[The Gunslingers, Book II, Chapter 9] [Burger and Fries] “I haven’t seen you in here before, have they called in the cavalry?” asked the Communications Deputy. Wesley shrugged, “Not really, but… you know.” “Got tired of being on the outside, is that it?” “Yea, kind of,” Wesley fiddled with the knobs on the Com-link. “Tell you what, I don’t have any news about Colt, but I have something you can take back to your friends,” The Deputy adjusted the dials back that Wesley was messing with. “Okay, what?” asked Wesley. “Gunslinger Austin and his team have been advanced early and will be arriving in two weeks,” confided the Deputy. “Really?” “Yep, they don’t want to hold a Gunslinger back any longer than necessary.” “Thanks,” Wesley jumped up and headed for the meeting place next to the dining hall; Cora and West were already there. “You’re supposed to be in the Com-Center,” said Cora. “I have some news you’ll want to hear,” replied Wesley. “About Colt?” Cora’s eyes lit up. “Not quite, close though,” said Wesley. “Just tell us and stop being a pain,” West looked up from his physics textbook he was studying for tomorrows test. “Austin will arrive in two weeks,” said Wesley. “They advanced him early.” “I’ll kill that traitor,” Cora grinned and her eyes narrowed. “Cora, they tricked him and you know it,” said West. “I wouldn’t have fallen for it, and as smart as Austin is, how could he be tricked so easily… no, he’s a traitor.” “Just give him a chance to tell us his side of the story,” said West. “Okay, then I’ll kill him,” said Cora. *** Wes watched Jack disappear over the buildings and ran down the street to put a bit of distance between him and the stolen Roach Coach. “Did he have wings on?” Wes just realized Jack had been wearing wings. The riot was moving his direction, time to put a stop to it before it turned into looting, or worse. Wes left the side street and onto the main road the riot was moving down. The crowd didn’t look like it had flipped to mob mentality yet, but then again he didn’t really have any experience other than a few lectures in class during Phase 1. People ran past in a panic, most probably didn’t even know what they were running from. The main crowd was still ahead and moving this direction. Wes needed something bigger than the riot, that’s what his instructor in class had said. The people just needed to see something unusual enough to stop them. A truck, abandoned in the chaos, was parked across the road. Wes had an idea but would need help. He grabbed the first person that ran past him, the man’s eyes were wild and panicked; Wes let him go and the man ran on. The next man he grabbed was the same, as was the third and fourth. These people spook way too easy, thought Wes; I need someone with a bit of grit. What’s wrong with this city? Wes saw a boy, well… more of a young man, around his age, and running the same as the others, but he looked more like he was having fun, something different to do. Wes grabbed the boy, his eyes weren’t wild, just cautious, and maybe curious. “I’m Gunslinger Cain, Justice of the Peace,” said Wes. “How would you like to be a deputy?” “Really?” the boy grinned. “Okay.” Wes dragged the boy over to the truck and opened the door, the keys were in the truck, that was convenient, he hadn’t even thought about needing the keys. “Raise your hand,” ordered Wes. The boy did as he was told and Wes searched his eyes for any sign of fear… none… I wonder if the Council ever bothered searching this world for possible Merits. “Do you swear to uphold the peace and obey my orders?” asked Wes. “Sure, why not,” replied the boy. Good enough for now, thought Wes. “Okay, you’re a deputy, get in the truck,” ordered Wes. “When I say, you lay on the horn and don’t let up until the battery is dead, or you’re dead, or I say stop.” “Do I get a gun?” asked the boy. “Get in the truck,” Wes shoved the boy up and into the cab of the truck, slammed the door shut, and climbed up on top of the roof. The crowd running past was getting thicker now, he needed to end this now or the riot would spread. Wes stomped his foot on the roof and yelled for the boy to hit the horn. Wes drew his gun and pointed in the direction of the crowd. His flex-armored duster, the cowboy hat and the gun slung on his hip, though he wasn’t thinking about it at the moment, was all designed to provide a unique lethal Gunslinger appearance and instill fear. Wes fired into the air twice and then pointed the antique revolver at the crowd; the ancient firearm was a thing from the distant past and unlike modern weapons, was very loud and gave off a cloud of black smoke when fired. The shock was enough and the crowd nearly trampled themselves trying to stop. Wes waited a moment until he could make eye contact with one of the men in the crowd and motioned him to walk slowly around the