THE NIGHT OF THE WOLVES
By Andamogirl
Author's note: season 3.
Reference to the WWW episode TNOT Firebrand & TNOT Arrow.
Reference to my story TNOT Missing Children and to TNOT First Mission.
Jim: Artie, I've had some experience in situations like this. And I've come to the conclusion that they always catch up with us, when we're in a heavily-loaded wagon.
Artie: Yeah, why yes it has.
Jim: Yeah, why yes it has.
Artie: What's that?
Jim: Well, if one of us were to stay back heroically with a few sticks of dynamite, the other might just make it to the fort.
Artie: That's an admirable suggestion. You, you.
Jim: Me.
TNOT Firebrand.
Oconee: West, that meeting you wanted. I'll arrange for it.
Jim: Why?
Oconee: Call it my admiration for your style under pressure.
TNOT Arrow.
Many thanks to my beta reader Tripidydoodah.
WWW
TEASER
The Wanderer
Cheyenne, Territory of Wyoming
Mid-March
Special agent Artemus Gordon of the US Secret Service Division of the Department of the Treasury looked at his reflection in the big mirror that hung in his sleeping compartment, brushing a few tawny and white cat's hairs from the top of his sleeve. Yes, tawny, not orange, he thought.
He looked at his cat sitting on a stool at his side, Marmalade was staring at him with her amber eyes. She was now tawny and white instead of orange and white. She had changed color in a span of two weeks. She was an adult cat now and had reached her definitive color. He had had cats before, since he was a child, and knew that cats' fur could change color with age,, and Marmie was even fluffier too now, he mused.
He petted Marmalade's head." Human's hair changes color with age too and some people lose them as well, you know," he said, hoping not to have gray hair too fast. He ran a hand through his black curls. "Fortunately, I'm not losing my hair…" He paused, smiled and added, "Now that you're tawny, maybe I should call you "Dulce de leche" or "Confiture de lait…" What do you think? You like it?"
Marmie meowed her disapproval loudly.
He looked again at his reversed image in the mirror and smiled. "That's a no, then."
He was Bluebeard the French-Canadian trapper – once again. He loved that character. Bluebeard was strong, and had a perfect calmness, but could be very angry from time to time, especially when he was bored. He was a man of action, who couldn't bear to do nothing for more than five minutes… He was a good shot, but preferred to use his knife. But he kept his rifle at his side, always.
He had added to his fake-nose a grayish beard and moustache, bushy eyebrows, and had put a touch of gray in his messy hair too.
He was wearing a dirty brown shirt, fringed buckskin jacket and pants and old mud- stained boots. He had a belt with a long knife in a sheath.
He smiled, proud of his disguise. "How do I look?" He asked before turning around, to look at his cat sitting on a stool.
Marmalade lowered her head and let out a disgruntled meow.
He smiled. "I know, I know, you don't like me to disguise myself, it disturbs you…" he said, a finger gently rubbing under the cat's chin, eliciting purrs.
He took up the coonskin cap he had placed on the dresser… revealing AG the kitten rolled in a black fluffy ball under it.
Upset at being disturbed, the mini cat mewled.
Artie smiled."Ah! There you are, AG. Jim has been looking for you for half an hour now." He called, "Jiiim! I found AG! He's here!"
The kitten mewled in displeasure and pawed the hat, the fluffy tail especially.
Petting the tiny feline's head, Artie said. "No, it's mine, AG, it's not a toy." Then he put the hat made with the pelt of a raccoon on his head. He brushed AG's black nose. "You still love me?"
The black kitten flopped on his back, exposing his belly, asking for rubs there. Artemus was more than happy to oblige. "That's a yes."
AG purred and closed his eyes in pleasure.
Leaning on two crutches to keep pressure off of his sprained ankle, James West entered the room a couple of minutes after. He immediately spotted the black, fluffy kitten lying on the dresser, on his back, paws in the air, purring, pawing at Artemus's hand. "Ah! There you are furry buddy."
Artie chuckled. "Are you talking to the kitten or to me, Jim?"
Entering the room, Jim scooped up the mini cat no bigger than his hand, and brought it to his chest. "To AG, but you're quite furry too, Artie." The kitten climbed on his owner's shoulder and butted his head against Jim's jawline, claiming ownership of the human – once again. Then he rubbed his head against Jim's neck, purring. "Well… to my cat. But I have to admit that you have a nice furred hat, Artie. Where was he hiding?" He smiled when the kitten started grooming him, licking the hair behind his ear.
