Chapter Summary
Previously, Lois and Jimmy decided to accompany Vash and Wolfwood to December City. Having trouble finding travel options, Vash took the Earthlings to pet some Thomases and beat Wolfwood at poker.
Now, Vash's party hitches a ride with a Thomas transport trucker. In Little Jersey, Lois investigates more about the Humanoid Typhoon. Back at the tavern, Vash tries to de-escalate a situation, but unfortunately, things never go as planned.
—T&J—
"—reports have flooded in from the December Plant Operations Center of a break-in and theft of a core generator plant.
"The main suspect has been described as a humanoid alien male with white skin, black hair, and red eyes. A journalist from the Bernardelli News Agency quoted an exclusive eyewitness saying the being called himself "Lobo." Security officers on duty were unable to stop the four advanced robotic droids from getting away in a space shuttle with the stolen plant.
"Numerous eyewitnesses have confirmed the presence of a third party. A facility security officer described them as a 'flying man dressed in blue with a red cloak, possessing superhuman strength' who appeared suddenly and began to fight off the alien intruder.
"Plant Operations Director Marcela Velazquez stated in a press conference that the Plant facility would double its security efforts. While power may be interrupted temporarily—"
The radio newscaster continued with finer details of the press conference and how people could contact local authorities before moving on to other news.
Lois and Jimmy had locked eyes, hearing the news of a flying man in a red cloak. Lois could see that Jimmy also immediately knew it was Superman. It was Clark.
Their new friend Vash had them pointed in the right direction by heading towards December.
Clark. Just sit tight. We're on our way.
Jessie lowered the volume on the radio and whistled low and long in awe of what they had just heard.
"Can you believe that?" Jessie asked. "Sure you kids wanna go to December, what with those aliens, robots, and flying supermen?" She shook her head at her own words.
They both just chuckled nervously.
Jimmy seemed to find his usual nerve about the subject, though.
"Aw, c'mon. It's not that too hard to imagine. I always believed in life amongst the stars. We couldn't be alone in the universe. Now we know," he stated with a sagely nod.
Jessie seemed to consider him a moment from the corner of her eye. After a beat, she burst into laughter. "I like ya, kid. You're somethin' else." She reached over and patted him roughly on the shoulder.
He shrugged but gave the skeptical woman a huge grin. "Plus, I've seen weirder and weirder stuff every day."
"Speaking of weird things. I heard back in Kasted that Vash the Stampede and his gang finally got run outta town. Can't believe I missed the Humanoid Typhoon by one day. Lucky me. Y'all there in the middle of it?" Jessie asked, her voice turning a tinge fearful.
Lois flinched, recalling yesterday's events. She glanced over at the woman, remembering how friendly she and her friend 'Eriks' had been upon seeing each other earlier. She didn't dare mention the real deal was her unassuming friend, and the gang leader had been an imposter.
"Uh, yeah. We saw most of it," Lois replied, voice going soft.
Lois still couldn't puzzle together the enigma of the blond man sitting in the trailer behind them. She was clearly missing numerous pieces of the puzzle.
Was Vash really this 'Humanoid Typhoon' outlaw everyone was so scared of? It just didn't make any sense. Lois didn't know how to go about asking the man directly. And she hadn't gone out of her way to ask others around town since he'd kept by their side practically all day.
"Oh, totally," Jimmy added. "That gang destroyed the saloon, and then Eriks got shot, and then Lina got kidnapped, and then Eriks and his friend back there went and rescued her, and the schoolhouse blew up, and—" Jimmy said, rushing his words and pointing back with his thumb to the trailer.
Jessie interrupted with a gasp. "Wait, wait, wait! Eriks did what now? Lil Blondie took on Vash the Stampede? And got out alive? And he was shot? You effing with me, kid?" Jessie said, taking her eyes off the road to narrow them at the young man.
Jimmy paused, realizing what was wrong with the conversation. Lois squirmed a little in her seat. "Umm…" Jimmy tried finding his next words.
"Damn, that kid. He's no better than that sister of his. Imma have words with 'im when we get to Little Jersey," Jessie growled out, clenching the steering wheel with an iron grip.
"For being from another city, the two of you seem awfully friendly," Lois said, redirecting the conversation.
