Red Dust of Mars

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Red Dust of Mars Page 12

by Christopher Wills


  “And they might not sir,” said Fraser, always positive.

  “We’re not going to find out by sitting here, are we sir?” Gunny, faithful as ever.

  An argument broke out. Jethro put a hand up to stop Gunny from intruding and he let it run for a while. There was little point in interrupting an argument at the beginning when everyone has lots of energy to release and points to make. As long as it doesn’t turn to violence. Let them expend their energy and exhaust their points.

  The argument waned as the team realised that Jethro and Gunny were silent and watching. It gave Jethro a good opportunity to think what he was going to say. He knew he was the Boss and could tell them to do whatever he wanted but that was not his style. He waited until the embarrassed faces were all turned to his direction.

  “Good. Glad that’s all been aired now listen in. This is the plan. We will head west and search for the Junkyard. If we don’t find it we will head back to Uruk and try and get a ship. If we can’t we’ll help out as best we can. Any questions?”

  Jethro didn’t give them time to think up questions about the obvious holes in his plan, like how long they were going to search for the Junkyard. If Maddy said there was a Junkyard, there must be a Junkyard.

  “Walker you take point. Let’s go.”

  They broke camp and set out to the west. If it was still intact the Junkyard should show up on their scanners because it should be full of metal. It was getting dark so Jethro had to make a decision. Stop and camp or carry on. One problem was when the sun went down the temperature would drop rapidly to minus seventy or lower. Their suits would protect them but the hoverbikes wouldn’t operate at those temperatures. There were Mars adapted hoverbikes which could operate well below freezing but EMV Space Marines were well down the pecking order when it came to kit.

  Jethro saw a couple of the team glance towards him but he ignored them. He would give it ten more minutes. The thermal tents were easy to put up.

  “Sir. I’ve got a signature.”

  Walker was Point and had spotted a large signature on his communicator screen up ahead. They continued and sure enough they had reached a Junkyard.

  The Junkyard itself didn’t have a security fence around it. But at one side of the scattered piles of metal there was a building which did have a security fence which looked as though it might be electrified. It was too high for the hoverbikes to fly over and if the fence was electrified there would be a magnetic field too which could disrupt some of the control circuits in the hoverbikes.

  They could blast the fence down. Another option might have been to use some of the earth moving tools that came with the EMV hoverbikes to build a sand ramp up to the fence. Then they might be able to get a run up and fly over the fence without doing too much damage. But it was getting too close to sundown. That might be an option for tomorrow.

  There was an entrance gate but it was locked. Scrap was strewn all around the desert floor stretching well beyond were they could see in the rapidly fading last light. They tried hailing the owner or someone, anyone from what looked like a main building but nobody was coming out now that it was nearly dark.

  “Shall we set up camp here?”

  “No.”

  Jethro had seen exactly what he was hoping to see. It was an Earth Mining Vehicle Mark one, the Methuselah, about a hundred years before the Blackbird was built which was a Mark six. Jethro didn’t know what the current new version of EMV was but it was probably Mark nine or ten.

  He pointed it out to the team.

  “We’re sleeping in that tonight. Brains, can you get us inside it?”

  “I’ll try sir.”

  “Try very hard Brains because otherwise we’re sleeping out in the cold tonight.”

  The door had to be forced in the end because there was no electric power. They erected their thermal tents inside the landing bay. No point in being cold but at least it felt safe.

  In the morning Jethro was up and about as soon as the sun rose over the horizon. He wanted at least one with him when he approached the Junkyard house because he wasn’t confident the reception would be that friendly.

  There were lights in the house but the gate was still locked.

  “Hello house.” Jethro tried.

  “We could shoot the lock off,” suggested Gunny.

  “I’m sure that will make him very helpful to us.”

  “It was an idea.”

  “I’m not discounting it Gunny. I’m suggesting we try the softly softly approach first.”

  They could be seen because Jethro could see the metal shutters on the house opening so he calmed Gunny and they waited.

