"The Gladiators"
Chapter 2
By Lorrie
Disclaimer: The following story is based on the characters of the TV Series "Walker, Texas Ranger". The characters belong to CBS Productions, Top Kick Productions, Washo Brother's Entertainment, etc, but the story is mine. ALL DISCLAIMERS APPLY. (No copyright infringement is intended.)
The bottom of the ravine, just off the road:
Gage's eyes fluttered open against the light of the full moon. He tried to sit up, but slumped back to the ground as he was reminded of the weight bearing down on his chest.
He tried moving his arms and found that only the right one seemed to work right. After nearly an hour, he finally maneuvered the piece of bike off of his torso. A pain shot through his chest and left leg as soon as the twisted metal hit the ground. "Arggh!" He cried out into the darkness, his voice echoing across the hillside.
The pain lessened slightly, but as he tried to sit up again, a wave of dizziness hit him. He opened his mouth to speak, but passed out before the words reached his lips.
Walker's RAM:
"How much further?" Trivette asked as they neared the small town of DeKalb.
"I'm not sure. Gage's notes mention a bar called 'Wheels'. We might want to start there."
"Are you sure you hadn't rather start at the Sheriff's office?" Trivette asked.
"Let's go into town and get a room, then you can check in with the Sheriff while I check out 'Wheels'." Walker suggested.
Trivette nodded. "I can live with that, but are you sure you don't want some back up?"
"I won't need it. I'm not going to let anyone know who I am." Walker turned into a small motel and he and Trivette went inside.
The Drug Lab:
"Whoa!" Nicole exclaimed as 'The Man' stopped the bike just outside the shack where the drugs were being produced.
"Pretty cool eh?" 'The Man' asked.
"Very cool. I'll bet no one would have ever found this place."
"That's the idea." 'The Man' said as he started towards the lab.
Nicole followed close behind him, knowing that this was the break she had been waiting for. Now she would get to see who the cook was and the ingredients they were using for the two new drugs that had hit the streets of Miami and were now on their way to the streets of Dallas.
"Go see Shay, he's the head cook and see what he wants moved out next." 'The Man' instructed Nicole as they entered.
Nicole left the room they were in and rounded a corner. There she found Shay, amidst the ingredients for the drugs.
"Shay?" She asked.
"Who wants to know?" The gruff man asked.
Nicole reached into her pocket while no one was looking and switched on the mini-tape recorder she had hidden there. "I'm Nicole. 'The Man' said I should see you about what you want moved next."
"'The Man' just don't realize how delicate this operation is. We can't just move on a moments notice and expect the stuff to stay stable!" He pounded his fist on the table in front of him. "I need more time to get this batch perfected, then we can move out!"
'The Man' came in just as Shay finished his little speech. "Shay! Who's running this show, me or you?"
Shay looked down for a moment. "You are, but if you want this stuff right, then I need time to get it right."
"And you'll have all of the time you need once we get to our next destination. It's not too far away. A little town called Decatur."
Shay nodded. "I know of it. If it's not too far from here, why move at all?"
"The cops are focused on DeKalb. We need to get out of here before they start focusing too hard on us. Besides, we've already wasted one cop and I have another on the spit, just waiting to be fried." He laughed at his own twisted reference to Sydney and how she was tied to the bed.
"Cole, take these tubs out to the van." 'The Man' handed her two empty tubs to carry outside.
After she left the room, Shay turned to 'The Man'. "Are you sure that you trust her?"
'The Man' shook his head. "I don't completely trust anyone and probably never will."
"Words to live by son. Words to live by." Shay said as he started packing up his supplies.
Nicole came back into the room and picked up a box loaded with vials of "Devil's Tail" although she didn't know what it was when she picked it up.
"Be very careful with that. It's all breakable." Shay shouted as he turned and saw Nicole holding the box.
"I've got it Shay. Don't worry about it." She took the box outside and just before putting it in the van, she lifted two vials from the case and placed them in her pocket.
The Gladiators former hangout:
Even though she was still tied to the bed, blindfolded and gagged, Sydney could tell that the house was empty. "I have to get out of here." She thought. "I have to find Gage." She tried to sit up, but her arms were spread too far to allow her to move much. Her head began to sway as she struggled against the ropes that bound her. In minutes, she was unconscious again, a result of the last injection 'The Man' had given her before he left.
