by DAN MONTY
Robin nodded, remaining calm. He looked around at his men and smiled.
“You say we are but a hundred men like you have already given up, Will Scarlet. In truth, we are a hundred men! Not a hundred cowards. You say we are outnumbered, I call bullshit. I fought machines in the crusades. Machines that had no emotions, no families... no feelings of any kind. They think only because they are programmed to. They are nought but metal shells with wires and circuitry for brains. They know nothing that we do not know ourselves. We can be faster. We can outsmart them, and by God we will. We have patience. We can hide in plain sight, blend in and disappear. When they come for us, we will be ready. We have weapons... arrows that can explode, arrows that can blind their sensors and disable their circuits. The sheriff will send his armies of metal and we will defeat them with our wit and cunning. Do not spread fear through my men. Do not take away their hope. Hopelessness makes men weak. I need soldiers, not scarecrows” Robin said turning his back on Will, who went to strike Robin while his back was turned.
In a move so fast no one could see it coming, Robin had spun around, drawing his bow loaded with an electrified arrow He’d pulled from his quiver and it was aimed at Will's heart. Will froze, stunned as he stared down at the arrow tip which glowed with electrical energy.
“You’re fast, Loxley! I’ve never seen a man move so fast. But you talk of fighting a war, and that is more than any of us signed up for!” Will exclaimed and Robin’s serious expression remained calm.
“War comes without warning whenever a man rises against the system. The system has crumbled, Will. Homeless people are having their lives stripped from them piece by piece while men like the sheriff get fat from the taxes he raises with no warning! My city is dying because the rich want to be powerful, while the poor suffer and die on the streets. I saw a starving child beg for food today, Will. Beg! Not in my city! Not on my watch! If my actions lead to war, then it’s a war worth fighting. You don’t like the stakes? Cash in your chips now!” Robin said, lowering his bow.
“We will die if we stand against the army of Nottingham, Loxley! I promise you, we will die," Will insisted.
“Then we die for freedom. My conscience is clear. How is yours?” Robin replied and Will shook his head.
“You never said anything about war, Loxley. I won’t die for this," Will said, turning to walk away. Robin placed a hand on his shoulder, turning Will back to face him.
“If Nottingham continues down this path, these people are all dead. People like you, Will. Like John and Tuck. Do they deserve to die because a cowardly king deems them not rich enough to live?” Robin asked.
Will looked at John, who was clearly standing with Robin on this. He let out a sigh.
“How? How can we defeat them?” Will asked and Robin let out a brief sigh, slapping Will on the back.
“With courage, Will Scarlet. Something no machine will ever have," Robin said, stepping out of the circle and walking towards the ladder that would take him up into the houses in the tall trees of the forest.
John followed Robin up the ladder, joining him in a small furnished room as Robin fell onto a bed made with fresh linens.
“The man has a point, Robin. We will need to be fast if we are going to survive this. What do you want me to do?” John asked and Robin wiped sweat off his brow.
“I want you to make as many types of arrows that you can. I want arrows that can disperse mist, penetrate metal and explode. I want this entire forest Booby trapped and fortified. The sheriff has no idea we are here, but in time he will come. I want these men trained to fire arrows and I want them all to dress exactly as I do,” Robin insisted. John scratched his head.
“And why is that?” John asked, referring to the green hooded clothing.
“Because the sheriff is only looking for me, meaning he thinks I’m alone. Fortunately I’m not, so I can be several places at once. We may not be able to outnumber an army, but if they are looking for Robin Hood... A single man, we may be able to confuse them. It’s hard to find a man who is everywhere," Robin said with a wink. John smiled and nodded at his friend.
“Robin Hood, was never just supposed to be a man. I was supposed to be an idea. A revolution. With the help of all of you, I can turn one man into a legend. A wraith. A ghost story," Robin added and John smiled again, folding his arms as he took it all in.
