by JOSEPH RAY
“I don’t think he was curious,” Abraham stated. “Judging from his tone and his vital signs, the man seemed rather angry for my being here. Have I done something to offend you sir?”
“Don’t scare away my customers Earl,” a heavy woman snapped from behind a hole in the wall. “They ain't bothering you, so don’t be bothering them.”
“Just asking a question Mo,” he said to the woman. “Not hurting anybody.”
“All the same,” Mo fired back. “Either buys that board you’ve been eyeing for the last twenty minutes or go home.”
Earl said something under his breath, laid the board from his hands back onto the table, and stormed out of the store. His oversized boots thumped down on each step, expressing his disgust as he exited.
“Don’t mind Earl,” Mo continued. “You folks finding everything you need? I got a lot more in the back. So if you can’t find what you’re looking for, just ask. I might have it.”
Abraham looked past the wooden desk that made the lower part of the wall in front of the woman. His scan picked up two metallic legs behind the counter, along with a shotgun that wasn’t loaded. The room in which she stood was only three feet deep with a layer of the metal wall behind her. His scanner couldn’t penetrate the metal, leaving him to take the woman for her word.
“I don’t know,” Sandra replied. “Do you have any of those strawberry ration bars? I love having those for breakfast on long trips.”
“I might,” Mo offered. “Depends on how much you’re buying though. Consider it a bonus if you spend more than a hundred creds. I got regulars who eat that stuff up like candy, hate to disappoint them.”
Abraham looked down at the basket, tallying up their total. By his account, they had less than fifty credits worth of items to purchase. He returned his gaze back to the counter, his eyes focusing upon the metal legs the woman hid beneath her brown dress. The joints looked worn as the metallic replacements were not intended for someone of her size.
“Your legs need replaced, do they not?” he asked the lady he knew to be Mo. “You’ve had them since childhood, but could never afford to have them replaced as you became an adult. You sway to the left, often losing your balance, especially when you’ve been standing still for too long.”
The woman looked at the shoppers, her mouth hanging open wide in bewilderment.
“How the hell did you know that?” she asked.
Abraham handed the basket to Jenna and stepped up to the counter. Upon closer inspection, he could see that the left knee joint had given out years ago, the metal thigh was now jamming into the metal shin with every step the woman took.
“Your left knee joint is broken,” he started. “I’m guessing you knew that already. Tell me, do you have any of the old post diggers in the back?”
Mo looked at them, her second chin jiggling as she tried to comprehend what he was asking her. Her large eyes were wide open, her nostrils flared. Then, everything slowly began to click inside her mind.
“You’re one of them Cybers, ain't ya?” she asked, leaning forward and whispering.
Abraham leaned over the counter, forming a faint smile and matching her hushed tone.
“I am,” he replied. “My eyes can see through your counter. I can make out every inch of those metallic legs of yours as well. Do you having the post digger, or not?”
“Yeah, I have two,” she replied. “Only one of them works though. The shaft and bearings broke on the motor to one of them. Thought maybe someone could use it for parts or something.”
“And you were right,” he replied, lifting the counter up to let himself back to her room. “YOU need those spare parts. If I may be permitted?”
Realizing that he was already pushing past her, she stumbled to get free of his path and let him go to the back room. Abraham returned not two minutes later, a black box in his one hand and a set of tools in the other.
“If you would sit on that stool behind you,” he stated. “And lift your dress just past your knee cap.”
She looked to Sandra, uncertain of whether or not to let the Cyber work on her. Sandra felt Jenna’s elbow jam into her side, motioning her to speak.
“It’s alright,” she offered. “He’s a doctor and an engineer. You’re lucky day it seems.”
