The Visit. . .of Carla Mea West
( My story of my visit to New Texas, and my life changing encounter with the notorious criminal, Tex Hex!)
In the ten years of my journalism career, I never dreamed that I'd be writing a story this intense! It's an account based on a visit that I made to the mining planet of New Texas. From there I was destined to meet one of the most notorious outlaws in the galaxy, Tex Hex! Being from earth, I'd heard so much about him on the news and websites that my own curiosity began to overwhelm me. And for a while, I actually began to wonder what it would be like to meet him in person. Yet I paid it no mind, thinking that the thought of that was completely ridiculous! Through the passing of Thanksgiving and Christmas, I completely ignored the idea, wrapped up in the holiday spirit.
But out of the blue, my New Year was interrupted by an unexpected blow that caused me to drop everything I was doing. The impact was so devastating, that it shattered everything I'd stood for. Suddenly, it had me ready to run as far away as I could. And for the first time, I realized that going all the way to New Texas wasn't such a bad idea after all! It would be the break I needed to get the year off with a fresh start!
I departed without notice, only telling my mother, and my boss; who of course considered this to be a challenge, and an awesome career move!
On my way there I sent an email to Marshall Bravestarr of New Texas and told him that I was a reporter coming for a visit, and that I needed an escort. Without any hesitation he agreed, and said he'd meet me at the port where the kerium freighters came to dock.
Upon my arrival I was simply amazed by the planets distinctive atmosphere. For miles, you could see nothing but cracked desert, and rusty, jagged canyons far off in the distance. The climate was dry, and very warm with no humidity whatsoever. But what really captivated my attention was the awesome sight of the crimson colored sky, and the three glimmering suns that shined brightly overhead. It was simply breathtaking.
Once I had gotten over the initial shock of my surroundings, I then had the pleasure of meeting the entire group in person. First there was Marshal Bravestarr, who was absolutely charming and very handsome! Judge J.B. McBride, whose sweet personality matched her attractive appearance. And then, there was Thirty- Thirty. A huge
equestroid horse who seemed intimidating especially when he toted around
that cannon of his called, "Sara Jane!" But once I got to know him, he really had a kind demeanor and a sense of humor. And last but not least, was Deputy Fuzz. He was one of the first prairie people I'd ever met, being short, cute, furry, and simply adorable!
Once the introductions were finished, I then decided it was time to drop the bomb on the group of them. Gathering my nerve, I then told Bravestarr what my intentions really were. About how I'd come all the way out here just to meet Tex Hex. The first thing that come out of his mouth was: "Are you crazy?! I mean no offense, ma'am, but do you realize just who you're dealing with?" Thinking it over I answered,
"Yes I do. That's why I want to meet him." I watched as he gazed at me, then shook his head in a firm manner. "Absolutely not. I'm sorry ma'am, but I can't let you go. It's just too dangerous." Feeling myself getting discouraged, I thought about it for a minute, then artfully peered up at him.
"You know. . .if I'm not mistaken, I am entitled to interview Tex if I want to. It's called, "Freedom of the Press," I said, watching as he rolled his eyes with frustration. "If you stopped me. . .then wouldn't you be breaking the law."
Knowing good and well I had put him on the spot, Bravestarr glanced over at J.B. who could only shrug in defeat.
"My hands are tied, Marshall. I'm afraid she's right. You can't stop her." Now he blew out a frustrated breath.
"Look," I said before he had a chance to speak. "If Tex is as introverted as everyone says he is, then chances are he won't want anything to do with me anyway. Probably because I'm a total stranger, and a woman."
"But suppose he does take you in," Thirty asked out of the blue. "Then decides at the last minute to keep you as a prisoner? Then what?" Thinking about it, I blew out a long breath then replied, "Well. Then I guess the Marshall's gonna to have to do his job, huh?" Unable to help it, Bravestarr glanced over at J.B. and Thirty, and began to chuckle under his breath. "Boy you're something else. I can see why you're such a good reporter."
"That's right. It all comes with determination, and a lot of nerve. And If I don't at least try, then I'll never know." Knowing inside that he had lost all options, Bravestarr nodded, then said. "Alright. I'll try to contact Tex first thing tomorrow morning."
Overwhelmed with excitement, all I could do was throw my fist up and shout, "Yes!"
Day One
Having spent the first night with J.B. in her quarters, I was up bright and early the next morning more than eager to get started. When Bravestarr found me waiting on the doorstep of his office, he shook his head then said, "Boy, you sure don't waste any time do ya?"
"Nope. . ." I said, quickly walking past him. "Let's hit it!"
Within the next few minutes, he'd sat down in front of the computer and flicked on the switch. Reluctantly he began to punch in some sort of a pass code. Before I knew it, I found myself staring at a digital mug shot of Tex Hex, followed by an extensive record of all the crimes he'd committed up to fifteen pages long! As Bravestarr skipped toward the end, he reached a long line of numbers at the bottom of the screen. Now I watched as he moved the curser over the figures until they were shining brightly. "This is his password. Are you sure this is what you want?"
