(Introduction)
"When I signed up for the job of Marshall, I expected to be on the front lines, but today I would find a challenge that would affect not just me, but a nice young girl."
(Story)
Jetstream sits outside her office, with Dan by her side. They reminisce about their old adventures from the beginning of their partnership.
They are soon approached by an attractive, yet scared young lady.
"Excuse me, ma'am, are you the Marshall?"
"Why, yes, I am. What's wrong?"
"Ma' name is Laramie Douglas. I came ta' warn you of somethin'. Ya' see, my brother is aimin' to be a notorious gunfighter. He heard all about the Millennium City Marshall's fast gun-handlin'. He's on his way here now to challenge ya'."
"So your brother has a hankerin' for a showdown, huh? Well, don't worry, Laramie, I'll do everything in my power to avoid it"
"I don't think you CAN avoid it. I know he's ma' brother, but I tried so hard to change his mind. He's so stubborn, he won't give up the idea of having a reputation. I love him dear, but he really won't listen to me."
"I see. Well, I will try my hardest not to fight him."
"Thank you, Marshall."
As Laramie leaves, Jetstream wonders if she can really avoid this gunfight.
"Dan, do you think I can handle this without gunplay?"
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
"I'm sure it won't be easy, but I have confidence in you, Jetstream. Besides, do you remember when you persuaded that boy Clint to give up his dream of being a fast gunslinger?"
"Well, yeah, but-"
"This situation doesn't seem that different from that."
"You're right, Dan. I better be careful."
Moments later, a boy rides into town on a horse, looking for the Marshall.
"MARSHALL!!! I'm callin' you."
Jetstream appears outside her office.
"You must be Laramie's brother, right?"
"That doesn't matter. I come for one reason, Marshall, and one reason only. You see, I'm gonna be a big man. Once I eliminate you."
"Look, we don't have to fight. I'm far from being the fastest gun, you know."
"You're fast enough to earn me a reputation."
"I won't face you."
"You'll face me, Marshall. You WILL face me."
The boy rides out for now.
(The Next Morning)
Jetstream and Dan hear a series of gunshots and immediately rush to the scene.
They see the bodies of the mortally wounded, laying on the ground.
Jetstream and Dan look in extreme horror.
Laramie runs out into street.
"BIG BROTHER!!!! STOP IT!!!! NOW!!!!
"Get outta my way, Laramie. I'm gonna take out that Marshall, next. NOW MOVE!!!!"
"NO!!!! I WON'T MOVE. I'M TRYING TO SAVE YOUR LIFE!!!! DON'T YOU GET IT!!!?"
"Alright, Laramie, you wanna stand in ma' way, then I'll just have to oblige you, then."
He then shoots Laramie, wounding her arm.
"THAT'S IT!!!!"
"You've entered a line that shouldn't have been crossed. I'm gonna kill you. MY WAY."
"Whatever you say, Marshall. Any game you want, I CAN PLAY."
"We will do it the old fashioned way."
"Somebody bring us two guns. The finest."
"What are you plannin', Marshall?"
"Since you're the one who came here shooting, you have the first choice of a gun."
"What are you.......fine. I choose.......THIS ONE."
"Very well, I'll use this one."
(Laramie's brother checks his gun).
"Don't worry, they're loaded."
"Okay, we have our guns, now what?"
"We shoot at ten paces. We start with our backs to each other. We count to ten. Once we're at ten, we turn around and shoot. The only drawback is....... ONE OF US DIES."
Dan pulls Laramie out of the line of fire.
"Whenever you're ready, boy."
"1"
"2"
"3"
"4"
"5"
"6"
"7"
"8"
"9"
The boy turned around before the ten seconds and tried to ambush Jetstream.
Jetstream without looking, shot from over her shoulder, fatally wounding the boy.
Jetstream and Laramie runs over to the boy's body.
"I......shoulda' known.....I wasn't fast......enough....to..........win.........
Laramie's brother dies with his sister looking on.
"I wasn't a fan of his lifestyle or his ambitions.......but I loved him, regardless. He woulda' killed me hadn't you challenged him. His own little sister."
"I'm sorry, Laramie."
"No, Marshall. It wasn't your fault....... I think I'll return home now."
"No, Laramie. What about your arm? It's wounded."
"Oh. It's okay, Marshall. I'll tend to it."
(Ending Narrative)
"I was faced with an impossible choice. I had to kill a nice girl's brother. I think maybe one day, I'll quit my job as Marshall."