Last Jump

The rocks behind me explode, super-heated by laser fire, sharp shards slash against my skin. You dive behind a large rock, I as well. Why are we here? On this barren rock, more lifeless than the Moon? Hope, Hope is why we are here, facing down that nameless terror, just another faceless enemy. I look out, away from the horror, and fire, out over the barren rocks. I see Hope the one shining light, that magnificent city stark against the landscape. I hear you yell, a guttural savage scream, nearly drown out by the wind. I look out as you pull back barren rock blasted out all around you.

"They're coming!" you yell. I barely hear you. I can see though and they advance en mass slowly, methodically, uncaringly. I expose my head, just an inch, just enough to see them. I snap back, right before deadly light fills that space.

"There's too many" you shout. You're right, but I can't bring myself to admit that. I look up; see the stars alien, unfamiliar. They once held promise, now only terror. I smile, the smile of a dead man acknowledging his fate. "

You ready for on last jump?" I yell, the only way you can hear me.

"Yeah where to?" you reply, voice distant, barely audible. God, you look like hell, blood streaming down your dirt smeared face, eyes distant. There is no better sight.

"Anywhere you want" I respond.

"I want a waterfall, lush and green" I catch the joy in your voice.

"You got it" I respond a genuine smile crossing my face. I lean out, returning my tormentors fire, round for round.

I duck back, look over "You look mostly dead" I yell.

You gaze up at the stars shaking your head "well you look dead". A tired laugh escaping your lips.

You look out again "This is it" you roll out and start firing. I do likewise preceded by a grenade. They came on quickly then, savage, fluid, with a predatory grace. We did our best, kept on till the end, but our best was not enough. A grenade went off by my head. Stars filed my vision, ringing my ears. I was dazed, in a stupor. I heard you cry out, distantly, detached. I tried to move and help, but I could not. They were on us then. One dragged me up. I looked into its face, that indescribable face. I saw you struggling, fighting to break free.

"One last trip" I though. It was speaking to me, a language I could not understand, I wasn't listening. My eye catches yours you reach for a grenade. I nod imperceptibly. I drop a grenade, my eyes fixed on you and as all went to black for out final jump I whisper close to its face, fiery defiance in my eyes "Hope Stands"