Hells Bells

Ranching Feud

March 3rd, 2026. Blechin Family Ranch. Panguitch, Utah

Shouting emanates from the ranch house, reaching the ears of the ranch hands outside. Firetrucks speed by the house on their way to the cattle's grazing field, which is spewing black smoke into the sky as flames consume it. An olive drab jeep pulls up to the ranch, stopping short of the horse pen and hay storage. Out steps a man wearing BDU pants, steel toed army boots, and a leather jacket. In his hand is an unfamiliar type of rifle. Upon the ranch hands seeing him many turn to avoid his gaze by looking at the darkened cloud staining the blue sky. The man pays them no mind as well, loading a stripper clip into the rifle and trudging on to the house. He opens the door to a chaotic scene.

LUCILE: I'm telling you my husband's family had nothing to do with this.

ULYSSES: You inherited your whore of mother's mouth!

Ulysses crumbles to the couch, uncontrollably coughing. Winston is by his side trying to calm him down.

WYTE: The field's on fire.

A look of horror falls upon Winston and Lucile. Winston clambers to his feet.

WYTE: Sit down Winston.

Winston sheepishly sits down.

WINSTON: So, what are you doing here Wyte?

WYTE: I'm on leave, Odin wants all units that can see potential combat well rested. I finished managing my properties, so I came here to spend time with the family members who aren't scheming cunts.

LUCILE: You have a rifle in your hands.

Wyte pulls out a cigar and lights it.

WYTE: Thought I would do some hunting, maybe some partisan bullshit. What business is it for a whore?

She grits her teeth.

LUCILE: My brother in law is chief of police, you better not try anything.

Wyte bursts into laughter at her warning. He tries to regain his composure but begins laughing again when he looks her in the eyes.

WYTE: You think police from Garfield County will be able to go against federal forces? You fuck with me or the family again you'll be seeing a federal boot up your ass, especially since there's a rumor about your husband selling illegal booze and firearms.

He leans in closer.

WYTE: And all it takes is a rumor to get the DCI's attention and may we not forget the many pieces of evidence there are to said rumors.

He gets closer causing her to back up against the kitchen's bar.

WYTE: If this little feud our families have doesn't end with a burnt field, it will end with all your family in federal prison.

She brushes past him and leaves the house. Winston breathes a sigh of relief.

WINSTON: Maybe we can finally put an end to that feud.

WYTE: Oh no, I was bluffing. Federals won't waste their time on baseless rumors. There is evidence but it's scarce. Bringing up federals is something that those people don't like and they can't do shit while I'm here.

He sets the rifle down leaning it up against the couch and takes a seat, puffing on his cigar.

WYTE: I do have a plan, however it will not escalate to the point where they do something to cross the line to involve federal forces. I could pull your strings father but I don't know what some high ranking military generals will do when there are more pressing matters.