Placing a hand on top of his furred cap Artie responded, "He was under my hat… I think he won your hide and seek game, Jim."
Jim glanced at his best friend's disguise. "You look like a real trapper… " Worried, he frowned. "It's going to be a very dangerous mission, Artie."
The older man nodded. "They are all very dangerous Jim, that's why you and I like to do this job so much, never a dull moment in our lives. We love the thrill, don't we? Don't worry, it's not my first infiltration mission, and I was a spy during the war, remember? Everything's going to be okay."
Jim nodded. "I'm not worried about that, but about you crossing a dangerous territory you don't know, filled with large groups of hostile and aggressive Sioux which have left their reservation."
Nodding, Artie said, "They have a good reason to be aggressive, Jim. The Lakota Sioux consider the Black Hills as the 'sacred center of the world", their world. Since settlers have discovered gold there three years ago, thousands of miners and prospectors came to the area, encroaching on the Lakota lands, leading to heightened tensions and conflicts between Indians and the whites. The Lakota bands are defending their lands, attacking settlers, miners and prospectors they consider as invaders. You know, it's not the Lakota people who broke the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 exempting the Black Hills or - Paha Sapa - in the Lakota language, from all white settlement forever… The Army does its best to stop the skirmishes, but I fear that one day, it will escalate into battles and then into a war."
Jim smiled broadly, pressing his partner's shoulder, proudly. "Artemus Gordon, friend and defender of the Indians…"
Raising a finger, Artie added, "And adoptive Comanche and Crow called Strong Bear." Placing a reassuring hand on his best friend's arm, Artemus said, "Speaking of Crow, Lakota are in constant conflict with the Crow, as they want to hunt on the buffalo ranges to the east, in the Powder River area, where the Crow reservation is…" He smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, I'll be very careful, Jim. Besides, I won't be alone on the way to Fort Randolph, it's located 10 miles away from Casper. and a captain of the cavalry will accompany me there, so that I do not get lost in the Laramie Mountains and freeze to death like I almost did the last time I was in the north of the Wyoming territory …"
Still worried, Jim nodded. "Without mentioning the mountain lion which almost mauled you and devoured you back then."
Petting AG's head, Artie said, "I know. But Colonel Richmond told us the man has the strength of ten, is very good shot and knows how to use a knife better than an Indian... I'll be safe."
Jim sighed, not feeling any better. "I know. But I should come with you… I don't like you going on solo missions. I won't be there to help you in case something bad happens… and I wouldn't want to jinx anything, but every time we're apart have serious problems and end up injured… "
Picking up his thick buffalo fur coat from a chair, Artie shook his head. "It happens when we are working together too … And you can't go with me. You have a sprained ankle and you can't walk. I don't need a whole regiment to guide me to the Fort, Jim. One man of his kind is enough. I'm wondering why the Colonel didn't tell us his name… Maybe because we know him, and he wanted to surprise us… But his description doesn't ring a bell… Perhaps he's one of your friends. Anyway, you're going to stay here, Jim. You need to rest." He put on his coat. "And take care of the cats," he added with a smile.
Suddenly someone knocked at the door. "It's probably your escort, the mysterious captain;" Jim said, and then followed by Artemus as he headed toward the parlor suite, AG perched on his shoulder, claws embedded in the material of his burgundy smoking jacket.
Marmalade left the sleeping compartment in her turn and padded behind her owner along the narrow walkway. She leapt on the couch and sat there, waiting, ears erect in curiosity.
Placing AG on the couch, beside his adoptive mama, Jim watched his partner open the door, revealing a tall and massive cavalry officer who was standing on the rear platform.
More than surprised James West opened his eyes wide, blinked and let out, "I just can't believe it! Look who's here! Kirk 'Mountain' Kallikrates!" Then he grinned and joined Artemus. He pointed at the military man. "We were in the same regiment during the war. He was sergeant in my company before I become General Grant's aide de camp. He was my shadow, always at my side protecting me… You got promoted Kal! You were First Lieutenant the last time we met in Washington. You're a captain now, Congratulations!"
Captain Kallikrates smiled broadly. "Thank you Jim! Did you get promoted too? To Lieutenant-Colonel? Or Colonel?"
Smiling, Jim shook his head. "No, I'm still a Major."
Kallikrates frowned, puzzled. "Where is your uniform?"
