Heh, as I started to write this chapter, the power went out and I'm doing this in absolute darkness, save for some flashlights.

Well life throws you some challenges, just got to take em.

Chapter Eight

Lowell was positive on the voices behind them. He knew it would be a matter of moments before the sources of the voices would be on top of them.

Francis did not mention that any other Regulators would be there. They either were Talons or scavengers. And neither worked well with others.

So he and Mina decided to set up a hasty ambush. Ahead of them was a intersection that lead into an parallel corridor. Mina would wait at the corner of the corridor and fire once on the mysterious visitors. After firing once she would then quickly leave the corner and wait in a doorway and repeat the process.

The only trick now was to not get killed.

Lowell meanwhile would wait in a stairwell and take them by surprise.

As Mina waited she could hear the voices more clearly. "Take it slowly and carefully. These corridors are normally mazes and they could be waiting for us." One voice said as it came closer.

They must've passed the campsite, the embers were still warm when they left.

"James your up front." The same voice said. They were nearly around the corner.

Mina was breathing hard, but controllably. She made sure to prevent both heavy and loud breath, and to stay calm at the same time.

She was ready.

Then he appeared.

From a quick observation, James had a pre war hat, sunglasses, a duster but she couldn't make out the color, and a railway rifle in his hands. She knew the weapon because she had seen it before back home.

Then she held her breath. He had turned his body so that he was facing down the corridor. Mina knew without a doubt, he was looking right at her.

Her finger depressed the trigger and the end of the barrel flashed.

In the fleeting moment when she stood and ran, James swore and reactively hunched his shoulders and ducked his head. Then leapt to the side.

She had missed his head by an inch, shooting the hat off instead.

Mina didn't care at the moment and ran past the stairwell Lowell waited in. The sounds of her foot falls on the metal grating, echo through the corridor.


Lowell steeled himself on those stairs, his E-tool at the ready.

He didn't have to wait long. Because through the darkness he saw the lengthened barrel of a silenced 10mm pistol.

Lowell roared as he sprung out of the threshold and brought the spade up, knocking the weapon from the man's hand.

He was about to swing it downwards, but the owner, though surprised he was, lunged forward and tackled Lowell.

As the two fell back into the stairwell, Lowell's E-tool being flung out of his grip.


No sooner had the shovel hit the ground, Mina popped out of the utility room and fired another shot. This time at the lead person, not to mention the tallest person she saw.

To her horror, she heard a distinctive ping! as the bullet had hit what sounded like metal, and either harmlessly buried itself in the metal armor, or even ricocheted off, hitting the ceiling.

The wielder of the armor reacted fast and began firing a gatling laser cannon at her. She barely made it back inside the small room.

As the laser beams continued to slam into the threshold, only a foot away from her, she shut her eyes and covered her ears. She scrunched, trying to make herself as small as she could.

To her surprise, but not her caring, she heard herself screaming.

Even more to her surprise, the volley of lasers suddenly stopped.

She whimpered quietly and slowly took her hands over her ears. She then slowly opened her eyes.

Mina then heard it. The sounds of cautious, but audible, footsteps.

The wielder of the cannon, an enormous African American man, appeared around the corner. He was nearly twice her size. He was wearing a duster, metal armor, and a combat helmet.

At first he stared at her with complete shock, then became turned into a smile. A smile that a parent would use on a frightened child to calm it. He knelt down and tried to calm her down.

"Hey there." He said with what sounded like a kind and gentle voice. "I'm sorry about that, honey." Mina panted as she looked at him, and stayed passive.

She had learned the hard way that this could be used as a trick to gain trust. She had learned not be fooled easily.

As subtly as she could readied herself to get up quick. All she needed was an opportunity.

And she received it when he turned just for a second. "Hey guys, it's just a kid." The giant said. That was when Mina reacted.

She screamed like a banshee and leapt on top of the man. She knocked his helmet off and wrapped her small arms around his neck. All the while screaming indistinctively. The giant tried desperately to get her off, trying to grab her, flailing his arms and spinning on the spot. but Mina held on tightly.

Then when he was making a reversed turn, did Mina saw another man, wearing what looked like a back pack and welding mask run up to aid his comrade.

Moving quickly and still screaming, she brought her foot back and then drove it right in the center of the mask. He groaned as he fell backwards and Mina kept hold of the giant.

When the man in her clutches began to slow down and gag, he then fell to his knees. That was when she was she pried off him. Yet another came up behind her and rip her off the giant. He had his arms wrapped around her waist and held tight.

"Calm down kid!" He shouted amidst her screaming. He kept repeating that over and over as Mina began squirming and kicking.

Not listening to her attacker, she brought her head back into his face. Again and again she head-butted her attacker. After three times he released her.

Mina then spun around and tackled her captor, knocking him to the ground.

She knelt on top of him, took hold of her knife and leveled it above his head.

"ENOUGH!!" A voice cried out. It was full of authority and determination.

This voice made Mina freeze.

She and the man beneath her looked to the source and saw a woman. She wore a duster and combat armor and helmet. In her hands was an armed Plasma rifle. And it was pointing right at Mina.

"That is quiet enough."


Lowell and his attacker tumbled head over heels down the stairs. They came to a small turn and slammed against the wall, then rolled down the last few steps into a generator room.

Both of them groaned, but quickly returned to their feet.

Lowell saw a side kick coming and caught it against his left side. He pinned it, and back handed his opponent. The man groaned but kept standing. He then used his free leg and landed a blow against Lowell's head.

Both fell and the other man, withdrew a dagger and drove it hard against Lowell's chest. The combat armor did it's job and snapped the blade.

Taking advantage of his opponents surprise, Lowell brought his knee up and slammed against the side of his head, knocking him away.

