off my face, I saw Elizabeth was in a mild shock from watching the carnage.

"Hey, you need a minute?" I asked, she shook her head and swallowed, "No, no I'm fine. Come on, lets go. We still have a vigor to find." I nodded and stepped over the corpses. I didn't expect to be shot in the back.

The shots where all together, they weren't powerful but there was enough to break my shield. Falling to the ground, I let out a small shout of pain as I clutched my shoulder.

Rolling over, I drew my pistol from its holster I fired and managed to do worse to him. As he fell, Elizabeth rushed over. "Oh my god! Are you alright?" she asked, helping me up.

"Sonofvabitch got me in the shoulder! Can you check it out?" I asked. She nodded as I began to take off my jacket. Elizabeth took a quick look at my shoulder and sighed with relief, "Good news, it just nicked ya. You should be fine." she said.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Thank goodness, last thing I need is to have surgery." Elizabeth paled a little at that, "Sorry, joke."

Elizabeth nodded as she helped me up, I slipped my jacket back on and headed for the entrance.

As we approached the elevator I saw a bending machine in the corner. Looking at what was for sale, I bought a Devil's Kiss upgrade that let me have grenade clusters. That could come in handy.

"Hall of Heroes, closed until further notice." Elizabeth read from the sign. "Well that means no lines at least." she gave me a small smile, "That's a good way to look at it. Shall we?" she asked, looking towards the elevator, I smiled and gestured towards the box, "After you."

She blushed a little as she walked into the small box. Pressing the button, the elevator's doors closed as the room lifted up towards the upper levels.

Glancing towards Elizabeth, I saw she was still a little shaken from the killing, "You know you can talk to me about...it..if you want to." I said, jarring her from her thoughts. "But you said that you needed to focus at the task at hand though."

I nodded, "Yeah, I did. But I think that if I keep dogging it, it'll all just collapse on me. You know? And I don't want that. So maybe talking about it in spades is a good idea." Elizabeth considered my answer a moment before nodding, "Ok, I think I understand. So...how do you feel?" she asked timidly.

I ran a hand through my hair, "I'm not gonna lie, I feel...horrible." Elizabeth gave me a sympathetic look, "Jacob, it's not your fault. Like you said, it's all been in self defense." she said, putting a hand on my shoulder.

I nodded, "I know but-" before I could finish my sentence, the elevator came to a abrupt halt. "Of, fucking course." I said, cursing my luck. I truly, utterly have shit luck, don't I?

"Do you think you can fix it?" Elizabeth asked, I shrugged. Hey, I'm not Macgyver. "I'll try." I said, looking at the flashing read lights above the panel. Opening it up, I saw we where pretty much screwed.

I have absolutely no idea how to work something like this! Ok, ok, calm down Harper, you can do this. Piling out one of the fuses, I put one on the shelf in it's place. Nothing happened.

Elizabeth let out a gasp, "What is it?" I asked, trying to unplug another circuit, "It's a bee! Ugh, I hate these things." I suppressed a laugh, she'll go into a gunfight with me but she hates bees? That's too cute.

"Don't worry, it won't hurt you if you try not to hurt it." I said, a smile present in my voice, Elizabeth was still off put from the insect, "Do you know what bees do! They sting!"

I said nothing as I held up my bandaged hand, "I'm serious!" I put another breaker in, "If it bugs you that much, just squish it."

"No it'll sting me!" she said in a winey tone, "Elizabeth." Ok there was no stopping the chuckles now. "Wait, I got a idea." she said.

I turned away from the panel to Elizabeth, she was turned to the wall and was...trying to rip it apart? "Uhhhh, what are you doing?" I asked.

"I'm...opening...a...tear!" Elizabeth said, throwing her arms out, the wall disappeared, its place was a room with a open window. I scrambled up against the wall opposite of the window.

"There, all better." Elizabeth said with a smile as the bee flew out the window. She looked back to me and saw the surprised look on my face. "What's wrong Jacob?" she asked.

I pointed to the window, "What. The. Hell?" I remember her doing something like this at the tower, I thought it had something to do with the painting!

She widened her eyes in realization, "Oh, that's a tear." I shot her a deadpanned look, "Let me try this again. What. The. Hell. Is. A. Tear?"

Elizabeth thought for a moment, "Think of it like...a...a...window. A window into another world." she took a step towards it, "Usually they're dull as dishwater, a different colored towel, or tea instead of coffee. But sometimes, I see something amazing," she stepped towards the window.

Ok, I think I might understand this, "So...it's another...universe?" Again, after the shot I've seen, it wouldn't surprise me.

Elizabeth thought for a moment, "I never thought of like that. I like to think of them as doorways. But that makes sense to." she said. "Wait, I thought you said you worked on machines?"

I nodded, "Yeah I do. But we got these things called comic books that kinda delve into the idea of other dimensions." Yes I read comics, yes I'm 19. That's not a bad thing, comics rule. 'Nuff said.

