"The Tales of the West"
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Outlaw Star, nor its characters.
by Laguna
The desert sun made it's descent as day became night, clops from two horses became audible as most of the animals seek shelter from the night. A dim light blinks over the horizon. "Cmon Gene, bad enough that you wasted all of our rations, it's getting dark already." Jim complained. "Jim, look on the bright side, we're not dead. Calm down, I know what I'm doing." "The only thing you know is how to get in trouble." Jim replied. "THANKS A LOT, OLD BUDDY!" As they made their way closer toward the town; empty bullet shells, shreds of wood from wagons litter the ground all over. One strange element is the tractor trails. "I wonder what happened here," Gene thought out loud. "Ever thought about the fact that a gunfight occurred?" Jim said furiously. Only a few buildings were left standing, but only one seems occupant at the moment. The duo hopped of the horses back and tied the reins to the pole. They made their way through the double swinging doors, only to be greeted by barrels of a shotgun. "Who are you two?" the tall man demanded. "Uh-heh…. closing time already?" Gene cracked. "Laguna!" voice came from the closet. A little girl with purple hair came out, holding some supplies "They are our customers! Cain't you see?". "Guess I'm just a little jumpy after the attack an' all". "The attack?" Gene replied. "Yeah, by this big yahoo named Hazanko, he was looking for the Arizona Leyline.". "THE ARIZONA LEYLINE?!?" Gene and Jim said out loud in unison. Jim continued "But, isn't the leyline..I meant. It's just a rumor. Is it?" "That's what people believe." "So what does this Hazanko fella want with you?' Jim asked. Knowing that Laguna wouldn't bother asking the question, she decided to answer the question herself. "They were after the Outlaw Star". "Hanmyo! Why would you tel…" Hanmyo broke in "Don't worry Laguna, they cain't possibly work for Hazanko, besides, we were the only ones who knew about Proffesor Gilliums project. I don't think it would hurt for them to know." "Hey professor" Laguna almost in a commanding tone. The professor was asleep at the bar. He jerked his head up and looked around. "Feh! Who called me?" the professor said out loud, wanting to know who woke him. "I did professor, mind telling that red-headed cowboy everything about the Outlaw Star? "Fine, but that will be five dollars Lag." The professor responded. "Fine….Hanmyo, can you go down and see if the general store still standing? If so can you go get some food for our dinner, you can bring that blonde kid for protection." "WHAT?!?" Jim heard the conversation. "Cmon Jim, have fun with the little girl." Gene said joking with his friend. "Alight Laguna, I will." Jim responded. The two made their way out of the double swinging doors of the bar. "What about you Laguna?" Gene asked. "I will search through the debris of the barn, maybe I can rummage up something from the mess. Just stay here and listen to the professor." Outside the bar, the two walked slowly towards the store. "So Hanmyo, Laguna your father or something?" Jim asked curiously. "Naww…..he treats me as if I was his daughter though." Hanmyo sighed and began to look at the stars. "So, how did you two meet anyway?" "Laguna found me in the desert when I was just a little baby, he said I was alone and I was lucky to survive in the desert." "Pretty interesting, I guess." "So Jim, what's your story?" Hanmyo took her turn in the conversation. "Me? Well, Gene and I are partners an' we own our own railing company, the Westward Rails." Jim said proudly. "Then why are you two out here in the middle of nowhere, especially on horses I might add." "Well…..we are surveying for land and where to have our rails and stations located." Jim said on top of his head. The fact that he was with a girl made it sound like he was making up the whole story. "You know what Jim?" Hanmyo said out loud "We were destined to be together!" "WHAT?!?" Jim spited out. "Don't you see Jim. How can you possibly find such a small town out of nowhere and the fact that this town isn't on any map. Fate has drawn us together." Hanmyo said happily. "I think it's a mere coincidence." Jim thought out loud. "Yeah, lets start packing for food." Hanmyo said. With all the talking, Jim never knew they were at the general store. Back at the bar, the two were already in the conversation. "So doc', what makes this train so special?" Gene questioned. "First of all, I am not a doctor, I am a professor and second, this "train" as you call it can track its way to the leyline by following the stars in the sky, bascially, it's a giant compass which can tell the stars location and run on that course." By the time Prof. Gillium explained the specific detail about Outlaw Star; the whiskey got to Gene's head and already asleep. Laguna barged in through the double swinging doors, waving some documents in the air. "Good news Gil, I have found the exact path that the OLS will take." Laguna said wile sifting through the documents. "Really? And how did you do that?" Gillium asked, very much curious. "Just look at the stars of course, the five week "Basic" training survival in the desert really paid off. I see Gene out, where are the two kids?" At the well, not too far down the lane; Jim and Hanmyo decided to talk more about each other underneath the desert stars. "So Jim, why a railing company?" Jim cleared his throat and responded "Good question, my family has a thing where the child takes on a job that could change America for good, I doubt that will every happen. What about your family?" Jim forgot what she told him. "As I said before, I was abandoned by my parents when I was a baby." Hanmyo sighed and looked up at the stars "All I have is Laguna." "Sorry about that Hanmyo, I guess I forgot. Let's head on back to the bar, I can carry the stuff." "Are you sure Jim, the stuff are mighty heavy." Hanmyo warned her new blonde friend. Jim took a hold of the sack and made an attempt of picking it up only to fall face first on the ground. Hanmyo giggled at the sight and "Told you so!" She took a grab of the heavy sack and helped Jim back to the bar. "So Gil, Gene drank the whiskey from the top counter, didn't he?" Laguna asked. "I warned him about it, all he said is that he can take the stuff and took it.' "Geezus Gil! That's the tenth time this month already. Ten times we have a bum drink the whiskey!" The two kids walked through the double swinging doors, each holding part of the sack full of food. "Hey Hanmyo, Jim. What did you two get?" "Uhh" Hanmyo look inside the bag for the contents "Just some 'tatoes, carrots and a large salted ham." She listed. "That? Again? Nevermind, what took you two too long, I can already hear the coyotes hollerin at the moon!" Hanmyo butted in. "Jim an' I were just talking." "Ok Hanmyo, one thing. Can you go help the proffesor cook the food?" Handy made her way back with the sac of food. "Hey Hanmyo need any help?". Laguna cut him off. "I see you take a liking of Hanmyo, you do know we are like family? In other words, I want you to look after her. Don't get her hurt. Got it?" Laguna questioned. "Don't worry Laguna, I will take care of her." About an hour later, the dinner was set and dissapeared as fast as it came through the back door. The two kids were starring at each other. Laguna brought up some news "We have to wake up early, so go to bed already!" Laguna cleared the bar and left Gene sleeping where he was. The others went to the bunks and fell asleep. Night became day. The sun rose and the beam hit through the window, exsposing the airborne dust. The five all met in the lane and saddled up on their horses and headed west. Beginning their first adventure together.
There, chapter one completed? Too long huh? Well sorry about that, I promise to make the upcoming chapters shorter than this. So once again, no threats whatsoever. I only take bribes!