Fragment 1634

The Union Army Apache Gunship manufactured by Enroe was an excellent Orbital support craft. It had six SII Long Range Quon Plasma Cannons and could operate in almost any known environment. Originally designed as fast aerial gun platform to support ground troops during orbital assaults, its QP Cannons could pour a lot of firepower very fast into enemy ranks and fortifications. It was known as a superb battle walker and robot killer, but was not really designed to be a space fighter. To adapt it to that role, it was upgraded with four Sparrow ship to ship missiles, long range engines and bigger fuel-tanks; as well as beefed up ParaDim Shields. Until the last Y’All Invasion over 500 years ago, the United Stars Army had only been used as a planetary defense force. After that war, the general public was eager to beef up military wherever possible and a clever Army General used that sentiment to get the Assembly broaden the Army’s scope and mission. It got a bigger budget and was charged to provide security not only to planets but frontier regions. It was the dawn of Deep Space Forts and ‘Cavalry patrols’. By charter, the Army could not have Space ships as that would infringe on the fleet and no one could make a logical argument why “two” fleets were needed. It was hard enough for the traditionalists to redefine the role of the Army in the first place. So they got around that by designating their space units boats and barges. Translocator cannons, Loki torpedoes and similar weapons were deemed too big and too powerful for Planet surface fighting. and so the Army did have very limited faster than light weaponry and no Faster than light platforms with capital weapons. Their space forts and planetary defense units did have TL batteries of course but Space forts were stationary and needed to be towed by Fleet tugs or barges to change location.

Captain Lody always had been a proud Union Army officer and considered the Army the elite of all military, today however he had changed his mind. He prayed to the Blue Virgin to fix GalNet so he could call for back up and not from the Army but he would have made a call to Fleet Headquarters. This morning he had 40 Apache and 12 Valkyrie Battle Walker Space Frames. If the Shiss would have taken the fight to the planet surface, things would have been different, but Hazzzock came into the system with eight Kashir cruisers. The latest frigate sized Shiss warships. They bombarded the Army base and the colony from space and forced the surviving Army Gunships to take off and engage the Shiss in space. The Sparrow Missiles were fast and most of them did strike their intended targets, but it took six hitting simultaneous to weaken the shields so the Quon Cannons could be brought to bear. Four Apaches flown in precise unison could destroy a Kashir, but it also put the Apaches well inside the range of the Shiss PEPA (Pulse Energy package) batteries. No one would have survived, if not for the six Nul fighter that showed up giving Lody and the last three out of ammunition and damaged Apaches; a chance to disengage and retreat. There was no one left alive on the surface of Bumblebee. The glowing pieces of Army hardware floating now in their own orbit around were testimony to the savage, mercy less attack of the Shiss. They did not come to take prisoners or slaves. They came to destroy and kill. He saw the last Nul fighter killed on his rear facing scanners. Their former enemies had fought like Banshees and destroyed four of the Kashir, giving hope there was a change, but then nine more Kashir dropped into the system. To retreat and leave the field where his troops had died hurt him more than anything, but there was nothing he could do. The cursed GalNet network was still down and he could only reach his men. He did had the chance to learn the names of the six Nul that died fighting with them and he would make sure their names would not be forgotten, along with the names of his troops and the settlers that perished. He hoped his engines would hold out and he would make it to Benton’s Colony.

-- Bumblebee as the Union settlers had called the third planet in the Minkor System had been a pleasant garden world with five large continents and deep oceans. Seemingly endless grass Tundra covered most of the biggest continent and with some imagination it was shaped like a terran Insect called bumblebee. When the local fall season came around; the shoulder high grass that covered the ocean sized praries turned to a bright orange. Huge herbivores called Puffies then slowly moved like big combines gorging themselves on the protein rich orange seeds. Leaving dark, almost black stalks behind, furthering the symbolic visual analogy with that Terran insect. Both the grass and the animals had commercial value. The orange grain not only made colorful bread and cakes, it had a nutty flavor many humans liked and had the potential to make Bumblebee a very rich world. Bumble the busy town and the dozen farms however no longer existed. Much of the landscape of this continent had been turned in a cratered moon like surface. Only smoldering ruins remained. On a shallow hill overlooking the destruction stood an especially tall and muscular Shiss, flanked by three similar looking specimen, clearly subservant to the one in the middle. His spine comb was fully errected, showing agitation and pride. Even though four of the nine sharp spines had been missing for a long time, lost in the many fights and battles this Shiss had fought. His throat folds shaded in subtle shades of gray. His left two arms held Terran rocket launchers, his lower right clasped a Union Marine Chainsword. Only his upper right hand was free. He gestured over the burning valley. “Yazzathir is cleansed of that Union filth. Our many ancestors we have placed in this soils can once more rest undisturbed.” Two of his warriors dragged a wounded strong looking human between them up the hill and threw the bleeding and charred man before the feet of Hazzzok the Gray and one of them said. “There are still a few survivors. This one dared to fight and killed three of us!” Hazzzock placed his clawed foot on the man’s head and slowly increased pressure. “Scream my name, beg for mercy union filth and I will kill you quick. Do it not and you shall die slowly watching as I string your entrils around your own neck.” The human made a laughing sound and then said with a labored voice. “Bask in your moment,scumbag you can't do more than kill me. Yet you killed your race!” “I have seen your defenses little human. We have been afraid for too long for nothing. We wiped your soliders out of the sky and made the feeble rest run like Wulmizzzz.” The man coughed and then said supressing the pain as much as he could. “You have seen nothing then, The Eternal Warrior will come and he will not stop until the last Shiss world is turned to atomic ashes.” “You pin your hopes on a myth that doesn't exist?” “No Shiss, I die with the satisfaction that Admiral Stahl will avenge our deaths!” Hazzzock growled in anger and crushed the man's skull with a savage stomp. “Why can't you humans die like the rest? Humble, begging for your lives instead of repeating this tiredsome litany of a mythical warrior and fantasy ship. It is nothing but clever propaganda that kept the Shiss from attacking you.” There was a sharp crack and one of the Shiss warriors heads exploded in a shower of brains and blood. Followed by another crack splitting the head of the second like an overripe Kulzzz. Hazzocks armor activated the shields not a heartbeat to soon as a third projectile impacted right before his eyes. The shields held but the kinetic energy ripped him off his feet. He screamed in anger. “Triangulate on that Energy signature and kill these Benglozz!” One of his entourage said. “There is no signature. The weapon appears of chemical mechanical nature.” “Then drop a Thnhzz by the All Eating Snake! I want them all dead!” Before an orbital bomb obliterated the other hillside, the unseen Sniper had killed four more Shiss.”

