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Alvarez is drinking tequila. Please wait…
<i>So this is how the story ends.</i> In complete darkness, he thinks to himself. <i>So this is the blackness lurking behind me all the time, boy.</i>
He, Aureliano Alvarez, is fatally wounded. Five shots maybe six, that's how it takes to bring a freelance handyman, an ex-lawman down. He should've taken that job seriously. The money was easy, the article he's obliged to retrieve and deliver was not particularly a problem retrospectively -- though now it's literally a pain.
<i>And certainly not a pain au chocolat</i>. He tries to laugh at this stupid pun, but instead coughs a cold thick blob of blood. Or a piece of himself, nor the light or the condition avails him to figure it out.
<i>[[1. It's getting darker than darkness itself.->2]]</i>
So he reaches for his lighter. With two flicks of sparkle, Alvarez manages to get a blood-soaked cigarette lit. And so there is a tiny bit of light, shimmering with every inhale.
Tabacco is certainly helping.
<i>Would that Doc Violet say smoke kills pals, or the like, to me?</i> He wonders to himself, and soon dismisses the thought. <i>[[Doc Violet->t.Violet]] is a decent dame, and a decent dame doesn't talk to my sort.</i>
And soon he's dazzled by nicotine, relieved from pain and numb.
<i>That job was easy. Damn, it was supposed to be the job that ends all jobs.</i>
<i>[[1. That's what the bartender said.->3]]
[[2. It doesn't matter now.->3]]</i>Yep, so out of nowhere of never-ending desert, that's this town known by the name [[Oasis->t.Oasis]]. A pretentious town one may say, for its big tall building (also by the name of Oasis. Alvarez will learn that kind of building is called skyscraper as the story unfolds), standing tall like a big silly beacon with its lights shining all day and night long, guiding wanderers and raiders alike into either despair or death, or both.
And in this Oasis township there is this bar, known by the name "the bar", because that's probably the only bar in this god-forsaken pit hole of endless sand. And so it happens to host the story of Alvarez, and the article he delivers.
[[1. Recall the story.->4]]It's dusk when Alvarez walks into the bar. It's not dark enough for the bartender to turn the lights on, but dusk enough for the twilight to be shoved through the windows and open door, only to be reflected by bottles of rum, Bourbon, and tequila, full, halved or empty, into every angle that's availed.
Inside the bar there's the bartender standing behind the counter, carefully polishing a one-pint tall glass, and a customer sitting by the counter with an empty mug. He does not even bother to look back as Alvarez comes in, but he squirms a bit, as if he's to reach for that Springfield rifle to his right.
Alvarez grabs a chair with one foot seemingly broken then reattached and sits down beside the man. The man turns and gives Alvarez a nervous smile, he soon will learn smiling to a total stranger is not a wise idea. But for now, Alvarez just smiles back and says to the bartender:
[[1. "Two tequila. One for me and one for this gentleman."->5]]
Bartender drops his glass-polishing and gives them the drinks. The two salute each other, and bottoms up.
"Damn!" The bartender curses, "You pigs drink tequila like freaking sweetwater. You are supposed to drink with salt. What happened to the youngsters nowadays?"
[[1. "Relax old man." says Alvarez, "What's it to you? Not to mention we save you some salt. Right pal?" He turns to the strange man.->6.A]]
[[2. "Wow. I didn't realize I look that young. Thanks for complimenting me, pal."->6.C]]
[[3. "My bad. Let me get us another two, and we do it properly this time, aight?"->6.B]]The bartender opens his mouth as if he's got other things to comment upon, but swallows them with Alvarez's conceding and the stranger's gulp. Two cups of tequila are thrown in the counter.
"Thanks pal." Says Alvarez, again turns to the strange man, "Let's drink in style."<<set $tequila_1 = 1>>
[[1. Finish this drink with salt.->7.A]]
[[2. Finish this drink without salt.->7.B]]"What's it to me?" The bartender raises his voice before the stranger can reply, "This is my bar, I respect tradition as much as I respect your good money. Now that you're drinking in my place, I'd expect you punks to respect that."
He adds, "If you don't like that, be my guest and don't be my guest anymore -- go to other bars and I bid you good luck finding them."
[[1. "Aight man, aight. Duly noted." So says Alvarez, "I now hereby pledge allegiance to the bar, will I have one or more tequila, have it with salt I shall."->7.A]]
[[2. "Nay. I drink however I want."->7.B]]"You are welcome?" The bartender raises his voice, "Look. This is my bar, I respect tradition as much as I respect your good money. Now that you're drinking in my place, I'd expect you hipsters to respect that."
He adds, "If you don't like that, be my guest and don't be my guest anymore -- go to other bars and I bid you good luck finding them."
[[1. "Aight man, aight. Duly noted." So says Alvarez, "I now hereby pledge allegiance to the bar, will I have one or more tequila, have it with salt I shall."->7.A]]
[[2. "Nay. I drink however I want."->7.B]]"That's more like it." The bartender hmmphs.
<<if $job_mentioned_1 == 1>>
The stranger opens mouth for the first time. "Thanks for the drink, man. I couldn't help but wonder the job you were referring to, you see, I myself am looking for a job too."
"Oh yeah. What line of work would have such privilege?" Alvarez beams, turns to the stranger, as if he expects an answer.
"Well, basically --" But before he can finish, Alvarez cuts in.
[[1. Show him a WANTED poster, listing this man's committed crimes, and more importantly, the bounty for his head.->8.A]]
[[2. "Well forget I said anything. I'm just having fun drinking and buying total strangers tequila."->8.B]]
<<else>>
The stranger opens his mouth for the first time. "Thanks for the drink, man."
"Nah, that's nothing. You new in town, you deserve some hospitality, that's how [[Oasis|t.Oasis]] works. Right, Mr. Bartender?"
Bartender hmmphs again.
[[1. "Bummers."->8.B]]
<<endif>>
"Alvarez. GET. OUT." The bartender blushes, and bows down to reach for something.
And Alvarez knows that this fiend was once a legend with a blunderbuss before he decides to settle down here running a pub. So he made quick response: "Man, please don't. I got a job here, remember?"<<set $job_mentioned_1 = 1>>
Seeing he doesn't plan to stop, Alvarez adds:
[[1. "Goddamit, pal, don't blow us in halves. I now hereby pledge allegiance to the bar, will I have one or more tequila, have it with salt I shall."->7.A]]
[[2. "Suck on it, old man."->end.b]]
The man grows pale. He jumps off in attempt to reach for his rifle, but Alvarez was swifter. Without leaving his seat, with his poncho lifted a Magnum six-shooter was drawn and pointed at the man's heart, Alvarez grins, "Freeze. Chill. Stay cool. Whatever your name is, you are this man, are you not?"
He mumbles, but the bartender disturbs. "Alvarez. This stopped being funny long ago. It's actually lame and stupid, the way you say it with this fiendish smile."
"Com'on! Can I not have the slightest fun in this line, doing all the dirty laundry as Oasis itself desires? Bloody killjoy!"
The wanted man opens up again and tries to say something, but Alvarez...
[[1. has pulled the trigger.->9.A]]
"You look tough." Alvarez looks the stranger up and down. "How many shots does it take to bring you down?"
"Depends. What with? Tequila? Rum?"
"Good point. For that I'mma get you another round."
With that said, Alvarez lifts up his poncho and there in his belt, a Magnum revolver shimmers. The stranger is astonished, then tries to reach for his rifle. But Alvarez was faster. With one shot, the man collapses to death.
[[1. "So it took one shot."->9.B]]"Another job well done. Bravo." The bartender claps nonchalantly.
Alvarez tips his hat, says, "So you do like my one-liner."
"Sure thing, lad. You make a great comedian. How about next time you just get down to your business without being a wordy jerk?"
[[1. "Yep, yep. Whatever you want. And as much as I hate to remind you, now you should be like, 'Oh, before I forget...'"->10]]"You should really stop using that stupid pun. That's bad for business." The bartender grumbles.
"Hey, I bought him <<if $tequila_1 == 1>>two drinks<<else>>one drink<<endif>>. And my money's good as any others'. That's good business." Alvarez shrugs.
[[1. "Now you should be like, 'Oh, before I forget...'"->10]]He sighs. "Oh, before I forget, here's your payment, cowboy."
He tosses a pouch into Alvarez. Alvarez catches it. "That chump did not do anything serious, just stupid, right?"
"Why bother to figure out?"
"Well, this bag is light. Even lighter than most raiders." Alvarez tosses the pouch up and down, measuring it by the sound and weight. "100 tops."
"Yep. That's what he's worth. He's Pablo Gras in case you don't know, he failed to pay his taxes and escaped [[Highrise->t.Highrise]] with one or two dead tax collector. Them him roamed the dunes and his feet got him here to meet with you, Mr. Thanatos." Bartender now again starts polishing the same glass with great care.
"So he killed lawman. He should worth more, right?"
"Not really, since they confiscated his stuff they figure that makes up for some loss." Seeing Alvarez tries to ask something, he sighs and adds, "To confiscate means to take things from someone. You should work on your vocab, lad."
"Not knowing your fancy words wouldn't stop me from doing my job good."
[[1. Take half of coins it contains and toss it back to the bartender. "Save them for me, as usual."->11][$money.saved to $money.saved + 50, $money.cash to $money.cash + 50]]
[[2. Take the money.->11][$money.cash to $money.cash + 100]]The bartender pours Alvarez a beer, watches Alvarez as he drinks, and says: "And there's this another job for you, coming directly from [[Mr. Oasis->t.Noam]] himself."
"Aight. Tell me, who do they want dead now?"
Bartender waves with annoyance. "What do you think they are? Grim reaper? They are businessmen, after all, sometimes they want people alive." He takes a picture from behind the counter and gives it to Alvarez. "For instance, this damsel."
Alvarez whistles. The woman -- girl -- in the picture looks better than the lowlives around. Certainly not as good as [[Lyudmila La Diva->t.Diva]], but good. It's peculiar that her skin seems exceptionally pale.
[[1. "By all means, please elaborate, good sir. I'd kill for a job."->12.A]]
[[2. "So I go grab her and turn her up here? Off I go."->12.B]]
[[3. "Tell me more."->12.C]]
<<set $day to $day + 1>>Alvarez has travelled <<print $day>> <<if $day == 1>><<print "day">><<else>><<print "days">><<endif>>.
<<if $day == 1>><<print "The horizon is pleasantly silent. Without wind, the sky is unusually clear and blue. A vulture howls distantly, supposedly spots food. <i>Yep, I'm one of them.</i> Looking back on the horse, Alvarez gives the township a bitter smile">><<else>><<if $day == 2>><<print "The wind is howling. Through flying dust, he can barely make out his fingers. For hours Alvarez is forced to shelter himself under two rocks scaffolding each other, awaiting the wind to cease. As soon as visibility avails him to see, he sets off">><<else>><<if $day == 3>><<print "In the distance, a gunshot is fired. Two more follow the first shot. Then they concede to silence. Alvarez shakes his concern off, focuses on the route instead. He should be able to make it to [[Bad Fortune|t.bad]] by dusk">><<else>><<if $day == 4>><<print "He sees two human figures in the distance, riding one horse together. But as he concentrates, they are nowhere to be found. He dismisses his thought about ghosts, and hurries in order to make it to [[Sweetwater|t.Sweetwater]] before cold night falls upon him">><<else>><<if $day == 5>><<print "A city with tall buildings appears out of the horizon, but Alvarez knows better. Today he feels like he can find the target">><<else>><<if $day == 6>><<print "Another rider passes by. Alvarez and the rider trade nods. Judging by the days Alvarez has traveled, he reckons that the rider comes from [[Buffalo Point|t.buffalo]]">><<else>><<if $day gt 6>><<print "In an extinguished bonfire, Alvarez finds some pieces of bone shred. He doesn't bother to figure out whose bones those are. He instead inspects his target's picture in detail, so that he should recognize her in first sight">><<else>><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>>.
[[1. Ride on.|explore.a]]
Work in progress.
Behold Clair de Lune while I work.
<<cacheaudio "clair" "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/Clair_de_lune_%28Claude_Debussy%29_Suite_bergamasque.ogg">>
<<audio "clair" loop play>>
<<print either("The horizon is pleasantly silent. Without wind, the sky is unusually clear and blue","The wind is howling. Through flying dust, he can barely make out his fingers","The breeze cools he down a bit, given the desert daylight","He sees two human figures in the distance, riding one horse together. But as he concentrates, they are nowhere to be found","A city with tall buildings appears out of the horizon, but Alvarez knows it was a mirage playing with his eyes","Another rider passes by. Alvarez and the rider trade nods","In an extinguished bonfire, Alvarez finds some pieces of bone shred. He doesn't bother to figure out whose bones those are","Bald eagles soar pass, supposedly have found food","In the distance, a gunshot is fired. Two more follow the first shot. Then they concede to silence.")>>.<b>Highrise</b>
Founded by a cliff, this town was once a settlement and fortress of a raider gang known as "Highlander", led by the notorious Harisha. Unlike other raider gangs, upon the rise of [[Oasis->t.Oasis]], Harisha approached with a diplomatic attempt. She yielded her gang and her territory to [[Noam Ferling->t.Noam]]'s power in exchange for regular supplies and technology to improve Highrise.
It was no doubt a success that the gang survived, thrived and somewhat civilized since, but Harisha didn't live to see the huts and sheds connected with wires. Her throat was cut within a week as she pronounced that Highrise was then an Oasis township. The Highlanders didn't fail their name, but they budged eventually, and away with their rogue pride they now make obedient citizens. At the end of the day, it's all about survival.
Highrise is now known for its residence of [[Doc Violet|t.Violet]], possibly the best surgeon alive in the desert, along with its wealth, for its mayor, [[Hermes Atchison|t.Hermes]]'s relentlessness and commercial talent. Within three years after he came into power by cutting Highrise's former mayor's throat, Highrise had been transformed from a worthless settlement to the largest town in the desert.
<<back>>
<b>Lyudmila "La Diva" Klima</b>
As one of [[Mr. Oasis->t.Noam]]'s mistress, she shows exceptional passion towards the world down there below the Oasis skyscraper. From time to time Lyudmila Klima visits the bar to sing songs that are long lost in history, possibly pre-war, and so she's called, with love and admiration, La Diva, not only for her gorgeous voice, but she seems to be the mere means for common folks to access old songs.
The bar's business is prosperous for its monopoly, but the bartender never denies, that each time Lyudmila La Diva descends to his proprietary, he gets a lot more customers.
<<back>>
<b>Noam "Mr. Oasis" Ferling</b>
A man of mystery, dwelling in the skyscraper Oasis, running the town and kingdom [[Oasis->t.Oasis]], and so he gained his middle name. Seven years ago Noam Ferling came out of nowhere with a gang of very few, one year with he occupied the town now known as Oasis, along with the only skyscraper in the desert, and his wingmen his gentry and administrators to his reign and realm.
Everything else remains mysterious, and Mr. Oasis does not allow commoners to poke their nose into his past shrouded in shadow.
