Is Aftermath City on the very brink of Apache bloodletting?
This reporter is sorry to have to report that the recent trouble with the local aboriginals of the Apache tribe seems to be escalating and that our beautiful town seems to be poised on the very brink of bloodshed on a veritably apocolyptic scale. The trouble seems to have begun recently when the local Army detachement, acting on orders from Washington it is believed, attempted to move on part of the tribe from their chosen summer camp (see last issue of the Sentinel for more details of this caowardly ambush on our brave boys in blue).
Since then Indian activity has been on the increase: the weekly stage coach from Tucson was attacked and only just succeeded in escaping a war party made up of young braves and, more ominously, war drums have been heard nightly in the foothills around Aftermath City. Indian experts, such as Clint Patterson (owner of Pattersons Gun Emporium and a veteran of past indian wars), say this may well be a call going out to dispersed elements of the tribe calling them to arms.
The town mayor, Jim Swanton, has urged the townsfolk of Aftermath to remain calm in the current crisis, to stockpile food within reason, to lock their doors at night and keep their guns handy. Speaking to a worried throng outside the Gem Theatre, Aftermath’s unofficial town hall, Mayor Swanton said:
“I do not believe the red man is foolish enough in this day and age to try his luck against our superior weaponry - he has learnt in years gone past that native steel and bravery is no match for the combined talents of Messrs. Smith, Wesson and Colt. That being said I know that I can rely on every single citizen of our beloved town to leap to her defence should we be in anyway threatened.”
Further signs of the perilousness of the situation were evident today when the local army detachment led by Lieutenant Meehan decamped to the town itself for the duration of the crisis. It can only be hoped that an urgent despatch has been sent to bring reinforcements and end this brooding siege that has gripped Aftermath.
Posted by
Trent Buchanan
July 19th.