Larceny

23 metres. That’s all there was between them and their target. Elmer looked at his partner’s silhouette, visible only through the faint orange light being emitted by the Warp Core. He was fixing up his hat and holstered his plasma revolver. It seemed unnecessary to have brought weapons on a stealth mission in Elmer’s opinion, but alas, Weasel had insisted. Something about a “Plan B” and how “we have to be prepared for anything”. Elmer – in his infinite wisdom and expertise – calls it excessive overthinking and borderline anxiety.

Enough standing around. Decisive steps brought Elmer closer to the Core.

20 metres. He brushed Weasel’s shoulder in passing. 15 metres. A far-away voice seemed to call out to him to wait. Of course, he didn’t listen. 10 metres. Footsteps behind him indicated that Weasel would try and stop him. He dashed across the room.

5 metres.

4.

3.

2.

1.

Blinding electricity flickered and spread around his arm as Elmer reached for the tiny metallic sphere. And this was capable of powering all the facility equipment? Jackpot.

A hand grabbed Elmer’s shoulder from behind as he tucked the Core into a transporting pouch on his belt. “Why in the ever-loving FUCK did you do that for? Are you trying to get us killed?”

“Relax man, look around. Nothing’s happened. Besides, we can finally fix up the Moniker.” Alarms started blaring in red as a deafening siren wailed. Both men broke into a sprint.

“…”

“Don’t give me that look.”

“I’m just saying that I told-“

“Don’t even finish that sentence.”

“Keep running so I get to kill you myself.”

Rounding the corner of the facility’s hallway revealed armed guards. Weasel sighed and took a pill, swallowing it drily. He shot Elmer a wry look. “‘Let’s not bring weapons’ my ass.”

“Shut UP!”