Zero Hour by Eamon Ambrose

Author:Eamon Ambrose
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: scifi, zero hour, Irish author, Eamon Ambrose, Post apocalyptic, hugh howey, Wool
Publisher: Eamon Ambrose
Published: 2017-08-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

I wake with a start, not noticing the pain at first, until I try to move, and my head explodes with eye-watering agony. I smashed it on something when the flood hit and judging by the pains in my limbs, I was tumbled around a bit afterwards. The ATV is face down in the newly formed river, the cabin almost filled with water. I was thrown between the seat and the mangled support bars, which probably saved me from drowning, but now I can’t move. I have no idea how long I’ve been here. A stream of daylight beams through one of the tiny side windows, so it’s been at least a few hours, maybe even days. I try to free myself, but I’m wedged in here so tight I can hardly breathe.

God I’m hungry. My mouth feels like sandpaper.

I see a ration pack floating a few feet away and try to reach it, but my arms and shoulders won’t budge. How the hell am I going to get out of this?

That’s when I hear it. Something’s moving out there. My mind races through every possible scenario. What it comes down to is whether this is a rescue or capture, and rescue seems highly unlikely. Do I shout to tell them I’m here or shut up and hope they leave so I can starve to death in peace?

That question is answered when a metallic object slams against the back door of the vehicle. It’s been badly damaged and won’t be opening by traditional means. Whoever it is, they’re trying their best to gain access, but it’s not happening. The sound stops and there is complete silence for a minute, followed by a tiny spark igniting from the top corner of the door. The spark transforms to a brilliant glow and begins to move steadily in the outline of a rectangle, raining sparks that dance on the water with tiny hisses. As the rectangle is completed, the glow fades, and the entire panel is torn away, the sunlight blinding me as I await my fate.

As my eyes become accustomed to the light, a figure appears, leaning in to look. It’s an android. I haven’t seen any like this before, throughout this war there were no humanoid machines. It looks almost new, covered in white armour, it’s head human-shaped in every way—even with simple facial features. Now I just need to wait and see if it’s going to free me or kill me.

It stares at me in silence for at least a minute, then raises its arm and waves, speaking with a voice I thought I’d never hear again:

“Man, Sheppard’s gonna be pissed.”

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