Hopefully, a divine touch

Eight hours until rescue ship arrival

"This is boring." I pulled my arm back before throwing the rock.

"Bit more than a hundred people per vault. What did you expect?" Cheeseburger whistled when my rock landed. "Nice throw."

"Yeah, I know." Cheeseburger took my spot when I stepped back. "Makes me wonder why the Overseer gave six hours to evacuate."

"Human nature. Ay-up!" Cheeseburger's rock landed behind mine. "Everybody wants to bring something with them. It takes time to decide."

"It still leaves us with nothing to do." I grinned when Cheeseburger's rock landed behind mine. "That's my win."

"The wind was against me." He winked. "I don't know why you're upset. I figured a rest would do you well."

"I just want to get this done with." I inspected a rock before dropping it.

"It'll be in eight hours." Cheeseburger bounced his next rock in his hand. "You go first."

"I'm still looking."

Cheeseburger's right, I thought as I inspected another rock. We'd be on the evacuation ships, leaving Asbestos behind us if everything went right. The demons would still be there. It wouldn't be long before they set their sights on a different planet. Hopefully, our testimonies will help the military develop weapons that are better capable of killing them.

But I was agitated. The Overseer's suspicion kept echoing in my mind. If the demons were to launch one last attack against Asbestos, now would be the time to do it. I kept waiting for my earpiece to crackle to life, warning me of an incoming demonic attack. My restless walking would have carved a groove through the ground if Cheeseburger hadn't kept me company.

"You ready?" Cheeseburger asked.

"Why? Are you eager to lose?"

He scoffed. "Says the girl trailing by three."

"Something was in my eye."

"Right, right."

"Well, here goes--"

"Vega, are you there?" Bootes' voice spoke through my earpiece.

"I hear you." My heartbeat shot through the roof as I lowered my arm. "Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing major. An elderly man in the northern Kaif vault injured himself while packing. Do you mind helping him out?"

"Sure, I'm on it."

"Problem?" Cheeseburger asked.

"Some old guy hurt himself. I need to go check it out."

"Nah, you stay here." He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "I'll go. Keep an eye on the evacuation."

"What evacuation?" I gestured at the planes. "There's a total of zero people out here."

"Didn't the Overseer say you must stay close to Cerviel?"

"Ugh." I sighed. "Fine."

"Back in a few!" Cheeseburger grinned as he started bouncing toward the Kaif dome.

Sure. I threw my rock but didn't check where it landed. There was nothing for me to do. The last group to leave the airlock had long since disappeared around the Kaif dome’s curve.

Just you and me now, I turned my gaze upward. Cerviel was the only one to keep me company. Without a repair bay to return to, parking her next to the Kaif dome was my best option. She would often turn her head to look at the colonists wandering around. Being parked on the planes must be a new experience for her.

"Cerviel? You all good there?"

"Yes, pilot Vega," Cerviel answered through the earpiece. "I'm not detecting any incoming dangers."

"Swell. Only eight hours left."

"Yes, pilot Vega."

"I have to ask. Since you're becoming sentient, what do you think of the colony?"

"I don't understand the question?" Cerviel turned her head toward me.

"You've been watching the colonists. What do you think?"

"I cannot answer that question."

"Why not?"

"I'm not sentient. My previous upgrades allowed me to consider alternative actions. My lack of free will prevents me from answering your question."

"I see."

"That said, humans don't take kindly to boredom."

I laughed as I sat on a nearby boulder. "Now that is true." A movement drew my attention to a figure emerging from the airlock. "Looks like the next one is on their way."

Please let it be Cheeseburger, I hoped as the figure approached. The big lug would alleviate some of my boredom. Sadly, my hopes were dashed. The figure was significantly shorter than Cheeseburger, and I've never seen him with a purse.

"Hello," I said when the figure came within range. The rule of thumb when traversing Asbestos' planes was to broadcast your voice over five meters. I often forgot to do that.

