Vengeance at Red Rock Pt 5:- Justice is Served

[Stormtrooper1990]

There's always this feeling a satisfaction when a saga reaches its conclusion. Revenge stories are a staple of the Far West genre, and McClaine and his gang finally get their just desserts.

The epilogue was a fine addition, though maybe a little too short. I particularly appreciated Sylvié's return - I always like when minor characters make a surprising return. Looks like Sand taking a fancy to the maid in the previous part was actually foreshadowing...

Nancy, Sand, and Clinton were solid protagonists - not the most memorable characters I've ever seen, but they carried their story well, and it feels satisfying to see them get their "happily ever after". - I'm a sucker for epilogues that show the main characters have had kid(s). - What I appreciated in them the most is how coherent they were. One example: they were careful to always make a distinction between the civilians and the non-criminal employee's of McClaine (including the "guards" like Carmen and Bertha) and the raiders, and Clinton has always showed concern for the bystanders caught in the crossfire.

Then Wendy chimes in. "But what about me? I thought that the Sheriff and Deputy Sand were just another pair of Jane's. They didn't have to punch me, strip me naked and stuff me in a barrel."

The blacksmith says. "Come on Wendy. We all know how friendly you were to McClaine. You would have tattletaled off to him at the first opportunity. They were well within their rights to knock you out and tie you up. At least you've got a respectable job now, so why are you complaining?"

Reading your and meditions' comments in this part (or especially in the previous part) almost make me feel like I'm reading stories being written live in front of my eyes.

"Here kitty, kitty, kitty"... the Red Lantern... Wild Marge... "Fifteen paces"... References to Desperados III everywhere! My favorite was the fact that O'Hara was interrogated by a woman named Kate.

Wendy not being a redhead, it almost feels there's a missed opportunity for a joke...

Hi Rufus

Yeah, I had a lot of fun writing this saga and its been immensely satisfying seeing how popular it is so I just had to give the saga an ending it deserved. Indeed, not only were I inspired by Desperadoes 3 but by both the rich history of the old west and the old westerns i have seen like True Grit or 3:10 to Yuma. And a nod also as to go out to the great spaghetti westerns of Sergio Leone.


When I was discussing Sylvie's scene with meditions, I was debated whether or not to include Abigail or Sylvié since they are both memorable characters in their own right. But with the foreshadowing between Sand and Sylvié, there was only going to be one lucky gal. In retrospect perhaps the epilogue should have been longer with more details on the other victims and their fates, but I was trying to keep to the 60,000 word limit and my tablets battery was closed to death. Otherwise I would have extended it past two paragraphs.


I'am glad you liked the team, I did rather get attached to them during the course of the adventure particularly Sand because of her father issues and the dichotomy of her character. So I wanted them to get their happily ever after as closure for all of them. Hence little Emily Catherine O'Hara who represented the couple putting their trouble past behind them and looking to the future. Yeah, it was also my intention for the gang to show coherent logic and discriminating between the guilty and the innocent, the guards just doing their jobs from the murderous raiders. And Clinton was a joy to write, representing as he does the groups moral compass.


Meditions is a very good friend and I have come to really value and appreciate his support for not just this series but for all of my stories particularly the non lethal work. He and I have so much in common including a big imagination, you can say we are kindred spirits. It was fun to bounce ideas and create those scenes with him, it certainly brought a smile to my face.


Yeah, it felt fitting to reference the excellent videogame that has been an inspiration for this series and I'am glad you spotted the subtle easter eggs, including O'Hara's interrogation by Butcher Kate. Did you also get the prostitute saying "I'am the best in the west, darling."? In fact the locations in the story were also all based on locations and missions from the game, although not necessarily in the right order.


Ha! I can see that, I like it! Is there a meme with "Marge" in red I wonder?

