Chapters 1-10
Part 1
By Tommy Boy
** ** **
Rawhide dropped his industrial sized back pack onto the tarmac and turned to see the others disembark the BB Lear jet.
Perfect Tommy, dressed in designer dungarees and green shirt, dropped his back pack on the tarmac. He turned to have a pack thrown at him from the door. With luck he caught it and dropped it next to his. Knuckles came down the steps followed by Oddity. She was glad to be out of the small plane as was her four legged partner.
The British tech, Radar was next, carrying his pack on his back like the soldier he had trained to be. Rawhide was starting to like the man and appreciating his talents.
Tommy Boy appeared next after a few minutes, closing down the plane with her co-pilot, Thunder. They were laughing at a joke as they made their way down the stairs with their packs.
Rawhide sighed, he knew that he should be glad to see them together, but it still got to him on one level. Tommy Boy had been his, but he had to let her go. Being with Thunder just hurt, of anyone for her to choose it had to be him. But he knew, he knew Thunder was the best choice.
Tommy Boy came up to him, �??Rawhide?�?? She asked.
He looked at her and shook his head. �??You okay?�??
�??I'm okay. I thought you said we were being met?�?? Rawhide looked to the man behind Tommy Boy
Thunder nodded. �??The other two were supposed to get two vehicles for us.�??
Timing was everything, two Chrokees were making their way around the parked planes. They stopped in front of them.
Out of the first vehicle was a tall, slender man. He stood tall and walked with efficiency. The other vehicle was a man of small stature, with long dark hair. They came up to Rawhide.
The smaller man, �??Sorry to be late, the people at the rental agency were giving us a hard time about the rate and time and ...�??
�??Cheif, slow down. We're here.�?? He gave a lopsided grin then looked to RAwhide, offering his hand. �??Jim Ellison, and this is my room mate Blair Sandburg.�??
�??Rawhide, and this is Tommy Boy and Thunder. Welcome aboard.�??
�??Man this is great. I'm glad you took up my proposal. I never thought I would have you guys for the team.�??
�??Things can be interesting. If what you speculate is true it will be a nice discovery for your VITA for the college.�??
�??Well I owe Buckaroo one, that's all I can say.�??
�??We have three trunks to get out of the plane and load up.�?? Rawhide told the troops. Radar and Perfect Tommy were heading to the back of the plane to lower the cargo ramp.
An hour later they were loaded and ready to head out.
Rawhide drove with Radar as co pilot. His team made up of Perfect Tommy and Knuckles. Thunder followed with Blair, Jim, Tommy Boy and Radar.
Destination Yellowstone Park. They would travel through from the south entrance towards the east entrance. They were to make a home base at a remote camp ground then pursue the matter of a lost city.
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Part 2
By BBI fiero
** ** **
Rawhides? Cherokee kept lead a few miles, kicking up dust. Knuckles? was riding shotgun. Perfect-Tommy was in back with the gear. A few electronic beeps emitted.
Knuckles? had a map spread out trying to make sense of the legend. ?What?s our first stop? She asked.
Without diverting his attention, Rawhide answered. ?We drive another 18 miles, when we reach the preserve, we?ll travel a few more miles in, then set up camp in an isolated spot.?
?You really think there?s a lost city out here? ?
?I?m not the expert but Blair and Jim believe it. They provided enough research to convince Buckaroo anyway.?
?Wow?Wonder how they came upon that conclusion.?
?From what I heard, they made some recent discoveries via satellite terrain photos.?I?m not looking forward to any digging.?
?What interests you about this expedition then??
?I?ll take any opportunity to get out in the woods with Nature..I might look for beetle specimens. Collect some ?mo critters.?
"Yuk...bugs" Knuckles yawned, stretched her arms and turned her head to the rear of the jeep.
?Yo, Perfect-Tommy!?
?Quiet, I?m making entries.? Came the response.
?You o.k. back there?
An electronic beep sounded. ?Ha, Ha OH boy, I?ll say!!?
?Huh??, knuckles was confused.
?1 more Pika-chu and I?ll be a Pokemon Master!?
PT excitedly held out his yellow Gameboy for all to see. A dancing character on the colored LCD display.
