by Tony Healey
"Are we going the right way?" K1R-B asked.
"I guess so." Max shrugged. "This is where he told us we'd find my Skimmer."
"Yes, but . . . only if he was telling us the truth."
"Where's your sense of adventure, Kirby?" Max put his hand on K1R-B's shoulder. "It was a deathbed confession, right? Who are we to question the final words of a dying man?"
"Even when that dying man tried to kill us?" K1R-B questioned.
"Uncle Kort, you haven't said anything in over an hour." Max doubled over to catch his breath. "Something's troubling you. What is it?"
Kort stopped. "It's just this planet, Max. I'm uncomfortable here. We should keep moving, find Delta, and get the hell outta dodge."
"Does this have anything to do with the Ice Runner?" Max said. "You've been acting strange ever since Sice mentioned it. Are you ever going to tell me what an Ice Runner is?"
Kort sighed. "An Ice Runner is someone who operates outside Union regulations, with proper equipment to traverse an environment such as this. They provide a service for a sizeable fee, ferrying passengers across the ice in a fraction of the time it would take to walk."
"Oh," Max said. "So, why would this Ice Runner know anything about Delta?"
"That's what has me concerned." Kort turned and gripped Max's shoulders. “Delta seems to know what she's doing here, and how to get around. If she's using Ice Runners . . . whatever she's up to can't be good, kid."
Max shrugged away from Kort. "Don't say that, Uncle. I don't believe that for an instant, and neither should you."
"I get it, Max, it's not a pleasant thought to entertain," Kort said. "Maybe I'm wrong, okay? All I'm saying is that you'll need to be prepared to face the truth, whatever it winds up being."
Max frowned.
"What's that?" K1R-B pointed ahead.
A pillar of grey smoke rose above the treeline.
"Either way, kid, the answer is on the other side of those trees," Kort said. "Let's check it out."
9
The winds calmed, providing only marginal improvement to the crew's trek across the frozen terrain. Although the sub-zero temperature continued to hinder their progress, they'd no longer have to deal with waves of snowflakes pelting their faces.
Kort picked up a tree branch along the way and fashioned a makeshift walking stick. Doing so allowed him to test the snow's depth, and ensure that the team didn't stumble across any unseen environmental hazards.
Max heard a loud crunch in the show behind him. He turned to find K1R-B on its hands and knees, reaching for something to pull itself up.
"Kort, wait."
Max knelt down and draped K1R-B's arm around his neck. Kort got on the opposite and helped Max return K1R-B to its feet.
"What happened?" Kort asked.
"I don't know." Max wiped snow off his knees. "I heard a noise, and when I checked it out, Kirby was on the ground."
"Well, this is certainly embarrassing." K1R-B stepped forward, losing its balance.
Kort grabbed the droid to prevent it from falling again. "Little help here, Max? He's heavier than he looks."
Max put his arms around K1R-B's waist and steadied it, relieving the strain on Kort's muscles.
"Phew!" Kort wiped his brow. "Thanks, kid. Maybe it is time to put Kirby on a diet."
"That would be impossible," K1R-B said. "I don't eat."
Max smirked. "He's kidding, buddy. Can you continue?"
"Yes, I . . . I think so." K1R-B wobbled.
"Let's take a look at you," Kort said.
Kort and Max sat K1R-B down in the snow with care. They inspected the damage taken during the firefight with Sice, noticing fluids leaking from two small blaster holes.
"Kirby, can you run another diagnostic?" Max said. "I'm not sure the damage is as superficial as you first thought."
K1R-B's optical sensors flashed, reminiscent of Morse code signals. "All systems green, Max. However, mobility has decreased by fifteen percent since last scan."
"Crap," Kort said. "We need to patch him up, or he'll drain out and we'll have to carry him. Even with the two of us, that's a backbreaking task, and that's not even factoring in the time we'll lose."
"I don't want to be a burden," K1R-B said. "Perhaps it would be best to leave me here for now, and collect me once you've found Delta."
"No way," Max snapped.
Kort looked upon Max with soft eyes. He didn't need to say it. Max knew exactly what he was thinking.
