by R. L. Wolf
“This way,” shouted Colt, dashing across a street and into a narrow alley. The alley was bordered by two tall buildings. Colt was half-way down the alley when he realized his mistake. Four more Ravens appeared at the other end of the alley and headed for them.
"Damn, guys, I’m sorry. I think I just led us into an ambush," said Colt.
Austin pushed away from Garth and stood on wobbly legs. “It’s not your fault, there are too many of them. We were never going to make it out.”
Colt nodded. “We make our last stand here.”
“It’s been an honor, my brothers,” said Garth.
“Let’s do this, I’m tired of running around,” said Toran.
“Dang, and I wanted that new hat,” said Wes.
Colt opened fire. The Ravens ran diagonally up the wall and back down to avoid the gunfire. Colt kicked out at one of the Ravens coming down the wall and struck him hard in the stomach. The Raven doubled over and fell to the ground. Colt ran at the other three Ravens and grappled with them, punching and kicking.
Garth was taking careful aim when two Ravens landed on him from above. He spun around to shake them off. More Ravens dropped down from the roof on him, and the gunfight turned into a fistfight.
Austin had gotten off several shots before two Ravens were on him. It only took another moment for the Ravens to knock the already injured boy to the ground.
Wes emptied both his revolvers and tossed them aside; there was no time to reload. He now had his hunting knife out and was exchanging blow for blow with a Raven that had a long curved knife. Wes was already an expert at knife fighting when he had arrived at the Gunslinger Academy, but after months of honing his skills, he was truly lethal. He slipped past the Ravens guard and slashed at the Ravens wrist. The Raven dropped his blade and leaped back, only to be replaced with two more Ravens holding the long curved blades.
Toran was a blur of movement as he matched blow for blow with three Ravens. He dropped low and swept his leg under one of the Ravens, and followed through with a kick to the head. The Ravens eyes went blank and fell. The other two increased their attack, pushing the amphibian back step by step.
Garth grabbed one of the Ravens by the legs and beat the winged-creature against the wall of the building. A Raven that had been attacking Wes screamed and ran for Garth. The Raven jumped on Garth’s back and beat on his head. Garth roared in anger, stood with the Raven clinging to him, and ran backward into the wall. The sound of bones breaking was loud, and the Raven fell to the ground. Four Ravens dropped from the roof onto Garth and pressed an object against his neck. There was an electrical popping sound and Garth collapsed.
One of the Ravens started kicking the unconscious Garth. They had thought Austin out of action, but seeing Garth being beaten pushed him to his feet. He grabbed a pipe off the ground and swung at the Raven. The pipe made contact, and the Ravens skull was crushed with a sickening thud. The other attacking Raven blew a white powder into Austin’s face, and he went down. The Raven grabbed the pipe and lifted it above Austin’s head.
Wes saw the Raven getting ready to hit Austin and jumped at him, driving the hunting knife under the Raven’s skull. Another Raven used the electric popping device and Wes went down.
Toran had two of the Ravens on the ground at his feet. A third Raven leaped in and blew a handful of the white powder into his face. Toran fell to the ground, unmoving.
The rest of the Ravens swarmed Colt with sheer numbers and pushed him down, pressing his face into the ground. Colt was trying to struggle free when a man in a Caelum Officer's uniform knelt and looked Colt in the face. Colt recognized the Caelum—it was the Lieutenant that had boarded the transport ship last summer.
"Lieutenant Fox." Colt spat the words. “You’re the Envoy?”
"Captain Fox now, and yes, I’m the Envoy. Why did you attack the Ravens?"
"They attacked us first. Let me up and I'll kill some more," said Colt. "You're first."
"I assure you, the Ravens did not attack you," said the Captain.
"Filthy Caelum liar!" screamed Colt.
"You have no idea what you've done," said the Captain. "The Ravens you killed were students, like you. They came here to set aside the ancient feud between the Ravens and the Gunslingers."
"They shot Austin," shouted Colt, his eyes dark and full of murder. “I’ll kill them all.”
