Mechanic (Corrosive Knights)

by E. R. Torre

  “What did the survey group find?”

  “That’s the million credit question. Nobody here has any idea what they stumbled upon. The group breezed by a couple of months ago and bought enough supplies for a very long stay on the road. Then, shortly after that, most of the group comes back on motorcycles hauling a broken down water purifier for the garage boys to fix. The survey van folks hang around the bar while their equipment was repaired. I talked to a couple of them and they tell me that, other than the wrecked purifier and the fact that they hadn’t found anything worth a damn, everything was going fine. A little later, the garage boys finish with the purifier and the survey crew load up and head out. Not too long after that, the entire group falls off the grid. We tried to communicate with them, but couldn’t. Octi Corp. sent out a search and rescue detail.” Natalie paused. Her jaw tensed. “A few days later we get word they were found. All of them were dead.”

  “You see the bodies?”

  “Nobody here saw the bodies. They were flown directly to Red Sands, Octi Corp.’s largest base, some two hundred or so miles to the north. From what I understand, the corpses were sealed in lead lined caskets. Only later we heard they stumbled upon an old nuclear facility and were exposed to massive doses of radiation.”

  Nox removed the Desertland map from her backpack and spread it over one of the boxes of Selabro.

  “Where exactly did they say they were found?”

  Natalie took a few seconds to orient herself on the map. She ran her finger across the grid lines until finding what she was looking for. She tapped down.

  “The remains of the Coax Nuclear Reservoir,” Natalie said.

  Nox pointed to another spot on the map.

  “But this was their last reported location, right?”

  Natalie stared at the spot Nox pointed to. She suppressed a shiver and nodded.

  “Yeah. That’s about where they were when the purification system crapped out.”

  “And a couple of hundred miles away from where they were found.”

  “Yeah,” she repeated.

  “So everything is normal. The survey crew calls in when they’re supposed to and their position trackers are green. Suddenly, they go silent. Maybe they didn’t realize their radio equipment failed and maybe they had no reason to call in. But it would take a few days to make the trek from here to here. At some point they must have realized their radio equipment was malfunctioning. Would they continue their survey work through potentially dangerous areas without a working radio?”

  “No more than they would with a bad water purifier.”

  “Thought so. Here’s where it gets even more interesting.” Nox pointed to a third spot on the map. “This is where I found the survey van. Only twenty miles from their last verified location.”

  “How?”

  “They carried a second position tracker and that one was working. The van was buried and I dug my way inside. Natalie, there was no trace of radiation on the van. With the exception of a refrigerator filled with rotted food, its interior was stripped clean.”

  “By the Gods.”

  “There’s one other thing I found.”

  “What?”

  “A single bullet lodged in the van’s back door.”

  Natalie covered her eyes and leaned back.

  “Pirates? Desert rats?”

  “No,” Nox replied. “Though I’m guessing the van was left behind either for them or the sands to dispose of.”

  “By who?”

  “Who do you think?”

  Though she tried to keep calm, Natalie couldn’t. A single tear ran down her cheek.

  “We knew something bad happened out there,” she said. “Octi Corp.’s stories never made complete sense, but what could we do? It’s hard enough making a living out here without badmouthing your outfit. But out here, we’re family. The only family we’ve got.”

  Natalie’s face wrinkled up with emotion. There was despair and hopelessness in her face and Nox knew both only too well. The individual worker meant nothing to the corporation while the corporation, and the jobs it provided, meant everything to the individual worker. She let out a sob and turned away from the Mechanic. In time, the tears dried.

  “I’m making a damn fool of myself.”

  “It’ll be our secret. Why do you think they were killed?”

  “I don't know. I wish I did.”

  “Help me,” Nox said. “Help me get them for what they did.”

  “What can I…?” Natalie said and stopped. She dropped the spent cigarette to the floor and crushed it under the heel of her boot. “You hurt them, you hurt me.”

  Nox said nothing. She folded the map and put it away. Though she tried to hide her disappointment, it was difficult.

  The corporation meant everything to the individual worker.

  “Thanks anyway,” Nox said. She walked past Natalie and to the door.

  “Nox, wait.” Natalie said. “Can you get them without hurting us?”

  “I can try,” Nox said. “It’s all I can promise.”

  Natalie thought about that for a few seconds.

  “Robert Octi Jr. flew in yesterday,” she said.

  “To the Desertlands?”

  “No. Here. To this base.”

  “Here? Why not go to Red Sands?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Where is he?”

  “He’s been making the rounds. He’s usually holed up in the warehouse.”

  Nox reached for the door knob.

  “Don’t go there,” Natalie said. “Since he came, the warehouse is the only part of the base they’ve kept well-guarded. At least on the inside.”

  “Leave that to me.”

  “Cut the tough guy act. There are easier ways of getting to him.”

  Nox released the door’s handle.

  “Such as?”

  “He’s also spends plenty of time upstairs, in the far less guarded office.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Nox exited the bar and paused as its door slowly shut behind her. When it was fully closed, she turned to her right and walked to the stairs leading to the office above. She ignored the growing chill in the air and kept to the shadows as best she could, climbing the stairs two at a time while maintain a cat-like silence.