"Forget it." Max stood up. "There's no way we're leaving him behind."
"Now, let's think about this for a second, Max," Kort said.
"There's nothing to think about." Max folded his arms. "We've already chased away one friend. I refuse to abandon another."
"That's not fair, Max," Kort said. "You can't possibly blame me for Delta leaving. I didn't force her to steal that Skimmer. She never gave me the courtesy of hearing out my concerns, she just left. If you ask me, she's finally shown her true colors."
Max turned his back to his uncle. "It doesn't matter. All I know is that I won't go any further without Kirby."
Kort sighed. "Okay, Max. You're right, but we still need to address Kirby's condition, and soon."
"What would you suggest?"
Kort shielded his eyes and looked into the distance. "Let's get inside those trees up ahead. We should be able to prop him up against something so that we can take a closer look. Do you have anything we can use to wrap the holes with?"
Max patted his pockets, coming up empty. He unzipped his coat and removed his arm. Starting at the crook of the elbow, he tore off the sleeve of his undershirt. He ripped the fabric down the middle into two pieces and handed them to his uncle.
"That should work." Kort received the cloth and wrapped them around the two leaking holes in K1R-B's plating. "How does that feel, Kirby?"
K1R-B moved his arm and leg joints. "The bandages appear to be holding."
"For now anyway," Kort said. "Come on, we're not far. Max and I will help you."
Max and Kort stood on either side of K1R-B and supported it as they made their way to the forest area.
"I appreciate this, but didn't Sice tell us to stay outside the tree line?" K1R-B asked.
"It'll be fine, Kirby," Max said. "He probably meant we'd get lost if we tried to take a shortcut or something."
___***___
The mature trees in the white-covered forest reached upwards of one hundred feet tall, and over four feet in diameter. Thick branches shielded most of the ground from snow and ice, exposing the planet's burgundy, clay surface.
"Wow," Max said. "Is this what Quaris would look like without all that snow?"
"Hard to imagine, isn't it?" Kort directed the team toward a downed tree not far from them. "Quaris is rich with natural resources, but they're not easy to extract. That's why miners make good credits . . . and deal with the unfavorable conditions."
The trio reached the fallen tree and sat K1R-B upright against it. Kort unraveled the temporary bandages and handed them to Max. Max held them up, noticing the stains had seeped through the fabric. The stink of oil made his eyes water.
"They did a real number on you, pal." Kort raised K1R-B's arm and looked through the opening. "Blaster almost went clean through. I'm rather amazed it didn't."
"Well, thank Max for his superior robotics skills," K1R-B said.
Kort looked Max over. "Yeah, he sure would've made ol' Dagg proud."
Wood snapped behind the group. Max turned to investigate, but saw nothing.
"Hey," Kort said. "Hold this, will ya?"
Max knelt down and took K1R-B's outstretched arm. Kort covered his face and fired two shots from his blaster into the ground. He reached into the smoky divots and scooped out clumps of loose clay.
"This will plug the wounds until we can get you back on the Maiden." Kort molded the clay into a narrow stem and inserted it into K1R-B's damaged arm. He smoothed the excess around the outer frame, creating a seal. "It ain't pret
ty, but it'll at least stop you from leaking."
Dead leaves crunched around them. Max again surveyed the area, not able to determine the source of the noise.
"What's the matter?" Kort asked.
"Did you hear that?" Max said.
Kort paused for a moment to listen. "I don't hear anything."
"Forget it," Max said. "It's probably nothing."
Kort straightened K1R-B's leg and repeated the same process he'd used on the arm. "Good as new. Let's try it out and make sure it holds."
Footsteps circled the crew. Max drew his blaster, turned in all directions, finding nothing in sight.
"Why so jumpy?" Kort asked. "It's probably just the trees you're hearing. The snow builds up on the branches, gets too heavy, and eventually breaks the limb. Stuff is always falling down."
Max holstered his blaster. "I guess you're right."
"Of course I am." Kort chuckled. "Now, care to help me lift this scrap heap?"
"Just because I'm metal doesn't mean I don't have feelings, you know," K1R-B said.
The two men bent down and returned the droid to its vertical base.
