Chapter Sixty-Nine: Patience
“I don't get it.”
Giggles frowned as she hid behind a train.
Giggles frowned as she hid behind a train.
“I don't either, but
apparently Judith is going to be here soon.” Chuckles shrugged.
“Something about insurance inspection.”
apparently Judith is going to be here soon.” Chuckles shrugged.
“Something about insurance inspection.”
“And Lionheart
thought we'd catch her here?” Giggles shook her head. “I don't
like the idea of some insurance assessor getting involved. They might
blab if they hear anything.”
thought we'd catch her here?” Giggles shook her head. “I don't
like the idea of some insurance assessor getting involved. They might
blab if they hear anything.”
“Hey, it's better
than nothing.” Chuckles pointed out.
than nothing.” Chuckles pointed out.
The pair looked over to
where they knew Lady Silent and Lady Courage were crouched low out of
sight. Lady Silent, using her ability to blend into the background
and hear things that she shouldn't, had overheard Mobster Marion
talking about the train yard being insured and needing inspecting.
She had relayed that information to Sir Lionheart, who had casually
asked about the destroyed train yard on a date one morning. Through
that, he had found out that Judith Jofrey, the sister of Mobster
Marion and the Emerald Mobster known as Sidewinder, was going to go
through the property with an insurance assessor that afternoon.
where they knew Lady Silent and Lady Courage were crouched low out of
sight. Lady Silent, using her ability to blend into the background
and hear things that she shouldn't, had overheard Mobster Marion
talking about the train yard being insured and needing inspecting.
She had relayed that information to Sir Lionheart, who had casually
asked about the destroyed train yard on a date one morning. Through
that, he had found out that Judith Jofrey, the sister of Mobster
Marion and the Emerald Mobster known as Sidewinder, was going to go
through the property with an insurance assessor that afternoon.
Sir Lionheart was lying
beneath a train carriage with Sir Hyper, who, as usual, wouldn't be
quiet.
beneath a train carriage with Sir Hyper, who, as usual, wouldn't be
quiet.
“I don't know what
you see in her anyway.” Sir Hyper babbled on, as Sir Lionheart (who
usually didn't mind Sir Hyper constantly talking) groaned. “I mean,
okay she's not a murderous psychopath like her sister, but she's
still a Marion-enabler. She's still a Mobster.”
you see in her anyway.” Sir Hyper babbled on, as Sir Lionheart (who
usually didn't mind Sir Hyper constantly talking) groaned. “I mean,
okay she's not a murderous psychopath like her sister, but she's
still a Marion-enabler. She's still a Mobster.”
“She's not though.
She's starting to get thoroughly sick of her sister.” Sir Lionheart
pointed out.
She's starting to get thoroughly sick of her sister.” Sir Lionheart
pointed out.
“I mean, we lucked
out with Lady Courage, but I don't think lightening will strike
twice. Could you imagine Sidewinder being a Knight of the Last
Order?” Sir Hyper continued.
out with Lady Courage, but I don't think lightening will strike
twice. Could you imagine Sidewinder being a Knight of the Last
Order?” Sir Hyper continued.
Sir Lionheart didn't
even want to think about it.
even want to think about it.
“I don't know how Sir
Dark and Lady Luck do it. They must worry about each other a lot.”
Sir Hyper mused.
Dark and Lady Luck do it. They must worry about each other a lot.”
Sir Hyper mused.
Sir Dark and Lady Luck
weren't worried about each other at all, as they were both hidden
quite comfortably in the guards shack, where they'd be able to
coordinate their friends once Judith and the insurance assessor
arrived.
weren't worried about each other at all, as they were both hidden
quite comfortably in the guards shack, where they'd be able to
coordinate their friends once Judith and the insurance assessor
arrived.
“Hmmm…” Lady Luck
scrolled through her phone. “Pasta or rice?”
scrolled through her phone. “Pasta or rice?”
“Well, we had risotto
last week, so pasta this week.” Sir Dark replied. He smiled at her.
“You're the best food-prepper I know. How you can make the same
meal taste awesome for an entire week…”
last week, so pasta this week.” Sir Dark replied. He smiled at her.
“You're the best food-prepper I know. How you can make the same
meal taste awesome for an entire week…”
“It's an acquired
skill.” Lady Luck smiled back at him. “Especially when you're
trying to stay healthy.”
skill.” Lady Luck smiled back at him. “Especially when you're
trying to stay healthy.”
