Wow, Cheese. It's been awhile since I've read anything you wrote (and I apologize for that). I must say, the quality of your writing has definitely improved. That being said, there are a few things I'd like to address.
I'd like to see you give your characters...more. You know what I'm saying? Like, if any one of them suddenly dropped dead from spontaneous human combustion, I wouldn't feel anything. I want to know more about your characters. Give them a little interaction, have them banter a bit. If you decide to kill of one of the good guys, I want to feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest and my soul has crumbled to ashes and I will never ever ever ever feel happy again! I know you have it in you to rip my heart out. (and just so were clear, I do not mean that literally. My heart is perfectly fine exactly where it is, thank you very much.)
Another thing, the jumping around is starting to confuse me. Not like the switching from characters, but the switching from each action. I know I'm not explaining this well, so lemme try again.
The Writers Rum. I get that it explodes, and I get that it was being moved on the desert. (I think?) after that I lost track. Could you explain what your doing a little more carefully?
But seriously, it's pretty great so far. Keep it up. Oh, one more thing.
To late to make a character??
-Irin