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Post by frankthetriviaman on Nov 16, 2017 20:44:16 GMT -5
"You won't be escaping again" the grunt said as he kept an eye on the two assassins.
"Don't count on it; we may be down an arm but don't underestimate us" Shakes growled
"You're playing with Fire here, boy. Best be careful, lest you get burned" Lion replied. Rawhide, Ironside and Juno stayed silent, biding their time.
Eventually, Marlena found her way down various shafts. She hadn't found too many people around, and was surprised. By how sparsely populated the mines were, until...
"I've seen those faces before" Marlena said as she hid in the shadows, looking at the assassins. Then it hit her, "the rumors are true... Blade really did take over the assassin business overnight! But... then where are Bennet and Carnegie?" She thought to herself. If the assassins were here, she reasoned the bosses couldn't be too far away.
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Post by Toz76 on Nov 17, 2017 1:00:17 GMT -5
In fact, it was Stein who encountered the bosses, enslaved in the boiler room. He stayed out of their sight though. They were dangerous men, and he had no illusions about them.
Marlena, however, saw an opportunity, so she made her way towards Shakes and Lion, who were a little bit separate from the other assassins.
"Psst! Shakes! Lion!"
The two were surprised to hear their codenames.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Nov 17, 2017 1:07:14 GMT -5
"You hear that?" Shakes asked.
"Yea... sound like it came from over there" Lion replied. Looking over, they saw someone gesturing towards them. Not being stupid, they waited till the guards turned their attention to the other three before going to Marlena.
"Who are you?" Lion asked
"Depending on how today goes, possibly your savior.... got an offer for you two, interested?" Marlena asked.
"Sure, anything to get out of this hell hole" Shakes said.
"I normally don't deal direct... but since the contractors are preoccupied, I'll hear you out" Lion added.
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Post by Toz76 on Nov 17, 2017 1:13:52 GMT -5
"I get you out of these chains, and you help me take down Blade."
"And what becomes of us afterwards?" Shakes asked.
Marlena was taken aback. "Er..."
"You might not realize it, but we aren't exactly heroes. In fact, we've done things that would get us life, or even death. If we help you, can you promise us amnesty?"
Marlena stuttered.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Nov 17, 2017 1:28:25 GMT -5
She had to think, fast. Now what could she do that would get them on her side? She thought for a bit, before it finally hit her.
"Personally, I can't guarantee anything. But I know one thing- you've got an opportunity here. The amount of high ranking criminals here is quite large, and if a few were to fall at your hands... I'm sure that would be taken into consideration. But tell you what... perhaps doing something about your competition... I may be able to get a good word in for you two" Marlena stated.
They thought about it... taking down high ranking criminals, AND the only three other assassins in England? If they got out of here, less competition meant that in a market where contracts were slim enough as is... would go straight to them. It would be a monopoly.
"Also, I know at the end of the day, all you lot care about is money... take care of Blade and the others how ever you wish, and I'll see to it you two are fairly compensated" Marlena offered.
The assassins weren't sure... but after all this time, they were willing to take any chance to get out of this hellhole.
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Post by Toz76 on Nov 17, 2017 1:39:05 GMT -5
The two nodded. "We agree to your terms, Marlena." Lion said.
"How... do you know my name?"
"There was a contract out for your death shortly before we were brought here. I memorized all the information I could on you." Lion replied. "Apparently, someone wanted to get to your father."
Marlena was suddenly less certain about letting them go. Lion noticed her hesitation with an eye roll.
"Oh please. Right now you're more useful to me alive."
Marlena nodded and set about trying to free the duo.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Nov 17, 2017 16:25:12 GMT -5
But she needed a distraction, fast. Whispering to the two, Shakes and Lion proceeded to scuffle, drawing the guards attention towards them... and away from the other assassins. Almost instinctively, Rawhide and Ironsides, who had been slaving away at the mining this whole time, saw their chance, and took down the guards while their backs were turned.
"... I can't believe that worked a second time" Ironside said, noting the similarity to their previous attempt.
"We can muse about it later; right now we need to get out of here" Lion said. "Which one has the keys?"
