“Ms. Lilybell Terrance? I am responding to the call that was rung in the canyon of Haelf. I’m impressed. Few are those who discover the means to summon one of our kind.”
Lilybell turned to see a strange looking being. He was a machine, of course. Just as she knew he would be. One of the automaton race, the Rossumi, who rebelled against Earth centuries ago. His face was hard and metallic, though it sported the face of a human with wide, onyx eyes. And made of what looked like the sinewy tissue beneath one’s skin pulled over each cheek and across the brows. It was made of some odd, glistening polymer like material. His mouth was made of the same substance, allowing his lips (if one were to call them that) to twist and turn in a grotesque facsimile of human expression. The tone of his flesh was a deep bronze that could have been natural, she supposed, but felt unreal as she stared at him. Upon his head was a wide-brimmed hat. And hanging off his shoulders, a duster common in the Wastelands (dark blue and finely maintained).
The whole look to her was unsettling. Like a toaster, that deigned itself to be a cat. This thought caused her to smile.
“Precept Toren, yes? That’s who the message said would contact me.” She asked and he nodded with barely a hint of emotion. “Please, do me the favor of addressing me by my family name. I’m done hiding. I loved my dear mother more than anything. But… She’s gone now. And her mistakes will not be my own. I’m taking back what’s rightfully mine. I am Lilybell Helena Berricks. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. It is such a pleasure to finally meet one of the Rossumi!” She offered him a little curtsy and he frowned with a cock of his head.
Then offered up a bastardization of a smile. “Very well, Ms. Berricks. I assume you understand what you have initiated here? Do you wish to proceed? Or would you reconsider this particular venture? You are very young, after all.”
Her smile broadened and she gave a slight little dance of excitement, “My youth is irrelevant. I’m ready to take the rite. I’m ready to be a Red Star! I searched high and low, researched hundreds of texts. My hero’s mum used to be one, you know. And I know I’ll be just as competent!”
Precept Toren gave a quizzical look, his eyes glowing green under the void of black. “To accept the rite of passage is a difficult step, Ms. Berricks. It isn’t a step one takes lightly or with any flagrant disregard. It requires only the most… determined soul. Justice is not something to be looked at as a game, but a true rite of passage. To bring order to chaos where only chaos reigns.”
She giggled, “Oh, I know! I’ve been on the receiving end all too often, you know. But, this last half year, I’ve been training. And preparing myself. I’m ready! Ready to bring Justice to the Sol system! My grandfather always used to tell me when I was a child, before my mother ran away and changed our name, he’d say, ‘True strength comes from a Just hand’. And I know, know that my hand is Just and capable!”
Precept Toren nodded briefly, the servo motors in his oddly segmented neck whirred like they didn’t agree with her assessment, but would humor her nonetheless. “Very well. The journey will be long and harsh. You will have to discover my abode in the Fields of Ramus. If you come to find me there, I will train you in the ways of the Red Star. But I warn you, death is imminent in those fields, and few are those who become Red Stars. Your commitment to true Justice must be absolute.”
She beamed at him, “I’ll be there! And I’ll show you how true Justice runs in my family!”
“Then, on the morrow, you will head southward and exit the Wastelands Domain. There is one locking hub there. Pass the test proffered, and you will be permitted to leave. But, only on foot. The Fields of Ramus are stricken by gravimagnetic phenomenon not suitable for any technology beyond the Rossumi. You will have to walk. So, come prepared for a great many months’ journey. There will be no sources of food or companionable peoples to take you in. Out there is desolation. The worst that Hinon has to offer. It will be just you, your atmosuit, and whatever you bring along.” He tugged on his duster. “I ask again, are you certain this is the course you wish to travel?”
Lilybell giggled, “Nothing in the world can stop me!”
“Then, Godsspeed to you, Ms. Berricks. When, and if, you reach the monument to Justice, the statue of Caramus, beyond the worst of the Fields of Ramus, bend your knee, and follow its directives. Another Rossumi will provide you further instructions. If you succeed with his requests, you will find me waiting.”
He bowed and twirled around. His coat flew through the air as if he were some sort of comic book hero walking off into the sunset. His feet crunched along stone and grit as he marched away.
Lilybell watched him for a long moment, his gait was so mechanical, so… sturdy. To best the Rossumi and become a Red Star was the most challenging task in the solar system. But she knew she was up to that challenge. And accepted it gladly. When he disappeared from view, around the edge of the ranch and towards whatever destination he had in mind, she twisted back to the bottles, cocked her weapon, aimed, and sighed deeply. The smile on her face a chasm to her soul.
They will all know my name. Even Aidele Wilson herself will recognize my commitment to true Justice. She exhaled slowly and settled into a gunslinger’s stance. She brushed back her redingote and measured her intent.
“Bend the knee…” she said to herself, eyeing another bottle.
Her mouth turned down into one of intense focus. Her brows knitted together. Her smile disappeared. A raw look crossed her face.
And she pulled the trigger.
Timothy S Purvis is an author/creative living in Dayton OH with his wife, an old, old cat, and two rabbits. He just loves to tell stories and entertain those who come to him for some tall tales. And always is thrilled and honored when people enjoy his work.
Red Star Sheriff Page 59