"Eh? Oh, well, besides Jim here, I've never seen a grown man so excited to play with the Thomas chicks. Gentle with 'em, too. Poor kid can't ride a Thomas for shit. But he took good care of 'em at Becca's ranch. Hard to dislike the guy."
Jessie shook her head with a wry smile, her dreads falling over her shoulders. "Plus, for a scrawny kid, he puts up with my Jessie hugs better'n guys twice his size." She laughed full-heartedly.
Lois blushed fiercely, recalling the blond man stripped down the day before. He might not be the buffest man around, but he was anything but scrawny. Underneath the baggy clothes and canvas of scars, he had a toned, lean build of an athlete.
She turned to look out the open passenger window. The hot air was cooled marginally with the breeze as they drove along. The landscape outside was sparse besides the natural rocky outcroppings and swathes of sandy dunes.
One of the moons sat on the horizon, an enormous bluish-white dome. The suns were still high above but beginning to set. Not a cloud in sight in the vivid blue sky. Lois wondered if it ever rained on the planet. She had a feeling it was unlikely.
She could hear the clucking and chirpings of the birds coming from the trailer over the muffled voices on the radio.
After a few minutes without talking, Lois noticed something different about the landscape in the distance. She perked up as they got closer. Lois guessed it was the town they were heading to.
"Alright, kids, almost to Little Jersey," Jessie broke the silence. "Now see here, Jersey ain't the quaint lil place like Kasted City. So take my advice and stick to your friends' side. Don't bother anyone who looks like trouble. Place tends to be a gathering ground for ruffians in this region."
Lois and Jimmy exchanged somewhat worried glances. "Good to know."
—T&J—
Vash's friend Jessie had a few stops to make in town, so she let her passengers out to stretch their legs for a few hours.
After hopping out of the trailer and taking a good stretch, Vash did a quick sweep of the street and nearby shops. Out of habit, he scoped out the locale for any signs of troublemakers. Lots of folks out and about wore sidearms plainly in view. While not atypical, it put him on edge more so than he'd been in the last two years.
Out of nowhere, Jessie stomped over and yanked him by the ear, stealing his attention.
She pulled Vash aside to give him a piece of her mind after learning of his reckless and idiotic behavior from Lois and Jim. She was loud enough that the others probably overhead the whole scolding. He did his best to worm his way out with excuses and consolations to the woman twice his size.
Satisfied (for now), Jessie told him and the others that she wanted to get back on the road to the next town before daybreak. The plan was to stay there the night and take off the following morning for Ripmela. Vash was eager to get there to catch the sandsteamer the next morning.
Getting back to scoping out the town, a particular shop caught Vash's eye. "Oooh, a bakery~! I could really use some donuts," he sing-songed. Before the others could protest his spontaneity, he skipped toward the shop down the street.
"Needle Noggin! Ugh, whatever. We're going to get real food," Wolfwood shouted.
Vash merely waved without turning around, "Okay, be back soon!"
During their ride into Little Jersey, Vash and Wolfwood had discussed the uncomfortable but unavoidable topic of his brother.
Knives.
At least three towns that Wolfwood knew of had been graced with Knives's presence—or at least his followers. All of the citizens just up and vanished. His name had been scrawled in blood on town monuments or building walls.
Knives was taunting him.
Whatever happened between them in July… It only made things worse between the twins. And now Knives not only wanted to liberate the Plants, but he was also doing who knows what to these innocents.
Vash needed to get away from the others—at least for a few moments.
He felt a sickening sense of deja vu. He needed something to quell his nausea. Something to mask his unease.
Maybe he should have left well enough alone with their new companions. If Knives was after him again, Vash shouldn't have let the unwitting Earthlings get near him.
But he made a promise. Vash had a self-imposed responsibility to help them find their friend and, ultimately, a way back home.
—
Two boxes of donuts in hand, Vash meandered through Little Jersey to meet up with his party. He shoved a second donut into his mouth as he popped into the closest tavern.
The bar was crowded as it was getting later in the day. Locals coming in after their day's work or travelers stopping at the town for the evening filled the room.