“You know something, Robin? I very much like the sound of that!” John Little said, walking out of the room and allowing Robin to catch up on some well deserved rest. Lord knew he was going to need it.
*****
Will Scarlet took aim with his bow, focussing his aim on a deer that was frozen as if suddenly listening for danger. The shot was perfect and Will let the arrow fly to meet its target, piercing the deer right between the eyes. The deer dropped dead and Will wiped his bearded chin, smiling with pride. The kill would serve the men as a hearty meal.
Will crouched beside the beast, whispering a silent prayer as he removed a dagger from his belt. He was about to skin the beast where it lay when a dark hand held a blade under his chin. Will froze, listening as a voice spoke calmly to him.
“You have a keen eye, Will Scarlet. Yet you move too recklessly to be a killer. Where is Robin Hood?” The man asked as Will glanced up at the man’s dark skinned face. He looked like an African of earth, though it was impossible to tell. The man was draped in a black tunic with a black hood. He also carried a golden bow and a quiver of arrows.
“He’s right behind you," Will said with a grin and the dark man smiled, he turned on his heel where indeed Robin of Loxley stood holding his own bow, an arrow aimed at the man’s heart.
Robin lowered his bow, removing his hood and mask. A smile crept across Robin’s face.
“Ranger!” Robin exclaimed and the two men laughed and embraced. Will rolled his eyes. Of course they knew each other.
Chapter eight: The Ranger
The dark man removed his hood as Robin lead him into a large tree house with a large table in the centre. A fire burned nearby and the man Robin only ever knew as Ranger took a seat by the crackling fire.
“When I heard the rumours that the great Robin Hood had returned to the planet Sherwood, I did not imagine any of this. I thought after what we went through together in the crusades, you would have gone into hiding... but this? This Is risky even for you. I ask you, Robin... are the rumours true? Have you really been stealing from the rich to give to the poor?” Ranger asked and Robin nodded.
“Sherwood has fallen into chaos, old friend. I am building a band of outlaws to rise against the army of Nottingham. I swear to you, the castle will fall,” Robin said and Ranger nodded before bursting into hysterics. Robin looked surprised as Ranger shook his head, holding up an apologetic hand in a gesture begging forgiveness.
“Are you joking, man? Have you lost your mind? You just saw what war did to your home planet of Loxley! The planet is a barren wasteland, fit only for remnants of robots and cyborgs! I fought through that mess right by your side! We both had blood on our hands. Now you want to what? Burn this world to the ground as well? With what? A bunch of farmers and deer hunters? That sir, is fucking madness! A fool’s errand,” Ranger said, but the look in Robin’s eyes was one he had seen many times. He knew the man well, and despite the strips the crusades had ripped off him, Ranger knew the man was serious, not mad.
“They will die! All of them. The sheriff is building an army of machines to hunt you down,” Ranger started but Robin spat at his feet.
“Let them come! I fear not the sheriff, nor any of his mechanical toys! You know what we went to fight in the crusades for! Freedom! Now I return to a planet where freedom is just a word and a new threat has risen! I did not go to war to lose everything. I went to win it back! The sheriff must be stopped, Ranger! By God you know it to be true! A warrior is nothing but a farmer or a hunter with the balls to take a stand. These men don’t belong out here! They were forced out of their homes! All because the sheriff raised the taxes
and rent so high that they could not afford their freedoms. I will help them take their freedoms back because I can, and that is what I came back to do. If you don’t fight with us, then go. How did you find me anyway?” Robin asked.
Ranger sighed, pinching his moustache.
“I protect the King’s deer, which your friend was hunting. I knew people had settled here but it took some time to figure out it was you. You really are a slippery bastard, Robin. I was surprised to hear you had formed this... band of merry men. So tell me, you plan to fight with bows and arrows only?” Ranger asked and Robin sighed.
“I have a mini gun on my car. We can find some blasters I’m sure" Robin replied and Ranger shook his head.
“It’s just as well you know me then, isn’t it?” Ranger asked, motioning for Robin to follow him.
