The Silence Before The Storm

The town of Formby quickly descended into a pit of chaotic firefights, the raiders of The Red Liberator streaming into the town. The defending townspeople resorted to quick and sharp surprise attacks, using their knowledge of the town to their advantage. Explosions of varying sizes thundered throughout the area, the smell of smoke thick in the air.
To Ash however, this was heaven.
Ash went from building to building, setting anything unfortunate enough to be flammable ablaze. Wooden shacks and buildings were crackling and spitting from the heat, their inhabitants screaming in a gruesome melody. As he stepped away from one such building, he heard a distinctive boom inside the towns walls, coming from the left flank.
'Hmm, it seems the Captains having fun.' He smirked, before turning down an alleyway. He could hear gunfire and shouts from the adjacent street, and decided to join the fray.

A small team of crewmen were stuck, taking cover behind the wreck of a small automobile. They had run into a group of Busees, and couldn't move from the wreck without being peppered full of holes. Four men poked their guns over the top, releasing a quick spray of bullets before dropping back down. One man lay wounded, with a self-proclaimed medic bandaging up his shoulder. The seventh man lay dead in the dirt, the first to attempt a retreat. Ash took this all in at a glance from his vantage point in the alley, and waved over to the medic, yelling across the street over the gunfire.
"You guys seem like you need a hand."
The man quickly caught notice of him, and shouted his reply.
"Yes, help would be nice!"
Ash nodded, pointing down the street then moving back into the alley, trudging towards the next alley.

When Ash appeared behind the Busees, they quickly noticed his presence and began firing on him.
'Five, two women, three men. Very little experience with fire arms. Easy kills.'
Most of the bullets simply hit behind him, a few thudding against his padded vest. Two went down, caught in the back by shots from the crew behind the wreck. One of the men, carrying a large rifle instead of a pistol, took a panicked shot, which dug into Ash's right thigh. The bullet hurt like hell, but he had suffered worse, and as he recovered from his stagger, he let loose a cloud of hot death. The three were soon but charred remains, and the crew moved up to meet him.
He exchanged a quick thumbs up with the medic, who immediately insisted on patching up his leg. Ash noticed some movement on the ground, and waved the doctor off for the moment.
One of the women had been taken down by a bullet from the crew. She had survived the bullet, and the flames had missed her, but she now found herself surrounded by her enemy. She aimed her pistol towards Ash and began firing, but the weapon simply made an empty click. The horror on her face only grew with each click, and Ash chuckled. He holstered his Flamer, instead bringing out his Shishkebab. As the ignited gas wreathed the blade in flames, the woman's screams echoed throughout the street.

Ash sat, his leg freshly bandaged, flicking the his lighter open and closed. The crewmen were reloading their weapons, making sure they were ready to head out, and Ash had decided to accompany them. Suddenly, his radio crackled, causing him to change his plans.
"Alright playtime is over, listen all of you. Ash rush for the townhall, wait for me there. Alex, I want you to keep an eye on the outskirts of the town while you try to shell those goddamn rocket positions, step it up a bit."
The voice ended, and Ash sighed.
He stood up, with a little effort, and tested his leg. It hurt like a bitch, but he could deal with it, and it wasn't like he could move very fast with this Flamer anyway. He took his leave from the crewmen, then began walking in the direction he assumed was the townhall.
As he reached a large building, he could see the Captain yelling at a door with a young boy beside him.
"...8...7...6..."

While Willem was counting he heared some blast *boom* *boom* and all of a sudden he was holding the dead corpse of the little boy, he started to smile when he felt the warm blood of the young boy on his sleave

They are getting desperate Ash, try to keep the Woman and children alive, except if they resist of coure

And after that he got out his revolver and laughed hard at Ash before kicking the remains of the broken door away, and with the dead boy as shield he ran into the room.

six in the chamber, then I hope Ash has it Covered for the most part

Willem thought before unleashing a violent roar shooting 2 rounds to the Old man's hand. After those shot he felt varrious bullets hitting the dead boy and this gave him some sort of adrenaline kick. He fired the rest of his revolver empty on some guards over in a corner, at that same moment he felt a bullet from the side enter his leg. In the furry of pain he tossed the dead boy on the ground and took a leap towards the closest person next to him, The Old man. when on top of him he started Hitting him in the face with his fist several time's, meanwhile he could hear, and feel that Ash also joined the fun, so with the though that Ash would handle crowd control he yelled to the Old man, with consumpsion every time he spoke out a word to him

Ready to stop fighting? I'm gladly to break your skull right here, But I guess you don't like to, don't you? so surrender!

he looked into the mans eye's, blood all over his face he hoped he terrified this men enough to surrender and if not he was ready to fight again.

