3. It's My Duty
Everyone looks up to see what has captured my attention so. The second they realise what it is, a look of terror sweeps over everyone's faces.
The cabin we're in is placed in the peripheral area of the secure quarters. So, not so secure.
The first of the meteor debris rains down upon the barrier, which is thinner here than in the other cabins. A single crack spreads across the barrier.
It's going to break down any instant. Luckily, each cabin has its own individual barrier so one break won't affect the rest.
Still, we've got to get out of this. Alive. But everyone seems frozen to their spots.
I yell, "Oxygen tanks on everybody, NOW!! Go as fast as you can to the main assemblance point!!"
Everyone looks at me with disbelief writ large on their faces. I repeat, "Everyone, GO!!"
This jolts everyone back to their senses as they quickly don their oxy tanks, strap them to their back and run. I'm about to do the same when I hear a frustrated partially muted scream.
I turn around to see that it's one from the team that failed to complete the second series. She seems so fragile. She's already wearing her mask, but she struggles to lift her tank.
I quickly strap my tank to my back and run over to her to help lift the tank.
More debris hits the barrier and it shatters completely. I instinctively duck down at the sound, her copying me.
I finally manage to lift the tank and drag her towards the cabin door when I realise the cabin door has been sealed shut from the other side. This is standard protocol whenever anything like this happens.
I look around to see that everyone but she and I have made it out. I look at her who seems to be short of breath.
I lift her tank to make it easier for her, but it still doesn't relieve her. She needs to be taken to the emergency cabin soon. We're not going to be let in from here anytime soon.
The only shot we have is to skirt the outer cabin line from here and go all the way around to the main entrance.
I point in the direction we have to go and start walking pulling her along with me. Soon, though, it's clear she can't go anymore. Plus the debris is flying everywhere, making it difficult for even me to proceed.
I stop and strap my tank to my front. That way it doesn't get hit by any incoming debris. Then I strap her tank to my front as well.
I lift her and loop the safety belt attached to my tank around her.
I stick to the side of the cabin line as I trudge ahead.
True it's hard to walk outside because we're so attuned to the artificial gravity we have inside. Also, I'm carrying a lot of weight now. But somehow, I keep moving forward at a reasonably brisk pace.
After a while, I trip over some debris and fall. I turn sideways so I don't crush her.
I feel like I might not be able to go any forward now, but I look up and see we're nearly there.
I drag myself up and lean against the cabin wall so as to regain my balance and push myself forward until I reach the entrance.
This is so much tougher than it sounds due to the hordes of debris raining down continually.
I punch in the code and a small click is heard, informing me that the entrance is open. We have to slide open the entrance ourselves.
I catch the side of the door and am about to slide it open when I drop to the ground. To be more accurate, when I am pushed to the ground by debris.
Luckily a rock catches onto my shoulders. This way, I lie on top of our tanks and her without crushing her and I shield both our tanks and her from the impact of the debris raining down upon us.
I can feel the damage done to my backside by the debris and to my shoulders by the rock. But I manage to push it off to the corners of my mind as my primary concern now is ensuring both of us get back inside soon.
I wait for the debris to settle before I push upwards with all my force. The debris on me falls to the sides.
This time, I don't wait to steady myself because there's more incoming and I can hear it. So before we're both locked out, I need to get us in.
I drag myself forward, turning a blind eye to the pain and the exhaustion.
I have barely managed to drag us inside through all but one of the various barriers set up when an alert is issued to lock up all the peripheral entrances.
The final one is left and it is about to be manually locked up- I can see someone walking up to the door to lock it- and I somehow break into a run and get inside.
He looks surprised when he sees my predicament but doesn't question it.
I run through the chambers, involuntary shielding us until I realize there's no debris raining down here. Yes, these are much much thicker and stronger barriers.
I realize I'm about to drop. I force my body to stand it just a little longer. Just until I reach the emergency cabin.
I reach there and drag myself in. The people in there take one look at me and run to my side. They don't question me. We're not a questioning lot really...
I unstrap her and let them take care of her while I unstrap both our tanks.
When she's back to normal, they take care of my backside. At least, they try to.
Whatever they do feels better, though. The pain diminishes a bit and even though I feel sore, it's better.
They give me some instructions as to what to do to ensure my renascence. I nod and take in all they say. It's pretty simple, I've just got to remember...
Soon, she and I are released and we are told to take it slow.
I get up and help her up.
"I never told you my name. It's Petry Antal." she tells me.
"I'm Fila Arduch." I reply.
"Fila, thank you so much!!"
"You don't have to, Petry. It's my duty as a Zorgian."
She smiles up at me.
I'm so glad she's fine now...
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Yes, Petry Antal is played by the gorgeous Ariana Grande!!
I feel she's the right person...
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