<<back>>"Don't do it literally this time, alright?"
"Says the gentle bartender with a dear heart. Duly noted."
"Find her. Keep her alive. Bring her to Oasis building. Words have she's a cave-dweller and the man got interested. Words also said she should be roaming somewhere near [[Buffalo Point->t.buffalo]]. An easy job, all things consider. Wouldn't sweat a bit."
[[1. "I don't know, man. I don't particularly feel like babysitting today."->13.A]]
[[2. "Good. As for payment?"->13.B]]
[[3. "I'll be on my way."->14]]"Hold your horses, cowboy. I'm not done yet. Find her. Keep her alive. Bring her to Oasis building. Words have she's a cave-dweller and the man got interested. Words also said she should be roaming somewhere near [[Buffalo Point->t.buffalo]]. An easy job, all things consider. Wouldn't sweat a bit."
"You done now?"
"Yes. You may begone now."
[[1. "Oh, almost forget. As for payment?"->13.B]]
[[2. "I'll be on my way."->14]]"Find her. Keep her alive. Bring her to Oasis building. Words have she's a cave-dweller and the man got interested. Words also said she should be roaming somewhere near [[Buffalo Point->t.buffalo]]. An easy job, all things consider. Wouldn't sweat a bit."
[[1. "I don't know, man. I don't particularly feel like babysitting today."->13.A]]
[[2. "Good. As for payment?"->13.B]]
[[3. "I'll be on my way."->14]]<b>Buffalo Point</b>
This place is named after a daring event long before the war. Before civilization ravished this land and before that civilization be ravished by atomic fire, a brown skin tribe's hunting ground there was close to Buffalo Point. One brown skin went by the name Ahanu, son of Bidziil the great Sachem.
Ahanu was born to one day take Bidziil's Sachemdom, but for Bidziil's fear that Ahanu might not be one capable Sachem (some said that Bidziil was reluctant to yield his power), the old Sachem challenged Ahanu with three brilliances:
<i>O ere thou claim my Tipi,
Three brilliances then cometh unto thee,
Kachina be tamed, with idle hands thou flee,
And a ragged Canoe thy stronghold shalt be,
alone, to sail across the sea.
Thereafter lies a great stone city,
for thee to set one man-ox free.</i>
Kachina was the name of a dead buffalo, according to the tale. Once a fortnight its spirit would haunt the hunting ground, setting the buffalo horde roaming in frenzy. From then on the tale diverges into many different versions, but all involving great danger, ending with that Ahanu tamed Kachina and he rode it into his other brilliances.
Buffalo Point was said to be where Ahanu tamed Kachina.
Now that brown skin's Tipi and white skin's city are no more, the tale of Ahanu and his deeds somehow remains there in Buffalo Point and its vicinity, and will be told into generations yet to come. People who visit Buffalo Point are superstitious -- those who are not often eventually find them to be -- and they thus believe, should the tale live, Ahanu's spirit will live, and his strength in both force and will then will be bestowed upon those who tell the tale in times of great peril and dire need.
This place was once discarded for a few years during the rise of [[Oasis|t.Oasis]], and now is too an Oasis settlement. A more chaotic one, since it's geographically the farthest one from its center, and other reasons tangled.
<<back>>
"What you call babysitting is really rewarding, Alvarez. I don't know the exact number, but Mr. Oasis himself promised the award would be beyond your poor math. And I thought you would kill for a job?"
[[1. "I would. And you know I'll take it anyhow."->14]]
[[2. "No. I am officially retired today."->end.a]]"I don't know the exact number, but Mr. Oasis himself promised the award would be beyond your poor math."
[[1. "Whatever. You know I'll take it anyhow."->14]]
[[2. "No. I am officially retired today."->end.a]]For him it's just another ordinary day. When Alvarez first came to [[Oasis|t.Oasis]] town, he sought consult from the saloon owner, that was the image of how things work out to him: You look for a job, you go to the bar.
When asked about his specialty, he told the bartender he could make a decent tracker. Before he became such a lowlife, he lived a glorious and honorable life, with exceptional ability of tracking, so that was what he expected. Two days later he came back only to find a muscle job -- to beat the shit out of a reluctant moonshine brewer in [[Sweetwater->t.Sweetwater]], because he failed to apply to the Oasis office for a license. The second job was not as brutal, and it did involve some extent of detective and tracking expertise, but it was just as dirty as the first and the jobs afterwards. And soon he began taking wanted man's life for a fistful of dimes.
Common folks in the Oasis dislike him. He's perceived as a fiendish minion of [[Mr. Oasis|t.Noam]], but that's a living, Alvarez told himself. If he doesn't do those dirty laundry, others will do, and the only difference would be him starved to death. Simple as that.
Now this job looks cleaner. No beating and killing involved, that should be good. And this job comes directly from the man, that's handsomely rewarded guaranteed. Just simply go fetch the gal and take her back there, gotcha.
[[1. Go outside.|15]]
<b>END</b>
Two months later, he heard that Oasis has retrieved an important article. That day, as he drowned himself in alcohol in the bar, across the street, stood the Oasis tower. In the sun of a dog day noon, he saw a man shoving a young woman in chains.
"See, someone would take the job eventually. We don't lack motivated idoits." So said the bartender in a stoic tone.
The refusal certainly pissed Oasis, he did not receive any further job offer from them. And with Oasis's shadow casting across the desert, he basically could not find any job. He quickly ran out of saving, and in a drank, painful night, Alvarez decided to be a freelance raider.
Soon Aureliano Alvarez was shot and killed when [[Akash->t.Akash]], a renowned hunter posse, tracked him down. Alcohol and despair had worn out his strength.
<<link "Restart">><<set UI.restart();>><</link>><b>END</b>
Alvarez shouldn't have provoked the bartender. Not that he couldn't handle him -- before the bartender could pull the trigger, Alvarez did -- but killing a Oasis proprietor means to get him wanted across this cursed desert. He naturally fled.
Within a week, two cowboys had come to his safe house, only to be shot and killed. But it also meant that his safehouse failed to be safe. Alvarez then roamed the desert, but with his wanted poster posted in every last town, he decided to be a raider in order to make a living -- out of the dead. He regretted shooting the bartender down, not because of becoming a wanted man, the bartender was like a friend to him. He missed the time he spent there, trading sarcasm with the bartender, occasional listening to [[Lyudmila->t.Diva]]'s wondrous singing.
And so his bounty accumulated. One day, he saw a posse calmly approaching his hideout. He knew by the legend that there was a band by the name of [[Akash->t.Akash]], led by the last brown skin filth alive -- or so they claim to be.
So they traded gunshots. Outnumbered and outwitted, Alvarez began his daring escape. By then, outlaw life had already worn his regret out.
It took Akash three months of non-stop pursuit to finally shot Aureliano Alvarez down, by then his was known to be among the worst rank.
<<link "Restart">><<set UI.restart();>><</link>>
<b>Akash and Cha'kwaina</b>
A posse consisting of four horse riders, renowned for its superior tracking and organized assault capacity. Akash is a mercenary posse, which should mean that they listen to the highest bid, but since [[Oasis|t.Oasis]] owns the majority of the wealth scattered across the desert, they can be seen as its special force.
In its legendary résumé they have hunted down and killed more than twenty infamous outlaws, each of the most severe damage done. Legend says Akash is the only posse that made it out of the desert and returned intact, but none of the four members ever commented about it.
The leader of Akash is a brown skin lives by the name of Cha'kwaina. It's said that she's the last of her kind. It's also said that she can comprehend the moaning of hills of sand, the whispers of the morning breeze, the howling of the atomic bomb that fell in the center of the desert centuries before she was born. <i>It was not a desert by then</i>, she once said. They say that's how she tracks down her preys, by consulting the suffered land.
The rest of Akash is less known. The three were legendary skirmishers and warriors, that much is known.
Though Akash is perceived as an Oasis force, commoners throughout the desert regard them highly, with distance, for its capacity is beyond their reckoning, and more importantly, they have never murdered an innocent soul out of money. Akash is a banner with standard, they say.
<<back>>
<b>Oasis: An Empire, A Town, A Skysraper</b>
In the wasted desert, the term Oasis can mean many things. It can be another way to call civilization, it can be a curse for the doom it represents. But down to its root, it means an empire, in its center its capital, in the capital's center its landmark, and in the top of the landmark its founder and ruler.
Oasis emerged as [[Noam "Mr. Oasis" Ferling->t.Noam]] and his wingmen appeared out of nowhere. Their identities before they became administrators and rulers were unknown, what's known is that they claimed to be of technology, knowledge and more importantly, they restored civilization among this savage land. When they approached Hangman's Rest -- now it's called Oasis township -- they offered the villagers solutions, to almost everything. They showed them electricity, pipework and other techniques that were lost due to the war, and automatic weapons a night when an unfortunate gang decided to pillage Hangman's Rest.
Hence they set foot in Hangman's Rest, earned its authority, changed its name. The unnamed skyscraper was then named Oasis and with its infrastructure fixed, Oasis and his gang took it as their headquarter. Then they began expanding, most of the time with envoy and peace, sometimes with fire and blood. Three years within Oasis had emerged from nameless to a realm, with almost every outpost in its pocket.
As much as Oasis brought authority, infrastructure and peace into this wasteland, they brought monopoly, taxation and legitimate violence.
<<back>>
<b>Doctor Violet</b>
work in progress
<<back>>In Escobar's General Merchandise he purchased enough provision for a long journey. That Escobar lad and Alvarez never look eye to eye, but he knows Alvarez is a muscle.<<set $money.cash -= 25>> Alvarez now has $<<print $money.cash>> in hand. He curses to himself, <i>that chump worth even less than I expected</i>.
The next morning, mounting on his horse Rocinante, Aureliano Alvarez embarks on a journey towards [[Buffalo Point->t.buffalo]], in search of a young, pale damsel. At dawn, it finally begins the story.
[[1. Depart.->Main]]<b>Sweetwater</b>
A municipal town known by its sweetwater. In the middle of the desert, it's the source of all prosperity. Sweetwater was among the first to rise from mere settlements to towns, for its spring and farmable land attracted all the outcasts nearby. For a while, Sweetwater brood the wasted desert.
Unfortunately, it was not only to the weary outcasts and wanderers it had magic, but bandits and raiders as well. In trades of bloodshed people of Sweetwater formed its militia, and elected marshals and deputies. The town was build into a fortress with overly built fortifications.
It made an example to other towns. Its survival was a strong message, delivered across the desert. Soon towns that cherish its wellbeing began banding militiamen, appointing marshals and deputies, and among those towns [[Bitterwater|t.Bitterwater]] had a legendary posse. At the end, the raiders were also forced to ally gangs or attempt more strategic assault, or instead prey on weaker towns. On the other hand, upon the many failures many of them now instead ambush merchants and caravans, or kidnap travelers.
After [[Oasis|t.Oasis]] obtained Sweetwater and other towns alike, marshals and deputies were appointed by Oasis since, acting as eyes and hands there.
<<back>>
<b>Bitterwater and its Posse</b>
A town located Southwest to [[Sweetwater|t.Sweetwater]]. Though insignificant in its scale, it was magnificent in its deed. The town in its prime only totaled 42 people, among them 17 women and 3 crippled. The rest, however, were all rangers more than capable.
Soon after Sweetwater formed its militia in order that they could avail them defending themselves against frequent bandit assault, Bitterwater followed. A posse by the name of "the Magnificent" was formed. Unlike Sweetwater militia, The Magnificent's approach of getting rid of raiders was more straightforward: They actively sought out bandit gang hideouts, fortress, and settlements, and launch full-scale assault upon them. In two years of glory, the Magnificent wiped out two major gangs, the Navajo Alliance and El Catamount, and minor gangs beyond counting.
How Bitterwater was slaughtered was unknown. None of the townsfolk lived to tell the terror they had faced. And in the town's dire need, the Magnificent seemed to be either unable to protect or at worst, absent, judging by the scene after combat. One thing is certain, though, that the Magnificent vanished afterwards.
A year later, [[Oasis|t.Oasis]] claimed Bitterwater, formed a militia unit and appointed a marshal to this town. Nor could this marshal or marshals followed live up to Bitterwater's legend.
<<back>>
1. Alvarez is illiterate. During his journey with Abigail, upon certain events, should Abigail spot his illiteracy, she would offer to teach him how to read and write during times of rest.
If Alvarez manages to learn reading, he would be able to locate Noam Ferling's office in endgame. There will be more benefits once I figure out.
2. In the grand finale, after Alvarez sends Abigail to run for her life, he will be confronted by the Akash pose and an Oasis mob. Depending on your karma, the pose leader may decide that they should not kill you.
But Alvarez dies anyway, but he gets to kill more minions.
"Is that the best you got?" Yelled Alvarez. "I killed dozens of your like when I was leading my pose!"
In this piece of monolog, Bitterwater pose links to a passage of the story of the fall of Bitterwater pose, a.k.a. the Magnificent. An expanded version of Bitterwater passage.
3. If meet akash the first time, Cha'kwaina will tell Alvarez the rest of the tale of Ahanu later in the story. 【【【【$akash
4. If leave Bad Fortune be assulted by bandits, the town would manage to survive the attack at the cost of Alexander's death. Thereafter James would suspect Alvarez's working with the bandit group. 【【【$bf
5. In the past, before the assult against Bitterwater, a damsel in town went missing. Although Adrian Alexander claimed this was a deliberate plan to draw the Magnificent away, Alvarez insisted that the pose go find the girl, and Alexander and Alvarez had a fight. In the end, they both conceded: the pose was divided, with half guarding the town and another half going out search for the missing damsel, which, later made things worst: The divided pose was not strong enough to defend Bitterwater against a full scale assult, resulting the town be ravished and slaughtered. The search party on the other hand, tracked the trail for days only to find that the missing girl's already dead, and returned to the ruins of Bitterwater. Alexander went furious, claimed that it was all Alvarez's fault. The Magnificent then disbanded.
The missing girl's name was Abigail.
6. At first, if the the name's unknown, Abigail will tell Alvarez a fake name instead. However, as they spend more time travelling, she would eventually tell him her real name. 【【【【【【【$ab_name
7. Upon 【【【$fatigue too high Alvarez may fail some choices. It may unlock some too.
8. 【【【$sw_solvedThere are two paths leading to [[Buffalo Point|t.buffalo]], to Alvarez's knowledge.
Distance-wise, the easiest path would lead him through [[Bitterwater|t.Bitterwater]], via [[Sweetwater|t.Sweetwater]]. The other path is farther by miles. First he's got to go through [[Bad Fortune|t.bad]], wherein lives a lawman he wouldn't want to meet with -- again, not to mention there to he has to take a detour to avoid that radioactive season wind; then he will have to visit Sweetwater too, since there ain't no way around that ground zero fall-out pit. Forcing through it means certain death, that he knows for sure.<<set $insistence to 0>>
[[1. Take the first path.->a.1]]
[[2. Take the second path.->a.e]]By the setting sun Alvarez travels. In an hour or two, the temperature will fall drastically, for which he hastens Rocinante, to another stone shelter he faintly remembers. It was, to certain extent, a secret hideout exclusively for him, years ago he hid under the stones three days in a row, only crawled out into cold sands at night in search of food and water. At that time, both mean cactus.
