The surrounding country was hard and rather on the dry side. As they rode on, Jerrix watched the ground carefully looking for signs of the posse.

Here and there, hoof marks could be clearly seen and the cat guided them deeper into the hot land. The land began to rise until they reached a rocky plateau. Down below, they saw a small ranch. The remaining hoof marks led in that direction.

Yoland and Jerrix dismounted before tying the animals to a bush. They crept low and stared down towards the base of the bandits.
“Looks as if we have found them,” Yoland commented.

The cat gazed hard and whispered, “No one seems to be around. One thing I’m sure of though, we will need some help.”

She nodded.

“You think the town will help us?”

“They had better,” he replied. “We are rather outnumbered.”

They climbed back on to their steeds and rode back into town. They dismounted at the jail and told Rawlings what they had seen.

“That’s the Jerry ranch alright. Surprises me though.”

Yoland stared coldly at him.

“Why is everyone lying to us?” she demanded. “What have these
Jerry’s got over everyone?”

Rawlings refused to answer such a leading question.

“This is what we are going to do,” Jerrix said. “I’ll go the bar and call for volunteers. Then we’ll go after them.”

Rawlings shook his old head.

“No one will go with you sheriff. Folks round here prefer a quiet sort of life.”

“Even at the cost of a lawman?” the cat hissed.

“Especially,” Rawlings replied. “You see, Mathew was not liked around here.”

“Few lawmen are,” Yoland said.

The cat looked straight at her.

“Seems it’s just you and I. When do you want to hit them?”

“Only you can see in the dark Jerrix. I suggest we do it before the sun sets.”

He nodded.

Across town, the bank was rather empty. The teller had just served an elderly woman when four gunmen burst in.

“Do as you are told and you’ll live.”

The teller shook with fear as they ran forward with guns drawn. He was manhandled into the rear where the solid safe was located.

“Open it,” the tall leader demanded.

The teller decided to cooperate and quickly rotated the barrel until the door clicked open. When it did, he was dragged out and beaten to the floor.

So far, everything had gone according to plan. Ian and Laurie Jerry with Mark and Saunders had spent weeks planning this. As they loaded their satchels with the money, they dreamed of the freedom that it would give them.

Within minutes, the safe was empty and the attackers ran from the empty building before galloping away. Upon the floor of the bank however, the teller lay stunned.

At the jailhouse, Yoland and Jerrix were collecting ammunition in satchels when an excited child burst in.

“They hit the bank sheriff. Saw them riding out.”

That was the last straw.

“Rawlings, go to the bank and see if you can help. Yoland and I will deal with this.”

The elderly deputy nodded, and taking his trusty shotgun he followed the child out.

“Are you ready?” the cat asked.

“Are you?”

He smiled, and placing the satchel over his shoulder marched out. His friend right behind him.
---
The companions rode hard towards the rocky ridge where Jerrix released the animals. Drawing his six-shooter, he crept slowly down towards the ranch where the bandits were celebrating their ill-gotten gains.

As they crept closer, Yoland whispered, “I have a suggestion if you will listen.”

The cat stopped and stared at her.

“Go ahead then.”

“We can’t hit them inside. Far too many muzzles in my opinion. Therefore, we take up position covering the door before firing through the window.”

“What about releasing the horses first? That will draw them out.
Your plan will simply result in a prolonged siege.”

“Have it your own way then.”

Jerrix pointed to the simple stables and they crept towards them. At the base of the ridge, they waited moments before making the final short dash.

The animals saw them coming but did not react. When Jerrix reached them, he quickly untied the reins and slapped the horse’s rear.

The horses bounded off, making a satisfying racket in the process. Within moments, the bandits rushed out to investigate. Yoland spotted a short fat male and let rip. The gunman yelled and went down heavily.

Jerrix heard a sudden yell.

“They got Mark damn it.”

“Keep your head down then.”

Jerrix pointed to a water butt and the friends dashed toward it.

“Three to go then,” Yoland whispered.

“Afraid so.”

He spotted Ian dashing toward a nearby bush and realised they were outflanked. Moments later bullets pattered around as Saunders fired from the side of the main building. Laurie remained near the stable and gave covering fire.

“They have us cold Jerrix,” Yoland pointed out.

“Not quite. Look. Fire toward the damn stable and I’ll rush the bush.”

Yoland was horrified.

“We know how that will end my friend. Five lives and counting.”

“Just do it will you?”

Yoland sent a volley of laser bolts toward the stable, bringing the roof crashing down in consequence. Jerrix broke cover, firing madly toward Ian who was cut down.

Diving beside the prostrate body, Jerrix called over.

“Now the odds are even.”

“Give yourselves up,” Yoland called.

Bullets whizzed around her in response as the cat shook his furry head.

“When I say now,” the cat called. “Let the stable have it.”

Then Jerrix shouted and Yoland let rip. The cat dashed forward as bullets streaked around him. He saw his target attempt to move back before cutting him down swiftly.

Diving down and panting heavily, Jerrix muttered, “I’m getting too old for this crap.”

Laurie was alone now and running short of ammo. Jerrix reached into his satchel and reloaded.

“Give it up man. It’s over.”

“I can’t,” Laurie shouted. “I would hang for sure.”

Yoland remained at the water butt and saw her chance. She broke cover running straight for Laurie when two shots rang out.

Jerrix saw her roll before lying still.

“You alright Yoland?”

Only silence greeted him.

From the side of the main building a sinister laugh drifted through the dry air.

“Only us left now sheriff. Are you brave enough to draw?”

The desperate feline thought it over.

“Go ahead then,” he yelled back. “The best man wins eh.”

The cat emerged slowly, fearing a double cross. As he padded into
full view, he saw Laurie walk clear. He noted the drawn weapon pointing straight at him.

“Not much of a gent then,” the cat said as he watched the trigger finger.

“I play by my own rules sheriff. That’s how it works around here.”

“So I see. Why kill Sheriff Mathew?”

Laurie laughed.

“You still don’t get it do you. Mathew was a hopeless drunk. He walked into the bar while I was there and blew his brains out.”

This news shocked the cat.

“I have been chasing shadows.”

“Exactly my friend. I only ran to tell my friends.”

Suddenly it all fitted into place.

“That explains why you did not open fire.”

Laurie nodded.

“All this death sheriff. Happy are we?”

“You should not have robbed the bank.”

“We planned that weeks ago. We only brought it forward because you were jumping around.”

“I’m still bringing you in,” the cat hissed.

Laurie laughed as his trigger finger tightened. A sudden crack ripped through the air and Jerrix saw the man twirl wildly before crashing down.

The cat glanced at Yoland and saw her releasing the laser pistol. Dashing over, he rolled the body and saw the bullet holes across her chest.

“We got them eh.”

“You saved my life Yoland. Don’t worry though, I’ll patch you up.”

She laughed weakly before coughing violently.

“Wish I could change colour,” she gasped.

The cat smiled and pressed his gold throat clasp. He glanced over and saw the faint green glow of his ship.

“You only have a short distance to go Yoland. I won’t allow you to die here.”

There was no response. The former security guard was dead.