South Wind

By Aiden Rush

A smuggler is offered a payday he can't refuse for a job he can't turn down, and must face a choice that could change his life.

Long after a future cataclysm, mankind has emerged from his mountain bunkers to a hostile new world. Walled cities are established under the grip of an oppressive, shadowy government in the name of survival. But not everyone is content simply surviving.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aiden Rush
• Release date: Oct 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463628966

Book preview

SOUTH WIND

Copyright © 2019 Aiden Rush

All rights reserved.

1 Zero Base

Icy winds carried the hollow voice through the ruins of the Pre Peace town. It wasn't unusual for a sponsor to rally the teams before a demo operation; many did so, promising healthy payouts to the volunteers and empty appreciation to conscripts, or sometimes extra rations for expediency and hard work. Wingdim used the droning speech in the distance as a countdown clock as he tricked the latch open from inside. He never thought his first trip on a plane would be in a hidden compartment in its underbelly. In fact, he never imagined himself on a plane at all. Any longer and Gale would've needed a shovel to scoop out his frozen corpse. Lifting one leg over the other and using a length of structural frame as a swing, he pulled  himself out, his boots poofing clouds in the dusty ground. He rubbed his hands together, cupping them over his mouth to breathe into them, and then pulled his woolen dust mask over his chin. He eyed his surroundings warily and, satisfied everyone at the site was at Gale's speech, reached into the secret compartment and hauled out his electric mule. Wingdim looked at it and smiled, admiring the simple but sexy tubular design, a fast two-wheeler built for soft sands and custom made to his specs. It was his only real possession.

The winds picked up and he leaned into its invisible hands. Harold should be around soon. He was coming from The Corners to partner with him one last time, and he yearned to see his old friend again. It had been too long since he operated with a proper criminal.

Are you my guy? said a dark figure appearing behind him.

Jesus! he said with a start, losing his grip on the mule and almost letting it clatter to the ground.

The man stood there, hands held high in surrender, his face covered by a dirty mask, and said, Sorry, I was told you were expecting me.

Why would you think that? Who are you? said Wingdim, expecting a familiar face, not a heart attack. He set the mule on its wide tires and watched the man carefully, ready to swing on him if he advanced.

Blip, he said, lowering his hands and extending one for a shake. Harold couldn't make it.

Immediately on edge, he dodged the shake and leaned the lightweight frame against the smooth fuselage. Harold did it to him again. If Blip could see through his mask he might make out a disappointed scowl. That right?

Yeah, sorry I spooked you.

What kind of name is Blip?

What kind of name is Wingdim?

Last I heard he was gearing up for the trip down.

He couldn't come, so he sent me.

Wingdim leaned in for the collapsible side cart and slid it to the edge, resting his hand on the business end of a hidden weapon. Just because he knew his name didn’t mean he wasn’t bringing trouble.

Gale didn't mention it, Wingdim said, tightening his grip on the iron rod. How do you know Harold?

Though in fairness, Gale hadn't mentioned anything at all. Wingdim boarded the plane in the wee morning hours before the port opened, before curfew was lifted, before Gale arrived with his pilot. By then he'd already been secured underneath. The only communication they shared was a foot tap on the floor above him just after the port inspector exited the craft, followed by an answering tap from the hold.

I don't think Gale knows. I know Harold from Ponz Motors. I got canned a couple weeks back. He got promoted.

The man always had dreams of going straight. He didn't believe him when he said he was hanging up his gloves and moving south. He said it so often Wingdim used it as a