As Vash walked past a group of world-weary men playing darts, he noticed they'd tacked one of his wanted posters centered over the dartboard. His printed, grinning face was already full of tiny holes. Three darts stuck out from the paper.
Vash ducked his head with a pout and shuffled over to the table his companions sat around. He couldn't help a wave of emotion wash over him. He took a huge chomp out of a third donut and tried to pass his tears off as delight for the delicious donuts.
"Oh, man… you all gotta try these… mmmm, so yummy…" Vash said between bites and chewing.
He could see Wolfwood rolling his eyes at him as the undertaker picked up his bowl of noodles to his face and slurped obnoxiously.
Jim gave a skeptical look at Vash's exaggerated reaction. The boy bit into a sandwich of… questionable ingredients.
Lois looked from him to the box of donuts but then turned to look around the tavern with a keen, sweeping gaze. Her eyes rested on the men tossing darts when one of them shouted, "HA! Take that, Humanoid Typhoon!"
Vash peeked back over as well. He saw a fourth dart lodged between his printed face's eyes."
When Lois dragged her gaze back to Vash, he quickly shifted his eyes to the box of donuts and nudged them across the table. "C'mon. I know you want one~," he prodded.
Her expression went from concerned to upset to ticked off. "Thanks 'Eriks,' but I suddenly lost my appetite." She stood up, her chair scratching against the floor, and marched out of the tavern.
"Lois?" Jimmy said sharply in response to her leaving. He rose halfway to standing but didn't follow. Instead, he just sat back down.
Vash blinked, crumbs on his face. "Wha? Was it something I said?"
Jimmy shrugged but looked concerned with lowered brows and slight frown. "Beats me. You know women."
"Hehe, uh, not sure I do," Vash replied.
"Feh, you're both clueless," Wolfwood scoffed and scarfed down more of his noodles.
—L&P—
Lois stepped outside. She just didn't understand. How could he act so, so blasé? Even in the town he lived in—hid in, in plain sight—and now this town, too? She needed to understand this dichotomy between the man on the poster and the man she and Jimmy were putting their trust in.
She'd seen other wanted posters, but no other outlaws' bounty could hold a candle to his sixty billion. Or the amount of animosity radiating off of everyone she encountered.
Lois walked down the street, mulling over the ever-expanding puzzle of Vash the Stampede. Where would she usually start if she needed answers for a story? She couldn't bring herself to go to the source. So, she needed a second-hand account.
Instead of asking someone directly, she could go the research route. There was radio news, or even a good old-fashioned newspaper?
Duh, Lane. You're a newspaper journalist. Where else are you going to find the most legitimate news?
She could have slapped herself for not thinking of that sooner.
With that goal in mind, she scanned the stores around town as she walked. A general store would probably be ideal for finding papers for sale.
Groups of men eyed her, not recognizing the lonesome, petite woman. Lois tried to ignore their lingering gazes and continued with purpose in her strides. Maybe she should have listened to Jessie and stuck with her companions. Lois shook the unease off. She could take care of herself.
Plus, she couldn't quit her mission now.
There! Gerald's General Store.
She snickered at the name. Luckily, most storefronts were labeled simply here.
A red-headed woman in a green apron at the counter greeted Lois when the bell above the door chimed. The woman appeared to be seven or eight months pregnant, and a boy of two or three was playing with some toys on a rug near her feet.
Lois relaxed at the sight of the woman and the young child. She'd been expecting a man by the store's name, but maybe she was his wife? Either way, at least the leering eyes of the townsmen weren't on her anymore.
"Hello, hun. Let me know if I can help you with anything," the woman said with a smile.
Lois said thanks and looked around curiously. Compared to a convenience store back home, the shop was relatively sparse of junk foods and novelties. Items for sale covered the basics for everyday needs and travel essentials. What little produce was for sale seemed rather expensive compared to other preserved foods such as toma jerky or roasted wam meat.
The health care and medicine shelf was pitifully stocked. Lois couldn't imagine how people cared for themselves if this was all they had.
Lois grabbed a packet of compressed towel wipes. Traveling with three men, she imagined stocking up for herself would be a good idea. Oh, thank goodness, a small tube of fluoride paste and a toothbrush (she grabbed a second for Jimmy). She hadn't brushed in like two days at this point.
