The Dishonorable Trade
A/N: Sorry it took so long, but I have been busy with school, but I'm
finished! I'm also having some problems with the computer. I've been slacking in giving reviews, but that's going to change! So here's the last
chapter. I told you I would finish it to the bitter end!
Chapter 4
The ghost caravan made its way through the desert towards the base of operations. It has been two days since they picked up the last of their "cargo". Vash knew they were close to the base due to the commotion happening outside. Vince was screaming at Mike and Logan to get their lazy butts in gear and check on the cargo. While the caravan did have other businesses, the human cargo was what brought in the money. Therefore, every direction it takes depends where the cargo is most wanted.
Vash picked up on this during the last few days. His mind constantly turning on plans and trying to cheer the passengers up.
"Come on guys! Let's sing! It's good for the soul!"
However, their predicament and Vash's off-key voice did little to lighten their spirits.
Russell uncovered his ears long enough to hoarsely whisper, "Dude, stop singing!"
Vash looked confused and surprised, "Eh? What?" He looked around and grinned sheepishly, "Oh sorry, got carried away."
Russell shook his head in wonder; how can this guy still be optimistic? He must be insane. The caravan started to slow down; Russell could feel the atmosphere become tenser. He gave a hollow laugh, like that could be possible. Russell looked over at Vash; he was alert, but still calm. Vash looked over at Russell and grinned. Russell shook his head. How can he be grinning, soon their lives will be over!
Vash leaned towards him, "We're going to get out of this! I promise you that!"
Russell hissed, "Did someone let you out of the nuthouse? How can we get out of this!"
Vash did not answer.
"Meryl," Milly whispered, "Did you feel that? The caravan is slowing down, we're almost there!"
"It's about time!" Meryl huffed, "I've had enough of this caravan!"
Meryl looked over at Natalie, who had fallen asleep after entertaining them with shadow puppets. That kid is one piece of work, Meryl mused. Wolfwood would be proud.
Another hour passed before the caravan came to a complete stop. The door swung open, Mike and Logan sauntered in.
"Listen up!" Mike bellowed, "You'll be exiting here in two's, got that! But first, we have to put you in individual chains."
"Well, duh," Meryl muttered, "Like we could even stand up in these!" she pulled her cuffed hands.
Mike heard her, "You!" he hollered, "You shut up! I'll make sure you're the first one sold!"
Meryl rolled her eyes. Why were these people always idiots?
Wolfwood maintained a safe distance from the caravan. He saw that they stopped at a town. Is that town the base of operations? It made sense, a town brought in traders, sellers, and buyers and it did not rouse any suspicion from the cavalry.
Wolfwood started up Angelina II again; he'll have to go into the town from another entrance. He drove to the other end of the town and entered a bar. He will have to wait for awhile for the opportune time. There were a few curious glances at him, but that's due to the huge cross that was slung behind his back. Wolfwood grinned to himself; no one would suspect a traveling priest.
He ordered some food and drink; Wolfwood made sure he had a clear view of the caravan. He was lucky that the bar was situated near the edge of town where the caravan had stopped. This way, it would not look suspicious if he watched the happenings of the caravan. He watched for an hour and lit a cigarette as he contemplated his next move.
Something, or more accurately, someone gave Wolfwood a start, he almost dropped the cigarette. That someone had spiky, blond hair and a red coat. That couldn't be Vash he just saw being shoved out of the caravan, his hands shackled.
There was something else that disturbed him. Not one of the townspeople seemed to take notice of the people in shackles. Wolfwood scowled, the townspeople were no better than the caravan. Back to the other matter. Vash the Stampede, what the hell was he doing there? Vash was up to something; Wolfwood grinned, and hoisted the Cross Punisher over his shoulder. Perhaps he should give Vash a hand.
Vash frowned at Logan as he pushed him outside into the blinding light.
"Hey, can't you be more gentle?"
Logan glared at him, "Can't you just shut up for once!"
Vash smiled, "Sorry," he than noticed people coming by and sizing him up with their eyes, "Uh, what are they doing?"
Logan grinned, "They're browsing through the merchandise."
"Oh," whispered a woman, looking admiringly at Vash, "I like him. How much?"
