Matt Black - Book 1 of Re-Forge

Rescue

Asad Suleiman, sat alone at his empty kitchen table. He knew the end had come for any remaining life on this world. His beloved Iran would be gone forever. His depression was plagued by what-ifs and regrets. Even so Omar had rewarded his efforts with a way out.

In his hand, he held a one-way ticket to the Moon that was the parting gift from his new friend, Omar. All he had to do was press the button inside this earpiece once, and a single, potent pulse would initiate a microwave burst that would announce his desire to be rescued.

Even though Asad did not understand the technology behind the transmitter in his earpiece, he did not doubt that Omar would have that black Special Ops shuttle directly overhead as promised, right up to the last minute.

Asad remained seated for thirty minutes staring at the tiny device, his mind unwilling to work. He couldn't decide. If he left Earth, Asad could spend his last years in comfort with his wife, children, and grandchildren depending on the outcome of the Armageddon. The alternative was to stay and suffer the same fate as those he is responsible for killing.

Asad felt tears gather in his eyes and thought: "Who am I trying to fool? I could never leave my people in their final hour. I have known this moment could come ever since I chose to stay. Okay, I accept my penance. All I can do is wait, so I meet my end with a wine glass in my hand. God knows I hate to see good wine go to waste."

Walking like the older man he was, Asad opened the cellar door and turned on the light. He went down the steps and started searching for one of his oldest bottles. He was delighted when he found them at the bottom of the rack. He paused as he heard a rattle further back in the shadows but resumed filling a wooden box with twelve of the rare bottles and said quietly: "Come out, please, no one will harm you." A frightened child whimpered in the dark.

An idea sprang into Asad's mind, and he said: "Please, come out. I have special news for you. I think I can save you."

Three women timidly came out of hiding, two carrying babies and the third was about nineteen. Behind them were another seven children of varying ages, then Asad said: "You, boys." Asad pointed to the three boys and said: "You look like fine, strong boys. Are you strong enough to carry a box of bottles each?"

The boys answered: "Yes, Sir."

Asad said: "Good. Then fill the boxes full of wine bottles from that bottom rack there and follow me."

The three ladies were looking at Asad suspiciously. He put his hand gently on the baby's hair and looked directly into the eldest lady's eyes and said: "Trust in your President one last time. I will not let you down. You are the wife of the guard captain, aren't you?"

The woman nodded, and Asad said: "Don't fear me; I'm not the same man I once was. I will help you. Please, follow me." He turned to the steps and started the climb to the top. Drinking wine was no longer on his mind.

Followed by the wary group, Asad went to the table and picked up the signal device and with a box of wine still under one arm and the earpiece in his hand, Asad made his way out of the house to the open field. The women and children, three of whom also carried boxes of wine bottles, followed as he led the way.

He gathered the women around him and said: "The world is ending as we speak."

He pointed at the darkening sky and said: "If you stay here, you and your children will die, but if you want to live, I can get you away to safety. Do you want to live?"

The women clutched at Asad and begged him to save their children. Asad pressed the button on the signalling device and threw it on the grass as it had become scorching hot. He turned to the ladies and said: "A space shuttle is coming to take you to safety. When it arrives, don't waste time... get your children and yourself on it. Do you understand?"

The ladies were shocked but nodded understanding. As they stood waiting, the minutes kept ticking by and Asad felt his anxiety levels rise steeply. The children were fidgeting with agitation, and the little one sensing the growing fear, started wailing.

Asad said: "Be still, little one, they will come." Asad's worried eyes searched the heavens, and he whispered: "Omar, you promised."

One of the boys exclaimed and pointed to the sky: "Look! Look! It's the Matte Black Defender!"

Asad could barely see the vessel against the darkening sky, but in seconds the shuttle dropped like a silent stone toward the ground. Faster than he would have believed possible, the shuttle pulled up hard and settled with a slight thump.

Its airlock opened, and a soldier in a full Impervium battle armour jumped out onto the grass and yelled "Okay, everyone on-board!"

Then, the soldier said: "Mr. President. President Aziz hoped you would change your mind."

The children, women, and wine bottles were loaded, and the lieutenant looked toward the sky and said: "Please board now, we must go. The firestorm is almost upon us, and we have detected incoming missiles."

Asad replied: "Go, I must share the fate of my people to pay for my sins. Please give the wine to your President with my compliments, and I ask that you take these refugees in my stead."

The young lieutenant stood to attention and saluted: "President Aziz will be saddened to hear this, Sir."

Asad shook the lieutenant's hand and stepped backward away from the shuttle. The shuttle was forty metres off the ground and rocketing skyward before its airlock was half-closed.

Asad stood there with a smile on his face, watching asthe shuttle shrank and then disappeared into the heavens. Several brief secondslater, the world ended for Asad Suleiman. Even before his brain registered the flash,the searing heat of a nuclear detonation obliterated every cell of his body.