Second Chances

Rends awoke the next day to a knock at door to the his room at the inn. As he sat up he heard a whisper coming from the other side of the door.

"Jes me Rends. Wanted to talk about Houston with ya. There's coffee and a plate of food for ya in the basement."

Kefka began to walk away back down the stairs but stops midway and walks back to the door.

"Silke can come too."

With that Kefka turned around and began whistling as he tromped down the stairs to the first floor and headed into the basement.

A few minutes later he was joined by the Alpha, bright eyed and clean shaven. Rends immediately took the offered plate of sausages and a warm beer, wav I ng for his friend to join him in breakdast.

"I was plannin' on Givin everyone the day off to relax. I gotta look over some land and pick where I'm gonna settle down and all."

He couldn't quite hide his smile.

"Always business with you though. What's on yer mind?"

Kefka cracked a smile.

"Someone has to be business with you in charge."

He laughs as he shovels a forkful of eggs into his mouth.

"You said Ford is in Houston and they want him to lead an army West? We can't let that happen, obviously. But the other option is Jose Miracle and that in my opinion is even worse."

He sighs as he takes a swig of his beverage.

"Both of them proved to be our betters in San Antonio. I don't intend for that to happen again, but I don't think we are in any better position to take either of them head on now. If Ford is in charge of the military you can guarantee he'll use them against us and they will be packing silver. Especially his personal bodyguards. As soon as we get into Houston we'll be in his territory having to deal with him on his own terms. I don't like that. We know that he don't like Miracle... We can try and use that to our advantage. Broker a deal with him to help take down Miracle and backstab him when the time is right."

He takes a couple bites of sausage as he watches the cogs turn in Rends head.

"If we don't want to deal with Ford in that manner, and I won't blame you if ya don't...we have allies. Let's use them. We focus on tracking Miracle down and leave Ford to the Sycarri, the Get, or see if Earkiller and her pack wanna go at 'em. Point is if we try and take both these targets down ourselves we's gonna fail. You gotta see that."

He pauses to enjoy some more of his meal. As Rends begins to speak he holds a finger up showing that he had more to say.

"Sorry, I was jes' hungry. We also need to realize if we take out both Ford and Miracle someone else will replace them in charge of that army. We either need to put a man we trust in charge, get one of our nation to take charge, or stop the push West all together for the time being."

He gestures that he is done and begins to eat again awaiting the words of his Alpha.

Rends mood sours quickly as the beta speaks. He chews for a moment before replying.

"I was plannin on jest rippin' their heads up, but you raise a good point. If theys both down there, we'll need ta kill em at the same time. But we'll be on their turf, away from all our allies."

He drains his beer and wipes his mouth on a sleeve.

"I don't like it. They ain't no straight way to come at em. I'd jest as soon challenge em, but I reckon they ain't the types to honor a challenge..."

At a loss, he leans forward and a fixes mocks with a look.

"I know that look in your eye. What are you thinking?"

Mocks chuckles and takes a drink.

"I'm thinking we can't be fighting on their terms. We do that and we may as well be walking dead. We know that either Miracle or Ford is gonna lead the army west. What if we go west first? Work with the Indians out there, get some of the Pure to help, the Get too. We ambush that army with a force unlike any they have ever seen. As long as we leave no survivors we'd be free to fight to our utmost strength. It would deal a mighty blow against the wyrm and at least halt the project to move west. If we take down Ford, Miracle replaces him. If we take down Miracle, Ford replaces him. If we take both down some unknown foe replaces them. By doing this we destroy the project in its entirety."

Rends listens as he munched a biscuit, but shakes his head.

"No good. Even if we could get the Get and Pure to fight together, you're talking about bringing the Comanche under heel. That jest ain't gonna happen after the battle at San Antone. Plus, even if all that did happen it would mean bringing a warpath right into the Republic. That might play right into their hands assuming they want to start a war in the first place which seems likely."

He produces his corn cob pipe, stuffing and lighting it as he speaks.

"All that aside, theys too smart to fall to somethin like that. No way in hell they'll both be in a position where they can be kilt in battle. My bet is ford will be the one leading the men and miracle will be somewhere in the city pulling strings..."

He puffs for a few moments, thinking.

"So instead we kill em both and put our own man in charge. Someone of sterling moral character with the perfect qualifications who you'll make up completely. Send some papers to our contact in austin fer a new commander candidate, then when we take out the competition we have an army at our disposal."

Kefka nods slowly.

"I could attempt to draw some papers up for us. Who did you have in mind for placing in charge? We are wanted men so it's going to take more than going by a different name and making documents. It would take a disguise, acting, and a fair amount of luck. Is there a kin we can place in charge? Someone they won't recognize or look to closely at. He simply tells us his orders and we act accordingly."

Kefka shrugs.

"I'd say we should put one of Roaring Jack's sons in charge. They would have the closest thing to military training I think. Although they may all be wanted too..."

Rends shrugged.

"Red may know a likely candidate. Or maybe your brother Shadow Lord down South. Or maybe one of Roarin' Jack's sons or kinfolk. I was hopin' maybe one of us, but you're right that's too risky. We can test the waters once we find out where the Get are and arrange the Purification."

Kefka's mouth twitched downward at the mention of the Shadow Lords down South, but only for the briefest of seconds.

"Yeah we can talk about candidates and possibilities with Red and Jack later on. We have until July."

Kefka then smiles as he stuffs the last piece of sausage on his plate into his mouth.

"Harriet's pregnant again. You are now 2 kids behind."

He laughs loudly.

Rends slaps his friend on the back, then pours a toast from his flask.

"It's a little early, but I say that's reason for a celebratory drink!"

He slides a cup to Mocks.

"And don't you worry. I'm jest lettin' ya get a head start. Here's to the second generation of Prodigals! May their plans not go to shit as often as their parents, and may Luna give them great enemies to test themselves on!"