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The Ashline Express makes its way through the Eldeen Reaches having picked up a load of artifacts from the Demon Wastes. At an elevated platform station at Wolf's Paw it picks up passengers on its way to Sharn. Guarding the cargo car are uniformed humans armed with carbines of the flintlock variety. Boarding the train at this time is a charcoal gray wolf in a black armored greatcoat. Black leather armor lies beneath the coat with a carbine of the same type as the guards are using strapped to his right thigh. The hilt of a basket hilted broadsword hangs from his belt. Heavy gloves grace his hands with similarly heavy boots covering his feet. Fiery red hair with braids festooned with beads and feathers dangling from either side of his face. The soldiers see him approach through the crowd and move to stop him. However before either can bark an order, a dwarf, higher in rank than them recognizes the wolf and places a hand on each barrel to signal them to stand down.

Meanwhile inside the protected car is a scene of relative tranquility. Two warforged, one a decidedly female detailing, sits at a card table with a bald changeling who looks to be what his race is known for, a rogue, a red vixen win the robes of a healer, and a sable furred wolf bitch with platinum blonde hair play poker for copper coins. A wolverine nun of the Silver Flame goes through practice routines while her male counterpart goes over schematics in his book of spells.

"Looks like we're getting ready to leave the reaches soon." Dodger, the changeling remarks as he casually looks out the window and at a ghostly reflection of the bitch's hand. "Aren't your kind rather prevalent in these parts, Val?"

"Well, Dodger," Valkyrie Stormgunner says lightly. "Lupins migrated here after that human bastard from the Silver Flame created us through his experiments.. Although we weren't the only ones, my particular race does dominate, right, Lara?"

"The Eldeen Reaches are the traditional place where the lycanthropes that were locked into their hybrid forms by the rogue experiments of Moreau d'Cannith fled to, yes." Lara states and then looks at the nun who smiles and walks over.

"That human wizard/cleric was of the inquisition of the Church of the Silver Flame." Helga Blackstar calmly relates. "But while his experiments violated the natural rights of so many lycanthropes, his work made many new races. We vern, the lupin and the reynard all have common origins on his operating table. However while some of these new races resent the Church for allowing such attrocities to take place other place such rancorous blame squarely on the shoulders of that dastardly hum that created us. A bastard that, unfortunately by all accounts is still running around loose."

"How seriously are we taking the rumors that the zealots have discovered the truth and are planning to include us in the next inquisition, Helga?" Asks the mechanik asks of the monk.

"I know many suspect us, Brom," Helga relates to her husband with a smile and a wink. "I have even been questioned by them about our origins but I do my best to keep things vague though. And even if some of them would love to interrogate me; my status as a nun offers some protection."

A gnome woman rushes in and winks to Lara and Valkyrie which elicits a glare from the gun mage. "Alright, Glenda!" She growls. "What bit of mischief are you planning?"

Glenda Glimmerstring gives the arcane gunslinger a grin as she replies: "Oh, nothing much, we're just picking up another fighter type for our little party. A ranger; you and Lara will especially appreciate this acquisition."

"Oh?" Lara asks with more than a little suspicion in her voice. She also crosses her arms over her chest to illustrate the fact that she is no mood for game. "What makes you say that?"

"Don't torture the poor vixen, Glimmerstring." Commands a voice behind them that many recognize as Wilson, the chief of security for the train. "Introduce the wolf and be done with it!"

"Kaaarl!" Glenda whines. "Don't be such a spoilsport! A girl has to get her amusements somehow!"

The gray wolf in the greatcoat steps forward. "Hello, everyone, I am Fenrys Mannjaeger"

Both Lara and Valkyrie stare in disbelief. "A huntsman of the Mannjaeger Clan?" Valkyrie asks incredulously.

"Mannjaeger...Mannjaeger, Iron, hun, why does that name seem oddly familiar?" The female warforged asks of her male companion.

