Tales of the Courier – Moon Dance Run
The middle of nowhere. A good place to be, when there’s shade. Not so great in the desert. 1courier does another 360, looking for anything other than sand and road. He thinks clearly of the ride and Cheeky, hoping to jump back into his reality with the next blink.
Opening his eyes on more road and sand, he tries Nalphia next, once back he will acquire a ride, and come back here, to look for Cheeky. Nothing. It’s still 2universe, and more road to the horizon.
Time for a walk. He checks the m-com for fun. No link. After thirty minutes, the fun is getting old, and the road isn’t. Thinking back to the brief conversation with Cheeky, he decides an all stop will work better. Leaning against a road sign, he waits.
Terms
“Enjoy your walk?” The voice seems to come from everywhere, and has a slightly amused tone.
1courier grins, and decides the new boss is the same as the old boss. He waits for the rest, while getting some rest.
“The terms of the contract were expressly given, 1courier. The key’s use, is for the execution of the contract, not joyrides.” There is a pause, maybe for some effect, it falls flat. He waits for the rest, he’s starting to enjoy, his rest.
“You will remain in this zone, for the duration of this mission. The package is expected at destination, in one day.” The pause this time has that effect, and it draws out.
Thinking about the conversation with Cheeky, he decides a question might help this job move along a tad bit, and asks. “What package?”
Silence. He lets it play out, he has no other urgent appointments currently, and it’s the middle of nowhere, he’s actually keen to see this hat trick. He shifts his weight on the road sign, for a better resting angle.
Hat Trick
Ten minutes later, the road is still hot, and the road sign is not getting more comfortable. There is plenty of sand, lots of road, and no package. Time to go, he kicks forward and nearly trips over an object directly in front of him. The hat trick. Nice one, all stealth. He grins, glad to be back at work.
The object is a cylinder shaped container, made of what appears to be polished steel. It’s large enough to shoulder and carry, and he does, as he walks southward again. He thinks of an old earth saying, the one about journeys beginning with the first step. This was going to be a long journey.
Remaining in this zone, was an unusual condition. Things were not adding up, and the details were, need to know only. Business as usual, as far as 1courier was concerned. He shifts the cylinder to the other shoulder, the weight is becoming noticeable, as he walks.
Glow
He thinks back to the slightly heavy, and oddly shaped package, that began this strange run. That object had also had this heavy effect, but had actually been a key. The twin suns of this world have dipped below the horizon, and a large, pale green moon, is now visible. He sets the cylinder down on the road. It has become excessively heavy.
The cylinder has become extremely heavy for the road, as well. He watches the polished steel housing, crumple the asphalt surface of the road, and sink into it. Then watches it sink further, as it begins to glow, an alarming deep red.
Time to go. He turns to go, and feels the concussive force lift, and toss him, high and far. He briefly sees sand and green moon, repeatedly, before landing hard, and taking a well earned sand nap.
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