Note: I do not own Outlaw Star or anything concerning of the legendary Wyatt Earp. This is a fic I crossed between the two. Thank you and enjoy. ^_^
The economic explosion following the Heiphong War created an unprecedented nation-wide market for crops. Previously worthless cattle running wild throughout Blue Heaven were gathered into herds and driven south to the railheads in Heiphong. Fortunes were made as cowtowns sprang up on the prairies, wide-open centers of Commerce and vice, their streets choked with heavily-armed young men fresh from the cattle drives. In those days the correct term for a cowhand was 'drover'. 'Kei Pirate', like 'outlaw', was originally an insult implying deviant sexuality and was rarely used. But these invading outlaws were a wild breed for soon shootings and wholesale drunken riots became so frequent that ordinary citizens could not walk down the street. In fact at their height the cowtowns had very high murder rates than modern Blue Heaven and there was no law but that of the castor.
Straight up at 95 yards or eye-to-eye at point blank range, the greatest outlaw of all time was the fastest gunman of the west named Vash, better known as Vash the Stampede, the prince of bullet ranges. But Vash worked his trade on the side of justice, donuts and as marshal of the cowtowns like Sentinel III he became a legend, the one man who stood between law and chaos. Vash the Stampede's fame spread nationwide but his end came quietly in the spring of '99' when a strange drifter put a bullet through the back of his neck, apparently for no other reason than he wanted to kill a legend.
In Farfallas meanwhile, "Wyatt" Gene Starwind and Zonba were becoming known as fast-guns. But their fame had nothing to do with gunfights. Starwind and Zonba operated more like modern policemen, using teamwork and persuasion to keep order. Still, sometimes things got out of hand. But Gene had a guardian angel among his side. "Doc" Fred Luo was the son of an northern bounty business inspector. Trained in Blue Heaven, he had embarked on a career as a society physician when he contracted Lunger. Advised to practice in the east where it was thought the climate and clean air would prolong his life, Fred soon realized it was all only a matter of time and gave up physician to become a professional gambler and gunman...
Others headed west. Bent on becoming an actress. Valeria Marcus defied her wealthy and very proper family to run away with a traveling theatrical company, braving the perils of the frontier on her own. Dangerous as this might seem, it was another age and women were hardly rare, their presence so cherished that they could travel virtually anywhere in the west in peaceful harmony. At about this time the Heiphong rangers, having eliminated the commanche threat, turned their attention to the outlaws marauding along the Grande, cleaning up the border strip in 8 years of hard riding. Those that could not indict or convict the rangers put down in their black books, letting it be known that they could either leave Heiphong or face summary execution. This resulted in the mass migration of the absolute dregs of the Heiphong underworld to the most dangerous, uncivilized part of the entire county, the northeast of "The Sentinel Territory. Harsh and inhospitable, savaged in turn by the outlaws and Kei bandits, this had always been an accursed place, a virtual hell on earth where it was thought life itself could never prosper, much more civilization. Then in 1899, a prospector named Kyokan set off alone into the Mountains of Blue Heaven. Friends told him he was crazy, that the only thing he would find in this forsaken place would be his tombstone. Instead he found gold, lots of it, and overnight the town of Sentinel III sprang up. Mining taking out millions in rubies. Land Value shot sky-high and spectactulors and gamblers cardsharks and pimps and whores and opportunists of all nations scrambled in by the thousands to make Sentinel III king of the boomtowns, so rich that the latest Farfallas fashions, hard to find even in the biggest cities, were sold there by the wagonload from the makeshift storefronts.
Meanwhile, the exile Heiphongians had banded together to form the nucleaus of an organized gang. Seizing control of the surrounding countryside they robbed stagecoaches at will while the big absentee business interests employed them as tax collectors and strongarm outlaws. But the backbone of their trade remained border rustling, periodic raids into Blue Heaven to steal cattle while engaging in what was described as a virtual bridle of murder and violence. The raids became so frequent and so bloody that the Sentinel III government protested to President O'Malley, prompting heated debate in congress. He declared that the only possible way of bringing law and order was to send in the army but in the wake of the Heiphong War reconstruction federal intervention in civilian affairs was politically impossible. With only some 250 members, the gang was an elite body of gunmen, known by the black and blue silk sashes they wore around their waists. Fiercely proud of their terrifying reputation to no one, they were a law unto themselves, finally emerging as one of the earliest examples in history of Full-scale organized crime. They called themselves "The Kei Pirates".
Burning daylight, hard reality. A squad of uniformed officers ride through the Heiphong desert, Castor rifles glinting in the sun. Approaching the mouth of the canyon, their hard bitten captain signals them to stop, leaning down to study a jumble of hoofprints on the ground. He turns to the anxious looking officer on his right. "It is them, only an hour south." The captain said.
"But this is the border, sir." The anxious officer said.
"You saw what those animals did at the corral. You think a goddamn border is going to stop me? No, I am going to see them suffer for what they did! I swear it on my soul!"The captain said as he spurs his horse and they ride on at a gallop, plunging into the canyon... The full moon throws fantastic shadows across the high walls of the canyon as the officers ride through. At the bend the captain halts them. The young one starts to speak but the captain shushes him, peering into the darkness. "Turn around! Fast! Now!" They turned but suddenly Castor Gunfire erupts from the shadows all around them, blasting them from the saddle, each powder flash lighting up the canyon for an instant, freezing each victim in the moment of their death. Then, just as abruptly the firing stops, leaving only the captain, the anxioused officer and the colonel alive. Dazed and bloody, they struggle to their feet as 6 armed figures emerge from the shadows, walking into the moonlight toward them. With broad-brim hats swept up in front, silk scarves and black and blue sashes, high boots and silver-studded gunleather, they are the Kei Pirates: Old Man McDougal, the ageless gray-beared leader, Ron and Harry McDougal, the sons of Old Man McDougal. Marx, a Heiphong half-breed. And Harry's men, Terry and Leo with an air of something very strange. "Tell them to get on their knees." Old Man McDougal said.
"andare su tuo ginocchio." Marx chanted to the victims in Italian. The others kneel down but the Captain remains on his feet, steely-eyed, defiant. "He will not kneel. He is proud." Marx said.
"So how did you like our little Carry-on over at the ranch? Kind of hit the spot did it not?" Marx said.
"Animals! Butchers!" The captain muttered.
"Hey, somebody get that stick on his knees." McDougal said. his son, Ron casually fires his castor rifle into the captain's legs, dropping him into a splayed lotus position as he nods to Old Man McDougal. "ringraziare" Harry McDougal said in Italian.
"They call me Old Man McDougal. I am what you might call the found of the Kei Pirates. Now maybe you have not heard, but we skylark through your country just about any time we damn well please and big-hat, crummy looking free holes stumbling around in the dark are not allowed. Heiphong po-lice, huh? Think you are bad medicine, do you not? Hell, I have let stronger stuff run down my feet. So next time we come you better step aside. Get in our hair again, we will saw your shins off with daggers and shove them in your graves. I am not kidding neither. You have been told. Now get out." Old Man McDougal releases the others as they rise and dash away but Death Rob stops the captain. "Hold up, chief. I got a joke I wanna tell you before you leave."
"tu sapare tu uccidere gli" The captain spoke grimly in Italian as Terry smiles.
"He says he knows you are killing him."
