Special notes: I tried something grammatically different in this story. I didn't use dialogue tags. Let me know if it's too hard to read. [The Lone Gunslinger, Chapter 3, Map Puzzle] [Morning Brief] *** Closed circuit daily Vid-Screen brief, 0300, General Dissemination Good Morning Gunslingers. This year's Long Run is completed, and though I had hoped for more, I'm excited to have nine new trainees with us this morning. The results of the Long Run are as follows: Gunslinger Simon has agreed to mentor Hero (eighth place); Hero earned his name when he not only bravely stayed in the kill zone to lead seven runners to the hidden corral, but again displayed heroism by returning to the prairie to save an eighth runner. Hero has been chosen as his class leader. We will be watching Hero closely and have high expectations for him. Hero has been marked for command training. Command Leaders outside the classroom are expected to provide this young man with training as needed. Gunslinger Giles has agreed to mentor Stumble (ninth place); Stumble earned his name when he stumbled, exhausted, less than a quarter mile from the finish line and was pulled to safety by Hero. Stumble can expect extra endurance training to ensure he never again finds himself in such a situation. Gunslinger August has agreed to mentor Thunder (first place); Thunder earned his name when he thundered across the finish line in first place. We commend Thunder for organizing the charge to protect Hero and Stumble during the last quarter mile. Gunslinger Matt has agreed to mentor Feeder (second place); Feeder earned his name when he cleverly threw his rations at the beastie cats to escape. We commend Feeder for his ability to adapt and wisely use his resources to complete the run. We will be watching Feeder closely and have selected Feeder for deep range reconnaissance training. Gunslinger Cyrus has agreed to mentor Twig (third place); Twig earned his name by forgetting he had guns and used a leafy twig he found and beat a beastie cat with the twig. The cat was so startled by the unusual attack that Twig escaped. Twig's quick thinking has earned himself a place on the deep under-cover training program. Gunslinger Willet has agreed to mentor Rock (fourth place), Rock earned his name by not knowing how to use his guns, instead, he fought the beastie cats with a slingshot he had brought with him and used rocks he found on the ground for ammunition. Rock will enter the unarmed combat training program. Gunslinger Judson has agreed to mentor Sprint (fifth place); Sprint earned his name by walking to conserve energy and sprinting away from beastie cats with a speed never before seen by any runner. Sprint has been chosen to represent us at the Gunslinger Games next spring. Gunslinger Elias has agreed to mentor Misfire (sixth place); Misfire earned his name when he attempted to use his flare to quit. The flare failed to fire, and Misfire wisely chose to complete the run. The flare has been sent to the laboratory for analysis, and an investigation has been initiated to determine if the manufacturer is at fault. The Gunslinger Legal Corps will make a determination later whether the manufacturer is criminally negligent. Gunslinger Silas has agreed to mentor Sleepy (seventh place); Sleepy earned his name when his horse brought Sleepy across the finish line sound asleep atop his mount. We don't recommend this technique, but I do commend Sleepy's horse for having the sense to take care of its rider. The following camps are near the new trainee's camps, and I expect you to provide assistance in their training as your duties permit: Gunslinger Ezra and Ace Gunslinger Leo and Dung Gunslinger Basil and Ammo Gunslinger Leland and Blade Gunslinger Stewart and Club Gunslinger Theodore and Rattlesnake I would also like to mention that whoever decided they were hungry last night and ate the apple pie and left a mess in the cooks kitchen is expected to turn yourself in for two hours of kitchen duty. No other disciplinary action will be necessary. Clean your mess up after you raid the kitchen. Now get out there, be safe, keep the bones of your ancestors close, and get some good training in. Also be on the watch for lost boys in the forest. The new trainees, as always, start with Map Puzzle Relay this morning. Commander Conrad Lone Gunslinger Corps *** [Lost Boys] I finish reading the Vid-screen and tap the screen to bring up my training schedule. The first item on the schedule says 'run' and I tap on the word 'run' to bring up a new screen with instructions about the event. The instructions say to print two maps, I see the print button at the bottom of the screen. I push the print button. Two maps print out from the bottom of the Vid-screen. The first map has my name on it, and the second map has Twig's name at the top of the map. I have no idea which of the other boys is Twig. I didn't even know my name was Hero. Simon