Her unconscious mind began to think of Gage and the last few words 'The Man' had left her with. "That's right, your partner is dead!" "Sorry little Ranger, but I can't risk having you around." The words kept coming at her from all directions and she couldn't reach her ears to keep them out. "Was Gage really dead. Was she going to die here, surrounded by all of this darkness?"
DeKalb Sheriff's office:
"Howdy boys, what can I do for you?" The older Sheriff asked as Walker and Trivette came into the office.
"I'm Ranger Walker and this is Ranger Trivette. We're looking for two of our people. They were working an undercover assignment here in DeKalb."
"What kind of assignment?" The Sheriff asked.
"Infiltrating and bringing down the Gladiators." Trivette replied.
"I wish somebody could get them out of my town. I haven't seen them lately, but you may want to speak with the coroner. I've definitely seen what their new drugs can do to people."
Walker nodded. "Thanks Sheriff. We'll do that. " As they turned to leave, Walker stopped. "Sheriff, where do the Gladiators hang out?"
"Just off 29. There's an abandoned farmhouse. I've heard that that's where they're holding up for now."
"Thanks Sheriff. If you hear anything, let us know. We're at the motel across the street."
"Will do Rangers."
"That got us nowhere fast." Walker said as they headed out.
"Walker, it's nearly 9:00. We're not going to find many people at work right now. Why don't we wait until morning?"
"I'm not sure that Gage and Sydney have another morning!" Walker snapped at his partner and immediately wished he could take it back. "I'm sorry Trivette. I just have a lot on my mind."
"I'm worried about them too Walker. I know we need to find them, but I also know that we need to talk to the right people."
Walker headed for the RAM.
"Where are you going?" Trivette asked.
"To talk to the right people." Walker replied as the took off, leaving Trivette standing in the motel parking lot.
'Walker's RAM 10:00 p.m.:
Walker had driven around for a while. He knew he had to prepare for this encounter at 'Wheels' if he expected to get any information about Gage and Sydney.
He pulled the RAM over to the side of the road, scooped up a handful of dirt and smeared it liberally across his jeans and shirt. He pulled a bandana from his glove compartment and tied it around his head. Glancing in the mirror, he realized that he looked like he had just stepped out of 1969.
He pulled a small dream catcher from his mirror and bent the metal just enough to insert it through his earlobe. "Gotta look the part." He thought as he pinched his ear and pushed the thin metal edge through.
In the back part of the RAM, he found a shoebox he had placed there last week when he and Gage were talking about this assignment. He had purchased the boots, but then decided that Gage and Sydney could handle this one on their own. "Good thing I didn't return them." He muttered as he pulled the biker boots on and grabbed his old leather jacket from behind the seat. A pair of sunglasses set the rest of the outfit off. Now he was ready to enter 'Wheels' and get the information he came for, one way or another.
The Gladiator's hangout 10:30 p.m.:
Sydney was still dazed by the drugs 'The Man' had injected her with before he left. She had pulled at the ropes holding her wrists until her wrists were now sore and bleeding. "Great, I'm going to die here." She thought as she realized her struggling was futile.
In the distance, she could hear the rumble of bikes and remembered that 'The Man' had promised to come back and "take care of her", whatever he meant by that couldn't have been good.
She heard two voices in the distance, it wasn't 'The Man', but Spike and Leo. They climbed the staircase and flung open the door. "Look Leo, she's still here, just like we left her."
Leo smiled. "And now, I'm gonna enjoy this." He said as he ran his tongue down Sydney's neck.
"Hey, who said you get to go first?" Spike challenged.
"I got in here first, so I'm going first!" Leo shouted back.
"Let's flip for her." Spike pulled a quarter from his pocket and flipped it into the air. "Call it." He said as he caught the quarter and placed it on his hand, still covered.
"Heads." Leo said.
Spike lifted his hand to reveal the head of the quarter. "Best two out of three?"
"No way. I've got her first." Leo leaned in and removed the duct tape from Sydney's mouth and before she could scream, covered her lips with his own.
Sydney fought for air as Leo held his mouth on hers. She tried to buck him off, but with her limbs secured, she couldn't budge him.
