The Gravediggers of Orpheus [6]

A Sci-Fi flash fiction. An entry to the SciFriday

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Previously: [1]. [2]. [3]. [4]. [5]

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This one might contain more typos than my usual stuff, I’m having technical issues…

[6]

“No, it must be a mistake. Run the tests again,” Derek shook his head in disbelief.

“I did,” doc Liz replied sternly, “hers and the dead woman’s DNA tests show they’re not related. Sophie is one of them.”

“No… it can’t… I mean, she’s not…”

Doc Liz arched her grey brow, she hadn’t heard the Captain of Vulture05 stutter ever before.

“Derek, I was there when they first launched the “Sophie” program.”

“I thought those were just rumours,” said Derek.

“No, I know what I’m saying. Female surogate orphans trained as special agents for the Government. They used these women to do dirty jobs. Wiped their memories afterwards.”

“But she said…”

“And she is completely convinced the dead woman was her mother. The other woman was probably a “Sophie” as well. Used as a disposable agent. Brainwashed.  Then sent to the slums to “retire”,” Doc Liz paused and took a deep breath, “I worked with the Sophies when I was young. My job was to sterilize them.”

“But it means…”

“Yes, it means our Sophie shouldn’t have been birthing Annouk,” Doc Liz frowned, “but glitches happen. And human errors. Our Sophie wasn’t sterilized properly.”

Derek sat quiet, deep in his thoughts.

“The program is terminated, which means the Gouls are hunting down all Sophies. They must’ve received a signal from the microchip planted in her brain.”

“Can you get it out?!” Derek exclaimed.

“No, Captain. I can’t operate brain surgery.”

Doc Liz looked into Dereks eyes.

“I must report her. I did report we found survivors, but I didn’t specify.”

“Don’t…” Derek blurted.

“Captain?”

“Don’t report Sophie and Annouk. That’s a Captain’s order!”

“Cap, you’ll be digging your own crews’ graves if I don’t report!” Doc Liz objected, “the Ghouls will find us and they won’t give a shit we’re Gravediggers.”

“I gave my order, Doc, you heard me!”

“Cap, you’re putting your crew in danger just because you happen to fancy a woman?!” Doc Liz barked at him.

Derek blushed heavily.

“What about Annouk, huh?! The Ghouls will kill the baby. I know the guys will agree. They care about Annouk as much as I do,” he said stubbornly.

“You might be right about that, Cap. Your Gravediggers are a bunch of stubborn idiots just like you,” Doc Liz smirked, and Derek knew, she was on his side.

“We have to lay low and find a place with proper med bots to remove Sophie’s microchip. Our bots are too outdated. I know a place…” Doc Liz suggested, “it ain’t gonna be easy to get there.”

“If I wanted an easy life, I’d never become a Gravedigger, “ Derek replied with his eyes full of gratitude.

***

Vulture05, the Gravedigger ship was being repaired. Captain Derek O’Connel himself, covered in motor oil and dirt spent hours in the engine room with his crew. The ship was stuck in a dangerous area of planet Orpheus and the Captain wanted to leaved as soon as possible.

“Captain?” A timid voice spoke to the pair of legs lying underneath the engine. Derek climbed out with his eyes wide open. Sophie stood in front of him. Derek glanced over himself - dirty from head to toes. Unlike him, sophie was wearing one of Doc Liz’s white overalls, like a pure otherworldly creature coming to a clumsy dirt monster.

“I’m sorry…” he wiped his own face, but it only made things worse.

Sophie smiled warmly.

“I didn’t mean to bother you. Just wanted to thank you again. Doc Liz said you insisted not to report me. She…” Sophie paused, her face turned grim, “told me what I am. I… never had any childhood memories. It makes sense now.”

He couldn’t say a word, when Sophie looked at him. Even more so, when she took his dirty hands.

“You’re putting this crew in danger because of me. Please promise, you will choose their safety if the Ghouls should find us. I’ll surrender to the Ghouls voluntarily.”

“No…” Derek said hoarsely.

“I must beg you to keep Annouk safe. Please, don’t let the Ghouls find her. Please, take care of my baby,” tears were rolling down Sophie’s cheeks.

Derek nodded slowly.

“Cap! There’s… oh…” one of the guys walked in on the sight of the other two holding hands.

“Go on!” Derek stood up straight after Sophie released his hands.

“There’s one of them locals, a big green guy demanding permition to board ship.”

“A Murblard? What does he want?”

“A word with the Gravedigger Captain.”