Numbers - Chapter 7
Numbers is a high-tech heist set on a brutal prison planet. It’s a story of revenge, ex-husbands, and a savant named Numbers who might be the only "key" that actually works.
In the previous chapter : The rest of the group crowded around her. They all started to talk at once, their voices rising in excitement. She knew that they had hit the jackpot, and they were all going to be rich beyond their wildest dreams. She looked around at her companions, feeling grateful for their help. They had all worked together to find the treasure, and now they were all going to share in the spoils. Well, most of them were…
Chapter 7
“Numbers,” she waved him over. The first box she pointed to had a digital screen with a number she read it out loud, “2334”
Numbers mumbled, “there was peace between the dog and the chair he was chewing – “
Frustration boiled over in Khic and she cut him off, “great, now what the fuck is the number!”
“604335”
She took her time inputting the number and hovered her finger over the input button.
“Let’s see what we’ve got,” Khic said, half to herself, half to the group knotted around her.
She hesitated, her finger froze, hovered over the green button. What was locked up inside? Money? Jewels? Confidential data chips? Maybe nothing at all. Only one way to find out. She pressed the button.
The lid slid to the side revealing rows of galaxy credits. More money than they could make in a lifetime – combined!
“Toolbag,” she requested; arm outstretched, eyes never leaving the money. Khic dumped handful after handful of credits into the bag. Once the lockbox was emptied she tossed it aside and turned her attention to box number two. “3511,” she read the lockbox code out loud.
Numbers responded immediately, “the hurricane was made by…”
Khic cut him off again, “just the number! None of that mumbo-jumbo.”
“882002.”
Another green light. Khic peeled off the lid to reveal a collection of pebbles. She recognized them as his childhood Earthrock collection. Shrew them in the lootbag even though she knew they would be worthless on the blackmarket. She only kept them because knew how much sentimental value they held in the President’s heart.
“Next!”
Another number, another of Number’s mumbles, and another valueless personal artifact.
Armstrong poked at the contents, digging through the pile. He had the facial expression of one who bought an auction lot just to find out it was full of garbage. “Are the rest of them going to be full of junk too? Look Khic, we have enough credits to last us a century, let’s not waste anymore time, let’s get out while we can.” He stepped towards the doorway.
Khic rooted her feet, continuing with the process of opening another box while she argued over her shoulder. “We can use it to blackmail him, or ransom - ”
“But we don’t need to,” Armstrong said.
Len added, “I know you want to get at him Khic, but Armstrong has a point. There are enough galaxy credits in that bag to let us live the rest of our life in luxury.”
“I’m going through these boxes. Leave if you want!”
They didn’t argue, instead they leaned against the door frame silently watching as she systematically went through the remaining boxes. The last four boxes produced a sizeable pile of ‘treasure’, most of which was similar in value to slightly used dental floss. She tried to cram it all in the small toolbag without much success. “Alright, let’s get going.”
Numbers strained as he picked up the overloaded loot bag. A small avalanche of objects toppled to the floor.
Len spoke up, “You realize there is no way in hell we are going to get past that guard with this mountain of stuff.”
“Leave it to me.” Khic said, unzipping the top of her orange jumpsuit, revealing a little mountain scene of her own. “I’ll use my womanly charm.”
She sauntered out of the ship towards the guardhouse, “yohoo, guardy-poo.”
The office door opened and the grinning face of the Inventory manager stepped out. “guardy-poo? You can call me that if you want.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I volunteered to relieve that poor guardy-poo of his duties so he could have his lunch break. Nice of me, eh?”
“This isn’t a coincidence, is it?”
“Are you surprised?” He looked behind her at the ship, “Ah, and here are your little buddies.”
She turned to see her three co-criminals coming out of the ship. She took advantage of the momentary distraction and raced at the Inventory Manager, fists clenched ready for violence.
He shuffled backwards and pulled a blaster from behind his back.
She froze.
A sly grin creased his face. “Nobody move. I’d love nothing better than to use this thing.” He aimed at Khic’s forehead. “Now, where’s the loot?”
“What do you mean?” Khic whispered, “please put that blaster away.”
“Don’t play games, Honey.” He flicked off the safety switch on the blaster.
“Please, don’t hurt anyone,” Khic’s voice quivered, her watering eyes locked on the blaster. “It’s all in the bag.”
“Numbers, bring me that bag,” the Manager yelled. He kept his eyes locked on Khic and said quietly, “don’t cry Honey, I was thinking maybe we could follow through with this plan of yours. With a little adjustment, of course. I’m thinking we’ll travel light, just me and you. Take the loot and hit the stars. I’m not stupid, I know you have a thing for me. I know your little comments are no joke. And, truth be told, I wouldn’t mind taking you for a ride. What do you think?”
Like a well trained dog, Numbers approached holding out the bag. A coin toppled to the floor. The Inventory Manager’s hand reached out and grabbed the handle of the bag and tugged. Nothing. He tugged again. Numbers had his hands locked onto the handles of the bag and would not let go.
“What the hell are you doing Numbers? Give me the bag.” He faced Numbers and pulled harder for the bag.
Before he had a moment to look back Khic launched herself at him. Her arm pushed the blaster up and away while the other closed into a fist and clocked him with a well-aimed uppercut. He dropped like a sack of potatoes.
“I think I’ll pass on your offer,” Khic said to the prone body on the floor.
That girl has attitude eh? If you like it, come back next Thursday for more. Thanks again for reading.