((OOC: Zeke, Katy, and Belle are headed in the same general direction. Zeke and Belle are headed to Doc Cochran's, which has been established to be near the Woolly Buffalo, while Katy is headed to find Seth Bullock, who lives in the south of town. Thus, they run across this little encounter...which Trace is already involved in.))

September 17th, 1880. Late Afternoon. Carmichael's Livery, Deadwood, Sioux Nations

It's still drizzling as Zeke, Belle, and Ranger Cox make their way toward the south of town. As they reach the livery, they spot some trouble.

Several nasty-looking men with various flavors of firearms are huddled around the livery. All of them sport a silver badge with the letters DMA stamped on them.

One of the men is a vaguely familiar fellow with a mustache who has the air of a gunslinger about him. He's leaning against the stable wall, keeping a weather eye out.

Another, much rougher fellow with long scraggly hair underneath his hat and unkempt beard glares at the new arrivals and hefts his scattergun. It's not quite pointed at them, but it's tracking their movements.

Another hardcase, this one with a five o'clock shadow and well-worn trail gear, snarls at someone inside the livery.

"I ain't gonna ask you again, nigger." He growls. "You tell me about that horse there and the fella ridin' it, or I'm gonna tie  you up and make you dance a hempen fandango!"

((OOC: Make me a Common Knowledge check, please.))

Zek stares daggers at the man being very free with his weapon, and glared at the rest. "Lawmen." He says, his tone suggesting its some sort of disease. He cracks his knuckles and gets off his horse, making sure all the men can see he is not going for his weapon...and does not seem worried about facing them down at the same time.

(OOC:
15:25, Today: Ezekiel Starkweather rolled 5,8 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+2)8.  Common knowledge.)

Katy's sombrero was slowly getting wet in the rain, but she appreciated that it at least kept the rain out of her eyes for now. Her black duster was pulled closed against the weather, though her pistol was still in easy reach should such be necessary. It just wasn't being advertised as such. She turned her face toward Starkweather, though he wouldn't be the only ghost she saw today. A smile crossed her features at his seeming curse. "Ya know what's wrong with lawmen Zek? They ain't law-women." The punchline came with barely a pause. "Course those badges say 'D-M-A'. Don't think that's the law in town, so much. More of a militia-union hybrid."


OOC: CK of 10.

14:34, Today: Catherine Hays Cox rolled 1,10 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+4)10.  Common Knowledge.

In reply to Catherine Hays Cox (msg # 3):

"If you are trying to sell me on a better world run by the ladies, you don't need to make much effort, Katy." Zek said, keeping his voice low so the men won't hear them talking. "That's how I know God is a man. Only men can screw things up this bad..." He spits off to his left.

"And even if they ain't nice and official shiny badges-they are supported by those with the money and the guns in this area. That makes them the law round here-for better or much, much worse." He cracks his neck, in a way a normal person would strain themselves. "Now...what are we gonna do about it? They got a hostage..."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:43, Thu 30 Mar 2017.

Katy smiled at Zek's retort and patted him on the shoulder. "Union and Confederates start shootin' again, and ya jus' might have a country run by women. Won't be much else left." Probably could get everything running right again, too.

She looked over at the DMA men. "Nah, that jus' makes 'em bullies. Don't so much like bullies myself. Course askin' questions ain't zactly breakin' the law. However...those fellas don't seem like they wanna be seen doin' whatever it is they're doin'. I'm thinking ta start with...I'ma check on muh horse. Wanna join me?"

Two confederate outlaws, Hargrave thought, Bass...and Coltrane, one of the most ruthless enforcers Dixie Rails kept on their payroll.

Like as not, he stood to end up dead. But he couldn't leave an honest man like Carmichael to the mercy of such killers.

He lowered his rifle, letting the boot slide off of it to the ground. Shifting the weapon to his right hand, he called out to the gathering, "Excuse me! What seems to be the trouble here?"

Belle's mind was awash with theorems and profundities concerning mental illnesses, contamination, and government bureaucracies.

She cocked an eyebrow and looked at the scene.  What she was able to recall amidst all of this would color her forthcoming action.

19:58, Today: Belle Ivers rolled 7,5 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,5.  CK.

Also I'm going to go on charsheet and adjust potions since A) Belle had her chemistry set and B) she already made the roll for same.

The more dapper gentleman looks over at his buddies, and shrugs. "There's a dangerous bandit on the loose in town by the name of Darius Carter." He says. "And a brand new horse out in Carmichael's yard. Finding the horse Carter rode in on would make it much easier to track him down. Assuming it is his." He shoots Coltrane a glare. "Which we aren't 100% on, are we? Christ, Marty, do you really need to shout at the poor darkie?"

Coltrane scowls. "You stay out of this, Fish. The nigger's holdin' out on us."

"But I ain't, suh!" Comes a plaintive voice from within the blacksmithy. "I swayers it! The fella who brought this here horse...you talkin' to him right naow! I ain't never seen no Carter!"

In reply to Sam Bass (msg # 8):

"Sounds like you got your answer." Zek says, not thinking they could just go ahead with Katy's no doubt far more sensible plan. He glances over at Trace, not sure how the stranger figures in to all this.

"Why don't you just let him go now? After all, I doubt he will make your bounty,  right? " He gestures at the young black man, still out of sight. He decides if he can give Katy a distraction, maybe she can get the drop on them...or she can distract and he gets be he drop.

He does move towards the black smith shop. His hands in the air and he is clearly unarmed.

And the surprises just kept continuing. That was the voice of one Trace Hargrave, a man that Katy was quite happy to see again. "I can vouch for that. If this cowboy had been in town 'fore today, I'm sure I'da known about it."

She looked over toward Trace. "Hey, Trace, remember what sorta condition we found Bill Johnson in back in the day?" Her head tipped slightly in the direction of the outlaws.

Yay Overconfident Hindrance.

Belle wasted no time, this was an enemy of the sacred rail itself.  Though he seemed to be the more reasonable one here, this couldn't go unchallenged.  Hurriedly interjecting herself in the situation between the hapless stablekeep (?) referred to by terminology Belle herself didn't care to use, she accosted the infamous outlaw with the fiercest weapon in her diverse arsenal:

French.

