"Did I just hear Jeanette say that the bus maybe stolen property?" Fernando slows down his pace.
"I think I heard the same thang, Jefe." Hondo replies.
"I'm going to ignore that comment for now." Fernando begins, "These Spirits are up to no good. They are not here to serve others, they are here to serve themselves, and only themselves. If they so want a bus, I know there's a
bus grave yard by the Sangre de Christo mountains on the Colorado - New Mexico border off route Interstate 25, I used to pass by it all the time for the airplane graveyard. With their claim to restore equipment, they can have all the free buses they want that they can fix up, repair, clean and drive away. And right next to that is a
train graveyard with a closed down maintenance facility and electrical generating station which they can do the same thing there too. All they need to do is ask and if there is a price to pay, they can barter their services to fix the roads, train tracks and electrical station for the buses and trains, which they need to do anyway to get the buses and trains back to Texas."
"They ain't too bright, aren't they." Hondo points out as they walk to Tom's Firearms Tent.
"Done your shopping for the day?" Tom asks as he stands by his counter with his hand on a wooden ammo box.
"For now. Tomorrow we will need to buy more food." Fernando says.
"Got our package for us?" Hondo asks as he looks at the wooden box under Tom's hand.
"Right here. Care to inspect it?" Tom asks.
"Just a look-see. You can't be too careful out there, ya know." Hondo says as he gets the box, opens it and inspect each item inside. He nods approvingly after examining each item - 6 .22LR mini-pistols with the folding handle and belt clip and 4 regular .22LR mini-pistols, their new replacement leather holsters, boxes of ammo and cleaning kits for each. After each item is inspected, they are placed back into the wooden box. Payment is made and hands were shaken at the end of the deal. "Anything else, Jefe?" Hondo asks.
"That gatling gun would be nice, but no way that would fit on any of our rides." Fernando points out the weapon. On one of its 4ft mounting legs it says, "USS Saratoga - Phalanx System 001."
"No way I can fit that on my ride." Hondo points out.
"Lets see what these damn women are up too." Fernando says as he leaves the tent.
"Wait a minute." Tom says to Hondo before he steps out of the tent. He then hands him an envelope. Hondo opens it, inside were the two NYC EMS patches on the torn arm sleeve, "It's on the house for your friend. I don't know where it came from but I heard the owner may still alive way south of here in a place called Fort Sumner (near the New Mexico/Texas border). If it true, maybe your friend can find them and reunite them."
Hondo gives the patches one last look before putting them away in his trench coat pocket, "I'll make sure we get that done. And thanks." They shake hands one last time before Hondo leaves the tent area. He meets up with Fernando outside. "Anything else before we go?"
"A stiff drink would be nice, but no. Lets see what these women want before we leave. I just need you to drive me to the motel so I can pick up the electric camper and if Jeanette has any brains, she can pick up the gas camper and the three of us can drive to the parking lot and finish the work that needs to be done." Fernando says and explains.
"Sounds like a plan. Lets go." Hondo says as they walk around to look for Jeanette and the others.