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  “And so your race is waiting. Figuring the strongest of the two factions has earned its right to control Earth?” Alicia asked.

  “Exactly,” Certes replied. “The plan was to invade Earth and quickly control its inhabitants, at which point the real war was to begin.”

  “And if Humanity was to somehow prevail?” Alicia asked.

  “It was decided long ago by our governing body that should Humanity somehow defeat us, that they would be allowed to live in peace.”

  “Maybe I misjudged you. Maybe you can be trusted.” Alicia said jokingly to try and lighten the mood, thick tension running amok throughout the cabin area of the buggy.

  “A lot more so than many of your own people.” Certes replied, immediately getting an icy stare from Nadia.

  “What do you mean by that?” Alicia asked.

  “We got company!” Preacher yelled back to the group as he pulled the horses back with the attached leather straps. Alicia, like the rest of the passengers, immediately broke away from the conversation to pull her weapons into play.

  Two men on horseback approached, both wearing crimson red overcoats with gold sashes hanging from their waists. They each had a long barrel shotgun, but the weapons were holstered onto the sides of their horses.

  “Nomads. Their sashes are a giveaway.” Alicia said in a soft voice.

  “Should we be concerned?” Nadia asked.

  “It depends on whether or not they are the aggressive type,” Alicia replied, turning to look at the woman of complete beauty. “If so, your concern should be for them.” she added with a smile as Calypso placed a hand onto the shotgun which remained holstered to his thigh.

  The buggy came to a complete stop, both of the horsemen barely visible in front of it as dust clouded around the group for a moment.

  “Can we help you?” one of the horsemen yelled in a friendly but probing tone.

  “Just passing through the wastelands, trying to make our way to Old Mexico. Looking for a place to lay low for the night and perhaps do a little trading.” Preacher responded, looking innocent enough as he awaited a reply.

  The group inside of the stagecoach listened quietly, each awaiting the fate of what was to come. Either a fight for survival would ensue, or they would be allowed to pass. Alicia's crew hoped the latter was the case, as they made a living killing Ancients, not their own race.

  Though they had done so on many occasions, in fact, any member of her team could more than likely kill both riders with nothing more than a rock in hand. They were that good. Still, as they sat in an unmarked stagecoach and looked the part of simple travelers, they each hoped for peace, having no idea how many more Nomads resided nearby.

  “What are you transporting?” one of the horsemen asked abruptly.

  “Well, here we go.” Alicia said softly, pulling one of her pistols to the ready and waiting for official word of the fight to come.

  “Only the supplies we have for trade. Which way?” Preacher replied loudly, serving warning to the men that he and his crew were prepared to defend what was theirs.

  A stare-off began to take place. Many Nomads were like the schoolyard bully, at least to a degree. If they thought you would allow them to take your belongings, they would. But Nomads were survivors, just like any other Human. And if they felt you would be a threat to their survival, in some cases they would allow a live and let live attitude. Unless, of course, they needed whatever you were carrying badly enough to kill you for it.

  “Beyond that ridge,” the horseman replied, turning to point into the direction of a small line of mountains. “A couple of hours ride to New Kinneston. Plenty of trading and lodging there.” he added.

  “Ancients?” G asked, still holding an unseen pistol across his lap, one of filth and questionable firing ability.

  “Not very often. Usually only see them blazing through the air.” the horseman replied.

  “Much obliged friend.” Preacher said loudly, both horsemen nodding and riding away quickly.

  “They look too organized to be garden-variety Nomads, but we should be alright there for the night.” Preacher said, his head turned as he relayed the message to the four passengers of the stagecoach, Alicia approving the plan with a simple nod.

  As she turned her attention from him, Alicia quickly picked up the look of Nadia. One of desire. A stare that was quickly returned with one of her own, both of the women looking onto each other as though the world ended tonight and they couldn't be fast enough about exploring the body of the other.

