The way back was always the rub. Each time, every time. If anyone wondered about this sort of thing, it surely never mattered. He was sour grapes today, didn’t matter, all that mattered now was getting past the next section of highway in one piece. Thirty seconds and all hell would be loosed. Again, today. The vibration from the road moving under the wheels was calming. Fifteen seconds. The package was secure, a bird in the hand, five seconds. One deep breath, and go.
Getting a tour through section71 of the out land roads, was the best paying route these days. No other route was available to cross the vast wastes of the out lands, without getting exposed. Making it through 71, was a crap shoot. That was the number one reason pay was so good for the route. Most couriers never collected the pay. They stayed on section71. For keeps.
1courier was in one piece and through section71 before he realized there was fire. It was the smoke, acrid and pungent – burning wire. The rear of the vehicle had taken considerable damage this time, asshole mercenaries never let up their assaults in section71. Ever. No choice but to ditch the ride and continue on foot. The package, still intact, could be carried the rest of the way back.
Later, when the commission required a debriefing, 1courier would object again, as he did every time. And the commission would smile serenely. As they did, every time. The end result? Always back through 71 again, the very next day.
The package, slightly heavy and oddly shaped, was easy enough to carry over shoulder. 1courier didn’t mind the trek, never a bad time for a good walk. He was still pissed about the ride though, that was a choice machine. File it under business expenses, and on to the next.
He was three miles into this little trek when he noticed them. They were being careful and remaining well out of sight, probably pros, but not top notch. Moving the package to the other shoulder, he maintained his stride. Appearing oblivious to his stalkers, he surreptitiously toggled his tracking locator. This should be fun, he thought, in a root canal sort of way.
Speedy Delivery on all orders!Thirty minutes later and three miles further on, 1courier was still trekking. With no contact. They were still just over the immediate horizon, whoever they were, but so far, only watching. No attacks. This was beginning to raise red flags, attacks were common, almost expected. Surveillance was serious, and meant something was not right.
Thinking fast, 1courier deliberately slowed the pace, and eased to a stop under a stand of roadside trees. He set the oddly shaped package on the ground beside the tallest of the trees, and took a knee. He brought the tracking locator hud online, and surveyed his hidden, uninvited guests.
There were four, and by the looks of things, heavily fortified. More than enough clout to run an ambush. Which appeared to be the case as the group divided, and began to flank 1courier. He shouldered the package again and moved with determination and speed. He set a holo emitter at the base of the tall tree, and switched it on. Smiling, he watched himself take a knee again, the package safe at his side. Holo emitters were cool as hell.
He moved quickly to the other side of the road and climbed up the hillside leading away from the open road. The woods on this side were thick and dense with trees, giving excellent cover. 1courier knew he was being tracked by headquarters, and was still expecting extraction. The AI would know by now, that the ride had been destroyed, and the courier was on foot. With the package.
The package. Oddly shaped and slightly heavy. Actually, very heavy. He dropped/lost the package to the ground, it landed with a hard thud. He knew it wasn’t right, a split second before the vibrations struck his mind. Bright vibrant colors flooded his thoughts and became loud. No other way to describe the moment, loud as hell, vibrant colors, reality shimmers.
He is less than real, more energy than substance. There is no time, there is no end or beginning. All movement is thought and thought real. There is a sense of connecting, and all things connected, and connections so vast they are beyond his understanding. His mind reels as madness and chaos erupt from within, and now all stop.
Hours later, or seconds, precisely which he doesn’t know. He opens his eyes. The day is gone, the trees are gone, taking the uninvited party guests with them. There is road, and barren landscape, bathed in an ethereal silver light. He feels a sense of calm confusion, as he surveys this strange place. Smiling, he shoulders the much lighter package, and moves toward the road. -to be continued-