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Chapter 3
By Nicki Knight
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Radar yawned and leaned his head back on something not overly soft stacked behind his seat.
Blair glanced at him. "Jet lag?" he asked.
Radar shook his head. "Ever tried to take a nap in the same aircraft as Knuckles and Perfect Tommy?"
Thunder huffed. "Ever tried flying said aircraft?" he turned in his seat to look back at the Brit. "What were they doing back there anyway? We were getting tossed all about."
Radar chuckled. "Apparently there was some dispute on whether Oddity was to stay in the cage or allowed to run the plane. And then it was about whether or not Perfect Tommy would fit in the cage if Knuckles gave it the proper effort in getting him into it. Then it left the discussion stage."
Jim Ellison, sitting behind the driver's wheel, smiled. "Knuckles? She's the bounty hunter?"
Tommy Boy looked the man over. "How'd you know that?" she wondered.
He shrugged. but it was an over eager Blair who answered with a "He's a cop. His kind tend to keep an eye on her kind."
"My kind?" Jim frowned.
"Her kind?" Radar frowned.
Thunder and tommy exchanged amused glances. Then Thunder asked over his shoulder to the back seat "What about your kind, Mr. Sandburg?"
"Blair." the little dark man corrected. "And what about my kind?"
"Well," Tommy Boy joined in, "you are working on your doctorate and, somehow, that has you hooked up with Officer Ellison."
"So hooked up, in fact," Thunder continued, "you're in the same house with him." He smiled, again exchanged glances with his girl. "Wonder if it has something to with all that research you've done on guardians of primitive societies... in particular those known as sentinels."
Tommy Boy shrugged. "He might just be interested in Ellison's time in the jungle, all alone except for a little, primitive band of locals in which he had protected with, oh... weren't they described as super human abilities?!" she offered.
"Well, his interest could be more recent." Thunder countered. "I mean, Ellison's record on the Cascade PD practically puts him down as a human crime lab, seemingly all five senses on hyperdrive."
This time it was Jim and Blair who exchanged glances.
Radar yawned again. "So, we've all read files on everyone else. Wake me when we run into someone we don't know everything about."
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Chapter 4
By The Chronicler
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"Hello!" Knuckles sat up, closing her laptop and tucking it away. "Looky-looky, local law." She nodded out the front window to a forest green Park Ranger's truck sitting under the preserve greeting sign. "So, they musta heard Tom was in the neighborhood."
Perfect Tommy mumbled something better lost in translation from the back seat.
Rawhide smiled. "Alrighty, kids. Settle down and behave yourselves." He pulled up beside the truck when one of the Rangers indicated for him to stop.
The Ranger stepped up to his window, looked at each of the occupants in turn, then smiled up at Rawhide. "Hello, folks. Do you know you are on a restricted road?"
"Road?" Perfect Tommy huffed amid a collection of game beeps. "Is that what they call a slight clearing of trees out here?"
Rawhide continued to smile, ignoring the crash and swearing behind him as Knuckles, very un-behaving like, threw something at the equally unsettled Perfect Tommy. He dug into his shirt pocket and handed the Ranger a paper. "Yea, we're the Banzai expedition. We have special permission. I'm Rawhide, expedition captain. This is Knuckles and Perfect Tommy. The rest of out team is in the cherokee behind us."
"Hey, you guys are the Hong Kong Cavaliers, arn't ya? You guys are really good. My daughter is obsessed with you guys." the Ranger wowed at them.
"Really?" Perfect Tommy perked up. "How old is she?"
"Well, right now we're scientist." Rawhide quickly said, not giving the man a chance to wonder about Tommy's inquiry Another crash and another round of swearing told him Knuckles was taking care of it.
The Ranger turned his attention to the papers. He stepped back to compare them to those his partner had produced. Then he stepped back. "Well, looks like everything is in order. You are aware that, while in the park, you are restricted in your firearms use?"
"Yes, sir." Knuckles spoke up for the team. "Tranq. guns only, one rifle per vehicle. Only to be used if attacked by an animal... which is unlikely at best."
