As Mercer and Gage arrive at the Paraclete's Gulch, Carpenter and Faulkner ready themselves to make one last stand at the water's edge.[2]
| ATTENTION: SPOILERS AHEAD! Beyond this point, major plot spoilers are expected. Continue at your own risk. |
Description[]
Mercer and Gage Talk To Shrue[]
Mercer barks orders at their soldiers. Gage speaks to Shrue over a radio in their tent. Gage asks for permission to go in. It’s what Shrue has been looking for, a story to take to the press. Shrue replies that it’s too late, they’re about to vote. Mercer takes over from Gage, telling them that they changed the terms. She threatens them by saying they’ll hunt down the soldiers instead. Shrue gives the order for them to wipe out the temple, and take a few of the ring leaders alive. Gage tells Mercer that she should have never agreed to this. Gage wanted to take a break, and Mercer hadn’t listened to them. Mercer wonders what happened to Gage, that they used to agree on everything they do. Gage says they only agree because they let Mercer decide for both of them. Mercer says they always act as equals, hunt as one ever since the first sacrifice they made. Gage replies that she must remember that things didn’t happen that way. Mercer tries to end the conversation. Gage tried to remind her that they were running from him. That he choked them and Mercer came at him with a knife. That once it ended she sobbed. They are desperate for Mercer to remember. Mercer just yells at the soldiers to get moving.
Paraclete's Gulch[]
Carpenter hammers at the iron door of the Gulch. Brother Fade tells Brother Flicker to be ready with a rifle. She tries to convince them to open up. Brother Fade asks for the passphrase. Carpenter, exasperated, says that she has an injured child of the water with her. She knows the passphrase from last summer but not the new one. She says she’s with Brother Faulkner, and that she’s Carpenter. Faulkner gets out and gives the passphrase. They open the gates. Faulkner tells Fade and Flicker that they left Sister Thurrocks in the trees, and to send a stretcher for her. He then tells them to get the disciples ready to leave. Faulkner is told that Katabasian Mason left earlier that morning. Faulkner is furious. Carpenter tells them to load up the jeeps with supplies and empty the Gulch. Fade tells him they don’t think they can do that. They lead them through the gulch. There’s 54 adults and 28 children on one of the Gulch’s lower levels. They only have three jeeps. Only half of the people down here can walk. Faulkner refuses to leave them behind, Carpenter approves. They need to prepare.
The Parish Strategises[]
Faulkner and Carpenter talk about their strategy. Their problem is numbers. There’s 40 or 50 trained soldiers, against children. Untrained. Carpenter thinks accumulative warfare is the option. They need to split them up, get them lost in the Gulch. Faulkner says they can hallow some of their own ahead of time, and send them out to cause a disturbance. It’s more reliable, and Carpenter tests Faulkner. Faulkner can’t go ahead with it. Carpenter tells Faulkner that she can’t take any more lives in the service of the Parish. She intends to help, but she can’t stand to go out with her hands bloodied for the Trawler-man, surrounded by his people. She doesn’t want to die as an attack dog of the faith. Faulkner reassures her, he’s understanding. He places her as a supporting party in the dreaming pools. He thanks her for not telling them it was his fault. Thurrocks enters the room. Faulkner has some words prepared for the Parish, which doesn’t surprise Carpenter.
Negotiation[]
Gage plays his flute at Mercer’s instruction. Carpenter and Faulkner approach, unarmed. Mercer takes Carpenter to be in charge, and Carpenter tells her that Faulkner is. Gage introduces themselves. Mercer asks what Carpenter’s role is. Faulkner tells them that Carpenter is one of the Cairn Maiden’s people, a defector from the faith. Mercer returns the Homesick Corpse. Faulkner is baffled by it. They never had Brother Tapper. Mercer tells Carpenter that she can bury the corpses once they’re done. Carpenter tells her she won’t bury Mercer, in response. Gage, at Mercer’s prompt, tells Faulkner the aim of their mission. They ask for the leaders of their faith to hand themselves over to them. They do not wish to negotiate. Carpenter tells them that their death is waiting for them. She gives them advice. To turn around and make a detour. Carpenter asks Gage if Mercer speaks for both of them. Gage begins speaking, and Mercer cuts them off. Carpenter and Faulkner leave.
