text: Space, the final frontier, is a cold and desolate empty void where very little occupies so much. It is open and vast, interspaced with bits of beautiful visions and epitaphs of stars, suns' and novas. A simple man is sitting on his porch, watching the stars and the quiet beauty of space. His home is little more than a large rock with metal panels strewn along its side's like a large metal ring; sitting atop the large rock is a house; from a distance, the house would look like a quaint small ranch with a small red barn in the back, but as you grow closer, it's more of a bunker than a building of Wood or primary house material. On the side of the house, in white lettering painted onto the side, is the name of the vessel, The Butch Rangler. As this house serves two functions a spaceship and a home. The old man watching will rise; finally, Alright Bud, we got us a job to do," he would say to his companion. A small beagle named Bud would bark one time as he followed his master. The man would make his way into the house. It's adorned with the usual things you would find in a house pictures, wallpaper, and brooms; as he gets to the basement, the home gives way to a ship, revealing that in the basement is a vast engine that hums with energy, behind under the house's small windows dot the Asteroids middle, behind the windows is the command center, computers, machines, and consoles blink with lights, As the man would get in his command chair the engine begins to hum louder. The console before him starts booting up, and large letters in computer text take up the screen. "Welcome, Space Rangler, Wayne, are you ready to begin transport" I think we have taken a long enough break Butch, and it's about time we got this little doggy onto the space Trail. The Computers begin to boot up many systems throughout the rock-like ship. Begins to hum as the transfer of electricity and information begins to energize the vessel. The ship itself begins to move but, away from the Asteroid belt, its engines humming with energy; when the boat has moved far enough away, determined by Wayne's practiced eye. The panels begin to ChooOOM as large and small asteroids start to gravitate around the artificial orbit created around the ship. These large rocks sell for millions back on Earth, filled with rare materials and unique properties. The small planet-like ship moves at first but picks up speed; In the bowels of the boat, an extensive coal engine belches flame as the ship's conductor computer shovels in the fuel like an Iron locomotive engine, as the Asteroid Rangling begins. Wayne grips the wheel loosely while he keeps his eye on the radar. Since the Humanities colonization of the star, Humans have used the most viable building resources on planets and moons around them. Earth looks more like a second stone, powered by the man-made lights and electricity that pumps throughout the Earth; so powerful is the light from the Earth that space wranglers have begun calling the Homebound star. The only viable way of resource collection is from Roid wranglers, men, women, dogs, and cats. They have put their lives on the line to bring resources back to Earth. It has become a very profitable business, but also one with an inherent amount of danger, from the randomness of space to the Outlaws or vultures that watch space trails for theft and robbery. The vastness of everything makes any sort of regulation between Earth and the Belt null and void. Whole companies make their bottom dollar by stealing from smaller companies of people in business for themselves. Wayne stays alert and ready. He knows that if someone is going to steal from him, it will be as if he is leaving the belt. Even though the chance is 2 out of ten of running into one. A red light comes on as it sounds off an alarm. Roid Rustlers. Says Wayne as he flips a switch for battle stations. The engine begins to hum loudly as the orbit of Large Asteroids in orbit around his ship come in for a tighter circle and faster as well., Forming a type of physical shield around his Own Butch station. Wayne would yell, "Bud, I think we have some uninvited guests." Hearing the command, the Beagle runs to a small crawl space, where a dog-sized console sits, As Bud places his paws into the rig built for him. Underneath the Butch station, a giant sleek black cannon descends from the bottom. On Wayne's receiver, he hears Bud's battle bark. Wayne says a prayer as he Turns the Butch station to fly near the Asteroids. The outlaws of the space trail are not much different from the Wranglers themselves. More accustomed to piloting smaller and faster vehicles to catch ships and cars before they reach the space trail. Darting around asteroids and debris as they head toward the Butch station. The sides of the vessels have the symbol of the tri Banditos; alright, you sons of nuts and bolts, it's time to make our digits. He flips a switch to open up communications with the Butch station. "Listen, Homes, if you surrender your ship and wealth, we let you live; keep running, or fire on