Disclaimers: *Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers* is copyright 1986-present to Sir Robert Mandrell, Gaylord Productions, Transcom Media Inc., ITF Enterprises Inc., Hearst Entertainment, and KOCH Vision. The characters of Daley, Locke, and Rowley are respectfully named after some of that show’s staff; they first made their debut in “Rogue Arm.” *Kung Fu* is copyright 1972-present to Ed Spielman and Warner Brothers Television. The author makes no claim of ownership to any of the characters, locations, and/or situations associated with the above programs/people/films/books. All original characters and situations plus the story itself are the author’s property and cannot be used without permission. This is a piece of non-profit fan fiction. Please send all questions, comments, and thoughts to me at Jayce6@gte.net -- flames will be forwarded to the Queen of the Crown and the Chinese Imperial Court.
Author's Notes: Many thanks to LadyNiko, Kat, and Jess for their praise and suggestions. My deepest gratitude to LN for encouraging me throughout the course of writing this story! Genre: Alternate Universe with an Action/Angst focus, plus some Z/E and G/N mixed in. This is my interpretation of what the Galaxy Ranger characters would be like in the Kung Fu universe, with Niko in Kwai Chang Caine’s role.
*Asterisks* = Dreams, thoughts, and visions.
CAPITALS and _Underlining_ = Emphasis in dialogue.
They met with the assembled Deputies inside Town Hall, a three-story wooden building with real glass windows. Everyone was gathered in one gigantic room with dozens of benches placed in a half-circle facing the front podium. Once everyone was seated, Zach gave them the details.
"The Raiders plan to hit New Phoenix two ways," he explained, pointing out the attack areas on a huge map that dominated the wall behind him. “They’ll come in hard and fast from the north and west roads. While they have us pinned down from those locations, another group will storm the bank building. When the robbers make their getaway, some Raiders will be lying in ambush behind the ridge to pick off any pursuers. Now what I propose is this: we’ll use the pyrite from that theater play a while back to fool the Raiders, covering it with a layer of real bars to make it look legit. The actual gold will be hidden in that dry well beside the Last Chance Tavern. We’ll give them a good show. By the time they find out otherwise, the Ranger patrol will be in town to pick up the real stuff.”
“Sir,” Lock interrupted, “wouldn’t it be easier to just take a stand against these darn bandits? We have to stop this sooner or later!”
“Agreed,” Zach replied, “but after those fires on Wednesday, we don’t have the manpower to hold them off for long. The damage also means they won’t last long against a concentrated attack. This way, the Raiders are tricked into leaving while we hopefully keep the wounded down to a minimum.”
“Standard evacuation procedures?” Rowley asked.
The Sheriff nodded, then warned them that “The Queen already knows that we have information about her attack, and can strike at anytime. Let’s move FAST, people; I want everything done yesterday!” He split the Deputies into three groups: one to help the civilians move to the basement shelters, one to switch the gold and hide the real stuff, and one to take up strategic positions all over the town.
“Doc, move whoever you can from your clinic. We have to expect casualties; it sounds like the Queen will hit hard and fast,” Zach ordered.
“Right, Cap’n,” Doc replied.
They ran back to warn the others. Entering Zach’s candlelit office, they saw Gooseman blinking the sleep from his eyes, O’Mega pacing while keeping a sharp eye on a dozing Niko, and Eliza quietly talking to Cody.
Doc went over to check on the treasure-hunter’s condition. “Can you walk, Cody?” he gently asked. “There’s gonna be a lot of action here soon and I don’t want you torn up again.”
“Yeah,” the older man grunted, “just need some help gettin’ there.”
“Eliza, dear lady, can you give us two gents a hand?”
“Sure, Doc,” she smiled.