"We don't need them" Rawhide said as he and Ironsides broke them off with their pick axes. Juno, who had been sitting to the side this whole time, was freed as well.
Shakes and Lion decided that for now, the best thing to do was keep the others alive. Then they proceeded to plan.
"The two of us are going to hunt down Elvira; that damned traitor will pay for what she did" Lion said as Shakes nodded.
"We're going to cause some chaos; see if we can't get the prisoners to riot- provide a distraction for us to escape" Ironside explained as Rawhide began taking some weapons
"And I'm going to free the bosses and contractors; Myers died a few weeks back when that rock crushed him, but we can still free Bennett and Carnegie" Juno explained.
"Let's get on it then; its payback time" Shakes declared. Marlena watched as the five disappeared into the mines, hell bent on revenge.
"I'd better get moving- maybe there's others I can convince to help" she thought.
......
Juno, rotating between the knife and gun she got off a guard, picked off only a few of the ones she came across as she made her way to the boiler room. Then she saw them... Bennet and Carnegie, slaving away.
Just then, someone came running in. "The Irish and Rippers are here! Orders from the top- all available forces to hold them off!" The majority of Blade's men left the boiler room... leaving only three for Juno to take down. The assassin didn't even need two minutes before they were all lying on the ground. Then she went up to Bennet and Carnegie. "Things are beginning to fall apart; bows our chance to escape" Juno explained.
"Finally; get us out of here!" Bennet said.
"I'm afraid not" Juno said as she shot Bennet in the head... he fell.
"Why did you do that?!" Carnegie asked, shocked.
"Simple... now you're the only boss in England; Raleigh and Hughes will have no choice but to come to you" Juno explained.
"Say... that's bloody brilliant! Now let's get out of here!" Carnegie said as the two left the room. They proceeded down one of the hallways, but ended up heading towards the exit. "Why are we going this way?"
"Once I get you to safety, I'll come back for Raleigh and Hughes; if I see Rawhide I'll tell him the plan" she explained.
"Good thinking" Carnegie replied as they headed down the exit. They saw sunlight and thought they were clear. But once they rounded the corner...
"Police! Hands up!" Detective Walton screamed. Dozens of officers were right behind him.
"F*ck" Juno said, as she and Carnegie were forced to surrender. A couple of the officers escorted them to an established area where several officers had secured. There must have been nearly a couple dozen there... both prisoners and Blade's grunts. Some were being loaded into police cars and trucks to be taken away, others were waiting to be taken away.
"The police? But I overheard something about the Irish and Rippers! Then... uh oh" Carnegie realized.
......
After the initial fight, because of the gas, both groups dispersed, the survivors each heading towards separate entrances. Each group determined to meet their goals.
"That gas was supposed to be our ace! Oh well, looks like we're doing things the old fashioned way" O'Connor said, leading the mob in.
......
Ironside and Rawhide had managed to take down the grunts in one area. They met up once the killing had stopped.
"Great job; what next?" Rawhide asked
"Now..." Ironside said, pulling out his knife. Faster than he could react, Ironside struck down his competition. "I eliminate Bennet's competition. Won't Shakes and Lion be pleased" Ironside thought as he went back to "buisness".
(Since we want to focus on Shakes and Lion, just tying up those "loose ends" before they are forgotten)
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Nov 28, 2017 1:49:26 GMT -5
The mine itself had become the sight of what was probably the biggest crime battle since the Ripper Underground warehouses were seized. The police had secured one entrance tunnel and a steady stream of criminals, both captured by the Blade Syndicate and Blade Syndicate goons themselves, were rounded up and arrested.
Detective Walton lead the charge, and he found himself face to face with many of the UK's most wanted. His most impressive feat though, was after they secured the boiler room.
"Raleigh and Hughes; seems that with you two out of the picture, the assassination business will grind to a halt in England" Walton observed as they were taken away. Then, someone tried sneaking up behind Walton... who was warned at the last second by a fellow officer. Walton quickly turned around and fought against the aggressor. They struggled against each other, ultimately Walton using the attacker's lack of an arm against him. Then, Walton at last had him restrained
"You're no ordinary detective... cops don't move like that" the attacker grumbled.