  And the ride continued as dusk began to set in over the landscape of powder blue canvas, New Kinneston becoming visible to the group. It looked to be a very small town, though the center did contain a few multistory buildings.

  “Certes, it would be best if you remained here,” Alicia said with pause. “Don't want to alarm any of the locals.”

  “It's alright. I get it.” the loyal Ancient warrior replied.

  “The rest of you try to find us a place to lay low for the night. I'm going to see what kind of authority they have in place here. Possibly find out where the next settlement is located.” Alicia said.

  “Need me to come with you?” Calypso asked.

  “No thanks, I've got it,” she said with a bit of a smiling. “If I need help, I'll just yell really loud.” Alicia added with a bit of sarcasm.

  “You do that.” Calypso replied, knowing good and well that she was presenting him with the facts. She could take care of herself, and in fact, rushed to his aid more times than not.

  CHAPTER 2

  Nadia, Calypso and G headed off to find a place to lay low for the night. A hard task in a settlement full of people who immediately knew they weren't citizens; seemingly everyone casting stares to them as the group eased their way through the string of small businesses.

  “I'm sorry we have to do this.” Preacher said as he waited outside the stagecoach, talking to his Ancient friend through a small window.

  “It is to be expected.” Certes replied.

  Of course he felt like a burden at times, people either drawing weapons or fearing him before an official introduction.

  Sure, he was an Ancient, and as a species they were conscienceless murderers. But he was one of the good guys, one of the Ancients that actually gave a damn about others despite their differences. His team knew it, but felt hindered at times when trying to plead to others for the same type of understanding.

  Certes was the first to notice. Maybe it was his superior senses, or just the need to be observant. Either way, he had counted eleven of the sash wearing Nomads in town. And though he was the first to notice, he wasn't alone.

  As Alicia walked slowly up the wooden steps which led to a small building marked Sheriff, she paused for a moment to nod at one of the sash bearing men who sat in a wooden chair close to the door.

  “Evening.” Alicia said softly, nodding her head to the man for a moment.

  Though it came across as good etiquette, she was merely feeling the man out a bit. He carried a primitive styled revolver on his hip, and that was the information she required as she spoke, her gesture answered with a nod of the man's head.

  Entering the building slowly, she approached a long desk made of cherry. The smooth wood of such a lavish desk struck her as odd, making Alicia wonder what type of lawman would have furnished his office at such expense. She then noticed a man sitting behind the desk, as well as another sitting in the far corner near the window of the building.

  “Evening,” Alicia said to the man sitting behind the desk, her words quickly warded off with a stone glance. “The Sheriff in?”

  “He's tied up at the moment, what can I do for you?” the man asked, his rough voice echoing loudly throughout the wooden confines of the building.

  She had planned to ask him if there was an Ancient presence expected in New Kinneston, maybe even ask if there was a place to get the best meal home cooking could provide.

  Instead, her questions were stopped short as she sa
w a man's feet through the narrow doorway which led into a back room. Laying down and tied, the man's feet kicked wildly.

  A mere moment after realizing what she had walked into, the man behind the desk read Alicia's face well enough to know she understood the situation.

  As he stood straight to his feet, pulling a side revolver to the ready, Alicia quickly grabbed his gun hand and fired four shots from the weapon, all four slugs hitting the man in the corner who had jumped up to aid his friend. The scrappy vixen then swung her free arm around for a moment, burying her elbow flush into the shooter's face and rendering him defenseless onto the floor.

  Now holding his revolver, Alicia quickly pointed to the door and hit the man rushing in from the porch with one of the last two bullets, immediately aiming down to the floor and firing the last shot into the heart of the only man still breathing.

  Three men dead and a hollow chambered revolver falling to the floor, all within the span of ten seconds. It wasn't even close to her own personal record, but damn impressive to say the least.

  As Alicia made her way to the rear of the building, using great caution with her own pistols now in hand, she leaned around the corner of the doorway slightly. A man clad in brown leather, shiny silver star on the front of his jacket, lay in the floor with his hands, feet and mouth bound.