The two of them supported Cody amidst a lot of grumbling and went out the door. Eliza grabbed Niko’s staff from Gooseman’s saddle when they passed the horses, using it to help support the extra weight as she walked. Doc’s office was a one-story white concrete structure several blocks down from the jail, located in the heart of town beside two major cantinas -- which always brought in plenty of business. Easing Cody inside, Doc ordered his staff to start moving the recovering patients to nearby shelters while he and Eliza took the most serious cases downstairs so they would be out of harm’s way.
Meanwhile, Zach informed the bounty hunters about the situation.
O’Mega grimaced and went out, muttering that she’d get some Irish whiskey and extra ammo “just in case.”
“You folks might as well stay here for the time being -- the jail’s one of the strongest buildings in town.” He glanced over at the cell to see Niko silently waking up.
“Much obliged, Sheriff,” Gooseman replied gratefully. “But why warn us? We’re as much a threat to you as those Raiders.”
The older man’s expression turned serious. “I don’t think so, son. O’Mega’s a cold-hearted bounty hunter, but you’re not that far gone yet. I followed your exploits while I was stationed at BETA Mountain.”
“You were a Ranger?”
“I still am. When New Phoenix was being built some Rangers such as myself and Doc took up Walsh’s offer to resettle here permanently. Now we’re the law in these parts. But back to you: Gooseman, you were one of the best Rangers I ever saw. You have your own code of honor. You don’t shoot unless there’s no other choice. You were a darn good lawman, and I’m sorry you resigned. We could use someone like you here...”
“Save the speech, Sheriff,” Gooseman replied in a cold voice, clutching a pistol in his right fist as he marched towards Niko’s cell. Crossing his arms tightly, he watched her do some stretches. “The only reason I went through the motions was because I was caught between a noose and a bullet with my name on it!”
Tossing his hat on the desk, Zach went over to stand at Gooseman’s right side. “I’m also sorry about the Supertroopers. All they wanted was what we have here: a chance to start over, make a better life for themselves...”
“And where did that get them?!” the younger man yelled, whirling around to stare at him while pointing the gun at the floor. “They were shot down in cold blood! The ones that DID run off were never the same, and I had to bring ‘em all in!”
“Is that why you’re a bounty hunter now? Because you saw them as weak?” Zach quietly asked.
Gooseman had to think about that one. “No,” he finally said, “it’s because I won’t be _used_ anymore!”
“Sheriff?” a soft voice interrupted.
Both men turned towards Niko.
“Yes?” he asked kindly.
“I am grateful for everything you and Eliza have done on my behalf. I would like to help heal your wounds.”
Zach grimaced as his left arm sent a painful jolt through his body. Massaging it, he looked towards the front door. “I really should get back out there...”
“Please, it will only take a few minutes.”
He sighed and smiled. “To be honest, at this point I’ll try anything. Thank you.” He unlocked the cell door and stepped in.
Gooseman whipped his left pistol out, trained both his weapons on Niko, and kicked the door shut with a loud CLANG! Even as he slipped into full bounty hunter mode, he couldn’t help remembering fragments of a dream involving him, her, and a sense of freedom.
Niko motioned Zach to sit on the bunk, then sat down facing him.
“What do I do?” he asked.
“Take off your shirt so I can see your injuries,” she replied.
He pulled it off, biting back a cry of agony. His battle-scarred left arm and shoulder looked worse than usual in the dim candlelight, healed-over bullet holes and slashes standing out like angry red targets.
Outside the cell, Gooseman let out a low whistle. “Whoa. What happened to YOU?!”
“Too many Raider attacks,” Zach grimly replied. He squeezed his eyes shut as the pain got worse, reflexively clutching his left fist.
“Shhh. Relax now; let all the tension go,” Niko soothed.
Zach took several deep breaths and did his best.
She ran light fingers over his scars, mentally probing into his body. She detected a few bullets still inside along with ripped nerves and torn muscles. It was only Zach’s strong will that kept the agony under control -- he never allowed Doc to give him any painkillers, since they were always in short supply after battle. The chi in this area was very sluggish, much like stagnant water, but the rest of his body’s energy was just fine.
