Difference between revisions of "Blastersnatch Gunfight"

Revision as of 09:53, 12 February 2006

Prelude

The Blastersnatch Gunfight in Ruby Junction is a small yet defining moment in Guffingfordian history. The first time the police and members of the Inter-State Army took up rifles and pistols against a single group of bandits, to stop crime dead in its tracks - for good was the reasoning. It'd take another 12 years to clear Guffingford of its notorious criminal elements, and in 1933 the heat was gone from the western plains and mountains. Xaviero Guerra dead, Ed Rappen sent into exile and "Curly" Bill Buford was thrown in prison - where he remained for the rest of his life. The No Mercy Riders were finally crushed and other gangs were destroyed in the enduring fight against organised crime. Many other crooks such as "Reckless" Frank Capezza and Johnny Pengo left for the area of Neu-Bayern, never to be seen again. Some historians say the duo stole the treasure of Ed Rappen and Xaviero, hidden somewhere in the same area. Neither of them were ever seen again in Guffingford, which fuels the rumors of them having left the country after they found Ed and Xaviero's treasure trove.

What Happened

It started when Xaviero Guerra and Ed Rappen split and Xaviero took the last bits of the No Mercy Riders with him. While Ed was traversing the country, Xaviero roamed around looking for plunder and action. He found neither and moved east, towards the British settlements. Xaviero was especially active in the western frontiers North Western Quarter, pillaging and murdering. For about 5 years, Xaviero was in the saddle with his bandits. Going from town to town, Xaviero led a decadent life and was spending money rapidly. His gambling addiction made matters worse. His gangmembers weren't financially responsible either, and word hit the streets Xaviero was out of money. Since no one really trusted him, he couldn't loan any money. Normally he'd steal the money but without Ed Xaviero wasn't such a tough guy anymore. His life was really turning sour until Xaviero wanted to retreat to The Macabees and live off interest.

However, money was still an issue. And clearly he wasn't winning large sums any time soon with poker, Xaviero and his friends agreed to travel to the town of Ruby Junction, because a new bank opened over there: First City Banking & Trust. A wealthy organisation already established in Gloucterbury and Hoogenbosch, the bank wanted to expand and reach the lesser people of the nation. Soon many people heard of this and allowed the bank to safeguard their wealth. This already attracted many gangsters, and many of them were chased away or killed before they could make a break for freedom and prosperity.

Xavier and his men did not know this until it was too late. Before they arrived the law was fully aware of Xavier riding to town to rob the bank. People talk a lot, and when drunk people like to talk even more. How Morgan Bucksley knew about the upcoming heist, remains a mystery. Some even dare to call it a hunch. Morgan Bucksley was fired from the army not long after The Luambo Wars and the City Marshals of that time gladly accepted him as an officer. His skills and knowledge about many things were unmatched, and since he received a better pay, Morgan accepted the tasks at hand.

The Heist

Bucksley ordered his men to prepare an ambush for Xaviero, once he's dead or captured, the spirit of the gang's broken and will fall apart. Logical reasoning, and most importantly, it was true. Without Xaviero, the gang had no real meaning to exist anymore. It's important to note that Morgan wanted them to steal the money, so the other robbers could be caught red handed. Even those who just wait outside to guard the place will be arrested.

On 19th September 1921 Xaviero and his Riders entered town, put the horses in a stable and went to bed. The next day they were busy planning and casing the joint, without being wary of any policemen watching every move. When done with all work, Xaviero and all the others went into the bar called "The Blastersnatch" for a drink - not too much because they want to focus on their respective jobs. Morgan hoped they'd drink themselves to a delirium, encouraging the bartender to give them drinks on the house. Xaviero refused and went to bed. As loyal and smaty as they were, the Riders and other bandits followed Xaviero.

The next day the men were ready to rob the bank. Armed to the teeth, "Tree Fingered Jack", Xaviero, "Reckless" Frank and "Cinnamon" Ike entered the bank and threatened the staff, who immediately surrendered all of their belongings and customer's belonings to the three men. Everything went well, until Johnny Pengo came in telling Xaviero he saw several police officers running to Cooper Street (where The Blastersnatch Saloon is located). Upon hearing this Xaviero said in disbelief he'd be in the mood for a drink after this when he was done emptying the vault, Johnny Pengo and "Cinnamon" Ike were ordered to put the loot in Xaviero's hotel suite and to guard it - with their lives.

So Xaviero and the rest left for The Blastersnatch. Some were worried about Pengo's sighting, but they were carrying a load of weaponry so a feeling of 'nothing can harm' us was anchored within the confident men. Xaviero walked in the middle of the gang, and the streets were dead empty when the citizens saw them coming. Children were taken off the streets, cars were put aside and everywhere people seemed to flee from the scene. Upon seeing The Blastersnatch, Xavier turned to his men and said fortune's only a street away, and he'd buy everyone a few rounds of Scotch. Everybody cheered, until Morgan Bucksley came out of an alley and confronted Xaviero. What was said back then is lost today, but it did not impress Xaviero and he pushed Morgan aside and walked towards the saloon.

The Gunfight

Participants

The persons marked in red have died in the gunfight. So far is doesn't look very clear, because of all the dead red links. It'll improve in time.