Runestone: Six Gun Ragnarok

The sun blazed high over the dusty town of Wolf Creek, casting long shadows across the weathered buildings. The air was thick with the scent of leather and gunpowder, a typical afternoon in this rough-and-tumble frontier town. But today was different. Today, one of the most notorious outlaw gangs in the west was about to strike.

Jack, a gentleman bandit, adjusted his coat and tipped his hat to the gang assembled beside him. His refined manner and educated tone belied his reputation as a ruthless gunfighter. “Alright, folks,” he began, his voice smooth and calm. “We enter swiftly, secure the wealth, and depart without delay. Efficiency is paramount.”

Liora, the Alf, nodded, her sharp eyes scanning the street. “Understood. Quick and clean.”

Ivaldi, grunted his agreement, his thick stubby fingers checking the chamber of his Colt Peacemaker. “Just like the train job. We’ve got this.” Jack smiled inwardly, watching the stern Dverge fidget, knowing that once the dance starts, Ivaldi is a calm partner.

Elias “Boom-Boom” Sanchez, on the other hand, could be a bit too excitable at times. The skroggr cackled softly, his nimble fingers dancing over the handles of the matching set of No 2 revolvers holstered at his side. “Let’s make some noise.”

Tom, Jack’s younger brother, exchanged a glance with him, hands resting on his revolvers. “Ready when you are,” Tom said, his voice steady.

The gang moved in unison, their boots thudding on the wooden sidewalk. Jack pushed open the bank doors, his revolver held casually at his side. Inside, the bank was a picture of mundane activity – tellers counting bills, a few townsfolk making transactions. That mundane activity shattered as Jack fired a shot into the ceiling.

“Everyone down!” he commanded, his voice cutting through the sudden chaos. “Hands where I can see them!”

Ivaldi and Tom fanned out, revolvers drawn, herding the terrified customers and staff to the floor. Boom-Boom darted to the vault with practiced ease.

“Open the vault,” the Skroggr barked at the trembling manager. The man fumbled with the keys, his hands shaking so badly he could barely fit them into the lock.

Jack kept his revolver steady, his eyes cold and calculating. “Do hurry, good sir. Time is of the essence.”

Boom-Boom shoved the manager aside and finished unlocking the vault. “Got it!”

The heavy door swung open, revealing stacks of bills and bags of coins. Boom-Boom let out a gleeful laugh as he started loading the loot into sacks. “We’re rich!”

Suddenly, a shout echoed from outside. “This is Sheriff Blake! Come out with your hands up!”

Jack’s eyes narrowed. “Lawmen. Right on time.”

The tension in the bank skyrocketed. Tom moved to the windows, peering out cautiously. “They’ve got the place surrounded,” he muttered.

“Then it appears we shall have to make our exit under duress,” Jack said, his voice ice-cold. “Ivaldi, Elias, secure the currency. Miss Liora, would kindly clear an avenue for our departure?”

Ivaldi hefted two heavy sacks onto his shoulders as Boom-Boom scrambled to gather the rest. Jack and Tom took up positions by the windows, revolvers ready.

“On my signal,” Jack whispered, moving beside a window, as the elven sharp-shooter took to the door. He took a deep breath, steadying himself. “Now!”

The bank exploded into action. Liora burst through the doors, her lever action rifle spitting fire and hate as she picked off the deputies in her considerable line of sight. Ivaldi and Boom-Boom followed, laden with cash, while Jack and Tom provided cover, their guns barking in rapid succession.

Bullets whizzed through the air, splintering wood and shattering glass. The gang moved like a well-oiled machine, each member playing their part perfectly. Jack’s rapid firing pistols kept the lawmen hiding, his gentlemanly demeanor hiding a ruthless efficiency. Ivaldi’s stout frame barreled through the chaos, his revolver never missing its mark. Boom-Boom was a blur of motion, his small size making him a hard target. Liora and Tom worked in perfect harmony, covering everyone’s backs as they fired with deadly precision.

The aett made their way out of the bank and behind cover as they moved down the street, and out of town.

But the lawmen were relentless. Sheriff Blake himself stepped forward, a towering figure with a steel-cold gaze. “Give it up, Vargr!” he shouted, his voice booming over the din. “You’re surrounded!”

“Not today,” Jack hissed, reloading his revolver with practiced speed. “Elias, would you be so kind as to give us a little marching drum for this here parade?”

The dverge sighed and nodded, handing a stick of dynamite to Boom-Boom, who lit the fuse with a wicked grin. “Fire in the hole!”

The explosion rocked the street, sending a cloud of dust and debris into the air. The lawmen ducked for cover, giving the aett the opening they needed. They dashed towards their horses, tethered nearby.

Sheriff Blake emerged from the dust, his eyes blazing with determination. “Stop them!”

Jack swung onto his horse, firing a final shot that knocked the sheriff’s hat off his head. “Ride!” he shouted.

The gang spurred their horses into a gallop, racing out of town with the lawmen hot on their heels. Bullets flew, but the gang’s skill and coordination saw them through. Tom led the charge, his keen instincts guiding them through the rough terrain. Ivaldi and Boom-Boom, despite their burdens of cash, kept pace, while Liora and Jack’s covering fire kept the lawmen at bay.

As they reached the cover of the nearby hills, the sound of pursuit began to fade. Jack slowed his horse, looking back with a satisfied smile. “Congratulations Lady and Gentlemen, on another successful endeavor.”