Valentine: WHAT?? Can you get us back??
 
Hondo: Not with this stuff. This can control a time unit, but we built this to observe time ripples, read time lines, paradox calculations, etc.  
 
Valentine:  But Fernando gave you a time unit.
 
Hondo: yeah, but it’s locked up back home. I didn’t figure we’d need it as I haven’t used it in 3 years. I didn’t want to travel with it until I had a safe place to keep it.
 
Valentine:  Should we go back?
 
Hondo:  I don’t know.  I should but we are this far already . . .
 
Valentine: I’ll stay here with the vehicles.
 
Hondo: No, it may be dangerous.
 
Valentine: You need to check on the house. If you can find the time device we can get back.
 
Hondo: But why are we here? Time jumps don’t just occur without reason.
 
Valentine: Then once we get back you can talk to Fernando. You take the bike an’ you can make it faster.
 
Hondo: We need to hide the vehicles first, someplace you can stay hidden and if needed to defend.
After a bit of scouting around on Hondo’s off-road modified 1948 Indian Chief they find an old barn. No one had been around for a long time by the look of it. They managed to get both vehicles inside. Once the barn was all closed up Valentine took a rifle and headed up to the hay loft where she could keep an eye out for anyone coming.  Hondo put a hand on her should to stop her for a moment.
 
Hondo: If anyone comes , shoot them if there is only a couple then get away in the bronco.
 
Valentine: But How will you find me.
 
Hondo: I’ll find you I promise.
 
Hondo kissed Valentine on the cheek, grabbed the motorcycle, and walked outside. He looked up and saw Valentine watching him through a cracked open window in the hay loft. He nodded at her, kick started the bike, and tore off down the road.
 
Hondo pushed the bike and sped along the torn up roads much faster than he should be going. He made it back to Minot in 45 minutes. The road to the house was barricaded and there was no good way to get there from this side. The only way through was through town. Hondo turned around and went back to the main road. Once on hwy 83 he went through the south end of town. Many of the buildings were torn down, smashed in, or burnt.  There wasn’t a soul in sight though he felt he was being watch. He turned off of 83 onto hwy 2 east and hit the back road to the house. The old bridge was still intact but was starting to crumble with age. The road was barricaded again but here he found a trail that would take him along the hills and in from the back side of the house.  As the house sight came into sight his heart sank. The house was burnt to the ground. He drove up, put the kick stand down on the bike but left it running. The house was burnt down but it was obvious that someone had dug through it. Hondo’s safe was gone. There was nothing left but burn wood and rotten, burnt appliances, and empty shell casings. He kicked around the house and found many piles of empty cartridges and shotgun shells. Hondo noticed one important thing; there were no reloadable shells or cartridges anywhere.  Hondo still felt uneasy. He knew he was being watched; he felt surrounded. He jumped on his motorcycle and, trying not to act like he was in a hurry, headed back the way he came.  He didn’t see a soul again until he hit hwy 83. There, in front of his 8 scraggly bikers with guns blocking his way. Hondo stopped yelling distance from them and shut off his bike.  
 
Hondo yelled out:  How about you let me pass an’ we’ll have no trouble here today!
 
Bikers Leader: I think not, Sackett
 
Hondo: You know me?
 
Bikers Leader: You are the notorious, Hondo Sackett.  Head of the Sacket family and leader of that band of do gooders, are you not?
 
Hondo not wanting to show his ignorance of what was going on goes along with him.
 
Hondo: That I am. Now what do you want? Or am I gonna hafta stand here all damn day waitin’ while ya pick your ass lookin’ for your brains?
 
Biker Leader: Big talk. You are alone and I am not.
 
Hondo (bluffing): You think I’d come alone? You are an idiot!
 
The bikers all started to look nervous and muttered amongst themselves.
 
Bike Leader: QUIET! Fools! He is trying to scare us! We will not fall for your lies Sacketts.
 
Hondo: Well, either way I’m not goin’ down without a fight, so, ifin ya feel so like, fill your hands you son of a bitch!  
 
