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shooting at us!”
    “I’ll just make them all stop then,” said Aster. Pulling a few more playing cards out of his sleeves, the crazy man stood up. Before any of the ga ng members could pop off a shot Aster moved his arm like a whip, launching the playing cards at hyper-speed. Each one struck a vital blow to a gang member, dropping three men to the ground with injuries and even killing one man.
    “You make it look so easy,” said CJ in awe.
    “It’s your turn now,” said Aster. “I’m out of playing cards.”
    “Leave it to me.”
    CJ dove out from their covered spot and rolled into the aisle. They were on top of a platform that surrounded the inside wall. There were still three more guys on the walkway with them, and even more inside the numerous small buildings in the fort below. Very carefully, CJ made his way to the nearest corner for a different vantage point. As he was taking his time carefully selecting a target, a crate of all things went flying through the air.
    The crate rolled across the ground, taking out several men as it went. It stopped when it ran into CJ’s intended target. The assassin turned around and saw Aster standing there with his arms still partially raised, staring at the chaos he created. There was a moment of doubt for CJ as he tried to cling to his beliefs that no one could do these things. Then he saw Aster turn to pick up another hundred kilogram crate, lifting it with as much ease as he had lifted the assassin during their infiltration.
    Aster chucked the crate at another group of men that popped out of one of the buildings. He looked as casual as someone playing a game of horseshoes. CJ knew he was no ordinary man: the bullets, the wall, and now the crates. He longed to question him about it all, but now was not the time.
    “I thought you said it was my turn,” said CJ.
    “You were taking too long,” replied Aster.
    More gunshots fired and the pair ducked for new cover. While CJ provided some cover fire, Aster dropped off the walkway and down to the ground. He lurked in the shadows of the fort, taking men by surprise as they returned fire with CJ. After disabling five more men, there was only one gang member left. Fortunately for the man, he was on the opposite side of the fort as Aster.
    Realizing he was the only one left still firing at the mysterious invading assassin, the man panicked and turned yellow. He ran for the horse corral. The poor frightened creatures tied to the post there were all struggling to break free . One well-aimed shot from CJ destroyed the hitching post, letting the horses run free below. The startled gang member could do nothing to calm them. Now he was trapped in the fort.
    Without much effort Aster snuck up behind the man. With a swift jab to his side, the guy dropped to his knees. Aster gripped his hair and pulled his head back, screaming into his ear.
    “Where’s Ulric?”
    “The train! The train!” the man said.
    CJ was on the ground and heading over to join them when he heard Aster interrogate him further.
    “What does that mean?” he asked, still shouting. “What’s the train?”
    “Which train?” asked CJ. “Where was he going?”
    “North!” the man said. He couldn’t give them any more specific information than that, no matter how they tried to force it out of him.
    “I think I know which train he means,” said CJ. “It shouldn’t be too far from here, but if I’m right that means it left the station already. We need to get to that train before it gets away!”
    “Which way is it going?” asked Aster.
    CJ pointed in a direction. Aster turned to face that direction.
    “It’s been fun,” said Aster. “Thanks for all your help.”
    Two grey lumps of flesh burst out of Aster’s back and CJ almost fell over from shock. The appendages grew and twisted and unraveled into giant bat wings. Then without another word, Aster left the ground behind and took to the sky. He flew off into the setting sun in the direction CJ pointed.