The New Lancer
Author's note: Have you ever wondered why the lancers in Los Angeles are so clumsy and incompetent and never managed to shoot Zorro? Look at them with a different eye!
Disclaimer: This story was written solely for the enjoyment of other Zorro fans and is not intended to infringe on any copyrights held by Goodman/Rosen Productions, New World Television, Zorro Productions, the estate of Johnston McCulley or anyone else.
Chapter 1 — First Day
"Are you are the new lancer?" Alcalde de Soto addressed him when he entered the alcalde's office.
"Si, Alcalde, Private José Martinez, at your service." Martinez saluted the alcalde as he stood in front of his desk.
The alcalde skipped over some papers in front of him. "I asked the governor in Monterey to send me a good man, and what I read from your papers here, you seem to be the one. Before you were stationed in Monterey?"
"Si, Alcalde. Under Comandante Escobar."
"The comandante writes you are one of the best rifleman he has and who never misses his target."
"Si, Alcalde."
"And you are a good horseman as well. Very well." The alcalde looked at him. "Do you know what is the greatest problem here in Los Angeles?"
"Si, Alcalde, the outlaw Zorro. Even in Monterey we heard of him. I'll do my best to finish him."
"Excellent, Private. With that attitude you are the right man here." The alcalde got up and opened the door of his office. "Mendoza! Mendoza!"
A few minutes later the sergeant arrived, a little breathless from his run.
"Alcalde, did you call for me?"
"Mendoza, this is your new soldier, José Martinez, fresh from Monterey. He's an excellent shot and will help us to get Zorro. He can teach you and your incompetent bunch of lancers a thing or two about shooting."
"Madre de Dios, a new lancer!" the sergeant sighed.
"Mendoza, you should be grateful the comandante in Monterey is sending us one of his best men. Why are you complaining?"
"It's just the work of showing him around and getting him acquainted to Los Angeles," the sergeant backed up.
Outside, Martinez saw a lancer standing guard. "Pedro Sanchez, is that you?" he addressed him.
"José Martinez, what are you doing here in Los Angeles?" Sanchez was surprised to see him.
"I'm now stationed here. The alcalde asked for reinforcements to capture Zorro, and the comandante in Monterey sent me to Los Angeles. But now that I see you, I can't believe why they sent me here. While we were stationed together in San Francisco, you were the only one to best me in shooting competitions. An excellent rifleman like you should have been able to shoot Zorro. Why did the alcalde say you were all incompetent?"
"Sanchez, do you know Martinez?" the sergeant asked.
"Si, Sergeant. Martinez and I were stationed together in San Francisco before I came to Los Angeles."
"Sanchez, you'll show Martinez around then. Any complaints about him and you'll eat together with him in the garrison for a month," The sergeant ordered.
"A month! Sergeant, you can't be serious," Sanchez complained.
"You heard what I said, Sanchez!" the sergeant was firm.
"Sergeant Mendoza, you'll have no reason to worry about me. I'll do my best to fulfill my duty and help you with capturing Zorro," Martinez assured him.
The sergeant didn't seem to be very convinced by his statement and rolled his eyes. "I have to get back to the tavern, before there are no more tamales left." Then he turned around and headed for the tavern with the big sign "Victoria".
"Is the food in the garrison really that bad, Pedro?" Martinez asked his comrade.
"Yes, that's why nobody eats there if he can avoid it, but the food in the tavern is the best in the area. That's why you should avoid getting cross with the owner, Señorita Escalante. She has a fiery temper and if she banns you from her tavern there is no helping you."
"Pedro, tell me about this outlaw Zorro, why aren't you able to catch him?"
Sanchez started to talk about Zorro, explaining what an excellent swordsman he was, how neither the old nor the current alcalde had ever been able to beat him with the sword, and with his whip he would pull you from your feet in a heartbeat. Then he would whistle for his horse to outrun you like the tornado his horse was named after. And he was impossible to catch and very cunning, because he always knew what was happening in the pueblo.
"Pedro, you sound as if you admire him, but he is only an outlaw, and it's our duty to capture him," Martinez interrupted him.
"Yes, José you are right. He is an outlaw, but you need to stay by my side if he comes into town and have your sewing kit ready. Now I'll show you the cuartel and the rest of the pueblo." Sanchez changed the topic.
The food in the tavern was as excellent as Martinez was told, and the work was like in any garrison in California and his comrades in the garrison were decent fellows. Martinez thought he could like it here in Los Angeles.