  Hondo Kick started his bike, kicked it into gear and roared at them, He hit second gear and pulled one of his Colt Anacondas. As he did 2 shots rang out and the two outside bikers fell.  The ones next to them saw it and swerved off. Hondo shot the ones on either side of the leader.  The other crashed his bike with one of the ones Hondo had shot.  The other two that had swerved stopped and tried to take aim at Hondo but were taken off their bikes with another volley from the shadows. As the Leader and Hondo passed each other they both spun their bikes around. The leader of the group tried to grab Hondo’s handle bar as they passed, but Hondo managed to kick him away. That action along with their speed caused them both to tip over. The leader knocked himself out on the pavement as he fell. Hondo managed not to hit his head hard but was disoriented. His gun flew from his hand as he fell over and slid along the ground with his bike on top of him.  He lay there for a moment collecting his thoughts. He heard footsteps and tried to sit up but he was trapped under the bike. He knew he could push it off but he stopped moving as he looked up. One of the bikers he and his mysterious helper’s hadn’t shot walked up to him with a gun in his hand.
 
Biker: You’re dead, Muther-#$@!er!
 
Not more than a second after the words had come out of the bikers mouth a might boom sounded from not too far off and the bikers  head blew apart. Hondo shoved the bike off of him and scrambled to his feet, that last incident adding to his adrenaline rush.  Down the road a piece I tall lanky cowboy with dark hair held up his rifle.  Hondo gave him a quick wave.   Right then another motorcycle was heard in the distance. A bit younger looking cowboy road up to the other, they exchanged words then the older of the two hopped on another bike and fired it up. Without a look back they roared south towards Bismarck.
 
 Hondo looked around and found the pistol he lost. It was scuffed but nothing was damaged. He popped out the spend casings and dropped them in his pocket. As he reloaded the empty chambers he heard a groan not far from him. It was the biker leader. Hondo walked up to him pistol in hand, cocking it as he walked up. The biker leader coughed and spit some blood out as Hondo walked up
 
Biker Leader wheezing: You win, Sackett. Now kill me.
 
Hondo: No, I don’t think so, but I’ll make you wish you were dead.
 
Hondo raised his gun and blew the biker leaders knee cap off. The biker howled in pain.
 
Hondo: Now you’ll never ride again. And remember this, I find out you or your people harmed another or came after any of my kin, ever again, I’ll hunt y’all down an’ kill ya. Every mothers son of ya. Ya got that!
 
The biker leader could only nod as he held his blown apart leg. Hondo holstered his gun after reloading the now spent cylinder. He then righted his bike, checked it over and found no damage other than a few scratches, then fired it up. He looked around momentarily. The place was not recognizable anymore. What had happened to his family? Where they here when this happened? Did they make it out? Hondo thought on it for only a few seconds. Valentine was alone and the strangers that helped him seemed to be headed that way. They helped him once but if they saw his equipment they might not be so helpful.  
 
 Hondo roared off down the road. Not going as fast on his way back as he was a bit sore, he made it in an hour. Not but a mile away from the barn he heard gun shots ahead. He kicked his bike into high gear and raced up to the barn.  As he sided to a halt he saw Valentine standing in front of the barn and several bodies lying on the ground. In the Distance two motorcycles roared off down the road.

Valentine Sat and waited. She would occasionally check the back window on the barn, but the approach wasn’t very good. If anyone was going to approach it would be from the front. She stayed alert for about an hour then found herself nodding off. She fought it for a bit then succumbed to her drowsiness.  She didn’t know how long she had slept but all of a sudden the sounds of a bike engine roused her. She looked outside but didn’t recognize the person. About that time they looked up and saw her. The person reached for his gun But Valentine managed to get her Winchester 94 up and shot the guy right through the heart. She remembered what Hondo had said but she didn’t want to leave without him. She knew the sound of the shot or the guy not returning might draw others but she had to chance it. She looked at her watch. Hondo had been gone an hour and a half. She set out some extra 30-30 rifle ammo on the ledge and replaced the one she used. About 20 minutes later several bikes and an old jeep pull up and off a distance.  About 5 minutes later someone calls out.
 