She also grabbed a few snacks that didn't seem too expensive. It was best to save what small amount of money she'd won gambling earlier.
Near the register, she was elated to see a few copies of a Sunday's paper dated July 21, PE112. She did the mental math, remembering Vash's conversation with the bus attendant. Huh, so it was yesterday's paper, and today was a Monday here.
The headline caught her attention, "Lost July: Second Annual Day of Remembrance." What excitement she felt quickly morphed into remorse.
The woman at the counter must have noticed her expression as she stared at the paper. "Oh dearie, I know it's a cruel reminder. I had family living in JuLai back then. Rest their souls. Gerald and I just wanted a quiet life to raise our boy and moved here not even a few months before. Course, with all the refugees, Little Jersey isn't what it used to be."
Lois projected feelings from tragedies back home to empathize with the woman. "Yeah, such a tragic day. It still hurts. I'm so sorry for your losses," she said, hoping it came across as genuine. The woman nodded sadly, patting her son's hair.
Lois quietly paid the woman for her purchases and exited the store.
She didn't want to try reading the paper around her companions, so she kept an eye out for a place to sit and read.
It wasn't long before Lois spotted a cafe with outdoor seating near the town square and headed over. She took a seat at an empty two-person table and unfolded the paper.
Maybe now, she'd find her missing puzzle pieces.
—T&J—
Vash's retort to Wolfwood's last insult got drowned out when a few men entered the tavern together, laughing loudly.
They walked over to an occupied booth on the other side of the room.
Vash observed them closely out of the corner of his eye.
They seemed like such a mismatched group. A short, scrawny guy in a gaudy poncho and scraggly black hair. A chubby guy with a clean shaven, round baby face but clothes that were a size too small. A taller bald man with a prominent brow wearing a sleeveless top, showing off tattooed arms.
And the tallest man among the four had wild reddish-brown hair slicked back into sharp points and a facial tattoo around one eye. The man's long gray coat didn't even hide his broad shoulders and buff frame.
Clearly the leader of the bunch, the tall, facial-tattooed man spoke loud enough that most of the tavern customers probably heard. "This is our table, punks. Get lost."
The room got a little quieter.
"Sooo? Fiindd yerselfs 'nother table. We waass here firstt," one of the inebriated patrons sitting at the table slurred.
The room got another notch quieter.
The tall man standing reached down and grabbed the drunk man's collar and lifted him out of his seat. "Wanna try again, punk?"
All of the men from both groups swung their firearms up. Several clicking sounds of guns cocking filled the air.
Okay. Annnd that's my cue, Vash thought with a groan. He briefly caught Wolfwood's eye, and the two men shared an understanding nod. At least Vash hoped.
Vash mind-mapped the room almost instantly. Eight tables in the center, four booths on the left, and six seats at the bar. At least three dozen patrons plus the barkeep and four waitstaff.
He picked up details that might've seemed insignificant to normal people but, to him, were crucial (and maybe not so crucial) to the next few moments: Box of donuts, twelve darts, tablecloths on all eight tables topped with plates, drinking glasses, and silverware.
He recalled the scene just outside the tavern. Four Thomases tied to the hitching post. Town square to the right-hand side of the tavern. South Gate to the left.
The streets were rather busy as it was after quitting time. Folks were out running errands and headed home for the evening.
Two sheriff's deputies had been across the street, also getting donuts at the bakery.
Jessie had driven her rig to the butcher's shop over on Lambert Street and was likely still unloading there.
Okay, here goes.
Vash stood up abruptly, his chair clattering to the ground. He spun around on his heels, grabbing his stomach as he said loudly, "Crap, must've been something I ate. Excuse me! Coming through! Where's the bathroom?!"
Dozens of eyes turned to him as he made a commotion, distracting patrons from the tension between the ruffians.
Jimmy hissed just loud enough for Vash to hear, "Are you insane?!"
Vash also heard Wolfwood smack his face and groan.
Even the tall thug lowered the drunk man and looked over his shoulder. His companions followed with a turn of their heads, their guns no longer aimed directly at the drunkards seated at the booth.
Vash darted between the tables towards the bathroom door and, fortunately for his plan, that specific booth.