As soon as Alvarez arrives at the shelter, something seems wrong to him. Four horses were hitched to a shrubbery. Between the horses and the shelter lies a bonfire, untended, flame flickering. Alvarez sees no sign of man.
[[1. Approach the bonfire.|b.1]]
[[2. Retreat and rest elsewhere.|b.e]]<<set $event_a_c = 1>>Before Alvarez rides into [[Bad Fortune|t.bad]], a number of posts with dead bandits hanging on them, dangling with every breeze. <i>That's very [[Adrian Alexander|t.Alex]],</i> he thinks to himself. <i>Too bad he's still alive and kicking.</i> He can't help but to pull up his poncho and lower his hat, tries to cover his face a bit more.
It's getting dark as he enters Bad Fortune. In front of a tavern in the center of the town he ties Rocinante, and walks in to find the worst man in town, leaning against reception counter, chatting with the owner. Seeing Alvarez's presence, he narrows his eye at him.
"Well, well, if it wasn't Aureliano Alvarez, that infamous vulture." So taunts Adrian Alexander.
<<if $akash gt 0>>"It's funny that I was called a 'lone wolf' yesterday and now I get to be a vulture."<<else>>"I'm killing to do my job, so are you, Alexander."<<endif>> Alvarez sighs.
"Whatever you say, prick. Tell me, now, Alvarez, what's it that brings you to our peaceful paradise?"
"'Peaceful paradise'. Good one." The owner laughs.
"Shut up. I'm expecting an answer from Mr. Alvarez now."
[[1. "Looking for someplace to sleep. I assure you, once the sun comes up I'll begone."|c.1.1]]
[[2. "Just passing by. Gotta get to Buffalo Point."|c.1.2]]
[[3. "And just why do you care, Marshal Alexander? You think I'll goof around with your deputy?"|c.1.3]]
<<set $event_a_d = 1>>[[Sweetwater|t.Sweetwater]]: as prosperous as a post-war desert town can be. Itself was founded by an oasis, and now literally an [[Oasis|t.Oasis]] property. A place Alvarez's familiar with, to some extent: before he picked up his line of work, he sometimes rode there exchanging information with local militia captains and the late town marshal, Johan Rosenberg, and after he became a handyman he played detective, bounty hunter or tax collector there. But it has been some time since he last dropped by.
Sweetwater reveals itself as he rides up a high dune. It can almost be called a city, or a fortress, depending on whether you see it by its scale, or its structure. Two ditches were dug in front of and from a side of the town, fortified by sandbags in thousands, filled with feces produced by the townsfolk. It wouldn't be of any defense effect -- things dry out fast here -- if there aren't wooden spikes sharpened and buried under the waste. Each time Alvarez visits Sweetwater, the earthworks seem to get a bit more... serious. They've developed an obsession in reinforcing the defense, though the last time bandits launched a siege attempt against it was something like four years ago, if Alvarez remembers it right.
When Alvarez approaches the gate, a guard gives him a wave.
"Alvarez. How's going?" It's Salvado. He was the captain in the old days, now a captain as militiamen doubles.
[[1. "Alive. You?"|d.1]]
[[2. "Couldn't be better. Sarcasm alert."|d.1.1]]
[[3. "Bad, actually. I'm getting old, and I've got this job that..."|d.1.2]]
<<set $event_a_e = 1>><<if $fatigue gt 1>>At the high noon, the mirage city just wouldn't disperse, and Alvarez, to his surprise, finds himself coming closer as he travels towards it and the city enormous. It doesn't look particularly inviting, but it stands in Alvarez's way.
He senses uneasiness, but a detour would take too long and he does not intend to waste time, since <<if $ab_name eq 1>>Abigail<<else>>that damsel<<endif>> may wander into some other places or at worse, get herself killed.
Cautiously, Alvarez approaches the city and with that, he realizes in surprise, that in the desert there're actually this many people. And the closer he looks, the more amazed he's. The city doesn't smell of decay, nor of death, and there's a river flowing through it, and Alvarez thought he had developed a good sense at the desert's hydrology in his years of ranger and tracker.
[[1. Enter the city.|e.a.1]]<<else>>As night falls, Alvarez hurries up. And at the top a dune he sees bonfires, flickering in the dark night. Alvarez doesn't bother to hide his presence, since whoever are by the fire they have already seen him atop the dune. Judging by the number of bonfires built, it must be a caravan and not just any random caravan, but a big one.
As he carefully approaches the nearest bonfire, he makes a few people out. Instead of shooting at him, one of them stands up and wave at him briefly. That's a good sign. Alvarez waves back, and rides towards them.
[[1. Go to the bonfire.|e.b.1]]<<endif>><<set $event_a_f = 1>>Work in progress.
/* buffalo point fffff */
[[Main]]<<set $event_a_g = 1>>Work in progress.
/* ggggg */
[[Gotcha|found]]<<if $event_a_a neq 1>><<display [[a]]>><<else>><<if $event_a_b neq 1>><<display [[b]]>><<else>><<if $event_a_c neq 1>><<display [[c]]>><<else>><<if $event_a_d neq 1>><<display [[d]]>><<else>><<if $event_a_e neq 1>><<display [[e]]>><<else>><<if $event_a_f neq 1>><<display [[f]]>><<else>><<if $event_a_g neq 1>><<display [[g]]>><<else>><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>>Work in progress. Behold Clair de Lune while I work.<<cacheaudio "clair" "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/Clair_de_lune_%28Claude_Debussy%29_Suite_bergamasque.ogg">><<audio "clair" loop play>>
/* found abigail */
<<link "Or you can restart.">><<set UI.restart();>><</link>><b>Bad Fortune</b>
Established atop of rolling hills, this place was originally called Fortune, and there's a story, or a fairy tale associated with it.
Before the war, the hills were green with shrubberies and pines. In its vicinity was a city believed to be called Liefde, which was annihilated by atomic fire. Before Liefde developed into a metropolis, it was a rural village, wherein lived an impoverished couple. Their land, as well as the wife, were both infertile. One day, as the man gathered firewood on the hills, he spotted an enormous pinecone. He carried home the pinecone and one day, it burst open with an infant boy resting inside and they claimed him as their firstborn son.
The story later involves how the boy brought them eudaemonia and fortune, how he outwitted landlords and other villains and in the end, he bid his parents farewell, as he an angel descended upon the land to help them. Out of the tale, people called that area with rolling hills and pine trees Fortune.
After Liefde was destroyed by nuclear force, its survivors fled to Fortune, where they build a humble town -- one of the oldest post-war settlement -- where they might see their hometown in ruins and drowned themselves in dolor. What's unfortunate about it was a tornado not long after the explosion, that roamed pass Liefde carrying fall-out dust to the town. Those who fled in time lived, and its name thereafter was changed into Bad Fortune. It took some time until the radiation ceased to a safe level.
<<back>>
Though it's certainly an easier path compared to the other one, Alvarez just doesn't feel like to take on it. There's another way, surely there's another way.
[[1. Back|a]]
[[2. Insist|a.2]]The truth is there's this person, [[Adrian Alexander|t.Alex]] in [[Bitterwater|t.Bitterwater]] whom Alvarez owns a huge sum to. No, he wouldn't come and give him a hug and like "Aureliano! My old pal! Still alive and kicking, right?" He would hang him then and there instead, Alvarez knows better.
[[1. Back|a]]
[[2. Insist|a.3]]Or maybe Alvarez was actually a bloodlust bandit that has a huge bounty on his head. Now with his name changed he tries to live an honest life, but the only person that's able to identify him lives in [[Bitterwater|t.Bitterwater]]. A woman, certainly, only an unforgettable woman with the most profound affection towards this man can remember him in great detail, and certainly only such a woman will turn him in the second she recognize him.
[[1. Back|a]]
[[2. Insist|a.4]]
Now come to think of it, Alvarez recalls that this morning he met a man claimed to have just escaped from [[Bitterwater|t.Bitterwater]], saying that a thousand mutant bald eagles just roamed in town, eating everyone alive. Boy oh boy, that's horrid, one man with common sense would certainly not want to visit such a place.
[[1. Back|a]]
[[2. Insist|a.5]]Perhaps, the whole idea that the [[Bitterwater|t.Bitterwater]] path is easier and faster was just a wrong notion. Now come to think of it, Alvarez is pretty sure that [[Bad Fortune|t.bad]] was closer to [[Buffalo Point|t.buffalo]]. Alvarez dismisses the thought of taking the first path in laughter.
[[1. Back|a]]
[[2. Insist|a.6]]<<if $insistence lt 5>><<display [[a.7]]>><<else>><<display [[end.c]]>><<endif>><b>Hermes Atchison</b>
work in progress
<<back>>Alvarez dismounts and carefully walks up to the bonfire. As he comes close, he pays close attention to the ground, but he fails to identify any track aside from his own. Upon his arrival the horses seem not to be surprised, it's when Alvarez notices one of them is not saddled.
[[1. Attempt to invoke the occupant's attention. "Hello?"|b.2]]
[[2. Sit by the bonfire and wait for things to resolve themselves.|b.2]]
[[2. Retreat and rest elsewhere.|b.e]]
It's not wise to approach the bonfire, not knowing friend or foe. Even after [[Oasis|t.Oasis]] came to power, raiders still kill dozens of carefree commoners everyday. Silently Alvarez backs off, then rides away.
Under a dead tree he ties Rocinante. With a lit fire he boils a cup of coffee. The night's long and dark. After he falls asleep he dreams of brown skin riders, mounting on their unsaddled warhorses, rejoicing upon the slain prey. The plain is green. The dream gets even more uncanny as one of the brown skin offers him blood.
"Drink," says the brown skin, "and you shall have the strength of tens of hundreds of buffalos." And they open his mouth and pour the blood in. This is where he wakes up in sweat and dawn.
Alvarez takes it that he's too eager to get to [[Buffalo Point|t.buffalo]]. As soon as he brings the fuming bonfire down he has already forgotten about the dream.
[[1. Ride on.->Main][$event_a_b = 1]]
<<set $day to 0>>
<<set $akash to 0>>
<<set $karma to 0>>
<<set $bf to 0>>
<<set $fatigue to 0>>
<<set $money = {saved: 750, cash: 25,}>>
<<set $insistence to 0>>
<<set $job_mentioned_1 = 0>>
<<set $tequila_1 = 0>>
<<set $ab_name = 0>>
<<set $sal_wait to 0>>
<<set $yell to 0>>
<<set $event_a_a = 0>><<set $event_a_b = 0>><<set $event_a_c = 0>><<set $event_a_d = 0>><<set $event_a_e = 0>><<set $event_a_f = 0>><<set $event_a_g = 0>>
<<set $huntenjoy = 0>>
<<set $sw_solve = 0>>"You don't belong here, yet you belong here." A quiet yet steadfast voice raises from behind, the accent is peculiar. A woman. Out of reflex Alvarez attempts fastdraw, but before he can turn around, a shot lands an inch away his right foot. Then he hears a click, <i>so the gunman uses a rifle. He's good.</i>
Alvarez sheathes his six-shooter. "Whoa, you really spooked me. Is it okay to turn around?"
The voice replies: "It's okay to turn around if you like, but there's no point doing so."
"When someone's talking to me, I like to see that person's face." And so turns around Alvarez. What he sees is beyond his expectation: a brown skin woman, tending Rocinante with rye. She's unarmed.
[[1. "The name's Alvarez."|b.3]]
"You name is irrelevant, but well met, Alvarez. Mine's Cha'kwaina, but that's irrelevant too." The brown skin looks up at Alvarez. There are sternness and serenity in her eyes. Alvarez tries very hard to remember this wordy name.
"A pleasure." Alvarez tips his hat, "I was about to rest at this place, but since you and your fellows has already..."
"So?"
[[1. "Do you mind I join you?"|b.4]]
[[2. "So I figure I better leave you alone?"|b.4.1]]
Cha'kwaina approaches and guides Alvarez to the bonfire. She says, "You are welcome to stay. Very few can find this place, yet you found it many many years ago in times of dire need, that should mean Taku Skanskan accepts you as our kin."
"I guess I had a fair share of time crouching beneath that stone. But how did you find out?" Alvarez's confused.
Cha'kwaina does not answer him. "This place is of power. In the times of old, it was called Chochokpi, where Sachems would gather, sacrifices be offer to Skan. Now as we die, the place hides itself from you white skin. Few lone wolfs find it, fewer packs do."
"Chochokpi, noted. But what makes me so special?"
"You are not special. It's just that the others --" She stops and stands up, looks into darkness. After a while of silence -- long enough to embarrass Alvarez, she whispers to herself. "It's time."
[[1. "What?"|b.5]]
[[2. "What?"|b.5]]"I'd like you to stay." Cha'kwaina approaches and guides Alvarez to the bonfire. She says, "Very few can find this place, yet you found it many many years ago in times of dire need, that should mean Taku Skanskan accepts you as our kin."
[[1. "Then I will stay for the night."|b.4.2]]
[[2. "No, I should really leave."|b.e.1]]"The hunt. Time is ripe, and coyotes must die." Cha'kwaina proclaims loudly. Three men come out of nowhere, to Alvarez's comfort, they are white skin. He tips his hat to them, but they are busy minding their own buzz. They ready their weapons: rifles, six-shooters, shotguns, and tomahawks. Then they mount on, awaiting Cha'kwaina's instruction.
"Taku Skanskan told me you are a capable hunter. Is that true?" She mounts on her unsaddled horse, to Alvarez she asks, but she does not expect an answer. "No matter. Come join us in the hunt." He believes he saw tears in her eyes.
[[1. Join them.|b.6][$akash = 1]]
[[2. Refuse.|b.e.2]]
The brown skin woman and the way she talks and acts makes Alvarez uncomfortable. He quickly bids his farewell, and leaves. For a while, he can feel her eyesight crawling on his back.
Under a dead tree he ties Rocinante. With a lit fire he boils a cup of coffee. The night's long and dark. After he falls asleep he dreams of brown skin riders, mounting on their unsaddled warhorses, rejoicing upon the slain prey. The plain is green. The dream gets even more uncanny as one of the brown skin offers him blood.
"Drink," says the brown skin, "and you shall have the strength of tens of hundreds of buffalos." And they open his mouth and pour the blood in. This is where he wakes up in sweat and dawn.
Alvarez takes it that he's too eager to get to [[Buffalo Point|t.buffalo]]. As soon as he brings the fuming bonfire down he has already forgotten about the dream.
[[1. Ride on.->Main][$event_a_b = 1]]
"I guess I had a fair share of time crouching beneath that stone. But how did you find out?" Alvarez's confused.
Cha'kwaina does not answer him. "This place is of power. In the times of old, it was called Chochokpi, where Anasazi Sachems would gather, and sacrifices be offered to Skan. Now as we die, the place hides itself from you white skin."
