Chapter 15: Saving Sean From Dangling
As Sango made her way inside the house, the approached the shrine dedicated to the Kururugi family's ancestors. Looking for whatever talisman, doll, or object represented Arthur, but seeing nothing, she looked about her surroundings and even herself. She tore some black fabric from her battle outfit, constructed a little hat shaped frame, and wrapped the cloth over it stretching it tight. Then she overlooked her surroundings outside coming across a brownish piece of string. She wrapped it around the little black cowboy hat and tied it together.
"Hmmm, it's not much, but it is a miniature replica of Arthur's hat…more-or-less…" Sango said as she brought it back into the house and placed it on an empty slot on the shrine. Then she got on her knees and started praying.
"Arthur Morgan," She began, "Ancestor of Michiru Kururugi….whether you be in a heaven or a hell….or some middle-ground….I hope you can hear me….if not, then I hope whatever deity you belong to hears me….I…I…I need your help. Michiru has agreed to help us at last, but…he's not ready to forgive me and the others. If you can help in any way, shape, or form, please I beg you to guide him back to the loving boy I once knew. If you are damned to a hell, then I hope and pray that my prayer gives you a chance to redeem yourself so that you may rest…please Arthur. Please help Michiru to return to the Michiru that I know and…and…and…love."
Kissing the little hat, Sango made a gesture before exiting the house and returning to the laboratory.
"What's Arthur been up to?" She asked.
"Looks like he's indulging in one of his favorite pastimes," Dr. Garter said, "Entering the town's gunsmith."
"Well, a new marksman in town," A voice spoke from a counter as Arthur saw a thin gentleman in a white shirt and black vest, "Welcome."
"Thanks," Arthur replied looking over a big white and red book on the counter and opening it.
"Oh wait," The gunsmith said, "You're that feller who had the fight with Tommy outside of Smithfields?"
Sighing not wanting to engage in conversation whilst buying a new gun, Arthur grumbed, "Yep."
"People are still talking about that fight," The gunsmith said.
"I ain't," Arthur answered.
"Fair enough," The gunsmith said, "Neither's Tommy. In fact, with the blows you delivered to his skull, the doctor says the damage to his brain will make him never talk again. He has limited movement in his hands now and can only thread saddles at the stables now."
"Sounds like I killed him without ending his life," Arthur said.
"Indeed," The gunsmith said, "Anyway, how can I help you today?"
"I want all the gun oil vials you got," Arthur said, "Twenty arrows, one hundred Varmint Rifle cartridges, one hundred high-velocity rifle cartridges, twenty-three shotgun shells, one hundred express rifle cartridges, two hundred high velocity revolver cartridges, and a pump-action shotgun."
"Should've guessed…" Dr. Ericson chuckled, "Arthur's favorite weapon was always his pump-action shotgun, and he was really depressed when it fell out of his hands when they were on the run from Blackwater and the Pinkertons. It was made of the blackest wood and metal he could buy. He called it 'Black Death.""
"A varmint rifle," Arthur said, "For rabbits and other small animals without doing much damage to their hides. A volcanic pistol…and I think that'll do. How much I owe you?"
"I'm only charging you for the ammunition sir," The gunsmith answered, "Those three guns are on the house."
"Huh?" Arthur said, "Well…thanks, but…I don't understand."
"I owe you some favors, sir," The gunsmith began, "See, Tommy was never good for business. His legends of his size, strength, and skills attracted lots of thugs and ruffians all wanting a taste of him here to Valentine. When Tommy'd get finished beating them up, they'd drown the pain in liquor and cocaine gum, then go on sprees that include robberies and lootings. Even in my here shop. I've lost a lot of guns and ammunition from thugs wanting to meet and fight Tommy, and now that he ain't gonna be fighting anymore the number of thieves entering my shop is gonna go down. Fewer robberies in my shop is the first favor I owe ya. The second favor I owe ya is that all those street fights and brawls scared away a lot of honest paying customers, and the robberies often occurred when real paying customers were in my shop. Now I'll get more customers thanks to Tommy being taken out of fighting action."
"So me punching out Tommy and rendering him a drooling vegetable ultimately lowers robberies and increases customers for you," Arthur said, "That's two favors."