"Look Leo, she's raring and ready to go!" Spike laughed as he watched Sydney buck underneath Leo.
"Help me get her clothes off." Leo said as he lifted himself off of her. Sydney screamed in protest as Leo and Spike started towards her.
Spike stopped just before his knife reached Sydney's halter-top. "Shh. Listen."
"What?" Leo said as he stopped and heard the unmistakable sound of 'The Man's' bike roaring into the driveway. "Put the tape back over her mouth, quick. We've got to get out of here. If he catches us in here, there's no telling what he'll do."
Leo slapped the duct tape back over Sydney's mouth and then he and Spike ran out of the room and down the stairs. They grabbed a couple of boxes and met 'The Man' and Nicole on the front porch.
"What are you two doing here?" 'The Man' asked.
"We forgot a couple of things, but we're on our way now." Spike answered.
"Good. You didn't mess with the little Ranger lady did you?" 'The Man' asked sternly.
Leo shook his head vigorously. "No. No way, boss. She's yours."
"That's right. She's mine to do with as I see fit. Now get out of here. We'll meet up with you at the next town."
"See ya there." Spike replied as he and Leo got on their bikes.
"That was close." Leo said as they started to crank up. "What do you say we stop by 'Wheels' on the way out?"
"I was thinking the same thing." Spike said as his bike roared to life.
'Wheels' Saloon - 10:45 p.m.
Walker parked the RAM near another group of trucks and hoped that no one saw him get out of it. He looked the part of a biker and no one would believe that he wasn't riding one of the Harley's parked out front, unless they saw otherwise.
The saloon was rowdy when Walker pushed open the door and took a seat at the bar. "What'll it be?" Sally asked without turning around.
"Beer." Walker muttered.
Sally popped the top from a Bud and sat it down on the bar in front of Walker. "You're not from around here, are you?" She asked.
"Nope. Just passing through." He tipped the bottle to his lips and let a swallow of the amber liquid slide down his throat.
Leo and Spike pulled into the parking lot. "Man, they're full tonight!" Leo said.
"Good. Maybe we can get some fun in before we get to the next town." Spike laughed.
"Yeah, I need some fun after not getting to nail that chick back at the shack."
Spike popped the kickstand on his bike. "Let's go find us some fun then, brother."
The two entered the bar and nodded at a couple of guys they recognized. "Pool?" Spike asked turning to Leo.
"Let me get a beer first. You want one?"
"Yeah."
Leo stood beside of Walker and called out to Sally. "Sal, 2 brews."
"Coming up Leo."
Walker noticed the "Gladiator" emblem on Leo's leather jacket and knew that he had made the right choice in coming here tonight. As Leo picked up the two beers from the bar, Walker nudged him with his arm, causing him to drop one of the bottles.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Leo shouted at Walker.
"Protecting my space." Walker said quietly.
"YOUR SPACE? Who in the hell do you think you are?"
"Your worst nightmare." Walker replied still staring straight ahead.
Spike and most of the bar heard the threat Walker had just made. "Hey, what's going on here?" Spike asked, coming to Leo's aid.
Walker saw the "Gladiator" emblem on Spike's jacket and knew that these were the two he needed to talk to.
"Nothing I can't handle." Leo replied as he pulled his knife and started towards Walker.
Walker stood and in one swift move, his right hand grabbed Leo's right wrist, wrenching the knife from his grasp. Once he was disarmed, Walker continued to put pressure on Leo's wrist until the man went down on one knee.
Seeing his buddy on the floor, Spike pulled his knife and made a move towards Walker, but before he could get within striking distance, Walker turned and delivered a swift kick to Spike's chest, sending him back across the room. "I thought the Gladiators were supposed to be tough!" Walker challenged.
Leo and Spike both got to their feet and faced Walker again. "The Gladiators are tough."
"Yeah right. I've seen chicks fight better than that." Walker said.
"Who are you anyway?" Leo asked as he brushed himself off.
"Names aren't important. What is important is that I have some information for the head of The Gladiators."
Leo and Spike looked at one another. "Oh yeah, what kind of information?"
"The kind that only the head of the Gladiators needs to know unless he chooses to tell you."
