Escape from Vulture's Moon by William Stafford

Author:William Stafford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sci-fi, Western, Vultures' Moon, cowboy, Wild West, outer space, action, adventure, fantasy, planet, horse, saloon, humour, funny, journey, science fiction, alien, stagecoach, hero, satellite, disaster, moon, gunslinger, bounty hunter
ISBN: 9781785383342
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2015
Published: 2015-11-24T00:00:00+00:00

Mooners!

As Jed approached the man at the centre, pushing his way through the Mooners in their dingy white gowns, the eye of the leader fell upon him. Jed’s gleaming white hat and blue shirt were hard to miss amid this sea of snow.

“Welcome, brother!” the leader bellowed, extending an open hand like a slab of meat. “Come; hear the word of the divine Moon and bask in reflected glory.”

“That ain’t going to happen. Sir, step down off that table and let’s break up this party.”

The leader’s eyes flashed angrily at being so publicly refuted, but he retained his composure. “Those who are deaf to the Moon shall be consigned unto everlasting night.”

“If’n you say so.” Jed held the revolver aloft. “Move along now; these good people have work to do.”

The man on the table’s fleshy lips buckled in a sneer. “Good people, you say? They have turned their backs on the Moon and they shall surely reap the rewards of their arrogance.”

“I done had enough of this.” Jed called over the heads of the doe-eyed Mooners. “Where’s the sheriff? Somebody fetch me the sheriff.”

Across the atrium, Flint shook his head. The Mooners raised their hands, pointing etiolated fingers at the man on the table.

The man grinned. He extended his hand again. “Jehosophat Quint,” he beamed. “Sheriff of Wheelhub City and the surrounding district.”

“The name’s Jed. Might I have a word to you in private?”

Quint put a finger to his lips. “Can’t it wait? I was just about to deliver a sermon. These are dangerous times.”

“No, it cain’t,” said Jed. “And yes, they are.”

Quint addressed his flock. “Apologies, apologies. Our brother Jed wishes to consult me on some private matter. Please, take advantage of this opportunity to make yourselves more like unto the Moon - by which I mean reflect.”

Four men helped him down from the table. Jed led Quint away to a cabin. The four men came too but Jed and his revolver made them wait outside.

“I don’t want no trouble,” Jed began, gesturing to Quint to take a seat or two.

“This life is full of troubles and woe,” Quint intoned, lowering himself with some effort onto a chair.

“Ain’t that the truth. So, I’m asking you real nice to take your moonheads out of here. They’re in the way of some real important work.”

Quint’s fleshy cheek rippled with disdain. “We are all of us important. The Moon’s light shines on both the ant and the elephant.”

“Ain’t no elephants on Vultures’ Moon.”

“In case you are unaware, brother, our divine Moon is displeased with us - to put it mildly. He has altered his position in the firmament as a reminder and a warning to those who have strayed from his beams.”

Jed emitted a hollow laugh. “I got news for you, brother : that’s no moon.”

Quint stared blankly.

“I’m telling you-” Jed continued but Quint flicked his words away as one would a tiresome fly.

“You don’t have to tell me,” Quint sighed. “It’s a spaceship, an abandoned spaceship.”

“Well, technically, it’s a space station. The Pioneers lived there until the terra-forming was complete.

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