Earthbound

by Adam Lewinson

  “It’s just insurance that you aren’t trying to trick me,” Shādo Shay replies. “I’m not reneging on our deal. I’m simply ensuring that you don’t either.”

  I don’t much care. Gun or no gun. We are leading him to our gold. It’s time for him to get it back.

  Shādo Shay and his Bion follow us inside. Pace and I lead them up one of those un-working electric staircases. When we get to the second floor, we’re outside our hiding place. Remember I said we had a good hiding place for our gold? Well here it is. A movie theater. Who’d wanna go in there anymore? The place is all boarded up and looks like there’s no way in, but that’s only cause we boarded it up. Pace and I pry off a wood board and show them where to crawl in. We go first. They follow. Shādo Shay seems like he’s petrified to touch anything. Cracks me up.

  We’re inside what used to be the lobby to the movie theater. It gave me and Pace a thrill to find this place. Still has a popcorn machine and everything, although it doesn’t work of course. There’s some old movie posters up on the walls. Yellowed but still kinda cool. Mostly movies we’d never heard of, never seen. It’d be cool to watch them though. Believe me, when we found this place, Pace and I sat inside the theater – the chairs are still in decent shape if you don’t mind rats crawling under your feet – and we pretended like we were watching a good movie with lots of sex and violence in it. It was fun.

  Anyway, we aren’t here to watch a movie. Instead we lead Shādo Shay and his Bion up a staircase, through a door into what’s called a projection booth. Back in Great Falls they just run a projector from the back of the room, but this place is much more fancy. Electronic panels and gadgets and things like that. Not much to see, but you can stick your eye up to the lens that shoots the image out onto the big screen.

  “Where is it?” Shādo Shay demands. “I don’t want to stay in this decrepit building any longer than I need to.”

  “It’s here,” Pace says. “We found a safe right here against the back wall. You just need to push away those boards.” We’d left some wood boards lying haphazardly around the safe just so if anyone was crazy enough to explore around there like we did they might miss it behind the camouflage. Shādo Shay indicates for his Bion to move away the boards, which it does.

  “It’s all in there,” Pace says with a reassuring tone. He wasn’t lying. That’s Pace. He doesn’t lie.

  Shādo Shay studies our faces for a moment, probably trying to figure out if we’re telling the truth or not. Then he nods. “I’m going to have the Bion open the safe, just to be certain.”

  We nod. Then the moment Shādo Shay turns his back on us, we back out of that projection booth fast. Hope he’s not gonna notice us. He’s probably too preoccupied with all that shiny gold. It’s in there. All of it. Exactly like we said. As we bolt down the staircase, I imagine that Bion opening the safe door. Then when nothing bad happens, Shādo Shay will shove him out of the way. As we run through the lobby, I imagine Shādo Shay reaching in and grabbing for the gold. As we leap down the electric staircase, I imagine Shādo Shay picking up the stack of gold coins – attached to a small line of wire. That wire leads directly to an ignition switch shoved inside every last remaining ounce of C4 that we had.

  I don’t have to imagine the explosion. The floor above us explodes with fury. The blast sends us flying off of the electric staircase and down to the lobby floor. We can’t rest though. We get up and run as fast as we can out the front entrance and into the street. The explosions rumble throughout the skyscraper. We scramble backwards away from the building as the second floor snaps like a twig and the weight of the rest of the structure stomps down on top of it. I think the whole thing’s comin’ down. Which is what we figured. If anyone but us got to that gold, that’s exactly what we wanted to happen. For sure the explosion took out both Shādo Shay and his Bion. Or if not the explosion, then the collapse. Either way, dead is dead. But we did keep up our end of the bargain. He got his gold.

  “That gold never really bought us anything anyway,” I say.

  I feel bad for the Bion. But what are you gonna do.

  It’s kinda fun watching gravity take down that manmade relic, but we have to go. If only cause dust and smoke are starting to flow from the broken windows of the building. We turn and run back toward the horses. I keep hearing the skyscraper falling though. And its dust cloud is traveling faster than we are.

  We protect our eyes as best we can while the dust cloud passes through us. Then, finally, all is quiet.

  Pace slumps down on the ground and just starts laughing.