"Arrive comme un chevue sur la soupe."  Belle introduced herself.  French idioms were the best idioms.  "Puis-je me permettre de vous demander votre nom? Mais attendez que vous soyez célèbre!"

Forgive me I obviously don't speak French and had to Google that last bit, hopefully it's conjugated correctly and the formal tense is sufficently sarcastic, and this next bit I didn't even bother...

"Monsieur Bass! [Language unknown: Resar sehas m manainbutoul enhiol nti sanurepro.  Al atebleeve aiinwe ll p honten artnotshe il era weica t u veroutons wh o ek stlar haswh aneviv ant ngecevho ugh wilforpre. ]Vous êtes raclure de bidet."  She then quickly added with a shrug, elixir in hand.  "Il faut appeler un chat un chat."  Belle smiled as if apologizing.  Her voice was upbeat and cheerful as if asking for an autograph.

What a long way to go for a Smarts Trick!

Bass nods. "Sure sounds like it. And ain't you the fella who was pullin' people out of the Bella Union earlier?"

The fellow with the beard blinks, and lowers his shotgun. "Oh, that wuz you?" he says, then coughs and spits on the ground. His ugly face splits into a grin. "Hey, good on ya! You gunna join uz runnin' that bastard down?"

Coltrane, on the other hand, glares at the approaching group. "This ain't none of your fuckin' affair." He grumbles, but he steps back away from the smithy.

Bass looks utterly bewildered at Belle as she approaches. "Er, yes, Ma'am. I suppose so." He says, obviously not understanding a word she's saying.

((OOC: roll me Smarts, then, and add a +2 bonus, as he has no idea what's going on.))

Hargrave took a pair of steps forward, addressing Coltrane with a calm, neutral tone. "Mr. Carmichael, he's telling you the truth," he said, "That paint stallion is mine. Has been for four years. He answers to Rio. Has a deep nick on his left ear. He's a good animal, if a little on the stubborn side."

Glancing over when Cox addressed the miners, he blinked in earnest surprise. "Katy? Is that you?"

In reply to Sam Bass (msg # 12):

"Yeah-that was me. And I saw the direction Carter hauled off to-and it was not this way." Zek lowered his hands-which still remained unarmed. He walked causally into the smithy-as it seemed the gang would not be trying to stop him. Zek does glance over at Belle and stare-seemingly a casualty in the confusion blast she had just released via her french. He further relaxes as the stranger is clearly familiar with Katy.

However, he need to be sure the man inside the smithy is safe before he can fully relax.

"Si mon tonton tond ton tonton, ton tonton sera tondu."  Belle replied.  She was just screwing with him now.

"If my uncle shaves your uncle, your uncle will be shaved."  One of the greatest sentences in French.

10:15, Today: Belle Ivers rolled 11,3 using d10+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 9,1.  Smarts Tricks Ought to be Called Derp Offs.

Katy nodded at Trace's question and couldn't help but smile at the sight of him. "It sure is me, cowboy. Awful nice ta see ya 'gain." She again wished there were more time for pleasantries, but unpleasantness always seemed to get in the way.

Her gaze went back over to the hardcases. "Now what's this 'bout Carter? Y'all lookin' ta collect on the bounty he's got on his head?"

Zeke sees a balding black man crouching behind the anvil, a hammer raised defensively. The man stares at him with wide, frightened eyes, but he seems alright.

Sam nods at that. "Reckon so. But he got to town somehow, and I don't think he walked. If we can keep him from his horse, that'll make it easier for the others to flush him out. I hear that's how they caught Jack McCall back in the day...he couldn't get to his horse, so he tried to steal one, and wound up snatching one that didn't have the harness on proper and slid right off into the mob's hands." He looks at Coltrane. "But I reckon that horse ain't the one we're looking for. Look, Marty, let's just leave Mad Dog here. If Carter comes by, he can blast off a round and we can come running."

"Sounds gud ta me." The bearded man says.

Coltrane scowls. "Would rather just shoot all the horses. Make damn sure he can't get away."

Sam just stares at him, horrified. He shakes his head as Belle speaks. "Uh...yeah...sure..." he mutters, attention clearly not on her.

The fellow with the shotgun shakes his head at Katy's question. "Bazterd's bounty iz high an all," He says, then hacks up another lungful of phlegm, which he spits to the side. "'scuze me. Anyhow, bounty's nice, but this here iz o-fishal DMA bidnezz. Carter's been bird-doggin' uz fer months, he and hiz Wild Bunch, and we reckon he knowz where they iz hid out in Spearfish. We find 'em, we can clean them claim jumpin', bushwhackin' bazterds out o' the Black Hillz ferever."

((OOC: 08:57, Today: Sam Bass rolled 3,3 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3.  Smarts Trick. Yup, that is a fail, and Belle gets a Raise as well.))

In reply to Sam Bass (msg # 17):

Zek shows his unarmed nature to the blacksmith-so at least he can be at ease around him. He heads back outside. "If Mad dog is gonna watch everywhere Carter might be, maybe he might watch it off the man's property-and out of shotgun range. Put everyone's minds at ease, right?" He wondered if the whole gang was here to rob the blacksmith-but what the hell would they steal? Only the horses, and they had already been seen by multiple witnesses.



"Maybe you would like to burn the town down too, just in case he is hiding in one of the buildings?" Zek said, staring at the man.

Katy's eyebrows raised a little at the response. "I have reasons fer tryin' ta find the Wild Bunch as well. 'Course it just might be they'll show up ta try'n help Carter. Ya say they're holed up in Spearfish?" Being new to the area, she didn't understand the Spearfish reference.

"That'd solve a whole mess of other problems." Coltrane mumbles, but he seems to be backing off.

Mad Dog shrugs and looks around. "Watch from where? Ain't gonna set no foot in no nigger bar, and if ya go into the Green Front without wantin' nothin' ta buy, the whorez get tetchy."

Sam nods points off to the west. "Spearfish Canyon, six miles that-a-way. Very rough terrain, and the Wild Bunch move all over the creek chasing pan miners. They've even gone as far north as that Sioux village, which pisses them off no end and gets them riled enough to send more patrols out to harass miners who ain't done nothing."

Belle's ears perked up at that.  Now this was really getting hairy.

She had to stop and pinch the bridge of her nose at the incredible (apparent) stupidity of some people.  One job.  They had one job.