The Ranger nodded. "Looks like everything is in hand. One last warning: we've had a few sightings of a group on dirt bikes and quads, tarring up the back trails. Some have been seen with automatic weapons." He shrugged. "Probably some drunk kids with their daddy's guns. If you see them, call it in and keep your distance. We'll handle it. No heroes, now. Out here, that's our job." He smiled, handing Rawhide his papers again. "So, if there are no more questions, welcome to Yellowstone."
"Hey, I have a question." Perfect Tommy leaned forward between the two front seats so he could get a better look at the Ranger.
"Yes, sir?"
"Where's the closest five-star hotel? You know, with the works. Room service, cable, mini bar, dry cleaning, personal hot tubes and spa, arcade..."
Rawhide placed a hand over Tommy's face and shoved him back. "No questions." he assured the Ranger.
"Well, then, as I said, welcome to Yellowstone. best of luck on your expedition." And, with that, he waved them through the front gates of the preserve.
As soon as they were pass, Knuckles turned in her seat so as to lean her back against Rawhide and hang her feet out her window. Looking up at him, she batted her eye lids and mimic "No heroes, now. Out here, that's our job."
Chuckling, Rawhide shook his head and drove on.
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Chapter 5
By Regalo3000
It was a wonderful day in the park, so far. Hillary was having the time of her life with the guys. They were Buzz, Hayden, and a geeky-looking pimple-faced kid named Ohio. Sure, there'd been a little drinking but that came with the territory. It was when they began drinking too much that she had to worry. The boys got meaner, braver, and did more stupid things.
Guys, haven't you had enough to drink? she said as they brought their cycles to a halt.
The voice of reason speaks, said Buzz, the leader of the group. He sped closer to her and looked her in the face. I love it when you give orders.
A regular General Patton, said Hayden. Or rather, MRS. Patton!
Ohio laughed his geeky laugh.
She's my future wife boys, said Buzz. Hillary blushed. She's too good to be a general's wife. She'd only live in his shadow. My girl has dreams! Don't you, Hill? Tell 'em your dreams.
You're embarassing me, she said with a smile. Stop. Let's ride some more.
You heard the lady! They all lined up in a row. Cannonball!
No, said Hillary, not Cannonball!
Cannonball! Cannonball! Cannonball!
Oh, okay, she said and off they sped ...
They moved as one, like a seeming wall of metal, as they advanced upon their human targets. Anyone unfortunate enough to be in their way was very nearly run over, but at the last second they would hit their breaks and veer off sending dust into their victims faces. Then, laughing they would yell: "Balls to Thee and Thine!!!" and then ride off looking for more victims to abuse and insult.
I'm getting tired of this, said Hillary. And those poor people.
Change in plans, yelled Buzz, the Princess has had a change of heart! They gathered in a circle, and downed what were among the last of their beer cans. Speak, oh Princess and thy wish shall be our command. Ohio laughed.
Don't you ever say anything, Ohio? asked Hillary.
Tag!!! yelled Ohio.
Tag! Tag! Tag! Tag! yelled Buzz and Hayden in unison.
This was what she was afraid of ... No, she said, not tag, please, no! They'd had a bit too much to drink and now they were getting mean ...
Tag! Tag! Tag! They sped off for the nearest trees, Hillary begging them to stop all the while they were using little saws to cut branches. Then they positioned their bikes in a circle, Hillary, not involved was the only one on the outside, she was still begging for them to call it off.
Their faces were most serious. They raised their makeshift clubs high in the air, then let out warrior-like screams and sped off in different directions.
Fellas, no, you'll get us in trouble! she sped after Buzz, and caught up with him after a minute. You're not impressing me, you know? she yelled as she rode at his side.
What? was all he said before speeding up ahead of her.
It was a dangerous game of hide and seek, but on motorcycles. It wasn't difficult to hear another's motor, so the bikes had to be walked, for the time being. Once another player was in sight, you mounted your bike and went at him. Both players had the chance to club each other. Sometimes people got really hurt.