  “What’s so effing funny?” I ask.

  “We’re alive, that’s all. Despite our best efforts.”

  That kinda cracks me up too.

  “So what now?” I ask.

  “It’s time to go.” I nod, agreeing. “So let’s pack up what we can. Maybe scavenge around and see if any of the gold coins didn’t melt down in the blast.”

  “No,” I say. “There’s something more valuable we need to collect.”

  Pace looks at me. “She made her choice.”

  “I don’t care,” I say. “We get her and we go.”

  Pace looks at me and he smiles again. He reaches out an arm and I help him to his feet.

  I wish we had Charon and Flashbound right about now. I hope they’re okay.

  I see Pace kinda eyeing the Bion transport.

  “Any idea how to drive this thing?” I ask.

  “If it was an airplane, maybe. I think you should give it a shot.

  Works for me. We climb inside the front cab.

  “Say goodbye once and for all to our hideout,” Pace says.

  Yeah, I’ll kinda miss it.

  Wasn’t sure how to start the thing, but I didn’t need to figure it out. It starts up all by itself. The engine is so quiet though it’s hard to tell it’s on, but the instrument panel lights up.

  “How do you think this thing works?” I ask. I put my hands on the wheel and move it left and right but nothing is happening.

  “Is there a hand brake or something?” Pace asks. We looks around but don’t find anything resembling a hand brake. No knobs or handles or anything to mess around with. So I just start pressing lights on the instrument panel. “Foot pedals,” Pace suggests. I slam my foot down on the righthand foot pedal – and the transport just takes off. The dashboard says we’re going thirty miles per hour, then forty, then fifty, sixty, seventy. I have to learn quick how to steer the effing thing, but the transport is so secure I’m not too fearful of crashing into anything. I test out the steering to get a feel for it. Wasn’t too hard. “Feeling good?” Pace asks.

  “Yeah but how do I stop this thing?”

  “Another foot pedal?” Pace asks. He’s not sure. Neither am I. But there is another foot pedal so I stomp on it. The car stops within seconds – throwing us both forward in the process. I knock my head into the wheel. Pace nearly slams his face into a wood panel. “Okay, so that’s how we stop.”

  Words are flashing on the instrument panel. “What’s that say?”

  Pace reads it out for me. “Fasten Seatbelts.”

  “What’s a seatbelt?”

  We fumble around until we figure out that there’s a strap that’s supposed to drape over our body and fasten by our sides. It clicks in place and then the flashing words on the instrument panel switch off.

  “I guess we’re ready.”

  I slam on the righthand pedal again and we’re off. I’m so glad the car is quiet, even more quiet than hoofbeats. I’m still getting the hang of the steering, so there are moments where I come way too close to rubble on the side of the road, but I get better as the minutes tick away. I turns the wheel sharply to the right to turn onto 6th Street. Almost skid out of control, as it turned out, but I turn the wheel sharply in the other direction and right us.

  I hit a bunch of buttons and figure out how to lower the blades in front of the transport, so we can mow down anything in our path. Makes it easier to get where we need t
o go. Except I realize getting across the Missouri is gonna be a problem. This transport weighs a ton. Not sure one of the bridges is gonna hold. But we have to chance it. I drive to the railway bridge on the west side of the city. Seems like it’s always been the sturdiest route across the Missouri. I drive onto the bridge and just floor it. I have no idea if we’re gonna make it across or not and I’m not gonna think twice about it. Halfway across and it feels like the bridge is buckling. We make it across though. I can’t see behind us but I bet that was the last time anyone’s crossing that old bridge.

  I know the way from here.

  I’m driving to Great Falls. I know, I know. Won’t take long for those stupid robots to figure out who double-crossed their boss and they’re gonna know where to look. Plus we’re headin’ right toward the Nuggets. We could play it safe and just head for Billings or Canada or wherever. But that’s not the plan. If we’re leaving the Great Plains, Pace and I each deserve one last shot with Becca. And if she turns us down now, well, she knows the stakes.

