A hole opened in the center of each stranger’s forehead and the two toppled backwards into the dust, their bowler hats rolling away.
“That ought to show them,” Pat said.
The two figures writhed in the dust as if powerful electrical currents ran through their rangy bodies. One sat upright, followed by the other a few moments after.
“Shit,” Billy said.
“Reminds me of robots,” Pat said, and spat.
“Reload,” Billy said as he opened the loading gate of his Colt and pulled bullets from his belt. Pat did the same.
The two gained their feet.
“I’m powerful glad they haven’t drawn on us yet,” Pat stated.
“Don’t give ‘em any ideas,” Billy whispered. “But maybe they don’t know how to shoot anyway.”
“Let’s not test it,” Pat said.
The two men flipped the loading gates closed as they brought their guns on target. Each man emptied his revolver into the head of the strange demons at point blank range, and the two toppled backwards once more into the dirt.
Guthrie stepped between Billy and Pat. “Sir,” he said. “If you are inclined, I will hold these two off while you bring the horseless carriage.”
Billy said, “You’re still banged up, Guthrie. Can you handle them?”
“I believe so, Billy.”
“Okay.”
Guthrie said, “I would suggest a rapid departure, though.”
“For where?” Pat Garrett asked. “I’m for standing my ground.”
“For Mars,” Guthrie said.
[ 7 ]
Ekka emerged from the house and ran to Billy, throwing her arms around him.
“I’m all right, darlin’. But I think we’ll be foregoing lunch today. Get your bags. We’re headed for the Argent. Now.”
Ekka nodded and darted back inside the house.
“Come on, Pat. I hope Guthrie can hold these two off. Let’s get the car ready. You crank the handle while I fire her up.”
The two men turned to see the singletons rise once more to their feet. Their heads resembled the holed tops of pepper shakers.
“Maybe...just maybe,” Pat began, “I’ll come along with you.”
[ 8 ]
Guthrie stood facing the two singletons. His eyes focused minutely on the skin of their necks. He did an internal calculation, then shifted his feet and held up both of his hands to assume a martial arts stance.
“We’ve seen that,” one of the two stated. “We’re not impressed.”
“Oh,” Guthrie said. “But you haven’t seen this.”
Guthrie folded three of his fingers on each hand under his thumbs to leave his forefingers sticking up in the air.