"Now how did he figure that out?" Ron McDougal asked.
"He say he is not afraid, someone wil avenge him. A sick bounty hunter." Leo said.
"A sick bounty hunter? What the hell..." Death Rob muttered as he hears scattered chuckles from the others. Marx frowns and draws his castor pistol as the Captain repeats his words. "Something, I do not know, he talks fancy, you know, a priest is like, "a sick bounty hunter who sits ---"
"That is not what he said, you asshole. Your Italian is wore than your english. Come on, let's get this over with."Terry interrupted as he takes aim. The captain sneers, but suddenly in full english. "You go to hell, Kei Pirates!"
"You first." Marx said as he fires his castor pistol into the captain's head, sending him to his death.
Dawn has now approached the desert with castor gunshots as the Kei Pirates fire their pistols and shout, running their stolen herd out of a draw into a clearing where the Kanes await. "Looks like you had a party!" Butch Kane said.
"Oh, we had a big time!" Old Man McDougal said as he, his sons, and Marx rein up and look out at the sun rising magnificently from the desert floor. The Old man stretches his legs in the stirrups, taking out a wine flask. "Ain't this sweet? That is why I stay out here. Thank you." Old man said as he raises the flask and drinks while "Death" Rob turns to Marx. "What did the Captain mean, a sick bounty hunter is gonna get us? Did not make no sense."
"He was just quoting himself "Behold a pale bounty hunter and the one that sat on him was Death and Hell followed with him." "Death" Rob said.
"Well now that is a little more like it."
A white horse, a fabulous thoroughbred stallion, rears and neighs on an open flat-car where it is tethered with 2 near-identical geldings. A young man tried to pet it as a strong-featured, faired man appears, quieting the horse. Tall and slim in a black frock coat and black flat-brim hat, he moves with assurance and grace, a man in control. This is "Wyatt" Gene Starwind. "Dear Governor Ishigaki-- in your directing action against the Kei Pirates,stop. Beg to inform have twice sent deputies to serve warrants on Kei Pirate suspects, stop. Nothing to show for it but 4 dead deputies, stop. Short of deputizing Blue Heaven army are at loss---" The Marshal said as the deputy next to him points at Gene. "The tall man over there, Marshal. I am not sure but I think that is "Wyatt" Gene Starwind."
""Wyatt" Gene Starwind? Oh, right, Farfallas." Back down the platform Gene Starwind strokes the stallion gently, looking up as the Marshall approaches. "Mr. Starwind? My name is McCoy. I am the Sentinel III Marshal for---"
"Forget it." Gene interrupted.
"Excuse me?"
"I said forget it, answer is no. I do not want the job and that is final. I am going to Sentinel III and nothing short of dying is going to stop me. Good day." Gene explained.
"But wait, you do not understand---"
"No Marshal, you do not understand. I am through with lawing, I am through with the whole Proposition. Forever. I did my duty, now I would like to get on with my life. That is if you do not mind. Good day now." Gene interrupted once again.
"I see, off to strike it rich, huh. All right, fine, wish you luck. Tell you this though, I never was a rich man yet and did not wind up with a guilty conscience." McCoy said.
"Already got a guilty conscience, might as well have the money to go with it too." Gene said as McCoy retreats. "Wyatt" Gene Starwind turns back to his horse testily. "Boy, I would know that scarred up face anywhere." Gene turns around. His friends stand behind him, smiling. Though James Hawking is a little young and tougher. Aisha Clan-Clan, tall and a bit more tougher then the young Hawking, they are otherwise right down to their style of dress. Gene breaks into a grin, his cool replaced with a boyish enthusiasm. "Well how do we look?" Hilda said.
"Hey! James Hawking! My goodness! Hilda! You look great! Both of you!" Gene said as James Hawking girlfriend Hilda, tall, fierce, and american, steps up with Melfina in tow. "Gene, you remember Hilda." Jim said.
"Goodness, well he better." Hilda said while Gene hugs her, laughs.
"Hilda-girl...and Melfina! You are so lovely. I am at your feet, darling. Just at your feet. Guess it is only right. Father always said you were the cutest."
"But she doted on the frowner."
"Gene, I could not find a single store that any laudanum-" Melfina said.
"Melfina, they are here! Folks this is Melfina but you can call her Mrs. Starwind if you prefer."
"Mrs. Starwind? Land of love, it finally happened! Melfina it is a pleasure!" Jim said as they all exchange greetings and hugs and "Wyatt" Gene Starwind positively beams. "Boy, I sure been dreaming about this. Since forever! Wait!" Gene turns them toward the stationhouse window, arranging them in a group and pointing to their reflection. They stand silently, studying themselves, together as a family. Gene still shaking his head happily, drinking it in. "All right, now let us go make our fortune."
"Wyatt" Gene Starwind's black horses tied to the rear, crosses the majestic, forbidding Sentinel III desert with it's red volcanic rocks and the giant cactus dotting the landscape so mysteriously, like huge, spiny hieroglyphics.... The Starwind family sit at a camp but the river under a clear night sky dripping with stars. After dinner. The women, and James Hawking sit by the fire. Aisha Clan-Clan petting her cat. Hilda sits behind James Hawking, twirling his hair, turning to Melfina. "Do you not love their hair? They all have the same hair." Hilda said. Just then "Wyatt" Gene Starwind appears on his stallion, galloping across the moonlit plain toward them, sitting his horse like a centaur. It is clear he is a magnificient horseman. Jim smiles. "Look at him go, will you? I tell you, that is the real Gene, born in the saddle."
"Oh, he can go all right." Melfina said.
"Can he then?" Hilda asked.
"Rather ride then eat." Melfina said as the women cackle lasciviously. Jim groans at Hilda. "Try to be a lady, will you?" Jim said as Gene rides up and dismounts, unsaddling the horse. "Give him some good excercise? Sure some stud. Some string in fact. What are you gonna do, race them?" Aisha Clan-Clan asked.
"Hope so. Clean up with this boy." Gene said as Hilda turns to Melfina, fishing in her bag. "Melfina dear, did you say you needed some laudanum? I have a bottle right here. Just be careful. It is full of hop."
"You are a lifesaver! Do not worry, I just get headaches sometimes." Melfina said as Gene leads the horse away the women get up, Hilda and Aisha going to the river with dishes, Melfina crossing to the wagon. James Hawking watches her appreciatively. "Mighty good. I wonder where he found her. Same place we found ours probably." Jim said. At the other end of camp Melfina climbs into the wagon and lies down. Gene appears and starts to stroke her head. "Come up to the fire, Melfina."
"I think I will just lie down awhile." Melfina said as a coyote starts howling from the farther darkness. "Long as I live I will never get used to that sound." she shuttered.
"They are just lonely that is all. Hell, I howl to myself sometimes."
"You get lonely?" Melfina asked. She seemed genuinely surprised. Gene looks genuinely confused. Over at the fire, James Hawking hugs and mashes Hilda playfully. "Come up, Hilda. Come up here, dear."
"Stop..." Hilda said as she fights loose. Gene walks up, sits down, shaking his gold watch. "Look at that. Busted. Brand new money ward, too. 45 years old and I do not even have a decent watch. About time I started looking out for myself."
"Well here we are a family again." Jim Hawking said. "Been so long plain forgot how good it feels. I want to thank you for that, Gene. All your doing."