*****
Ranger led Robin through the wild and through the tall trees. He knew the wild better than Robin could have imagined, seemingly following some invisible path through the thick forest.
There was a large dome covered in moss which stuck out of the ground and Ranger walked over to it, turning a wheel on the top of the dome and opening a hatch to an underground bunker. He led Robin down a long ladder which led into a massive underground cavern-like structure.
There were simple furnishings; a bed with linens, a table, two chairs and wooden boxes stacked to the ceiling. Ranger led Robin to a long wooden wall, which he pressed inward, sliding the wall to the side to reveal a long narrow room. Robin’s eyes widened at a glorious sight – The walls of the room were lined with guns, bows and arrows. There were hundreds.
“What is all this?” Robin asked, half smiling as he admired the weapons; most of which were laser powered rifles and pistols. There were also grenade launchers and variations of arrows that no doubt had different functionalities.
“This... Is my gift to you. I have been storing these for a rainy day. If what you say is true, the shit is about to pour. You are quite mad, you know? But I will join you in your quest, Robin of Loxley," Ranger said, Robin shaking his hand.
“It will be an honour to fight by your side again my old friend,” Robin said reaching for a rocket launcher. The Ranger put his hand out before he could grab it.
“Not that one. That’s my little Much," he said.
“You named your gun after Much the Miller’s son? That kid that died in the war?” Robin asked and Ranger nodded.
“I understand you had a kid under your wing on Loxley yourself," Ranger added and Robin frowned. He didn’t like talking about kid.
“She... took off. Her family died because of me," Robin said quietly and Ranger shook his head.
“No, my friend. Her family were casualties of war, remember that. Their blood is not on your hands," Ranger added, sliding the entrance to the weapon room closed again.
“I told her I’d bring her home to her parents. You should have seen the look in her eyes when she saw what was left of her home. The anger. The hatred," Robin said and Ranger nodded.
“Yes. She lost her family, but thanks to you she kept her own life. She has you to thank for that!” The Ranger replied. Robin nodded, falling into a chair.
“So how long have you been living down here?” Robin asked and the Ranger smiled.
“Long enough to know the world above is turning foul, but not long enough to decide what I can do about it. You have a gift, Robin. These men look to you as their leader... and leading is something you were always good at. Men will follow you anywhere, even into the fires of hell. That is a rare thing. I will join you, not because I believe you can make a difference... but because you believe it. Your faith is what gives me hope, and hope goes a long way in dark times,” the Ranger said, lighting a cigarette and taking a drag. Robin nodded, letting out a sigh.
“Let us hope, that hope will be enough," Robin said and Ranger nodded.
“Hope is never enough. But it’s a damn good start," the Ranger replied.
*****
King Edward looked out of the window of Nottingham castle admiring the view of the city. Traffic flew past the window in droves, streaming by as if on some invisible road high over the city.
The king was a ruthless man, though he was also at 45 already feeling old. He was draped in red velvet, had a bulbous belly and a ridiculous white wig that concealed his bald head. He belched loudly as he nibbled on a chicken bone. His massive throne room was furnished only with a long table dressed for a feast, his golden throne and a dark red carpet. His adviser was a man named Nigel, who was every bit as pathetic and whimpering as his name. He walked over to the king, his tall skeletal body wrapped in a blue gown.
“Your majesty! The sheriff of Nottingham wishes to see you. The experiment was a complete success... He er... looks quite grotesque sir!” Nigel said and the king rubbed his red bearded chin.
“Well send him in, Nigel! And for goodness sake pour me some brandy,” The king added. Nigel ran out of the throne room, closing the large wooden doors behind him.
The king strode over to his throne and sat down, tossing the chicken bone across the room. The doors opened again and a massive, muscular man strode into the room. His eyes were glowing red, his muscular body squeezed into a leather suit with tubes snaking in and out of it. The man was the sheriff... but he looked like he had been juicing on steroids for months. He also wore a black mask over his face, only his red eyes and mouth were visible.