Leader: Come out! We have you Surrounded!
 
Valentine: Go away!
 
Leader: No can do. You killed one of our men. Come out now and we won’t shoot you.
 
Valentine: and be raped or sold as a slave? Hell no! Your man pulled his gun. I shot him in self-defense!
 
Leader:  That’s your story. Now come out and we will give you a fair trial.
 
Valentine: My man will be here soon and you don’t want to mess with him.  Just go away. We will leave and you’ll never see us again.
 
Leader: Who is your man  that we should fear him?
 
Valentine: You probably don’t know him and if you keep harassing me you won’t want to meet him.
 
Leader: What is his name?
 
Valentine: Hondo Sackett
 
A murmur of voices was heard outside. Valentine could only hear part of it.  
 
Voices: mumble, mumble, mumble . . . We can’t go against Hondo and his clan! . . . Mumble mumble Boss will kill us if we don’t get his son’s killer. Mumble, Mumble, Mumble.
 
Leader: Mrs. Sackett?
 
Valentine didn’t feel like arguing about them not being married yet, though that they knew him almost 60 years into the future was the main question on her mind.
 
Valentine: Yes?
 
Leader: We don’t want trouble with the Sackett clan but you leave us no choice. You should our bosses son. Yeah, he was an idiot, but we will all be killed if we don’t bring you in, dead or alive.
 
Valentine: Sorry, can’t help you.
 
Leader: I’m sorry, then, Ma’am. You leave us no choice. Take her out men!!
 
Several men came up out of the grass and rushed the place with pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Valentine shot the first man off the ground then levered in another shell and shot a second. A  bad shell jammed in her rifle so she spun to hide beside the window. She worked at the jammed shell as guns barked outside, the first few shots from outside splintered wood around Valentine, all of a sudden the shots seemed to turn and some sounded in the distance. Valentine got her rifle unjammed and spun to the window in time to see a couple men fall onto pot several bodies already down. She had shot only two, so who helped her. The last couple men jumped on motorcycles and roared off. Valentine hurriedly climbed down the ladder to the first floor as she was sure Hondo was out there taking them out. As she trotted out the front door 2 unfamiliar cowboys on motorcycles pulled up by the attacker’s jeep. She lifted her rifle but stopped as they didn’t even look her way at first. They loaded one of the motorcycles in the back of the jeep as another younger looking cowboy on a motorcycle joined them. The younger of the three gave his bike to one of the others, jumped into the jeep, and roared off down the road followed by the one on his bike. The other climbed back on his bike, turned towards Valentine, tipped his hat, and roared off. At that moment another motorcycle roared in hell bent for leather.  Valentine Threw up her rifle but lowered it again right away as she recognized this bike. Hondo slid to a stop in front of her. Hondo looked around at the carnage.
 
Hondo: What the hell happened?
 
Valentine filled him in on what had all transpired. Hondo looked around and scratched his head.
 
Hondo: Sounds like the two I saw. Had an issue in Minot. I’ll tell ya about it as we travel.
 
Valentine: We headin’ back? You get the time unit?
 
Hondo: No. It was gone. There is nothin’ left there.
 
Valentine: Your family?
 
Hondo: Don’t know.
 
Valentine just looked at the ground for a moment.
 
Hondo: Well, we just gotta move on. We need to cut off and try to slip past the other side of Mandan. I’m not sure Bismarck will be safe.  
 
Valentine: Ok.
 
They loaded the bike back up and got into their vehicles. They pulled back out to the main road and headed back towards Washburn where they caught 200 alt west to 31 south towards New Salem.  He figured it was a small enough town that it would be deserted. As they approached the town they found the road blocked with semi-trailers attached to old semi-trucks, and behind them several old trucks and SUV’s came out of nowhere. Several folks were dressed in old Indian (native American) garb, most looked to be of Indian decent, though there were a few with, black, Mexican,  and Chinese folks in the mix. Hondo stopped his rig a ways back and Valentine pulled up beside him. She got out with pistols drawn. Hondo looked over the crowd. Very few weapons were seen and their were a mix of children and women in with the men.
 
