Red Hunter Redemption: Chapter 4
It's been a few weird weeks but…we managed to expand the area of operation of the Commission. And so far, the Commission being the Commission, they're busy making plans and…. the Commission being the Commission, it's all about this Zora Magdaros feller. We managed to establish a camp near the forest. Of course, so far the horses can't use it but…. better than nothing I guess. I sure hope we find a better place for a camp next time.
-Arthur Morgan journal, 1 month since their arrival in Astera
Inside the infirmary of the Research Commission, a man was knelt down alongside John Marston, who was still recovering from the injuries caused by the Jagras attack. He had red hair with grey patches, indicating his aging. He had a large, curly moustache.
« I thought you was reading him his last rites. » a voice came from behind him, belonging to Arthur Morgan. « Now I see you're introducing him to your other passion. » he mocked the man. « I'll mind you to show me some respect, Mr. Morgan. » the man shot back.
« Mind away, Reverend. » was Arthur response, as the Reverend walked away. He then turned to John. « You're still here, then? » he asked. « I owe you. » John told Arthur. « And you'll pay me….but for the moment, just rest. » Arthur reassured him.
A short silence followed, interrupted by Mercer and Dutch entering the infirmary. « Arthur. » Dutch was the first to speak. « I think it's time to bring that Pukei-Pukei down. » Mercer continued.
« You want me to come? » John asked. « Of course I do but…look at you. » Dutch said with pity. « I was always ugly, Dutch…it's just a scratch. » John protested, while trying to get up. « Lie down, son. » Arthur pushed him down gently.
Entering the infirmary then were Eden, Abigail and a little boy. He was a fairly average four-year-old boy with thick brown hair and faint freckles on his face. « Hello Abigail. » John greeted the elder woman.
He then turned to the little kid. « Hey Jackie. » he greeted the boy. « They boy wanted to see you, John. » Abigail told the man. « He sees me now. Or what's left of me. » John responded. « Don't say that, John. You'll recover. » Eden reassured the man.
« At least I ain't gonna see a corpse yet. » Abigail said in a cold tone, although there was a bit of warm in it. « Oh, I ain't planning on quitting yet. » John shot back. « Apparently. » Abigail responded.
« Now, it's time to hunt some feathery freaks of nature. » Dutch announced, as he begun to exit the infirmary. « I'm afraid that I won't be able to accompany you in this hunt. My duties as Team Field Leader call me elsewhere. » Mercer excused himself.
« Somehow I knew your job wasn't babysitting us. » Arthur joked. Mercer chuckled at that. « Yeah. But so far you didn't need that much babysitting. » he then responded, as the group reached the meeting office.
« Nice work cleaning up the camp. I knew you could handle it. And now, we're finally ready. » the Commander greeted the group. « The Pukei-Pukei hunt is on. » he then announced. « About damn time. I was getting bored to kill Jagras for a living. » Javier, who was in the meeting office as well, joked.
« Once you've hunted the target, the scholars will be able to get a closer look at the evidence you found. » the Commander explained. « Here's hope that it leads somewhere. » Arthur commented. « We've sent some scouts to determinate this Pukei-Pukei preferred location as you requested, Mr. Van der Linde. It seems it prefers a small canyon in the forest. It's an area rich in venomous mushrooms that this creature uses to fuel its toxic saliva. » the Commander explained, before pointing at the map for the location of the canyon.
« That I can work with. » Dutch responded, before turning to Bill. « Bill, now you ride ahead and set the charges. Find some place rich in mushrooms. We'll blow that bastard's face off. Off course, try to not get caught by our prehistoric friend here. » he commanded.
« Ain't a problem. » Bill responded. « Be careful out there. » Hosea, who had just arrived, warned the man. « Don't worry. We ain't planning to dying here. » Dutch reassured his companion. « In case the situation becomes too dire, don't be afraid to request for support with and S.O.S. flare. » Mercer told the group.
« None the less, in case you accept this assignment, I cannot stress enough how vital taking out that Pukei-Pukei is for the commission. This could be the break we've been waiting for. » the Commander told the gang.
« You heard him, gentlemen! It is time to make something of ourselves! » Dutch incited the gang, with the mission being composed by Javier, Lenny, Charles, Micah, Arthur and himself. Bill had already ridden off to find a spot where to set the charges. « Get your horses ready! We're moving up in the food chain! » he then commanded as he mounted his horse. « I'll meet you guys at the new camp. » Eden told Dutch.
Arthur laughed at what she said. « And how you planning to go ahead of us, Eden? Those legs of yours are good, but they can't outrun a horse! » he joked. She smirked at the remark, before letting out a whistle. A large creature descended down, and Eden used her grappling hook to grab its feet and fly away.
