Busted Gulch vol 14

The Killing Zone (NehpetsEnal)

Killing Zone

Bruce and Brandy were about to walk out the door when suddenly there showed up two more. Who the hell were they? 

"I don't know who the hell you are but if you don't give up my sister and her beau you're gonna quickly regret getting up today." 

Brandy heard the man say. 

______

"Denver, bring the horses to a halt. Don't rush in, where angels fear to tread."

"I'll do as you say, but I ain't no angel."

"Shadow's seen at least twenty men and there may be more."

"Don't sound like nothing we can't handle."

"You think so, they got the Buff staked out. Rush in like the cavalry and half of us will be dead, in a matter of seconds. Maybe, no father or mother or brother, is that what your ego wants?"

"OK, do we have any idea of the terrain, once over the Buff?"

"The track to Deep Pool is flanked by large rocky outcrops and the main track by the odd man-size boulder. The entrance has been barricaded with carts, wagons, and anything that could be moved. The front door is a killing zone, covered by crossfire and rooftop snipers."

"Jesus, this ain't no rabble, were dealing with, they've got the place set up like an army."

It took Denver a while to take stock, but he loved a plan.

"Conan, you, me Jake, and these ten men are with me."

They reformed their arrow, this time Denver took the lead.

Missy had been put in command of the posse on the left flank with half the men and half the women totting riffles.

Bart was in command of the right flank.

"Listen, all, no ifs, no buts, just follow the plan, set out to the letter. We'll only get one chance." Denver called his team to order.

They broke into a gentle canter and quickly crested the Buff.

They looked down on the scene before them. It grew obvious that Deep Pool was going to be a tuff nut to crack.

They hovered for a while, biding time allowing the rest of the posse yet unseen to work its way across the Buff.

______

"You think I should be afraid of you. I don't even know who you are nor do I care" Several men cocked their guns. Why don't you just put those hands up in the air?" Regan spoke, thinking Bretts threat a joke. 

Denver drew his gun and raised it slowly into the air, pulling the trigger, he fired off the first shot. Dropping his arm was the signal to head off at a gallop. They'd only descended half the slop and were already drawing fire.

The precision of their tactics soon became clear. They weren't as well prepared as anticipated and it was obvious, they'd done no range practice.

No one was dead... yet.

___________

Perspective shifted. Where was that gunfire coming from? Who the hell were these people? "Kill Them!" Regan wished this to be done.

Having succeeded in drawing enemy fire. No eyes were on the Buffs margins. The posse took full advantage. Denver's feign, provided the necessary distraction.

In the melee, they had reached shelter. Safely hidden behind the large rocky outcrops. The maneuver went undetected.

Brett took his chance and took a wild swing at Regan. The punch landed clean on his chin. Hitting with such force it sent him crashing to the ground. He landed with a thud. Kicking up a cloud of dust that congealed on his bloodied lips as it settled.

Grabbing Shadow by the arm. Brett saw a door fly open. Now covered under fire by Brandy and Bruce. Brett dragged his sister into the shelter of the building and quickly secured the door.

Warrior women bearing rifles. Slipped side saddle from their horses. Climbing to the highest vantage points. They soon had the unsuspecting snipers in their sights.

They waited for the glistening of a mirror. For a signal that the other flank was ready. The rocky outcrops echoed to the sound of gunshots. A hail of bullets was soon peppering the rooftops.

Before they had time to seek cover six of the sniper's lives were waning or over.

It turned out that Annie was a natural she could handle a rifle as well as a pen. When the snipers returned fire. They soon had the women ducking for cover.

Mary Loo took a slug to the chest, it went clean through. Candlelight Lil took a grazing shot to the face. She wasn't pretty, to begin with, this sure wasn't going to help.

Conan took a shot that ripped a lump out of his shoulder. Jake lost his hat and thanked God it wasn't his head.

Denver lost his horse. There was no time to avoid, the stricken pair, and Jake found himself riding over him. This guy was good, once again he flew through the air.  Bounced and was up and running. He grabbed Denver, by the scruff of his neck.

And said

"It's now my turn old man." 

And dragged him to the cover of the nearest boulder. Denver sat with his back against the bolder. Trickles of sweat ran down his dusty face. He winked at Jake.

"Nice one son, I'll let you have that one."

Apart from the odd flesh wound or dead horse. The rest of the arrow had hit its target. The lead was zinging from one boulder to another. There was a fair chance of meeting your end from a ricochet.

Missy and Bart had managed to reach the flanks but Deep Pool was well protected. There was nothing they could do bar sharing shots with each other. Several had been wounded on either side.

Bart was limping. He'd been nicked in the leg. They were effectively pinned down

It was just a matter of time, and who had the most ammo

"We've got ourselves a stalemate."