"There we go." Kort admired his handy work. "I'm nowhere near as good as Max, but I know a thing or two about patching wounds."
Warm breath touched Max's neck. A blur of white fur leapt over the fallen the tree, bouncing off K1R-B's shoulder and knocked it back on the ground. Kort unholstered his blaster. A second quadrupedal creature bounded from behind and rammed his arm. The jolt caused Kort to squeeze the trigger, sending a blast skyward and striking a large branch.
"Move!" Kort yelled.
The branch bowed and snapped, crashing to the ground between Kort and Max.
"You okay?" Kort asked.
"Fine." Max grabbed his blaster. "Kirby?"
"He's over here with me," Kort said. "We're safe."
Max scanned the area. "What were those things?"
"At full disclosure, I'm not up to speed on the Quaris wildlife situation," Kort said. "I'm guessing they're not friendly, so stay on your toes."
"What should we do?"
"Well, getting the hell out of here comes to mind." Kort rubbed his hand. "Those suckers pack a wallop."
The ground rumbled under their feet. Thunderous hooves pounded against the hard clay. The two creatures rushed the trio, parallel to one another. Pointy, azure ears jutted out through tufts of ivory fur on their heads. Hairless faces revealed long snouts, a wide black nose, and skin color matching the ears. Max estimated them each about five feet tall on all fours.
"Here they come!" Kort yelled. "Shoot!"
The two men fired on the creatures to no avail. The wily beasts dodged the attack with ease and closed in on their human prey.
"Okay, option two! Run!" Kort hopped over the fallen tree and fled.
Max took a hard look at K1R-B, but knew what he had to do.
I'm sorry, my friend.
Max followed his uncle deeper into the forest. He felt the gaining presence of the beasts at his heels. With his gun aimed over his shoulder, he blind-fired a series of shots. A thud followed. High-pitched whimpers ensued.
"Through there!" Kort shouted back, and crawled into a partially hollowed out dead tree on the ground.
Max entered the tree after him. The tight fit inside wasn't comfortable, but provided shelter for the time being. The creature thrashed against the outside, its sharp claws scraping against the bark and sending chills down Max’s spine.
"I think I got one of them," Max said.
"Good shooting. As soon as his buddy pokes his blue face inside that opening, blast it."
The ravenous gnashing of teeth continued on the other side. The feral beast snarled, attempting to tear its way through the bark to get to them.
"This thing seems too smart to attack us head on," Max said.
The tree quaked. The sound of cracking wood echoed inside. Splinters rained down on Kort's legs.
"Oh, you have got to be kidding me!" Kort cried.
Max looked up, eyes wide with fear. "It's burrowing in!"
"Just our luck, kid." Kort scooted toward Max. "We picked a chew toy for a hiding spot."
"Well, in retrospect, a hollowed out tree in the middle of a forest did seem a bit convenient."
Kort shoved Max toward the exit. "Oh, would you just go already!"
Max and Kort bolted out and backtracked toward where they'd left K1R-B. They didn't get far before encountering a massive roadblock. In their path stood another beast, near seven feet tall on all fours. It lowered its head, nudging the bloodied, unresponsive body of the creature Max had shot. They skidded to a stop.
"This is bad, kid," Kort said. "I think that's their mama."
"These things are cubs?"
"Yeah." Kort stepped to the side, careful not to attract its attention. "Mom's much bigger, and she's going to be upset. We need to go now."
The mother moaned, unable to revive her cub. Max held his breath, shuffling his feet along the red clay. A branch snapped under his foot. Needles pricked his nerve endings. His heart thundered against his ribcage. He squeezed his eyes tight, hoping she didn't hear him. When Max opened them, the mother stared them down, nostrils flaring, exhaling wispy vapor; black lips curled back to reveal rows of jagged teeth.
No such luck.
"Go!" Kort yelled.
The two men turned on their heels and ran. The mother roared and galloped after them, trampling over everything in her path. Max sucked in oxygen deep and steady. The cold air burned his lungs, but his survival instincts compelled him to keep moving. With nothing but trees around them, he couldn't conjure an escape plan.