  I rumble right through the entrance to the settlement. No reason to be subtle now. No time to be outlaws on the run. Just gotta hope that no one wants to mess with outlaws with a bad ass Bion transport vehicle. Yeah, I’m seein’ some of the townsfolk’s faces as we pass by. Their jaws are dropping. It’s priceless. I do pull up the blades on the transport though. I don’t wanna destroy the whole town.

  We’re at the end of Main Street and I turn left. Pace is giving me directions, but I know where we’re headed. This is the way to the Nuggets’ hangout. Gonna need to get the drop on them. I’m thinking about putting down those blades again and driving right through their front door. But no, that’s way too dangerous. Instead I hit the other foot pedal and stop the transport far enough away from the Nuggets’ place so they won’t hear us coming.

  Pace and I nod at each other. We don’t need to say anything. No weapons. No options. We know how this goes.

  We sneak up and get a peek in the window. There’s Boze, Birkin and Lister. And they’re packing. Throwing stuff into boxes and crates. I get it, they lost one of their own to those Bions. They’re effing scared. They’re gonna run. But where’s Becca. We creep around the side of the house. She’s in the kitchen, packing up supplies. She’s wearing her favorite sun dress. She looks radiant. The opposite of how filthy Pace and I look. We don’t deserve her. Never did.

  The smart play is to get her attention and quietly get her to sneak out the back door. But I suspect it won’t be that easy. Don’t even know how she’ll feel when she sees us. I rap on the window gently. Our eyes meet. She’s instantly all teary. Happy to see us I suppose. But now she’s looking down. She’s shaking her head. Then she keeps on packing.

  “Doesn’t look like she wants to see us,” Pace whispers.

  “That’d be right.” We turn. It’s Birkin, with a shotgun pointed at our brains. “Get up.”

  He’s got the drop on us. Nothing to do but follow his orders, keep our hands where he can see ‘em. For now.

  “Our truce is over,” Birkin says, “case you haven’t noticed.”

  Birkin leads us inside.

  “Look who I found,” he crows.

  Boze looks up from his packing. Never quite seem him like this before. His eyes are kinda puffy. He looks real scared. He rushes right up to Pace. “What were those things?” There’s a tremor in his voice.

  “They’re called Bions,” Pace explains. “Some kind of robot. But there’s something human inside there. Or at least it used to be human.”

  “Sorry about Priestly,” I say. Not sure I mean it but I say it anyway.

  Boze glances at me. He’s gonna say something, but it looks like he doesn’t have any words. So he just kinda nods.

  “Where’re you headed?” Pace asks.

  At first Boze doesn’t seem to want to answer. He doesn’t seem too proud of himself. Then he kinda breaks down, his voice quivering and his hands kinda trembling. “One good man gone. It’s just a matter of time before the rest of us get cut down. We can’t compete with those stupid robots.”

  “So you’re leaving town?”

  “I am. And I advised what’s left of my Nuggets to do the same. We can’t explain away Priestly’s dead body. Someone’s gonna figure it out. They’ll be coming after us.”

  “Where’re you headed?”

  “Don’t tell ‘em,” Lister says. A voice of reason.

  “It’s okay,” Boze says. “We’re gonna try to get to Missoula. Hoping those robots won’t follow us there.”

  “They’re not looking for you,” Pace explains. “They’re looking for me and Ash.”

  “Don’t matter. They’ll come for us all eventually.”

  Pace nods. Seems like he’s in agreement with that. “Won’t make much difference to Great Falls. You’re not much of a lawman anyway.”

  Boze freezes for a second. Not sure how he’s gonna react to that. Then he sighs.

  “No,” he says, “not really.”

  “What’re you two buzzards doin’ here anyway?” Birkin says, ever with that shotgun.

  “We just want to talk to Rebecca,” Pace says. “No need for the shotgun. We’re not armed.”

  “These guys are trouble,” Birkin says. “I should cut ‘em down, leave ‘em for those robots.”

  But Boze seems to be taking our side. He has Birkin lower the shotgun, which he does reluctantly.

  “I reckon you won’t say anything to change her mind,” Boze says, “but you can talk to her if you want.”

  Becca’s entered the room. “Nice of you to give permission,” she says sarcastically.

  “Sorry,” Boze mumbles. Yeah he’s scared of her. “Thought I had a right.”

