[William of Brinsford:] [Irregulars] [What’s up, Sheriff?]

  [Sheriff Harper:] [Irregulars] [We’ve been watching a situation with the local gangs. Some of them started pulling a big city move by shaking down businesses for protection money now that they’ve got Game powers.]

  [William of Brinsford:] [Irregulars] [Blaze told me. That’s bad news…but I’m guessing that’s not the news you messaged us about.]

  [Sheriff Harper:] [Irregulars] [Right. There’s been infighting. One guy took over most of the gangs and solo players. Word is, he doesn’t just want the gangs…he wants the whole town.]

  [William of Brinsford:] [Irregulars] [What do you know about him?]

  [Sheriff Harper:] [Irregulars] [Calls himself Granombre. Might be a typo. Came here from Chicago three years ago, he had too many enemies up there. Moved in with a relative. Real name’s Andrew Navarez-Marroquin.]

  [William of Brinsford:] [Irregulars] [So he wants the whole town, and he wants it before someone else grabs it. Anyone know more?]

  [Ingrid:] [Irregulars] [I remember that name. Treated him for knife wounds four, five months ago. Short guy, but huge. Bad temper.]

  [Sheriff Harper:] [Irregulars] [He’s been in jail a few times, but he always makes bail. Has money from somewhere. Nothing bad enough yet to hold him.]

  [Urako Sarutobi:] [Irregulars] [he bad. Dont look it most times but i know people who know him. cousin said he came here to make one big gang. other gangs stay clear.]

  [Sheriff Harper:] [Irregulars] [You’re Shadow?]

  [Urako Sarutobi:] [Irregulars] [yep :)]

  [Sheriff Harper:] [Irregulars] [Thanks. Looks like he pulled it off. Don’t know how, but get here fast. We’ve got maybe an hour. Two, maybe three if we’re lucky.]

  [Urako Sarutobi:] [Irregulars] [I’ll talk to my cousin. let y’all know.]

  [William of Brinsford:] [Irregulars] [Bhaarrt. You finish your shield?]

  [Bartholomew Ironshaper:] [Irregulars] [Mostly. Strap’s not on yet.]

  [William of Brinsford:] [Irregulars] [Finish the strap and bring it. I’ve got a feeling you’re gonna need it. Ingrid...call in every healer you can. This sounds like PvP, Player versus Player, and it’s gonna get bloody. The more healing we’ve got, the more of us make it through.]

  [William of Brinsford:] [Irregulars] [Sheriff. Where do you want us?]

  [Sheriff Harper:] [Irregulars] [City Hall. Front entrance. We’re clearing the parking lots, so park away. Calling in all our teams.]

  [William of Brinsford:] [Irregulars] [Roger that. Guard the power, water, gas lines, and sewer plant. If he hits those, doesn’t matter how many people we’ve got, we’re screwed. Everyone spread the word that we need help. Be there soon as we can.]

  [Sheriff Harper:] [Irregulars] [Will do. Thanks. We’ve got a better shot ‘cause of you guys. You got us moving faster than most places.]

  [William of Brinsford:] [Irregulars] [Grab your gear. I’ll make another batch of mana batteries before we leave. Front door, City Hall, in 30? No more than an hour.]

  [Bartholomew Ironshaper:] [Irregulars] [Works for us. See ya then.]

  ***

  Glancing around the mess in my garage, wondering what we’d need, and how much this would feel like a tournament brawl instead of real combat. That gave me a starting point.

  Swiveling to face Blaze, I let her know, “I’ll make one more batch of batteries. We might need to give some of yours to the healers. You keep at least five. We’ll need shields and AoE damage, and your fireball’s perfect for that.”

  “You’re planning to shield everyone?” she asked. “You’re not that strong.”

  “I don’t have to stop everything. We just have to make them think we can stop everything. And they can’t stop us. I’m hoping most of what we’ll face will be guns, not magic. I want us to have more healers than them, so anyone who gets hit gets up again and keeps fighting. I hope.”

  “Roger that,” she said with a laugh. “Anything else I can do?”

  “Not right now…wait. Yeah. If you would, grab my armor pants and boots from the bedroom. Next to the bed. That’ll save a minute. And maybe set my gear ready on the coat rack?”

  Her hands landed on my shoulders. “Will. We’re going to win this. You’re already working out how.”

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “This won’t be a standoff where the police show up and they back down,” I said. “It’s going to be a full-on riot. Everyone armed.”

  “I know,” she said. “When you told me what was happening in other towns, I figured this could happen here. I just hoped we’d have more time. But the clock’s running.”

  “Then let’s get moving.”

  “On my way,” Blaze said, hurrying up the steps and inside.

  Standing for a moment, I stared into space, hoping for some last-minute brilliance. Nothing came. So, I got to work enchanting ten more batteries. It drained a good chunk of my Mana, and dinged my ENCHANTING skill up to Level 2. “Not thinking about what more to take until this is over.”

  Ten minutes after I finished making the batteries, Blaze handed me my hat as I finished armoring up. I grinned and said, “Thank you, squire,” as I bowed to her. She gave me a half-curtsy back and laughed.

  She had her vest and FBI jacket on again. I added a couple more enchants to her gear, just in case. Then we locked the door behind us and headed for my van.

  ***

  By the time we arrived, police had closed off the streets around City Hall. We parked a few blocks out and walked in. Bhaarrt, Ingrid, and Shadow were already there, along with Chief Brown.

