Tales of the Courier – No Time for Siesta
There is smoke and pain. 1courier awakens from a brief siesta upside down and disoriented. He turns his head to see how much of the ride is left, and blacks out.
Moments later, he awakens again, in more pain. The safety release on the harness, has triggered, and he is now scrunched against the roof of the ride. With some struggle he manages to crawl free of the wrecked machine.
The m-com link begins to flash and he wonders, briefly, if it’s learning humor. It is very likely old stuffy, back at HQ, 1courier is glad the m-com link isn’t working. That’s what would be in the report, at least.
No Time for Siesta
Sentinel systems were models of automated defense that were, set it and forget it. They were commonly used on borders, and in places of the outlands, because these were too dangerous for humans to patrol.
The station house appears to be deserted and the sentinel system is still rearming. Therefore, he would need to move quickly.
It is uncommon to be the target of one of these, and targets are not targets for long. 1courier scramble runs to the mangled ride, reaches in, and grabs the cargo. He is almost clear of the ride, when the sentinel fires again.
If there had been any hope for the ride, there wasn’t now. He can feel the concussive force behind him, as the ride disintegrates into a ball of flame. He tosses the cargo ahead, and dives for the ground.
This time he waits to see if the sentinel rearms. He lets the time play out, for a few minutes, in case the system is dragging. Nothing happens. Now, is no time for siesta, however, and he pushes up from the ground and grabs the cargo at a run.
The Completion
The station house is as deserted as it looks and the doors are locked. Likewise, no light lines the edge of any window. 1courier is beginning to think this delivery will be going back to where it came from.
Additionally, he can feel the watcher, watching him. This place has always been a test of the spooky kind. He walks to the side of the station house, looking for alternate entryways. No joy there, either.
The m-com link flashes angrily again, and this time 1courier checks the deets.
HQ wants the cargo left at the door.
He checks it again, HQ was known for the humor. Sometimes. However, it doesn’t appear to be a joke, 1courier grimmaces, and sets the cargo at the door.
Checking the m-com link once more, he is caught off guard, as the station house door blasts open. He, and the cargo, are pulled into the station with the force of a cosmic vacuum, and the door, slams shut.
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