"We are going to do it, guys. Going to get ours. Feel it in my bones. All we have to do is keep our eyes on that brass ring." Gene said as Aisha lies back, looking up at the nightsky. "Look at all those stars. Bet you can see every star there is. Practical touch them. Kind of makes you think, you know? I mean you look up and you think the gods made all that but he still remembered to make a ctarl ctarl like myself. Kind of flattering really. Hey, Gene, do you believe in the gods? No, come on, really, do you?"
"Maybe, yes. Hell, I do not know." Gene said.
"Well what do you think happens when you die?"
"Got me, Aisha. Something. Nothing. I do not know."
"I read this book, book about spiritualism..."
"Oh, goodness, here she goes..." Jim muttered.
"...They said a lot of people, when they are dying, they see this light, like in a tunnel. They say it is the light leading you to heaven."
"Really? What about hell? They got a sign or what?" Gene asked.
"Hey, Gene, God damn it, I am serious!" Aisha argued.
"Well that is your problem. Hey Jim, see anything of Fred Luo while you were in the saloon?"
"Hit a streak when we left. Him and Twilight Suzuka." Jim said.
"Uh, that woman." Hilda muttered from the stream.
"I miss Fred. I miss that young rip."
"Hell, I don't."
"Neither do I."
"He makes me laugh."
A handsomely appointed saloon. At a corner table, the pot is so rich 3 players have folded leaving Gwen Khan, an old, sullen, tough-looking gambler, facing gaunt, elegant Fred "Doc" Luo. Full of northern refinement and languid, almost feline grace. Fred has such unerring style and aplomb that he makes his constant tubercular coughing sound as if he is merely clearing his throat. Khan leans forward, seething with impatience: "I said that is 5oo wong to you, Luo. In or out?"
"500 wong? Sly boots, must be a peach of a hand." Fred Luo said as Twilight Suzuka, Luo's former violent rival enters, refilling his engraved silver stirrup cup. She has a very well accent. "Here, Luo."
"Bless you darling." Luo said as he puts his arm around her." Suzuka! Are you mad? You are not wearing a bustle. How rude!"
"Oh, for christ's sake! Come on, Luo, are you in or out? God damn it!" Gwen Khan said.
"Well, Gwen Khan, you look like you are just ready to burst. Well call me a fool but I guess I will have to call. Cover your ears, darling." Fred said as covers the bet and shows his hand. "Is that not a daisy?" "Why, you god damn son of a bitch!" Khan shouted as he pounds the poker table. "Khan, just calm down!" The bartender said.
"Shut up! Just take your wong and go. Because I am sick of listening to your simper."
"Now Gwen, are we cross?" Luo asked while leaning forward, revealing an ivory castor gun-butt under his coat.
"Skinny northern lunger, your guns do not impress me. If it was not for those castor guns you would be nothing."
"Why Gwen Khan, what a horrible thing to say! Does this mean you are not my friend anymore? You know, Gwen, if I thought you were not my friend I do not think I could bear it." Now a cheshire cat smile everyone will soon come to know very well steals over to Fred Luo's face as he takes out his nickel-plated .45 Peacemakers and lays them on the table with the bets. "There, now we can be friends again. But remember, Khan, friendship is trust--so please do not hurt me." Fred Luo bats his eyelashes. Khan jumps up, boiling. A long, sweaty moment, then Gwen Khan lunges. Fred Luo springs up, grabbing him by the hair and jabbing his fist into Khan's armpit. Khan screams and doubles over. Fred gives him another as he pulls out his knife. The bartender reaches for the shotgun under the bar. Suzuka pulls her Bokuto from her muff and puts it to her throat. "Touch that gun, I slit your throat off!" She said as the bartender backs off. Suzuka covers the room and Gwen Khan drops to his knees. Oh, my goodness..."
"Does it hurt? A lot? Good." Eyes gleaming cruelly, Fred blows his cigar smoke into Khan's face. Gwen Khan sinks to the floor in a fatal position. Suzuka gathers up the bets as Fred Luo retrieves his guns, looking around the room. Then they both back up the door. "Well, good evening then." Fred and Suzuka exit while the others look down at the groaning Gwen Khan lying in a pool of his own blood. "Judas..." A gambler said while shaking his head. Fred Luo and Twilight Suzuka stride quickly down the boarded sidewalk to the hotel. "I calculate that is the end of this town. And let us not bother about the luggage, darling."
"I been having the young man at the hotel pack us up every night since your winning streak started." Suzuka said as she points to two horses saddled and packed outside the hotel. "My sweet clever Suzu, so that is why you are not wearing a bustle." Fred Luo gives Suzuka a peck on the cheek as they mount and ride off...
A small cottage at the edge of town. As the Starwind group drives up as they see a sobbling woman sitting splay-legged in the middle of the street while her husband tried to comfort her. 2 small children stand alongside them, watching in stunned silence as Kei Pirates Hitoriga, arrogant, and Jukai, dark, heave their furniture and belongings out of the cottage into the street while snarling things like, "shut up...assholes...move it!" The Starwinds stop, staring at this scene in shock, Hilda looking ready to fight as James Hawking restrains her. Hitoriga looks up. "What the hell are you looking at?" James Hawking looks at "Wyatt" Gene Starwind who shakes his head and drive on...
Unlike the dreary, weather-beaten western towns. Sentinel III is new and colorful, part town and mining camp, a wild mixture of brightly painted wooden storefronts and half-finished stone buildings rimmed by clusters of tents and shanties, all perched atop a hill with magnificient view of the desert and the purple heiphong mountains beyond. They hear the vibrant din of hammers and picks, piano players, hurdy-gurdys, clip-clopping horses' hooves, and pealing laughter as the Starwind gang drive up Sentinel III Street, the main drag, lined with saloon after saloon, sidewalks bustling with drovers, miners, chinamen, and sullen gun-toting hard-cases. They pull up in front of the Grand Sentinel III Hotel and step down. Clyde, handsome, well-dressed, wearing an ornate crescent-shaped gold sheriff's badge and a ready smile walks up and shakes hands with the Starwind group. "Newcomers? Name is Clyde, I am Sentinel III County Sheriff. Just hit town?"
"Just this minute. I am "Wyatt" Gene Starwind, these are my friends---"
""Wyatt" Gene Starwind...Farfallas, right?" Clyde interrupted.
"Gave all that up. Going into business now." Gene said.
"Well I am the man to see. Besides Sheriff I am also tax collector, Captain of the hot ice brigade, and chairman of the Non-partisan anti-italian league. A man of many parts. You got a place to stay yet? I also sit on the townlot commission. Got a couple of lovely cottages coming up for rent. Here, let me show you." Clyde said as the Starwinds and Clyde stand on the porch of the very same cottage they saw the Kei Pirates evict the family from. "The one next door and the one across the street are vacant too. Same rent and I will throw in a good cleaning. Believe me, you will not find a better deal within town limits." "Wyatt" Gene Starwind looks enquiringly at his friends. They shrug. He is calling the shots. Gene shrugs back and finally gives them an answer. "Guess we will take all three."
A large stable and coral backing up into a vacant lot. Gene's big horses feed in their stalls while Gene faces the stableboy. "...and easy on the grain. I do not want them too fidgety." Gene said. James Hawking and Aisha Clan-Clan enter with Gilliam, the jovial old town marshal. Shaking hands, all 4 go up Sentinel, taking in the town. "Gene, meet Gilliam, he is town marshal."
