The Devil's Son

April, 2037 Inland Antarctica

Dexter: walking through the compound with Veronica and pulls his heavy coat around him tighter as the snow comes down in a virtual whiteout* when said I wanted a break from Eileen’s lessons, this wasn’t what I had in mind. Why would I want a break from work to do other work?

Veronica: grins at him* you’ll notice you’re human, so my mood alteration still works on you, Dex. Keep that in mind. Besides, my dad said it’ll be good for morale if you mingle with your followers.

Dexter: they’re not my followers. They’re here because they don’t have a choice.

Veronica: yes, and they need guidance. Someone to follow.

Dexter: well, it isn’t me. I’m a 15-year-old kid from Kansas. My biggest problem should be getting girls to notice me, not leading an entire continent of Immortals. If they want guidance, they can go to my dad or your dad. They’re the ones in charge.

Veronica: they’re more of the behind-the-scenes kind of deal. Anyway, this won’t take long. We just have to go debrief the newest shipment of supernaturals and see if any of them could potentially hold rank. Your inner circle of trainers and informants is severely lacking, if you haven’t noticed.

Dexter: sighs* lacking? I’ve got like 15 people already.

Veronica: lacking in diversity, not number. You have almost all Divines and Neutrals in your cabinet. You need Heathens, too.

Dexter: stops trudging through the snow and turns to give her a pointed look* is that what this is about? I have to go play politics with demons?

Veronica: I mean…it won’t reflect well on your reputation with Heathens if you clearly favor the other supernaturals by giving them all the positions of power. You need to reassure every single person here and win their trust.

Dexter: I don’t see how their confidence in me will change reality.

Veronica: confidence inspires hope and hope means they’ll perform better. That’s critical, Dex. And you have to remember these people could very well die for this cause. You’re the figurehead of the resistance and it’s your responsibility to at least pretend you care about them.

Dexter: clenches his jaw and looks at the ground* it’s not that I don’t care about them…I do. They just…they make me nervous.

Veronica: and that’s why my dad sent me to go with you. I have one of the most potent mood-alterations in the world.

Dexter: wait…doesn’t you being the daughter of the Despur make you a figurehead too? Why aren’t you taking my spot as head of public relations?

Veronica: because my dad isn’t Remiel. Yours is. And with you being the literal only child of an Archangel ever means you outrank both the hybrid and his daughter. Now quit whining about your birthright, yeah? *grins and pats his back before pointing to a building ahead* the welcome center is just ahead. Time to assume our benevolent, public personas.

Dexter: looks uncertain as they enter the stadium-sized building and he shucks his heavy coat off and rubs his hands together when the heat hits him and he looks around at the random assortment of supernaturals dispersed throughout the room* okay, I’ll address the crowd. Do your mood thing so they don’t laugh at me again when they realize the fate of every supernatural soul rests in the hands of a kid who isn’t even old enough to drive a car.

Veronica: I’m not wasting my precious energy on your ego, Dex.

Dexter: and you said morale was pivotal in this war, Roni.

Veronica: frowns at hearing her least favorite nickname* why don’t you try talking to them one-on-one, then?

Dexter: that would take forever. There are at least 50 people in here.

Veronica: shrugs* then I guess you get a longer break from school.

Dexter: gives her a slightly irritated look* fine. I’ll start with an easy one, then. Point me toward the calmest Heathen in the room. I need to warm up before I get to the ancient, terrifying ones.

Veronica: laughs and shakes her head* yeah, alright. Let’s see… *gets the gold filigree on her skin and her eyes turn metallic as she focuses on everyone in the room, then narrows her sights on a girl with curly, ash brown hair and gestures to her* that got to be one of the most mellow Spectres I’ve ever come across.

Dexter: the girl over there? She’s a Spectre? But…she looks so…harmless.

Veronica: you don’t have to tell me. The placidity of her aura is on par with a Satyr, but she’s definitely a Spectre. Anyway, she’s perfect for that easy warm up you wanted. Go for it. I’m right behind you.

