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Chapter 18 - What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas

In the aftermath of the shootout and after returning to Myrmidon, Kyle and the other survivors hold a burial for Marcus, a hole in the ground and his body laying in the hole. His grave right next to Jenny's. Margaret wipes a tear, before Caleb and Rocky place a white sheet over his body. The survivors then respectfully place dirt on Marcus's grave. His headband wrapped around the cross on the grave. Moses is watching from afar, before Rachel walks up to him.

Rachel: Hey, you okay?

Moses nods.

Moses: Margaret was right, you know? Her brother, Jenny. They're dead because of me. If I hadn't wanted to go home, maybe Marcus would still be alive.

Rachel: Moses.....

Rachel grabs Moses' hand.

Rachel: This isn't your fault. It's those twins....and we're gonna make them pay for this.

Moses sighs, before Kyle, Shawn and James approach Moses.

Moses: Hey, guys....I'm....I'm sorry about Marcus.

Kyle: Thank you. He was our friend...and a good man. These fucking bitches killed two of our family.

James: Moses, what can you tell us about the twins? Specifically.

Moses: The one you captured; Starr; she was born three minutes after Magna. She is the stupid one. Magna is more of the thinker. The one with vision and imagination.....she is also the negotiator. Why do you ask?

James nods, then turns to Kyle.

Kyle: James has a plan, but we want your input.

Moses turns to James.

James: We do an even trade. The fuel and Savannah for Starr.

Moses: It could work....

Shawn: But?

Moses sighs with worry.

Moses: Magna is not stupid. She will want two things if she's trading two things.

James: Well, that's what we'll to settle with then...

Kyle: If she's smart, she'll value the life of her dumbass sister.

In the train, Margaret is on watch duty, smoking, with Starr tied to a chair.

Starr: You still out there, cherry?

Margaret: Better than being in there with your ass.

Starr: Hey, girl. Why don't you come on in here for a second? Keep me company.

Margaret turns and enters the room, glaring at Starr.

Starr: Got an extra one?

Margaret: Not for you.

Starr laughs.

Starr: You're telling me you're a girl with a clean head? Wow....wish half the bitches my sisters and I have in our team were like that. They're just boys who worry about getting their first lap dance....I envy you....

Margaret continues to glare at Starr.

Starr: You know; whatever your scar-faced friend is planning, ain't gonna work....My sister and I; we may be twins, but Magna....she's got the brains....she'll come....with her boys and then we'll kill your men, take you and the rest of the girls....or at least kill the men that are left.....I heard two of your people died. Jenny, right? The kid, Betty, got her ass, then y'all killed her. Tell me, girl; what happened to the boy with the green headband? Saw you come back with your leader, his housewife, the two teen girls, goggle boy and the shitbird, Moses, of course.....but didn't he go with you to drop the boy off at what was left of his home, too?

Margaret glares at Starr.

Starr: Oh.....so that's who y'all buried. Guess your friend wasn't so lucky.

At that, Margaret puts the pistol in Starr's face.

Margaret: Don't.

Starr smiles.

Starr: Oh.....was she special to you? Huh? He was your brother?

Margaret frowns.

Starr: Yeah....he was your brother. It's a shame. I actually found that boy kinda cute.

Sarah walks into the room and touches Margaret's shoulder.

Sarah: Margaret....come on....come on, honey.

Starr: Yeah, Margaret. You heard your master said. Go on.

Sarah turns to Starr.

Sarah: You shut the fuck up....or I'll cut your goddamn tongue out. We may need you alive, but doesn't mean we can't shut you up.

Starr laughs, before Sarah pulls Margaret out of the room and shuts the door. Margaret sighs.

Sarah: You okay?

Margaret seethes at Starr.

Sarah: Margaret....

Margaret: We should just kill her.

Sarah: Margaret....she's not worth it....Trust me; I want to kill that bitch, too, but we need her in order to get Savannah back....and the fuel.

Margaret sighs.

Sarah: Hey....I had a brother, too.....I know how it feels and how much it hurts....but he wasn't like Marcus. He tried to kill Kyle and Ashley.....Marcus saved that boy's life....and he went through the same thing you are right now.

Margaret turns to Sarah.

Margaret: My brother and I were not the same.

Sarah: I know....but it's still the same.

Margaret sighs.

Margaret: I'm not you, Sarah.

Back at the Luxor Hotel, Magna attempts to contact Starr, with Savannah tied up to a chair.

Magna: Starr! Starr....fucking dumb bitch. I swear, that bitch was born a whole hour after me....Mama should've killed her stupid ass at birth. Don't care if she is my twin.

Magna stares at Savannah, who glares at her.

Magna: So, you can't hear, huh?

Savannah nods.

Magna: Can you read lips?

Savannah gives Magna the middle finger, which causes Magna to laugh.

Magna: Smug little shit.

The radio buzzes.

Magna: Starr, bout time. What the fuck?! Where are you?! Nevermind; That Desipich boy and his people got away. We killed one, but the rest of them fought us off. You and the boys deal with the train gang?

Kyle: Not quite, bitch.