“You make it easy.”
Sir Dark told her.
Sir Dark told her.
“Are you SURE there's
going to be an inspection? We've been here half an hour already and
there's no sign of Judith or any insurance guys!” Lady Courage
complained, bored with the stakeout already.
going to be an inspection? We've been here half an hour already and
there's no sign of Judith or any insurance guys!” Lady Courage
complained, bored with the stakeout already.
“I just found out
this place was insured. It was Sir Lionheart who found out the
inspection was today. Go and talk to him.” Lady Silent grumbled
back, starting to get sick of Lady Courage complaining.
this place was insured. It was Sir Lionheart who found out the
inspection was today. Go and talk to him.” Lady Silent grumbled
back, starting to get sick of Lady Courage complaining.
“I could have gone to
my hair appointment.” Lady Courage groaned. “Melody and I were
supposed to do a Mummy/Daughter day!”
my hair appointment.” Lady Courage groaned. “Melody and I were
supposed to do a Mummy/Daughter day!”
“Isn't Melody a bit
young for that?” Lady Silent asked.
young for that?” Lady Silent asked.
“She's three!” Lady
Courage protested.
Courage protested.
Lady Silent raised an
eyebrow.
eyebrow.
“And it was only a
few years after THAT, that Lone Revolver defeated Crusader Roger and
finished off the March Hill Crusaders for good…at least, until
Rogers great-grandson revived them with the help of ex-Mobster Mark.”
Giggles was lecturing Chuckles, who looked ready to take the Lions
Claw Blade to his ears.
few years after THAT, that Lone Revolver defeated Crusader Roger and
finished off the March Hill Crusaders for good…at least, until
Rogers great-grandson revived them with the help of ex-Mobster Mark.”
Giggles was lecturing Chuckles, who looked ready to take the Lions
Claw Blade to his ears.
“WHY do I need to
know this rubbish?” Chuckles asked.
know this rubbish?” Chuckles asked.
“Because it's our
city history!” Giggles protested.
city history!” Giggles protested.
“C'mon, c'mon,
c'mon…!” Sir Lionheart and Sir Hyper were watching the BrisVegas
Leos play the Silver Coast Sharks on Sir Hypers phone. The siren
sounded to end the quarter, and the two men grinned at each other.
c'mon…!” Sir Lionheart and Sir Hyper were watching the BrisVegas
Leos play the Silver Coast Sharks on Sir Hypers phone. The siren
sounded to end the quarter, and the two men grinned at each other.
“I can't believe we
actually kicked straight for a quarter.” Sir Lionheart said.
actually kicked straight for a quarter.” Sir Lionheart said.
“Good thing too, we
only got one scoring shot!” Sir Hyper agreed.
only got one scoring shot!” Sir Hyper agreed.
“Judith is a Leos
fan. I wonder if Marion is?”
fan. I wonder if Marion is?”
“I highly doubt it
mate.”
mate.”
“And if we pay the
phone this week, we should have enough for the mortgage and the water
bill next month.” Sir Dark was going through his phone, looking at
bills.
phone this week, we should have enough for the mortgage and the water
bill next month.” Sir Dark was going through his phone, looking at
bills.
“I'm SO glad we went
with solar power. That cuts at least one bill.” Lady Luck breathed
a sigh of relief. “Even if it did cut into the wedding budget.”
with solar power. That cuts at least one bill.” Lady Luck breathed
a sigh of relief. “Even if it did cut into the wedding budget.”
“We still had a
lovely wedding though.” Sir Dark pointed out. “You looked
stunning, I swear I forgot how to breathe when I first saw you in
that dress.”
lovely wedding though.” Sir Dark pointed out. “You looked
stunning, I swear I forgot how to breathe when I first saw you in
that dress.”
Lady Luck blushed
slightly. “You're always handsome.” She replied softly.
slightly. “You're always handsome.” She replied softly.
“So BORED!!!!!!!!!”
Lady Courage groaned. She looked at the control panel in front of
her. “If it weren't for the fact that I know this train is
half-blown up, I'd be temped to give it a whirl.”
Lady Courage groaned. She looked at the control panel in front of
her. “If it weren't for the fact that I know this train is
half-blown up, I'd be temped to give it a whirl.”
