UNEDITED
South of Douglas Mountain, old Colorado (A State in the United States Pre-Apoc)
Jeremiah kicked the horse in the shanks, “Ktch ktch, let’s go Black,” he spoke as he and the horse left the shallow stream and climbed up out of the bed to the rise above
It was just twelve feet up.
It hadn’t been much cover, but it had been enough to hide Jeremiah as he and Black walked down the stream bed, so it had been enough for him.
Five minutes later, he pulled on the reins and put a hand on the horses shoulder, “Still, stay still.” He had finally caught on to why Black had been nervous for the last minute.
He loosened the gun in it’s holster, but he was pretty sure this wasn’t a shooting conversation. “You know,” he spoke conversationally, throwing his voice out ahead of him, “If you want to talk, let’s talk. It’s damned hot out here.”
He looked east and could see the east bound Zeppelin rising over the remains of old Denver, heading God knows where and taking God knew who out of these Fallen Lands.
Even a century and a half after the world went to shit, protecting yourself first was the rule of the day. Justice hadn’t made it’s face known again, at least not out here.
Five seconds later, two horses and their riders broke from cover about a hundred feet ahead of him on the trail.
One of the guys, black hair and a scar across his nose, spit out to the side as he and his partner rode towards Jeremiah.
“Plenty close,” Jeremiah commented and the two pulled up ten yards away. “Can I help you?” he asked, eyeing each one of them.
Scar nose rested both hands on his pommel as he looked around, the sun beating down on all three of them. He turned back to Jeremiah, “We’ve been told to deliver a message from the Boss, so we are here delivering it.”
Jeremiah nodded for him to continue. He watched the talking man’s partner, a thin and wiry guy, his eyes darting about the area. He was the one who would possibly fly off the handle and just start shooting.
“The boss is tired of Sarah Jennifer telling him to take a hike,” Scar nose continued, “So tell her she’s got one week to reconsider either selling, or bedding. Each day she continues to be obstinate?” he shrugged and spit off to the side again, “Well, the price goes down and the pleasure is decreased. At some point, even gentleman don’t give a rat’s ass anymore and the Boss will stop trying to be civil in this uncivilized land.”
Jeremiah nodded his understanding.
The two turned, with Scar-nose turning over his shoulder to give a parting shot, “You might mention to the other guys she got helping her on her land, those that don’t fire on us? We won’t fire upon.”
This time, it was Jeremiah’s turn to make a face of disgust and spit off into the weeds.
Sarah Jennifer had fourteen hands helping her with the land. There were only three others, including himself, he was positive would be willing to shoot back in her defense.
Jack “the Boss” Childers had thirty-two.
Even with Sarah Jennifer’s mercenary skills and weapons from her time before, that still left them outgunned at least two to one, and that was the best case.
“Ktch Ktch,” he called to Black, pulling on the reins to go to their right, “Let’s get home, I’ve got to report back to the Lady.”
The two started moving off into the shrubs.
He ducked under a tree limb, “Cause shit just got too damned real,” he murmured.
FROM MICHAEL >>> I’m going to continue with the theme “Shit just got real!” I’ve been talking about doing more collaborations for a few months with other authors, and now it is starting to come together. I put this up on FB – But I’ll duplicate it here for the Awesome Amazon Forum readers:
JUSTICE IS CALLING (With Justin Sloan) – Reclaiming Honor Book 01 – 12/8/2016 (Preorder available – WILL go up in price upon release – Just FYI) – This book just hit #662 (out of all books) on Amazon so both of us are pretty jazzed about this…Well, we were pretty jazzed until Amazon sent the “YOU HAVE TO HAVE EVERYTHING UPLOADED BY 12/4/2016” email and both of us are looking for a calendar! “OH FUJEEZERS!” So, the book was Word’s Complete a couple of nights ago, we are just in editing. WHEW!
REVELATIONS (With Paul C. Middleton) – The Boris Chronicles Book 03 (moved from November due to life 
🙁 ) – 12/25/2016 OR EARLIER (hopefully, earlier.) Paul has a few pages, but life (see above) kicked him in the shins and he is later than he was hoping. It happens and we wish him the best health as he get’s his calendar back on track!
ALPHA CLASS ONE (With TS Paul) – Etheric Academy Book 01 – December 2016 – Scott has already written the first chapter and then THANKSGIVING hit (well, that and he was enjoying a nice Vacation with his wife…At least, that’s the story I’m believing.) Since we are both kinda back on the horse again this week, I’ll get caught up where he is at.
THE DARK MESSIAH (With little ol me)- The Second Dark Ages 01 – Michael’s Return – 12/25/2016
NOMAD FOUND (With Craig Martelle) – Terry Henry “TH” Walton Chronicles 01 – Dec / Jan – Craig and I are talking this out this week. He is a beast of a writer (I’m in awe) and will probably have his story finished before I have mine done. But, then, he is in Alaska and it’s -02 degrees there. What the hell else does he have to do but type and keep his fingers working? (ROFL).
CLAIMED BY HONOR (With Justin Sloan) – Reclaiming Honor Book 02 – January 2017 – Justin has the outline of book 02 already finished and I think he might have already started writing it…Like, 2 or 3 days after finishing book #01 😉
These are the expected dates – since we Indie Authors (all of us) are pedal to the metal, life can derail us occasionally. We don’t state dates six months away knowing it will take two….Nope, not us! So, this is the beginning of the New Indie Outlaw bunch and I’m super excited you are along for the ride.
This above WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE without your support and enjoyment of the books. I hope we do you proud!
Michael
