Before he could decide further, Andrei grabbed his attention.
"Look in, we got another Skill Point."
Walking a short distance away from Dante and his men, Michael closed his eyes, diving into the familiar confines of his mind.
Andrei wasted no time before addressing him, "Look, I know you are just stupid enough to put that one point Volition again, but listen to me for a second."
Michael turned to the cabinet in the corner, giving it a moment of attention. Time was of the essence here, but if what he had to say could make a difference, Michael would listen.
"I don't want to either of to die, well, I don't want to die but you see you dying is something of a problem as well, so here's a deal," Andrei said quickly,before continuing hopeful, "I will spend all three of my points, right here and now, leaving my Volition at one, so you don't need to spend yours on that stupid stat. That still leaves you two higher than me, so even in the worst case scenario, you can let me out of you need it, sounds good, right?"
Michael considered the offer, it was true that if Andrei spent all his points now, Michael could release him if he had to, and he could take control back as well. And even if the unlikely happened and Andrei's point from Price Paid in Sanity got distributed randomly to his Volition, they would be even.
There was no reason to say no now, but Michael worried about the future repercussions. Should they ever come into more direct conflict, would no other stats matter? After all, every time Andrei was released the gap between them increased by two whole points.
It was very likely that Michael would need him here, and he was offering a deal that might even improve Michael's situation, after all if the random point does not end up in Volition, he will end up in lead of one point, improving his internal situation.
"Alright then," Michael accepted.
There was a moment of silence from the cabinet before small, circular pieces of paper separated from the secondary board in Michael's mind, showing Andrei's choices; Endurance, Physical Instrument and Reaction Speed. Once again taking in the entirety of Andrei's board, Michael couldn't help but think how dangerous the man was becoming.
INTELLECT 3 PSYCHE 1 PHYSIQUE 8 MOTORICS 3 Logic 3 Volition 1 Endurance 10 Hand/Eye Coordination 4 Encyclopedia 3 Inland Empire 1 Pain Threshold 8 Perception 3 Rhetoric 3 Empathy 1 Physical Instrument 9 Reaction Speed 5 Drama 3 Authority 1 Electro-Chemistry 8 Savoir Faire 3 Conceptualization 3 Esprit De Corps 1 Shivers 8 Interfacing 3 Visual Calculus 3 Suggestion 1 Half Light 9 Composure 3
"Now you," Andrei demanded.
Michael turned to his own board, mind racing with thoughts. The first idea that came to his mind was to put the point into Volition, it would mean betraying Andrei's trust but he would secure a comfortable lead of his internal nemesis.
But that would be ignoring the current situation going on in the real world. None of the skills in the Physique and Motorics would make a significant difference here. That left Intellect and Psyche. Going through each of his options, he was left with Logic, Rhetoric, Drama, Conceptualization, Authority and Suggestion.
Logic and Conceptualization could help him come up with a plan, like he had done when on the retreat from Carl and Bernie. Unfortunately, Michael had neither the time nor the capacity to prepare a path of traps sufficient for twenty men. And one point in either of those would not change that.
Rhetoric, Drama, Authority and Suggestion could help him recruit help that he would most definitely need in this situation.
Rhetoric could be used to provide reasonable arguments, but the people were panicked, they were unlikely to listen to reason.
Drama might let him play out the situation different than it was, or play out the need to unite and fight of the arsonists, yet he worried about it backfiring. Were he to play up the situation too much, the people would run in even greater terror than before.
Authority would be useful if he was someone that already held some authority over these people, like Dante, or Sheriff, but Michael was just a stranger. Why should they listen to his commands?
Suggestion promised the most generalized, but also unreliable approach. It would allow him to make people think of his ideas as theirs, and possibly even agreeing with him on the need of driving the raiders out. If nothing else, they might give him advice on the town and landmarks he could use, or perhaps point him towards people that might be more willing to help.
Realizing that time was of essence he put his point into Suggestion, looking over his final distribution before leaving his mind.
INTELLECT 6 PSYCHE 4 PHYSIQUE 3 MOTORICS 2 Logic 6 Volition 3 Endurance 4 Hand/Eye Coordination 2 Encyclopedia 6 Inland Empire 4 Pain Threshold 3 Perception 2 Rhetoric 6 Empathy 4 Physical Instrument 3 Reaction Speed 2 Drama 6 Authority 4 Electro-Chemistry 3 Savoir Faire 2 Conceptualization 6 Esprit De Corps 4 Shivers 3 Interfacing 2 Visual Calculus 6 Suggestion 5 Half Light 3 Composure 2
Michael turned back towards Dante. "I will deal with the arsonists, keep handling the fires," he said before storming off.
