The three were running to reach the bridge where the shuttles were, it sure would have been easier if the ship wasn't some sort of labyrinth with doors closing to prevent them from passing.

-It has to the be them from the command center- pointed out Goal when the umpteenth door closed in their face.

-That's good news, isn't it? It means they're still in there- observed Rufus.

-Yes, but we need to get out of here as soon as we can- said Goal stopping all of a sudden.

The two looked at Goal.

-Can't you make a hole in the wall?- she asked then.

Cletus and Goal looked at Rufus instinctively.

The boy immediately started to think of a solution…

Using the laser gun Cletus had taken from Argus and a bit of Rufus' intelligence, they managed to turn the weapon in a laser ray powerful enough to create a way through the iron wall.

-You're a weird genius, Rufus- said Cletus once they were out.

-I know, everybody says so- he said upright, like he always did when he received a compliment.

Once on the bridge, they started running toward the hatchway of emergency.

-It's…opened- pointed out Rufus, out of breath due to the effort.

-yes, it's an emergency system, it opens when the alarm goes off- answered Cletus –are you ok?- he then asked.

Rufus waved his hand.

-Never been better- he said, clearly lying.

-Guys, which one should we take?- asked Goal as she looked around the multiple shuttles.

-Ah I sabotaged them all, except one- said Cletus.

The girl gave a hint of a smile.

They were all about to embark on the one functioning ship, first Goal, then Rufus, then…

-FREEZE!- a voice from the entry startled Rufus while he was embarking.

An armed Argus started shooting in their direction.

Rufus jumped out of the stepladder and rolled behind one of the broken shuttles.

-Damn you, I swear this time I'll kill you all- said Argus, clearly angry.

-RUFUS- screamed Goal.

The boy waved them to go.

Cletus and Rufus stared at each other for a moment, then the Elysian locked the little door and urged Goal to turn the ignition on.

-I'm not leaving him here, not again- said the young girl.

-We have to go, Goal, if this shuttle gets damaged too, we won't be safe as well- he said alert.

-But!- she tried to retort.

Meanwhile, Argus started shooting against them while he was approaching.

-No buts, we will come back, now we just have to save this ship. C'MON!- he urged her.

Though reluctantly, the young girl turned the ignition on, then brought the cloche onwards and the shuttle flew with a rumble, leaving a huge cloud of dust behind.

Argus covered his face because of the rising wind and was giggling under his breath.

-Oh it's so sad to be once again left alone to die - he then told Rufus, who was still hidden -This time I'll make sure to kill you with my own hands, though- he concluded.

-Oh that's truly nice of you, but that really wasn't necessary- answered the Deponian.

-Found you!- said Argus with a gun pointed at Rufus.

But the boy looked anything but desperate, he kicked the gun out of Argus' hand, then stood up and ran out of the hatchway.

Argus rolled his eyes, annoyed, then he slowly went out too. Rufus was laying on the ledge, worn out by all this running back and forth.

-What, are you already tired?- said Argus.

-Ah no, that's just a present from an old friend of yours- answered Rufus in return.

Argus smiled under his breath once more.

Then the ship started trembling and one of the four motors literally blew up.

-It appears your attempt to destroy the shuttle is paying off- pointed out Argus with a strange calm –You see, though, if this explodes, you'll die too-

-Yes, well, whatever- said Rufus.

Argus smacked.

-Whatever? Aren't you afraid of dying?-

-It depends-

-It depends?- Argus frowned –On what?-

-On the reason why I'm dying-

-Because you're a useless waste abandoned by his friends?- answered Argus before Rufus could finish.

-No, because this way both the Deponians and…Goal will have a future- firmly said Rufus.

-Sacrificing yourself for others is a pointless lifestyle- Argus approached him with the gun pointing at him –and once I kill you I may also be able to save myself-

-You know- said Rufus smiling –I believe you're stalling- he told him.

Argus frowned.

-What the hell are you talking about, I'm not stalling-

-Then why does it take you so long to shoot?- he said with a provocative look.

Argus grinded and shot, but he only barely hit Rufus' arm. Instinctively, Rufus closed his eyes.

Then he reopened one and cover the scratch with the other arm.

-Really? Neither I would have missed from such a distance- he said then. Argus shot again and again and again, but all the shots failed and only a few of them caught Rufus, barely catching his surface.

Rufus lifted a finger when Argus stopped shooting randomly.

-Ok ok either finish it or drop the gun- he said, out of breath –why don't you try tickling now?-

Argus was furious but his hand was still shaking.

-ARGUS?- Seagul had reached the bridge, he had probably been there watching the scene for a while.

However, Argus didn't look away and neither did the Deponian.

There were a few moments of silence.

-Argus, what are you waiting for? SHOOT!- urged him again Seagul.

But Argus closed his eyes and caught his breath, then he exhaled…

-I can't…- he stopped lowering his eyes –I can't do it…- he finally said quietly.

Then there was another explosion on the ship, another motor of the wing where the two were blew up, the side bended and Argus and Rufus lost balance and fell down.

Seagul, who was on top, managed to hold.

Luckily Rufus grabbed a metal bar and with the other hand he was grasping Argus' arm…

-What are you doing?- asked Argus, who seemed to have lost all the arrogance that marked him –Why did you grab me?!-

Rufus looked at him, his face clearly showing the pain he was feeling right now.

-You said it yourself, didn't you? It's pointless to die in vain- he firmly answered, trying to give a hint of a smile.