Lowell leapt to his feet and grasped his .44 revolver. At the same time his enemy withdrew another blade. The two spun around and then held there stance. Lowell's sidearm against his opponent's head, his knife against Lowell's throat.

As the two panted, only now did they see who each other were.

Lowell's eyes widened when he saw who he had been fighting, the same for the other.

The man had a goatee and soul patch on his face. He was also a Regulator, or at least he wore the duster of one, and recon armor. The duster also had an L stitched on it. On his right wrist, Lowell noticed a stealth boy 3000.

"Lowell?" He said, panting hard, slowly taking away the knife.

"Adam." Lowell said, gently de-cocking his pistol.

Lowell Morgan had been fighting against Adam Anders, his childhood friend, the whole time.

The two men quickly became delighted, embracing each other and laughing cheerfully. "I don't believe it!" Adam said as he laughed. Lowell chuckled and patted Adam on the shoulder. "How've you been you little punk?" Adam groaned playfully and said, "Your not gonna pick on me again, cause I'm younger than you, are ya?"

Lowell chuckled and ruffled up Adam's hair, on to have his arm cast aside. "You better believe it."

It was then a realization hit him. "Mina." He muttered and ran up back up the stairs. Adam was not far behind him.

Lowell reached the top of the stairs, and found a Plasma rifle at his chin. He raised his hands slowly in response.

"Whoa! Julia, hold it! He's a friend." Adam said as he reached the top of the stairs and saw the situation.

Then he saw his men. A giant African American was on his knees, gasping for air; a short man with an Enclave incinerator and a welder's mask on his head, with a big red mark on his face; and James wearing his shades, his pre war hat with two new holes, and blood rolling down from his nose.

"What happened to you guys?" Adam asked with both surprise and amusement.

It was then Mina ran from the center of the three and next to Lowell. He chuckled and said, "I see you've introduced yourself."

Adam stared at Mina and then back at his men. "She did this?" He said, pointing to the three injured men, bruised bodies and egos. Lowell shrugged and said, "She's a fighter."

"Wait." James said as he whipped some of the blood away. "You two know each other?" He began pointing to both Adam and Lowell.

Adam smiled. "Lady, gentlemen, and rat." The last he added, and Lowell noticed a New York rat behind Julia's legs. "My I present, Lowell Morgan. My childhood friend, and cousin of Leslie." Adam said, saying the second half with a somber tone. Lowell took off his hat and threw a two finger salute. "Evenin'."

Adam then pointed his men out. "The guy with the hat and shades is James Vanderbraun." Who nodded. "The big guy is Carl Thompson." Carl still panted but waved Lowell off. "And what the hell is that?" Lowell asked pointing to the man with the welder's mask and Incinerator. He smiled a half crazy smile and Adam sighed. "That is Sven."

Lowell then stared at Julia who smiled pleasantly. "And this Scribe would be Julia?" Lowell asked, much to the surprise of everyone. "How did you know I am a Scribe?" Julia asked and Lowell smirked. "Please. Straight stance, fairly new duster, clean, finely maintained weapon. It's not hard to figure out." Lowell said as he pulled out a cigarette. "Besides I spent two year fighting along side the Brotherhood. Almost every scribe is the same description."

Julia looked impressed.

"And this, is my traveling partner, Wilhelmina Jordan." Lowell said, putting his hand on Mina's shoulder. "Mina for short."

"Yeah, we've met." Sven said as he massaged his face.

Mina blushed slightly and timidly said, "I am dreadfully sorry. I did not know we were brothers in arms." She kept her ladylikeness, and bowed her head gently.

The Rat behind Julia seemed to poke it's head out slightly, feeling a little relaxed. Lowell glanced at the large vermin and grinned. "Nice looking rat." The rat looked up and squeaked it's thanks. Lowell then starred at Adam, still grinning. "When's dinner?" The rat then squeaked out of pure terror and ran back behind Julia. Lowell then laughed. "I'm kidding."

The rat however stayed behind Julia.

Lowell then noticed that Julia seemed slightly intimidated by him. He sighed, and said, "Go ahead and ask, ma'am." Julia blinked for a moment and stammered. "W-what? I'm sorry?"

Morgan chuckled and pointed to his face, to the three hideous scars. "You're wondering how I got these." Julia didn't say anything. Lowell then held the eye aloft so she could she it. "By the same bastard whose right eye is now around my neck."

Lowell then turned back to Adam. "So what brings you to hell, Adam?" He said as he clicked his lighter shut. The thick smell of nicotine filled the corridor. "We're here looking for some maps. Our guys are having trouble with pirates on the river." Lowell stared at him, cigarette hanging off his lips, and smoke puffed out as he said, "No kiddin'?"

Adam realized it immediately. "You too?" He blathered. Lowell only nodded.

The two stood in silence, not knowing how to proceed with the situation.

It was Julia that decided. "Well since we are all after the same thing, Mr. Morgan--" She started before Lowell interrupted her. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Don't call me 'Mr. Morgan, I'm not that old."

Julia chuckled slightly and rephrased the question, "Very well. Lowell, would care to join us?"

Lowell thought about it for a moment. He knew there was safety in numbers. Not to mention these kids would need a guide to get out of Albany, since he did know the city best.

He nodded and said, "Why not?" Lowell then stepped back and picked up his E-tool. "Lets get moving then."

Adam nodded and the eight, including the rat, made their way down the corridor.

Well that's the end of chapter 8. This is where AugustinianFrog's story of Half Moon and mine converge folks, so that means Adam Anders, James Vanderbruan, Julia Vanderbruan, Sven, Carl Thompson, and the rat are all his characters. I only claim rights to Lowell Morgan and Mina Jordan. Read and Review.