Epic

by Alexander Strijewski

  “Sir, I am a representative of Ireland. I don’t believe I have met you before.”

  “No obviously not --- I think it’s pretty obvious I’m not from around here isn’t it. May I humbly request an audience with you.”

  The plump man begrudged him a meeting in the board room alongside his staff and two other delegates. Finally the time had come, thought dwia. With a flourish, he removed an official looking document and began reading. While first again they were incredulous, slowly the fact that this was for real began dawning upon the onlookers, alongside the rising morning sun.

  dwia read Congratulations to the peoples of earth. You have successfully survived the atomic phase of your evolutionary line without self-destruction. With your current technologies you are on the brink of space travel. According to our records only a few political barriers need to be overcome before you can develop drives capable of proper space travel as currently chemical combustion transportation is dominate due to economic factors. We can help you in this regard. We are the Bollmer Galactic Conglomerate. We believe it would be in both our best interests in forming an alliance before a casual encounter in space. You will benefit from increased technology and we will benefit from enriching our culture with your arts. In order to join, you will have to meet the following qualifications&

  dwia went on. But his thoughts again turned back to something else. He completed his protocol and let the earth people dwell on their futures for a few days, he had other matters to attend to. Somewhere out there, there was a boy in need of a father. He opened up his location transponder and triangulated his position&

  The Ace in the Hole

  As noon struck, the church bells of Glimmer Rock pealed their way through the bustle of a township frolicked in activity. The sonorous gongs made their way through the Red-Eye saloon where complacent tethered horses drained their troughs whilst its patrons sponged on a more powerful liquid amidst a smoky haze. They made their way through the town bank as a butterball banker surveyed his ledgers filled with promise and travelled across corrals of churning cattle, passed the gunsmith, and went through to the farmstead onto boot hill.

  Everyone noted the time, everyone except a lone boy kneeling by a lone headstone. Glimmer Rock was a prosperous town, but not for everyone. As the last remaining Hopi Indian for many miles, little Kachina lost track of the hour when spending time with his father, or at least what was left of him. There was not much left, Natives were not entitled to a proper burial like those of white men, but Hania, his father, had been a close friend of the town Sheriff and this makeshift slab with a cross had been enough to console the young boy. There was no inscription and had there been, Kachi could not yet read. He only knew that he had dearly loved his father.

  After several moments, Kachi got up and made his way back through town, oblivious to the merriment of the Roundup festival and meandered his way into the swing doors of the Deputy Marshals Office for Greater Arizona, and to his surrogate father Sheriff Mark Fenner. The Sheriff was not a very busy Sheriff, quite an oddity for so affluent a town to be sure. Rather than justice, his attention was currently absorbed in finger-bracketing a fly buzzing round his russet leather boots, boots which rested languid on a fine blackwood desk. Kachi stood by for many moments before he was noticed.

  “Kachi! My boy! How long have you been standing there?” said his hearty voice.

  The boy was despondent, but this was the norm as far as Mark could tell, “Not too long.” came the reply.

  “Oh come now! Why so blue? It’s spring harvest, the festivities are about to start. At eight’o’clock we have the Vaudeville arriving on the Overland Express. I’m sure you’d want to see that don’t ya?”

  Kachi didn’t answer.

  “How ‘bout some cards? We never did finish that game of Rummy.”

  Kachi stared at the floor.

  “Aaahh. All right. Ima round up some of the boys to look after things and you and me are gonna saddle up and ride for th…”

  “NO! No. No horses.” The boy blasted and withdrew as fast as he had fired.

  “Oh right, you’re not so fond of our four legged friends. I’m sorry I forgot.” He sighed, “Well, I suppose you haven’t had lunch. Tell you what, let’s get us some porridge and we’ll talk things over? Does that sound like an idea?”

  The sheriff didn’t wait for an answer. He called for the mozo who scurried off to his assignment. Leaning further back in his chair, he Pulled out his six shooter, pin-wheeling his piece while the boy continued to just stand by, almost emotionless. Time passed.