"What? Don't be crazy, they will kill you!" Dante cried after him.
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Michael was making his way through the town, trying to stop people that looked like they could put up a fight, and had a reason to. There weren't many of those, here and there was a family with a fit dad, with reasons aplenty to defend his family, but reluctant to leave them without protection and care should something happen to him.
Occasionally he ran into single men packing to leave or barricading their homes, those were usually unwilling, or too busy with preparing their defenses. Some laughed him off as a fool, wanting to face armed gangsters alone, unarmed and with no plan, not even giving him a chance to talk long enough to persuade them.
Despondent Michael wandered the town, looking for anyone that might be willing to help. He only needed one person, one person that would get the ball rolling, show the townsfolk that he wasn't mad, nor alone.
That was when he ran across the carriage drawn by a horse, a familiar man leading the horse westwards through the roads of the town.
"Out of the way dude!" he cried, Michael stepping in front of his harness, "You want me to run you over?!"
Michael needed help, and he needed it now, "I need you to help me convince these people to fight off the arsonists, they don't trust me!"
The man was giving him the finger, gesticulating wildly with his other hand, "For a good reason, dumbfuck, you are crazy! Now get out of the way!"
"Not until you help me convince people to help, neighborhood watch is too busy putting out the fires, I need someone to either help them or to help me deal with the arsonists!" Michael pleaded.
"And why the fuck is that my problem?! Is this what I get for helping you before?" the man accused.
"I can tell that you care about the place, you were the only person that even bothered to talk to me before!" Michael tried speaking to the man's morals.
"It's not my problem, these idiots only care for themselves, too self absorbed to listen to an old man who told them the gang would be back. Now they reap what they sowed," he argued animatedly.
So the man has tried to warn whoever was in charge around here, probably mayor or sheriff, about the fact that the gangs would come through with their threats. Now, he was reluctant to help people that ignored his warnings.
"They need help! Yes, they made a mistake, but they don't deserve to die for it!" he shouted at the man.
"They won't die if they just pack their things and get the fuck out, Illinois is big enough to settle down somewhere else," he returned, rolling his eyes.
"Listen to yourself! Most of these people can't just pack up and leave, what about those whose homes were burned or looted first? What are those supposed to do, hungry and homeless?" he continued arguing, hoping the man would soften up.
Fire rose in the man's eyes, "Don't you dare blame me for that!"
Something told Michael he was on the right track, "No one is blaming you of anything. You tried to help them before, why not now, when they need it more than ever?!"
The fire in his eyes settled down, still there but controlled, "Because now it means putting my neck on the line for them?! Because they would never do the same for me?" the second part was said more quietly, as if more for himself than for Michael.
"Maybe, but you don't know that. There are some that would help you!" Michael was getting in.
The man looked at him but his eyes unfocused, gazing through rather at Michael, "Who?"
"Dante Audrey? Me? Or do you think if you were one of those people I would be trying to stop the arsonists any less?" asked Michael.
"Wow, what a long list, ha! Did you think I wouldn't notice that you are half of it?!" retorted the man.
"You seem to be missing the other half, you told me to look for Dante for reason, didn't you? Besides, I know all of one person from this town, which means everyone I know would help you!" Michael shouted at the man.
"Bah," he waved his hand but the fire in him was gone, "stop trying to argue semantics with me, idiot. Out of the way, come on," he shooed Michael away.
"Why are you leaving, people need help, they are in danger! Dante is trying to help but he is not enough, the neighbors watch is not enough, neither are sheriff's officers," he said, walking closer to the man's horses. "Are you going to leave him to it alone?"
The man looked conflicted, whatever reasons he had for helping Dante battling within him with self-preservation and the want to get back at people that didn't listen to him.
Then, his shoulders sagged in defeat, turning to Michael, "What's your plan?" he asked.
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Michael filled the man, Gabriel, in on the situation, explaining how they needed to rally the townsfolk and come up with a plan to stop two groups of arsonists. Gabriel listened intently, nodding his head occasionally, before finally speaking.
"Well, I have some materials and tools in my cart that could be useful. We could build barricades and try to funnel the gangsters into a more controlled area. It's not much, but it's a start," he suggested.
Michael's face lit up, "That's a great idea! We could set up the barricades near the river, where they are currently operating, leading them into a cordon and closing in behind them. That way, we can prevent them from an organized escape. Even if they get out they will be split up, and will have no choice but to run."
