Hands up? Double barrels Bitches. Just look at my tits, I call this fourplay.
*
1876...
"Yup! Still in Hell."
Sadie Outlaw opened her eyes to an early morning breeze over the rough terrain that she had set up camp on. Even in this era the sunrise was beautiful over Texas. She just wished that there was a Starbuck's right around the corner. Sadly, with as much gear as she was unwilling to leave behind a coffee pot was not on her list. For a well-trained soldier who sought to be a woman once more, some things just seemed more important. At least she brought a canteen of water. Clean water at that from 2022. As long as it lasted.
"Looks like the wild horses moved on." She squints over the horizon where they had clustered just before sunset claimed their majesty. It would have been nice catching a ride, but out here in no man's land, at least during this time period, any wrong move would be game over. Even though the A.I. of her uncle's mistress Tilly had informed her of the added capabilities to her body's strength, and healing, tackling a wild stallion only to get thrown off and lay out here with a broken back was not her idea of fun. Not that she wouldn't risk it. She was used to rough terrain from her military service in the Middle East. Hoofing it was never fun, but she had very little choice at this point. Boots on the ground as they say.
Rolling up her bed roll and gathering her things, she shakes her head one last time at the predicament her life was left in. Who knew time travel really existed? Worse yet, she was a fish out of water in this era. Everything about her would spook the locals. She could only imagine how difficult communication would be, yet with every negative she attempted a positive. She did speak Spanish, as well as Comanche. That would come in handy. At least if any Indians got the bead on her she might actually be able to talk her way out of being scalped. Having heard stories while growing up of how the tribes stole white women as mates gave her another plus. Of course, the second they saw her tattoos they might think she was the Devil's daughter or some woManitou. Maybe she was. Of course, those tattoos were mainly of animals and Comanche shamans could consider them spirits. Risky either way.
Following the hoof prints of the horses, which luckily seemed to be going in the same direction that Tilly needed her to go, she considered risking a broken back. At least if she was left for dead, she wouldn't have to face her ancestor Jessup Outlaw. She knew that was going to be difficult. Not knowing what he was truly like, let alone being unable to reveal their relationship made her uneasy. For hours, and two crouching urinations she pondered their meet.
Lifting her locketwatch dangling around her neck, which once belonged to Jessup gave her a bit of hope should she need to prove to him their connection. With it being a twin there was always that chance she could warp reality and alter time by exposing it to him. She knew Tilly would not advise it. Fuck those assholes at Wyndham Explorations. If she had no choice, she would just hogtie Jessup and make him listen to her. Of course, if she did then he might never be able to reveal his whereabouts, nor, what it was that he was hiding from historical record. One thing was for certain, whatever Jessup Outlaw knew was worth a multi-billion-dollar time travel operation. It must be something big.
With the terrain rising up all around her she took things slow. This area would be easy for someone to carry out an ambush. Hearing horses around the bend gave her hope that she might just catch herself a ride. Sipping water in preparation for the encounter she began to drop her backpack and sit her rifle against a boulder. She would have to go in unencumbered if she had any hopes of taming a horse. Digging out riding gloves, she tipped her hat and started around the obstructing rocks. Leaving her things behind for a freedom to do battle, she gnashed her teeth and waltzed right into...
"Well, looky here." A male voice catches her off guard. Halting in step she hears a rifle cock. "What in tarnation is a lil' lady like you doin' out here in no man's land. No woman's land for that matter."
"Site seeing. Any idea where I can find a ride to the closest town?"
"That would be Sugar Plum."
"Of course, it would be." She turns slowly with her hands shoulder high. "So much for it bein' Magic Mike." She sizes up her captor, "Not looking for trouble. I spotted some wild horses back there and I was hoping to break one. Tired of walking."
"Trouble found you I reckon. You just keep those hands high, and I won't put a bullet 'tween your purdy eyes."
"Aw! You like my eyes." She dares to batt her lashes.
"Not all I like, but they'll do for the time bein'." He looks her over a bit more closely, "Those are some fancy duds for a gal. If you weren't so purdy I'd think you were a fella wearin' those clothes."
"Dresses aren't my style."
"Reckon I can see that. I'll be needin' you to unbuckle that there gun belt and toss it over."
"Why? I'm not here to draw on you. I'm only after a horse."
"Beg your pardon if'n I don't believe ya. I jus' don't see a gal yer size breakin' no wild one. You don't even have yerself a lariat. Drop the belt."
