Ruben’s Deal

We left the settlement of Ferroviaire behind. For a while I kept looking back to make sure we weren’t being followed. We hadn’t been in an incident when starting expeditions so far, but there was always a possibility. I glanced at my map. ATLAS was even further into the Zone than the linear accelerator. In fact it was likely closer to Öst Bündes centre of operation than our little settlement. Should we just go there? It seemed like a bad idea. We resupplied but if the alien was really at that location, we would need much more firepower or at least a solid plan to survive. Even scouting the location might be too difficult with our current gear. Should we join a larger group? I hated the idea. If we weren’t in charge, the most likely scenario would be that we would get nothing from it. What would we do, sue them? Our isolation from others made any such alliance a huge challenge. I needed more time to think. Next time we sell some junk, I will try to find some better equipment.

I heard a rustling sound coming from behind some trees. I looked at Estelle but before I was even able to lift my gun I saw the ground approaching my face. I couldn’t move a muscle and was only aware of the pain. It must’ve been electric stun rounds. Then the world went dark.

“Hello boy,” a rough voice sounded over me. I was out of it and not even sure whether I had blacked out, or if it had only been a couple of seconds. I raised my gaze and saw Estelle struggling against her captor. Still alive. A slap on my face brought my attention back to the large man over me. “I hope you didn’t already forget about me.” The false warmth in his voice was sickening. It was the leader of one of the bit gangs in the Zone, Ruben. He had tried to get us to join his gang when we first arrived in the Zone and wasn’t one to take rejection very well. Or not answering him for that matter. I didn’t have full control of my body yet so I could only shake my head in a vague manner.

“Excellent, then we can sort this out and move on at once,” Ruben said and pulled me to my feet. “You should know that I’m a very delicate man.” The remark won him a laugh from the dozen or so thugs that were with him. “It really hurt me that you didn’t want to work with us. But I am nothing if not fair and accepting. You on the other hand didn’t even join any of the other teams. You don’t contribute to the well-being of others. Very selfish of you. We work hard to protect our friends and they make sure we all benefit from scavenging. A parasite like you makes it harder for us. But I will give you another chance and I will even allow you to remain a free agent. Tell me where you looted.” Every word of the last sentence was emphasised.

“It was a ruined lab. There is nothing else of value there,” I said and the same moment I saw a fist flying towards my face. I was knocked to the ground and groaning in pain.

“I’m very disappointed. Surely you didn’t just try to lie to me? Did you?” The voice was calm, but cold and murder were starting to seep through the facade.

“I’m telling you,” a kick followed before I was even able to finish my objection.

“I really hoped we could settle this in a civil manner,” Ruben said. “Bring her.” One of the goons brought Estelle to us. I didn’t even notice when her struggling had turned into screaming. “Now boy, let me ask you one more time. Where did you find the loot?” A cold ran though me. I looked at Estelle and saw the horror in her face. Somehow it felt like the horror wasn’t intended for her own impending fate but rather for mine. Ruben faced her and reached out for her.

“Stop,” I screamed. “I will tell you.”

“Good,” Ruben said and turned once more towards me. “So speak, but if you lie again I will start breaking bones.” He cracked his knuckles and gave me a menacing stare. To my relief he didn’t do anything to Estelle but he would. There was no doubt about it.

I was filled with impotent rage. “It was an accelerator. Just a linear one.” Ruben motioned me to continue. “I can show you the location on the map.” I had to bite the inner parts of my cheeks to keep myself from crying.

“See, that wasn’t so hard. I just wish we could’ve avoided any conflict from the start.” He handed me a map, where I marked the location of the lab. Rejecting his invitation to the gang was one thing, but making a fool of him by lying about the location would make the remainder of my short life a living hell. I told him exactly how to get to the underground lab and even the radling infestation. I earned a couple more kicks and punches before they went on their way.

I was groaning and squirming on the ground until I felt the gentle hands. Estelle held me in her arms.

“I’m so sorry. They must’ve heard me talking about the artefact and came after us,” she said with sobs breaking her words.

“Nnhg, please stop. It really hurts,” I said. “And stop putting it all on yourself. Everybody could see us selling a bunch of stuff. Or maybe the information broker sold us out.”

“The what?” She stared at me with an incredulous expression.

“Oh right,” I said. I had forgotten I did that in secret. “I asked about ATLAS.”

“You fool! Didn’t you warn me about keeping it quiet?”

“Sorry. Though it doesn’t look like that was the case. They didn’t even ask about it. But we can’t be certain.”

“What do we do now?” Estelle asked. I was pacing and gently probing my aching face.

“We can’t go back to the lab,” I said. “It’s too dangerous now. I don’t think we are able to get there before them to get one last chance at loot.”

“So we are back to where we were a couple of weeks ago,” Estelle said.

“Not necessarily. We have one lead.”

“You don’t mean?”

“There isn’t much else we can do. Anyway, we need to go in a new direction anyway. We might as well go towards it. Even if the artefact isn’t there or we can’t get to it, we could still find a new location for loot.”

“I don’t like this,” Estelle said.

“Neither do I. It’s still the best opportunity available to us right now.”

“That thing will kill us. I still can’t get the image of that man out of my mind.”

“How about this? We just check out if the site exists but we don’t go in. We stay out of sight and don’t provoke the alien.”

“Okay. I still don’t like it but let’s do it,” Estelle said with a sigh.

“I don’t see any other way right now. Any time we will make any progress, people like Ruben will come and take it away.”

“Except if we joined them,” Estelle said but there was no conviction behind her words.

“That’s what he said. On the other hand, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of any of his thugs paying the debt in full and leaving the Zone. I’m afraid if we don’t take this chance, we will never leave this place,” I said.

“I know. I just wish it wasn’t the case. Even your big sister can’t protect you against something that deadly.” There was a sad smile on her face.

“Of course you will. And I will protect you.”

“Let’s move out,” she said and smacked my back. I groaned in pain. “Ups, sorry. Do you need to rest for a while? I don’t think we are going to miss much if we take a break now.”

“I’m fine. Let’s go.”