Dexter: squares his shoulders and stands up straighter before striding over to the Spectre*

Kelly: glances up from the leather bound journal in her hands and sees Dexter standing there with Veronica right behind him* ah…hello, there.

Dexter: hi. I’m Dexter Abbott. *offers his hand, which she takes* I’m Remiel’s son.

Kelly: looks impressed as she raises her eyebrows* my goodness, I didn’t think little old me would warrant a welcome wagon of such high caliber.

Dexter: my dad’s high caliber. I’m just…for show, I guess. At this rate, you’ll probably be more useful on the day of reckoning than I will.

Kelly: that’s awful humble of an Archangel, I’d say.

Dexter: I’m still human, so it’s more honest than humble. Besides, my dad told me every person that is willing to go out on that battlefield and face the 14 is investing equal shares in this. We all risk losing everything and we all deserve the same respect for it.

Kelly: see, now that’s more the speech I was expectin’. *smiles humorlessly* we’re all equals in war. *looks up at him* It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dexter. You might already know me. The name Kelly Ann St. John ring any bells?

Dexter: squints his eyes slightly in thought* Kelly Ann St. John… Yeah, I’ve heard that name before. *eyes dart across the floor as he searches for an answer* where have I heard that name?

Kelly: smiles knowingly* oh, I’m sure you’ve seen it in the pages of a history book at one point or another. Maybe even an old spaghetti western or two.

Dexter: eyes widen in realization* wait a minute. Are you serious? You’re from the Ed Hyde Gang!

Kelly: has a weary smile and a haunted look in her eyes* I ran with them for a few years, yes.

Dexter: whoa…that is so cool. You were an outlaw in the height of the old west. What was that like?

Kelly: bein’ in a gang back then wasn’t near so romantic as they make it out to be. It wasn’t all robbin’ coaches and gunfights. It was mostly travellin’ and workin’ for your next warm meal.

Dexter: that’s kind of what I figured. The movies never get it right.

Kelly: they wouldn’t make much money if they did. The real deal is boring half the time and cruel the other.

Dexter: so, if you were in a well-known gang, that means you’ve met some of the most famous outlaws, right?

Kelly: sure. A few.

Dexter: gets a boyish grin of excitement* oh, man, that means you knew the Devil’s Son. He was one of the most badass gunslingers back in the day.

Kelly: gets a faraway look in her eyes* there weren’t many men like Dane. He was good with a gun, sure. But he was so much more than just a gunslinger. Dane was the kinda man that really made you listen to him. Every little thing he said stayed with you.

Dexter: what happened to him? The textbooks say he kinda just…disappeared.

Kelly: I guess, in a way, he did. Or, at least, that’s what he wanted people to believe. The way his life ended weren’t befittin’ of the way he lived it. He always thought he’d die with a gun in his hand and he’d gotten so set in that idea that he was angry when he realized that wasn’t in the cards for him.

Dexter: then what was?

Kelly: clasps her hands together in her lap and looks down forlornly* I’ve been a field nurse in every war ever fought on American soil. I’ve seen things that would keep even the bravest up at night. But…watchin’ what happened to Dane… *gulps* was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.

Dexter: if you don’t want to talk about it…

Kelly: takes a deep breath* oh, I don’t mind. It’s just…without knowin’ his whole story, hearin’ the end of it doesn’t mean quite so much. It’s like readin’ only the last page of a book.

Dexter: well… *looks back at Veronica, who shrugs and purses her lips, then he turns back to face Kelly* I have time if you’re willing to tell me.

Kelly: smiles slightly* I guess this war ain’t startin’ tomorrow, is it?

Dexter: laughs* no. We’ve got a few years. Or so my dad says. *looks back at Veronica* hey, Roni? If you want to go play diplomat, I’ll be here when you get back.

Veronica: rolls her eyes* am I the only one with a sense of obligation around here? *puts her hands on her hips* do not move from this spot. Eileen will peel me like a banana if she finds out I left you alone.

