About The Laws of Space

Post 171:

The Laws of Space

Episode 11

Chapter 6 Begins:

Chapter 6: Intestines and Fortitude

“Can you tell me why I’m stealing baby food?” She was dropping bottles as dirt and rocks flew all around them, the product of a missile strike from one of the Sky Eyes; it was too close for anything resembling comfort.

            “To hell with it, the tunnels are just ahead.” They were running wildly, the four of them, changing course every few steps to confuse the drone above.

            “Great,” she said, letting go of the glass bottles, readying herself for the next blast. “This is really productive.” I should have stayed home today.

            “Here it is, twenty meters straight on,” the leader said, following a beacon as he swiftly negotiated the crags and the mines around his feet. They called him Walsh. Just Walsh. The only name he’d ever known. Approaching the metal hatch, he felt dread. Storms always seemed to hit worst when land was sighted; it seemed he remembered that from one of the books. Lifting the heavy portal, he yelled for his people to double-time it. One hand held it ajar while the other was raised over his brow, looking for the mindless hunter riding in the yellow firmament.

            “Great mission, boss,” she said, making herself small enough to drop straight down to the tunnels. It was ten feet in the dark, but she was experienced and didn’t feel like staying any longer than necessary. Hitting the bottom hard, she rolled, waiting for the next one down.

            “Are you kidding me, Blake? The ladder? You’re gonna get them killed. Just jump, I’ll catch your fat ass.” She pressed on her torch to make it easier for him; he let go, falling clumsily in the muck of the tunnel.

            “Thanks a lot, Addie.”

            “Yeah well you’re a big boy. Now get out of the way.” She looked up into the blinding light of the opening. “Let’s go!”

            From the aperture above Walsh could see the Sky Eye readying itself for another launch. He spurred his last man on, knowing the time was up. “Come on, Charlie!”

            “Coming boss!” He could barely get the words out. Charlie was laboring from a deep gash he caught on the wall coming back over. The pain was overwhelming his senses; the boy wasn’t thinking of anything else.

            Fifteen feet was as close as he’d get. Reeling from the wound, Charlie tripped a mine and in a breath was nothing but his parts. The explosion rocked Walsh back for a moment; the leader was stung by knives of sand, rock and bits of bone. He crawled to the hatch and closed it behind him. The dark and silence were sudden against the windswept tumult he’d left behind…