By David C. Daoust
3of7
It was only a dark silhouette from this distance and it seemed to be holding as still as he was. It had just dropped down from a second port under the ship, of this he was sure. He raised the gun, and a small voice squealed as it suddenly sprang into motion. A young girl with black hair and big brown eyes suddenly appeared as the mass of the dark green blanket was thrown from her back. She turned and ran as fast as she could.
Colin could only look on puzzled as the girl hurriedly rushed away, though realized she had called the attention of the soldiers. Quickly, he turned back to the gadget still in his hand, and saved what data he had managed to retrieve. With another quick flick of his wrist, the gun snapped back up his sleeve. Fluidly, he unhooked the device, and replaced it in his pocket, all in one motion.
The guards were running forward, guns at the ready, calling out to the girl to halt. The girl didn’t listen and one of the guards fired a quick burst of bullets into the air. This action stopped her in her tracks, arms raised high.
Often time, core world soldiers had little or no respect for belt worlders. Those that lived on the belt, were considered second class citizens at the best of times, and were often treated with brutality, especially by soldiers stationed in such an undesirable location. They didn’t want to be here, they’d take their frustration out on just about anyone.
Colin watched as the guards approached her roughly and spun her about, he could hear neither what they asked nor what she replied, though he did freeze when she suddenly pointed in his direction. The soldiers turned as one to scrutinize him.
Colin could only wonder what the girl had told them. His mind raced with what he should do. The heavy metal gun felt itchy up his sleeve as the two soldiers dragged the girl in his direction. He tried to think what the girl might have seen, what she knew, hell where did she even come from?
This was trouble he did not need. He was so close to having both a fully compiled navigation system and enough cash for the replacement coil to repair his ship, all he wanted was off this dusty moon! Finish the damn job and make his way back to the core, to his home. He grimaced as they approached.
“Yeah see,” the girl said matter of fact. “That’s him…”
The guards continued to scrutinize him; Colin’s gun arm was twitchy…
