Chapter 8

Previously. . .
"The last time I felt like this was nearly twenty years ago, when I broke someone else's heart, and ruined my life! After that I swore that as long as I was like this, I'd never get that close to anyone again. But you've made it harder, and harder for me everyday! In fact, I care about you even more! Which makes it worse!"

"How?" I weakly argued. "When you have a chance to start over again?" By the way Tex hesitated, I could tell he was fighting with all he had not to cry in front of me. But it was no use. I watched as his glistening eyes gaped toward me full of despair. "I can't, Carla! Don't ya see?! I told ya before, that I'm a prisoner. . .A slave ta Stampede!"

Unable to bear it, I hollered, "Will you stop saying that!"

"But it's true!" he insisted. "I could never give you what you want, cause I don't even belong to myself. I owe Stampede my life. . .literally. And if I ever tried ta leave. . .he'd take it. And if you keep on interferin with me. . .he might just take yours. . ."

The impact from those words hit me like a hard slap in the face, when I realized just how much danger I'd really put myself in.

Swallowing hard his head slowly began to shake. "I couldn't bear the thought of that. That's why I think it's best if ya left anyhow." Now one by one, the tears uncontrollably began to slide down his cheeks. "For my sake, Carla. . .would you just leave me alone?" The desperation of his request had me realizing just how heartbroken he really was.
Sniffling, I shook my head and timidly replied, "Alright. . ."

Just when I went to walk away from him, I heard him call out, "Hey. . ."
"Yeah?" I whispered, barely able to look him in the eyes. Now his hand shakily reached out until it was gripping mine. "Just so ya know, that if things were different, and I would've had a second chance, I wouldn't have wasted any time. I would've married you in a heartbeat."

For a minute, my mouth fell open to the realization that in spite of the horrible circumstances, Tex was actually proposing to me! This caused me to marvel at him through my tears. Chuckling I replied,
"And I would've been honored to be your wife."

Eyes glistening with tears, Tex proudly smiled through them. Yet at the same time, I added, "But you have a point, Tex. If things were different, and you weren't an outlaw, then I never would've met you in the first place. Which means I wouldn't have fallen for the man I'm in love with, right now." Oh. . .if only I could have captured the moved expression on Tex's face. There I believe for the first time ever, that he realized just how much I excepted him for the person he really was. Inhaling deeply, held out his hands and whispered, "Come here. . ."

Without even thinking twice about it, I approached him and slid my arms around his neck. Through closed eyes I could feel him kiss me again for one last time. As he held onto me, we both cried in each other's arms. When Tex finally let me go, he studied me hard then whispered. "Although I can't have you, there is something I give you. Your freedom. Cause that's somethin I'll never have. . ."

Several hours later. . .
Although I had finally settled onto the cabin of the ship, my heart was in complete turmoil. Throughout the night, I could do nothing but recall everything that went on between Tex and me and realized without a doubt, that this was one of the saddest times of my life.

What made it even worse, was that for long as I'd been with Tex, a part of me still didn't want to accept the fact that it was over. And though I'd be heading for earth in the morning, somehow, a big part of me would still be left behind with a man, or shall I say outlaw. . .who'd practically stolen my heart!

Although my mind continued to torment me over everything that had happened, the exhaustion finally took over, causing me to fall into a deep sleep. Hopefully, when I'd wake up, the best thing would be that I was away from here once and for all!

"Attention please. This is your captain speaking. Breakfast will be served in the mess hall in about fifteen minutes. And we will be departing New Texas in about forty-five. So all passengers must be ready and accounted for by nine am. Thank you."

Immediately the smell of fresh coffee hit my nostrils, causing me to sit up in bed. Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I was still disappointed that we hadn't left. Yet, the thought of a good strong cup of coffee wasn't such a bad idea.

By the time I'd come out of the shower, my stomach was growling so much that I knew I just had to eat something. Picking up the pace, I was just about to start brushing my teeth when I heard what sounded like faint laser blasts, coming down from below deck. It almost sounded like gunshots, but I wasn't sure. Stopping for a minute, I listened to see if they would proceed. . .but only heard silence.

