Choice of the Gallant_Paradox Equation I

by Sharon L Reddy

  He pulled the medunit from his pocket and used it on Lane. Sare gasped as she watched tissues knit together.

  "It's what I used on Billy. I healed all but the flesh wound. I thought he deserved to brag about his scars. Great. Now you believe me and you're terrified. Sare, we're the good guys. The Gallants. The white knights. My mother helped destroy an army and rebuilt a world. Dutch's mother was an officer in a service that maintains the highest ideals. She gave her life to save a world. Lane's mother... I don't know. She was searching for our father. He's the true hero. We're just in the family business. Better. At least you're not terrified."

  "You're angels."

  "Definitely not. If Lane hadn't told me your husband was alive, I'd have proved it."

  "How did he... "

  "Know? He sees the future. When it's terrible, we go back in the past to change it. I feel what other people feel. Dutch is the power, the love, that binds us. Lane knew he was going to be shot. It wasn't important enough to change."

  "I was right. You're angels."

  "Nah, just the Gallant boys."

  "Same thing and I don't think you know much about angels. I won't tell Lane you told me."

  "Thanks and you're right. I don't know much about angels. Lane didn't give us much briefing on the culture other than it's a lot like one we know well. He didn't even really explain why this is a frontier."

  "The government bought it from the people who were already here. It was about empty and waitin' for the time we could meet the price. We pay half our taxes in food to earn the land, and they get it for another 68 years. Farmin' just isn't what most like to do, and they kept their numbers down, so the land could support the people huntin' and roamin' over it with their herds. When they just started blendin' in with the city people other places; goin' to school, learnin' trades and such, they worked out a plan to take care of them all and build them some schools and nice parks, horse ranches and such. It's goin' to be one country on more'n half this continent when we get this land producin' and bring the west and east together, and richer for the blendin'. I'm tryin' to think who could war like you say. It would take somethin' that would make someone true afraid."

  "Yes, something is learned too soon. Now, not in close to a century."

  It took two days for the people of the town to come to a decision about the men keeping watch over the ones they'd brought in and put in the jail. Lane was actually 'up and around' by the time the mayor and town council visited them. He was healing incredibly fast. They'd told everyone he was lucky. Not many people could say they'd been back shot, had the bullet bounce off a bone and ended up with not much more than a flesh wound.

  "Mr. Mayor, it's an honor, but--"

  "Take the job, Clete."

  "Lane, we aren't going to be here long. They need someone who wants to help build this country."

  "They need someone now. Today. Next week will be too late."

  "All right. Swear me in. You've got yourself a town marshal."

  The first thing Clete did was make Dutch and Lane deputies. As soon as the official party left, they held a conference.

  "All right, Lane, what do you see?"

  "Snow White and the witch. Sorry, Clete. There's a very lovely young lady who's desperately worried. Somehow, she's the key. Dutch, you're the one she turns to. Clete, the witch is your problem. She's not really that bad. You'll get her straightened out."

  "And just what will you be doing?"

  "Spending a lot of time dizzy, Dutch. It's already starting. I need a chair. Go mingle with the townsfolk. Get acquainted. I'll be all right. I'll even meet you in the saloon. Oh, Clete, you've got another deputy. He's ready to get back to light duty. He's at the boarding house. Look him up. His name is Parker Redlore. Now go. I'm tired of keeping you in focus."

  Clete found Parker Redlore. He was a serious young man recovering from a serious injury. Clete asked to see it and did a bit of sleight of hand with the medunit. Parker decided he was fit enough to stand a watch at the jail. He told Clete he felt lots better. Clete agreed "a reason to get up and around" made a lot of difference.

  Dutch was very good at getting acquainted with the townspeople, half of them anyway. He met some men too. Then he saw Snow White.

  She was fairytale beautiful; black hair and porcelain skin. Perfectly proportioned to fit in a man's arms and lips created for kissing. She was also being hustled down the walk by an older woman. She looked up and right into his eyes. His head swam. He was drowning in twin blue pools. The older woman gave her arm a yank and called her a hussy. She meekly dropped her eyes and hurried along. That's when the shooting started.

