Vengeance at Red Rock Pt 1:- A Rough Ride

Stormtrooper1990 · Post by **Stormtrooper1990** » Mon Dec 16, 2024 9:20 am

In this the start of a new mini series set in the old American West, Nancy Cooper the daughter of slain US Marshal John Cooper and his wife Emily, sets out on a mission of revenge against notorious outlaw Bruce ' Four Fingers' McClaine and his gang who murdered them when Nancy was just ten years old. Now today after 11 years of living with her uncle Wade Monroe on his ranch and being trained in all the skills that would come in handy on her mission, Nancy is ready to travel to the town of Red Rock, in the Arizona Territory where the outlaw has his base. However, unbeknownst to Nancy she isn't in for a smooth ride. This is the start of her story...

The Cooper Ranch, Southern California, Monday 21st May 1873 20:30pm

"John Cooper! Marshall John Cooper I'am calling you boy! Get your ass out here and face me!" Bellowed the voice of the outlaw 'Four Fingers' McClaine from stop his horse, surrounded by his gang. Marshall Cooper grabbed his Winchester rifle in one hand and passed his terrified 11 year old daughter, a flame haired freckled girl to his beautiful wife Emily. "Take Nancy and get out of here, sweetheart! I will buy you as much time as possible!" Clutching her crying child, Emily shook her head. "No, honey. I'am not leaving you to die here, come with us!" John pulled her into an one armed hug, kissing her then their child. "It's me McClaine wants. I'am the one that's been chasing him across the desert. Just take this..." He handed her his Colt .45 Peacemaker. "...and don't look back, no matter what you hear. If you can saddle a horse and head to your brother's. I love you both so much." He turned reluctantly towards the door. "No Daddy! Don't go, please!" Cried Nancy. John could feel his heart breaking at the sight of his two girls crying. Blowing them both a kiss, he waited until they disappeared into the root cellar before opening the door wide clutching his rifle. "Here I'am McClaine! Let's settle this like men!" As she shut the door to the cellar, Emily heard the outlaw and his men laugh. "If you mean drop your iron then sure."'

Making her way through the root cellar clutching her daughter Nancy, Emily came to the exterior door opening it into the warm evening air the sound of crickets playing their tunes in the distance. Feeling the sand part under her feet, Emily stopped to comfort her sweet Nancy. "It's all going to be okay, child. Daddy will be back soon. "I highly doubt that, woman." She turned to see a young woman with short ginger hair under her stetson, the same colour as hers cocking a revolver directly at her chest. "My, my aren't you a pretty little thing ain't cha? And is that your little girl? She looks just like you. Pass the iron to me slowly, we're taking a walk out front." Having no choice, Emily did as she was told before the outlaw jabbed the muzzle into the small of her back. "Hey, four fingers! Guess what I found trying creep out around back." She cried as they rounded the corner.

"Well look what Wild Marge has brought me?! Is that your wife and kid, Marshall? They are absolute dead ringers for each other. Bring them on over, Marge! Let's get the family together." As his wife and child were thrown onto the ground beside him, John struggled against his captors. "No! Leave them outta this, McClaine! This is between you and me! They are innocent!" Shaking his head, McClaine leapt from his horse accepting the Marshalls gun from Marge. "Well that's where your wrong, Marshall. You killed my little brother Wyatt, it has everything to do with family!" John's eyes narrowed. "Your brother had already killed two people when you robbed that stage. He fired at us and I shot back." He spat on the ground. "He deserved to die!" Nodding over to Marge, who tore the screaming Nancy from her mother's grip pointing the gun at Emily's head. This close Nancy could smell the tobacco on his breath and see the scar over his right eye, the one coloured blue the other green."He was the only family I had and he died in my arms, marshall. Now before I kill you, you are going to feel that pain." He cocked the revolver as Emily looked at her crying struggling daughter. "Just look at me and your father, Nancy it's all going to be alright. We love you very muc--" BANG! Emily collapsed into the sand without a sound, a neat round hole in her head. Both Nancy and her father howled with pain and rage. "How very touching.." McClaine chuckled whipping around to shoot John twice in the chest ending his screams of pain before tossing the gun to the sand.