Buzz spotted Hayden first. He mounted his bike soundlessly and waited until Hayden was in a clearing, in full sight. Buzz sped forward yelling. Hayden jumped on his bike then lost his balance, the bike fell over sideways. He tried to get up but Buzz was on top of him and let him have the club full force! The helmet withstood the impact and Buzz yelled out a victory cry! But, Ohio popped out from the shrubs and got Buzz across his mid-section. Buzz was thrown from the motorbike and landed on his rump. The bike kept on going and smashed into a tree.
Ohio laughed.
My bike! Buzz was yelling. You dumb shit! You ruined my bike! He rose and went to it, examined it for damage, found nothing major, got back on, and sped off again. He had to stop to pick up his club.
Little bastard, he said, speeding off after Ohio.
Something's wrong with my bike, Hayden was saying, but there was no one to hear. Buzz and taken off after Ohio and Hillary was nowhere to be seen. Hayden kept trying to kickstart the motor but it just wasn't working.
Meanwhile Hillary was thinking, This has turned out to be the shittiest day ever. Ohio was coming fast, he sped past her laughing. He was followed by Buzz who was saying something like, "Kill you, you little ... Guys! This isn't funny anymore! she yelled out.
Ohio came upon a group of campers. "Balls to Thee and Thine!!!" he yelled as he sped past. But he hadn't noticed the tent that was now right in front of him. Crash! Buzz came to a dead stop! Several campers came running to the now demolished tent.
He just came and crashed into our tent!
Boy, are you all right?
Ohio threw the tent off himself and looked at the worried faces before him, and burst out laughing. He got back on his bike, and together, he sped off with Buzz. Both were laughing by now.
Crazy kids, said a camper.
Gets worse every year, replied another.
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Part 6
By Tommy Boy
** ** **
Rawhide followed the directions Knuckles gave as she read the map. They were traveling to a deserted camp site that was well within the park. While driving they skirted a large meadow that a herd of Buffalo were grazing.
Rawhide stopped to let Knuckles get a look. He knew the Tommy Boy would have her camera out. He pulled out the 2-way radio. "Rover 1 to Rover 2."
Radar pulled the radio out and handed it to Jim. "Rover 2." Jim answered. He was watching as TB rolled down the window and was taking pictures with a high end camera. Blair was watching too.
"We'll sit for a few minutes then move on."
"Read over."
For a few minutes the animal lovers let the surroundings sink in then moved on.
Following the trail, they proceeded over shallow creeks and dense woods. Tommy Boy turned back to Blair. "When we get settled, I have the satellite readings of the area. We can go from there where you think it's best to take the equipment Radar has."
Blair turned to Radar about to ask what he brought with him, Radar beat him to the question. "Land Sonar."
Blair smiled bigger. "Cool, I've read about the work of them in Europe, this will be great to use. If it's a meadow or such, it will be easy work."
"Let's hope it's a meadow to get the full width of the scan." Radar added.
Knuckles sat back as they came to a clearing. "Here we go." She announced.
Pulling to the side, Jim pulled around to be facing the other vehicle.
Stepping out of the SUV's they looked around their surroundings. Another meadow, with a brook running not far from them. In the distance the Rocky Mountains reaching for the sky.
Tommy Boy took a few shots of the terrain then back at the group.
Rawhide was opening the back of his vehicle and started pulling out packs. "Set up time girls." Jim did the same to his.
The three large chests were put by the SUV's. Thunder told Tommy Boy he would take care of the tent if she wanted to start finding wood for a fire. Jim nodded to Blair that he would set up their tent if he helped her.
Tommy Boy pulled out a flat cloth with handles and they went into the woods, gathering twigs and small limbs.
Knuckles looked at Perfect Tommy with exasperation. "Are you ever going to put that game down?" She asked.
Perfect Tommy looked up at her and sighed. Turning off his game he put it in his side dungaree pocket. "Yes dear." He smiled.
Pulling out a tent set they started setting up their tent. Soon four two man tents were set in a circle on the dry earth.
Radar pulled out the poster tube the housed the satellite shots that were made of the area along with other geographic maps. When Tommy returned with Blair they could start discussing where to look for the 'lost' indian village.
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Part 7
By BBI fiero
** ** **
Jim finished pounding the last of the stakes. He stood back and placed his hands on his hips.
The primitive clothes line was a little crooked; East side higher than the West.