  When she reached the top platform, she again paused. Nox crouched low and examined the area. The top level of the building was a small porch that overlooked the south side of the base. There was a single door a few feet from the top of the stairs and a pair of windows at either side. The office was dark.

  Satisfied no one spotted her, Nox eased close to the office door. Despite the darkness, Nox listened for any sounds coming from within. None came.

  Nox examined the door’s flimsy lock and smiled.

  “Child’s play.”

  Nox entered the office and closed the door behind her. After the door was shut, Nox froze in place. All around her was an impenetrable black. For several long seconds she remained perfectly still. There were no alarms or voices to be heard.

  Nox reached into her shirt pocket and pulled out a small flashlight. She clicked it on and ran the light across the room.

  The office was sparse, furnished with an old metal desk and three rickety chairs. On opposite walls were several cork boards. Various papers and receipts were pinned to these boards. The papers were yellow and brittle with age. The receipts were likewise faded out. Nonetheless, Nox scanned them, verifying they were indeed worthless, before approaching the desk.

  None of the drawers had locks. Nox frowned and shook her head. The lack of any security meant it was unlikely there was anything worthwhile stored within. Nox searched through each of the drawers anyway. She found more yellowed sheets of paper, lists of inventories from the previous seasons, a bottle of whiskey, and, in the last drawer, a pile of old magazines.

  Nox examined the topless women on the covers of these magazines.

  “Collector’s editions,” she said before replacing them in t
heir drawer.

  Nox turned back to the door leading out.

  What a waste of time, she thought. Just as she was about to grab the door knob, she again froze.

  The sound of voices came from just outside. Without any hesitation, Nox wheeled around and looked the office over.

  “Shit,” Nox muttered.

  There was nowhere to hide.

  The door to the office opened and Robert Octi Jr. and Nagel entered. Robert carried a folder overstuffed with documents.

  “Dark in here,” he muttered.

  Nagel fumbled around the side of the door until he found the light switch. With a loud click the lights came on, revealing the entire office and its meager contents. Robert considered the cramped and dusty place and noted the open window on the west side of the room.

  “This is some place,” he said as he walked to that open window and suppressed a shiver. “During the day it’s hot as shit. At night it’s way too fucking cold.”

  Robert slid the window shut. He didn’t notice the shadowy figure crouched just outside of the window and below its frame.

  Robert walked back to the desk and sat down. He leafed through the documents he was carrying before closing and laying them on the desk.

  “Nothing,” he muttered. “Another day’s waste of time and money.”

  Nagel offered no reply. He quietly sat across from Robert.

  “I figured once we found it we'd find...” Robert began and stopped. He shook his head and reached into one of the desk drawers. He pulled out the bottle of whiskey and a pair of cups. He filled them both and let out an angry laugh. “It’s always something, Nagel. Just when you think you’ve solved all your problems, a bunch of new ones pop up to make sure you’re never completely out of the woods. The old man always warned me life was a series of obstacles with little bits of joy sprinkled between them.”

  Outside the closed window, Nox inched up. She had a clear view of Robert and his silent bodyguard.

  Robert took down the shot of whiskey and slapped the cup on the desk. He noticed the other cup and pushed it toward Nagel. Nagel didn’t move.

  “Drink up,” Robert said. “That’s an order.”

  Nagel grabbed the cup and cradled it. Robert smiled. He stared at the office ceiling, as if seeking guidance from above. He then reached into his jacket and removed the worn diary the lost survey crew found among the skeletal remains. He opened the diary and scanned several pages.

  “How tantalizing you are,” Robert said. He closed the book and dropped it on the desk and on top of the folder. “If only you could talk.”

  Outside, Nox eyed the diary with great interest.

  Robert closed and rubbed his eyes. His face, Nox noted, was pale with exhaustion. The young executive poured himself another shot of whiskey. He took this drink down slowly before pouring a third. He eyed his bodyguard.

  “Another?”

  Nagel shook his head. The cup in his hand was still full.

  “You never were much of a drinker,” Robert said. He closed the bottle of whiskey and returned it to its drawer. He then picked up his shot glass and gulped down his last drink in one swallow. Robert laid the empty cup down and leaned back in the chair. He hummed a few bars of off-key chamber music. His eyes closed and, soon after, the humming stopped and Robert’s breathing turned heavy. Nagel remained in the chair, watching. After a while, he placed his shot glass on the desk. Though he made no sound, the movements awoke Robert. The young executive’s eyes were red with exhaustion.

  “Oh,” he said. He ran his fingers through his hair and stretched. After a long yawn, he managed a weak smile. “It’s late. Let's get the hell out of here.”

  Robert and Nagel rose in unison and stepped to the door leading out the office. Nox watched intently as they left. Her eyes returned to the worn diary and the folder of documents still lying on the desk. With a flicker, the lights of the office went off, leaving the place completely dark.

  Nox smiled. She reached for the window and slid it open just as…

  The office lights came back on.

