Scorched Earth Page #2

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So that's your plan?

I've already killed

everyone she's running with.

Who's going to know

the difference?

Anyone that knows your face.

This is what most

people ever see of me.

No, but if it gets me

into town, then maybe--

Maybe it can delay

how long it takes

you to get yourself killed.

If I leave now, I can

be there before nightfall.

Chavo.

Gage.

Gage.

Chavo.

It's not funny.

It's a little bit funny.

You really need to lighten up.

I'll see you soon.

Please don't do this.

You around once in a while,

even just for a couple of days.

I'll be extra careful

crossing the river.

Wait.

It'll just even out

the odds a little.

On the house.

Who's that?

Chavo, you can tell by the hat.

Empty bottles and a wasted name.

You can change the

rules, my baby,

but you can't quite

change the game.

If the feeling ain't

the same anymore,

my baby you can hear me call,

but you cannot see me cry.

And I sing all my lullabies,

but they never put me to sleep.

Excuse me.

On someone in the

middle of a performance,

especially when that

someone is my lady.

Well, thing is, I

don't know who you are

or that that was

your lady, how was I

supposed to know that

my exit would have such

an impact on your fragile ego?

My name is Thomas Jackson.

This is my town.

Congratulations.

Have a drink with

me, Miss Chavo.

Come on, just one drink--

Single malt.

I'm not in the habit of

owing anyone any favors.

Oh, there's no

obligation, I promise.

Simply join me for

a nice civil chat.

We may find that conversation

mutually beneficial.

All right, Let's see what

you have to say, Mr. Jenson.

That's Jackson.

Meh.

Are you a gambler, Ms. Chavo?

Isn't everyone?

Now please don't

take offense to this,

but do you have

anything worth betting?

300 tabs enough?

That'll do.

You don't mind

if I deal, do you?

Is there another option?

No.

Have a seat, Mr. Lear.

This'll take a moment.

So what brings you to

our little metropolis?

I heard bounty hunters

weren't welcome here.

I'm sure you saw the gates.

Territory and Authority

overreach stops right there.

People have to earn

their place here.

So what would you say

is your best asset?

Raise.

I'm a good listener.

Call.

Is that so?

I am very aware of your

exploits, Ms. Chavo--

Living in the wasteland,

raiding pilgrims

who were unlucky enough to

get caught up in your web.

I mean, hell, there

are 12 dead last month.

There are not a lot of people

to go around these days.

I have my reasons.

Raise.

I have big plans for

Defiance, and anyone

who comes here to work for me.

You're a good salesman, Mr.

Jackson, but I'm not buying.

Sometimes it's good to

admit when you've been beat.

All in.

Ah, that's how

you want to play it.

Ooh.

Well, would you look at that.

What a deal.

I could really use

someone like you.

Like I said, just

passing through.

It's too bad.

You'd really fit in around here.

As you can see, Mr.

Lear, I'm a little busy.

You want to see this.

Excuse me, Ms. Chavo,

apparently there's

an urgent matter

I must attend to.

Anything Ms. Chavo

wants is on the house.

Please find her a nice,

clean room for the night.

This way, ma'am.

A message from the

Territorial Authority

tells us that Tom

Jackson and his men

are expanding their raids

into nearby settlements

and fortifying Defiance.

We are one of the closest towns.

It is only a matter of time

before he ends up here.

So we need to stop him

before this happens.

It is our duty to

protect our territory.

I need volunteers to come

with me to take him in.

What about the reward?

I hear there's a heavy reward.

Bringing these men to

justice is its own reward,

wouldn't you say, Doc?

No, I wouldn't.

Who's in?

Good, grab whatever

gear you need.

You know, even when

the levels read low,

it's still good to have some

kind of respirator with you.

You've got a lovely

singing voice.

You don't want to ruin

that with a black lung.

Where are you from?

What do you care?

South-- the old Arizona.

I spent some time

there when I was younger.

Were you in the

militia, like Jackson?

Jackson was in the militia?

Figures.

Well, after my parents

died, me and my sister

were put into one

of those work camps.

She was a lot like you--

Musical.

What does she play?

She doesn't play anything.

I'm sorry.

What brings you here?

I mean, you've made quite

the impression already.

Must be doing something right.

I've never seen

Lear look so pissed.

I'm just passing through.

What about you?

I lived in a

village with my family

and Jackson found us

there, took me with him.

Why don't you leave

if you're unhappy?

What makes you

think I'm unhappy?

You didn't do that to yourself.

Look, I'm sorry.

Listen, everyone

I ever knew or loved

was killed by Jackson's man.

What's left out there for me?

Even if I wanted to

leave, he wouldn't let me.

Even if you wanted to?

So what's your strategy?

Do you have one?

Because if not, you're walking

these men into a death trap.

We have the element of surprise.

Surprise, that's it?

This isn't like busting kids

for pissing in a clean creek.

Jackson's men are

ruthless killers.

Why don't you leave it

to people who are better

suited to this kind of work?

What are you going to tell

these kids when their dads

are dead because of your greed.

That'll be me, because

you'll be dead too.

Don't let your ego get

in the way of common sense.

I know exactly what I'm doing.

It's a fine line between

ignorance and arrogance.

You know what?

I'm done with this.

Oh, I'm so sick and tired of

you constantly controlling me.

I'm my own person.

You seem to have forgotten

who's keeping you alive.

Hey, Chavo!

It's Zee, remember me?

Yeah, sure I do.

Good to see you.

What the hell, Chavo?

When we were buck naked

busting in the barn last month.

Hey, I only remember

the special ones,

and apparently, you're not that.

Hey now, hold up.

You're not Chavo.

Hey, come here.

But you got Chavo's hat.

You got her bandana.

And you definitely

got her attitude.

Now why you want people

thinking you Chavo?

I don't get it, but

that look in your eye

tells me that it would

be dangerous for you

if people knew.

That's right.

All right, well,

how about I keep

my mouth shut and

you keep yours open?

Do I have a choice?

Mm.

Wait.

Not here, please?

Give it to me.

Ah!

Jackson, get down.

You!

Let's take a look

at this a**hole.

Wait--

Wow, ruthless.

Huh, so what the

hell was that about?

It seemed like he knew you.

He's a Sheriff in New Montana,

been after me for years.

Keeps sending second rate

bounty hunters after me.

He was a scumbag

by all accounts.

Ah, you did the good people

of New Montana a favor--

Your one good deed for the day.

Drag him up.

Think you're pretty

smart, don't ya?

Compared to who?

Well, you don't have me fooled.

You were in that alley together

when it went down tonight,

I saw you.

What about it?

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