CHAPTER 7

Heartland Blues

I had finally found a way back to the Outland…

I wouldn’t go any

further stranger.

Finally, a place

with people.

And why would that be?

Towns been under attack the last

two days. I gave official orders

for everyone to stay indoors.

Mayor Duke, right? Well,

Duke, what is attacking you?

Let me check it out. Be careful!

Hm.

Quite a few of

you, huh?

The Outland ain’t yours to take.

Those Summons! I’m sure

you’ve seen them. They

came into town and gutted

four innocent people!

They don’t come this far out,

we are too close to Neverside

for their comfort, we lose out.

No help

from the

O.S.P?

We claimed

this place

We will

watch it

burn

Die then

You first.

How many more of

you do I have to kill

until you get it?!

This place is

protected—Damn--

KILL ME!

KILL.

ME.

You can’t.

That felt… Good.

GAH!

I’m not done yet…

Kill me then.

Yes you are

It was a rage I thought I had lost.

An edge I had long that had gone dull.

They say you

come from Hell…

…This is my

home. Stay out.

It is our Home

Something to fight for…

The fulfillment from protecting this town.

You did it… You

stopped them…

Honey, it’s safe.

Come out.

Reggie, did he

do that alone..?

They needed me and I was there.

In a way, it was very calming. Got a name, pal?

Daniel.

Daniel

Moore.

Well Dan,

want a job?

We could use a new Sheriff.

SHERIFF

And just like that, I had a purpose again.

Cool.

Well… Here we

go. Sheriff-time.

Sheriff! Sheriff!

Oh, great…

SHERIFF

Hey new fella’, I’m Leo from the

Heartland Blues pub. Mayor Duke

wanted me to show you around.

Uh, okay.

So, you come

from far out?

Mhm. Came from nearby

Colony 112. Place called

Thompson Pass.

Wow… You ever been to

Outland Central?

Yep. Three or

four times.

They say it resembles a

city, like from the old days.

Yeah but is

that a good

thing really?

I bet you’ve all

kinds of stories. I

mean look at you!

You are an Outland

wanderer badass! Sadly, no. I get beat

up mostly. That’s all.

If you say so, but dude… People

here idolize you already. Anyhow, let’s do this tour.

SHERIFF

Houses.

My spot.

Market to swap for goods.

Hey, Sheriff… Good

job yesterday.

You arrived at the

perfect time!

See? The

people all

agree. Thanks. I’m just

so used to people

trying to kill me…

I just never thought

I’d be useful.

And we like to treat people well in Heartland.

Now take a look at this, Daniel… Ha! You are more

capable than most.

We own a satellite. Fully

operational. One of a kind.

You can see

anywhere in

the Outland?

Anywhere. Open up Mac!

Sorry, was in the

middle of some

work… It’s really

him. Dead Daniel.

How you

doing bro?

Please, look

around.

Amazing.

The reason Mayor Duke

wanted me to bring you

here was, well, say it Mac.

.

Leo and I are huge fans of yours. We

follow your adventures via satellite

sometimes… You’re a hero to us. We

stream locally sometimes too…

So we are watching one day right?

Specifically near Colony 33 beside

the Fairfax Mountains…

This is Colony 33.

Watch.

It’s burning…

What did that?

The Eternal Furnace… Damn…

You know what it is, Daniel.

You’re still out there. Of course you are.

Did you know ripping out my heart wouldn’t kill me? Or was it an accident I lived?

Next time I won’t be so lucky.

Dan!

Duke.

There are--

I see them.

Go tell everyone to

lock their doors.

Mad about your friends?

I’m not playing games with

you things anymore…

We will not stop

SHERIFF

I will kill every

single one you.

Alright then.

We do it

this way!

Go.

Bring more next

time. See if it

makes a

difference.

Just remember that

I warned you.

Dan! Another great

show of grit!

It was hot.

Is it weird I also

found it kind of hot?

Thank you. All of you.

Beers on me, Dan.

Sweet!

I guess after that, it all just clicked into place.

I was the law in Heartland.

During my time there I was greatly needed as Heartland

was still a growing town finding its identity in the wild.

Truthfully, working those days, I had never been happier.

Duke and Mac became like brothers to me and it

seemed we were able to accomplish anything.

I was proud of myself and proud of what we were doing

together, the people seemed happy and they seemed safe.

Having not seen Alice, I still wondered what path she found…

Part of me knew I had to also contact Albert and Gus…

But I was so content in Heartland.

I was worried if I made contact with my old life…

It would just end up consuming me again.

…He said bring more

and come back?!

Yes he

mocks us

I fought him once before I

had this Glove when I was

just Randall Fitzgerald. He is worse than

those O.S.Pigs.

He is a vigilante with no

meaning that is all he is!

He is beating us

And he will be nothing

compared to the Power Glove!

Done showing off human

Uh, yeah. Hey.

One of the Greats

Khorg

I run things now Glove Yo.

Just in case you’re wondering, I am

Greg. I summoned this big guy.

Then you are here to

siege this place? Yes

By nature, I

will soften

this land

I will ready it for THE AGRATHAWN

We’re close now.

D

Done for the

night, Leo?

Oh yeah. See you tomorrow.

It’s so peaceful here…

DANIEL

…Huh?

DANIEL

DANIEL

…