  Eventually the front door opened a small amount and a bot on tracks rolled out towards the gate. About a metre high with no arms and a large head with two lenses for eyes and a mouth like a letterbox opening. It stopped a few metres short and a gravelly voice crackled from a loudspeaker, possibly through the mouth opening.

  “Waddya want?”

  “Good morning sir.”

  “No it isn’t. And don’t give me that crap. We’re being bloody well invaded.”

  “This is exactly what I hoped for Gunny, a well informed and intelligent man who I can do business with.”

  “I already asked you once. Waddya want?”

  “We want a ship that will take us to Earth.” There was no point in beating around the bush.

  There was laughter from the bot mouth. “Yeah you and a billion other Mars residents. Now go away before you attract the attention of those alien things.”

  “So you’re not going to help us?”

  “With what? All I’ve got left are rusted junks of shit like that one you slept in last night. Take it for free if you want. Take anything. From what I hear when the aliens get here they’ll take the whole bloody lot. If you’ll excuse me the bar is opening.”

  The bot then about turned and headed back towards the house.

  “See Gunny.”

  “See what sir?”

  “I was very pleasant to him and he offered me the entire Junkyard for free.”

  “If you don’t mind me saying, the word junk is very appropriate.”

  “Ah but we’ve got Brains, haven’t we?”

  “You might have sir, but not me. I’m just a grunt.”

  “No. I mean Brains, Trooper Branson. She might be able to make something out of this junk.”

  “Yeah and pigs might fly.”

  “Let’s not be negative Gunny.”

  They headed back to the Methusaleh. Jethro gathered the troops.

  “This is the situation team. We can have anything we want in this Junkyard. All we have to do is to construct a serviceable space craft. Oh, and before the aliens get here.”

  “We’re doomed sir. Doomed,” said Marine Fraser.

  chapter 32

  “So what do you think, Brains?”

  The team had checked out the EMV Mark one they slept in and found it had a serviceable hull integrity so it was possible it could withstand the rigours of escaping Mars and re-entry onto Earth.

  “Well anything is possible sir.”

  “Mad. Stark raving mad.”

  “Thank you, Fraser. You’re welcome to head back to Uruk and take your chances with the aliens if you wish.”

  “Thank you, sir, but I’ll stick with you. You might need me.”

  “For ballast maybe,” said Gunny.

  “Brains has produced a list. Go round the yard and see what you can find.”

  The Team went out and searched the yard. Sometimes they would come back with the wrong bit or with an image of something that Brains needed to examine before confirming or denying that the piece was relevant or not. After half a day’s research the area around the EMV Mark one was littered with scrap metal pieces that had been collected from all over the yard.

  Brains managed to get the ship’s power back on using the power packs from two of the hoverbikes. So they had lighting, air conditioning and other facilities like ablutions and the
galley working. But the one thing the team were unable to find was an antimatter generator which was not surprising given that it was by far the most expensive part of the ship’s drive mechanism.

  “I’ll go and ask the Junkyard man,” said Jethro.

  “Shall I come with you sir?”

  “Yes thanks Gunny.”

  The Junkyard man had not unlocked his gate yet so they had to holler him from outside the gate again. After a frustrating holler the bot appeared again from the front door of the metal shack.

  “Waddya want?”

  “We’d like to talk to you.”

  “What about?”

  Jethro was getting tired of this. “Face to face would be easier.”

  “How can I trust you?”

  Jethro thrust his gun forwards putting the muzzle on the lock. “The fact that I haven’t blasted this lock off then blasted through your door might suggest to you that we are reasonable people.”

  Silence.

  Then. “OK.”

  The bot reached up and removed the lock and the gate swung open in front of them.

  “Come on in.”

  Jethro and Gunny approached the shack. Jethro noticed that beside the shack was a large metal container and the door was open. The container was full of foodstuff. There were sacks of grain, tins of meat and fish and vegetables. This place was prepped for a siege. They found the front door ajar when they reached it so they went inside the shack.