"Chochokpi, noted. But what makes me so special?"
"You are not special. It's just that the others --" She stops and stands up, looks into darkness. After a while of silence -- long enough to embarrass Alvarez, she whispers to herself. "It's time."
[[1. "What?"|b.5]]
[[2. "What?"|b.5]]
Alvarez mounts his horse, and together the band ride silently into the night. Not a word is said during the ride, but Alvarez notices that tears keep rolling down Cha'kwaina's cheek.
Upon arriving a hill, Cha'kwaina signals them to stop, and each and every last one of them dismounts immediately. On the hill Alvarez spots a small settlement, of a few makeshift sheds. Judging by the location, he believes this is the lodgment to a bandit gang named "Stormers". The lights and laughter indicate their existence.
With Cha'kwaina leading, the posse crawl towards the sheds.
What happens next is blurry. Alvarez can only remember that he and Cha'kwaina's team worked in remarkable synergy and patient frenzy, dispatching the gang members one by one in a quick yet tacit succession. More importantly, in doing so he felt strong emotions: fury, sorrow and... satisfaction.
After the hunting's complete, the men start scalping, that Alvarez avoids by smoking outside.
Cha'kwaina joins him. "Did you enjoy the hunt?"
[[1. "I did."|b.7][$huntenjoy = 1]]
[[2. "No."|b.7][$huntenjoy = 0]]
The brown skin woman and the way she talks and acts makes Alvarez uncomfortable. Hence he says: "You can hunt however you want, but I'm out of this."
Cha'kwaina gives him a cold look. But without saying anything further, she and her companions ride silently into darkness.
Under a dead tree he ties Rocinante. With a lit fire he boils a cup of coffee. The night's long and dark. After he falls asleep he dreams of brown skin riders, mounting on their unsaddled warhorses, rejoicing upon the slain prey. The plain is green. The dream gets even more uncanny as one of the brown skin offers him blood.
"Drink," says the brown skin, "and you shall have the strength of tens of hundreds of buffalos." And they open his mouth and pour the blood in. This is where he wakes up in sweat and dawn.
Alvarez takes it that he's too eager to get to [[Buffalo Point|t.buffalo]], and meeting with the brown skin woman. As soon as he brings the fuming bonfire down he has already forgotten about the dream.
Before he ventures forth, he comes back to the shelter, only to find that there's not been any trace of man.
[[1. Ride on.->Main][$event_a_b = 1]]
"I don't. But that's what I do." She pauses for quite some time. Alvarez doesn't know what to say, but the silence is not that embarrassing. As the first light breaks the dark, the view is magnificent, with the skies deep azure and the desert moccasin. That's when she speaks again.
"Behold, Taku Skanskan."
"Look, I don't mean offense, but what's that Taku Skanskan you keep mentioning about?" Asks Alvarez. At that time, the posse has finished their business, the five of them are heading towards where they left their horses.
"It's what you are looking at." She shakes her head, "Now we head back. Where are you heading to, lone wolf?"
"[[Buffalo Point|t.buffalo]], got a job to do there."
"Ah, a place, an omen of great peril and great deed." Cha'kwaina nods in thought.
[[1. "Let's just say that's what I do. No offense, but I am not particularly a spiritual man, m'lady."|b.8]]
Cha'kwaina nods in understanding. "It matters not. At the end of the day, spirits are all about us." And she mounts her unsaddled horse. All men too mount on.
Before leaving, the men salute Alvarez. One of them, a tall, slim man turns to Alvarez and tips his hat: "You should quit smoking, it leaves a stinking trail. Everything else makes a good hunter out of you, Alvarez. Glad you are on our side."
"You guys are good. You totally could've done it without me."
"No, I meant differently." Without further explanation, he turns his horse and leaves with the company. Soon they are nowhere to be found, just like a mirage.
Alvarez shrugs to himself, and to [[Bad Fortune|t.bad]] he ventures on.<<set $fatigue to $fatigue + 1>>
[[1. Ride on.->Main][$event_a_b = 1]]Though the path is longer, but Alvarez is sure it's better to go via [[Bad Fortune|t.bad]] than via [[Bitterwater|t.Bitterwater]].
Alvarez sighs, <i>who am I fooling. Even a hedgehog knows better. Let's just hope radioactive sandstorm doesn't blow me green, or I look yellow.</i>
A day he rides, and some time after nightfall as well. He then rests by the edge of a grove of dead trees.
[[1. Venture forth towards Bad Fortune.|Main][$event_a_a = 1]]<b>Adrian Alexander</b>
An ace-high marshal, stationed in [[Bad Fortune|t.bad]]. Though he's relatively new in town with the marshal's star hanging in the chest, he earns townsfolk's respect rapidly. Within a year he managed to train the local militia from green to veteran, capable at its worst fighters, and he fended off a number of raider assault, organized or not.
Aside from that, Alexander's enthusiasm, or perhaps obsession, to protect his people makes him and Bad Fortune infamous among the bandits and raiders. After each and every defense, he would go collect the corpses of them, and hang them to posts on the way to the town. More than a few bandits attempted to recover their dead in the past, either by stealing or negotiation, more posts were planted afterwards.
However, Adrian Alexander is not unnecessarily cruel. Residents in Bad Fortune claim that he's a bounteous person, and actively helps the town's people in many ways. He's a beloved man within the less barbaric group.
One thing, though, sometimes haunts their mind, that is his origin. All they know is that this man was appointed directly by [[Mr. Oasis|t.Noam]]. At first a few asked where he's from and questions similar to that, only to achieve insincere prevarication. Anyway, the marshal is a decent and capable person, that they all agree upon.
<<back>>
<b>END</b>
Alvarez wouldn't budge.
<i>Take the first path.</i> A peculiar voice instructed him, <i>the first path is what you shall take.</i>
Alvarez shook the voice off, decided to embark on the venture towards [[Bad Fortune|t.bad]], but the voice came back. With each time he dismissed it, it returned with more pressing strength.
<i>Take the first path the the first path the first path the first path the first path the first path the first path the first path the first path the first path the first path</i>
"No!" Yelled Alvarez, alone in the middle of nowhere. Rocinante was scared, with Alvarez turning her west and north back and forth, seeing her rider fighting an invisible vile force that could not be dealt with, nor by bullets or by booze.
[[Bitterwater|t.Bitterwater]] is a suffered town, its people quiet and land salty. The town never claimed back its former glory, but that's how things work. A few days later, a man was found mad in the street with his revolver out, pointing at every direction, screaming things no one could comprehend.
Before town marshal could bring him in, he shot himself at the chest and died before sunset. Nobody in the town could recognize him.<<set $insistence to 0>>
<<link "Restart">><<set UI.restart();>><</link>>
<<set $insistence to $insistence + 1>>......
Alvarez insists.
[[1. Back|a]]
[[2. Insist|a.6]]Venceremos"Where are you heading to? I don't think you are riding into ground zero."
"[[Sweetwater|t.Sweetwater]], actually and eventually, [[Buffalo Point|t.buffalo]]. I took a detour." Alvarez answers. In the mean time, a man comes in, leaning against the door behind him.
"Fair enough, I permit you a night in town and a night only. After tonight, I don't expect to see you again here in [[Bad Fortune|t.bad]]." [[Alexander|t.Alex]] hmmphs, and instructs the man by the door. "Let's go, James." And into the setting sun Alexander and James stride.
"One room." Alvarez approaches the tavern owner.
"There'd be $10. But for marshal's sake, I'll make it 15, because clearly he doesn't like you. That taken into account, makes I don't like you too."
[[1. Pay $15.|c.2.2][$money.cash to $money.cash - 15]]
[[2. Pay $1. "That's your worth. What can you get me?"|c.2.1][$money.cash to $money.cash - 1]]"Oh! [[Buffalo Point|t.buffalo]] you said? Last time I checked I was pretty sure the trip would be easier if you --" [[Alexander|t.Alex]] exclaims in a funny tone, but Alvarez cuts in.
"Adrian." Alvarez says in a horrid calm. "If you're about to say what I think you are about to say, I swear, my friend, I'll shoot you down. Right here, right now. You hear me?"
Alexander seems surprised, but out of fury he reaches for his pistol. Nevertheless, Alvarez is a much quicker gunman. Before Alexander's right hand can lay on the handle, Alvarez has already lifted his poncho, drawn his six-shooter and pointing at Alexander's chest.
Alexander gulps, slowly moves his hand away. "Curse you, Alvarez. You were always the faster one among us."
Alvarez gives the six-shooter a spin, then throws it back to the holster. "Let's not waste time. Now you know why am I here, what else do you want to ask, so that you can humiliate me further?"
"No. For now I'll leave you alone." He turns to the owner, "Give him a suite, on the house."
"But sir --"
"I believe you heard what I said, and I don't intend to say that again." As the owner reluctantly fetches the key, Alexander again speaks to Alvarez :"This is for what I said. Now we call this even."
"Er. Thanks." With his wrath gone so fast, now Alvarez feels awkward.
Without saying anything further, Adrian Alexander strides out of the tavern. The owner grumbles inaudible curses, slamming the key against the counter. "Second story." He says.
[[1. Rest.|c.2.2]]
"Now you try to be funny, eh? How about you get the fuck outta my town, so that I don't have to take you into custody."
"How about I just stay from dusk till dawn, then I'll begone, nowhere to be found." Alvarez tries to convince Alexander, but himself can't even tell if he's really trying or just taunting.
"Oh! Now you rhyme! Wow!" [[Alexander|t.Alex]] goes furious.
"Damn. Listen Adrian, that just popped out of my mind. I don't mean to smart-talk." Now Alvarez regrets. Perhaps he should've tried harder than that.
"I dare you Adrian me, you hear? I double dare you! Get outta here, of the town's gonna be your misfortune." Alexander blushes in anger.
<i>Whoa, now things really get awkward.</i>
[[1. "Okay, Adrian."|c.1.3.1]]
[[2. "Loud and clear, Adrian."|c.1.3.1]]
[[3. "Alexander, we are not getting anywhere. A night in town is all I need, please."|c.1.3.2]]The room was cozy, and it has a bathroom. Later that night as hot water supply starts, though brown-ish with rusty pipework, Alvarez gets to take a bath. Then he succumbs to a dark dream.
In the dream he rides with a bunch of fellow men, whom he can trust his life to, into a town where people have their hearts dear and minds gentle. The town's small and the land poor, but the upstream spirit keeps them alive and from turning into outlaws. The dream is sweet and sorrowful somewhat, but Alvarez wakes up as if it's a nightmare, covered in sweat. That's when he decides to take a walk.
At the edge of the town, something's wrong. The sentinel in charge of the watchtower overlooking the town's entrance goes absent. He approaches to give it a closer inspection, and he's sure of it. <i>That's peculiar.</i> His experience tells him something's fatally wrong.
[[1. Report this to Adrian Alexander.|c.3.1]]
[[2. Shake the thought off his mind.|end.e]]
[[3. Fetch your horse and leave.|c.e.2]]In a frenzy [[Adrian Alexander|t.Alex]] draws his pistol. Alvarez totally can outfast him, but he just thinks that wouldn't be wise, because as things escalated he felt another man stopped by the door. Now he hears a click, so that man's holding a rifle. And the man steps forward, pokes Alvarez's back with the gun.
"Hit the road, whoever you are. You don't wanna mess with Marshal Alexander." So says the man in. Alvarez turns around and sees a tin star on his chest.
Alexander sneers in anger. "Oh, before you go, meet my deputy. James, this is Alvarez the vulture. Mr. Alvarez, this is James, the deputy you wanna 'goof around with'."
"That's not what I said."
"I know. I heard the whole ruckus." Says James the deputy in calm. "But you better leave, pal. For you own good and ours. No matter who dies here, the owner's got a hard time cleaning the mess. Save if he doesn't get hit by a stray bullet."
"Now get lost, you damn black horse." Putting the pistol back to the holster, Alexander says word by word.
"Com'on, Alvarez. I'll see you out of the town." James sighs, with the rifle pointing at Alvarez's back.
[[1. Leave as instructed.|c.e.1]]
[[2. Fight them.|end.d]]
"That's more like it. Hate to remind you that way. Now where are you heading to? I don't think you are riding into ground zero."
"[[Sweetwater|t.Sweetwater]], actually and eventually, [[Buffalo Point|t.buffalo]]. I took a detour." Alvarez answers. In the meantime, a man comes in, leaning against the door behind him.
"Fair enough, I permit you a night in town and a night only. After tonight, I don't expect to see you again here in [[Bad Fortune|t.bad]]." [[Alexander|t.Alex]] hmmphs, and instructs the man by the door. "Let's go, James." And into the setting sun, Alexander and James stride.
"One room." Alvarez approaches the tavern owner.
"There'd be $10. But for marshal's sake, I'll make it 15, because clearly, he doesn't like you. That taken into account, makes I don't like you too."
[[1. Pay $15.|c.2.2][$money.cash to $money.cash - 15]]
[[2. Pay $1. "That's your worth. What can you get me?"|c.2.1][$money.cash to $money.cash - 1]]
As James guides Alvarez out of the town, he says, "Marshal's usually a decent fellow. Harsh against the bad, though, most of the time he's quite a jolly fellow. I've no idea what you did to tick him off."
"My presence, really." Alvarez replies. "Me and [[Alexander|t.Alex]], we go way back. Me being here reminds him of... things."
"You killed his kin or what? I've seen him this angry since... I don't know, since Trigger Fingers surprised us and shot the mayor down two years ago? Man, that's the worst."
"No. You look like a reasonable kid, so do me a favor and understand that I don't intend to talk about this to anyone." Alvarez sighs, "And I certainly don't hope Alexander to bring it up to anyone."
"That's okay." The two men and one horse stop at the edge of town. "A mile and a half down this way there's a cave about a hundred feet to your right, if I got it right. Found it during a hunt. If you gotta spend the night, that's your best bet."
Alvarez shakes his hand. "Thanks for the heads up, lad."
[[1. Head towards the cave.|c.e.1.1]]
The cave lies precisely in where James told him. It's not really a bad place to rest, but... <i>Three days without a night on bed. I'm not my younger self anymore.</i>
A dream haunts him this night. A dream where houses burn, flame lightens the sky, men killed and women raped first. Alvarez rides towards the burning town in a great frenzy, yelling in madness. But the dead town draws distance and in the end, it disappears.
Alvarez wakes up in cold sweat. The night sky is bright with full moon. <i>[[Adrian Alexander|t.Alex]] was more a prick than I had expected,</i> he thinks. As he gets up to gather some firewood for the bonfire, he sees, some human figure, sneaking by the road, on foot, not from [[Bad Fortune|t.bad]], but from elsewhere. He snuffs his cigarette.
<i>Raiders, they must be.</i>
They didn't notice Alvarez's presence, nor the horse. He doesn't know where they're heading to; he can't even be sure if they're bandits or not.