Hondo: Put your guns away.
 
Valentine: How do you know they are friendly?
 
Hondo: if they wanted to kill us they would have an’ there would be no children ‘round. Just stay quiet.
 
An older man of Indian decent in native style garb approached slowly so Hondo slowly walked up to meet him. As Hondo approach he spoke.
 
Hondo: My Name Is Hondo Sackett. We  want no trouble.  I am not here to hurt anyone. Just need to pass through.
 
Chief: I am Chief Running Deer of the Dacotah Mandan tribe, formally the Mandan tribe of the 3 affiliated tribes of North Dakota. We have been expecting you.
 
Hondo: Expecting me?
 
Chief: You are Hondo Sackett of the past, not the present, correct?
 
Hondo: Yes, I am from the past. You know Hondo of the present?
 
Chief: Yes. He is a hero to our people and taught us that all men of all colors are our brothers and we all have much to learn from each other. My people lost much of the old ways. He helped us find other to join us and teach us what we had forgotten. I can say nothing more of him. He said If I say too much about him it will mess up time itself.
 
Hondo: He is right. I will ask no more about him. What do you want from me?
 
Chief: Come; bring your vehicles to our village. There you and your possessions will be safe. There we will discuss why you are here. Is this acceptable with you?
 
Hondo: That is acceptable.
 
The Chief nodded at Hondo and turned around. The two old Semi’s roared to life and unblocked the road. Valentine and Hondo climbed into their rigs and fired them up. They slowly entered the Indians encampment. It looked more like an old west fort, partially fortified with old cars. Both of them were waved into a parking spot. Once parked they climbed out of their rigs, stood in front of them, and talked over what was going on until approached by a Chinese man.
 
China-man:  Mr. Sackett, The Chief will see you now. This way please.  
 
Hondo nodded and started to follow with Valentine tagging along behind. The China-man stopped.
 
China-man: Mr. Sackett. The Chief wishes to talk to you only. Your woman can stay here.
 
Valentine started to protest but Hondo held up his hand for her to stay silent.
 
Hondo whispered to Valentine: We don’t know their customs yet nor do I fully trust them yet. Let me do this their way for now an’ you stay an’ watch over the rigs. Kathy made us some sandwiches. Get them and some beer out. When I get back I need to eat and defiantly need a beer or 3.
 
Valentine nodded and headed back to the camper. Hondo turned back to the China-man and nodded. They continued to see the chief.

Something the chief said doesn't sound right to Hikaru. One group of Spirits stay with the Native Americans and defend that group of people. That much is true. Others, such as the Japanese Spirits and their descendants the Texas Spirits, defend their respective homes on Earth.
 
Conversing with each other and making arrangements on what places are saved does not sound right. It's quite simple, actually. They defended their homes.

Note: This is written in collaboration with Arik
 
The ladies return to their Camper.
 
"Jeanette," Hikaru says, "we'll make the beds while you work on your journal."
 
"Okay, thanks." Jeanette retrieves her journal and pen from her Pelican case and sits at the table.
 
As Hikaru pulls out the sheets, pillows and blankets, she discovers something. "Hey, Jeanette, look what I found." She holds up a pair of pajamas.
 
Jeanette looks at what Hikaru's holding. "Excellent."
 
Note: Jeanette's journal entry will be posted soon.
 
Jeanette Isabelle and Arik

Hondo followed the China-man to the chiefs dwelling.  As they approached the door the China-man stopped and turned to Hondo.
 
China-man: Wait here.
 