Shrugging to myself, I continued to squeeze the toothpaste on my toothbrush when suddenly a great boom was heard, followed by a loud explosion that shook the ships entire foundation. Within minutes I felt a huge jolt from underneath my feet, causing me to roughly jerk forward. By the way the ship began to vibrate, I could tell we were on the move! Over the alarm, I could hear shouting and men running through the hallway. This was soon followed by a heavy knocking on my door. Opening it up, I was startled to see the ships Captain, by the name of James Silas, standing in the doorway.

"What's going on here?" I nervously asked.
"We're under attack, Miss Carla. The ships been taken over!"

Heart beginning to pound I asked, "What? You mean by Tex?" Quickly looking back, he replied, "No. . .Not this time. But I did see a few of his gang, and a couple of dingo's." Now he stopped when the sounds of gunfire were heard, and a voice growled out, "Spread out and take over the ship! If anybody tries ta get away, blast um!"

Getting a knot in the pit of my stomach, I suddenly realized that this was no joke! Desperately looking at Silas I asked, "What do I do?"

Gaping at me, Silas replied, "You need to run, Miss Carla. Run before it's too late!" Just as he turned to leave, another shot was heard. In that instant, a bright glow surrounded his body and he dropped to the ground. Paralyzed, I could only gape down at him, thinking that he was dead. But as I watched, he moaned and slowly tried to move. By then scared to death, I knelt down next to him and hollered, "Are you alright?" Weakly he looked up at me and whispered, "No just stunned. . .Hide Carla. Hide!"

On the verge of panic, I spun away, turning off the lights until I was in total darkness. With a pounding heart I quickly stumbled through my room, desperately trying to find a place to hide. Getting on the floor, I began to crawl on all fours until I was sitting on the side of my bed. By then whoever it was that fired was standing right in the front of my door.

From my bedside I could hear their muffled voices talking to each other. This was followed by another long laser blast. As I watched, the door began to glow an orange in color, lighting up the entire room. In an instant it blew up, causing me to quickly duck from the flying debris. When I looked back, I was stunned to see Vipra, Thunderstick, and Scuzz, standing in the doorway!

As they began to walk inside, I heard her hiss in a low voice, "I know there person in here. . .I watch you go in! Don't make me come after you!"

Hesitating, I knew that now was as good a time as any to surrender. Blowing out a nervous breath, I slowly raised up into plain view. "Look-look. There she is!"

Thunderstick said, raising his metal gun-arm in my direction. "Come out from behind there!"

With a pounding heart I slowly stood to my feet, while Vipra reached out and turned on the light. As I watched, her mean expression slowly turned into a shocked one. And she wasn't alone. Letting out a startled gasp, Scuzz's cigar fell out of his mouth, hitting the floor with a heavy thud. "M-Miss Carla? That be you?" Beginning to weaken with relief, I sighed out, "Yes. . ."

Eyes rolling with frustration, Vipra's head slowly began to shake. Throwing a hand on her hip, she peevishly asked, "Carla. . .What you doing here? You supposed to be on other ship!" Before I had a chance to answer, I heard a raspy voice holler out,

"Rrrrrr. . .Who's in there?!" Glancing up at me, Scuzz's eyes actually widened with alarm. "Uh-oh. Sounds like Dan coming. What do we do?"

In a flash I watched as Vipra whipped out her venomizer, and pointed it dead at me! Rather startled from her unexpected move, I gaped from the weapon to her noticing how she winked at me. Although sensing that she was up to something, I was still quite uneasy, realizing that this was the first time I was actually seeing her true potential as an outlaw! Grabbing me by the arm, she roughly shoved me to the ground just as he walked inside. Right away, one of the first things I noticed about this Dan character was that he was in fact a dingo! But what made him so different was that he was a lot more taller and broader than most of the dingo's I've seen, making him even more intimidating.

Immediately his yellow eyes narrowed when he spotted me on the floor. As he slowly crept up to me, I watched as a snide grin crossed over that furry snout of his!
"Well. . .well. . .what do we have here? Another hostage?"

"Yes. . ." Vipra answered, roughly pressing a hand down on my shoulder. "I found her hiding behind bed."
"Rrrrrrr. . .Good. . .Good! That brings the count to what? Twenty-five?"

"Twenty-six." Scuzz replied, coughing on his cigar.

"Twenty-six? He. . .he. . .he. And with her bein a female, it makes the stakes even better!" Now I watched as he flipped the lid off one of my dufflebags and began to crazily dig through my stuff. At the same time, he asked,
"How bout money? Did you find any on her?"