?Not bad for a city slicker? he thought. Growing bored he put down his hammer.
Looking to the right, he spotted Rawhide sitting on the ground. Jim walked over.
The Hong Kong cavalier held a gun wrapped with cloth, and a small plastic bottle in his left hand.
The cop in Jim became interested.
?Hey, that?s? a relic! ?
?You like it?? replied the cowboy.
?Yea?Uh, what make is it anyway??
?What does it look like??
?Hmm, it?s kind of huge..is it..some kind of?colt??
?Yep?Colt .45, an 1882 Johnny Ringo revolver.?
?Holy crow??
?Yea?same time period during the infamous Clanton gang shootout with Wyatt Earp,?Doc? Holliday and the rest of the Earp brothers.?
Jim kept staring. ?How did you come across such-"
?My family has long Western roots. This here guns? been handed down to me.?
Rawhide noticed the peace officers? extended fascination with the revolver.
?Man, you?re a regular James Arness, aren?t cha? Pretty sure I heard the Park Ranger inform us of Yellowstone?s weapons ban.?
Rawhide ignored the comment and finished wiping down the barrel. Standing up, the Hong Kong cavalier holstered the gun and slung his backpack over his shoulder. ?He did?..But the only game I?m hunting for are Beetles.?
?You taking off??
?Yep?.Reckon I have 3 hours or so before Sundown?I?m packing a ?Go-About?,(BB radio) case you need me.?
Rawhides? thoughts raced in his mind. He figured he could avoid responsibility of picking out sleeping arrangements by returning to camp later. Besides the solitude of the woods would suit him fine.
?All right?Think I?ll see what Thunder is up to.? Replied Jim. The peace officer watched as Rawhide strolled away.
--------------
Tommyboy and Blair were hiking deeper into the woods. They covered a mile already when the intern noticed the sack was about full. Smiling, TB broke the silence. ?I think we have enough fuel for a ?weenie roast??.
Blair was peering through binoculars. He didn?t seem to have heard the HK Cavaliers? remark.
?Did you hear me?? TB shrugged her shoulders and began walking towards the Anthropologist. She walked about 15 yards when she noticed some heavy boulders to the left. After studying the terrain Tommyboy figured she could shave a few yards if she would detour through the rocks.
TB held her hand out to steady herself against a boulder when something caught her eye. ?What in the world???
One of the larger rocks had various symbols scrawn across the lower face.
TB put down her sack and pushed some clumps of weeds out of the way. She commenced studying the scribble. After a moment she yelled.
?Blair! You awake??
This time the man appeared startled.
?Huh? You say something?? He dropped his binoculars. They were suspended by vinyl straps and slung down against his shirt.
?Did you see this??
?What are you talking about young lady??
Tommyboy waved her hand indicating to the Anthropologist to come over.
Blair hopped away from his spot and approached the HK cavalier.
?Oh my goodness- Look at you!?
TB glanced up. ?What do you make of this??
Blair grinned from ear to ear.
?Looks like you found some Rock paintings!?
TB stood aside and let the older man kneel down to study. She made a comment. ?I wouldn?t have even seen them if I hadn?t bent down to collect twigs.?
?Yes..this is drawn quite low. What an interesting find!?
?Perhaps I should take some snap shots of this for your research, eh??
?Huh? Oh, by all means.? The man was preoccupied with the symbols.
TB reached into her backpack to retrieve a Digital Camera.
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Part 8
By The Chronicler
Jim's head came up. Turning away from Thunder's demonstration, his eyes scanned the forest line.
Thunder frowned. "Something wrong?" he wondered. A wine drew his attention to Oddity who laid under Perfect Tommy's lounge chair.
The dog's clear blue eyes were locked on the same tree line as Jim's, his ears twitching, his muscles jerking as if fighting the urge to disobey his owner and run for whatever had caught his attention.
The wine had also attracted Knuckles' attention. She rose up from where she had been casting some animal tracks a couple of yards out of camp. "Thunder?" she asked.
Thunder kept his attention on the man beside him. "Jim?"
The officer shook his head. "Think those kids are in the neighborhood." he mumbled.