"My my Sam Bass.  That's awfully convenient you'd show up here looking for the Wild Bunch.  Considering you're a notorious plague on the rail industry yourself, and I have half a mind to remand you into the custody of the nearest authorities this very instant.  How does it go, Monsieur Bass, did they cut you out of the action and you conned the DMA into getting your share, and then some, back?"

Going to use my Smarts Raise to startle him by suddenly speaking English to make him reveal something!

The outlaw laughs. "Would you believe it was a religious experience that sent me to the DMA? Sure, I robbed the Deadwood Stage, but the Wild Bunch were competition for my crew. And about nigh on a week ago, we had the strangest experience ever. We held up the stage, but out come this big black fella, preaching at us. We shot at him, but the bullets missed. This was at point blank range, mind you. A genuine miracle. Along with him was one o' them brokers -- you know, voodoo witch doctor types. Bullets didn't hit him, either. My crew skipped out on me, and the stage folk took me prisoner. But the big preachin' darkey convinced them to let me go. I've sort of lost my taste for hold ups, and decided to try out the straight and narrow for a change. Frank Bryant decided to overlook my sordid past."

Big preaching negro? Now, that sounds oddly familiar...

((OOC: hee...if you want the details, see The Deadwood Stage thread. This happened a looooong time ago IRL, and is fun to reference now.))

Hargrave remained where he was, but didn't say anything further, as it appeared that the DMA men were backing down, no longer pressing Carmichael so badly.

He glanced at Carver, studying the man for a moment. He needed to approach him, to serve Bearclaw's notice, but wisdom stayed his hand for the moment. He didn't want to do anything that would inflame the current situation further. But once the group began to disperse, he would speak to the miner.

He kept his rifle in hand, but lowered it, pointing it at the ground, adopting a stance that was plainly non-aggressive.

Zek turned to the blacksmith-as the ladies had the gang well in hand for the moment. "You want these fellas off your property?" He asked the man. "Are you worried about them coming back?" He asked quietly, as he did not want another hostage situation breaking out again.

Belle looked at the outlaw with a cocked eyebrow.

"Be that recollection as it may, and point blank shooting against a resisting opponent is notoriously difficult, it does not inspire confidence to hear your reaction to feelings of remorse is to run off to a paramilitary group of a provincial authority rather than turn yourself in to the authorities in those jurisdictions wherein you have offended.  No that casts a rather dark pallor on your proclamations of reform.

"How good is this information, I must wonder.  Huang Li would appreciate my delivering the titular 'wild bunch' a certain message."

Katy pondered what Sam said for a moment. She nodded at his suggestion that a religious experience caused him to change his ways. "So what've ya done ta try'n get ta the wild bunch? I'm wonderin' if mebbe some of us that're lookin' fer them might pose as simple miners - pannin' fer gold and whatnot. And mebbe if they come tryin' ta harass us, we try'n turn the tables on 'em?" Katy shrugged. Going in to root folk like that out of their hidey-holes was tough. If they happened to come out, though, they might end up being surprised themselves.

In reply to Ezekiel Starkweather (msg # 24):

Charmichael nods at Zeke. "Yes suh, I reckon I do, and I is powerful scared, suh."

At the mention of Huang Li, Coltrane and Mad Dog scowl deeper. "So you're with the Kangers, then?" Coltrane says.

Mad Dog meanwhile, scratches himself. "I dunno if dat'd wurk. You iz mighty purty fer a miner gal. They might not bite. And we think they'z got some kinda spy in Deadwood, feedin' 'em info on whoze got a good claim goin'. Yu'd have to spread some gold 'r rock around town to bait 'em."

Katy smiled at Mad Dog's compliment. At least someone still thought she was pretty. She knew that underneath her clothes were all manner of scars. Many had faded, but a few were still freshly healing. It was part of being a Ranger - or at least it was for her. Lucky for Katy, she didn't need to win a swimsuit competition any time soon to contribute to society. "That is mighty kind of ya ta say. Ain't so many miner gals out there I s'pose? So mebbe my part in it ain't actually doin' the minin'." Her face still had few enough marks of battle, thankfully.

In reply to DMA Thug (msg # 27):

Zek nods to the man. "Let's see if we can't send them on their way."

He nods and heads outside. Looking for the leader, he walks over to the man. "I think it's clear that Carter ain't here. You wanna get your men off this fella's land already? I think he's been scared enough don't you?"

Coltrane glares at Zeke. "You want to make me, boy?" He says, slowly and not subtly turning his gun on the man. "If not, then get out of my Goddamn business."

"Coltrane, we ain't here to fight." Sam says, his hand resting lightly on his pistol grip. "Unless you want one. With me." He levels a cool gaze at the Rail warrior.

At last, Marty slips his gun back into its holster. "Reckon we have better things to do anyhow." He glares at Zeke. "But I'm gonna remember this." He storms off down the street.

Mad Dog, oblivious to the tension, scratches his beard. "They'z a few. Pluz that lady what gamblez at Hobbeson'z Hole." he shrugs.

Sam Bass steps back from the confrontation and smiles at Mad Dog. "You mean Sibley? She's a miner."

"Ain't never seen her with no pick." Mad Dog grumbles. "Just a smile as she cleanz ya out."

Sam chuckles. "No, see, she mines the miners."

Mad Dog chuckles. "Guezz she doez, at thet. I'll keep watch here, then yeh? I wann hear more about thiz here plan."

((OOC: Marty attempts to Intimidate Zeke!

12:23, Today: Bloody Marty Coltrane rolled 1,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2.  Intimidation.

It's ineffective!

Sam Bass attempts to Intimidate Marty.

12:25, Today: Sam Bass rolled 13,3 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (10+3)13,3.  Intimidation. This is before I add in his Reputation and Strong Willed bonuses, which means he actually gets a 17.

12:26, Today: Bloody Marty Coltrane rolled 5,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5.  Resisting ToW.

It's super effective!

Mad Dog, meanwhile, doesn't notice any of this.))

There were so few words that could get Katy to ignore just about anything else that was happening around her. She prided herself on being able to take in a great deal of information and make quick decisions based upon what she knew.

However, Sam Bass had tripped over one of those words that caused Katy to focus on him. She acted non-chalant, but inside...there was at least a glimmer of hope. "This...Sibley gal? Can ya describe her? Mebbe I can act a bit like her if this ruse is gonna work." She resisted the urge to glance over at Trace. Surely his ears heard the same thing as hers.

