Destroying the Tunnel had proven quite effective, since the Train still hit it and even at reduced speed it meant that every poor bastard on board was thrown hard and thus dazed. From there the Gang descended upon the train like a pack of wolves, guards quickly killed and eventually after taking the valuables including the rail bonds the crew was killed except for one person, and told to deliver a message.
Colm O'Driscoll runs New Hanover, not Dutch van der Linde, not James Laramie, not the Murfree Brood, and certainly not the likes of Cornwall.
The Train was sent on its way, with the sole surviving crew member knocked out and tied up on board, while a message to Cornwall was pinned to the desk stating that Colm would now be taxing any Cornwall enterprises passing through. Dutch had been quite pleased with the idea, and while it likely wouldn't last long, it was a useful delaying tactic against the inevitable response of Cornwall. At the very least, the Pinkertons would be initially deployed against the O'Driscolls.
And it gave them a short reprieve of having to always be looking over their shoulders after a job. Of course the problem with the rail bonds is that they were priced at ranging between 500 and 5000. But if Reiner got Hosea in touch with Pierre, Pierre could probably set up an exchange with Guido, exchanging the Rail bonds for something they could sell at a premium and make a lot of profit. Maybe a massive shipment of Rum? Or just plain gold? Either way, Reiner would ask for Leroux to make the trip to Valentine. At some point Reiner would also need to meet with Guido regardless of anything else. Eventually his shine would cross into Lemoyne to such a degree that the Braithwaite's would have little choice but to strike against him which would be exactly what he wanted.
Killing Dutch and Micah was just one part of the plan. Reiner had ambitions to reshape the world.
Anyways, Reiner and Lenny had had two choices for getting to Valentine; travel across Bacchus Bridge and take the long way or cross the Dakota River. They'd chosen the latter, primarily because it was the shortest distance to their destination and because they simply didn't have the time to go by way of the Rail Bridge.
Between them they'd made good time and Valentine was within sight. at long last.
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Riding into Valentine together with Reiner after crossing the Dakota River, two distinct things happened to young Lenny Summers.
First gone was the crisp mountain heir replaced with a pungent stench of cattle, sheep, and horses. It hit him hard and it hit him heavily. The second thing that happened was that he became acutely aware that Reiner wasn't just here to pass through, he had something else to do.
''Speak up kid, can practically feel your eyes burning a hole in the back of my head.'' Reiner spoke up.
''Sorry, it's just, you're not just here to scout are you?'' He asked.
''I've got letters to send. Going to get a couple of people to Valentine, have them meet with me, see if we can sell those Bonds quickly and quietly, also need to find out what the fuck is going on with the Syndicate.'' Says Reiner.
''I always heard a guy named Klaus was in charge of the Syndicate.'' He said, bringing up a rumor he'd heard for a long time.
''He is, in a way. When I stepped away from the Syndicate's day-to-day, I needed a replacement who could catch the heat, but who almost no one knew what they looked like. As far as the Underworld's concerned, the five heads of the table answer to Klaus. But different people meet with a different version of Klaus. Which makes it difficult for the law to find the person they think is the real Klaus. Everyone who becomes Klaus knows that their lives are forfeit if the Law signs a warrant for their arrest under suspicion of being Klaus and gets within arms reach.'' Says Reiner.
''Anybody ever flipped?'' He asked Reiner.
''Once, we hanged him in front of the local Sheriff's office while the town slept, with the signed warrant pinned to his chest. Since then if we find out that someone has signed a warrant for Klaus, we move people around before the law moves in. Makes it near impossible to do anything significant to the operations.'' Says Reiner.
''And who are these letters for exactly?'' Asks Lenny.
''My banker for one, also my enforcer, and the legal face of the Syndicates legitimate enterprises. My legal man will arrive first, my enforcer probably last. I need to know the current state of things.'' He said as they approached the train station. Wait here, I'll lead you to Horseshoe Overlook afterwards, but keep your Revolver cocked, there are O'Driscolls about.'' Reiner said as he entered the Train Station.
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Ordinarily Donal would kill a member of the van der Linde gang on site. But Reiner Stark was different, they were business partners. Colm's time was past, it was time for a new member of the O'Driscoll family to step up. This feud with van der Linde needed to be put to bed. Donal should hate Dutch van der Linde for killing his father, but the truth is that Dutch did him a favor by killing his father.
As a deeply religious catholic, and proud Irishman he'd never dishonor his name, god, or ancestors by stooping so low as to kill his own blood.
''Donal, it's nearly time.'' Reiner said as they shook hands.
''My men are ready. Just give me a time and place.'' Says Donal, as Reiner leads him to a hidden alcove.
''Dutch gave me an escort so we have to make this fast. Pierre Leroux is coming to Valentine, so is Horley, and eventually Belle. I need you to try and rob Pierre. Key word try, make it look like a robbery but flee at the first sign of trouble, that trouble being his Pinkerton escort. Then if all goes well, you get Dutch's bounty by the end of this, Del Lobo is coming as well, we need it to look like a betrayal. They've no idea who the target is, just that they need to Kill them, and the plan is to ''let the O'Driscoll Boys take the fall, so pick some men you don't mind losing cause they won't be coming back. I'll let you know when to get ready.'' He nodded along.
''Alright, and afterwards?'' He wanted confirmation.
''Afterwards, Colm will come to you and we'll kill him as retaliation. You get Dutch's Bounty, we get Colm's. And I convince the gang into bringing you into the fold against Colm.''
''I'll wait for your message.'' Donal said.
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After sending his letters and Donal on their way, he and Lenny rode on ahead towards Horseshoe Overlook. Despite the deal with Donal, the O'Driscolls and Colm would not long outlive each other. The Gang would never allow it, but Donal would outlive his gang, because the man was just too useful to be done away with. When Arthur killed Flaco, he'd need a new man to lead the men, that would be Donal.
Donal O'Driscoll.
Colm's nephew and a skilled fighter and rider. He was in essence the O'Driscoll's version of Arthur, and more than one of Reiner's plans needed a replacement for Arthur since Arthur would take on a different role that would exclude him from such activities that required someone of his talents.
Thus enter Donal O'Driscoll.
The Replacer.
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(Author's Note:)
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And here we are, Chapter 4, with this we step into something more regular. I'm really enjoying this right now. Next chapter the gang arrives at Horseshoe Overlook, and Reiner goes hunting, as to what sort of hunting well you'll just see. But it'll be more than one kind of hunting. Anyways, the price of land in 1899 regardless of whether it's in RDR is honestly ridiculous. I've been running a number of different estimates, leaving certain things, leaving certain things out, and it all adds up quite nicely. I'll say this though, Dutch will die about halfway through the New Hanover stuff.
As Gav said:
Loyalty's a Pistol.
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