The Gravediggers of Orpheus [12]

A Sci-fi flash fiction

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Previously [11]

[12]

Their shabby Gravedigger uniforms were perfect for the setting. Captain Derek and Joe blended with the usual crowd of the bar perfectly. The place was trash. A lousy bar at the very periphery of the civilized regions of Orpheus. Beyond the nearby hills was an open war zone almost completely covered by the red mist, known as the Rebel territory. The Government made everybody believe there was nothing but parasite infested ruins on the other side, though the rumours suggested the Rebel forces were rebuilding cities and growing in numbers.

Derek and Joe sat by the bar sipping cheap whiskey. Joe small-talked with the Android bartender. Their man wasn’t there yet, but he would arrive shortly. He was one of the regulars, and the bartender claimed to know him well.

Derek felt uneasy all the while, though everything appeared fine. The few costumers were drinking in the corners, minding their own business. The old-fashioned television murmured in the background, behind the bartender’s back, showing rows of faces unknown to Derek.

“Well, it’s a darn shame, ain’t it?!” Said Joe after taking a swig. “What the dispatch’ said.”

Derek nodded. He knew they must get rid of the old Vulture05, his home for the last ten years. And with it their Gravedigger days would be over - no ship meant no Gravedigging missions. Not that it mattered; if the Government had labelled them as rebels, their future was determined. A life of running and hiding.

But first they had to get the illegal fuel to fly away and find Doc Liz’ friends who might eliminate the microchip in Sophie’s head. Also, the wounded Murblard Ake wasn’t stable enough to be moved. No, they couldn’t give Vulture away. Not yet.

Derek clutched his half-empty glass. Something wasn’t right, every cell in his brain sensed the danger lurking nearby.

Derek took a sip, but spat it out the very next second, because he saw his face in the television - the Official Government Channel showed the faces of rebel forces around the clock, wanted dead or alive.

“Cap, get out! Get out now!” Jimmy yelled in the transmitter attached near Derek’s ear. Joe heard it too. Both jumped up and ran to the exit. The moment both got out, Derek saw the Ghoul ship approaching from afar with some of the Ghoul officers running their way. Gunshots filled the air.

“Jimmy fire up the engines and fly!” Derek yelled. Jimmy didn’t answer. Derek and Joe ran, hiding behind large rocks. Though armed, they didn’t dare shooting back at so many. Derek saw a strange determination in Joe’s eyes.

“Go, Cap!” He whispered with sweat dripping down his forehead.

“No! No Joe!”

Before he knew it, Joe jumped from behind the rock, firing back at the Ghouls, so his Captain would have the time to escape. Derek nearly joined him, he would never leave one of his men to die, no matter how noble the cause, but somebody from behind the rocks grabbed Derek by the hand and pulled him onward, simultaneously shooting off the Ghouls. It was Sophie. Derek was too stunned to ask anything. Her usually soft features appeared sharp, almost robotic-like. Her every shot hit the target. She was a petite killing machine, wearing a Gravedigger’s uniform. Sophie shot the Ghoul officers nearing Joe, while he limped to his Captain and collapsed. Nobody said a word, Derek picked him up and ran to the Vulture while Sophie covered them. She never missed a single Ghoul she shot at. The door of the Vulture swooshed open for them to jump in. Vulture took off into the red mists behind the hills, though their flight could not last long because of the fuel shortage.

***

“Never had a patient sticking a gun in my face and a baby in my hands before! You live and you learn…” Doc Liz murmured angrily whilst examining Joe’s state. The med bots hovered around taking his vitals.

“WHAT Do YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING?!” This was the first time Derek had ever raised his voice addressing a woman. He yelled in Sophie’s face. Both stood in the corridor, still trying to catch their breaths after escaping into the ship.

“SAVING YOUR LIVES, YOU IDIOT!” She yelled back.

“There’s… nothing left to save here,” said Doc Liz, “Joe’s dead.”