"Well, she'z about yer height." Mad Dog says. "Ya got the dark hair, too. But you talk too Texan. She'z a Limey. Also, can ya sing or play poker? She singz purdy and she'z sharp wit the cardz."

Katy's breath caught at the mention of a Limey singer, though she continued as if it weren't particularly interesting. "Hm. Well, perhaps I need ta study her justa bit ta get it right." Katy paused, though not for too long. "Ya say she frequents Hobbeson's Hole? Where's that?"

Belle had meant to answer the curt fellow, but then he was buffaloed and quit the scene.  It was just as well, it was wasted on him anyway.

She started to open her mouth, but then realized as much as she had to confront the Wild Bunch if possible, she had no actual ideal how to do that.  Well, one step at a time.  This idea of luring them out seemed... strange, but a tried and true engineering heuristic was to suppose an outlandish solution and then suss through it; even if the original proposal failed it could reveal insights.

She said little for the moment and discretely put her phial away.

"Out in the Black Hillz." Mad Dog points out of town. "In Bear Gulch. 'Bout eight milez or so. It'z a tradin' pozt. Hobbeson gotz a loophole in the Sioux treaty, ya see. Long as he pays the monthly operatin' fee, he don't actually have to mine out no fundamentz." he chuckles. "Pretty clever, if ya think about it."

Zek's eyes blazed, and he was ready to deal with Coltrane once and for all. They where two of a kind in certain ways, and clearly it had just been decided they could not dwell in the same space. Of course Sam Bass had other ideas-and got in the way.

He let the man go-watching him carefully. When he claimed he would not forget, Zek said "Good." And stared at the man as he left. People like Coltrane would be prime harrowed material-and Zek had a theory if he did not have a head he could not return from the grave. Maybe.

Katy matched Mad Dog's chuckle. "Yeah, yeah it sure is clever. Course if I wanted ta go out that way...the Sioux may want me ta be parta the DMA, right? You, uh, gotta way ta make it seem like I'm in the DMA in case we come across a Sioux patrol?"

Hargrave continued to hang back, keeping clear of the conversation. Cox had seemed to have a gift for calming people, keeping crowds under control, and it appeared that she'd managed to settle the miners' tempers for the most part. He didn't want to contribute any confusion by adding his voice to the mix.

He kept watch on Coltrane as he vacated the livery, starkly aware of the man's capabilities, and pleased that the harassment of Mr. Carmichael was at an end. From time to time, he glanced back at Carver, hoping that he wouldn't bring things to a boil again by serving Bearclaw's notice to him. The miner appeared to be quite congenial with Cox. Helpful, even.

Mad Dog shrugs. "Join up, mebbe? Membership tain't but one percent of yer take pluz two bits per month, and Frank Bryant hires on good gunhands if'n ya ain't keen on diggin'. You payz your duez, keep a weapon in gud repair, spend one day a month out on patrol, and you're in the clear az far az the DMA's concerned."

"You have the air of the military about you." Sam Bass says. "Ex-Ranger, perhaps? We could use someone with those talents in the militia."

Katy looked pursed her lips and mulled it over. "Two bits plus one day a month? Ain't s'bad. Milita work pay at all, or jus' eliminate need fer payin' a cut? I done law enforcement before. Been both a deputy and a sheriff. If yah gotta spot in the milita, might be I'm intersted."

Sam nods. "Hey Mad Dog..." he tosses a gold eagle to the miner. "Why don't you go grab us a table at the Green Front? I'll stand us a round, and we can watch the stable from afar if Carter comes by."

"Soundz gud ta me." The miners says, and waves at the group. "Ya'll comin?" He ambles into a nearby saloon, which does, as advertised, have a green false front.

Sam smiles, then taps Katy on the shoulder and whispers something.

Katy looked over at Mad Dog, but then leaned closer to Sam to hear what he had to say. She nodded a little when he was done. Her gaze went over to Mad Dog. "I'll catch ya up soon."

She waited for the others to make their intentions known, but it was apparent she still had some business with Sam Bass.

Zek kept his eyes on Bass's men, and headed over to Katy. After Sam whispers to her and walks off, Zek leans in and whispers himself.

Katy nodded at Zek and moved in to whisper something back. "Hey, thankee fer actin' as the heavy. Makes it easier fer me ta be the honey when I'm with someone like ya."

She did then move back close to Sam, seeming to still need a private word with him.

In reply to Catherine Hays Cox (msg # 44):

Zek snorts in a humorous response. "Nothing to thank me for. I think it's always been that way. Besides, I can't recall when I ever have been described as the 'honey'."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:47, Wed 05 Apr 2017.

((OOC: Going to give Belle and Trace a chance to respond here.))

Belle cracked her neck, rotating her head in curiosity.

"Huh."  She hadn't foreseen that, and all the childish whispering was strange to her, but she let it go as a symptom of the mass hallucinations.

Not really much else for Belle to react to, she is very interested in what the Wild Bunch are up to and doesn't trust Sam Bass and doesn't trust others who may be suffering from delusions to mind Sam Bass, but there's another conversation being held here she's not privy to.

Hargrave stooped down, collecting the boot for his rifle and sliding it over the weapon. Shouldering the firearm, he watched for a moment as Cox and her two companions continued their conversation with Bass. Uncertain about what was transpiring, he let his eyes follow Carver as the miner made his way to the nearby saloon.

Once Carver and his friends had entered, Hargrave stepped over to the saloon, pausing to consider the green front of the structure, before peering into a nearby window, trying to gain a sense of how large of a crowd was present, and how many friends Mad Dog had with him.

some mood music

Carver leads the others inside the Green Front, which turns out to be fairly busy. It's getting into the time of day when people start seeking drinks and companionship, and the Green Front seems to have both. The soiled doves eye the new arrivals, while a number of miners chat up ladies or hang out at the bar. A couple of them have visible DMA badges -- Carver wouldn't be alone in a fight.

The miner leads them to a table near the window. "What're ya havin'?" He asks them.

---

Outside, Sam Bass speaks to Katy in a low voice.

OOC: Looks like 2 raises. She apparently knows quite a bit about it.

21:19, Today: Catherine Hays Cox rolled 12,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+4)12,5.  Common Knowledge.

