Nothing can possibly go wrong...

[tachyon]

(Sorry guys, my PC tottally died there for a few weeks. I couldn't even work on my stories for that time!)

"Hang on, I'll requisition us some transportation in-"
The Sheriff stopped mid sentence. Around the end of the long street marched some of the townsfolk, all armed.
"Hey! We need some horses over here!"
They continued to approach, their faces blank, lowering their weapons.
"Aw, hell! Get down!"
The Sheriff dropped and rolled as the crowed opened fire.

[Ash]

(( Oh man. I thought the forum died... again. Good to know that I was wrong. ))


Ash jumps to the side, and takes aim.

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!?!"

Is this the work of the virus?

"STOP RIGHT THERE!", he shouts, before he shoots.

The shot misses, maybe on purpose, maybe because Ash cant do any better due to his class.

"And now? We cant kill them."

Basically we could, but...

[tachyon]

((sorry guyz,im on a laptop in my nana's house,in another state. had to buy a wireless modem so i could post ))

The townsfolk marched forward relentlessly, forcing all to ground with their volleys. Fortunately, whatever control was over their movement was not extended to their aim; the shots traveled straight and level.
"I don't think we have to kill them kid," said the Sheriff, "we stay low and outta their way we should be-"
The firing stopped. The townsfolk stayed where they were. Through the crowd Francis emerged, Colechester at his side with his anachronistic and oversized weapon.
"Party's over Sheriff," he said, smiling, "I'm in charge now. These people love me! Don't you?"
"Yes." said every single NPC in unison.
"Heh heh, you see? They don't want you here anymore. You and your little band of deputies aint welcome here. I think it best if you all just up and left, here-" at a wave of his hand, a door materilized off to the side of the street, "there's your exit. I suggest you use it."

[Ash]

(( No need to buy wireless modem just to post. You could have waited until you are back home. IIRC, those modems are pretty expensive. At least over here. ))

Ash stands up and clenches his teeth after hearing Francis suggestion.

He wants us to leave? ...Of course. There is no one around who will oppose him once we are gone, except other NPC´s.
But he will probably do the same thing he did with the people of this town. But what can I... no. What can WE do to stop him?
Is fighting the only option? Isn't there another way?

Ash sighs and shoves his revolver back into the holster.

The people of this town shouldn't be dragged into this fight. Thats just not right. And what do they need Kei for? I don't understand it.

"Why? Why are you doing this? Those people have nothing to do with this! Let them go!"

I don't know what to do. I cant come up with a plan.

(( No, really. I have no idea. Seems like "checkmate" to me. Crud.
I start to hate Francis. Even more than before. ;D ))

[Ash]

Then, all of a sudden...

B U M P !

And, merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever.
Sadly, no snow this year for me. Bah.

[tachyon]

((Thats OK, it didn't snow here either. Merry Christmas.))

Francis laughed.
"Heh, I'm not forcing any of these good folk to do anything. You want these strangers gone don't you?"
"Yes." said every single person in unison. It was unnerving.
"There you have it. The people have spoken. Now get on outta here."
Thing were tense. There seemed no possible way of winning the fight, and with Kei still trapped leaving was not an option.
Then, the Sheriff stood up.
"Now listen," he said in a low voice so only Ash, Mach and Urufu could hear, "what I'm about to do will slow these guys down enough for you to get away. You gotta move as fast as you can to the stable just behind us, grab a horse each and head for the hills."
With that the Sheriff raised his hands, and at once shimmering bands of light encircled the legs and arms of all the NPCs, Francis and Colechester included.
"Go! They're taking up too much processing power, I won't be able to lock their accounts for long!"

[Ash]

(( But you live in Australia. It doesnt snow in Australia. Or does it? ))

Ash thinks about what the Sheriff said. As much as he hates the idea to leave him behind, he has no choice.

"Fine. But as soon as we are away, you'll run. You'll run like hell."

Ash was about to start running, but he stops and turns around to face Francis. He points a finger at Francis and was about to say something. But he doesn't. He turns around again and starts running.
Inside the stable, he jumps onto the back of the first horse that he sees. He grabs the bridle (( Is that the right word? )). Nothing happens.

"Okay. Run."

Nothing happens.

"Come on. Move!"

Still nothing.

"Gogogo!"

Finally the horse moves. Not because of Ash´s words., but because he slammed his feet into the horse´s sides. The sudden and quick movement of the horse nearly throws Ash of its back. After the problems with the start, he slowly gains control of the horse movements. It still looks clumsy, but it works. The horse gallops out of the stable and, as Ash slams his feet into its side again, toward the mountains with more speed.

[tachyon]

Back in the street, the Sheriff struggles to keep the other NPCs in lockdown.
"You can't keep us tied up forever." said Francis, slowly moving his gun towards the Sheriff.
"I know." said the panting, sweating Sheriff, who was struggling to stay upright.
"I'm going to kill you." Francis said.
The Sheriff collapsed, but still manged to keep everyone bound as he laughed.
"You really aren't from around here are you?"
The bindings faded, releasing the townspeople, but before Francis could fire his gun the Sheriff dissoved into a cloud of dust. His last words echoed around the crowed street.
"We never die, not 'round here..."

On the edge of the mountains, where the town was just a distant speck lit by oil lamps and torches, two natives waited by the roadside. They heard the horse comming up the trail, and waited until it had entered view before stepping out in front of it.
"You are Ash?" one asked the rider.

[Ash]

Against Ash´s expectations the horse stopped just as he wanted it to, after the two natives appeared on the path in front of him. He nods, while slowly grabbing his revolver.
They don't seem hostile, but the fact that they kidnapped Kei, or better said... Katrina, confuses Ash.

"Yes. Yes I am. Now... Would one of you be kind enough to tell me what this is all about?"

[tachyon]

"In time." said one as he took the reins of Ash's horse, "For now, we'll lead you to the camp."
The guides led Ash through a narrow gap in the cliff face, hidden by bushes and rocks, to a small cluster of tents hidden in a gully. The guide stopped and tethered the horse to a tree and signalled for Ash to follow him.

[Ash]

"Yes. In time...", Ash grumbles as he follows them. His hand around the revolver relaxes. As much as he dislikes his current situation, there is nothing he could possibly do about it.
His view wanders over the tents. He gets rid of the thought that the people here are hostile. He tells himself that, should they really be hostile, they would have already got rid of him.
But then again, they could do that once they got whatever they want from him.

"I hope the explanation is good. Makes me sick to be left in the dark.", he mumbles.

[tachyon]

The guide leads Ash into a clearing where several Indian tents have been set up around a central fire. The guards let them pass, and the others about the camp, men, women and children, don't even look twice. There is a sense of eeire calm about.
Ash's guide takes him to a tent larger than the rest and lifts the flap.
"Enter." he said.

[Ash]

As Ash stands in front of the tent, he hesitates to enter. He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and sighs. He grins as he remembers himself saying "does not sound to hard".

Just couldn't keep my mouth shut.

His grin disappears, his facial expression now totally serious again as he enters the tent.