Elizabeth gestured me over, "Come on, it's not dangerous." I gave her a unbelieving look, "Your saying that hopping dimensions isn't at all dangerous?"

She looked back at me the same way, "Haven't you been in several gunfights since you got here?" she said.

Okay yeah that's fair. I took a breath and stepped forwards, when I stood before the point where the wood turned into carpet. I hesitated for a moment before stepping into another dimension.

I didn't burn to a crisp, I didn't explode in a million pieces either, Elizabeth grinned at me, "See? Nothing bad happened." she said.

I smiled and looked out the window, it had a garden on the ledge of the window with roses, well since no one's gonna miss it, I plucked out one of the roses and handed it to her. Blushing, she put the rose behind her ear and smiled warmly, "Thank you."

I turned to the window, "Any chance you could bring the airship to us?" I asked. She shook her head, "No," she frowned and looked out the window, something caught her eye, raising a eye, she looked more closely.

"But...but there is something..." I saw something moving in the clouds, I saw a orange light shine through and...wings?!

Son of a bitch I hate my luck.

"Elizabeth close it!" I yelled, getting my carbine ready, Elizabeth's panicked, trying her best, she tried to close the tear. "I-I-I can't!" getting my gun ready, I waited for the big bastard to show himself.

Before he could crash into us, Elizabeth clasped her hands together, closing the tear and stopping the bird thing.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened.

Looking over to Elizabeth, I saw she was a little shaken, "Hey, you ok?" I asked, she nodded and slipped out if the elevator. I fallowed right behind her, "Are you sure, we can take a minute if we need to." she really freaked out by that thing, at the tower she nearly had a panic attack when he showed up, I need to make sure we avoid that thing for a bit.

She shook her head, "I'll be fine, I just need a minute to catch my breath." she said going down the steps to the room. It looked like a exhibition room, but the place looked like a hurricane came through the room.

"Look, I get that what you can do is amazing, don't get me wrong, but I think we shouldn't be going around screwing with other dimensions." Elizabeth gave me pleading look, "But it could help." I nodded, "Yeah it can, but I think we should work at it a little before using it. Besides, pray ice makes perfect. Right?" Elizabeth nodded. We headed onward towards the hall. Traversing through the wreckage, we fallowed the path leading to a box with a new Vigor type in it.

The bottle depicted a cowboy on a horse, it was labeled 'Bucking Bronco' on it. "That's not shock jockey, you sure you should drink that?" Elizabeth asked, I shrugged, "I got about three of them inside me already, four and five shouldn't make a lot of difference." I said as I uncorked the bottle.

Gulping it down, it tasted like leather as I drank. When I looked down at my hand, patches of skin lifted off, the sound of a horse screeching rang in my ears, and Elizabeth's gasp didn't go unnoticed.

When my hands turned back to normal I looked towards Elizabeth, "See? Nothing happened." She gave me a look. "Besides my hands nearly peeling off." she looked satisfied with that.

Circling around the wall, I saw a platoon of founder soldiers, I was dying to test out my new vigor, sending my hand out with bucking bronco, the floor crackled as it was sent towards them, the men lifted into the air, not at all sure what had just happened.

Thinking fast, I switched to devils kiss, sending a fireball at the floating men, when it collided with the men, the ball burst apart into smaller balls and roasted the men in midair.

Okay, as gross as that is, that was awesome.

Oh god, I'm going to hell for all this aren't I?

Raising my carbine, I aimed at one of the soldiers not caught in the brimstone and fired a headshot. The one on the left charged towards me but my shotgun took care of them. There where only a few left when I heard Elizabeth call out, "Jacob crow!" Aw shit.

I looked to where she was pointing and saw the hooded racist descend. "You really think you got a chance dude? I mean I killed like your head guy didn't I?" I asked, making the man angry like I wanted, "DIE IN THE NAME OF THE REAVEN!" He charged right at me, but a bucking bronco made it into a skeet shoot.

With the main threat gone, I focused on the remaining men. After another brief firefight, the path was clear. The skylines up ahead said it was the way towards the Hall, but we had to clear the lines first.

I went to pull the leaver and move the line along while Elizabeth picked up a skyhook, "This is going to be fantastic!" she said, excitement dripping off her words.

I smirked, "Really? Your not the tiniest bit scared?" I asked, she shrugged, "People our age where doing this before it was legalized. What's the worst that could happen?"

Seriously?

"Well there's the fact that we're about a million feet in the air but other than that, nothing." Elizabeth gave me a surprised look, "Your afraid of heights, aren't you?" I rubbed the back of my head, "That's nothing in comparison to how much I hate water."

She smirked, "Well if your not scared how about we see who can get there first?" before I could respond, Elizabeth shouted, "GO!" and hopped onto the skyline.

I leaped onto the tracks right after her. As we accented I could just make out the Hall of Heroes, it looked like the place was part of a giant Comstock statue. It was like the one I saw when I arrived but much bigger.

