STAR FIGHTERS BUMPER SPECIAL EDITION: Stealth Force

by Max Chase

  Peri nodded. ‘Right, but do you know what their strongest weapon is?’

  ‘Wild Will’s spring-loaded repeating rifle,’ Dexter said.

  ‘That rifle does sound deadly, but that wasn’t what I meant,’ Peri said. ‘Their strongest weapon is fear. The townsfolk are too scared to stand up to Wild Will. If we can stop them being scared –’

  ‘How can we do that?’ demanded Gunner.

  Diesel and Selene looked at Peri inquisitively. ‘I’d be kind of curious to know that too,’ Diesel said.

  ‘We have to stand up to the gang,’ Peri said. ‘We’ll see how tough they really are when the townsfolk aren’t scared of them.’

  ‘But the townsfolk are scared,’ Gunner said. He turned, flicked his tongue out and spat.

  To Peri’s amazement, a globule of spittle travelled a huge distance, flying right across the road, hitting a cactus and making it wobble.

  ‘Wow – that was some spit, Gunner!’ Peri said.

  Gunner shrugged. ‘I’ve spat farther.’

  ‘Let’s get down to business!’ Diesel said impatiently. ‘What’s the plan?’

  ‘We should spend some time training these boys to fight,’ Peri said.

  ‘We don’t have long,’ Diesel said. ‘The clock’s ticking down, remember?’

  Diesel was right. Peri glanced at his Expedition Wear control strip again.

  ‘That’s the fanciest watch I’ve ever seen,’ Dexter said.

  ‘Don’t worry about that,’ Peri said. ‘We need to start training – and fast! Now, did you boys manage to get hold of anything that could be used as a weapon?’

  ‘Yeah,’ Dexter said.

  From under their shirts, Dexter, Spike and Gunner pulled out the strangest-looking objects Peri had ever seen.

  ‘M-m-made them ourselves,’ Spike said.

  The Star Fighters looked at the strange tubes for a moment, then at each other.

  Peri grinned. ‘I think this might just work.’

  Chapter 5

  ‘You can do this, Spike,’ said Peri.

  The smaller of Dexter’s two friends was turning green – greener than he was in the first place. Selene’s chokehold on Spike was tight. Peri feared that the little Westrenian boy might pass out before he managed to escape.

  Peri had structured their day’s training carefully. First up was spit practice. Using their special, spiralled tubes, Dexter, Spike and Gunner spat stones across the desert, hitting every cactus they targeted. Gunner even hit one that was hundreds of metres away. Once their confidence was higher, Peri had them run escape drills, like the ones taught at the IF Academy. He and Diesel tackled or restrained the Westrenians, who dodged, jumped and wriggled free. Peri thought it was also a great refresher course for the Star Fighters. He realised he relied too much on the Phoenix and his bionic abilities. It was good to get back to the basics. These Westrenian boys were demonstrating that smartness, skills and confidence might just outwit outlaws and their weapons.

  The last escape drill involved Selene applying the kind of chokehold that Diesel predicted bandits like Wild Will and his gang would use, and it was up to the Westrenian boys to escape. They struggled at first but, after a couple of hours, they were able to slip out of Selene’s grasp, sometimes even throwing her to the sand. Except for Spike, whose little legs had come right off the ground and whose little white cap had flown off. He kicked desperately, trying to get free, but Selene held on tight.

  ‘You can do this, Spike!’ Peri said again.

  He saw the little alien’s black eyes narrow for just a moment, his lizard-tongue flicking out in determination. With a growl, he bent forward and threw Selene to the sand.

  ‘Ouch!’ the engineer cried.

  ‘Well done, Spike!’ Gunner said, slapping his friend on the back.

  ‘That was great!’ Peri said. ‘If any of Wild Will’s men grab you, that’s how you should escape.’

  ‘I think I’ve got it,’ Spike said, reaching down to help Selene to her feet.

  ‘Good moves,’ Selene said with a smile. ‘You’ll be a match for anyone.’

  Spike ran a hand over his bristly red hair, his black eyes dropping shyly. ‘I hope you weren’t letting me get the better of you, Miss Selene.’

  ‘That’s not her style,’ Peri said, giving her a playful punch in the arm. ‘Trust me.’

