BILLY STEELE CHAPTER FIVE: MENACE OF THE MOLE PEOPLE

But only if all the surface dwellers pledge themselves to my rule for God speaks through me."

More than anything, Billy wanted to save the mole people's young race, but at what price? The West was a land of freedom, a place where one made one's own destiny. It was a land where one made one's future on one's own. These creatures could bring a fabulous force to civilize the frontier but would that mean the settlers sacrificing their freedom to a religiously consumed dictator? Billy could see in Agar's obsessed eyes that his religious fervor had left him myopic. The inflexibility of his cause to purify the West at any price in God's name could rob Billy's beloved frontier of its imagination and joyful sparks of growth.

"Whiskey Flats had to fall to our righteous hand," Agar confessed in a fanatic tone. "The West had to be warned against continuing its evil ways and embrace our ways under my command."

"The people of the frontier are good." Billy shouted back. "They want to build their homes and raise their families to help the West grow as they see fit. America's about doing what you want, not having to obey a master."

"Think carefully, Billy Steele," Agar warned. "We need you to help convince the surface dwellers to follow me before it is too late."

"My Ranger unit will find me and stop you from hurting any more people," Billy announced.

"But will they be in time to save your new love," Agar cackled. Puzzled for a second, Billy turned his head only to see Cassidy's face become red--the same shade of red that consumed the terminally ill mole children.

Cassidy then shook off her feelings of illness as she faced her persecutor. The one-armed girl gritted her teeth bravely.

"I am not afraid of you or your powers. With my last breath, I will stop you from destroying both worlds. Your mission to cleanse the West from evil has turned you evil. You use your faith as a mask to hide your lust for power. You speak of eternal goodness, but your killing of my parents and persecuting all who are different are deeds of evil. After Billy and I bring you down, we will build a new breed from our love, not a race built from hate like yours."

Simultaneously, on the Earth's surface, Billy's pony, Swifty, managed to gallop to White Eagle's home. The golden steed neighed anxiously as he tried to tell of his master's peril. Instinctively, the pony rode into the waiting arms of a worried Col. Tim. As Big Boy and Jubilee nursed a still unconscious White Eagle, Col. Tim felt even more beads of sweat fall from his brow as he realized his son was now missing. "Billy...Billy," he shouted desperately calling for the boy he loves.

"Where's Billy, boy," Col. Tim asked anxiously as Swifty tried to point the cavalry man towards where Billy had fallen.

Miraculously, White Eagle, still injured from his bullet wound, awoke as if some unknown force told him of the grave danger his student was in.

White Eagle's vision became deeper. In his mind's eye, he saw how Billy was swallowed alive by the mutants. Almost in a trance the elderly Indian sage hobbled to his horse carrying the magical gifts he held for Billy: the ceremonial mask that transforms its wearer to whatever the wearer can imagine, the Thunderhawk tomahawk and white buffalo skin of invisibility were arranged meticulously by the Indian wizard.

Mesmerized by thoughts of rescuing Billy, White Eagle beckoned Holt's Rangers to follow him as he mounted his steed. Billy's adopted father and uncles became focused on saving the boy they love and followed the Indian as he instinctively, led them to the site of Billy's imprisonment.

Billy's pony soon led the rescue party to the gaping black hole that swallowed the kid ranger and Cassidy.