At the Last Moment
This too shall pass.
"- Come in, I've lost your signal. I say again, -"
I stopped when my partner put a hand on my shoulder.
"You're scaring the civilians."
I let go of the transmit button with some reluctance, suddenly aware that wide-eye stares were following my pacing over the ramp. I tried to look relaxed for them, just as the pilot of our evacuation shuttle radioed us.
"Get the others in. The enemy are through the perimeter, we need to take off now."
The engines fired up with a deafening rush of exhaust gas. I motioned at Price and Waterson to get back on board immediately, while the sullen line of refugees they had been shepherding broke apart in a mad rush for perceived safety. I pulled my comrades in just as the doors started closing.
A woman, knowing she would never make it on board in time, shouted something I couldn't hear and pushed her baby through the narrowing gap. My heart, though steeled by discipline and hardened by life, broke; I dropped my gun and took the baby as gently as I could.
Prequels
No prequels yet. Why not write one?
Sequels
Comments (3 so far!)
Robert Quick
By connecting our stories to the past, we refuse to the Ficly die until it is no more--and I salute you for that (and stand with you). Of the two, I like this one better than its prequel. They're both good but here you managed to capture a moment of desperation, even one I've seen in media before, and still managed to make make it your own. I can imagine this in a variety of science fiction settings or in nearly any military one. I have an idea for an indirect sequel, would you want it attached?
- #4024 Posted 6 years ago
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HSAR
@RQ: Science fiction and collaborative writing are my two undying loves. By all means, attach your sequel to this story :)
- #4027 Posted 6 years ago
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- Published 6 years ago and featured 6 years ago.
- Story viewed 7 times and rated 1 times.
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HSAR
Sequel to:
http://ficly.com/stories/34227