engines007 - the escape.pdf

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Engines Under Ursus/Brady/Seven/1 of 4

Seven

The Escape

Whats wrong? asked Mezzler.

Tunnels caved in, replied Fowler. Some kind of explosive device.

Someone clearly wants us dead. You said youd tell me what you know. Now is as good a

time as any.

When we get out. Only when we get out, said Mezzler.

With great difficulty, Fowler helped Mezzler into the Diggers pressurised

cabin.

Mezzler looked at the complex control panel. How does it work?

I dont know. Start pressing buttons, said Fowler.

A holographic menu eventually popped up, showing the different life-

forms capable of using the machine.

Human, Erstol, replied Fowler and the cabin flooded with oxygen and

was pressurised. The flat seats began to mould themselves around Fowler and Mezzler.

Fowler took off his helmet. OK, lets get to work.

Operating the vehicle was childs play once the human setting had been

chosen. Fowler picked a spot in the valley wall, parallel to where the tunnel had

collapsed and set the machine to work.

Talk, said Fowler as the machine did its job.

When were back at the ship, replied Mezzler.

Fowler wondered whether he should try to beat it out Mezzler but thought

better of it. Still, the thought was very tempting. The only thing he could be sure of was

not to trust anyone who worked for Citynet. He felt the piece of crystal in his pocket and

knew that it was crucial to what was going on. Theyd tried to kill him for making it this

far and probably killed Walt too. Fowler wondered what role Kay had played.

How much suit air do you have? asked Fowler.

About an hours worth, answered Mezzler.

Sunlight began to filter in through the tunnel as it broke through to the

surface of Ursus. Fowler and Mezzler looked at the crater which had been left by the

explosive device. Their all-terrain buggy lay smouldering on its side, now nothing more

than a mangled mess.


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Fowler grimaced and looked at Mezzler. Theyve been thorough.

How are we going to get back to the ship? Mezzler was clearly

panicking.

Fowler rubbed his brow inside the cabin. You know if we can drive this

thing?

Look! Mezzler pointed at a silver ship hanging in the air to the east of

their position, catching the sunlight.

You see any markings on it? asked Fowler, noting the way the hull

reflected the light.

Mezzler shook his head. Signal it! he shouted.

What makes you think its friendly? asked Fowler.

The ship disappeared before Fowler could respond, accelerating vertically

and without any noise.

Why didnt you signal it? complained Mezzler.

Shut up and help me drive this thing! shouted Fowler, losing his

patience with Mezzler.

They could have helped us! insisted Mezzler.

Fowler shook his head. Why should we signal them? They want us dead

not alive! Now, help me godammit!!

**

Fowlers worst fears were realised. The diggers top speed was a couple of

feet per minute. At this rate, it could take days to make it to the station. More serious

than that, the machine refused to move up the increasingly steep slope of the valley no

matter which route Fowler took. The diggers wheels turned but had no traction. They

had come to a dead end.

Were going nowhere fast, said Fowler. Im going to have to go on by

foot. Ill take some of the diggers air with me.

What about me? asked Mezzler.

Youll wait here. Youre in no condition to go anywhere.

Mezzlers eyes opened wide with fear. Im coming too.

Trust me. Ill come back and get you.


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But Fowler could tell that Mezzler did not trust him. Mezzler trusted no-

one. He fully expected Fowler to leave him behind. Fowler knew this because it is what

Mezzler would have done. Fowler looked with scorn at Mezzler, knowing he was a victim

of his own mentality.

No, Im coming, insisted Mezzler.

How? asked Fowler. You can barelywalk.

I know some things, said Mezzler. Ill tell you when we get to the

station.

Look! shouted Fowler. I dont give a shit what you know. Youre

staying here and thats all there is to it. Now suit up, Im getting out.

Reluctantly, Mezzler nodded and both men suited up. Fowler then

opened his door in the vehicle and climbed down the ladder.

Mezzler was determined not to be left behind and tried to climb down the

ladder too.

Fowler looked up. Get back into the cab. Youre in no shape to follow

me.

Mezzler shook his head. No, Im coming too. But Mezzlers injured leg

gave out on him and he slipped from the ladder, landing back first on the ground with a

sickening thud. A whistling noise spread over the comms link from Mezzler.

Fowler, Ive g...

Mezzlers voice was cut short. He began to kick violently on the ground,

writhing about as a plume of escaping gas began shooting from the back of his helmet.

Fowler lunged onto the ground, placing his hand vainly over the leak in Mezzlers suit.

He grimaced as the shooting gas disappeared and the external atmosphere of Ursus

equalised within Mezzlers suit. Fowler knew it was already too late and grasped

Mezzlers frigid hand. Mezzlers tongue look unnatural as it pushed out of his mouth

against the visor. His head had doubled in size and his eyes bulged from their sockets,

taking in their final sights. Blood vessels popped squirting blood inside the suit.

Mezzlers junk-food dinner founted out of his mouth like a geezer.

Nausea swept Fowler and he looked away from the bloody spectacle.

Sweat was pouring from his face within the environment suit.

Oh Jesus, gasped Fowler, fighting back the tears and shock engulfing

him. He had never liked Mezzler but he didnt deserve this fate . Mezzlers hand dropped

lifelessly to the ground. Fowler began to hyperventilate, fighting back the nausea. He


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began to feel dizzy and put on hand on the ground. He tried to focus on an object in the

distance to give him some sense of perspective. The ancient dig began to resemble an

eerie graveyard. He clenched the N-Tek infested dirt in his glove, seizing it, seeking

another perspective but it didnt work. His heart raced in his chest.

Maybe the saboteurs had achieved their objective, he realised, trying to

catch his breath. Maybe he was already dead.

engines007 - the escape.pdf

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