The Gallows of Heaven (Old Chrome Book 4) by I.O. Adler

Author:I.O. Adler
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cyberpunk, science fiction action adventure, old chrome, io adler author, gerhard gehrke, steampunk
Publisher: Lucas Ross Publishing
Published: 2022-04-01T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

iles drove his elbow into the face of the guard next to him.

The man hit his head against the doorframe on the way down.

M

Miles disarmed him, pulling the man’s slung short-barrel shotgun away and pointing it at Gabriel.

Gabriel walked slowly towards him as the crowd gasped and cowered. His gang had their weapons pointing in Miles’ direction.

While Insight painted targets, the shotgun was the wrong tool for the situation, and there were too many people in the way. The software in his head kept nagging at him.

Not now.

“You’re Marshal Kim,” Gabriel said. “Set the weapon down. You see your situation? Outnumbered, unwelcome, an intruder representing an institution with no authority here.”

Clearing his throat, Miles tried for his best authoritative voice.

“This is Seraph territory. This tribunal of yours is unlawful. It ends now.”

Gabriel shook his head. “Or? You don’t know, do you? Shoot me and prove your law stands above us? You could try. What you see here is the people’s justice. This camp decides to carry out this court’s decisions.”

“Murder and maiming aren’t my idea of justice.”

“Except when it serves you.”

“This isn’t a debate. Order your people to set their weapons down. You attacked a marshal. And then there’s...this.”

Gabriel frowned and he nodded slowly. “Your words make me sad. I heard what happened to Marshal Jodie. I understand it was an accident.”

“I don’t care that you have hurt feelings. We’ll figure out the rest later. Weapons down. Hands up.”

“You have no say in the lives of these souls, marshal. This camp renounces your law. What I will allow is for you to leave Manna with your life. All I ask in return is you leave your prisoner with us.”

“Paxton Walker? What do you want with him?”

“You heard what we do here. I resolve matters of justice. And Mr.

Walker is known to us.”

Miles was about to ask more when he became distracted. While Gabriel kept his eyes locked on him, several faces in the audience glanced at the doorway behind Miles. Someone in the alley was moving his way. One of the outside guards appeared, using the white horse as cover. He raised a weapon.

Miles dove under the bar as automatic fire sent a dozen rounds through the tent. People were screaming. The bar had no cover. He elbow-crawled through the back tent flap as the town’s residents hit the floor. Miles found a place behind a stack of crates full of bottles.

Liquor splashed down from a crate struck by bullets. He ditched the shotgun and drew his burner.

A quick glimpse, and Insight began processing as he ducked back into cover.

Gabriel was nowhere in sight. A dozen people were trying to get out the main door. Two of the guards were at the front. Targeted with red squares now. But he couldn’t see the side door or the man with the submachine gun. Miraculously, he didn’t see anyone who appeared to have been struck by the barrage.

A few meters away, Jaya huddled next to a group of camp residents. They might as well have a chasm between them.

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