The two friends hugged for a few seconds, then parting from the other man, Jim glanced at Artie who was sending him a questioning look. He explained, "Kal saved my life at the battle of Vicksburg. It's a long story… To answer your question, I'm a special agent of the Secret Service now, Kal, I don't need to wear a uniform anymore."
Kallikrates nodded. "So you're a special agent of the Secret Service, huh?… And I thought that you would end up general… That job must be real exciting to have left the Army for. You loved being a soldier."
Smiling, Jim nodded. "I did yes… past tense. I know now why Colonel Richmond, our CO didn't tell us who was coming to fetch Artemus…He knows that we are good friends." He beamed. "It's a wonderful surprise. I'm so happy to see you again, Kal!"
The Captain pointed at Jim's crutches. "You're hurt Jim! What happened to you?"
Artie smirked. "One week ago he slipped on an ice sheet, exactly where you stand and he fell on the platform of the New York Railway Station… he sprained his right ankle."
The cavalry officer looked at Artemus from head to toe. "You're the man I have to escort to the fort?... Are you a special agent too?"
Glancing at Artie in full-trapper-disguise, Jim nodded. "Yes, he is. This is my partner and best friend Artemus Gordon… He was General Grant's liaison officer in charge of communications with the other generals under his command. Perhaps you met?"
Looking at his best friend, Artie smiled. Since they had met, Jim had kept the cover he had used during the war, intact. He knew that people out there, ancient confederates, nostalgic for the Great South would have liked to hang a union spy like him to the nearest tree if they met one.
Kallikrates looked down at Artemus, frowning. "No, I don't. But I can't remember all the officers I met during the war, Jim." He offered his hand to Artie who shook it. "A pleasure, Sir."
Artemus smiled. "Likewise…" he said, rubbing his aching hand that the giant had just bruised. "Kallikrates, it's a Greek name…" and he pronounced it in Ancient Greek, "Καλλικράτης. Kallikrates was a famous architect who designed the Temple of Athena Nike on the Athenian Acropolis and, with Ictinus, the Parthenon. I visited it when I was a young man… It's so beautiful!"
Kallikrates nodded. "My parents are from Ἀθῆναι / Athễnai, Athens. They love the Parthenon too, so they gave me that name." He smiled. "Do you speak ancient Greek Mr. Gordon?"
Artemus nodded. "Among other languages, yes. I have the gift of being able to learn a language very easily and very quickly. For example, I learned the Crow language in three weeks."
Kallikrates was very surprised. "Really?"
Jim nodded. "And of course, my partner here doesn't look like that usually, Kal, but he disguised himself as a trapper to infiltrate the Canadian criminal orga…"
Clearing his throat loudly, Artie interrupted Jim. "It's a secret mission."
But Jim waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "Oh, it's okay. Kal's not going to tell anyone, Artie. We can trust him. I was saying that he has disguised himself as a trapper to infiltrate the Canadian criminal organization operating on the border between the Dakota Territory of Wyoming. Their leader called Gary O'Donnell was recently seen with a dozen of his men at the border with those two territories, in Red River Town. Artemus is going to start his mission there. O'Donnell is selling rifles to the bands of Sioux which are attacking settlers, miners and prospectors in the Black Hills, in exchange for gold nuggets – gold nuggets that the Lakota found in the rivers… And then, once Artie has located O'Donnell and his men, he will contact the Secret Service so all of the people working for him can be arrested by the soldiers posted in the area. The President wants those conflicts to cease, before they escalate into a war."
Kallikrates nodded. "Okay…I won't tell anyone, Jim, I promise." He smiled, very impressed. "Very good disguise Mr. Gordon. I would have sworn that you were a real trapper. It looks so authentic…"
Pleased to hear that, Artie smiled. "Thank you, Captain, that's the point." He looked at the gray sky. It was 'full of snow'. "Give me five minutes, and I will join you." He placed a hand on Jim's shoulder. "Goodbye, Jim. Take care. I will send you a telegram once I'm at Fort Randolph. See you in two weeks."
He kissed Marmalade and AG's heads, petted them a few seconds – touched his nose to the cat's and then headed toward the stable car to saddle his horse, Lockpick.
Kallikrates looked at the gray clouds in his turn. "There's snow on the way…" then he looked at Jim again and added noticing that the other man was worried. "Don't worry, Jim. I'll take good care of your partner and best friend. He's in good hands."
Smiling, Jim patted Kallikrates's shoulder. "Yes I know. I trust you, Kal."
Tbc.
