The gang members waiting with their necks craned saw their new leader return alone.
The good news was that she had come back. The bad news was that she had come back alone.
"Boss, what about the... reinforcements you mentioned?" Harding asked, summoning his courage.
It should be too late to catch the Wolf Gang's messenger now...
Joan forced a smile and told everyone, "Reinforcements are already on the way. They'll be here soon!"
The gang members, who had learned from Harding that their new boss had powerful connections, cheered. Their interests were tied to Joan's now. Whether they believed her or not, they had to act as though they did.
"But—"
The cheering stopped.
Joan took a deep breath. "I'm worried the Wolf Gang will get here first. We have to hold off their attack until our reinforcements arrive!"
The gang members whispered among themselves. This was the Wolf Gang they were talking about, and they were just ordinary people...
"Harding, who knows the terrain and Mining Districts around here best?"
"Bores and I do!"
"Boss, I'm here!" Bores stepped forward.
Joan looked at him. "I have a job for you. Run to every Mining District you know and shout outside, 'The Wolf Gang is going to attack Joan of the Freedom Gang!' Don't leave out a single word."
"Whether our reinforcements make it here depends on you."
"Got it, boss!"
Joan picked three more people and sent them to Mountainside Ravine to bring everyone back, including the laborers.
"We're giving up Mountainside Ravine?" Harding asked anxiously.
"We're only stopping work for now. We can't let the Wolf Gang pick us off one by one. We need everyone together." She told Harding, "Tell the workers they have the day off and gather them all here."
She ordered her people