"SAS... never thought I'd be using that training again. Tell me... where are the others in your business?" Walton asked.
"I beat you to Rawhide; he ain't going anywhere" Ironside declared.
"Then I should thank you; with him dead, and your arrest, Shakes and Lion are the only ones left" Walton explained.
"What?! What about the bosses and..."
"Bennet and Carnegie? Bennet' dead, Carnegie arrested with Juno. Juno killed Bennet you know" Walton explained.
"Bloody hell! That damn traitor..." Ironside grumbled.
......
Down their tunnel, the Irish mob was killing everything that moved. Regardless of Blade Syndicate or one armed prisoner, they only left a trail of bodies.
"Less competition boys, leave no one alive!" Boss O'Connor ordered as the mob kept moving in. They very nearly made it to the main area, when...
"Boss! The police are here! They're arresting everyone in the mines! A scout said as he reported back.
"What?! Damn them to hell! Men, pull out! We've sent our message; just find one of Blade's top men then head back to the trucks!" O'Connor ordered as his men turned around. The mob retreated back to their vehicles; a few men short because of the gas and the subsequent attack. But...
"Boss, we got one of Blade's guys! This will be the perfect way to send a message!" A grunt said as he and some others revealed they had captured one of Blade's men; his armed and legs were tied up and a burlap sack covered his head.
"Throw him in the back! We'll send our message to Blade soon" O'Connor grinned.
......
In the mine, Gunnarson had come to an office-like space and had found some important evidence. He was securing it to be found by the police. "I shouldn't give this to them directly... but if I can leave it where they can find it, it should help" he reasoned as he grabbed one more file before leaving the room.
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Post by Toz76 on Nov 29, 2017 0:40:49 GMT -5
Blade's generals gathered in the bunkroom.
"Who's missing?" Ruocco asked.
"I don't see Friend anywhere." A concerned Cambria replied.
"Damnit!" Blade said. "Alright, let's see. Muller, Byrne, Knowles, you're with me. Let's go get him back."
Elsewhere, Marlena had stumbled upon a storeroom full of Ephedra.
"I'm not sure what this stuff is, but I should probably destroy it."
Stein, meanwhile, was in a spot of bother.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Nov 29, 2017 1:06:51 GMT -5
Cornered in a room where the police had not secured the area yet, he found himself stuck in a corner as seven of Blade's grunts searched the area... having become aware of his presence.
"This is why I stick to my kind of cases" he grumbled to himself. Then he did something he hoped would even the odds. Pulling out a gun, he stood up and fired at the only three lights in the room.. the area became almost pitch black.
"What the?! Where is he!" One shouted. Stein used the moment to navigate towards the hallway he could see light coming from. He needed to find... something, but what?
......
Marlena took some gasoline from a nearby generator and poured it over the ephedra. Sparing some to show the police. He was about to light it with a lighter she found on a nearby table when...
"Step away from the ephedra!" A couple runts shouted as they came in.
"Get any closer and I'll light us all up!" Marlena warned as she held the lighter to the gas.
......
Shakes and Lion we're making their way through the mines. At last, they found who they were looking for.
"Now we've got you... Elvira" they grinned as they followed from the shadows, waiting for just the right moment.
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Post by Toz76 on Nov 29, 2017 19:15:29 GMT -5
"Out of the way!" A voice yelled. Blade, Byrne, Knowles, and Muller rounded the corner. The three grunts (Brock, Davies, and Martin) stepped back.
"Who the hell are you?" A surprised Knowles asked.
"That's Marlena Gent, Davis Gent's daughter." Byrne replied.
"Byrne? You're working with Blade?" A shocked Marlena sputtered.
"How did you get in here? Are Gunnarson and Stein nearby?" Byrne asked, pointing his gun at Marlena.
"Byrne! Put the gun down!" Blade snapped. "Her father killed Drugg. I figure I owe him his daughter's life at least. Missy, step away from the crates and we'll get you somewhere safe and out of the way."
"Absolutely not." Marlena said, pointing her own gun at Blade.
