New Arlington

In the late autumn of 1892, a posse of lawmen set out to kill or capture the surviving members of the Wallace Gang, a notorious criminal organization from West Elizabeth County. Upon their capture, they were immediately put to trial, found guilty, then hanged or imprisoned. This eliminated the last major outlaw gang in the state. The marshal and his cohort were promptly reassigned, leaving West Arlington in a prosperous yet vulnerable condition.

The remaining law enforcement was still weakened from the horrific Tall Trees Massacre that happened only a month earlier. With the marshal gone, no rival gangs, and a decentralized and disorganized sheriff office, there was nothing to stand in the way of the Del Lobo Gang. Subtly they sank their teeth once more into the heart of the state.

It began with coercion and bribery, targeting the disordered and corrupt constabulary of New Austin. With law turning a blind eye to their machinations, the Del Lobo Gang was able to plan and execute bank heists and train robberies without fear of resistance or retaliation. Through negotiated deals with the local warband, the Del Lobos were able to enlist the help of Comanche braves, strengthening their numbers for raids and making them far more bold. In the weeks that followed, the Del Lobos began targeting US Army weapons caches, county payrolls, and even resource and supply trains. Slowly and violently, they began to bleed the state dry.

With a long winter looming, and supplies quickly disappearing from the state, famine became a concern for many. Once proud and vibrant settlements turned to ghost towns as people began migrating out of state. Those who remained after Winter’s end were faced with the vicious onslaught of the Del Lobos, which reached its crescendo as the outlaw gang made a grab for control in Blackwater. The gunfight that ensued left two brave deputies wounded, and the sheriff dead.

With the major counties of West Arlington crippled by the bombardment of raids and robberies by the outlaw gang, and crime and public disorder on a drastic rise, the desperate Governor Harold Dugas declared martial law. The right to habeas corpus was suspended. The US Army 9th Cavalry Regiment was mobilized to the state to assist in the eradication of crime, and to bring order back to the state. Following the arrival of the Army, Harold Dugas suspended the law of Military Power Subordinate, and Imminent Domain. The Army began stationing in homes and farmsteads, and further dwindled the limited resources of the state. This incited riots. Displeased with the governor’s cowardice, the few remaining citizens of West Arlington began burning buildings and homes in protest.

Equally disabled by the violence and plundering of the Del Lobo Gang, the Comanche eventually turned against the outlaws. One by one, the braves would hunt down key members of the gang, until they finally were able to confront the leader of the Del Lobos. They made one last deal giving an ultimatum – they would either leave the state with what they had, or be met with the unified wrath of the people of West Arlington. The Del Lobo Gang then sank across the border into Mexico, rich with their success.

After several long months of occupation, the 9th Cavalry Regiment was reassigned to aid in the fight against the Apaches in the Territory of New Mexico. Congress handed down a dismissal of Harold Dugas, and in his place they appointed Governor Caoimhe Flynn. While not initially popular by any means, Flynn was swift to action. With the help of Marshal Jackson Mercer, Flynn established a taskforce to root out the corruption at the heart of the state. The constabularies and sheriff offices were disbanded and compressed into a single Sheriff Department, corrupt legislators were dismissed, and some were put to trial. After two brutal years, Governor Flynn was able to lay new foundations for the state, setting the region on the path to rebuilding.

With this promise of a better future came a fitting rename – New Arlington.