"What's wrong slowpoke! Can't keep up?" Elizabeth called over her shoulder, smiling. I sent her back one of my own, I could have beat her to the hall, but I think she'd hold it against me for the bulk of the trip to Paris and demand a rematch.

When I landed, Elizabeth was so ecstatic about her victory that I couldn't bring myself to saw that I technically never agreed to it. "Okay champ, lets her this vigor and get out of this hell over earth."

She smiled as we made our way forward, "Hey, look at this." she said looking at a wanted poster. On it was a man in his forties with a eyepatch and the word traitor on his poster. The name was Slate.

"Huh, guess Comstock's not the most like guy after all." I said smirking, glad that someone other than me, and hopefully Elizabeth, thought he was a complete asshole.

"You know what they say, the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Elizabeth said, looking at me hopefully. I nodded, more guys who hate Comstock, the better.

As we approached the hall Elizabeth spoke up, "Do you think this will be easy?" I could tell she was hoping this whole nightmare would be over. Before I could respond, Elizabeth tackled me to the ground behind a wooden plaque for cover, saving me from the bullet that tore through the air where my head was at.

"Shit! Sniper!" I sneered. I seriously can't be easy can it! I then noticed that Elizabeth was basically right ontop of me, now I may be a gentleman, but I'm still a guy so it was a little embarrassing to say the least. Obviously Elizabeth knew it was too since she was about as red as I was, "I...um...saw the glare from the gun and...um..."

Again, really awkward.

"Yeah...thanks." I said as tried not to sound like a complete idiot. After she got off me, I peeked over the wood to try and find our sniper. "Shit."

"What is it?" Elizabeth asked, "I can't spot him. Where was he when you saw him?" I asked. She thought it through for a moment before answering, "The roof of the building, the one on the left."

I looked over and scanned the rooftop. Nothing. I turned and faced Elizabeth, "Okay, I'm gonna draw him out from hiding, you need to say here. Understand?" I asked. She firmly nodded, understanding my instruction.

I looked at the area before me, there was a thing of cover a little ways off, readying myself, I burst out from cover in a run to the cover, keeping the rooftop in my sight, I saw the man quickly peek his head up and tried to get me in his sights, the problem was he was so far away I couldn't nail him, even with my carbine.

"Jacob here!" I turned just in time to see Elizabeth throw a sniper rifle at me, surprisingly, I managed to catch it. Trading it for my shotgun, I leaned out from cover and looked through the scope to see the man searching for where I got the rifle from.

I steadied my aim and got his head in my sights, I pulled the trigger and his head was no more.

Looking to Elizabeth, I gave a nod of thanks to her, the doors to the hall suddenly opened, I raised the rifle and saw they weren't founders. They wore a red, white, and blue color style that wasn't the norm for the guys I've been going up against.

Too bad they weren't friendly.

They fired on us without hesitation. Switching back to my carbine, I summoned bucking bronco and shot three down that got too close for my comfort.

Opened fire on the other two behind cover by the door, when my clip ran out I sent a possession to one of them, distracting the other one long enough for me to put another clip in the gun. When the man was done with his friend, a quick shot through his eyes took care of him.

Dropping the sniper, I waited for others to come but no reinforcements came thankfully. Elizabeth ran up to me and looked at the bodies, "These men aren't like the other people we've encountered. Who are these people?" she asked.

I shrugged, "People with guns, and they really like shooting them at people." I joked. Elizabeth gave me a stern look, "Sorry, just trying to lighten the mood...oh god that's kinda morbid. Forget I said that." I said realizing how bad that sounds.

"Already did. Now come on, lets head in and get the shock jockey." she said, I nodded in agreement. Sooner we get the hell out of here, the better.

...

The Hall of Heroes was trashed. Whoever these guys where, they where violent, two men dead at the counter gave that away. Elizabeth grabbed a lamp from one if the downed men and turned it on. Nodding to her, we headed down the corridor.

Checking the coat room, we found some spare silver eagles I'm the desks and wallets in the pockets of coats. Reentering the corridor, I drew my pistol to take care of two men that where investigating the hall.

Pushing open the doors to the next room, the only thing visible was the silhouette of a statue in the center of the room. Elizabeth and I moved to the base if it, her light illuminating the plaque at the bottom. "Father Comstock, commander of the 7th Calvary." she read aloud.

I raised a eye at this, "I never figured Comstock for a solider." Elizabeth shrugged, "Many men after war turn to religion afterwords, they believe it's a form of atonement for what they've done."

I scoffed, "If that's the case, I'd really hate to see Comstock's version of a heaven." The light behind the statue abruptly turned on, "I couldn't have said it better myself." the P.A. speakers said.

Looking up, I averted my eyes from the light, "Who are you? One of Comstock's cronies?" the voice chuckled, "I haven't been since I was branded a traitor for telling the truth about Comstock."

Wait a minute, "Slate?" I asked, "The one and only Harper!" I threw my weapon over my shoulder, "So I take it you know about me?" I asked. The man laughed, "Know of you? Yes, but more importantly, I know what you are Harper."

