Read Online The Chameleon Soldier: NOW AS AN ALIEN BLUE HE CANNOT DIE. by D.B. Silvis - Free Book Online Page B

felt more at ease at the KF ranch. He and Killian became best friends. They began spending time in El Paso, where they had met two ladies at one of the rodeos. After the war people were restless, and looking for entertaining and fun things to do. New restaurants and night clubs were opening, and Kip and Killian enjoyed dating and the night life. One day, while they were out riding with their girlfriends, Kip surveyed the open land and the hundreds of horses on it.
    “Killian, now that the war is over, people are looking to get outdoors and enjoy life. I think you have something special here. Your spread would make a great dude ranch. You have the horses, the land, and the trails.”
    Killian rode along for a few minutes thinking about Kip’s suggestion. “That’s an interesting idea. I like it, and I think it’s something the Freemans would also like.”
    That night Killian and Kip discussed the idea with the Freemans, who were one hundred per cent behind turning the KF into a dude ranch. Within a week the transformation was in full swing.
    Kip helped manage the ranch, and oversaw the building of a small hotel with a fine dining room. They also built a few bunk houses and a rodeo arena, and added many interesting riding trails. The Freeman family took to handling the everyday business of lodging, food and entertainment, as if they were born into it. The KF Dude Ranch was a success from the beginning. The ranch became well-known, as people came from all over the country came to enjoy the outdoor life of riding the trails, having great barbecues, campfire sing-alongs, swimming in the large pool, and lying in the sun.
    One evening, Kip and Killian went into El Paso to take their dates to a steakhouse, and then to a night club for an evening of drinking and dancing. After they dropped the girls back home, they stopped at one of their favorite bars, which was on their way back to the KF ranch. While they were sitting at the bar talking, a strongly built, well-dressed Indian came over to the bar, and sat next to Killian. He didn’t say anything, only stared at him.
    “Anything I can do for you, stranger?” asked Killian, turning to look at the man.
    The Indian stood up. “No. I thought I knew you.” The stranger walked away.
    Kip glanced at Killian. “He’s an odd one. He was really giving you the once-over.”
    Killian nodded and took a sip of his drink. He wondered if the Indian was one of Lupan’s friends. He knew the big Indian was a Blue Warrior.
    “Finish your drink, Kip. I didn’t like the looks of that guy.”
    They finished their drinks, and walked outside. Killian spotted the big Indian right away. He was sitting in a Ford sedan, with another Indian.
    “It’s trouble, Kip. Quick, get into the pickup.”
    They both got in. Killian started the engine and peeled out of the parking lot. He headed out of town, down the dark highway, toward the KF ranch. He glanced in the rear view mirror, and saw the Ford sedan coming up fast behind them. The sedan pulled alongside, and banged into the pickup. The truck swerved, but Killian kept it on the road. The passenger window on the sedan was down, and the other Indian was pointing a gun at them.
    Killian yelled at Kip. “Get down on the floor!”
    Kip ducked down, and looked over at Killian. He saw bullets smash the pickup’s window, and go through the door. One bullet hit Killian in the shoulder, another in his left leg. He jerked the steering wheel, and hit the brakes hard. The truck screeched to a stop as the Ford sedan raced by.
    “Jesus, Killian, you’re hit!” yelled Kip.
    “These guys are big trouble, Kip. Stay down. I’ll be okay.”
    Killian quickly jumped out of the pickup, and hopped up into the bed of the truck. He opened the specially lined tool box filled with water. He removed a canister from the water, and got back into the driver’s seat, then hit the gas. Kip, who was still sitting on the floor, stared up at his friend. The pickup roared forward