The atmosphere at the camp was noticeably different. Things had been desperate before, but this just felt completely different. Colter, where they had virtually no food, were frozen in and had already buried two of their number was desperate. Lakay, when almost half the gang, and most of its strongest members were lost, thought dead, and they had almost no money, weapons or provisions was desperate. This though was something else.

Word had now broken that the O'Driscolls were gone. While no one knew for sure who had massacred the last of the O'Driscoll Gang at Hanging Dog Ranch, not that many people cared, they had served as at least a distraction to some people that were looking for the Van Der Lindes. With them gone, now the authorities could focus their full attention on trying to find the Van Der Lindes, now pretty much the last of the great outlaw gangs.

Dutch was insisting he had an idea that would see them leave the country for good, but he was being pretty tight-lipped about the details. All anyone knew was that it had to do with dynamite and the Bacchus Bridge railway line, meaning that once again, it likely involved a train robbery, not that any of them knew which train exactly would be carrying enough money to fund a new life for all of them. Some of them were already thinking of new lives.

Arthur was running errands for Dutch, working on his own scheme that would see John, Abigail and Jack leave the gang once all was said and done. Now that Sadie knew about his illness, she understood that he wanted to use the last of his time to make sure that those he cared about got away to safety, much like poor Hosea before him. Sadie was taking her lead from him, but spending more time at the camp.

While Arthur was keeping up appearances that he was working to put Dutch's plan, whatever it was, together, Sadie was keeping an eye on the camp. Micah was also sticking close to camp, constantly the whisper in Dutch's ear, and with two of his friends coming too, Sadie didn't trust him around the others, and wanted to gauge who among the others was ready to leave and gently encourage them to do so, helping them on their way.

Some needed less encouragement than others. Arthur had thrown Strauss out on his ass in a scene in front of the whole camp. Arthur's eyes were blazing as he yelled at the moneylender about his destruction of people's lives. Most were certain Arthur would kill him, but after forcefully packing his bags and throwing some money at him, he had shoved Strauss out of the camp under threat to never return.

There weren't many who were sorry to see Strauss gone. While he'd ridden with the gang for a while, he wasn't exactly one of them. He never put his neck on the line in a fight, hell, Sadie could never remember even seeing him hold a gun. His weapon of choice was his ledger. They put up with him because he brought in money and minded the medicine wagon, but most of them never really felt too comfortable about his operation. Even Dutch had said that robbing a bank somehow seemed more dignified. All in, no one made comment after Arthur banished him.

Trelawny and Swanson had slipped away quietly sometime in the chaos with the army. Trelawny was always one to know when it was time to cash in his chips and go. Swanson, Arthur said something about him going to New York. Karen, she now knew to be in a Sanatorium, Mary-Beth having tricked her into getting drunk in Saint Denis and leaving her there. While it was not in the slightest something she felt good about doing, the way she was going, it seemed likely the only thing that was going to save her life.

Quiet conversations at camp were very enlightening. The women especially were starting to think about jumping rather than waiting to be pushed if hard choices had to be made.

"I…I…I don't know Sadie, I just…I really don't know." Mary-Beth stammered as she shook her head.

"I'm tellin' you, it's a good idea." Sadie reiterated. "There's more people now can read than can't. There are actually whole stores that sell nothin' but books!"

"I don't know Sadie, I've never been that good." Mary-Beth told her. "I swear, I hear these wonderful words in my head, and by the time they get to my pen, they come out as pure poppycock!"

"Who gives a shit? People buy poppycock!" Sadie pointed out. "I saw one of Jack's books the other day, some bullshit about how Landon Ricketts single-handedly fought off a bunch of zombies…whatever the hell they are."

"That ain't the kind of stuff I write…"

"No, but the stuff you write is popular too." Sadie tried to assure her. "Books that get people all hot and bothered, the kind of thing people hide when the local Reverend comes to visit, they sell tons!"

"I…I don't know, I just don't know if my stories are any good." Mary-Beth replied. Sadie took her hand.

"Trust me, I've read some of 'em. They're good." Sadie reassured her. "I don't think I've ever read a whole book cover to cover, but some of the stuff you've left lyin' around…well…some of it made me think of Jake."

"It…it did?" She asked. Sadie just nodded.

"Some of the stuff it brought back…it were some of the best times of my life." Sadie told her. Mary-Beth was about to say something, but fell silent. Sadie could feel a presence lingering nearby and turned to see Micah coming over, swigging some bourbon. She just sighed.

"You two hens been cluckin' for quite a while." Micah remarked. "It makes me wonder when either of you are gonna get any work done."