  Dutch dove for cover. Six men were barreling down the street on horseback. As soon as they passed him, he vaulted on behind the one trailing. He tossed him from the saddle and went after the next one. He was on his third when Clete dove from atop a porch and took the lead three out of their saddles. It had been a very short jail break attempt.

  Clete and Dutch grabbed two unconscious men each and dragged them toward the jail. It was getting very full. Clete went back for the last two and Dutch got acquainted with Parker. He really liked the kid.

  The townspeople were very pleased with their full jail. They decided to hold the ice cream social, stock sale and dance, they'd been considering canceling, after all. Four men took a big wagon up into the mountains to get ice. They were quite sure the social would be well-attended. Four days was plenty of time for word to spread to outlying ranches the town was now a safe place to bring families. Their new lawmen were personally invited by a large number of people. Early that afternoon, Dutch asked Lane who should watch when. He just smiled at him.

  "All right, we draw straws. Short straw takes first watch. Long straw takes last."

  "Make that four straws, Dutch. I'm in on this too."

  "You got it, Parker. Four straws it is."

  Dutch grinned at his new friend. Clete had been busy. Every time Parker fell asleep on the cot in the office, Clete used the medunit on him. A few more naps and he'd have nothing but a scar to remind him of the hole in his side.

  "Long straw. Well, at least I'll get to see the stock show and have ice cream at the church. A lawman's work is never done. Later."

  "Dutch, you've got the short straw. Clete's and mine are the same length."

  "Ah, well, I wasn't that interested in the stock show and I will get to go to the dance, but I'd sure appreciate it if you'd send me a dish of ice cream. You know, Parker's really dedicated. He's a lawman because he wants to make the 'frontier' safe for people. When we leave, he should be marshal, Lane."

  "Yes, Dutch. A real prince of a guy."

  "Oh."

  Lane led Clete to the ice cream social. He didn't have any trouble identifying Snow White. She was obvious even before he asked for ice cream for Dutch. He grinned at Lane when he identified the witch.

  "I'll take it to him."

  "You'll do no such-- Drat that girl. I'll never turn her into a proper lady. Her father should have sent her to me years ago."

  "Ma'am, I think you're doing a fine job. She seems like a very nice girl."

  "Oh, she's nice enough, but she just won't walk and talk like a lady. I mean, look at the way she ran out of here. No bonnet. Runnin' down the street with a dish in her hand."

  "Ma'am, I think being a lady is something that comes from inside. Any woman can wear a bonnet and walk and talk proper. A lady is something more. She's got you as an example. She's bound to turn out right."

  "Please call me Bella, Marshal. Won't you have another dish of ice cream?"

  "If you'd be willing to join me in that shady spot over there, I'd love one."

  "Lispeth, I'm goin' to sit a bit with the marshal. You come dip."

  Clete smiled as she dropped her apron on a chair and came round the table. He noticed she hadn't put on her bonnet. Bella was a very handsome woman, if a bit strait-laced. He noticed the afternoon was getting warm in his vicinity and wondered if she was planning on loose
ning those laces a bit. He also knew exactly when Dutch got his ice cream.

  "I brought you some ice cream. The marshal said you'd asked and I... "

  She was breathless and blushing. Dutch decided he was going to get hurt. He was already in love.

  "Thank you. I thought it was the only thing I was going to miss this afternoon. I seem to have been very wrong. But now, it's here and you're here and I haven't missed anything after all. Let's sit on the porch. I feel like a real villain eating ice cream and sharing lovely company in front of all those misguided people back there. They call me Dutch. What's your name?"

  "Tessa. I probably should get back. My aunt will be upset if I don't."

  "Was your aunt with you in town a few days ago?"

  "Yes. I saw what you did. You were wonderful."

  Dutch looked into her eyes and got dizzy.

  "Uh, just doing my job."