"Bounty hunter, Ruby, one of them shot our dwarven creator for some of the nastiness he perpetrated by abusing his gifts." Iron replies as he gives Ruby a hug of affection. "Wait a sec..." The male warforged takes a look at Fen. "I should have recognized you earlier. Well met, Master Fenrys, we meet again, under better circumstances this time I assure you."

"I thought I recognized Tarn Blackstar's assistants." Fenrys says graciously. "No hard feelings I hope."

Brom walks up to Fenrys and bows. "Brom Blackstar, Master Mannjaeger, I for one thank you for putting my deranged cousin to rest. You killed him quickly and professionally. More than he rightly deserved for all the pain he caused."

Karl places a sympathetic hand on Brom's shoulder. "It's OK, Brom, Tarn's at peace now; his madness has been put to rest."

"We know, Karl," Helga says with a sigh. "Brom and I remember the good times when he was still sane." She turns to Fenrys. "Tarn wasn't always the fiend you killed, Mannjaeger, he just lost his battles with his inner demons."

"I know, Madame Blackstar," Fenrys says calmly. "Executions like his are never easy. May he finally find the peace he was denied in life."

"Lara Bloodshield," Lara says in introduction as she bows and winks to the slightly larger beastling, as she is more in keeping with elves in the fact that she is five feet two inches to the full six foot and a half that is the wolf huntsman. "The one who cannot bring herself to address you is Valkyrie Stormgunner."

Fenrys smirks as he takes Val's hand to give it a gentlemanly kiss. "A pleasure to meet you, madam. And worry not about that little incident in Sharn. That bounty has been recalled."

Valkyrie smiles and tail swats her friend as she nods to Fenrys. "Thank you, Fernys isn't it? It is a pleasure to meet you, good sire."

Dodger just blinks in disbelief as he gives Lara an incredulous look. Lara gives him a sly wink and a nod to which he half mutters "Ain't wastin no time is she?"

Fenrys fixes Dodger with an appraising look that makes the changeling nervous. "Dodger is it not?" Dodger breathes sharply as he knows that the wolf was not really asking a question. "I thought as much. You needn't be too worried, I know you're clean for now. But with me around, I think it wise to remind you of our working credo regarding felons: Now matter how bad and nasty you think you are, we will find a way to bring you down. You can run all you like; you can't hide from me; I will find you. And bring you to justice."

"Like Tarn Blackstar?" Dodger sneers.

Glenda glares at Dodger. "He had a death warrant and you know it, Dodger!"

"And remember this, Dodger," Valkyrie growls with a deadly leer as she giggles darkly. "You know how accurate I am, Mannjaegers are renknowned for their accuracy. Not to mention how easy it could be for us to set up a crossfire ambush."

Dodger cowers in utter fear as the reality of her words hits him.

Fenrys and Valkyrie ascend to the turret above with its organ gun ordinance as the card game resumes. Dusk comes about the landscape as the train gets going. As the train start to move a zeppelin descends from the clouds using the sun for camouflage. While sighting the airship is rather difficult for even the best eyes the turbines that provides it with motion are not nearly as difficult to detect, especially for beastlings whose ears are more sensitive than elves. Collectively closing their eyes and swiveling their ears they search for the zeppelin that their eyes cannot find. Ears succeed where eyes fail as they confer with one another. Setting up a rocket launcher the pair prime the missile and fire it blindly. Unfortunately for those on the zeppelin this shot is not as blind as one might think. Flying straight and true it achieves a sold hit. But whatever victory they may have garnered is cut short as spidery walkers are dropped onto the lightning rail Manned mechanical scorpions of large size among vehicles wit buzz saw claws and a lightning bolt emitter tail. A quick look to cockpit of each mech reveals a pair of goblins and a hobgoblin in control of each one.

Rotating the turret to face the goblinoid horde Fenrys and Valkyrie unload canister after canister of shot but the glass canopy protecting the goblins and the their hobgoblin masters is enchanted to be shielded against bullets. Only after the mech is shot from underneath are the occupants semi vulnerable. Grenades are tossed at the turret causing both beastlings to dive back into the carriage. Fenrys shoots one of the goblins with his carbine before drawing his broad sword as he reaches behind himself to take out a wide bladed short sword split like a fork that is actually a common beastling blade called a Defender.

