Heroes Amongst Us

They walked through the tunnels for what seemed like an eternity. This group of ten who once lived on the surface now walked beneath the planet they called home. As they continued, their lights cut narrow paths through the darkness ahead of them. They searched for a place where they could rest. At last, they found it. A large chamber where old crates and rusted support beams provided a place for them to sit and rest their feet.

“Ten minutes,” Robert said. “That will give us enough time to eat and drink something. And then we’ll be on our way.”

No one argued. The children sat against the wall while the adults studied the tunnel map Larry had scratched onto a metal panel years earlier.

“I don’t need a map,” Robert said. “I know these tunnels better than I know the back of my hand. Better than I know my wife’s face. Maps waste time when you already know the way.”

“It’s always good to follow a map,” Larry said. “Besides, I drew this map myself as I wandered these tunnels over the last 20 years.”

“I still say I don’t need one.”

Malissa tried to stop them from arguing but with little success.

“I’m not arguing,” Robert said. “I’m just trying to make sure that my point is understood. A point that I feel very strong about.”

“Same here,” Larry said.

While they continued to NOT argue, they did not know what was going on above them.

At the entrance to the tunnels, the robots worked constantly to gain access. Finally, gears started to move, and the vault slowly opened.

“Access to the human hideout have been gained.”

The announcement went out to all robots. Four bots were ready to enter.

“The human threat must be eliminated.”

The first robot passed through the vault. It traveled just a few feet before it was thrown into convulsions. Blue sparks erupted across its frame as a powerful electric discharge slammed through it. Electricity arced from it head to the walls of the tunnel. It fell to the ground and continued to spark and smoke for 5 minutes before it was reduced to a mound of chard and melted metal.

“A2K9 has been destroyed. Weapon unknown. Preceding with caution.”

The 2nd robot entered the tunnel, pushing the chard mess out the way. Moments later, the same thing happened to it. Another chard mess on the ground. The same thing happened to the 3rd.

“Entrance deemed unsafe. A2K9, B7Z1, Y6V8 destroyed. Further examination is required. Retreating waiting further instructions.”

While Robert and Larry were arguing, I mean discussing the benefits of a hand drawn map verses going by 20-year-old memory, Bobby’s shell started to beep. All eyes turned toward him.

“Let me see it,” Robert said. He grabbed the shell and checked the display.

“It’s a transmission. An alert. The robots know that the vault has been breached.”

“Then we need to leave now,” Malissa said.

“Well, the EMP is working right now. They’re being destroyed as the enter. But you’re right. I don’t doubt that they’ll find a way around it. Let’s keep moving.”

They gathered their packs and pushed deeper and deeper into the tunnels. Robert pushed ahead without depending on Larrys useless map.

Other robots came to the vault. The first entered slowly, transmitting its findings as it scanned the walls for weapons. Finding nothing, it turned around to exit. However, it was too late. The EMP device had already been activated. Blue sparks erupted across its frame as a powerful electric discharge slammed through it. The robot collapsed into a smoking, melted mound of metal. All of this was being analyzed to determine the next step.

“According to the map,” Larry said, “There is a right turn just up ahead.”

“According to my knowledge of the tunnels,” Robert said, “There is a hidden storage room just inches away from that turn.”

“I’ve been through here tens of thousands of times. I’ve never seen any storage room over here.”

“I did say hidden.”

They came to the right turn and sure enough, there was a small square indentation on the wall. Robert pressed it and a low rumbling sound started. A section of the wall opened to reveal a hidden room. There wasn’t much in it. Just enough where a few people could restock their food and water.

“How did you know about that?”

“I told you, I remember everything about these tunnels.”

They collected all that they could and continued through the tunnels. They walked for nearly an hour before Larry finally stopped.

"We take the next tunnel," he said, pointing left.

Robert frowned. “What is he talking about,” Robert whispered to Malissa. “That’s not the right way.”

"No,” he said out loud. “The landing zone is straight ahead."

Larry crossed his arms. "The tunnels have changed over the years. Cave-ins. Collapsed passages. I've lived down here for twenty years. I know these tunnels better than anyone."

“You didn’t know about the storage room.”

“That was designed to be unknown. You said it yourself. Hidden!”

“I know the route to the landing zone. I used it for years before the last ship left."

"That was over twenty years ago."

“And I believe that I have already proven that my memory is just as in tack now as it was back then.”

The tension between the two was strong. Neither was willing to back down. They both were more than a little positive that their way was the right way and weren’t willing to even listen to what the others had to say.

“Without looking at your stupid map,” Robert said. “I would assume that your way takes you pass the old maintenance shaft.”

“Yes, it does,” Larry said. “So, what about it.”

“How do you expect to get 10 people through it?”

“Duh! There is a bridge. I guess your 20-year-old memory didn’t take that into consideration.”

“The bridge! That bridge was raggedly 20 years ago.”

“I’ve walked across it.”

