With Moss's head violently decapitated, and Bandanawicz taking a nap, the outlaws in Rangers clothes had no other choice but to surrender quietly. The Buffalo soldiers immediately went to work arresting the criminals. With how angrily they were handled by the buffalo soldiers, the criminals were lucky that Deacon destroyed the gallows.
Both Lee and Booker walked somberly over to Bryce's body. The carnage from the blow he took was unbearable to see. Lee could only look away as tears steamed down her face. Booker put an arm around her and tried to pull her in for an embrace, but she was stiff as a log.
"Booker? What did Bryce die for?" Lee asked quietly.
"What do you mean?"
"His death, what did it mean in the end?"
Booker opened his mouth to reply, but no words could form.
"If we had all been hanged and killed today, what would we have died for? Answer me, Booker."
"Lee. I was just trying to do right by the Union, by the Buffalo Soldiers."
"The Union?" Lee's thoughts raced back to when she was in the brig. She could remember Bandanawicz berating Booker. "The Union don't give a damn about any of us. That son of a bitch came here to wipe us out and he had a letter by the Commander in Chief authorizing it."
"Lee, you don't know that for sure."
"Face it, Booker. You cared more about the name Buffalo Soldier than you did any of us, and you would've let us all die to preserve some image."
"That's enough, Captain Enfield." Booker yelled out. He only called her this whenever he had to reprimand her, which wasn't often. "I understand you're upset, but I can't allow this insubordinate tirade."
"Insubordinate?" Lee asked, actually taken aback by that word. The same word Bandanawicz used when she told Booker off in the brig. "How's this for fucking insubordination? I quit."
"You can't quit!" Booker said angrily. "That'd be desertion."
"Then arrest me for desertion, cuz I'm quitting!"
Her loud resignation was heard by all her men, who stopped what they were doing now to hear the rest of the argument.
"Lee, please. The Buffalo Soldiers need you. I can't lead the us into the new era without you. We just proved today that the Freedmen are honorable soldiers, and by extension citizens. It might not feel like it now, but this was a step forward for integration. I know it."
Lee could only respond with a dead face as tears rolled down her eyes. "It's very clear to me that this 'Union' we keep trying to suck up to, doesn't want us. And frankly, I'm done trying to change its mind." Those words stung Lee's tongue harder than they did Booker's ears. Lee had always wanted to be a soldier, ever since her mother told her tales of Sherman's march. How she was freed during the Civil War and took arms with the Union to fight the Dixies. Lee believed that like her mother, she could fight for the Union to earn a good life. All the racism and harsh words she had endured during her climb up to captain, was worth it under that belief, but after the Battle of Fort Tuskeegee, that belief was shattered.
"I understand Lee. Believe me, I do." Booker said quietly as he avoided eye contact so she wouldn't see his tears.
Lee just pulled his face back to her so the two could make eye contact, and she pulled him in for a warm embrace. "Thank you for everything, Major." She whispered, tightening her arms around him. "You can have your rifle back."
Booker just shook his head. "It was never my rifle, you know that."
While the two said their goodbyes, Deacon and Dwayne were having a similar conversation. With both the train robbery and the situation at the Fort resolved, it was time for them both to think about their next steps.
"You know, Deacon. You'd make a great Ranger." Dwayne said. "You're strong, capable, and you save people."
"Yeah, I even save people from the Rangers too." Deacon replied candidly.
"Okay, smartass." Dwayne said as he raised his hands. "That's why we need more people like you. You can inspire others, and the country would benefit."
Deacon just smiled and shook his head. "Sorry, But i'm not exactly the following orders type."
Dwayne lowered his head and slumped his shoulders. He knew he was going to miss Deacon. Ever since he joined the Rangers he felt like he was alone, which was by design as he wanted to be left alone and not bothered. Since he's met Deacon, however, Dwayne realized he wanted more, and he realized with Deacon, he could do more.
"Why don't you quit the Rangers, like Lee? You could come with me to Stillwater." Deacon offered.
Dwayne would've been lying if he said he didn't consider it. "I can't. It's not that simple. And besides, I think I might have a promising career here, a few positions have opened up." Dwayne joked as he thought about all the things he was able to accomplish that he never thought possible. Fighting back against impossible odds, and freeing his superior officer. Maybe there was more to being a ranger than train rides.
"Well, at least we'll always be buddies." Deacon said cheerfully.
