The cyborg's finger twitched on the trigger, almost hoping Buckaroo wouldn't answer.
Rawhide sat as tall as he could, his stubborn defience his only weapon.
What could Buckaroo do? Betray his wife and friend to save Rawhide? or stand there and watch while they put a bullet in his best friend's head?
As if sensing their danger, the answer came from an outside source. A flash of silver, a rumbling engine, and a speed so fast the frensh doors rattled, the jet car raced passed, speeding away toward the front gate.
Buckaroo smiled slightly. He pointed in the direction the car had vanished. "There."
Lady Oran de Nathair grinned. Then she spun about. "Stop them!" she yelled. Stop them at once!"
her henchmen leaped to obey, but it was too late. The jet car and escapees were long gone.
Perfect Tommy leaned against the wall. Jessie's dog sat at his feet, unmoving and ever alert. He marvled at the dog's obedience to his mistress. Unwavering and absolute loyalty. That dog would not move until his mistressed released him.
Tommy couldn't garentee such lyalty in himself. Of course he would give his life for Buckaroo (if he absolutely had too, and it would not be a case of vollunteering). But he rarely stayed when told to do so. he smiled as the thought, even dared to chuckle, which he imeaditely regretted as it sent ripples of head splitting pain though his skull.
Jessie James smiled slightly as she walked up to him, handing him a deli sandwich. "Something funny?"
"Not any more." Tommy admitted. Then he glanced about. "Where's the truck?"
"Attending its own funeral." She pick up her pack and snapped a leach on Oddity's collar. "Come on." She started down the street of the little town.
Relutantly, Perfect Tommy pushed away from the wall and followed her. "So, what now?" he wanted to know. "I have to get back to the Institute! And fast!"
"Don't fuss about it. I want that witch even more than you want to help your friends. You can bet on that." she promised.
"Then what are we going to do?" he demanded.
Knuckles glanced up as a helicopter flew over head. It hovered over her a park a black away, then lowered itself down in a baseball field behind the park.
"We are going to get us a ride." she answered.
Oddity wimpered as they got closer to the helicopter. Gage, the head bouncer of the Jessie James Club, smiled as he stepped around the nose of his bird. "Ah, now, Oddity, I know you don't like highths, but you can trust me. I won't let you fall."
The dog yiped at him, but seemed happier for the reassurence.
Gage took the leash from his boss-lady and lifted the dog up into the back seat where he harnessed him in. Then he turned and eyes Knuckles compaion. "He isn't going to bleed all over my bird, is he?"
Jessie chuckled. She tossed him her rifle. "If he does, you have my permission to dump him." she answered.
Perfect Tommy held up a hand. "Do I get a say in this?"
"Only if you wanna walk." was Gage's growled answer as he slid the rifle under the seat. He looked the young Cavalier up and down, resisting the urge to point out that that would be a long walk for the walking dead. The boy was pale, worn, battered, and swaying as if he would drop at any moment. What the kid needed was bed time and a good hot meal and a snappy drink. "What Knuckles says, goes." he added. Despit his rough words, hr grabbed Tommy's elbowin an almost gentle grip to help him up. Then closed the door and secured the door.
Jessie had already climbed into the front and, when Gage climbed in, she leaned close and said "We have a fight on our hands, friend. and our only ally is in desperate need on a hospital."
Gage smiled. "Like that ever stopped you before." he pointed out.
Knuckles smiled, glancing back at her charge.
Relieved to be sitting again, Perfect Tommy had already fallen into a fitful sleep. Oddity had curled up beside him, resting his head on the Cavalier's knee.
It was true, she would risk nearly any and everything to put a bad guy where he or she belonged... but, rather suddenly, there was some things she wasn't willing to risk.
If only she had a choice.
