Scarecrow and the Rainbow Solution

The Camero roared out of the drainage pipe at a skull blasting fifty and skidded into a U-turn so they could watch the purple black smoke rising in plumes from the city. They needed to be moving but it was impossible not to want one last look and enjoy the satisfaction before Crimson put her foot on the pedal and turned the car back into the desert. By now the cameras would have seen them but hopefully the masks and the physical changes four years had wrought would keep their identities safe a while longer.
“You think they are still in Zone 6 ?”
Crimson nodded, adjusting the radio until Doctor Deathdefying could be heard through the static and the wind outside.
“That’s what I heard, they were never going to move even if Korse sent every exterminator out there after them. Boys are fucking stubborn.”
“Why the hell did we come back ? Apart from the fact that we need to get laid by something other than robots.”
Rainbow smirked at the choking sound coming from her friend and closed her eyes. The question was a fair one. Dying for the cause had never been on the agenda for either of them, it was merely a means of excitement and the thrill that only danger could bring. Escaping Battery City once the radiation was low enough had always been the plan and the fact that it had been with the added benefit of fine young men was and added extra. It was only when the cause became more important than the chaos that leaving became important.
“We nearly died in Vegas, we nearly died here. At least here we might do some good and I owe that fucker Korse big time.”
“You said you were over that. Party would be all over your vendetta again and it nearly cost us our lives.”
Crim shrugged, it was probably a mistake to let her judgement be swayed by revenge but she had been thinking on it for four years and this was somehow inevitable. If Rainbow chose to take Ghoul and run it wouldn’t be something she would blame her for. Kobra would follow his brother and Crimson into battle, Jet would go along for the ride.
“You have as much reason as me to go after them.”
“I don’t have your deathwish.”
Silence fell as they both kept their eyes on the road ahead. This argument had been played out at least four times on the journey and more before they left but still they were here and Rainbow couldn’t deny that plunging back into the violence was more fun than all the blackjack and hookers that Vegas had supplied. She fiddled with the radio until the static cleared.
“Crash Queens and Motor Babies, listen up and listen good. Seems someone hit the city and hit it hard with our name on it, the rumour is that it was a dancing demon. If that’s so then welcome home sisters.”
Crim and Rainbow exchanged a glance. Dr D obviously still had spies everywhere.
“Keep an eye on the sky, we know the sad man ain’t gonna take this lying down. Keep your boots tight and your gun close. Everyone else get out the way and lay low.”
Static again filled the air and the signal disappeared as they roared deeper into the desert. The gas was running low but the car had gone a considerable distance and they could afford to stop and scout around for further supplies and fuel. Zone Four would be ideal and offer a chance to listen out for a word if their contacts had been right. Crimson pulled the car into the remains of a factory block and turned off the engine.
“Crater Club was always a laugh. Fancy it before we hit Zone Five ?”
“Sure but stock up first and for fuck’s sake Crim, keep your mouth shut and let me do the talking.”
Crimson affected a pained look that made Rainbow smirk before pulling up the bandanna and becoming pure Killjoy. They had the swagger of veterans, the kids would see it but maybe not recognise it but the old hands would. Very few would want to get too close unless trouble was something they were looking for.
From the outside the place looked deserted, nothing but fallen and sagging buildings and yet more blast damage. Flaked paint and concrete littered the floor and both had guns drawn was they skirted the shadows. It was hot to be out at this time of day, most people chose to lay low but it also meant less of a risk of trouble. Cutting between two buildings toward one corner, Rainbow looked back to check the skies.
“Drones.”
Crimson squinted at the glare and rapped quickly on the metal door set into an alcove out of sight from the main buildings. A small hatch slid open and two eyes narrowed at the figures before him.
“Password ?”
“Open the fucking door Rat before I shove this gun up your ass and open up your face.”
There was a squeak of recognition and the sound of bolts being drawn back before Rainbow landed a slap against the back of Crimson’s head.
“What did I say ? Have we got to have the subtlety conversation again ?”
“He opened the door didn’t he ?”
