Targa

Marshal McMillan stopped to look at the bloody tracks in the snow.  It was evident that the trail led into the Ancient city before him.  Behind him, Ms. Anna waited patiently.  She was a pretty woman, who had aged gracefully into her thirties.  Her blond curls flowed out from the red woolen cap she wore.  Her mink coat was ratty, but serviceable to keep her warm.  She looked hopefully at the Marshal.

"Well Ms. Anna, we are on the right trail." he said.

"Thank goodness," she drawled, "I was beginning to think that walking through that shimmering gate was a mistake.  Especially after we were nearly swept away by that awful frigid wind."  She shuddered, remembering the chill.

"No Ma'am.  This is the way they took the boy."

Juan and Slick Shooter Sam walked up to the pair.  "Bueno," Juan spat a hunk of tobacco juice at the ground, "¿vamos a esperar aqui furera?"  

Sam translated, "Juan wants to know if we are ready to move on."

"Tell Juan that as long as I am marshal, we will move when I am damn well ready... and yes I am ready."

The four mounted their horses and quickly headed down to the abandoned city below.  Little Billy Williams might still be alive and time was not on his side.

  

Targa - The Lost City of the Ancients

Targa is a world shrouded in eternal winter. It was the home of the Ancients, an advanced race who disappeared ages ago. The world itself is a barren.  It is a never-ending desolation of wind, ice, and snow. The Targa plateau is home to an abandoned city.  It is massive in size and bewildering to behold.  Most structures remain intact despite the years of solitude.  Technology is still functioning thanks to geothermal power from the planet itself.

A constant reminder of the Ancients technological superiority can be found in the automatons  that service the city.  These caretakers ensure that everything remains in good working order.  Guardians keep the city safe.  These constructs roam the streets and buildings protecting it from creatures or looters that would desecrate the sacred city.   

While some gates have opened to the Targa Plateau, the other side of the planet remains a mystery as yet unexplored.