  Inside the shack they found the Junkyard in miniature. Every horizontal surface including most of the floor was covered in disassembled bits of machinery. Jethro recognised bits of hoverbikes, guns, military armour, cookers, communicators, and lots more that he had no idea where they came from. And not only were the horizontal surfaces covered but the vertical surfaces were covered in hooks and lines like washing lines that criss-crossed the room and all had bits dangling from them. It was a dragon’s treasure cave of bits of junk.

  They heard a whirring sound from behind what could have been an old fashioned washing machine dryer. A man appeared, or half a man, because his lower half was a large form of tracked vehicle like the bot drove around on.

  “What’re you staring at? Ain’t you ever seen a man with no legs before.”

  It was Gunny who was doing the staring, because as soon as Jethro saw him, he averted his gaze and thought of his father.

  “Sorry,” said Jethro.

  “Take a seat.” The man pointed to a metal girder held up between two metal crates.

  “You wanted to talk, which means you want something.”

  Jethro wasn’t going to beat around. “We want an antimatter generator.”

  “Thought you might.”

  Jethro looked at Gunny who shrugged his shoulders.

  Junkyard man laughed and said, “I’ve got eyes all over the place.” He pointed to the ceiling lamp and attached to the chord Jethro could see a cam.

  “All over the yard.”

  “Clever.”

  “I’m good with me hands, or I couldn’t have made this.” He pointed to his robotic lower half.

  “Impressive,” said Jethro.

  “Why didn’t you make yourself a pair of legs?” asked Gunny.

  “Because they’re inefficient. These tracks are all I need to get around here.”

  “The antimatter generator,” Jethro needed to know if he had one.

  “Well you see they’re illegal. When ships are dumped here the government comes along and buys them off me. Worth a lot of credits.”

  Fat lot of good those credits are going to do you when the aliens come.

  “Forgive me. I ain’t being a good host. Can I get you gentlemen a tea or coffee? It’s the real stuff not that shit that comes from a machine.”

  He wants to talk. Maybe he has got one.

  “No,” said Gunny.

  Jethro could tell Gunny was getting angry. He looked at Gunny and winked.

  “Actually yes please, I would like a tea, milk no sugar. Gunny would like a coffee, black. Thank you.”

  “Powdered milk OK?”

  Jethro nodded. Junkyard man rotated on the spot and left for a doorway, presumably to his kitchen.

  “Sir…?”

  Jethro put his hand up to stop Gunny from saying any more.

  “Patience Gunny, patience.” Jethro knew they were probably being both observed and listened to.

  A short while later Junkyard man returned with a tray that had two steaming hot mugs and a hip flask. Jethro passed the black coffee to Gunny. Gunny took a long look at it then Jethro raised his eyebrows to indicate he should take a drink. Gunny clearly didn’t want to but he understood what Jethro wanted and he took a sip. Immediately Gunny’s face lit up. He took another sip.

  “Man that’s good coffee. I haven’t had a cup like that since my mom… was around.”

  Jethro picked up his cup and tried it. The tea was good, probably the best he had tasted since he left the farm.

  “Thanks sir.”

  Junkyard man smiled. “I can get anything, or at least I could before the invasion.”

  Junkyard man lifted the flask and unscrewed the top and took a swig. From his reaction Jethro knew it was alcohol.

  So Junkyard man can get anything. Has he got an antimatter generator or hasn’t he?

  chapter 33

  The News

  Ted: “News just in. It has been reported that of the coast near San Diego a Squid fisherman fell into the sea from his boat and that a body has not yet been recovered.”

  Alice: “Oh dear Ted that is sad. Was he on his own in the boat?”

  Ted: “Yes Alice. The Squid fishermen tend to go out on their own at night because the rewards are so great.”

  Alice: “And women Ted.”

  Ted: “Sorry Alice?”