After a few minutes, Niko shot a stern glance at Zach. “I can help, but you have to be VERY careful with it in the future -- this includes getting the proper medical attention as soon as possible after you’re hurt.”
“But the others...” he started.
“They also want you to get well. The sooner you’re healed, the sooner you can help them. Will you give me your word?”
Zach chewed on his lower lip, staring out the small barred window as the Moon reappeared from behind the storm clouds. “You have it,” he finally replied.
Niko went to work. First she used pressure points to deaden the pain. She went on to re-open some of the bullet holes, using small telekinetic nudges to draw the remaining bullets out. She then cleaned and re-sealed all the wounds. Finally, she focused her own chi into his left arm and shoulder to repair all the damage she could.
He was silent until the end, watching everything she did. “Is there anything I can do to help? Maybe use whatever I’ve got so you don’t faint again?”
She rewarded him with a wink and smile.
After some directions and prodding, he was able to add his chi to hers to heal himself; the combined golden glow blanketed his arm and shoulder in a warm light. Zach was amazed. Flexing his arm up and down, he swung it gently to find that the pain was gone. “My arm hasn’t felt THIS strong in years! How can I ever thank you...”
O’Mega chose that moment to re-enter the building and motioned Gooseman over to her. After she trained her pistol on the bounty, he re-sheathed his guns and did so. They started muttering to each other, apparently arguing.
Zach took the opportunity to do some chatting of his own. Turning so that his body blocked Niko’s face from them, he quickly whispered “Beneath this bunk is a false door. Reach into that thin crack where the wall and floor meet by the pillow,” he glanced at the spot with his eyes, “and it’ll open up. A narrow corridor will take you behind some bushes by Doc’s clinic. Once you get free, high tail it outta here! Head south or east, swimming the rivers if possible, because the Raiders will attack from the other directions. O’Mega kills uppity bounties to get whatever money she can, and the more distance between you two the better!”
“Why are you helping me?” she softly replied.
“You help others even when they hate you. You kept Eliza safe and brought her back. You saved Cody. You cured me. You acted with honor and dignity the whole time. My Ranger oath calls on me to protect all innocents from danger; as far as I’m concerned, that includes people escaping unjust persecution -- like you!”
Echoing footsteps drew closer to them.
“Remember, be careful with your arm from now on,” Niko told Zach in a normal tone of voice.
He nodded as he pulled his shirt back on. Already some of the scars were starting to peel off. “I will, I promise. My deepest thanks again.” Sketching a bow before her, he took out his keys once more. He left the cell and locked the door behind him.
Niko remained on the cot, entering a healing trance as she sat cross-legged with her eyes closed.
“What was that about?” O’Mega asked suspiciously.
“She wanted to help me like she did with Cody,” he shrugged.
“Uh-huh,” she replied in a bored voice. “Well, just do your thing and uphold the law, Sheriff.”
“I know my duty,” he stoically replied while looking at Gooseman.
The younger man wouldn’t meet his eyes.
Grabbing his hat, Zach strode out the front door.
O’Mega turned an ice-cold stare after the departing Sheriff. “I don’t trust him, Shane.”
“No reason why you should.”
“I smell a jailbreak brewing. We’ll have to keep our guard up till one of the buyers comes knocking...”
Gooseman held a hand up. “Whoa, Daisy. What do you mean, ‘buyers?’”
“We’ve got a better offer from the Queen. She’s heard all about this Chinawoman and is just raring to get her mitts on our prize. Darlin’,” her eyes shone, “she’ll pay us double the live bounty.”
“Are you NUTS?!” Gooseman exploded. “The Queen don’t play straight, she never has! ‘Sides, she ain’t exactly popular with me...”
She waved it off, strutting forward to lean against the cell bars. “Forget about the Sawyers; they’re long dead and buried. So what if the Queen’s hired help killed ‘em off? What’s done is done!”
