Machine God: A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller (Final Draft)

Oh-uh

We followed the tracks of the APC through the city.

Alternatives didn't exist.

Half-way across the city, the tracks vanished into the sand-ridden streets.

Either the sandstorm or the wind had blown them away.

Hope burned with every sip of water.

We were down on one container.

Two liters for a group of five.

It wasn't looking good.

The mood in my team dampened.

Nathan was close to collapsing into a coma.

"What now, leader?"

I ignored the mockery in the soldier's tone. An emotional breakout would wipe out the already low morale of the group.

Couldn't risk it.

"You're right. The APC's gone. We pick your spot."

"And then?"

"We find an alternative. Getting cooked up on the street is no way to plan ahead."

One of the diggers groaned. He and his buddy had schlepped old Nathan around for the past hour.

These men reached the limits of their strength.

Another reason to rest someplace near and relax.

We traversed the rubble of yet another back alley and found a ruin with a lobby.

Near to the east side stood a few benches covered in dust, but free of rubble and mainly intact. I told the diggers to lay Nathan down and take a break.

They gladly accepted.

I waited till everyone was seated and eyed the nearby staircase.

Was this building free of hostiles?

I had to check and find out.

And I needed armament to be on the safe side.

"Soldier, give me your Dust Viper. I want to recon the area."

He produced the firearm from his holster but stopped in mid-motion.

My authoritarian voice only worked so much.

"Actually, I'm your superior."

"I understand. I just want to make sure we're alone in this building. I'll return your gun as soon as I've swept the levels."

He seemed to ponder my suggestion.

"You're a digger. I'm a soldier. By the Bulwark's rules, you are in no position to give me orders."

"But we're beyond the Bulwark's jurisdiction. The Lost Lands abide by no laws."

The diggers nodded, Ann-Lyze also.

This wasn't the moment to discuss chain of command.

Ann-Lyze patted her father's forehead dry and supported me.

"He saved all of us. Just give him the damn gun."

The soldier wavered, but something was holding him back. Maybe it was the armor on his body that kept his feeling of authority in place. Uniforms had always changed the characters of humans.

Wear something powerful, and you feel powerful.

The soldier came to his conclusion.

"I will check the upper floors myself. You can come with me."