LoneStar of the West: Part2

Tarka:

Erika Smith held onto her doll as the indians raced past her at the fort. She heard guns firing into the mob, and she cried. They didn't even slow down when she held up her paw for them to do so! "How could they not slow down?" she asked herself.

Jeb cursed as Mr Smith turned his shotgun around, firing into his men.

"Krige! Stop him before he busts the line!"

Krige nodded to the captain and ducked a few arrows as they swished by his ears. He came up behind Mr Smith and took the gun out of his paws... not very hard, as he was drunk. He looked to the side and spotted one of the soldiers. "You. Take him to the brig."

Twohart:

Krige growled, "'Fraid not, you. That's it... one step at a time... that's right..." The officer led the farmer, step by step, through the camp, lugging the huge weight along with him with every stride. "That's right, come along now... not much use in sleeping!" he barked a fake laugh, "especially with the weather we're having. Wouldn't you much rather be in your own bed, asleep?... That's it. There you go, sir."

They had reached the armory, a kind of mismatch of this and that, within the fort... the drunken, sleepy farmer looked quite out of place among the polished metal.

Krige shook his head, easing the bulk of his burden onto an upright crate. He didn't know what to do --it wasn't the captain's style to be: 'Go get his daughter--the young one.' He barked again to a curious trainee... "P-pardon me, sir, but the indians are attacking. They won't stop, Sir. Ms Erika, she daid..."

"Dead? What do you mean???"

The already rattled servant stuttered even more. "I asked you--! Oh, what's the diff..."

He looked back at Smith--and ran.

Lillieth:

The servant stumbled and fell against the wall as he turned and started to run. "Ummph!" his inquisitor asked him again, "I said 'what do you mean?"

The servant looked up and rubbed the bump rising on his head.

"Well, she ran right out into the plain... right into their lines. We couldn't see her through all the dust. She must have been killed."

Saying that, he sidled out the door and headed back to his quarters. The captain shook his head and sat down on the edge of the crate again.

"It just doesn't make sense, Krige... why would she do that?"

Krige patted the captain's shoulder softly. "I don't know, sir. But, he was right. She disappeared in a cloud of dust."

Meanwhile not far from the fort, Erika stood watching all the commotion and wondering why they hadn't stopped when she tried to get them to. Now it looked like everyone was fighting and she wasn't sure what to do.

WalksFar:

Comancheros raged around the fort. From inside, each defender took mark and carefully aimed to make each shot count. The fighting rumbled. Defenders fell from the battlements. Outside, horses circled without riders.

Mrs Smith wept uncontrollably and collapsed onto a stack of empty ammunition crates. "My daughter . . . my precious Erika!"

"We're rightly sorry, Ma'am," said a battle weary sergeant.

"When we can, we'll slip out and find her. We'll bring her in," he continued. He slipped his hat off and lowered his head in sorrow.

Mrs Smith lifted her head and wailed.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Erika, dirty and disheveled ran toward Mrs Smith from around a building.

Mrs Smith cried joyfully, opened her arms wide and swallowed her daughter up happily.

The Sergeant blinked, stunned. Where had she come from? A boy ambled up along side him and stopped. He brushed dust and fresh dirt from himself. "Wimmen folk!" he said in feigned disgust while he batted the dirt from his tan furry coat. "One'd think the world ended to hear 'em."

The sergeant looked down at this adolescent boy who was covered with loose soil and dirt then came to the sudden realization, the boy had nothing but his furry coat on.

The boy finished beating the dirt off himself then slipped into a pair of dusty overalls.

The sergeant pointed to Erika in her mother's lap. "How'd . . . ?"

The boy glanced up at him and shook his head. "Sheesh! We're Gophers, fer gosh sake! I tunneled out and nabbed her. How else you think I got to 'er?"

"Son, that was good thinking . . ." The sergeant laughed abruptly. "But . . . you left a way for them to get in."

The boy laughed. "I hardly think so. I connected it to the latrine. I suspect that is flowing in and flooding it up nicely."

The boy turned. "Maw! Maw! She's fine. You don't hafta cry no more. I got her. She's fine!"

Tarka:

Excerpt from Captain Jeb Tredle's diary.

As I sit here in the office tonight, all I can think about is getting down into my roll and sleeping this night away. The Comancheros have camped out about a mile away after todays fighting. They breached the south wall today for a bit. I am not sure how much longer we can stand this. It has been two days of this already. I heard about Ted's grand job of getting Erika back and am still just stunned at the spunk in that young lad. Gave him a medal to go with the spunky attitude of his. I guess that we will have to see what tomorrow brings.

