The sheriff and our remaining men split off to dispatch the explosives on the track, as I ran over to Blackhawk’s side while he lay belly up on the ground, a wadded up handkerchief pressed to his chest.

I holstered my irons and pulled a set of cuffs from a side pouch attached to my belt, while the injured outlaw groaned in pain and waved the red piece of fabric in lazy circles.

“There’s no need to surrender, you son of a bitch. I’ve already got your number–“

CRACK!

Endure Harm
Health 5 + Action 3 = 8
Challenge 6 & 8 = Weak Hit
-2 Health

A bolt of lightning tore through the center of my right shoulder. I dropped the cuffs, and fell to my knees where I could see the bullet embedded in the dirt on the other side of Blackhawk’s prone form, still smoking and now bloodied.

I clutched my shoulder and tried to steady myself as a guttural laugh issued from Blackhawk’s lips.

“Looks like my man’s got your number, law man.”

He laid back with a smile on his face and I hobbled quickly away from his body, spitting curses under my breath, as more rifle shots sent small puffs of dust around us.

I couldn’t tell where the hidden accomplice was, but even as I thought about finding cover and seeking him out, I knew the bigger priority was preventing the mass murder of a train derailment.

Sheriff Hayes and his two deputies were nearly done removing the dynamite and gunpowder barrels, but weren’t moving fast enough. I had to lend them a hand and worry about Blackhawk later.

Clutching my wounded shoulder, I ran out of range of the rifleman, wherever he was holed up, and threw the remainder of my strength into pushing the explosives away from the railroad track.

Face Danger
Iron 1 + Action 6 = 7
Challenge 3 & 9 = Weak Hit
Succeed, but Endure Harm as a result of current injuries

Endure Harm
Health 3 + Action 1 = 4
Challenge 2 & 3 = Strong Hit
-1 Health & +1 Momentum

With a loud grunt, the three other men and I removed the last of the threat from the tracks.

Just as the train, with its loud blaring horn, neared where we had stood only moments before, we collapsed into the dirt and dust a few feet away.

As I looked up into the sky at the grim patrol of a few buzzards, the sun winked itself out of existence, and I passed out from exhaustion.

Reach a Milestone
Bring Blackhawk to justice – Formidable
Mark 1 progress = 5 out of 10