Mo smiled, easing her heavy frame onto the stool and quickly pulling her dress over her kneecaps. The legs were indeed old, the markings on the calf indicating they were made in 3003. Abraham worked quickly, his nimble hands taking the black box from the post digger apart in seconds. A minute later, he had both of her legs detached at the hips, gently removing the knee joints from each one. He pried the joints open, pulled out the shock absorbers from each, and laid them both on the counter. Jenna could see the difference, the one from the right knee was one single piece, like a rubbery doughnut. The left was shredded, to put it plainly. From the black box, Abraham pulled out two absorbers that looked very similar to that of Mo’s knee joints. He replaced the missing shocks with the pieces from the black box and put each leg back together.
“There, try it now,” he stated, taking her hands and helping her back to her feet.
Tears streamed down her ample cheeks as she stepped forward and back, then side to side. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words could escape her throat. The tears had taken over, nearly blinding her to the bald Cyber with the black discs for eyes. Her heavy arms lunged out as she wrapped them around Abraham, her head only coming to his chest as she hugged him.
“You are an angel,” she whimpered. “God bless you.”
Abraham held the woman, patting the back of her black hair and rocking her back and forth. Jenna was held up in the moment, feeling the need to wrap her arm around her taller sister’s shoulder and laid her head on Sandra’s shoulder. Sandra broke her arm free, throwing it over her sister’s head and pulling her into an embrace.
Mo pulled herself together, standing up straight and wiping her tears away. She kissed Abraham on the left cheek, leaving a faint smudge on his pale skin.
“Now you wait right here,” she beamed, edging around him and disappearing into the back room.
Sandra lifted the counter on its hinge, letting the old knee joints fall to the floor. She doubted there was any use for them anyways. Abraham passed through the opening, reaching out to return to his duty of basket guardian once more. A moment later, the woman returned with a tan box, roughly a foot long, wide, and half a foot deep.
“Will that be all for you ladies?” Mo asked, running a scan gun over the basket. The total on her data pad told her sixty-seven credits was due to her. “That’ll be fifty credits even.”
“You didn’t scan the strawberry bars yet,” Sandra corrected her. “I wouldn’t feel right if you didn’t.”
Mo grabbed the sleeve of her dress and rolled it high over her plump arm. A line of black bruises could be seen, even in the dim light coming from the ceiling above.
“You see those?” she asked. “I’ve been suffering for so long, I have to take four pain shots per day just to keep from going crazy. This sweet, sweet angel just fixed half my problems in five minutes.”
She let the sleeve roll down as she handed the box to Jenna. She reached to a cubbyhole beside the counter, returning with a burlap bag for the goods in the basket, which she promptly filled.
“You just take those bars sweetie,” Mo continued. “I’d give you everything I have if I could, but I hope it’s enough.”
“It’s more than enough,” Abraham replied. “You will need the painkillers from time to time though. Most of them are addictive. Just cut the dose down a little each day and wean yourself off them slowly. If you feel sick to your stomach, then you need to dial the dosage back up, okay?”
Mo could only nod, the tears threatening to fall once more. Her smile widened as she Abraham smiled back at her.
“God bless you,” she whispered. “You take care now and come back real soon. I’ll make sure I keep those bars handy next time you need them. You like
anything else. Blueberry, or watermelon perhaps?”
“Peach,” Jenna replied. “The Captain loves peaches.”
“I’ll write that down,” Mo said softly.
The group humbly returned up the metal stairs, their footsteps falling quietly upon the metal grating. Jenna wrapped her arm around Abraham’s the same as before, though for a much different reason this time.
“That had to be the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen,” she exclaimed when they reached the top. “You just made the woman’s life so much easier. She will never forget you so long as she lives.”
Abraham smiled as he shifted his arm to counter the weight from the sack. He didn’t want to admit that he was struggling to keep his strength up.
“Are you having problems Abe?” Sandra asked. “I noticed it earlier, like you can’t keep your balance or something.”
“I’m fine,” he replied. “Though I may need one or two of these protein bars if you don’t mind. It seems my muscles are a little weak.”
“You take anything you need,” she replied. “Can’t have you passing out on us.”
