The prospect of war is frightening. However, for now you have some time... Or at least you thought so...

You ponder the recent disturbing news: "It seems that the citizens of the Free Community of Port-Williams are in for a hard time. And the hope for freedom is illusory. If everything works out, military assistance from two local strong "states" will help them repel attacks by aggressive armed groups of the Aryan Coalition on trade routes. However, for such assistance, representatives of the Orange Kingdom and representatives of Axeman-City will clearly demand payment. And the weak will become dependent on strong "allies"... As has happened many times throughout the history of mankind... However, this is still the best option compared to the risk of complete destruction..."

After breakfast with the Williams family, you and Elijah N. Moore decided to take a walk along the vast streets of the Axeman-City quarters.

You would like to better understand the local life and the ghoul supported your desire.

"If you only see the life of the city from the mansions of the elite - then this is the best way to not understand a fucking thing! Ha! Ha!" - said the ghoul in his usual sarcastic manner.

Rain Blue wanted to go with you, but you talked her out of it and advised her to rest and get used to the conditions of a new free life. Brittany volunteered to help her and pick out suitable clothes for her.

So, you and Elijah walked along the streets of the port quarter - to the west ...

You have already seen one of the local **** markets ...

Passing by it, you and your companion turned west - your path lay among the long and winding streets of the slums.

The stench of various waste ...

The noise of a crowd of passers-by ...

The swearing of regulars in pubs ...

The houses of the local inhabitants are made of the remains of ancient ruins, various garbage and poorly processed wood (along the vast river there are many thickets of trees - you saw this during the voyage on the ship).

"You're a lucky guy, Anton!" the ghoul says to you, walking alongside you.

"What do you mean?" you ask.

"You saved a young girl - and she turned out to be the daughter of a rich dad. And this beautiful and not very smart girl somehow managed to tame this big reptile... A very useful reptile..."

You realize that he's talking about the giant chameleon-like anole that helped you all survive the night **** of Port-Williams.

"Bartholomew... She called him by that name..." you say.

"I don't give a shit what this pet's name is... The main thing is that this beast doesn't go crazy and bite my ass off! Ha! Ha!" the ghoul's words may seem like ordinary playful chatter, but you understand that there is a hidden meaning in his phrase.

"Are you hinting at something, Elijah?" you ask.

"Lucky once. Lucky twice... But luck can't last forever..." - the ghoul suddenly says gloomily.

You feel an unpleasant premonition of trouble. Your companion's words contain some logic: it is extremely unlikely that luck will continue to accompany you.

You nervously stroke the handle of your revolver, which is in a holster on your belt (and you also have an automatic pistol in your bag).

"We can be prepared for unpleasant surprises..." - you say phlegmatically.

The walk continues...

You notice that there are quite a lot of prostitutes on the streets of this neighborhood.

And some of them do not look very adequate...

Trembling limbs...

Dilated pupils and reddened whites of the eyes...

Confused, inarticulate speech...

It seems you can guess the reasons.

"Is this what I think?" - you ask the ghoul. Passing by yet another pushy prostitute who was trying to attract your attention with all sorts of indecent antics.

Elijah nods: "****... Many different types of ****... Local laws do not prohibit it. And all the rich families sell such crap. However, in this "business" there are "record holders" - the Armas family. These bastards have plantations along the banks of the Big Sister River..."

When you say the word "bastards" to one of the families of the Circle of Five, you notice that a couple of poor passers-by on the street look in the direction of you and your companion with an undisguised expression of fear on their faces.

"I would ask you to be more careful with your expressions..." - you whisper to the ghoul.

He only smiles ironically with his inimitable smile in the style of "rotten zombie".

You try to change the subject: "Tell me better about the geography of the region... You mentioned the Big Sister River. "Is this the big river the ship we were passengers on sailed on?"

"That's right, Professor. Big Sister. That's what the local inhabitants call this river. However, I've heard rumors that in the south they use a different name - Bluestream River. And to the west there is a tributary river called Middle Sister... And even further west - the Younger Sister River..." - Elijah answers you.

After a while, you both come to one of the local cheap pubs.

The atmosphere here is dirty...

The tables and chairs are made of rusty pieces of some material... It looks like a part of an ancient car!

A striking contrast to the luxury you saw in the mansion of the Sullivans.

The regulars of the tavern look at you sullenly and unkindly. However, your phlegmatic and calm appearance (in combination with the weapon on your belt) probably calms down potential lovers of conflicts a little. In addition, the appearance of your companion is also quite threatening...

You order local drinks and food.

Strong **** of dubious quality...

Something like a kebab from some kind of giant rat...

However, the main reason you came here is to gather rumors.

Elijah orders drinks for a couple of local regulars and skillfully provokes their talkativeness.

As a result, in half an hour you learn some information about the relationship between the Orange Kingdom and Axeman-City.