  ‘Selene hates losing more than Otto hates vegetables,’ Diesel agreed.

  Dexter cocked his head questioningly. ‘What are vegetables?’

  ‘And who is Otto?’ asked Gunner.

  The Star Fighters glanced at each other, then Peri shook his head.

  ‘That doesn’t matter,’ Peri said. ‘All that matters is that we’re ready.’

  ‘I feel ready,’ said Gunner.

  ‘Me too,’ Spike said, shoving his cap on his head.

  Peri turned to the sheriff’s son. ‘Dexter?’

  Dexter grinned and half turned, lashing his tongue out and sending a globule of spit zooming towards an old, withering cactus tree. It took the tip off one of the branches. Peri watched, amazed, as the broken chunk of prickly cactus hit the ground and broke into pieces.

  ‘Oh yes,’ said Dexter. ‘I think I’m ready.’

  ‘That’s just as well,’ Diesel said, stomping around impatiently in his cowboy boots. ‘Because . . . look!’

  Peri followed Diesel’s pointed finger and saw a narrow dirt road that skirted the desert. Far down the road, on the horizon, a cloud of dust was rising. It was getting closer. Peri’s bionic eyes zoomed in on ten figures that were galloping towards them.

  I bet they’re Wild Will’s men, he thought.

  Peri was right – and they were heading straight for a herd of animals that were being shepherded by a small group of Westrenians, their lizard-tongues snapping in the air to encourage the animals to move faster. The animals were short, squat and four-legged. They looked like the cattle on planet Earth, except their skin was green with deep-red spots.

  ‘Hide!’ Peri instructed.

  His new team obeyed instantly. Diesel and Selene dropped to the ground, while Peri and the Westrenian boys dived behind cacti and scrubby bushes.

  Riding strange, horse-like creatures, Wild Will’s gang drew up alongside the herd, whooping and jeering.

  ‘Stop, or you’ll regret it!’ one of the bandits shouted.

  Panicking, the cattle-drivers yelled at their animals, desperately trying to control them. Most of the cattle-creatures stopped, but a few made frightened, screeching sounds and trotted off in all directions as fast as their stumpy legs would carry them.

  ‘Should we do something?’ Diesel asked as he crawled on his belly to where the others were hiding.

  ‘We can’t let them steal the cattle,’ Gunner said, making to start forward.

  ‘Wait,’ Peri said, putting a hand on the Westrenian’s shoulder and pulling him back behind a prickly cactus. ‘I don’t think they’re stealing anything.’

  Selene agreed. ‘They’re just scaring the cattle-drivers.’

  The Star Fighters’ posse watched as Wild Will’s bandits fired their weapons in the air, spooking the cattle and causing them to stampede. Then the bandits wheeled their horses around and began riding away, shouting and laughing at the workers.

  ‘What did they do that for?’ Dexter asked, his tongue slithering over his lips. Peri could tell the boy was furious.

  ‘To show the townsfolk that they can push around anybody they want to,’ Peri said.

  Diesel growled. ‘They’re just bullies.’

  ‘Too right,’ Peri said. ‘And the one thing no bully can handle is someone standing up to them. Come on.’

  With that, he led the others off at a fast jog along a dry ditch, back towards Buckskinville. It was time for the Star Fighters – and their posse – to try to save the town.

  Chapter 6

  The first thing the new posse saw when they returned to the square in Buckskinville was what appeared to be several horses tether
ed at the trough. But on closer inspection, although these animals looked a bit like Earth horses, they had leathery hides instead of glossy coats, and a ridge of sharp spikes running down their necks instead of a mane. Apart from the Westrenian horses’ soft stamps and occasional neighs, it was dead quiet.

  ‘What are we going to do?’ Dexter asked.

  ‘I’m going to talk to the townsfolk,’ Peri said. ‘I need to let them know we’re here to help, and that together we can defeat Wild Will’s gang.’

  ‘Yeah, but the gang’s already back,’ Dexter said, pointing at the horses. ‘Are you sure it’s a good idea?’

  ‘It’s a risk,’ Selene said. ‘But the only way we’ll beat Wild Will and his men is if the whole town stands up to them!’