Her captor laughing along with the rest of her gang, little Nancy Cooper was thrown to the ground as she watched her parents murderer walk back to his horse. She quickly scrambled over to her father's gun, picking it up and cocking it aiming it at the outlaw's back. Smiling the man turned. "You may want to drop that kid, we wouldn't want it to go off now." His gang guffawed around him like a pack of wild dogs. "I-I'll kill you." McClaine held out his arms walking backwards. "No you won't kid. You don't have it in you. Now be a good girl and drop it, I'am not in the mood for killing kids today." Her hands shaking, Nancy dropped the gun rushing to try and wake her dead parents. The next thing she heard McClaine say as he climbed back on his horse was "Burn everything to the ground but leave the kid. Anyone touches a hair on her head answers to me." Nancy heard the galloping of hooves and the sound of men setting her home to the touch. Amidst the smell of blood and burning wood, Nancy collapsed from shock and clutched her parents bodies crying out for God to help her but no answer came. Nothing. Losing all hope she felt sleep take her.

The Next Morning

Her eyes fluttered open to the sight of horses legs, peering up Nancy saw a kind grizzled face look down on her full of sympathy and tears. "Oh, sweet girl. I saw the fires from the road." Her uncle Wade Monroe, her mother's brother climbed off his horse taking her in his arms looking down at horror on the bodies of his sister and brother in law. "Damn that bastard, McClaine! He will answer for this I swear it! It's alright Nancy it's safe now my girl." Tears rolling down her eyes Nancy looked up into his big blue eyes. "Will we bury them, uncle Wade?" Wade hugged his stricken niece. "Yes, honey that we will. But first you need to wake up...

The Wade Monroe Ranch, Southern California, Wednesday 18th August 1884, 09:00am

Gasping awake, Nancy Cooper rose from her bed, pinching her nose. Despite it being 11 years ago, she could still feel the heat from the fire on her face, hear the pleadings of her parents before they were brutally gunned down while she watched helpless. Nancy had held her father's gun that night and had the bastard cold but still she did nothing. Don't do this to yourself, Nancy. You were only a girl if you had fired the shot then you would be dead. The words her uncle spoke when she was 16 still echoed in her mind. Seeing the shafts of sunlight enter her room, Nancy walked over across the hall to the washroom. She caught her reflection in the mirror as she splashed cold water on her pretty face. What looked back at her was a startlingly attractive young woman of 22 years; freckled heart shaped features, high cheekbones and cunning narrow bright blue eyes framed by long flame red hair she usually had braided into a ponytail. Her uncle had once remarked she had her mother's looks and her father's morals, something that brought her scant comfort knowing the bastard who had killed them was still breathing free air. It was her uncle that had rescued her from the fires of her families ranch and prepared her over these long years in all the skills she would need to take vengeance on McClaine and his gang; shooting, riding, living off the land, hell she had even mastered throwing a knife at 15 paces and the art of disguise. Skills that her uncle Wade had learned and put to use during the Civil War. A knock at the door proceeded her aunt Agatha, a friendly middle aged woman of 44 years who stuck her head around the door beaming.

"Good morning, Nancy. When your finished I have some bacon and eggs with your name on it. And uncle Wade would like a word about what you discussed last night." Looking up Nancy returned the smile. "Thanks, Agatha. I will be down in five minutes." Once Agatha had disappeared, Nancy dried her face then returned to her room, pulling on a pair of jeans and buttoning up a white shirt, then braiding her ponytail before heading downstairs.

Greeting both her aunt and uncle, Nancy sat down tucking into her bacon and eggs. Opposite her, uncle Wade folded down his broadsheet revealing a strong handsome grizzled face, highlighted by a greying ginger beard and short hair to match. "Nancy. About what we discussed last night. If you're set on taking down McClaine and his gang then I won't stop you." Behind him Agatha sighed. "But Wade, she's just a child. You'll send her to certain death?" Wade shook his head turning to his wife. "She's not a child, Agatha. She's a grown woman and has every right to avenge John and Emily's death. Hell, our boys both left home and joined the Army at her age." Tutting loudly, the woman stormed out of the kitchen leaving Nancy and Wade alone. "You'll have to forgive your aunt. She still sees you as her little niece with skinned knees. But you have grown into a fine capable young woman, any man would be lucky to have you." Nancy flashed him a wan smile, so far she hadn't had any luck with the opposite sex. It wasn't through lack of trying, many men were intimidated by her tomboyish demeanour and there was the fact she herself was shy. Wade slid the folded paper over to her, pointing at the headline.

