Cowboys, Pirates, Aliens and Dinosaurs: Cowboy Pirates & Aliens, #2

By Seagull Editions

The assembled group of cowboys, pirates, and one alien are on a mission to save the tear in time caused by a renegade alien commander and his army. The action takes place in two time zones as three cowboys and a pirate queen protect a small Nevada town from dinosaurs while one cowboy, a pilgrim, and an alien fight the renegade aliens at area 51. Anything can happen in this time-hopping sequel that will see cowboys, pirates, aliens, and dinosaurs all collide in one of the most ludicrous battles in the history of speculative fiction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Seagull Editions
• Release date: May 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223471226

Book preview

COWBOYS, PIRATES,

ALIENS & DINOSAURS

© 2021 Seagull Editions s.r.l.

www.seagulleditions.com

Table of Contents

Chapter 1..................................1

Chapter 2.................................17

Chapter 3.................................33

Chapter 4.................................49

Chapter 5.................................65

Chapter 6.................................81

Chapter 7.................................97

Chapter 8................................113

Chapter 9................................127

Chapter 10...............................143

Chapter 11...............................159

Chapter 12...............................175

Chapter 13...............................189

Chapter 1

The sun beat down on the prone form of a short gray alien with robotic arms called Tully. He clung to the desert floor like he would fall off if he loosened his grip. His eyes were black-green a day before but had clouded to a sickly green-white film. His body felt like it was falling through space and his mind raced as the heat seemed to boil his blood and fill his mind with terrors. His hands trembled as he tried his computer again, but the dark screen only reflected his flaking skin and clouded eyes.

He heard the creature and quietly hoped it was a hallucination. If he heard one, there were likely more nearby. He opened his eyes and looked towards the sound that likely represented his demise. It was a small specimen. No bigger than a turkey, and it watched his movements carefully as he tilted his head towards it. The beast almost purred as it looked his prone form over. He had seen that look before and knew what was about to happen. It leaped at him claws first and its mouth open wide.

Tully pulled a fuse from his arm and grabbed the reptile by its neck. The shock sent from the fuse made it jump away from the short alien. It lowered its head again ready to charge him. Tully lowered his eyes to the creature in the surreal stand off. Tully’s chapped skin whistled as the air passed over his face and head. The dinosaur ran at him.

Tully thrust both hands at the creature’s neck and held it at bay. It snapped at his face as his mechanical hands squeezed tighter. His eyes watered while he gritted his teeth and held the creature back. He twisted the neck hard, each small vertebrae in the opposite direction, and he heard the bone snap. The mouth snapped one last time, and after, its jaw quivered in a phantom bite as the life left the dinosaur’s eyes.

Tully dropped the creature and its weight pulled him forward and back to the ground. The strength granted to him by adrenaline was gone, and all that was left was the oppressive sun.

Tully felt hands roll him over, and he looked up to see the man from the pyramid. You, he said weakly.

Aapo poured water over Tully’s prone form and into his open mouth. The cool water soaked into his skin and revitalized his flesh, but knocked him unconscious from the shock of the temperature change. Flashes of the sky as the sun drifted lower in the sky greeted him when he opened his eyes again.

Tully fell into a dream as he saw the pyramid in the jungle. It was only hours ago that he had been there, but it felt like a millennia.

Aapo led the way up the pyramid flanked by two lines of tribesmen and women. He turned to the assembled tribe with his apprentice at his side. She watched him and could see his hands shake as he gripped a handful of dust from the pyramid and spoke into the wind as he let the dust fly, Spirits we beseech you to protect our people on this journey. This is our charge and this is our duty, he said quietly.

The tribe bowed their heads and said their own prayers as he looked them over. You should say something to them, honored one, the young girl said as she looked up at him.

He smiled, Should I? She was about to answer, then stopped herself. He turned to his people and began, As Tapana wisely suggested, I wish to say something before we venture into the unknown. You, my people, have been my strength throughout my long life, and I sense that my time with you may be coming to a close.

Some gasped as he spoke, but he raised a hand to silence their protests, This is as it must be. This tribe has stood at the threshold to guard time from those who would usurp it. That has always been our appointed task, and now it has come to pass, and we will fulfill our duty. This is my greatest honor, and no matter what happens next, Tapana will lead you. She is wise beyond her years and will lead you with humility. I love you all and will see you in the cycle again.

Are you so sure you will die, Aapo? Tapana asked.

He nodded, This old body will not do you much good where we are going, but I have waited my whole life to make this journey, and it is my wish that we cross together as a tribe. She bowed her head as he turned to the schism, raised his rattle high above his head, and shook it as he walked through the gateway.

Tully felt his eyes close again, and when they reopened, the night sky greeted him. The cool air nipped his face, but a nearby fire warmed his body enough that his body started regulating itself again.

Tully was released from the vision. He rolled over from the stretcher he was laid on and saw the people from before they left. They sat around the fire eating beans from large leaves. Tully’s eyes blinked and he stood up unsteadily and made his way to the group.