It was a good thing O’Mega was turned away from Gooseman. She missed the dark, thunderous expression that steeled into his features like an well-worn mask, speaking of bitter pain, loss, and regret. “And just what do we tell the Chinese reps? They don’t take kindly to failure, last I heard!”
“Those boys?” she snorted. “We’ll be long gone before they get wind of this!”
“I don’t know...”
“Ah, Shane,” she purred as she came up to snuggle against him. “You’re so darn endearing when that sense o’ honor gets in the way. But trust me on this; we’re gonna come up aces no matter what the deal is!”
He finally nodded. “If you say so.”
“I do. Now,” she pulled herself away, walking towards the door, “you keep a sharp eye on our meal-ticket while’s I wait for our buyers.” O’Mega slammed the front door after her.
Gooseman sighed and slumped down behind the Sheriff’s desk. This deal was getting worse all the time.
Niko came out of her meditation, pleased that she was almost back to full strength. Opening her eyes, she saw Gooseman muttering to himself.
“So I am to be sold to the highest bidder,” she said wryly.
That jerked Gooseman out of his seat. Frowning, he walked towards her. “Or the one that comes first. You been eavesdropping while Daisy and I talk?!”
She shook her head. “Your voices were rather loud.” She got a curious expression on her face. “Who were... the Sawyers?”
He chewed his lip, studying her earnest expression. He could see no deception within Niko and decided it couldn’t hurt to talk to a condemned woman. The Sawyers were the closest things to a family that Gooseman had ever since the Supertroopers. He had met them in his early bounty hunting days, where he wound up saving them from some rustlers. They knew about his past and what he did, but it didn’t matter to them. All they cared about was how he was doing. Gooseman had spent hours helping Max tinker with his inventions, listening to the missus’ stories, or playing with Billy. For a time, he was part of a family again, and it had felt wonderful. But that had all ended when the Queen decided to expand her territory into those parts. He had decided to visit one day only to find a charred house, salted-over land, and three bullet-ridden bodies lying on the ground. Shane’s screams echoed off the canyon walls for days after that. He became obsessed with tracking down their murderer. Two months later, he caught his man: Gravestone, one of the former Supertroopers, had been hired by the Queen to get rid of all the settlers in that isolated stretch… by any and all means necessary. He was tried, convicted, and sentenced to die by firing squad. Despite this, the Queen had a stranglehold over the area now; all the Rangers could do was make sure she didn’t expand further. Sighing, Gooseman pulled himself out from those dark memories; the Sawyers might be gone, but darned if he’d ever forget them!
“They were very special to you. I am sorry for your loss,” Niko said softly.
That clicked it for Gooseman. She had shown compassion and concern when she had no good reason to. No matter what, he couldn’t let her be hurt. *Who wants to live forever, anyway? Might as well go out doing something right...* “Listen, how fast can you escape from here?”
She raised her eyebrows. “Why?”
“’Cause I won’t let the Queen or those Chinese fellas get their grubby hands on you. The most I can give is two minutes while I chat with Daisy outside. You’d better be gone by the time we get back.” Without another word, he turned his back and went away. He never saw Niko blink back tears. Walking as slowly as possible to the door, he let himself out and leaned against it as he chatted with Daisy.
Thirty seconds later, she burst through to find that Niko was long gone. No trace of how she escaped was visible. “Shane, you IDIOT!” Whirling around, O’Mega shot him in the right shoulder. He collapsed bleeding on the floor as she wrenched the cell door open. “She’s disappeared! All that money...” CLANG! The door slammed behind her, trapping her inside. Yelling incoherently, she fired wildly at Gooseman. He threw himself behind the desk. She emptied both pistols in ten seconds, then started reloading.