The Captain looked up at the sound of a revolver’s hammer being pulled back and the sound of dozens of rifles chambering a round.
"That would be our new lord you're standing on top of," said a voice. "I'd kindly appreciate it if you get off him."
Dozens of men on the roof and in windows were aiming rifles at the Captain and the Ravens, and more were entering from both ends of the alley.
Colt looked up the best he could and saw a Sheriff's badge, and…
"Tanner?"
"My Lord Cyness," said Tanner. "My apologies, it took a little longer to get the men together than expected,"
"So that's what you've been doing all day," said Captain Fox. "You planned this ambush from the beginning. You are a murderer, and I will see to it that you are punished for this."
"I said let him up," ordered Tanner.
Captain Fox motioned for the Ravens to let Colt up. Colt grabbed his gun and jumped up. "I didn't ambush anyone, they ambushed us," said Colt.
"What I see is a ruthless young man that overthrew the government of this planet in a grab for power and land, and then murdered those that could oppose him. You will be brought to justice.”
The roaring sound of a ship's engine preceded a large armed Raven transport. The ship settled over the buildings, guns bristling from its sides and aimed at the men on the rooftops.
“I do believe I have the advantage now,” said Captain Fox. “I will be taking you into custody.”
Colt looked up at the large transport. The ship was a formidable sight, and quite alien looking with sweeping lines that gave it the impression of being a bird in flight. Colt smiled and looked back at Captain Fox.
Colt shook his head. “I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere with you.”
Captain Fox looked up as two Gunslinger Dart fighter ships swooped out of the sky and took positions facing the Daraian armored transport. A female voice boomed out over an external speaker on one of the Darts.
“This planet is under the protection of the Gunslinger Order. You will cease hostilities immediately or be fired upon.”
Colt grinned, it was Cora, and the other ship must be Brock’s team. The Marshal had probably sent them to wait in orbit until Colt needed them. The Marshal hadn’t sent Colt out without back-up.
“I think I have the advantage now, Captain,” said Colt.
"We should go, my lord," said Tanner.
Tanner's men moved in and picked up the unconscious boys and Colt followed him out of the alley.
Two days later the boys were cleared by the doctor as healthy, and ready to head back to their Camp. Colt had a long talk with Tanner. Deputy Hargrath did shoot him, but only a flesh wound to make it clear he was no longer a Gunslinger. The Marshal then brought him here and gave him a chance at a new life.
“I’m much happier now, Colt,” said Tanner. “I even have a fiancé, and we’re planning to get married in the summer.”
“What about your brother, Roger, and your Merits?” asked Colt.
“They will find out in time, but for now, they need to heal and move on with their lives,” said Tanner. “Colt, I’m so sorry for everything I did. I just wasn’t made to be a Gunslinger, but this is something I am good at.”
“I think you make a good sheriff,” said Colt, taking Tanners' hand and shaking it. “Good luck, and keep an eye on the town, it’s starting to grow on me.”
“Yeah, it’ll do that,” said Tanner.
The boys bid their new friends goodbye and headed for their Dart ship. Toran was carrying a huge stack of reports to review that Claude had given him.
"Are they still loo
king?" asked Toran as they walked into the desert.
"No, they're gone," said Wes.
Toran dropped the pile of reports in the sand and took off at a run. The others ran after him, laughing and joking together.
Tanner and Claude waited in the shadows until the Gunslinger team was out of sight, and walked out and picked up the pile of reports.
"Father," said Tanner. "From now on bring me all the reports. I was a terrible Gunslinger, but maybe if I take care of Colt's town, maybe, just maybe, I can redeem myself. I was so foolish."
Claude laid his hand on his son's arm and silently thanked the Marshal for breaking the rules that horrible night Tanner had panicked, and allowed him this second chance.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Mail Run
Colt knocked on the door of the Marshal's office and waited.
"Enter," called the Marshal.