"Fine! Don't get itchy on that trigger Black Bart."
"Name's not Bart."
"What is it then?"
"Purdy sure you already know. My gut says you're a bounty hunter."
"Your gut would be wrong. I'm just a weary traveler. Dropping the belt now."
"Slow."
"Gotcha."
"Dunno what you just said but I know I got you." As her hands carefully unfasten her belt, she eases it from her waist and tosses it gently toward him. As he looks at it a loud voice calls out from above.
"Have her drop her pants too Cletus."
"Friends? Of course, you have friends." Sadie shakes her head almost laughing, "Perverts even in this era."
"Not just yet Ned." He growls loud enough for his associate to hear higher up in the rocks.
"Howdy Ned." Sadie waves up at another man, much thinner than Cletus. He had a pistol drawn and was making his way down the hillside.
"You gotta name?" Ned reaches her and circles Sadie from a short distance admiring her.
"Sure. My monikers Mae West." She joked. It wasn't as if her name mattered. That and it was safer not using her full name when it could be connected to Jessup if she survived this day.
"She's got a nice body Cletus." He ponders a brief moment then adds, "What's a moniker?"
"Not now Ned." Cletus whistles loudly and four more men on horseback round the bend. Sadie scowled at the sight of more guns. These men appeared to be more confident as their horses slowly approached her. The lead rider stopped his steed to lean over his saddle horn.
"Mae West, you say?"
"That's right. Who might you be?"
"Sam Dillsby. These are my brothers, Sonny, Shep, and Spur. Seen you from a good distance coming up on us. Here to collect a bounty?"
"Bounty? Truth is, I don't give a rat's patooty what you've done." She swiftly calls upon Tilly in her inner thoughts, "Tilly? Who is Sam Dillsby, and his brothers?" She really did care considering her situation.
"Noteworthy history, the Dillsby Gang are bandits in 1876. All of their gang die by 1877, long before you trail Jessup Outlaw to his final location."
"Killers?"
"It appears so. Bank robbery was their priority, however. Spur Dillsby dies before any of the others. In 1876, a month from this date."
"Shame. How does he die?"
"A broken neck it appears. Only diary records mention it. Their sister Marka kept a vivid account of the family history."
Sadie squints against the sun at Sam, "Like I said Sammy, I don't care anything about you boys. I'm only looking for a ride to the next town. Not even askin' you fellas for a ride. I'm willin' to try'n coax a wild horse into submission."
"Sub what?" Cletus countered her big word selection.
"Submission. Sorry, big city schoolin'."
"Explains yer clothes. Fancy duds."
"So, I've heard. I like lookin' nice even in a hellhole like West Texas. I hear Sugar Plum is nearby."
"Came from there two weeks back." Sam Dillsby, the elder brother offers up. "Not much there."
"Isn't that what it's like anywhere? Especially Texas."
"I reckon."
"Make her take her clothes off Sam." Sonny Dillsby calls from a hilltop.
"Not now, Sonny. You and Ned... I swear." Sam eyes Sadie's reaction to his brothers attempted authority.
"I kindly wish you wouldn't try that Mister Dillsby."
Motioning Shep to ride around Sadie, she observes him pass by and disappear around the short bend she had arrived from. He had retrieved her pack and rifle from its hiding spot. Returning with it Shep tosses it on the ground then hops down to look it over.
"Fancy pack Sam." Shep kicks the bag, uncertain what to make of it.
"Biggest pack I've ever seen." Spur Dillsby joins Shep on the ground to look inside it. Sadie growls at their intrusion on her personal belongings.
"Don't make me tell you guys to leave my things alone." Guns point at her from all angles now as Cletus and Ned circle her threat. "Fine! Ain't nothing in there but one thing that might fit you boys."
"Doubt that lookin' at yer size." Sam was suave in his saddle.
"Depends on how you wear it, Sammy." A wink at best.
"Curious." Sam directs, "Open the bag and let's see what she's got. We can send some lady clothes to our sisters."
"Sure, not as if I need them." Sadie rolls her eyes. Looking down at Shep and Sonny, she watches them lift things from her pack one at a time. Clothing at first, a G-string made them marvel at what it could be. "Slingshot. Just put a rock in the cradle and swing it over your head." They quickly lost interest in it and into the dust it went. A t-shirt from the rocker Rob Zombie made the men wince.
"Hombre looks mean." Sonny lifted it to show the others.