Gooseman raced for the door, running for his life. Bullets imbedded themselves into the solid oak door right after he slammed it shut. He was starting to feel light-headed from the blood-loss. Grabbing Niko’s shotgun from Daisy’s saddle, he flagged down a young boy to get directions to the clinic. Tossing the helpful kid a few coins, Gooseman painfully mounted his steed and rode off.
Meanwhile, Niko was crawling as fast as she could through the dusty, winding tunnel, which had not been used in months. Finally, she glimpsed a few stray beams of light straight ahead. Pushing up, the door above her swung wide to reveal blinding daylight. Right above her was a mess of tangled bushes, perfect for concealing her escape. Swinging herself up, she quickly closed the door and piled loose dirt all around the area to hide it again. Crouching down low, she looked warily around. She was in an alley of some kind. The worn gray backs of wooden buildings looked old in the morning light, and behind one of them were a few drunks sleeping off last night’s imbibing. The street itself ended several yards away, opening to reveal dried brown grasslands just outside the city limits. As Niko glanced back to look at the plain white building behind her, she felt familiar presences inside...
“Psst! Niko!”
Her head jerked up, craning to see a welcome sight: Eliza’s grinning face appeared from the first-story window right above her. “C’mon up!”
The younger woman jumped right in. “Eliza, are you all right?”
She nodded seriously. “Fine here -- we’re all set for those blasted Raiders. I just wanted to say thanks again and give you a few things.” Unlocking a nearby closet, she reached in to hand over a full canteen of water, spare knife, and Niko’s staff.
“Thank you!” Niko beamed as she swung the staff around before disassembling it. Both the pieces and canteen were stowed safely away in her pouch while the knife went into her left ankle holster.
“You are most welcome -- I just wish I could do more,” Eliza sadly replied.
Niko pulled her into a warm hug. “You have done far more than I deserve.”
“It’s no trouble. The closest exit out is the alley, or you can swim the river that’s running through just two streets down from here. You’d best get out quick, Niko; I don’t want you getting captured again.” The older woman reluctantly pulled away, swiping her misty eyes. “Just do me one favor.”
“Anything.”
“Come back to see us sometime. You’re always welcome here.”
“That is most kind of you. I will,” Niko smiled.
The quiet streets suddenly erupted into gunfire.
“MOVE!” Niko shouted, pushing Eliza away from the window before it shattered into a million glittering shards. Both women overturned a heavy maple desk and took cover.
Doc ran down the stairs with several rifles and a bag of ammunition. “Eliza, you okay?!”
The ladies rushed over to join him. “We’re fine. Where’d you get all this?”
He beamed a welcome smile at Niko before answering. “My private collection, scattered and hidden throughout the place. Had to use it more often than not over the past few months...” A heavy thumping on the front door interrupted him.
Doc and Eliza were wary and aimed their rifles there, but Niko sensed who was there and opened it. A white Thoroughbred thundered into the place, carrying the barely conscious form of Shane Gooseman. Niko hastily closed the door as he shakily dismounted.
“The party’s already started,” he mumbled before collapsing in a chair.
Eliza moved forward to throw him out, but Niko blocked her. “He helped me escape from the jail.”
The older woman stiffened in surprise. “Well, I’ll be darned,” she said in wonder.
Niko quickly tended Gooseman’s wound. Fortunately, the bullet had gone straight through; aside from some blood loss and dizziness, he would be all right. Doc and Eliza armed themselves and took positions by the front windows while the others covered the sides and rear, shooting down any Raiders who ventured too close.
Mayhem reigned on the streets, with the Raiders caught out in the open while the Rangers fired at will. Many of the Queen’s followers were mortally wounded, but the lawmen suffered a few losses as well.
The invaders were prepared; after all, the Queen had planned their every move. They drove a convoy of stagecoaches into the heart of town; each one was loaded with Raiders who shot like there was no tomorrow. They surrounded the bank, empty because of the Sabbath, and blew down the doors.