Krige looked into the Captain's office. He was just closing his diary, so he walked right in. "Captain, I think that there is something that we should talk about."

Capain Jeb looked up. "Speak up Krige! As always, whatever you have to say can be said.

Krige nodded. He waved to the door and Ted came shuffling in. "Errr, Hello Captain. Not sure if yer remember me but I was that..."

Jeb laughed. "Yes yes. I do remember you. That was one hell of a brave thing that you did. What can I do for you?"

Ted licked his lips. "Well I have this idea..."

Twohart:

Jeb leaned forward, elbow near his ink pot, "...yes?" he shook his head to clear the ringing from his wound... "Ehm, what did you have in mind?"

Ted nodded--bobbed his head, actually, "Well, I have this idea...the tunnel you see. I did that pretty quick! Ehr, Sir! I was wondering--you know, we can try and sneak up on them from the side, I mean."

Jeb blinked, "Explain..."

---

The tent, hot and stuffy, surrounded her like another layer of fur, staying like a suffocating patch on the wounds of the patients Elle tended to. The cries of the Comancheros made her shiver... and feel all week again...

Another patient yelled! "Coming..." she muttered, and again there was the oppressive feeling from the tent sides.

"That's a good fellow..." she went around the beds.

"Hey! You're doing great, today!"

...and on it went...

"C'mon, hold up your head....it's a handsome one, why not hold it up...?"

"Cuz I can't?"

She grinned, "Lovely Krige. You think I'd abandon you?"

"No, but your eyes are white." He watched the circle of people scurry around... things were shutting down.

"Why not tell me about what you remember...describe them to me, Elle."

His voice was urgent. "Look, the wound's only a scrape--I made it look worse to get in. Order's are no one gets in here without license. There's a plague -- we think the Com's might be suffering from it. That might be why they attacked, to get at our medicine. Tell me..."

Lillieth:

Elle looked shocked and whispered quietly, "A plague? Why has no one said anything about this before?"

"They didn't want to get anyone panicked, Elle. But,, I wanted you to know. That's why I pretended my wound was worse than it is."

Elle nodded and smoothed the bandage over Krige's wound, "I see."

WalksFar:

Krige sighed. "Things're gonna get really riled up by daybreak. I just don't want you worryin' when you find out what's gonna happen."

Elle nodded. I take it you'll be doing something foolish again?"

"Elle, that isn't fair. There's a lot at stake. Our lives and people all over the territory are in jeopardy." Krige took her hands in his... "Promise you won't go gettin' all het up when you find me gone in the mornin'. I promise to come back in one piece."

Elle squeezed his hands. "You were always the fool brave one, always on some new crusade. If you don't come back in one piece, be ready for the longest harrange you ever heard. I'll never trust a word of yours again." A tear fell from her eye and trickled through her fur, to drop from her lip to the floor. Her eyes brimmed with tears ready to fall.

Krige smiled and drew her to his chest. He held her tenderly and stroked her head. "I promise I'll be back. Time's we took the fight to them and got them before they get us." He sighed and kissed the tip of her muzzle. "I WILL be back, Elle. I promise. . . ."

Shadow:

<<Meanwhile, several miles from the impending conflict...>>

A young yet nonetheless grizzled fox wearing dusty and torn uniform greens crested a hill and took stock of the scene. His name was Kaine and he'd spent 14 years in the Ranger Corps to win the coveted position of Field Leiutenant, a position given only to the best of the field agents.

By Shadow

He shifted the heavy rifle slung over his shoulder, wincing as the uncomfortable strap dug in, but he wouldn't have dreamed of leaving it behind. He'd heard the sounds of battle in the area and he hadn't reached his rank through stupidity. He surveyed the scene, frowning on what he saw. This area had experienced an outbreak of a deadly plague, and the Rangers had been forced into the unhappy job of containment through the expedient method of simply isolating and killing the carriers. A dirty, sad, disgusting job, but it *was their job.*

"Doesn't look like I got to worry 'bout it this time, tho.." he thought to himself. "They're plenty lively down there."

Still, it was the Rangers' job to keep wholesale slaughter and pitched battles from happening, and were widely held as the most objective enforcement group in existence. And if anyone needed intervention, these two groups of backwater hi-- err, persons... did.

Kaine sighed. "Well, it's our job. If they listen, fine, if they don't, that's their lookout, but hopefully the Tesaro will serve as an example." The unfortunately provoked extermination of those fanatics had, in the past, always brought groups back into line, "But there are always the folks that think it can't happen to them," he thought sadly.