Vash looked disgusted, than he heard a familiar voice say, "Whatever she offers, I'll double it." Vash turned to the voice and was shocked. Wolfwood gave his trademark grin, as the woman sputtered, "Honestly, a priest engaging in this? How despicable!" Wolfwood smiled dangerously, "Madame, I suggest you take a long, good look at yourself before spouting off what's despicable." The man next to her angrily replied, "Don't speak to my wife like some kind of common trash!" Wolfwood opened up his Cross Punisher and pointed it at the couple, "You are worse than common trash, buying people like they're property! Get the hell lost and don't come back!" The man grabbed his wife and ran like the devil was right at their feet. Wolfwood swung the weapon towards Logan, "Now, if you'd be so kind to release my friend there." Logan stood there gaping at Wolfwood, he impatiently said, "Now!" Logan released Vash, who grinned at Wolfwood, "Hey, Wolfwood, fancy meeting you here!" Wolfwood smiled wryly, "I could say the same to you. I think we need to clean this place up, what'd you think?" Vash nodded, "Sounds good to me, but first we have to find the insurance girls." Wolfwood was amused, "Ah, so the girls are here." Than, as if on cue, they heard Meryl's voice bellowing, "Get your filthy hands off of me you creep!" "Meryl!" Milly cried out. They turned and saw that an interested buyer was gripping Meryl's chin to examine her as Mike was talking to him. Vash glared, he glanced at Logan, "Hey, where's my gun?" "I-I don't know!" Wolfwood aimed the cross at him again, "Wrong answer!" "I-it's in Vince's office. He thought it would be worth something!" Vash frowned, "We don't have time. Hey Wolfwood, can I borrow your gun?" Wordlessly, Wolfwood pulled a gun from his coat and tossed it to Vash. Vash nodded his thanks and went straight towards Mike, Meryl, and the buyer. "Let her go!" Vash yelled. Milly cried out happily, "Vash!" Mike pulled out a gun and aimed it at Meryl's head, "Stay back or she dead, pal!" Vash stopped and looked at Mike, interested. It was not a look that Mike liked. He felt nervous and he wasn't sure why. He felt someone at his arm. It was Vince and he did not look happy. "I leave you two alone for five minutes and everything is a disaster!" Vash points the gun at Vince, "It ends here! Let her go!" Vince smirked at him, "Why the hell should I listen to a little prick like you!" Meryl laughed, "You guys don't get it, do you? You have no clue who he is." Mike nervously asked, "What do you mean?" Milly looked confused, "You don't know? He's Vash the Stampede!" Suddenly silence filled the caravan. Than came the screams and running. With exception of the poor souls still chained together, the caravan was empty. However, not completely empty, Vash, Wolfwood, Meryl, Milly, Vince and his goons, Mike and Logan stood there. "Impossible," Vince sneered. Mike stuttered, "I-I don't know, boss, that explains a lot. For example, why his harem were so heavily armed!" Meryl shifted angrily, despite a gun was being pressed against her head. "Excuse me! We are not his harem! Got that!" She stamped on his foot; Mike dropped his gun, howling in pain. Meryl grabbed the gun and turned it on them as well. "You should give up," Wolfwood said, "It's over." "Like hell it is," Vince said angrily. Wolfwood walked up and punched him. Vince fell to the ground and Wolfwood pointed his huge cross at him, "I should kill you right here. You abducted a little girl from my orphanage and took my friends. I'm not going to let a bastard like you get away with this!" Vince's eyes widened in fear. He looked pleadingly at the others, but he only met with cool gazes. Suddenly a little girl's singsong voice filled the air. "Mr. Wolfwood! I knew you would come. I knew it!" Wolfwood pulled away from the cowering man, "They need to be handcuffed. Give me the keys," he snatched them from Mike. He turned and walked to the little girl who was chained with several other people. Natalie wrapped her little arms around Wolfwood's waist and would not let him go for fifteen minutes.
The cavalry arrived to the town by nightfall, thanks to Julius and Moore. Soon the people were released from their nightmare and to be escorted to the nearest town. Vash happily got his, Meryl's, and Milly's weapons back. Vash found Russell and brought him to Wolfwood. Wolfwood lit a cigarette and eyed Russel for a moment, "Would you like to come to my orphanage?" Russell hesitated, he was wary of orphanages, "I don't think so. I'm too old for that." Wolfwood laughed, "Well, how about this, since I'm gone a lot, I'm always needing someone to look after the orphanage. I won't be able to pay you money, but you get free lodge and food. Do we have a deal?" Russell stared at him and laughed, "Sure. You seem different from the rest. But I suppose that's why you're friends with Vash the Stampede!" Suddenly Natalie wrapped herself around Russell's leg, "Yeah! A new family member!" Tears streamed down Vash's face, "I love happy endings!" Russell shook his head, "I still cannot believe you're Vash the Stampede. You're nothing like I imagined." "Isn't that the truth," Meryl murmured. "Let's get something to eat," Vash said, rubbing his belly, "I'm starved!" They laughed, and agreed. As they headed towards the tavern, Vash gently grabbed Meryl's arm and held her back. Meryl looked at him in surprise. "What's wrong, Vash?" "Um," he looked embarrassed, "I just wanted to say that I'm glad you're all right. I, uh, was a little worried about you back there." Meryl whispered, "Thank you, Vash," she grinned, "I wasn't worried, we'll
always watch each others' backs, right?"
Vash grinned back, "Right!"
They hurried to join their friends.