"It ain't like you've been doin' much either." Sadie snorted in disgust. "Most of the time it's Arthur or Bill or John you got runnin' around."

"Some of us do our best work up here." Micah said, tapping a finger to his head. "Besides, my boys'll be here soon, then you'll see what real gunmen are."

"If they rode with you, I don't think they're likely to be much of any kind of men." Sadie responded, getting a laugh from Tilly, Mary-Beth and Abigail. Micah just looked around them all.

"Ain't you all got work to do?" He asked. They all just sloped off to get away from him. Sadie held back just a little to stop Micah following too closely. He did keep his attention on her.

"You know, you've been spendin' a lot of time around here." Micah remarked. "Funny thing, I had myself a real interestin' conversation with the Mexican."

Sadie just maintained her poise, but she was starting to worry about this. She'd spoken with most of the gang now. She was mostly subtle, not really wanting to give anyone any reason to think she was trying to break up the gang, but some of her conversations had been more productive than others. Bill and Javier had been with Dutch much longer than most of the rest, and it seemed like talking to them even the idea of leaving seemed an alien concept. Of course she hadn't thought either of them would relay her conversation with them to Micah of all people. Both of them hated Micah almost as much as she did…or so she thought at least.

"Really?" She asked. "And what exactly was Javier saying?"

"You know, round about now there's a lot of talk, a lot of worry about who's loyal." Micah replied in a cold tone. "You know what we do to traitors?"

"You accusin' me of somethin' Micah Bell?" She asked. "Because if you are, just come out and say it. Just be ready to back those words up."

"SADIE!" Charles called from the edge of camp as he rode in. Micah just smiled as he saw him coming over. Charles came in close, standing over Micah, bringing his full height to bear to glare down on him. Micah just coughed to clear his throat.

"Mr Smith, I was begginin' to forget you ride with us." Micah told him. "All that time you spend up at the reservation with the Natives."

"Dutch is stirring up shit so much someone's got to stop the young fools from getting themselves killed." Charles stated.

"I just thought you might be forgetting who you ride with." Micah stated.

"I know fine enough." Charles told him. "You got a problem? Talk to Dutch."

Micah looked between the two, before letting out a little laugh and walking away. Sadie just watched him go.

"That snake sure gives me the creeps." She stated.

"Me too." Charles agreed. "I really wish you wouldn't rattle his cage."

"Charles…" She started, but quickly stopped herself. She hadn't really seen him since she rode out of Waipiti to join Dutch in going to Colm's hanging. She had been so focused on Colm and his followers that she had left him on bad terms. Their last words were exchanged in anger, something that she now regretted. Charles was a good friend, one that looked out for her, and now, after her moment of clarity after the massacre, realising what Dutch was, she was starting to think that was what Charles was trying to warn her about all along. "…look, I…"

"You seen Arthur?" He asked her. She just furrowed her brows.

"Not recently." She answered. "Last I heard he were heading out to Bacchus Bridge with John."

"I'll see if I can catch up to him." He replied.

"Look, Charles…"

"If he gets back here before I do, will you tell him to meet me in Waipiti?" He asked her. "Rains Fall and I need his help."

"Look, Charles, you really shouldn't be askin' so much of Arthur." She told him. Now it was his turn to glare at her. She'd never seen anger in his eyes directed at her other than that day at Waipiti.

"Who else am I gonna ask?" He asked her. "It's not like Bill or Javier or Dutch give a shit about Eagle Flies or the others."

"Well, how about me?" Sadie asked. Charles just looked to her and shook his head.

"I need someone who can keep things quiet. They saw the smoke from Hanging Dog all the way up in the Grizzlies." He told her.

"Look, Arthur…" She started to say, before stopping herself. She was about to tell him about his illness, to explain why Arthur felt he needed to help everyone that asked, even if it wasn't the best thing for him. As tough as he was, even Arthur had his limits, and he already knew his time was short. "What's going on?"

"That damn fool Eagle Flies got himself arrested after that stupid stunt Dutch pulled." Charles ranted. "Now he's going to be hung, unless someone stops him, and the only way I can stop any more brave, stupid boys getting on their horses and riding out to the damn fort is because I promised to do it instead."

"Charles…"

"Damn it Sadie, if they go to that fort it'll be a bloodbath!" He yelled at her, before seeing her expression and backing down a little. Sadie gulped and took a deep breath.

"Look, I can…"

"No, you've got a lot of talents Sadie, but something like this requires someone who's used to quiet jobs." Charles told him. "Just tell Arthur I'm looking…"

Just then, there was a huge explosion some distance away that echoed throughout the entire region. Large plumes of smoke could be seen coming up from a little way North West of the camp. It didn't take a genius to figure out the equation of bridge plus dynamite. Charles just sighed.