"I'm not giving you another chance. Put down the gun or my man will open fire."
Marlena paused, clearly hesitant. Then there was a bang, and Marlena dove behind one of the crates of Ephedra.
Blade drew back, blood blossoming from his shoulder. "That bitch shot me!" He muttered, in shock.
Byrne took control of the situation. "You three!" He yelled, indicating the three grunts. "Get the girl. Alive if possible. Muller, you and I will take Blade to safety. Knowles, try to salvage as much Ephedra as you can, then burn the stuff she's already contaminated. That stuff will be worth a fortune where we're going."
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Nov 29, 2017 21:23:37 GMT -5
"Get me to Point 5! We have some medical equipment there we can use" Blade said as they made their way to one of the few entrances that hadn't been compromised; a small safe house off grounds had been established for situations like these and they had to move fast.
......
Blade!!" Boss O'Connor yelled as he walked behind Friend, who was restrained and forced to stand on the side of the road. "I know you can hear me! The rippers may have thwarted our original plan, but we'll still send you a message! First it's your man, then we'll find you!" He screamed as he held the gun behind Friend. O'Connor steadied his aim and shot Friend execution style; the body fell to the side of the road.
"Leave it! He'll find it eventually..." O'Connor ordered. The surviving mob members went into the trucks and drove off. They decided that things had gotten too hot, and it would be best to return to Ireland.
"I hope Finn's assassination assignment went well. Hopefully some good news when we return" O'Connor thought as they drove towards the docks to catch a ship and return home.
......
Gunnarson had secured a great deal of evidence. Now he thought, was a good time to return to the surface and hand over what he found. As he entered a large, open area, he looked across and sighed with relief. "Stein, thank goodness" he thought as he ran to him. But Stein had his own problems. Suddenly, Stein was stopped in his tracks as one of Blade's men stepped right in front of him.
"You're mine, now" Kross said as he stepped forward, wielding a large, heavy pipe.
"You're coming with me" Stein said as he readied himself.
......
"Elvira, go that way; I will ensure this room is secure then meet up with you later" Ruocco explained.
"Got it" Elvira replied as she went down the other corridor. In the room... she was shocked to see more than a dozen grunts, dead. "What the... who could be responsible for all this?" She thought. Then she heard some familiar clicks, and turned around. There was Shakes and Lion, pointing guns at her with their good arms.
"Well well well... if it isn't the damned traitor that destroyed the assassination business in England overnight" Shakes declared.
"I am going to enjoy every pull of this trigger, Revinev" Lion said as he licked his lips.
"Now now, settle down" Revinev said, realizing that they were still dangerous despite missing limbs.
"Too late" they said, as they prepared to fire.
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Post by Toz76 on Nov 29, 2017 21:53:16 GMT -5
"Just stand back, detective." Kross said. "I have no intention of killing you, but if you interfere, I'm not afraid to make you suffer."
"This is your group's twisted philosophy?" An incredulous Stein asked. "You claim to be noble because you refuse to kill, but you inflict suffering far worse than death."
"We are saving lives! Other crime syndicates carelessly take human lives. We are merciful and preserve life."
"By torturing people and forcing them to do your slave labor? I'd call that a fate worse than death."
"But..."
Suddenly, the full weight of what he had done hit Kross. He fell to his knees, in shock.
Gunnarson emerged, and he and Stein embraced. Both filled the other in on what had happened.
"We can't leave yet." Stein said. "We need to find Marlena."
"Wait. Let me help you." Said a voice.
Behind them, Kross stood. "I know there's no earthly way to atone for what I've done, but helping you rescue an innocent woman will do for a start."
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Nov 30, 2017 0:29:15 GMT -5
"So what do we do then?" Gunnarson asked
"On my way here I heard som commotion over by the ephedra processing area, not too far from the ephedra storage area. If we're quick enough we should be able to make it.
"All right, let's go" Gunnarson said.
"Wait, what's that?" Kross asked, confused. He saw a pale yellow gas come in through a vent. Stein looked terrified
"Impossible! Unless... oh no! The winds must have changed direction; its being pushed towards the vent!" he concluded.
