SYNOPSIS:

Set in an alternate history where the high cost of firearms has kept the sword in wide use, in the year 1890, a New Espanian Ranger is issues a summons by the Jack Marquesson, The Sheriff of Fastenwald. He is respectfully greeted by several members of the town's populace before reaching his destination along the main avenue; The Sheriff's Office. The two have a short rapport where the nature of the summons is revealed; Alexander, The Ranger, is to check in on, and possibly deal with a group of traders who are attempting to set up an outpost at the site of an abandoned brothel. The conversation also reveals Alexander's distrust of traders, following a 'bad deal' in which Alexander lost his favorite coat. Jack abruptly changes the topic momentarily, during a lull in the conversation to ask if Alexander has spoken to his (Jack's) daughter, Sierra recently, To which Alexander responds only "We don't speak.", prompting Jack to resume their business. A few more words are exchanged before Jack dismisses The Ranger, who slyly steals a silver pocket watch off of Jack's desk, stating that he plans on levying it as collateral if another deal needs to be cut. The Ranger leaves the older man to stew in his anger as he sets out for the old brothel. Credits At the old brothel, members of the trade caravan are securing their horses, offloading their goods into the brothel for safe keeping, while Aaron Fuller and Claire DeWitt look into the maintenance of their heavy transport wagons. A short conversation between the two reveals that Claire has fixed the Brothel's water pump for the caravan boss, and that Aaron is not only a horrible shot with a rifle, but also practically incapable of steering a wagon on his own, bringing into question his worth to the caravan. Aaron ignores her and is alerted to the presence of The Ranger, attempting to draw his blade in defence, until The Ranger brings his blade within a hair's width of Aaron's throat. He prompts Aaron to sheathe his blade, and for Claire to leave her rifle, which she had been reaching for, in the wagon. After identifying himself, he is given the position of the caravan boss, and heads inside. Aaron reveals to Claire his distrust of Rangers. Once inside the Brothel, Alexander discovers the identity of the caravan boss; His former Fiance, Sierra Marquesson. After realising that she is in the bath, Alex attempts to leave the room and tells her to come find him after she is dressed. Sierra convinces him to remain, and to shut the door, citing the existence of the separating screen. He agrees. as the two converse, Sierra steps out of the bath and removes the screen, revealing herself to an irritated Alexander. The conversation continues as she begins to dress herself, and it is revealed that her intentions are to develop a town around her new trading post, and that The Ranger is expected to safeguard them until this is possible. When Alexander expresses the difficulty of doing so, Sierra changes the subject, stating that they can continue that discussion later. She then leads him out of the brothel and back to the caravaneers preparing outside. Sierra gives Claire and Aaron a proper introduction as the caravan's 'greasemonkey' and 'sword-arm' before instructing them to continue their work and leading Alexander towards a wagon on the far side of the caravan, explaining that a load of supplies is to be arranged to be sent to Fastenwald. Alexander playfully implies that those supplies might have been written off of someone else's shipment, to which Sierra angrily responds, informing him that the supplies are the sole property of her caravan. She withdraws a wooden crate and hands it to The Ranger, which is revealed to be holding his old, leather coat. After sharing a tender moment, Alexander spurns Sierra's advances and leaves the caravan, heading back to Fastenwald to discuss business with Jack, stating that he would return later to watch over the caravan. Sierra angrily withdraws into the brothel again, and runs herself a bath. Taking a break from their work, Claire and Aaron playfully take turns stealing and sipping from Aaron's flask. Aaron reveals that he has been running personal deals with caravaneers for a few months now, in order to garner more contacts for the caravan. The Ranger returns to Fastenwald in time to witness a brief confrontation between Brenton, a former Ranger, and Jack. Upon further inquiry, Jack informs Alexander that Brenton was issuing him a warning, that bandits have been choking out the caravan flow and then hitting the towns. Alexander quickly changes the topic to the business involving the caravan, which leads Jack to show Alexander the official orders pertaining to the guarding of the caravan. The two argue a short while about Jack withholding certain information before Jack asks about his pocket watch, which Alex places on the desk before heading out, telling Jack to send Wyatt, the deputy, to fetch him at his Ranger's station once he is ready. At the Ranger's station, Alexander begins to gather supplies before coming across his assignment orders to Fastenwald, which he has had framed. Flashback: At the trial of a Ranger, balots are taken among the Jury of Ranger's. A younger Brenton and Alexander muse about the innocence of the accused, to which Alexander reveals that "there's no way he's innocent.". The room grows silent as the Sanctum Rangers enter the room, and one of them sternly calls to Alexander. Present: Alexander's flashback is broken by Wyatt, who has come to fetch the Ranger. The pair head off towards the brothel. Back at the brothel, The crew is preparing for the night. Claire is reassembling her rifle further away from the house. As she spies a row of campfires lighting up in the distance, Aaron rushes to her aid, knowing that bandits are behind the signal fires. Claire is pierced by an arrow, and an assault begins on the caravan. Aaron momentarily ignores his duties to the caravan to tend to her injuries, pulling the arrow out of her before Sierra dismisses him to assist the battle. The caravan crew soon runs out of ammunition, and withdraws to the brothel, leaving Aaron and Sierra to fight off the remaining bandits. Wyatt and Alexander soon arrive at the scene, having heard the scuffle from some distance. As Wyatt begins picking off Bandits with his rifle, The Ranger rushes into the thick of things to join the battle. He and Aaron soon dispatch the rest of the bandits, Aaron leaves the Ranger's side to attend to Claire. Some time later, Alexander is standing watch outside the brothel, as two shadowy villains are revealed, and reveal their intentions to cut down on the trade routes. END.

RANGER - PILOT - EPISODE 1: A RANGER'S CALL