“What do you think, your majesty?” The sheriff asked the king who looked both shocked and repulsed at the sight of the gargantuan man.
“My God man! Yes! You are the living form of terror itself! Ha ha! Why you look like a wrestler! Yes! You will definately send a message of fear to this city. No one plays vigilante in my city, Sheriff! Not while you walk these streets!” The king said, walking over to the man and admiring his massive muscles.
“How can I please you, my king?” The sheriff asked and the King’s smile of admiration vanished. Once again he was all business.
“Bring me the head of Robin of Loxley! For too long has he caused a stir in my fair city. People think of him as a hero. A legend. I tell you he is no more than a common thief! I want his head, sheriff! Prepare the army! Scour the city and the forests! I want this man found!” The king exclaimed, Nigel walking into the room and passing him a small glass of brandy on a tray. The king took the brandy, throwing it down and motioning Nigel to leave.
“I will deal with Loxley myself, your majesty,” the sheriff replied, bowing before leaving the throne room. The king returned his attention to the view outside his castle window, a wicked grin creeping across his face.
Chapter nine: Robin and Lady Marion
Marion rode a hover bike through the city, flying high over the streets below and past speeding traffic that flew around her, beeping their horns. She was dressed in white leather pants and a white leather singlet and jacket. She adjusted the yellow goggles that covered her eyes and flipped on the radio. Sabotage by Beastie Boys blasted from her stereo speakers as she manoeuvred skilfully around the traffic, banking left and right to avoid collisions.
She was doing well over 90 in a 50 zone, but she didn’t care. Marion whooped at the top of her lungs, speeding past two police cruisers that hovered outside a housing complex which climbed up into the sky, several thousand feet from the city streets.
The two robotic cops exchanged glances, hitting the accelerators and flooring it in pursuit of the wild biker. Marion flew through the city, passing neon billboards and holographic adult entertainment. She looked in her rear view mirror, cursing aloud.
“Ah goddamnit!” She exclaimed, speeding up and steering down a gap between two buildings. She cleared the narrow gap, looking to see if she had been followed. She sighed with relief, coming out of the gap and straight into lines of flying traffic.
The sirens wailed from above as the two flying police vehicles flew at her from above, firing photon blasts which Marion banked left and right to avoid.
A mechanical
voice erupted from one of the police cars as the firing continued, Marion artfully dodging each blast as she flew her bike over the buildings and through alley after alley. Laser blasts hit the walls around her and Marion focussed, flying high over the city skyline but she wasn’t losing them.
“This is the Sherwood Police Department. You have violated section 31075 under the responsible driving act. This is not acceptable. Pull over and prepare for interrogation,” the mechanical voice said. Marion shook her head. She knew if she pulled over she was dead, but if she could outfly them... maybe she’d have a chance. Marion slowed down allowing the police cruisers to catch up to her. She waited for the cars to almost come to a stop before gunning the engines and taking off again speeding down another alley.
In one of the police cars, one of the robots seemed shocked by her move.
“Why do they always run?” The machine asked itself aloud, hitting the accelerators and flying after her.
Marion steered into an alley, pulling the bike to a stop on a balcony overlooking the street below. She jumped off the bike and ran across the rooftop. Marion jumped behind a large chimney and crouched behind it as the two squad cars flew towards where she had dumped the bike, blasting it to smithereens.
Marion pulled a laser pistol out of her belt, holding it at her side just in case the robotic bastards got too close. She heard the sound of clanging metal as two robot officers jumped from their hovering cars, landing on the rooftop on their feet, guns drawn.
Marion panted, wiping sweat from her brow as the THUD... THUD... THUD of their footsteps drew closer. Marion closed her eyes as the sound of their metal feet stepping closer towards her grew louder and louder... THUD... THUD... THUD... THUD, getting closer by the second. She would be killed for leading them in the chase, there were no two ways about it.