  “You the Sheriff?” Alicia asked, her military-grade pistols catching his attention. He then glanced down to the star on his chest. A bit less chrome colored than to be expected, but shiny nonetheless.

  Alicia began pulling the cloth gag from his mouth as he lay there, overwhelmed by her natural beauty.

  “Can I help you?” the Sheriff asked, his extremities still bound tightly.

  Alicia answered with a smug look.

  “Yea, I get it. The whole bound and gagged thing.” he replied.

  “Happen often?” Alicia asked with sarcasm.

  “Now and again,” he replied as she stopped, staring at him with disbelief. “It's complicated.” he added.

  “There you go Sheriff.” Alicia said, tossing the loosened rope to the corner of the room.

  “Much obliged ma'am,” he said, extending his hand. “Name is Austin Garrett.”

  “Good to know.” Alicia replied.

  “And how about you pretty lady, got a name?” he asked.

  “Yes. Are you hitting on me?” she asked.

  “No,” Austin said, smiling a bit. “Well maybe, is it working?” he asked.

  “Not so much.” she replied with a bit of smiling on her part.

  As Austin walked into the main room of his office, finding three Nomads laying dead on the wood grain floors, he adopted a look of disgust.

  “I figured you'd be a bit happier.” Alicia said, trying to figure out why Austin had such a look upon his face.

  “I am happy to be out of rope,” he said, using his hand to stroke through the closely cut whiskers on his face. “It's just when the other Nomads find out about this, the people of New Kinneston are in for a lot of trouble.”

  “I expect they heard the gunshots.” Alicia said.

  “Doubtful, it's Tuesday.” he replied.

  “Ah yes...Tuesday.” she replied with a grin, having absolutely no idea what bearing that had on anything.

  “Tuesday is karaoke night. The rest of 'em are no doubt packed in the Moose Lodge listening to loud music and boozing up.” Austin replied.

  “Moose Lodge...you're kidding?” Alicia asked, having no idea what to make of the fact that Humans had all but fallen to a superior race of warriors, yet there was still time for domestic beer and bad Country music.

  Just as she was going to ask him to elaborate, the door sprang open abruptly. Calypso was the first in, his gun ready to chew into whatever it was tasked to. G followed, long rifle at the ready as Nadia was closely behind with a pistol in hand.

  “Took long enough,” Alicia said loudly, stepping between Sheriff Garrett and the readied guns of her team. “There were only three, and I took care of them.” she added.

  Only three? I think I'm in love. Austin thought as he watched the subtle motions of such a beautiful woman.

  “Well it's dark, so let's just hope nobody else heard the gunshots.” Nadia said, her accent recognizable to say the least.

  “No worries, I think our secret is safe.” Alicia replied, grinning at the lawman and thinking of his damn karaoke night.

  “What are you people?” Austin asked.

  Alicia wanted to tell him, but after glancing to her team and seeing Nadia warn her off, she simply answered with a smile.

  Nearly an hour passed in New Kinneston, the light of Guardian Angel barely visible in the distant night sky. The group of soldiers for Humanity were indeed a long way from the protection of their home. Still they sat, arguing with the Sheriff about such important matters.

  “And that's why it's imperative that you allow us to stay here undetected overnight.” Nadia said, having finally been convinced that Austin could be trusted.

  “I get that. It's just that I don't want the folks of this town drug into a mess between you and the Ancients. That's all.” Sheriff Austin replied.

  “You were drug into the mess a long time ago,” Alicia said with a loud tone. “You are Human! The Ancients wiped out a majority of your own kind! The day they arrived, guns blazing, you and everyone in this damn town became involved!”

  Rather than reply, Austin glanced around for a moment, quickly turning to exit his own building.

  “I'll go and...” Alicia started to say, her words quickly squashed.

  “No. I'll go, you've done enough already.” Nadia said, her hair shimmering of blonde as the woman of perfected beauty slowly made her way outside.