In that instant my heart sank at the thought of my strong box being hidden deep in the bottom of my suitcase. Feeling betrayed I looked away, fighting with all I had not to cry. Out the corner of my eye, I could see Vipra glancing toward Thunderstick and Scuzz. Then before I realized it, she quickly shook her head and answered, "No. She here on voucher, as guest of captain." For a minute, I couldn't believe what she'd just done!

And by the way Dan's eyes slowly narrowed with suspicion, neither did he!
Giving her a precarious glance, he cocked his head at her and asked,

"Now tell me. You wouldn't lie to old Dan, would you?" Giving him a mean peer, Vipra coolly replied, "No more than what you'd lie to me!"

Snorting with disgust, Dan sharply replied, "Hmph! Well in that case, I'd be in big trouble! And maybe I oughta search her luggage myself!" Just as he snatched my satchel up off the bed, Vipra snatched the Venomizer off her belt and pointed it at him in a threatening manner.

"You go ahead and try!" She snapped, as Thunderstick also raised his gun arm up pointing the barrel dead in Dan's face! As his eyes widened, Vipra coolly hissed through her teeth, "She my prisoner, and everything belong to me! Including whatever in case! So hand it over!""

Swallowing hard, Dan angrily flung my bag in her direction and snapped in a cracked voice, "Rrrrrrrr. . .You wouldn't be actin all high and mighty if I were Tex!"

Flinging a hand on her hip, Vipra sharply replied, "That's just it! You're not Tex! And we work with you, not for you! Get it?!"

Hesitating only for a minute, Dan nervously stuttered, "Rrrrr. . .Well like it or not, Stampede put me in charge of this mission! So ya better do what I say, or elsewise it'll be him ya answer too, not me!"
By the way they glared at each other, I could tell he still had the upper hand. This in turn seemed to give Dan a little more confidence. Sneering at them, his arms slowly folded. "That's what I thought! Now I want you to take her and throw her in the brig!"

In that instant Vipra replied, "The brig already full. We tie her up, and put her in control room with us. She do no harm there."

Irritably looking from her to me, Dan snapped, "See that she don't! I've got too much riding on this mission! And the last thing I need is ta have it botched by some meddlesome female!" Scoffing under my breath, I watched as he angrily turned and stalked out the door.

Rolling his eyes, Scuzz shook his head and muttered, "Him nothing but trouble!"
"T-tell me about it. . ." Thunderstick irritably added.

At the same time, I noticed the way Vipra had taken out some rope and slowly began to approach me. Actually hesitant, she shook her head and replied, "Miss Carla. I do this a dozen times with other hostages, but I not want to with you." Knowing deep down inside that she didn't have a choice, I replied, "I know."

Quickly stretching out the rope, she nodded, "Then give me your hands." Doing as I was told, she firmly began to wrap the rope around my wrists.

Getting a knot in the pit of my stomach, I watched as she earnestly stared into my eyes, and muttered only two words. "Trust me. . ."

Silently I was led through the smoke filled hallway, until we were all up in the ships main computer room. Right away one of the first things I noticed was that both the ships operators, who although still strapped to their seats, were completely rendered unconscious! On the side of them Cactushead had taken over, and was steering the ships controls! Looking up, his mechanical eyes widened when he saw me walk in with the rest of the group. From behind I could feel Vipra give me a gentle nudge.

"Sit there." She said, pointing to the corner of the room. "And you won't be in the way." Swallowing hard I did as I was told, leaning against the wall until I slid down on the floor. Coming down off the panel, Cactushead looked from them to me and muttered,

"Oh, no. What's she doing here?" About having enough, I glared up at all of them and snapped, "Excuse me? But I might ask all of you the same question! Would somebody please tell me what in the world is going on?"

Looking from the rest of them to me, Vipra hesitated, then replied, "It's Stampede. . .He discover that this ship have a huge cannon that cause major destruction. He wanted us to capture the ship before Bravestarr installed it into the towns defenses. That way he could remove weapon, add his own powers to it, then turn it on people of Fort Kerium."

Marveling from this news, I shook my head and gasped, "But that's horrible." Giving me a shrug, Vipra nodded, "Maybe, but Stampede no fool. He knows that with it, he'd be unstoppable."