"You've got to do better than that if you expect us to take you to 'The Man'."
"Cops. The cops are all over you guys and your drug trade. I've heard that the Texas Rangers are sending in a couple of undercovers if they haven't already."
Spike laughed and shook his head. "Man, that's old news. There were two. The guy is dead and the girl will be soon enough."
Walker nodded. "I see. Well, it looks like you guys are better than I thought you were." He took another sip of his beer. "Tell me, how did you manage to take them out?"
Leo laughed. "Devil's Tail."
Walker looked dumbfounded. "Devil's Tail? What's that?"
"It's 'The Man's' own concoction. Pretty potent stuff too. Just enough will put you in euphoria, but too much, well . . ."
"Too much will send you to the bottom of the ravine off 29." Leo finished, laughing as he remembered how Gage's bike swerved out of control and through the guardrail.
Walker laughed as a front, but inside he was being torn apart. Gage was dead and Sydney would be soon if she wasn't already, or at least that's what these two were telling him. He had to find them. He had to know for himself. "Well, if you've already taken care of the problem, then I guess 'The Man' doesn't need my information after all." He got up to leave, but Leo and Spike blocked his exit.
"Hey, you still didn't tell us your name." Leo said as Walker stood in front of him.
"That's right, I didn't. Now, are you going to let me pass, or do you want a little more of this?" He held up his fist and Leo and Spike moved aside to let him pass.
Once in the parking lot, Walker jumped into the RAM and wheeled onto route 29. When he was sure that Leo and Spike weren't following him, he got a call out to Trivette.
"Hello." Trivette answered from the motel room.
"Trivette, it's Walker. Get the Sheriff and start checking out the ravine side of route 29."
"What am I looking for?" Trivette asked.
"Gage."
"Walker, what's going on? What did you find out?" Trivette asked, his mind automatically assuming the worst.
"Just check the ravine." Walker replied, not wanting to let himself think that Gage may be dead.
"Where are you going?"
"The Gladiators hangout. Sydney's in trouble."
Walker hung up the phone and headed towards the abandoned farm that the Sheriff had told them about when they first arrived. He only prayed that he wasn't too late.
Disclaimer: The following story is based on the characters of the TV Series "Walker, Texas Ranger". The characters belong to CBS Productions, Top Kick Productions, Washo Brother's Entertainment, etc, but the story is mine. ALL DISCLAIMERS APPLY. (No copyright infringement is intended.)
The bottom of the ravine, just off the road:
Gage's eyes fluttered open against the light of the full moon. He tried to sit up, but slumped back to the ground as he was reminded of the weight bearing down on his chest.
He tried moving his arms and found that only the right one seemed to work right. After nearly an hour, he finally maneuvered the piece of bike off of his torso. A pain shot through his chest and left leg as soon as the twisted metal hit the ground. "Arggh!" He cried out into the darkness, his voice echoing across the hillside.
The pain lessened slightly, but as he tried to sit up again, a wave of dizziness hit him. He opened his mouth to speak, but passed out before the words reached his lips.
Walker's RAM:
"How much further?" Trivette asked as they neared the small town of DeKalb.
"I'm not sure. Gage's notes mention a bar called 'Wheels'. We might want to start there."
"Are you sure you hadn't rather start at the Sheriff's office?" Trivette asked.
"Let's go into town and get a room, then you can check in with the Sheriff while I check out 'Wheels'." Walker suggested.
Trivette nodded. "I can live with that, but are you sure you don't want some back up?"
"I won't need it. I'm not going to let anyone know who I am." Walker turned into a small motel and he and Trivette went inside.
The Drug Lab:
"Whoa!" Nicole exclaimed as 'The Man' stopped the bike just outside the shack where the drugs were being produced.
"Pretty cool eh?" 'The Man' asked.
"Very cool. I'll bet no one would have ever found this place."
"That's the idea." 'The Man' said as he started towards the lab.
Nicole followed close behind him, knowing that this was the break she had been waiting for. Now she would get to see who the cook was and the ingredients they were using for the two new drugs that had hit the streets of Miami and were now on their way to the streets of Dallas.
"Go see Shay, he's the head cook and see what he wants moved out next." 'The Man' instructed Nicole as they entered.
