Last Train Outta Kepler-283c by David Boop

Author:David Boop [Boop, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Science Fiction, Action & Adventure, Collections & Anthologies, Steampunk
ISBN: 9781625799906
Google: Q7sbEQAAQBAJ
Publisher: Baen Books
Published: 2024-11-05T04:00:00+00:00

JASPER AND THE MARE

JOHN E. STITH

The giant sun scorched the desert on Flagstaff, better known to offworlders as Western World. Nearly everything for kilometers was either dazzlingly bright, or hidden in small impenetrable shadows, with little in between. To Jasper Kroft, the view was a bit like looking up at one of Flagstaff’s moons. Everything seemed to be either black or white.

The only two pleasures Jasper felt in that moment were the slight breeze and the trust in his sure-footed mare, Edwina.

Jasper straightened his spine and squeezed his thighs to stop next to Sam, Rufus, and Bobby, the rest of the posse. The air stilled. The desert instantly felt intensely hotter.

Bobby walked ahead to examine tracks. That the four of them were stopped and looking at tracks, rather than racing toward a dust cloud in the wake of Logan Tarin and his gang, was heavily discouraging. Maybe the other posse was having more luck.

Or maybe they were already dead, like the previous two teams.

Jasper made a clicking sound and let the reins touch the left side of Edwina’s neck. Sometimes Edwina was moody, but she, too, could see the sliver of shade next to the nearby bluff.

The shade wasn’t deep enough to cover them both, but at least the horse got a break. Jasper ruffled her sorrel mane to try to say, “Thanks. We’ll quit as soon as we can.”

The rest stop was over in just minutes. Bobby came back to the group and pointed to a narrow canyon mouth. Bobby was a young man with cold eyes and a hot temper. Truth be told, Jasper would almost prefer to be hunting Bobby rather than Logan Tarin and his gang. But only Logan’s guys had actually robbed a bank and killed multiple pursuers. As far as Jasper knew.

Sam, their leader, cocked his head in the direction of the canyon mouth and urged his mount into motion. Rufus and Bobby fell in behind Sam.

Jasper said softly to Edwina, “Come on, girl. Looks like we’re not done yet.” He squeezed his calves and the horse moved out. Together, they pulled into the rear of the diamond formation.

This was new territory to Jasper. They were hours out of Comstock, kilometers from resupply.

Another halt. Once more, Bobby went ahead to check the trail, and once again, the four posse members were on their way. The canyon mouth was close enough that they rode single file. Jasper fell in behind Rufus.

Jasper’s feeling of unease grew as the canyon walls rose on either side. He was well aware of the wisdom that said you could tell a gelding where to go, ask a stallion, and negotiate with a mare, but Edwina pressed ahead without complaint. Jasper thought he could feel the nervousness in the tough, wiry animal. Then again, maybe that was in him.

The canyon walls steepened. The way ahead grew narrower, the canyon bed a mix of powdery dust and occasional rocks and boulders.

Jasper kept glancing back to make sure Logan’s gang wasn’t following them. The sides of the canyon grew higher.

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