"Lot of law around here. Just met the sheriff." Gene said.
"Who, Clyde? He is not no law, only real law around here are the Kei Pirates." Gilliam said.
"The Kei Pirates, yes. I heard of them." Jim said.
"Nobody does nothing without them. They are it. Hell, even the apache are scared of them. There are a couple right there: Swanzo McMasters and Mikey. Can always spot a Kei Pirate, they all wear those black sashes." Gilliam points to Swanzo McMasters and Mikey, a half-breed, standing over by the hotel, joking in sign language. "Look pretty rough." Jim said.
"Just like any other hard cases. Gotta know how to handle them." Gene said.
"Well I am no James West. Way I handle them is just mainly live and let live. That usually answers but even so, gets kind of spooky sometimes. Still somebody has got to do it, I mean how the hell else are you going to walk down the street?"
"Does anybody not raise a stink? What the hell kind of town is this?" Jim muttered.
"Boomtown. Wide open. People grabbing with both hands have not got time for any law and order. In fact the less law the more opportunities there are for making money. Plain fact is the Kei Pirates are good for business." Gilliam said.
"What about all these saloons?" Gene asked.
"Ah, now that is the real motherload in Sentinel III. Up and down Sentinel III street, full blast 24 hours a day. liquor hostesses, Gambling, making money hand over fist. All except the Crystal Palace. On account of the element. Have a man for breakfast in there most days. Regular slaughter house. High-rollers will not go near it. Too bad, nice place." Gilliam said. Gene nods, suddenly very interested as they walk on...
Gene feels the sensual delight of going from hot sun into cool dark as Gene enters, going up to ornate mahogany bar. Though a large, handsome saloon complete with gaming tables, it has only a few patrons on hand. The piano player is playing "Reflection" as bartender Iris appears. "What can I get you?" she asked.
"Let me have one of those cigars." Gene said as Iris hands him one, he lights it up and looks around the bar.
"I am about ready to go home. I wish you all would stop yakking and play cards."
"Kind of nice in here. You run it?"
"I am Iris, owner and operator of Crystal Palace saloon."
""Wyatt" Gene Starwind."
"Yes, right stranger." Iris said.
"I said lay off the queen, you jackass. I swear I am going to slap somebody now." the faro dealer said.
"Well, excuse me for asking, Iris, but is it not kind of dead in here?"
"You do not listen too good, do you?" the dealer complained as Iris points to the table in the corner where Jukai, a plug-ugly outlaw with a big castor rifle ostentatiously in a shoulder holster, steals to a couple of scruffy-looking bounty hunters. "You see that guy at the table?"
"You back that queen again, you son of a bitch, I will blow you right up that wildcat's ass! Do you hear me, huh?"
"That is Jukai. He barged in here one day, he said he was taking over the game, started slapping customers, waving his gun around, scaring off all the high-class players. Only trade comes in here now is just the bums and bounty hunters, just the dregs." Iris explained.
"Why do you not get rid of him and get yourself a straight dealer?" Gene said.
"Well sure, neighbor, easy to say." Iris answered.
"Shit." Jukai snarled at the cigar chomping junior player and slaps him in the cheek. "God damn it, Junior, how many times am I going to tell you to keep that damn cigar out of my face?" Jukai shouted as "Wyatt" Gene Starwind walks up to Jukai as he turns back to the other faro players. "Christ almighty. It is like I am sitting here playing cards with my son's kids or something. You nerve-wrecking sons of bitches." Jukai looks up and sees Gene. "Something on your mind, sir?"
"Just wanted to let you know you are sitting in my chair." Gene answered.
"That a fact?"
"Yes. It is a fact." Jukai looks Gene Starwind over, noting he is unarmed. He stands face-to-face, sneering.
"For a man that does not go heeled you run your mouth kind of reckless."
"Do not need to go heeled to get the bulge on a dub like you."
"That a fact?"
"Yes. It is a fact."
"Well I am real scared."
"Damn right you are scared. I can see it in your eyes." "Wyatt" Gene Starwind steps forward suddenly, eyes cold and hard like a shark. Suddenly realizing he is in way over his head. Jukai shrinks back reflexively, his hand moving towards his rifle. The other players scatter. Gene nods, his voice calm and steady. "Go ahead. Well go ahead. Skin it. Skin that smoke wagon and see what happens."
"Listen mister, I am getting awfully tired--" "Gene apruptly slaps Jukai's face, making his teeth clack together.
"I am getting tired of your gas. Now jerk that castor rifle and get to work." Jukai goes pale. all pretense of courage gone. Gene slaps him again. "I said throw down, boy." Another slap. Jukai stays frozen, blood dripping down his chin. "You going to do something or just stand there and bleed?" Jukai is done. Gene plucks his castor gun away, handing it over to Iris. "No I did not think so. Here, Iris. Keepsake, hang it over the bar. All right, youngster. Out you go..." Gene takes Jukai by the ear, dragging him across the room like an unruly child. At the door he give the ear a twist. "And do not come back. Ever." Jukai winces. Gene shoves him out into the street then turns to Iris casually. "See how easy that was?"
Later. Gene walks up to his brothers at the corner. Well we are off and running. Just acquired us a quarter-interest in a faro game at the Crystal Palace."
"Acquired?" Jim asked.
"So to speak." Gene answered. Down the block, unseen by the Starwind group, a wild-eyed Jukai is advanced on them with a sawed-off castor shotgun. He is within twenty feet. "Why Jukai!" Jukai spins around to see Fred Luo standing in a doorway, smiling. "You madcap," Jukai freezes. "Where are you going with that shotgun?"
"Fred. I did not know you were in town." Jukai said as "Wyatt" Gene Starwind spots Fred and walks up, friends in tow. Though they do not so much as shakes hands, Jim and Aisha sense a strong bond between the two men. "Fred! How the hell are you?"
"Perfect, Gene. Simply perfect."
"Gene? "Wyatt" Gene Starwind?" Jukai thoughted.
"Going into business for ourselves. Gene just got us a Faro game." Aisha said.
"Since when is faro a business?" Fred asked.
"Did you not always say faro was an honest trade?"
"No, I said poker is an honest trade. Only suckers buck the tiger. The odds are all with the house."
"Depends how you look at it. I mean it is not like anybody is holding a castor gun to their heads."
"That is what I love about "Wyatt" Gene Starwind. He can talk himself into anything." Fred Luo said. They laugh. Jukai, frozen stiff, begins to tremble. "Oh sorry, Jukai, I forgot all about you. You can go now. Just leave the shotgun."
"Thank you." Jukai drops the castor shotgun, scuttles off as Clyde approaches affably. "Sheriff Clyde, have you met "Doc" Fred Luo?" Gene asked.
"Piss on you, Gene." Fred sniffed. "Forgive me if I do not shake hands."
"So how is Sentinel III treating you?"
"Fine, fine. But I was thinking, You know what this town really needs is a horse track." Gene answered.
"Actually, you know, that is not a bad idea, send a signal we are growing up."
"Little ahead of yourselves, are you not? This is just a mining camp." Fred said.
"See how everyone dresses? Awfully toney for a mining camp. No, the die is cast, we are growing, be as big as Blue Heaven in a few years. And just as sophisticated."
