Duncan looked up at the sky as two of the patrol craft streaked over head, leaving a deafening sonic boom in their wake. They could have been equipped to run silent, but Duncan wanted everyone on the colony to know they were there. Standing on a bluff off to the side of the entrance of the mine he took satisfaction at the sight of the twin Valor Photo cannon.
A light snow had dusted the ground in the last day, the air turning cold and dry. Victor came up beside him, the ground crunching beneath his feet.
“Sure we’re not over doing it?” Duncan asked.
“No.” Victors reply as cold as the air.
“Its costing you a fortune Victor.”
Victor had told him many times over the years he would prefer Vic, seeing they had worked together for almost 3 decades. But Duncan couldn’t bring himself to do it. Truth be told he would prefer to address him as Mr. Stone. But appearance had to be maintained.
Nodding , “Don’t worry about the cost. I’m handing it.”
Duncan looked back at the mine. He knew better than to press. But he was sure there was no way the mine was paying for itself. There wasn’t enough Dilithium on the planet to warrant the investment so far.
“Well. I’ve got to go review the check points at the main doors.” Duncan started back down the trail. “You coming?”
“No. Go ahead. I’ll be along.”
Walking a few dozen paces Duncan looked back to see Victor with a tricorder in hand.
***
At the main gate Duncan saw Sam standing frustrated at the security check point. She turned when she heard his foot steps and smiled. The sight of slightly overweight, balding man always brought nothing but a feeling of relief.
“Duncan.. Thank heavens. I can’t get in. It acts like it doesn’t know who I am.”
“Oh, the computer knows who you are dear. If it didn’t you’d be nothing more than a pile of ash on the ground by now.”
“Then why can’t I get in?”
“Because your father has closed up the mountain to everyone but himself and his robots, including us.”
“That is crazy!”
“Is it? Do you really need to get in? Or is it just curiosity?”
Sam shrugged. “I guess you’re right.” she looked up at the huge door. “Still……”
“Still….its dangerous. You’re needed more at the office, not here.”
“Come on…I’ll take you back.”
They walked in silence for a bit, the only sound the wind whistling around the bluffs.
“You don’t really like my father, do you?” Sam asked.
“I’ve worked for your father since before you were born Sam.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“Your question make no since.”
The came up to a hovercraft and Duncan opened the door for her. When they were on their way Sam picked it up again.
“I’ve known for a while Duncan.”
“You’ve know what?”
“There is something wrong between you and my father.”
“You know nothing Dear.”
“Ok..Ok.. Maybe not yet. But someday you’ll tell me why there is this invisible wall between you two.”
Duncan just shook his head, looking out the window at one of his patrol craft over head.
Then without warning the road disappeared in a cloud of dust. The hover car tossed into the air like leaf tossed in a storm. In a split second Duncan could feel heat under his seat, the air knock out of his lungs and deafening roar of an explosion, and last blackness.
Off:
Victor Stone
Stone Energy
Camelot
Duncan McGregor
Stone Energy
Camelot
Samantha Stone
Stone Energy
Camelot