--””--

The air felt pregnant with heavy with moisture and strong scents, fruity, musky flowery sweet but not all of them smell perculating from the jungle swamps below were all that pleasant. Two robots used high pressure hoses to wash down the landing platform. It was almost 0500, the light conditions had not changed much since the space bus landed, it was still very dark outside the glowing halo spheres of the flood lights. The bus had looked dull and dirty when it landed on Rico's and now it looked wet and gleamed like a moist creature that had just climbed out the water. Baldy had slept only a little and was up early to check on the repair progress. The Archa engineer Frabbel was a genius in Baldy's oppinion. That friendly Spider being from the distant planet Archa could have worked for SII Gray Lines as Chief Engineer, yet the spider worked for Coreward Bus and stayed at Cobalt Springs. Of course Archa's were known to be utterly dedicated to their friends and no amount of money could ever entice them to abandon friends to advance their own career. In the case of Frabbel he was friends with many locals. Frappel also was a friend of Emerson and Baldy. He sighed and said. “I did the best I could but I can't make a net without silk. The unit needs to be replaced plain and simple.” Baldy looked at the quite beautiful looking maze of stainless steel lines, field projector heads and platinium tipped line holders, that Frappel and Emerson had exposed by removing panels and secondary insulation segments. “So will it hold to Benton?” the Spider said. “If you keep your engines below red line you could make it to Archa and back, if you need to run. Don't run for long or those who pursue you will be treated to a pretty fire cloud.” Baldy sighed. “I can't shake the feeling we will need to get everything out of these engines before I can sit down and tell all this to my grand children.” Frappel said. “That is why I go along for this run.” Baldy could not heard much better news this morning and said. “When are we ready?” “Emerson and I are done with the repairs. All we need to do is put the panels back on.” --””-- Wilcox shoved the cuffed Hawk before him onto the Slide belt and said. “Time to get you back to the Pen.” A mellow voice behind him said. “I have great respect for the Union ranger Service, but in your case it is diminishing every moment.” The Shaill Sheriff was right behind the two and guided its hover sled onto the slide belt as well. “I decided to go accompany you all to Benton. Since we still have no GalNet, I think I too need to see the Judge.” Wilcox shruggs, “Suit yourself, it ain't none of my business what a blind Molusk does.” “Not being able to percieve reflected photons as you do indeed does not allow me to see, but I am far from blind.” Wilcox turns and stabbed his finger at the slug. “I don't know what you keep trying to say with all that inuendo, I took know that there is much more to that story between that boy and the Carpenters, but I am not the Judge. I enforce the law just like you. He was convicted and sentenced. He jumped the pen and he makes no secret out of what he's going to to. It is my job to prevent that.” The Molusk raised ever so slightly on his sled. “Enforcing the law is only part of the job. Making sure it is the same for everyone so justice can prevail is the other part. There is a wonderful Human saying. “All it takes for Evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing about it.” --””-- Baldy himself stood by the ramp and was overseeing the boarding of the passengers. Daphne looks a little dishelved as she came up the ramp. The strong moisture glued her tight dress even tighter, despite the  transparent pink plastic coat and hood she was now wearing. Right behind her Hawk and Wilcox. She looked worried and said to Baldy. “Will we make it?” Baldy shrugs. “I can't say Ms Storm, you're welcome to stay if you like.” Hawk behind her said. “I think we can get through all right. Once we are out of the system space is mighty big and chances for us to slip past the Shiss are not so bad.” Wilcox grunts. “Get in the bus, any moment longer in this hell hole and I start growing molds behind my ears.” Baldy lets them in and sells the Shaill a ticket. The Sheriff said. “The molds of this world are particulary tasty and I can't wait to get back.” Sprewell is also soaked and complains. “We should not be forced to share this ride with a convicted felon!” Baldy points back at the settlement. “No one does Mr. Sprewell.” The DeNoir manager clutches his briefcase and walks past the Airlock. Mr.Peacock arrives with a satisfied face pulling his sample case. “Oh I wish I could call in that order. This Mr. Boone turned out to be an asset after all.” Boone to arrives but he is not alone. He is accompanied by at least thirty kids of several races and all ages and several women. The black haired wife of the Saloon owner came up the ramp with Boone right behind her. Baldy is alarmed. “Ma'am I we are making a dangerous trip and I don't want to take kids along.” “We know. “ She said, “but staying here could be even more dangerous. The soldiers are only one stop away. The parents here feel it is safer for the children to go to Benton than to remain here.” Baldy grungingly admits the children. Valthim and the Thauran Lady were the last and Baldy prepared for lift off. –“”- Elmerson helped the passengers get accomodated. “ We have the kids bedded down on the passenger deck. So they can sleep and their mothers can care for them. So I am asking you to remain here in the lounge. We only got two bathroom facilities so be kind to each other and make the best you can out of the situation.” -””-- Baldy guned the main engines still while still in the upper atmosphere and turned off the ArtiGrav lifters. It was against company policy but he simply wanted to get this trip over with. Wilcox taking the seat again he had occupied during the first leg of the trip. It was technically Emerson's seat but the Quadi ped was with the Archa down in the small engineering section, just in case. Baldy checked his scanners and didn't see anything artificial within range and porgammed the Acceleration phase. Only after he committed the engines and he could see all indicators climbing exactly as they should, he relaxes a little and said to the Ranger. “Leaving your prisoner down there all by himself?” Wilcox said. “He isn't armed and his wrists are tied. Besides there is a Sheriff down there. Not tthat I think he will do anything before we reach Benton's.” Baldy relaxed even a little more as the Bus finally slipped into Quasi Space and left the star system behind. “Hawk is a good man, maybe a little rough around the edges.” --””-- Sprewell stared at the cuffed man, who sat down on the floor as the seats of the lounge were taken. “So you're the notorious Hudson Boy.” Hawk looked straight at Sprewell, his voice casual.My friends just call me Hawk, nickname my grandpa gave me My name's Henry.” Doc Boone scratched his beard stubble. “Seems to me I knew your family, Henry.” He rumaged through the pockets of his coat and finds a flat bottle filled with a greenish liquid. Still talking to Hawk he continued. “Didn't I mend your broken arm when you were, o...” Boone held his hand about knee high above the floor. “...that big?” Hawk looked at him, sizing him up with keen eyes. Then he grinned. “You're Doc Boone?” “I certainly am.” Boone took a long drink from the bottle and then offers it to Pacock. “That's liquor they make from a fermented moss type back at Cobalt Springs.” Peacock sniffs at the bottle, produces a tiny little plastic cup from his sample case and then transferred no more than a few drops into it. “Thank you, Mr. Boone.” Peacock tries it and coughs. “No wonder I was able to sell them such a quantity of our wares. This is quite strong and perhaps a tad too aromatic.” Then he takes another little sip. “But I could imagine the Golden and the Blue would like this taste. It is a potential sales avenue worthy of further consideration.” Boone smiles and takes another draw and then focuses back on Hawk. “Let's see 'd just been honorably discharged from the Union Fleet after serving 45 years and after the war against the Bisok, nastly little conflict that was.” Valthim turned to Boone. “Are you spinning tails of things you dreamt about? I never heard of such a war.” Suprisingly it is Sprewell who comes to the Docs defense. “The Union fought the Bisok in the Andromeda Galaxy. A society able to stand against the Blue, as advanced as the Union. It lasted only five years as I understand but it was quite intense, according to the Company memos I read.” It was clear to anyone seeing Valthim's face that he didn't like to be corrected so he simply added to the insults. “I still don't think that our fleet would allow such a tramp among its hallowed ranks.” Sprewell agrees with a nod and a smile. “I do agree with my wife on that, Doc Boone is nothing but a shameful human wreck.” Sprewell looks at the smudgy looking Boone. “Maybe there is some sort of clinic at Benton's.” Hawk appruptly turned his head. “It is easy to insult a man when he's down.” Boone ignored Sprewell and continued. “After I was discharged and returned to Rico. One of my first patients was a small boy with a broken arm out from the Hudson farm.” Hawk, still looked at Doc Boone with sharp interest. “That was my kid brother, he broke his arm. You did a good job on that, as I recall he was laughing and playing the same afternoon.” “Thank you, son. Professional compliments are always pleasing.” Peacock sitting righ next to Boone nods. “Yes, they are.” Boone placed the bottle back into his coat pocket and said. ”What became of the boy whose arm I fixed? He should be a grown man by now as well, right?” There was pause and the smile vanished from Hawk’s face and his voice is quiet as he looked straight ahead of him. “He had no chance to grow up, He was murdered.” Peacock and Doc Boone look down, obviously moved and Peacock offered Hawk a small bottle. “Why don’t you try this Mr Hudson. It is our finest Kentucky burbon.” Hawk still stared at the floor, then sighs takes the bottle with his cuffed hands and puts it in his shirt pocket.”Very kind of you Mr Peashooter. I drink it after I am done in Benton’s.” Almost giving up Peacock sighs. “It is Peacock, my name is Peacock.”