---

Meanwhile on the Ship Hans came to the bridge to see if everything was going allright. he opened the heavy oak wood door and grabbed some binoculars while nodding towards Alex. he looked allong the shore line's to see if the battle was good, and it was. the Officers were rounding up prisoners into the small crafts togheter with the loot off the day, they filled all 4 of the crafts and would make their first load towards the ship. with the two officers, and squad staying on the shore while Willem's and Ash's their squads Hauling the goods over.

Then he looked a bit more to the East, and dropped his binoculars on the waxed wooden floor of the bridge

Alex, Ghouls a whole horde of them! Radio to evac the Area, and we need to shell them, Bearings of the ghoul horde is 120 degrees Portside, 1.6 miles ahead, don't stare at me, act!

and with that Hans rushed back towards the Engine room to make sure everything won't break down while they started shelling ...

Ash quickly understood the situation. Villagers had locked themselves into the Town Hall, and the Captain was trying to convince them to come out with a hostage. And if they didn't, Ash would have to 'convince' them to open the doors. As the Captain slowly counted down, Ash held his Flamer at his hips, ready to clear the building out.
Faint voices could be heard behind the door, and as the countdown passed three, shot scattered through the door, smashing into the hostage and killing him instantly. Ashe quickly recovered, and the Captain grinned.
"They are getting desperate Ash, try to keep the women and children alive, except if they resist of course."
Ash nodded and followed him through the kicked open door.

'Groups of guards on the left and right, plus more scattered around the middle. Civilians in back. Groups easier targets.'
Ash turned his Flamer right and let out a long hiss, screams of agony punctuating the sound of the gas. After spraying around a bit, Ash assumed he had hit most of them, as he could no longer hear gunshots from the right hand side of the room. He then quickly switched out for his sword, as his Flamer had a chance to hit the innocents.
He held back for a second, as a group of his own men charged forward, providing him with the distraction needed to close distance with the group in the middle. Two pistol rounds thudded against his vest, and Ash easily shrugged off the impacts. He raised the flaming blade high into the air, bringing it down into a mans shoulder. He dragged the blade into the mans chest, reaching as far as his breast before sliding the blade out and moving on.
Four dead Busees later, the fighting was starting to die down and Ash decided to instead approach the women and children at the back of the hall.

With two crew members by his side, one a gruff older man and the other a short younger woman, they stood, making sure none could escape. One of the women stood up abruptly, shrieking that The Red Liberator's crew were monster and firing blindly with her pistol, a stray round puncturing the mans shoulder. The young lady to Ash's right responded by firing three rifle rounds into the woman's chest. The problem dealt with for the moment, Ash then spoke to the group.
"I suggest dropping any weapons unless you want a repeat of that incident."
A few people dropped their weapons, others hid them. As long as they weren't aimed at Ash, he didn't care. One young boy near the front of the group, barely a teenager, charged Ash with a pocket knife aimed at his heart. Ash kicked sidestepped the boy, kicking out his legs and allowing him to fall to the ground. Ash pointed his sword between the fallen boys shoulder blades.
"Any last words boy?"
Before Ash could follow through with his threat, his radio crackled, Alex's panicked voice yelling.
"You have to evacuate! Abandon the siege. There is a ghoul horde coming straight for Formby!"

Ash turned his attention away from the boy, instead yelling over to the Captain.
"Cap! We got trouble incoming. What's the plan?"