Nicole left the room they were in and rounded a corner. There she found Shay, amidst the ingredients for the drugs.
"Shay?" She asked.
"Who wants to know?" The gruff man asked.
Nicole reached into her pocket while no one was looking and switched on the mini-tape recorder she had hidden there. "I'm Nicole. 'The Man' said I should see you about what you want moved next."
"'The Man' just don't realize how delicate this operation is. We can't just move on a moments notice and expect the stuff to stay stable!" He pounded his fist on the table in front of him. "I need more time to get this batch perfected, then we can move out!"
'The Man' came in just as Shay finished his little speech. "Shay! Who's running this show, me or you?"
Shay looked down for a moment. "You are, but if you want this stuff right, then I need time to get it right."
"And you'll have all of the time you need once we get to our next destination. It's not too far away. A little town called Decatur."
Shay nodded. "I know of it. If it's not too far from here, why move at all?"
"The cops are focused on DeKalb. We need to get out of here before they start focusing too hard on us. Besides, we've already wasted one cop and I have another on the spit, just waiting to be fried." He laughed at his own twisted reference to Sydney and how she was tied to the bed.
"Cole, take these tubs out to the van." 'The Man' handed her two empty tubs to carry outside.
After she left the room, Shay turned to 'The Man'. "Are you sure that you trust her?"
'The Man' shook his head. "I don't completely trust anyone and probably never will."
"Words to live by son. Words to live by." Shay said as he started packing up his supplies.
Nicole came back into the room and picked up a box loaded with vials of "Devil's Tail" although she didn't know what it was when she picked it up.
"Be very careful with that. It's all breakable." Shay shouted as he turned and saw Nicole holding the box.
"I've got it Shay. Don't worry about it." She took the box outside and just before putting it in the van, she lifted two vials from the case and placed them in her pocket.
The Gladiators former hangout:
Even though she was still tied to the bed, blindfolded and gagged, Sydney could tell that the house was empty. "I have to get out of here." She thought. "I have to find Gage." She tried to sit up, but her arms were spread too far to allow her to move much. Her head began to sway as she struggled against the ropes that bound her. In minutes, she was unconscious again, a result of the last injection 'The Man' had given her before he left.
Her unconscious mind began to think of Gage and the last few words 'The Man' had left her with. "That's right, your partner is dead!" "Sorry little Ranger, but I can't risk having you around." The words kept coming at her from all directions and she couldn't reach her ears to keep them out. "Was Gage really dead. Was she going to die here, surrounded by all of this darkness?"
DeKalb Sheriff's office:
"Howdy boys, what can I do for you?" The older Sheriff asked as Walker and Trivette came into the office.
"I'm Ranger Walker and this is Ranger Trivette. We're looking for two of our people. They were working an undercover assignment here in DeKalb."
"What kind of assignment?" The Sheriff asked.
"Infiltrating and bringing down the Gladiators." Trivette replied.
"I wish somebody could get them out of my town. I haven't seen them lately, but you may want to speak with the coroner. I've definitely seen what their new drugs can do to people."
Walker nodded. "Thanks Sheriff. We'll do that. " As they turned to leave, Walker stopped. "Sheriff, where do the Gladiators hang out?"
"Just off 29. There's an abandoned farmhouse. I've heard that that's where they're holding up for now."
"Thanks Sheriff. If you hear anything, let us know. We're at the motel across the street."
"Will do Rangers."
"That got us nowhere fast." Walker said as they headed out.
"Walker, it's nearly 9:00. We're not going to find many people at work right now. Why don't we wait until morning?"
"I'm not sure that Gage and Sydney have another morning!" Walker snapped at his partner and immediately wished he could take it back. "I'm sorry Trivette. I just have a lot on my mind."
"I'm worried about them too Walker. I know we need to find them, but I also know that we need to talk to the right people."
Walker headed for the RAM.
"Where are you going?" Trivette asked.
"To talk to the right people." Walker replied as the took off, leaving Trivette standing in the motel parking lot.
'Walker's RAM 10:00 p.m.:
Walker had driven around for a while. He knew he had to prepare for this encounter at 'Wheels' if he expected to get any information about Gage and Sydney.