You’re awake, Aapo said when he saw the small alien.

Is this real? Tully asked.

Aapo nodded as the young woman to his right watched Tully with great interest. I saw you in the village, Tapana said.

Tully searched his memory but couldn’t remember seeing her before. It’s possible. I don’t recall.

She nodded and closed her eyes as Tully shook his head. This has been a long journey for all of us, and I am happy that we found you, Tapana said.

Tully smiled at the young girl’s words. He tapped his broken computer again and looked into the sky. The dark seemed infinite and reminded him of space as Aapo’s tribe ate around him. He heard a strange whistling and suddenly a spear landed in the center of their cooking fire. The single spear was followed by a hail of spears as the men and women around the fire scattered. Neanderthals howled and ran at the encampment. 

Tully scrambled to his feet and reached for a laser pistol that wasn’t there. The neanderthals charged with their arms raised. Some had weapons made of stone and flint. The biggest had a stone ax that he swung as he moved into Aapo.

Tully yelled, No! as the ax was buried in Aapo’s chest. Tully jumped on the ax-wielder’s back and clamped around his neck. The neanderthal thrashed and dropped to his back, knocking the wind out of Tully. He howled at the prone alien as he stood over him raising the ax again. Tully closed his eyes and knew what was coming next, but the strike never happened.

Tapana tackled the brute and clubbed him across the face with her fist. The others were fighting the neanderthals with their own weapons as well as torches, which spooked the cavemen as they backed away. The apparent leader was knocked unconscious by Tapana’s assault as his men ran into the darkness. Bind him! she yelled quickly, as he already started to rouse. Three men quickly swarmed him and tied his limbs tightly behind his back.

They’re early, Tully said as he looked into the darkness.

What do you mean? Tapana asked.

It means we’re running out of time. The wrist computer on Tully’s arm sprang to life as he spoke. His face cracked into a smile. There you are. He looked at the read out and saw the signal for the Sextant strong pinging on the screen. That’s odd. It’s right here, he said as he walked towards the signal but saw nothing but barrel cactus.

Tully, Tapana said and walked towards the small alien. Would you like to join us? We’re about to perform the departing ritual for Aapo.

His brow furrowed as he looked at the screen then looked up at Tapana. It should be right here.

What? She asked.

He pressed buttons on the computer and tapped it on the side. Tapana saw him engulfed in a blue-white light before disappearing into the cold night. 

* * *

The creature was large and terrifying as it burst through the seams of the universe. Padre fell to the ground and broke his nose as he landed. Blood gushed as he lifted himself off the desert floor. He watched his compatriots run and, miraculously, the monster left him alone. He staved off the bleeding as best as he could and pushed away from the path of the reptile. His pace was steady but heat and sunlight stole his strength from him.

He found a rock and sat for a moment. The stress of the previous week started to ease from his mind. His mind was full of ideas and strange concepts about time and space but kept circling back to one idea. Why on Earth was he responsible for this task?

He wasn’t equipped and now this was an opportunity sent by God and he best listen to the omen. Fate separated him from his party and though he may be hundreds of miles from Texas he was at least near where his life was, and perhaps this would be an opportunity to begin fresh with a clean slate.

With his strength renewed and his path set, the Padre rose from the stone as if baptized anew. He pulled his collar free and stuffed it in his pocket then smiled to himself as he started walking across the desert.

The miracles came again as he saw a small town. Small, to be sure, but easy enough to maneuver. He wiped his nose and face again with his hand and found a trough to clean the blood away from his hands. His reflection in the general store window let him see himself at least somewhat respectable. He started mentally rehearsing his story as he approached the tavern at the center of town.

Welcome, stranger, you look like you been through Hell, the bartender commented as he sidled up to the bar.

Stage Coach was robbed by some men. I barely got out, Padre said, adding some weariness to his voice. The lie fell from his mouth smooth as silk, and he added a dab of his forehead with a handkerchief for effect. 

This one’s on the house fella, the bartender said confidentially. What do they call you?

Pa ... he paused, reminding himself of new beginnings. Patrick, name’s Patrick   Day.

The bartender seemed to take the information in stride as he poured out a shot of whiskey.

Padre looked over the bar and spotted the gun belt slung over a chair not three feet from where he stood. His eyes fell on the gun and noted with sudden acuity the absence of is own gun.

* * *

A Tyrannosaurus Rex shoved its head into a small cave entrance. Its head was too big for the cave, but  it tried all the same. Selina was a Pirate Queen adorned with a billowy blouse, red against black striped pants and knee high leather boots. She held a laser rifle against her chest as she wondered where her companions were. They were separated when the massive reptile ran at them from a portal in time. Three cowboys and a strange grey alien.

She made it inside a small cave, but there was no apparent exits, while the monster outside struggled to get at her. She fired her rifle at the monster and it yelped as the shot caught it in the