truck. One by one he motioned for people to walk around the truck, and then as they calmed down he let them go in two’s and three’s. Some chose to go down side streets, others turned and went back the way they came, but the effect was the same. The vision of the armed Gunslinger on top of the truck and the blaring horn had been enough to pause the crowd long enough to let them take a breath and think themselves back to rational behavior. Wes jumped off the truck and gave the boy the signal to let up off the horn. “That was so awesome, am I still a deputy?” “Do you have somewhere to be?” asked Wes. “Parents, home, school, something?” “Naw, been months since I been home,” the boy made a face and shrugged. “My dad drinks too much, and then gets mad when he loses at Bone Dice and takes it out on me. I’m never going back there.” “Do you know where the Justice of the Peace office is?” asked Wes. “Yea, of course, lived here my whole life.” “Take me there,” said Wes. “You don’t know where your own office is?” “Just show me.” *** Wesley listened to the thousands of transmissions coming from Gunslingers all across the Tri-Alliance and the Empire, but nothing was about Colt. “I think we can stop monitoring the Com,” said Duke. “If nothing has come yet, nothing will.” “I think you’re right,” said Wes. “Cora, it’s up to you.” Cora stared at the equipment, she didn’t want to give up, but it was pushing four months now and there hadn’t been anything. “I don’t want to give up, but we need to move on,” Cora dropped her head sadly. “I’m all cried out, they would have escaped by now if they could.” “Come on Wesley, let’s all go to dinner together,” said Duke. “I’m skipping dinner, I just want to stay a little longer,” said Wesley. “I owe it to all of you.” “Don’t stay too late,” West picked his books up and shoved them in his backpack. “We have that physics test tomorrow morning and I heard Admiral Ryota’Sar himself will be monitoring the water recovery test in the afternoon.” “Okay, just a little longer,” Wesley said slipping the headphones back on. *** “I’m worried about Ben,” said Toran. “He’ll be fine, it’s just a cold,” replied Colt. “I don’t think it is, he needs to be in a hospital. Colt glanced at Ben sitting in the sand next to Garth; Ben had has arm draped protectively over his Magic Box, and he was coughing and didn’t look well. “Colt, he wasn’t inoculated as a baby like we were,” said Toran. “Heck, he doesn’t even have a wrist implant to help monitor his vitals.” “I’m sure he’ll be okay.” “I’m from Carina, Jack is from Darai, you and Garth are from Corvus, and I’m sure Garth has had contact with family from Cormon, and we’ve all been to Sanon… I mean Cyness,” Toran corrected himself. “We’ve exposed Ben to the viruses of five different worlds, and he doesn’t have any protection against them.” “What do you want to do,” asked Colt. “Leave him here,” said Toran. “They’ll find him and take him to a hospital.” Colt walked over to Ben and knelt down in front of him, Ben was covered in sweat and shivering. “I heard what the sea monster said,” Ben looked at Garth. “You won’t let them feed me to the other sea monsters, will you?” “You need to stop calling him a sea monster,” said Garth. “That’s below you and embarrasses yourself as a Cormon, little brother.” “I’m sorry, I mean… I heard what Toran said.” “Colt, he goes with us,” said Garth. “Do I have any say in this,” asked Colt, his face turning dark. “In most things what you say is law,” Garth looked calmly in Colt’s face. “But not in this, I won’t let you do it again.” The color drained from Colt’s face, Garth was referring to when he had sacrificed Austin. Colt stood and took several steps back in shock.” “That wasn’t necessary,” scolded Toran. “Yes it was,” Garth said softly. “He still has some growing up to do.” “He didn’t leave you behind when you were injured,” said Toran. “We almost didn’t make it trying to push you to shore.” “Where’s Wes?” asked Garth. “Is that what you are mad about?” said Toran. “We looked, he was gone.” “We are done talking about this,” said Garth. “You shouldn’t have suggested we leave Ben behind.” “Guys, stop it,” said Colt. “Garth’s right, I’ve made bad decisions that have got us in trouble, I’ll try to do better and listen more, okay?” “We’re tired and hungry and taking it out on each other,” said Toran. “I’m sorry I suggested it, but I’m worried about Ben.” “He’s a Cormon,” said Garth. “He will live or die, but not by giving up, right little brother?” Ben nodded weakly, “I’m a Cormon, I’ll be okay.” “Toran’s right,” said Colt. “We’re all just hungry, none of us has really eaten in months, I’ve already cut six holes on my belt I keep losing so much weight.” Garth stood and put a hand over his eyes to shield from the setting sun and stared out at the horizon. “What’s that?” asked Garth. Colt