Elizabeth gave me a nervous glance, I'll admit I'm a little creeped out, "Your a real solider Harper, not like the tin soldiers such as Comstock's troopers." I shook my head, "I'm not a solider, I'm just a kid from Michigan. Hell I've never killed someone before yesterday!"

"And that's what's makes you perfect! Someone who's never spilled blood before, but kills lesser men with ease! It makes you a true solider!" Ok this guy might be over the couco's nest.

"Your a true solider Harper! And if my men would rather die by a real solider then a tin one!" Ok yeah this guy is a nut job!

When the light shut off, my gut told me we where in trouble, "Elizabeth, turn off the lamp." she nodded quickly and shut off our light source. When the two doors at either sides of the room opened, I threw a incendiary grenade in each. The remaining stragglers I finished off with my carbine.

"See Harper! Your a killer! And that's exactly what I need! That's exactly what my men need! Now go forth and give them a warrior's death!" Slate said over the speaker, "Just give us the Shock Jockey and we'll leave! You have my word." I pleaded. But it was no use, he had stopped listening.

"God damnit." I muttered, I did not want to kill these people. They're innocent as far as I'm concerned. But Slate's either too depressed, or too caught up in all this to care. "What now? If those men come after us..." Elizabeth drifted off, not wanting to think about the worse case.

"Nothing's changed, we find the Shock Jockey, we head back to the gondola, we get on the First Lady, and we get the guck outta here. Okay?" I asked, she nodded in understanding, "We better get to it then."she said with determination. I nodded as we entered the next room

Centered in the room was a rotunda, a line went across the center of it, signifying dates in Columbia's history. There was a door on the opposite side of the room but it was locked shut. "Damn, what now?" I asked, the loudspeakers came on again, "If you want your precious Vigor Harper, look for it at Wounded Knee and Peking."

"What! What does that mean?" I asked, but the speakers where silent. I turned towards Elizabeth, "You have any idea what he means?" I asked.

Elizabeth thought over what he said, "Well, those two halls lead towards the Boxer Rebellion exhibit and The Battle of Wounded Knee. Maybe they're in there." she said, pointing towards the exhibits.

I nodded, "That makes sense, lets head into the Boxer one first and see what's there." I said, heading for the white hallway, Elizabeth right behind me.

As soon as I stepped into the hall a yellow cardboard man popped up. Ok that's so racist I won't even comment. "What's this place?" Elizabeth asked, I shrugged, "I focused on American History back home. We went as far back as the 1920's. I'm a as lost as you are."

Elizabeth looked towards the cardboard cutouts, "I wondered what happened here." she said as we moved on.

The speakers turned on, "In Peking? It was my hand that put the city to the torch. Of course, that's not how Comstock tells it..." I'll admit that'd be rough, not being recognized for something you did.

The twin doors ahead of us slid away as we approached. Another cut out popped out just when we where under the doorway, making us jump. Great, a racist funhouse for the kiddies.

Staying the path, the lights shined on a statue of a man cutting off a woman's head. Oh that is just plain lovely. Heading into the door on the right, I found a infusion beside ammo for my carbine.

Exiting that room, one of slates men where waiting for us, I slammed the skyhook into his neck, thankfully it got caught between the hooks, a quick pull of the leaver, and his neck was snapped, "Oh my god!" I winced.

"Sorry, but at least it was painless right?" I supplied. Elizabeth nodded warily, "I suppose so, but still." I nodded, "Yeah, I know. Doesn't make it any easier." I said with a grim face.

After passing the rest of the exhibit. We entered the end of the road, the wall depicted Columbia in the sky, and beside it was a statue of a fallen Comstock. Elizabeth stepped forward, "Oh, I read about this, Comstock lead the Columbian to Peking and.."

"COMSTOCK WASN'T THERE!" Slate's voice yelled over the speakers, "The boxers took my eye and thirty of my friends! Is there even a stone to mark they're sacrifice?!"

The sounds of doors opening and yells made me draw my weapon, the first man who dropped down was a fireman! Thinking fast, I sent a possession at him, making the biggest guy my ally and sending him after the bulk of the enemies. I then rammed my skyhook into a man's head and flung him away.

I couldn't see where Elizabeth was but I knew she'd be okay, she's actually getting as good as I am at this. Firing my carbine into a man, my shield was destroyed when a fireball was thrown at me. Turning, I saw the fireman was no longer in my side, I used Bucking Bronco to lift him into the air while I switched to my pistol and emptied the clip in him.

He was barely alive when he came back down, the high pitched wine was so short I didn't have enough time to react before he exploded. I bit back a yell as I was flown back onto the ground.

After I got back up, Elizabeth yelled, "Jacob medicine!" I tuned and saw her throw a first aid kit towards me, digging inside, I found some painkillers and gulped them down.

The remaining men tired to rush me but a devil's kiss put a end to that.

"You see young Miss? Youse the man Comstock wishes he was? A real solider!" Ok I'm sick of this guy's BS, "I don't want this Slate. Just give us the damn shock jockey!"