Katy nodded her head slowly and responded in similarly hushed tones.


She paused and licked her lips for a moment, though her gaze didn't drift from Sam Bass. She then spoke quietly again.

She pushed the brim of her hat up just a little, leaned in a little closer, and continued quietly speaking.

Katy moved her face a little further away, having finished saying what she needed to say about the offer.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 05:26, Thu 06 Apr 2017.

Zek moved to the bar, getting a drink he will never actually use. Then he will walk to a place where he can see all the exits and entrances to the place while keeping his eyes on the two ladies and their new friend. He makes sure to get a table big enough for the others in case they want a word with him.

Sam nods, and says something back.  He grimaces.

"Grenadine and water."  Belle specified.  "And leave the bottle."

She retrieved a small phial of a blue liquid from a duster pocket, one with an elastic wrapped around it, holding a miniature dropper.

She had been doing a lot of listening lately, and was rather tired of that.  After putting two drops of her liquid in the tonic water and swishing the liquid around, she was satisfied it was  99 44⁄100% free of arsenic, lead and vitamin B.

Her paranoia thus quelled, she walked to Sam Bass' table like she owned the place.

The crowd does not seem particularly interested in the new arrivals, leaving them free to chat among themselves.

((OOC: So, do you guys want to do an Interlude here? Or is Trace going to tell Mad Dog he's out of a home?))

Belle is out to shake down Sam Bass for information about the Wild Bunch, as they have Lost the Plot and she is Not Happy About This.

Katy nodded at Sam, and spoke to him one more time.

Katy seemed like she was almost finished with Sam, as her body was starting to lean toward the saloon where the others had gone.

Sam shrugs at Katy's question. He speaks back.

He follows her into the Saloon and pulls up a chair near the others. Mad Dog slides a whiskey his way after he sits down. He looks at Belle. "Got somethin' on your mind?" he asks.

Katy took a seat next to Trace when she made her way into the Saloon. "Well, cowboy, if yer intersted, seems like we might have a way ta get out ta Spearfish Canyon. I'ma join the DMA an' work on their Wild Bunch prollems. Sure would like ta have ya watchin' my back."

The Ranger looked over at Belle and Zek. "Same goes fer y'all as well. Wild Bunch izza buncha trouble. The sooner we find 'em, the better. If ya wanna help, join up wit me an we can take care of 'em once and fer all."

In reply to Catherine Hays Cox (msg # 58):

Zek paused, and nodded. "I will go, but I gotta tell ya that Sooner or later-I have to return to the old man. I sorta...got a long term job with him-and it comes first." He did not seem happy about that, just resigned to it.

Hargrave managed a smile. "Well, I'm still the same no account drifter who's a fair shot with a rifle. But if you need me to watch your back, I most certainly will."

"I know you and Mr. Bass spoke a bit, but I didn't hear much of what was said. I was...distracted. I wanted to be sure Mr. Carmichael was treated fairly. This canyon you're talking about. Is that where this Wild Bunch you're hunting is thought to stay?"

Katy nodded at Trace's question. "Yup, Spearfish is where the Wild Bunch are suspected ta be hidin', an it seems they're likely operatin' near there. Course I need ta take a trip out ta Bear Gulch first and visit Hobbeson's Hole. Seems like there's a lady named Sibley there I might jus' be able ta impersonate. Gotta meeter first, an' I'ma need someone ta watch my back while I ride out that way, too. And I'm sure Isabelle wouldn't mind seein' Rio 'gain."

"Indeed there is sir."  Belle answered plainly.  When Cox made intonations, Belle could only nod.

"Very well.  I will make this plain.  It may not be much, but all I have ever had in this life is the railroad.  I suffered a tragic setback when Denver-Pacific closed its spurline, as my services were no longer necessary.

"I have regressed in the industry back to the level of mechanic, which I admit is an entertaining profession, but one I wish to retire to once age makes my higher calling less tenable.  The engines tell me a story in their sabotaged drivetrains and scorched blastmarks, that they are preyed upon by wicked men with no respect for the Iron Horse, a poetic sobriqet if there ever was one for the very machine which heralds the wonders of tomorrow yet to come.

"No, my talents are better spent preventing the damage from occurring.  However I suffer a certain... pigment deficiency, and my Cantonese while understandable still has a horrible anglophonic accent to it, seeing as I learned it as a pidgin language originally and it took considerable effort to establish literacy.  I believe if I could find out what the Wild Bunch has done with certain stolen property, I could put in a much better case for promotion that would help Iron Dragon overlook these differences.

"So I come on the condition I be allowed to interrogate with these men.  However, I need no cut of any bounty or reward, as my recompense will come elsewhere."

Mad Dog give Belle a glazed look, as if he only understood one word in twelve. But at "Iron Dragon," he blinks. "You wurk fer the Kangerz?" he asks.

"It would indeed be interesting to figure out what the Wild Bunch has done with their stolen goods." Bass says. "As they certainly don't seem to be spending much of it in town. This is the only place I can think of within two hundred miles where any creature comforts might be had."

Mad Dog leans back in his seat. "Weren't so bad when theyz wuz just robbin' the trainz. Then they started hittin' the chink'z minez. That still weren't so bad, but now theyz robbin' everyone. And the Goddamn savagez...they don't seem to do nothin'. Any other good Christian folk theyz catch, they drag to Deadwood behind a horze. But not the Wild Bunch. Awful fishy, if you azk me."

Belle patted her bandoleer of railspikes.  "These are not merely fashion accessories sir.  Though I am told they are haute couture in the salons of Chattanooga."

"Yeah, but I thought wit thet get-up you wuz some sort o' Madgirl, like them az wurk fer Hellstromme or Smith Robards." He takes a drink. "Ya know, they'z gotz a Madgirl, too. She tearz around wit a jetpack an' a gun that shoots stickz o' dynamite, laughin' her head off."

"Well I suppose that is partially accurate, as Denver Pacific is a subsidiary enterprise of Smith and Robards.  However I am mostly self taught.  Mostly."

She tapped her chin, bemused with this fellow.

"Madgirl, what a colloquially nuanced expression.  I think I can prepare a counter to such a tactic as that before we leave.  Do you have any other intelligence?"

The miner tilts his head and scowls. "You callin' me dumb?"