was calling me Hero all night long, but I thought he was just teasing me. Simon had led me up into the mountains yesterday to our cabin, and despite being tired from The Long Run, I found the walk enjoyable. He explained that unlike some of the branches of The Order, this would remain my home forever. Simon said the Team Gunslingers change camps each year, and even after training are often moved from planet to planet, and is the reason they have Dart Ships and we do not. Simon says we have corral cargo ships for drops onto a planet when we are given a mission. I think the horrible drop we did yesterday was a test to see if we could handle doing drops. I don't want to get on another ship, but at least I'll always be able to take Horse with me. Simon took me to a Ferrier, and Horse was re-shoed and then he took me and Horse to Camp Simon. I saw many cabins in the woods, and each one had a sign that identified the camp with a tin-can hanging on each of the signs. Simon warned me never to put anything inside the cans, though I don't know why. Camp Simon was like the other camps I could see from the path or maybe more of a small dirt road covered in pine needles. I left Horse in a small barn next to the cabin after brushing her down, giving her some oats, making sure her water was full, and then covering her with a blanket. I nuzzled her nose and whispered goodnight to her, I think we will be great friends. The cabin is small, with a fireplace, kitchen, and table�the Vid-Screen is on the wall next to the table. There is also a big soft chair, and rugs covering the floor, and Simon has a bedroom to one side. I have to go through Simon's room to get to the bathroom. I had a terrible experience with the bathroom. I asked Simon where I should put my guns. He told me never to go anywhere without at least my revolver. I didn't listen and paid dearly for the transgression. I left my guns sitting on the table and went to use the bathroom. I had just sat down, thinking how luxurious it was to have a clean in-door bathroom to use when Simon whipped the door open, pointed his revolver at me, and shot me. My chest still hurts, and I have a huge bruise. Purple paint splattered all over my chest; it wasn't a real bullet. Simon tossed my revolver to me and warned me not to make the same mistake twice. He slammed the door, and I don't know if I was more horrified at being shot or having my privacy invaded at such a moment. But, I know I'll not forget my gun again. I came out of the bathroom red-faced, but Simon acted as if nothing had happened. He showed me my bunk next to a wall near the fireplace, and the chest at the foot of the bunk to put my clothes and personal items. Then Simon showed me the Vid-Screen, and how it worked, there is only one channel, my training schedule. He explained that I'm a man, and it would be up to me to be where the training schedule told me to be. So, here I am at three in the morning�the alarm on the Vid-Screen woke me�and I'm getting ready for the first training event, though I have to wonder why 'run' is the only thing on today's schedule. I'm ready for this and take the maps and head out the door�with my revolver on my hip, I won't forget that ever again. The morning is nice, warm, and I jog along the path and follow the map. I'm not tired; I'm excited to be here and I find the intersection where I'm to meet Twig. One of the boys from yesterday is at the intersection when I get there, and we exchange the maps. Now I know which one is Twig. The new map shows me the route to continue running, and I meet with Thunder and we exchange maps again. I continue to run, but the path doesn't seem quite right with the map. At the next intersection, I have to wait for the next boy for almost ten minutes before he shows. "Hey, you Rock?" "Umm... no, I'm Sprint, you Misfire?" "No, I'm Hero." We look at the maps and decide to exchange maps and maybe it will sort itself out at the next map exchange. Sprint heads the direction Misfire was supposed to go, and I follow Rock's map. I run to the next meet point and find two of the boys there. "Hey, your Stumble, I helped you yesterday." "Thanks for that, you saved my life. But, I'm supposed to give my map to Sleepy." "I'm supposed to meet Feeder." "I'm not sure anymore who my map goes to." After several minutes of comparing maps, we exchange our maps and each of us pick a different path hoping for the best. That was the last I saw of anyone. The sun came up, and I saw a few cabins and decided to ask for directions, but nobody was home at any of the cabins. I tried following the path back the way I came, but then I didn't see any cabins or anything at all. The sun was directly over-head, and I was hopelessly lost when a boy ran up to me... umm, no, it wasn't a boy, she was a girl. I had no idea there were girl Gunslingers, and she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen, not that I had