"The third favor I owe you is drowning that drunk in that trough," The gunsmith grumbled, "He worked for a supplier of mine in Saint Denis, and I had quite the delay in supplies coming into my shop. I complained to that bastard numerous times and filed complaints to the supplier, but no assistance came. When you drowned him, my supplier was worried I sent you after him and immediately got that shipment to my store."
"Well," Arthur began, "So long as it puts free guns into my possession, I'm happy to have…been of service."
"But I still owe you another favor," The gunsmith said, "You see, I heard you went upstairs into the hotel and beat up a violent little greaser trying to rough up a female friend of yours."
"Yeah, so?" Arthur asked.
"That same bastard roughed up my older sister during a date," The gunsmith growled, "She went to the hotel with him, but instead of a one-night-stand, that son-of-a-bitch wanted things rough and repeatedly beat up my sister to the point he put a big cut across her once pretty face."
"Jesus!" Arthur gasped, "Good thing I got there in time! Karen could've gotten cut up big time!"
"We're trying to save up for train tickets to New York City to see a doctor there that specializes in something called plastic surgery," The doctor explained, "Apparently, he can cover up the scar and restore my sister's beautiful face to as good as new, but it ain't cheap. The tickets and the procedure cost a lot, so it's good that the ruffians left, paying customers are coming in, and I'm fully stocked. Not to mention the bastard's dead now and my sister's been brought to justice. I still owe you a favor, sir."
"I see…" Arthur said, "Well, I don't need anything more, but I'll keep your favor in mind. You never know when I'll been needing it."
Exiting the store, Arthur stopped in the street.
"Plastic surgery…" He thought to himself, "Fixing big scars to appear almost non-existent. Hmm, I wonder if a plastic surgeon could replace people's entire faces. It'd certainly get the law off our backs. Hmm…nah! As if that could ever happen! Speaking of medicine though."
After heading for the doctor's office to purchase some medicine, Arthur went to the big saloon to the barber there. He got a new hairdo and a beard trim before going to the hotel.
"I need a wash," He said giving the hotel keeper a quarter, "Can I get a bath?"
"I got someone warming it up already," The hotel clerk said, "Just head down the corridor there."
"Oh my!' Sango blushed, "I'm going to see Arthur bathing again!"
Sango blushed all the redder as Arthur stripped out of his clothes and stepped into the hot tub of water scrubbing his head. There was a knock at the door.
"How would you like some help in there?" A woman's voice asked. Arthur thought for a moment. He'd just seen Mary, but there was…something else stirring within himself.
"Maybe some other time," He answered as Sango gasped. Arthur wasn't going to ask a pretty girl to bathe him this time. It made Sango…happy inside.
"Alright, suit yourself," The woman's voice called back.
Arthur scrubbed his own body from head to toe as Sango smiled. He got out of the tub, put his clothes back on, and exited the hotel making his way back to camp. As he passed the yellow train station of Valentine, he heard a familiar voice call out.
"Excuse me?" The voice called out, "Excuse me, but I need some money."
Arthur looked to see it was that one-armed beggar in the blue military uniform again. Arthur rolled his eyes a bit and got off his saddle going to his new friend.
"I fought in the war," The beggar pleaded, "I fought for you."
"What war?" Kagome asked.
"The American Civil War," Dr. Ingles replied.
"Hey, brother!" The beggar squealed recognizing Arthur, "Hey, mister, mister…I never learnt your name…I never did! You're like a brother…but I didn't learn your name, and I said to myself, 'Mickey, you never learnt that fella's name. Now you'll never see him again and you'll be sad like…when your puppy passed, cause you slept on it…" Taking a moment to sob, Mickey asked, "What's your name, mister?"
Knowing he had to be patient with this kiddish beggar, Arthur grumbled out, "Arthur."
"Arthur?" Mickey asked, "My uncle's name was Arthur! Uncle Arthur we called him! On account of his name. It's a fine name, a strong name. Like a king. You could be my king, mister Arthur. Yes, you could!"
With that, Mickey walked away all happy even though Arthur hadn't given him one cent like he planned. Arthur just shrugged, got back onto Sango's back, and rode the trail back to Horseshoe Overlook. When he was near the trees that covered the campsite, he spotted a big wild turkey, pulled out his bow, shot it, skinned it, and tied it to the side of his saddle. He then rode into camp, dropped it all off at Pearson's tent, and went to socialize.
