Slowly they began to walk into the town, but were quickly stopped by a large black man carrying an AK47. He was at least six and a half foot tall, and was built like a tank. He’d be an imposing figure to anyone less than them. Behind two other soldiers approached and formed up, both looked ready to pounce.
“Excuse me,” asked Mina, “But we are looking for Mr. Vash Saverem... Vash the Stampede.”
The man’s eyes narrowed. “What makes you think Vash the Stampede is here? Go away before we make you go.”
“Hold on...” began Methos.
“No,” exclaimed the man, “What are you, some kind of bounty hunter? You kind is not welcome here! Now go!”
Mina eyes narrowed. He was defiantly here, and the locals were defending him...
“Ahoy! Tswana, who are these guys?” exclaimed a cheerful voice behind the two league members.
They turned around, and approaching them was a talk, lanky white man dressed in a brilliant red coat. His spiky blond hair was like a brush, while his aquamarine eyes glowed with an inner light, and smiling face was open and honest, shining with almost infectious compassion and love. At his hit was a single weapon, a heavy chrome revolver.
There was no doubt in their minds that this man was Vash the Stampede.
“Excuse me sir,” spoke Mina, “You are Vash the Stampede, correct?”
The individual blinked. “Yes...”
“Vash, I think they’re bounty hunters,” growled the Tswana.
“We most cerently are not!” exclaimed Mina. “We are here on behalf of the British… and in Vash’s case, American governments!”
Vash waved Tswana off. “Relax, relax...”
The large African sighed and lowered his weapon. “We just want to protect you, Mr. Vash.”
Vash smiled. “Thank you, but there is no need. ” “I’m just worried about you, Mr. Vash. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“My,” muttered Methos, “he does inspire loyalty in those around him.”
“He saved us,” stated Tswana.
“How so?” asked Mina.
Tswana sighed, and then began his story. “Six months ago, when Vash came here, this village and those around it were starving and poor... I remember the night he came. He offered to teach us better ways of farming, of caring for the ill, to teach the children how to read and write. He offered to help us, and asked for nothing in return… and he did teach us. He taught us so much.”
His jaw clenched and he continued. “Then the warlord came, and said this town was his. Vash said that it wasn’t. He sad that it was ours, that it belonged to the people who worked the land. We were afraid. He and an army and were defenceless… the warlord ordered our village destroyed as a lesson. Vash fought the army. He fought them and won. He defeated a thousand men...”
“Oh, it was not that many...” interjected Vash. “Couldn’t have been more than one hundred, maybe one fifty...”
Tswana shoulder’s shrunk a bit, but he continued the tale. “He fought like a demon, or like a guardian angel sent to defend us and he defeated them. He beat them without killing a single man. After they retreated he gathered the fallen weapons and said that he had one more lesson to show us. He’d teach us how to protect ourselves, and protect others…”
“I’ve heard this story before, it seems to be his MO,” stated Mina. She smiled and looked over to the blond man. “He gives people hope.”
Vash blushed brightly at the attention. “Oh, come on! I just like to help people, that’s all!”
Mina nodded. “You’re also considered the greatest gunman who ever lived.”
Vash shrugged. “Well, I am good... so you were sent by the British government?”
Mina nodded. “May we speak in private?”
He nodded, and motioned them to follow. “Come on...”
Vash led them across the village, to a rather plain looking hut that was no different from those around it. He opened the door and led them inside.
“So, what do you need?”
Mina sighed. “I have been authorized by the British government, witch support from the American government and United Nations to form a group of extraordinary individuals to combat threats to Britain, her allies, and to world peace. We would like you to join us. In exchange the American government has offered to erase your criminal record.”
“That nice, but people need me. I can’t just abandon them.”
Mina nodded. “We also have another offer. Much of the world is impressed by your deeds. The American and British governments are willing to give you their support and as much funding as you need.”
Vash sighed. “I don’t know... these people still need me. I can’t just abandon them.”
Mina smiled. “We have already gathered a number of people to the League of Extraordinary Gentleman, we also have a top secret American Sub-carrier, it’s marine compliment, and it’s fire power at our disposal.”
Vash sighed. “I don’t want anyone to die… at least not if I can help it.”
Methos sighed. “Listen, you can’t be everywhere at once. The longer this conflict lasts, the more people will die, no matter how had you fight. We’re giving you the chance to end this, now.”
Vash sighed, and slumped his shoulders. “Okay... but if you expect me to kill anyone, or betray my cause, I’ll quit.”
Mina smiled and placed her hand on Vash’s, looking him dead in the eyes. “Mr. Saverem...”
Vash winced. “Please, just call me Vash the Stampede.”
Mina nodded. “Vash, I have lead the League on and off for a very long time, and can honestly say that it often lacked one thing.”
“Oh?”
“A moral center, some one to remind us that we were fighting for more than ourselves, more than king and country, but for the good of all mankind.”
A smiled Slowly made its way to Vash’s face. “Okay, I’m in…”
See other episodes by PsyckoSama
(Posted Sun, 13 Jul 2003 02:50)
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