Ash! Abort Mission, Kill the Hostages they slow us down

Willem turned back to the old man giving him another punch on his face and while he was recovering from the blow Willem loaded his revolver, then he stood up and looked him in the eye's while speaking

I won't kill you, waste of bullets I leave you for the horde

he then winked to the old man while starting to shoot down Woman and Children. The whole masacre didn't took longer then lets say 40 seconds but when Willem, Ash and the little Squad came out the front door the Ghouls where already getting close

Ash, keep your gun ready and trust me on this aye?
Crew! Lift us up and run to shore, no question just go!

Willem and Ash where lifted up on their stomach so they could fire upon the uncomming horde of flesh eating lunatics. while rushing trough the small city past the ruins of building the ghouls came from nearly every direction. Willem had his SvT firing rounds at the bulk of the horde behind them, it looked like for every ghoul he shot down 5 would pop up to take their place.

eventually they reached the shore with the other crew ready to leave, engines already running, loot stashed and hostages secured. His crew ran trough the wet sand slowing them down a little bit and just before the waterline one of his crew mates tipped and fel over, Ash and his crew were already inside so the waiting was on Willem. He looked behind him just quick enough to shoot a bullet in a attacking Ghoul, two of his mates were already eaten by them and the rest of them just got enough time to enter the craft, while everyone was laying fire uppon the horde the crafts made their was for The Liberator, they made it ...

When Willem was in the craft he needed a moment to regain himself, nearly eaten by some fucking monster he was not really in the mood of small talk so when Ash said: "What a fun way to spend an afternoon aye Captain?" he looked him straight in the eye with furry only the Captain could hold and replied

Aye Ash, fun indeed, but slopy next time I want a smooth operation. When back on'board I want a good meal, understood? and by I I mean us all

When finally hoisted up back on board after the trip in the small crafts the crew started unloading the loot, cargo in the hold, hostages on their knee's lined up on deck, all properly secured with ropes. Before attending to his new guest Willem got a fresh bottle of rum from one of the crew mates, "Rum, it always taste the best after battle" he thought while walking towards the shivering hostages. When he was at the start of the line he stamped his feet and yelled more in general than to the crew or hostages

Look at this line of shit heads! Wel Alle-Jezus! Inferior men, whores of woman, and ugly children!

he walked towards the first man in line and grabed his jaws, so thightly that the hostage whined a little, Willem's head moved towards the hostage and with a strong smell of booze he talked to the man

Do you fear Communism? do you fear Brotherhood?

the man whined even more so Willem responded with a fist and yelled again

Answer me!

yyyyy-yes I do fear U sir

Willem immediately stopped being angry and laughed so hard the whole ship could hear it

You do? Wrong answer buddy ...

he pulled out his revolver and shot the man in the head *Bam* the body dropped like a sack potatoes on the deck and Willem kicked it in the sea he then stared yelling to the hostages and some orders to the crew

Okay, this is the deal, you want to live? you work for us now if not? you can all disembark this vessel now, have a nice stay this was your Captain speaking.

Men! round them up. Woman and children seperated. stash them in the hold near the cargo, leave the woman close we need them tonight! full speed to sea!

He laughed again while turning 360 degrees with his arms spread out wide and his head in his neck. he lived for this shit! the hostages had time to think about their diccision while the party was going on, preps were done by Ash and Hans, as Usual. he should go check on Alex now.

after a short cheerful walk greeting several crew members he came to the bridge, opening the old heavy door on portside then walking in. Alex still sat behind the radio station as he commanded, good thing. he offered her his bottle while speaking

Nice Job, how are you? Just wanted to say you did good tonight, and oh I wanted to ask you to be my date for tonight, I strongly recommend it as we have other lady guest on board and with booze my men can become a bit "touchy". what do you say? I'm sure its fun aye?

he sat down in his chair behind the Wheel and steered his beloved back to the high seas while waiting on what Alex would say

After the landing craft reached the Liberator, Ash started heading below deck. He didn't really care for the Captain's "Demonstrations", and so he didn't hang around. First he headed to the armory to drop off his weapons, where they would be cleaned and re-fueled. Next he returned to his quarters, cleaning himself up for the coming feast. As he dried himself off and got into and put his clothes on, he took a moment to look at himself in the mirror. He smirked, as he realized that still nobody had seen his face. Nobody alive at least.
Then he was off to the kitchen, ready to prepare a feast worthy of a king.

