Free sci-fi ebook: Legends and Liars, Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

The men set up camp in little time.  Jake and October assembled a portable laser smelter.  Tibbs used an electronic sniffer device to hunt for likely ore deposits.  The LED readout indicated ore traces deep below their feet.

Even with solar-powered pneumatic drills it proved to be back breaking work to get at it.  Jake hammered away at the rock, digging deeper and deeper as October and Tibbs hauled out the broken pieces.

Tibbs and October took turns processing the jagged pieces of rock to melt out small amounts of ore, letting it drip into collection canisters.

Their days and nights were filled with digging, hauling, processing, calculating the totals, eating dehydrated meals and stacking canisters of ore in special harnesses to be loaded on the mules.

Tibbs was beginning to eye the growing pile of canisters hungrily and watched Jake and October suspiciously as they labored nearby. As they hauled over another load for processing, Tibbs held one of the canisters containing the blue liquid that was far more valuable than gold.

“I’ve been thinking,” Tibbs said as he pushed the rocks into the processor and nodded toward the pile of canisters. “Maybe we should split it up now instead of waiting.”

“That’s what you think, huh,” Jake said.

“Sure.  It makes sense,” Tibbs said earnestly.

“How do you figure?”

“Things can happen before we get back to New Romani.”

“Such as?” October asked.

“Just things,” Tibbs said defensively.

“Things?”

“Yeah.  Each man’s responsible for his share.  And what each digs from now on is his.  It’s only fair.” He studied October. “You only keep what you dig and process yourself.”

“That’s how you want it?” Jake asked.

“Yeah, that’s how I want it.”

October looked at Jake, then Tibbs. “You don’t think I’m doing my share?” he said.

“I didn’t say that.”

“But that’s what you're thinking,” October accused.

“I’m thinking what I dig is mine.  What you dig is yours, that’s all.”

Jake and October exchanged a look. “If that’s how you want it,” Jake said.  “We split up what we have to this point then you’re on your own.”

“What do you mean I’m on my own?” Tibbs said.

“I can’t speak for October—”

“Oh, please do,” October interjected with a grin.

“We don’t feel the same as you do, so we’ll continue to work together and divide our take when we reach New Romani.” He glanced at October. “If that’s okay with you?”

“Fine by me,” October said.