--“”— Lady Luna once again as removed as possible from the other passengers leans against her padded headrest and stares out into the endless night of deep space. Valthim who sits across her is certain she now really looks sick and even paler than before. Even though the Environmental systems work at full capacity the slowly drying clothing of the passengers make the air smell unpleasant. Daphne didn’t really help as she used a small atomizer to create a cloud of strong smelling perfume around her. The Shaill who appeared to be asleep on his hover sled moved his feeler stalks. “Ah the desire of the female humans to increase their attractiveness with scents has made many Shaill very wealthy.” Daphne waved her hand before her nose. “It didn’t smell very pleasant in here.” Valthim glares at her and now it stinks even worse, not all of us need to smell like the cheap trick you are. There is a real lady among you and you all should act accordingly!” Daphne was worn down already,not knowing what her future held. The sudden eviction and the less than perfect conditions, she buried her face in her hands and said with a suffocating voice. ”I am sorry.” Doc Boone leans forward and puts his beefy hand on her knees, “Everything will turn out just fine. There are those who act so high and mighty and yet just three weeks ago I repaired the shredded back of a man, who was closer to death than life when he got on my table of a man who was shot by a gentleman. The bullet was... Hatfield's eyes blaze as he stares at Boone, half-rising in anger. DOC (off) ...in his back. HATFIELD affronted Do you mean to insinuate... Ringo looks over at Hatfield and speaks to him with quiet authority. RINGO Sit down, mister. Hatfield sits back, rather put out. Ringo is shown looking up at him with a half-smile. But there is no doubting the determined character that lies concealed behind his casual manner. RINGO Doc don't mean any harm.

stagecoach rattles away down the track and into the distance towards the horizon. Fade out. Fade in to a medium close-up of Baldy and Wilcox up on the driving-seat. Wilcox, his gun across his knees, scans the horizon vigilantly. Baldy chucks a stone at Nellie, shouting a little to spur on the horses. He clears his throat, inviting conversation, but Wilcox pays him no heed. Finally Baldy can't stand the silence and turns as if Wilcox had spoken. Baldy What'd you say? Wilcox (looking at him as if he were crazy) Nothin'. Baldy (meekly) Oh, excuse me. Well, why don't you say somethin'? A man gets nervous settin' here like a mummy, thinkin' about Indians! Wilcox You say somethin'. You been talkin' all day without makin' any sense. Baldy (belligerently) All right, here's somethin' that makes sense! If I was you I'd let 'em shoot it out! Wilcox Let who? Baldy Luke Plummer and the Kid. (Wilcox merely looks straight ahead) They'd be a lot more peace on the frontier if Luke Plummer was too full o' lead to hold his liquor. Wilcox I ain't sayin' I don't share your sentiments, Baldy, but you're a born fool. First place Luke would kill the Kid in a gun-fight. Second place if Luke did get shot he's got two brothers jest as ornery as he is, and if Ike Plummer didn't kill the Kid then Hank Plummer would. (he spits off disgustedly) Nope, safest place for Hawk is in the pen and I aim to get him there all in one piece. Time he gets out Luke Plummer will of picked a fight with the wrong man and it'll all blow over. Baldy (looking at Wilcox with astonishment) Well, I'll be doggoned! I done you an injury, Wilcox. I thought you was after the reward. Wilcox (reproachfully) Reward! Why, the Kid's old man and me was friends. (he stares off into the horizon) Besides, I can use that five hundred in gold. Inside the stagecoach, the passengers are seated in the same positions as during the morning. The heat is stifling and dust drifts in through the open windows. The coach jolts and bounces as it whirls along at fourteen miles an hour. Sprewell, seen in medium close-up with Daphne beside him, is playing the indignant man-of-affairs. Sprewell (blustering) I can't get over the impertinence of that young lieutenant! I'll make it warm for that shavetail! Doc Boone, again with the sample bag in his lap, is very thoughtfully attempting to rearrange Peacock's scarf round his neck. The wind is blowing it about so much that it is a futile exercise. Sprewell (off) I'll report him to Washington! We pay taxes to the government and what do we get? Not even protection from the Army! Peacock is now seen in close-up with Doc Boone just in shot, his hand rearranging the scarf so that it practically covers Peacock's face. While Sprewell continues to hold forth, Doc Boone cleans the dust from Peacock's face. Sprewell (off) I don't know what the government's coming to! Instead of protecting businessmen, it's poking its nose into business. Cut back to the same shot of Daphne and Sprewell. Sprewell Why, they're talking now about having bank examiners... (he snorts) ...as if we didn't know how to run our own banks. The stagecoach is going really fast and a stiff breeze is coming through the windows. Daphne desperately tries to rearrange her hat, which is being blown about. Cut back to Peacock and Doc Boone, who pulls a bottle from the sample-case and holds it up to Peacock ingratiatingly. Peacock does not protest. So Doc Boone takes a large swallow. Sprewell (off) I actually had a letter, from some popinjay official, saying they were going to inspect my books! I have a programme, gentlemen, that should be blazoned on every newspaper in the country. Sprewell now addresses his remarks to Lady Luna, as the most worthy of attention. Sprewell America for Americans! Don't let the government meddle with business! Reduce taxes! Our national debt is shocking... Lady Luna leans against the side of the coach, as far away from him as possible. Doc Boone is staring lovingly into Peacock's face. Sprewell (off) ...over a billion dollars! What the country needs is a businessman for President! DOC (amiably, holding up a bottle) What the country needs is more bottle. He points to the bottle. PEACOCK What? DOC (affably) Bottle! Daphne, sitting next to Sprewell, has her eyes closed and her head leaning against the back of the seat. Sprewell You're drunk, sir. Doc Boone's smile fades as he turns indignantly to Sprewell. DOC I'm happy, Sprewell. Woof! He giggles. Now it is early evening. The stage comes into shot in the foreground, the horses trotting away down the track which stretches way into the distance across the flat desert. Again we see Wilcox and Baldy on the driving-seat, Wilcox nearer to camera. He looks over his shoulder. Wilcox (turning back) How come you're using this road? It's gonna be cold up there. Baldy (grinning) I'm using my head. Those beach-crowd Apaches don't like snow. Wilcox looks at him, but says nothing. In the stagecoach, the passengers are all weary, their shoulders covered with dust. Lady Luna, seen in medium close-up, is in obvious distress, looking very ill and worn out. Daphne is shown leaning back against her seat. Sprewell is sitting next to her with an unpleasant frown on his face and clasping his bag of money. Daphne, who has been looking in Lady Luna's direction, suddenly ventures for the first time to address her. She sits up and leans sympathetically across Sprewell. Daphne Wouldn't you like me to sit beside you? You could lean on my shoulder. You look so tired. Lady Luna pulls herself together and her cool tone rebuffs Daphne. Lady Luna No, thank you. Daphne shrinks back into her seat, flushing. Valthim, seen sitting in profile with Peacock nearest to camera beside him, leans forward. Camera pans left with his movement to include Hawk, who is sitting on the floor between the seats. Valthim How are you feeling, Mrs. Mallory? Lady Luna looks over towards Daphne. Then she turns to Valthim. Lady Luna Is there any water? Hawk looks up at Valthim, who is seen in profile. Valthim turns away and, cupping his hand round his mouth, leans out of the window to shout up to Baldy. Valthim Driver! Canteen, please! The coach is seen in low angle from the outside as it trundles along. Wilcox, just visible up on the box, passes a canteen down to Valthim, who is reaching out of the window to receive it. Lady Luna can be seen leaning back wearily through the opposite window. Inside the coach, Hawk takes the canteen and undoes the cap as Valthim fumbles in his jacket for something. Hawk offers the canteen to Lady Luna. Medium shot of Lady Luna with Hawk passing her the canteen. Valthim (off) Just a minute, Mrs. Mallory. Valthim takes the canteen from Hawk and pours some of the water into a small silver cup, which he has in his hand. He fills the cup, then passes it to Lady Luna. Lady Luna takes the cup from Valthim's outstretched hand and gracefully drinks. Then she closes its little lid and looks at it. She looks again, more closely, scrutinizing its crest and Latin inscription: 'Ad astra per aspera', as if trying to recall something from her memory. She then looks up at Valthim and leans forward, pointing to the cup as she questions him. Lady Luna Haven't I seen this crest before? (holding out the cup) Isn't this from Ringfield Manor? Valthim takes the cup. Valthim I wouldn't know, Mrs. Mallory. I won that cup on a wager. Lady Luna seems disappointed by his reply. Hawk, sitting in his position on the floor, breaks the silence. Hawk (looking up at Valthim) How about the other lady? Daphne is lying back against the headrest with her eyes closed, next to Sprewell. He looks down disapprovingly. She slowly opens her eyes and looks up with a grateful smile. Hawk takes the canteen from Valthim's extended hand, pulls off the cork and offers it up towards Daphne. Cut to the same shot of Daphne next to Sprewell. Daphne brushes some hair out of her face. Daphne Thanks. Hawk's eyes flick across towards Valthim, then, still grinning, he passes the canteen over to Daphne. Hawk Sorry -- no silver cups. Daphne leans forward a little to take it. Daphne (quickly) This is fine! She raises the canteen to her lips. Sprewell watches her disapprovingly as she drinks deeply from it. Then with a pleasant smile she offers him the canteen. Sprewell (shaking his head in disgust) No! Daphne looks down towards Hawk, smiles bravely and hands him back the canteen. Then she sits back, leaning her elbow on the edge of the window and covering her ear with her hand to protect it from the breeze. Dissolve to a very long shot of the stage galloping towards camera along a dusty track. The sky is stormy above them. Dissolve to a medium shot of Daphne, Sprewell and Lady Luna sitting hunched up in the front-facing seat. Daphne has a blanket wrapped round her shoulders. Sprewell still sits stiffly with the bag of money on his knee. Lady Luna is also huddled up in a cloak and is turned slightly away from the others. Hawk's head can be seen in front of Lady Luna, his face obscured by his large hat. Now we see a close-up of Daphne with the blanket held up in front of the window to protect her face from the breeze. She stares fixedly in Hawk's direction, off-screen. Cut to a close-up of Hawk's head bending forward so that only his hat can be seen. He raises his head slightly and looks up under the brim of his hat. Daphne now looks up, embarrassed to have been found out. Hawk, smiling slightly, drops his head again, trying to sleep. Cut to Lady Luna as her eyes close, then open; her mouth opens slightly. She is obviously very unwell. She pulls the cloak closer round her face. Now we go to Peacock and Doc Boone. Doc Boone gets another bottle out of the bag. He exchanges glances with Peacock and grins at him, then pulls the cork out of the bottle, but Peacock lays a hand on his arm. PEACOCK Please... Doc Boone looks at him reproachfully, pushes away Peacock's hand with his other arm and drains the bottle, tossing it empty out of the stagecoach window. Then, after regarding the interior of the sample-bag lovingly, he folds his arms across the top of the bag and lays his head on them to go to sleep, watched sadly by Peacock. On the driving-box, Baldy and Wilcox are huddled up in their coats against the cold wind. Wilcox looks over his shoulder, down towards the passengers in the coach below them. Baldy shouts at the horses, trying to make himself heard above the howling wind. Fade out. Fade in to a long shot of the Apache Wells station, seen from above at sundown. The stagecoach can be seen lurching along the track in the distance. Three or four Mexican vaqueros in the compound rush towards the gate to open it. The gateway is seen in medium shot with the trail stretching away into the distance. In the foreground the men open the gate, chattering in Mexican among themselves all the time. The stagecoach comes through the gate and rolls off-screen in the foreground. One of the Mexicans closes the gate while the others, all armed with shotguns, run shouting after the stagecoach. Baldy pulls the horses up outside the station-house. Camera pans slightly left with the stagecoach as it comes to a halt, then holds as the station manager, a pot-bellied Mexican named Chris, comes up. He opens the door of the stagecoach and, as Hawk lowers himself out, he runs round to stand staring up in amazement at Baldy and Wilcox. Baldy is full of the joy which follows averted danger. Baldy (cheerfully) Howdy, Chris. Seven hours from Dry Fork. That's fast driving, amigo! Wilcox (as the passengers climb out) Get the folks a bite to eat, Chris, while we change horses. We're pushin' right on to Lordsburg. CHRIS (waving his arms) You come without soldiers? Baldy and Wilcox are now seen looking down from the driving- seat. Baldy (a hero) Sure, we wasn't scared. Never seen an Apache, did we, Wilcox? Wilcox (looking round anxiously and ignoring Baldy) Where's the cavalry, Chris? Baldy Yeah, where is the soldiers? Baldy's jubilant expression is fading rapidly as he looks more closely at Chris's uneasy face. Chris is seen from above with the back of a horse between him and the stagecoach. He looks up. CHRIS (shaking his head, his eyes wide) Ain't no soldiers. He gestures helplessly. Baldy and Wilcox look down in horror. Baldy Huh? CHRIS (off) Soldiers gone. Lady Luna and Valthim are standing together. Lady Luna steps forward, face taut, her voice shaky. Lady Luna Where's Captain Mallory? Where's my husband? Where is he? Lady Luna now comes beside the stagecoach; for the first time she shows signs of cracking up. Peacock leans through the window listening, as Chris steps forward and faces her. CHRIS You his wife... I think? Lady Luna (frantically) Yes, where is he? Did he go with his men? Close-up of Chris. CHRIS Si, señora. (he motions towards the hills) Leetle... what you call it... skirmish... Lady Luna's eyes open wide with incredulity. CHRIS (off) ...with Apaches last night. (hesitantly) Soldiers take Captain Mallory to Lordsburg... Close-up of Chris. CHRIS ...I think. He get... hurt, maybe. Close-up of Lady Luna. Lady Luna (standing very still) Badly? Close-up of Chris. CHRIS (nodding unhappily) ...Yes, señora. I think so. Valthim, standing just behind Lady Luna, watches her with concern. She stands looking at Chris, off-screen, for a moment, then slowly turns away from camera and walks off behind the stagecoach. Valthim follows her anxiously. Daphne is standing by the door of the station-house, with Sprewell on the other side of her, as Lady Luna comes up. Daphne's heart goes out to Lady Luna and she steps forward sympathetically. Daphne Mrs. Mallory, I'm awfully sorry. If there's anything I can... Lady Luna stops and faces Daphne as she speaks. Lady Luna (coldly) I'm all right. Thank you. She turns away and goes on into the station-house, watched unhappily by Daphne. Valthim steps gallantly up and follows Lady Luna into the house. Lady Luna comes in through the door that leads from the yard into the lunch-room. It is a fairly large room with bare white- washed walls, a bar at one side and some tables and chairs. Lady Luna looks terribly sick and is fighting for strength and self-control. But as she reaches out for a chair to steady herself, she suddenly puts her other hand to her head and without warning she collapses in a dead faint, sinking to the floor out of sight behind a table. Just then, Valthim comes through the door; he starts forward to help, looks down, then hurries back to shout through the door. Valthim Marshal! Come here. Quickly! Then he rushes back to Lady Luna, bending down over her. Wilcox is seen from below, hurrying through the door. At first he cannot see Valthim and scans the room anxiously until his eyes light on him, off-screen. He pauses, laying his shotgun down on the bar beside him. Valthim is kneeling down beside Lady Luna's inert body on the carpet. Wilcox's shadow can be seen against the far wall. Valthim gently lifts Lady Luna's head off the floor, as Wilcox hurries into shot to kneel down beside him. They exchange glances and Valthim nods slightly. Wilcox bends down and starts to pick Lady Luna up gently in his arms as though she were a child. Daphne now