There is no war between these "states" yet. However, the relations are extremely tense. There is competition in the sphere of "research" (or rather - plundering) of the ruins of Atlanta. There are mutual claims and an irritating increase in trade duties. There are clashes between the interests of large merchants. And also: an ideological confrontation between supporters of the monarchy and supporters of the principle of "everything is bought and sold". Many local residents from the poor strata of the population treat their monarchist neighbors with contempt (the need to obey the nobles all their lives is perceived as shameful and humiliating slavery).

Regarding other "neighbors", you and your companion also manage to learn some rumors. There is also no war between the Aryan Coalition and Axeman-City at the moment. Although the south of the ruins of Atlanta, armed squads of whitestarists (as the inhabitants of the fortress Jackson are sometimes called) plunder quite successfully. And this causes discontent among the authorities of Axeman-City. There are almost no trade relations between Axeman-City and the Aryan Coalition. However, the propaganda of whitestarists is more successful among some groups of inhabitants of slums, compared to the monarchist propaganda of the Orange Kingdom. Of course, the cruelty of the thugs from the Aryan Coalition causes fear among the locals. But in this post-apocalyptic world, cruelty is almost ubiquitous...

You were also able to learn, during conversations with the tipsy regulars of this pub (and partly - due to eavesdropping on the conversations of people sitting at other tables), an approximate characteristic of the perception of the rich families that rule the city by the majority of the local population.

The families that are part of the Circle of Five cause fear in many.

Some ordinary local inhabitants try to please these families in the hope of a reward. Some simply demonstrate conformism and serve the family that their father, grandfather, and so on served...

Everything you hear makes you think deeply: "The complexities of the local political situation are so confusing that the most unpleasant consequences are possible due to rash actions... Did I really provoke a full-scale war between the largest local "states" with my message?!"

"If you, professor, are interested in more immediate "geography" - then we can visit one of the local brothels... The Gionderi family makes a lot of money on this business... Or another option - we can visit the casino owned by the Iseva family..." - ghoul seems to mock you.

You look at him as he smirks and continues to drink the strong **** straight from the bottle.

“Actually, we have an important task, Mr. Moore… Or have you forgotten that? That far to the south there may be a community where they live a normal, civilized life…” You lean towards your companion’s ear and whisper.

“I haven’t forgotten, Professor! But you, Professor, have gotten carried away with your shady dealings! Relationships with that sexy young chick… Risky plans to participate in local affairs… I admit that cutie Brittany has great big boobs and that her tempting plump buttocks arouse a well-founded desire to “penetrate her inner world”… Ha! Ha! However, won’t all this interfere with our plan to make a trip to the far south?” - the words and tone Elijah used towards Brittany almost made you want to slap the impudent ghoul across the face.

However, you restrained your emotions.

You and the ghoul left the pub in one of the poorer areas of the city.

In the afternoon, you both returned to the guest house, which is located next to the Sullivan family mansion.

To your surprise, you saw a large crowd of servants on the street and many carriages and carts for goods.

Edward Williams III greeted you, shaking your hand and saying: "Venerable Mr. Sullivan was so generous as to buy for our family a small house in one of the nearby blocks... You and your friends are also welcome to live with us until you find an opportunity to buy your own place..."

This makes sense: it would be impossible for the Williams family to live in the guest house for a long time.

You see how all the family members (with the help of servants) load their belongings into the carriages. You, Elijah and Rain Blue are also doing this.

A couple of hours later, a line of carriages arrives at one of the nearby quarters.

The new home of the Williams family looks much more modest than the buildings belonging to the Sullivan family. But still, by the standards of most inhabitants of Axeman-City, this not very large two-story house, next to which several ash trees grow, looks like a very good place to live.

Carrying the luggage takes time again...

When you finally finish this, you go to a small gazebo next to the house.

You sit down and breathe tiredly, looking at the small chirping birds that fly between the branches of one of the ash trees.

You anxiously think about the current situation: "Do I really have to go to war soon?!"

Suddenly, your train of thought is interrupted...

The window on the first floor of the house is slightly open - so you hear the sound of two voices.

Two people are talking in raised voices.

And in one of the voices you recognize Brittany's.

You stand up and come closer...

"Dad! I don't want to! Why are you forcing me?" - the young girl's voice sounds as if she is about to cry.

"Brittany, understand that this is required for the future of our entire family! This is simply some kind of diplomatic act between two influential families!" - the second voice clearly belongs to Edward Williams III

"You want me to be engaged to one of the Delvar family members?! To some man I don't know! It's terrible for me!" - Brittany screams indignantly.

"Understand that this has nothing to do with your romantic feelings for Anton! I'm not blind! I see your love for him! I'm only asking you to participate in some kind of "deal" for the good of our family!" - Edward says.

"That's what I'm talking about - you don't care about my feelings!" - the girl is sobbing hysterically.

Eavesdropping is not polite...

However, you are not thinking about etiquette right now.

Suddenly you hear an insistent knock on the door. Apparently, someone is knocking on the front door of the house from the street.

You quickly walk along the wall to look at the unexpected visitor.

When you look out from behind the corner of the house, you manage to notice how the front door of the house opens...

On the steps there are three guys, who are dressed in dirty and torn clothes.

A tall black man in a greasy T-shirt and torn jeans.