He made a scene of slipping on some spilled beer on the floor and tumbling over, arm flailing to try and catch himself. He tugged at the tablecloth. The cloth ripped from the table, which was conveniently nearest the four thugs. Plates full of half-eaten meals, tankards, and silverware went flying into the air and all over the patrons nearby.
Various cries of alarm and annoyance filled the previously tense room.
"What the hell, you clumsy buffoon!" One of the patrons cursed. He and a few others stood up, wiping themselves off.
The thugs, no longer concerned with 'their' table, grimaced at Vash and the other patrons for flinging food and drinks all over them.
Most of them lowered their guns, but of course, the tall one itching for a fight aimed his at Vash instead—just his luck.
"Uh, hello!" Vash said, acting embarrassed. "I'll, uh, just be getting up now…" He made it seem like a struggle with just his one arm.
Wolfwood came over and yanked him up to his feet. "Sorry 'bout this clumsy oaf. Always ruinin' a good time, am I right?"
The thugs seemed to have lost interest in the previous grievance with the punks at 'their' booth. Either way, the drunks cleared out with plenty of grumbling that it wasn't worth the trouble.
Whew, looks like we got away without any violence this time. Score!
Vash apologized dramatically to the nearby patrons, offering to buy a round of drinks, and things seemed to settle down.
That was until someone from over by the dartboard suddenly cried out.
Vash, Wolfwood, and several others glanced that way.
One of the world-weary men pointed directly at Vash.
Oh, shit.
"I-I-it's him!" The man's eyes trailed back to the wanted poster with four darts stuck in Vash's black and white face. He pointed back and forth between Vash and the poster. "It's Vash the Stampede!"
A beat.
"Uh, I'll just be, um, going now?" Vash said with a strained smile.
The tall thug went to grab at Vash. "Like hell you are, little man!"
But Vash was quicker and ducked out of his way. "I really will, now. Okay? Bye!" Vash cried.
Wolfwood tripped the tall thug as he went to reach for Vash again, causing a domino effect of the thugs. Vash gave his friend an apologetic grimace and took a running jump. He slid over the top of another table near the door, sending more plates and drinks flying.
He had to get the hell out of there as quickly as possible. He fumbled towards the entrance, slipping past numerous attempts at grabbing him.
Vash slammed through the swing doors, causing them to bang into the walls. He flicked open his pocket knife and cut the rope tying one of the Thomases to the hitching post.
He hopped on swiftly, pulling the reins taut in his right hand. He made two sharp clicks with his tongue and cheek and tapped the bird's flanks with his heels. The mount took off in a gallop toward the town square.
—L&P—
Lois had finished reading the article and was sitting quietly with her thoughts. She really should have returned to the tavern, but it was too soon. There was still a lot to process about what she read and what she was figuring out.
She was staring half blankly into the town square, watching people as they went about their business.
Shouts and gunfire erupted from down the street, which pulled Lois out of her daze. If she wasn't mistaken, they were coming from towards the tavern. Cursing to herself, she stood up and rushed to pack her belongings. She fumbled with her wallet but still slapped some money on the table for her half-finished drink.
Lois jogged a few yards into the square to peer down the street.
"Outta the way!"
A sprinting Thomas almost ran her over. She quickly jumped back out of the way.
Lois did a double take. That was not just Vash, was it? The man said to be crap at riding a Thomas? He looked like he was an expert to her.
"What's going on?" She shouted after him.
"Bounty hunters! Get back to the others!" Vash merely yelled but then swiftly turned the Thomas down another street out of view.
A moment later, three strangers also riding Thomases rode up into the town square. From the square, the streets broke off in five different directions. They'd obviously lost sight of their target.
"Shit! Where'd that bastard go?!"
Thinking fast, Lois stepped closer to the men and shouted, "I saw him go that way!" She pointed in the opposite direction he'd actually gone.
They took off at a gallop, whooping some lame battle cries. Lois could see more people riding in vehicles and running from the same direction close behind. Most, if not all, were armed.
Okay, seriously, what happened back there?!
Lois spent just a few seconds debating what to do. She went with her gut and ran off in the direction Vash had gone against her better judgment.
She sprinted down a few streets before the sight of Jessie's rig caught her eye.