"Max," Kort gasped. "The forest thickens up ahead. We can lose her in there. It's our only shot."
Max dug the balls of his feet into the ground for a burst of speed. Kort reached the thicket and pulled on one half of an entwined tree. By prying the trees further apart, he created an opening wide enough for Max to slip through.
Max hurdled the tree's base, passing between the two sides. Once inside the thicket, he turned to help his uncle. Kort released his hold on the tree, reducing the size of the gap. He jumped up and squeezed his way through, getting stuck halfway in.
"Come on, Uncle Kort." Max tugged on Kort's arms. "Think thin."
"I blame Kirby for that fantastic breakfast."
"Yeah, it was the breakfast." Max huffed and puffed. "Not the years of unhealthy eating and drinking that proceeded it."
"You calling me fat, kid?"
The mother howled and leapt into the air. Max planted his foot against the tree base and heaved with all his might. Kort shot out from between the trees, and the two tumbled to the ground. The mother crashed against the thicket, her head wedged between the entwined trees. Her teeth gnashed in vain at their feet. She writhed to free herself, but couldn't break loose from nature’s snug collar around her neck.
"That won't hold her for long." Kort stood up and offered a hand to Max. "We've got to keep moving."
Max pulled himself up. "But what about Kirby?"
"We'll have to come back for him later. I'm sorry, Max," Kort said. "Don't worry. Droids don't taste good to carnivorous beasts."
Max smiled. "So, where do we go?"
Kort regarded the angry mother. "Some place far from here."
10
Max and Kort threaded the labyrinth of serpentine trees. They'd been at it for almost an hour, yet to reach the other side. A silky spider web clung to Max's face as he ducked under a low-hanging branch. He wiped his face with both hands, and brushed the back of his neck. After witnessing the size of the mother beast, he had no desire to cross paths with a Quaris spider.
"Well, I guess now we know why Sice told us to stay outside the tree line, eh?" Kort said. "The forest is starting to thin out a bit. We should be close."
Max didn't respond. He couldn't stop thinking about K1R-B, and felt terrible for leaving it behind. His emotions numbed him to the physical pain of pointy branches scraping aga
inst his face and body. Fabric spilled from tears in his jacket, but still managed to keep out the cold.
Brittle twigs snapped under their feet. Birds roosted overhead, cooing from the treetops. Max felt their eyes on him, watching him push through the dense forest. Liquid dripped from his nose. His knees ached with each step. He wanted to just lay down and go to sleep.
"Max?"
Kort's voice snapped Max out of a fog.
"Stay with me, kid," Kort said. "You're not looking so hot."
"I'm fine."
Two visions of Kort appeared in front of Max. He rubbed his eyes and one disappeared. His knee buckled on the next step, and he dropped down to a kneeling position.
"Max?" Kort made his way to his nephew. "Talk to me. What's going on?"
"I'm fine," Max said. "I mean it."
"Yeah, well, I'm not buying that." Kort felt Max's forehead. "You're burning up."
"How can that be? It's freezing out here."
Max fell forward into Kort's arms. On the back of his neck, Kort noticed two throbbing, discolored marks. A grey inner ring surrounded a puffy black center. Beyond that, a violet outer ring began to spread.
"Max?" Kort shook him. "Can you hear me?"
Max blacked out.
"Max?" Kort smacked Max's face.
After receiving no response, Kort hoisted Max and carried him over his shoulder.
___***___
He trudged through the snow with Max, moving toward the dark smoke. A sleek, yellow object came into view as he neared the source.
"We did it, kid." Kort patted Max's leg. "We found your ship."
Kort conducted a quick investigation for signs of life, but came up empty. The smoldering wreckage yielded no trace of Delta.
"Controls are trashed." Kort whistled. "I think we can still salvage her, though. With your aptitude for engineering, she probably won't even give you much of a challenge." He knew Max was unconscious and couldn't respond, but it made him feel better to think Max might still hear his voice.
Kort knelt down and propped Max up against the side of the ship. He leaned Max's head forward to check the back of his neck. The discoloration had spread below his ear to the jawbone. The black center pulsated with a steady rhythm.