The End
A/N: Sorry it took so long, but I have been busy with school, but I'm
finished! I'm also having some problems with the computer. I've been slacking in giving reviews, but that's going to change! So here's the last
chapter. I told you I would finish it to the bitter end!
Chapter 4
The ghost caravan made its way through the desert towards the base of operations. It has been two days since they picked up the last of their "cargo". Vash knew they were close to the base due to the commotion happening outside. Vince was screaming at Mike and Logan to get their lazy butts in gear and check on the cargo. While the caravan did have other businesses, the human cargo was what brought in the money. Therefore, every direction it takes depends where the cargo is most wanted.
Vash picked up on this during the last few days. His mind constantly turning on plans and trying to cheer the passengers up.
"Come on guys! Let's sing! It's good for the soul!"
However, their predicament and Vash's off-key voice did little to lighten their spirits.
Russell uncovered his ears long enough to hoarsely whisper, "Dude, stop singing!"
Vash looked confused and surprised, "Eh? What?" He looked around and grinned sheepishly, "Oh sorry, got carried away."
Russell shook his head in wonder; how can this guy still be optimistic? He must be insane. The caravan started to slow down; Russell could feel the atmosphere become tenser. He gave a hollow laugh, like that could be possible. Russell looked over at Vash; he was alert, but still calm. Vash looked over at Russell and grinned. Russell shook his head. How can he be grinning, soon their lives will be over!
Vash leaned towards him, "We're going to get out of this! I promise you that!"
Russell hissed, "Did someone let you out of the nuthouse? How can we get out of this!"
Vash did not answer.
"Meryl," Milly whispered, "Did you feel that? The caravan is slowing down, we're almost there!"
"It's about time!" Meryl huffed, "I've had enough of this caravan!"
Meryl looked over at Natalie, who had fallen asleep after entertaining them with shadow puppets. That kid is one piece of work, Meryl mused. Wolfwood would be proud.
Another hour passed before the caravan came to a complete stop. The door swung open, Mike and Logan sauntered in.
"Listen up!" Mike bellowed, "You'll be exiting here in two's, got that! But first, we have to put you in individual chains."
"Well, duh," Meryl muttered, "Like we could even stand up in these!" she pulled her cuffed hands.
Mike heard her, "You!" he hollered, "You shut up! I'll make sure you're the first one sold!"
Meryl rolled her eyes. Why were these people always idiots?
Wolfwood maintained a safe distance from the caravan. He saw that they stopped at a town. Is that town the base of operations? It made sense, a town brought in traders, sellers, and buyers and it did not rouse any suspicion from the cavalry.
Wolfwood started up Angelina II again; he'll have to go into the town from another entrance. He drove to the other end of the town and entered a bar. He will have to wait for awhile for the opportune time. There were a few curious glances at him, but that's due to the huge cross that was slung behind his back. Wolfwood grinned to himself; no one would suspect a traveling priest.
He ordered some food and drink; Wolfwood made sure he had a clear view of the caravan. He was lucky that the bar was situated near the edge of town where the caravan had stopped. This way, it would not look suspicious if he watched the happenings of the caravan. He watched for an hour and lit a cigarette as he contemplated his next move.
Something, or more accurately, someone gave Wolfwood a start, he almost dropped the cigarette. That someone had spiky, blond hair and a red coat. That couldn't be Vash he just saw being shoved out of the caravan, his hands shackled.
There was something else that disturbed him. Not one of the townspeople seemed to take notice of the people in shackles. Wolfwood scowled, the townspeople were no better than the caravan. Back to the other matter. Vash the Stampede, what the hell was he doing there? Vash was up to something; Wolfwood grinned, and hoisted the Cross Punisher over his shoulder. Perhaps he should give Vash a hand.
Vash frowned at Logan as he pushed him outside into the blinding light.
"Hey, can't you be more gentle?"
Logan glared at him, "Can't you just shut up for once!"
Vash smiled, "Sorry," he than noticed people coming by and sizing him up with their eyes, "Uh, what are they doing?"
Logan grinned, "They're browsing through the merchandise."
"Oh," whispered a woman, looking admiringly at Vash, "I like him. How much?"