"Never mind, I'll find him myself." He told her, heading for his horse. Sadie ran after him.

"Charles!" She called out. He paused for a moment. She now had the problem of what to say now. She could tell he was still angry with her. Even if she did tell him about Arthur, would he listen? Would he think she was lying? Even then, she wasn't sure it was her place to tell him. It was Arthur's news to tell. "Just…be careful out there…and look after Arthur."

Charles looked like he wanted to say something, but ended up just wordlessly swinging himself up onto his horse and galloping away. As he left, Sadie just gathered her composure and headed back into the camp.

By the time morning came around, it seemed that the "noise" Dutch wanted was coming in full blast. The news of the Bacchus Bridge collapse was in all the papers. No one knew why anyone would destroy the bridge, but the disruption to the rail network was going to cost the State a significant sum. The entire rail network was now down until it was rebuilt.

There was also news of a daring night time raid on Fort Wallace. The details were sketchy, but it seemed unknown men sneaked in under the cover of darkness and rescued Eagle Flies. Sadie could only smile as she read about how a cannon had been fired inside the fort, blowing out one of the walls, before the men made a bloody escape along the rapids.

"Is that what you call quiet Charles?" She asked. She was interrupted as a cry went up from the edge of camp. Bill, who was on guard duty fired a round in the air, before bellowing out a warning.

"Who goes there?" He demanded. "If you fellers don't want another hole in your heads, you better turn around now!"

"Settle down Williamson, these two are friends." Micah said as he came towards them, reaching out and shaking hands with each of them in turn. The three men laughed as they greeted each other. Sadie just sighed as Tilly came over to her.

"Those Micah's friends?" She asked. Sadie just nodded.

"Looks like it." She responded. Micah had been telling them he'd sent words to old friends of his to come join the gang.

"I don't like the looks of them." Tilly said with a shudder. "Even the Foreman boys didn't give me the creeps like them."

Sadie could see exactly what Tilly meant by that. They both looked every bit as creepy as Micah, only with even more questionable personal hygiene. One of them was smaller, quite skinny, with an angular, sharp face that reminded Sadie for all the world of a rat. He had thin, straggly hair combed redundantly over his head under his hat.

The other one was larger, only a little smaller than Bill, but with an ugly, mashed up face that looked like it had seen a lot of violence. His large, flat nose was unmistakably the result of having been broken many times. He had a distinct tattoo on his chest, most likely a prison marking of some kind.

"Dutch, these here are the boys I told you about. This here is Cleet," he began, gesturing to the smaller one, "and Joe. Gather around people! I'll show you what some real men look like!"

Sadie just snorted derisively. The only thing she could think was that now, she had three people to keep an eye on instead of just Micah. She was mostly on good terms with the others, but ingratiating more of his old crew into the gang just didn't sit well. It was like he was bolstering his own position with loyal toadies in case there came a time people needed to make choices.

"Come on Pearson." Sadie stated. "I'll help you cook dinner."

By the time the following morning came around, Arthur and Charles had returned. After a long day for both of them, they'd both needed to rest up. Sadie set herself up for the day overlooking Arthur's tent. She could see Micah, Cleet and Joe sitting nearby and kind of looking over to him and talking in hushed whispers among themselves. If they really were up to no good, they likely saw Arthur as their biggest threat. She would show them the error in that judgement if they wanted to make a move, but for now she was more worried about her friend.

Arthur had been on the go a lot, but even beyond that she noticed he was sleeping more and more. His body was starting to give way to his illness, and she didn't know how long he could keep up the pace he was going. If it was anyone else, she wasn't sure they would still be going.

She heard someone behind her and looked around, seeing Abigail behind her. She sat with her.

"We've been talkin' and…we think it's time." Abigail told her. "Whatever…this…is, it ain't what we joined all those years ago."

"I can make sure that no one follows." Sadie assured her. Abigail shook her head.

"The rest of us can go hang for all Dutch cares, but if he's goin' for a train, he ain't gonna let John go." Abigail told her.

"Look, Abigail, you and John…"

"We're stayin' right here until that train's robbed whether we like it or not." Abigail told her. "Dutch already thinks there's a rat. If John runs off right before this, he's gonna think it was John for sure."

"But Molly…"

"He thinks there might be another…hell, for all I know he thinks we're all rats." Abigail whispered. "He's always talkin' about loyalty and traitors and…it's all real worrying."

"So, what about the rest?" Sadie asked.

"Tilly's stayin' to help me and the boy get everything we need away from here so that by the time the train's robbed John just goes somewhere and don't come back." Abigail continued. "Mary-Beth, Uncle and Pearson are the first. They're goin' real soon. They just need a distraction."