  Nox dropped away from the window as Robert re-entered the office. The young executive headed straight for the desk and, while muttering some unintelligible words, retrieved the diary and the folder of documents. When he turned to leave the office he noticed the now open window.

  “What the hell?” Robert said. “Nagel?”

  Nagel entered the office. Robert pointed to the window.

  “I closed it when we first arrived. Did you open it again?”

  Nagel’s hand slid into his jacket. When it emerged, it held a sleek black handgun. He motioned for Robert to keep back. Nagel inched forward, until he was standing next to the open window. He looked out, but found no one on the ledge below. He turned to Robert and shook his head.

  “Whoever it was, he’s still here, somewhere,” Robert said. The young executive pressed one of the buttons on his wristwatch and spoke into it.

  “This is Robert Octi Junior. We had an intruder at the office. Initiate security measures.”

  Nagel faced his boss and frowned.

  “Oh, right,” Robert said, realization dawning on him. “Well, the alert’s up. It’s too late to stop it now. We’ll just stay right here and hope that tin can doesn’t blow the whole fucking place up.”

  Nox slid among the shadows between the warehouse and the bar. Her eyes gazed forward, taking in the surroundings, expecting security guards to appear from anywhere.

  None did.

  She heard Robert and Nagel reenter the office. She knew they were aware of her presence, she knew they must have raised the alarm by now.

  So where was everyone?

  Nox ran to the end of the warehouse. Beyond it lay over a hundred feet of sand surrounded by the cut wire fence. Just beyond that, freedom.

  Nox stiffened until she became a statue. All was too damn still. She considered making a run for the fence, but felt a growing tension in the air. Once again she wondered: Where was everyone?

  As if to answer her unasked question, Nox heard the sounds of internal combustion machinery coming to life. She pressed her body against the edge of the warehouse wall.

  The engine sounds grew as the machine approached. She heard other mechanisms within the machine whirl to life. And then, abruptly, everything went silent. It was as if the machine had shut itself off. Nox knew better. The machine was now running in stealth mode.

  A shadow appeared beyond the south edge of the base. It grew in size as it moved from south to west. Nox could just make out the shape. Tall, cylindrical. In the moonlight she spotted the glare of metal.

  And then it moved into one of the mercury spotlights that circled the base.

  “Hello again,” Nox muttered. Before her was Donovan’s security robot.

  It was the exact same model she encountered twice before. It had the same burn marks on its rear paneling and the same Gatling guns which burned her hands.

  But on this sandy surface, its movements were far from smooth. It trembled and shimmied and started and stopped. For a second its treads got caught in the soft sand. The stealth engines whined until they were once again audible. The robot very nearly tipped over getting free.

  Once free, it moved forward, circling the compound and searching for its prey. It approached the corner of the warehouse and the area Nox was hiding in. It didn’t notice a small garbage can and ran right into it.

  The Gatling guns came to life and were aimed at the can. Internal mechanisms worked furiously to determine whether the impediment before it was friend or foe.

  Nox shook her head.

  Technology.

  She reached into her backpack and produced her very large handgun.

  It was hard not to savor the moment.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Ellis lay on his stomach in the sand and fought off a growing boredom as best he could. He gently ran a finger along the sand and formed a series of patterns. A distant memory, like a match struck in the pits of a c
oal mine, flared up. The last time he attempted to make a rock garden, he was trapped in the barracks of Fort Pigeon.

  Considering what some of the other soldiers did in their spare time back then, his rock garden hobby was downright saintly. In the end, however, it offered little comfort, and the temptations to avoid the gruesome reality of war proved too great.

  Ellis pushed a pebble in place. The pattern was pleasing to his eyes. Now, some twenty years later, he felt a calm he was unable to fully experience back then wash over him. He smiled. Change is inevitable, and though he was no longer a young man, he could achieve that elusive inner peace. He could—

  The explosion ripped through the quiet of night and lit up the Octi base.

  The pebble so gently put in place rolled back, obliterating the sand patterns around it.

  “What the hell?” Ellis yelled. He grabbed his binoculars and stared at the heart of the base.

  He spotted a small group of security officials and Octi personnel run from the bar and warehouse. They circled a bizarre looking metal cylinder with black treads for feet and a pair of Gatling guns for arms. It lay on its side on the sandy surface. An enormous hole in the center of the thing bellowed flames and thick black smoke.

  The view of the destroyed robot was momentarily blurred by a dark figure. Ellis lowered the binoculars. Nox was twenty feet away and approaching fast.

  “Was that you?” Ellis asked.

  Nox jumped down beside Ellis. She had a large grin on her face.

  “Why the hell did you do that?”

  “Because I could and I really, really wanted to.”

  “What?”

  “Relax. I just did those fellows in the base a huge favor. If I hadn’t blown that piece of shit up, there’s no telling how many of them it would have killed.”

  “Come again?”

  “I’ve had a couple of run-ins with that machine before. Octi Corp. sent it out here, to the middle of nowhere, because they know it’s a defective killing machine. Damn thing can’t tell the good guys from the bad, so when it senses danger it splits the difference and takes out everyone in its path.”