He pulled the RAM over to the side of the road, scooped up a handful of dirt and smeared it liberally across his jeans and shirt. He pulled a bandana from his glove compartment and tied it around his head. Glancing in the mirror, he realized that he looked like he had just stepped out of 1969.
He pulled a small dream catcher from his mirror and bent the metal just enough to insert it through his earlobe. "Gotta look the part." He thought as he pinched his ear and pushed the thin metal edge through.
In the back part of the RAM, he found a shoebox he had placed there last week when he and Gage were talking about this assignment. He had purchased the boots, but then decided that Gage and Sydney could handle this one on their own. "Good thing I didn't return them." He muttered as he pulled the biker boots on and grabbed his old leather jacket from behind the seat. A pair of sunglasses set the rest of the outfit off. Now he was ready to enter 'Wheels' and get the information he came for, one way or another.
The Gladiator's hangout 10:30 p.m.:
Sydney was still dazed by the drugs 'The Man' had injected her with before he left. She had pulled at the ropes holding her wrists until her wrists were now sore and bleeding. "Great, I'm going to die here." She thought as she realized her struggling was futile.
In the distance, she could hear the rumble of bikes and remembered that 'The Man' had promised to come back and "take care of her", whatever he meant by that couldn't have been good.
She heard two voices in the distance, it wasn't 'The Man', but Spike and Leo. They climbed the staircase and flung open the door. "Look Leo, she's still here, just like we left her."
Leo smiled. "And now, I'm gonna enjoy this." He said as he ran his tongue down Sydney's neck.
"Hey, who said you get to go first?" Spike challenged.
"I got in here first, so I'm going first!" Leo shouted back.
"Let's flip for her." Spike pulled a quarter from his pocket and flipped it into the air. "Call it." He said as he caught the quarter and placed it on his hand, still covered.
"Heads." Leo said.
Spike lifted his hand to reveal the head of the quarter. "Best two out of three?"
"No way. I've got her first." Leo leaned in and removed the duct tape from Sydney's mouth and before she could scream, covered her lips with his own.
Sydney fought for air as Leo held his mouth on hers. She tried to buck him off, but with her limbs secured, she couldn't budge him.
"Look Leo, she's raring and ready to go!" Spike laughed as he watched Sydney buck underneath Leo.
"Help me get her clothes off." Leo said as he lifted himself off of her. Sydney screamed in protest as Leo and Spike started towards her.
Spike stopped just before his knife reached Sydney's halter-top. "Shh. Listen."
"What?" Leo said as he stopped and heard the unmistakable sound of 'The Man's' bike roaring into the driveway. "Put the tape back over her mouth, quick. We've got to get out of here. If he catches us in here, there's no telling what he'll do."
Leo slapped the duct tape back over Sydney's mouth and then he and Spike ran out of the room and down the stairs. They grabbed a couple of boxes and met 'The Man' and Nicole on the front porch.
"What are you two doing here?" 'The Man' asked.
"We forgot a couple of things, but we're on our way now." Spike answered.
"Good. You didn't mess with the little Ranger lady did you?" 'The Man' asked sternly.
Leo shook his head vigorously. "No. No way, boss. She's yours."
"That's right. She's mine to do with as I see fit. Now get out of here. We'll meet up with you at the next town."
"See ya there." Spike replied as he and Leo got on their bikes.
"That was close." Leo said as they started to crank up. "What do you say we stop by 'Wheels' on the way out?"
"I was thinking the same thing." Spike said as his bike roared to life.
'Wheels' Saloon - 10:45 p.m.
Walker parked the RAM near another group of trucks and hoped that no one saw him get out of it. He looked the part of a biker and no one would believe that he wasn't riding one of the Harley's parked out front, unless they saw otherwise.
The saloon was rowdy when Walker pushed open the door and took a seat at the bar. "What'll it be?" Sally asked without turning around.
"Beer." Walker muttered.
Sally popped the top from a Bud and sat it down on the bar in front of Walker. "You're not from around here, are you?" She asked.
"Nope. Just passing through." He tipped the bottle to his lips and let a swallow of the amber liquid slide down his throat.
Leo and Spike pulled into the parking lot. "Man, they're full tonight!" Leo said.
"Good. Maybe we can get some fun in before we get to the next town." Spike laughed.