[[1. Seize the initiative and fire at them.|c.e.1.2]]
[[2. Ride back to Bad Fortune and warn Alexander about this bunch.|c.3.2]]
The dawn is about to break. Alvarez leads Rocinante and away he goes, leaving a load of ammo by the snuffed, but heated bonfire. As he rides away, the temperature starts firing the bullets aimlessly. More distant gunshots begin, and he reckons the bunch's firing back blind.
If they come with vile intention, this should be enough to scare them off, or at least buy the town enough time to wake up to them. Those who go with despicable mind, often flee with cold feet. Hence they band up to hide, but none can they ever deceive.
[[1. Depart.|Main]]
<b>END</b>
Out of sudden Alvarez shifted aside, with his left hand grasping the rifle barrel, he drew his gun and fired two shots at [[Alexander|t.Alex]]. The first froze the astounded expression on his face, the second hit him at the mouth and broke it open.
A few shots James fired with his rifle, but Alvarez did not let go, even if the barrel burns. Alvarez turned around while lifting the rifle upwards. James fought for control, but Alvarez released the gun and instead hit him hard with elbow. James staggered a bit, given Alvarez enough time to shoot another bullet into his face.
After the frenzy Alvarez regretted. Perhaps it was the the presence of Adrian annoyed him. Not that he was a bad person, but his presence certainly brought up the past associated with them both. Perhaps it was the way the conversation conveyed that pissed him. But it won't matter anymore.
Alvarez did not bother to tend to the owner. He instead turned around and walked out of the tavern. A bunch came for the gunshot, but dispersed as Alvarez came out. He fetched Rocinante, and rode away.
He was never seen or heard again, until one day [[Akash|t.Akash]] came to the bar with his scalp. His head was worth a fortune.
<<link "Restart">><<set UI.restart();>><</link>>
"Out." The owner says, "You can get out, smart-ass."
[[1. Pay another $15. "Look, sorry about that. I was trying to be funny, not mean. By the way, that 'get out' one's really good."|c.2.2][$money.cash to $money.cash - 15]]
[[2. Leave this unfriendly town.|c.e.1.1.1]]When Alvarez rides out of [[Bad Fortune|t.bad]], it's turned dark. Following an owl's hoots, he finds himself a cave, in front of where he builds a bonfire and later rests.
A dream haunts him this night. A dream where houses burn, flame lightens the sky, men be killed and women raped first. Alvarez rides towards the burning town in great frenzy, yelling in madness. But the dead town draws distance and in the end, it disappears.
Alvarez wakes up in cold sweat. The night sky is bright with full moon. <i>[[Adrian Alexander|t.Alex]] was more a prick than I had expected,</i> he thinks. As he gets up to gather some firewood for the bonfire, he sees, some human figure, sneaking by the road, on foot, not from Bad Fortune, but from elsewhere. He snuffs his cigarette.
<i>Raiders, they must be.</i>
They didn't notice Alvarez's presence, nor the horse. He doesn't know where they're heading to; he can't even be sure if they're bandits or not.
[[1. Outwit them.|c.e.1.2]]
[[2. Ride back to Bad Fortune and warn Alexander about this bunch.|c.3.2]]At the edge of the town, Alvarez finds out the sentinel in charge of the watchtower overlooking the town's entrance goes absent. His experience tells him something's fatally wrong.
He rushes to the tavern, and slams the door open. Before the owner, in bad mood, can say anything, Alvarez demands that he show him the way to marshal's office.
"And why would I do that?" Grumbles the owner. He's certainly unhappy to be dragged out of bed.
Alvarez shows his six-shooter. "Quick whimpering. Just walk."
At the office's door he shouted Alexander's name and slams the door heavily. It doesn't take long before Alexander comes open the door.
"I told you I don't want to see you again." He answers in cold anger.
"You can thank me later, prick, but the sentinel's gone missing, and there's a bunch sneaking towards the town. For fuck's sake you better gather your men and be prepared for a fight."
Alexander does not say anything further to Alvarez but gives a simple nod. He then summons James the deputy, who later helps him gather the town militia in place and warn the commoners.
[[1. Continue.|c.4]]He rushes back to the tavern, and slams the door open. Before the owner, in bad mood, can say anything, Alvarez demands that he show him the way to marshal's office.
"And why would I do that?" Grumbles the owner. He's certainly unhappy to be dragged out of bed.
Alvarez shows his six-shooter. "Quick whimpering. Just walk."
At the office's door he shouted Alexander's name and slams the door heavily. It doesn't take long before Alexander comes open the door.
"You better have something important to tell me." He answers in cold anger.
"The sentinel's gone missing. You better gather your men, just in case. I've seen this before."
"I'm sure you have seen this before." Alexander gives a sarcastic nod, but before Alvarez can say anything, he summons James the deputy, who later helps him gather the town militia in place and warn the commoners.
[[1. Continue.|c.4]]Alvarez rides away in the darkness. Some time later, gunshots begin. Later as gunfire concedes to silent dawn, he looks back, and sees in the distance, fumes rise where [[Bad Fortune|t.bad]] lies. He stops for awhile, watches as smoke goes up, and finishes a cigarette.<<set $karma to $karma - 1>><<set $bf to 1>>
He tosses the cigarette butt casually, and rides away.
[[1. Depart.|Main]]
<b>END</b>
Alvarez shook his thought off. <i>It could be that the sentinel's taking a leak or something.</i> He thought to himself, <i>The night's colder than a rifle barrel, maybe he's fetching something hot to drink.</i>
He wandered for awhile, seeing the whole town asleep, not even a single soul's out there awake. He then returned to slumber. This time, he didn't dream of anything. And very soon, he lost his chance to dream anymore.
<<link "Restart">><<set UI.restart();>><</link>><<set $karma to $karma + 1>>The battle soon bursts. This assault is clearly organized and prepared, it may even be called a siege should the number of both side increase. Gunshots traded are beyond counting, and the dead fall.
Alvarez too joins the battle for reasons unknown. The vibe is thrilling, whatever it's of. At the end of the night, as the sun comes out, [[Bad Fortune|t.bad]] has survived the fight, leaving a few dead of militiamen and many of bandit gang.
As Alvarez searches the dead bandit for ammunition and coins, he notices a shadow draws near and covers him. He figures that it must be [[Alexander|t.Alex]], so he says: "Looks like you've got a lotta posts to plant now, marshal."<<set $money.cash to $money.cash + 10>>
But the voice tells the identity differently. "What? I'm the deputy. But yes, a lot posts. And that's gonna stink."
Alvarez turns around. "That's embarrassing. I thought you were Alexander." He laughs in embarrassment, "Thought he would drop by and thank me for saving the day."
"Funny, that's what I came for." James smiles.
"He did say that?" Alvarez's surprised.
"No. But I can see he wants to, but it'd be too hard for him. It doesn't need a psychic to figure it out."
"Hah. Just like the old times." Alvarez shrugs, then stands up. "I'd better get going."
"What marshal Alexander did say was that the girl's name's Abigail, if that's why you're going to [[Buffalo Point|t.buffalo]]."<<set $ab_name = 1>>
[[1. "You say what again?"|c.5]]
"A pale, possible cave-dweller gal, if that's what you're after, her name's Abigail." James repeats in calm.
"Just how did [[Adrian|t.Alex]] find out?" Alvarez's totally shocked.
"You're not the only handyman [[Ferling|t.Noam]] has. Every marshal's practically his handyman, but few are good enough to do something important, among them even fewer dare to turn down a job directly from the man."
"So Alexander turned down the offer."
"Yes. He said he's got a feeling that the something big against the town is brewing. And now his theory worked out." James grins in pride, an emotion Alvarez's almost forgotten.
"Just like the old times." Alvarez smiles, but soon his smile turns bitter. "Let's not talk about this anymore. If he didn't ask you to invite me for food, I'd be leaving."
"That he didn't. May I see you out?"
"No. I know my way out." Alvarez shakes James's hand, "Adios."
"Hasta la vista, señor."
And into the desert, towards [[Sweetwater|t.Sweetwater]] Alvarez rides.<<set $fatigue to $fatigue +1>>
[[1. Ride on.->Main]]
<b>Rosa Templo de la Mancha</b>
work in progress
<<back>><b>La Mancha</b>
3:44
<<back>>"Alive? You should look alive, Al, while you still are!" Salvado bursts into laughter.
<i>So how do you do, Sal?</i> Alvarez thinks and says differently, "It's hilarious. It's funny. Hardly. No, it's kinda lame. This was dull. Dull, dull, dull, dull, dull."
It's not until Salvado's reply that Alvarez finds himself confused with which to say and which to keep to himself. "Goddamit, man! That hurts!"
"Oh, that's... embarrassing. Say, Sal, how do you do?"
"Pretty good, before what you said, pal. Now I demand an apology." Salvado now acts as he's really hurt.
"Sorry."
"Ha! Gotcha! I don't really need one!" Salvado pauses to let a visitor through, then says, "So how about a drink tonight, like the old days? Judging by the sun, my shift is about to end."
[[1. "Sure thing. See you at the same spot."|d.2]]
[[2. "Sorry pal, I've got things to do. Perhaps next time."|d.2.1]]"Hey! Don't be such a grumpy chump." Salvado lectures. "Remember the song we used to sing them we were all drunk? When you're chewing on life's gristle..."
"Don't grumble, give a whistle." Alvarez smiles and follows. Salvado nods delightfully, encouraging him to continue.
"And this'll help things turn out for the best!" Sings Alvarez, and Salvado joins him. "Always look on the bright side of life..."
So they sing and whistle, some guards nearby join, while the others laugh and smile. What a ruckus they create by the city gate. As they finish, Salvado hisses his men to get back to work, then returns and says to Alvarez, "Man, those were the days. How I miss old John, and how he led this silly song."
"Yeah. He was such a jolly good fellow." This saddens Alvarez a bit too.
"Say, Al. Judging by the sun my shift's about to end. How'bout we grab a drink later, in memory of old marshal?"
[[1. "Sure thing. See you at the same spot."|d.2]]
[[2. "Sorry pal, I've got things to do. Perhaps next time."|d.2.1]]"Dios mio," Salvado acts as he's terrified. It's funny. "You outta your mind amigo? That's just outta courtesy. I'm not a bit interested."
"And do I look like the whining type to you? I'm fooling with you, Sal." Alvarez dismounts and pats on Salvado's shoulder with force, but that doesn't shake him a bit. <i>Stubborn as a tree, as always.</i>
"Ha! You are good." He laughs loudly, but Alvarez doesn't think it's that funny. "Say, Al. Judging by the sun my shift's about to end. How'bout we grab a drink later?"
[[1. "Sure thing. See you at the same spot."|d.2]]
[[2. "Sorry pal, I've got things to do. Perhaps next time."|d.2.1]]<<set $fatigue to $fatigue + 1>><<set $money.cash to $money.cash - 5>>Alvarez books a room in the tavern he used to visit a lot. He more than once helped the owner get rid of unwelcome guests, for that the owner always halves his room price, $5 that is.
He then walks to the place his posse, the late marshal and Captain Salvado used to drink, a moonshine brewery, that is. After the marshal and the militia confiscated it, instead of destroying the equipment they chose to keep it for their own.
But Salvado was not there to be found. Alvarez waits for some time, but still there's not a sign of him.
[[1. Go find out what happened to Salvado.|d.3]]
[[2. Keep waiting.|d.e.1]]<<set $money.cash to $money.cash - 5>><<set $fatigue to 0>>Alvarez books a room in the tavern he used to visit a lot. He more than once helped the owner get rid of unwelcome guests, for that the owner always halves his room price, $5 that is.
The room is simple, but decent enough to rest his bones. Out of fatigue Alvarez soon falls into sound sleep. It's literally a sound sleep, he's waked up with a start by his own snore twice that night. In atween, he dreams a dream. As he later wakes up, he, on the one hand, tries to take it lightly because it's basically nonsense, but deep down there he believes it's some kind of omen. He heard people say those going to
In this dream a big, tall building falls down into ashes. In front of the building stands tall two figures, one dead the other alive, one man the other shrouded in mist, one on his feet and the other rides a horse sharing an uncanny resemblance with Rocinante. The dead man lets go of the other's hand, and walks into a burning town.
After the first light Alvarez wakes up and find himself rejuvenated. He renews his provision <<set $money.cash to $money.cash - 5>> and rides out of [[Sweetwater|t.Sweetwater]]. Two days ahead before he reaches [[Buffalo Point|t.buffalo]] and fetches <<if $ab_name eq 1>>Abigail<<else>>that damsel<<endif>>, if nothing goes wrong.
[[1. Leave.|Main]]
Alvarez goes back to the gate. At the gate he hears men in dispute. As any typical quarrel, instead of trying to convince others, each and every last one of them tries to outvoice their rivals. A duel would be much easier, Alvarez thinks. In the middle of them stands Salvado, he tries to settle the whole ruckus down but his effect seems in vain.
"So that's why you didn't make it." Alvarez taps his shoulder over the heated air. Salvado turns to him desperately.
"Al! I knew you'd come and save my ass! You are always the smart one, help me out of this mess!" He seems like he's almost going to cry.
"For that you'd have to offer me your best vintage later." So he answers with a price, half serious, half mocking.
"Whatever you want, just get me outta this! Whatever you want!"
"Now, one by one I need you to tell me what happened." Alvarez tells them. So in a frenzy, they all start babbling, and his head starts to hurt. He rubs his forehead in annoyance, and he believes in the meantime, Salvado gloats over his predicament.
[[1. Yell at them.|d.3.1]]
[[2. Fire a shot into the air.|d.4]]
<<set $sal_wait to $sal_wait + 1>><<if $sal_wait == 1>><<print "Alvarez whistles while carefully inspects the hidden basement door leading to the moonshine. It's makeshift, and shabby after that one time the militiamen slammed it down.">><<else>><<if $sal_wait == 2>><<print "<i>Salvado's not that kind of person who would forget that easily.</i> Alvarez thinks to himself.">><<else>><<if $sal_wait == 3>><<print "<i>Wait. Now come to think of it, he actually is.</i>">><<else>><<if $sal_wait == 4>><<print "<i>There was this one time we decided to go hunt down a boar. We call it Princess. It ate that old fella's pumpkin every now and then.</i>">><<else>><<if $sal_wait == 5>><<print "<i>As for Salvado. He didn't show up, and we found him still asleep even after we were done with the hog.</i>">><<else>><<if $sal_wait == 6>><<print "<i>Not that he turned yellow, we all knew he could take Princess down by himself.</i>">><<else>><<if $sal_wait == 7>><<print "<i>Basically he's realible, but he has a bad memory sometimes.</i>">><<else>><<if $sal_wait == 8>><<print "Alvarez sighs. <i>Any moment now...</i>">><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>>
[[1. Go find out.|d.3]]
[[2. Keep waiting.|d.e.1]]And Salvado shows up, rushing. "Sorry that I'm late, Al. I'm really, really sorry. I was involved in some kind of legal conflict --"
"How about no?" Alvarez drops the cigarette butt he's done with, then points at the ground. Nine butts if he remembers correctly. "Look, it took me half pack of cigarettes waiting, and I don't intend to finish the other half listening to any law talk."