The kitchen was a bustling mess, and it wasn't long before Ash was needed to help organize it. He had spent the first twenty or so minutes in the furnace, cooking the meat and had helped a little setting up the dining hall, but with so many people running about he was soon helping the head chef organize everything. One kid, one of the new captives, kept sneaking food into his pocket. Ash, after watching him for a time, approached him. The kitchen seemed to part before him, and the boy turned around. Immediately, the back of a hand smacked into his face and by the time he came to his senses, he was being dragged across the ground. Ash grabbed the boy under the arms and held him over the safety-rail, the floor falling away several feet below him.
"Kid, if you take one more fucking vegetable, it will be your last. Okay?"
The boy just gave him a menacing glare.
"Okay?" Ash repeated with a growl.
The kid nodded, and Ash pulled him back over. As he stretched his arms, the kid broke into a run trying to escape. A minute later, their was a dull thud as a small body hit the lower decks.

Soon, the food was prepared, and the crew began to arrive. Ash saw Willem and Alex enter, moving over to greet them.
"Well don't you two look like quite the couple?" He laughed, giving them each a brief nod.
"Take a seat, enjoy the food and enjoy the night. With all the new women, i fear it may be a long one."
More and more people began to enter, and soon the hall was filled with voices. Once everyone had taken a seat and put some food on their plates, Ash stood up with an empty glass in hand.
"Tonight, i'd like to make a toast. A toast to our Captain. Gathered here, in this hall, are those who have been rejected by the world. The unwanted and the unnecessary. But Willem here took as all in. Made a plus for us here on his fine vessel. He doesn't care who we are, where we've come from or how many people we've killed. If we can pull our weight, we can have a place on this ship.
So i raise my glass. To Communism! To the Captain! And most of all, TO THE RED LIBERATOR!"
The hall was filled with cheers and cries, as the crew began to dig in. Ash nodded, proud of his speech, then grabbed his plate and left the hall. He decided he was going to eat outside today.

Ash found a nice spot, climbing as high above the ship as he could. He slowly and carefully took of his mask, setting it to the ground beside him and looking out upon the sunset.
He smiled. This was the first time he'd set his eyes on the sun without a mask or porthole in the way for probably 2 or 3 years. It was more beautiful then he remembered, even with the dust and clouds blocking it.
Ash enjoyed his meal, the sea breeze blowing his already messy hair all over the place. When he was done, he lay on his back for several minutes, before finally standing up, grabbing his mask.
"Oh well, i should probably see if they're causing any trouble down there without me."

"Alex, I think they are waiting on us, so will you join me, my lady."

Willem offered his arm to Alex, and she took it, and followed him into the mess. They both sat down. The Captain whispered into her ear, but was cut off by one of the crew.

"look, I want to talk with you about somethi-"

"Tonight, i'd like to make a toast. A toast to our Captain. Gathered here, in this hall, are those who have been rejected by the world. The unwanted and the unnecessary. But Willem here took as all in. Made a plus for us here on his fine vessel. He doesn't care who we are, where we've come from or how many people we've killed. If we can pull our weight, we can have a place on this ship.
So i raise my glass. To Communism! To the Captain! And most of all, TO THE RED LIBERATOR!"

He grabbed Alex hands and with a smile on his face he said

"lets go check the sunset!"

Alex stood up and followed the Captain. When they got to this place on the ship, they could see the sunset. It was beautiful.
Willem turned his head to Alex and said

"Nice ain't it? look, what I wanted to say to you earlier. I didn't took you with me on the raid cause I don't want to be the one who is responcible for maybe sending you to death. I might be a pirate, but I do have a heart."

"You have no idea what I can do."

Willem seemed angered, and stormed off. Alex followed after him.

"Captain, wait!"

Alex walked in the opposite direction, pissed off. Eventually a man cornered her, one of the crew.

"Well aren't you a beauty."

"Fuck off."

"Feisty."

"I SAID FUCK OFF."

Alex lifted her knee into the man's stomach, which made him fall onto his knees. She went in for another knee, directly into his face. He fell back onto the ground. Alex walked away, back to the secluded spot on the ship the Captain showed her. She fell asleep there.