"I will. After you do the same for me. Come look for me amongst the ghost dancers." he said. Ok this guy may be a asshole, but I don't want to kill him.

Jesus Comstock what the hell did you do to this guy? "What are the ghost dancers?" Elizabeth asked. I gave her a accusing look, "And your asking me why?" she deflated a little, "Good point. He probably means the other exhibit. Lets go." she said as the doors to the room opened.

"Can you hear Comstock's men coming to silence us? But we are the true patriots! The history that does not fit in their books." And on that ending note, we retraces our steps back to the rotunda.

...

Ok, I'm upgrading these guy's status to super sky racists. The Peking exhibit was was bad, but this one was worse. I read a little about what happened at wounded knee and I can tell you with a straight face that it's the white man's fault.

Entering the end of the exhibit, Elizabeth turned to me, "Why would they do this? They where innocent people. Women and children!" she asked, horror in her eyes, "In every war Elizabeth, they're innocent casualties. No exception, not even for the U.S." I said.

"On that day we strode the battlefield like the heroes of Sparta. I still hear the screams. Does Comstock?" Slate said over the speakers.

"Here is the man I told you of. The kind that Comstock wishes he could be! See if I told you true!" Oh crap.

The men filed into the room, weapons drawn. I fired at the first few with my carbine, as I pulled the trigger for a headshot the gun just clicked. Out of ammo, I switched to my pistol and laid some shots down then.

I finished off the remaining soldiers with my pistol, I thought we where in the clear before the crow showed up, I lifted him into the air with bucking bronco while I reloaded my pistol. Before I could do so, the man disappeared in a flock of feathers!

Shit they're learning my tactics! As the man charged at me with his sword, I was about to reach for my skyhook when Elizabeth called out, "Jacob Catch!" I turned and caught the shotgun that Elizabeth had thrown me. I spun around with the shotgun in my right hand just on time to nail the crow clean in the head. Nearly throwing out my shoulder in the process.

"You gave those men a honorable death Harper, you should be proud." Proud. Proud?! "What the fuck are you talking about!? I just killed these people! I never asked for this!" I shouted into the air as I rubbed my shoulder.

"Heroes never ask..." he replied.

"I not a hero Slate. If anything, I'm just. A survivor." survivor, yeah that fit me well enough I think. "And if not that than what? If you take away all the parts of you that you claim you aren't then what remains?"

Great, he's a philosopher.

"Come back to the rotunda, it's almost over." Thank god. Finally.

As we began to make our way back to the rotunda, Elizabeth spoke up, "Do you really think that Slate will give us the Shock Jockey just like that?" she asked.

I shook my head, "I don't know. He's just led us along for the ride so far, what's stopping him from doing it again." For all we know the guy could have tossed the stuff out the window. But I couldn't tell Elizabeth that, I don't want all this to be for nothing.

Entering the room, Slate's voice rang out again, "I got what you need Harper. You'll find me past the First Lady memorial." I looked towards the unlocked door, I knew it was a trap, so I made a Murder of Crows trap at the door and waited. When two men burst through the doors, my shotgun took care of them.

Moving into the next room, I saw that this might not be as bad as the last two. "You've seen how Comstock has rewritten my history, now see what he has done to his own." I really was tempted to shoot those speakers.

Entering the exhibit, we found a statue of lady Comstock and a baby, "'The seed of the prophet lay in the womb if the child for but a single week.' Comstock had a child? My books never said anything about a child."

"Ok that's bullshit, it takes nine months for a baby to be fully developed." I said. "It doesn't make sense. But if people want to believe it, they will." Elizabeth said, I nodded, "Fair enough."

Elizabeth read on, "But the child took I'll, and the Lady prayed the prophet's heir day and night." I shrugged, "Who wouldn't?"

Moving into the next room, my heart nearly stopped. "That's my tower..." Elizabeth said. The statue of Comstock came to life, "Lo, while Daisy Fitzroy has murdered my beloved, she will not have my child. She will not betwixt her and prophecy."

Oh my god..

"The seed of the prophet, shall sit the throne, and drown in flame the mountains if man!" It all connected. Elizabeth began to hyperventilate, "Am...am I..."

"Your Comstock's daughter.." I couldn't believe this! Elizabeth is...is...everything he isn't! How on god's green earth are they...unless...

"No...I can't be...I can't!" she said, starting to panic a little, I took her by the shoulders, "Elizabeth listen to me, it's not true." she looked at me furiously, "How can you say that! You just said.."

"I was wrong! Okay listen to me now...it said that it took one week for you to be born, right?" she nodded, "And Slate said that he's rewritten history before, he probably lied a about you as well." She was starting to put two and two together.

"He...he's...not my father...I..." It was all so much for her I couldn't blame her, "He can't be your dad. He can't be. " she looked down at her feet unconvinced. I took her face in my hands and turned it to me, "Look, in my time, we've found ways to make kids other than the conventional way. And throughout it all, it still takes none months. He. Is. Lying."

