Hope

This is my first attempt at writing short fiction.

The beat-up humvee with it’s four passengers cut a dusty trail through the scrub. Murray was at the wheel. Cam rode in the passenger’s side, photon rifle locked and loaded. They were going into enemy territory, after all. They were always going into enemy territory; everything was enemy territory.
Humanity’s fall had not been with a bang, but a whimper. They hadn’t succumbed to a worldwide plague, nuclear war, or even a meteor strike; it was a famine, not a famine of food but a famine of hope. Somewhere along the way, humans just gave up. When the Zzlochs came (for that is what they called themselves) almost no one felt like fighting back. Except of course, Murray and his crew.
“Y’know, Cam, the Zzlochs probably ain’t even gonna notice us. If they do, they probably won’t care” said Murray.
“I’d rather be safe than sorry” replied Cam, his Scottish brogue rolling over the r’s.
The hummer pitched as it ran over a large rock.
“We could’ve taken the hovercraft” said May, from the backseat.
“Nah, we’d attract too much attention” said Murray.
“And the giant dust cloud trailing behind us is so subtle” said May, rolling her eyes.
“We picking up any lizard-heads, Roger?” said Cam, looking nervous.
“That’s a negative” replied Roger “but I am detecting clear skies and temperatures reaching into the upper eighties.”
“If I want the weather, I’ll ask for it.” said Cam.
“The weather is always gonna be there, Cam, whether you like it or not” quipped Roger.
“You never get tired of that pun, do you?” said May.
“You know, before all this happened, I was a meteorologist” said Roger.
“Ay, like anyone actually watched” said Cam.
“Girls, please” said Murray.
“Approaching destination” said May.
“Get ready!” said Murray.
May popped a battery pack in her photon pistol. The humvee rolled to a stop in the middle of the desert. Nadia stood alone on the plain, holding a box. The rags she had so skillfully sewn together flapped in the breeze. Cam’s heart began to beat a little faster.
The crew emerged from the humvee. Cam looked in the rearview mirror and adjusted his bonnet.
“What’s the matter?” queried Murray. He secretly knew the answer.
“Just making sure everything’s up to snuff” he replied. “Have to stay sharp, eh Sarge?”
Cam and murray approached Nadia.
“Is it all there?” asked Murray.
“Of course” said Nadia “every last bit”
“Hullo, Nadia” said Cam, finally. He smiled. Nadia smiled back.
“Hi Cam. What’s new?”
“Nothing much.”
“Now that we’ve gotten reacquainted” said Roger “I think I should mention that we’ve got company!”
“Prepare for assault!” cried Murray.
Cam cocked his photon rifle. The rest of the crew drew their various weapons. They could see it coming, now; a single Zzloch assault vessel, black as a starless night swooped in like a predatory bird. It opened fire immediately. It’s plasma blasts exploded on the dry earth, sending particles everywhere and creating huge craters. Cam shielded Nadia with his body, taking bits of rock and sand.
“Don’t let anything happen to that box!” shouted Murray.
The team ran for the nearest cover and returned fire. Plasma fire hit the humvee. Metal went flying.
“Well, there goes our ride!” said Roger.
Everything was on fire.
Murray knew just where to aim. The one area of Zzloch vessel that was vulnerable; the fuel intake duct. He finally got a clear shot and took it. The ship hurtled to earth a little over 100 meters away. One would think that the Zzlochs would’ve noticed such a flaw and have it repaired, but they apparently didn’t see the need.
“Cam!” cried Nadia.
Cam looked down. Blood flowed from his side. A shard of metal had pierced him. Through his battles, Cam had learned to ignore wounds in the heat of combat.
Murray approached the smoking vessel. A single Zzloch emerged from the cockpit. It’s helmet was pulled back, revealing it’s hideous reptilian face. Murray fired several shots at the creature. It fell dead. He fired one more just to be sure. He’d lost too many friends to these beasts.

They treated Cam’s wound as best they could with what little supplies they had. It was doubtful he would last the night.
“So what was it all for?” asked May “Why did we almost die coming out here? What’s in the box that’s so special?”
Murray opened the box. Inside was a black, leatherbound book.
“What is it?” asked Roger.
“It’s hope” replied Nadia.

The End