Justification For Killing

by Larry Edward Hunt

  The door wasn’t half open when Bud exclaimed, “Oh no!!”

  Looking at Bud with surprise, “What? What is it Bud?”

  They had been transported back in time over two hundred and fifty years, but on that Wednesday December the 7th in the year 1812 it HAD NOT snowed! The ground was snow-free.

  Shutting the hatch, Bud looked at Olive Marie with disappointment, “I’m sorry Sis, maybe Grandpa will bring some water back. They know we do not have anything to drink. Here, Olive, take my jacket, lie down and try to get some rest, you too Lou. Let’s all take it easy Grandpa will be back shortly. If we could get some sleep we will forget about being thirsty.”

  MISSION DEL CELINA

  “What do you think?” Forrest said to his Grandpa as they lay behind the moss-covered log at the edge of the cleared settlement gazing across to the mud walls of Mission del Celina. The whole area in and around the Mission was littered with dead bodies, arrows protruding from many of them. Some exhibited hideous knife or spear wounds. Most of the mutilated bodies appeared to have been scalped. Glowing embers of one covered wagon could be seen smoldering and burning with its driver lying dead, his hands still grasping the leather reins to a team of non-existent horses. A misty ground fog enveloped the whole area giving it an eerie, ghoulish look.

  Whispering Grandpa answered, “I don’t know Forrest, it appears everyone has been massacred by the Indians. They have killed all the people around the Mission.” Reaching into his coat pocket, he removed the Army pistol, “Come, let’s slip across this clearing and see if anyone could still be alive inside the church.”

  The massive oak doors screeched on rusty hinges as they were slowly pushed open. Captain Scarburg motioned with his hand for Forrest and Rocky to hold back as he slipped inside with the pistol held high in his right hand. The interior of the Mission was dark, and the air was crisp and cold. There was a musty smell as if one had entered a deep cavern. A hint of burning embers hung heavily in the air. A step or two inside Captain Scarburg could see barely into the dimness, the church appeared empty. Turning to Forrest and Rocky he motioned for them to enter.

  The three hesitantly walked down the center aisle of the church toward the alter at the front. The Captain carried the automatic pistol ready to swing it into action if the need arose. The sound of their boots echoed off the adobe walls as they slowly, step by step, approaching the pulpit. A glimmer of sunlight from a small window high up in the eve of the church illuminated the rock floor in and around the holy sanctuary. The significance of this ray of light did not go unnoticed by the uninvited intruders.

  From a hidden recess within the shadows at the rear of the sanctuary, a rustling sound was heard. Drawing his pistol into firing position, the Captain was surprised when he heard the specter say, “Si, mi hijo le puedo agudar?

  “Who is there? Show yourself or I will shoot!”

  “Hold up Grandpa, I believe it is the Padre. He is asking if he might help us.”

  “Forrest, tell him to come out into the light.”

  The priest, cloaked in a heavy brown robe bound at the middle with a simple, hemp woven rope, slowly walked across the room to greet the three strangers. Approaching, he kept his face hidden by the robe’s large hood. Bowing, without looking his visitors in the eye, he made the sign of the cross and said, “Que el Dios universal, estar contigo.”

  The Captain looking at Forrest, “What’s he saying?”

  “The best I can understand he is saying he wants the God of the Universe to be with us.”

  “Tell him thanks. We certainly need all the help we can get.”

  Forrest explained to the Padre their desire for some solid gold. With his head still bowed the Priest questioned the need for such an object? Forrest was stumped. How could he tell this man of God he needed the Padre’s gold to repair a time-machine that would allow them to leave 1812 and return to 2012, but he had to tell the priest something.

  The best Forrest could come up with was a story that Forrest was traveling with a group of settlers, and while crossing a river they lost all their supplies. They had seen an Indian encampment and thought with gold they might be able to trade for some provisions. Forrest explained they had seen the Indian women cleaning buffalo skins and figured they must have fresh or dried buffalo meat.

  With this revelation, the Padre became quite agitated. Raising his head, he revealing two large, black almond eyes. He looked at his visitors in the face and said in plain English, “Captain, is this the best story you guys can come up with?”