"Yeah, I need some fun after not getting to nail that chick back at the shack."
Spike popped the kickstand on his bike. "Let's go find us some fun then, brother."
The two entered the bar and nodded at a couple of guys they recognized. "Pool?" Spike asked turning to Leo.
"Let me get a beer first. You want one?"
"Yeah."
Leo stood beside of Walker and called out to Sally. "Sal, 2 brews."
"Coming up Leo."
Walker noticed the "Gladiator" emblem on Leo's leather jacket and knew that he had made the right choice in coming here tonight. As Leo picked up the two beers from the bar, Walker nudged him with his arm, causing him to drop one of the bottles.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Leo shouted at Walker.
"Protecting my space." Walker said quietly.
"YOUR SPACE? Who in the hell do you think you are?"
"Your worst nightmare." Walker replied still staring straight ahead.
Spike and most of the bar heard the threat Walker had just made. "Hey, what's going on here?" Spike asked, coming to Leo's aid.
Walker saw the "Gladiator" emblem on Spike's jacket and knew that these were the two he needed to talk to.
"Nothing I can't handle." Leo replied as he pulled his knife and started towards Walker.
Walker stood and in one swift move, his right hand grabbed Leo's right wrist, wrenching the knife from his grasp. Once he was disarmed, Walker continued to put pressure on Leo's wrist until the man went down on one knee.
Seeing his buddy on the floor, Spike pulled his knife and made a move towards Walker, but before he could get within striking distance, Walker turned and delivered a swift kick to Spike's chest, sending him back across the room. "I thought the Gladiators were supposed to be tough!" Walker challenged.
Leo and Spike both got to their feet and faced Walker again. "The Gladiators are tough."
"Yeah right. I've seen chicks fight better than that." Walker said.
"Who are you anyway?" Leo asked as he brushed himself off.
"Names aren't important. What is important is that I have some information for the head of The Gladiators."
Leo and Spike looked at one another. "Oh yeah, what kind of information?"
"The kind that only the head of the Gladiators needs to know unless he chooses to tell you."
"You've got to do better than that if you expect us to take you to 'The Man'."
"Cops. The cops are all over you guys and your drug trade. I've heard that the Texas Rangers are sending in a couple of undercovers if they haven't already."
Spike laughed and shook his head. "Man, that's old news. There were two. The guy is dead and the girl will be soon enough."
Walker nodded. "I see. Well, it looks like you guys are better than I thought you were." He took another sip of his beer. "Tell me, how did you manage to take them out?"
Leo laughed. "Devil's Tail."
Walker looked dumbfounded. "Devil's Tail? What's that?"
"It's 'The Man's' own concoction. Pretty potent stuff too. Just enough will put you in euphoria, but too much, well . . ."
"Too much will send you to the bottom of the ravine off 29." Leo finished, laughing as he remembered how Gage's bike swerved out of control and through the guardrail.
Walker laughed as a front, but inside he was being torn apart. Gage was dead and Sydney would be soon if she wasn't already, or at least that's what these two were telling him. He had to find them. He had to know for himself. "Well, if you've already taken care of the problem, then I guess 'The Man' doesn't need my information after all." He got up to leave, but Leo and Spike blocked his exit.
"Hey, you still didn't tell us your name." Leo said as Walker stood in front of him.
"That's right, I didn't. Now, are you going to let me pass, or do you want a little more of this?" He held up his fist and Leo and Spike moved aside to let him pass.
Once in the parking lot, Walker jumped into the RAM and wheeled onto route 29. When he was sure that Leo and Spike weren't following him, he got a call out to Trivette.
"Hello." Trivette answered from the motel room.
"Trivette, it's Walker. Get the Sheriff and start checking out the ravine side of route 29."
"What am I looking for?" Trivette asked.
"Gage."
"Walker, what's going on? What did you find out?" Trivette asked, his mind automatically assuming the worst.
"Just check the ravine." Walker replied, not wanting to let himself think that Gage may be dead.
"Where are you going?"
"The Gladiators hangout. Sydney's in trouble."
Walker hung up the phone and headed towards the abandoned farm that the Sheriff had told them about when they first arrived. He only prayed that he wasn't too late.