  “Mark.”

  The sudden quiet voice nearly startled the Sheriff out of his wits enough to drop hammer.

  “Whoa boy!” he readjusted his Stetson, now askance, “Yes, what is it my boy?”

  “Mark,” he began, “can you tell me about my father?”

  “You’re father!” he surveyed the boy with a close eye as the mozo returned with the food. “Oh… your father was a good man. You were probably too young to remember him well. But I can tell you your father had unmatched bravery, he was always the first to volunteer, the last to leave. He was a special man, the kind of man who could rope a steer almost by sheer will alone. I tell ya, it was hard to deny him, there was something about him, something behind the eyes, a fire, the kind that could burn right through a man. It was a real shame he had to go.”

  The boy stood, interested.

  “How did he die?”

  “Aww come now, we don’t need to get into that now do we?” he engulfed his first spoon and spoke with a mouth half full, “Look son, all you need to know is how he lived. He was a great man, and you should be proud to be his kin.”

  “But I have to know. How did he die?”

  The Sheriff took another mouthful of porridge, “Well, look the town was not always as peaceful as it is today. This here town is the only one for leagues with its own kennels, its own school house, why it’s even replete with a jewelry store to boot. But the frontier is a dangerous place, mostly filled with those Easterners who have been outcast, men without education, without sense, whose only recourse is to the gun to get his way. There was no law in these parts before we came to town and even now recklessness and lawlessness abounds on our outskirts.”

  “Did bandits get him?”

  Sheriff looked down. He only nodded.

  “Then why are we so safe? Why is there only two lawman here, yourself and Porter? How can you be sure it won’t happen again?”

  He looked up again, “Son, you know the answer to that. We are safe here.” He carefully moved the drapery aside with the muzzle of his Colt and peered out the window at the blithesome mantillaed women and coaches filled with extravagant wares of the East. A caravan of riders was entering the town now in a parade of batwings and dust. The sheriff only looked on, not worried. He finished his sentence. “We are safe, as long as you are here. Without you, this burg here would be a wasteland.”

  * * *

  It was close to three’o’clock when the Sheriff sat alongside his woman, the right honorable Lady Bingham beaming with joy at her new fleshly drapes.

  “Right wonderful isn’t it?” she said spreading the linens across the desk, “It’s marvelous!”

  Mark feigned interest as was his custom, “Just gorgeous doll, you’ll look like a million bucks tonight at the fair.” He embraced her and pecked her one on the lips. “Now my darlin’, if you’ll excuse us.” He got up and made his way to the door. He motioned for the boy to follow him, much to the curiousity of the Lady.

  Kachi had been standing by watching them with silent eyes. One look from Mark told him it was time.

  Together they stepped their way through town, Kachi following behind. Sheriff Mark was quite an impressive sight to behold. A brace of silver chased .45s embroidered a belt which also doubled as his bandoleer, a mark of wealth. An immaculate Stetson rested upon a black mane of hair and a handsome chiseled visage which was bound to make the ladies heart skip a beat rounded out his
image. A small dust cloud followed his 6 foot 4 frame everywhere, due mostly to his authoritative russet leather roweled boots leaving their marks. A man of principle, he cared little for merriment or self-indulgence. His job was one of protection and he took his duties very seriously, when the task did present itself at least. Most of his time was spent at the Marshals office, he never even gave a thought to those in the Red-Eye spending their time in what he felt was the drunkards increasing their degeneracy.

  In a few moments he opened the double doors with little Kachi in tow. “It’s just about time little man. The Overland Express from Sandstone is due to board in a few minutes. Let’s get ready.” They walked through to a hidden alcove and Mark removed a dummy bookshelf. Kachi knew the drill and followed him in, quickly surveying the area to make sure no one was following.

  The antechamber was spartan in nature, only a few amenities were placed near a corner. The space was predominated by a simple carpet and pillow in the center. Kachi sat.

