Four days had dragged by since they made the plan. Four long damn days of waiting, fixing what they could, and trying not to think about Saint sitting alone in that cold cell.
Sheriff and Shed finally set everything in motion under the cover of deep night.
The Rusty Anchor was quiet behind them as they slipped out again. Sheriff's leg still sparked every few steps but it held
Shed's scales had healed enough that he could move without wincing too much. They both knew this was it. No more scouting. No more talking it over. Tonight they were bringing Saint home.
They walked fast through the ruins. Sheriff kept checking the map they had drawn during the scouting. Shed stayed close,
claws ready, tail flicking with nervous energy.
Sheriff spoke low, voice steady.
This is the third time we run through it. We stick to the plan. In through the grate. Shut down the scanners. Grab Saint. Out on the bikes. No hero shit.
Shed hissed low.
Yeah yeah. I know the plan. But I still do not like it. We should have brought more weapons or something. Feels too thin.
Sheriff stopped for a second and looked at him. This was the third time they had this talk and Shed was still pushing back. The first time Shed had blown up hard. He said the plan was straight suicide.
He wanted to wait longer, build better gear, maybe even ask some of the Ceil survivors for help even if they were still mad at them. He argued for almost an hour saying they were rushing it, that they would get killed before they even reached the cells. Sheriff had shut it down saying they could not wait. Every extra day was another chance the Director moved Saint or broke him.
They went back and forth until Shed finally gave in but you could tell he was still pissed and worried.
The second time was yesterday. Shed brought it up again.
He said the drainage grate might be watched now after they cleared the forward camp. He wanted to hit the main gate instead with a distraction.
Throw some glowing herbs to blind the cameras.
Make noise on the west side and slip in east. Sheriff shot it down again.
He explained the gate had too many guards and alarms that would bring everyone running. The grate was still the quietest way.
They went over every detail again. Shed kept pushing saying what if the bikes were locked or the cells had extra locks or Mark had doubled the guards.
Sheriff stayed calm but firm. They had to keep it simple. In and out fast. No extra risks. Shed eventually agreed but you could tell he was not happy about it and kept muttering under his breath.
Now on the third time Shed just hissed again.
Fine. We do it your way. But if it goes to shit I am saying I told you so.
Sheriff: Noted. Now move. We are burning night.
They kept walking, talking the whole way to keep the nerves down. Shed complained about his scales still itching in the cracks. Sheriff admitted his leg was acting up worse than before but it would hold.
They talked about Saint. How the kid probably had not stopped asking questions the whole time he was locked up.
How he gave himself up without thinking twice to save them and the town.
The guilt was still there but it had turned into something sharper. Anger. Focus. They were getting him back tonight no matter what.
After a long tense walk they reached the main Mark crew base again. It was deep night. Most guards were probably sleeping or half awake on shift. The metal walls looked even taller in the dark. Red scanner beams swept the perimeter slow and steady.
Sheriff pointed.
There. The outpost with the scanner controls. I go first. You cover me.
He moved like a shadow despite his size. He slipped up to the small outpost tower. A single guard sat inside yawning. Sheriff appeared tall in the dark, red eye glowing bright for one second. The guard turned around fast but it was too late. Sheriff knocked him out cold with one heavy punch. The man slumped without a sound.
Sheriff quickly shut down the scanners. The red beams died one by one.
Clear. Let's go.
They moved in as planned. Like shadows. Silent. Deadly. They killed the first few guards easy. Snap of the neck
Quick knife to the throat. No noise.
No alarm.
They worked together smooth. Sheriff took the bigger ones with raw power. Shed handled the quicker ones with claws and speed.
They reached the cell gate. Sheriff picked the lock with a tool he had brought. The door opened with a soft click.
Inside the cell Saint looked up at the tall shadow figures. For a second he froze. Then he realized. It was Sheriff and Shed. His face lit up with pure relief and excitement.
Saint: You came. You actually came for me.
He ran to them hugging them tight, tears streaming down his face.
I knew you would. I knew it. Thank you. Thank you so much. I thought I was stuck here forever.
His cell mates watched wide eyed
One of the cell mates stood up and said.
