Ben and Sal ran outside with their Buzz Guns into the middle of commotion.
‘When Marcus left, we barricaded the gates,’ said Héctor. ‘Then, others came in vehicles and they’re now trying to break it down. We need to fend them off. Ben, you’re fast. Go help the others.’
Ben ran to Waverley’s entrance and found thirty men, women and teenagers pushing against the barricades. Outside, one black vehicle repeatedly rammed the gate. Two other cars had poles mounted to the roofs and drove them against the high walls.
Armed men emerged from the vehicles and fired. Ben hid behind the guards’ gatehouse as electricity zinged and popped against the metal. A dozen men leaning against the gates were electrocuted.
He slipped his gun out of his waistband and fired. He found his targets—five men firing with Buzz Guns—and they went down.
More residents flowed from the centre of the neighbourhood and replaced the electrocuted fallen. They pushed against the main gate and the smaller pedestrian gate. The vehicle ramming the gate reversed and drove away. But the cars with the ramming rods continued to hammer at the wall.
Sal arrived with several men and women in tow. She handed out spare oxygen canisters to those who needed them. They dragged large boulders close to the spot where the car attempted to break through the wall. If it made it through, at least the barricades would halt the cars in their tracks.
Some residents retreated as their oxygen ran out. Others took their place.
The pounding against the wall continued for an hour before the cars finally retreated.
Familiar faces arrived at the pedestrian gate. Jenny and Greyson had brought two hessian sacks with them. The residents protecting the side gate let them in when Sal nodded to them. ‘We’ve brought weapons and new oxygen canisters,’ said Grey. ‘We found a stash hidden in one of the rooms at the mansion.’
‘A bit late, but thanks,’ said Sal, through a flurry of breaths. ‘The Kings have retreated.’
‘I’m afraid that’s just the first wave,’ said Jenny. ‘They’ll regroup and try again. Let’s work on securing the perimeter walls properly. This battle is far from over.’