  “’Bout time you showed,” the Chief said. “We’ve got two problems. First, some of them are gathering in groups. Our watchers are guessing twenty to thirty minutes before they move. Maybe more. Could be forty of them. Or more. Second…we’ve got a news crew inside interviewing the mayor and sheriff.”

  “That good or bad?” I asked.

  “Always bad, unless we’re running the interview. We can’t stop them from filming what’s about to happen.”

  “OK. Then we don’t. We use them.”

  “How the hell do we do that?” he demanded.

  “I don’t know yet. But we’ll think of something. Don’t stop them. Just keep them out of the line of fire. No hero reporting until it’s over. What do we have to work with?”

  “Four parties of five, plus yours. Three of those groups have some experience. And about a dozen others we’ve worked with before.”

  “How many officers can you put in full riot gear?” I had an idea trying to get my attention.

  “Twelve, plus spare pieces.”

  “If those pieces include helmets, shields, and vests, we’ll use ‘em. We’ll need a front line. Get everyone as defensively geared as possible. How many of them are sniper-trained?”

  “One. Other guy's on vacation with family in Kansas. We’ve got a backup, but he’s not riot trained. Why?”

  “Snipers don’t need riot armor. The front line does. Swap gear. Is PokerRun here? Old redneck with the big hunting rifle?”

  “I know who you mean. He came in saying we’d need him. He’s the guy who shot at Agent Pozarkova and missed, right?”

  Blaze stepped in. “He didn’t miss, Chief. His bullets hung in the air right in front of my eyes. It took both Will and me to block them. If we hadn’t, I’d be dead. I saw his stats. He’s a Level 1 Hunter Marksman and told us later he’s a competition shooter. He won’t miss at this range.”

  That’s when I heard the clank of armor. A familiar sound. An armored figure walked across the grass toward us. Full plate. Infantry harness, early 1500s style. About the time of Henry the Eighth. Visor up. Broadsword at his side. Shield slung on his back.

  Without having to think about it, I knew what he had painted on that shield. Per pale, sable, and argent, a chevron inverted surrounded by three closed gauntlets affronte, all countercharged.

  He was wearing a black and white tabard over his armor bearing the same arms. “Sir Andrew! Over here!” I called, waving.

  “Lord William!” he shouted back. “Who do I speak with to offer aid?”

  “That’d be us.” I cast REVEAL STATS. “Chief, this is Sir Andrew of Darkfeld. Or Andrew Woodbridge. Knight in the SCA. Taught me armored fighting back in the day. I taught him rapier later. He’s good with both.”

  Chief Brown eyed him. “Can you help? You’ll be facing guns, not swords.”

  “I’ll do my best, Milord Chief Brown,” Andrew said. He was six-five…but still had to look up at Bhaarrt. “I’m used to being the biggest on the field. Milord…whoever you are, I concede that title.”

  We all laughed.

  “Sir Andrew, meet Bhaarrt. Half-Ogre, and husband to Ingrid,” I gestured, “our Healer and his lovely wife.”

  Sir Andrew gave Ingrid a deep bow. “Milady. A great honor to meet such a statuesque beauty as yourself.” He could almost look her in the eye. She was taller by maybe an inch.

  Ingrid, still in her light blue scrubs, offered a graceful curtsey. “A most gracious meeting on this day, Sir Andrew. Your courteous and kind words will be long remembered.”

  “And your fair companions?” he asked.

  “This is Blaze, or Agent Pozarkova of the FBI. She’s also known as the Fire Mage Blaze. Warning. She has a fiery temper and nerves of better steel than you’re wearing.”

  They bowed to each other. Blaze blushed but played along.

  “I shall test neither thy nerves or temper, Milady Blaze,” he said solemnly.

  I glanced around. “Our last party member is Shadow. A Ninja. She prefers to remain unseen…until her blades speak for her.”

  Sir Andrew looked around but didn’t spot her. “Then, Milady Shadow, I wish not to feel the blade I glimpsed earlier. My greetings, and my admiration for being truly unseen.”

  “Andy. We’re short on time. A convoy of gang members is enroute to take City Hall. Maybe the whole town if they can. I need two things: one, teach Bhaarrt how to use his shield. He just finished it. Two, help us build a shield wall. The Game’s semi-medieval, and your Pennsic experience might save lives.”

  “We have riot police with some shields, so we have a shield wall. Sorta.” I added and he nodded.

  “Will, I heard you were involved. There are a few others getting gear together. I’m not surprised you’re leading this. I’ll help however I can.”

  Clapping his arm, I said, “Thanks. Bhaarrt’s our main tank. He breaks through to their boss. You’re our off-tank. If he drops or takes too much damage, you go for their leader. They won’t expect this. The healers’ll keep you alive, but it’s gonna hurt. A lot. Trust them.”

  “You’re thinking like it’s a video game,” Andrew said. “This is a war.”

  “I know. I’m hoping the charge breaks their morale and they run. Less blood on both sides. There’s no respawn. Dead is dead. I don’t want you hurt, old friend, but I do want our town safe. Stop this now, and maybe we won’t have to do it again…when they’ve leveled up.”

  “That we do, old friend. But that rapier gear of yours won’t stop bullets.”

  “And your plate’ll only stop black powder and small-caliber. I tapped a dent on his breastplate. I’ll survive more hits wearing this than you in that steel. I’m Level 6. You’re Level 1. Don’t ask. I’ll tell you the story…over beers. After this is over.”

  “Done. Win this,” he said, “and the first rounds on me.”

  I nodded.

  “Let’s win this.” I told everyone.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm7m59l-3sE