seen many. "Hi, I'm Ace, you done touring around the mountains yet?" All I could do was stutter and nod my head. "Come on, lost hero boy, follow me." I followed Ace for about an hour before we were back at Camp Simon. I tried to thank Ace, but all I managed to say was 'umgah oat wheat'. Ace gave me a wry grin, and I fled to my cabin. Simon was there but didn't say anything; he just pointed at the table where some food was waiting. I ate, checked on Horse and then went back to the Vid-Screen for instructions. The schedule said 'sleep' and I did that gratefully and didn't wake again until the alarm went off at 0300. I checked the schedule�'run'. I pushed the print button and got three maps this time and headed outside to try again. I run to the same intersection as the first time, exchange maps with Twig, but the second intersection the same thing happened again. "Hey, Sprint." "Hey, Hero." "Wrong map?" "Yep." "Keep running?" "How about you take my route, and I'll take yours, maybe it will work itself out." It didn't work itself out. I didn't see anyone at all and by mid-morning I was standing at the edge of a lake. I didn't know what we were doing wrong? I walked along the edge of the lake and was grateful when I finally saw someone. A Gunslinger was sitting on a log fishing. "Excuse me, Sir?" I stop at the Gunslinger. "Which one are you, boy? "I'm Hero, Sir." "Rattlesnake, stop messing with him and get out here." I look around to see who the Gunslinger is talking to; I hadn't seen anyone since it was dark and I had traded routes with Sprint. A Gunslinger steps out from behind a tree startling me, at least I think he's a Gunslinger, but I thought only the trainees had the weird names. "Aww, come on, I was having fun, Raph." "Get the lost puppy back to his camp, Rattlesnake" "Come on, Hero." I follow Rattlesnake and an hour later I'm back at Camp Simon. Rattlesnake starts to walk off, but I have a question. "Wait a second, Sir." "Not a Sir, not for a long time I hope, but yea, whatcha need?" "What are we doing wrong?" "Took my class near a week to solve the puzzle, you gotta figure it out on your own." I head to the barn first and brush Horse down and make sure she has food and water before going into the cabin. Simon points at the table where food is waiting. I look up at the Vid-Screen, it says 'Firing Range' for four hours and then 'sleep'. I tap on the word 'Firing Range' and another map comes up. The map says the Firing Range is behind my cabin. "Your first range practice." Simon puts a hand on my shoulder. "I'll be out in a moment to give you the first class in range safety." I want to ask if range safety includes not shooting people while they're in the privy. "Okay." I pick up my guns and head for the door. "But if that map is as accurate as the 'Run' maps, you'll have to come get me at the lake." [Firing Range] I find the range where it's supposed to be, there are dirt berms surrounding the practice range and an old wooden table at the open end. I can hear gunshots echoing through the mountains and assume the other boys in my class have also begun practice. Simon shows me how to shoot, and the next two hours are fun, and I finally hit the black circle in the center of the target. I'm so excited I turn around to see if Simon is watching. Simon's eyes go dead cold, and I can't believe anyone can draw that fast, his gun just materializes in his hand, and he's pointing it at me. Then I realize I'm pointing my revolver at Simon. I think he's going to kill me, and I start shaking so bad I dropped my gun, and it goes off. A red streak appears on Simon's cheek. I'm dead. I fall on my knees and throw up. Nothing on the farm prepared me for this strange life I find myself. I wait for the shot, but Simon holsters his gun and picks my rifle up off the wooden table and walks over to me. His eyes are still dead cold. "Get up, boy." I stand on shaky legs, and he shoves my rifle in my hands. "Put it over your head." I do, and he yells at me again. "All the way, arms locked straight up�now go out to the road where the sign is and run laps to the intersection and back, and don't stop until I tell you to, and I want to hear you yelling, 'I can't follow range rules and shot my mentor' the entire time." On my fourth lap, I see Twig coming up the other path, and he has his rifle over his head�Twig is shouting, "I like to look down the barrel of a loaded gun." My arms are burning, and I'm having a hard time holding the rifle up by the eighth lap. I see Thunder running towards the intersection with his rifle over his head and yelling, "I shoot the windows out of my cabin." On the tenth lap, the three of us reach the intersection together at the same time. Thunder grins. "This isn't fun." Twig nods. "Hey look, here comes Misfire." Misfire has his rifle over his head and is shouting, "I drop cans of live bullets." "At least you didn't shoot your mentor." I turn around