Page 77 of The Ghost of Rage's War

“Got to prove who did it.” Akemi chuckled.

“If Howser thought we’d use guns and whatever, he was wrong. This is far more enjoyable,” Angel stated as he broke someone’s neck.

“Of course, we’re all about the fun,” Artemis said as a bullet flew by her. A Fang was crouching behind a car and shooting. They ducked as Rodeo lassoed the guy from behind and pulled him backwards. Rodeo yanked the rope a certain way and snapped the guy’sneck.

“That never gets old,” Angel declared.

“We could use some help here,” Wyatt called.

They headed to the front of the barricade where Fangs were trying to escape. The smoke was also beginning to clear a little in the wind, so they threw additional smoke bombs and some flash bangs down.

The Fangs, sensing they were being hunted, began shooting at anything that moved. Artemis reckoned they must have killed at least thirty of their own. For a brief moment, the sheer waste of life hit Artemis hard. It wasn’t often she considered that, but there was a sadness to this that shouldn’t be ignored.

Some of those dying had been coerced into this; others were here because they chose to be. There would be families mourning tonight, knowing their old man, husband, father, brother, etcetera would not be coming home.

Artemis straightened her shoulders. It was tragic, but it was either them or Rapid City. And she decided to protect the thousands of innocents that would become prisoners under Venomous Fangs.

She chose to save the women, children, and elderly that the Fangs would terrorise. They were why the Juno Group was present and why the Allies protected the streets. And they deserved saving.

Her arm shot up as she stabbed a Fang in the throat and then the eye. He fell towards her, and she shifted out of the way. His gun hit the floor, and Artemis kicked it away.

Artemis shot more, heading to where the Fangswere attempting to flee. As she and several others approached from behind, they took out those who were straggling before eyeing the group in front of them.

“Use guns. They’re going to rush the bikes,” she said over her mic.

“Understood,” the reply came back at her a multitude of times.

Artemis and her team moved to the side and climbed up high on the busses. Guns were already set up specifically for this purpose.

“Shoot at will,” Artemis ordered, and the air was split with the sound of gunfire. Fangs responded, but it was too late. Bullets went wild, and Artemis winced as some of the houses nearby took fire, but within minutes, there wasn’t a single Fang left standing.

“Lay down cover for Simone, Butch, Akemi, and Emory to check the dead. If you find someone alive, give them no mercy,” Artemis ordered.

“Roger,” Akemi replied. Artemis kept watch from her vantage point as her team moved out. Opposite her, Rodeo and Viking did the same. Wyatt, and Jana provided ground cover.

“Got a civilian alive,” Butch called in.

“Move any civilians to the side, and we’ll call an ambo for them,” Artemis demanded.

Fifteen minutes later, her team was piling the bodies of the Fangs out of the way, and Artemis made her way to the five civilians still alive.

Her lips twitched as she leant over the body of Jax. He was struggling to breathe, and Artemis had nosympathy for him.

“They… killed… wife,” he gasped.

“Yeah. Many disregarded the warnings. You got what you deserved for risking everyone’s safety. Guess your balls weren’t bigger,” Artemis replied with no emotion.

“The kids?” Jax gasped.

“My team removed them. They are safe, although some are probably orphans. You ain’t got much longer, you won’t live. I hope your children have family,” Artemis said brutally.

“Bitch…” Jax responded and coughed up blood.

“Yeah, because you risked the safety of everyone because they’re just fucking bikers. They’d come to party. The public address system was being used because Chief Howser felt like it. You’re a fuckin’ idiot and a waste of air. I don’t have any sympathy for you. You were warned, you ignored it. That, dude, is on your head, and so is your wife’s death. Luckily, your kids survived,” Artemis snapped.

“Hate… you…” Jax said as his eyes rolled up.

“Yeah, not fond of you either,” Artemis replied as he took his last breath.

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