"I can hardly wait."
The economic explosion following the Heiphong War created an unprecedented nation-wide market for crops. Previously worthless cattle running wild throughout Blue Heaven were gathered into herds and driven south to the railheads in Heiphong. Fortunes were made as cowtowns sprang up on the prairies, wide-open centers of Commerce and vice, their streets choked with heavily-armed young men fresh from the cattle drives. In those days the correct term for a cowhand was 'drover'. 'Kei Pirate', like 'outlaw', was originally an insult implying deviant sexuality and was rarely used. But these invading outlaws were a wild breed for soon shootings and wholesale drunken riots became so frequent that ordinary citizens could not walk down the street. In fact at their height the cowtowns had very high murder rates than modern Blue Heaven and there was no law but that of the castor.
Straight up at 95 yards or eye-to-eye at point blank range, the greatest outlaw of all time was the fastest gunman of the west named Vash, better known as Vash the Stampede, the prince of bullet ranges. But Vash worked his trade on the side of justice, donuts and as marshal of the cowtowns like Sentinel III he became a legend, the one man who stood between law and chaos. Vash the Stampede's fame spread nationwide but his end came quietly in the spring of '99' when a strange drifter put a bullet through the back of his neck, apparently for no other reason than he wanted to kill a legend.
In Farfallas meanwhile, "Wyatt" Gene Starwind and Zonba were becoming known as fast-guns. But their fame had nothing to do with gunfights. Starwind and Zonba operated more like modern policemen, using teamwork and persuasion to keep order. Still, sometimes things got out of hand. But Gene had a guardian angel among his side. "Doc" Fred Luo was the son of an northern bounty business inspector. Trained in Blue Heaven, he had embarked on a career as a society physician when he contracted Lunger. Advised to practice in the east where it was thought the climate and clean air would prolong his life, Fred soon realized it was all only a matter of time and gave up physician to become a professional gambler and gunman...
Others headed west. Bent on becoming an actress. Valeria Marcus defied her wealthy and very proper family to run away with a traveling theatrical company, braving the perils of the frontier on her own. Dangerous as this might seem, it was another age and women were hardly rare, their presence so cherished that they could travel virtually anywhere in the west in peaceful harmony. At about this time the Heiphong rangers, having eliminated the commanche threat, turned their attention to the outlaws marauding along the Grande, cleaning up the border strip in 8 years of hard riding. Those that could not indict or convict the rangers put down in their black books, letting it be known that they could either leave Heiphong or face summary execution. This resulted in the mass migration of the absolute dregs of the Heiphong underworld to the most dangerous, uncivilized part of the entire county, the northeast of "The Sentinel Territory. Harsh and inhospitable, savaged in turn by the outlaws and Kei bandits, this had always been an accursed place, a virtual hell on earth where it was thought life itself could never prosper, much more civilization. Then in 1899, a prospector named Kyokan set off alone into the Mountains of Blue Heaven. Friends told him he was crazy, that the only thing he would find in this forsaken place would be his tombstone. Instead he found gold, lots of it, and overnight the town of Sentinel III sprang up. Mining taking out millions in rubies. Land Value shot sky-high and spectactulors and gamblers cardsharks and pimps and whores and opportunists of all nations scrambled in by the thousands to make Sentinel III king of the boomtowns, so rich that the latest Farfallas fashions, hard to find even in the biggest cities, were sold there by the wagonload from the makeshift storefronts.
Meanwhile, the exile Heiphongians had banded together to form the nucleaus of an organized gang. Seizing control of the surrounding countryside they robbed stagecoaches at will while the big absentee business interests employed them as tax collectors and strongarm outlaws. But the backbone of their trade remained border rustling, periodic raids into Blue Heaven to steal cattle while engaging in what was described as a virtual bridle of murder and violence. The raids became so frequent and so bloody that the Sentinel III government protested to President O'Malley, prompting heated debate in congress. He declared that the only possible way of bringing law and order was to send in the army but in the wake of the Heiphong War reconstruction federal intervention in civilian affairs was politically impossible. With only some 250 members, the gang was an elite body of gunmen, known by the black and blue silk sashes they wore around their waists. Fiercely proud of their terrifying reputation to no one, they were a law unto themselves, finally emerging as one of the earliest examples in history of Full-scale organized crime. They called themselves "The Kei Pirates".
Burning daylight, hard reality. A squad of uniformed officers ride through the Heiphong desert, Castor rifles glinting in the sun. Approaching the mouth of the canyon, their hard bitten captain signals them to stop, leaning down to study a jumble of hoofprints on the ground. He turns to the anxious looking officer on his right. "It is them, only an hour south." The captain said.
"But this is the border, sir." The anxious officer said.
"You saw what those animals did at the corral. You think a goddamn border is going to stop me? No, I am going to see them suffer for what they did! I swear it on my soul!"The captain said as he spurs his horse and they ride on at a gallop, plunging into the canyon... The full moon throws fantastic shadows across the high walls of the canyon as the officers ride through. At the bend the captain halts them. The young one starts to speak but the captain shushes him, peering into the darkness. "Turn around! Fast! Now!" They turned but suddenly Castor Gunfire erupts from the shadows all around them, blasting them from the saddle, each powder flash lighting up the canyon for an instant, freezing each victim in the moment of their death. Then, just as abruptly the firing stops, leaving only the captain, the anxioused officer and the colonel alive. Dazed and bloody, they struggle to their feet as 6 armed figures emerge from the shadows, walking into the moonlight toward them. With broad-brim hats swept up in front, silk scarves and black and blue sashes, high boots and silver-studded gunleather, they are the Kei Pirates: Old Man McDougal, the ageless gray-beared leader, Ron and Harry McDougal, the sons of Old Man McDougal. Marx, a Heiphong half-breed. And Harry's men, Terry and Leo with an air of something very strange. "Tell them to get on their knees." Old Man McDougal said.
"andare su tuo ginocchio." Marx chanted to the victims in Italian. The others kneel down but the Captain remains on his feet, steely-eyed, defiant. "He will not kneel. He is proud." Marx said.
"So how did you like our little Carry-on over at the ranch? Kind of hit the spot did it not?" Marx said.
"Animals! Butchers!" The captain muttered.
"Hey, somebody get that stick on his knees." McDougal said. his son, Ron casually fires his castor rifle into the captain's legs, dropping him into a splayed lotus position as he nods to Old Man McDougal. "ringraziare" Harry McDougal said in Italian.
"They call me Old Man McDougal. I am what you might call the found of the Kei Pirates. Now maybe you have not heard, but we skylark through your country just about any time we damn well please and big-hat, crummy looking free holes stumbling around in the dark are not allowed. Heiphong po-lice, huh? Think you are bad medicine, do you not? Hell, I have let stronger stuff run down my feet. So next time we come you better step aside. Get in our hair again, we will saw your shins off with daggers and shove them in your graves. I am not kidding neither. You have been told. Now get out." Old Man McDougal releases the others as they rise and dash away but Death Rob stops the captain. "Hold up, chief. I got a joke I wanna tell you before you leave."
"tu sapare tu uccidere gli" The captain spoke grimly in Italian as Terry smiles.
"He says he knows you are killing him."
"Now how did he figure that out?" Ron McDougal asked.
