Discovering the Plot

Posted on Wed Nov 30th, 2016 @ 11:52pm by Captain Tim Williams
Edited on on Thu Dec 1st, 2016 @ 9:20am

Episode: Out of Sequence
Location: USS Highlander - Holodeck
Timeline: BACKPOST - Before discovery of the DeSalle

"Your man Bill has been giving the people of this town one hell of a fright these past few months," the sheriff told Tim gruffly, as he led the way across the town towards the small wooden building which served as the town jail at the end of the road.

"Oh?" Tim prompted, wanting to feel out what the situation was at the start of this novel before he dove in with a more determined response.

"He and his gang ride through all three towns in this region on a regular basis - looting, using windows for target practice, runnin' off all our horses. Just last week they shot half of Mister MacIlroy's herd of cattle, just to let them rot."

"Well I'm mighty sorry to hear that they've been causing you so much trouble," Tim responded.

"And now to top it off, Washington have decided to pair me up with some former outlaw - an old buddy of Bill Johnson's at that - to run him down. I'm telling you now, Williams; I don't like outlaws. I don't care if you're a born again Christian with plans on becomin' Pope or my grandmother's new husband. As far as I'm concerned; once an outlaw, always an outlaw."

So that was his role in this holonovel. A former outlaw - an old gang friend of this Bill Johnson - brought in by what served as the government in Washington to help the sheriff run the man down. "I don't tell Washington what to do, Sheriff," he offered, with a shrug. "And you can believe me when I tell you that I'd much rather not be here myself."

"Well, for better or worse, you are." The sheriff stopped outside the jail, next to a row of horses tied up outside. Their conversation was interrupted by three men riding in at high speed, pulling their mounts to a stop once they reached the jail.

"Sheriff!" the first one said, leaning forward on his horse as he called out. "It's the Whitesnake Gang! They're at the Riley Ranch - they're threatening to kill the farm hands, and they've taken the Rileys hostage!"

"Dammit to hell!" the sheriff cursed as he mounted one of the horses. "It looks like going after Johnson will have to wait. Williams! Are you up for a little ride? I could use an extra gun against those boys."

"Lead the way, Sheriff," Tim said, pulling himself up into the saddle of one of the other horses.