Red sand blew through the waxing morning sun. The train had passed underneath the sand strait in the night, emerging into the Sunset Badlands. The badlands were a maze of bright, almost glowing, red rocks that stretched as high as small mountains. Paths, chasms, and gorges were gashed through the glowing red rocks by nature, revealing a land that fit its name perfectly. The grounds in the shadow of the mountains were dull red sand drifts; slowly crawling in whatever direction the wind pushed them. The sky was red, the sun was red, the mountains were red, and even the sand was red.
Virginia hopped out of the train, yawning as she stretched. Steam blew from underneath the train's wheels as the other three jumped overboard, following Virginia to the end of the cliff they were on, looking down into the badlands below. A soft breeze blew the warm air through Virginia's hair and dress. She searched the ground below, letting the landscape sink in.
"Would you look at that? This place is redder than a tomato frog bleeding on fire!" Gallows rubbed his neck.
Virginia turned to the group. "First of all, I want to say some things before we move on. There are no more towns from this point on. It's nothing but the harsh elements and the creatures that inhabit it. Another is that this area is probably swarming with Drifters, most likely more dangerous then any of the ones we've met so far. So lets be diligent yet careful!" Virginia looked to Clive. "Clive, I'm sorry I yelled at you yesterday. It was obvious you were reminiscing olden times with your friends…"
Clive turned red with embarrassment. "I tried to tell Borgnine that I've grown out of that, but he wouldn't take no for an answer."
Virginia smiled. "Don't worry about it." She looked to Gallows, who was taking all of the goods out of the train and placing them in bags. "Gallows, I want to tell you that I'll help you look for your parents, if you'll believe they're still alive."
Gallows actually put on a serious face and looked Virginia dead in the eye. "…Thanks Ginny. I'll try my best."
Virginia nodded and looked to Jet as the breeze cause her dress to billow to the north. She smiled. "And Jet, this is the final league of our journey. I know you doubt that Nevada and Maya re there, but you got to believe! We need every ounce of belief we can in order to stop an army of Drifters."
Jet just nodded silently.
"And I want to say I don't know if we've made many memories for you, but I certainly have many memories of you." Virginia placed her hand to her head to keep her bangs from blowing into her eyes.
"…I've made lots of memories. We've made lots of memories. And I'm proud of them." Jet replied.
"…Lets stop talking like this. It sounds like we're not coming back." Gallows shrugged his shoulders.
"Quite right Gallows. We have to believe we're coming back, for tomorrow. Now we should leave the train here. Getting closer to Sunset Peak may be too dangerous." Clive replied.
Virginia glanced back to the rising sun and the badlands below. "So Jet, which way is it to Gunner's Heaven?"
"Northeast, but we want tot ravel East for now. And we should try to stray as far from these tracks as possible." Jet stated.
"Man, going on foot is going to take forever. Clive, where are those camel things?" Gallows complained.
"They should be deeper inside the badlands." Clive replied.
"All right Gang, let's move out!" Virginia said, walking down the slope. The others soon followed, leaving the train abandoned and all alone out in the frontier.
Come Listen to a Ranger – Frontier Folk Song
~Come listen to a ranger, you kind-hearted stranger
This song, though a sad one, you're welcome to hear,
Who fought the Comanches away from your ranches
And followed 'em far o'er the Western frontier.
Though weary of routin' an' travellin' an' shoutin'
These bloodthirsty brutes over prairie an' woods,
The 'lection is a-comin' an' they will be drummin'
An' praisin' our value to purchase our food.
These big alligators an' stately legislators,
A-puffin' an' blowin' two-thirds of the time,
No rest for the sinner, no breakfast, no dinner
We sleep in the mud an' we aint got a dime.
No corn, no potatoes, no beets, no tomatoes
The jerked beef is dry as the sole of your shoe,
We fight in our blood an' we sleep in the mud,
An' what in the hell can a poor ranger do?
No glory, no payment, no victuals, no raiment,
No longer we'll fight on the Texan frontier;
So guard your own ranches, an' fight the Comanches
Yourself, or they'll scalp you in less than a year~** *
Deeper in the badlands, as Clive put it, was rough navigating. The red sands were hot and thick, often trapping a Drifter by engulfing a Drifter's foot. The sun was rising, but clouds rolling in kept the badlands that red glowing look. Virginia found it very odd and surreal, almost ominous. The winds were constantly whipping at the dunes, kicking the fine red powder into the breeze and blowing it across the barren rocks that stood out.
"This looks like as good a spot as any to catch a camel." Clive finally said, stopping.
"Here? Don't you think they'd be by a lake or something?" Virginia asked.
"Nope, they should be roaming around here. Camels are built for deserts like these." Clive took out his notebook, reviewing his notes.
"…What exactly IS a camel anyway Clive?" Gallows asked as the moaning of the wind continued.
Clive, while reading, started walking over to the nearest boulder. "Camels are large quadruped mammalians who roam the deserts in small herds, eating whatever vegetation they can fine. There large, padded two toed feet creates a large mass of surface area ratio, causing them to walk across dunes such as these without sinking. They have a long, flexible neck, which allows them to drink water without sitting down and creating a vulnerable position to predators. The Dromedary species, the type that lives out here, has one hump on it's back which is composed of fat, which can store water for weeks. In addition to all these, they are strong pack animals that double as riding animals. That should cover it."
