Tales of the Courier – Running on Empty
The outpost is deserted except for 1courier and the captain. The captain is holding the rifle blaster steady, and has it aimed at 1courier. The rain is a steady drizzle, and the captain remains silent, as he stares at 1courier.
1courier grins, and asks the captain the obvious question, “Is that thing loaded?”
The captain remains stoic and unsmiling. Then slowly a grin begins to show, and he lowers the rifle and barks a short laugh as he replies, “Still a smartass eh? Loaded? It doesn’t even work!”
The captain then walks up to 1courier and shakes his hand, “Good to see you again, old friend!” He steps back and surveys 1courier quizzicaly. “So, what brings you out to this godforsaken land?”
Running on Empty
1courier blinks in surprise at the question, and wonders again what has happened with this delivery. This is now a detour, yet it was the destination. The captain should have been in the loop.
Deciding to keep it simple 1courier cuts to the chase, “Got any fuel?”
Now it’s the captain’s turn to blink in surprise. The delay in his response, weighs more than his reply, “there is no fuel 1courier”. “I am still waiting on resupply.”
1courier notices the uncertain tone in the captain’s voice, because, the supply chain in every universe has been impacted by the shortages and delays. It still leaves unanswered questions, however, and those are the ones 1courier needs answered.
The rain begins to get heavier, so, 1courier decides to stick with the simple approach, “got any whiskey”?
The captain grins and barks another short laugh, “whiskey I do have! There’s a good lad, got to keep those spirits up!” He stomps off in the mud towards the outpost, and returns a few minutes later with two large bottles of whiskey.
En Route
The rain has become torrential again, and of course, the m-com link is flashing angrily. 1courier thanks the captain and gets in the ride. It is a relief to be out of the rain. He sets the route in navigation, this package marked fragile was expected further up the road, so, it was time to go.
The journey to the crossroads will not take as long as the one to the outpost. He checks the m-com link and accepts the coordinates for the drop off location. The rain is falling in sheets, as he sets the auto drive.
One hour later the ride stalls because the fuel is depleted. It winds down slowly, and creeps to a stop along the edge of the road. 1courier jams it in park, and stares out the windshield. The rain is falling mightily now, however, it’s doing nothing for the hiccups.
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