"No, she wants to know if you know more about the Wild Bunch." Sam says.

"Oh." Carver shrugs. "Ummm...they'z got more mad science stuff. Flamethrowaz, gatlin' riflez, vests what bounce bulletz off'n 'em, thet kind o' thing. Lord knowz where they'z gettin' it. Virgil sed somthin' about them goin' into Satan'z Garden an' wranglin' some kinda fire lizzerdz, but I dunno if I believe thet."

Katy paid close attention to the information about the Wild Bunch. It all seemed to confirm other rumors she'd heard. "Awful fishy as ya say. As fer where they're gettin it - possible they mebbe gettin' supplied by one o' Kang's rivals. Course that makes 'em extra dangerous. S'also fishy they ain't spendin' anythin' in Deadwood. Least not s'far as is known. So they mebbe gotta few folks here helpin' 'em out."

She shrugged. "Though I ain't sure how much where it's comin' from matters right now. Knowin' that they're well-supplied an' dangerous is mostly what we need ta know goin' in. If we c'n find out who's supplyin' em, well, that'll be a nice result from interrogation."

In reply to Mad Dog Carver (msg # 67):

When Carver mentions the mad science gear, Zek perks up a bit. "I might be able to track them by their gear." He offered, knowing such things had a link to the hunting ground.

Sam raises an eyebrow. "And how do you plan to do that?"

Belle contemplated that.  "It's not implausible in principle.  The aetheric detritus from heavy use of such a concentration of sufficently advanced devices would be detectable with precision instruments, though the mystery of how one does this without a purpose built device eludes me."

Hargrave remained silent, half listening to the conversation, while partially lost in his own thought. Could the Sibley in the canyon be...his sister? Although he wanted to feel buoyed by the prospect of finding her once more after all of these years, the weight of the numerous disappointments he'd faced kept him from claiming too much hope. It could easily be an entirely different person, another traveler come to Deadwood to seek her fortune.

As he listened to the description of some of the armaments and creatures the Wild Bunch had access to, he found his thoughts drifting back to Socorro. Once again, the strange, unspoken secrets of this frontier reared their heads. It stood to reason. The Texas Rangers wouldn't likely be drawn to the mundane. Even so, some of it still sounded outlandish. But given what he knew, it didn't seem prudent to dismiss the accounts out of hand. There was almost certainly some truth to the tales.

Zek stares at Belle as she offered an explanation. "Ummm...what she said. Sorta. Won't know until I try." He offered.

"Soundz gud." Mad Dog says, finishing off his drink.

Sam nods. "Well, I have to go see what Coltrane's up to. If I catch up with Bryant, I'll let him know you're coming by." He stands and tips his hat. "Ladies. Gentlemen."

Then he heads for the swinging doors.

((OOC: I think you've learned all that you can about this for now. Unless you guys have anything else to ask Mad Dog, we can move on and you can do what you were initially planning on before this interruption.))

Belle wasn't happy about letting Sam Bass walk, but this issue with the outlaws was pressing.  The details of their subsequent rendezvous were unclear, but it couldn't be helped.

She had a self appointed rendezvous with a man who had suffered a recent accident.

Katy nodded at Sam's parting words. "It'd be appreciated."

Her gaze drifted back over to Belle, Zek, and Trace. "So where y'all headed? We don't need ta sign up fer the DMA this moment, but I also don't wanna wait too long. Long enough fer Bryant ta know some new recruits might be comin'."

((OOC: Well? I know where Belle is going. What about Zeke and Trace?))

Hargrave frowned, momentarily lost in thought as he considered the current situation. The last thing he wanted to do was to put the pursuit of the Wild Bunch in jeopardy. "I came here from the mining office," he explained, "I probably need to return there briefly."

Katy nodded at Trace's response. "You...wanna walk with me fer a bit? I'ma just stoppin' by ta say hello to a couplea folks in town. I'll head ta the minin' office with ya once that's done?"

"I've an appointment to keep."  Belle responded simply.  "I shall rendezvous upon its completion."

Sorry missed that Cox had talked to her somehow!

Katy nodded at Belle's plan. "Sounds good ta me. We can all meet outside the DMA."

The ranger looked around briefly, then leaned in so only Belle, Zek, and Trace could hear. "The thing that Sam Bass wanted ta say ta me in private? He thinks there might be some folk inside the DMA responsible fer makin' the Sioux look bad. Like they wanna help war break out. Once we're on their payroll, I'ma try ta figger out who it might be. Seems they like bigots an folk that're intersted in stokin' hostilities. Sam Bass has an inklin' that someone on the inside killed those dozen miners a couple weeks back. I happen ta know that the timin' of Custer's march is a bit suspicious if 'twere in response ta the deaths of the miners. Like someone from Deadwood had ta bring him that news." She shrugged. "Though that could be a whole lotta folk, mebbe it's connected."

Hargrave nodded in response to Cox's question. "Of course, ma'am. I'll be glad to come along with you."

He listened closely to her explanation of her communications with Bass, the gravity of the situation coming into sharp focus. He'd seen firsthand in the Rail Wars how senselessly lives could be wasted, including those of his own family. He certainly didn't want to watch more blood being shed in another needless conflict. It may well have been false hope that brought him to Deadwood, but at the least, he could try to do a little good while he was here.

"As long as the Coot don't need me for the moment, I got nothing else going on." Zek replies.

((OOC: So the party is splitting for a bit? Belle headed to he doctor's office, the rest of you to the Office of Mining Affairs?))

OOC: Katy is still planning to visit Seth Bullock. She is hoping to catch up a bit with Trace while going there, and then she'll head to the OMA. She expects to see Belle at the OMA after they've both finished their errands.

Katy looked over at Zek. "Trace and I are off ta pay a quick visit ta Seth Bullock. Yer welcome ta come with us, go with Belle, or jus meet us all at the DMA."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:38, Tue 02 May 2017.

In reply to Catherine Hays Cox (msg # 86):

"Might as well go with you, as Belle as personal matters that need attending." Zek said, nodding. "As long as you are ok with it."

Katy smiled at Zek. "I am completely fine with that so long as ya don't mind some chatter 'mong old friends catchin' up. Course mebbe it'd be good fer ya ta share some 'bout yerself while we walk? Can't say I know so much 'bout ya."