While most of the outlaws lay down cover fire to the Rangers sequestered on nearby rooftops, a gray-coated man stepped out of the last wagon and used the convoy for cover as he ran inside the bank. The white streak and gaudy red vest made a tempting target in many Ranger sights, but amazingly he survived the mad dash with only a couple of scrapes. Straightening up his black clothing and hair, he reassumed his usual attitude of superiority as he saw the Raiders grabbing the gold.
“Move it, boys! The Queen don’t take kindly to failure,” Lazarus Slade ordered.
“Yeah, you more than anyone should know THAT!” a young Raider sniggered.
Before he could blink, the one-eyed man snapped his neck.
“Anybody ELSE gonna give me some lip?!” Slade snarled.
Dead silence was his answer.
“Then shake a leg; we have to mosey on outta here in five minutes...” Picking up a gold bar from the top of the remaining pile, he bit into it to confirm it was genuine. Slipping it into his coat, he observed the battle from the safest place -- behind the cracked safe door.
It got so bad that Doc had to help his nurses tend the steady flood of patients. He admitted both friend and foe -- after relieving the Raiders of their weapons -- since his oath to preserve life meant that no distinctions were made. “I don’t like this,” he yelled over the noise. “These here outlaws barely look old enough to spit! All of ‘em are recruits... I don’t see any of the Queen’s seasoned troops!”
“They’re probably robbing the bank!” Eliza shouted, shooting down three Raiders who made a beeline for the front door. Suddenly, as if responding to a silent signal, the remaining attackers retreated, heading out of town.
Niko frowned in puzzlement. Something wasn’t right about this. She felt more than saw an approaching storm… the likes of which nature had never invented. Her eyes were drawn to the back alley, past all the fallen bodies and shattered barrels. At the end stood someone that chilled her to the bone. Niko’s jaw dropped as the years faded away. *I know her! She is from the Temple!*
Flanked by masked Raiders in black-and-gray clothing, the slim woman ran her haughty gaze over each building until stopping dead at the clinic. She was clad in a tight, expensive silk outfit: off-black shirt and pants and boots, a dull purple gunslinger’s belt and vest with embroidered silver patterns, and high-collared red robes that touched the ground. A three-pronged pure silver crown graced short black hair, a long necklace solely made of huge six-sided rubies adorned her neck, and the visible skin on her face, neck, and hands were covered by a lavender-purple cream. Her blood-red eyes met Niko’s green ones and narrowed hungrily. They stared at the other for an eternity, neither one backing down as their wills clashed. Their stand off ended when Shane appeared behind Niko, opening fire. Faster than thought, the mystery woman grabbed the bullets out of the air, letting them slip from her fingers as a sneer of contempt dominated her features.
“Shane, go help Eliza,” Niko requested in a serious tone.
“Like hell I will! That’s the Queen out there! She wants to grab you too!” he furiously exploded, gripping her arm. “You think those Chinese guys are gonna be bad...”
She smoothly twisted away, eyes still locked on the Queen’s evil visage. “I know her from my childhood. She has perverted the Shaolin teachings for personal gain. She must be stopped.”
Gooseman was speechless... for about five seconds. “You KNOW her?!”
“I didn’t before. I do now.”
Before he could stop her, Niko was halfway down the alley.
Cursing under his breath, the bounty hunter followed her, keeping his eyes on the surrounding area.
Stopping, her unflinching gaze became distant and foreboding as she bowed slightly. “I am... Niko. You are Tai Pan, from the Temple.”
“No longer,” the purple-skinned woman responded silkily, flinging her heavy robes back as a slight breeze played with their edges. Her crown glinted painfully in the morning sunlight, a twisted thing bought by blood and gore. “I am no mere servant; now I rule my own empire! Those weak Shaolin were too cowardly to truly use their power -- the simpleminded fools squandered it on the masses!” she snarled. “They deserved to be destroyed...”
Niko’s eyes filled with golden fire. The Raiders hastily stepped back, recognizing the rage all too well.