Thinking it over for a minute, I asked, "But if this is so major, then why isn't Tex involved?" Giving me a mocking peer, Vipra replied,

"I not know. . .You tell me? He never come back after he went looking for you! Gone all night, in fact." She stated, noticing how I began to fidget. "So. . .That why Stampede put Dan in charge. He a dingo who have certain powers that make him uh-you might say, unique?"

"Hmph. . .Yeah. . .And a troublemaker, too!" Scuzz coughed out. "Stampede know Tex can't stand him. He do it on purpose, I think. . .And if boss knew, he'd be so mad."

"Well. . .Do any of you know where Tex is?" Hesitating only for a moment, Vipra shook her head and replied, "No. . .I been trying to call him, but he not answer. He either turned radio off, or he ignoring my calls!" In that instant, she was interrupted by a long beep from the ships intercom. This was followed by a voice whom I immediately recognized. "This is Marshall Bravestarr calling Captain Silas. Do you copy?"

Now I watched as the group looked at each other with surprised expressions on their faces. "Repeating. . .This is Bravestarr calling Captain Silas. Do you hear me?"

Before any of them had a chance to respond, the doors slid opened and Dan walked inside just as Cactushead was about to press the button. "Don't touch it ya overgrown tin can!" He snapped, literally bumping him out of the way.

Staring down at the console, Dan began to rub his chin. "Hmmmm. . .He's callin on the video com. So I guess I'd better disguise myself. . .I don't want the Marshall ta recognize me, just yet."

At first, I didn't have a clue as to what he meant by disguise. But as I sat there and watched, I began to notice that the fur on his face was slowly beginning to disappear in front of my eyes, until gradually, that furry snout of his sunk in turning more and more manlike. Marveling with disbelief, I suddenly found myself staring at the human face of a rough looking hombre who looked to be in his early forties. He had brown shoulder length hair, and a tiny mustache similar to Tex's. "There now. . ." he deviously chuckled. "That's more like it. He'll never know it's me. "

From on the side of him, I watched as one the other dingo's noticed me sitting in the corner and shouted, "Rrrrr. . .But she will. What if she tries ta snitch on ya?"

Before Dan had a chance to say anything, Vipra sharply cut in. "She won't have a chance. Cause by the time Stampede get ahold of her, he pull out her tongue!"

Getting a cold chill down my spine, I watched as Dan sneered from her to me
then chuckled under his breath. "Hmmm. . .Sounds like a plan ta me!

"
Turning to the console, he roughly flicked on the switch.

"Well, howdy Marshall!" he cooed in a sarcastic voice. "Fancy seein you on this fine day. . .Is there somethin I can do for ya?" Glaring at him, Bravestarr snapped,

"Don't play games with me! I want to know who you are, and why you've taken the freighter?" Peering at him, Dan replied,

"Who I am really doesn't matter at this point. But I think we already know the answer to the second question, don't we Marshall. Or at least you'll find out once Stampede gets a hold of that weapon."

"Oh, yeah? And what makes you think you're going to get away with it?"

Leaning forward, Dan evilly remarked, "Because I have nearly thirty hostages on this ship! And if I have too, I'll start picking them off one by one!" Now I watched as his eyes artfully narrowed, as he looked in my direction. Chuckling, he hollered, "Starting with her!" Before I knew what was happening, he grabbed me by the arm and jerked me in front of the screen. For a minute, the Marshall's eyes widened to the unexpected sight of my presence. Slowly shaking his head, he muttered, "I don't believe it. . .Carla?"

Getting a lump in my throat, I helplessly replied, "Yes, Marshall."

Looking from him to me, Dan asked, "Ohhhh? So the two of you two know each other, huh? Well. . .that makes it even better!" He snapped, roughly tossing me back down on the floor. "Because if you ever want to see her alive again, you'll back off! Am I makin myself clear?" By the way Bravestarrs jaw clenched, I could tell he was getting very angry. Yet, he chose to keep it well composed. Inhaling a deep breath, he glared at Dan and muttered,

"Crystal. . ."

"Good!" Flicking off the switch, Dan began to loudly cackle, while at the same time retransforming back to his unsightly dingo form. "Rrrrrrr. . .That oughta hold him for a while!" Now for some unknown reason, Vipra looked as though she wanted to laugh at Dan. Shaking her head, she slowly folded her arms and said, "Are you that gullible?"