[rufusluciusivan]

Didn't watch too many westerns, actually, but the Dollar trilogy is a favorite of mine - especially For a Few Dollars More. Lee Van Cleef is the boss. No wonder McCoy was inspired by him. Also Once Upon a Time in the West. Frank's still a chilling villain. And Morricone's tracks are so gorgeous... The duels wouldn't mean squat without them.

Ironically for a USB tale, my favorite was Clinton. I just loved the joke that he is the only one who's truly embarrassed by the USB hijinks taking place around him and is trying to be a gentleman about it. Nancy was a classic western protagonist - she reminded me of "The Lady", Sharon Stone's character in the Quick and the Dead. It probably was the revenge story. Sand was the bronze medal, because every trio needs a runner-up I guess.

Didn't remember the "I am the best in the west, darling.", I confess.

Though I did catch on the various parts were inspired by real Desperados 3 maps. Let's see if I got it right:
- Part 1 is probably the trickiest one - though the whole "We meet each other during a raid when I save you life and we turn the tables" reminds me of the second map, Running Late on Payday
- Part 2 is Higgins Estate (that one was easy )
- Part 3 is DeVitt Goldmine
- Part 4 is New Orleans and/or Flagstone
- Part 5 is New Orleans for the first half with the Red Lantern, and the last main mission The Old and the New for the second half

[Stormtrooper1990]

Didn't watch too many westerns, actually, but the Dollar trilogy is a favorite of mine - especially For a Few Dollars More. Lee Van Cleef is the boss. No wonder McCoy was inspired by him. Also Once Upon a Time in the West. Frank's still a chilling villain. And Morricone's tracks are so gorgeous... The duels wouldn't mean squat without them.

Ironically for a USB tale, my favorite was Clinton. I just loved the joke that he is the only one who's truly embarrassed by the USB hijinks taking place around him and is trying to be a gentleman about it. Nancy was a classic western protagonist - she reminded me of "The Lady", Sharon Stone's character in the Quick and the Dead. It probably was the revenge story. Sand was the bronze medal, because every trio needs a runner-up I guess.

Didn't remember the "I am the best in the west, darling.", I confess.

Though I did catch on the various parts were inspired by real Desperados 3 maps. Let's see if I got it right:
- Part 1 is probably the trickiest one - though the whole "We meet each other during a raid when I save you life and we turn the tables" reminds me of the second map, Running Late on Payday
- Part 2 is Higgins Estate (that one was easy )
- Part 3 is DeVitt Goldmine
- Part 4 is New Orleans and/or Flagstone
- Part 5 is New Orleans for the first half with the Red Lantern, and the last main mission The Old and the New for the second half

Good to see another Dollars fan, yeah I would say that For a Few Dollars more was the best of the trilogy, Lee van Cleef and Clint were a great pairing and i can see he being an influence on McCoy's character. But LvC was a mean villian in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. I couldn't agree me, Morricone's score is so iconic, add in the locket and you have the most memorable Mexican stand offs of all time. Really captured my imagination.


Now I may say that I enjoyed writing Sand but I would have to agree that Clinton is one of my finest characters. I'am pleased with how well he has been received and it was always my intention not only to have him as a positive force but a nod to all those famous westerns of yesteryear. Spot on, The Lady was also the inspiration behind Nancy; she was one part John Cooper, two parts Catherine O'Hara and one part The Lady. The Quick and The Dead, an excellent movie by Sam Raimi also served as some inspiration, with McClaine being based on Gene Hackman's slimy corrupt sheriff. And Sand, I knew she was always going to divide opinion, after all she's not gentle or subtle but still Nancy and Clinton owe their lives to her.


Well, in the last mission The Old and the New, there is a prostitute in the canyon Kate can steal clothes from. Part of her ambient dialogue to a bandit wanting her "services" is "I only charge so much because I'am the best in the west, darling.'"


Part 1- Is absolutely correct. Minus the train of course, it was based off the moment Cooper saved McCoy from bandits but in this instance the roles are reversed.