“So you didn’t know,” the Queen continued, noting with pleasure how easily Niko became angered. *Some things never change... all the better!* “My dear, after your little ‘incident’ with the Emperor’s nephew, those poor Shaolin fell out of favor. An Imperial edict outlawed their very existence. For a time, those wretched peasants helped, but as more and more of them disappeared they too turned from their protectors. And one glorious night, the Temple burned to the ground! I wasn’t there, of course, but my contacts reported the story to me in vivid detail. Would you like to hear just how your friends died?” she purred.
“The Temple was also a fortress,” Niko replied calmly, refusing to take the bait. “Only one who knew its walls inside and out could ever hope to destroy it.”
“All information has its price. Those Imperial fools paid me well for betraying the Shaolin. That wealth helped me establish my place here in America, where I can do what I want. Soon this entire land shall be under MY rule!” She laughed maniacally.
“Madness,” Niko muttered, shaking her head in pity. “Wealth, power... a Shaolin craves not these things.”
“A Shaolin never takes vengeance, either. We are the same, you and I; both drenched in darkness, willing to do whatever it takes to get what we want.”
“You know how this must end.”
“Ah yes, that tiresome trial to the death by combat. I have a much better proposal: join me. Together we can have America, China... the whole world! No one could stop our combined might! With our mental powers, those pitiful Rangers don’t stand a chance!”
Niko raised an eyebrow. “I have no interest in ruling others, only myself.”
“Still so naive. You always had potential, Niko, but choose to waste it!”
“We all make our own realities. I choose a path of penance; you, a road to ruin.”
The Queen’s purple face darkened in anger. Without warning, she telekinetically slapped Niko, leaving behind an impressive bruise on the young woman’s left cheek. “So be it, fool. High noon tomorrow at the base of that mountain.” She pointed at the tallest northern peak. “Goodbye, little Niko. Enjoy what remains of your pathetic, empty life.” At a hand gesture, the troops surrounded her again and they hustled away.
“Why that dirty, rotten, good-for-nothing...” Shane growled.
Niko blocked Shane’s charge. “No. This is my fight now.”
He was about to argue further when his face suddenly turned white.
She caught him as he passed out. Hoisting him over her shoulder in a modified fireman’s carry, she used her strong legs to support his weight while walking back to the clinic.
Eliza had witnessed the scene from the back window, but didn’t hear much. All she wanted was a clear shot, but couldn’t risk it with Niko and Gooseman in the way. She opened the back door and helped the younger woman pull him inside. “What did SHE want?!”
They laid him down on the floor beside a heavy-looking medicine cabinet; every piece of furniture was already occupied. His horse, which had stayed out of the way in a far corner, trotted over to guard him.
Niko told her all save for the exact meeting place.
The older woman studied her calm face. “You’re not going, of course.”
“I must.”
“She’ll kill you.”
“Then I’ll die.”
“Why risk your life?”
“She is a renegade Shaolin. I cannot allow her to use that knowledge for evil.”
Just then, a patient screamed out in agony from the operating room. Swearing softly, Eliza rushed there to see what help she could offer Doc. “We’re not finished!” she threw behind her shoulder.
Niko made Shane as comfortable as possible, using her skills to stabilize him. The bounty hunter would be fine; he just needed to rest. She paused, stroking an unruly blond lock back. She should have left already, gone into the desert to prepare. *Farewell,* she said silently, touching her lips to his forehead before standing back up. The white stallion looked at her questioningly, and she sighed. “Please take care of him.” She left without another word.
Five minutes later, Eliza came back out. “Niko? NIKO!” she called out, running to the windows and doors, frantically looking everywhere.
But the young woman had vanished like a ghost, leaving nothing behind save memories.
TO BE CONTINUED
GO ON TO I AM... NIKO: CHAPTER 5 RETURN TO I AM... NIKO: CHAPTER 3
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