Her sarcastic question caused Dan's grin to disappear. Glaring at her, he snarled,
"And what's that supposed ta mean?"

"Nothing. I'm just saying that. . .I wouldn't trust the Marshall, if I were you. We rob ships many times before. And he always find a way to get on board. . ."

Now Dan's furry nose sneered with disgust. "Oh, is that so?!"

"Oh, yes. . ." Scuzz quickly nodded. "There be secret compartments all over ship. Too many to count." Now I watched as Vipra peered down at Scuzz, then artfully looked back towards Dan, as though concocting a little plan of her own. "Tell you what. . .How bout letting Scuzz show you where they are."

By the way Scuzz glanced up at her, I could tell that he immediately caught on that she was up to something. Puffing on his cigar, he was quick to agree.

"Hmph! Hmph! Good idea. Better to be safe than sorry, I always say!" he said, quickly running passed Dan.

Although motivated to follow, Dan still gave Vipra a suspicious glance. "Don't worry," she coolly replied, "I watch over her. . .You better get going before it's too late. . ."

Hesitating, Dan growled, "Well. . .Keep an eye on the console. If'n anyone else tries ta call in, don't answer it! I want to be the one to get it, understand?" Giving him a salute, she sarcastically replied, "Whatever you say. . ."

As he turned and walked out the door, Vipra glared at his back full of disgust. "Oh, you're going to get it, alright. . ." she hissed under her breath.

Waiting a few minutes, she cautiously approached and stuck her head out the door, as though checking to see if he were gone. When the coast seemed clear, she then turned and walked inside. Looking down at me, she shook her head and muttered,

"I have no idea what Stampede was thinking. This fool have no experience. . .But. . .I know someone who does. . .If I can get ahold of him!" Kneeling next to me, she reached in her belt, and pulled out what looked like a small transistor. Through excited suspicion, I asked, "What in the world are you up to?"

Giving me an artful grin, she replied, "You'll know soon enough." Crouching down even further, Vipra flipped the small radio open and pressed a button. "Tex. . ." she loudly whispered, "Tex. . .can you hear me?"

Letting go, there was only static. Sighing with frustration, Vipra hissed a little louder. "Tex. . .I know you ignore me. But I not try to contact you if it weren't important! We have big trouble. . .You don't believe me, then I'll prove it!" Before I knew what was happening, she put the radio up to my mouth. "Say something. . ." she ordered.

Heart pounding with excitement, I replied, "Tex. . .Tex this is Carla. I don't know if you're there, but I'm in big trouble. They've got me tied up, and I've been taken hostage. I need you to get me out of here!"

Taking the radio back, Vipra snapped,
"Tex, this be no joke! Stampede put Dan in charge of heist, not you. . .You want that?"

During this time, I just so happened to look up and froze to the sight of Dan and a couple of other dingo's walking into the room. Swallowing hard, I watched as Dan slowly crept inside, drawing out his weapon. Completely engrossed with what she was doing, Vipra never noticed that, or the nervous expression on my face. Shaking the radio, she hollered, "Tex! Can you hear me?!" Now I watched as Dan literally stuck the barrel of his gun in the small of her back. "No. . .but I can!"

In that second, Vipra's eyes widened, then rolled with humiliation when she
truly realized she'd gotten busted.

"Drop it!" Dan sharply snapped. Doing as she was told, Vipra released the radio, letting it hit the floor with a loud clang. Coming around to the front of her, Dan snarled and said, "So. . .You were gonna stab me in the back, were ya? Well, we'll see about that!" Looking from her to the other dingo's, Dan hollered, "String her up, boys!"

Deviously sniggering to themselves, the dingoes began to surround her like a pack of vultures. Looking from them to Dan, Vipra actually began to chuckle, as though not believing her own ears. "What? You can't tie me up! You must be joking!"

Before Vipra knew what was happening, Dan quickly approached and put the barrel of his gun in her face. As he stood eye to eye with her, he angrily hissed,

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Now Vipra's grin slowly disappeared, when she realized the true nerve of what he was doing. "You might be a part of Tex's crew. . .but without him, you're just another female hostage. . .Now sit down!"

To be continued. . . .