A stocky and muscular white man, with tattoos in the neck and right shoulder area.

And some young bald guy of Asian appearance, who coughs slightly.

Before you have time to do anything, the black guy asks the one who opened the door to the house: "Does the Williams family live here?"

"Yes, it is. This is our house... Did you bring some kind of package?" - you recognize the voice of Solomon Williams.

The realization of danger penetrates your mind and your hands rush to the gun that hangs in a holster on your belt.

Alas, you were not fast enough to prevent what happened the next second...

With a swift movement of his hand, the black guy snatches a Glock 19 gun from under the fabric of his T-shirt!

Loud sounds of gunshots!

One, two, three!

The sound of a body falling on a wooden floor!

At the same second, a white man, with tattoos in the neck and right shoulder area, takes out a small sawed-off shotgun and shoots the one who fell!

"Mickey, don't stand there like an idiot! Follow us!" - a black man angrily shouts at a young bald Asian guy who hesitates a little.

Then two armed men run inside the house...

The young Asian guy took out a small revolver from a holster hidden under his rags.

He was about to follow his two companions inside the house...

However, you were faster: your hand did not tremble as you snatched your large Smith & Wesson Model 500 revolver (your father's payment for saving Brittany) and aimed...

The roar of a shot!

The head of the young Asian guy jerked sharply to the side as did his whole body...

Now there is a large hole in his head (in the area of ​​the right temple) and this fact is incompatible with life.

You run to the door and quickly run inside the house...

You try to act quickly before something irreparable happens.

Alas, in the hallway, on the wooden floor, you immediately see the lifeless body of Solomon Williams.

His gaze is fixed on the ceiling. An expression of surprise is frozen on his face.

Three bullet holes: in the throat, in the forehead and in the heart area. An ugly wound in the abdomen from a shot from a sawed-off shotgun.

Blood, guts, pieces of flesh...

A large pool of blood quickly spreads across the wooden floor.

Sounds of swearing and gunshots...

You run further down the corridor and hurry to run into the room in which the conversation between Brittany and her father took place.

The door is wide open...

A shot from a sawed-off shotgun!

"Die, bastard!" - the voice of a man you do not know.

You burst into the room, grabbing your second weapon - an automatic pistol (luckily, you took it out of your bag and put it on your belt a couple of hours ago).

You see the following situation: two tables are overturned in the room.

Someone's hysterical sobbing is heard from under the bed in the far corner of the room.

One of the overturned tables is used as a barricade - someone is hiding behind this obstacle...

And also - on the wooden surface of this table, traces of impact from a sawed-off shotgun are clearly visible.

Two armed strangers are walking around this improvised barricade from both sides at the same time.

A white man with tattoos in the neck and right shoulder area is holding a sawed-off shotgun tightly in his hands and aiming at the one who is hiding. He seems not to notice you.

The tall black man in the greasy T-shirt and ripped jeans was more attentive…

He noticed you and quickly turned around, firing a Glock 19 gun in your direction.

A flurry of shots!

Unfortunately, you don't have time to dodge…

In your right hand is a Smith & Wesson Model 500 revolver. And you point this weapon towards the white man, firing at the last split second.

Bang!

The body of the guy with tattoos is thrown against the far wall because your bullet pierced his throat.

In your left hand is an automatic pistol. You shoot from it without aiming and you see how the bullets do not reach the target, but only spoil the wallpaper on the walls.

Pain!

Your body is thrown back and you hit your back painfully against the wall, almost losing consciousness.

Two shots from an enemy gun hit your chest. Fortunately, your habit of wearing a bulletproof vest (which you found in the bunker) helped you now.

The third shot hit the target - hellish pain "burned" your right shoulder!

You see that in the far corner of the room on the floor lies the corpse of a white man you just killed, who was armed with a sawed-off shotgun.

The black man quickly reloaded his Glock 19 gun and points the gun in your direction to finish you off!

It seems that due to the pain shock, you are now unable to act in a way that would prevent your ****...

However, the next second you see a hand sticking out from behind the table-"barricade", holding a small semi-automatic pistol (it looks like a Ruger).

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

The body of a tall black man falls next to you on the wooden floor.

Mucus and blood flow from his bloody eye socket.

A wound in the area of ​​the heart (the bullet went through the back). A wound in the stomach area.

This guy is clearly dead.

You, with difficulty overcoming the pain from the wound, get up.

Edward Williams III gets up from behind the "barricade".

His left hand is bloody (probably several bullet wounds). He winces in pain. In his right hand is a Ruger pistol.

Brittany slowly crawls out from under the bed.

She is hysterical, sobbing and sniffling.

You quickly examine the wounds (both your own and Edward Williams III's)

Luckily, Brittany is uninjured.

The rest of the inhabitants of the house come from the second floor.

The attack happened so quickly that no one from the second floor had time to realize…

They help you remove the corpses.

Three corpses of the attackers

And the corpse of Solomon Williams.

You think bitterly: "It seems that someone has decided to take retaliatory steps… If Edward Williams III thought that his opponents would allow him to carry out his plans unhindered, then he was very much mistaken…"