Lois also spotted the vibrant teal blue plumage of a Thomas wandering loosely to the side of Jessie's rig, attracted to the bird noises inside the trailer.
Maybe Vash had gone to find the woman? Lois paused to catch her breath.
This street wasn't as busy as some others close to the south gate and town square, but a few folks were walking about.
Two men wearing matching black uniforms bearing an unfamiliar insignia stepped out of what looked like a police station or sheriff's office by the circle and star symbol above the building.
Lois saw the door to the butcher's shop swing open. Vash was half dragging, half begging Jessie that they had to leave. Right now.
He jogged to the passenger side door after the woman grudgingly pulled herself into the driver's seat.
Lois started to approach, and she caught Vash's gaze. His eyes widened, clearly not expecting her to have followed him. "Lois, come—" he started to say.
Crrrrrack!
A gunshot rang out, hitting the side of Jessie's truck. Civilians fled, screaming. Lois froze where she stood, still a couple of yards away.
"You!" The venom laced in that single word could've killed. It came from one of the uniformed officers.
Lois felt a chill sweep over her, making her breath hitch.
The officer trained his military-grade rifle on Vash with expert precision. The first shot only missed on purpose.
Vash flinched, raising his hands. He turned around ever so slowly.
Lois could see his expression change noticing the two men. She would have wondered if he recognized them, but their dust gators and goggles covered their eyes, making it impossible to see their faces. Maybe he recognized the uniform or voice?
The uniformed man trembled with rage or terror; Lois couldn't tell. Maybe it was both.
Despite being noticeably surprised by his partner's behavior, the other officer also raised his rifle.
"I should have killed you when I had the chance back in JuLai! Jeneora's Rock wasn't enough for you?! You! You monster!"
The man gave an anguished scream. The tormented keen like something unleashed by a wounded animal.
"Eriks? What's going on? What's he talkin' bout?" Jessie asked from inside the cab. Worry tinged her typically down-to-earth voice.
Lois slowly reached down to her shoulder bag. She dug inside and grasped her fingers around the smooth handle of the League blaster.
"Jessie. Start the truck," Vash said, his voice serious.
The uniformed man made a strained noise, halfway between a laugh and a cry. "I'm not letting you get away this time!"
"Eriks," Jessie said, her tone suggesting she wanted an answer, and she wanted it now.
"Just do it!" Vash pleaded, daring to take his eyes off the officers briefly to look over his shoulder at her through the open window.
Lois could see Vash adjust his stance minutely. She realized he was going to make some kind of move any second now.
"Don't you dare! You're gonna die here, Vash the Stampede!" the man screamed, finger a hair from the trigger.
Lois raised the blaster slowly, aiming it at the officer. Vash turned back and seemed to have caught Lois out of the corner of his eye again. A flicker of panic came over his face.
The roar of the rig's engine started up.
Lois pulled her trigger the exact moment the uniformed man pulled his. Another bullet hit the passenger door where Vash's chest would have been a moment ago.
Fortunately, Vash leaped out of the way and tucked into a roll just in time.
The enraged officer collapsed from the stunning energy blast.
Vash pulled out his revolver and took a shot in the blink of an eye from the ground. The second soldier's rifle was ripped out of the man's hands from the force of impact.
Lois aimed another blaster shot at the second soldier in his confusion over what happened, and he crumpled as well.
Vash looked grief-stricken, seeing the two men go down. He snapped his head to Lois with a pained question on the tip of his tongue.
Lois ran over, trying to pull the blond man up as she said, "It was set to stun. They'll be fine. Let's go."
The relief that washed over his face was palpable. He let out a ragged sigh. "Thank you," he whispered. He stood up a bit shakily with her help.
Lois hopped in first, and Vash pulled himself in behind her and slammed the door shut.
Vash mumbled, "Wolfwood and Jim. Back at the tavern."
Jessie's expression was tight but otherwise blank as she turned the rig into the street. She didn't say anything.
Vash slumped into the seat and stared out the window, keeping his face as far turned away from the two women as possible.
—T&J—
AN:
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Next Chapter 18: Rip My Life into Pieces
Tensions ebb and flow after Vash and company bolt out of Little Jersey. The gang settles in for the night, but not without some angst time.