and Toran looked out at the sea where Garth was looking. “It’s a ship,” shouted Colt. “Everyone off the beach, get in the trees, now!” The boys ran for the tree line and took cover in the bushes as the ship approached. “What the heck is that?” whispered Toran. “I don’t know, but it can’t be Jack, it’s not a Dart Ship,” Colt whispered back. “It’s orange,” added Garth. The bright orange ship came in fast and only slowed when it was over the beach. The Ship turned and dropped down on the sand, the landing struts amazingly enough didn’t sink into the sand. “A Roach Coach?” whispered Toran. “Are they bringing us food?” The menu’s printed on the side of the ship added to the prismatic color scheme of the gaily painted ship. The words ‘Breakfast Burgers’ emblazoned across the hull to be followed by temptations of every manner of hotdog, chili dog, sausage dog, sauerkraut dog, cheese dog, and corn dog. Even the tail was brightly painted with the mouth watering promise of candy apples, caramel apples, chocolate covered apples, and that followed with no less than five different types of cotton candy; Colt had always been fond of cotton candy, his favorite was the blue kind. The rear ramp of the Roach Coach lowered to the sand and a small winged figure walked down the steps. “Jack?” said Colt. Garth was the first one up and heading across the beach to the ship, and pulling Ben along with him. “Oh ancestors, I think I love you, Jack,” shouted Garth. “I want a double burger, fries, soda, two hotdogs, a burrito, and do you have some of those twisty waffles covered in powdered sugar?” Colt, still lying in the bushes staring at the ship turned his head to say something to Toran, but Toran was already up and headed towards the ship. “I want fish chips, fries, an extra large soda, and some of those little deep fried donuts with cinnamon on them,” shouted Toran. Jack was grinning from ear to ear but also looked very concerned about something. “I told you to get a Dart Ship,” said Colt running across the sand to catch up with the others. “What is this?” “It was a really big city and it wasn’t like Darai,” said Jack defensively. “I couldn’t find the Dart Ships, but guys, we have to go now.” Jack pointed at the horizon. “They came up out of the water a few minutes after I past the border of the prison,” said Jack. Colt could see them now too; the horizon was dotted with at least two dozen ships coming fast. “Load up, we have to go!” shouted Colt. The team scrambled to throw everything they owned in the back of the Roach Coach and just finished as the first Dart Ship roared past, flying low and fast. “That flag on the side,” shouted Toran. “That’s the Pyran military, we’re on Pyra.” Colt followed everyone up the ramp and pushed past to get to the cockpit. Garth was already stuffing food in his mouth and Toran was trying to get the soda machine to work. “Jack, we need to launch now,” said Colt. “I’m on it, Boss,” said Jack. Colt noticed several burger wrappers on the ground around Jack’s pilot chair; he had obviously been enjoying the bounty of his very strange theft on the flight back to the island. The ship lurched and leaped into the air. Jack pushed the thrusters all the way forward and headed for orbit. Colt looked back at his team and found them trying to hang on with one hand and save the cascade of chips, buns, bags, and other loose items flying out the open ramp. “Jack, shut the ramp!” *** Wesley pulled the headphones off and set them down, there would be no news. He reached for the switch to turn off the Com and noticed a new set of messages arriving on the high-priority link. Probably just another Raven attack, but I better record it for the Com-Officer. Wesley slipped the headphones back on and listened; the breath caught in his throat. “Holy chocolate covered ancestors,” cursed Wesley. Wesley threw down the headphones and spun around in his chair and flipped on the Vid-Viewer, it was on every channel. Wesley jumped up and ran outside; students were casually walking towards the Dining Hall, carrying books and talking among themselves. “They found him!” shouted Wesley. “They found him!” The Dining Hall was packed and Wesley had to push past the students waiting in line. “Hey, wait your turn,” grumbled a Gunslinger student. “They found him!” shouted Wesley shoving past and into the long building, students turned to see what the excitement was. Duke stood and held his arms up for everyone to be quiet. “Where? Did you hear something on the Com?” asked Duke, Cora had her hands over her mouth while tears formed in her eyes. “No, he’s on GNN,” shouted Wesley running up to the giant Vid Screen on the wall and turning it on. “Colt is escaping, it’s on GNN, the news satellites picked it up as soon as the Pyran Air force started chasing him.” The cheering was deafening and the Deputy