Prologue: The Headline

The morning sun, shined on my forehead. I awoke to the sound of water rushing down the creek. I felt very refreshed. My mind was already buzzing, just thinking about my new life. I yawned, and then turned to my side. Leaves rustled from behind me. My eyes open. I saw something move into the woods.

"Hello!" I yelled.

No one answered. It must have been a deer. I got out of the hammock, and slipped on my tabi boots. The morning dew glistened on the roof of the cabin. I knocked on the door. The smell of ham and eggs hit me, as Atara let me in.

"How was your night as sheriff? I hope the owls didn't keep you up"

"Thank you - I slept fine." I said stepping over the thresholds.

The cabin looked like a clash between several cultures. a Native American headdress hung on one wall, and A Japanese katana hung on the other. A steer's skull and horns were mounted on the wall.

"Sit down - have some breakfast!" Atara yelled while flipping his eggs.

I sat down at a small table. Atara served me my food on blue china.

"Wow, this is good! I haven't had a real breakfast in a long time." I said - still chewing.

"Thank you!" Atara replied - siting across from me at the table.

"So, what's up with the decor?" I asked before taking another bite.

"What? You mean the Japanese, and Native American stuff?"

"Yeah." I answered

Atara grinned. "You see, my mother is Japanese. She is a native of Hayatoge. My father is Native American. He grew up on a reservation out west. He left the reservation to come here and marry my mother. He ran a cattle ranch about a half-mile from here. He taught me how to make tribal wear like war armor made from bone beads, and headdresses. "

I couln't help is but laugh. "So your mother is Japanese, and your father is a cowboy, and an Indian!" Atara chuckled with me. "So where are your parents now? I asked"

"Just like the rest of the town. They left to help with family in Japan, after the tsunami. They left me behind - said I was too young to be exposed 'something like that'. I was working as housekeeper for Sheriff Inishie, when everyone left. The Mayor decided that I was the logical choice for deputy. They tried out several sheriffs, but they all got scared off."

"What scared them off?" I asked

"I don't know. They all gave me this strange story about something scaring them off, just when they were about to apprehend a thug. I think they were just to afraid to do the deed."

"Are there really that many criminals in Hayatoge?" I said with a touch of concern in my voice.

"Well, you see there is a town not far from here called Terrapin's Point. The town has been run by gangs of thieves, for over a hundred years."

I nodded my head - pretending as if this was the first time I heard about it.

Atara continued. "The trouble started after the exodus to Japan. Thugs from Terripin's Point took over the abandon properties, hoping to escape from the law. Now, the little farmers that are still here want to leave. They claim that it's not 'Safe' here, anymore."

I took a swig of water from my canteen.

"So tell me about yourself. Where are you from?" Atara asked.

"I'm originally from Japan." I said, half-lying. "I trained with the world-renown Ninjutsu sensei, Joe Futado - I stopped training with him, two years ago..."

"Why did you stop training?" Atara asked mid-sentence.

"One day, I training with Sensei Joe in the dojo, when I suddenly collapsed. When I woke up, I was in a hospital. The doctors said that would never fight again. They never figured out what it is I have."

Atara shook his head.

I continued on. "But now, I think I'm strong enough to fight again. In fact, I just sent a letter to Sensei Joe yesterday telling him about my epiphany. I think becoming the sheriff is just what I needed to prove to myself, that I am back to full strength!"

Just then, I heard something strike the cabin wall. I leaped out of my chair.

Atara chuckled. "Don't be alarmed - it's just the morning paper."

Atara got up and went to the door. He brought the paper into the cabin, and sat back down. The header on the newspaper read: "Tany News-Dispatch". I had read it many years ago. It was published on the other side of Terripin's Point. Atara skimmed through the paper. It was now completely light outside. I was admiring the decor, when Atara spoke up.

"Take a look a this headline! 'REAL LIFE DARTH VADER SAYS LUKE WILL JOIN THE DARK SIDE IF HE HAS TO MAKE HIM'!"

I thought it was a funny title - until I got a closer look. My heart sank into my stomach. Atara read on.

"'Regis Marsic Jr. a Tarripin's Point Gang leader - better known as the Lethovox. Says his that he believes his long-lost son, Regis Marsic III, has returned to the Terripin's Point area. He says his son is the heir to his gang - the eponymously named, Lethovox Clan.

A pang of fear came over me, as I listened to Atara.

"It says here that the name Lethovox means, 'the killing voice'. It says that he earn his name, from his loud, and intimidating voice. It says he's going hunt down his son, and take him back to his hideout in Terrinpin's Point. This guy sounds ruthless! It says that he smashed his best freind's skull in, with steel-toed boots."

I was petrified - frozen in my chair. Atara glanced up at and chuckled.

"I'm sure glad there's no 'Regis Marsic III around here! Think about it. If he would kick his best freind's head in - imagine how he must treat his son." Atara continued to laugh, but with a serious undertone. "I hope he never comes to Hayatoge!"

I couldn't take it any longer. "Well, I ought to get to some sheriff work." I interrupted "You know - law and order!" I picked up my twelve-string, that Atara had left on the sofa, and headed for the door.

"Wait! What's the matter?" Atara inquired.

I left the cabin - slamming the door behind me...

Sorry George Lucas! I'll take that out when it gets published.

Japanese: Inishie means old, Atara means new. The old and new law officer. 

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