Thunder mentally checked everything Rawhide had told them that the Ranger had told him about the kids running wild on dirt bikes, being a regular pain in the butt to the locals. Pain in the butt, yes. Something to worry about... generally no...
But Knuckles didn't like uncertainties. "Oddity!"
The dog leaped to his feet, tipping the napping Perfect Tommy over onto the ground. Ignoring the startled and cursing Cavalier, Oddity spun about, his tail wagging, is big blue eyed grin in place, and looked expectantly for his owner's.
Knuckles gave it. "Find Tommy Boy!" she commanded.
With a bark, Oddity ran off for the trees.
"So, where's the cowboy?" Knuckles asked as soon as her pet was off.
"Are you expecting trouble?" Jim wanted to know.
"Never mind her." Thunder said with a sigh. "She's only happy when she's worried." Knowing, if anything could be wrong, Knuckles was doing what needed to be done, and that was rounding up the team and making sure everyone was alert and able. Since that was being done, he turned back to his computer.
Knuckles snatched up her ever present back pack and dug around until she pulled out her ever present 1866 Starr Army revolver.
"Ummm..." Jim scratched his chin. "Just completely forget the fact that I happen to be a police officer, standing right here..."
"We don't hold it against you." Perfect Tommy assured, righting his lounge chair and reclaiming it.
"Thanks." But Jim stayed focused on the girl and her rather large hand gun. "Let me guess... Long western roots?"
"Me?" Knuckles grinned. "Wasn't even born in the country."
Perfect Tommy huffed. Yawning, he mumbled "Gotta understand the girl, Jim. Knuckles is just a wee bit paranoid. She'd shoot a tree if she thought it looked at her wrong."
"Now, now, Tom." Knuckles protested, loading the Starr. "I like the trees and all the forest's cute, little, fuzzy critters. It's the Clan warriors and aliens and Death Dwarves hiding in the trees and wearing those cute, little, fuzzy critters on their heads that I like to shoot." Tucking the weapon under her belt at her back, she asked "So, did Rawhide take a Go-About with him?"
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Tommy Boy finished taking the pictures, then tucked the camera back into the safety of her pack. "Okay. I'll tag this location and..." She stopped. "Did you hear something?" she wondered after a second.
"Huh? Oh, no." mumbled the anthropologist who was so wound up with their discovery, he wouldn't have noticed an atomic bomb blowing up the tree beside him.
"No." Tommy Boy mumbled, noting the sudden silence of the forest around her. "Me neither." After placing a little locator disk under the edge of the boulder, she grabbed Blair's shoulder and dragged him to his feet.
"Hey, wait... I'm not..." he started to protest.
A sudden roar of an engine interrupted him.
The two spun about to see some geeky looking kid speeding toward them on a dirt bike, swinging a hefty branch.
"Shi..." Blair stared.
Tommy Boy had her own interpretation: "Just my luck."
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Chapter 9
By Nicki Knight
Tommy Boy spun away, dragging Blair with her up into the safety of the boulders.
The laughing biker took a swing, but missed as the Cavalier dodged. He skidded his bike to a stop, kicking up dirt and twigs at the two. "Ha! Almost got..." He paused, looking at them, frowning. "Hey, you ain't Mrs. Patton!"
"No sh**, Sherlock!" Tommy Boy snapped. "Get off the bike, kid! Play time's over!" she growled, starting for him. "Somebody's gonna get hurt."
"You ain't my mother!" the kid snapped back, hefting the branch up to ward her off.
"Lucky me." Tommy Boy put her hands on her hips. "Lucky you. With parental rights, I'd kick your butt right back to school!"
The little geek grinned. "Like to see you try." he admitted. Looking her up and down, he licked his lips.
A low growl sounded from the other side of the biker.
His head snapped about. "WOLF!" he screamed in panic, before kicking his bike into motion again. Within seconds he was disappearing into the trees. From somewhere to both his left and right, at least two more bikes could be heard, racing in his direction.
When the dust cleared, Tommy Boy found herself, alone and unarmed, facing the gaping mawl of the "wolf."
Oddity sat back on his haunches and barked a greeting.
"That is a wolf?" Blair laughed.