  “It looks like there is no one around.” began the Sheriff, “I will guard you so you have no need to worry. There will be approximately 30 passengers on this train. I need you to focus now,” Kachi closed his eyes, “The only suspect travelers will be of a band of men who were formerly part of the Ragland gang.” Kachi focused his attention, “They should be boarding towards the back of the train,” Kachi relaxed, “You will identify them by telltale crosses on their arms, carved in Bowie knife, an initiation rite.”, the surrounds became the cynosure of Kachi’s attention, “Focus now, boy. Focus.”

  Several minutes passed, a deep calm began to expand across the space, across all space. “Where is Sandstone?” Kachi asked.

  “Directly 10 miles East of Fairbank, right off the San Pedro River. It is marked by a…”

  “I see it.”

  Kachi was detached. Mark noted his speech a diffident echo of his former self.

  “What do you see my boy?”

  The tone was void of emotion and feeling as he said, “They are boarding.”

  Mark himself spoke in soft tones trying not to disturb the trance, “Good boy. Tell me, do you see the Ragland men.”

  Kachi didn’t answer right away.

  “They are there yes.”

  “How many of them are they?”

  “Two.”

  “Tell me boy, this is important. Are they carrying concealed firearms?”

  Again a pause.

  “Yes.”

  “What type of weapons?”

  “The one in front is carrying a Derringer under his lapel. The one behind is only carrying a knife.”

  “Dammit! Those skunks, they know damn well the no gun policy for Glimmer Rock.”

  The boys timbre somehow came across disconsolate.

  “What’s the matter boy? Is something wrong?”

  “There is a man in the front. He is not armed, but he is dangerous.”

  “What does he look like?”

  After a pause…

  “He is wearing a black trench coat. He has black hair, has a goatee and walks with a cane. It is not his body, but what he is saying. He is plotting. He says that the town’s defenses are a joke, he is coming here to recruit others. He wants to take over the town with a group of men. The man conniving with him also appears dangerous.”, there was another pause as they waited for the men to continue to talk, “he is coming here only to stake out the schematics. He will be part of the group to take over this town. He says that he has a group of 20 others who he can recruit to his cause…” pause, “They are now discussing how to divvy up the loot of the jewelry boutique.”

  Mark had heard enough. He knew what he had to do.

  “Good job my friend. That will be all for now.”

  Suddenly Kachi seemed to come to life. He let out a gasp and opened his eyes. Rubbing his head he said, “Can I go now?”

  “Yes my friend, you can go.”

  “Who was the man in black by the way, do you know?”

  “I think I have an idea, he matches the description of someone on the wire who is wanted for bank robbery down south. But it’s not for you to worry about. I noticed that you never finished your porridge from earlier. You must be exhausted, do you want me to get you more food?”

  “Before I could eat it, flies got into it! Always flies and bugs get into my food. Isn’t there something you can do about that?”

  “Sure sure. I’ll have something for you before long, just relax now my young friend. You’ve done well.” But food was not the first thing on his mind now, Mark had the mozo prepare another dish and walked out of the antechamber to his desk. While examining all pictures of wanted outlaws in the county, he called for his deputy and arranged for a posse to be on hand. The passengers of the Express were going to have quite the welcoming committee to greet them at the gates.

  * * *

  Five minutes to eight and the Overland Express announced its arrival with penetrating rings of sound and slowly drew to a halt at the terminal. Once the dust had settled, a motley troop of passengers made their egress. Most of them were performers, some were harmless civilians, others not so harmless.

  Sheriff Mark, had dispatched ten men, all of them volunteers to take the suspicious men directly into custody, no questions asked. Increduluous, the Ragland boys had to give up their weapons almost immediately and without warning.

  Lady Bingham leaned into the Sheriff, “Who are those men, and why are they being taken?”

  The Sheriff adjusted his Stetson, “Those are outlaws, one of them was carrying a concealed weapon. And that one,” he indicated the man in black and his companion, “is Hester McCarther, he wanted in three states for arson and murder. He won’t be leaving here any time soon and if he does, it will be for the gallows.”