  “What! Anhur! You rascal… I should have known you would be around when we needed our skins saved.” The Captain happily said grasping the “Padre” by the arm.

  After greeting the Captain, Forrest and Rocky, Anhur informed them this particular band of Indians was extremely savage. He explained they were the Penatekas Band of Comanches with a chief named Wahaatu Tasiwoo or Two Buffalo. Two Buffalo had recently raided this very Mission, killed the Padre, and stole the only gold object that the Mission possessed – a solid gold crucifix.

  “Yes, Anhur it is this crucifix we seek. We must make a golden disc to insert into our time-machine in order to return home to the twenty-first century.”

  “Yes, I am aware of the disc you need,” knowingly Anhur responded. However, Anhur warned them about this band, and under no circumstances were they to deal with Two Buffalo – he was a murdering savage. Many within his band were captured Chiricahua Apaches. The Apache were just as blood thirsty as the Comanche. Before saying good-by Anhur remarked to Captain Scarburg – “My friend, if you get within the Indian encampment, find the young son of Two Buffalo – he will be the one to whom you seek, not his father.”

  RED WOLF

  Bud and Lou were sound asleep in the control room of Pegasus. Olive Marie was not asleep. She was thirsty, and she was not in the control room. She had pretended to be asleep only to slip outside and make her way down to the beaver pond for a good, cold, refreshing drink of water.

  Lying on her stomach, lips immersed in the incredibly fresh tasting liquid she never realized she was not alone.

  Standing behind, watching her refresh herself drinking the water was a young Comanche brave. The single, eagle feather in his braided hair, and the beads, symbols and stitching on his buckskin shirt indicated he was a chief. But his age seemed to defy this lofty position.

  As she continued sipping the cold, invigorating water she had a feeling someone was watching her. Startled, she jumped up from the water’s edge, turned and stood staring, not two feet away, into the young Comanche’s dark brown eyes. His right hand gripped the hilt of a twelve-inch, razor sharp, skinning knife strapped to his waist.

  She did not scream - he did not speak.

  Olive Marie’s sky blue eyes and blonde hair mesmerized him. This was the first white woman this young Comanche had ever seen, but there was something else about her that enchanted him.

  As the shock subsided she angrily asked, “Who are you?” As though he could understand her.

  The young man’s face contorted into a frown, and he slapped his right hand against his chest and said, “Ekapitu Tseena.” Grabbing Olive Marie by the arm Ekapitu Tseena or Red Wolf began dragging her from the pond toward the center of his encampment. The women working on the buffalo hides dropped their stone scrappers and rushed to meet the young warrior and Olive Marie. The rest of the band streamed out of their tepees or places of work and quickly encircled the two.

  Two Buffalo stood in the center of the mass of Indians as Red Wolf savagely pushed Olive Marie into his presence. Red Wolf was indeed, Two Buffalo’s son. Red Wolf explained how he had found the white woman drinking water at the edge of the pond. No, Red Wolf said, responding to his father question, he did not see anyone else. Two Buffalo shouted demands at Olive Marie who could only stand and listen to his rants – obviously she did not understand a word he was saying.

  One of the Indians standing at the edge of the circle was ordered to join the chief and his
son in the center of the circle. The Comanche summoned was Soobe Tamu or Long Rabbit. Long Rabbit was the exact person Olive Marie needed at that precise moment. Soobe Tamu could speak English, French, Spanish and four other Indian dialects. He was Chief Two Buffalo’s interpreter.

  “Who was this white female?” The Chief asked through Long Rabbit. That was simple, she answered - Olive Marie Scarburg. Olive knew the next questions were going to be tougher - Where was she from? Washington, D.C. - this did not sit well with the Chief. The penetrating stare the Chief was giving her let her know in no uncertain terms that this was not the correct answer. Long Rabbit asked Olive Marie if she were traveling with anyone – Olive Marie stood silently looking at the stern face of Wahaatu Tasiwoo. She knew she could not with clear conscious answer this question. Two Buffalo requested Long Rabbit to ask Olive Marie the same question again. Again, she stood defiantly silent. Indian men do not take kindly to lowly women rebuking them – Two Buffalo stepped forward and with his back of his hand struck Olive Marie in the face. The blow was so hard she was knocked from her feet. She lay prone on the cold dirt, although dazed, she could hear a shout coming from somewhere behind the throng of now agitated Indians that began to encircle her. “Leave her alone,” the voice in the distance demanded in English. “Do not touch her again or I will kill you!!”