Tommy Boy smiled, shaking her head. "Come on, you ferocious beast." she called to the Austrian Shepard. "Let's get back to camp."
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Rawhide looked around at his team who were all know sitting around a roaring campfire. The sun was just setting. Radar had offered to rustle up dinner (make note: the word "rustle" has humorous effect when spoken with British accent). Tommy Boy had informed them of their encounter with the youth on his bike and the dangerous game he was playing... in between Blair's excited descriptions of the markings they had found. With the location marked, the pictures in the computer and being compared to just about everything in nearly every library accessible by computer, Jim had succeeded in talking his partner down into a quieter, slower, calmer tone.
So, that just left one last thing for the group to do before settling in for their first night. A subject he had hoped would be settled on before he had returned to camp. And, by the look on TB's face, she had hoped for a like conclusion for her own little jaunt through the woods.
The first match was easy: Blair and Jim (Cavaliers thankful that none of them would have to deal with Blair's excited hyperness).
Then it got tough.
"You know," Perfect Tommy, as expected, offered first "the girls are each about half the size of one of us... they could both bunk with me."
Thunder and Rawhide winced, both taking a step out of the way, sorry now that they had both chosen seats between their young companion and the ladies who were surely about to do something very unlady like.
Radar, not bothering to look up from whatever it was he was cooking in the cast iron pot on the fire, saved the day. "What say you: we have two girls, they get a tent to themselves. Considering that I am a deep sleeper and am unarmed, I will take the offered spot in Perfect Tommy's tent."
Perfect Tommy crossed his arms over his chest and pouted. "No longer offered." he warned.
Thunder and Rawhide looked at each. And that meant the last tent was their's. And, since neither man would let the other know if that bothered him, they both said in unison "Fine with me."
Tommy Boy glanced from one to the other. Ah, this aughta prove interesting...
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Part 10
By Regalo3000
It was the following morning that the kids woke up at dawn, and rode around for a while. They came upon a Fire Tower.
They're only used during fire season, said Hillary. She, Buzz, Hayden (who had finally gotten his bike going again), and Ohio were sitting on their motorbikes gazing up at a Fire Tower in Yellowstone park.
I hear it's one boring job, man, said Buzz.
Like totally boring, said Hayden.
This! said Ohio, this is boring, staring at a stupid tower. Let's get some action going.
Action, eh? said Hayden. You mean like that encounter you had at the boulder yesterday.
Shut up, said Ohio.
Mr. Adventure, mocked Hayden.
Shut up.
He's right, said Buzz. Who's going for beer?
Not me, said Hayden.
Not me, said Ohio
Well, I'm certainly not going, said Hillary.
Let's choose for it, the old New York way, said Buzz.
Damn New Yorkers, said Ohio.
They all got in a circle and flicked either one finger or two fingers. They all flicked two fingers, it was even all around.
Again, said Buzz.
They flicked. Buzz, Hayden, and Hillary all flicked one finger. Ohio flicked two. He was the one.
I am the one! he said with a mystical edge, raising and lowering his hands. He revved up his bike and took off. Meet you guys at the waterfalls, he said as he sped away.
_______
Buzz, Hayden, and Hillary had reached the two falls and were enjoying the slight play of mist in the air when Buzz said: Man, oh, man, this is Dead Men Falls, I almost forgot!
What are you talking about? asked Hayden.
There's a story about two kids who on a bet each dove into the water, one kid made it, the other kid didn't, funny thing is, they never found the other kid's body. Some say it's still down there in the stream, waiting ...
Hillary laughed, Waiting for what?
Waiting to be avenged.
But if he dove in voluntarily then it was his own fault.
No, that wasn't it, you see the first kid KNEW the other falls was the more dangerous.
They all stared at the two falls in silence.
Horse-manure, said Hayden. You're having me on.
No, really, said Buzz. They say that on some nights you can hear him howling, screaming, he says, "Help me! Somebody! Anybody! Help me!" It's true. All you have to do is stick around long enough and you'll hear him ...
What a load of trash.
Stay here and listen for him, said Buzz, grabbing Hillary by the hand. Together they ran off into the woods to make-out.
_______
When they returned, Hayden was white-faced. I heard him!
What?