She stepped forward and snatched the sack from his grip. He wanted to protest, but he quickly realized that it was the logical action to take. He just admitted to feeling weak, and the sack was feeling heavy.
“Thank you,” he offered. “I swear I’m usually much stronger than this. I just feel so tired and weak all the sudden.”
“You need food, and some rest,” Jenna replied. “I don’t know what was in that tank, but it couldn’t have been good if it was preserving your skin, tissue, and organs for that long. You should get a bath too and drink lots of water to flush some of the toxins out.”
“You seem quite knowledgeable on physiology,” he replied. “How did that come to be?”
Jenna smiled, latching onto his arm with all her might. Sandra didn’t care for the affection, but she didn’t dare say anything. She knew her little sister wanted a father figure more than some ill-conceived crush.
“She’s trying to become a medic,” Sandra replied with pride. “She studies when Quaid and I are off the ship. She’s pretty good too. Patched Julius up twice and cured a few infections.”
“If he’d keep it in his pants,” Jenna laughed. “I wouldn’t have had the experience with the infections.”
“Yeah, I fought that one pretty hard,” Sandra said, throwing the sack over her shoulder. “I can’t say I liked her looking at the Captain’s privates.”
“Captain’s privates?” Abraham laughed. “I believe that is a tremendous play on words.”
The girls laughed along with him, slowly trailing off. One laugh, however, did not stop. It was hoarse, coming from behind one of the tropical trees by the path. A shadow slinked out from behind it, slowly walking out towards the light.
“That’s REAL funny,” Earl added. “Bout left me in stitches.”
Abraham looked at the man, his eyes seeing what the women could not. He slid his arm away from Jenna’s grip, freeing himself for what was to come.
“Now I may be a simple farmer,” he continued. “But I know a Cyber when I see one. You can say you’re just a blind man, but I ain't buying the bullshit you’re shoveling my way.”
Sandra tried to step past Abraham, but he reached out with a hand and held her at bay. He knew she hadn’t brought her sidearm, having seen it on the chair when they’d left the Hopper.
“How much you reckon an old Cyber would go for these days?” he asked. “Fifty thousand credits? A hundred? Hell, I’d sell one of my kids for that money, if I hadn’t already.”
Jenna made a move forward, but the farmhand was quicker than he appeared. An old sawed-off shotgun appeared from nowhere, pointed right at the young woman. Abraham pulled her back, then slid himself between her and the gun.
“There’s no need for violence,” Abraham calmly replied. “Just let us be on our way.”
“Oh, I don’t think so,” Earl said, his gnarled hands flexing over the weapon. “The girls can stay too. Bet I fetch a good price for them, after I’ve had a taste that is.”
Jenna made a wretched sound, exclaiming her distaste for the foul man. Sandra nudged her with her free elbow, wishing for her to be quiet. This was not the type of man to make mad.
“That will not be happening,” Abraham assured him. “I suggest you let us pass quietly.”
He stepped forward, pointing the gun up at Abraham’s face. Unfortunately, for him, that was precisely what the Cyber was wanting. In his current condition, he knew he would be a step slower than usual. Being slower meant the man would get a shot away, leaving his female companions in the line of the shotguns wide spray of fire.
Jenna felt Abraham push off her, sending both girls to the ground. In a flash, the Cyber both ducked and snatched the short barrel of the weapon in the same movement. The gun discharged, but it was nowhere near its intended target. The weapon was ripped away from Earl’s gnarled hands, flipped, then the barrel cracked against the side of the man’s skull with a thud as loud as the shot.
The crowd was thin, given the late hour, but the few that were around them scattered at the sound of the gunshot. A woman screamed as two men came charging in, both with pistols drawn.
“Damn it Earl,” one of the men snapped.
The two men wore light tan, button up shirts with black gun holsters draped over their shoulders and chests. Both wore knee-high, black boots that shined off the spotlights. One of them took the shotgun from Abraham, whom gladly relinquished the discharged weapon. The other bent down and checked for a pulse on the collapsed man.