“By yourself, right? No extra weight.”

“Eddie was with me.”

“Everybody, follow me. My way is safer.”

“Please,” Eddie said. “Let’s just stop and listen to both sides.”

“I think that’s a great idea,” Greg said.

Larry shook his head. "We don't have time. The landing zone is this way."

Robert pointed down the opposite passage.

"No. It's that way."

The two men stared at each other.

“Look!” Larry said, “If anyone wants to make it to the landing zone before they arrive, follow me.”

“And if anyone wants to make it to the landing zone while they are still alive,” Robert said, “follow me.”

The group split.

Larry, Eddie, Cindy, Tom, Greg, and Lana followed the tunnel on the left.

Robert, Malissa, Bobby, and Lisa continued straight.

Neither side looked particularly happy about it.

Robert and his family continued to walk toward the landing zone with only Robert’s memory to guide them. For a while, nobody said a word. Lisa finally broke the silence.

"Do you think we should have stayed with them?"

"No," Robert said. "Larry knows these tunnels, but I know where we're going. I’m sure he’ll meet us at the landing zone."

They continued walking when Bobby’s shell started beeping again.

Above, the robots adapted quickly. Engineers in the central network ordered an electromagnetic shielding compound applied to the next wave of units. When the reinforced robots entered the tunnel, the electric discharge arced harmlessly across their new coating. Four of them entered with no problem, following the same path that the humans were on.

Bobby pulled his shell out of his bag.

“They made it pass the EMP,” he said, “It won’t be long before they find us.”

“Stay calm,” Robert said. “We’re close. We’re almost there.”

“Is there a way to warn the other team,” Lisa asked.

“Unfortunately,” Robert said, “No. I tried to warn them that that path was dangerous. They wouldn’t listen. Nothing we can do now. Just hope for the best.”

He was right. They had no idea how far Larry’s group had traveled. An attempt to locate them would mean traveling back, putting them in close contact with the bots. Putting the family in danger. Robert didn’t know if he could risk that.

Suddenly Bobby stopped.

"Did anyone else hear that?"

They listened.

Nothing.

“Hear what,” Lisa asked?

“I heard a voice. Somebody yelling.”

“I think you’re going crazy. Who else is down here? Another team of humans who never seen each other.”

“I heard something.”

“Sure, you did!”

Then came a faint sound. A distant shout.

“Shh,” Robert said. “I heard something too.”

"Help!"

“That’s Larry!”

The cry came again. It echoed through the tunnels. This time, everybody heard it.

“They’re in trouble,” Malissa said. “We have to try to help.”

“I agree,” Robert said.

The family ran toward the sound.

They ran for several minutes. The shouting led them to a large maintenance chamber, and they found the others trapped on a narrow platform overlooking a deep maintenance shaft. Part of the floor had collapsed beneath them. The bridge behind them had collapsed and the bridge ahead of them was starting to. Not to mention the platform they were on was unstable. They were stuck. It was the preverbal rock and a hard place.

“Oh! I’m so glad to see you,” Larry said. “We wanted to take the shortcut. It should have been an easier path. Turns out it wasn’t.”

Robert couldn't resist.

"Good thing I know where I'm going."

Larry rolled his eyes.

"Save the lecture until after you save us."

The old maintenance bridge had fallen but its support cables remained intact.

Using tools from their packs, the family secured a temporary crossing.

“I told you that trying to take the whole group across was a bad idea.”

Robert didn’t say it. But he was thinking it.

One by one, the stranded group climbed across to safety.

When Larry finally reached solid ground, he extended his hand.

"You were right."

Robert shook it.

"And you know these tunnels better than I do."

“Don’t mention it.”

Larry smiled.

"So, we stop arguing and lead together?"

"Lead together."

The rest of the group visibly relaxed.

"Good," Malissa said. "Because if you two start fighting again, I'm leaving both of you behind."

That earned a round of nervous laughter.

Then Bobby's shell beeped. Everyone went silent. The warning signal had arrived. The robots were in the tunnels. They were getting closer.”

The entire group moved quickly through the tunnels. They had to make up a lot of time. Although Robert wouldn’t say it, the detour to save the other group took them out of their way. But now matters were worse.

There was a noise in the tunnels. A faint metallic rhythm echoed through the tunnel.

Clank. Clank. Clank. Beep. Beep. Clank.

“They’re behind us,” Cindy whispered.

Robert checked Bobby’s shell again. He said something under his breath. It wasn’t understandable but Bobby was sure that he cursed.

“They aren’t tracking us,” he said. “They’re tracking the shell. Bobby, they’re after your shell.”

Bobby’s face fell. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I thought it would help us.”

“We can leave it behind,” Greg said. “They can’t follow us if it’s no longer with us.”

Robert shook his head. “No. If we drop it here, they’ll know we changed direction. They probably know where we’re going. They might even beat us there.”

He knelt beside the shell and connected his portable keyboard.