"Ugh, I am mighty glad to be out of that cold, Mr. Morgan," Miss Grimshaw said from a table.
"Me too," Arthur agreed.
"Oh! I'm getting too old for this gallivanting," Miss Grimshaw griped.
Chuckling, Arthur repeated, "Me too."
He then walked to Dutch's tent where they were talking about making a lot of money before disappearing.
"Mr. Morgan," Dutch nodded.
"Like you say, this is a big country," Arthur said, "We can always get lost."
Chuckling, Dutch said, "Yes, and we can always make more money."
Arthur took some ammo from his own tent and then turned to the contribution box and the ledger. He dropped seventeen dollars worth of valuables into the box and all the money he had on himself. He then opened the ledger and ordered that Pearson's tent and wagon be improved to hold fresh fruit and basic canned goods. Then he noticed that there was enough funding for another upgrade to the tent to include chewing tobacco and premium canned goods. He ordered it right away. After all, the camp was low on food. Then, to his surprise, there was enough funding for a third upgrade to the tent to include cocaine gum and various sweets! Arthur was on a roll in regards to supplying the camp with good food. Soon Pearson's tent would be flourishing with enough food to last awhile. Then he closed the ledger and walked around.
"Herr Morgan," Strauss greeted him.
"No more desperates, Strauss," Arthur grumbled as a moment of conscience pricked at him.
"It's in a debtor's nature," Strauss protested as Arthur grumbled and resumed walking around camp stopping at Strauss's tent to pick up some vials of medicine.
"Mr. Morgan," Reverend Swanson called from behind, "Mr. Morgan…you saved my life, and I'm…well, I'm very grateful…"
"Don't mention it, Reverend," Arthur grumbled with a sigh.
"I…I made a fool of myself."
"We've all done it."
"I just…I just…get so confused and-and angry, and then I…I head God laughing at me and I get even angrier, and well," Reverend Swanson got out before frowning, "I'm a real prize dolt. I know it."
With that, he walked away sulking at his own stupidity. Arthur went to Pearson's tent to grab a beer and then the stew pot to fix himself a bowl.
"So, Mr. Morgan, whatever did happen with that Mary Gillis?" Ms. Grimshaw asked.
"It all came to nothing, Miss Grimshaw," Arthur answered as he sucked down the bowl.
"That's for the best," Miss Grimshaw nodded.
"Sure…of course…" Arthur sighed as Sango looked up at this sympathetically.
Best for whom? She asked herself not wanting to risk Michiru hearing her. Arthur's ex-girlfriend is single now, Arthur knows his lifestyle is becoming more and more obsolete, he has a chance to be happy with the girl he truly loves and run away from it all, so why not take the- But she was cut off when she saw Michiru's sleeping form and shook her head sadly. Maybe…Arthur and Mary's breakup was like mine and Michiru's. Maybe…Mary said or did something before marrying another man that was…unforgivable in Arthur's eyes. So unforgivable he'd rather take his chances with a dying lifestyle than with someone he loves…
"I never did like her very much…" Miss Grimshaw grumbled as Arthur went to the wardrobe locker at the foot of his bed. He put on a black Duster Coat, removed his vest, and then made his way to Sango.
"Alright, girl," He began getting onto her saddle, "Time to go see Javier near Blackwater."
He rode his steed down the hill and across the shallow area of the river. Riding through small woods and around rock formations.
"Hey Mister!" A voice called out, "Help me!"
Arthur slowed his horse down only for a stranger behind a tree to come out.
"How 'bout we skip the small talk, eh?" The stranger said as he tried to pull Arthur off Sango's back to steal her. Arthur, however, was not amused. He kicked the would-be robber off.
"Ain't your horse, mister," Arthur said as he pulled out his new pump-action shotgun. The stranger tried to flee only to get a pump of the shotgun and a shell right into his back. He fell dead behind the tree and boulder nearby.
"Nice try…" Arthur smirked as he gestured to his new weapon, "You ain't no Black Death…yet. But damn, does it feel good to wield a pump-action shotgun again." He then got off his horse and then patted the robber's carcass for items and valuables. The robber had a dollar, some cartridges, and a cigar.
