After the bounty hunter fails to cuff Cole Trayne, moments pass as if a lifetime for each of the men and women gathered on the Texas plain. That is, each according to his or her own frame of mind. That is to say, that no one's actions in those moments are questionable. Or righteous, Or even comprehensible. Rather, each forms a distinct frozen memory . . . indelible in a body's mind but nothing like the memory of the man who was standing next to him at the time . . . of that morning when Cole Trayne finally made his fucking play.

The wrangler himself, who had ridden along circumspect for much of the trek across north-central Texas before firing what an observer might call a warning shot, turns his carbine around and attacks his jailor with the butt. Meanwhile, Rasmin's Colt ends up in the bounty hunter's hand in a way that no one present who might brag to tell the tale about living to tell the tale could ever explain. Truly, anyhow. Almost as fast as Sunday, this bounty hunter. Almost.

Still, maybe twice as charmed is this thorn in the side, named Garrett Rasmin, because Sunday's first of two double-taps misses wildly. Sunday doesn't blink, ready to launch his second volley, when he feels the punch from the bounty's hunter's custom weapon.  If that ain't enough of a kick in the head, Sunday sees in his periphery the likes of Cruger, Boyd and Haverty lining up close and raising a Peacemaker and two Spencers, respectively, against the gunslinger. Nothing for Travis to do but continue with his second double-tap, emptying his custom Starr like it could be the last time he ever uses it, plugging the man--who came by way of San Francisco--near his ribs. Sunday feels no further punches, but he knows, at least, that Cruger fired at him. The Sheriff now stands within 3 yards of the gunslinger.

Trayne connects with one of two strikes with the spencer's shoulder end. His second attack misses, as Rasmin keeps his wits about him, even while Cole's old pard JEB fires his wild own shot into the melee. The cigar-chomping ex-lawman from Missouri defends his old friend from after the war, like it was the last thing the good Lord decreed. Nonetheless, Beauregard manages to miss both the wrangler and the bounty hunter. Jack responds to his master's call, defending against Rasmin even though the man had ignored Cole Trayne like he was nothing more than a mosquito bite. Instead, the bounty hunter focuses on the elephant on the warpath; name being Travis Sunday.

Jake Richardson seems to care for nothing about this situation. He makes no declarations. The rifleman moves, looking for a better position and seeing Rojas and Cruger continue past his field of vision. Even when the rifleman draws a bead on the twitchy hunter, whose name was like any fool who might hand over his money to the town's soiled doves, Richardson holds his attack. Jake heard the old man named Winters tell the hunter not to shoot. There are secrets to staying alive for more than 50 years on the frontier, after all. The hunter obliges, in a manner of speaking, ignoring Winters and firing his Sharps at JEB's back.  The rifleman considers the entire scene around him.

The same could be said for Mr. Big'un, the professor, Rojas, and Pete Haverty. That is, none of them discharge a firearm. They react in their own ways, threatening, pleading, bargaining or remaining silent as they watch the initial moments of an erupting gunfight.

Randy Oldman calls out with vengeance, but in the midst of the gunfire, it seems a waste of breath.

The professor positions himself for a shot at Boyd's back.

Rojas puts himself between JEB and Rasmin/Trayne after the lawman fires his initial shot at the bounty hunter.

Haverty, who unlike Cruger and Boyd had not fired his weapon even though pointed at the gunslinger, speaks to Sunday.

"Drop the gun and we all live."

------------

OOC: All PCs, please state round 2 actions. Remember that some people are in close quarters or melee. Firing into melee is a -4 modifier.

http://www.doghouserules.net/d...n/wagons_mayhem2.jpg
This message was last updated by the GM at 19:20, Sat 18 Apr 2015.

The thought Hell, this ain't right, flashed through Jake's mind as he watched JEB join Travis in back-shooting Rasmin while the bounty-hunter's attention was directed towards Cole.

The Texan's lips compressed into a thin line of disapproval and he turned away so that he was now facing towards ENS. Jake began retracing his steps, tucking his carbine back into the crook of his left elbow as he did so.

"I'm standin' down, Perfesser," he called out, shaking his head as he noted the easterner seemingly focusing his attention upon Boyd -- one of Rasmin's bounty hunters.


OOC:Edit: Changed the color of Jake's spoken words to orange. I had inadvertently used the color of IC speech that I use in all of my other games. :)
This message was last edited by the player at 14:59, Sun 19 Apr 2015.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 2):

JEB raises the barrel of his rifle skyward and declares in a clear voice, "stand down, Travis."

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 3):

Travis his weapon Np one needs to know it's empty the second Starr remains on his hip menacingly.

Move Action: Holster pistol

Attack Action: Delay action.  Let Travis know if he gets shot at or if Cruger approaches to melee.

The Old Man moved forward and to the side as to move toward the hunter who had just shot at Jeb as well as to block the hunter's line of sight to the same. His hands were still in the air!

"NOW THEN! That'll be enough yah! No more shoot'n! Let's talk this over Yah?"

Winters did not know these folks very well. Yet, some things were clear to the Old Man. Cole Trayne was a good man if he judged him right. Winters could not see the man, the first man to arrive to help him and his granddaughters, kill another man unprovoked. However, to offer these hunters to help him and his granddaughters, Rasmin had to be a decent sort as well. He'd have to figure it out and right quick but that meant no else could die.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 2):

ENS was somewhat shocked at his initial reaction to pull his pistol. When did I become like this?

When Jake speaks to him, he simply nods and holsters the Colt.

Cole keeps his rifle, and Jack, at the ready. The rifle, for the moment, is pointing downward.

The bounty hunter had already squeezed the trigger of his custom Colt, when Beauregard calls out for Sunday to stand down. Or maybe it happens at the same time. Maybe Rasmin could have stopped himself, maybe not. Regardless, the bullet flies straight but more than a foot from the gunslinger's right shoulder, cutting a path between Sunday and Oldman.

Rasmin holsters his weapon a moment later, as it becomes obvious that Sunday's gang is standing down.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:54, Mon 20 Apr 2015.

The Sheriff of Shackleford County keeps his revolver at the ready. His pard Pete Haverty lowers his carbine, holding it much like Cole Trayne. Boyd follows the liveryman's suit, lowering his longarm but keeping it firmly in hand.

The hunter facing Winters listens to the old man and lowers his Sharps. He begins to reload.

Cruger speaks. It is obvious to anyone nearby that he is on edge, as there is strained quality in his voice.

"Had enough killing, Sunday?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:05, Mon 20 Apr 2015.

In reply to Sheriff Cruger (msg # 9):

Pointing out the hypocrisy...

I didn't hear any complaints when I was killing Comanche for you.

Followed by a more relaxed...

Why don't you holster that hogleg before someone gets hurt?

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 10):

JEB walks at normal speed towards Cole and Rasmin with rifle resting on his shoulder barrel up.

Randy moves to next to Travis.

His expression grim, Jake nodded to ENS and spoke to the easterner.

"Powder-keg came damn near to blowin' sky-high."

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 13):

ENS keeps watching the tableau before him.

You said it Jake... but I fear the fuse may still be sputtering.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 10):

"Drop your rig, or it will be you," responds the Sheriff.

The bounty hunter glances around and locates his handcuffs. He retrieves them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:32, Tue 21 Apr 2015.