Re: Hell or High Water
Indeed, the booming sounds coming from upriver were getting noticeably louder and had sped up in tempo. Whatever it was, it was getting close. Hidden by the trees and ruins on the bank.
From around a bend there came into sight a Mississippi paddlewheeler. Boats like this had been popular before the war as floating casinos, hotels, restaurants and tour boats. Whatever this one's former profession it had fallen on hard times! The pilot house was gone. The promenade deck below was lined with sandbags and behind those were a ragged crew waving long rifles of some kind and various hand weapons.
Formerly white paint was stained with rust and grime. One stack was missing and the other sheared off halfway up. The smoke that wafted out from the remaining half stack was probably not from a boiler (these boats had all once been electric or had diesel engines) but the paddlewheels in the back were completely removed. Instead, a series of oars protruded from the lower deck, dipping and pulling to the rhythm of the drum. On the bow an ancient cannon was mounted on some kind of ancient turn-table.
Four flat-boats with outboard engines roared around the corner as well. They were packed with filthy-looking scavvs, all armed with rifles of some kind and keeping low for cover.
Luke looked flabbergasted, he obvious has no idea who these people are or what they want, although the latter is pretty obvious!