"What?! Where did that even come from?" Kross asked, confused.
"Some very angry Irishmen..." Stein began.
"Who cares, let's go!" Gunnarson said, as they left the area. They had to get to Marlena before it was too late.
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Post by Toz76 on Nov 30, 2017 0:38:53 GMT -5
But as they approached the ephedra storage area, they saw several Ripper Underground members approaching from the other direction. The corridor had no pillars, so there was nothing to hide behind.
"Oh crap!"
Meanwhile, Elvira was still cornered by Shakes and Lion, but luckily, Ruocco had managed to sneak up behind them.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Nov 30, 2017 0:50:46 GMT -5
"Hands off my girl!!" Ruocco shouted as he got into a brawl with the two of them. He had managed to catch Shakes off guard with a blow to the head, disorienting him, followed by a blow to the gut for Lion, putting him off balance. The assassins tried to shoot, but Ruocco was slightly faster than the two of them. They tried to restrain Ruocco, but bring down an arm put them at a disadvantage. They must have gone at it for three minutes before, at last, Shakes and Lion were out cold.
"You ok?" Ruocco asked.
"Yea, thanks. Say, what did you mean by "my girl anyway?" Elvira asked.
"Oh, well, I, uh..." Ruocco began, suddenly going red as a beet.
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Post by Toz76 on Nov 30, 2017 1:01:17 GMT -5
Ruocco was saved from answering the question by the sound of gunshots in the next room.
"That's where McKibbin is! He can't even walk!" Ruocco yelled.
Meanwhile, Wilcox, Palepu, and Cambria had gathered by the plane.
"Where are the others? We need to get out of here!" Cambria muttered.
"If they don't show in 15 minutes, we're leaving without them. That goes for Blade too. He wouldn't want him to be the cause of us losing our freedom."
In reality, Wilcox couldn't care less whether Blade made it. He was sick of playing second fiddle to a psycho like Blade. He could use the money from the contents of this plane to start a normal, functional crime syndicate.
Meanwhile...
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Nov 30, 2017 1:24:46 GMT -5
Gunnarson, Stein and Kross desperately needed a plan to escape the Rippers. Stein looked around for something to work with, but found nothing.
""We gotta go back!" Gunnarson stated.
"Towards the gas? Are you crazy?" Stein asked.
"Darn it, you're right" Gunnarson realized. Just when it looked like they were cornered, someone came running up behind the rippers. "Kirk! That yellow gas is starting to come out the vents! If we don't pull out now we're losing our only secure way out of here; and Bury specifically ordered us to avoid all police forces" the scout explained.
"Curses! All right, we're going to have to call it here then; pull out!" Kirk ordered as the rippers made a hasty retreat for the exit.
"What do we do now?" Gunnarson asked, finally seeing the area was secure.
"This way; Marlena has got to be down this corridor" Kross explained. They proceeded to head down the hallway. Between the police, mob and rippers, the place had really been emptied out.
......
Elvira and Ruocco made their way to the bunk rooms. They found bullets in the walls but no sign of McKibbin. "Crap! Where is he?" Elvira said, concerned. Ruocco was about to reply, but then he saw the clock.
"No time! We've got to get to the plane now!" He said, alarmed. Frustrated, but facing no other options, the two grabbed the suitcases near their beds, plus some small items. Then made a mad dash for the exit.
......
McKibbin could barely struggle as he was carried out by the rippers. When they finally regrouped outside, they hit a stroke of luck. Knowles, having just dropped off some supplies st the plane, was heading back to the mine for some last minute items. "If I can just recover the film canisters, then we'll be... oh, crap" he said to himself. He was forced to surrender as the rippers surrounded him. "Lord Bury will be very pleased to meet you" Kirk said with a grin.
......
Gunnarson, Stein and Kross entered the processing area; there was no movement and it was emptied out. "Seems that someone beat us here" Gunnarson observed.
"She has to be here; the hallways around here all converge on this point" Kross explained. Then, they heard movement down one of the hallways. It sounded like grunting and heavy breathing, plus dragging noises. They looked over and saw shadows, expecting the worst. But then...