Hondo nodded as the china man went inside. He wasn’t too sure about all of this yet.  They seemed friendly, but how was it that they were expecting him? Another thing that nagged on his mind was who helped him in Minot, and who helped Valentine? Were they the same people? If so, why were they following them? Why did they care? And why were those crows sitting on that fence staring at him?? He looked around him and up at the sky. As he looked at the sky the sun was lower than he thought it should be. He had been so busy thing about all this to realize that the time was wrong too. It should only be 2 or 3 pm it appeared to be much later. The sun would set in an hour or so. Hondo stood there thinking for 10 minutes so until the China-man returned to the door, rousing Hondo from his thoughts.
 
China-man: The chief will see you now.
 
Hondo nodded and entered the dwelling. A couple old couches and recliners were circled around a crudely made rock fire place. The China-man pointed at a seat. Hondo nodded and sat down. The chief sat in an old recliner smoking a pipe.
 
Chief (to China-man):  Leave us.
 
The Chief sat puffing on his pipe for a minute staring at Hondo. Hondo broke the silence.
 
Hondo: Care if I smoke?
 
Chief: Feel free to.
 
Hondo pulled out a pipe from his vest, cleaned it out with his Case pocket knife, filled it, and lit it with a burning piece of wood that was sticking out of the fire. He puffed on it hard to get it lit. Once lit he threw the stick back into the fire and puffed on the pipe slowly.
 
Chief: That tobacco smells really good!
 
Hondo: Whiskey infused. Want to try some?
 
The chief nodded. Hondo tossed over his tobacco pouch to the chief. The chief tapped his pipe out on the fireplace and refilled it. He lit it and puffed on it with a very satisfied look on his face.  
 
Chief: I have not had tobacco this good in years!  
 
The Chief remembered the last time he had a smoke that good. It was when the present Hondo last visited 5 years ago, but he decided not to tell the Hondo about it. The Chief started to toss the bag of Tobacco back to Hondo but Hondo held up his hand to stop him.
 
Hondo: Keep it. It’s a gift.
 
Chief: I appreciate it. Thank you.
 
Hondo: You know this smoke does need one thing.
 
Chief: What’s that?
 
Hondo pulled a flask out of his inside coat pocket.
 
Chief: You have read my mind!
 
Hondo Grinned: Got glasses?
 
The Chief turned to the side table by his chair and took out two whiskey snifters out of its drawer and held them up. Hondo stood up, opened his flaks and poured a couple shots in each, pocketed his flask, took his glass, and sat back down.  The Chief sloshed it around a bit, sniffed it then took a sip.
 
Chief: Strong, yet smooth. You make it?  
 
Hondo: No. It’s a mix of 4 whiskies from the past.
 
They watched the fire and occasionally made a comment as the puffed on their pipe and drank a couple glasses of Whiskey.  Hondo finished his second whiskey, tapped out his pipe, then turned to the Chief.
 
Hondo: I think it’s time some questions were answered.
 
Chief: You are quite right. Where shall I start?
 
Hondo: How about y’all waitin’ for us?
 
Chief nodded: The spirits that have protected our village since your future self left told us to expect you.
 
Hondo: Why? Why were we brought here? And who are these spirits?
 
Chief: The spirits take many forms. Who they are is not for us to question. They came, helped, gave us needed knowledge, and have not asked for anything. As to why you are here, you have a mission to do.
 
Hondo: Mission? What mission?
 
Chief: I don’t know what the mission entails. All the spirits have told me is that you are here to help one who is beyond time take on a mission.  
 
Hondo: If I refuse?
 
Chief: Not only will the mission be lost, the world will be lost, and you will lose more than you can comprehend at this date.
 
Hondo:  Is that a threat?
 
Chief: No, No threats. You have family here in this time line. To save your future family and friends you were brought here to complete the mission.
 
Hondo: Why wasn’t the me of this time called in then? Don’t tell me that me and my future self hafta work together.
 
Chief: No. You of this time period is not involved. Why the spirits chose you, I do not know. This you must learn for yourself.
 
Hondo: Alright, so where is this mission, how do I find these people, and after how do I get back?
 
Chief: All these question and more will be answered in time by the spirits. Any further questions?
 
Hondo: Not at the moment.
 