I heard the drowning kid! He was saying "Help me! Help me!"
Stupid, I made that story up!
Stand here and listen! Here! Listen!
Buzz got into position. It was then that Haydeb pushed him into the water, then got on his bike and took off, laughing the whole time!
I'll get you, Hayden! I will! And when I do!
I'll be back when you dry off! Hayden took off into the woods!
I'm freezing!
We have to dry your clothes.
I ain't going naked in Yellowstone Park, there's too many people can see!
How small it is? she laughed.
I'll throw you in too.
No!
Yeah!
No!
He began chasing her. When he finally caught her he began tickling her. It was then that the stranger appeared. Hillary yelped with fright. He was an unshaven, disheveled man, appeared to be some kind of mountain man, with stereotypical beard and all ...
Sorry, he said, didn't mean to frighten you.
What do you want man? asked Buz, getting between the man and Hillary.
Food, if you have any? said the stranger. Name's Bolderdash.
Yeah, sure, said Hillary. I've got some in my Quad.
_______
They were watching Bolderdash eat when Ohio finally arrived, several six-packs tied to the rear rack of his motorbike. Ahhh, said the stranger. Just what I was looking for. He jumped to his feet and attacked the beer.
Probably escaped from prison, said Buzz to Hillary. Let's be very careful.
My my, Hayden, how you've grown, said Ohio.
What? said the stranger.
Where the hell is Hayden? asked Ohio.
Who is Hayden? asked the man.
A friend of ours, said Buzz, rising to his feet, he's off somewhere cooling off. I'm wondering where he is ...
That was when the stranger pulled out a sidearm and said, Well then, we'll just have to sit here and wait for this Hayden to come back, now won't we?
The stranger could not take his eyes off Hillary ...
_______
Back at the campsite the Banzai Team was staring at the old Indian artwork. The sun and the moon were depicted simply enough. But there was the figure of a man and a single star above his head. Seven birds were flying around the central human figure and he was using his spear to fight them off. Then there was a second image of a man and a woman and something that resembled lightning was coming forth from them and seemingly burning the ground.
Doesn't look like anything familiar to me, said Blair.
Who's that Indian guy you say is new at the Institute, asked Jim. Maybe he can take a look at these images?
More digital pictures were being snapped.
Thunder nodded his head. Perfect Tommy, get on the go-phone, said Thunder, and make sure Slow Motion gets to the bunkhouse, let's have him look at these drawings via camera. I'll secure a satellite connection, see if I can get the Institute online, see to some teleconferencing.
Thunder set up the tiny camera, pointing it at the ancient art on the stone, then he set to work to getting the teleconferencing application working. Perfect Tommy coordinated the conference via a go-phone, made damn sure the Slow Motion was pulled out of whatever activity he was involved in at that moment. Before long Slow Motion was sitting before a camera at the Institute end of the connection, studying the ancient drawings as Thunder followed his directions.
I can see it very well, it's a good enough image, little more to the right, said Slow Motion and Thunder maneuvered the camera. I think I know what this is, this is the Old Blackfoot Legend ... See the man in the center?, that's the Blackfoot warrior Poia, he's the Son of the Morning Star, and he's saving his father (the Morning Star) from the seven fierce black birds. His grandparents the Sun and the Moon are watching. Poia's reward for saving the Morning Star (who did not know Poia was his son) is that his facial unsightly scar is taken from his face. Then here, he's being given a magic flute, once he plays it, the woman he loves will hear the music and be his forever. In the final piece of art you see Poia and his Maiden living happily in the afterlife among the stars. I don't see anything else -- wait -- tilt down ... what is that? It looks like some kind of a lightning bolt coming down to earth ... Poia's children, I think, blackening the earth with their arrival, and then nothing but ashes. The creation of the Blackfoot tribe? ... or ... something else .... I sense ... Good heavens, the Blackfoots weren't named after their black moccassins they wore as I've always believed, I was wrong, it was because they had trod in ashes upon the earth and got their bare feet black!!! ... The ashes of a great fire ...
Thanks, Slow Motion, said Thunder. That should be enough to keep us going for a while.
You're welcomed, said Slow Motion. The connection was then cut off.
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