Page 121 of Gunslinger Girl

“If she reaches for her console, put a bullet in her,” Sheridan instructed the Tin Men. “Well, this is not how I planned things to play out. Put your guns away—now. And raise your hands.”

“Not a chance,” said Pity.

“Do it, Jones.” Siena lowered her weapon, placing it at her feet. “We’re outgunned here.”

Sheridan grinned. “Wise. But I suppose a bounty hunter with your years would be. Listen to her, Pity.”

Defeated, her arms felt like iron as she slid her guns back into their holsters and put up her hands.

“Thank you.” Sheridan sighed and shook his head, pointing. “You… you are trying, Pity. All you had to do was leave quietly. I wasn’t even mad when you changed your mind—I can forgive an emotional moment. But instead of going along with my men you had to—”

“Going along?” Hot rage coursed through her. “They drugged me!”

“Serendipity.” Selene’s voice sliced through the charged air, quiet but imposing. “What did you change your mind about?”

Pity nodded at the gang leader. “Sheridan was working with Daneko all along. He’s behind the attempt to kill you, and now he’s trying to take over Casimir. He…” She faltered. “He promised to free Max if I helped him.”

Selene’s expression didn’t change, but frigid fury radiated off her. She turned to Daneko. “I assume this is the ‘vital information’ about Sheridan that you were about to confess?”

A sly smile slit the gang leader’s face as Santino approached him and unlocked his chains. As he stood, one of the Tin Men passed him a handgun. “Close enough. Oh, Selene, I have pictured this moment a thousand times while I suffered pretending to be your prisoner. Your reign is over.”

“He’s right.” Sheridan went and picked up Beau’s weapon. “Cessation is mine now, Selene.”

“Ours,” said Daneko.

“Of course. Even now, our forces are approaching. In a short time, Casimir will be under our control.”

Selene scoffed. “Even if you kill me, you couldn’t hold it for a day.”

“Oh, I’m not alone.” Sheridan beckoned Halcyon, who slunk over, never once looking in Selene’s direction. “I’ve got the Theatre Vespertine. And I’ve got a new head of security, who in turn has enough Tin Men to allow my forces access to Casimir. Which will happen any minute now.”

Selene’s face hardened.

“It’s true,” Pity said. She let her hands drop a few inches as she spoke. “They’re marching now, hidden among the Reformationists.”

“And when that’s done, Daneko will take your place, and I will return east to claim mine.”

He glanced at Pity, as if daring her to reveal Max’s secret. As if it mattered now. Her jaw clenched, but she said nothing.

“Enough,” said Daneko. “Kill her.”

“No!” cried Adora.

“Oh, relax,” Sheridan said. “Nothing needs to change for you, Adora. I know value when I see it. Step away from Selene, and you can keep your position. That’s a pretty good offer, isn’t it?”

Adora crossed her arms. “Mr. Sheridan, you can take that offer and shove it up your—”

“Take it, Adora,” Selene said, too calm. “Say yes. It’s a good deal.”

Pity didn’t miss the note of resignation the words carried. Adora’s impassive visage shifted to angry confusion.

“No,” she said.

“Take it,” Selene commanded.

“I said no!”

“Here,” said Sheridan. “Let me make the decision a little easier for you.” He raised the gun and fired.