The Battle Begins[]
Gage announces that they’re almost ready. They are sending runners and decoys. Gage thinks they’d be better off attempting to starve them out than taking an offensive strategy. Gage isn’t wearing their skull-helm. They call the helm and hood an inconvenience.
The Gulch are preparing, creating barricades. Faulkner speaks to Carpenter through a walkie-talkie. Carpenter suggests throwing some torches into the grass to give more light. Faulkner’s planned for his own chapter in the Verses, in case they die here. Faulkner tells her that he never had a sister growing up, only older brothers. Carpenter replies that she did have a brother, and that she never got over what happened to him. She tells Faulkner to be careful. An alarm begins to sound. They are going to try and blind the Parish, they put up a smoke screen. Faulkner speaks to the Parish. He’s inspiring. Faulkner retakes his position. Gage plays their flute. The spotlights are turned on and gunfire breaks out.
Carpenter feels a little useless. She asks Faulkner how its going. Faulkner sounds exhausted already. He knows what he’s doing. She has to trust him. She checks in with Brother Fade. There’s an explosion in the distance. She descends the staircase and tells everyone to stay aware. To brand them if they don’t say the right words and push them back out. A louder explosion. Not long now.
Mercer And Gage Break Into The Gulch[]
Faulkner is running, and there’s gunfire around him. There’s a scream of a warning and a louder explosion. Faulkner scrambles to his feet again and continues. The soldiers have broken through. Faulkner tells everyone to retreat to the tunnels. He tells Brother Flicker to run. Flicker acts in exhilaration. He is shot and collapses. Mercer approaches. She tells the soldiers to take it slow and burn anything they see. They descend into the Gulch. Faulkner runs down the stairs, telling his disciples to stay quiet and keep moving. They can’t split them up. He asks Carpenter for help. There’s no response. Faulkner has an idea. He decides to use the echoes, to run and make noise wherever he goes. Mercer grows disoriented. The walkie-talkies have stopped working for everyone. Fade tries to contact the others. He does not know his twin is dead.
Faulkner Turns The Tide Of Battle[]
The fight has turned. Faulkner can contact Carpenter now. She’s prepared to evacuate. Sister Thurrocks tells him she needs to talk to him. She wants to stay behind. She asks him for the Wither Mark. She says she’ll barricade herself in Mason’s office, wait until they’re clear and set it off. Faulkner gives in. He tells her not to use it until he gives the signal. He gives her the description of the Mark. He asks if she’ll remember it. She says she will. There’s nearby gunfire. Mercer shoots at him. Faulkner runs off, closely pursued by Mercer. She taunts him in the darkness. The walkie-talkie crackles from across the room. Carpenter’s voice. Mercer shoots in the direction of the noise. Water runs through the room. Faulkner is not there, just the walkie-talkie. She asks if Faulkner will take her shot. He tells her there’s no need, she took it for him. The Jellyfish Saint slams into the side of its tank. Mercer struggles to her feet, horrified. Faulkner tells her its a man-o-war. The tank of water and the Saint comes down on top of her. Faulkner continues running. Carpenter tries to contact Faulkner again. Faulkner finally responds, telling her he met with the survivors. They announce the escape. The sluice gates open, the escape route is clear.
Mason's Proposal[]
Shrue approaches their car, fumbling with their keys, They’re a little tipsy. Mason begins speaking to them, causing them to drop their keys in shock. Mason tells them they went to school together. He’s there as a representative of the Parish of Tide and Flesh. Shrue asks if he’s there to kill them. He says he’s not. He’s already unlocked their car. Mason tells them that a good number of his people are defending the Gulch hopelessly. Mason isn’t there to plead for their lives, he simply sees it as a bonus of their agreement. Mason tells them that the results of the Legislatures’ vote on retributive military action. He tells them that when the war begins tomorrow, Shrue, as the key opponent to the war, will become useless. They will fail in their re-election campaign. Mason says he believes they can still do a considerable amount of good. He offers the strength of the White Gull river to the nation's cause. He offers them a partnership. All Mason needs is for the Parish to be legalised. He gives them the alternative of killing them, and blaming it on the CLS. The car-phone begins to ring. Mason allows them to pick up, knowing it’ll be for him. It is. It’s Sister Thurrocks. He ends the call. He tells Shrue that his final gamble has paid off. He has the Wither Mark, and it's theirs if they want it. He asks for Shrue’s answer. The episode ends.
Trivia[]
- Gage has begun to express their dissatisfaction with Mercer.