Road to El Dorado Pt. 4

Posted on Sun Nov 30th, 2025 @ 6:29pm by Lieutenant Commander Deanna Celes & Commander Jonathan Grayson & Lieutenant JG Kate Kono & Chief Petty Officer Aaron Geiger & Lieutenant JG Vienna Steele

2,115 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Wild Wild West
Location: Planet - Durango City

Jon and Deanna made their way into the company of Clint Barton. The leader of this gang was not what one would consider physically imposing, but he was well built. He sat on his seat, which looked very much like a throne, wearing his black leather breeches and a leather short sleeve tunic with a scale design along the shoulder and neck. He had twin pistols on his hip, and twin rifles on either side of his seat. Deanna was scanning him and found him to have a disciplined mind, and highly tactical.

Jon was silent as he and Deanna were brought before Clint Barton, he was a mark contrast from his brother Dewey. Clint Barton was quiet and composed. Jon however was still sore about being shot. He didn't think anyone had faster reaction time than him. He noticed the seat that looked like a throne which probably fed his ego which in turn made him even more dangerous.

Barton looked over Jon and Deanna. He was slow, deliberate in his action, which was in contrast to how quick he seemed to have been with his sharpshooting skills. "So now, as I doubt you came here looking to get shot by me. especially with a posse, why don't you tell me why you all are here?" His voice was calm and measured, offering no telltale signs.

Jon like Deanna was taking a good look at Barton and seeing him in person, Jon was even more convinced that Barton could have shot her or shot him quickly. The man was a picture of self-control. Jon doubted he did anything fast. He looked at Deanna was happy for her to take the lead since she had already scanned Barton.

Deanna understood that she was taking the lead here. It made sense. The thing she found the most interesting thus far was that Barton hadn't had them disarmed. He seemed to be methodical in his methodology and mannerisms. "Your men seem to think we are some sort of law, which is the furthest thing from the reality. But I think it is safe to assume that a person like yourself has people that inform him of things, such as the fact that your brother got into a shootout with us two days ago, and while we spared his life in the fight, we did have to testify in his trial this morning. The judge as you can imagine, was none too pleased about the charges against your brother, and all too eager to order his hanging tomorrow."

Clint gave a soft chuckle and followed it with a half wry grin. "Dewey always manages to get himself into trouble. My brother...he is not the brightest bulb. He is just the perfect example of a bygone era, an anachronism if you will." He stood up at this point and kept his eyes trained on them both, "Now me, I am a modern man, forward thinking even. My brother is definitely what one might consider the perfect example of an outlaw; big, dumb, and prone to rash action. I keep telling him it'll be the death of him. I on the other hand, while technically an outlaw, am more of a visionary, maybe even what the educated types would call an antihero. You all look educated, so I think it safe to assume you know and understand the term. While most the boys here are like my brother, they do have the redeemable quality of being loyal and capable of following orders. Helps that they were all once militia, not that they have much to do besides guarding the swells in the capital. So, as to the issue with you all. While I do appreciate the fact that you have been kind enough to pass along information about my brother, and you seem intelligent seeing as you didn't bother lying about the fact that you are responsible for his predicament after a fashion, I have to ask once again, what brings you to me? And please, understand, that if your answer doesn't impress me, or if I even think for a moment that you are lying, that flesh wound I gave you will be the least of your trouble."

Jon continued to listen to Barton speak. While he was impressed with Barton's manner's and speech they just hid the fact that he was still an outlaw just better educated and more intelligent than others like his brother. he didn't look at Deanna as he knew she would have the perfect reply and they could stop this tap dancing and get down to business.

Deanna knew Barton was serious in his words. He was an outlaw by the strictest definition of the word, but in many cultures, including on Earth, he would be viewed more as a hero. He knew about things that the average person on the planet didn't. He'd seen things that most hadn't. And while the average citizen was clueless to how they had come to this planet, he was aware of the aliens, had seen a crashed vessel and the bodies inside it that had been found buried inside a mountain and ice north of the capital. "We wanted to assess you, determine if you were the evil man they make you out to be or if you were different" Deanna stated, hoping such an answer would suffice.

A shot rang out, and after a brief moment, Deanna realized it came from behind them and turned to see what it was. None of the team looked to have been harmed. Then a voice shouted, "One of those mangy mutts hanging out around the horses. Pete shot it."

Deanna's mind quickly thought of Kate and that wolf she had befriended. She hoped that she wouldn't do something rash now that these people had apparently killed it.

Kate stood still for a moment and turned her head to the man named Pete and studied him for a moment, quietly. She blinked a moment and stayed quiet as she watched Pete walk by her. Kate didn't do anything. She looked from Pete and then back at the area where the horses were. The Asian was very still for a moment, almost like a statue. After what was an eternity for Kate, she finally moved, having found a rock to sit on. She did nothing but blink as she pretended that a few pebbles in front of her were interesting enough to pay attention to as she calmly traced the threaded seam of her dark black pants with her finger. Her face was a mask of expressionless, unreadable emotion.