The creature somewhat resembled certain species of rhamphorynchid pterosaur. It had hatchet-like beaks, blue skin, and a long yellow-tipped tail. « See you at the camp! » she saluted the group.
The gang remained in silent. « Come on, boys! We don't want to keep a lady waiting now, do we? » Dutch motioned the gang. Soon, they begun to ride outside of Astera. « Okay gentlemen! Listen up, all of you! » Dutch got everyone's attention.
« Hosea was right when we were in the base. We need to be careful. Had a little talk with the Commander and Mr. Mercer. Our little bird friend ain't no joke. This ain't no slimy Jagras, this is a poisonous, clawed, winged hellspawn. Can release some sort of poisonous gas from the end of its tail, and even its damn tongue is venomous. » Dutch explained.
« It lives around the forest, feeding on insects and venomous plants to continue to be a toxic hazard. That's where we're gonna meet that feller. Now this feller eats mushrooms. That's why Bill's gonna set the charges wherever there are shrooms. » he continued.
He then turned to Charles. « Charles, you explore the area for any place where we can shoot the bastard in case the charges don't do anything to it. » he commanded. « How's the hand, by the way? » he then asked.
« I'll be fine. » he reassured his boss, before riding ahead of the group. « Good. Its weak points are the head, wings and tail. So first we take out the wings, so the bastard can't fly away. » Dutch continued. « Lenny and Javier, you two aim for the legs. We need to make him fall so we can kick him while he's down. » he then told the two.
« Arthur and Micah, you try and neutralize that tail. Let's see how deadly the bastard is without his precious venom. » he then told the other two. Micah smirked. « You and me, Morgan. » he mocked the man.
« Great. » Arthur sighed annoyed. « Have you got a problem with that? » Micah asked irritated. « Not if you keep your head for once. » Arthur shot back. « You worry about yourself. » Micah responded angrily.
« Enough! » Dutch exclaimed. « After Bill blows that bastard face, if he's not dead we need to move fast, before it can even react. Is everyone clear on what they're doing? » he continued.
«Yep. »
«Crystal. »
« Yes, boss. »
« Good. Now come on, let's ride! » Dutch commanded. The group had passed the river plains and entered the forest. « Horses are getting better at this. » Arthur commented as he noticed that the horses had a much easier time getting on the forest terrain.
« Good. Tell you what, soon we'll move way up in the food chain, mark my words. » Dutch proudly said. He then laughed. « Now this is what I call a crew. Micah Bell, Charles Smith, Arthur Morgan, Javier Escuella, and what about young Lenny here? Always the first man on his horse! » he complimented his crew.
« Can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm happy we're taking over the local food chain, Dutch! » Lenny exclaimed. « You sure you're ready to take on a gigantic, flying and venomous beast, kid? » Arthur asked.
« Maybe? That ain't stopping me! » Lenny responded. « Just stay calm, keep your eye sharp. » Dutch told the young man. « That goes to all of you. No mistakes. We can't afford that. Not with this beast. Commander said its venom has a neurotoxin. That means he can paralyze its prey. Have all you fellers your antidotes with you? » Dutch asked the gang.
« Antidotes, healing potions, we've got everything. » Arthur responded. « Good. If even a drop of its saliva touches you, get the antidote unless you wanna be the next sleeping beauty. And believe me, there ain't no god damn princes around here. » Dutch warned the gang.
Soon, the gang reached the canyon where the Pukei-Pukei was said to hang around. Down the road, Bill had found the right place for an ambush. The base of a large tree, filled with mushrooms. « There's Bill. Wanna go there? See how he's getting on? » Dutch asked to Arthur.
« Okay. » Arthur responded, as he walked towards Bill. « How you getting on? » Arthur asked his companion. « I'm okay. » Bill responded. « You sure? » Arthur asked again. « Of course. » Bill responded.
« Can I help? » a feminine voice came from behind the duo. It belonged to Eden, who had reached the group. « All right. Set up the detonator by those rocks there. » Bill told the duo. « All right. » Arthur responded.
« Now, just unspool the wire and then attach it to said detonator. » Bill explained. « All right. » Arthur said, as he connected the wire to the detonator. « Okay, this is good. » Bill then said. « All right, that should do it. You folks head back to the others, I've got it from here. » he then continued.
And with that, Eden and Arthur meted the others back in an elevated spot which Charles had found. « Here comes Arthur. Miss Eden too. » Dutch said as the duo reached them. He then turned to the rest of the gang.
« Just be ready to move quick, and remember the plan…. All of you. No mistakes. » he said with a serious tone. « So how's the explosives? » Micah asked Arthur. « Says it's fine. » the latter responded. « We'll soon find out. » Dutch then said.
