Rocket to Love - Part 3 - Conclusion

Can Roxie save ABACUS?

Our lonely space hauler took the plunge and dived into being a contestant on the intergalactic dating show, “Rocket to Love.” Too bad her partner is an ass-hat and kicked the cogs out of their drink server.

My knuckles hurt from where my fist connected with Buzz’s square, movie star jaw, but I don’t begrudge the ache. If there was ever a man who deserved a good smackdown, it was him. What does tie my belly up in knots is the sight of the spunky little android smoking beside him on the floor. ABACUS makes strange little chirping sounds that fade with every passing second. I kneel beside him and try to gather up the little metal parts that flew off his frame from Buzz’s enraged kicks. Beer bottles fly over my head, and I see Krusty leap over the bar to handle two Martians involved in a wild knife fight.

The crew from the dating show pack up their gear in a hurry, while some of the contestants hide under their tables. Others… especially the local players, join in. If there is one thing the Big Rig Fuel & Casino is famous for, it’s their epic bar brawls.

Dana ignores the chaos and sashays over to examine him. “Irreparable. Take this one to the dump.” She waves at another android to take his place.

My heart leaps into my throat. Dana is one cold-hearted puppy. Can’t she even try to repair the little guy? One mistake shouldn’t ruin an entire life. I’m trying to embrace that philosophy. Hey, I was joking earlier when I suggested that the Kentucky Derby loser horse should be glue. Secretly, I hope Streakin’ for Love ends up the spoiled pet of that sugar daddy quintillionaire tycoon and fed carrots till he turns orange. The truth about me is that my heart is as soft as oil goo.

ABACUS beeps and tries to get back on his bottom ball but ends up spinning in a circle on the floor.

I help him balance and he manages to stay upright. “Dana, don’t trash him. I’ll take him.” My voice cracks as I try to be heard over the breaking tables and grunts of the brawl.

The broken droid chirps, spinning his head in a circle. Dana tilts her head and thinks a moment. Then she holds out her paw. For cash. Something I don’t have much of.

Putting on my most wheedling smile. “Come on! You were throwing him out.”

Dana wiggles her claws and raises the whiskers over her eyes.

Sighing, I take the last of my cash out of the little pocket sewn into my bra and shove it at her. So much for my emergency twenty bucks.

“Pleasure doing business with you, as always.” Dana takes the money and then ducks as a beer bottle flies over her head. “You better get the load delivered you picked up last week. That particular client doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

I nod and struggle to lift ABACUS, using both arms to hug him like a gigantic barrel. We negotiate the skirmishes and manage to get out of the bar with only a few bruises.

A wind has blown up, and the Big Rig is just as dusty as it ever was. Oberon is all sand, no class. The brawl is fully out of control now, and the doors bang open behind me as folks rush out of the building. Even the SPACE TV crew loads up their trucks in a panicked rush. Some joints just can’t be prettied up for primetime.

I sigh. And it looks like I’ll be single forever. There’s a twinge in my back as I heave the droid up the ramp into my ship. The little guy is heavy.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got a few grease monkey skills. I’ll have you as good as new.” I strap ABACUS into the passenger seat.

The droid flashes a series of hearts, “❤️❤️❤️.”

I really like this little guy. He’s got heart and ingenuity. Plus, he's dang cute.

Tightening ABACUS’s seatbelt, I realize something, and a slow grin lights up my face. I’ll deliver my load and head home to fix up my new friend. I didn't win Rocket to Love, but I did find myself a loyal and smart companion. A friend might be better than a lover.

Now, here’s to hoping we can finish the delivery without the Interplanetary fuzz checking my cargo hold. I grin over at ABACUS, and he chirps, flashing “🚀🚀🚀”

“Hey partner, what are the chances of us getting those bootleg robot parts delivered without getting pulled over by the coppers?”

The droid ponders for a moment and lights up his face screen with “50%.”

“That’s even money odds! I’ll take it.”

I do like a good gamble.

The End.

Thank you for joining us for our first adventure with Roxie Vega! The next short story starring our intrepid space hauler and her sidekick ABACUS drops next Wednesday, August 27.