"Yes. . .yes." I answered, anxiously waving my hand out. "Punch it in."
"Alright," he sighed, quickly double clicking the mouse. Now all at once the screen began to flash in two-second intervals, indicating that it was ringing. As I watched, the screen suddenly turned black. . .and there he was!
For a minute, all I could do was marvel at Tex with amazement, realizing that I was now facing one of the most reputed criminals in the Galaxy! With my mouth hanging open, I watched him gape up at the Marshall with disbelief. "Bravestarr?! What in the world do you want?!" he demanded in a thick western accent.
Leaning back in his chair, the Marshall replied, "Believe me, Tex. Calling you was not my choice."
"Oh yeah?" He defensively barked, "Well neither was seeing your face this early in the mornin! What's goin on here?!" Glancing up at me out the corner of his eye, Bravestarr replied, "I have somebody who'd like to talk to you." Letting out a scoff of sarcasm, Tex snapped, "Hah! There ain't nobody want ta talk to me!" Before he or Bravestarr realized what I was doing, I quickly leaned forward, and said, "Well, I do. . .
"
Now Tex's eyes shot on me rather confused. "Who are you?"
Getting up from his chair, Bravestarr stood to the side while I sat in his place. Facing Tex, I nervously cleared my throat. "First of all. . .A Happy New year, to you." I stuttered, as he gaped at me with a shocked expression on his face. "And second, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Carla Mea West, and I'm a reporter with the Galactic Press."
Stunned and bewildered, Tex barked out, "Did you say. . .a reporter?"
"Yes," I replied, in a very serious tone. "And I've come all the way from earth just to meet you."
"And why is that?" he asked, slowly folding his arms with suspicion.
"Because you're BAD, that's why." I answered; watching as a proud grin uncontrollably crossed his lips. "And you don't realize it but, you're very well known back on earth. And a lot of people want to know why you're the way you are. So, that's why I'm here. I'd like your permission to do a profile on you, and write a story." Now I hesitated, actually beginning to contemplate the unthinkable. "But. . .In order to do that, I'd need to spend some time at the Hexagon with you. . .and the rest of the group."
"What?!" The two of them both shouted at the same time. Looking up at Bravestarr, Tex actually began to snicker. "Is she serious?" Folding his arms, Bravestarr glared down from me to him. "Yup! I reckon she is!" By the way Tex's head shook with amusement, I knew he was making fun of me! "Well then you must be insane! Cause no female in her right mind is crazy enough to stay over here with a bunch of outlaws! Specially me!"
"Well, there you have it!" I said, slapping a hand on the desk. Looking over at Bravestarr, I winked, then quickly agreed, "I guess you're right, Marshal! Seems like you and Tex do share the same opinion!" Catching on to my little game, Bravestarr looked away, trying with all he had not to smile. Stiffing up, Tex suddenly asked,
"What are you talkin about?"
"Well, it's very simple. First Bravestarr said I'm crazy, and I was trying to prove him wrong. But since you agreed with him, then I guess ya'll must be on the same wavelength or something. Which tells me there's no point in continuing, right?" I said, watching as his eyes began to widen with indignation. "So. . .I'm sorry I took up your time. It was nice meeting you. Goodbye." Just when I pretended to stand up from my chair Tex threw a hand out and shouted, "Hold it!"
"Yes?" I innocently asked sitting back down. By then Bravestarr was fighting with all he had not to laugh. He watched as Tex defensively glared from him to me in a huffy
manner. "The day me and the Marshal have anythin in common, is the day it snows in New Texas!" Peering at him, I threw both hands on my hips and retorted,
"Well then, I guess it's gonna snow!"
Wideyed he shouted, "Oh yeah?! Well. . .give me fifteen minutes and I'll be back!"
Now the screen blackened and began to flash, indicating that he'd put me on hold. From the side, Bravestarr grunted and began to chuckle loudly.
"Boy Miss, you sure are something else!"
Giggling at myself, I looked up at him and smiled. "Still think I can't take care of myself?"
A little more reassured, Bravestarr nodded and said, "I think you're going to be just fine."
Within minutes Tex's face had popped up again. "Marshall?"
"Yes?" he answered, quickly getting on the side of me.
"She can come, but I don't want you bringing her to the Hexagon! Instead we'll meet at the lookout point in front of Ambush Canyon. . .Is that good enough?!" he asked, shooting me a sarcastic glance. "Yes!" I shouted with excitement. "And oh. . . there's one more thing."
"What?"
"I have a trunk with all my things, and I need to bring it along."
"Why? Ya planning on livin here?!"
"Well, no." I quickly answered. "But I am from earth, and I need my stuff. And a reporter on the run is always prepared."
Rolling his eyes, Tex let out a sigh of
exasperation. "Alright. . .alright." he quickly cutting me off.
"Just be there for three o'clock! Sheesh!"