  Becca walks over to us. I can smell her flowery shampoo. “I’m through with both of you,” she says. “Have your adventures, get yourselves killed. I like the idea of going with Boze to another settlement, starting over.”

  “What if I said our outlaw days are over?” Pace asks. “Does that change your mind?”

  Becca stares at Pace for a long time. “No,” she responds, “it doesn’t. Not anymore”

  “Well,” Pace mutters, “you’re going west. We’re not. So I suppose this is it.”

  Becca turns to me. “I’m sorry to you most of all,” she says. She takes my hand in hers. “Go as far east as you can. Get away from anyone who knows your face. And find your own way to start over.” I’m listing but I feel something. Something metal on her hand. I pry away her left hand and there’s a silver ring on her wedding finger. She looks away, kinda embarrassed.

  “You getting hitched?” I ask.

  “I asked her,” Boze interrupts. “She agreed.”

  I nod. Sure seems final now. If that’s what she wants, marrying that stupid oaf, then that’s what she wants.

  “We’ll go,” I say. I pry away her other hand and turn to Boze. “I know you’ll take care of her,” I say. “Cause if you don’t, there’s a bullet going right into your head.”

  Boze agrees. We’re both sentimental I guess.

  “Let’s go Pace,” I say. But Pace isn’t moving. “Pace?” I turn. He’s fixated on Becca’s wedding ring. “She’s effing marrying Boze, it’s over, time to go.” He’s not moving. Guess this is hitting him harder than me. Slowly, slowly, he’s turning around. He walks up to Boze. Gets in close. Real close.

  “Boze,” Pace whispers, “one more thing before we go.”

  Next thing I know, Pace grabs Boze’s revolver out of his holster. He pulls back the hammer and holds the gun up to Boze’s temple. Takes about a second for Birkin and Lister to be pointing shotguns at both of us.

  “Oh what the eff is it now?” I yell.

  Everyone’s quiet and all eyes are on Pace and Boze.

  “What’s this about?” Boze asks. He seemed genuinely confused. “Got a problem with me marrying Rebecca?”

  “Nope. That suits me fine,” Pace replies. He waits for a long dramatic pause. “I’ve got a problem with y
ou.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Only way you’re leaving is with a good old fashioned duel.”

  I could see Boze was really sweating. “What for?” Boze asks. Then he started pleading. “Far as I can tell we’re square, right? We just let each other walk away?” Pace flexes his trigger finger. I could swear he’s drawing out the drama on purpose, making Boze twist in the wind as much as he can. “Well what is it, Pace?” Boze asks impatiently.

  Pace finally replies. His eyes are all steely with determination.

  “My father. You gunned him down. Shot him in the head. Executed him.”

  I hear a few gasps. Myself included. What the eff is Pace talking about?

  “I did no such thing,” Boze insists.

  “You can’t lie about this sort of thing,” Pace continues. “Becca, come over here. Show me that ring.” Becca removes that ring from her finger like it’s poison. She steps over to Pace and puts it in the palm of his left hand. “This look familiar to you? Looks familiar to me.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Boze insists.

  “This ring,” Pace explains, “was my mother’s. When my father died he was wearing it around his neck on a chain. When I found him dead I found the chain, but no ring.”

  Boze’s got nothing to say. Must by true.

  “I’ve suspected for quite some time,” Pace continues. “The caliber of gun used. Your opportunity. Your motive. Hell, who better to cover up his own crime than a lawman? I just needed a piece of evidence to prove it.”

  “What you want me to do, Boze?” Birkin asks.

  “I know what I want,” Pace says. “We settle this the right way.” He backs up a little bit. “Let’s take this outside. Someone give Boze a gun.”

  Boze is quiet for a moment. Guess he can’t keep up his lies. He lowers his head with shame. “I ain’t gonna fight you, Pace.”

  “Then you’re not leaving. Stay here and wait for the Bions to close in. One way or another, a pine box is the best you’re gonna get.”

  “You gotta defend yourself,” Birkin shouts out. He was right I suppose.

  Boze seems to agree, slowly. He walks over to Lister and holds out his hand. Lister hands over his revolver. Then Boze walks over to Becca. “I don’t want you watchin’ this.”