Gauntlet

By Matthew C. Gill

Some Heroes aren't born, they're made by the simple decision to pick up the gauntlet. Marshall Lawson was raised believing in heroes but when he never found any he decided he would just have to do. But with nobody else believing in heroes anymore does he have what it takes to challenge those who break the law? Or will he become just another punchline?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matthew C. Gill
• Release date: Sep 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301322435

Matthew C. Gill

The one thing just about anyone who has ever known me can readily admit is that I have always had a vivid imagination. At a young age I discovered that through writing I could share it with others and I have been doing just that ever since. After becoming disabled a lot changed in my life, but somethings never will. I am still a wonderfully lucky man married to a beautiful wife with 3 great kids and I still enjoy sharing my imagination. And it is something I will continue to do up until I can no longer lift a pencil.

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Gauntlet

Matthew C. Gill

Published By: Matthew C. Gill at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Matthew C. Gill

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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For my father; the man, who has given me a lifelong love of westerns, taught me the value of a kept word, a good gun, a sharp knife and the courage to always do what is right. You have always been my hero Dad, even when I was too blind to see it. Thank you.

Table of Contents

Episode 1 – The Thunder Rail Titan Train

Episode 2 – Enter the Bull-Boys

Episode 3 – Late Birds Loot Little

Episode 4 – This Is Your Stop, Now State Your Business Stranger

Episode 5 – Redemption, a Fitting Name

Episode 6 – The Memories Make the Man

Episode 7 – Greetings from Grandma

Episode 8 – The Mayor, Demure

Episode 9 – When Good Men Can Do Nothing

Episode 10 – A Gauntlet Is Thrown Down

Episode 11 – First Breaks, Tough Breaks

Episode 12 – Laughter Is Lethal

Episode 13 – The Illusion of Law

Episode 14 – A Tight Leash

Episode 15 – Boom-Boom, Batter Up

Episode 16 – An Explosive Emergency

Episode 17 – She’s going to Blow

Episode 18 – Freeze You Fire Bombing Freak

Episode 19 – The Reaction of Redemption

Episode 20 – Combine and Conquer

Episode 21 – Word Always Travels Past the Warden

Episode 22 – The Digger Doll

Episode 23 – Spurred Bulls and Bullies

Episode 24 – A Charging Bull is a Blind Bull

Episode 25 – Beware a Burnt Backside

Episode 26 – Flee You Fleas

Episode 27 – A Gun-Bunny Hops Again

Episode 28 – The Deputy Delivers

Episode 29 – A Grim Gauntlet

Episode 30 – Tarnished Badges

Episode 31 – New Sheriff, New Plan

Episode 32 – Red Bull Rage

About the author

Gauntlet

Episode 1 – The Thunder Rail Titan Train

The World of Newport was about as hard a place as they come. From the very moment the first explorers arrived to investigate the freshly discovered world they found awaiting them an unforgiving landscape. While it was rich with valuable minerals and natural resources it was quickly proven to be just as reluctant to yield them to just anyone. Vast mountain ranges of ageless stone rippled throughout the endless sweeping lands. Only the occasional scattered seas of sweeping dust or cracked and crag-riddled bordering badlands offered any variety of view.

Travel across Newport was immediately the first major concern among the initial colonists as they found traversing its expansive environment difficult to say the least. The very rocky and mountainous terrain that promised a wealth of riches also came to be synonymous with the cursed claim; foolish to fly. Its skies were soon declared to be suicidal to navigate due to unpredictably violent storms and an unreliable impact the dense terrain could have on an aircrafts guidance systems.

At first early settlers and pioneers alike were forced to be content with a crawling pace as they struggled to carve their way around the treacherous terrain. Small sparsely populated outposts gradually began to form, each one dependant on the delicate chain that tethered it to the next in hopes of ensuring its survival. Over time minerals and other valuables began to flow to make their way back in a tedious trickle that frustrated the appetite of everyone longing for its riches.

And then there came the Thunder Rail and the salvation of the Titan Train. With funding from the New Republic itself a small local industrial businessman promised to ensure a steady stream of harvested riches. Riding along arcing currents of raw power that roared through the aptly named rails the Titan Trains proved themselves in short order. Little more than enormous engines that acted as potent power plants the Titan Trains carried with them massive loads of people and provisions alike. New faces flocked to Newport in surges to seek their fortune, the chance at a new life or simply the challenge of exploring its environment. All thanks to the single simple solution that the Thunder Rail provided.

Even now as Marshall Lawson looked out his window to survey the brutally beautiful landscape he felt a sort of awe at the accomplishments made here on Newport. It wasn’t even midday yet and already the bright sun had risen to ride high in the sky to cast the passing peaks in its bright beams. Cascades of color shimmered in sunlight that was at once marvelous as they were menacing. As gorgeous as the growing ground was you couldn’t help but look on at it and be reminded of how defiant it was to those who sought to dominate it.

