A Long Walk and a Short Drop

### Full sync

- Prevent Gist's hanging by shooting the rope.- Blow up three barrels with firecrackers.

## Historical information

### Date

June 1756

**A Long Walk and a Short Drop** was a virtual representation of one of Shay Cormac's genetic memories stored in the Helix, relived by a research analyst through the Animus.

## Description

Shay returned to the Finnegans' residence, where he received a new task.

## Dialogue

After Monro had departed, Shay reflected on the man's words.

* **Shay:** *The Colonel strikes me as an honorable man. Someone who wants to do what's right... And he may have a point. With everything that has happened....with what I've done...I can't change the past, but maybe there's a future for me here. And maybe, just maybe, I can do what's right this time. I should head back to the Finnegans. Let them know I'm fine.*

Shay returned to the Finnegans, where he was greeted by Cassidy.

* **Cassidy:** *Shay! Colonel Monro told us what happened!*
* **Barry:** *You sir, are a fool. But thanks.*
* **Monro:** *Master Cormac. I am sorry to bother you when you are barely out of your sickbed.*
* **Shay:** *No, I-I've had enough of being cooped up.*
* **Monro:** *Then perhaps you could get a friend of mine out of trouble? He discovered a nest of criminals developing strange weapons.*

Monro handed Shay some bullets.

* **Monro:** *Look at these. Bullets as loud and bright as firecrackers. If we might have a moment alone...*

Barry left the two men to talk by themselves.

* **Monro:** *His name is Christopher Gist, and he might be in over his head. I fear these brutes will hang him like a dog.*
* **Shay:** *I will not let those outlaws have another victim.*
* **Monro:** *Good. The villains are entrenched at old Fort Arsenal. I have urgent business in Albany. Please tell Master Gist to join me there.*

Agreeing, Shay headed for Fort Arsenal.

* **Woman 1:** *Did you hear, dearie? They are hanging a man in the old fort!*
* **Woman 2:** *Oh, t'would be a shame to miss that!*

Shay infiltrated the fort and found Gist about to be hanged.

* **Gang member 1:** *This bastard nicked what we rightfully stole! Let's say we give him a stretch!*
* **Gang member 2:** *Kill him!*
* **Gang member 3:** *Let him hang!*
* **Gist:** *Go to hell, the lot of you!*
* **Shay:** *These ruffians are part of the same gang who made trouble for the Finnegans...*

Shay shot the rope with which Gist was to be hanged, freeing him. The pair subsequently engaged the criminals in battle.

* **Shay:** *Christopher Gist? I'm Shay Cormac.*
* **Gist:** *Charmed! But... What are you doing here, if you don't mind me asking?*
* **Shay:** *The Colonel sent me.*
* **Gist:** *Ah ha!*

Shay and Gist defeated their attackers.

* **Gist:** *Good show, Shay! Ran them right out of their own den!*
* **Shay:** *Well, I was looking for a new place to live...*
* **Gist:** *Well don't put your name on the door yet! There may be a few men left on their ship. Look, their bird is nested right over there.*
* **Shay:** *The Morrigan! What is she doing there? That's my ship, friend. Begging your pardon, but I must go fetch her back from those louts.*
* **Gist:** *Wait. I can hardly let you do that alone.*
* **Shay:** *Help me if you can then.*

The pair headed towards the harbor.

* **Gist:** *Keep your wits about you, Shay. Criminals are everywhere, and most of them look just like law-abiding citizens.*
* **Shay:** *And they've been harassing the good people who've nursed me back to health.*
* **Gist:** *Sounds like good folks.*
* **Shay:** *They are. Perhaps you know them? Barry and Cassidy Finnegan.*
* **Gist:** *I've never met them, but I knew their son... Careful now, these ruffians can be anywhere. You can draw them out by making noise.*
* **Shay:** *Oh, I've got something better than that...*
* **Gist:** *Well! You seem more than capable of taking care of this matter. Tell you what, I shall find a crew for your vessel in case you have to leave post-haste.*

After Gist departed, Shay eliminated the criminals, among which were many stalkers, in the harbor. He then cut down the *Morrigan'*s old flag, following which he met up with Gist at the docks.

* **Gist:** *She's a fine ship. And true to my word, I've found a crew for her. I did leave one position unfilled, though. Tell me, Shay, do you have a first mate?*
* **Shay:** *He's... long gone.*
* **Gist:** *Then I apply for the post, Captain!*
* **Shay:** *Welcome aboard.*
* **Gist:** *As your first mate, may I suggest our next destination? The Colonel will be expecting me to report back.*
* **Shay:** *My thoughts exactly. Colonel Monro said he'd be in Albany.*
* **Gist:** *Splendid!*

## Outcome

Shay rescued Christopher Gist and reclaimed his old ship, the *Morrigan.* Gist then assembled a new crew and volunteered to fill the position of first mate.