That seemed to make it come across. She began to calm down, "He's not my father...he's not my father.." I nodded, "That's right. He is a lier. We can not trust him. Ok?" she gave me a nod.

Making our way under the bridge, we came to a locked door, "Elizabeth, could you..." she went to work right away, "Jacob...thank you. It's just..." I waved my hand, "Forget it, I can't imagine how it'd be like to find that out. Lets just get this done, and get out of here. That'll piss Comstock off something fierce."

Elizabeth smiled at the notion, "I'm going to enjoy that."

...

Entering the courtyard, we hurried down the stairs to the gate only to find it locked. "I can through the bars but I think your a little too broad." I raised a eye, "I'm nearly as skinny as you!" she slipped through the bars with ease. When I found out I couldn't get through, Elizabeth smiled triumphantly, "Not a word. Now how do I get over?" I asked.

I looked up hoping to find a skyhook or something but...what the hell? It looked like..."Is that...?" Elizabeth's eyes widened, "It's a tear. Something that I can bring into this world."

Looking more closely, I saw it was..."A freight hook? Sweet." Thank you my crappy luck, "As I said it's a form of wish fulfillment."

Throwing her arms out, the hook flashed into the world. Jumping up to the hook, I saw that my luck was running true to form still. Slate's men where coming from the lower level of the courtyard.

"Jacob do you see those tears?" Elizabeth asked, I saw what she was talking about. One was balconies, another was a turret with a wall around it, "Lets give these tears of your a field test. Open the turret one." I said, she nodded.

Opening the tear, the turret opened fire on Slate's men. I dropped from the sky and crouched by the railing, picking up a sniper rifle, me and the turret below took care of our friends. When it was over, Slate spoke up over the P.A. "Comstock's pet can do some wonderful tricks can't she Harper?"

Ok. That crossed the line.

"She's a human being you fucking psyco! Now give us the vigor or I swear to god I'll make you wish you did sooner!" I yelled, pissed at the man. When he didn't answer i just got more pissed.

"You didn't need to do that." Elizabeth said, a little surprised at my outburst, "I know...I'm just fucking sick of all this. I just want to leave this place and never come back." It was true I was tired of this place, but it's just now really starting to register.

Elizabeth placed her hand on my shoulder, "We'll be on our way to Paris before you know it." she said, trying to cheer me up. I smiled at her attempt to lighten the mood.

...

After we got down to the lower level we approached the room where the soldiers came from, "Keep a eye out, I don't think we're out of the woods yet." I said as we entered the room. The place was barren, nothing alive in here but us. In the center of the room was a round desk with a salt container that I really needed,

Gulping it down, I nearly choked when the machines started talking. I couldn't make out what they where saying and it was so loud that Elizabeth covered her ears so she wouldn't go mad. When they all stopped, Slate's voice came over the speakers once again, "Lets see how you do against a real tin man Harper!"

The sound of glass cracking startled us, "Jacob!" Elizabeth exclaimed, pointing to the display case at the far side of the room. The glass broke, and out stepped...you have got to be kidding me.

A motorized George Washington with a crank-gun stepped out of it's case. Me and Elizabeth just stared at the machine for moment before its automated voice rang out, "IN THE NAME OF THE PROPHET!"

"Elizabeth get down!" I yelled as he started the gun up. Elizabeth ran off to the side while I threw a fire grenade at the robot. It didn't even slow it down! The gun began to fire, my shield took most of the damage but I didn't want to lose it already.

Ducking behind the desk, I lifted my carbine over my head and blind fired at it, hoping to at least hurt it but I was lower on ammo than I thought and I ran out. "Jacob aim for the gears!" Elizabeth shouted over the gunfire. Gears?

I looked through one of the bullet holes and saw what she was talking about. The back of the robot was exposed, gears spinning as the thing moved.

And I know you can cripple almost anything if you can break it's spine.

I sprung up from cover and sent another Murder of Crows at it. While the birds attacked, I ran around his side in a attempt to flank him but she swung the gun to me and rammed me into the wall!

Guess birds can't do shit to metal.

The robot turned to me, cracked face exposing some if the wiring, and lifted his gun. I tried to move but my arm hurt like hell, I think he dislocated it! As he raised the gun, my life began to flash before my eyes.

Before he could crank it, the flash if a tear brought in a automation! The two metal men opened fire at one another but the turret couldn't match the other robot's fire power.

Before he could turn back to me, a tin can connected with it's head. We both turned and saw Elizabeth readying something else to throw. The robot began to move forward!

NO! I am NOT letting this happen! I stood from where I was at and ran forward, I didn't have a plan, I just knew those damn gears where it's weakness! When I got close enough, I jumped onto the to it's back.

My added weight threw him off balance enough to make him stumble head first into a wall. I looked down and saw the gears, I grabbed my shotgun and shoved it in between them, grinding them to a halt.