  “What?” Thought Olive. “I recognize that voice!”

  It was Rocky – he began to run to Olive Marie’s rescue, but a Comanche brave withdrew an arrow from his quiver, placed it in his bow, stepped into Rocky’s path and swiftly shot the arrow at Rocky – the arrow buried deep within his right shoulder. Rocky sprawled on the ground anguishing in pain as the mass of Comanches, with axes and hatchets drawn began racing toward the three intruders. Obviously their intent was to transform the three unwelcomed whitemen from their earthly bodies into ghostly beings so they could go meet their forefathers. In other words, they were to be killed!!

  Captain Scarburg seeing the imminent threat withdrew his pistol and fired two rounds into the air – the explosive reports from the old 1911 Colt .45 caliber stopped the Indians dead still in their moccasins. They had seen firearms before, but never one so up close and personal. To them this weapon was magic, but they knew of its death dealing properties. The Captain and Forrest pulled Rocky up on his feet and began to make their way toward the center of the circle where Olive Marie still lay weeping on the ground.

  As the three walked toward the crowd of Comanches, the Captain waved the Colt pistol back and forth. Intimidated, the Indians stepped back making an opening allowing them access to their Chief unimpeded.

  The Chief was impressive – tall, bronze skinned, standing with arms crossed, feet spread, jet black, braided hair covered by a full, eagle feathered headdress that flowed from his head to the ground. He was an imposing person to see, but the first thing that caught Captain Scarburg’s eye was the golden crucifix hanging around Two Buffalo’s neck. It was a beautiful object, shining brilliantly in the light. The Captain recognized this religious symbol of Christianity must assuredly be solid gold – but how could he obtain it?

  Helping Olive Marie to her feet he asked, “Olive does anyone here speak English?” She nodded her head and pointed at Soobe Tamu.

  “He does, his name is Long Rabbit.”

  Captain Scarburg turned to the Chief and pointed the pistol directly at Two Buffalo’s chest. “Long Rabbit tell the Chief we are sorry for the intrusion into his camp – we mean him no harm.” After a couple of back and forth retorts between the Captain and Two Buffalo, the Captain inquired as to the possibility of a trade for the golden crucifix. The Captain realized if old western movies were any gauge of reality, negotiation was a back and forth affair to the Indians. To them this was the fun part of trading. The more time it took the more they enjoyed the bartering. The Captain did not have the luxury of time – Rocky was bleeding to death. They needed to obtain the gold cross, and they needed it now. They needed to change it quickly into a golden disc, repair Pegasus and get Rocky to a doctor.

  Long Rabbit realized the Captain wanted the crucifix hanging around the Chief’s neck, but Long Rabbit also knew it would take something extraordinary to entice Two Buffalo to part with it. Long Rabbit suggested a trade – he believed Two Buffalo might be willing to trade the golden cross for the Captain’s magnificent pistol.

  At first the Captain would not consider this trade – he could not let the Comanches have a modern firearm – his Colt automatic, but on further thought he realized Rocky’s life was more valuable than his old gun, and the Colt’s magazine only held seven rounds. He had used one bullet when he killed the Secret Service agent in the basement of the Murdock estate, and he fired two more just a few minutes ago – there were only four rounds remaining in the gun. The Captain figured Two Buffalo could not do much harm with four bullets, and it will be a hundred years or more in the future before anyone would be able to refill the Colt’s magazine with new bullets.

  While this exchange was taking place between Captain Scarburg and Long Rabbit from the shadows behind Two Buffalo out stepped the Comanche Chief’s young son Red Wolf, he extended his hand to Olive Marie as a gesture of friendship. Speaking through Long Rabbit he profusely apologized for his Father’s slap, and especially for the rough treatment he had given her as he pulled her from the pond.