"Huh?" Gallows looked confused.
"You'll see. Quickly, all of you come over here!" Clive demanded.
The three confused Drifters complied without hesitation. "What are we doing Clive?" Virginia asked.
"To obtain a camel, we'll have to surround one. These Dromedaries, from what Borgnine told me, are quite gentle. Every one will hide behind a different boulder as I place one of these grasses in the middle. Once a camel comes, we should calmly and slowly come out. Virginia, you need to come to its head and start petting its snout like you would a horse. The rest will try to pack it. Be sure not to spook it, as we only have one try for each camel. One camel will not be able to hold all four of us! Got it, or do I need to explain it again?" Clive explained.
"I think we got it Clive. We're not all like Gallows here." Jet rolled his yes.
"HEY! You take that back!" Gallows roared.
"Never. Now shut yourself and lets start the plan." Jet grabbed a grass and ran out to the center filed of four sand blasted boulders, placing the plant down. He then ran to his corner as everyone else bunkered down for the capture.
Time passed. The clouds stayed, keeping the red cast upon the land. The wind continued to blow, which Clive was hoping would cause the scent of the grass to drift out into the frontier. Virginia was growing edgy. Hours had passed and not a single camel had shown. A small desert lizard came by, but no camel. She sighed.
"Clive? What if the camel never comes?" Virginia asked sullenly.
"Shh! Look behind you slowly!" Clive ordered.
Virginia did as she was told, slowly turning her head as not to cause any fear. What she saw was one of the strangest creatures she had ever seen, and Virginia had seen a lot of strange creatures. From her crouched position, she glanced up to see an easily six foot tall creature at the shoulder, with long legs and an equally long neck. Its head was reared up, searching for the grass. Its numerous thick eyelashes rode in front of two brown eyes in what resembled something of a goat face. The beast had yet to notice Virginia, but Virginia was shaking with fear. The camel grunted as it sniffed the breeze.
"We're supposed to ride that thing?" Gallows asked.
"We've rode on weirder things, or perhaps you've forgotten all about Lombardia." Jet eyed Gallows.
"Well look at it, it's possibly the weirdest looking riding thing ever." Gallows rambled.
The camel walked in to the ambush, completely unsuspecting. Virginia noticed the powerful legs. Being kicked by those wouldn't be fun. She gulped. "Show time." She whispered.
The four walked out, trying not to run nor creep as the camel stretched its long neck down to pick up the grass with its flexible lips. Gallows was the first one to reach it. Slowly, he placed a hand on its side, slowly petting the wooly texture. Jet did the same as on the other side as Clive closed in towards Virginia.
"Virginia, don't let it know you're afraid. …You are afraid, aren't you?" Clive asked, raising an eyebrow.
Virginia shook her head silently, slowly coming to the camel's head. The camel' head was seven feet off the ground now as it chewed on the grass and a white fluidic thing that the Drifters knew as cud. Virginia began to stroke the animal's neck slowly. The tanned wool felt soft and comfortable under her hands. Virginia took off her white glove in order to give the animal a gentler rub. The camel lowered its head, presumably to get its muscular snout petted as well.
"Hey! This one's a girl!" Gallows called from his crouched position along the side.
Virginia acknowledged this fact and softly spoke to the animal. "You're a pretty camel, aren't you? Yea, you feel nice and soft." Virginia was overcoming her fear of camels, moving her hand over the camel's snout. The camel's tails swung from one side to another while it made a sound that resembled a sheep's "baa".
Clive patted the camel's thigh. "That's one camel down. One to go." The camel raised its head and swerved its long neck so it was facing Clive. She then made a grotesque sound and spat on Clive's red jacket. The camel continued chewing grass and cud as it faced Virginia once again, waiting to be petted. Clive tried wiping the white mixture of cud and spit off, but it didn't seem to be working. With a disgusted look, he returned to his pack to retrieve the camel reigns he had retrieved from Borgnine. "This one's yours Virginia."
Virginia giggled. "So who's riding with me on this pretty camel girl? Hmmm?"
"It depends. Who's getting point?" Gallows asked.
"I am of course! I'm becoming fast friends with her." She then looked to the camel. "I wonder what your name is? Do you even have a name? Hmmm…. What do I call you?"
Gallows gave a disgusted look. "Ungh. Jet, that camels all yours."
Jet was surprised but secretly relieved. "Me? Why me?"
Gallows placed his hands up as if it were obvious. "Someone's gonna have to have a lot of guts to ride that thing with Leader girl." Gallows then secretly winked. "And then somebody has to protect her, eh?"
"Gallows, Jet! Get back into place! There's another camel to get, you know! Virginia, don't try riding her yet, but pull he reigns slowly and comfortably so she's not in sight." Clive said as he placed the second blade of grass in the sand.
Jet started for his position as Gallows did his. Clive walked back to his and Virginia, who was chanting in baby talk to her new friend, walked off beyond a sand dune.
Gallows looked to Jet, nodding his head to Virginia's presence. "Camels. Who knew?"
"Shut up Gallows. We have to catch another one." Jet replied.