Part 2- Yeah that one was a little too easy. Right down to Nancy and Clinton's first interaction, based off Kate and John's first meeting, which also involved a closet. But no Higgins and no shotgun.


Part 3- Ding, Ding, Ding correct. Except with the gangs explosive escape and it being an infiltration.


Part 4 - Yep, New Orleans mixed in with Flagstaff and a little Devitt's Manor in Mission 15, with Nancy needing a dress and invitation into the Casino, just like Kate and Cooper for Devitt's party.


Part 5- Not bad but you missed out Mission 5, the attack on the O'Hara ranch by Devitt's men. It was a mixture of New Orleans and the Red Lantern, the O'Hara ranch and finally The Old and the New for the climactic confrontation.

[rufusluciusivan]

Clinton is a good argument to showcase the positives a male character can bring to a USB story - both in terms of plot (and romance) and in terms of humour. As for Sand, the case could be made she also suffered from the competition with Clinton and Nancy.

Van Cleef's villainous role is his most well-known, but personally for me he'll always be the anti-heroic badass Colonel Mortimer. Though his performance as Angel Eyes is also a sight to behold. That scene in which he shares a laugh with his employer, then murders him, and then just laughs to himself... Chilling.

Well, in the last mission The Old and the New, there is a prostitute in the canyon Kate can steal clothes from. Part of her ambient dialogue to a bandit wanting her "services" is "I only charge so much because I'am the best in the west, darling.'"

So that's the reason why I didn't find out... The Old and the New has always been one of my least favorite missions - though only gameplay-wise (because plot-wise, there's the showdown with Frank, and Desperados 3 Frank is a good villain - definitely a well-done homage to his namesake from Once Upon a Time in the West). So I rarely played it. Tellingly, it's the only mission (DLC included) I didn't clear in Desperados mode.

My favorites are New Orleans, DeVitt's Mansion, and (Magnus) DeVitt's Plantation in the DLC. I wish this game featured more often the maid disguise... I guess that's one reason why my favorite scene of this entire saga is with Mary the maid.

with McClaine being based on Gene Hackman's slimy corrupt sheriff

I did feel a Herod-vibe with McClaine.

I'll leave it at here. A bit regretful the saga was short - but better a short complete tale than a long unfinished one. Though this venture in a Desperados 3-inspired world is making me yearn to come back to it.

[Stormtrooper1990]

Clinton is a good argument to showcase the positives a male character can bring to a USB story - both in terms of plot (and romance) and in terms of humour. As for Sand, the case could be made she also suffered from the competition with Clinton and Nancy.

Van Cleef's villainous role is his most well-known, but personally for me he'll always be the anti-heroic badass Colonel Mortimer. Though his performance as Angel Eyes is also a sight to behold. That scene in which he shares a laugh with his employer, then murders him, and then just laughs to himself... Chilling.

Well, in the last mission The Old and the New, there is a prostitute in the canyon Kate can steal clothes from. Part of her ambient dialogue to a bandit wanting her "services" is "I only charge so much because I'am the best in the west, darling.'"

So that's the reason why I didn't find out... The Old and the New has always been one of my least favorite missions - though only gameplay-wise (because plot-wise, there's the showdown with Frank, and Desperados 3 Frank is a good villain - definitely a well-done homage to his namesake from Once Upon a Time in the West). So I rarely played it. Tellingly, it's the only mission (DLC included) I didn't clear in Desperados mode.

My favorites are New Orleans, DeVitt's Mansion, and (Magnus) DeVitt's Plantation in the DLC. I wish this game featured more often the maid disguise... I guess that's one reason why my favorite scene of this entire saga is with Mary the maid.

with McClaine being based on Gene Hackman's slimy corrupt sheriff

I did feel a Herod-vibe with McClaine.

I'll leave it at here. A bit regretful the saga was short - but better a short complete tale than a long unfinished one. Though this venture in a Desperados 3-inspired world is making me yearn to come back to it.