"My." The voice didn't belong to Cheeseburger, but it was familiar. "To think I would see an Angel on my last day on Asbestos."

"Hopefully, I'm an Angel of fortune bringing salvation from the demons."

"Have you not been doing that all this time?" My smile widened when the lady chuckled. "It is good to see you, young Angel."

"Likewise. I wondered whether you were okay with everything that's been going on. Being stuck inside the vaults can be trying for the best of us."

"So everybody says, yet I found it more entertaining than I would have thought." The lady sat down beside me when I scooted slightly to my left. "My son and his family visited before the battle with the Duke. We've been sharing a vault since then. Having my family so close was just lovely."

"I'm glad for you."

"Of course, there were times when the stress became too much. The young ones were quite unruly the last couple of days. But it all worked out. I secretly wonder whether my son and his wife arranged everything so I would assist them during the crises, but I don't mind." The old lady chuckled to herself. "They only needed to ask in the first place."

"It is always nice to have your family nearby."

"Yes, it is." The old lady sighed happily. "Which makes it sadder that yours experienced loss during the last battle."

"Yes," I nodded. "It wasn't the future I hoped for."

"A future for others often requires the sacrifice of the one working for it. I'm sure Nova comforted himself with this thought."

"That doesn't lessen the pain for those who remain behind," I said.

"That's true." The old lady put her hand on my leg. "But through the pain and sorrow, one mustn't forget the present. Nova's death gave Asbestos the gift of life. Your hand will ensure it doesn't go to waste."

"But was his death necessary?"

"A question many before you have asked, and many more will. Death often leads to life, young Angel. Did our Heavenly Father not let His own Son die so the rest of humanity may live?"

"I think the stakes were higher in that case."

"Were they?" The old lady gave my leg an extra squeeze. "Does the scriptures not say all lives are equally important in the eyes of our Lord?"

"But did it have to be Nova's life?"

"That's not for us to decide." The old lady smiled. "Each life has a purpose, and the Lord will help those who allow Him to fulfill that purpose. I believe Nova's was to bring hope to Asbestos."

"I'd hate to think the Lord planned on the sorrow that his death would bring as well. I don't want to imagine how Mira must be feeling."

"He will comfort those who bring their sorrow to Him."

I paused for a few seconds. "I should introduce you to somebody. You'll hit it off in no time."

"Do you mean Father Alcor?" The old lady laughed. "Don't you worry. We talk regularly."

"Oh? He's never mentioned you before."

"I believe he has. Maybe more than you might think." The old lady winked. "But, despite what the scriptures may say, experiencing death is painful. I truly am sorry for your loss. I'm sure Nova and your friend will be the first to meet you in Heaven when your time comes."

"Thanks. I hope your daughter will do the same."

"I have faith that it will be as you say. But as for you, my invitation stands. You are welcome to visit me when your worries threaten to overwhelm you."

"I'll look you up when we're on the rescue ships."

"It doesn't need to be that long." Little clouds of dust puffed from the ground when she stood up. "I best take my leave before I become too absorbed in our lovely discussion. I have a feeling you might become very busy soon."

"You're more than welcome to keep me company." I gestured at the empty airlock. "You're the first person to leave the doors in the last hour."

"Like a house divided cannot stand, a mind divided cannot focus. I'll be waiting for your visit, young Angel."

"Take care." I smiled my farewell before turning my attention to the airlock. What did she say? She regularly talks to Father Alcor, but he's never mentioned anyone like her.

"Hey, I never caught your..." My words stopped in my mouth when I turned around. Nobody was there. Not even the footprints where she walked.

How did she--

"Pilot Vega?" Cerviel's voice came through the earpiece. "Please come in."

"Ehh... yes." I stared in the direction of the Frakah dome for a few seconds before returning my attention to the present. "Cerviel. Yes. How can I help you?"

"We have incoming enemies. Two hours out."

"Shit." My heart gave several thundering beats. "How many?"

"I'm detecting a few dozen attackers. One is a higher level."

"How high?"

"Class eight."