Sango watched with a slight smile.
"Way to protect Sango," Sango said, "She must be growing on Arthur. Wait, what are you doing?"
Arthur then pulled out his knife, knelt beside the corpse, and began repeatedly stabbing it thoroughly before stepping back,
"No one tries to steal my horse and ends up with only a shotgun shell in his back!" Arthur declared as he sheathed his knife and got onto Sango again. He rode across a grassy forest trail at the base of a set of mountains.
"There, Sango…" Arthur soothed patting her mane, "…no one's taking you from me."
He rode across a big wooden bridge only to pause at the sight of a stranger with a tripod in a grove to his right. He pulled on Sango's reins and went to look.
"Hey mister," Arthur greeted as the man turned holding his hand to his heart. He was a short and stout man with a full beard and a straw hat. He caught his breath before nodding.
"Hello," He said, "Quite a day, isn't it?"
"Sure," Arthur agreed. It was indeed a quiet sun shining day.
"What a country," The man sighed, "I'm working on a project…photography."
"Yeah, I guessed that bit," Arthur nodded with a slight annoyed grumble noting the old camera on the tripod.
Chuckling, the man said, "Of course. Wildlife, that's my thing…or that's what I want to be my thing. If I have to take another picture of a grumpy house frau, or pompous middle-class burgher, I will feed myself to the lions." He said while walking to the front of the lens away from it. "Stand here."
"Here?" Arthur asked walking to where the photographer was standing.
"Just…" The photographer began pointing Arthur to the camera, "…there." He held out his hand, "Albert Mason."
Arthur shook the offered hand and said, "Arthur Morgan."
"Pleasure," Albert said, "I'm trying to find and capture images of our great predators before our greatest predators kill them all and stick them on some clubhouse wall."
"Good luck with that," Arthur nodded.
"Yes," Albert said going to his camera and adjusting it, "Not the easiest, but well…I love a challenge. The trick is to leave a big load of meat," He gestured to a leather sack out near the camera, "And relax, and pray they don't mistake me for lunch." He then turned around to see a coyote near the leather sack. "Oh! Good heavens!" The coyote picked up the sack and began to take off. "My bag! That thing is robbing me! Go! Good heavens!"
"Don't worry," Arthur called going after the mischievous little wild dog, "That 'thing' is a coyote. A sneaky one too." As soon as he was out of sight, Arthur grumbled out, "'Wildlife photographer…'"
Arthur chased the coyote up a rocky hill following its trail as he spotted it. He carried his bow and when he spotted it, he drew and shot
"This is what I'd call a robbery gone wrong, coyote," Arthur said to the dead carcass as he walked up to it. Arthur wasn't an animal killing sadist, but as a wanted man, he knew that photographers often worked with the law. The best way to avoid this one talking about him to the law was to befriend him. That's why he engaged in conversation with the photographer in the first place. He picked up the bag and brought it back to Mason.
"Well, well," He called out, "I got your bag."
"Oh, thank you, thank you sir," Albert said going to Arthur and taking the bag back.
"Bag full of meat will tend to bring out the worst in the…local population," Arthur pointed out as Kirara, still watching with Sango, began to salivate at the idea. Sango noticed.
"Alright, Kirara," She agreed, "We'll go get something to eat later."
"You are a gentleman," Albert smiled, "The bag also had a lot of my supplies, you've saved me days. I…can't thank you enough. I'm…I'm…" He turned to his camera, "Thank you."
"Don't worry about it," Arthur said.
"I'm a…" Albert said looking through the lens, "You take care, sir."
"I ain't the one trying to get myself eaten," Arthur pointed out.
"Yes, I realize I am a fool," Albert chuckled, "Forgive me, and thank you very much once again."
Arthur nodded and returned to Sango whistling for her. Soon as he was in her saddle he rode through the area where the forest meets the plains. Passing the burned remains of a small schoolyard, he turned at a boulder and crossed a small river into the state of West Elizabeth. He spotted a green grassy vantage point overlooking the town of Blackwater where Javier Escuella and Charles Smith were camped out and scoping the area. He rode to them both.
"How many?" Javier asked.