And yet, here he was riding along in a mighty machine that cut across the distance to connect what once had been thought impossible. Marshall reflexively reached up to brush aside a few falling strands of amber from his forehead before replacing his hat. It was an old habit he had never been able to shake even as he often recalled when his hair wasn’t even long enough to require it. Everybody has their habits he could easily admit, without such traits people would be rather dull by all accounts.

Even for such an expeditious mode of transit as the Titan Train was it was still a rear-tiring experience in his opinion. But then as far as backsides go, Marshall had never been blessed with a well-padded one. The notion prompted him to once more reposition himself as it crossed his mind to irritatingly remind him. If he had to remain planted in one of these seats much longer he feared the threatening tingle in his toes would spread to lay siege to his lower limbs. He would much prefer to be up and moving but according to his fellow passengers who were more familiar with the trip he had been advised it more prudent to stay sitting until they stopped.

Desperate to take his mind off his numbing nether Marshall returned his gaze to the passing scenery. Eyes of warm walnut washed over the swiftly sweeping skyline and scanned about as he tried to lose himself in the landscape again. But a peculiar passing presence was caught in his peripheral vision that teased his eye to turn it towards the train’s rear. Marshall had to shield his eyes from the sun at first before he could make out just what it was that seemed to be approaching the rear of the robust rail rider.

By his estimation it looked to be some manner of squat and crude roller driven transport since it looked to be leaving a growing cloud of dust in its wake. But for what reason would anyone dare to try to chase a Titan Train in something of that sort? Before he could puzzle over the possible answer a fellow passenger took interest in his examination and promptly provided an explanation.

Don’t tell me you bought your ticket without being told what to expect, a particularly toothless old miner mentioned. Just prior to reaching town train’s always have to start to slow. And about as regular you get some of the lawless locals who take the opportunity to try and thieve what treasures as they can. While Marshall watched on he noticed true enough a slowing pace to their speed that was quickly matched by their pursuing pirates.

Just keep your nose down lad, and mind what they strutting say, the elderly excavator advised. They just pick over what easy coin they can and then soon enough we’ll find ourselves finishing our journey. A thousand and one questions surged to fill Marshall’s mind about the matter. He couldn’t fathom how anyone could simply accept the fact that as routine as the Titan Train traveled back and forth likewise was it regularly robbed.

What about the local law, Marshall asked dryly, his eyes still firmly focused on the vehicle that was now pulling alongside them. Outside the town’s limits, the old man explained further. It’d be suicide for him to try and enforce anything out this far. Right here is what you call a claimless country. Only thing considered worth protecting is the mines and the miners working them mostly. Those with interests see to it they stay secure but out here in the empty it’s anything goes. So nobody bothers with the in-between, you just learn to look at the lost coin as something like a traveling tax and go on with your day.

Please, mister, a young mother pleaded in the hushed whisper of someone used to talking around little ears. Nobody wants any trouble, just hand them anything of value they ask for and we’ll all be on our way. Questions and the like will only earn their ire. Despite all the requests to ignore the matter and respond like the rest of the cattle, Marshall couldn’t dismiss the feeling of a repulsive bitter taste rising in the back of his mouth. This was wrong. These people were being preyed upon like sheep and they were just going to allow it.

Suddenly a sharp sound signaled a message from the crew came from overhead to silence everyone. Ladies and gentlemen, the emotionless voice began as it greeted their waiting attention. We ask for your patience and cooperation as some folks are inspecting the train. Kindly comply with their requests and they assure us that once their business is concluded we will be allowed to be safely on our way. Thank you.

Unbelievable, Marshall managed to mutter through tightly gritted teeth trying to keep the comment concealed under his breath. As he looked around everyone else seemed to regard the news as commonplace as being told to look for the town drunk at the nearest bar. Trust me, his aged advisor added with a wink. Be over before you know it.

Episode 2 – Enter the Bull-Boys

Come on, let’s hurry this thing along, I could use a drink, Wynt declared as he impatiently entered the rail car. His ruffled hair was still speckled with windblown dust that lent him the look of a spooked critter fresh from its hole in the ground. Arriving just behind him was a well muscled man, obviously athletic with refined ripped arms that could easily be classified as cannons. You always need one, you’re a drunk, Briscole reminded harshly.

As the two thugs moved forward to take their positions a third gracefully appeared with practiced ease. He moved with the casual dignity of an experienced performer and bore the smiling mask of a manipulating master. Many a man had cursed that face, and even more women