Dexter: holds his hands up in surrender* I won’t. You have my word.

Veronica: good. Miss St. John, it was nice meeting you. Do me a solid and you watch him like a hawk. *walks off toward the other supernaturals in the room

Dexter: turns back around to see Kelly running her fingers over the tattered old journal in her lap* what’s that?

Kelly: it was Dane’s. He didn’t like to talk about himself much, so most of what I know about his life before I met him I learned from this or from others in the gang. I have a pretty good idea of it, so hopefully I get it right when I tell you.

Dexter: grins* I’m all ears, regardless.

Kelly: adjusts in her seat* alright, then I guess it makes sense to begin at the beginning. Right from the start, it was obvious that Dane was destined for greatness and sufferin’ in equal measure. *montage of Dane’s life* he was born in 1845 in eastern Montana to a gunsmith and a rancher’s daughter. His father’s access to guns meant he learned his way around a piece at a young age and he had mastered that deadly accurate hipshot he was famous for by the time he was 12. Not only was he a crack shot by that age, but he’d also experienced the harsh ways of life in the untamed west. He and his baby sister, Judy, lost their mother to cholera. His father struggled to work and care for both of his children, so Dane stepped up and helped his father at the shop while also tendin’ to his sister. But then the Civil War happened and everything changed…

April, 1861

Dane: 16 years old with his shit in a knapsack slung over his shoulder while his dad stands next to him and he holds Judy’s little hand as they stand on the porch of a modest home and he watches as his dad knocks on the door again* is Aunt Theresa even home? Maybe she’s out at the moment.

Nelson: she’s in. She’s just not as quick as she used to be. *grins when he hears her calling from inside

Theresa: hold on, hold on! Just a moment! *opens the door while fixing her mussed up hair* oh! Nelson! Always so prompt. *laughs and then sees Judy looking up at her shyly and she puts her hand to her chest and smiles sadly* oh…the child takes after her mother. *leans over and takes Judy’s chin in her hand and lifts her face to get a better look* yes, she’s got the China doll face, just like Emily had. *sees the sorrow in Nelson’s smile and steps aside before waving them inside* come in, come in!

Nelson: walks into the living room with Dane and Judy* Dane and I can’t stay long, I’m afraid. We’ve got quite a ride ahead of us.

Theresa: of course. I’ll have supper sent with you, if you prefer. I’d just like to get a good look at my nephew before you take off. *approaches Dane* goodness, last I saw you, you were knee-high to a locust. Now you’d look down on Goliath, wouldn’t you? *gets a playful smile

Dane: I reckon so, ma’am.

Theresa: well… *looks at Nelson approvingly* at least you’ve taught the boy manners. *looks back at Dane and tries to push his hair back out of his face* can’t say as much for his groomin’ habits, though.

Nelson: Tess, leave the boy be. We’ve had a rough two days on the road and the state of his hair ain’t exactly a high priority.

Dane: tries to bite back an amused grin*

Theresa: backs off* I suppose it oughtn’t be. *smoothes her skirts* I’ll go show young Judy to her room and then we’ll wash up and eat, if you’ve the time for it.

Nelson: I’m afraid we haven’t. We’ve got to reach Kansas City by week’s end and that’s a long ways yet.

Judy: looks up at Nelson* are you leavin’ me, pa?

Nelson: crouches down in front of her and strokes her cheek* only for a little while, lamb. Your brother and I have to go away for a spell, but Aunt Theresa will take good care of you until we get back. Okay?

Judy: has big, sad eyes when she nods and hugs him* I love you.

Nelson: closes his eyes looking pained as he holds her tightly* I love you too, lamb. *gets up and faces Theresa* I’ll stay in touch when I can. Thank you for takin’ her in.

Theresa: she’s kin. I’ll keep her as long as you need me to.

Judy: hugs Dane around his thighs* bye, Dane.

Dane: pats her on the head* bye, Jude. Not too many sweets now, you hear? *gives her a playful grin