Magna's eyes widen.

Magna: Scar-face.....you're still alive and you answering my sisters' radio....does that mean—

Kyle: Your sister's dead? No.....but you have something; two things we want....some fuel...and the little girl.

Magna: Uh-huh....and what's to stop me from killing this little brat and having my boys come get my sister and kill you all? I mean, we've already killed two of your people. Why don't we add to the scoreboard, huh?

Kyle: Come on, Magna. You're the smart twin from what I've been told. You like to bargain. You like to make deals. I'm giving you one right now. A fair trade.

A brief pause.

Kyle: Also, I could do the same thing. Kill your sister, then come to Luxor Hotel....kill you, your Ravagers, then save the kid and take your fuel.....you want your people to think you're the smart twin; this is your best chance to prove it. Take it or leave it.

Magna sighs.

Magna: You're a damn good negotiator, Desipich. I'll give you that. The Luxor Hotel. My sister for the girl and a quarter of our fuel. One hour.

After ending the conversation, Kyle turns to Shawn, James, Sarah, Caleb, Rocky and Cassandra.

Caleb: What are you thinking, boss?

Kyle: Oh, that bitch is definitely gonna fuck us the first chance we get.

Rocky: So, we have to fuck her before she fucks us.

The others turn to Rocky.

Rocky: What? I don't mean actually fucking. I mean, we have to metaphorically fuck her, before she can metaphorically fuck us....

James rubs his temple.

James: Dude....

Kyle: Actually, Rocky, since you have some blacksmith background, can you manufacture a grenade?

Rocky: I sure as shit can.

Shawn: Hold on, Kyle. If you're planning what I think you are, to rig that bitch with some grenades, the Ravagers gonna instantly see the grenades and then open fire on us.

Kyle: Not grenades that they can see.....

James smirks.

James: I think I get what you're planning....I think.

Later on, in front of the Luxor Hotel, the survivors bring Starr, tied with tape on her mouth and her hand tied, with Magna and the Ravagers waiting as two other Ravagers hold Savannah hostage. On the casino across from the Luxor Hotel, Cassandra, Chris, Moses, Margaret and Abigail are on the rooftop with sniper rifles. Kyle, Shawn, James, Sarah, Rachel, Kayla and Caleb bring Starr in tow to Magna.

Magna: What the fuck did y'all do to her arm?!

Shawn: Relax.....

Magna sighs.

Magna: All right. This has gone far enough. We both have fair trades.

Kyle: Indeed we do....One of your people for one of my people. Kayla's sister for your sister.

Magna nods, before nodding to the two Ravagers, who release Savannah from her binds as Shawn, with a knife to Starr's throat, brings her to the middle of the street. In the middle, Starr and Savannah are exchanged. Savannah instantly hugs Kayla, before speaking to her in sign language.

Kayla: Hey, baby. Are you okay?

Savannah speaks in sign language.

Savannah: I'm fine.

Kayla: (sign language) Did they hurt you?

Savannah: (sign language) No, I'm okay.

Starr looks up at Magna, who pushes her sister to the other two Ravagers.

Magna: Stupid fucking bitch. God, how I sometimes wish mom aborted your dumbass.

Magna then turns to the other Ravagers, before Kyle yells at Magna.

Kyle: Now, what about our fuel? We'll agree to leave, but we can't without fuel and your people are hoarding it all.

Magna sighs, before turning to Kyle.

Magna: Actually...

Magna raises her hand to the Ravagers, who aim their weapons at Kyle and the survivors.

James: Shit...

Magna: I've personally decided that you all are pest to my side...cockroaches that all need to be squished, permanently.

Kyle: Uh-huh.

Kyle turns to Rocky, then back at Magna.

Kyle: Well, you should know, Magna. We're not subtle people....as you think. We not only cut your sister's arm out. We also cut out her tongue. Hence the duct tape.

Starr's eyes widen.

Starr: (through the tape) Mmm-mmm! Mmm-mmm! Mmmm!

Magna: You cut my sister's tongue out?!

Shawn: Call it revenge for the death of our friend. Y'all took his life so we took her tongue.

Magna gives an angered look, before turning to Starr and then to the other two Ravagers.

Magna: Take the tape off! I want to see! If it's true, open fire on all these motherfuckers!

Starr begins to panic as the two Ravagers restrain her.

Ravager: I'm trying to reach for her, but....she keeps on moving.

Caleb whispers to Kyle.

Caleb: Now....

Kyle: Not yet.

Magna: Jesus fucking Christ.....you bikers are so goddamn useless. Can't even rip tape off my sister's fucking mouth.

Magna walks over to the panicking Star and tries to pull the tape off.

Magna: Hold still, Starr! It's not like the tape is gonna hurt more than—

Magna pulls the tape off of Starr's mouth, only the see her mouth is stuffed with a nuke grenade and the pin on the sticky part of the grenade. Magna looks back at Kyle, who winks, then at her sister, horrified. Kyle and the survivors take cover with Kayla covering Savannah protectively.

Starr: I tried to tell you, bitch.

Magna: Fuck!

