Jackie; Welcome back, I was inspired so I stayed up late and wrote a whole bunch of new chapters for my wonderful reviewers. More action and adventure to ensue.
'laughs' you guys are nuts, I love the reviews. Keep reviewing and I will continue to crank it out. I'm such a sucker for praise.
Welcome and thanks to my new reviewer Malster. Wactha got? A 286? 'snickers' I'm only teasing because until a year ago, inspite of being a computer science major, I was doing my coding on an IBM 286. I understand where you are coming from. I'm glad you finally got to review! It took what? An hour and a half? 'smirk' Good old computer. My son plays "Freddy Fish" on it now.
A special shout out to Snw, Aine, Kawaii, Ink, and hope. By the way, 'ahem' some of you need to do some updating to your own stories. 'twitches' Must have MORE.
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Chapter 14;
Knives stopped the car at behind the last hill before he would be in sight of the hideout. He crept up, gritting his teeth at the roughness of sand against his bare skin, and peered over the slope. He looked over the hill at the first two guards that were in his way. He concentrated and they fell limply to the ground. He knocked them out, it was as easy as triggering a quick blood rush to the head. They would have headaches but they would be unharmed.
Knives heard a car pull up behind him and he drew one of the 38 caliber pistols on his hips as he swung around to see who was there. He reholstered his gun when he saw it was just Vash and his friends. The whole gang laid down on each side of Knives. Vash was to his right and asked, "So what's the situation."
"Mira showed me the layout of the outer grounds. A few circular dunes have been plowed into place. Each circle has more guards. I already took out the guards in this circle, but stay low, they have a lookout tower too," Knives said quietly.
Vash glanced over Knives's wounds and the sweat beading on his brow. He put his hand on his twin's shoulder and asked, "You gonna be okay, bro? Me and Wolfwood can--"
"I'm fine!" He growled and jumped over the crest of the hill into the ditch.
Knives started low crawling up to the next ledge as the others followed. Knives peered quickly over the next ledge then ducked down with the others again. He frowned and said, "Too many. I can only get five at once."
"Then tell us the five you want," Wolfwood said casually, "We'll get the rest."
Knives looked at Wolfwood and frowned. Yes, he had saved Wolfwood from deaths door, and nursed him back to health. However, while Wolfwood's body was being worked on in stasis, Knives had been torturing his mind. It was his punishment for betrayal. He made a note to try to make it up to him and said, "I'll take the five to the far right."
That was all they needed to hear. Wolfwood and Vash jumped into the ditch and started fighting with the three guards Knives couldn't get. The other five merely crumpled where they stood. Knives and the girls jumped into the ditch as they other three fell with light thuds onto the sand. Knives thought they were very lucky to have gotten this far without setting off the alarm. He crawled up to the next slope and groaned at what he saw.
"How many?" Wolfwood asked.
"About two hundred," Knives said, "They are having some sort of party but--"
"Leave it to us," Wolfwood said, "You just worry about who is inside, and find the girl."
Before Knives could say anything, Vash and Wolfwood jumped over the slope. Meryl and Millie were only footsteps behind them. The gunfire started and Knives bounded over the ledge. He took out a few handfuls on his way to the front door, but never broke his stride. He knew Vash and his friends could handle this.
Knives busted down the door with a gun in each hand, and caught four men playing cards. He smiled and said, "Hey there."
Before they touched their weapons they crumbled to the floor. Knives didn't see anyone else in the massive upper room, so he made his way to the staircase that lead down…
Mira kicked Morgan in the head when he was bending over to pick up his first instrument of choice. He staggered sideways and cursed, "You bitch!"
He was heading back towards her when the gunfire started outside. Morgan looked up and tried to listen to the muffled sounds. He readied his gun and said, "Looks like your man on the side is persistent. He must've brought friends too."
Morgan sighed and locked the door. He held his gun out toward Mira, "I had hoped to make your stay here long and painful, but you see there's one small problem. I hate loosing."
"That man and the preacher in black," He started, "I know them. Seen um single handedly take out my ex-boss's whole gang."
He pulled back the hammer of his gun and said, "In a way I owe them 'cause now I'm the boss. But I still can't handle losing. So when they get here, Mira, they will be too late."
'Where are you?'
'Second floor down, hurry!'
'Stall him, I'm coming.'
"Don't do it Morgan," Mira said softly, "You're already going to get it when he gets here, but I have a feeling he can do much worse things than kill you."
The door knob clicked as Knives fumbled with it. Morgan looked over his shoulder at the door and quickly turned back.
'No good! It's locked. Where is he? Show me a picture!'
A picture flashed in Knives's head of Morgan standing in front of the door with his back to it. Knives aimed.
"Now don't go getting all sweet and soft with me now, Mira," He smiled as he said, "It's too late for that. Game over."
Mira closed her eyes tightly as a shot rang out.
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Jackie; so who pulled the trigger first? Will I kill the bad guy or have a bitter-sweet ending in which Knives must learn the tragedy he has inflicted on so many…