The Forge by Daniel James Clark

Author:Daniel James Clark [Clark, Daniel James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Vulpine Press
Published: 2023-11-20T16:00:00+00:00

Zak had driven into the city with only dim light still in the sky. He passed by the shattered remnants of government housing that had once been neat and orderly. He had to pick his route carefully, as the damage to the roads was extensive. He looked for any clear signs that his team had stopped anywhere to rest. Given the average speed of mechanized combat armor, especially a Neith class, he should have come across them by now. He soon found the search hopeless, however, as darkness overtook the city.

None of the streetlights came on, and he pulled into a dark alley to spend the night. When he exited the truck, the sound of his door closing echoed in the empty city. There must have been some people still living there, but if they were, they weren’t giving away their positions.

Zak walked to the back of his truck and climbed into the cargo area. Barkley was still asleep, likely had slept soundly through most of their journey so far.

“Hey,” Mark shook Barkley’s shoulder lightly. “You’ve got to take some food and water.”

Barkley’s eyes fluttered open, barely conscious. Then he gripped Zak’s injured wrist so tightly it hurt. Barkley’s eyes were fierce and dark in the gloom of the alley. His face looked like something out of a brochure for the Air Force. A tight blond haircut, and muscle tone in his jaw that spoke of a strict physical fitness regimen.

“It’s me,” Zak said. “You’re safe. Everything is alright.”

Barkley relaxed and released Zak’s wrist. He looked around the interior of the enclosed cargo bed. In the dim light of the overhead lamp, there wasn’t a lot for him to see. Zak handed him a canteen.

“I told you to leave me back there,” Barkley said weakly. He took a drink to clear his throat. “I meant it.”

“You’re welcome.” Zak opened the bag he had filled with rations and selected two granola bars. He also took out a packet of painkillers and offered them to Barkley.

“I’ll be fine,” Barkley pushed the offered food and pills away. “Save that stuff for someone else.”

“There is no one else,” Zak said. “It’s just you and me out here.”

Barkley hesitated but took the offered pills and left the granola bars. After swallowing the painkillers, he made an effort to sit up. Zak thought about trying to stop him, but Barkley gave up on the attempt himself and remained laying down.

“Where are we?” Barkley asked.

“Tonopah,” Zak said.

He opened his mouth to continue but Barkley had already closed his eyes. If he was still awake, he wouldn’t be for long. Instead, Zak turned and sat on the open tailgate and looked up. The dark buildings on either side of him loomed high like deep canyon walls. Beyond them was a strip of brilliant stars against the shadows of the city buildings. They were brighter than he’d ever remembered seeing them before. He watched as the galaxy slid by, a tapestry of luminous dust. He tried to find constellations, but his narrow view made it impossible to see the entirety of any particular formation of stars.

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