hurries through the door, coming towards camera, then stops, looking down anxiously. Doc Boone and Sprewell follow her closely. Wilcox, holding Lady Luna in his arms, carries her towards the door at the back of the room, which leads into a passage and bedrooms. Valthim turns, picks up the oil-lamp from the table beside him and follows them through. Sprewell, Daphne and Doc Boone turn their heads to watch them go, as they stand in a helpless huddle. Peacock joins them, while Valthim and Wilcox are seen going out with Lady Luna through the door in the background. Daphne is standing by Doc Boone, who is leaning against the bar. They are both watching very tensely. Daphne turns to Doc Boone and lays her hand on his arm. Daphne Come on, Doc. She hurries out of shot in the foreground, but Doc Boone remains leaning against the bar. His eyes close in anguish for a moment. He covers his face with his hands, and at that moment Hawk steps up to him. Hawk (quickly but firmly) Let's go, Doc. Doc Boone wipes his forehead with his hands and then with a set expression starts to walk towards camera, followed by Hawk. Outside in the dim passage, Daphne speeds urgently down to a lighted doorway halfway along. She stops and looks through, then hurries into the room. At that moment, Doc Boone comes into shot from the foreground, padding unsteadily along the passage after her. He goes through the same door and, as he disappears inside, Valthim's shadow falls on the opposite wall from where he is standing on guard. Then he steps out of the room, looking back over his shoulder. Sprewell (off) A sick woman on our hands! The remaining passengers are moving with Baldy towards the warm fire in the large fireplace. Sprewell That's all we needed! Baldy I... I feel kinda sick myself. Hawk goes to close the door as Sprewell continues to bluster. Sprewell (raging) We're in a fine fix, my friends. It's a fine country we're living in. The Army has no right to leave a public place like this undefended! Hawk (coming back and silencing him) Looks to me like the Army's got its hands pretty full, mister. As Hawk speaks, standing back to camera in the foreground, Daphne hurries into the room. Valthim can be seen through the open door, standing on guard in the passage behind her. Daphne hurries up to Chris, who has been bending down beside the fire. He stands up. Daphne Have you a wife? CHRIS Si, señora. Daphne Call her. Chris goes off, shouting in Spanish to his wife. Daphne turns towards Hawk in the foreground, with Baldy watching in the background. Daphne (turning to Hawk) Go into the kitchen and get some hot water -- lots of hot water. Hawk Yes, ma'am. Hawk turns to go as Daphne hurries off again, leaving the men standing in a stunned silence. Just at that moment Doc Boone stumbles back into the room, followed by Valthim. Doc Boone wipes his mouth and without a word goes off towards the bar, watched by Valthim and Sprewell. Daphne closes the door to the passage behind her. Doc Boone slouches unhappily against the bar, watched by Peacock, who stands in the corner holding his sample-bag tightly. Doc Boone, swaying slightly, looks at the nearly full bottle in his hand. Valthim looks over at him with a kind of suppressed fury. Valthim A fine member of the medical profession! Cut back to Doc Boone and Peacock at the bar. Valthim (off) Drunken beast! At these words Doc Boone firmly replaces the cork in the bottle and presses it home with the palm of his hand. Only then does he turn, steadying himself on the bar, to look purposefully in Valthim's direction. He starts taking off his jacket. DOC Coffee... gimme coffee... black coffee... lots of it... He drops his jacket and staggers off, watched by Peacock from the corner. Dissolve to the station kitchen, where Doc Boone, shirt- sleeves rolled back, is desperately trying to sober himself up. Wilcox pours him another cup of black coffee from the coffee pot on the range while Hawk holds him steady round the chest. Doc Boone hands Wilcox back a tin cup, demanding still more coffee; Wilcox refills it from the pot. Wilcox That makes four, Doc. Doc Boone drains the tin cup, his face turning purple with the effort, but he holds the cup out manfully again. DOC More, and blacker! Wilcox (looking apprehensive) Ain't that enough? You'll have it coming out of your ears in a minute! DOC Keep'er comin', Wilcox! Wilcox splashes the cup to the brim again and Doc Boone puts it to his lips heroically, gasping with the effort. Hawk Drink it down. Wilcox It'll make you feel better. Suddenly Doc Boone gasps and looks up at Hawk, clasping his stomach. Hawk All right, now! He heaves Doc Boone bodily across to the right, where he bends over to vomit. In the lunch-room, Peacock and Sprewell are the only two sitting at table eating dinner. Valthim stands in the background guarding the door to the passage. Suddenly, unable to contain himself a minute longer, he lunges over to the kitchen door behind Peacock and kicks it open. Standing at the open door, he sees the group within clustered round Doc Boone. Hawk holds him over a basin while Wilcox and Chris stand helplessly watching. They all spin round as Valthim shouts. Valthim (yelling) Isn't that drunken swine sober yet? Wilcox (retorting) We're doing the best we can! Valthim (yelling) Well, hurry! Valthim stumps off impatiently. Then camera pans left as Doc Boone straightens up, puffing, his eyes rolling. Wilcox moves off to the left and throws a glass of cold water in his face. Doc Boone blows and splutters, but he urges Wilcox on with a wave of the hand. DOC That's it! Again! Wilcox throws another glass of water in Doc Boone's face, and he shakes his head and blows, trying to clear out his alcoholic fuddle. Hawk steps back out of the range of the water. Then he grabs Doc Boone's arm and pulls him down on a seat. Hawk Sit down here, Doc. As Hawk wipes Doc Boone's face and head with a cloth, Wilcox urges Chris to the fire. Wilcox Keep the fire going, Chris! Plenty of water! Chris hurries across to attend to the fire. Wilcox kneels down in front of Doc Boone. Peacock and Sprewell are seen sitting at the table. Valthim paces up and down behind them, running his fingers impatiently through his hair. Suddenly Peacock's face drops and he leaps to his feet with a blood-curdling yell. PEACOCK Savages! Valthim and Sprewell spin round, startled, as Chris comes calmly through the door of the kitchen. CHRIS That's my wife... In the yard doorway stands a full-blooded Apache girl, a certain savage beauty in her figure. She stands there like an evil shadow, her eyes darting around at the strangers. Two Mexican vaqueros stand behind her. CHRIS (off) Yakima. Peacock is terrified as he quavers to Chris in a high key PEACOCK But she... she's a savage. CHRIS Si, señor, she's leetle bit savage... I think. Chris speaks to the girl in Spanish, waving his arms. The vaqueros go off outside and Yakima comes forward from the doorway. The agitated Peacock stands near Sprewell, who is sitting by the table. Chris is beside them, addressing Yakima as if she were a chattel. The girl slips into the room with the grace of a snake and walks through to the kitchen. Valthim watches in the background. Then Sprewell turns sternly on Chris. Sprewell There's something about this. That girl's an Apache! Baldy Yeah. He clears a frog out of his throat. CHRIS (pouring coffee) Sure, she's one of Geronimo's people... I think. (grinning) Maybe not so bad to have Apache wife. Apaches don't bother me... I think. Peacock appears not at all convinced. But at that moment Doc Boone comes through the door and strides towards the passage at the back of the room, followed by Wilcox and Hawk; he is a different man now, a good professional, as sober as a judge. Everyone turns to watch them as they go. Cut to a medium long shot looking up the passage towards the door of the lunch-room as Doc Boone comes towards camera, followed by Hawk and Wilcox. Valthim watches them from the threshold. Doc Boone dries his hands on a towel, then throws it over his shoulder. As the men reach the door of the bedroom in which Lady Luna is lying, he stops and turns back to Hawk and Wilcox. Hawk moves off, but Wilcox shakes Doc Boone's hand sympathetically. Wilcox All right, Doc? DOC (in a courageous whisper) All right. He turns and disappears through the doorway, watched by the men in the passage. Wilcox turns to go. Inside the bedroom, Daphne stands waiting with an oil-lamp in her hand. Doc Boone pauses in the doorway, holding two Baldyets of hot water. He looks up at Daphne