"Aight, I'll fill you in if you are interested. Now let's go in and have something to drink."
"That we can both agree upon."
And they drink. And drink. And drink.
[[1. Wake up.|d.e.1.3]]<<if $sal_wait lt 8>><<display [[d.e.1.1]]>><<else>><<display [[d.e.1.2]]>><<endif>><i>Great,</i> Alvarez wakes up into hangover and backache, seems like he slept in an empty barrel. <i>Now my head hurts like atomic fire and I begin hearing funny things.</i>
But the night was delightful. He gives Salvado, who snooze snores like a boar, a few kicks, but he just mumbles something inaudible and turns around. Alvarez shrugs, and his temple begins to twitch, so he figure he'd better raw yolk. It helps.
Later the morning, with what's left of alcohol, he rides out of [[Sweetwater|t.Sweetwater]]. A tortoise crawls slowly yet steadily towards him, and Alvarez tips hat to it, but with no reaction from this unhasty traveler.
[[1. Ride on.|Main]]
<<if $yell == 4>><<display [[d.4.1]]>><<else>><<if $yell == 3>>Salvado chuckles, and he does not bother to hide.
[[1. Try harder.|d.3.1][$yell to $yell + 1]]
<i>[[2. Shame, you can do better than that.|d.4]]</i><<else>><<if $yell == 2>>And now it begins to hurt.
[[1. Try harder.|d.3.1][$yell to $yell + 1]]
<i>[[2. Com'on man, try harder.|d.4]]</i><<else>><<if $yell == 1>>His throat begins to dry.
[[1. Try harder.|d.3.1][$yell to $yell + 1]]
[[2. Try harder.|d.4]]<<else>><<if $yell == 0>>Alvarez yells at the bunch, but he too is so outvoiced that he's not even sure what he's trying to achieve.
[[1. Try harder.|d.3.1][$yell to $yell + 1]]
[[2. Try harder.|d.4]]<<endif>><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>>
Alvarez draws his six-shooter and empties the cylinder by firing all six shots into the air. "One by one's what I said, gentlemen."
One of them looks up into the sky. "I wonder when the bullets fall would they hit us."
"I certainly hope this to happen. I really do." Alvarez speaks in a stoic tone. "Before you folks talk, Salvado, please fill me in."
"Um. Okay." Salvado clears throat, "I swear to speak without hate and without fear, what I say shall be the --"
"Spare me of that. Get to the point."
"Fine, I just want to make this seem legit. You know, I'm a lawman. So, come meet Anton, Antonio, Antonni and Antonius, four brothers of Bengochea family. Basically what happened was they were out there hunting, somewhere atween here and [[Bear Creek|t.Bear]], where they claimed to have found a golden statue."
"And I reckon it went missing the following morning."
"Precisely. And here they are, believing one of them has stolen and hidden the goodie."
[[1. Continue.|d.5]]It's clear that even Salvado can't stand the drama. With a blunderbuss he fires one shot into the air. It's like thunder. And out of sudden, they chattering folks go silent.
"Folks! Aureliano said one by one. You deaf of what?" Yells Salvado. For a while, no one talks. Salvado yells again: "Now you are playing dumb!"
"Er, thanks, Sal." Alvarez breaks the silence, "Before you folks talk, Salvado, please fill me in."
"Um. Okay." Salvado clears throat, "I swear to speak without hate and without fear, what I say shall be the --"
"Spare me of that. Get to the point."
"Fine, I just want to make this seem legit. You know, I'm a lawman. So, come meet Anton, Antonio, Antonni and Antonius, four brothers of Bengochea family. Basically what happened was they were out there hunting, somewhere atween here and [[Bear Creek|t.Bear]], where they claimed to have found a golden statue."
"And I reckon it went missing the following morning."
"Precisely. And here they are, believing one of them has stolen and hidden the goodie."
[[1. Continue.|d.5]]<b>Bear Creek</b>
work in progress
<<back>>"You." Alvarez points at Anton, "Did you guys have had watch that night?"
"Yes, sir." Anton answers, but Salvado yells at him: "'Sir' my ass! To you he's 'your honor'!" Alvarez shrugs on the ruckus.
"Yes, your honor." Again answers Anton. "We took turn. That night's too dark, so we don't know how much time each of us stayed on watch."
"You." Alvarez turns to Antonius. "You camped in the wilderness?"
"Yes, s-your honor. There was this camping spot only the four of us know about, I think. We often camp there during hunts."
"Good. Now I am going to let you speak, one by one."
The Bengochea brothers await in tension.<<set $trial to ["d.5.a", "d.5.b", "d.5.c","d.5.d"]>><<set $trialr to 4>>
[[1. Ask one. Their names look the same anyway.|d.6]]<<silently>><<set $trial.delete("d.5.a")>><<set $trialr to $trialr - 1>><<endsilently>>"Aight, your honor. So I was the on guard duty that night. Later I took a leak, and when I came back I didn't bother to check if the gold's still there, because I trust them." Anton says. At least Alvarez thinks that's his name.
"And where did you put the golden figure?"
"In a rag bag, along with our food and stuff. Come to think of that, I did check if it was still there. It was."
"Anything else you wanna add?"
"None of us did the thing. The gold's still there when my shift ended and I went to sleep."
[[1. Continue.|d.6]]<<silently>><<set $trial.delete("d.5.b")>><<set $trialr to $trialr - 1>><<endsilently>>"I'm the second on watch. When I got up for my shift, the gold's gone, I guess." Antonio says. <i>Or is it Antonius? Antonio, I think.</i>
"What do you mean by 'I guess'?"
"I... er, I'm not entirely sure. I mean I did look into the bag where we stash it, but the light's bad and I didn't figure much out."
"Noted. Anything unusual during your watch?"
"Nothing, really. I nearly caught a raccoon lurking by the bonfire, but that didn't really happen. Antonni woke up with a start, and we chatted for a little while, then I went to sleep and he took guard."
[[1. Continue.|d.6]]
<<silently>><<set $trial.delete("d.5.c")>><<set $trialr to $trialr - 1>><<endsilently>>Antonni so speaks in calm: "I was the third on watch in the team. The night's serene, for that I had hard time resist succumb to dream, under the lunar sheen."
"Cut to the chase and don't rhyme." Alvarez's a bit upset.
"When my shift ended, in the bag the gold stayed. That much I can assure you, I can take on any thief single handed."
"I'm done talking to you."
[[1. Continue.|d.6]]<<silently>><<set $trial.delete("d.5.d")>><<set $trialr to $trialr - 1>><<endsilently>>"And you are?" Asks Alvarez.
"Antonius."
"What can you tell me, Antonio?"
"Antonius." Antonius spits on the ground.
"Ok, Antonius."
"The theft happened before my shift. By the time I took on guard duty, the gold's gone."
[[1. Continue.|d.6]]<<if $trialr eq 0>>\
After hearing them out, Alvarez thinks for a while, leaving the four in unease. Finally, he opens up and says:
[[1. "I've made my decision."|d.7]]
<<else>>\
<<set $triali to Array.random($trial)>>\
<<display $triali>>\
<<endif>>\While the Bengochea brothers seem both nervous and excited, Salvado nods in recognition. "And who would that be?"
[[1. "The culprit is Anton."|d.8.2]]
[[2. "Antonio's behind this."|d.8.2]]
[[3. "I believe Antonni should be responsible."|d.8.2]]
[[4. "Antonius stole the statue."|d.8.4]]
[[5. "What? No, I meant I'm out of this stupidity. Come on, Salvado, let's go for a drink."|d.8.3]]"What?" The man's shocked. "I didn't!" But he can't be heard further, as all other three start scolding and yelling at him, while shoving him away.
Salvado's confused. "That's something. How did you figured it out?"
[[1. "I didn't. I just want get out of this."|d.9]]
[[2. "Some deduction. But I could've got his name wrong. Whatever."|d.9.3]]"No! You can't just leave like this?" One of them yells unbelievably.
"I can. So can Captain Salvado." Alvarez answers to that not really question. "He's shift ended like ages ago, you should go to the man on duty."
"But Alvarez..." Salvado protests faintly, but Alvarez dragged him away.
And they leave the Bengochea brothers to their bickering, towards the moonshine brewery they go. And they drink. And drink.
[[1. Wake up.|d.e.1.3]]To their surprise, Antonius laughs. At first he tries to hide the chuckle, but in the end he laughs hysterically. And suddenly he stops laughing, and in content smile he says: "A perfect display of deduction, Alvarez. I did stole the golden statue and hid it, but you will never find out its whereabout."<<set $sw_solve = 1>>
The other three go furious and shove him away.
Salvado is utterly confused. "How did you find out?"
[[1. "I didn't. I just want get out of this."|d.9]]
[[2. "Simple logic deduction. You see, if they were all lying, that makes..."|d.9.1]]
[[3. "Blind luck."|d.9.2]]"Ha!" Salvado laughs, "You really are the smart one. Indeed that's the smarter thing to do, why didn't I think of that?"
"Let's go for the drink. You vintage collection awaits."
"Sure, Al, sure."
And they leave the gate, towards the moonshine brewery. And they drink. And drink.
[[1. Wake up.|d.e.1.3]]"... And that's how I found that Antonius was the culprit. Or was it Antonni? I'll be damned if I could remember their names correctly." Alvarez closes his statement after some complicated explanation.
Salvado's lost in thought. "Damn, that was... Clever, I guess? But I have one question though."
"What is it?"
"The whole deduction's based on the assumption that they are all lying. If that wasn't the case?"
"I'm not sure, but I got it right this time. Your vintage collection awaits, let's not linger on this stupidity."
"That's kinda irresponsible, but I like it. Let's go."
And they leave the gate, towards the moonshine brewery. And they drink. And drink.
[[1. Wake up.|d.e.1.3]]"Man, that's really lucky." Salvado sighs.
"Things would resolve themselves whoever I claimed to be guilty. By the way, what happens to him?"
"Don't know, don't care. Generally we take it as another family affair. We lawman don't get involved in family affairs. You expect me to sentenced to be stoned or what?"
"Neh, just curious. Let's go Sal, I want to behold your vintage collection."
And they leave the gate, towards the moonshine brewery. And they drink. And drink.
[[1. Wake up.|d.e.1.3]]"That's kinda irresponsible, but I like it."
"Your vintage collection awaits, let's not linger on this stupidity. By the way, what happens to him now?"
"Don't know, don't care. Generally we take it as another family affair. We lawman don't get involved in family affairs. You expects me to sentenced to be stoned or what?"
"Neh, just curious. Let's go Sal."
And they leave the gate, towards the moonshine brewery. And they drink. And drink.
[[1. Wake up.|d.e.1.3]]As he draws closer, he senses tension in the air. The city is not barracked, but judging by the smell of it, it soon will be. Watchmen stationed on watchtowers are constantly looking around agitatedly. People too are rubbernecking, whispering in fear and anger, the amount of the slaver they spit on the back of nervous patrolmen, if accumulated, may flow vigorously.
Guards in the front of the city's coverage are exceptionally thorough with Alvarez. He frowns on the firearm. "What's the deal with that thing?"
"I've got to protect myself. The desert ain't kind, nor the raiders can do any better." Alvarez shrugs, but he picks his words carefully.
"Indeed. So why are you here? You don't look local."
"I'm a bounty hunter, heading to [[Buffalo Point|t.buffalo2]]. Got a job to do."
Guard again frowns in disgust, then nods with approval. "Good luck hunting down those bandits. That despicable raider town."
[[1. "What about it?"|e.a.1.1]]
[[2. "Can I leave now?"|e.a.2]]Work in progress. Behold Clair de Lune while I work.<<cacheaudio "clair" "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/Clair_de_lune_%28Claude_Debussy%29_Suite_bergamasque.ogg">><<audio "clair" loop play>>
/* Note: Where Alvarez meets Rosa Templo de la Mancha */
<<link "Or you can restart.">><<set UI.restart();>><</link>><b>Buffalo Point</b>
This place is named after a daring event long before the war. Before civilization ravished this land and before that civilization be ravished by atomic fire, a brown skin tribe's hunting ground there was close to Buffalo Point. One brown skin went by the name Ahanu, son of Bidziil the great Sachem.
Ahanu was born to one day take Bidziil's Sachemdom, but for Bidziil's fear that Ahanu might not be one capable Sachem (some said that Bidziil was reluctant to yield his power), the old Sachem challenged Ahanu with three brilliances, and the first one was to tame a buffalo spirit.
So he did, and Buffalo Point was said to be where Ahanu tamed Kachina. Later the place became a settlement of brown skin, but many years later white skin claimed the land with deceit, disease, and firearms. After the atomic war, a group of refugees from [[Fortune|t.bad2]] decided that they would be residing there, and they thrived, but only for a while. As [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]] rose, the town, like some other towns that attempt to turn down its offer, was assulted by raiders more frequently, partially due to Oasis's aid other preys were gaining strength, forcing them to prey on easier targets. In the end, the place was discarded and occupied by a group of bandits, who later pledge allegiance to Oasis.
<<back>>
<b>Fortune, and its Misfortune</b>
Established atop of rolling hills, this place was originally called Fortune, and there's a fairy tale associated with it. The story involves how a poor couple from a boy from a pinecone, who later brought them eudaemonia and fortune, how he outwitted landlords and other villains and in the end, he bid his parents farewell, as he an angel descended upon the land to help them. Out of the tale, people called that area with rolling hills and pine trees Fortune.
After Liefde, a major city located near Fortune, was destroyed by nuclear force, its survivors fled to Fortune, where they build a humble town -- one of the oldest post-war settlement -- where they might see their hometown in ruins and drowned themselves in dolor. What's unfortunate about it was a tornado not long after the explosion, roaming across Liefde carrying fall-out dust to the town. Those who fled in time lived, and its name thereafter was changed into Bad Fortune. It hasn't been populated since then, but that may change once the radiation level falls to a safe level.
<<back>>
"What about what?" The guard asks in reply.
"The bandit town. Last time I heard, it was nothing like that."
"Oh, that. Thanks to [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]], the town's occupied by a group, the worse kind. Rapes and raids like there's no tomorrow. Yet a minute later, puff! They now turn into good suckers of Oasis."
He walks around, inspects Alvarez's saddle bag, and pets Rocinante kindly.
[[1. "Can I leave now?"|e.a.2]]"You may proceed. Stay out of trouble and don't make any, aight? We got plenty here already for fuck's sake. And note that the gate closes from dusk to dawn, no one can either enter or leave."
Alvarez waves him farewell, then enters the city. Since the light's still bright enough for him to roam the land, Alvarez rides in attempt to traverse the city and continue the journey. The farther he rides, the more tension it grows within the city walls. With men unarmed stand toe to toe with men in arm, whispers in dark corners, the place seems like it's going to explode with a tiny sparkle.