Soon, the sound of flaps was heard in the distance. « Okay, cover your faces. It might help a bit against its gas. » Dutch commanded the gang, as they all put a piece of cloth in front of their nose and mouth.
Soon, the Pukei-Pukei arrived, obvious of the trap. « Gentlemen, it's time. » Dutch announced in a low tone that everyone could heard. The Pukei-Pukei reached the large tree where the explosives were located, and prepared to feast.
« Good luck, all of you. » Dutch said as he prepared his revolvers. « You all know what to do. ». As the beast was too busy feasting, it didn't notice Bill activating the charges, a massive explosion destroying its face.
Or at least, that was what WAS supposed to happen. Instead, as Bill pushed the detonator, nothing happened. « Shit, no! » Bill cursed as he tried to activate the explosives multiple times with no results.
« Oh, you've got to be kidding me. » Dutch cursed. « What the hell are those things made of!? » Micah cursed Eden. « We followed your instructions! » Eden protested. « So it's our fault? You guys are pathetic. » Micah shot back.
Eden suppressed the urge to just punch the man in the face and decided to descend down to the Pukei-Pukei herself. « Eden! What are you doing?! » Lenny exclaimed as she sneaked quickly toward the beast, still busy gorging itself with the mushrooms.
When she was close enough, she placed a bullet near the explosives. The creature hissed at her, but quickly returned feasting. When it bit a mushroom, it also touched the bullet, which let out an explosion.
This combined with the dynamite, created a massive chain reaction leading to a massive explosion right on the Pukei-Pukei face. It was a miracle the beast still had its face intact, but it roared in pain from the blast.
On top of that, the tree was also caught by the explosion and felt down right on top of the animal. « Come on gentlemen! Miss Eden here gave us a chance! Take that thing down! » Dutch commanded as he begun charging at the animal.
The Pukei-Pukei managed to use its strength to get the tree out of his back, but before he could recover, a storm of bullets bombarded the animal. « Here we go! » Arthur exclaimed, as he ran towards the face of the animal, shooting it with his shotgun.
The animal was stunned by the attack, giving enough time for the rest of the gang to hit the wings of the animal. In an attempt of self defence, it begun to spit its venom all around, hoping to hit any member of the gang.
At first it wasn't successful, but as Javier tried to aim for the legs of the animal, the Pukei-Pukei jumped back, spitting its deadly substance at the outlaw. « Shit, that thing got Javier! » Arthur exclaimed, as he begun shooting at its direction to distract the monster.
Javier was coughing hard from the experience. He had an hard time walking and stumbled around, almost as he couldn't see well. He tried to drink his antidote, but it slipped out of his hand. Luckily, Eden was in the scene.
« Here, drink this. » she offered her antidote. Javier recovered quickly after drinking the substance, but was still stumbling a bit. « Gracias. (Thanks.) I thought I was a dead man. » he thanked the huntress.
« Oh I hope you ain't quitting yet! » Lenny exclaimed as he begun firing his rifle against the wings and head of the Pukei-Pukei. The beast turned towards the young man, and charged with all of its weight. While Lenny DID dodge, it was like being hit by a train, and he felt on the ground.
Wasting no time, the Pukei-Pukei stepped on Lenny, holding him in one place. « Shit, Lenny! » Arthur exclaimed, before shooting the beast in the eye. It roared in pain, and was forced to release the young man.
« You okay, kid? » Arthur asked concerned. « I'm fine. Nothing broken at least. » Lenny responded. In the meantime, the rest of the gang had resumed shooting at the Pukei-Pukei. « Come on, we need to neutralize those wings! » Lenny exclaimed, as he returned to shoot at the beast.
The animal was just bombarded with bullets from all parties, and attempted to fly away. However, the wings had been too damaged by the incoming bullet storm, and the beast was effectively downed.
« Good job guy! We've neutralized the wings! » Eden exclaimed. « Good job boys! Step one of the plan completed! » Dutch complimented the whole group. But as he said that, the Pukei-Pukei turned towards his direction.
It opened its mouth, with its powerful tongue coming out and grabbing Dutch. « Dutch! » Eden shouted, as she begun firing at the beast in an attempt to free the man. « Boss! We're coming! » Lenny exclaimed as he fired multiple times at the animal.
Dutch tried to use his knife to release himself from the Pukei-Pukei, but the animal seemed determined to held him in one place and, as time passed, he was beginning to lose strength. However, coming to save the day was an unexpected member of the group.
Niko, with his little shovel like weapon, struck the Pukei-Pukei in the eye, causing him to drop Dutch, who was coughing hard after the experience. « Hope you ain't planning on quitting yet there, Dutch! » Arthur arrived, giving him the antidote.