" 'Four Fingers' McClaine holds Red Rock, President unable to intervene." Nancy read aloud after swallowing a piece of egg, Wade nodded. "Yeah, McClaine moved into Red Rock, in the Arizona Territory about 5 years ago after killing whatever law was there. Now he runs his raids on the railroad and settlements across the territory. The railroad is offering a massive bounty on his head, but the money he generates from the mines, vice and gambling help pay off the government meaning President Arthur can't do shit about him." Nancy narrowed her eyes staring at the face that still haunted her dreams. "Then it's up to me. Your not trying to make me change my mind are you, uncle?" Wade nodded taking a swig of coffee. "No child, I know better than to do that. I just wanted to make sure you know exactly who you're up against. Anyway finish you breakfast and come to the stables once you've said your good byes to your Aunt Agatha. I have some going away presents for you." Flashing her a smile, he got up leaving Nancy alone with her thoughts.

The Stables, Monroe Ranch 09:45am

Having finished her breakfast and given Agatha a huge bear hug, Nancy headed to the stables where she found Uncle Wade saddling her horse a beautiful chestnut mare who she had named Sidewinder, sliding in a Winchester Rifle into the saddle holster. "There you are my girl. Did you say your farewells to Agatha?" Nancy nodded but sighed. "She tried to talk me out of it but I told her that this was something I had to do. Aunt Aggie did say that when I decide to come on home, she'll have a nice bacon sandwich waiting." They both laughed before Uncle Wade handed her three items; a gun belt with Daddy's Peacemaker and plenty of reloads along with her boot knife and lucky silver dollar. " The revolver's been cleaned and calibrated, still shoots like a dream. Do you remember what I told you about using that?" He said gesturing to the blade, 7 inches of straight steel. Nancy nodded belting on her gun. "Yep, fifteen paces for a good toss and always aim for the head, neck or eyes. If you need to sneak in close, stab to the throat or kidneys." Wade smiling handing her the blade which she sheathed onto her belt. "That's my girl." He said with pride as he gave her a crushing hug. "We are so proud of you." Pulling out she mounted her horse with her uncle holding the reins.

"Now it's about a days ride across the border into the Arizona Desert to get to Red Rock. I have stocked you with enough provisions to get you there but you'll need to make camp once you hit nightfall. Well that's about it, my girl. Good luck and come back alive, you hear?"' The sound of a woman clearing her throat made them both whip around. "You didn't expect to leave without me seeing you off, dear. Here I have something for you. Show it to that bastard before he dies, so he knows who you are before you send him to hell." Standing next to her husband, Agatha handed Nancy a small silver locket. Opening it she found a picture of her parents and herself when she was little. Smiling at the memory, she snapped it shut and looped it over her head. "Thanks both of you, for everything. I love you both so much." She said as Uncle Wade handing her the reins. "Good luck child and Godspeed." He said as Nancy with a cry on her lips kicked the sides of her horse riding into the wind, leaving her world behind.

Just Across the Arizona Border, 19:00pm

Having made good progress east riding through a few dusty frontier desert towns to stock up her water, Nancy had decided to make camp for the evening and rest Sidewinder the last thing she wanted to do was run her beloved horse into the ground. Using a box of matches and some dead wood, she created a fire and sat down to eat her dinner; baked beans and salted buffalo jerky. As she chewed on the hard stringy meat, Nancy stared into the flames losing herself in the dancing flames which reminded her of that terrible night eleven years ago when McClaine stole her innocence and murdered her parents. Since that day, she had developed a fear of the flames. Not something small and unassuming like a campfire but a blaze then she would freeze, paralysed with fear. So entranced was she by the fire, that Nancy did not see the five faces loom from the darkness each of them drawing their iron. Nancy rose her hand going for her weapon but she was forestalled by the lead man, a toothless ugly sonofabitch who grinned cocking his revolver.

