EPISODE XCVII - SECOND STAR TO THE RIGHT AND STRAIGHT ON TIL MORNING
Reed and his party were met at the edge of town by the sheriff. His agitation was apparent and he spoke in hushed tones.
"Seems like y'all really stepped in it when ya' kilt them boys earlier.", he informed them. "The one that Sue there brained was the son of the leader of their little band."
Reed didn't see how this really put them in any worse a position than they were in before. "They said they'd be back anyway."
Doody looked him in the eye. "I don't think you understand, Marshal. That boy's pa is Minnesota Tex.", he ended dramatically.
"And...", Reed prompted.
Doody shook his head with wonder. "Don't tell me ya ain't heard of Minnesota Tex!?!", he said incredulously, but looking at the rest of the Marshall's men, he realized that that was exactly the case.
The sheriff shook his head dismally. "Don't they teach you all anything in the Marshal Service? Minnesota Tex is the meanest, deadliest pole cat from..."
"Minnesota to Texas?", Broski offered helpfully.
"Well yeah", Doody concurred, "but how'd you know that?"
"Just a guess.", Broski replied suppressing a grin.
Stauch cleared his throat. "Uh, Sheriff. Why should we be so concerned with the Minnesota guy?"
"Cuz he's the devil hisself, boy.", Doody exclaimed. "He don't care a wit 'bout nothin' but killin' folks and that boy of his. Now, I guess he don't care 'bout nothin' but killin'."
"How many men does he have in this gang of his?", Stauch queried.
"Well now", the sheriff began, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "I reckon there's around a
hundred or so."
"A hundred", Reed muttered, clearly disturbed by the numbers. "Against the seven of us."
"That's approximately 14.3 to one odds, Commander.", Lt. Scott offered.
"We've seen worse", Reed observed, nodding to his crew, "but with this ancient weaponry, I think we may need some help."