Vash looked disgusted, than he heard a familiar voice say, "Whatever she offers, I'll double it." Vash turned to the voice and was shocked. Wolfwood gave his trademark grin, as the woman sputtered, "Honestly, a priest engaging in this? How despicable!" Wolfwood smiled dangerously, "Madame, I suggest you take a long, good look at yourself before spouting off what's despicable." The man next to her angrily replied, "Don't speak to my wife like some kind of common trash!" Wolfwood opened up his Cross Punisher and pointed it at the couple, "You are worse than common trash, buying people like they're property! Get the hell lost and don't come back!" The man grabbed his wife and ran like the devil was right at their feet. Wolfwood swung the weapon towards Logan, "Now, if you'd be so kind to release my friend there." Logan stood there gaping at Wolfwood, he impatiently said, "Now!" Logan released Vash, who grinned at Wolfwood, "Hey, Wolfwood, fancy meeting you here!" Wolfwood smiled wryly, "I could say the same to you. I think we need to clean this place up, what'd you think?" Vash nodded, "Sounds good to me, but first we have to find the insurance girls." Wolfwood was amused, "Ah, so the girls are here." Than, as if on cue, they heard Meryl's voice bellowing, "Get your filthy hands off of me you creep!" "Meryl!" Milly cried out. They turned and saw that an interested buyer was gripping Meryl's chin to examine her as Mike was talking to him. Vash glared, he glanced at Logan, "Hey, where's my gun?" "I-I don't know!" Wolfwood aimed the cross at him again, "Wrong answer!" "I-it's in Vince's office. He thought it would be worth something!" Vash frowned, "We don't have time. Hey Wolfwood, can I borrow your gun?" Wordlessly, Wolfwood pulled a gun from his coat and tossed it to Vash. Vash nodded his thanks and went straight towards Mike, Meryl, and the buyer. "Let her go!" Vash yelled. Milly cried out happily, "Vash!" Mike pulled out a gun and aimed it at Meryl's head, "Stay back or she dead, pal!" Vash stopped and looked at Mike, interested. It was not a look that Mike liked. He felt nervous and he wasn't sure why. He felt someone at his arm. It was Vince and he did not look happy. "I leave you two alone for five minutes and everything is a disaster!" Vash points the gun at Vince, "It ends here! Let her go!" Vince smirked at him, "Why the hell should I listen to a little prick like you!" Meryl laughed, "You guys don't get it, do you? You have no clue who he is." Mike nervously asked, "What do you mean?" Milly looked confused, "You don't know? He's Vash the Stampede!" Suddenly silence filled the caravan. Than came the screams and running. With exception of the poor souls still chained together, the caravan was empty. However, not completely empty, Vash, Wolfwood, Meryl, Milly, Vince and his goons, Mike and Logan stood there. "Impossible," Vince sneered. Mike stuttered, "I-I don't know, boss, that explains a lot. For example, why his harem were so heavily armed!" Meryl shifted angrily, despite a gun was being pressed against her head. "Excuse me! We are not his harem! Got that!" She stamped on his foot; Mike dropped his gun, howling in pain. Meryl grabbed the gun and turned it on them as well. "You should give up," Wolfwood said, "It's over." "Like hell it is," Vince said angrily. Wolfwood walked up and punched him. Vince fell to the ground and Wolfwood pointed his huge cross at him, "I should kill you right here. You abducted a little girl from my orphanage and took my friends. I'm not going to let a bastard like you get away with this!" Vince's eyes widened in fear. He looked pleadingly at the others, but he only met with cool gazes. Suddenly a little girl's singsong voice filled the air. "Mr. Wolfwood! I knew you would come. I knew it!" Wolfwood pulled away from the cowering man, "They need to be handcuffed. Give me the keys," he snatched them from Mike. He turned and walked to the little girl who was chained with several other people. Natalie wrapped her little arms around Wolfwood's waist and would not let him go for fifteen minutes.
The cavalry arrived to the town by nightfall, thanks to Julius and Moore. Soon the people were released from their nightmare and to be escorted to the nearest town. Vash happily got his, Meryl's, and Milly's weapons back. Vash found Russell and brought him to Wolfwood. Wolfwood lit a cigarette and eyed Russel for a moment, "Would you like to come to my orphanage?" Russell hesitated, he was wary of orphanages, "I don't think so. I'm too old for that." Wolfwood laughed, "Well, how about this, since I'm gone a lot, I'm always needing someone to look after the orphanage. I won't be able to pay you money, but you get free lodge and food. Do we have a deal?" Russell stared at him and laughed, "Sure. You seem different from the rest. But I suppose that's why you're friends with Vash the Stampede!" Suddenly Natalie wrapped herself around Russell's leg, "Yeah! A new family member!" Tears streamed down Vash's face, "I love happy endings!" Russell shook his head, "I still cannot believe you're Vash the Stampede. You're nothing like I imagined." "Isn't that the truth," Meryl murmured. "Let's get something to eat," Vash said, rubbing his belly, "I'm starved!" They laughed, and agreed. As they headed towards the tavern, Vash gently grabbed Meryl's arm and held her back. Meryl looked at him in surprise. "What's wrong, Vash?" "Um," he looked embarrassed, "I just wanted to say that I'm glad you're all right. I, uh, was a little worried about you back there." Meryl whispered, "Thank you, Vash," she grinned, "I wasn't worried, we'll
always watch each others' backs, right?"
Vash grinned back, "Right!"
They hurried to join their friends.
The End