Free Rise Once More by D. Henbane Page A

something you need. So please, take this olive branch, and just hear me out.” I say.
    “ You got a nuke hidden in a briefcase?” Tatanka says.
    “ Even better than that. Every facet of life in the western world is controlled by a complex network of servers, databases, and an overall addiction to everything digital. Just as you tried to squeeze money out of junkies to further your goals, there is a far richer junkie out there. One that is much more vulnerable, if you know what to do, and the consequences far more devastating.” I say.
    “ So, what do you want?” Tatanka asks.
    “ I want out of this town, I need to get past the checkpoints, and I am told you can get me onto the Reservation. Grant me safe passage, provide guide services, and then direct me to the nearest highway. I got a car, no need to waste your gas, if you can do that for me, I got a weapon that would make Sitting Bull proud.” I say.
    Tatanka stares at me incredulously, slowly grinding his teeth in deep thought, when suddenly he stops moving, and stares directly into my eyes. I stand with my gaze fixed on my former attacker, beads of sweat streaming down my face, and I wonder if I have made a painful mistake. Tatanka tilts his head to the side, resembling an owl observing its prey from above.
    “You got a deal.” Tatanka says.
    “ Great, you drive.” I say tossing my keys at him.
    ***
     
    The reservation isn't at all what I had imagined. I pictured small children with feathered headdresses, chasing each other around, while a mixed breed dog nips at their heels. Rustic wood fences, surrounding modern suburban split level style houses, with winding pathways connecting them all. The truth was a stark reality check, not only to my own ignorance, but also the fact I really should get out of the house more often.
    The landscape resembled a warped painting by Dali, vibrant green prairie grass land, gutted down the middle by a ravine of barren desert hills, as if a flood had eroded away areas of a golf course, and no one bothered to reseed it. The lifeless bands of the earth's exposed layers below, made it feel almost alien, but the aging wooden sign inscribed in clear English reminded me that I was still on Earth.
    Sporadic encampments dotted the landscape. Unpaved roads, bike trails, and well worn walking paths all interconnected like a dirt work spider web; rotting trailer houses, windows missing, and others without doors. Long abandoned cars, rest stuck in the mud, stripped of anything of value, ghosts, haunting the landscape like stone monoliths from ancient times.
    “Your people did this to us.” Tatanka says calmly, while gripping the steering wheel, head held firmly focused ahead, avoiding eye contact with people along the road. Some asked for money, others just wanted to see a local legend, and a few tried to get his attention by flashing their breasts.
    “ You're a popular guy.” I say.
    “ I'm not, but my money is...” Tatanka says.
    “ Money you got from selling drugs?” I say.
    “ I don't like the way you say that. You see it as dirty drug money, I see it as a way to help my people, yeah the cash is dirty, but I do good with it. I buy baby formula, get people clothes, supplies, gas, and get peoples lights turned back on.” Tatanka says.
    “ So you're Robyn Hood?” I say.
    “ They don't call me that. But kinda...” Tatanka says.
    “ The white buffalo... it isn't a street name for your drugs it is what you are to these people. You are the hope of a better tomorrow, a warm meal, and someone who understands, that is what I would call Robyn Hood.” I say.
    “ I do my best.” Tatanka says.
     
     
     
     
    “ You got your map?” Tatanka says.
    “ Yes, thank you again.” I say.
    “ Just enter the words The Horns into the command prompt, press enter, and it will ask you to click yes to proceed. Once you click yes, there is no coming back.” I say.
    “ How will I know it worked?” Tatanka asks.
    “ Oh, you'll know! I