“I have a much better idea,” he said. “What if we make it led them the wrong way? They will still follow it and leave us alone. By the time they realize they’ve been fooled, it may be too late.”

“You’re the expert on that,” Larry said. “Do your thing.”

His fingers flew across the keys. Moments later, the shell stood, turned, and began walking down a side tunnel.

“Go,” Robert said. “And don’t look back.”

The group continued toward the landing zone. They followed Robert without question. Larry did provide needed insight when necessary. After all, it had been 20 years since Robert been in the tunnels.

They turned a corner and the glow from their lights faded. There were no signs visible that would suggest that they were ever there.

Minutes later, the robots reached the intersection. Their scanners locked onto the shell’s signal and pursued it through the side passage. They eventually cornered it in a collapsed maintenance chamber.

“No humans present.”

For several seconds the robots stood motionless, processing the deception. Did they fall down the shaft? The possibility was there. They scanned the shaft for heat signatures. There were none. Then the command spread through their network.

Target signal is false. Continue pursuit.

The robots turned and accelerated toward the real trail.

The group didn’t waste time. They knew that their ruse would only delay the robots. Soon, they would be on their trail again. What they did not know was how soon that would be.

They turned another corner and reached the final tunnel. Exhaustion weighed on every step. A cold breeze drifted ahead of them. Robert knew that they were close.

Larry pointed. “That’s the exit.”

The tunnel opened onto a vast cavern beneath the old landing zone. Beyond a shattered blast door lay the open sky, pale with early dawn.

Through the tunnels came a familiar sound.

Clank. Clank. Clank. Beep. Beep. Clank.

As soon as they turned around, robots poured into the entrance of the cavern.

“Run!” Robert shouted.

They exited the cavern and entered the landing zone. When the entire group were out, they attempted to close the door behind them. The condition of the door would not allow it to close.

The group sprinted across the landing pad. The lead robot raised its arm and a capture net launched toward Malissa. Then Larry. Then Greg. One by one the group were captured. They were doomed. But then, A blinding beam of blue-white energy lanced down from the sky. Striking the center of the landing pad, the beam shot in every direction. Without harming the humans, the robots vanished in a burst of molten metal.

The group waited in amazement. They were free. No longer being pursued. They were happy, but they still had to wait. Instead of fighting, instead of arguing, they laughed. They enjoyed the company of friends. They enjoyed the stories of the past. They felt a peace that they’ve never known before. The Wells family stretched out their arms just to feel the air touch their skin. No robotic shell covering them. The group that joined them happy just to see the sky. They had to wait. But the time spent was joyful.

Day turned to night and they all sat around a fire.

“You’re not worried,” Larry asked?

“Worried about what,” Robert responded.

“There’re more robots out there. You’re not worried that they will attack us while we sleep?”

“No. Not at all.”

“What?”

“They won’t come here. They’re scared.”

“Why?”

“This is not the first time they were destroyed at this place.”

“The Exodus. 20 years ago.”

“Yep.”

That night, Bobby and Lisa were the only 2 to get any sleep. The adults stayed up all night talking. Getting to know each other. Becoming friends. They didn’t even realize it until the sun came up.

The next day, they still admired the sky. But there was something different. It started as a bright dot in the sky. It quickly grew as it came into focus. Before long, they could hear the loud roar of the engines.

Above the landing zone, a shuttle descended through the clouds. The wind was blowing strong as it settled onto the pad. Steam erupted with a hissing noise around the landing struts. They watched in amazement as a hatch opened. When the steam cleared, a tall, strong man stepped out in a dark flight suit. He removed his helmet.

“Are you Captain Avery,” Malissa asked.

“My lord! It is Captain Avery,” Larry said.

For a heartbeat, no one moved.

Then Lisa laughed and started crying at the same time. She was filled with such joy that she couldn’t contain herself. Her entire life, her parents told her that they would be rescued. That day had finally come.

Bobby grabbed his sister’s hand in an attempt to calm her down. But he was jumping giddily himself.

Malissa covered her mouth while tears streamed down her face. Robert simply stared, unable to speak.

Another human being stood before them.

Captain Avery smiled. “Sorry we’re twenty years late.”

They all boarded the shuttle in an orderly fashion. Not a single soul had any regret over leaving the planet that they called home for over 20 years. The hatch closed and the shuttle lifted off the ground with a rumbling. A small amount of fear entered their hearts, but the great deal of joy made it go away. Lisa gripped the armrest of her seat. It made her laugh to see her mother doing the same. Robert looked out the window and watched as the planet grew smaller and smaller. The tunnels, the house, the years of hiding—all of it disappeared beneath the clouds.

Blue sky was soon replaced with the blackness of space. Clouds were replaced with stars. They felt their bodies rise before Captain activated the artificial gravity. Soon Proxima Centauri b was nothing more than a speck in the distance. In the opposite direction, something else started to come in focus. Midpoint Station awaited them.