The (Attempted) Rescue Part 1

After the ambush of three gangs by the Emperor’s Getaway Guardian Service with help from the Waste-Side Bears, and the capture of several of the gang members, Emperor’s Getaway was all abuzz with excitement.  The prisoners were dragged back to Blightwater Borough just in time to be special guests at the Blightwater Beer Bonanza.   There was going to be justice for the theft of cultural items from Hethel’s Bowl…not that the denizens of Blightwater Borough cared about the theft or had any particular grievance towards the prisoners, they just wanted to be entertained.

The gallows were built with care (sort of) and Barrister Kowlis McVallek, leader of Blightwater Borough was making last minute changes to his speech. His how many Squats does it take to screw in a luminary globe was not testing well with his council or the members of the Luminary Guild.  McVallek would be kicking off the Beer Bonaza with a rousing oration and a hanging. The occasion even brought out McVallek’s old armor from his brawling days, and the aging leader could still buckle his straps.

While the Barrister discussed security with Captain Howl Neckbreaker, leader of the EGGS, the prisoners awaited their fate in a pen atop the Ventus Lautus tower under the watchful eye of EGGS guards. 

Other EGGS and Luminary Auxiliaries kept vigil in the area.  The Waste-Side Bears were also present and  waiting to finalize their deal for helping the EGGS at the ambush.  The festivities were only hours away and it was shaping up to be glorious.  

The Pale Veil, Wastoids and Mischievous Misbehaviors, unbeknownst to the EGGS were present as well.  In fact they were sneaking up in hopes of pulling off a daring rescue. 

The gangs had decided to collaborate.  The Misbehaviors and Veils were fresh off their stomping of the Bears and Shrouded Path in a gunfight at Grave’s Posttown, and figured they would continue to team-up with the addition of the Wastoids. 

The three gangs developed a plan to go for the pen atop the Ventus Lautus tower where they would rescue their comrades and fight their way out.  Three Veilers even infiltrated onto a lower level of the tower in preparation for the attack.  Not all the EGGS, Bears, or auxiliaries were in the immediate area so the attacking gangs could count on numbers if they could stealthily gain the tower and overwhelm the defenders.  

The gangs could not stealthily gain the tower. The rapidity of the gangs’ cover being blown was truly breathtaking.   The three gangs converged on the tower and either didn’t see the Luminary guard or were confident that they could sneak a dozen gangers right under the Squat’s eyes and ears. Baldur Mossfinder was posted up alone on the second level of the tower and pondered the intricacies of the lumiglobe and its practical applications in bringing light to Emperor’s Getaway.  He paced back and forth with the occasional glance out across the empty market stalls below, while trying to decide if the Emperor was more of a soft light or white light kind of guy, when he noticed a very large green ganger attempting to tip toe past him on the level below.  

Baldur wasn’t sure what he was seeing at first, but he definitely caught the words “quiet” “idiot” and “gonna shove this auto pistol up your green behind.”  Baldur knew what he had to do.

“Alarm!  We are under attack”

The response from the defenders was instantaneous.  Thia Blustream, quickly gaining a reputation with her trusty bolter leaned over the edge of the main bridge and dropped a Veiler with one shot.  Two Bears, also on the bridge, joined in, shooting the big green who had first blown the attackers’ cover.  The big boy fell slightly wounded but wasn’t out of the fight.  Another Misbehavior was pinned from the fire. 

The Misbehaviors fired back, wounding a Bear and pinning another, while the Veilers and Wastoids bolted for the tower.   The defenders continued to throw bolts and slugs at the attackers who were at a severe disadvantage due to the inability to fully hide from the elevated attackers. 

McVallek immediately made the decision to expedite the opening ceremony.   He strode to the front of the platform with the Caller and her Vox Staff hustling to keep up, and signaled the guards on the other tower to drive the prisoners towards the gallows.  Using the Vox Staff, McVallek would call the citizens of Blightwater Borough to come to the speech just a bit earlier than expected.   The Barrister  was ready to give them a show. 

The attackers watched in horror as the prisoners marched towards their demise.   The EGGS prodded their reluctant charges forward.   The Wastoids had a plan.  A lone Wastoid with a long rifle climbed an adjacent tower and carefully aimed at the lead guard.  “Pop”   The guard, Zolena Sunrise, turned in time to throw up her shield and absorb the attack.   She was stunned but not injured.  The EGGS returned fire and drove off the Wastoid sniper.  

The Pale Veil were also making their move.  The three infiltrators hurried forward in hopes of catching the tail of the prisoner conga line.  The unexpected sounding of the alarm rushed their plans, causing them to throw out caution and sprint towards the top of the tower.  They paid for their mistake.  A Bear dropped through a hatch and down a ladder to within yards of two of the Pale crew, pulled out his hand flamer and let them have it.  The flamer was ineffective.  The second Bear and his pistol were more effective.  He shot and dropped one Veiler and another Veiler broke and ran.  The third sneaky boy calmly walked up shot both Bears down with his rapid firing.  He failed to wound either, but they were pinned and at his mercy. 

The prisoners clambered onto the bridge while gun battles raged around them.  McVallek, ignoring the chaos continued to call for the local residents to come forward to hear his speech. 

The attackers changed tactics. Veilers, Wastoids and Misbehaviors now ran to the Central Tower where the gallows and the Barrister stood.  There was some shock when the greens and ashers noticed that the Pale Veil’s little beast was not so little anymore. 

The blue beast was not only larger but was also fast.   Several sprints carried the not so little beast onto the Central Tower and directly at two Bears who were not happy to see him (her?).    Not only had the little blue dude (dudette) grown, his flaming breath could now vomit further.   A huff and a puff, and a gout of flame washed over the surprised bears.  They were surprised because both remained unharmed when the doorway that stood between them and fiery pain blocked most of the blast.  

The rapid firing Veiler on the Ventus tower charged the pinned Bears and realized too late that shooting was easier than clubbing.  The Veiler fell to one of the bears in ferocious hand to hand fighting. 

The final performance in the first act of the unfolding drama was by two Cavaliers who, hearing the alarm, galloped into the market.   Swinging clubs and axes, the armored anachronisms smacked a Misbehavior and the Wastoids’s Hydra into oblivion.   

The rescue was looking shakey.  The sneak didn’t work.  The prisoners marched to their doom. Could they be saved?  These questions, and possibly the one about the Emperor and rhe lightbulb would be answered soon.