The robot fell to it 's knees and dropped his gun. I was all out of ammo, but I still had my Vigors. Latching my hands onto the unmoving gears, I thought about devil's kiss, the heat, fire, lava, anything that melted.

The gears of metal became like putty, I tightened my grip. Soon the robot was on its hands and knees, grabbing my shotgun, I kept hitting the gears with the handle. I threw everything I had into it.

When the damn thing hit the floor, I got up. Elizabeth was looking at me with shock. We where quiet for a few seconds before I spoke, "You okay?" I asked, she shakily nodded, "Yes...are you?" she asked.

I looked at my arm, it hurt so much I don't think I can even explain it. "Other than a dislocated shoulder, I'm good." I said, stepping off the robot.

Elizabeth rushed over to me as I sat down beside the fallen foe. "Take your jacket off." she commanded, I did as she told. When the dark brown piece of cloth was off, I saw how bad it was, my shoulder was angled towards my back, and it made me a little sick to look at.

Elizabeth gave it a experimental touch, I resisted the urge to cry out but tears gathered I'm my eyes. "Sorry." she apologized. She headed towards the desks and opened a tear, how'd I miss that?

Coming back over, she held a medical bag in her hands. Setting it down beside me, she dug in and pulled out...ffffuuuuccckkkk me.

She pulled out a small glass if morphine and a needle. She saw the look on my face and gave me a sympathetic look, "This'll hurt, but just for a minute." That really puts my mind at ease.

Filling the syringe with the drug, she crouched next to me, "Any chance you could just knock me out and do this?" I asked. She shook her head, a small smile on her face, "Who knew the False Shepard was afraid of needles."

"Please don't call me that." I said as she readied the needle. "Sure...ready?" she asked, "Not a fucking chance." I was honest.

Elizabeth rolled up my sleeve and cleaned off the point of entry. Surprisingly it didn't hurt, after it was in, I felt...dizzy. Not enough to impair my judgement but enough to dull the pain.

"Okay, now the hard part." the hard part? "We need to reset the bone. And that's gonna hurt." I knew this but the look on her face said there was a problem, "But?"

"But I'm going to need to push it back into place." I get it, she isn't Hercules, it's going to take a lot of force to reset the bone. I looked towards the desk, "I got a idea. Help me over that table."

I had to lean on her a tad as we made out way towards the wooden desk. I laid down on my front on the table with my dislocated arm outstretched. "Elizabeth, no matter what I say, no matter what I scream, even if I'm screaming Bloody Mary, you do not stop pushing until you hear it pop. Okay?"

She nodded with affirmation, "Okay. You might need to put all your weight on me if you need to. Don't be scared, I'll be fine." I said.

"Okay, I'll try not to hurt you too much Jacob." she said, readying herself. Looking on the desk, I reached for a pencil and put it between my teeth. "Ready?" she asked, I nodded and she began to push.

Thank god for morphine.

Imagine getting punched in the same place for over a hour the someone starts open palm hitting that part of your body and then multiply that by 10,000 and you'll begin to understand what it felt like.

The pencil broke in my mouth, my tears leaked out of my eyes and I think I used ever swear word I know. I really hope I didn't, Elizabeth shouldn't hear me say that.

When I felt it pop into place, I rolled off the table and onto the floor. Tears where still running down my cheeks and I must have looked horrible.

I was pulled up onto something soft, and god did I want to sleep. Opening my eyes I saw Elizabeth cradling my head in her lap, "It's okay. You where perfect, you just need to rest now." I shook my head, "Gotta...get...vigor.."

She gave me a stern look, "You need to rest Jacob." I wanted to protest, but sleep sounded so good right now it wasn't even funny. I dug into my pocket and set a alarm on my iPod for ten minutes and handed it to her, "Ten minutes, wake me up then." She took the device and nodded.

As I closed my eyes, Elizabeth put my jacket over me as a blanket, I felt sleep overtake me immediately.

...

That was the best ten minutes of Lu entire life.

Feeling someone shake my good shoulder, I opened to see a smiling Elizabeth over me, "How do you feel?" she asked. I slowly stood, rotating my arm, it felt much better but was still a little sore.

"I'll be good in a while, come on, lets get what we came for and then get the hell outta here." I said earning a nod from Elizabeth.

Entering the supply room, I turned the corner and found a crate labeled shock jockey. Before I opened it, I turned to Elizabeth, "Wanna do the honors?" I asked, she smiled and came up beside me. Pushing the lid off we found...oh holy shit.

"You don't that Slate..." Elizabeth asked, looking at the empty box. I shrugged, "Guy's at the end of his rope. Who knows? Hey...what do ya think happens when you dink that many at once?" I asked.

She shrugged, "Let's hope they're still one around here." she said heading back towards the exhibit room. Upon reentering the room, we obviously missed something.

There were crystals with electrical charges on the floor, "Slate." Elizabeth stated, I nodded, "Lets see if he has a spare bottle on him." I said making my way over to the downed patriot, picking up my jacket along the way.