Slamming into a squad of dispossessed goblin troopers that were riding in the belly of the mechs, Fenrys is a whirling demon of activity. The human guards are already dead from hobgoblin artificier magic missile fire. Valkyrie is close behind him with pistols blazing. Both act cautiously as Ruby infuses Iron with powers he needs to sneak past the goblins and take down the mechs. Dodger takes out a rapier and main gauche before leaping into the fray. Helga likewise rushes in unarmed but any goblin foolish enough to think her an easy mark learns otherwise to their detriment. Glinda is keeping out of the fight for the most part; relying on her crossbow to keep up with the carnage caused by the others.

Fenrys falls back as something doesn't smell right to him. Catching a glimpse of scarlet below Fen drops smoky colored glass marbles that become mist when they impact with the rails themselves. A red cloaked and masked figure scrambles into one of the cargo cars. Kicking open a hatch he drops in after the figure. The others have enough time to give each other inquisitive glances as one of the goblins turns himself into an ogre with the same features as the lowly goblin had moments before; nearly throwing Dodger from the train shortly after his magically spurned growth spike.

In a murky maze of crates Fenrys lets his eyes adjust with a flying dagger that is barely dodged as the figure is darting in and out of cover. Then the moonlight above is momentarily obscured by clouds which plunges the area into darkness. Fen can hear his opponent but cannot see her. But his ears and nose take over for his now useless eyes and he perceives the blood shadow perfectly well. Hiding in a nook and standing still along with controlled breathing allows him to dampen his heat signature and defeat her darkvision. Listening closely he can hear her faltering steps. When she gets close enough he drops a crate on her head, crushing her beneath its weight. Knowing better than to try and save her, he instead wakes her up to take her sexually before killing her via decapitation.

"Did ya have to bugger her first?" Dodger asks. "Ya could have just killed the bloody bi..."

Fenrys choke pins Dodger to a crate wall. "Do not let me hear you call femme that. I have someone among your crew that I hope to call that and among us that can be a term of endearment." Fenrys then unceremoniously drops the changeling and glares at him. "Do I make myself crystal ball clear?"

"Oui!" Dodger squeeks. "But why?!"

Fenrys makes his full height apparent before folding his arms. "I hate goblins."

"Noted!" Dodger says fearfully. "Special hatred? The kind you rangers get for special targets?" To which Fenrys glaringly nods. "Ooooooh Kay!"

"Fen! Hawkers!" Valkyrie cries to which Fenrys calls up: "I'm on it! Lemme get back up there!"

Finding a steam rifle platform among the bric-a-brac, Fen activates it and ascends above the cars to target the incoming gliders. Hawk helmed pilots descend from the zeppelin in there mechanikal gliders. Fenrys takes a moment to examine his weapon and notices a five shot revolver cylinder. Shrugging his shoulders he fills the chambers with cone shaped bullets and then pops the cylinder back in. Heated air billows into firing chamber as he takes aim and fires. The telescopic site makes finding the mark so much easier as his first shot kills the hybrid of orc and goblin instantly with a head shot.

"Well I'll be a miniaturized iron golem!" Ruby exclaims as she witnesses the one shot; one kill efficiency of Fenrys with the pneumatic rifle. "I take it back, Brom your idea pure genius!"

"Well kiss my fuzzy butt! It worked!" Brom exclaims. "I just needed the right shooter! Even Val had trouble with that gun."

"And I thought they were just stories..." Lara says with jaw open as she watches the display in complete disbelief. "He actually is that good! Hey Val!"

"You owe me, Foxy!" Valkyrie exclaims as she shoots the last goblins with a big smile on her face. "I told all of you, Fen was that good, but you all dissed me. Do you believe me now!?!"

"Looks like you have a new field tester, Brom." Iron says in a jovial manner.

Brom shakes his head and rebukes Iron. "Another; rust bucket! Another! I'm not cutting out Val. No matter how much of a pain in the tail she can be."

