Chapter 17: We Gotta Get Out Of This Place

The Mystery Machine- several minutes later

"So, who's your friend?" Jonah asked Shaggy as he reloaded his revolver.

"My name is Kamandi, and I am of the Mountain Ute tribes." the former pit fighter replied.

Jonah proceeded to open his mouth, only for Arrowette to shoot him a disapproving glare.

"So, were any of your kinfolk part of the Ute Nation before the war?" he finally asked.

"I do not believe so. According to the elders of my tribe, I was a foundling, discovered within the ruins of a mountain bunker known as 'Command-D'."

Before Jonah could reply, a bullet pierced through one of the rear doors, narrowly missing most of the vehicle's occupants before it struck Tanis, prompting an "OW!" from her.

"All in favor of using the bandaged kid as a shield, say 'Aye'!" Jonah piped up, promptly earning a dirty look from everyone else.

"I'm just saying-"

Another bullet pierced the door, again striking Tanis

"Son of a bitch!" Arrowette exclaimed.

"Like, watch your language!"

"Reah- ranguage!"

Daphne turned her head to face her longtime friend.

"Shaggy, you know how to operate Vera?"

"You named the plasma gun?" Fred asked.

"Keep driving!"

"I think so."

"Then use it!"

Shaggy nodded as he grabbed the weapon in question.

"Um, can someone, like, get the doors?" he asked as he donned the back-mounted power pack.

Right on cue, the doors seemingly flung themselves open.

"Thanks!"

As Shaggy maneuvered into firing position, his jaw dropped at what he saw behind the Mystery Machine. Roaring through the streets were a number of souped-up muscle cars, the lead one sporting a machine gun mounted on a remotely operated articulated mount on the hood.

Well, here goes nothing.

Shaggy suppressed a tremor as he lined up the shot, praying that it would strike true as he switched the fire selector from "SAFE" to "SEMI-AUTO". A moment later, he pulled the trigger, sending a blue bolt of plasma soaring through the air. Almost immediately after the bolt made impact, the car exploded, the force of the detonation sending it tumbling into the air.

Like, score one for us!

Before he could celebrate his minor victory, Shaggy noticed someone leaning out the passenger window of the new lead car- and that someone was clutching a submachine gun. A moment later, the enemy gunner let loose a staccato burst of fire, with one of the inbound bullets managing to graze Shaggy's cheek.

"Don't just stand there- shoot them!" Daphne screamed.

Suddenly, the Mystery Machine made a sharp turn, threatening to send Shaggy tumbling out of the van if not for some unseen force keeping his feet anchored to the floor. Once again, Shaggy pulled the trigger, discharging another bolt of plasma and destroying another vehicle. As he stood there, adrenaline coursing through his veins, he thought he could hear a straining noise. A quick glance behind revealed the source to be Ace, a small trickle of blood running from her right nostril.

"Hurry! Can't…keep this up…much l-"

And with that, Ace collapsed into a heap on the floor.

"What just happened?!" Arrowette exclaimed.

"We'll explain later! In the meantime, I suggest you all brace yourselves!" Fred replied.

Just then, Shaggy noticed something.

"Like, those guys behind us? They're breaking off!"

Daphne let out a sigh of relief.

"So now what do we do?" she wearily asked.

"Meet back up with the others and get the hell out of this place." Fred replied.

Ask a stupid question…


They should've been back by now. Velma thought as she idly paced along the length of the tour bus.

As if in reply to her thought, the Mystery Machine suddenly raced up to the old gas station/RV stop.

"Well, it's about ti-"

"GET IN!" Fred exclaimed.

Velma's only response was to promptly clamber into the back of the van.

"So, who're our new friends?" she asked as she noticed the two strangers in the noticeably cramped space.

" We'll explain later! In the meantime, hold onto something!" Daphne replied as she reached out for the CB radio speaker.

"Can someone explain what's g-"

"Luna- how soon will it be until you're ready to leave?"

"We've been ready for about…oh, half an hour. Same with Dana and her friends in the comms van. Why do you ask?"

"Let's just say we've managed to get under the skin of the local overlord."

"Damn- you sure know how to pick 'em!"

"Spare the commentary and just get to driving!"

"Got it! Luna, out!"

Just then, the CB squawked again.

"Yes?"

"Mystery Machine, I don't mean to alarm you-"

"Spare the formalities, Dana!"

"Max's picked up on some of the local comms chatter, and it looks like local law enforcement's-"

" Yeah, we know! Just tell us the fastest way out of this place!"

"The old US-64 looks like our best bet- lucky us that we're already next t-"

"Then let's get the hell out of here before the local brute squads show up!"

" Where to?"

Daphne's eyes gravitated to the nearby roadmap before focusing on a nearby dot.

"Pawnee!"

"10-4!"

A few moments later, the small convoy left the station with one simple objective: put as much distance between them and Tulsa as fast as possible.


AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Yes, I am aware that the gang's escape from Tulsa may have been a bit too easy, but like the showdown with Mary Seward back in Marie, Reine du Sang, things are going to get far tougher in just a bit.