"A lot," Charles grumbled, "Uniforms everywhere."
"You see Sean?" Javier asked.
"No," Charles said, "I don't think so."
"Damn it," Javier swore as Arthur slowly crawled between them to get a look, "Where's Trelawny?"
"Who knows?" Charles said.
"Hey," Arthur said.
"Hey," Charles answered.
"Where is that little Irish bastard?" Arthur asked.
"I'm not quite sure," Charles said. "Trelawny's off trying to find out."
"Has anyone been into Blackwater to see how things lie?" Arthur asked.
"Place is crawling with Pinkertons," Javier answered, "Bounty hunters, pictures of Dutch and Hosea."
Growling under his breath, Arthur reminded his friends, "Ugh, we got a lot of money sitting in that town."
"And that's where it's gonna remain," Javier said as Charles handed Arthur his binoculars, "For now." Sighing, Arthur took a look as Javier continued, "Why haven't they hanged Sean, I wonder?"
"I think he's bait," Charles said, "Or they want to trial him publicly."
"Gentlemen," Trelawny's voice spoke from the side as the trio nodded at his arrival, "Sean is being moved up the Upper Montana, then to a federal prison out west."
"Damn!" Arthur swore, "Well, we can't be rescuing people from some federal prison. We either rescue him now, or…cut him loose."
"We're not cutting anyone loose," Charles protested.
"Of course not," Arthur nodded.
"Ike Skelding's boys are moving him to a camp nearby," Trelawny said, "Before handing him over to the government."
"So, I guess…" Arthur began, "…we need to stop them before they get to camp." Turning to the big African American and Native American hybrid, Arthur said, "Charles, why don't you head up on the north side, and then we'll head up on the other side of the valley and meet you that way we have them either direction." Seeing Charles take the lead, Arthur turned to the other two, "Javier, Josiah, come on. Let's go see."
The trio got off the ground and mounted their horses.
"You know, Arthur," Josiah said, "The government, or people whom the government like, seem to be very angry."
"Sure, well…" Arthur began, "We'll rescue Sean, then we'll get ourselves out, good and proper. It's a big country."
"I hope so…" Josiah said.
They all started to ride along the cliffside of the valley.
"Follow me," Arthur said, "Let's see if we can track down this boat."
"Keep your eyes open for Pinkertons," Javier warned, "They've got patrols out all over this area."
"Yes, south of the river West Elizabeth isn't a very welcoming place right now," Josiah agreed.
They rode and soon came to the river and spotted a common keelboat sailing upriver.
"There, look," Arthur pointed, "I think that's our boat."
"Alright, gentlemen," Josiah nodded, "Follow me. We'll follow them, nice and easy. Let's make sure it's him first before you go starting another war."
"You think they can see us?" Arthur asked.
"If they can, we're just three fellers out on the trail," Josiah answered, "Act natural, we'll be fine."
"So, you've been gone for a while?" Arthur pointed out.
"Much as I love dodging the law and sleeping in the dirt with you derelicts," Josiah chuckled, "I do have other business to attend to."
"What happened to New York?" Arthur asked.
"You know how life is," Josiah sighed, "Never a straight road anywhere."
"That's for sure," Sango agreed, "When I was young, I thought I'd live my whole life in Demon Slayer Village until marrying age and then marry a wealthy lord, but Naraku destroyed my home and the journey with the others began, and I…married a common peasant monk. Then I though I'd grow up with my friends when Kagome returned, but then Kirinmaru has Sesshomaru imprison Kagome and Inuyasha in that stone for over a decade while their daughter grew up alone and we left for Demon Slayer Village to raise our son and daughters. Then when they retuned and Kirinmaru and his forces were destroyed, we thought now life was going to go straight, and then….Fushizenna rose and…caused all this. Life never goes straight. When it does, it always bends the wrong way."
"Nice to know I'm missed though," Trelawny smirked.
"I only wish I was missed…" Sango murmured sadly looking at Michiru sleeping in the tube.
"Have you run out of people to rob?" Trelawny asked.
"Oh, we'll never run out of people to rob," Arthur smirked.
"But without me you'll not find the caliber of victim that I find."
"You alright, Javier?" Arthur called out behind him, "You're quiet."
