Lloyd Henreid knew about the guard posts along the eastern border of Oregon, however he didn't know about the six men on the outskirts of Billings, Montana. Their orders were to keep a look out for Kate and Rath. Rath was desponded how they saw fit, but Kate must be returned unharmed.

At a table in the garage of a gas station, four of the six were playing poker using bullets as poker chips. One of this men would occasionally touch the handle of a knife that was strapped to his left thigh like trying to be reminder that it existed or maybe to calm his fear that the poison on the blade didn't soak through the sheath and his pants leg. It was handed to him personally by Flagg to use on Rath.

"Baron!" yelled the strawberry blonde.

"What, Henry?"

"In or out?"

Throwing some 45m bullets into the pile, "I'm in."

On the roof top of an IHOP were the other two of the bunch.

Rubbing his arms, "It's cold, David."

Staring through binoculars, "Chris, you're just thin skinned."

"How long are we post to watch for this girl?"

"When she shows up or Mark and Tom replace us?"

"Or when my dick falls off?"

"Wished it was your tongue," thought David.

"They used a back road."

"My understanding of this guy is that he doesn't know the area, so he'll stick with the highway," seeing a dark spot heading towards them with little more focus, "I don't believe it."

"What?"

Handing the binoculars to Chris, "See for yourself."

Taking the binoculars, "I'll be damned. Flagg was right."

Picking up a walkie talkie, "That's why he's the boss," pushing the send button, "Base, the quarry is on its way."

As the wind whipped her hair back, her arms tightened around Rath's waist. She must be crazy for going through this again with Rath. Finding a motorcycle shop, they procured another cycle. This time it had a rack to hold the backpacks therefore saving her lower back. However she still was nervous about Rath's driving skill. Looking over his shoulder her eyes caught the sight of a road block in the distance.

Slowly down, they stopped before the four cars that blocked their path. Two men with M-16s appeared from behind the blockade with them in the cross hairs. Two pickups blocked their rear. The two men in the bed of the trucks had semi automatics pointing at them. The drivers left the cabs of their trucks with barrels of pump action shotguns aimed at them.

"Get off the bike!" ordered Baron with his finger on the trigger of the M-16.

With their hands in the air, Chris and Tom slowly walked towards them.

"Bet your fun to get to know," said Chris nudging Kate's shoulder with the shotgun barrel.

"Keep it in your pants, Chris," ordered Baron, "or Flagg will rip it off."

"Bet you're not tough with guns ready to blow your ass off," remarked Tom, "It would be a shame to ruin that coat with bullet holes," grabbing collar of Rath's coat, "in fact won't be needing it any time soon," trying to slid the coat off.

Grabbing Tom's wrists, Rath pulled him around, grabbed his holstered pistols, and jumped into the air. Kate dived towards the pavement as bullets ripped into Tom's body. In mid turn, Rath sent four bullets into the gas tanks of the pickups. The explosion sent the two truck bed occupants into the air and over the guardrails. Piece of metal entered Mark severing his spine.

Landing behind Henry, Rath grabbed his M-16 and shoved the barrel into his body. Before Baron could get a shot, Rath shot him.

Grabbing Kate from the ground, "I'll kill," threatened Chris with the shot gun barrel under Kate's chin.

Aiming, "Flagg wouldn't be happy," remarked Rath.

Rath didn't notice the wounded Baron crawling towards him. Unsheathing the knife, he drove the poisoned blade into Rath's right calf. Grimacing, Rath aimed and sent a bullet into Baron's skull. Turning his shotgun on Rath allowed Kate to elbow him. A bullet went through Chris's forehead. Hearing movement, Rath limped towards Marks. Throwing away an empty gun, he discovered one bullet left in the other pistol.

Aiming, "Don't Rath!" stopped him from pulling the trigger.

Taking the gun, "I'm alright, Rath," said Kate turning towards Mark, "Now what to do with you?"

"Can't use my legs, bitch."

Placing the gun in his hand, Mark aimed it at Kate's face.

"Your got one bullet left," she stated, "Does Flagg have any mercy?" standing up and turning her back to Mark.

Helping Rath to the bike, Kate jumped as shot rang with the air.

"Let's leave," said Rath moving the cycle through the narrow space between the guard rail and the front of a car.

Getting through, they continued towards Billings.