"He say he is not afraid, someone wil avenge him. A sick bounty hunter." Leo said.
"A sick bounty hunter? What the hell..." Death Rob muttered as he hears scattered chuckles from the others. Marx frowns and draws his castor pistol as the Captain repeats his words. "Something, I do not know, he talks fancy, you know, a priest is like, "a sick bounty hunter who sits ---"
"That is not what he said, you asshole. Your Italian is wore than your english. Come on, let's get this over with."Terry interrupted as he takes aim. The captain sneers, but suddenly in full english. "You go to hell, Kei Pirates!"
"You first." Marx said as he fires his castor pistol into the captain's head, sending him to his death.
Dawn has now approached the desert with castor gunshots as the Kei Pirates fire their pistols and shout, running their stolen herd out of a draw into a clearing where the Kanes await. "Looks like you had a party!" Butch Kane said.
"Oh, we had a big time!" Old Man McDougal said as he, his sons, and Marx rein up and look out at the sun rising magnificently from the desert floor. The Old man stretches his legs in the stirrups, taking out a wine flask. "Ain't this sweet? That is why I stay out here. Thank you." Old man said as he raises the flask and drinks while "Death" Rob turns to Marx. "What did the Captain mean, a sick bounty hunter is gonna get us? Did not make no sense."
"He was just quoting himself "Behold a pale bounty hunter and the one that sat on him was Death and Hell followed with him." "Death" Rob said.
"Well now that is a little more like it."
A white horse, a fabulous thoroughbred stallion, rears and neighs on an open flat-car where it is tethered with 2 near-identical geldings. A young man tried to pet it as a strong-featured, faired man appears, quieting the horse. Tall and slim in a black frock coat and black flat-brim hat, he moves with assurance and grace, a man in control. This is "Wyatt" Gene Starwind. "Dear Governor Ishigaki-- in your directing action against the Kei Pirates,stop. Beg to inform have twice sent deputies to serve warrants on Kei Pirate suspects, stop. Nothing to show for it but 4 dead deputies, stop. Short of deputizing Blue Heaven army are at loss---" The Marshal said as the deputy next to him points at Gene. "The tall man over there, Marshal. I am not sure but I think that is "Wyatt" Gene Starwind."
""Wyatt" Gene Starwind? Oh, right, Farfallas." Back down the platform Gene Starwind strokes the stallion gently, looking up as the Marshall approaches. "Mr. Starwind? My name is McCoy. I am the Sentinel III Marshal for---"
"Forget it." Gene interrupted.
"Excuse me?"
"I said forget it, answer is no. I do not want the job and that is final. I am going to Sentinel III and nothing short of dying is going to stop me. Good day." Gene explained.
"But wait, you do not understand---"
"No Marshal, you do not understand. I am through with lawing, I am through with the whole Proposition. Forever. I did my duty, now I would like to get on with my life. That is if you do not mind. Good day now." Gene interrupted once again.
"I see, off to strike it rich, huh. All right, fine, wish you luck. Tell you this though, I never was a rich man yet and did not wind up with a guilty conscience." McCoy said.
"Already got a guilty conscience, might as well have the money to go with it too." Gene said as McCoy retreats. "Wyatt" Gene Starwind turns back to his horse testily. "Boy, I would know that scarred up face anywhere." Gene turns around. His friends stand behind him, smiling. Though James Hawking is a little young and tougher. Aisha Clan-Clan, tall and a bit more tougher then the young Hawking, they are otherwise right down to their style of dress. Gene breaks into a grin, his cool replaced with a boyish enthusiasm. "Well how do we look?" Hilda said.
"Hey! James Hawking! My goodness! Hilda! You look great! Both of you!" Gene said as James Hawking girlfriend Hilda, tall, fierce, and american, steps up with Melfina in tow. "Gene, you remember Hilda." Jim said.
"Goodness, well he better." Hilda said while Gene hugs her, laughs.
"Hilda-girl...and Melfina! You are so lovely. I am at your feet, darling. Just at your feet. Guess it is only right. Father always said you were the cutest."
"But she doted on the frowner."
"Gene, I could not find a single store that any laudanum-" Melfina said.
"Melfina, they are here! Folks this is Melfina but you can call her Mrs. Starwind if you prefer."
"Mrs. Starwind? Land of love, it finally happened! Melfina it is a pleasure!" Jim said as they all exchange greetings and hugs and "Wyatt" Gene Starwind positively beams. "Boy, I sure been dreaming about this. Since forever! Wait!" Gene turns them toward the stationhouse window, arranging them in a group and pointing to their reflection. They stand silently, studying themselves, together as a family. Gene still shaking his head happily, drinking it in. "All right, now let us go make our fortune."
"Wyatt" Gene Starwind's black horses tied to the rear, crosses the majestic, forbidding Sentinel III desert with it's red volcanic rocks and the giant cactus dotting the landscape so mysteriously, like huge, spiny hieroglyphics.... The Starwind family sit at a camp but the river under a clear night sky dripping with stars. After dinner. The women, and James Hawking sit by the fire. Aisha Clan-Clan petting her cat. Hilda sits behind James Hawking, twirling his hair, turning to Melfina. "Do you not love their hair? They all have the same hair." Hilda said. Just then "Wyatt" Gene Starwind appears on his stallion, galloping across the moonlit plain toward them, sitting his horse like a centaur. It is clear he is a magnificient horseman. Jim smiles. "Look at him go, will you? I tell you, that is the real Gene, born in the saddle."
"Oh, he can go all right." Melfina said.
"Can he then?" Hilda asked.
"Rather ride then eat." Melfina said as the women cackle lasciviously. Jim groans at Hilda. "Try to be a lady, will you?" Jim said as Gene rides up and dismounts, unsaddling the horse. "Give him some good excercise? Sure some stud. Some string in fact. What are you gonna do, race them?" Aisha Clan-Clan asked.
"Hope so. Clean up with this boy." Gene said as Hilda turns to Melfina, fishing in her bag. "Melfina dear, did you say you needed some laudanum? I have a bottle right here. Just be careful. It is full of hop."
"You are a lifesaver! Do not worry, I just get headaches sometimes." Melfina said as Gene leads the horse away the women get up, Hilda and Aisha going to the river with dishes, Melfina crossing to the wagon. James Hawking watches her appreciatively. "Mighty good. I wonder where he found her. Same place we found ours probably." Jim said. At the other end of camp Melfina climbs into the wagon and lies down. Gene appears and starts to stroke her head. "Come up to the fire, Melfina."
"I think I will just lie down awhile." Melfina said as a coyote starts howling from the farther darkness. "Long as I live I will never get used to that sound." she shuttered.
"They are just lonely that is all. Hell, I howl to myself sometimes."
"You get lonely?" Melfina asked. She seemed genuinely surprised. Gene looks genuinely confused. Over at the fire, James Hawking hugs and mashes Hilda playfully. "Come up, Hilda. Come up here, dear."
"Stop..." Hilda said as she fights loose. Gene walks up, sits down, shaking his gold watch. "Look at that. Busted. Brand new money ward, too. 45 years old and I do not even have a decent watch. About time I started looking out for myself."
"Well here we are a family again." Jim Hawking said. "Been so long plain forgot how good it feels. I want to thank you for that, Gene. All your doing."