Colt pushed the door open and stomped the snow off his boots before walking into the warm cabin. The fireplace glowed with the warmth of the logs burning in the old stone hearth. The long table in the center of the room was cleared of the paper and books that had been there the last time Colt had been in here. The Marshal sat at his desk against the far wall reading a book. He put the book down and raised an eyebrow at the boy.
"The mission was successful, sir," said Colt, stopping in front of the Marshal's desk.
"Anything interesting happen?” asked the Marshal.
Colt bet the Marshal already knew everything that had happened. Tanner was probably the Marshal's eyes and ears in the town and reported everything.
"No, sir," said Colt. "Everything was quiet, I met with the Envoy, and everything is okay."
"Well then, I suppose that solves that problem. Where is your team?"
"The pilot of the Dart ship we borrowed is making us repaint it," explained Colt. "The bottom got scraped up, and he would only let one of us come to report."
"I see, you need to get that done quickly," said the Marshal. "There is no time for your team to rest. You are scheduled for mail duty this afternoon."
"Yes, sir," said Colt.
The Marshal picked his book back up and started reading while Colt stood there wondering if he had just been dismissed.
"Is there anything else?” asked the Marshal.
"Um... yeah, I kind of want to ask some questions," said Colt.
The Marshal set his book back down, "Go ahead."
"Why can Ravens run up walls and fly, but we can't?” asked Colt.
"I thought you said the trip went quietly?” asked the Marshal.
Colt stammered a bit, and the Marshal held his hand up for the boy to stop.
"I am aware of what happened," explained the Marshal. "The Envoy has requested you be charged with murder."
"They fired first," said Colt.
"The Ravens wear a communication device that picks up sounds around them," replied the Marshal. "They are analyzing the recordings, and will send us the results. We will get to the bottom of this.”
"Yes, sir."
Colt left the Marshal's Cabin feeling betrayed. Was the Marshal going to accept the Ravens word over his? Colt shrugged, it didn't matter, no Gunslinger had ever been tried for murder. The Gunslinger Charter gave them the authority of summary execution. He saw Cora heading toward him and stopped to wait for her.
"Hey, Colt."
"Hey, Cora. I didn’t get a chance to thank you for bailing us out during that fight."
“It was fun,” said Cora. “Are you going to be at dinner tonight?”
“No, I’m on the mail run. I'm sorry we don't have more time together."
Cora kissed Colt on the cheek. "Don't be, we both know we can't always be together, that's why we are good for each other, just as long as we get little moments like this sometimes."
"You're the best, Cora," said Colt.
"I know," said Cora, grinning and taking Colt's hand in hers. Colt felt her press something into the palm of his hand. She leaned close and whispered into his ear. “We watched from orbit. I pulled the data recorder from my Dart ship.”
“What’s on it?” whispered Colt.
“I haven’t seen it, but maybe there’s something on it that might help you,” replied Cora. She let go of his hand and ran backward a few steps. "Oh yeah, tell Toran that Ella said hi." Cora turned around and ran off to class.
Colt kept his hand closed around the data recording, but didn’t drop it in his pocket. If the Marshal were watching, he would see and want to know what Cora had given him.
He was just passing the range when Selina ran up to him.
"Garth... Okay... Yes... Good?" asked Selina.
"Selina, I thought you weren't going to do that anymore?” asked Colt.
"Sorry, it's a habit," said Selina. "I'm trying. How's Garth?"
"His leg is healing fine."
"Is there a scar?"
Colt sighed. "Yes, he will have a scar."
Selina hugged herself, grinned, and bounced up on her toes. “He fought well, I saw."
"Yes, he killed the most," said Colt
Selina spun around in a circle, giggling, and skipped back to her team. Colt shook his head in wonder. Selina was one very strange girl.
Colt arrived back at the landing pad just as his team was putting away the paint. The pilot was inspecting the bottom of the Dart ship, and Colt made a wide circle to avoid him.
"Figures you show up now that the work is all done," said Toran, grinning.