"Those canines are a menace. I assume it followed your group here, because they are generally smart enough to avoid this area. All fun and games with them until they cause somebody to fall of their horse or attack someone for not feeding them. Feral things, and their bites cause all sorts of problems. Saw a man die from a bite once" Barton mentioned. His attention shifted more to Deanna now, "You wanted to assess me? So, what is your assessment?"

Deanna looked to Jon, wondering if he wanted in on this loaded question.

Jon met Deanna's gaze head on, he was never one to shy away from a difficult situation. "I'll answer that." Jon replied. "I see a thoughtful man, a well-educated man who thinks before he makes a move. An endearingly arrogant man who commands or demands respect from others. but that arrogance makes him cocksure and that can be his undoing."

Clint Barton had a face made for poker. From outward appearances you couldn't read him. He was stonefaced until he wasn't. "Interesting assessment. You got some things right, some things wrong. I suspect what you got wrong was to get a rise out of me, create an opportunity for yourself. I have to tell you, if you think that a shootout ends well for you and your friends here, you'd be dead wrong."

Jon could also keep a poker face as he stared back at Barton. "Interesting theory." He said simply not revealing his thinking or anything more at this time.

Deanna knew they needed to ingratiate themselves upon Barton to get this to move into a favorable ending for them. "Your brother will be hung tomorrow. Nothing we can do about that. But we thought you should be made aware, in case it interested you. And yes, we had motivations to meet you that have not been made clear, but I suspect the same can be said of you. You are an intelligent man, far more so than these others in your gang. And I know why you are considered an outlaw, and the truth of it all isn't what is generally known. So how about we all stop playing games and get down to brass tax." Deanna had thrown does the gauntlet, in a manner of speaking. She knew she had to. Jon and Clint were perfectly comfortably staring each other down like it was high noon on main street, and that only ended with somebody dead, and she feared it might well be Jon. She knew Jon was quick, but Barton had already shown deadly accuracy with those pistols, and from the memories she had seen, he was every bit as quick as Jon, which made this a gamble she didn't wish to take. She also knew that too many people were starting to get itchy trigger fingers back behind them.

Jon could be stubborn and hardheaded, but he was also pragmatic, and he had no doubt he could take Barton but that wouldn't help them to move forward. "An excellent idea." He replied to Deanna as his eyes never left Barton.

Barton gave a wry smile. "I like you. No dissembling with you. If you are a government agent, you aren't like anyone I have met." He stood up to look them both in the eye, "You are definitely not agents, but you aren't from around here. I almost get an otherworldly sense from the two of you."

The only sign in Jon's poker face was a slight grin that appeared on his face as Barton spoke. His eyes never left Barton as he addressed Deanna. "More to him than meets the eye, that's for sure."

Kate still just sat on a rock nearby. It was obvious that she was listening to them, but she didn't care about what was going on she stared Daggers into Pete and wouldn't let her eyes fall off of him, but she didn't say or do anything about it. Instead of malice, she seemed as if she just didn't care to be their one way or another, like an inanimate object just there for the ride; all playfulness she had during the trip had been sapped from her like a child put into a timeout -- nothing left. At least, there was no anger; no true anger, anyway. But it was clear that given the chance, she wouldn't mind ripping someone apart if given the opportunity, but she retained her control if anything, for the cohesion of her friends on the ground with her.

Aaron walked in a slow circle, hands within his duster keying silent commands into his tricorder. He nodded to the officers, stopping behind Kate, placing a supportive hand on her shoulder. Finally, he tapped another silent command sending his readings to Deanna. He was now tracking the life signs around them to map the total force. Eventually he could send that back to the Washington for further analysis.

Deanna glanced toward Jon, "I think we should do something outside the box. It would be beneficial for us to change the venue, if you agree" she said with a smirk.

Kate acknowledged Aaron's gesture with a subtle tilt of her head. It meant a lot to her. She hoped they understood that she wouldn't let her emotions get in the way but at the same time, any chance to have a personal moment with Pete wouldn't be passed up if given the chance. Kate didn't hope for the moment but she would be keenly aware if it presented itself. Otherwise, she was focused on her officers and teammates, ready for whatever they needed to get done.

Jon cast a sideways look at Deanna, "I think that something outside the box is exactly what is needed."

"Don't be alarmed" Deanna said, looking at Barton as she very slowly placed her hand inside her jacket and hit her comm badge three times quickly, the signal for emergency beam up. Suddenly the entire away team, along with Barton dematerialized to the astonishment of all the desperados.


TBC

 

RSS Feed