  He was in trouble. She was pure and sweet and innocent, and he'd have promised to stay with her forever in that instant. And would have. And counted himself lucky.

  "Speaking of jobs, you came to see me for something. You wanted to talk to a lawman."

  "That's just the way Parker says it, proud-like. I been tryin' to think of a way to see him, but my aunt would never believe it was just business."

  "I see. You and he are more than friends."

  "Fore my pa sent me to my aunt's place, he used to come over of a Sabbath and have dinner."

  "Why did your father send you to your aunt?"

  "He said to learn proper lady things, but I don't believe it. He never said anything about it before. He was scared of somethin' and wanted me safe. I'm real worried. I ain't heard from him in more'n ten days and he wasn't in church on Sabbath."

  "It sounds like he may be in trouble. Can you tell me any more?"

  "My pa's a good man. He's real smart. He makes all kinds of interestin' things. He sells some of 'em to people to make lots of 'em. Gets money for every one they sell. We do pretty good on it."

  "A successful inventor. A very rare and talented individual. You said you thought something had scared him. Any idea what?"

  "I don't know more'n it started after a funny little man came to visit. I watched from my window. It was pretty late at night. He got Pa out of bed. He showed Pa somethin' and he got real excited. He put on his pants and went off with him. He snuck back in early in the mornin'. Acted funny when I asked him about it. Said he'd been busy makin' us rich and I shouldn't pry."

  Dutch made the mistake of looking into her eyes again. He swallowed. It didn't help the lump in his throat at all. He hadn't expected it to help the one in his chest.

  "We thought something strange might be going on around here. This town sprouted more than its usual crop of nasties recently. We've been trying to figure out why."

  "Well, two of them fellas I seen afore. They work for a minin' company Pa built some things for. They got a big dig up in the mountains. They come got the things Pa built."

  "Tessa, I want you to go back to the fair and find my brother... Never mind. Why don't you go to the stock show? I think you'll see someone there who will be real pleased to see you."

  "My aunt will be mad, says ladies don't belong in barns."

  "Your aunt probably won't even notice. Unless I miss my guess, she's in the company of my brother Clete."

  "The marshal?!"

  "That's the one. I doubt she'll be looking for you."

  "Aunt Bella with the marshal, she's probably just as glad I'm not around."

  She giggled. Dutch thought it was the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard.

  "Thank you, Dutch. I feel lots better."

  She flashed him a dazzling smile and walked away. He groaned and buried his face in his hands.

  "Dammit, Clete. Not now!"

  Lane walked around the corner of the building and sat down in the chair Tessa had just vacated. Dutch didn't even look up.

  "Go to the saloon, Dutch. Find company. You two were running a feedback loop. Get drunk if necessary."

  "Lane--"

  "Go. I'll take over. You don't want to be here when Parker comes in."

  "You're right. He'll be floating on air and all I'll want to do is ground him. You all right?"

  "Yes. You've made the change. I needed a nice quiet place to let the images settle. Now, GO!"

  Dutch was too busy meeting people to actually drink much, but he had several companions, two of whom were carrying unopened bottles, when he got to the large open area where the fair, which the people called a "social," was being held. The sound of gunfire had attracted his attention. It didn't surprise him at all that Clete found him immediately. He was feeling pretty strange.

  "Dutch, you're going to get drunk."

  "Yes, Clete, I certainly am. Lane's orders. The girls are his idea too. What's going on?"

  "Sharpshooting show."

  "About time for Lane to show up. Let's show off. I need it. Ego boost. Found out a knight loses to a prince."

  "The way it has to be."

  "Come on, girls. The Gallant boys are about to join the show."

  "I'd have never known he'd been drinking. Do you really intend to be in the show?"

  "If Dutch says he needs it, he needs it. I'll find you a nice place to sit and watch, Bella. Just promise you won't go away. I plan on taking you dancing later."

  "Don't you worry, Marshal. I'll be right where you can find me."

  "Hi, Clete, Ma'am."

  "You know what's going on, Lane?"