"Now, now little lady. There's five of me and one of you, drop the iron and the knife nice and easy." Looking around the campfire, Nancy noticed they were a mixed bunch; three men accompanied by two young women and all armed. One woman who looked slightly older then her was armed with a Colt 1851 Navy revolver and was dressed in a blue flannel shirt with blue jeans and brown cowboy boots, over which was a matching leather sleeveless vest and stetson over short ash blonde hair. A red bandana tied around her neck. She was attractive with slightly squared features, prominent cheekbones and big brown eyes that looked black in the firelight While the other looked much younger, dressed in a white shirt and black pinstripe trousers with suspenders and black shoes. Over her boyish short black hair, was perched a bowler hat. In her hands was clutched a single shotgun. She had youthful rounded features and pale green dyes. Seeing no way out or any opening, she reluctantly disarmed. Damn it. They have me cold, there's no chance I can take them all. Of all the shitty rotten luck... The gang of five laughed as Nancy's gun belt hit the desert sand. It was then she saw the intent behind the outlaws eyes, mentally undressing her. "There's a good girl. Now strip."

Holding her hands up, Nancy blinked at the man. "What the fuck?! Come on you've got to be kidding me?! You've got my horse and my iron already." The outlaw and his goons looked at each other laughing. "Does it look where joking, bitch? We got to have something to keep the fire going. Take off your fucking clothes now." Gritting her teeth, she complied removing each item of her clothing while the rest watched, in particular the blonde woman who winked at her. "You're a perdy looking thing aren't you? Shame, your just my size. I would have liked her clothes." When she was finished, Nancy was left standing shivering in the breeze wearing nothing but her chemise and shorts. The outlaw then walked over, seeing the locket around her neck he yanked it off. "Eli, Jane!" A thick heavy set man wearing a leather jacket and the blonde woman spring up. "Take the princess here and put a bullet in her head. Have some fun with her before or after if you like." The two bandits looked at each other grinning "Right you are, Bart. You're a saint." Jane said binding her wrists with rope while Eli grabbed a shovel. Nancy then fixed Bart with a deadly stare. "This isn't over, bastards! I will come back and kill you all. I swear it." Bart shook his head. "Well aren't you the little spitfire? But I highly doubt that. Take her away! Come on boys! We've got her dinner to eat." Feeling Jane tug on her bindings and a shove in the back, Nancy had no choice but to obey.

From her position overlooking the camp, Rushing Sand had witnessed the entire drama. The fire haired woman had been robbed at gunpoint by the other white men and women. This was something she couldn't abide, the strong bullying the weak. The balance of the world must be restored. I will aid this woman before continuing on my quest to Red Rock. Leaping from the rocky mesa, Rushing Sand landed with the agility of a mountain lion drawing her bow. Knocking it she melted into the shadows following the group.

"Get on your god damn knees, girl!" Jane snarled pushing Nancy to the ground as Eli chuckling began to dig the hole which was to her grave. "So do you want to go first, Eli? Boss says we should enjoy her before we kill her or after if we want but I'am going nowhere near her when she's cold." The hulking man shrugged as he moved earth. "Nah. I would rather you go first, Jane. I'am just curious to know how two women work." He laughed pushing Jane playfully who shook her head. "You are a perverse man, Eli Dodds. But I wouldn't mind educating you." With the outlaws distracted, Nancy saw a jagged rock to her right. Sensing her opportunity she crawled towards it, trying to cut her binds. But she hadn't gone unheard, Eli dropped his shovel and advanced on her. "Hey now! Not so fast little lady-ughh!" He was cut off mid sentence as an arrow head, pierced through his Adams apple. The outlaw stood transfixed for a moment, coughing up blood before tumbling into the open grave. Panicking Jane, drew her revolver head on a swivel. "No Eli! Come out and face me you fucking cowardly savage!" She yelled into the darkness. That was when the shadows answered in a blur.