Chief: Ok. Good. Now, I have a chest form the spirits that is to be given to you upon completion of a test.
 
Hondo: Test? What test?
 
Chief: I have a n item called the cube of rubiks. You must align the colors as listed on this paper. You may not take it apart. You must twist the colors into place. You have 20 minutes to solve it.
 
Hondo takes the cube:  When do I start?
 
Chief: Now.
 
Hondo looked at it for a moment. He was reminded of a 3 day stake out he and Fernando once did. Fernando made him solve the cube over and over again, but it had been years ago. Hondo gave it a few test twists to refresh his memory. Due to a few wrong twists it took 5 minutes to solve. Hondo wished Valentine had been here as she could have done it in less than a minute. He handed it back to the chief. He looked it over, looked at the paper, and then nodded satisfactorily.
 
Chief: It is correct. You truly were chosen by the spirits. Jet Chang! Please bring in the box!
 
The china-man appeared pulling a red flyer wagon with a largish chest in in.
 
Chief: This chest contains items that will help you on your way. Open it with your woman. The wagon is yours too.
 
Hondo nodded: I will. Thank you.
 
Chief: Thank me not. Thank only the spirits.
 
Hondo: sure, I’ll get around to that.
 
Chief: You do not believe in the spirits?
 
Hondo: I’ve heard of stranger things, so I believe they are real. I just don’t know them. I don’t trust easily. It’s helped me live this long.
 
Chief: I understand. In time the spirits will prove themselves.  
 
Hondo: I’m sure. Well, I need to go check on my woman and equipment. If you will excuse me. . .
 
Chief: I understand. Yes, but one last thing. It is getting late. Stay the night. We wish to celebrate the spirits bringing you here, but several of our young men were killed by the military dictator of Fort Dickenson and Fort Williston. My son was captured by them and will be hung the day after tomorrow. Our Village is in mourning. They let one of our young men live to return with the news. We are powerless against this tyrant.
 
Hondo: What happened?  
 
Chief: They went to the fort to trade for supplies.  The merchants tried to cheat us. My son argued with him and when they refused to trade fairly my son tried to leave with the good, hoping to trade at Billings Station, or somewhere else along the way. The merchant shot on of our men and my son shot the merchant in defense. They were all arrested, convicted of trying to steal and murder. All but one of the young men were shot on the spot. They hold my son in hopes we will surrender our village to their control. They sent word a couple days ago. He is to be hung tomorrow evening if we don't give in. The man is evil. I love my son but I cannot betray my people for him. He is in the spirits hands now.
 
Hondo: Is there anything that can be done?
 
Chief: We don’t have the man power. If I did I would rescue my son and hang that tyrant.
 
Hondo: What is this tyrant’s name?  
 
Chief:  General Douglas Custer, a scourge on humanity.
 
Hondo: What would killin’ him help?
 
Chief: It would cause internal chaos for a while. Hopefully it would cause the forts to each have their own governing bodies and would keep them too worried over the other to mess with us. But like I said, we don’t have the man power. All we can do is wait. For now the spirits protect us, but they don’t go to war for us. My only fear is the spirits leaving us. My son disobeyed the spirits. Now he will pay.
 
Hondo: Don’t worry. I have an idea. We will stay the night. Let me talk about this with my woman. She is smart and will have an idea. I will talk to you in the morning.
 
Chief: I will be forever in your debt if you can save my son.
 
Hondo: Good evening, sir.
 
Hondo took the handle of the wagon from the China-man’s hand and headed back to the camper. It was getting dark out. Hondo’s talk with the chief had gone on longer than he thought. As he approached the camper Valentine was standing there waiting for him.  
 
Valentine: How did it go? What’s’ in the box?
 
Hondo: It was interesting. No clue what’s in there. We are to find out together.
 
Valentine: OK. Ready for a sandwich and that beer?
 
Hondo: Yeah. You better get a beer too. We hafta talk.  
 
Valentine: Why? What’s up?
 
Hondo: A mission.