To Tame the Wild: a Red Dead Redemption fan fiction

Chapter 23 - Subtlety

The gun was unlike any other firearm he'd ever seen: it gleamed maliciously in the morning light. The wagon carrying its massive frame sat beside the dilapidated fence surrounding the Scratching Post; it was there bright and early to meet him and Maddie, along with Archer Fordham and fifty armed lawmen and government agents. Jack could've cared less about seeing Fordham and his followers as he and Maddie emerged from the shack they temporarily called home, but the second his eyes laid upon the Gatling, he was beyond excited.

"Oh, this is gonna be fun," he couldn't help but chortle as Fordham's men tossed aside the burlap tarp that covered the great steel beast. He grinned down at Maddie, who stood beside him with her arms crossed across her chest. "So this is the heavy artillery you were talkin' about, huh?"

Though she was half-asleep, she seemed excited to have seen the gun and the army of lawmen arrive so early. "Yes, and let me tell you, Jack, it's one hell of a thrill to fire it." She met eyes with him, her own glittering with giddy anticipation. She motioned to the gun with a nod and asked, "You ever fired one of these before?"

"No, but that's gonna change pretty damn soon."

He watched as Maddie hopped into the wagon and began inspecting the gun for any signs of damage during its transportation.

"Hey, Jack," she snickered and patted the barrel of the Gatling. "Mine's bigger."

"Shut up." He looked towards the back of the wagon, and he spooked at the sight of a rather large quantity of explosives in wooden crates. Alongside the explosives were boxes upon boxes of ammunition, as well as food and other necessities for the army of lawmen. "Jesus Christ! What the hell's with all the dynamite, Madeline?"

She grinned down at him. "I've got some plans for it all, don't you worry."

"And what is that exactly?"

Before she could respond, Fordham walked up to them with the two men who'd driven the wagon. He and his men came to stand before Jack, and with a tired and aggravated sigh, he put his hands on his hips and asked, "You two about done here? We have work to do, and I'd like to get started."

The humor now smote away from their conversation, Maddie and Jack looked upon the government agent with annoyance. Jack took a hesitant step away from the man; he looked from Archer to Maddie and back.

"I think the second Hershel and his men get here, we should all speak on this," Maddie suggested. She stood with her shoulders square and her hands on her hips. "Only then will we reach the best solution to tackle this. Tomorrow won't be easy, you know..."

Archer sported the same posture and looked her in the eyes with conviction. "I understand what you're saying, Miss Ross, but need I remind you that there are four very large gangs in the mines just miles down the road from us? We should figure out a plan as soon as possible, should the need to defend ourselves arise."

She scoffed and hopped down from the wagon. She stood between Jack and Archer and retorted, "Should the need arise? Archer, all four leaders are holed up in the mines, and God forbid they set foot outside of 'em! They know better than to just walk right out and give themselves up, since they're the most wanted men on our list. I think it's safe to say they're all relatively smart. We're gonna have to be just as smart, if not more, and fight hard to infiltrate that gang hideout. It'll be a full-frontal assault; I'll be takin' them out with the Gatling while your men and Hershel's will fire alongside me. Together, we can mow the men down."

"And what about the men inside?" Archer asked, crossing his arms tightly across his chest and cocking an eyebrow. "What then? Do you plan to just run right in there with your guns blazing and expect it to be smooth sailing henceforth?"