  The Lady just watched. It was like stray cattle being corralled by the waiting cowpunchers. Despite their protests, they had no chance, one by one they were shackled and surrounded. “How did you know they would be on that train?”

  “Oh I have my sources.”

  She stood back to let them pass. The Sheriff did nothing other than let them be escorted to the Crowbar Hotel across the way. The man in black took careful note of both of them, spitting at the floor of the Lady. But it was not him but his companion, a very disheveled looking man with a protrubing jaw line that spoke first, “You ain’t got nothing on me, taking me hostage is gonna cost you law dog!” He then cast his snaggle tooth gaze in the direction of her. “It’s good to know you have family, maybe we can drum something up for me be to be guilty of ‘fore long.”

  The Lady shuddered. The man never took his eye off her.

  Mark stepped forward taking on his gaze, “Best hobble your lip boy, or I’ll do it for ya.“ he tapped on the hilt of his gun.

  “Don’t let him bother you my darlin’. We knew they would trouble, we saw him comin’ a mile away.”

  They trudged on past to the jail house. The man kept his eye on her no matter how far away he was, twisting his head to and fro like an owl locking in his prey.

  “Is what he said true? Will you have to release him because he has no charges against him?”

  Just as she finished her question, the disheveled man took his hand and slowly mocked fired a bullet at her forehead.

  Mark began to answer but was interrupted by his shriek, “BAANNNNNNNNG!!!! I’m comin’ for ya daisy! HAHAHahahahahahahaaaaaaah!” Meanwhile the man in black simple continued his tread as if oblivious, both in the custody of Marks ten men.

  The Sheriff began again, “It is true, we don’t have anything on him, but it would seem there is something going on with him. I will wire the Marshal’s office in New York, my guess is that he is an accomplice to the man next to him, the man in black. We won’t be releasing Hester and he will stand trial before long. In a few days, officials will come to take him away. Most likely he will hang.”

  The Lady snuggled up closer to him, “I’m scared. But what if he comes for me?”

  He turned to her, �
��I won’t ever let anything happen to you, you know that don’tcha? In my fifteen years as peace keeper of this town nothing has happened. Nothing! Yet, every other town within hundreds of miles from here has had robbery, rustlers, wanton manslaughter in all directions. Misery has been the lot of man in these territories, but I would never let that happen and here in Glimmer Rock, nothing has ever happened. I would never let anything befall you my dearest,” He leaned in to kiss her hard on the lips, “Now! What’s say we make ready for the finest show in all the land?”

  A smiled began on her lips, along with a suffusion in her face for such a public display, but her doubts had not been quelled, “But how can you be sure? Can you really be everywhere and see everything?”

  Mark adjusted his hat while following the captives with his eyes as they rounded a corner, never letting his eyes off the man in turn. “Yes. Yes I can.”

  * * *

  It was a subdued next few weeks. As foretold, a small contingent from Dodge City had arrived to take the man in black on to his legal doom. He would be hanged. Over the years Glimmer Rock had developed a reputation as an almost impregnable stronghold. No one had even thought to attempt a takeover.

  As suspected, his accomplice had to be released, a sorry fact which the men from Dodge had to concur. They didn’t know who he was. But nevertheless, it was decided that the best course of action was to ship him away on the next train with hands tied. It was perfectly true that he might try to exact revenge, but with the outlaw deprived of his leadership, he figured they would never see him again. Besides, Mark always had his boy to be his eagle eyes. They would be able to spot him miles away, literally. The boy had been doing his sentry duty as usual, there was nothing happening as far as he could tell.

  Kachi had been more than a little out of sorts lately. It was normal for him to be morose, but there was something a little more stirring in him now. He was agitated. Mark looked at the boy as he stared at the flies buzzing round his soup.

  “Is something bothering you kid? What’s on your mind?”