The Shattered Life of New Shanghai

As the three leave the air transit hub, they are immediately greeted by the difference in allowed city culture of New Shanghai. Citizens moved off the streets as corporation military personnel and tanks marched down the streets. 

Last time I was here, things weren't this bad. What in the world happened?

You've been here before?

Before I owned that airstrip, I was an air racer. This place was normally freer that this. 

A citizen turned to the trio. It happened last month. Someone made an attempt of the CEO's life, and he went full dictator. Keep your heads down, go about your business and don't stay long. 

The citizen vanished into the crowd leaving the trio with their thoughts. As they were about to cross the street, a child steps out and finds themselves with guns pointed at the kid. 

The citizens scream as the corporation soldiers brutally execute the kid and then the parents. Let this be a lesson to all of you. You are all fucking expendable and replaceable. The assassin shall be found, and until they are, we will execute anyone we see as a threat.

Once the soldiers had moved on, the trio beelined for the address.

We can't stay here long. We gotta get the fuck out of here fast.

What's the address Preacher?

Should just be around the corner.

As the trio round the corner, a closed down strip club comes into view. The three head inside just as it begins raining. Once inside a group of women holding rifles at them reveal themselves.

Not another step boys. We're closed. 

Hold on! 

Relax now, I am Reverend Psalms, I received a prayer request with this address. 

Must be the one Matilda wrote. Send em up stairs. 

A lady motions for them to follow her. As they climb the steps, the woman opens a door and motions for them to go inside. As they do, she shuts the door and locks it. Earhart tries the doorknob, but the door isn't opening anytime soon. 

Sorry about them. They are just really protective. Said voice. The trio whip around to see a showgirl sitting on a chair in the corner of the room.

We're here because...

You got the prayer request I mailed.

Yes... are you the one writing them?

Sorry, it's not me. However, we need to discuss things fast and then get out of the city.

Why the rush? Said Earhart folding his arms.

I was the last person to see the CEO before he was hurt.

The trio all look at each other then back at her. 

What?

Yes, I was there per request. He wanted the school-girl special and requested I do it. Then after I left, I heard someone had tried to kill him.

And now those trigger happy soldiers aren't wanting to ask questions, just punch enough holes in someone to blame. A scapegoat by death.

Reverend, I know I am a sinner, but will you help me?

All three of us came to help, so it ain't just his decision.

Like I said back in the hangar, the Tuskegee Airmen were legends because the outperformed the best on both sides of their war. I don't plan on stopping now, even if it means we get a bit of heat. I was thinking about a solution to our distance problem while you two were sleeping. Clearly there is a corpo after all of us, and I just so happen to own the airstrip and the blocks surrounding it. Why don't you all move in? Be way easier to watch out for each other.

Would that even work?

Bigger group means far more witnesses and an easier case for lawyers. If we're gonna do this though, we need to go. Like now. The longer we're here the more danger we're all in.

With a knock, the other women opened the door, all dress in rain gear.

No, I will not have that on my plane. You all look like you're running away. Pack fucking light, then ditch the heavy rain coats. Just a normal coat and a single suitcase. Hurry up!

The women scatter to change and pack lighter. As they do, Earhart and Reverend Psalms watch out for soldiers. Once they were ready, they left the brothel. As the group made their way through the rainy streets of New Shanghai. They were almost to the air transit hub, when a battalion of corporate soldiers blocked their path.

Not this way! Follow us!

They took an alleyway into the hub. Inside the ran to the Tri-Motor Ford that had been fully fueled and was ready to go. 

Climb in and strap in! We gotta go! Looks like they're about to shut down the hub!

As the Tri-Motor Ford rumbled to life and began taxiing on the runway, soldiers began pulling people out of their shuttles. A vehicle was on route to the Tri-Motor when the plane began accelerating. 

Step on it Pilot! They're coming!

MY NAME IS EARHART! HOLD ON TO SOMETHING!

The Tri-Motor Ford lifts into the skies leaving the hub behind. However, as they look back, soldiers begin a mass execution of those still inside the hub. Gunfire was heard for miles around. Blood pooled in the rain soaked concrete of the hub. 

As Earhart flew the plane, everyone was silent. They had narrowly escaped the jaws of death by execution. However, Corpo shuttles were in pursuit of the Tri-motor Ford. They fired unguided rockets at the plane, forcing Earhart to pull the plane high into the clouds in order to escape. The shuttles tried to follow them for hours, but broke away after the Tri-Motor Ford crossed the border. 

Upon the Ford landing to refuel at the six hour mark, everyone except Earhart threw up. Death had been chasing them, and yet he just stared into the darkened skies. His fist clenched, jawline ridged, like a real life hero standing in defiance. 

How aren't you sick?

I have seen my fair share of death. You'll get used to it. Once you're all done barfing, there's water in the service cart. Help yourselves.

Earhart went inside and drank some water himself, then did some checks as the refuelers did their job. After he was finished, he made himself a coffee to stay awake for the next six hours. Once everyone was aboard, the Tri-Motor ripped into the sky, with everyone except Earhart and Sensei Light asleep.