nervously, then pulls himself together. DOC (in a low voice) All right, now listen. He puts down the Baldyets and wipes his forehead with the towel, then goes off to the right as Daphne moves past him and closes the door. She comes back and puts the lamp on a side table, looking towards Doc Boone, now off-screen. Cut to Wilcox standing in the passage, with Hawk and Valthim beside him on the threshold of the lunch-room door. All are staring towards the closed door on the left. They stand there waiting for whatever is going to happen. Dissolve to one of the Mexican vaqueros playing a guitar in front of the fire outside in the compound. It is night. A voice starts to sing, off. Camera pans slowly left to a long shot of the horses in the corral. Yakima sits on the fence, singing. Close-up of Yakima singing. She looks over her shoulder as if hearing some significant noise, but nothing other than the stamp and shuffle of horses can be heard. Still singing, she walks towards the Mexicans sitting round the guitar player; camera pans right with her and holds as she stops, leaning against a wooden post. Cut to a medium close-up of Yakima singing. Suddenly she stops and speaks in Spanish in a low voice, telling them to go. The group of Mexicans under the covered shelter by the fire get up, wrapping their cloaks around them. Yakima, again singing, does not move. The Mexicans go off on the right with the guitar player still playing, looking back at her as she sings. Cut back to the shot of Yakima singing. Suddenly there is the sound of hoof-beats. She listens, a curious smile glinting in her black eyes. Wilcox, Hawk, Baldy and Valthim come rushing out of the house. As they run towards camera, Wilcox hands Hawk a shotgun. Camera tracks in closer as they run forward and stop suddenly. The stillness of the night is broken by whooping, and the hoof-beats get louder. From their point of view, we see a vaquero galloping away under the gate into the night. Valthim, Wilcox, Baldy and Hawk watch impotently. Baldy It's them vaqueros! They've run away! A pause. Wilcox Yeah! With the spare horses. Baldy and Hawk look at him worriedly. Then they look back towards the corral. Out on the prairie, where the full moon is rising over the mountains, a coyote howls its long-drawn-out cry. It howls again, the cry echoing mournfully across the long lonely vista. In the gloomy lunch-room, Hawk, lighting a cigarette from an oil-lamp, looks up slightly as the coyote howls again. In the lunch-room the men are sitting around in varying degrees of agitation. Valthim is playing patience at the table behind Hawk, who moves away. Suddenly the howl of the coyote changes, and we hear, mingled with it, the sound of a baby crying. Both men look round slowly towards the door to the corridor. Now we look along the table with Wilcox and Valthim sitting at the end, Peacock sitting in the foreground and Hawk leaning against the chair opposite him. They all look round at the door to the passage in the background. The wail comes again. Baldy edges round into shot at the end of the table. Baldy Them coyotes gimme the creeps. They sound jest like... (again the high wail, louder) ...jest like a baby. They look up at him slowly, then Baldy looks down at Valthim's patience game and points. Baldy Black eight! Valthim looks down at his game again, but his mind is not on it. As they all turn to look down at Valthim's cards, the passage door slowly opens and Daphne appears silhouetted against the light. She is holding a bundle in her arms. Slowly they all become aware of her. The last trace of hardness has vanished from Daphne as she holds the infant in her arms, and there is a wonder in her face. She stands a moment in the doorway, a smile in her eyes, then comes into the big room with the little bundle of wailing life wrapped in a bigger bundle of blanket. The men all get up and go towards her, surrounding her. Seen from below through the door from the passage, Daphne stands three-quarters back to camera as she holds the baby and looks up to the men grouped around her -- Hawk nearest camera, then Valthim, Wilcox, Peacock trying to see his way between Wilcox and Baldy. They all smile tenderly and in delight. Wilcox puts out a finger to touch the new-born child, carefully, as if he weren't sure it was real. The new-born baby, seen close from above, screws up its face. Daphne, seen in medium close-up from below, is smiling up towards Wilcox, whose hand holds the blanket away from the baby's face, while Baldy and Peacock look down excitedly. Baldy is completely overcome; he looks up. Baldy (amazed) It's a baby! Daphne's voice is as proud as if the child were her own, her smile tender and maternal. Daphne It's a little girl. Hawk and Valthim look down, quite speechless. Baldy (off) It's a little girl. Well I'll be doggoned! Wilcox, Peacock and Baldy all crowd round Daphne, looking down at the baby in Daphne's arms. Daphne is three-quarters back to camera and the baby cannot be seen. Baldy (outraged) Why didn't somebody tell me? Valthim and Hawk look over at him, off-screen. Valthim is the only one of the group who has not been smiling; his eyes are intense with anxiety. Valthim How is Mrs. Mallory? Cut back to the shot of Daphne, Peacock, Wilcox and Baldy. Daphne looks up towards Valthim. Daphne She's going to be all right. Baldy (grinning) Well I'll be doggoned. (to Peacock) Did you know? Peacock looks up and is about to say something, then changes his mind and looks down at the baby again, grinning. Daphne looks up towards Hawk. Extreme close-up of Hawk staring at Daphne. Close-up of Daphne smiling slightly as she looks up towards Hawk. She looks very beautiful. Baldy (off) Well, I'll be doggoned! Cut back again to the men crowding round the baby. Daphne is still smiling up towards Hawk. Baldy looks down at the baby and wiggles his finger on his lips, making a funny gurgling noise, but Peacock stops him. PEACOCK (sternly) Don't do that. Baldy stops, looking rather put out. Daphne leaves the men and hurries away with the baby just as Doc Boone comes through the passage door into the room. He looks weary and terribly sober. As he comes forward the men all surround him admiringly; even Valthim's eyes show a new- found respect. But Doc Boone seems oblivious of the excitement and enthusiasm, heading single-mindedly past the men to the bar. Wilcox comes up and puts a hand round his shoulders; Peacock waylays him, standing in his path, and grabs his hand, pumping it and staring into his face. PEACOCK (fervently) Doctor Boone! He seems about to say something else, but obviously words fail him. Doc Boone does not reply, but starts to move on again, with Peacock holding his arm on one side and Wilcox holding his arm on the other. Doc Boone takes up the same position he had occupied before the emergency where his bottle of whiskey still stands on the bar. His face grey and lined. He puts his cigar back in his mouth. The others are all jubilant; Peacock and Wilcox smile at him from either side; Valthim and Baldy, also smiling broadly, come up and stand by the bar. [Chris takes up a position behind the bar.] Doc Boone disregards them and seems unaware of anything but his own weariness. Wilcox Come on, boys, three cheers for old Doc Boone! Hip, hip... PEACOCK (raising a finger) Sssssh! Quiet! Baldy and Wilcox have drawn breath to cheer but Peacock cuts them off. Baldy Well, we ought to be... PEACOCK (smacking the bar top) Quiet! (he looks reproachfully at Baldy and adds) Mrs. Mallory. They all subside, conceding the point. In the meantime, Doc Boone has poured himself a drink and with much relish downs it in one. Then he slowly lowers the glass, blows his breath out sharply and for the first time looks round at the others and grins. Hawk is standing shadowed in a doorway out in the passage. Daphne comes out of a door farther down the passage, putting a shawl round her shoulders, and walks down the corridor away from camera without seeing Hawk. Hawk starts to follow her. Just before he reaches her, Chris comes out of another door carrying a lamp. Hawk stops. Chris, seen from the side holding the lamp, stands close up to Hawk, his manner secretive. CHRIS (in a low, warning voice) Kid, I know why you go to Lordsburg, Kid. I like you. I knew your poppa. He was a good friend of mine. If you know who's in Lordsburg you stay away... I think. Hawk (guardedly) You mean Luke Plummer? He lights his cigarette from Chris's lamp. CHRIS Luke... Ike... Hank... all there together. I saw them. A wild shine comes into Hawk's eyes