  Alice: “You said fishermen. I buy my Squid direct from a woman who goes out and fishes for them.”

  Ted: “Oh OK. Sorry Alice. And fisher-women. I hope your friend is OK Alice.”

  Alice: “She was this morning Ted.”

  Ted: “Oh, that’s good Alice. More Squid news. Despite reports on other news channels it cannot be confirmed that he was killed by Humboldt Squid.”

  Alice: “Thanks Ted. So that was World News for today. Remember people, unlike other news channels we deal in facts. We don’t make this up.”

  chapter 34

  Jethro couldn’t work out if Junkyard man had an antimatter generator and was trying to bump up the price or he was explaining why he didn’t have one. But his explanation of them being illegal rang true because one could make a bloody big bomb with one.

  “We have to get to Earth,” tried Jethro.

  “Running out on us?”

  Jethro put his hand across Gunny’s chest to prevent him from rising. “Calm down Gunny.” Jethro didn’t want to resort to violence unless he had to.

  “Please excuse my friend. We’ve had a bad few days. We can take you with us. To Earth I mean.”

  “Not interested. Them aliens will attack Earth next. Frying Pan or Fire. I’d rather be here at home.”

  He has got an antimatter generator.

  Jethro saw Gunny glance at him. He had picked it up too. Jethro knew what Gunny was thinking. Kill Junkyard man and take the generator. But Jethro had noticed something else. There might be something Junkyard man values.

  “Is there anything you want? Maybe we could do a deal.”

  Junkyard man laughed again. “I really want me a woman, but I can’t do fuck all with her so that’s out. And I bet you ain’t got no fucking booze.”

  Gunny looked at Jethro again.

  Junkyard man picked up on it immediately. “You have got booze. I bet you ain’t got much though?” His eyes narrowed and he licked his lips.

  “Running out of booze. Maybe only a day’s supply left.” Junkyard man wiped sweat off his brow. “Delivery man didn’t come last week and now them aliens invaded us. Doubt he will come no more.” He licked his lips again.

 
“Two bottles of Soy wine.” Jethro knew that wouldn’t be enough to satisfy Junkyard man for the antimatter generator. “Do you want me to go and get them?”

  Junkyard man licked his lips again. “Can do if you want.”

  Jethro stood up. “Come on Gunny.”

  Gunny followed him outside. Jethro stopped at the container and looked long and hard at the contents.

  “What…”

  Jethro immediately put his finger to his lips.

  Gunny was silenced.

  When they got to the Methuselah. Jethro said, “out with it Gunny.”

  “First sir can I ask you why you wanted me to take the first drink? It could have been poisoned.“

  “To be hospitable Gunny, to our host. And I certainly wasn’t going to take the first drink.” Jethro smiled.

  Gunny’s jaw dropped.

  “I watched him make it Gunny and there was nothing untoward.”

  Gunny didn’t appear totally convinced.

  “We should just kill the fucker and take the antimatter generator.”

  “And where is he hiding it? Because we haven’t got much time left to look for it.”

  “I don’t know sir. I suppose you’ve got a plan.”

  “I have got a plan Gunny.”

  Jethro retrieved two bottles of Soy wine and they returned to Junkyard man’s shack. Jethro gave both bottles to him without ceremony and as he hoped Junkyard man immediately opened one and took a long swig from it.

  “Wow. You sure you only got two bottles?”

  “Sorry but that’s the last,” Jethro said truthfully.

  “Shame about that.”

  Jethro didn’t know whether it was a shame because if he had any more he could have the antimatter generator or if it was a shame because two bottles would only last Junkyard man the rest of the day. Time to float his plan.

  “I see you’ve got a lot of food?”

  “Keep your thieving hands off of my food.”

  “Do you make your own bread?”

  Junkyard man was thrown by the question. He answered “Wifey used to when she was around. Left me to live with sister in the city. Hope the aliens get them.” He spat on the floor.

  “Shame to see all that grain go to waste,” said Jethro.

 

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