The Yard

Texas knew the yard was the last place she wanted to go, with no Maria protecting her, but if it was where they were going to be escaping from then maybe she'd be out there planning? Plus Incina had seemed awfully eager to get moving, maybe the escape plan was closer to hand than she thought? Either way she had to get to the bottom of this before Incina was found and her covert investigation outed. That and she needed Warden Ramshackle's protection or she'd be sliding between prisoner's backsides the second she was out in the open!

A thrown tool across the factory was enough to distract the guard for long enough for Texas to sprint back into the service corridor. She'd seen the yard enough times to know where it was relative to the corridor and after a few twists and turns she found herself at a door to the yard. From her side there was a deadbolt, easy enough to pull open before she slid herself out, pulling it shut behind her.

The yard was massive, and full of rocks. Chunks of ore containing rock dragged out for the prisoners to smash on with hammers and pickaxes. A way to keep them busy and working. The hot sun burned down from above as the clink of metal against rock was audible from everywhere. There were four guard towers along the outer edge, each manned by an armed guard watching the yard below. A few guards also watched the workers from the ground level, though none of them were looking Texas's way. She pulled down her cap and lowered her head, shuffling away from the service door and into the yard properly. The yard was packed with labouring criminals, most distracted by working up a sweat, but Texas definitely cut a distinct silhouette as she walked between them, her own eyes searching for any sign of a moose.

She stopped beside a rock, taking up a hammer left beside it and giving it a few whacks as she kept looking around. Most of those in the yard had a ball and chain to stop them running around and make them easier for the guards to recover if something went wrong. Still this close any one of those fat, sweaty hips could slam her between those cheeks before Texas had a chance to react. She was playing with fire being this close. Her heart started to beat a little faster as she kept scanning. She had to be out here, she had to be... just when Texas felt panic crawling up her throat she caught sight of two antlers and let out a sigh. There she was, the moose with the caboose, BB Winterbottom. Formerly a circus ringmaster until Texas had her taken away for ruining Sheriffs and robbing towns. Looked like she'd taken to running this circus.

Copperbutt was working fairly close to her and they both kept sharing glances. Did they have all they needed? Then Texas saw it, a flash of metal tucked under BB's hat. She had the grappling hook, Copperbutt had the sheets. Now was the time, she needed to stop them before they could make their attempt. Texas was surrounded by criminals, but the whole yard was also surrounded by guards, and the guards worked for Warden Ramshackle, who Texas was also assisting. Maybe she could use them to her advantage? She had no idea how long she had until the pair enacted their plan, clearly they were waiting for something. Approaching them was dangerous, but she needed to do something. If they escaped then she was doomed... though she also didn't want to doom herself in the process of trying to prevent their escape. She needed to play this carefully, but she needed to do something, and soon!