"We are going to do it, guys. Going to get ours. Feel it in my bones. All we have to do is keep our eyes on that brass ring." Gene said as Aisha lies back, looking up at the nightsky. "Look at all those stars. Bet you can see every star there is. Practical touch them. Kind of makes you think, you know? I mean you look up and you think the gods made all that but he still remembered to make a ctarl ctarl like myself. Kind of flattering really. Hey, Gene, do you believe in the gods? No, come on, really, do you?"
"Maybe, yes. Hell, I do not know." Gene said.
"Well what do you think happens when you die?"
"Got me, Aisha. Something. Nothing. I do not know."
"I read this book, book about spiritualism..."
"Oh, goodness, here she goes..." Jim muttered.
"...They said a lot of people, when they are dying, they see this light, like in a tunnel. They say it is the light leading you to heaven."
"Really? What about hell? They got a sign or what?" Gene asked.
"Hey, Gene, God damn it, I am serious!" Aisha argued.
"Well that is your problem. Hey Jim, see anything of Fred Luo while you were in the saloon?"
"Hit a streak when we left. Him and Twilight Suzuka." Jim said.
"Uh, that woman." Hilda muttered from the stream.
"I miss Fred. I miss that young rip."
"Hell, I don't."
"Neither do I."
"He makes me laugh."
A handsomely appointed saloon. At a corner table, the pot is so rich 3 players have folded leaving Gwen Khan, an old, sullen, tough-looking gambler, facing gaunt, elegant Fred "Doc" Luo. Full of northern refinement and languid, almost feline grace. Fred has such unerring style and aplomb that he makes his constant tubercular coughing sound as if he is merely clearing his throat. Khan leans forward, seething with impatience: "I said that is 5oo wong to you, Luo. In or out?"
"500 wong? Sly boots, must be a peach of a hand." Fred Luo said as Twilight Suzuka, Luo's former violent rival enters, refilling his engraved silver stirrup cup. She has a very well accent. "Here, Luo."
"Bless you darling." Luo said as he puts his arm around her." Suzuka! Are you mad? You are not wearing a bustle. How rude!"
"Oh, for christ's sake! Come on, Luo, are you in or out? God damn it!" Gwen Khan said.
"Well, Gwen Khan, you look like you are just ready to burst. Well call me a fool but I guess I will have to call. Cover your ears, darling." Fred said as covers the bet and shows his hand. "Is that not a daisy?" "Why, you god damn son of a bitch!" Khan shouted as he pounds the poker table. "Khan, just calm down!" The bartender said.
"Shut up! Just take your wong and go. Because I am sick of listening to your simper."
"Now Gwen, are we cross?" Luo asked while leaning forward, revealing an ivory castor gun-butt under his coat.
"Skinny northern lunger, your guns do not impress me. If it was not for those castor guns you would be nothing."
"Why Gwen Khan, what a horrible thing to say! Does this mean you are not my friend anymore? You know, Gwen, if I thought you were not my friend I do not think I could bear it." Now a cheshire cat smile everyone will soon come to know very well steals over to Fred Luo's face as he takes out his nickel-plated .45 Peacemakers and lays them on the table with the bets. "There, now we can be friends again. But remember, Khan, friendship is trust--so please do not hurt me." Fred Luo bats his eyelashes. Khan jumps up, boiling. A long, sweaty moment, then Gwen Khan lunges. Fred Luo springs up, grabbing him by the hair and jabbing his fist into Khan's armpit. Khan screams and doubles over. Fred gives him another as he pulls out his knife. The bartender reaches for the shotgun under the bar. Suzuka pulls her Bokuto from her muff and puts it to her throat. "Touch that gun, I slit your throat off!" She said as the bartender backs off. Suzuka covers the room and Gwen Khan drops to his knees. Oh, my goodness..."
"Does it hurt? A lot? Good." Eyes gleaming cruelly, Fred blows his cigar smoke into Khan's face. Gwen Khan sinks to the floor in a fatal position. Suzuka gathers up the bets as Fred Luo retrieves his guns, looking around the room. Then they both back up the door. "Well, good evening then." Fred and Suzuka exit while the others look down at the groaning Gwen Khan lying in a pool of his own blood. "Judas..." A gambler said while shaking his head. Fred Luo and Twilight Suzuka stride quickly down the boarded sidewalk to the hotel. "I calculate that is the end of this town. And let us not bother about the luggage, darling."
"I been having the young man at the hotel pack us up every night since your winning streak started." Suzuka said as she points to two horses saddled and packed outside the hotel. "My sweet clever Suzu, so that is why you are not wearing a bustle." Fred Luo gives Suzuka a peck on the cheek as they mount and ride off...
A small cottage at the edge of town. As the Starwind group drives up as they see a sobbling woman sitting splay-legged in the middle of the street while her husband tried to comfort her. 2 small children stand alongside them, watching in stunned silence as Kei Pirates Hitoriga, arrogant, and Jukai, dark, heave their furniture and belongings out of the cottage into the street while snarling things like, "shut up...assholes...move it!" The Starwinds stop, staring at this scene in shock, Hilda looking ready to fight as James Hawking restrains her. Hitoriga looks up. "What the hell are you looking at?" James Hawking looks at "Wyatt" Gene Starwind who shakes his head and drive on...
Unlike the dreary, weather-beaten western towns. Sentinel III is new and colorful, part town and mining camp, a wild mixture of brightly painted wooden storefronts and half-finished stone buildings rimmed by clusters of tents and shanties, all perched atop a hill with magnificient view of the desert and the purple heiphong mountains beyond. They hear the vibrant din of hammers and picks, piano players, hurdy-gurdys, clip-clopping horses' hooves, and pealing laughter as the Starwind gang drive up Sentinel III Street, the main drag, lined with saloon after saloon, sidewalks bustling with drovers, miners, chinamen, and sullen gun-toting hard-cases. They pull up in front of the Grand Sentinel III Hotel and step down. Clyde, handsome, well-dressed, wearing an ornate crescent-shaped gold sheriff's badge and a ready smile walks up and shakes hands with the Starwind group. "Newcomers? Name is Clyde, I am Sentinel III County Sheriff. Just hit town?"
"Just this minute. I am "Wyatt" Gene Starwind, these are my friends---"
""Wyatt" Gene Starwind...Farfallas, right?" Clyde interrupted.
"Gave all that up. Going into business now." Gene said.
"Well I am the man to see. Besides Sheriff I am also tax collector, Captain of the hot ice brigade, and chairman of the Non-partisan anti-italian league. A man of many parts. You got a place to stay yet? I also sit on the townlot commission. Got a couple of lovely cottages coming up for rent. Here, let me show you." Clyde said as the Starwinds and Clyde stand on the porch of the very same cottage they saw the Kei Pirates evict the family from. "The one next door and the one across the street are vacant too. Same rent and I will throw in a good cleaning. Believe me, you will not find a better deal within town limits." "Wyatt" Gene Starwind looks enquiringly at his friends. They shrug. He is calling the shots. Gene shrugs back and finally gives them an answer. "Guess we will take all three."
A large stable and coral backing up into a vacant lot. Gene's big horses feed in their stalls while Gene faces the stableboy. "...and easy on the grain. I do not want them too fidgety." Gene said. James Hawking and Aisha Clan-Clan enter with Gilliam, the jovial old town marshal. Shaking hands, all 4 go up Sentinel, taking in the town. "Gene, meet Gilliam, he is town marshal."