us, and your dead! The Butch station has one reply, Nuts. The Butch station makes an acrobatic maneuver and dives back into the belt. The banditos follow the station darting between rocks and debris toward him. Barrels poke out of the bandits' ships as they slowly gain on the butch station. The Cannon on Butch station barks out blasts of fresh lead at the bandits, using it's far heavier barrel and range to get them back off. The shots go wide, hitting the many asteroids hanging in space. Is this guy Blind? Says one of the bandits before; the larger asteroids being pushed by the butcher's shots begin to quickly close on the Bandits. Two of them are quick enough to change the direction. The guy who made the blind comment gives one last blood-curdling "CRAP!!!!" Before his ship is crushed between two asteroids. The Bandits, now within range, unload their own weapons on the butch station, their bullets peppering the station. Hitting something critical, an explosive goes off and sends the craft hurdling into the darkness of space into the shadow of another asteroid. The Bandits slow their ships as they search for the wounded station. Moving slowly so as to not miss a thing. Tuco calls out, Come out, come out wherever you are, wrangler. Your cattle and your ranch are going to be ours; you're dead; that was my brother you killed. As the two bandits find a void of darkness, The Butch station comes barrelling out. It hits both ships as the three make contact; Butch's sheer size and weight allow the vessel to barrel past them both. Fuck says the bandits, as their systems and ships are both badly damaged in the vacuum of space. As the Butch station escapes in the distance. Tuco swears revenge on the wrangler. The Butch goes as far as it can on the last of its power stranded; Wayne has to activate his homing beacon. He prays whoever finds him won't ask for much. As the signal starts in the distance, a light can be seen coming from a black and gray poncho that is a large, boxy robot standing at approximately six feet tall. Its body is predominantly made of metal, giving it a sturdy and imposing appearance. The Robot's frame is angular and utilitarian; on the front of the Robot gliding through space is a screen with the face of a man with no name. He sees the damaged station and opens his communication, revealing that he is there but offers no help. He stays silent. Wayne knows someone is listening; I've been attacked by road bandits, and my ship is damaged and needs repairs; if you could pull me to the Space Trail station, I would be very appreciative. I'll even cut you in on a cut of the profits. The Robot listens to the audio coming through, running it through multiple lie detection to register how honest the wrangler is. Moving to the ship, the Robot inspects the damage. The ship's systems, using its archive of knowledge, the Robot begins to do a patch repair job for the wrangler; moving as quickly and working carefully, it attaches cables and welds via attachments after about 40 minutes inside the station. Wayne's power returns and the ship begins to power up. Then Wayne gets a request to the board. He considers leaving the stranger, who doesn't talk, but decides against it, thinking about where he might be if the stranger had not come along. He allows the stranger to come in. As the stranger rolls aboard the Butch station via a large wheel that holds the Robot's considerable weight., Wayne is struck by the air of mystery that surrounds the face on the screen. The Robot with no name moves with a silent grace, his eyes scanning the Insides of the ship with a keen sense of awareness. Wayne offers a nod of gratitude, acknowledging the stranger's assistance in repairing the station and getting him out of a hairy situation. With the repairs completed, the Butch station regains its power, ready to continue its journey to the space trail. Wayne takes his place in the command chair once again while the Robot with no name finds a spot nearby, his presence both reassuring and enigmatic. As the ship sets off, Wayne's dog, Bud, breaks the silence, As his curiosity gets the better of him. "I appreciate your help back there. You saved my skin," says Wayne, his voice filled with gratitude, as he orders Bud to quiet down. The Robot with no name turns his gaze towards Wayne, the piercing eyes of a young Clint Eastwood. Seemingly carrying the weight of countless untold stories. He remains silent for a moment before. Finally, audio comes out of a speaker in a low, gravelly voice. "Trouble has a way of finding those who seek fortune in the vastness of space. It's a dangerous journey we walk." Wayne nods in agreement, realizing that he and the man with no name share a common understanding of the perils that await them. They both know that survival in the unforgiving depths of space requires more than just luck--it demands skill, resourcefulness, and the ability to adapt to ever-changing circumstances. The two arrive at Tombstone Rock, a man-made moon that sits at the beginning of the Space Trail back to