and keep doing my laps, but I notice I can't hear any more gunfire echoing and imagine all of us our now running up and down the roads being punished for doing something stupid. Simon comes to get me for dinner, and I follow him back to the cabin. I check on Horse first, and in fact I stay out with Horse for such a long time Simon comes out to the barn. I start shaking a little when I see Simon. I never flinched when the man and woman put me to the lash, but for some reason Simon scares me. Simon looks at me for a moment before speaking. "I see, let's get this out in the open." "Yes, Sir." I don't know what he means. "I saw your back when you put your shirt on this morning," Simon puts his hands on my shoulders, and now I know he sees me shaking. "I will never use a lash on you, or unfairly, or cruelly punish you. You did something foolish in your excitement; you've been punished with a fairly standard punishment, now it's over." And that's it. Simon turned around and started walking back to the cabin. "I'm sorry I shot you." "It's over, Hero, drop it, and come get your dinner, it's getting cold." I ate and checked the schedule, it says 'sleep' and I sit on my bunk and watch Simon for a bit. I notice the target with my shot in the black spot is pinned to the wall over my bunk. Simon is sitting in the big chair next to the fireplace reading a paper. I lay down on my bunk and turn over to face the wall and pull a blanket over me. Simon is a hard man, and a bit scary, but he is fair, and the punishment wasn't bad. He gave me Horse, and a good place inside to sleep and cooks for me, and... I think for a long time, and... "Simon?" "Yes, boy?" "I wish you were my father." "Go to sleep, boy." [Puzzle Solved] The alarm on the Vid-Screen wakes me, and I jump out of bed. I walk over and look at the screen; there is a new Daily Brief remark from the Commander. I read over it and turn red at one of the comments. ...'had a good day yesterday, despite Hero shooting his mentor and the other new trainees having some safety issues on their ranges. But, not the first time that's happened. Hopefully, a few laps carrying their rifles have solved their attention spans, and they'll be more careful on the range from now on'... I flip the screen back to the schedule and tap on the word 'run', then I print the new maps for the day and look at them. Something is wrong with these maps, I'm sure of it. I type an inquiry into the space at the bottom of the screen for text messages. *Is there a way I can talk with the other boys before we start the run training?* The Vid-Screen flashes and the words, "Command Conference initiated by Class Leader," scrolls across the screen. Then nine new boxes appear with our names at the top of each box. I think I'm looking into the cabins of all the other boys. Thunder and Twig are already there, and a moment later the other boys come into view. "What's up, Hero?" "Hey, Hero, ready to run to the lake again?" "No, guys, I think these maps are wrong." "What can we do about it?" "Yea, if they are doing it on purpose, how do we fix it?" "Look, at the bottom of the 'run' instructions it says 'check your maps'." "I have checked; I got mine." Sleepy is the one that figured it out first. "Oh my gosh, why didn't I think of that." Sleepy types a command in the text box, 'show satellite image of camps with paths superimposed'. The nine boxes move over, and a new box opens and shows us a new map. "What is that?" "That's not anything like my map." "Yes it is." Sleepy holds his map up and turns it slightly. "We've been assuming that our camps are the start points, but their not. See, my map fits if I make my start point at Rock's cabin." "Holy horse patties, my start point is at Misfire's cabin." "Mines at Twig's cabin." I hold my map up and turn it around, and it matches if I start at Sprint's cabin. "Find your start points, let's go!" Simon is holding the door open with an amused grin on his face when I turn around to run out the cabin. "Good job, go get 'em, son." I trade maps with Twig at the first intersection, then Rock, then Sleepy, then Misfire. At the fourth intersection Thunder waves me off to keep running. "No, it's a trick, we just happen to be crossing this intersection at the same time, go to the next intersection." We all run for almost an hour trading maps back and forth, and then we all end up standing in front of a big building with the aroma of cooking sausage coming from it. "Did we do it right?" "What is this place?" Rattlesnake walks past us. "Yes, you knuckle-heads did it right, this is the Dining Cabin. Nobody has solved the map puzzle this fast since Simon was a trainee, so I'm told. You all plan on standing out here all day or you gonna come get some breakfast?" We cheer and slap each other on the backs and push and jostle each other as we run into the Dining Cabin for breakfast. The map puzzle is solved, I wonder what's next?