  “Don't worry, I'm not going to sell you out or anything.” Sheriff Austin said, words dripping of sarcasm as he leaned forward, his hands gripping a wooden rail that nearly surrounded the front porch of the office.

  “I came out here to check on you, that's all.” Nadia replied.

  Austin continued to stare into the distant sky, and the battle explosions that mirrored those of a fireworks display.

  “I know the Ancients are slayers of mankind. I don't need her to tell me that, I lost plenty during the first few weeks. My own family, not to mention friends and pretty much everyone I know.” he said with sadness etched into his face. “Knew.” he added.

  “I know that,” Nadia replied, standing beside him and putting her own hands onto the railing of wooden white. “I too lost, we all have.”

  “Other than the local Nomads, we've been allowed to live in peace. The Ancients have left this town alone, other than occasionally passing through on their way to that.” Sheriff Austin said, glancing directly onto the distant fighting which illuminated the night sky.

  “You've been allowed to live peacefully because you are slaves.” Nadia said, turning to look into the battle as well.

  “What you need to understand is the battle that seems so far away is Washington City. And for the people who live there, it isn't so far away. It's at their doorstep. They aren't allowed to live in peace, their eyes know of only war.” she added.

  Both Nadia and Austin stood there for several moments, which seemed to bleed into minutes. Flashes of bright red and yellow bursting out above what was indeed the city of Washington.

  “It looks beautiful from here, but for the people who live there, it isn't. They are losing family every day. Every explosion. Wives, children, husbands,” Nadia said, her voice as soft as the bloom of a flower. “Eventually you will have to choose your side in this war.” she said, turning away from him a bit. “I've chosen mine.”

  Austin acknowledged her words with a nod, his mind locked onto the flashes of light as he remembered his own wife and children. They had perished during the war for Baltimore City. Less than two hours of soldiers exchanging fire changed Baltimore forever, not to mention his own life.

  Nadia placed her hand onto his back softly for a moment, leaving the Sheriff to his
thoughts as she once again entered the office in which the group had deemed the safest spot in New Kinneston.

  Nadia was the last to be awakened, Preacher standing over her, covering her mouth as he used his lips to motion the words “Get up.”

  No sound had escaped his lips, though the motion of them was enough to warn Nadia of danger impending.

  Preacher placed a single finger over his lips, warning her to be quiet as he helped Nadia to her feet. The rest of the group was already up, aware and readying weapons in the most silent of fashions.

  Sheriff Austin Garrett had put them up in the rear of the building, a small room that was away from everything else. They all prepared themselves, setting up into perfect defensive position as Nadia stood closely to the narrow door that led to the the rest of the building.

  “I've seen no such group in this area.” Austin said, his voice never faltering.

  Nadia felt happy, a sense of righteous coming from his words as she stood there, watching a man who had finally chosen the Human race in such chaotic times, and envying him for his clear conscience in doing so.

  Her happiness seemed to fall from the sky, crashing around her feet like shattered glass as an Ancient soldier approached Austin and extended its gray hand of thick-skinned claws around his chin.

  “If you're lying to us.” the Ancient said, its voice raspy and chilling, to say the least.

  G grabbed Nadia's hand, which was reaching for her Luger. Shaking his head, he quickly let her know that they were grossly outmatched. It was an entire Ancient Division of soldiers, which meant thousands in numbers, making its way to a fight in Washington City.

  “I have no cause to lie. You have allowed us to live in peace here, why would I endanger that?” Sheriff Austin replied with confidence.

  “All the same, we will be leaving a team of warriors behind to remain in New Kinneston.” the demon replied.

  “As you wish.” Austin replied.

  As the Ancient made its way back outside, the thin wooden door shutting slowly, Austin sat back down in his chair, exhausted and afraid of what was to come. If he had sold out Nadia and her group, he and the people of New Kinneston would be allowed to remain living in peace.