Wait...

The cities in the East were out of her jurisdiction. At best, if Texas went there she’d be considered a vigilante and arrested. At worst, she could find out that Rivercrest had already mind controlled the judiciary back home and could end up as the vixen’s panties for way, way longer than just a day. Poking around town seemed like a bad idea on days when she wasn’t searching for mind-controlled thralls. She didn’t know who Rivercrest had controlled, why she’d done it, where they were, or how many people she had done it to. Just uttering her name could bring a whole saloon full of slaves down on her head! No, the best option was to wait. Wait for Rivercrest to return, so Texas could confront her personally.

Though, that was easier said than done. Though Texas tried to put Rivercrest out of her mind till something could be done about her, it was hard to do that given that every time she looked outside, she could see that enormous factory being built. Something about that thing just felt...wrong. And not just because the construction site looked like a jungle of steel that dwarfed every other building in Gold Springs. Though, that was pretty weird too. Since when did people start using those big steel bar things to build stuff? Just another newfangled technique all that “industrialization” stuff invented, she supposed.

The building wasn’t the only problem though. With each passing week, Texas overheard more and more townsfolk talking about that factory and the fox who owned it. All these ranchers, riders, farmers, hunters, rustlers, and outlaws were all of a sudden happy to work in a fume spewing manufacturing building, though still nobody seemed to be able to tell Texas exactly what it was the damned thing was supposed to make! And it wasn’t just the normal townsfolk who were behaving strangely. Most of the usual outlaws she had to wrangle were oddly absent. Even Roxie only tried to rob the bank once! And then there was April, still weirdly fixated on her own dang boots. Texas had very little to do, and didn’t even have a partner to talk to half the time, leaving Rivercrest to dominate her thoughts. It...was because of the changes in town though...right? There was no way she was already full of suggestions after just one visit...she hoped.

And therein lie the last problem. The waiting became more and more unbearable as the weeks stretched on and paranoia set in. This Rivercrest woman was powerful. Typically that alone wouldn’t be enough to shake Tex's resolve. She had to tangle with Molly for crying out loud! But...seeing Rivercrest’s influence seep into the town day after day, unable to do anything about it and unsure of how affected her own mind was...that was very unsettling to the gung-ho sheriff. And while dealing with adversaries that seemingly outclassed her was basically her job, Texas also never really had to deal with someone with the resources Rivercrest had. Sure, Smiling Jacks had a cow army, and Molly had her rats, but neither of them were wealthy enough to just waltz in, buy all of Gold Springs’ infrastructure, and then walk out like she’d just spent a day shopping at the general store! And who knew what other weird “industry” stuff she was bringing with her? Like those freaky glass balls that lit up without any fire or kerosene...eegh...

Rivercrest's estimates had been pretty accurate. Texas was left stewing in paranoia and worry for about a month and a half. Finally though, the factory and Rivercrest's home were built, and this time it was pretty darn easy to spot the vile vixen as she basically paraded herself through town in a fancy carriage surrounded by armed guards. The vulpine waved to the people of Gold Springs like she'd just become queen or something!

"Hello people of Gold Springs! My name is Rivercrest Gildegarden, and today is a wondrous day! I've taken it upon myself to bring the first bits of civilization out to your charming little town. My factory shall take any who wish to work as we all combine our efforts to turn Gold Springs into a more powerful, more productive, and more wealthy place! So it is with great pleasure that I announce my factory is, as of today, open!" She took one of her fancy bows, practically patting herself on the back for that little speech. Texas was feeling unsettled again once half the people who'd gathered to see the commotion started cheering! Well, aside from the ones unlucky enough to be facing Rivercrest's backside when she took her bow. They were too busy **** on ass musk. Rivercrest grinned at the applause, and very briefly looked up to give Texas a wink before her carriage carried her off to that manor of hers.

Well, this was just great. Even with Rivercrest here, Texas still wasn't entirely sure what her end goal was. What the heck was the factory making? Why did she need to LIVE out here? How was she influencing the town like this!? Gah, she wasn't going to get any of those answers standing around. It was time to investigate! But where to start? Rivercrest's home? The factory? Those oil wells outside of town? The mines?