Gabriel nodded in agreement, "I know a couple of guys who might be willing to help. They're truckers, driving up north, near Hudson Bay, used to tough situations. Big guys too. I'll go and gather them up."
"Thank you, Gabriel. I'll go and try to rally more people to help us with this" Michael said as he backed off from the cart.
"I will bring some weapons too, seeing as you don't have much of a ride. Meet you at bridge."
As Gabriel drove away, Michael started to go door-to-door, trying to convince people to join their cause. Once again, he met with resistance, but he refused to give up. Now armed with the fact that he wasn't alone and had a concrete plan, people were more willing to hear him out.
Still, many dismissed him as crazy but after an hour of convincing, Michael managed to gather twelve people, ten men and two women, who were willing to take the risk. After spending more than an hour persuading people to risk their lives, his recruitment pool started drying out. Not only had he exhausted everyone willing to help in the immediate neighborhood, but the streets were emptier with every passing minute as more and more people escaped out of the town.
Michael decided it was time to meet up with Gabriel.
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Michael and his little militia met up with Gabriel and three other men, who all waited for them at the bridge. They had Gabriel's cart with them, loaded up even heavier than before.
"We scouted the other side and met up with Dante while we waited on you, he recommended a few spots the gangs are likely to target next," he said as a greeting, unfolding a map of the city on a parchment.
While what was drawn there corresponded to the modern version of things, the shape of the town remained largely same. Gabriel pointed out a few spots, all of them just over the river, where they could setup barricades, herding the approaching group of gangsters into a cordon.
One of the areas seemed particularly fitting to Michael, a road leading up to a dead end, there, the only exits were turning around or climbing over the potential barricades. Asking Gabriel for his opinion, he confirmed that was his first choice as well.
"Alright, let's move out then," Michael said, "We need to hurry if we want to get there before the gangsters do."
The group quickly gathered their supplies and headed towards the designated spot. As they arrived, they started unloading everything they possibly could from the cart, planks, nail, hammers, shovels and other tools ranging from axes to hoes.
That was when Gabriel uncovered a tarp covering whatever weapons he managed to gather. On the floor of the cart lay a collection of baseball bats and rebars. Michael winced at the thought of getting smacked with one of those.
Michael felt his eyebrows rise as he noticed a pair of swords, one shorter, the other a proper long sword, laying among the other weaponry. The long sword was somewhere between three and four foot long, a tool designed to slaughter people.
Gabriel noticed his raised eyebrows, giving one of his characteristic shrugs, saying, "I carried, you know."
Shaking his head, Michael turned to walk back, intent on helping others unload the materials for the barricade, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him, "This one is for you," Gabriel said, handing him the short sword, handle first.
Looking at the sleek weapon, memories of violence he performed on three innocent ex-cops welled up. He raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, "I am s-sorry, but that's not a weapon for me, I will go with one of the baseball bats," declining the weapon.
Gabriel, thankfully, didn't push the issue, handing the sword to one of his guys, giving him a pat on the back before helping with unloading the cart himself.
Without wasting any time, the group started to build barricades, using the materials and tools that Gabriel had brought with him. The truckers proved to be a valuable asset, using their strength and experience to build sturdy and effective barriers.
As they worked, Michael talked to Gabriel. As it turns out, Gabriel was quite the character. A local DIY enthusiast who lived off of being a partner in a large Canadian lumber production company, officially in early retirement. When Michael asked him what he was going to do after this was over, he simply shrugged his shoulders, saying, "I doubt dividends will be payed out this year, so probably kicking the bucket."
During this, Michael kept an eye out for the approaching gangsters, he worried needlessly as they were done long before any of them even entered neighborhood.
Doing a headcount, Michael made sure that all members of his make-do militia were armed. What surprised him that no matter how he counted, he ended up with higher number than he started, eighteen, whereas with Gabriel and his men they were supposed to be seventeen.
His question was answered when he noticed a young man, barely more than a teenager standing among his recruits. One of those that wanted to help but were quickly shutdown by their parents. The boy held a rebar, nervous but determined.
Michael had no idea what he was supposed to do. Drive the boy away, to safety? But then they might just need him, after all they were undermanned as it was.
His decision was taken from his as one of Gabriel's men came running, announcing what they have all been waiting for, the group of gangsters has entered the neighborhood.
"Everyone, get ready," Michael said, "As soon as they get close, we'll close in behind them and trap them here."