"Hey, Gunnarson, Stein... mind giving me a hand?" She asked. To their surprise, their was Marlena, dragging a tied up, unconscious Shakes and Lion behind her.
"What the? How...". Stein asked.
"Oh... well, after I lost my pursuers, I stumbled on these guys. Then I saw some rope on a nearby crate and knowing that these guys are wanted... so are you helping or not?" She asked.
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Post by Toz76 on Dec 4, 2017 0:22:44 GMT -5
The trio broke out into a run as they neared the exit, but the way was blocked by Blade, Byrne, and Müller emerging from a nearby hall.
"Gunnarson!" Blade screamed, half-mad with pain and rage. "Kill them!"
"But you said never to kill..." Müller said, confused.
"I'll do it myself." Blade said. "Müller, grenade!"
Müller procured a grenade from his pocket and handed it to Blade, who pulled the pin and chucked it at the detectives. However it didn't quite have the intended effect, cracking the ceiling and sending a ton of dirt and rock down in the passageway between them.
"Damn it! Now the most direct way to the plane is blocked!" Byrne swore.
"Doesn't matter! Run for it!" Blade yelled, and the trio ran down a side corridor like their lives depended on it.
On the other side of the rubble..
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Dec 4, 2017 0:42:57 GMT -5
Our trio of detectives, with Kross and the tied up assassins, could not believe what had just happened.
"What do we do now?" Marlena asked.
"I can't believe Blade almost killed me" Kross said, shocked.
"Is there another exit?" Stein asked.
"Yes, but Gunnarson may not want to go down this one..." Kross explained.
"I have an idea" Stein explained. Then he gathered everyone together.
......
Walton was beginning the process of pulling out; between the reports of gas and finding no one else in the mine, the mission was deemed successful. As they went back up the exit, a voice called out to them. "Detective Walton! Is that you?"
"Stein? Is that you?" Walton asked as he saw the "unusual case" detective come into view... followed by Gunnarson.
"What is that Swede doing here?!" Walton said angrily.
"Don't worry Walton; he's only here to atone for his mistakes. Speaking of which..." then, Marlena came into view.
"You found her? Well, that's good and all, but..."
"And he convinced me to turn myself in" Kross said as he came into view.
"And I couldn't have captured these two without him" Marlena said as Shakes and Lion were dragged into view.
"Hmm...well, this is surprising. All right, this will be taken into consideration. Give them a hand boys; looks like they're the last ones in here"
The assembled group left the mine... Gunnarson may have not completely recovered his reputation, but he was able to at least show at the end of the day, he was a good man, who fought for justice.
......
Knowles and McKibbin were dragged to an area about half a kilometer from the mine, to several parked trucks and cars. Then from one truck, a rather intimidating man emerged, who commanded the respect of all present.
Lord Bury had come in person. "Well done, my loyal subjects. All involved shall be handsomely rewarded!" He declared, to the sound of cheers.
"What are you going to do with us?" Knowles asked, now scared of the man before him.
"Whatever I want..." Lord Bury grinned. Then, he walked towards the two, and thought it over. "I want to send Blade a message" he decided. "But, just killing you two doesn't justify the effort that went into what happened here today. So... I'm going to let one of you go free, provided you deliver a message to Blade on my behalf" Lord Bury explained.
"And the other?" McKibbin asked.
"The other... shall have his body dragged back to Blade by the one who lives!" Bury said with a grin. McKibbin and Knowles were shocked with what they just heard. Then, Lord Bury took out... a coin.
"Listen very carefully. I am about to flip this coin. If it lands on heads, you will pick which one of you lives" Lord Bury said, pointing to Knowles. "And if it lands on tails... you will decides which one of you dies" Lord Bury said, indicating McKibbin
"This is insane! Life isn't just something you can make a game out of! What gives you the right!" Knowles shouted.
"How can I carry anything with a broken leg?!" Added McKibbin. But it was too late. Lord Bury flipped the.coin, and it landed a few seconds later.
"Now, let's see what it landed on" Lord Bury said as everyone looked at the coin...
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