[SHORT STORY] Dust Devil - Part 05

Roe and the Martian Jax exited the cave, and started to trudge through the red desert. Well, the Martian was trudging, Roe was merely walking and enjoying mother’s beauty. Upon exiting the cave Roe realized that her companion would have a hard time keeping up with her Artificial body. The sun was also at its peak, meaning the Martian’s furs weighed the man down. They were more of a hindrance at this point.

If the sun is at its peak. Roe thought. This time of year, the temperature should be around minus twenty-five.

[Incorrect. Current temperature is -29° F.] Proxy said, [Don’t hesitate to use me as you would a normal Operating System.]

Roe merely huffed in annoyance. She turned to the Martian. “This isn’t going to work, I will shutdown before we reach the Shelter, Martian.”

The man’s breathing was already irregular and they had barely exited the cave. This is just pathetic.

[Not everyone has fully Artificial bodies that let them endure Mars, Hunter.]

Roe ignored the Companion.

“What are you saying?” The Martian asked.

“Shelter is approximately five ticks that way.” Roe said, pointing. “You can’t survive without me, and I have less than ten minutes before my Converter breaks down. I will go ahead and fix it. Then I will run back to get you. You might even reach the Shelter before I’m finished; it is fortunately really close.”

The Martian’s face surprisingly stayed composed. She thought the man would flip out at the suggestion of leaving him alone. “Sound logic.” He said. “It’s a straight track through this desert?”

“It is.” Roe nodded. “Do not threat, I will be as swift as possible. We will make it back to relative safety soon enough.”

He nodded. And with that Roe started to run.

As she ran through mother’s grove she noted how fair the weather was, as if a Dust Devil hadn’t just ravaged this land. Furthermore, she still couldn’t believe it actually stopped at such a fortuitous time. And the Shelter being this close – mother’s wrath must have been misplaced, for her to gift Roe such good luck afterwards.

I cannot believe we survived that.

[It was meant to be, Hunter.] Proxy said.

Hearing him sound almost – prophetic, gave her pause. I think so to, Prox. It was meant to be. Don’t forget, your previous host’s luck in running into me on that train car. If he was inside it alone when that storm hit. You would be out of service by now.

The companion did not respond however.

Roe hurried her pace. Her Artificial legs, combined with her specially made clothing, made her rush through the desert with such athleticism, it would have made most humans gawk in awe.

The Shelter was now in her sights. All Refilling Shelters, as with most things on Mars, were dome shaped. They had blue glowing orbs at their top for signaling purposes. This one however was not working. Odd. Nonetheless, she had made it. And with plenty of time to spare.

[5 minutes until shutdown.]

Buzzkill.

[…]

However, as she approached the sliding doors did not open. Was this Refilling Shelter in disrepair? Did she go through all of this just to shutdown at the entrance of her salvation? Was she led by the nose this whole time, thinking she would survive yet again? She started to grit her teeth in anger, which in an instant turned into pure rage. Rage that she’d been harboring for a very long time. Rage aimed not at the annoying Martian, or his Companion – but at her cruel, cruel mother.

[Hunter, it is all right. Your adrenaline and noradrenaline levels are rising at an unsafe rate.] Proxy said.

“Don’t you understand – “ Roe started saying, desperately.

[My data shows that this Refilling Shelter’s emergency entrance is open. Move to the western side of the building, you will find a hole where the door used to be.] Proxy assured.

Roe blinked at the Companion’s words. The emergency entrance was never open. It was there for high crisis situations, and could only be opened by a Martian with high clearance access. Was this shelter in disrepair and they were using the emergency entrance to repair it? If the Companion was right, then what else could it be?

It’s open! Roe exhaled a breath of relief as she saw a clear opening in the silvery surface of the Shelter. You were right Prox. Oh; thank the stars you were right.

[…]

Roe went to enter the Shelter.

[…]

[Duck.]

What? Roe’s body however, honed through years and years of surviving, reacted instinctively to the command. And Roe ducked.

Right before a Gladio hit the side of the entrance, right where her neck would have been.

Roe swiftly swept her leg, knocking the assailant over. She then quickly pulled out her own Gladio as she seamlessly transitioned into her fighting stance.

The figure in front of her growled, as it took its Gladio - and mirrored Roe’s stance.

A rival Hunter was in the shelter.