Looking over the crank gun, I figured I might as well. Besides how often do you get the cance to use a frickin mini gun?

Hoisting it up, I readied myself for what laid before us.

...

Out in the courtyard Slate was waiting for us, "IT WAS SLATE WHO FOUGHT FOR HIS COUNTRY AT WOUNDED KNEE! SLLLLAAATTTTTEEEE!" Yeah that's what we're dealing with.

Thankfully the crank gun had enough firepower to take care of the men who came after us, along with the fireman and patriot.

Entering the building, me and Elizabeth made our way up the stairs towards where we last saw Slate. He set some traps for us but my pistol took care if that.

His men charged after us but a Bucking Bronco sent them into the air and let me take care of them easily. I picked up a machine gun and shotgun, trading them for my empty carbine.

Circling around a statue of Comstock, we headed towards the door we last saw Slate go to. "I'll go in first, stay behind me." I said, Elizabeth nodded. Bursting through the door we found Slate...on the ground?

Keeping my gun trained on him, I variously moved forward, me and Elizabeth stood on either side if the man. He had...crystals on the side of his head! Must be from the vigor overuse.

I saw he still had one bottle left, reaching down to get it, he prying to life and grabbed my shoulder, "Your not done here solider! Eat everything that's in your plate! Finish it!" He yelled handing me a pistol.

I'm really tempted to do it. Not only did this guy lead is in a wild goose chase, he tried to kill us every step of the way! But...he's just..."Is that what you really want?" I asked, "If you do, then everything you've done here is for nothing!" I said.

He chuckled, "Son, it's all Ben for nothing since I came here. Your the closest thing to a real solider I've seen in many years." I shook my head, "I am not a solider Slate. If anyone here is, it's you."

He shook his head, "Look at me boy. My time is just around the corner. I'd rather die on the battlefield than die in a bed." I gotta say I respect that.

I kneeled down to his level, "Slate, listen. I can't imagine what it's like to lose your past. But that's not a reason to give up!" he kept his eyes on the ground before him. Elizabeth gave me a heartfelt look, she knew I was trying to do the right thing but it wasn't working.

"Slate, it may be too late for the past, but your future, the part of you that hasn't been defined yet? That's still a blank page." He looked up from the floor towards me, "These Vox Populi are fighting against the Tin man. Join them! And when it's over, show the people what a liar Comstock is. And then make a mark for then men you lost."

I caught something in his eye, his face hardened, "I haven't fought for the right cause in so long. What's stopping me from doing it again?" he regretted what he's done. He's hidden behind speeches and war stories that this is the first time he's come out if his shell in years.

"You can't. The only thing you can do is trust your decisions. That's what I've done since I came here." I stood and stretched my arm out towards him.

He looked at my hand for what seemed like a entirety, and took it.

Hoisting him up, he stood a bit taller than me but spoke like we where equals, "I'll make sure my troops don't attack you. Once we get out of here, we'll join up with Fiztoy."

He handed me the shock jockey, "You've earned this son." I took the bottle and gulped it without hesitation. It tasted sour going down, looking at my hands, crystals grew from them with a blue pigment on my skin. Electrical currents ran throughout my arms, making a arch between my hands, I fired a experimental shot I to the air for practice.

I turned to the old solider, "Thank you. Wish us luck." I said as I looked towards Elizabeth and headed for the door. I looked over my shoulder and saw the old man smiling at us as we went off.

Retracing our steps we slowed our pace, seeing as we weren't in danger for the time being. "You did a great thing back there Jacob." Elizabeth said as we walked through the First Lady section.

"The guy was just scarred. PTSD can do that to anyone." Elizabeth looked at me oddly, "PTSD?" she asked, "It stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Soldiers back down below go though it all the time." I explained.

Elizabeth was silent for a moment, "Does that mean when this is all over, you'll go though it to?" That made me stop in my tracks, I hadn't thought of what I'd be like after...all of this. I did not want to be like Slate was.

"I don't know. But I'm not going to keep killing people that's for sure." That I could say with certainty.

Elizabeth looked downcast, "Does it get easier...the killing?" she asked timidly, afraid of how I'd react. Was I really that scary?

"Elizabeth I hate killing. There's enough if it in the world as it is. It does get easier I guess. But...I still feel sick about myself...I just..." God I don't want to finish that sentence.

I felt to arms wrap around me. I wanted to say I was alright. I wanted to say she didn't need to worry about me. But I couldn't lie to her, I couldn't.

I felt tears well up in my eyes. All the people I've killed had families. Children to go home to, lovers they held at night, mothers and fathers who checked in on them. "Shhhh, it's okay." Elizabeth whispered as small whimpers escaped my lips.

Slate was wrong. Maybe it was better to be a tin solider than a real one. Because the tin soldiers don't live with the guilt.

AN: I read that Slate was a representation on soldiers with PTSD. So I thought I'd fit that into the story. And I think anyone could connect the dots with the week pregnancy thing.

Next chapter, Jacob meets Daisy Fitzroy!