  "Yes. We'll be waiting for you. Routine three. The whole thing. The horses are standing behind the grandstand."

  "He really does need a boost. Alcohol?"

  "He really does and you know he'd never pull a gun if he didn't know exactly how much he'd had and what its effect would be."

  "Yeah, he wants the anesthesia, but needs the boost. Routine three should be enough of one to reduce the desire for the anesthesia. I'll be there."

  Clete found a place in the grandstand for Bella and met Dutch and Lane by the horses. The horses weren't trained for the routine, but they'd only use them for the intro. They vaulted on. They were riding bareback. Clete nodded and Lane signaled the emcee. They kicked the horses into motion and started boosting Dutch's ego.

  They rode, tumbled, shot, tumbled, shot again. Then they really started showing off. The finale was perfect. Dutch started his run. Lane did the lift and Clete tossed him. He soared into the air, did an impossible double fast draw, and shot the tops off six pennants at the top of his flight. He reholstered the guns and dropped onto their crossed arms. They tossed him into the air and did handsprings. They ended in a line and set six guns spinning in perfect synchronization. They spun and put two shots each through the center of the target, spun guns into holsters, turned toward the audience and bowed. Total silence. They whistled for their horses and vaulted on. They actually got out of the performing ring before the place exploded in cheers.

  "I FEEL BETTER!"

  Lane and Clete laughed. They told their horses they were wonderful and Lane led them back to their stalls, then he began looking for company. The band was tuning up and the dance would be foot-stomping fun. Company found him. A lot of it. Dutch swept through with more company and they hit the dance floor. Clete escorted Bella onto the floor and the town cut loose. They collected guns when a few men decided to shoot theirs into the air. The party didn't get much quieter, but it did get safer.

  "Lane, we're getting out of here. Things are really starting to warm up."

  "I noticed, Dutch. I don't think I'm going to be able to stand the heat much longer either. See you in the morning. Ladies, I'm drowning in moonslight. Save me."

  "Where are they going, Marshal?"

  "Walking in the moonslight."

  "All of them?"

  "I'm the only one who's chosen a lady for the evening. They just have company. Would you like to take a walk in the moonslight, Bella?"

  "Yes, Marshal, I would."

  He sm
iled. She sounded surprised. He could feel her pleasure in the invitation and the surprise.

  "Please, I'm only Marshal when I'm working. I am most definitely off duty. I'm Clete."

  "I'm glad you're off duty, Clete."

  Dutch watched the street from the office. The town was nice and peaceful. It made him feel very nice. He'd had a nice night and didn't have the hangover he'd been planning before they'd showed off. He nodded to Bella and Clete on the walk across the street.

  "That is a changed woman, Lane. She's beautiful."

  "Amazing what a little bit of Clete's own brand of sunshine can do for a late bloomer. Nice thing is, it'll last. She's discovered she's beautiful, Dutch. Now she always will be. Ah, that's the judge. We need to get this done and find that mining company."

  "Did you see him light up when Clete introduced Bella?"

  "Yes. So did Clete. That's one worry off his mind."

  "I'm gone, Lane. Out the back. See you in court."

  Lane sighed and ached a bit for Dutch. He didn't blame him for not wanting to be there when the two approaching the door arrived. He needed a bit of time to bury the hurt a bit deeper.

  "Hello, Parker. You must be Tessa. It's very nice to meet you."

  "Tessa, this is Lane. Isn't Dutch here? We were goin' to ask him to lunch."

  "Sorry, Parker, you just missed him. You two go on. Busy day. There are Sare and Billy Kendirk."

  "Oh, what a pretty dress."

  "Please tell her that, Tessa, and make sure Billy hears. He chose that material for her. He said it was the first store-bought present he'd ever given her."

  "Lane, you're a nice man. All of you are nice. Dutch especially. I felt much better after we'd talked. It was like I had a big brother I could tell my worries."

  "I'm sure he'd be complimented. I don't think anyone's ever said that to him before. Ah, Sare, Billy. You know Tessa and Parker, I believe."