Okay folks here is the final part of this story, as you might know, this was spawned from a prompt, but as I finished the first part I didn't really end it where I thought I should. So with that, I created a part 2 to continue the storyline, I figured two parts would give it a good ending. But, when I finished the second part there was still a bit to go to truly finish it, this Part 3 is the final part in this story and gives it, I think, a good ending.
If like me, you enjoy Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci-fi with a bit of Cyberpunk thrown in I think you would like this story.
Side Note
I have never studied literature and I have no education in novel writing other than my own research done online. My skill with writing is in screenplays, I would appreciate some criticism, don't worry I have thick skin. I just really need some pointers from people who know more than I do on ways to improve my craft. So feel free to let me know what I've done right or wrong if at all possible, thanks.
If you have read and enjoyed the first two parts thank you and if you haven't read any here is a link to Part 1, which has a link to Part 2 and that will have a link back to this post here.
@killerwot/a-trip-off-world
The bar seemed to be a good hang out spot, different compared to anywhere Flux had been back home. As they sat in their booth the odd person would stagger by, or give the occasional glace. No one bothered them though, if the faces of the other patrons were anything to go by, each was in their own chemical incarceration. Some danced, some stood looking around, others in the distance lounged in booths. Tranced out of their minds, eyes closed. The smells in this place were something that always seemed to change, one second sweet, sickly sweet, then sour, then the odd waft of rot would come by, then sweet once more. It was enough to make Flux feel Nauseous.
"When can we go to Embers place?" He asked the Trisken after a long silence. "Soon. As I said the other gunners said to keep scarce for now. What's the rush?" "No rush, I'd just rather get there." "Buy yourself a drink and relax." What part of robbed does he not understand? "How? With what money? Everything I had is gone. 5000 FSTs."
The Triskens eyes widened slightly. "You brought 5000 Free Space Tokens with you? Are you crazy? Someone must be over the moon with themselves, making that much in one robbery."
Flux shook his head and looked down at the table, everything he had ever worked for, gone in a flash. The thought hadn't had time to sink in until he saw the look on the Triskens face. "It was everything I had ever saved. I was going to do a trip through free space, see all the places I've only ever heard about, starting with Jex."
The Trisken picks up his glass and downed what was left of it. "I'm sorry to hear that. But, planning is pointless. Trust me, you'll make it back and then some. Ember seems to be the kind of person who's got something big in the works. Sanga by the way. Never caught your name." "Flux." "Well, Flux. Come on, I'll get you something while we wait."
Sanga stood up, with a slight wobble once getting to his feet, he shimmied his way out of the booth and Flux followed him on his winding walk to the bar. Flux had to swerve to avoid a few passers until one collided with him. "Watch where you're going!" They shouted over the music, Flux looks to see a Rotchi. Who lets out a quiver when he catches eyes with Flux. "You." Flux glances to see Sanga stepping back to him. "Me? What about me?" The Rotchi nervously asks while taking a step back. "Who's this?" Sanga asks drunkenly. "The Rotchi that skimmed me earlier!" "No, I'm not. You've got me confused with somebody else." The Rotchi says continuing to back up. "Why are you so nervous then?" Flux says taking a step closer.
The Rotchi throws his drink at Flux and takes off running. Flux drenched in whatever the drink was, runs too, dodging people as he does. The Rotchi grabs someone throwing them in the way of Flux. But, Flux manages to jump over them. He can make out the sound of the angry patron but pays no attention to them. The Rotchi turns the corner. Flux loses sight of him for a moment. Once getting around the same bend he spots him again. Dodging the wake of chaos the Rotchi has left behind him. Nearing the exit now the Rotchi runs in between the two guards. Flux attempts to do the same, but as he gets closer he runs straight into the Gnosian who walked into the centre of the hallway. No time to explain, he thinks. running around it. Hearing the roar of disapproval now behind him, he continues. Getting outside Flux looks to the right, a few people stand. Looking to the left he sees a fallen person and a commotion. He runs in that direction, gaining speed once more. He enters the shadows where the altercation he saw earlier took place. Silence. He can't of gone far, Flux turns the corner deeper into the dark. Looking around he sees nothing, he pulls out his blaster. Gripping it tightly. He hears a closing footstep and is knocked to the ground with a blow to the back of the head. The Rotchi jumps onto him, the two wrestle for a moment. The Rotchi grabs his arm holding the gun. Flux squeezes the trigger, a blast goes off into the air. More struggling. He pants to try to maintain his grip. The Rotchi claws at his hand. Flux loses his strength and see's the blaster's barrel point towards his face. The Rotchi couldn't be seen. Flux looked at the shadow grappling him. Almost as if it was growing in size, engulfing Flux. He hears a whack. The Rotchi falls limp on top of Flux, he scrambles to kick out from beneath the unconscious Rotchi. He holsters his gun, feeling the cold drip of blood on his hand. No pain though.
"Who's that?" Flux asks the darkness. "Who do you think? Nobody on this planet would help a stranger in need." The familiar drunken voice of Sanga, Flux was relieved. Flux hears the dragging of the body. "Come on help me get this Rotchi into the light," Sanga says. Flux helps and soon they have the Rotchi out of the shadows.
"So this is the one who robbed you then?" "Yeah. It's him." Flux felt relief, knowing he can get his money back. Well, whatever they didn't spend at least. At night how much could they have spent? He asked himself. Sanga kicks the Rotchi in the side. "Wake up!"
The insectoid takes in a deep breath, its eyes open slowly. "Look. Wait, don't kill me." "Maybe we can avoid that. Give me back my money and we'll walk our separate ways." Flux says calmly, the sting comes to his hand suddenly. He inspects it, skin and fur missing in three chunks, he grabs at it applying pressure to ease the pain. It doesn't help, but it feels better than looking at it.
"I can't. I sent it all to Trisk." " what?" Flux says through gritted teeth. "I operate on Jex, any money I make goes to my bosses operation on Trisk. I don't see one token of it." Sanga kicks the Rotchi as he finishes. "Kill him." Sanga says while continuing to look at the Rotchi "He's lying. He has to be." Flux says desperately. "Kill him Flux. He's not lying. I know this kind, stupid as it sounds it's true. If he works for a boss on Trisk your money is gone."
Flux shakes his head. "Nobody is that loyal. He has to have something." Sanga shakes his head as Flux finishes. "You don't know what the Trisken crime bosses can be like, to them, these lowlifes are nothing. They'll send every token they have, just for the slightest approval. As well as the benefits of working for a crime lord." Flux is dumbfounded, he stares at the Trisken and back to the Rotchi. "Kill him, if you let him go he'll have a death squad on us by tomorrow." The Rotchi shakes his head. "I won't. I never saw you." Sanga takes out his gun and aims it at the Rotchi. "Flux. You do this or was I wrong about you. Maybe the work isn't cut out for you after all." Flux unholsters his gun.
Aiming down the sights seeing the Rotchi. He can see in his mind's eye, his Father. The degradation fully set in, snarling back up at Flux. No choice, have to put him down. He fires.
End
This was a great experience writing for Flux and actually being able to publicly show it to people and get some feedback, the story continues with Loeta in Assignment Day.
@killerwot/assignment-day-part-1