“Yeah…I don't think
there's any working trains left here.” Lady Silent sighed. “Even
if there were, can you imagine the hell that Lionheart and the others
would put us through?”
there's any working trains left here.” Lady Silent sighed. “Even
if there were, can you imagine the hell that Lionheart and the others
would put us through?”
“Yeah, I know.”
Lady Courage looked out the window in front of them. The drivers
cabin of the train had been interesting for about fifteen minutes,
but now an hour and a half had passed and it was really getting
monotonous. “How is your course going?”
Lady Courage looked out the window in front of them. The drivers
cabin of the train had been interesting for about fifteen minutes,
but now an hour and a half had passed and it was really getting
monotonous. “How is your course going?”
“Pretty good. Soon
I'll be ready for work placement. I can't wait to see how I go.”
Lady Silent beamed.
I'll be ready for work placement. I can't wait to see how I go.”
Lady Silent beamed.
“Good to hear.”
Lady Courage smiled. “I've actually been thinking about getting
into work, I've only done bits and pieces since Melody was born.”
Lady Courage smiled. “I've actually been thinking about getting
into work, I've only done bits and pieces since Melody was born.”
“Seriously? That
would be awesome.” Lady Silent approved.
would be awesome.” Lady Silent approved.
“And we won't even
begin to get into what the Mob and the DVG did to Laker Barrett and
the rest of the Silent Lake Gang.” Giggles continued on, oblivious
to the fact that Chuckles was pretending to be asleep. “Sir
Lionheart told me his parents were killed in the crossfire, so I went
and had a look. 32 innocent people were killed that day, 5 of them
children.”
begin to get into what the Mob and the DVG did to Laker Barrett and
the rest of the Silent Lake Gang.” Giggles continued on, oblivious
to the fact that Chuckles was pretending to be asleep. “Sir
Lionheart told me his parents were killed in the crossfire, so I went
and had a look. 32 innocent people were killed that day, 5 of them
children.”
Chuckles yawned loudly,
desperate to make his point. Then he saw two cars approaching the
train yard.
desperate to make his point. Then he saw two cars approaching the
train yard.
“We're on!” He hit
the face of his watch to alert the others. Lady Silent and Lady
Courage dropped down so they couldn't be seen through the window of
the train. Lady Luck and Sir Dark hid in an old cupboard, waiting for
someone to walk in.
the face of his watch to alert the others. Lady Silent and Lady
Courage dropped down so they couldn't be seen through the window of
the train. Lady Luck and Sir Dark hid in an old cupboard, waiting for
someone to walk in.
The cars parked in the
middle of the train yard. Out of the nicer car stepped Judith Jofrey,
and out of the old station wagon stumbled a portly man with a
prominent bald spot who was sweating profusely. He pulled out a
briefcase full of paperwork and struggled to catch up with Judith,
who was looking sadly at one of her trains, now ruined.
middle of the train yard. Out of the nicer car stepped Judith Jofrey,
and out of the old station wagon stumbled a portly man with a
prominent bald spot who was sweating profusely. He pulled out a
briefcase full of paperwork and struggled to catch up with Judith,
who was looking sadly at one of her trains, now ruined.
“We'll need to check
the serial numbers of all of these trains and do a count.” The
assessor said.
the serial numbers of all of these trains and do a count.” The
assessor said.
“Fine.” Judith
reached out to the train, where Lady Silent and Lady Courage were
hiding. Her fingers touched the cold, charred steel, her fingers
trailing sadly down the remains of one of her beloved trains.
reached out to the train, where Lady Silent and Lady Courage were
hiding. Her fingers touched the cold, charred steel, her fingers
trailing sadly down the remains of one of her beloved trains.
She walked to the nose
of the train, and called out the number that she read there. The
assessor ticked off his pad, and they walked over to the train that
Chuckles and Giggles were hidden behind. Judith read out the number
again, and again it was ticked off. Then she walked over to another
train that didn't look too badly damaged, but would never move again.
of the train, and called out the number that she read there. The
assessor ticked off his pad, and they walked over to the train that
Chuckles and Giggles were hidden behind. Judith read out the number
again, and again it was ticked off. Then she walked over to another
train that didn't look too badly damaged, but would never move again.
“We're going to wait
until they're finished, aren't we?” Sir Hyper groaned as Sir
Lionheart buried his face in his hands.
until they're finished, aren't we?” Sir Hyper groaned as Sir
Lionheart buried his face in his hands.