Kaine pushed the thought out of his head. He had a job to do. He dug into his bag, pulled out some materials and lit a signal fire for the rest of his group... three hours. Three hours to scout around and try and find some locals to help sort this mess out. Kaine shrugged his pack back on and started down the hill, blending perfectly with the vegetation as he made his way to the disturbance.

Tarka:

Excerpt from Captain Jeb Tredle's diary.

Damn, but Teds new plan was inspired! Krige and him will try it out in the morn to see how it will work. It might very well break the siege in no time.

With that I think that I will head to my roll finally.

---

Ted looked at the earth near the edge of the fort closely as he worked his way out of his covers. "This looks like a good spot Krige. You just stay on my tail and we will come out over behind them main tents.

Krige nodded and watched as Ted started to dig, then frowned. He looked at the dirt flying and reached down and tore a bit of his shirt apart, tying it over his nose. This was going to be a long day.

An hour later Ted stopped digging and looked behind himself in the dark. "Hey there, Badger. We are near the spot where we will come out. You still fine?"

Krige spit out bits of dirt and nodded. "Just fine Ted. You just do the digging."

Ted grinned and made sure to keep himself from laughing out loud and started to dig again. They came out just behind a little hill, just out of sight of the enemy came. Krige rushed out of the hole and kept close to the ground as he looked around. "Alls clear."

They both made there way to the top of the hill and looked over the edge.

Kaine perked his ears as he looked over the camp just outside the fort as sounds came to him from the grass to one side. He looked over as a gopher and a Badger came climbing out of a just opened hole in the ground and went up to the hill top and looked over just a few feet to his left. "Well well. Looks like I have found someone to talk to after all," he thought.

Krige heard the crackle of grass to the side and wiped his pistol around, ready too shoot. Then he got a look at the person coming and froze. He knew those clothes.

Twohart:

Kaine made his way forward slowly, like he was in a trap... the fox before him was ragged, dirty... as if he'd been fighting, and was also grinning insolently at him. "Long time and no see, Ranger, " Krige said slowly, "What are you doing here?"

"Could ask the same of you, old friend..." the grizzled muzzle wrinkled. "You, I think you'd better sit down--and please, tell me what's happening?" the fox said plaintively, guesturing to his captives, and with a start, Krige recognized Krige, Ted...the shadows hid the rest, but the breathing told the story of others there, and he had no idea what side they were on. Kaine was part of an extermination team, last he'd heard from the letters the two of them shared--they'd studied around the same town, and he'd remembered hearing daring tales at Kaine's knee.

Kaine was also no fool.

Kaine stared across at him, noting the peculiar odor coming from the other and whistled. "There's no plague among the Com's, is there? Is that what is down there...?" he gestured.

Krige blinked, "That, and my crew... or rather, Captain Jeb's crew. We came here to help the settlers, there was a dispute and--"

"And...?" he eased back--Krige was weakening already....

WalksFar:

"That's what I heard. . . . The Comancheros have plague and they're lookin' for medicine to cure it." Krige look up at Kaine. "There ain't no cure, is there?"

Kaine shook his head. "Just death."

"Not feelin' all that good. Do I got it?"" Krige sat heavily. Ted leaped back from him, eyes wide.

Kaine shook his head. he turned his attention to the boy and eyed his sleek furry body for any telltale signs of disease. "You'd best stay clear of him. We ain't figured out how it spreads yet."

Ted hurried away.

"How long I got?" Krige asked, then changed his concern. "We got a whole fort full of people down there. The Comancheros will get 'em if we don't stop 'em tonight! That's why we're here!" He pulled out a bag from under his coat. "Dynamite! Gonna blow them all to smithereens!"

Kaine knelt down where he was. "They ain't goin' anywhere old friend. My people are already on the way. They won't be around by sun up. Neither will you. Sorry. . . ."

Krige lowered his gaze and coughed. "What about the fort? If I got it, others might."

"I know . . . I know." Kaine looked away. "You know it's gotta be done!"

Krige sighed and collapsed on the ground.

Kaine turned to Ted, was about to speak when he heard a whistle in the dark. "They're here! My people are here. Boy, go down the hill. Don't look back. Don't go down your tunnel. Stay back."

Ted blinked. The fox's voice was hard with a razor edge. He backed down the hill and did not look back. He dropped to all fours and raced through the wood, tears in his eyes. He was young, but he understood... understood everything. . . .

B+ehind him, gunfire rang through the night . . . then a brilliant yellow -light lit the forest with oranges and rippling yellows. He continued to run.