And there's literally a huge bomb, supposedly a dud, standing in a square in the center of the city. Some people gather around it, as if they were uprising or at worse, protesting, but they're just trading murmurs and occasionally maliciously glance at the administrator's mansion, standing across the street. Alvarez almost feels sorry for the two guards stationed at the gate of the mansion, they seem terribly nervous.
Since it's the city center, there are quite a few vendors in the street and loads of people flowing slowly, where Rocinante can barely move without stampeds townsfolks. That's when Alvarez decides he may waste a day and set off at tomorrow's dawn, because now he's getting nowhere, and he's curiosity demands him to find out the ins and outs about this mysterious city. Two taverns are at the square, both seem quite inviting.
[[1. Enter the first one.|e.a.3.1]]
[[2. Enter the second one.|e.a.3.2]]<b>Oasis</b>
A rising empire. Oasis emerged as [[Noam "Mr. Oasis" Ferling->t.Noam]] and his wingmen appeared out of nowhere. Their identities before they became administrators and rulers were unknown, what's known is that they claimed to be of technology, knowledge and more importantly, they claim to restore civilization to this tormented land. When they approached Hangman's Rest -- now it's called Oasis township -- they offered the villagers solutions, to almost everything. They showed them electricity, pipework and other techniques that were lost due to the war, and automatic weapons a night when an unfortunate gang decided to pillage Hangman's Rest.
Then they began expanding rapidly, most of the time with envoy and peace. When they can't take a settlement by peace, they choose blood and conspiracy without a second thought. They'd infiltrate a town that does not pledge allegiance to organize a coup, or to weaken its defense, while guiding raiders to assault it, forcing the town to succumb.
And so far, their method is working in their favor, bringing authority, infrastructure, and peace into towns, along with monopoly, taxation and legitimate violence.
<<back>>
To Alvarez's surprise, this tavern has a bar, and it's quite lovely. And he thought the only bar in the desert was the bar in [[Oasis|t.Oasis]] town. <i>Hah, looks like I can throw this in his face when I get back, that old chump.</i> Alvarez thinks delightfully.
As the stranger comes in, the tavern falls silent, saving one drunk man singing a song poorly that Alvarez don't recognize. Pairs of eyes search him up and down while he's checking in.
"Welcome to Grand Vienna."
"One room. A night."
The owner turns around to fetch the key. When he returns to Alvarez, he lowers his voice: "Look, sir, you are aware you're in a guardsman's regular, right?"
"No."
"Well, let's just say they're a bit winded up recently. Just don't speak of anything against the city guard or the administrator, okay? I own this place and I don't intend to see it wrecked again, and you don't want your arse kicked, too."
"Understood."
"Good." He hands over the key, then says loudly, "Have a pleasant stay, sir."
[[1. Go to the room.|e.a.4.1]]To Alvarez's surprise, this tavern has a bar, and it's quite lively. And he thought the only bar in the desert was the bar in [[Oasis|t.Oasis]] town. <i>Hah, don't know if I'm gonna be forced at gunpoint to drink tequila with salt here.</i> Alvarez thinks delightfully.
As the stranger comes in, some give him a glance, then get back to their business. Two drunk men together are singing a song that Alvarez don't know. The air is heated, as if the murmur in the street finally finds the way out here. People discuss things enthusiastically, partially because of alcohol.
"Welcome to Belgrade Resorts."
"One room."
The owner turns around to fetch the key. When he returns to Alvarez, he lowers his voice: "Look, sir, you are aware of the current vibe, right?"
"No."
"Well, let's just say they're a bit restless recently. Just don't say anything about the administrator, or anything relating to... well, an uprising or riot or [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]], okay? I own this place and I don't intend to see it wrecked again, and you don't want to be in the middle of a mess when city guards rush in, too."
"Understood."
"Good." He hands over the key, then says loudly, "Have a pleasant stay, sir."
[[1. Go to the room.|e.a.4.2]]At the window overlooking the square, Alvarez wanders in thoughts. This city, unlike any town he knows, he doesn't know literally anything about it. The place seems well preserved, although the water doesn't come when he turns the tap. A small sign says something about time, from 7pm to 10pm, possibly about water supply period.
A clock on the wall indicates it's now 3:44. Alvarez takes his time rolling in the soft bed of his, smoke a few cigarettes. A day off wouldn't hurt much, so he thinks to himself. After a while, he again looks up at the clock, only to find it still says 3:44. The clock is not functioning.
He decides to do something.
[[1. And that something means going downstairs for a drink.|e.a.5.1]]At the window overlooking the square, Alvarez wanders in thoughts. This city, unlike any town he knows, he doesn't know literally anything about it. The place seems well preserved, although the water doesn't come when he turns the tap. A small sign says something about time, from 7pm to 10pm, possibly about water supply period.
A clock on the wall indicates it's now 3:44. Alvarez takes his time rolling in the soft bed of his, smoke a few cigarettes. He already has decided to take a break, and it feels good. After a while, he again looks up at the clock, only to find it still says 3:44. The clock is not functioning.
He decides to do something.
[[1. And that something means going downstairs for a drink.|e.a.5.2]]At the bar counter, he orders a double tequila. The crowd still seems quite winded up, but not particularly against him now. After the tequila, he orders a large beer. During this beer, he overhears a few snippets of things from a couple of guards sitting near to him: how the administrator's not seeing anyone for days in a row, how they feel an uprising is coming, how raider assaults are now more frequent and desperate and how peaceful the city was before [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]] comes from nowhere.
Wanting to learn further, Alvarez makes a toss. "I don't mean to overhear, but..."
[[1. "To hell with Oasis. They are virtually vultures."|e.a.5.1.0][$ea511 = 1]]
[[2. "Fuck the bandits. Those'd butcher a town just for fun."|e.a.5.1.0][$ea512 = 1]]
[[3. "Why'd they riot? You guys are protecting and providing well."|e.a.5.1.0][$ea513 = 1]]Alvarez is now out on the square, facing the dud bomb. The bomb shell is rusty, making it look brownishly black, with graffiti here and there. Beneath the bomb, the crowd that previously suspiciously gathered has gone, but the square's still in the hustle and bustle of the center of a city in daylight.
The administrator's mansion stands to the left of Alvarez. Across the square, he can see the other tavern there. To his right, there is a belltower.
[[Go to the mansion.|
[[Go to the belltower.|
[[Talk to a random bypasser.|e.rdt]]
<<if $mb neq 1>>[[Go to the other tavern.|e.a.6.1.1]]<<endif>><<if $mcode eq 1>><<if $mv eq 1>>[[Go back to Grand Vienna and report the mysterious code to Captain Marlow.|e.e.2]]<<endif>><<endif>>At the bar counter, he orders a tequila, a double one. The air still feels heated, and people barely restrain their whispers. After the tequila, he orders a large beer. During this beer, he overhears a few snippets of things from a couple of commoners sitting near to him: how the administrator's not seeing anyone for weeks and the hierarchy atrocity is ruining commoners' life, how raider assault are now more frequent and desperate and how prosperous [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]] can lead them to be, if the big people weren't so stupid and stubborn.
Wanting to learn more, Alvarez makes a toss. "I don't mean to overhear, but..."
[[1. "To hell with the administrator. They are preying on us."|e.a.5.2.0][$ea521 = 1]]
[[2. "Fuck the bandits, and the city guard ain't helping."|e.a.5.2.0][$ea522 = 1]]
[[3. "I just can't figure out why wouldn't they let Oasis in."|e.a.5.2.0][$ea523 = 1]]
<<set $mb = 1>><<set $mcode to 1>>Alvarez pays his bill and stands up, "Well, gentlemen, I've got places to go, so I'll leave you be for now."
Francis nods. He then looks up at the clock. It says 3:44. "Are you in hurry?"
"Not really."
"Then, Shane, I think I can trust you with one insignificant affair." Francis finishes his mug of beer. Jean thinks awhile, and says, "I think we can."
Alvarez waits for further explanation. Francis looks in his eyes, and asks: "To the right of Belgrade Resorts, there is one belltower. To the left, that is when you walk out of here. In the belltower, find a man by the name of Jacque. Afterwards, tell him this: 'Green ideas sleep furiously.'"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I am aware that this sounds like gibberish to you..." Francis says, but he seems that he can't find the way to explain it. Jean cuts in, "Let's say Jacque will deliver a parcel to us upon hearing that. We are here expecting someone, so we can't just go there and fetch it ourselves."
"Indeed what I want to say." Francis nods. "Can you do us this favour? It shalln't take you long."
"I'll bear this on mind." Alvarez simply replies, without giving a certain answer.
"That's a tricky answer, but wise." Francis smiles, "Please do. We are really looking forward to the parcel."
[[1. Leave Belgrade Resorts.|e.a.6.2]]"Yes. Especially now that the bandits get a bit restless. Not that we can't fend them off, but it's annoying. You look like a capable man, are you interested in joining us?"
"That's tempting, but no, I've got a job to do. Gotta get to [[Buffalo Point|t.buffalo2]]."
"Shame. But good hunting there, alright? It's swarmed with bandits. Or I should say, former bandits. But that doesn't make any difference, right, Mac?"
Mac'Orwell agrees. "Those hypocrites be damned. Now they bow their head to [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]] and they think they are clean and now. They are so wrong. You cowboy, eh?" He turns to Marlow. "5 dollars. I bet he's to hunt down an ex-bandit or two there."
Marlow shakes his head, "I'm not on it. He surely is."
Alvarez vaguely lies: "Some things cannot be forgotten, nor forgiven. I don't want to go into details, hope you fellas understands that much."
"Sure thing, pal, sure thing."
Alvarez changes the topic. "So why do people complain? I see you are doing a good job defending the town."
Marlow then sighs. "Why? We've got plenty reasons."
Mac'Orwell gives him a hiss, but that doesn't stop him.
"What's the matter, partner? The administrator's not seeing anyone for weeks. I can't tell if she's skipped town!" He turns to Alvarez, "That's one of the reasons. And then there's this water fee. It's been rising for the past three months. What can we possibly do? This year's especially dry. But commoners don't see that." Again he sighs.
"I see. But it ain't your fault. That's unfair." Alvarez says.
"Precisely. All while we are defending the city. I'd like to help the townsfolks you see, but that's not much we can do. The last thing I want is to stand toe to toe with them." Mac'Orwell opens up too.
Marlow narrows his eyes. "And I suspect there's [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]] work too. Like what they do to other towns that didn't yield. They do things to people's mind. And last week someone broke in our arsenal and --"
"That's enough, Cap." Mac'Orwell raises his voice. "We shouldn't be talking about this."
"Damn. You are right. Sorry, pal, not that I don't trust you."
[[1. Continue.|e.a.5.1.1.1]]
"You bet. [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]]'s trying to overthrow us. First they came offering us stuff we already have, in exchange for us yielding power to them. Then they work vile things against us after we turned them down." Marlow says in disciplined anger.
"Yep, those upstarts. Outta nowhere playing savior, distributing stuff buying leadership. And if you don't go by their book, they do bad things to you." Mac'Orwell adds.
"That's not the worst. See, I was once a militiaman, until Oasis came and replace our marshal with one moron knows nothing but licking their boots. And so I quitted, skipped town and now a freelance cowboy."
Marlow laughs. "I like him."
Alvarez changes the topic. "So why do people complain? I see you are doing a good job defending the town."
Marlow then sighs. "Why? We've got plenty reasons."
Mac'Orwell gives him a hiss, but that doesn't stop him.
"What's the matter, partner? The administrator's not seeing anyone for weeks. I can't tell if she's skipped town!" He turns to Alvarez, "That's one of the reasons. And then there's this water fee. It's been rising for the past three months. What can we possibly do? This year's especially dry. But commoners don't see that." Again he sighs.
"I see. But it ain't your fault. That's unfair." Alvarez says.
"Precisely. All while we are defending the city. I'd like to help the townsfolks you see, but that's not much we can do. The last thing I want is to stand toe to toe with them." Mac'Orwell opens up too.
Marlow narrows his eyes. "And I suspect there's [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]] work too. Like what they do to other towns that didn't yield. They do things to people's mind. And last week someone broke in our arsenal and --"
"That's enough, Cap." Mac'Orwell raises his voice. "We shouldn't be talking about this."
"Damn. You are right. Sorry, pal, not that I don't trust you."
[[1. Continue.|e.a.5.1.1.1]]
"You bet. [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]]'s trying to overthrow us. First they came offering us stuff we already have, in exchange for us yielding power to them. Then they work vile things against us after we turned them down." Marlow says in disciplined anger.
"Yep, those upstarts. Outta nowhere playing savior, distributing stuff buying leadership. And if you don't go by their book, they do bad things to you." Mac'Orwell adds.
"That's not the worst. See, I was once a militiaman, until Oasis came and replace our marshal with one moron knows nothing but licking their boots. And so I quitted, skipped town and now a freelance cowboy."
Marlow laughs. "I like him."
Alvarez changes the topic. "And the bandits see to be a growing problem. Sorry again for overhearing."
"That's fine. Now that the bandits get a bit restless. Not that we can't fend them off, but it's annoying. You look like a capable man, are you interested in joining us?"
"That's tempting, but no, I've got a job to do. Gotta get to [[Buffalo Point|t.buffalo2]]."
"Shame. But good hunting there, alright? It's swarmed with bandits. Or I should say, former bandits. But that doesn't make any difference, right, Mac?"
Mac'Orwell agrees. "Those hypocrites be damned. Now they bow their head to [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]] and they think they are clean and now. They are so wrong. You cowboy, eh?" He turns to Marlow. "5 dollars. I bet he's to hunt down an ex-bandit or two there."
Marlow shakes his head, "I'm not on it. He surely is."
Alvarez vaguely lies: "Some things cannot be forgotten, nor forgiven. I don't want to go into details, hope you fellas understands that much."
"Sure thing, pal, sure thing."
[[1. Continue.|e.a.5.1.1.1]]
The guardsman turns to Alvarez in delight. "Well said, friend, well said." Then to his friend he says, "See? I told you someone'd understand."
He pours the beer down his throat, leaving a satisfied sigh. Alvarez offers to buy him another round but he refuses, and instead buys Alvarez one. "Where're my manners. The name's Marlow and my fellow Mac'Orwell, captain and lieutenant of city guard. Who are you, kind stranger?"
"Shane, a traveling cowboy." Alvarez gives a random name.
Marlow narrows his eye. "What kind of cowboy?"
"The kind that kills bandits and raiders alike." Alvarez lies.
"Ha! Now we share something similar." Marlow gives a laugh and Mac'Orwell nods in admiration. <<if $ea511 eq 1>>"As we were saying, [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]]'s trying to overthrow our government. First they came offering us stuff we already have, in exchange for us yielding power to them. Then they work vile things against us after we turned them down." Marlow says in disciplined anger.
"Yep, those upstarts. Outta nowhere playing savior, distributing stuff buying leadership. And if you don't go by their book, they do bad things to you." Mac'Orwell adds.
"That's not the worst. See, I was once a militiaman, until Oasis came and replace our marshal with one moron knows nothing but licking their boots. And so I quitted, skipped town and now a freelance cowboy."