  ‘That’s right,’ Peri said. He walked right into the centre of the square, cleared his throat and shouted in a loud, ringing voice, ‘People of Buckskinville! I’m a stranger to these parts – I come from far away.’ That’s an understatement, Peri thought. ‘And me and my friends are here to help and to tell you that you don’t need to fear Wild Will and his gang any more. Wild Will’s men may seem tough, but that’s only because they’ve convinced you to be afraid of them. If we stand up for ourselves, then we can beat them! But we must work together.’

  Around the square, a few windows and doors creaked open. Several men, women and children poked their heads out cautiously. Peri looked at their faces in turn, addressing them directly.

  ‘I can understand why you might not want to take the word of a stranger,’ he said. ‘You don’t know me or my friends. But you do know Dexter, Spike and Gunner.’

  The three Westrenian boys all nodded, grinning bashfully.

  ‘If you stand up to these outlaws,’ Peri said, ‘you can drive them right out of your town!’

  ‘There’s just one tiny problem,’ said a man from an upstairs window. He had glasses over his dark eyes, and his lizard-tongue wiped sweat from his bald, scaly brow. ‘How can we stand up to these outlaws when we don’t have a sheriff and we don’t have weapons?’

  ‘Remember that they’re just cowardly bullies!’ Peri said. ‘You’ve already got the advantage of numbers on your side – you just need to believe in yourselves and then you’ll be a force to be reckoned with.’

  A loud, slow clapping broke out. Peri turned round to see a large, tall Westrenian standing in the doorway of the saloon. He was wearing a black cowboy hat. Below the brim, Peri could see that his thin lips were curled into a smirk and a frill of scales fanned out from his neck. At his waist was a belt in which six guns were holstered. A rifle was slung over his shoulder. His sleeves were rolled up and Peri saw that his scaly arms were covered in red tattoos of skulls, severed heads and dripping knives.

  All the townsfolk had ducked back behind their doors and windows.

  Wild Will, Peri thought.

  The applause got louder. More outlaws appeared at every side and corner of the square, clapping along with their leader.

  ‘That was one fine speech, boy!’ Wild Will said, his voice a slithering rasp. ‘You should run for mayor when you grow up – if you get the chance to grow up, that is!’

  The bandits laughed.

  Peri realised that they were in big trouble. They were surrounded, and the bandits were all armed. The townsfolk were still too afraid to help. Somehow Peri and his posse had to get out of there.

  ‘So,’ Wild Will said, pointing a finger at Peri, ‘it seems you and your friends are putting together a gang of your own. Remember, young Dexter, I still have your father. Do you want him to suffer more than he already has?’

  Peri was barely listening to Wild Will now. His eyes were desperately searching the square, hoping for a flash of inspiration.

  Then it came.

  He spoke softly to Selene and Diesel. ‘The horses.’

  Diesel looked confused, but Selene’s face brightened in understanding. She pulled Diesel to her side. Peri moved closer to Wild Will to draw his attention as Selene and Diesel slowly sidestepped to where the horse-creatures were tethered.

  ‘You’re the ones who should be worried!’ Peri said loudly, to distract from Selene and Diesel. ‘And as long as you keep harassing the townsfolk, we’ll keep getting in your way!’

  Wild Will laughed, and so did his men. ‘Well, you’re going to have your work cut out! We’re not going to stop taking what we want. In fact, we’re going to rob every stagecoach that passes by this town, and we’re going to get rich and then we’re going to use our riches to open up mines on the edge of town.’ He raised his voice. ‘Legend says there’s gold beneath Buckskinville. We intend to find it.’ He paused and spoke even louder. ‘We’ll get rich – and so will everyone else in this town!’

  So that’s how Wild Will keeps the townsfolk in line, Peri thought. It’s not just fear – it’s the promise of reward as well. But don’t they see? If Wild Will opens up the mines, he’ll turn them all into his slaves!

  ‘Anyone who tries to stop us will regret it, won’t they, boys?’

  ‘Yes, boss!’ the bandits chanted. They raised their guns and pointed them at Peri, Dexter, Spike and Gunner.

  ‘Whoa there!’ Wild Will said. ‘Don’t shoot them – that would be too easy! We should make an example of them – show the good people of Buckskinville what happens when you cross Wild Will!’

  The outlaws reholstered their guns and began to close in on the new posse from all sides of the square, their black eyes boring into them.