In reply to Catherine Hays Cox (msg # 88):

"Not much to tell...sorta a sad story most people would rather forget. Especially me." He shrugged. "I am sure there is a much better story in how you ended up a ranger."

Hargrave remained quiet as he walked alongside Cox and Starkweather, listening to their conversation as his eyes took in the sights of Deadwood, still taken aback by some of the destruction that had been visited on the town.

Katy tipped her head a little to the side as they began to walk toward where she understood Seth Bullock lived. "Well, that may be a tale of some interest. But if I'm gonna share...all's fair ta hear yer story as well, right?" She looked over at Trace, and spoke softly to him. "And I wanna hear 'bout watcha been upta as well, Trace. It's been a while since yer last letter."

She didn't wait for agreement from either man, rather she expected her words to hold weight. "Well, becomin' a Ranger weren't 'zactly my plan all along. My folks had a small ranch near San Antonio, so I been ridin' and wranglin' cattle since I were knee-high. Actually grew up nearby Logan West - we've known each other quite some time now. Anyway, I spent a lotta time learnin' how ta ranch from my folks, but my uncle was a different influence on me. Ya mighta heard o' John Coffee Hays, though he went by Jack. Little more well known in the South than up this way, though. Anyway, he taught me a bit about shootin' and trackin' back when I was still growin'."

Katy nodded, seemingly to herself. "Not long after the war broke out, I got married ta a fella named Richard Cox. He was a nice fella, steady gentleman. Course like so many fellas 'round my age, he got conscripted in 1862. I never saw him 'gain. Not only him, but like I said, lotta fellas round my age and older never came back. Left a bit of an emptiness behind, such that a gal like me, well, I first got deputized in San Antonio. Then I became a Sheriff in Kerrville a little later. Meanwhile, Uncle Jack, well, he was a risin' star in the Rangers - and them's the Rangers as we know 'em today."

She shrugged. "Didn't take long fer me ta wanna join him in the ranks o' Rangers. Course there was just one prollem with that - my anatomy didn't match so well with the rest o' the Rangers. Uncle Jack also didn't zactly encourage me ta join, neither. Course both those things just made me wanna become parta the Rangers even more. But I hadta bide my time. There were plenty o' outlaws in Texas ta chase, and some over the border too. So I kept busy enough chasin' folk what needed chasin. But in '77, my dream finally came true. The Rangers lifted their ban on women as parta their ranks, so I joined right up over Jack's objections. And soon understood why he didn't want me ta pursue my dreams."

She bit her lower lip for a moment. "Ya see, that dream became a bit of a nightmare. I think ya both know summa the sortsa stuff I've seen over the last few years. 'Course as soon as I was in the club, Uncle Jack was forthcomin' with a lot. Sometimes it's nice ta have family high up. Course sometimes it ain't, as folks do expect a lot from me. So far I've delivered, though."

She looked at the two men with which she was walking. "So that's the story of how I became a Widow, then a Deputy, then a Sheriff, and then a Ranger, at least the short-ish version. Ain't averse ta answerin' questions if ya got 'em, but ya both owe me some stories of yer own."

"Yup-that sounds like the rangers. Would not know a good thing if it bit them in the hindquarters. Its good they lifted the ban finally." Zek said, shaking his head at some parts of her story and nodding at others. "I don't suppose you ran into the Whateley's before? I am always looking to expand my list of those bushwackers when I can."

Katy smiled at Zek's commentary about the Rangers. "Yeah, I don't approve of everthin' they do, and that particular point'll stick with me fer a long time. But most Rangers have their hearts in the right places, like my uncle. But not all, o'course."

Katy pursed her lips at the question about the Whateleys. "Sure I've run across 'em before. Also read reports about some of 'em. Course we haven't kept as close a watch on 'em as I'd like, as I was rather surprised ta see Nicodemus Whateley show up here. Weren't so surprised he's an ass. He supposedly was parta the group that caused some pretty big prollems in Gomorra. Course he disappeared for a bit after that, apparently travellin' east."

Her gaze drifted to Trace for a moment, then back to Zek. "Parta the reason I'm here is ta find an Elmira Whateley. She's a person of interest in a case I've been charged with investigatin'. Also had some run-ins with the New Orleans branch of the family. They're in cahoots with Bayou Vermillion. Trace and I ran inta some trouble that had their fingerprints all over it, bout three years ago now?"

She shrugged. "Anyway, Rangers generally have a policy of watchin' what they're up ta and bein' cautious round them. Course that didn't help so much when that Whooperwill decided ta shoot me in the back." The way Katy said that last phrase made it apparent she relished the chance to get back at the ghost.

Hargrave listened attentively as Cox shared her story. He'd heard some of it when he'd ridden with her into New Mexico three years prior, but not in such a clear, concise form. It gave him new respect for all that she'd faced and how she'd likely had to struggle for the respect of her peers in the Rangers, all the while facing horrors like the dead that had wandered Socorro.

Her mention of Bayou Vermillion brought his thoughts back to the last days he'd spent in that lawless Texas town and all that had befallen the Johnson family. The memory brought an unexpected surge of sadness, prompting him to glance at the scar on his forearm, the leaving of the wound he'd inflicted on himself in an effort to draw the dead to him. He wondered if he was capable of the same sort of selflessness now. The intervening years and his exposure to the iron grip that greed held on some people's souls had worked a deep cynicism in him, a mistrust in others that he hadn't had previously, even in the midst of the Rail Wars. Before, he had entertained the idea of settling on some land of his own, once he had some assurance that Sibley was safe. Now, he'd come to accept the fact that he would likely remain a drifter for the remainder of his days. A traveling gunman.

"I truly hope your Uncle Jack is proud of you, ma'am," he said, "He should be, with all that you've accomplished."

He shifted his attention to Starkweather. "If you wouldn't mind me asking, sir, what is behind your hunt for the Whateleys? Were they responsible for some harm to you or your family? I'll tell you honestly, it was the harm that befell my brother and his wife that led me join the Rail Wars when I was younger."

In reply to Trace Hargrave (msg # 94):

Zek nodded at Trace's question. "They are a bunch of cowards who hide in an invisible house and feed people to it. They tried that with me, and I have no doubt they tired it with others too. I managed to get out, but never found the house again to burn it to the ground. Now they send monsters to try and finish me off, but all they end up doing is killing a lot of innocent people with their efforts. They think their mojo gives them the right to do anything to anyone anytime they feel like."