"He hasn't stopped talking since we left you in Valentine," Javier grumbled, "It's the longest ride of my life."
"Cute, dear boy, very cute," Trelawny taunted, "Pick up the pace a bit. Apparently, there's a camp around here where the bounty hunters meet and transfer before continuing out west. I imagine that's where they're headed."
They followed the riverside along the valley following the boat.
"Look, they've stopped," Trelawny pointed out, "Alright, let's take a closer look. Binoculars, gentlemen."
The trio pulled their binoculars out and looked to see a group of tough looking men shoving around someone they knew all too well.
"So who are these bounty hunters?" Javier asked.
"I don't know too much about Ike Skelding's boys," Arthur admitted, "But I hear they're a big crew and wild. Built some reputation in the last year or two."
"That looks like Sean to me," Javier pointed out.
"Certainly kicking up enough of a fuss…" Arthur agreed as Ike Skelding's men began hitting him, "Yep, that's definitely Sean."
"Oh, they're giving him a decent kicking," Javier chuckled as they watched the group surrounding Sean kicking him a few times before forcing him to walk to the shore and out of the valley.
"Well, you can only imagine the shit he's been giving them," Arthur said.
"Oh yes," Javier nodded.
"They're taking him up the canyon," Trelawny said.
Arthur raised his binoculars to look at a big rock towering above the canyon where he saw a familiar face waving at him.
"There's Charles on the other side," He said, "Let's go."
The trio rode back across the canyon.
"What about the other two down there?" Javier asked.
"I've got an idea," Trelawny said, "Follow me." Arthur and Javier followed Josiah down a trail and into the canyon. Once they were at the riverbed, they dismounted and crouched.
"We should do this quietly, if we can," Javier suggested.
"Leave it to me, gentlemen," Trelawny said, "I'll go around and create a distraction, then you two sneak across and do the dirty on them."
"Okay…" Javier agreed turning to Arthur, "Crouch down out of sight…take out your knife. Stay here…"
Arthur put away his shotgun and picked up his bow, knowing a stealth mission when he saw one. He then pulled his knife from its sheath and then crouched next to Javier.
"Okay, let's move down," Javier said as the two walked to the two guards, "Don't cross until he's got their attention." Ducking through the tall grass growing in the calm part of the river and the boulders, Javier got out, "Wait here. He's still reeling 'em in."
They all listened as Trelawny got their attention by making up a story of a sick wife and wanting help. As soon as they were distracted, Javier and Arthur made their move.
"You take the one on the left," Javier said. "Come on, stay low."
The two sneaked behind them as Trelawny continued to talk to them pretending to throw a fit falling to the ground as they tried to calm him down and then popped up as Arthur stabbed one in his neck and Javier held him in a chokehold and then punched him out.
"Come on, let's get up there," Javier said taking off for the area they led Sean to as Josiah turned to leave.
"A pleasure as always, gentlemen. I think you have it from here."
"Come on," Javier said, "We got two halfway up the canyon to deal with."
The two charged up the hill with their guns taking out a group of men up a hill with one at the top of a cliff. The two in the front were easy to shoot, but others had the cover of rocks, and one was up high. They required precision to shoot, but they were dealt with. Some tried to use the element of surprise and charge them, but they were easily shot down by Arthur and Javier.
"Let's push up!" Javier declared before a horseback duo showed up.
"They're coming in on horses!" Javier called out.
Arthur took careful aim and shot them as more came in.
"Up there, on the cliff!" Javier called out.
A lone gunner was trying to sneak up with one at the top of the cliff. Arthur tried to aim, but the one at the top was suddenly in a melee struggle as he pulled out a machete against a big guy with a tomahawk.
"I see Charles up there!" Javier called out as he plugged the guy on the cliff, "Quick…come on, let's get up there."
The two climbed the trail getting out of the canyon as two more showed up from the sides.
"Two more! Look out!" Javier called. Arthur paused to time his shots perfectly and shot them both down. Once they were dead, the sight of a camp was seen as they ran to their right.
"Here's Charles!" Javier said as their Indian friend threw the machete wielder off the cliff.
"All good?" Charles asked his friends.
"Wouldn't go that far!" Arthur called back.
"Their camp's up this way, come on!" Charles motioned to the camp they spotted earlier. It was located at the base of a water tower.