Writing Clinton has definitely opened my eyes to the possibility of including more make characters in my future stories, if only to serve as a plot point and a potential romance. It's no surprise that I favour same-sex relationships in my USB stories, but this heterosexual romance was a nice change for me. Yeah, I felt was a bit cruel to Sand, making her desire Nancy but losing out to Clinton. But I did make it up to her by pairing her with the delectable Sylvié, and giving her a shot at a happy ending.


I think Lee van Cleef enjoyed playing the roles of Mortimer and Angel Eyes, you could tell onscreen he was having way too much fun, which is always good to see from an actor. It brings out the best in them. And I always liked the moral of that scene: don't try to kill or otherwise rip off those who you hire. They will most likely laugh with you them shoot you, then laugh again.


Yeah, I wasn't too fond of having the party divided on both sides on the canyon myself. ( pairing McCoy with Isabelle, not the best of partnerships) But to get the disguise itself, I used only Kate, Cooper and Isabelle (pushing that boulder into the canyon, is a big help too.) Picked off all the bandits in the canyon with Cooper and Isabelle ( or rather the cat), then did a double elimination, Kate shot the prostitute and Cooper threw the knife at the bandit. And Kate as herself the dress. Now, I will confess I don't play on desperadoes mode largely because I prefer to play the game and appreciate the story, without having to throw the controller at the TV for failing.


Seconded, although I also liked the return to the Devitt Manor in the DLC( stealing Rosie a dress from the second prostitute was always fun). I agree, I think that Kate should have more opportunities to steal a maids outfit but sadly she only gets two opportunities in the entire game. So I appreciate that you enjoyed Mary's scene the most. Actually my inclusion of female henchwomen as disguises in this story, reflected how much I wished they had Kate disguise herself as female gunman or poncho, imagine the gameplay possibilities there.


Yeah, Gene Hackman has a gift for portraying slimy corrupt villains and Herod was the one that stuck in my mind. In fact I can just picture him as McClaine, especially in the Casino scene when Nancy comes face to face with him.


Honestly, I had been thinking of extending it by including mashups of all the missions from the game but I'am working on other projects with hshws. And I wasn't sure how long I could drag out the concept, so I played it safe with a nice respectable five episode run. But that's not to say, I wouldn't go back to it and return to Red Rock at a later date. I did leave the ending open after all. I know what you mean, it's been a while since I last played Desperados 3 and like Shadow Tactics it's a game I will always return to, whenever the urge strikes me to return to the Old West.

[saker]

What a great story!
I loved all 5 parts, as I loved the game that inspired you to make it! The references and references to the characters, places and events of Desperados 3 are delightful. After all, I have a weakness for Western, that is, among other things, a goldmine for clothes-stealing scenes. Although unfortunately more of an M/M nature than F/F. Women also steal men's clothes instead of women's, generally in the mainstream. I think it's a question of comfort and practicality . I'm also happy to hear that your historical sagas don't end here, but there's more to come

[Stormtrooper1990]

What a great story!
I loved all 5 parts, as I loved the game that inspired you to make it! The references and references to the characters, places and events of Desperados 3 are delightful. After all, I have a weakness for Western, that is, among other things, a goldmine for clothes-stealing scenes. Although unfortunately more of an M/M nature than F/F. Women also steal men's clothes instead of women's, generally in the mainstream. I think it's a question of comfort and practicality . I'm also happy to hear that your historical sagas don't end here, but there's more to come

Thanks Saker, I'am glad you enjoyed the series as much as I enjoyed writing it. And it's good to see a fellow Desperados fan. I must admit I also have a liking for westerns but also share your frustration at the M/M and F/M garbage. I was glad to redress the balance in this saga and provide the F/F scenes the genre deserves that mainstream denies us. Interestingly, in real life quite a few women where outlaws like in the game but this is only been recently discovered.


Definitely, next up in my historical sagas is a return to Cold War Hungary and the continuation of Célia's story.