“I don't see that we
have any choice.” Giggles sighed in reply to Chuckles whining.
have any choice.” Giggles sighed in reply to Chuckles whining.
“You've gotta be
kidding. Every single train?!” Sir Dark couldn't believe it.
kidding. Every single train?!” Sir Dark couldn't believe it.
“I'm going to die of
boredom before they're done!” Lady Silent let her head fall on Lady
Courages shoulder.
boredom before they're done!” Lady Silent let her head fall on Lady
Courages shoulder.
Judith called out
another train serial number. This time the assessor shook his head.
“From our report, that train was just coming out of BrisVegas when
the attack happened.”
another train serial number. This time the assessor shook his head.
“From our report, that train was just coming out of BrisVegas when
the attack happened.”
“Are you kidding
me?!” Judith rounded on the assessor. The hiding Knights and
Chuckles and Giggles groaned. “Check your bloody paper again
dingle-brain, your figures are out!”
me?!” Judith rounded on the assessor. The hiding Knights and
Chuckles and Giggles groaned. “Check your bloody paper again
dingle-brain, your figures are out!”
“She reminds me of
Marion when she gets angry.” Lady Courage sighed as Judith verbally
beat the poor assessor into submission.
Marion when she gets angry.” Lady Courage sighed as Judith verbally
beat the poor assessor into submission.
“I don't know what
Lionheart sees in her.” Lady Silent agreed.
Lionheart sees in her.” Lady Silent agreed.
“Are they going to
spend forever arguing over every little mistake?!” Giggles groaned.
spend forever arguing over every little mistake?!” Giggles groaned.
“It's not so much an
argument as it is a complete and total destruction.” Chuckles
replied dryly. “She rants longer than you!”
argument as it is a complete and total destruction.” Chuckles
replied dryly. “She rants longer than you!”
“What was that
noise?” The assessor heard what sounded like a yelp of pain.
noise?” The assessor heard what sounded like a yelp of pain.
“It was a stupid
animal, will you focus on these trains?!” Judith thundered. She
then stormed up to another train and read out the serial number.
animal, will you focus on these trains?!” Judith thundered. She
then stormed up to another train and read out the serial number.
“Make it end.
Please.” Sir Dark groaned. Lady Luck just sighed.
Please.” Sir Dark groaned. Lady Luck just sighed.
“RIGHT, now that
we've finished getting the serial numbers, let's assess the damage.”
Judith finally finished checking the trains. The assessor was near
tears. “I think most of these are write-offs, although the ones
over here could possibly be repaired.”
we've finished getting the serial numbers, let's assess the damage.”
Judith finally finished checking the trains. The assessor was near
tears. “I think most of these are write-offs, although the ones
over here could possibly be repaired.”
“You'd need a
technician to look at them, but from here they look salvageable. Just
let me just double-check their serial numbers.” The assessor
quickly composed himself. They walked towards the trains that looked
like they could be repaired. Seeing the coast was clear, the Knights
of the Last Order quickly converged with Chuckles and Giggles.
technician to look at them, but from here they look salvageable. Just
let me just double-check their serial numbers.” The assessor
quickly composed himself. They walked towards the trains that looked
like they could be repaired. Seeing the coast was clear, the Knights
of the Last Order quickly converged with Chuckles and Giggles.
“This is STUPID,
we've been here forever and there's no telling if we'll even get a
chance at her!” Lady Courage complained.
we've been here forever and there's no telling if we'll even get a
chance at her!” Lady Courage complained.
“It doesn't look
likely.” Giggles added.
likely.” Giggles added.
“Look, we have to
confront her eventually, it might as well be sooner rather than
later.” Sir Lionheart grumbled.
confront her eventually, it might as well be sooner rather than
later.” Sir Lionheart grumbled.
“Look, I know she's
your girlfriend and you don't want her to be a bad guy, but you can't
drag us all into your emotional problems.” Lady Luck put her arm
around her friend.
your girlfriend and you don't want her to be a bad guy, but you can't
drag us all into your emotional problems.” Lady Luck put her arm
around her friend.
“Actually he's moody
because the Leos are losing again.” Sir Hyper looked dejected.
because the Leos are losing again.” Sir Hyper looked dejected.
There was a collective
sigh of defeat around the group.
sigh of defeat around the group.