"Charles, you take the right," Javier said, "I'll go left."
"Okay," Charles nodded.
The trio ran to the camp only to be met with a small army opening fire.
"Take 'em down!" Javier declared.
"Goddamn army of these bastards!" Arthur declared as he took cover and began to shoot with his repeater. "How much is Sean's bounty?!"
"Maybe we should turn him in ourselves," Charles grumbled.
"Still time…" Arthur said getting behind a stack of logs for cover. He spotted a bounty hunter with a black hat and a white coat and shot him to death. Then a guy in a brown coat with a black mustache tried to charge only to get stopped by two repeater cartridges to his chest and neck. He spotted more gunfire, but couldn't see where it was coming from. He got out of cover and turned to his left to see another shooter on the water tower. He pointed and shot him off as another guy in a white coat was no visible to Arthur. He shot him as well as Javier and Charles advanced. Arthur charged as well as Javier shot one used a wagon for cover.
"Another one coming out of that cabin!" Javier called out as Arthur saw two more white coats try a surprise attack only to get shot in the heart and shoulders.
"Let's move up!" Javier said only to pause, "I can't believe it, there's more of them! More on that cliff to the left by the tree!"
Arthur saw one in a grassy grove and shot him, then spotted two more on the top of a cliff and shot them as well as the other enemies suddenly realized they were outmatched and turned tails.
"Look, they're running away!" Javier cheered as Arthur could see one last white coat in firing range fleeing for his life and shot his retreating form in the back as Sango frowned.
"Okay…let's get Sean," Javier said as they turned to a tree in the center of the camp with a familiar Irishman dangling upside down from a strong limb.
"Hey!" The Irishman called out, "What are you all doing?!"
Arthur pulled out his knife and gestured to the ropes holding Sean in midair.
"Arthur," Sean smiled as Arthur sawed the rope cutting it as Sean collapsed head first to the ground.
"Ugh!" Sean grumbled rubbing his legs as Arthur swatted his hands away and cut the ropes wrapped around his ankles.
"You know?" Sean began, "You're a lot less ugly from that other angle, Arthur."
Sango let out a giggle at this.
"Come on," Arthur grumbled offering Sean his hand and helping him to his feet.
"Do I get a hug, Arthur?" Sean teased spreading his arms out, "A warm embrace for a lost brother, now found?"
Chuckling, Arthur put his arm on Sean's shoulder and said, "You know, nothing means more to me than this gang. The bond we share…it's the most real thing to me. I would kill for it, I would happily die for it, but in spite of all that, I would've easily left you here to rot if Charles hadn't stopped me."
"I don't believe a word of that, Arthur," Sean smirked.
"Get him out of here!" Arthur spat shoving Sean away to the others.
"You're a great man, Arthur Morgan!" Sean declared with a hearty chuckle, "The kind a young whippersnapper can really admire!"
"Aww, shut up!" Arthur grumbled, "Right, we should split up. Javier, will you escort Mr. McGuire back to camp? Charles, best you ride separately." Hearing Javier and Charles whisper for their horses, he called out, "Be careful. There's patrols everywhere."
"What about you?" Javier asked.
"I'm gonna see what's worth taking here," Arthur said, "I'll meet you back there as soon as I can."
"Alright," Javier nodded turning to the others, "Okay, come on."
"Have I got stories for you!" Sean declared.
"Yeah…I can't wait…" Javier grumbled.
"I imagine you all missed me a lot," Sean said, "But fear not, the joy's back in your lives."
As soon as the others left, Arthur did as Arthur usually did after a big series of kills. He looted the dead bodies for money and valuables and searched the cabins and structures for chests.
That was when the screen shut off as the doctors all shut off the Animus. Sango turned to them and noted the night sky outside. Nodding to her friends, she pulled out the blanket on the lab's couch, it's plushy armrest, and curled up next to it with Michiru's half-naked body still floating upwards. Her prayer from earlier today ringing through her mind.
Arthur… She spoke. Michiru respects you. He sees you as a brother in arms and a second father. I see it in his eyes and actions. If you can hear me, please I beg you once again to guide him back to the Michiru I knew so long ago. He needs you, Arthur Morgan. And….and so do I…