Magna and the other Ravagers jump back as the grenade explodes, blowing Starr's body apart and killing a few Ravagers. On the rooftop of the casino, Cassandra, Margaret, Abigail, Chris and Moses open fire on the Ravagers as they recover from the explosion. Kyle, Shawn, James, Sarah, and Rachel open fire on the Ravagers, but Magna recovers and retreats back into the Luxor Hotel. Kayla arms a shotgun and shoots down any attacking Ravagers. However, a Ravager attacks and disarms Kayla, backhanding her. The Ravager steps up, preparing to finish off Kayla, but is suddenly shot in the chest by Savannah. Kayla stands up, then takes the gun from her sister's hand. Kayla then speaks to Savannah in sign language.

Kayla: Here. Give it to me.

Savannah speaks to Kayla in sign language.

Savannah: I....I killed him.

Kayla: (sign language) I know.

Rachel gives a look, knowing a similar feeling when she had first killed a person.Eventually, with the sniper support from the casino, the Ravagers are taken out, leaving only Magna. Kyle, Shawn, James, Sarah, Caleb and Rocky sprint to the Luxor, cornering her.

Kyle: Alright, Magna. It's over! It's just you! You got no army! You got no sister! You got nothing! So we can do this two ways! A; we kill you and take the fuel. Or B; you give us the fuel and let us leave your land. So, what's it gonna be?

After a few tense minutes, Magna gets on her own custom motorcycle and breaks through the entrance of the Luxor Hotel, knocking down the survivors. Behind her, is an army of Ravagers on motorcycles.

Magna: You're all fucking dead! Every last one of you! You killed my sister and crumbled my kingdom! Kill them all!

Magna attempts to escape, while the Ravagers circle around Kyle, Shawn, James, Sarah, Caleb, Rachel, Kayla, and Savannah. The Ravagers, on their bikes, attack the group, using spiked chains to swing at them, hitting Sarah in the shoulder.

Sarah: Agh! Fuck!

Cassandra, Abigail, Margaret and Chris use their sniper rifles to do their best to take out the circling Ravagers on their bikes, hitting a few of them.

Chris: Shit!

Cassandra: They're moving too fast on those fucking bikes!

In the midst of the chaos, Kyle notices Magna getting away.

Kyle: Shawn! Get on a bike!

Kyle sprints to a bike as does Shawn. The two men then take off and take chase after Magna, who equips a shotgun and shoots at Kyle and Shawn, the two men narrowly avoiding her. The chase ensues all around a ruined Vegas.

Magna: Think you can catch me, motherfucker?! Huh?!

The Ravagers still continue attacking James, Sarah, Caleb, Kayla, Savannah and Rocky, who manages to knock a Ravager off with his shotgun. Sarah, at one point, equips her machete and stabs a Ravager off his bike, causing his bike to crash into another Ravager. A Ravager heads straight for Caleb, but Margaret shoots the gas tank of the bike, causing it to explode and knocking the Ravager into a shard where she is impaled. Eventually, the survivors are victorious in the fight. Kyle and Shawn continue chasing Magna, with Magna disabling Kyle's vehicle and causing him to crash.

Kyle: Shit!

Kyle rolls to the ground, safely.

Shawn: Kyle!

Kyle recovers.

Kyle: I'm good, Shawn! Keep going!

Shawn continues chasing Magna, getting grazed in the shoulder.

Shawn: Goddammit!

Shawn continues chasing Magna, through the buildings. Eventually, Shawn looses Magna, who looks back and laughs.

Magna: Better luck next time, bitch!

Magna laughs, but suddenly, in front of her, Margaret, with her sniper rifle, shoots Magna point blank in the chest, knocking her off the bike and causing it to crash. Magna, fatally wounded, crawls to the side of ruined car as Kyle, Shawn and Margaret walk up to her. Magna then sits up, coughing blood.

Kyle: You know; it didn't have to go down like this. You could've just given us the fuel and we could've been on our way.

Magna: Y'all don't get it. I don't know how....but y'all are gonna die...because y'all ain't strong...not like me and sister were....y'all are family...and family will take you down....you'll learn....one day.

Suddenly, Magna pulls out a revolver, attempting to shoot, but Margaret hits Magna in the head with the butt of her rifle. She then gets on top of Magna and proceeds to brutally bash Magna's face in with the butt of her rifle, splattering blood all over her. Margaret blacks out as she continues bashing Magna's corpse.

Kyle: Margaret! You got her! Margaret!

Shawn: Margaret! Hey!

Shawn and Kyle pull Margaret back, before Margaret lunges back with Kyle holding the rifle.

Kyle: It's over. We got her.

Margaret takes some deep breaths, then calms down.

Margaret: Just had to be sure.

In the aftermath, the fuel is brought to the train as it is installed into the Myrmidon. A freed slave speaks with Kyle, Shawn and James.

Former Slave: Thank you. All of you. You have given the people of Vegas a chance. The grave of your friends will be treated with respect as long as we breathe.

Kyle nods with respect, before he and the other survivors, joined by Moses, finally with fuel and water, take off, leaving behind the ruins of Vegas. 

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