  Selene gave a low whistle. Peri looked round and saw that the horses had been untethered.

  ‘Run!’ he said, and led Dexter and his two friends in a sprint to the horse trough.

  ‘Stop them!’ shouted Wild Will.

  The bandits rushed towards the horses, but Peri got there first and leapt on to one. Selene and Diesel had already mounted two of them. They slapped the sides of the remaining horses, which started running towards Dexter, Spike and Gunner. The three Westrenian boys jumped on to the saddles with ease as they galloped by.

  Wild Will’s gang lunged at the horses. Out of the corner of his eye, Peri saw Selene twisting in her saddle to avoid the lashing tongue of a bandit.

  Dexter, Gunner and Spike, all experienced riders, skilfully dodged the bandits. Diesel was bringing up the rear and none of Wild Will’s posse had managed to stop him either.

  Peri felt a jolt of pressure at his ankle and struggled to stay in his saddle. He looked down and saw that a thin, pink tongue had coiled itself around his leg. He followed the trail of the tongue to see a big Westrenian bandit tugging at his leg.

  Peri felt a surge of fury and he kicked out with all his super strength, feeling the tongue loosen its hold. Thwack! It whipped back on itself and hit the alien in the face, sending him tumbling over into the dust.

  ‘We made it!’ Peri shouted, as the six of them rode out of the square.

  ‘Use your lassos, boys!’ Wild Will yelled.

  Whoooosh! Peri ducked as a lasso skimmed over his head. It was a close one.

  ‘Ouch!’

  To his left, Peri saw that Diesel had been snared by another lasso. The half-Martian gave a startled cry as he was yanked out of the saddle. ‘Prrrip’chiq!’

  ‘Diesel!’ shouted Selene.

  Peri steered his horse around. Diesel was already being dragged back by Wild Will, who held the other end of the lasso. Peri was faced with a difficult decision and felt as if he was being torn in two. They had to rescue Diesel, but if they turned around now, they’d all be caught and the people of Buckskinville would have no hope of defeating Wild Will.

  ‘We’ll be back for you, Diesel!’ shouted Peri. ‘I promise!’

  But when and how? he asked himself.

  Chapter 7

  Peri held Dexter’s telescope up to his eye. He saw some of Wild Will’s men skulking about the alleys or brandishing their pistols threateningly. Others went round the town square tacking up hastily drawn posters on tree trunks and walls. He turned the eyepiece of t
he telescope to bring one into focus. It showed a big-nosed boy with crooked eyes. Peri could just make it out:

  Peri lowered the telescope. ‘Those bandits can’t draw to save their lives – that looks nothing like me!’

  It was late in the afternoon. Peri checked the countdown. Now they had only 97 hours and 24 minutes to rescue Diesel and the sheriff, save the town and return to the IF Space Station! Their situation seemed to be getting worse.

  They had left the horses tethered underneath a tree and had sneaked closer to Buckskinville. They were lying on their stomachs on a small hill just outside town.

  ‘Let me see,’ Dexter said, taking the telescope from Peri. He scanned the square. ‘There are lots of posters up. We’ve all got a price on our heads!’

  ‘Can I see?’ asked Selene. She looked through the telescope – and started. ‘Oh, Rigel rats!’

  ‘What is it?’ Peri said.

  Selene handed him the telescope. ‘Look at the far end of the square,’ she said grimly.

  Through the round lens, Peri saw that Diesel and a man who he guessed was Dexter’s father were being pulled along at the end of a rope by the bandits. Wild Will was standing by a strange patch of dark earth. Diesel and the sheriff were brought right up to its edge, then Wild Will jabbed each of them in the back with his tongue. They fell forward into the dark patch – and disappeared.

  For a moment Peri was bewildered. ‘I just saw Diesel and your dad, but I think they’ve been pushed down a hole!’ he said.

  Dexter took the telescope from him. He peered through it and groaned. ‘It’s the Hole of Death!’

  ‘What’s that?’ Peri asked. ‘It doesn’t sound good.’

  Dexter didn’t seem able to speak.

  Gunner answered for him. ‘It’s a form of punishment. They throw prisoners down a hole that’s too deep to climb out of. There’s no food, no water and no protection against the sun. They’re left there to die.’