and he grips Chris's arm eagerly. Hawk You sure of that, Chris? CHRIS Sure I can tell you the truth. As Chris nods, Hawk's eyes gleam. Hawk Thanks, Chris. That's all I wanted to know. He moves away towards the door, watched by Chris. CHRIS You crazy if you go... I think. You stay away, Kid. Three against one no good. Hawk takes no notice and goes outside. Daphne is seen in long shot, standing in the dark compound. In the moonlight the vast expanse of desert seems ghostly, yet strangely beautiful. Hawk comes into shot from the foreground and silently watches her as she walks slowly out of sight. He starts to follow. Cut to low angle medium shot of part of a fence as Daphne comes up, walking slowly and thoughtfully past camera, her arms folded. The experience of the last few hours has affected her deeply, taken all the defiance out of her face and softened it into beauty. Hawk quietly follows her. Daphne walks along by the fence, followed at a small distance by Hawk. She stops and rests a hand on the wood. Thoughts of what she might have been seem to be crowding into her heart as she stares off into the moonlit distance. Hawk calls out to her in a low voice. Hawk You oughtn't go too far, Miss Daphne. She turns at his voice and he comes towards her on the other side of the fence. Hawk Apaches like to sneak up and pick off strays. He leans against the fence and looks down at her. She does not look at him at first. Hawk (conversationally) You visiting in Lordsburg? Daphne No, I... I have friends there. (she turns towards him) And maybe I can find work. She turns to face him properly and suddenly speaks to him in a rush. Daphne Why don't you escape, Kid? Why don't you escape? Hawk and Daphne face one another across the fence. Hawk I aim to, Miss Daphne... in Lordsburg. Daphne Why Lordsburg? Why don't you make for the Border now? Hawk leans forward in close-up. Hawk My father and brother was shot down by the Plummers. I guess you don't know how it feels to lose your own folks like that. Cut back to the shot of Hawk and Daphne, as she looks off over the moonlit plains. Her voice is dull and flat. Daphne I lost mine when I was a kid. There was a massacre in the Superstition Mountains. He looks at her in surprise, but she is looking back at her own dismal childhood. Hawk That's tough, especially on a girl. [It's a hard country.] Daphne You have to live, no matter what happens. Hawk Yeah, that's it. They look off for a moment into the moonlit distance, each deep in their own thoughts. Hawk is trying to muster courage to express what he feels. Finally he turns to her, with his voice, at first awkward and halting, growing in emotion. Hawk Look, Miss Daphne... Close-up of Hawk. Hawk ...you got no folks... neither have I. Maybe I'm taking a lot for granted... but I watched you with that baby... that other woman's baby... and you looked... (he grins) ...well... Close-up of Daphne. Hawk (off) ...but... well... I still got a ranch across the Border. It's a nice place... a real nice place... trees... grass... water... a cabin half- built... Close-up of Hawk. Hawk ...a man could live there... and a woman. Daphne's eyes are brimming with tears, as she looks up at Hawk. Hawk (off) Will you go? Daphne looks at him as if she cannot believe her own ears. Daphne You don't know me! You don't know who I am! Daphne and Hawk face one another in profile. Hawk I know all I want to know. You're... the kind of girl a man wants to marry. They stare at each other for a few moments, then Daphne turns away. Daphne (tearful) Oh, don't talk like that! Daphne, overcome by the rush of feeling that possesses her, gathers up her skirt and dashes off. Wilcox is now seen approaching from the house. His voice, when he speaks, is gruff with suspicion. Wilcox What you doin' out here, Kid? We look along the fence, with Hawk on one side and Daphne hurrying away on the other. She stops at the sound of Wilcox's voice, then moves off as Wilcox strides up to Hawk. Wilcox Stick close to the reservation. Fade out. Fade in to a room at the Apache Wells Station. It is early next morning. The men of the party are bunked down on the floor in various positions. Suddenly a voice galvanizes them into action. CHRIS (Shouting off) Wilcox! He rushes in. As he opens the door, the daylight coming through the doorway lights up the people in the room. Everybody sits up. Wilcox, who is lying by the door, looks up at Chris. Wilcox What's wrong, Chris? CHRIS (excitedly) My wife, Yakima. She run away. Hawk and Wilcox sit, looking up towards Chris, off-screen. Wilcox is holding a gun. CHRIS (off) When I wake up she's... (making a wide gesture with his hand) ...gone. Wilcox moves his leg and yanks Hawk across with him. We see that they are handcuffed together round the ankles. Wilcox (apologetically) 'Scuse me, Kid. He pats Hawk's leg and turns to Chris again, growling at him reassuringly. Wilcox The way you come bustin' in here you'd think... we was bein' attacked. You can find another wife, Chris. CHRIS (off) Sure I find another wife. But she take my rifle and my horse! I never sell her, I love her so much. Doc Boone sits up on the bar buttoning his trousers. Chris addresses him passionately. CHRIS I beat her with the whip and she never get tired! DOC Your wife? CHRIS My horse! Find wife easy, yes, but not horse like that! Sprewell and Valthim are sitting in a corner of the room. Valthim looks elegant, even in his prematurely disturbed sleep. Sprewell stands up; an awful thought has struck him. CHRIS (off) Mala Yakima! Sprewell I knew that woman was a thief. The words are no sooner out of his mouth than he starts stumbling about, feeling all around for something. It is obvious that his bag has gone. Wilcox looks over at him from his place on the bunk. Wilcox (suspiciously) What's the matter with you, Sprewell? Valthim gets up and moves away as Sprewell shouts frantically. Sprewell My valise! Where's my valise? In a general shot of the room, everyone is looking round towards Sprewell as he shouts off-screen. Sprewell (off) Which one of you has got it? Baldy, sitting down on the floor near Doc Boone and Chris, holds up the valise. Baldy Here. I been usin' it for a pillow. Thought you wouldn't mind. Sprewell rushes into shot and grabs the valise, standing threateningly over Baldy. Sprewell Didn't I tell you to keep your hands off my things? Baldy Well, I'm sorry I... No one speaks. Baldy starts to get up. Baldy is now standing up in front of Doc Boone, with Chris visible standing near the door. Baldy sticks out his tongue rudely at Sprewell, who is off-screen, and then moves off towards the door, looking back at Chris as he goes. An unpleasant thought has struck him too. Baldy That squaw of yours will find some Apaches and bring 'em back here. CHRIS (indignantly) My wife's people they won't bother me... I think. Baldy (wheezily) They bother me... I think! He goes out. Chris turns back to Doc Boone. Doc Boone is sitting on the bar and pats it with his hands stiffly. DOC Chris... is this bar open? CHRIS Sure, all the time, señor, si. Doc Boone jumps down, and as he lands on the floor it is obvious that the short jump has jarred every bone in his body. Camera pans slightly right as Chris goes round behind the bar and gets out a bottle and a glass for him. Doc Boone turns round towards him and uncorks the bottle. Sprewell, puffing angrily, puts on his jacket. Wilcox, who is standing by him, is still dressed only in his shirt-sleeves. Valthim can be seen in the background, leaning against the doorpost and looking through the open door. Sprewell (impatiently) What are we wasting time for? Let's make a break for it. Valthim (staring at him coldly) We got a delicate woman to consider. Sprewell Well, do you want her to stay here and be butchered, with the rest of us? Hawk comes into shot and stands with Wilcox facing Sprewell. He sits down preparing to put on his boots as Valthim and Sprewell continue to shout at one another. Valthim Why don't you think of anyone else for once? Sprewell (shouting) Are you insinuating...? Wilcox intervenes. Wilcox Easy, easy, easy! Quiet, boys, quiet. (Sprewell stalks off) We ain't butchered yet. But you're right... Hawk looks up. Wilcox (off) ...we'd better get goin' for Lordsburg soon as we can. Hawk looks towards the door of the corridor, then back towards Wilcox, off-screen. Hawk Might be a good idea, Wilcox, if -- uh... Doc Boone is standing at the bar, drinking, with Sprewell beside him and Baldy in the background. Hawk (off) ...if Doc took a look at the patient. Baldy (grinning) Yeah, and Little Coyote. Sprewell gets himself a glass and pours himself a drink. He holds out his glass to Doc Boone. Sprewell (clearing his throat) If you'll join me, Doctor... He drinks. Doc Boone looks at him, then shakes his head. DOC No thanks. Camera pans left with Doc Boone as he moves away from the bar, leaving Sprewell drinking on his own. The pan continues as Doc Boone passes the fireplace where Peacock is standing. He throws his drink into the flames. The fire roars up and Doc Boone goes out of shot, watched by a rather startled Peacock, who looks round towards the bar, then down at the flaring grate. Dissolve to a close-up of Lady Luna in the bedroom. Her head is propped up on the pillow and Daphne's hands are in shot braiding her hair. The bedroom is now seen in medium shot. Lady Luna lies in bed, with Daphne sitting on the bed beside her. The door in the background opens and Doc Boone comes in cheerily. DOC Good morning. Daphne gets up and goes to close the door as Doc Boone stands at the end of the bed looking down at Lady Luna. DOC You're looking chipper today. Now Doc Boone is seen in close-up as he looks quietly at Lady Luna, then turns his head towards Daphne, both off-screen. DOC You're up early, Daphne. Daphne is leaning against the wall by the door. She looks pale and drawn. Her cloak has dropped away from her chest and she draws it up again, but does not reply. Close-up of Lady Luna, who knows better. Lady Luna She didn't go to bed, Doctor. Close-up of Doc Boone, looking down at Lady Luna. Lady Luna (off) I'm afraid she sat up all night, while I slept. His eyes flick up towards Daphne again. Close-up of Daphne. Daphne (apologetically) Oh, I slept in the chair a lot. Close-up of Doc Boone looking at her. He does not believe her. Doc Boone and Daphne are now seen in medium shot across the room. Daphne moves away from the wall and crosses the room behind Doc Boone as she speaks. Daphne Well, it was nice to stay awake and hold the baby. Camera pans right with Doc Boone as he goes across to the bed where the baby is lying next to Lady Luna. He bends down to look at the baby. DOC (poking the baby) We've got to get you to Lordsburg, Little Coyote. (he chuckles as Lady Luna looks at him, puzzled) That's what the boys christened her last night from the way she squalled. The baby is shown close from above, asleep in the bed. DOC (off) Little Coyote. How do you feel? Lady Luna Fine, Doctor. A bit tired. Doc Boone is now seen bending over the bed, with Lady Luna lying on the pillow below him. Lady Luna Doctor, do you think my husband... DOC (cheerily) Never mind. The best medicine he can have is to see you two safe and sound. You make up your mind to get there. Lady Luna (quietly) I have, Doctor. DOC That's the talk. You need more strength. Rest all you can. Daphne, maybe you can fix up some broth. Lady Luna (indicating a plate and cup on a chair) She has already. DOC Good! (to Daphne) How about some coffee for the boys? He gets out a cigar. Daphne, who is sitting down beside the window, nods and gets up wearily. DOC Try and sleep for a while, little lady. (he beams at her teasingly) And don't look so proud. I've brought hundreds of 'em into the world... (a pause) ...once upon a time, and each new one is always the prettiest. He goes out and Lady Luna watches him go. In the passage outside the bedroom Daphne stands against the wall waiting for the doctor as he comes out to go towards the lunch-room. She calls to him, her voice low and intense. Daphne Doc... He turns back and comes towards her, leaning on the wall opposite her Daphne ...Hawk asked me to marry him. Close-up of Daphne. Daphne Is it wrong, for a girl like me? If a man and woman are in love, it's all right, ain't it, Doc? Doc Boone frowns back at her. DOC (quietly) You're going to get hurt, child, worse than you've ever been hurt. Don't you know that boy's headed back to prison? (She is silent and he goes on) Besides, if you two go into Lordsburg... Cut back to Daphne listening worriedly. DOC (off) ...together, he's going to find out all about you. She stares at him, then makes an inward decision. Daphne (quietly) He's not going to Lordsburg. (after a pause) All I want is for you to tell me it's all right. Doc Boone looks at her with a depth of understanding. There is something regretful in his eyes; they see that Daphne is on ice that is too thin. DOC Who am I to tell you what's right or wrong, child? All right, go ahead. Close-up of Daphne. DOC (off) Do it, if you can. Good luck. Daphne (almost with tears in her eyes) Thanks, Doc. He looks after her for a moment as she hurries away down the passageway, goes out through the door at the end and closes it behind her, then himself turns to go back to the lunch- room. In the lunch-room, the men are gathered in a tense group. Valthim leans against the bar with his back to the others; Sprewell stands at the end of the bar drinking. Hawk is near the fire, where Baldy is busily gathering up his things. Wilcox joins the rest as Doc Boone appears and taps Hawk on the shoulder. DOC Hawk... Wilcox (interrupting) Well, Doc? DOC Both doing fine. She's a real soldier's wife, that young lady. He goes over to the bar and picks up his bottle and glass. Sprewell and Doc Boone are now seen at the end of the bar, with Baldy behind them near the door. Sprewell (eagerly to Wilcox) That means we can go. DOC (pouring a drink) Not for a day or so, if you want my professional opinion. Sprewell What do you mean a day? Stay another day? Why? DOC Where were you when the stork came last night, Sprewell? Valthim adds his support. Valthim I refuse to allow Mrs. Mallory to travel until she and the child are out of danger. Sprewell looks furious. Sprewell What d'you mean 'danger'? Aren't we in worse danger here? Peacock intervenes nervously. PEACOCK (clasping his hands) I don't wish to intrude... I've had five children... (coughing) ...I mean my dear wife has... and... much as I dislike to say it at this hour of our trial, I... ahem... I believe the doctor is right. In the group, Valthim is leaning back against the bar, Wilcox is standing a little apart in the middle of the room, and Doc Boone by Sprewell at the end of the bar. The doctor strikes the top of the bar with one hand. DOC Spoken like a man, Reverend. Sprewell I say we've got to get out of here before the Apaches find us. That's common sense! Valthim turns to Sprewell as Doc Boone walks away to the door into the yard, through which Hawk has now disappeared. Valthim (vehemently) I wish you were ten years younger, Sprewell! Sprewell Don't let my white hairs stop you! Baldy and Wilcox move forward and intervene. Wilcox Quiet! Quiet! Baldy (petulantly) Now, Wilcox, I haven't said a word. Sprewell moves away. Wilcox (shouting at Baldy) Will you shut up! Baldy waves his hands in frustration and moves away as Wilcox tries to make everyone see reason. Wilcox If we argue this thing out right we'll get somewhere. Now let's all sit down and talk sensible. The station-house door is seen from the outside, as Doc Boone comes out puffing on his cigar. Wilcox (continuing, off) Come on, Baldy, sit down. Camera pans right with Doc Boone as he shuffles forward and joins Hawk, who is busily tying his neck scarf. DOC (to Hawk) In that case you better make yourself useful, my boy. There's a young woman out in the kitchen. She's making coffee. She needs help. Hawk Thanks, Doc. Hawk starts to move away, camera panning slightly with him, but Doc Boone grabs him by the arm. Hawk turns towards him and they stand facing each other a moment. DOC Say, Kid, how old were you when you went to the pen? Hawk Oh well, I was going on seventeen. Hawk goes off, leaving Doc Boone looking after him. Doc Boone sticks his cigar into his mouth and then puts his hands into his trouser pockets and stands, looking thoughtful, for a moment. Daphne is at the range in the kitchen, grinding coffee. Hawk comes through the door at the back and stands leaning against the doorpost looking at her. She does not notice him. He waits there awkwardly for a moment and then speaks, self- consciously polite. Hawk Mornin', ma'am. Daphne looks up towards him. Daphne Good morning. Camera pans slightly left as she picks up the coffee-grinder and goes across to the stove and starts spooning the coffee into the big coffee pot. Hawk comes forward and stands behind her, holding his hat. Hawk (shifting his weight hesitantly) I laid aThis message has been truncatedShow Full Message Reply to: Reply to Vanessa Ravencroft Reply to Vanessa Ravencroft Send