Duty

Leaning over, I adjusted the tape on my rifle’s barrel, inspecting it to ensure no serious amount of sand or dust had made its way inside. “All clear. Good.” I rested back against the nice smooth boulder I had been on all morning, and hummed the tune to a lullaby from my childhood. The wind whistled sharply as it blew through the ruined buildings of the surrounding wastes. After a time, it settled into a pitch I could harmonize with.

Oh dear of mine, please do not shy
When duty comes your way
So strong and bright, I know you’ll fight
To keep our woes at bay
The sun may drought, and rains wash out
The lands we all call home
But we are free, trust mother will see
You through to the next morn

My eyes grew heavy and closed slowly as I finished the song. In the distance I heard cheerful beeps and cooing. “Must be time.”

A fist-sized metal orb with blue lights rimming its perimeter crested the hill, buzzing with glee. “Hey Maren, what’s the news?” I asked, extending my hand and brushing the top of the orb with my knuckles, eliciting a sharp trill from it.

Following a series of electronic sounds and hums of various pitches, a slot opened beneath Maren and the blue lights all turned yellow.

I whistled long and low. “A holo this time? I feel so important. Let’s see it.”

A wavering blue figure formed beneath Maren and, once it was finished loading, spoke.

“They will be leaving Dome 316-A in approximately 13 minutes. It is critical that no survivors are left in order to ensure that the terraforming project in Sector 7 continue without issue. The Coalition is relying on your success today Six, have your Assistant record this mission so that the footage may be reviewed upon your return to ensure that nothing was missed.”

The hologram flickered and dissipated as Maren’s lights returned to their original blue and the slot beneath it closed. “They don’t even know your name buddy, can you believe that?” Maren ground a few internal pieces together to imitate a growl, and, laughing, I rubbed the top of its head.

“Near about 5 minutes to go now.” Getting into a prone position, I brought my rifle close and went through the mental checklist, ensuring there would be no chance of a catastrophic failure when I had to pull the trigger and, once satisfied, brought the stock to my shoulder and rested my right eye neatly behind the scope.

“Alright buddy, start recording.” Maren chirped in response and a gentle whirring let me know that it was doing as I asked.

Looking down the sights I aimed at Dome 316-A’s only door, and waited for it to open.

The insurgents exited carefully, five of them in a line, and once the door closed behind them I took my shots.

“1… 2…” The remaining three took notice just as the second’s frame began collapsing, but I was fast, and they couldn’t get to safety in time.

“3… 4…” As I moved to take the fifth shot, I saw a smile spread across her face and, though my heart stopped, my finger carried out its duty.

“…5…”

Maren waited a painful few moments to confirm the action was over, and I laid there frozen as the whirring came to a stop.

“I didn’t shy mama, I hope you’re proud of me.”