  Olive Marie was hesitant to accept his apologies. When Long Rabbit translated Red Wolf’s words Olive Marie defiantly crossed her arms and turned her back toward him. Not used to a woman’s insolence Red Wolf was flustered and was hesitant to offer a final attempt, but he relented. He said Olive Marie’s friend was dying – and he could help. He explained the Comanche’s medicine man, Broken Wing, had attended many, many wounded warriors. Red Wolf thought Broken Wing could perform his healing skills on Rocky and his life might be saved. This immediately got Olive Marie’s attention. She listened intently to every word Long Rabbit had to say.

  She knew first and foremost, it was imperative that medical personnel minister to Rocky as soon as possible. She knew the arrow in his shoulder must be removed. Its removal could not wait for the gold to be melted, the 1-7/8 inch by-pass module constructed, Pegasus’s computers reset, and the final trip home. Rocky would have bled to death long before they could arrive back in Washington – that was assuming they ever got back to D. C. Knowing this she reluctantly accepted his apology, but not before she asked for a couple of favors – first she wanted Red Wolf to ask his Father to trade his crucifix for her Grandpa’s pistol, and she further requested Red Wolf let them use the Comanche’s hot, roaring fire to melt the gold cross into the disc to repair Pegasus.

  Red Wolf’s piercing brown eyes looked questioningly at Olive Marie... he peered deep within her blue eyes... it was as if he were seeing into her soul... what did he see? Turning to Two Buffalo his father, Red Wolf nodded his approval...

  Following the trade of the Captain’s 1911 automatic pistol for the Chief’s golden crucifix the two ‘Chiefs’, Two Buffalo and Captain Scarburg took a seat around the campfire. Two Buffalo removed a beautifully carved ‘peace pipe’ from its ornately beaded pouch and packed its bowl with leaves from a tobacco plant. As he reached toward the burning fire for an ember to light the pipe Captain Scarburg grabbed his arm. Startled, Two Buffalo turned quickly to admonish the Captain, but was surprised to see the shiny chrome Zippo in Grandpa’s hand. With a flip of his thumb, the Captain fired up his trusty, old lighter and touched the flame to the bowl end of the pipe. Two Buffalo was astounded! He could not remove his eyes from the beautiful little lighter with the Special Forces emblem on the side.

  The interest in the Zippo did not go without notice. Captain Scarburg motioned Long Rabbit to tell Two Buffalo he wished to give the lighter to the Chief as a friendship gift. On hearing the interpreter’s words, Two Buffalo jumped to his feet, withdrew his razor sharp, ten inch long skinning knife from its scabbard at his waist and brandished it at Captain Scarburg. What! What did I do to make him so
angry? Before the Captain had time to ponder this development Two Buffalo flipped his skinning knife into the air and caught it by its blade. He placed the knife on his forearm with the handle facing the Captain and spoke a few words – Long Rabbit explained – Two Buffalo is giving you his knife in exchange for your shiny fire maker.

  The time was 6:30 p.m., Wednesday December 7, 1812.

  GRANDPA, FORREST AND ROCKY RETURN

  “Wake up Lou! Wake up! Olive Marie is gone!”

  Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Lou glanced around the interior of Pegasus and exclaimed, “What? Where could she have gone? Is Lady still here?”

  “Water, Lou, water. She went outside to that pond. Come on we have to go get her or Grandpa is going to kill us! I tried to call her on her cell, but something is wrong with the Pegasus communication center. It is not working, or she does not have her phone turned on, but we have one piece of luck – Lady is lying asleep over by the console.”

  As the hatch came open Bud and Lou could see off in the distance toward the pond a group of people walking toward them. Oh no, they thought, the Indians had somehow had found them out!! As they nearer, Bud was relieved; he realized it was Grandpa and Forrest supporting Rocky between them. Following closely, thankfully, was Olive Marie. Were the others a couple of Indians and a Priest?

  Scurrying down the ladder Bud and Lou hurried to greet the returned group. As they neared they could see Rocky was injured, and the wound seemed serious.

  “Grandpa!” Bud yelled as they got closer, “Are you all okay?”

  “We’re okay, but Rocky is wounded pretty badly. All the rest of us are fine.”

  Bud started to ask ‘who the rest’ were, but taking the last few steps to greet his Grandpa he could clearly see one was a young Indian, the other an older Indian and bringing up the rear a brown robed priest. “What the...?” Bud exclaimed as he approached the group.