--Bank--
By the time Yiski got more stable, three guards arrived and saw Yiski's bloodied face. One of the guards help prop up Yiski.
"Commander you're in need of medica..."
"Can it. We're goin' to the closest port."
"Commander you're in no..."
Yiski gave the guard a soul-piercing stare. While Yiski's face was bloodied and still bleeding, his expression was one of anger and spite. Given the stories and rumors of Yiski circulating around since the Birdmen incident, none of them were willing to have his anger unleashed on them. The guards reluctantly helped Yiski move toward the docks. Yiski gave orders to one.
"Get this information over the military channels quickly."
--Saloon--
Roland and Ny-Lee were standing behind the bar. Roland had Blood Bolt aimed at the door and Ny-Lee had her pistol and knives.
Suddenly, there was a radio transmission.
"Attention to units. Bank robbery in progress. Suspects are assumed to be six individuals heading for Port Tar Barrel. They are considered armed and dangerous. Commander's orders are to first capture. Barring that, eliminate."
Ny-Lee turns to Roland who has turned white.
"What's wrong?"
"We have to get to the docks."
"What?"
"You heard. They hit the banks."
"What does that..."
Under the possibility the weddings bands were taken, Roland told Ny-Lee what he and Yiski were up to within the past few days. While Ny-Lee should have been ecstatic about having handmade wedding bands, she was now equally furious at the possibility of losing them. The two left and headed for the docks.
--Port Tar Barrel--
Zill heard the radio transmission before setting up and felt better about the reduced garrison. Including him and Jun'ko, there were only eight other defenders with him. When Zill and the others near the entrance, they found themselves under fire from inside the docks.
"Flak! Get to cover!"
"Zill, who's shooting at us?!"
Zill looked over and noticed a few workers were laying down suppressing fire. Consequently, Zill and the defenders were out of position and pinned to a side of the docks, leaving the entrance wide open.
"Damn traitors. If we all live, I'll suggest the damn firing squad for them."
The sudden turncoat assault caused the normal workers to panic and abandon setting up any of the batteries near the port.
The robbers approached the docks and heard gunfire. They quickly made it to the entrance and noticed more of their group were pinning down Zill's force.
"Fuck! There were guards here too!"
"Don't worry, they're pinned. Now shut up and get to our squids!"
"What about the help?"
"They were always expendable."
As the robbers got on, they noticed a problem: During the firefight, the help neglected to unchain the ships when lockdown was declared. A few robbers got off and tried to undo the chains. Zill saw all this and cursed to himself. He again regretted having so few defenders on him. He then noticed one of the turncoats fell over and burst giving off red smoke. The turncoats scattered into their own cover.
"Love, I believe that's a direct hit. You're getting better at sniping."
"I guess. Still doesn't feel right though."
Roland and Ny-Lee managed to get near the dock entrance and spotted Zill and company not pinned and returning fire.
"I thought I said stay at the saloon."
Roland and Ny-Lee turned to see a bloodied Yiski with three guards in tow. Roland was about to speak to Yiski's condition, but Yiski put up his hand and explained the current situation preempted his need for treatment. Roland then explained the possibility of the bands being in the robbers' possession.
Eventually, the new combined forces managed to take out the turncoats and two robbers who successfully undid the chains. Yet, the last four robbers found themselves surrounded and out gunned.
"This is Striker Commander Yiski. You have two options. 'A' surrender and we might not put you under a firin' squad. Or 'B' you don't surrender and you die."
One robber thought to herself. "Yiski? It can't be!"
"So, how long has it been Yiski?"
"Well, if you forgive my concussion, it should be eight years, Lauren."
Some of the robbers were now contemplating surrendering, but Lauren planned to escape. She manages to convince the other three to throw over the stolen goods. Yiski called over.
"Am I assuming this means you're surrenderin'?"
"Not exactly."
"Don't be stupid..."
Suddenly, the port filled up with massive amounts of tar which debilitated the team. Lauren managed to activate the tar near the engines. She then took the helm and roared out of the port. By the time the tar cleared, Lauren had already cleared 3 km and heading toward Eilius.
Roland rushed to the bags and searched for his parents' deposit box number and found it among the other goods. Roland gave a huge sigh of relief. Yiski was glad, the bands weren't taken, but now was another concern.
"So how about that trip to the triage?"