Marshal stood but Marshal pulled him back down. “There are over three-hundred armed and angry teenage Gunslingers in this room,” whispered Marshal. “They’ll tear you apart, just stay in your seat.” “Pyra?” West said rushing over to the view screen. “They were in a Pyran prison?” The Vid-Screen lit up and immediately showed what the news satellites were picking up; a fleet of Pyran Darts with the purple flag and insignia of Pyra on the side. “Where’s Colt?” asked Cora coming up to stand next to Duke. “I don’t know, but look, those ships coming in from over there,” Duke pointed at the screen. “Those are Kitsune Battle Darts, see the gold and white trim, there must be… yea, there it is, a Kitsune Battle Carrier.” A ship past so close to the news satellite the students jumped back. “Who’s got the remote control,” shouted West. “I do,” said a student. “Back that up, I want to see the insignia on that ship that just went past,” said West. The Vid backed up frame-by-frame and stopped when the insignia on the side came into view. “What the blazes,” said Duke. “That’s the Sheriff insignia from Sanon Minor, or Cyness Minor, whatever they call that damn planet now.” “Okay, let it play real-time,” said Duke. The news vid jumped and the students watched, trying to figure out which ship was Colt. A new group of ships entered the screen and the students grew deathly quiet and almost in mass turned to face the staff table. The Marshal stood and stepped in front of his staff, his hand on his revolver, and motioned the staff out the side-door. “I’m the Gunslinger Marshall General and I did what I had to do,” said the Marshall. “I uphold the law and you need to remember who you are too.” “Everyone stay calm,” shouted Duke. “The Marshall’s not our enemy.” The Marshall nodded and backed out the door with his staff. The students turned back to the Vid-Screen and watched three Gunslinger Teams in Dart ships join the chase. The Marshal knowing Colt would eventually try an escape had them waiting in hiding. “Colt’s fighting three fleets!” shouted a student. “No, four fleets,” shouted another Gunslinger student. “Look, there are more ships coming in.” “Who are they?” “No clue.” “This isn’t a fair fight, they didn’t bring enough fleets to take down Colt,” shouted West. The students cheered and stomped their feet. “They look like they’re chasing that orange ship right there.” “What the heck is that?” “I think it’s a Roach Coach,” said Wesley. “He’s escaping in the Gut truck?” Duke said incredulously. “It had to be Garth’s idea.” The Dining Hall walls rocked and the laughter was thunderous. The battle was being passed outside to students that couldn’t push through the crowds to see what was happening. “Colt’s fighting four fleets in an unarmed flying Roach Coach, and winning!” shouted a student at the door to the other students outside. The orange Roach Coach weaved and spun on it’s axis and flipped and performed acrobatic moves that shouldn’t be possible for such a ship; it was almost comical the way the orange ship was maneuvering around what should be superior Battle Dart Fighters. “Jack has got to be flying that thing,” said Cora crying. “That right there is the whole reason the Kitsune have never been able to invade Darai, nobody can fly like a Daraian,” said Duke. “Well, someone can,” said West. “The Sheriff’s ship is keeping up with it.” *** Colt hung on for his life and tried not to throw up; Jack was pushing the ship into impossible maneuvers. A chance glance back at his team saw Garth covered in what Colt hoped was strawberry sauce, Toran appeared to be trying to save the matching chocolate syrup, and poor Ben was wrapped around a soda canister screaming. “Jack, we can’t take this much longer,” shouted Colt. “I’m trying to get clear,” Jack shouted back. “There’s just one ship I can’t get off my tail.” The Com-link crackled and a red light next to it indicated someone was trying to contact them. Well, thought Colt, probably everyone chasing them was trying to contact them. He had been surprised when they made it into orbit to find a Battle Carrier there, and the Gunslinger ships were just plain hurtful. How much more betrayal was the Marshall going to throw at him. Colt flipped the Com-switch on and a voice came over the speakers. “… over now, you are under arrest,” said the voice and then repeated. “Shut-down your engines and pull over now, you are under arrest.” “I know that voice,” said Jack grabbing the Com-mic. “Tyler, is that you?” “Jack, you are a wanted fugitive,” said Tyler. “I am placing you under arrest.” Jack looked confused for a moment and glanced at Colt, the expression he got back was, ‘I’m sorry, everyone is betraying us these days’. “Tyler, go to hell,” Jack shouted into the Com-mic and then laid his hand on the thrust-lever and pushed the ship into light speed.