From the corner of her eye Nancy saw a lithe feminine figure tomahawk in hand run full pelt behind Jane, who turned too late unable to get a shot off. In one fluid move, the Indian girl swept the woman's feet out of under her with a kick then finished off the outlaw with a sharp blow to the back of her head. With a sickening crunch, the blade parted through Jane's skull and she lay still with a brief grunt. Nancy gasped as the girl advanced on her pulling out a short skinning knife. "No wait, don't kill me!" She pleaded as the girl knelt beside her and to her relief cut her binds. "Thank you, kindly miss. But who are you and why did you help me?" Sheathing her weapons, the girl smiled pulling her up with a firm grip.

"I'am called Rushing Sand of the Blue Water People, part of the Towering House clan. And you needed aid. Strip this woman..." She nudged Jane's corpse with her toe. "...unless you want to catch your death of cold, flame hair." Massaging her wrists, took a look at her rescuer; she had seen enough of the native peoples, to know a Navajo when she saw one, her buffalo skin outfit, bow and tomahawk were all telltale signs. They were a noble people and undeserving of how the government had treated them. But the girl herself looked around Nancy's age with slightly paler features then your average native, rounded supple features, prominent cheekbones and long black hair. But her most distinguishing feature were her unusual eyes; one blue the other hazel coloured. Kneeling by the still warm corpse of Jane, ignoring the ghastly wound on the back of her head but impressed by the natives handiwork, Nancy flipped her on her back removed her hat, gunbelt, sleeveless vest and pulled off her boots.

"The name's Nancy Cooper by the way, it's a pleasure to meet you. But you never told me what brings you out here." She said unbuttoning Jane's shirt, folding it out to reveal her buoyant well formed breasts with puffy pink areolas and stiff perky nipples. "I'am on a personal quest to avenge my mother, Nancy Cooper." Came the reply from the Navajo, who had retrieved her arrow from the throat of Ell. After buttoning up the dead woman's shirt, Nancy unfastened the woman's jeans working them off her hips and pulling them off in one smooth tug leaving Jane wearing white frilly lace shorts covering her modesty. "Huh? What do you know? I'am exactly her size. Fits me like a glove." Nancy remarked as she dressed in the dead outlaws clothes before dragging her half naked corpse to the grave, tipping her in with a kick of her boot. She then turned to the mysterious Navajo.

"I need to get the rest of my possessions back from the others. I couldn't impose on you for more help? I would be much obliged." Sand flashed her a vicious smile. "It wouldn't be any trouble, Nancy Cooper. I will show you how to stick to the shadows. Follow me." Eager to learn from her enigmatic saviour, Nancy melted into the shadows right behind the girl.

They soon arrived at Nancy's camp. From their vantage point stop the small mesa, Nancy could see the second young woman stood with her back to them holding onto Sidewinder while Bart and a second man were busy eating her provisions, arguing over her weapons. "Right Sand. I'll sneak up on the girl holding my horse and snap her neck. Then you take out the other two with your bow...Sand?" She turned finding she had been talking to shadow. The young Navajo had already drew her knife and creeping silently towards the unsuspecting girl through the bushes. Nancy had to admit, she was in the presence of a master. All she had to do was watch her work.

Using the bushes as cover, Sand pounced on the white youth like a rattlesnake would a desert rat. Clamping a hand over the girl's mouth to silence her screams, Sand thrust her trusty skinning knife into the side of the woman's throat pulling her into the bushes along with her shotgun. With just a surprised muffled gasp, the girl lay still. Retrieving her knife from the woman's flesh, Sand wiped the blade onto her shirt just as Nancy Cooper appeared at her side. "Impressive work, Sand. She didn't stand a chance, now let's deal with Bart and his friend." Sheathing her knife, Sand knocked an arrow in her bow as Nancy took out her rifle from its saddle holster.