Hargrave nodded as Starkweather gave his explanation. "When my siblings and I first came to America, I think we all believed the stories about the frontier. How the West was a place of endless opportunity. But...over the years, from what I've seen, it seems there's many people out here that are so hungry for what they want, they can justify anything they do in the course of that pursuit, including the destruction of innocent lives." A tinge of bitterness was evident in his tone. "I'm truly sorry for all you've been through."

He glanced over at Cox. "I know Logan West, ma'am. I had occasion to help him with some business he was attending to almost two years ago. He's a good man."

"Can you...tell us more about this Elmira Whateley? Is she...involved in the same sort of endeavor that we ran across in Socorro?"

Hargrave nodded as Starkweather gave his explanation. "When my siblings and I first came to America, I think we all believed the stories about the frontier. How the West was a place of endless opportunity. But...over the years, from what I've seen, it seems there's many people out here that are so hungry for what they want, they can justify anything they do in the course of that pursuit, including the destruction of innocent lives." A tinge of bitterness was evident in his tone. "I'm truly sorry for all you've been through."

He glanced over at Cox. "I know Logan West, ma'am. I had occasion to help him with some business he was attending to almost two years ago. He's a good man."

"Can you...tell us more about this Elmira Whateley? Is she...involved in the same sort of endeavor that we ran across in Socorro?"

Katy listened to what Zek and Trace had to say, nodding a few times as she listened to what they had to say. Her eyes narrowed a bit and her face took on a slightly hard edge when Trace addressed her again. "Trace, ya keep callin' me ma'am and we're gonna have words." Katy could be sharp-tongued when it was needed, though a cause rarely arose with her friends.

Her tone softened considerably. "That said, yes, I think my Uncle Jack is quite proud of what I've accomplished, and possibly a bit impressed that I'm still among the livin'. And bein' family, well, there're certain things he trusts me with over anyone else in the Rangers as he knows with certainty I'd never betray his trust." She saw Trace checking out the scar from his self-inflicted wound in Soccorro. Most of her scars from back then had scars on top of them. Enough that she'd lost track of which were which at this point. She did point to it. "That's still the most heroically selfless act I've ever seen."

Her attention went back to Zek and the question about the Whateleys. "An invisible house that eats people? Sounds like somethin' ta add ta the list. First priority, though, is joinin' the DMA so we can head out and find this Miss Sibley. Then we can deal with the Wild Bunch who seem ta be a pressin' prollem. And then, if ya don't mind some help with yer work Zek, we can take down that house. Mebbe I'll just find Elmira that way."

The Ranger looked over again at Trace and nodded at his comment about Logan. "He was a good lad, too. Got some catchin' up ta do with him, but it seems like he ain't gone bad or soft."

Katy pursed her lips. "As fer Elmira, no it ain't the same sort we ran across in Soccorro. It had more ta do with, er, wolves what did some strange things in her presence."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:37, Thu 04 May 2017.

In reply to Catherine Hays Cox (msg # 97):

"The Whateleys are no short term problem, that's for sure. I am gonna be sorting that mess out for years to come, assuming they don't get lucky first. " He shrugged. "I can lend a hand with the DMA...whatever that stands for."

Katy nodded at Zek's response, and she was starting to have similar emotions to his where Whateley's were concerned. She furrowed her brow briefly, but then quickly enough provided information on the DMA.

"Deadwood Miner's Alliance is what DMA stands fer. Parently run by a fella name of Frank Bryant, long with several of the original Deadwooders. The DMA is part miner's union, part militia - which is where we come in. Members pay dues ta the DMA and haveta serve least one day a month on patrol. In return they can count on the DMA's protection 'gainst the Sioux, and some loan and bankin' services ta help miners pay the Sioux's operatin' fees."

In reply to Catherine Hays Cox (msg # 99):

Zek frowned at that. "Well, that's a problem. I won't kill the Sioux, if that comes up. Hopefully it won't, but I am telling you now..." He said.

Katy shook her head. "Don't think members o' the DMA have much prollems with the Sioux, but I assure ya that talkin' would be my first inclination with em. Bein' parta the DMA gives us legal right ta be in the hills. I presume there's a way fer that ta be made known ta any patrol we run across."

In reply to Catherine Hays Cox (msg # 101):

"We will see. It's hard to trust these sorta things-given the history of such deals." He shrugged. "Still, as long as we are clear on the rules I follow, I am game."

Hargrave looked to the ground. "I'm sorry ma...Rang...Katy. It's a long ingrained habit."

"Wolves..." he repeated quietly when Cox spoke of Elmira Whateley. He hesitated to ask for further details, his imagination skittering over the innumerable horrors the woman could be involved in.

After Cox and Starkweather spoke further, he said, "I'm afraid I share Zek's concern. It may be in part due to my own experiences in my homeland, but I'm sympathetic to the Sioux and their concerns. I don't want to act against them. In fact, I need to return to the Mining Office before we depart. When I first reached Deadwood, I'd sought out a place to pitch a tent and bedroll. Mr. Bearclaw there had offered me a lot in exchange for serving an eviction notice on Mad Dog Carver. However, once I saw that you two were getting needed information from him and his allies, like Bass, it seemed following through might disrupt that goodwill. So, I need to tell Mr. Bearclaw I can't follow through on our agreement, at least for now."

Katy's face darkened a little at Trace's first attempt, darkened even more when he began saying 'Ranger', but then brightened considerably once he found the right name. She shook her head at the concern. "Far as I can tell, there ain't no conflict between the two groups. Sioux shouldn't bother any folk in the DMA, or vice versa. Course that ain't always how it goes, an' if we see any folk in the DMA not treatin' the Sioux right, well, we can mebbe do somethin' 'bout that. Course it'd help if Custer weren't in charge or if the head o' the DMA were a straight shooter. Under current circumstances, though, we might need ta get creative ta help the Sioux."

She pondered Trace's eviction notice for a few moments, then looked up at him. "If ya ain't got a patcha dirt ta stay on, yer bedroll's welcome on the floor o' my room. I will say that Sam Bass don't necessarily care fer Carver, but it was smart of ya not ta upset no one just then. It's a fine line we're walkin', gentlemen."