"Come on guys," said Colt. "We have a mail run, let’s get out of here before that Dart pilot finds something else for us to do."
"Don't we get to eat?" asked Garth.
"Sorry, big guy, its toothpaste again," said Colt.
The boys walked across the landing pad to the transport ship. The ramp was down, and the transport pilot was waiting.
"Team Cyness reporting for mail run, sir," said Colt.
"Took your time about it, boys," said the pilot. "Let's load up, this should be a quick and easy run. We will rendezvous with the Ava Rom Supply Ship in two hours."
The boys climbed the ramp, each remembering the last time they had walked up this ramp. It seemed so long ago that the boys left home.
Colt sat in his old seat and buckled the harness. The others sat in their original places. They looked at each other and laughed.
"Feels weird, doesn't it?” asked Wes.
The ship lifted off, and Colt spent the time napping. Two hours later the boys felt the ship shudder as it touched down inside the landing bay of the much larger Ava Rom Supply Ship. The pilot lowered the ramp, and the boys enjoyed the weightless environment as they shot out into the landing bay.
"This isn't a playground," yelled a man.
The Cargo Chief walked over and looked up at the boys floating around his landing bay.
"Where's your mag-boots?” asked the Chief.
"Our what?" asked Colt.
"I put the boots under your chairs," said the transport pilot, walking down the ramp and looking up at the boys. "Why didn't you put on the boots I left out for you?"
The pilot and several crewmembers spent the next ten minutes pulling the boys down and showing them how to wear and use their mag-boots.
"Sorry, we didn't know that's what those boots were for," said Colt. "We haven't been through weightless training yet."
"You're going to have to hustle," said the Cargo Chief. "Get them crates loaded in your ship, and make it snappy."
Colt and Toran tried to move a crate toward the ship when Wes and Garth lost control of their crate, and it started floating away.
"Hey, this is harder than it seems," yelled Wes.
"Just grab another crate," shouted Toran.
Ten minutes later the landing bay was filled with crates floating around. Wes was clinging to the side of one of the crates as it drifted away. Toran wasn't even trying to load crates anymore and was bent over laughing as he watched the mayhem. Colt drew his gun and was considering shooting the un
cooperative crates full of mail, and Garth appeared to be in a wrestling match with his crate. Austin was frantically chasing letters from a crate that had broken open.
The Ava Rom crew stood to the side of the bay laughing.
"The Captain wants to get moving," yelled the Chief. "We don't have any more time to play with these planet huggers, get them crates loaded."
The crew retrieved the crates, the letters, the floating Wes, and had them loaded in ten minutes. The red-faced boys sat in their seats and waited. Several minutes later the pilot sealed the ramp, made his way around the cabin full of crates, and walked past the boys.
"Sir, we weren't here to load crates of mail, were we?” asked Austin.
"Nope," said the pilot.
"Then why?” asked Colt, his eyes dark with frustration.
"It's easy for you Gunslingers to forget everybody it takes to support you," answered the pilot. "The Marshal sends you students up here to learn how hard it is for the support people that stand behind you."
The ship launched from the Ava Rom landing bay for the trip back to the Camp. Wes made jokes about the misadventure, and they all speculated whether any letters were waiting for them in the mail crates. Colt had just settled in and closed his eyes for a nap when the emergency bulkhead door to the cabin slammed shut.
"What's happening," yelled Wes.
An explosion on the flight deck rocked the ship a moment before the boys felt the pull of the ship going to FTL. Colt watched in horror as the emergency bulkhead doors began to buckle outward.
"Spacesuits, now!" yelled Toran, but before any of them could even unfasten their harness the bulkhead gave way in an explosive decompression. A plasteel sheet deployed around the seating area of the cabin.
"Oh crap," yelled Austin. "That plasteel is all that's between us and outside."
"Get your suits on, hurry," repeated Toran.
The boys unfastened their harnesses and lifted the seats to retrieve the spacesuits stored under them. Colt ignored his suit and stared at the gaping hole in the front of the ship.