Darkness closed in. Silence filled dark forest. Ted stopped his run high on a mountainside and waited. This wasn't at all what he had thought their mission to be. He wanted to help . . . wanted to be grown up . . . have a adult's responsibility. Tears ran down his face, and matted his fur flat. He cried softly. It wasn't fair. He HATED the rangers and what they did. They had no heart or soul! They just killed!

The brush rustled near where he stood. Ted froze.

"Shhh . . ." A tall dark figure appeared out of the darkness.... a blackfoot warrior. He put his hand to Ted's shoulder and squeezed gently.

"They killed. . . ."

"We know,' said the warrior. Shortly he was joined by many others. "We have left the fort. Your people are not the only ones who dig," he grinned.

A muffled explosion faintly filled the air from far away. The sky flared yellow for a moment and died away. The warrior held Ted and did not let him look back.

"They said there was a plague and they were gonna kill to stop it. . . ." Ted sniffled and rubbed his eyes.

"Yes, the illness. It was in the fort. Many began to show it. That is why we left. The others came after we had gone. I do not think they know," said the warrior.

Another patted Ted's head. "They are foolish, Little warrior. They are frightened by sickness and run in panic from it. They forget their duty to their kind and kill and burn to stop it."

Ted froze for a moment. "You-you aren't afraid?"

"And why should we be, Little Warrior. There is nothing to fear. We know this illness. We have a cure for it." He handed Ted a small pouch. "For your safety, Little Warrior, swallow what is inside. It may not taste too good to you, but you will be safe."

Ted dumped the contents of the pouch into his mouth and downed the nasty concoction. "UHHH!"

The warriors laughed.

"Now we go home." said the lead warrior and he pulled on Ted's shoulder gently.

Ted nodded sadly and followed. There was no turning back. . . .

Shadow:

Ted stopped suddenly, and the Blackfoot turned. "Wait! What about my sister? Did she make it out?"

The warrior's non-expression spoke volumes. "She may have. We didn't see her. I'm sorry. Come, there is much to be done, Young warrior." He turned and led the little gopher away, as tears welled up in the young one's eyes. He wouldn't cry, though. That would be the child's way. "They'll pay," he murmured. "I *swear* it."

Kaine watched Ted depart with a rustle of grass, and turned back to regard Krige and the fort. Krige seemed agitated.

"That was cruel! He's got family in there! A sister!" He pointed to the fort accusingly.

Kaine gave Krige a level look and turned away. "I'm sorry. I has to be done." He got up and walked away as the first Ranger shots rang out.

Krige Yelled after Kaine. "Dammit! Don't walk away! You don't even know If they've got the plague! You're committing them to death, and there may not even be reason!!"

Kaine did not turn, said nothing. Krige turned and watched the battle, awaiting his inevitable death.

Eventually, the surrounding forces had been reduced to nothing, and the Rangers had only the fort to worry about. Kaine stood on the hill alone, a smoking pistol in hand. He had done the deed to Krige himself. He owed his old friend that much, at least. A young Corporal ran up the hill and saluted.

"Sir! We're ready to start in on the fort. We're preparing the explosives now. It'll be quick, at least. Shall we start?"

Kaine looked over the sharp, yet disheveled young officer without expression. Krige's words burned like fire in the back of his mind, but he had duty to attend to.

The Corporal waited anxiously for the order, but was surprised when Kaine said, "Not yet. I have something to attend to, first. Give me 30 minutes, and if I'm not back, another 10. After that, frag the place, it won't matter at that point."

He turned and headed down the hill.

The young Ranger looked confused. "Sir? Sir? Where are you going?"

Kaine looked back over his shoulder. "To salvage my conscience," and disappeared.

Erika had never been so frightened in her life. A new group had apparently come in, and was attacking the group outside the fort. They were silent now, but the Captain said it was only a matter of time.

Tarka:

Excerpt from Captain Jeb Tredle's diary.

Kaine died today out there on the fringe of the camp. I don't really know exactly what made him come into the fort. Only that the sickness was there as well. Even I could see that with Krige. We have managed to evade the rest of the Rangers as well... the few of us left. Seems the Blackfeet were able to bug out as well. Alls the better for them. I have started to swing north again, to see if we can find Erika's brother. It is all of the family she has left.

Jeb patted Trigger on the side and looked over at the handful of men he had left. "Dear God, Trigger, did so many have to die?"

Trigger bobbed his head and whinnied. "It is that is that is. Perhaps if we hadn't stayed there."

Jeb nodded. He looked at a very young rabbit that was next to him. He has been promoted though he didn't look happy about it. "How many do we have left Gidder?"

"Fifteen sir. Sickness free."

Jeb nodded. "The trackers?"

Gidder grinned. "We will catch up with Ted today."

- The end. -