Cocking her rifle once, caused the men to whip around raising their hands upon seeing the rifle in her hands. "Whoa! Easy now little lady, it wasn't anything personal you hear?" The man, a squared jawed moustached fellow next to him blinked in disbelief. "What the fuck?! She's wearing Jane's clothes, does that mean...?" Nancy chuckled seeing the bandits confusion. "That's she's not in any condition to be needing them anymore, asshole. Largely down to my new friend over here." To her right, Sand appeared her bow aiming at moustache. Bart's eyes flicked from one to the other, nervously. "And Sarah? I suppose she's dead too." The two women nodded. "You see Bart. There's now two of me and two of you. I think you know what happens next?" Seeing both men's hands reach to their iron, Nancy and Sand reacted first. Shouldering her rifle, Nancy fired at Bart's head blasting him into the bushes the back of his head fragmenting into a cloud of red mist. At the same time, Sand sent her arrow screaming through the air where it pierced Moustaches eye snapping back his head, and sending him crashing dead onto the desert floor.

Pumping the spent cartridge from her Winchester, Nancy turned to Sand who had already retrieved her arrow from moustaches skull. "I thank you for all you've done for me, Sand. But might I ask what is this personal quest you are on?" Smiling Sand approached her storing her arrow back into its quiver. "I'am travelling to the settlement of Red Rock to avenge my mother. I hunt a man called 'Four Fingers' McClaine." Nancy blinked in surprise. "Really? God really does work in mysterious ways or maybe it's just a coincidence but that's where I'am headed too. Care to join me? Safety in numbers, right?" Sand replied with a smile. "I know nothing of your "God" but perhaps the spirits did bring together for a reason. I would be honoured to journey with you, Nancy Cooper." She held out her hand, which Nancy shook. "Excellent! But first you will need a change of clothes. You can't ride into town dressed like that. Folk are liable to shoot and ask no questions if they see you in that gear." Sand nodded then glanced at the bushes behind Sidewinder, making her way to wear Sarah's body lay. After a couple of minutes, Nancy saw her dragging out the girls corpse by her suspenders tossing her to the ground like a sack of meat. "Very well, then. I will give you some privacy while you get dressed." Leaving Sand to strip off her clothes, Nancy searched Bart for her weapons.

Now completely naked, Sand got to work stripping the dead Sarah taking off the girls hat and putting it on before unhooking the suspenders from her slender shoulders. The girl herself was attractive like all white women, the only thing that marred her body was the deep red gash in the side of her throat, luckily the blood had begun to clot and their wasn't much blood on the shirts collar. Not that it mattered either way. Unbuttoning the dead girls shirt and opening it out exposed Sarah's youthful small slightly pointed breasts with circular dark pink areolas. Briefly admiring the girls body, Sand unbuckled Sarah's trousers whipping them down off her hips and down her long legs leaving the girl dressed only in her blue lace trim frilled briefs. I'll guess I will need her underclothes as well. But it baffles me why white women think they need them. It only makes them sweat more in the desert sun. I must ask Nancy Cooper this later. Shrugging, Sand yanked off Sarah's briefs exposing a small womanhood crowned with a thick brown triangle of pubic hair and firm peach shaped buttocks.

"Well she was smaller than you, but I think we can make this work." A fully armed Nancy said appraising Sand's new disguise. "We'll just pass you off as a mexican laborer, that way folk shouldn't ask too many questions. Here..." She handed the Navajo girl Jane's gunbelt which she belted on "...you should be armed at least. You won't be able to wear your native garb or weapons in town but you can still bring them with you." Sand nodded as they looked around at the corpses, one naked. "Okay, Sand. Let's get these guys buried and rest up. We've still got a long ride ahead of us." Sand nodded hoisting Sarah's naked corpse over her shoulder as Nancy dragged Moustaches' corpse by his ankles towards the open grave.

The following morning 08:00am

With the bandits buried and the fire doused, the two women mounted their horses Sand having helped herself to one of their horses. Looking side long at the young Navajo, Nancy could have sworn she reminded her of someone with those unusual eyes of hers. Putting it to the back of her mind for now, she rode next to the girl. "Let's ride!" She cried as both women kicked the sides of their horses, heading west to the town of Red Rock which shimmered on the horizon in the morning sun.