“Look, if I'm wrong,
I'll shout everyone dinner. With dessert.” Sir Lionheart promised.
I'll shout everyone dinner. With dessert.” Sir Lionheart promised.
“You'd better.”
Chuckles grumbled.
Chuckles grumbled.
“I will!” Sir
Lionheart protested.
Lionheart protested.
“Scatter!” Lady
Silent saw that Judith and the insurance assessor were coming back.
The group scatted as the pair returned, deep in conversation.
Silent saw that Judith and the insurance assessor were coming back.
The group scatted as the pair returned, deep in conversation.
“So you'll put in a
request for a tech? Completely covered?” Judith asked.
request for a tech? Completely covered?” Judith asked.
“Provided at least
one train gets back on the tracks, everything will be covered.” The
assessor made some notes on his pad. “We'll also cover any product
that you produced that was destroyed.”
one train gets back on the tracks, everything will be covered.” The
assessor made some notes on his pad. “We'll also cover any product
that you produced that was destroyed.”
“Thank you.” Judith
looked prim.
looked prim.
“We just need a few
signatures from you.” The assessor was about to set his pad on
Judiths car, until she shot him a filthy look. He moved over to his
car and put the pad there instead. He pulled a shiny silver pen out
of his pocket, and handed it to Judith. He pointed for her to sign a
page, and she did, with a careful signature.
signatures from you.” The assessor was about to set his pad on
Judiths car, until she shot him a filthy look. He moved over to his
car and put the pad there instead. He pulled a shiny silver pen out
of his pocket, and handed it to Judith. He pointed for her to sign a
page, and she did, with a careful signature.
“This is getting a
bit beyond a joke, even for me.” Chuckles hissed to Sir Hyper, whom
he was now hiding with. “How long does a few signatures take?!”
bit beyond a joke, even for me.” Chuckles hissed to Sir Hyper, whom
he was now hiding with. “How long does a few signatures take?!”
“A while,
apparently.” Sir Hyper said dryly.
apparently.” Sir Hyper said dryly.
Meanwhile, Giggles was
with Sir Lionheart.
with Sir Lionheart.
“I just want you to
know that even though I've found this afternoon as boring as
anything, I still believe in you.” Giggles said as they watched
Judith sign even MORE forms.
know that even though I've found this afternoon as boring as
anything, I still believe in you.” Giggles said as they watched
Judith sign even MORE forms.
“Thanks. That means a
lot.” Sir Lionheart replied.
lot.” Sir Lionheart replied.
Finally, Judith
finished signing the forms. The assessor took back his pen, put the
forms away neatly in his briefcase, placed the briefcase carefully on
the back seat of his car, turned and shook hands with Judith, got
into his car, adjusted the air conditioner and the radio, and slowly
backed out of the ruined train yard.
finished signing the forms. The assessor took back his pen, put the
forms away neatly in his briefcase, placed the briefcase carefully on
the back seat of his car, turned and shook hands with Judith, got
into his car, adjusted the air conditioner and the radio, and slowly
backed out of the ruined train yard.
“He's almost gone!”
Lady Silent and Lady Luck pressed their noses to the window of the
small hut they were hidden in.
Lady Silent and Lady Luck pressed their noses to the window of the
small hut they were hidden in.
Judith turned and
sighed. She placed her hand against another train and bowed her head.
“If only she hadn't gone mad, maybe then there wouldn't be any
Crusaders and my beloved trains would still be here.”
sighed. She placed her hand against another train and bowed her head.
“If only she hadn't gone mad, maybe then there wouldn't be any
Crusaders and my beloved trains would still be here.”
“And he's gone!”
Lady Courage grinned at Sir Dark.
Lady Courage grinned at Sir Dark.
“If only I had been
stronger…If only they didn't always bow to her demands, getting her
that dumb tank. If only…”
stronger…If only they didn't always bow to her demands, getting her
that dumb tank. If only…”
Suddenly, Judith found
herself surrounded by the Noble Knights of the Last Order. She spun
around, suspicious and confused.
herself surrounded by the Noble Knights of the Last Order. She spun
around, suspicious and confused.
“To what do I owe the
pleasure?” She asked cautiously.
pleasure?” She asked cautiously.
“You know what we
want, Sidewinder.”
want, Sidewinder.”
Judith looked up to see
Chuckles and Giggles on the train above her.
Chuckles and Giggles on the train above her.