"Lot of law around here. Just met the sheriff." Gene said.
"Who, Clyde? He is not no law, only real law around here are the Kei Pirates." Gilliam said.
"The Kei Pirates, yes. I heard of them." Jim said.
"Nobody does nothing without them. They are it. Hell, even the apache are scared of them. There are a couple right there: Swanzo McMasters and Mikey. Can always spot a Kei Pirate, they all wear those black sashes." Gilliam points to Swanzo McMasters and Mikey, a half-breed, standing over by the hotel, joking in sign language. "Look pretty rough." Jim said.
"Just like any other hard cases. Gotta know how to handle them." Gene said.
"Well I am no James West. Way I handle them is just mainly live and let live. That usually answers but even so, gets kind of spooky sometimes. Still somebody has got to do it, I mean how the hell else are you going to walk down the street?"
"Does anybody not raise a stink? What the hell kind of town is this?" Jim muttered.
"Boomtown. Wide open. People grabbing with both hands have not got time for any law and order. In fact the less law the more opportunities there are for making money. Plain fact is the Kei Pirates are good for business." Gilliam said.
"What about all these saloons?" Gene asked.
"Ah, now that is the real motherload in Sentinel III. Up and down Sentinel III street, full blast 24 hours a day. liquor hostesses, Gambling, making money hand over fist. All except the Crystal Palace. On account of the element. Have a man for breakfast in there most days. Regular slaughter house. High-rollers will not go near it. Too bad, nice place." Gilliam said. Gene nods, suddenly very interested as they walk on...
Gene feels the sensual delight of going from hot sun into cool dark as Gene enters, going up to ornate mahogany bar. Though a large, handsome saloon complete with gaming tables, it has only a few patrons on hand. The piano player is playing "Reflection" as bartender Iris appears. "What can I get you?" she asked.
"Let me have one of those cigars." Gene said as Iris hands him one, he lights it up and looks around the bar.
"I am about ready to go home. I wish you all would stop yakking and play cards."
"Kind of nice in here. You run it?"
"I am Iris, owner and operator of Crystal Palace saloon."
""Wyatt" Gene Starwind."
"Yes, right stranger." Iris said.
"I said lay off the queen, you jackass. I swear I am going to slap somebody now." the faro dealer said.
"Well, excuse me for asking, Iris, but is it not kind of dead in here?"
"You do not listen too good, do you?" the dealer complained as Iris points to the table in the corner where Jukai, a plug-ugly outlaw with a big castor rifle ostentatiously in a shoulder holster, steals to a couple of scruffy-looking bounty hunters. "You see that guy at the table?"
"You back that queen again, you son of a bitch, I will blow you right up that wildcat's ass! Do you hear me, huh?"
"That is Jukai. He barged in here one day, he said he was taking over the game, started slapping customers, waving his gun around, scaring off all the high-class players. Only trade comes in here now is just the bums and bounty hunters, just the dregs." Iris explained.
"Why do you not get rid of him and get yourself a straight dealer?" Gene said.
"Well sure, neighbor, easy to say." Iris answered.
"Shit." Jukai snarled at the cigar chomping junior player and slaps him in the cheek. "God damn it, Junior, how many times am I going to tell you to keep that damn cigar out of my face?" Jukai shouted as "Wyatt" Gene Starwind walks up to Jukai as he turns back to the other faro players. "Christ almighty. It is like I am sitting here playing cards with my son's kids or something. You nerve-wrecking sons of bitches." Jukai looks up and sees Gene. "Something on your mind, sir?"
"Just wanted to let you know you are sitting in my chair." Gene answered.
"That a fact?"
"Yes. It is a fact." Jukai looks Gene Starwind over, noting he is unarmed. He stands face-to-face, sneering.
"For a man that does not go heeled you run your mouth kind of reckless."
"Do not need to go heeled to get the bulge on a dub like you."
"That a fact?"
"Yes. It is a fact."
"Well I am real scared."
"Damn right you are scared. I can see it in your eyes." "Wyatt" Gene Starwind steps forward suddenly, eyes cold and hard like a shark. Suddenly realizing he is in way over his head. Jukai shrinks back reflexively, his hand moving towards his rifle. The other players scatter. Gene nods, his voice calm and steady. "Go ahead. Well go ahead. Skin it. Skin that smoke wagon and see what happens."
"Listen mister, I am getting awfully tired--" "Gene apruptly slaps Jukai's face, making his teeth clack together.
"I am getting tired of your gas. Now jerk that castor rifle and get to work." Jukai goes pale. all pretense of courage gone. Gene slaps him again. "I said throw down, boy." Another slap. Jukai stays frozen, blood dripping down his chin. "You going to do something or just stand there and bleed?" Jukai is done. Gene plucks his castor gun away, handing it over to Iris. "No I did not think so. Here, Iris. Keepsake, hang it over the bar. All right, youngster. Out you go..." Gene takes Jukai by the ear, dragging him across the room like an unruly child. At the door he give the ear a twist. "And do not come back. Ever." Jukai winces. Gene shoves him out into the street then turns to Iris casually. "See how easy that was?"
Later. Gene walks up to his brothers at the corner. Well we are off and running. Just acquired us a quarter-interest in a faro game at the Crystal Palace."
"Acquired?" Jim asked.
"So to speak." Gene answered. Down the block, unseen by the Starwind group, a wild-eyed Jukai is advanced on them with a sawed-off castor shotgun. He is within twenty feet. "Why Jukai!" Jukai spins around to see Fred Luo standing in a doorway, smiling. "You madcap," Jukai freezes. "Where are you going with that shotgun?"
"Fred. I did not know you were in town." Jukai said as "Wyatt" Gene Starwind spots Fred and walks up, friends in tow. Though they do not so much as shakes hands, Jim and Aisha sense a strong bond between the two men. "Fred! How the hell are you?"
"Perfect, Gene. Simply perfect."
"Gene? "Wyatt" Gene Starwind?" Jukai thoughted.
"Going into business for ourselves. Gene just got us a Faro game." Aisha said.
"Since when is faro a business?" Fred asked.
"Did you not always say faro was an honest trade?"
"No, I said poker is an honest trade. Only suckers buck the tiger. The odds are all with the house."
"Depends how you look at it. I mean it is not like anybody is holding a castor gun to their heads."
"That is what I love about "Wyatt" Gene Starwind. He can talk himself into anything." Fred Luo said. They laugh. Jukai, frozen stiff, begins to tremble. "Oh sorry, Jukai, I forgot all about you. You can go now. Just leave the shotgun."
"Thank you." Jukai drops the castor shotgun, scuttles off as Clyde approaches affably. "Sheriff Clyde, have you met "Doc" Fred Luo?" Gene asked.
"Piss on you, Gene." Fred sniffed. "Forgive me if I do not shake hands."
"So how is Sentinel III treating you?"
"Fine, fine. But I was thinking, You know what this town really needs is a horse track." Gene answered.
"Actually, you know, that is not a bad idea, send a signal we are growing up."
"Little ahead of yourselves, are you not? This is just a mining camp." Fred said.
"See how everyone dresses? Awfully toney for a mining camp. No, the die is cast, we are growing, be as big as Blue Heaven in a few years. And just as sophisticated."
"I can hardly wait."