“He’s alive,” he informed them. “Unfortunately.”
“Get a medic down here for him,” the other man ordered. “As for you three.”
The man turned and looked the group over. He recognized Sandra as a regular customer though he couldn’t recall her name. There was no mistaking that the younger girl was related, their shared features obvious, even in the darkness. The bald man with the strange eyes was a bit of a mystery to him. He looked Abe up and down, uncertain what to make of him.
“Now I recognize you,” he said, pointing to Sandra. “I’m guessing that one is your sister, but I’m not so sure about your friend here. What’s going on with his eyes?”
“Medical scanner,” a woman’s voice shouted. “He came here to fix my knee joints.”
The group turned to see Mo storming up behind them. Jenna smiled, noting how easily she was moving.
“Mo, is that really you?” the man asked. “Can’t remember the last time I saw you move so fast. How long has it been since you used those steps to your store? Ten years? Twenty?”
“Too long,” she stated, trying to catch her breath. “That man is the reason why I managed the steps though. Earl was making fun of him for his medical scanners when he was examining me. I got mad and threw him out. Guess he decided to take it out on these fine folk rather than myself.”
“Well,” the man said, turning to Abraham. “If Mo backs your story, then you’re good by me. You folks okay? You need any medical attention or anything?”
Sandra looked her group over, not wanting to find an injury that would keep them on the planet any longer than they wanted to be. She focused on Abe’s head, grabbing his shoulders and pulling him down to look at the exposed skin. The dim light showed no signs of powder burns or shrapnel, bringing a sigh of relief, which she kept to herself.
“I think we’re a little deaf,” she replied. “But I think we’ll manage.”
The man smiled, looking back to Mo once more.
“So glad to see you getting around sweetie,” he stated. “Just warms my heart. I keep telling them boys to check the locals for guns, not just the people coming from the platforms. They never listen. Maybe we’ll just string ol’ Earl up for a few days and make an example out of him. What ya think bout that you little shit?”
Earl muttered something, but no one could make it out. The medics had just arrived, a woman using a heated repair
kit to suture the bleeding wound on his scalp.
“Well, if everybody is alright,” he continued. “Maybe you folks should call it a night?”
“Thank you,” Jenna offered, her ears still ringing from the gunshot. “Our ship’s being refueled. We’ll just wait in the station until it’s ready for us.”
“Sounds like a plan,” the man replied, already turning his focus to the medical team.
Sandra turned to Mo, mouthing a ‘thank you’ as quietly as possible. The woman smiled and nodded her head before turning to head back to her store. Jenna picked up the protein bars and cans that had fallen out of the sack and shoved them back into the opening. The group was shaken, but they headed back to the Hopper with as much speed as they could manage.
“Thanks, Abe,” Sandra said once they’d strayed away from the crowd.
“For what?” he asked, looking back at the commotion. “If it weren’t for me, he never would have bothered you in the first place. It was my responsibility to keep you safe.”
Sandra stepped out in front of him, cutting off his path. Her hand grasped his chest, keeping him from moving another step.
“No, it wasn’t your fault, and we’re not your responsibility,” she said sternly. “I don’t know who you are, but people just don’t help people like you just did. We don’t NEED those berry bars, but you made sure we got them anyways. To top it off, you obtained them by performing the most selfless act I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Also, you could have killed that man, but you didn’t. You could have JUST made sure he didn’t shoot YOU, but you knocked us on our asses first, just to make sure we didn’t get hurt. NO one does that Abe, especially out here in the outer worlds. Everyone just takes care of themselves out here. I don’t know you. I don’t know why you were in that tank, or what you did to get put there, but I’m damn glad we let you out, even if it was an accident.”
Abraham looked at her hand on his chest, then to the single tear that streamed down her pale cheek. Out of instinct, he reached out and brushed it away for her. The truth was that he was stalling, uncertain of how to react.