Yeah we are not gonna let them rot here either. Open the other cells.
They need are help
Saint pulled back but looked at the others.
Stop. Wait. These people helped me while I was in here. We cannot just leave them.
Sheriff's voice was firm.
Look kid. I know you want to save them but the plan me and Shed made was to help your escape. Do no hero stuff. It will not be long until Mark's goons realize we are inside.
We need to move now.
Saint looked at the rest of the people in the cells. His face set with that stubborn look they both knew too well.
I am not leaving them. They are coming with us.
Before Sheriff could argue more the alarm suddenly blared loud and sharp. The guard Sheriff had knocked out earlier had woken up and hit the panic button.
Outside Mark was in another part of the base when his phone rang. The goon on the other end was panicked.
Boss we are being attacked in the main base. It is Sheriff and Shed. They are inside.
Mark's face twisted with pure rage. He smashed the phone into the ground so hard it shattered.
Those fucking bastards. I let them go and this is what they repay me with? Guys let's go. We have a problem to fix.
Back in the cell hall Mark's crew poured in fast guns up and shooting. Bullets and lasers filled the air. Sheriff and Shed went into action immediately. Sheriff tanked shots with his metal body firing back with the revolver. Shed leaped around slashing throats and dodging.
Saint and the cell mates worked fast releasing the other prisoners. Chaos exploded. Prisoners started fighting back with whatever they could grab. Chairs. Pipes. Bare hands.
Then in a split second Mark arrived with more men. He stood at the end of the hall eyes cold.
Mark: You really thought you could just walk in here and take what is mine?
The fight spilled outside. Sheriff Shed Saint and the freed prisoners burst out into the open area. Mark was already waiting with three dozen of his army. Guns ready. Lights blazing.
Mark stepped forward
You pieces of scrap and scales really came all this way for one weak kid. Pathetic. I am going to enjoy breaking every single one of you. Starting with the robot. Then the lizard. The boy watches last so he learns what happens when you fuck with me.
He signaled and the attack started.
Shed ran straight at Mark with a wild hiss. But Mark made quick work of him. One brutal punch sent Shed flying hard into a wall. He hit with a crack and dropped.
Mark's goons opened fire on the prisoners. Many went down fast screaming.
Sheriff was shocked for a second but shook it off and charged Mark. He got cooked fast. Heavy blows rained down. Sheriff crashed to the floor sparks flying everywhere.
Saint stared in horror frozen
Mark walked over to finish Sheriff raising his fist for the final blow.
Then Shed came again trying to cut him from the side. Mark saw it coming. He grabbed Shed's arm twisted it and stabbed him straight through the chest with a hidden blade. Shed dropped to the ground blood pooling.
Sheriff's red eye glowed with pure bloodlust. He launched at Mark with surprising speed that even shocked Mark. He punched him hard in the face with everything he had. The battle turned ugly. Sheriff almost died taking hit after hit but in a horrified frenzy he killed Mark.
He punched until Mark's face did not look the same. Skull cracked. Teeth shattered and disintegrated. Then he kept going removing guts and organs piece by piece in a brutal mess
I AM GOING MAKE YOU SUFFER YOU DAMN RETARD BASTARD
Saint watched the whole thing in horrified silence. His hands shook.
When Sheriff was done he stood up covered in blood and turned on the remaining goons. His red eye wild. He started attacking them too.
Then a ship appeared overhead. The Director's ship. It landed with a heavy thud.
Sheriff stared at it with wild eyes and charged.
But the Director was too overpowered. He beat Sheriff down fast.
Sheriff looked damaged bad. Then he fell. Power shutting himself down with a final spark.
The Director looked at Saint.
Take them and go.
Here have this. It will bring back your outcast friends alive.
Mostly for Shed
You are not ready.
He tossed a small glowing device to Saint.
Saint looked at his almost dead friends freezing in horror.
Sheriff powered down. Shed stabbed through the chest. But he picked them up somehow.
The device hummed in his hand. He started to move carrying them both as best he could.
Meanwhile a brief cut to the Director watching them leave from the ship ramp. His masked face stayed hidden. The red line glowed steady.