Marlow laughs. "I like him."
[[1. "And the bandits are worse."|e.a.5.1.1]]<<else>><<if $ea512 eq 1>>"As we are saying, the bandits get a bit restless now. Not that we can't fend them off, but it's annoying. You look like a capable man, are you interested in joining us?"
"That's tempting, but no, I've got a job to do. Gotta get to [[Buffalo Point|t.buffalo2]]."
"Shame. But good hunting there, alright? It's swarmed with bandits. Or I should say, former bandits. But that doesn't make any difference, right, Mac?"
Mac'Orwell agrees. "Those hypocrites be damned. Now they bow their head to [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]] and they think they are clean and now. They are so wrong. You cowboy, eh?" He turns to Marlow. "5 dollars. I bet he's to hunt down an ex-bandit or two there."
Marlow shakes his head, "I'm not on it. He surely is."
Alvarez vaguely lies: "Some things cannot be forgotten, nor forgiven. I don't want to go into details, hope you fellas understands that much."
"Sure thing, pal, sure thing."
[[1. "And Oasis pricks ain't helping."|e.a.5.1.2]]<<else>><<if $ea513 == 1>>Marlow then sighs. "Why are they rioting? I can't give you a certain answer, now that the uprising has not started yet. And let's hope it doesn't come to that. But anything that could lead to one? We've got plenty."
Mac'Orwell gives him a hiss, but that doesn't stop him.
"What's the matter, partner? The administrator's not seeing anyone for weeks. I can't tell if she's skipped town!" He turns to Alvarez, "That's one of the reasons. And then there's this water fee. It's been rising for the past three months. What can we possibly do? This year's especially dry. But commoners don't see that." Again he sighs.
"I see. But it ain't your fault. That's unfair." Alvarez says.
"Precisely. All while we are defending the city. I'd like to help the townsfolks you see, but that's not much we can do. The last thing I want is to stand toe to toe with them." Mac'Orwell opens up too.
Marlow narrows his eyes. "And I suspect there's [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]] work too. Like what they do to other towns that didn't yield. They do things to people's mind. And last week someone broke in our arsenal and --"
"That's enough, Cap." Mac'Orwell raises his voice. "We shouldn't be talking about this."
"Damn. You are right. Sorry, pal, not that I don't trust you."
[[1. "None taken. And speaking of which, Oasis ain't helping."|e.a.5.1.3]]<<endif>><<endif>><<endif>>
<<set $mv = 1>>Alvarez, Marlow and Mac'Orwell chat for a while, buying each other drinks after drinks. Though Alvarez comes for information mainly, he won't deny it's pleasant. For one, he's not been drinking for five days.
He decides to go check other places out while he's still sober, so he says: "Well met, gentlemen. I've got things to do now. Until next time."
Marlow waves him. "We need to get back to work soon too." He looks up at a clock hanging on the wall. "No. It's still a quarter to 4. Still plenty of time. Ciao, Shane."
[[1. Leave Grand Vienna.|e.a.6.1]]One of them turns to Alvarez in delight. "You can say that again." Then to his mate he says, "See? It's certainly not just us. Everyone gets angry. Care to introduce yourself, mate?"
"Shane, a cowboy." Alvarez gives a random name.
He pours the beer down his throat. Alvarez offers to buy him another round and he gladly accepts. "Obligated. I'm Francis, and this is Jean." Jean nods, acknowledging Alvarez's presence. "Just out of curiosity -- What kind of cowboy?"
"The kind that kills bandits and raiders alike." Alvarez lies.
"That's good spirit, but do bear this in mind: enemy from within is more toxic than from outside. I'm sure you know what I mean." <<if $ea521 eq 1>>Francis nods, "As you said, the big people are prey on us. The taxes they impose on us are ridiculous, you can't keep your beard without paying for it." Francis says in cold anger.
"What Francis is trying to say is that they are raising water fee again." Jean adds.
"True, but I'm also stating the fact that the taxation is extremely unreasonable. You look like a learned man, you know what reasonable taxation should be like: It's not about taking away what people have, but about providing people with what they need."
"You are talking about equity." Alvarez so speaks.
Francis smiles. "Precisely. I know you can comprehend."
Jean speaks to Alvarez: "And now that one's not shown his face for weeks -- It's peculiar, isn't it? She used to receive common folks once awhile, acting as she cared while we all know he never gives a shit."
Francis seems upset. "Language, Jean!"
"Sorry about that. Where were we?"
"That the man's not seeing people for weeks." Francis replies, "When she was receiving people, it would establish a notion that the administrator was solving people's problem. Though false, it stablises the situation."
[[1. "And now that he's gone, and the bandit issues are getting worse."|e.a.5.2.1]]<<else>><<if $ea522 eq 1>>Francis nods, "Yes, the bandits are getting desperate now. So far the city guard's still defending us, but they are ultimately protecting the vested interests group."
"And that's the administrator and his minions."
"Precisely. We are nothing more than stocks to them. Look, I'm not saying the city guards are bad people, what they are doing fits the job description. But once, I'm saying a what if case that may come true, once people uprise, their rifles will turn to us without a second thought."
Alvarez nods. "After all, they are paid to keep the big man safe, whether the threat comes from outside or inside."
Jean adds in a stoic tone. "And from the raiders' perspective, they are ultimately survivalists in this desert land."
"Thank you, Jean, I'm getting to that." Says Francis, "The bandits are getting restless and desperate at us recently, and one major factor pushing them is us not accepting [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]]'s terms. I don't mean what it may sound like." And Francis looks at Alvarez, as if he is testing him.
[[1. "Those who accepted Oasis's offer grow stronger, forcing the raiders to prey on the weaker towns."|e.a.5.2.2]]<<else>><<if $ea523 == 1>>Francis then sighs. "Why do they not accept such a gracious offer? Why, because that would mean the end of their autocratic reign."
Jean resents. "Which is ridiculous. A ruler giving up the chance that can great benefit his people, only to hold the claim of hie throne a bit longer. How pathetic!"
"That's the essence of monarch autocracy." Francis again sighs.
"That's very ugly." Alvarez says.
"Ugly indeed. Now as the most of the towns have accepted [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]]'s offer, they are very likely to outlast us, combining with other issues we are currently facing." Says Francis.
"And see what the big people can do with the money they'd collected from us, with the bandit wearing us out." Jean adds.
[[1. "And speaking of which, the administration's taking our wealth away."|e.a.5.2.3]]<<endif>><<endif>><<endif>>
Francis nods, "Yes, the bandits are getting desperate now. So far the city guard's still defending us, but they are ultimately protecting the vested interests group."
"And that's the administrator and his minions."
"Precisely. We are nothing more than stocks to them. Look, I'm not saying the city guards are bad people, what they are doing fits the job description. But once, I'm saying a what if case that may come true, once people uprise, their rifles will turn to us without a second thought."
Alvarez nods. "After all, they are paid to keep the big man safe, whether the threat comes from outside or inside."
Jean adds in a stoic tone. "And from the raiders' perspective, they are ultimately survivalists in this desert land."
"Thank you, Jean, I'm getting to that." Says Francis, "The bandits are getting restless and desperate at us recently, and one major factor pushing them is us not accepting [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]]'s terms. I don't mean what it may sound like." And Francis looks at Alvarez, as if he is testing him.
"Those who accepted Oasis's offer grow stronger, forcing the raiders to prey on the weaker towns."
Francis nods, then sighs. "That's what I'm trying to say. Why do they not accept such a gracious offer? Why, because that would mean the end of their autocratic reign."
Jean resents. "Which is ridiculous. A ruler giving up the chance that can great benefit his people, only to hold the claim of hie throne a bit longer. How pathetic!"
"That's the essence of monarch autocracy." Francis again sighs.
"That's very ugly." Alvarez says.
"Ugly indeed. Now as the most of the towns have accepted Oasis's offer, they are very likely to outlast us, combining with other issues we are currently facing." Says Francis.
"And see what the big people can do with the money they'd collected from us, with the bandit wearing us out." Jean adds.
[[1. Continue.|e.a.5.2.1.1]]
Francis nods, then sighs. "That's what I'm trying to say. Why do they not accept such a gracious offer? Why, because that would mean the end of their autocratic reign."
Jean resents. "Which is ridiculous. A ruler giving up the chance that can great benefit his people, only to hold the claim of his throne a bit longer. How pathetic!"
"That's the essence of monarch autocracy." Francis again sighs.
"That's very ugly." Alvarez says.
"Ugly indeed. Now as the most of the towns have accepted [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]]'s offer, they are very likely to outlast us, combining with other issues we are currently facing." Says Francis.
"And see what the big people can do with the money they'd collected from us, with the bandit wearing us out." Jean adds.
Francis nods, "They are prey on us, whilst the raider groups out there are planning to prey on the city. The taxes they impose on us are ridiculous, you can't keep your beard without paying for it." Francis says in cold anger.
"What Francis is trying to say is that they are raising water fee again." Jean adds.
"True, but I'm also stating the fact that the taxation is extremely unreasonable. You look like a learned man, you know what reasonable taxation should be like: It's not about taking away what people have, but about providing people with what they need."
"You are talking about equity." Alvarez so speaks.
Francis smiles. "Precisely. I know you can comprehend."
Jean speaks to Alvarez: "And now the administrator's not shown his face for weeks -- It's peculiar, isn't it? She used to receive common folks once awhile, acting as she cared while we all know he never gives a shit."
Francis seems upset. "Language, Jean!"
"Sorry about that. Where were we?"
"That the man's not seeing people for weeks." Francis replies, "When she was receiving people, it would establish a notion that the administration was solving people's problem. Though false, it stablises the situation."
[[1. Continue.|e.a.5.2.1.1]]
Francis nods, "As you said, the big people are prey on us. The taxes they impose on us are ridiculous, you can't keep your beard without paying for it." Francis says in cold anger.
"What Francis is trying to say is that they are raising water fee again." Jean adds.
"True, but I'm also stating the fact that the taxation is extremely unreasonable. You look like a learned man, you know what reasonable taxation should be like: It's not about taking away what people have, but about providing people with what they need."
"You are talking about equity." Alvarez so speaks.
Francis smiles. "Precisely. I know you can comprehend."
Jean speaks to Alvarez: "And now the administrator's not shown his face for weeks -- It's peculiar, isn't it? She used to receive common folks once awhile, acting as she cared while we all know he never gives a shit."
Francis seems upset. "Language, Jean!"
"Sorry about that. Where were we?"
"That the man's not seeing people for weeks." Francis replies, "When she was receiving people, it would establish a notion that the administration was solving people's problem. Though false, it stablises the situation."
Alvarez adds: "And the bandit problem is actually getting worse as we speak and them doing nothing."
Francis nods, "Yes, the bandits are getting desperate now. So far the city guard's still defending us, but they are ultimately protecting the vested interests group."
"And that's the administrator and his minions."
"Precisely. We are nothing more than stocks to them. Look, I'm not saying the city guards are bad people, what they are doing fits the job description. But once, I'm saying a what if case that may come true, once people uprise, their rifles will turn to us without a second thought."
Alvarez nods. "After all, they are paid to keep the big man safe, whether the threat comes from outside or inside."
Jean adds in a stoic tone. "And from the raiders' perspective, they are ultimately survivalists in this desert land."
"Thank you, Jean, I'm getting to that." Says Francis, "The bandits are getting restless and desperate at us recently, and one major factor pushing them is us not accepting [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]]'s terms. I don't mean what it may sound like." And Francis looks at Alvarez, as if he is testing him.
"Those who accepted Oasis's offer grow stronger, forcing the raiders to prey on the weaker towns."
Francis nods. "Precisely."
[[1. Continue.|e.a.5.2.1.1]]
Alvarez is now out on the square, facing the dud bomb. The bomb shell is rusty, making it look brownishly black, with graffiti here and there. Beneath the bomb, the crowd that previously suspiciously gathered has gone, but the square's still in the hustle and bustle of the center of a city in daylight.
A belltower stands to the left of Alvarez. Across the square, he can see the other tavern there. To the right of that tavern, is the administrator's mansion.
[[Go to the mansion.
[[Go to the belltower.
[[Talk to a random bypasser.|e.rdt]]
<<if $mv neq 1>>[[Go to the other tavern.|e.a.6.2.1]]<<endif>><<if $mcode eq 1>><<if $mv eq 1>>[[Go to Grand Vienna and report the mysterious code to Captain Marlow.|e.e.2]]<<endif>><<endif>>Rebel: Maximilien, Francis, Jean, Jacque, Eulalie, Mac'Orwell
Guard: Korolev, Marlow, Mac'Orwell
Ruler: Rosa Templo
Before Alvarez arrived at La Mancha
1. The year was especially dry, with very few rain. In response, the administration attempted to raise water fee, but it was rejected by Rosa, who cared more about the welfare of her people.
2. Oasis's attempt to aquire La Mancha peacefully was a failure. Hence, it bought some of the administrative board and urge them to impeach Rosa.
3. After the failed impeach attempt, tired of the corrupt nature of the other board members, she decided that she would skip town and let people decide what would become of La Mancha. Since then she's been funding the rebel.As the stranger comes in, the tavern falls silent, saving one drunk man singing a song poorly that Alvarez don't recognize. Pairs of eyes search him up. Before he goes to the bartender, the owner by the door salutes him. "Welcome to Grand Vienna."
Alvarez nods in response, but the owner instead waves him to come over. As Alvarez comes close, he lowers his voice: "Look, sir, you are aware you're in a guardsman's regular, right?"
"No."
"Well, let's just say they're a bit winded up recently. Just don't speak of anything against the city guard or the administrator, okay? I own this place and I don't intend to see it wrecked again, and you don't want your arse kicked, too."
"Understood."
[[1. Continue to the bar.|e.a.5.1]]As the stranger comes in, some give him a glance, then get back to their business. Two drunk men together are singing a song that Alvarez don't know. The air is heated, as if the murmur in the street finally finds the way out here. Before he goes to the bartender, the owner by the door salutes him. "Welcome to Belgrade Resorts."
Alvarez nods in response, but the owner instead waves him to come over. As Alvarez comes close, he lowers his voice: "Look, sir, you are aware of the current vibe, right?"
"No."
"Well, let's just say they're a bit restless recently. Just don't say anything about the administrator, or anything relating to... well, an uprising or riot or [[Oasis|t.Oasis2]], okay? I own this place and I don't intend to see it wrecked again, and you don't want to be in the middle of a mess when city guards rush in, too."
"Understood."
[[1. Continue to the bar.|e.a.5.2]]work in progresswork in progree
[[Go to the mansion.|
[[Go to the belltower.|
[[Talk to another random bypasser.|e.rdt]]
<<if $mb neq 1>>[[Go to the other tavern.|e.a.6.1.1]]<<endif>><<if $mv neq 1>>[[Go to the other tavern.|e.a.6.2.1]]<<endif>>
<<if $mcode eq 1>><<if $mv eq 1>>[[Go to Grand Vienna and report the code to Captain Marlow.|e.e.2]]<<endif>><<endif>>