Rat slowly opened the door, hesitant to believe that trouble had reappeared at his doorway after so long. Crimson Suicide was insane, more so than even Party Poison and crazy brother of his. They had busted up his place and brought exterminators buzzing around more times than he wanted to remember. Rainbow Revolver was quieter but smart and had a certain knack for blackmail that cost him money and considerable embarrassment. The news broadcast now suddenly made sense and he swallowed hard as both visitors pulled down bandannas and masks.
“So Dr D had it right, you came home.”
Crimson patted his face with the familiar irritating grin before jumping over the store counter and eyeing up his stock. Rainbow just smiled and circled the man like a shark smelling blood in the water. The man was called Rat for a reason, rumour said he’d sold his own mother to Korse for Battery City to turn a blind eye to his business and she believed it. There was a good possibility he would bring Korse down on their heads the minute they left but he had what they needed and maybe knew where Ghoul and the boys might be.
“We knew you’d be missing us. You seen the boys Rat ? Where’s my Fun boy at ?”
“I don’t know ! Jesus, are you going to pay for all that ?”
Crimson continued stuffing items into rucksacks, contentedly munching through a half loaf of bread as she did so. Once they were done here, the fuel pumps were out back. She sincerely hoped Rainbow would let her loose on the little prick as soon as they were ready to go.
“This is a downpayment on what happened before we left and my friend here is itching to take the rest of the debt out on that skinny body of yours. Traitorous little fuck. Now you better start being honest.”
Crimson dropped the full sack and pulled out a large bowie knife from the back of her jeans causing Rat to nearly have an aneurism where he stood. Four years had clearly not been enough to make them forget that he had sent a squad down on their heads and landed both of them in one of Korse’s torture chambers. He fought the desire to puke.
“Out on the I95, still floating between the gas station and Paradise Grove. Please, take it all and just get the fuck out of here.”
“Is that enough Crim ?”
Rainbow smirked at the sad smile on her friends face and grabbed the back of the man’s collar. He wasn’t stupid enough to resist having seen them take down men twice his size, merely began whimpering. She shoved him at Crimson and started to pace.
“We need credits, latest passwords for the Killjoy underground and clean clothes.”
A scream rent the air as Crimson neatly removed an ear, blood spattering against the floor. The howling man clutched his head and stared disbelievingly at the body part now laying on the wooden shop floorboards. Crim cleaned the knife on his shirt.
“Out back, fuck, please. I swear to god, you can have everything. Just don’t kill me.”
Rainbow contemplated before removing the keys from his top pocket and heading for the door that led upstairs to his own personal quarters.
“I’ll tie the little fuck down and fill the car, make it quick.”
The two women shared a satisfied grin and parted, Crimson quickly pulling the weeping Rat over to one of the rickety chairs in the corner. He had conveniently supplied her with everything necessary to tie him tightly to it. The grenade primed and placed between his legs was her own personal touch. If the rope was pulled too taut by movement to escape the pin would pull and he’d most likely see his genitals escape through the ceiling before he died.
Amused and satisfied by her work, Crimson picked up the heavy sacks and went back into the blinding heat and sunshine outside. All seemed still and quiet as she scanned the skies before skirting the buildings back to where the car was hidden. So far things were going to plan but it still depended on them finding the guys and a ghost of a smile passed over her face. Nothing in the past said that meeting was going to be easy.
Guiding the Camero round to the back she saw Rainbow already waiting, now holding another bag and a CB set. Communicating over the rads and cameras hidden in flies and rocks was never easy but it would at least give them a heads up as to whether they would be welcomed back at all. Crim also added more whiskey and a bottle of tequila to their haul.
“Next stop the gas station. Anything on the CB ?”
“It’s full of traffic about the city and extermination squads being sent out to look for the culprits. We haven’t been mentioned by name so that’s something. No sign of Jet and his occasional signal though.”
Crimson threw Rainbow the keys, acknowledging that driving fourteen hours straight was probably not a good idea. Rainbow was fresher, eager to get out into open desert where they were less likely to be spotted by a patrol. Letting Crim settle into the passenger seat, she gunned the engine and pulled back out onto the open road and the heat of the afternoon. Dr D was playing traffic reports from nowhere was the desert opened up before them.

Notes