Death Walk

Death Walk


By


P.J. Lawton


The First Officer died early in the morning of the third day.
A Gorlot ambush caught them coming through a narrow valley. A rain of
rocks and some rough-hewn spears crashed down on them. A few
well-placed blaster shots scattered the ambushers but it was too late
for the First Officer. An unlucky blow from a spear caught her right in
the armpit just above her body armor as she raised her weapon to fire.
The heavy stake pierced her heart. She died instantly. He figured that
maybe it was better that way.


Of the five that had started the walk he was all that now
remained. The others? Yes all the others had died, horribly. Two had
died during the first attack and another a day later. Now with First
Officer was gone and he was alone.


He had known from the beginning that their chances of
survival were slim but they couldn't remain with the stricken ship.
There they would surely die. He wasn't sure he had much of a chance now
being alone but he had to try.


A ruptured plasma conduit forced an emergency landing in the
uninhabited zone. By dead reckoning he figured he still had about 40
kilometers remaining of the almost 200 from the crash site to
TerraDome. 40 kilometers was still a long way to walk especially under
such adverse conditions. From the first day the crew had fought intense
heat, sandstorms and of course the local populace. What had ensued was
an almost constant 100-kilometer running battle with the Gorlots, the
beastlike inhabitants of this dreadful backwater planet. He now
believed that he would run out of time and supplies before he ran out
of kilometers or Gorlots.


***


TerraDome was the mining colony built on MIZA to mine the
Torilium. Torilium, a super strong metal that could be easily molded
into most any shape needed had become the most valuable commodity in
the quadrant. The Terra Space Marines had come in, killed many Gorlots
and provided safety for the builders of the domed city.



Once the miners arrived the safety and security of the city
became the corporation's problem. It was rumored around the quadrant
that many miners had died due to numerous Gorlot attacks. He had heard
that TerraDome required as many security forces as miners. From what he
had seen and experienced the last two days he could certainly believe
that.


The Gorlots didn't have any modern weapons, only spears,
clubs and slingshots to knock down their prey. Then they killed,
viciously, using their long claws and razor sharp teeth. If time
permitted they would work on their victims slowly tearing and ripping
pieces of flesh until the hapless person was literally torn to shreds.
Not a very nice way to die.


That was exactly what happened to the third member of his
crew. The man had fallen asleep on watch and had been snatched by the
skulking beasts. A shouted warning and cry for help came too late.
There was nothing that they could do as the snarling creatures carried
him away. The screams and horrifying cries lasted several hours. Twice
he felt that he could take no more and had attempted to go to the man's
aid. The First Officer held him back. Her reasoning was that there
would have been no chance to help and would have simply ended up
providing the Gorlots another human to torture. He understood the
reasoning and finally agreed but that didn't make it any easier.
Finally, mercifully just before daybreak it was over.


***


The leader covered the First Officer with stones hoping that
the Gorlots wouldn't find her. He then gathered what little remained of
the supplies and made a hasty departure. He had to be away before the
Gorlots regained their courage. With one last look at his friend's
grave he turned and rapidly stepped forward. Only 30 kilometers to go.



He covered another 10 kilometers that day. Twice more he
fought off light Gorlot attacks. He now had only two charges left for
his blaster. He had better get to TerraDome soon. As darkness fell he
found a small cave with just enough room to hide. He piled up some
boulders in the entrance and settled down. He knew it was going to be a
long night.


He wasn't attacked during the night but several times he
heard movement. Scarier than the movement was the low rumbling growls
made by the waiting Gorlots. He decided then that he would not be taken
alive. He would save at least one blaster shot.


***


As he came out of the low hills he could see a glint in the
distance. It had to be the bright sunlight shining off the dome. He was
getting closer but he had almost been caught napping this morning. He
had awakened just in time to kill several charging Gorlots. That had
been several hours ago. He was now down to one last blaster charge.
Only 10 kilometers to go.


He could definitely make out the outlines of the dome now. It
was painted with a gold paint that reflected the light and heat. Like
the old see-through mirrors, people could see out but no one or better
yet no thing could see in. He stopped for a moment to drink the last of
his water. That was okay, there would have plenty more soon. Only four
kilometers to go.


Something wasn't right. He should be seeing all sorts of
activity now. There ought to be miners and security forces coming and
going for the mining operation ran 24 hours per day. A large knot of
dread and fear started to build in the pit of his stomach. Only one
kilometer to go.


The sickly sweet stench of death overwhelmed his senses as he
stepped through the open gate. He came to a dead stop giving his eyes
time to slowly adjust to the dimness. It looked like the inside of a
slaughterhouse. Human body parts and dead Gorlots were strewn
everywhere. Somehow the beasts had gotten inside. The inhabitants had
fought hard but hadn't had a chance, there were just too may Gorlots.



In an instant snarling howling Gorlots appeared from every
direction. He pulled his blaster and fired and fired until his last
charge cell was exhausted. He simply stood there staring at the large
pile of blaster burned Gorlot bodies for the gruesome scene all around
numbed his mind. Although he knew his fate was sealed he still shivered
when a low throaty growl came from directly behind him. The Gorlots
were slowing moving in.


An overwhelming sorrow engulfed him as he thought of the last
few days, the loss of his crew and hardships that had been endured. He
smiled a small sad smile as he glanced at his now useless blaster and
realized that he hadn't saved that last shot after all.



End