"IRON!!" Ruby yells as she swipes his oversized wrench from his grasp to whack his butt with. "Behave! I swear between you and the earlier golems from which we have evolved, they would have a lot more manners."

"I wouldn't be getting too cocky if I were you." Glinda warns. "Those Hawkers are approaching fast and steam rifles are usually single shot weapons...."

"Well, now," Brom chuckles. "I wouldn't say that."

Utilizing a unique pump action much like on certain modern shotguns Fenrys activates a revolving system within the gun that cycles another round into the firing chamber; which is just how Brom designed it. Taking quick aim he fires off another shot and takes out one of the gliders in the middle of the flying wedge formation which causes it to go careening into a neighbor and causing both to crash. Quickly cycling another shot; Fenrys takes down yet another as Brom marvels at his marksmanship.

"Four shots and five dead hawkers." Brom observes as Fenrys expends the cylinders last shot. :"Although the one maybe a fluke."

"The crash was a lucky shot." Val concedes. "But it proves your rifle can be that devastating at range. Although it seems that I'm more of a pistoleer than a true sniper."

"That it does, Val," Brom says with a new found respect for the wolf. "That it does."

Fenrys pops out the empty chamber to pop in a fresh one as below him footprints appear amidst the blood and soot. Ruby catches something odd about the disembodied shoeprints and prepares a magic missile infusion of her own. Unseen by all is a gremlin who starts setting explosives on the roof. Aiming at appearing explosives, Ruby fires off her infusion as Fenrys starts firing again. Par for the course the shard of magical force swerves unerringly to hit a platinum haired, gray skinned goblin, killing him instantly. But in its death throes the gremlin activates the bombs he laid down. A spectacular explosion goes off behind him as Fenrys scores four more kills. By now the last four are in shooting range of Fenrys as all four aim their heavy crossbow to slay the lupin ranger. There aim seems true until the spell Brom placed on the platform activates. All four bolts are deflected as Fenrys reloads. Getting another four shots off he hits all four remaining hawkers only one of them actually drops. Howling in both frustration and elation, he switches cylinders yet again. As the Hawkers try to reach safety Fen keeps firing. The two sergeants need only another shot each but their leader needs two more shots to go down as the zeppelin deploys its lightning cannon.

Knowing full well he is unprotected from the massive magical discharge of the cannon Fenrys dives to avoid its fury. The platform is destroyed as Dodger leaps and activates his enchanted cloak. Bat wings spring to life and carry him towards the blimp. Pistol fire attempts to discourage his approach but Dodger is undaunted. One of the four turbines is on fire making locomotion difficult. Lobbing a magnetic bomb at one of the other turbines he makes the shot and gets shot himself. Deciding discretion the better part of valor Dodger detonates the bomb leaving the bombadeers driving without a lot of power and a harder time steering.

Yet it still lurches towards the train car where all this started. A mechanical claw descends from the belly of the zeppelin's gondola. Locking the claw used today to snare novelties in arcades, it grabs a lashed down crate pulls it free. Rushing to try and stop it are Fenrys, Valkyrie and Iron. While the crate is hauled up and into the cargo hold of the blimp with all three having leapt onto the top and just barely accomplishing this feat of acrobatics as it is lifted out of the train car. Helga manages to wuxia her way up there as well.

"So..." Helga asks to the others as she folds her arms over her chest. "Any plans on how we are to prevent this theft."

"Somebody is going to a lot of trouble to steal this artifact." Iron says with as close to a sneer as a warforged can manage. "The question is why?"

"With all the goblin troops we've faced today do you really have to ask?" Fenrys asks incredulously but with a smirk on his muzzle.

"Fen's right, only one group of malcontents is capable of amassing goblinoids in this type of force." Helga observes.

"Yeah, the Horde of the Hobgoblin Empire." Valkyrie states. "So, any plans for ultimately thwarting their intentions, Fen?"

"Yeah, Val, a very simple one." Fenrys states. "Helga, Val, the three of us take out any and all goblins we see while Iron renders this bird flightless."