Actually, we'd arrived about fifteen minutes before they were due to show up. With a pounding heart, I watched as a huge plume of dust began to form in the horizon. As it grew bigger, Bravestarr pulled out what looked to be a pair of computerized binoculars.
Looking through them, he quickly nodded. "Yup. It's Tex alright. He's on the skullwalker, and he's alone," he muttered, lowering them. "That's funny. Normally he brings the whole gang with him."
Upon his arrival, Tex looked nothing like he did in the mug shots, or on the websites.
I observed him to be a taller and a whole lot thinner, with shoulder length hair and a long mustache that was as white as snow. But that was nothing compared to how aged he really looked.
Something drastic must have really taken a toll on his appearance. Whether it was just the hard life he lived, or the pure wickedness he served, it had drained him physically, making him look much, much older than what he really was. I watched as his bloodshot eyes slowly narrowed, peering down at Bravestarr full of contempt.
" Marshall. . ."
"Tex. . ." he replied with the same kind of enthusiasm. "Where's the rest of the gang?"
"Their busy. . ." he answered, looking toward me with some skeptism.
Shaking his head, he muttered, "Hmph! I honestly didn't think you were gonna show up."
"Why wouldn't I?" I asked, as he jumped off the skullwalker.
"I don't know. I'm still tryin ta figure that one out," he replied, peering from me to the Marshal with suspicion. "Volunteering to come over? Come on! How do I know she's not bugged with some kind of spy ware?" Sighing with frustration, Bravestarr snapped,
"Oh come on, Tex! If that were the case, then why would I be escorting her to you?"
"I don't know. . .but I'm not taking any chances!"
"You can search my trunk if you want to. I've got nothing to hide!" Sneering at me, Tex's arms slowly folded.
"That's not where bugs are hidden!" Realizing what he was insinuating, caused my mouth to fall open.
"Excuse me. . .But you're not searching me!"
"Oh, I wouldn't think of it," he sarcastically cooed. "I'll let Vipra do it!"
Vipra. Oh boy. I knew all about her too! She was the only female in the gang who was not fully human, and actually had the physical traits of a snake! She also had a reputation for being very nasty and hot tempered!
By then Tex must've noticed the apprehensive expression on my face because he grinned, then sarcastically asked, "Still feel like taggin along?"
Knowing good and well that he was trying to scare me, I folded my arms with defiance, then snapped, "Yes!"
Surprised by my spunk, Tex snickered then shrugged his shoulders. "Alright, then. Have it your way. But don't say I didn't warn you."
"Wait a minute. My stuff," I said, pointing to the trunk on the back of Thirty-Thirty.
"Oh yeah," Tex mumbled under his breath. "I almost forgot."
Before I knew what was happening, he quickly waved a hand out towards it. Mouth falling open, I watched as it slowly rose up off of Thirty's mount, and began to levitate in mid air, until it had dropped on the back of his Skullwalker! Thereafter Tex glanced over at the bewildered expression on my face, and smirked.
"You'll get used to that," he said, as he jumped back on his Scullwalker. Now in an almost polite manner, he reached down and gently took me by the hand.
"Step up," he whispered, attempting to help me climb on.
Just as I'd swung my leg over the side, Bravestarr looked from him to me with worry, then said, "Tex. . .Will you do me a favor?"
"What?" he answered, cocking his head down at him.
"Take care of her. . .Please?" When he saw the serious expression on his face, I believe
Tex knew that he was genuinely concerned. Rolling his eyes he sighed, then said,
"Don't worry, Marshal. She'll come back in one piece." Coyly glancing at me over his shoulder, he winked, then looked back towards Bravestarr in a derisive manner. "It's her mind ya gotta worry about. . .She might come back all traumatized."
Deciding to play along, I quickly added, "Or worse. I could wind up like you!"
For a minute Tex gaped towards me, rather surprised that I was actually joking around with him. Feeling the tension beginning to lift, I watched as a clever grin crossed his lips.
"Not a chance," he mocked, pressing the ignition switch. "One of me is enough!"
Chuckling I watched as he revved up the engine, then peered at me over his shoulder. Clearing his throat, he said, "Uh. . .Ya might want to hold on. This thing goes fast."
Before I realized what was happening, we took off so sudden that I felt myself being thrown back. Out of frightened instinct, my arms flew around his waste and squeezed so hard that I could actually hear him gasp out for air! Immediately we came to an abrupt halt and Tex spun around, gaping toward me with a staggered expression across his face.
"Dang, woman! I said hold me, not crush me!" He yelled in a high, cracked voice.
Unable to help it, I threw a hand over my mouth and began to giggle uncontrollably under my breath. "I'm sorry. . .I'm so sorry!"
Trying to keep a straight face, he cocked his head then snapped, "Just loosen up a bit. Will ya?!"
"Ok. . ." I said, beginning to laugh out loud. Rolling his eyes, Tex grinned then looked away. From behind I watched him sigh, and then shake his head.
"Boy, oh boy," he hissed to himself. "This is gonna be some visit. . .I can already tell!"
To Be Continued.