George
was venturing out into the wasteland again!
However,
his last adventure had been deadly - he had been involved in
firefights and other hazards. A drive should not be as dangerous,
should it? He should be less likely to encounter flying ammunition
while he was in a moving vehicle. They should be less likely to meet anyone else in the vast expanse of the wasteland. That would
allow him a chance to learn more about the wasteland.
At
least, that was what he thought.
But
George had seriously got to get in shape. Running from the last
travelator to the megalift had left him tired and panting. Maybe he
should start jogging at the park or something.
The wait
for the megalift was not long - George had timed his arrival to match
the facility's schedule. When it arrived, he boarded the giant
enclosed platform that would move him hundreds of levels down the
tower city. Him, along with several queues of passengers. And several
lines of cars and vans. And stacks of cargo containers.
It was a
few minutes before the megalift was fully loaded, enough time for
George find an empty passenger seat and catch his breath. Once he had
secured his toolbag under his seat, he belted himself to his chair.
Tricia
had not asked him to bring his tools but he decided to be prepared.
There was always the possibility that he would work with something
mechanical. He also brought along a few nutrition bars and a canteen
filled with a sweet drink, also just in case. There would not be
conveniently-placed vending machines out there after all.
And he
had a new coat. It was durable and could withstand heat and acid,
perfect for the wasteland. He had bought it with the money the Vixens
had transferred into his account - his meager share of the loot from
his last adventure.
There
was a gentle announcement from the speakers within the megalift,
informing the passengers that they were about to depart. Then the
journey down a few tens of kilometers to the lower levels of Covenant
began.
George
recalled his ride in a vehicle during his last trip in the wasteland.
There had been no speed limit, no buildings or other vehicles to
block the way. But there had been no perfectly smooth and level roads
either. The terrain had been bumpy, which had made the ride
interesting.
In his
excitement, the boy had forgotten what an hour of riding over uneven
terrain could do to idle muscles and the comfort of one's bottom.
The
device on his wrist beeped. It was his wrist communicator, or
wristcom, an essential for every citizen of Covenant, connecting him
or her to the communications network of the tower city. Some had also
called it the wrist computer since after decades of evolution and
added functionality, the device had also functioned as one.
George
checked his wristcom and saw that he had a call from 'Rose Vixen'. He
sighed and answered. Guess the megalift was not going fast enough.
Until he was out beyond the confines of the tower city, he was not
going anywhere fast enough.
"Where
are you, Squirt?" Tricia demanded as soon as the call connected.
"In
the megalift," George answered monotonously, "I'm on my
way." Have they not gone through that conversation before? Like
that time before the previous adventure?
"Hurry,"
Tricia urged, "we've to leave as soon as possible."
"Okay,"
George said.
"Hey,"
another female voice interrupted, "If you jump off the megalift,
gravity will take you down faster!" George recognized the voice.
It was Mabel, another member of the Scarlet Vixens.
"Bad
idea," Tricia scolded, "we need Squirt alive!"
"Can't
have everything," Mabel quipped.
"Get
here as soon as you can." Tricia ended the call.
Eventually,
George made it to the Vixen's garage in the lower levels of Covenant,
panting and sweating heavily.
Tricia
was at the door waiting for him. "There you are!" she
called.
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