Those words made Dwayne's eyes begin to well up with tears. He really wasn't ready to say goodbye. "Of course. Buddies for life."
"Aww come here, ya little softie." Deacon said as he pulled Dwayne into a bear hug and squeezed hard on purpose.
"Ack! Deac! You're crushing me!"
"Shhhh. It's okay." Deacon whispered.
The other Buffalo Soldiers, old and new, went out of their way to show Deacon thanks. They all gifted him their chocolate rations, and he was even given a new set of clothes to replace the tattered denim cloth that was left of his overalls. By the time Deacon was ready to leave Fort Tuskegee, he had a pillow sack worth of chocolate bars and a clean blue collared shirt pared with some well-fitting corduroys with suspenders, even a brand new pair of military grade boots. The only thing he was missing was a hat, but luckily for him, he had nabbed Bandanawicz strange bandana hat after he defeated him. Deacon loved unique hats, and this was as unique as they came.
As he walked out of the Fort, feeling proud of his new outfit, Deacon saw Lee was mounted on a horse, smoking a cigarette and waiting for him.
Lee wasn't in uniform anymore, she was sporting a tight leather jacket and some snug fitting khakis that disappeared by the leg under some weathered cowboy boots. Her horse was tall and slender and had a chestnut pinto coat that shone under the light of the sunset with a snow white mane and tail that shone gold with the light it reflected.
"Nice horse." Deacon said as he walked up to pet her horse on its long snout.
"Thanks. Her name's Athena. I quit the Rangers, figured I was owed at least this much." Lee said as Athena sputtered happily with Deacon's scratches. "What's next, cowboy?"
"Oh me?" Deacon asked casually. "I gotta get to Stillwater."
"Stillwater? That's on the other side of the state! By the panhandle." Lee said. "You're quite a ways away. How did you plan on getting there?"
"I dunno. I'll figure it out." Deacon replied.
"Ugh, just get on!" Lee said with rolled eyes."
"Yeehaw! I knew we'd be friends!" Deacon cheered as he hopped onto the back of Athena.
Lee couldn't hide her own smile. As sad as she was that she was leaving her life behind, something about Deacon made her feel optimistic about the future. She couldn't exactly explain why.
"You saved my life" She replied. "This is the least I could do."
As Deacon pulled himself up onto the horse, Lee noticed the second star on his cheek, when she first met him, he only had one. "I've been meaning to ask, how'd you get so strong, and what's with the stars? You some kind of cryptid?"
"Stars? Oh you mean my lucky star?" Deacon asked as he pointed to his cheek.
"Stars. Plural" Lee corrected as she handed Deacon her pocket mirror to inspect his face.
"Whoa." Deacon said cluelessly as he made different faces at the mirror. "Well, ever since I've had my lucky star, I've been pretty strong. The second one is new though." Deacon said casually.
Lee had heard tales of supernaturally strong people in the West with star tattoos, hell even the strongest man in the world was rumored to be covered in them. Lee wondered if Deacon's tattoos were related, but she knew he'd have no actual answers for her so she moved on.
Deacon held onto Lee's waist as she began slowly trotting away from the base. Athena quickly transitioning to a gallop as she picked up speed and the two raced off.
"Before we get to Stillwater, I have to stop at a town called Tulip." Lee yelled out so Deacon could hear her over the galloping. "I grew up there, and I should really let my mother know what happened. That alright?"
"No problem here!" Deacon said with a smile.
"What's waiting for us at Stillwater?"
"You're not a Ranger anymore so I guess I could tell you." Deacon said as he pulled something out from his belongings and handed it to Lee to inspect. It was an old metal matchbox.
It was too damaged to function anymore, and completely void of any design. It looked like any sign of its previous condition had been burnt away as it had several black marks. The only thing that survived seemed to be an engraving in the middle.
"Hooper and Son's Railway Co." Lee read out loud.
"Yep, My Uncle Ted told me that company is in Stillwater. That was the only thing left after…" Deacon paused a moment before finishing. "After my family was killed."
Lee could feel the pain in his voice disguised with cheerfulness. She knew the last thing someone like Deacon probably wanted to hear was some manner of condolences, so she let herself move on.
"I've heard of this company. They have a monopoly on the Ranger's contracts for railways." Lee said. "You're looking for more trouble aren't you?"
Deacon just smiled. "We'll see. Depends on what's there."
With that, Lee and Deacon moved their focus onto the main road and they traveled away from the fort, over to their next destination.