Earth, a wrangler hub of activity that captures the brutal and harsh nature of space; Tombstone Rock has about 5000 people living on board with another 10,000 coming through, it so life there is fast and quick. The town boasts one of the larger resupply points in the area, so it has an abundance of shops and storefronts, as well as more unsavory types attracted by the quick wealth and opportunity living in this new frontier. Wayne and the Robot with no name disembark from the Butch station, stepping and rolling onto the metallic surface of Tombstone Rock. The bustling atmosphere of the space hub surrounds them, with small transports coming and going and a diverse array of people engaged in various activities of hawking wear and supplies, offering ship repair and robot dismantlement. As the two of them stepped off, people were already begging and selling toward Wayne as they shoved necklaces and bits of trash. Then the Robot rolled out and gave them the same harsh look that sent vagabonds to the wind. Wayne is familiar with Tombstone Rock, having visited it numerous times before. He knows that it's a place where wranglers like him gather, seeking rest, repairs, and connections before venturing back to Earth with their valuable asteroid cargo. The space hub provides a range of services, from refueling and restocking supplies to hiring security escorts for the treacherous journey through the space trail. Wayne and the Robot made their way to the central hub of Tombstone Rock; as they walked, Wayne turned to the Robot and asked. The job is pretty much done with the amount I'll have made just making it here with such a large haul; we can celebrate our success. I know a delightful games room that is the jewel of Tombstone. The Space Saloon is Rooty's toothy, a large establishment located in the center of Tombstone where the drinks never cease, and the party never ends. The piano plays a saloon song as everyone raises a glass to the final frontier. We see Wayne, our hero, and the Robot with no name sitting at a card table in the Saloon across from them is sitting, The Curt O Conner Triplets, all three of them clutching their cards close to their chests. The Opposite of Wayne smiles as he continues to beat the triplets in cards, progressively making them poorer and poorer. The Robot just watches silently; he gets more than a few stares at him and his cold exterior, but their looks and eyes can't bother him any more than his mysterious past. Before Wayne can win the last of their money, the saloon door opens, and 2 of the 3 Banditos enter the Saloon. The music cuts off in an abrupt part! Tuco, the leader of the Bandits, is a squat, more petite man with 3 golden teeth and fiery eyes like the devil glares at the patrons. I know you in here, I know because I saw your ship being repaired. The Butch Station 1. Upon some interrogation, I was told he could be found here with a robot companion who had the face of a handsome man. The bandit moves like lightning, perhaps from some modded attachment. His pistol comes free in the blink of an eye as he aims it down at Wayne. You killed my brother. Prepare to die, Puta. I wouldn't be so quick to point all that attention to my friend there. The bandit turns to see the Robot with no name pointing a single finger at him, it has the look of some hidden weapon, fires your weapon, and I assure you with 100% certainty that you will die. Just as the tension reached its peak and the Sheriff's voice echoed through the Saloon, the Robot with no name and the two Bandits locked eyes, a silent agreement passing between them. They stepped outside, leaving the safety of the Saloon behind, and the crowd followed with bated breath. Wayne, filled with concern, hurriedly caught up with the Robot, his voice laden with worry. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" he asked, his words tinged with doubt. The Robot turned to Wayne, determination flickering in its robotic eyes. "If I don't do this, they will kill you. For sure," it replied, unwavering in its resolve. Suddenly, the haunting melody of "Ecstasy of Gold" swelled through the streets of Tombstone, intensifying the atmosphere. As the participants took their positions on opposite sides of the long road, the citizens, wranglers, and even space dwellers hastily abandoned the area, seeking shelter from the impending clash. The anticipation hung thick in the air as both parties locked eyes, ready to face off. The music reached its crescendo, its notes intertwining with the uncertainty that gripped the crowd. Each second felt like an eternity as they waited, holding their breath, unsure of who would make the first move. The Robot turned slowly, its gaze fixed on the Bandits, who in turn glanced at the image of Clint Eastwood displayed on a screen nearby, a flicker of recognition passing between them. Wayne runs up to the Robot with no name and says I owe you way more than just my life. The Robot with no name rides off into the sunset. Wayne shrugs and just accepts that this is the life of an Asteroid Wrangler.