Chapter 21p5 – Volunteering

Mr. Dunter stared steely-eyed at Tic. “If this thing goes off at even ten percent power, it’ll zap my entire headquarters into sludge. I’m not losing the largest action figure collection in the solar system this easily! If there’s even a tiny chance of saving my collection, I want in.”

“I don’t trust you, Dunter,” said Tic, “but I don’t see anyone else volunteering…”

A few more precious seconds ticked off the NCVD’s clock. Then Dr. Fester threw his chalk on the floor and padded over to one of the valves.

“Doc…” said Tic, but Fester just cackled ruefully, then, seemingly as an afterthought, took something from his pocket and tossed it to Tic. It was a thumb drive.

“Pelly,” said Fester simply.

Before Tic could ask for clarification, Mr. Cogs burst into the chamber. “Everyone else is almost clear!” he said. “What’s the holdup?”

“We’re out of time, folks,” said Tic. “Either Dunter stays here, or…”

“No way,” said Mr. Leon. “He’ll sabotage our efforts out of spite. You’re a villain, Dunter, through and through. I don’t trust you one bit.”

 

“I’ll stay!” said Cogs. “What do you need me to do?”

Tic blinked in surprise. “Uh, just so you know, your odds of getting out of here aren’t—”

“Are you going to do it, then?” said Cogs. “Get going! Jeffries and the rest are topside already, waiting for evac. But be careful, Bolter: I feel like the curator brought us here for reasons of his own.”

Tic shook the Entulovian’s hand. “You’re a good man, Cogs.” He blasted through Dunter’s chains and gently broke apart Milly’s tearful hug with her parents. “They’re going to make it out,” he assured her, knowing how transparent the lie was.

Then he, Milly, Overard, and Dunter headed for the exit.

About Tim Sevenhuysen

Tim Sevenhuysen writes sci-fi and other genre fiction. He is a microfiction expert, having written over 600 fifty-word stories. He is also a noncertifiable lunatic.

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