between. The ground had barely stopped trembling but Chub was up and running. The reflected glow had gone and so had the creature. "Jet," he screamed out the effort tearing at his raw throat. "Jet; where are you?"
Then he saw him jet was getting to his feet, but beyond the monster was closing in. Then he was grabbing Jets tunic. "Come on," was all Chub could utter.
They didn’t need to look back, the vibrations in the ground told them it was close behind, and if it hadn't they could hear the snorts of air sucked into its nostrils.
The gurney was just ahead. "Grab what you can Jet," said Chub as they slid to a stop. Jet stuffed the documents inside his jacket and took a package in each hand. He hesitated; waiting anxiously for Chub to do the same but chub was pulling off his backpack and getting out the last flare. Chub looked up. "Go; take the stuff she's waiting for you."
"What about.."
"Don’t worry about me," Chub smiled. "I got to teach this thing a lesson or two about manners."
Jet looked down at the gurney. Chub was opening the exhaust vales for the hydrogen. Suddenly he realized what was going to happen and began to run for the starship.
Chub could hear the gas escaping as he tore off the top of the last flare. He looked up and saw the creature's features for the first; and he hoped the last time. He tossed the flare into the gas, swept up the remaining packages and started after Jet.
Jet couldn't help looking back; he could see Chubs stout shadow against the flare as it grew in intensity and almost immediately behind the creature. Then the flare leapt to the side as the creature barged past the gurney.
The brilliant light was part obscured as it dropped into the ferns, and a spray of flame curved into the air as the gurney spun away. It was just then than the Hydrogen erupted.
Jet cringed at the fireball, and saw Chub thrown forward before he threw himself to the ground as the hot shockwave swept over him.
Jet was sure that if he did get off the planet he'd take enough of the soil in the back of his throat to start a garden. His thoughts were scattered as Chub grabbed his shoulder pulling him up.
"Chub your safe…"
"It's still here Jet.
Jet glanced back to see the creature almost upon them: a roar filled their ears, but it wasn’t an animal roar; and the whole area was brilliantly lit as the Silver Flyers landing lights bathed them in light. Again they grabbed the packages and ran the last short distance to the ramp and safety.
Jet staggered; dirty; disheveled and highly relieved into the control cabin. Rosie stared back at him warmly, and past her he could see the stars of space.
"Okay Rosie," he said, "Home to our home amoung the stars."
If you enjoyed this story more Jet Black, and other stories and novels by John Stevenson can be found by visiting
www.caelin-day.com
www.Australianstoryteller.com
www.Australianstorywriter.com
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