Sadie watched as Arthur got out of bed, coughing as he shakily got to his feet.

"Tell 'em to be ready to move." Sadie instructed her. "I have a feelin' you won't need to wait too long for that distraction."

Arthur was starting to compose himself, getting himself ready for the day ahead when he noticed Micah and his two running-buddies staring at him. He started to trudge over towards Dutch. As he went, his gaze never shifted from Micah and his boys. Others seemed to notice too, because a number of them started to pay attention, like they were waiting for something to begin. There was a time Sadie would have had no doubt everyone would be behind Arthur if he decided to make a move, but now…now she could only be sure of herself. She wished the others had already left.

Sadie got her revolver and gestured Abigail away. She didn't hear much of the conversation, but by the time she got over, Micah was right in Arthur's face.

"You should show him a little respect." Micah sneered.

"Excuse me?" Arthur asked coldly as others all closed around. Sadie was getting ready for the first shot, fully intending it to go straight between Micah's eyes if needed, but before anything else could happen, there was a thunder of hooves.

"Mr Van Der Linde!" Eagle Flies called out as he arrived with what was unmistakably a war party. He still bore the marks of his imprisonment, but as well as that, he and his fellow braves were fully decked out in war paint and armed for war. She'd only ever heard of it before, but never seen it. Now though, there was no way anyone could doubt they were out for blood. "Mr Morgan, Charles! They tried to kill my people for oil!"

Sadie was taken aback by this. She'd heard that efforts were being made to move the Natives on because of rumours of oil, but was he saying the army was involved? Cornwall had hired an army of Pinkertons, but the ACTUAL army? She had no idea how the man's influence could continue to cause misery even after he'd been killed.

"Today we ride once more!" Eagle Flies yelled angrily as he rode around in a frenzy. The way he was worked up was eerily familiar to Sadie. She could only imagine it was exactly how she looked when she was riding for Hanging Dog. "Ride with me, ride with us! Ride with us against the factory!"

The factory…Cornwall's oil refinery in The Heartlands. That's where all of this had started, with documents Arthur found there. It made sense it would be where it ended. With Cornwall gone, all that remained of the man was his legacy, and Eagle Flies wanted to see that go up in flames.

"I love your courage, son! It is a thing of great beauty!" Dutch chimed in cheerfully, either glad to have something to distract from the fight brewing in the camp, or because he somehow saw another way to turn another angry young fool into a weapon. Another feeling that was all too familiar to Sadie.

"STOP!" Rains Fall pleaded as he rode in, dismounting from his horse and desperately trying to get his people to listen to him. "My son, my last son, don't. When I was your age, I fought. I saw death. I have killed, the men I knew were slain."

Sadie relaxed her grip on her revolver a little, hearing the old man begging with his son not to go. She couldn't hear weakness in him, only sadness. Only love, the love of a father who saw his son riding off on a senseless mission.

"My first born, your brother, had his head smashed by a drunken soldier." Eagle Flies continued to speak, his eyes filled with tears. "My wife had her throat slit. We made peace. I knew not to trust, yet I had no choice."

Sadie glanced over towards Charles. She didn't know why, but as she listened to Rains Fall, she could only think of the night when he begged her not to ride with Dutch.

"Maybe you're right. Maybe a slow death is worse than a fast one. Maybe none of these men are good. Maybe a world in which they come to us is a world we cannot endure, but endure we must!"

Sadie looked to Eagle Flies, who was already shaking his head and looking away. Rains Fall's words were falling on deaf, unwilling ears.

"Father you are tired." Eagle Flies said derisively.

"Do not die for pride my son!" Rains Fall begged him. "We have suffered too long in this trick."

Now Sadie could only look at Dutch as she heard this.

"The earth, the water, they have no pride. They endure, and we must endure." He carried on. "My only boy, my precious boy, do not mistake my strength for weakness. As your chief, I implore you."

"Your words mean nothing to me father." He yelled, before looking back to his war party. "Ride with me, now!"

As Eagle Flies rode out, his father begging with him to stop, Sadie could see the look on Dutch's face, and could almost see the wheels in his head turning. The oil refinery, the army, Cornwall…all of it was coming together in his head. She didn't really hear what Rains Fall was saying to Arthur as he begged him to try and stop his son from being killed. She could only watch Dutch. Before she knew what was happening, everyone was getting on their horses to ride out.

As Sadie leapt onto her horse, she just looked to Abigail and gave a curt nod. Abigail returned the gesture. Sadie didn't know what Hell they were riding into, but at least she knew by the time they came back, at least some of the others would have taken their opportunity to get out before it was too late.