Death Walk (standard:science fiction, 1161 words)
Author: pjlawton	Added: Nov 24 2003	Views/Reads: 3320/2343	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A transport crashes on a remote planet. The crew must walk over 200 kilometers through very hostile territory. Will they make it?

Death Walk 

By P.J. Lawton 

The First Officer died early in the morning of the third day. A Gorlot
ambush caught them coming through a narrow valley. A rain of rocks and 
some rough-hewn spears crashed down on them. A few well-placed blaster 
shots scattered the ambushers but it was too late for the First 
Officer. An unlucky blow from a spear caught her right in the armpit 
just above her body armor as she raised her weapon to fire. The heavy 
stake pierced her heart. She died instantly. He figured that maybe it 
was better that way. 

Of the five that had started the walk he was all that now remained.  The
others? Yes all the others had died, horribly. Two had died during the 
first attack and another a day later. Now with First Officer was gone 
and he was alone. 

He had known from the beginning that their chances of survival were slim
but they couldn't remain with the stricken ship. There they would 
surely die. He wasn't sure he had much of a chance now being alone but 
he had to try. 

A ruptured plasma conduit forced an emergency landing in the uninhabited
zone. By dead reckoning he figured he still had about 40 kilometers 
remaining of the almost 200 from the crash site to TerraDome. 40 
kilometers was still a long way to walk especially under such adverse 
conditions. From the first day the crew had fought intense heat, 
sandstorms and of course the local populace. What had ensued was an 
almost constant 100-kilometer running battle with the Gorlots, the 
beastlike inhabitants of this dreadful backwater planet. He now 
believed that he would run out of time and supplies before he ran out 
of kilometers or Gorlots. 

*** 

TerraDome was the mining colony built on MIZA to mine the Torilium.
Torilium, a super strong metal that could be easily molded into most 
any shape needed had become the most valuable commodity in the 
quadrant. The Terra Space Marines had come in, killed many Gorlots and 
provided safety for the builders of the domed city. 

Once the miners arrived the safety and security of the city became the
corporation's problem. It was rumored around the quadrant that many 
miners had died due to numerous Gorlot attacks. He had heard that 
TerraDome required as many security forces as miners. From what he had 
seen and experienced the last two days he could certainly believe that. 


The Gorlots didn't have any modern weapons, only spears, clubs and
slingshots to knock down their prey. Then they killed, viciously, using 
their long claws and razor sharp teeth. If time permitted they would 
work on their victims slowly tearing and ripping pieces of flesh until 
the hapless person was literally torn to shreds. Not a very nice way to 
die. 

That was exactly what happened to the third member of his crew. The man
had fallen asleep on watch and had been snatched by the skulking 
beasts.  A shouted warning and cry for help came too late. There was 
nothing that they could do as the snarling creatures carried him away. 
The screams and horrifying cries lasted several hours. Twice he felt 
that he could take no more and had attempted to go to the man's aid. 
The First Officer held him back. Her reasoning was that there would 
have been no chance to help and would have simply ended up providing 
the Gorlots another human to torture. He understood the reasoning and 
finally agreed but that didn't make it any easier.  Finally, mercifully 
just before daybreak it was over. 

*** 

The leader covered the First Officer with stones hoping that the Gorlots
wouldn't find her. He then gathered what little remained of the 
supplies and made a hasty departure. He had to be away before the 
Gorlots regained their courage. With one last look at his friend's 
grave he turned and rapidly stepped forward. Only 30 kilometers to go. 


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