« Oh we wouldn't hear the end of it. » Dutch responded, as he returned to the shooting. When the group was close enough to shoot the most vulnerable parts, the Pukei-Pukei tail begun to swell, only to release a purple smoke which begun to cover the area.
« GAS! GAS! DON'T INHALE BOYS! » Dutch commanded, as he begun to retreat to avoid inhaling the deadly smoke. Once it stopped letting out the deadly gas, it begun spitting in random locations to keep the gang away.
This didn't necessarily work on its favour, as the group simply continued shooting it from afar. After a while, the animal was mad. Its face turned red and smoke was coming out of its mouth. « Shit, we made it angry! » Micah cursed, as he continued to shoot.
« This better allow for a breakthrough with Zora boy! » Arthur exclaimed as he took cover behind a rock. However, despite the efforts of the group, it didn't seem like the Pukei-Pukei was suffering that much.
« Damn, what is this thing made of!? » Lenny cursed. « We need to get closer! » Eden exclaimed. « Well you're welcome to try! » Dutch shot back as he took another shot at the beast. « All right. We ain't getting nowhere like this. On the count of three, we charge that bastard. » he then said.
« This is gonna be the end of us. » Micah complained. « Well you can stay behind that rock if you wanna. Ain't gonna change your aim! » Arthur mocked the man. « All right, gentlemen! One, » Dutch begun, «two, », a short pause followed.
« THREE! » Dutch shouted, as he came out of cover, letting out a battle cry. Soon, the whole group joined the charge. The Pukei-Pukei was taken aback from the sudden charge and backed up a bit.
It didn't have a chance to react to the charge, and was hit by a wall of bullets, causing the animal to stumble back. As he did, some rocks begun falling down on the animal, further harming it. It tried to march the gang strategy with a charge, but the group dodged, this time easily, hitting it by the side with bullets.
The animal was a bloody mess, with bullet wounds all over its body, but it didn't seem to quit. It attempted to tail swipe the gang, but they were too afar for any real damage. The beast at this point was tired, injured and bleeding nonstop.
In a desperate attempt, it released its gas once again. « Oh that ain't gonna work this time! » Arthur mocked the animal. However, it seemed like it had a different strategy. After the coast was clear, the Pukei-Pukei had effectively vanished.
« Hey, where did it go?! » Lenny exclaimed. « I guess it returned in its nest. » Eden hypothesized. « Think you can track it down? » Dutch asked. « It left a lot of clues. We should be able to find it. » Charles responded.
Indeed, there were lots of clues: feathers, tracks and blood. The creature wouldn't be able to get away from the gang. « Anybody hurt? » Dutch asked the gang. « Not that I can think of. » Arthur responded, before noticing Javier stumbling around.
« You all right there, Javier? » Arthur asked. « I'm fine. I just feel a bit numb. » Javier responded. « It's a side effect of the poison. You'll be fine. » Eden reassured the man. « Yeah, that thing…damn it hits hard. Feel like a hangover! » Dutch commented, as he too had some problems standing.
« Let's just take that thing out. » Charles said, as he began following the tracks.
It wasn't a long walk to find the Pukei-Pukei nest. It wasn't very organized. It was just a bit of grass grounded up in a certain spot. « Sleeping well, ain't he. » Arthur joked. « Looks like we'll do a sleep bombing. » Eden then said.
She then turned to the rest of the group. « You got some dynamite left? » she then asked. « Oh, we got plenty. » Bill smirked, as he handed her four dynamite sticks. Arthur grabbed the dynamite and put it near the head of the animal.
He then pulled out a lighter and lit up the fuse. He begun to take several steps back to avoid getting caught in the explosion. While not as impressive as the previous one, it was enough to wake the Pukei-Pukei in a world of pain.
And just like before, the gang didn't let up on the shooting. Weakened by the injuries, the beast was not able to fight back. Not even being able to get up, it let out one final roar, before its head collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
The gang looked at the dead beast for a few seconds. « Damn this was harder then expected. » Lenny commented. « Put one hell of a fight. » Dutch commented. « So, how do you fellers plan to share the kill? » Micah asked.
« We share it equally with Eden here. She worked as hard as all of us. » Dutch responded. « She's the reason the explosives blew up in the first place. » Arthur added. « Thanks. » Eden thanked the two.
« Mind if we take the feathers? Bet they could sell well. » Dutch proposed. « Do I get half of them? » Eden bartered. « Sure. Plenty for everyone the way I see it. » Dutch responded. He then turned to the whole gang. « Good job all of you. You Miss Eden, you my boys, all of you. » Dutch complimented the whole group, as they begun carving up the beast.
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Please review so I can learn your opinion. I'm willing to accept suggestions, so stay tuned.
See you on the next chapter!