Rufus leaned with regret on the ledge outside the tall building, his ticket for Elysium had just left. So it was true, the communication towers were used to go backwards and forwards from the planet with strong metal cables that connected a long funicular railway. Rufus had always been told they were metal cables, of course in the past he had tried to use the one of his city, Krem, but now, because of a backward mounted rocket, the city didn't have a tower anymore but a communication building.
Rufus sighed.
-And goodbye to Goal, too- he whispered.
-That's sad, isn't it?- said a voice behind him.
-Yes…indeed- answered Rufus, not thinking about whose voice was that.
-Aaah love- continued the voice.
After a few moments of silence Rufus turned. In front of him there were Argus and three more soldiers.
-Too bad you've seen too much- said Argus, pointing a gun to his face.
Instinctively Rufus raised his hands.
-Ehm…I swear it wasn't me who destroyed the tower entrance- defended himself the boy.
-What? We're not here for that- said Argus.
In that moment a sort of monitor flew next to Argus.
-Argus, Argus, how long does it take you to place the explosives on this revolting planet?- said a voice inside of it, a voice that, though modifies, sounded familiar to Rufus.
-Sir…- calmly said Argus –I'm working on it, but we've lost the detonation chip-
-WHAT? Goddamn you, retrieve it- yelled the voice.
-Ex…Excuse me? Did you say destruction of the planet?- asked Rufus at that point.
-Yes, we're blowing this shit up- said Argus.
-But people are living here, ok some of them smell like this planet's garbage, but they like it here!- firmly said Rufus.
-So what?- said Argus –we need Deponia to explode so that Elysium will reach a truly habitable planet-
-But Deponia is habitable! If only you didn't unload you garbage on it- continued the boy in anger.
-Look, weren't you crying a moment ago because you wanted to go to Elysium?- retorted Argus.
-What does that have to do with anything, I don't want Deponia to be destroyed-
-Cut this short, Argus, and retrieve the codes- said the voice from the TV.
-Ok, let's get it over with- Argus raised his hand ready to order to shoot.
Only a miracle could save Rufus…a miracle that wasn't long in coming, since soon the earth started trembling down them.
-What's happening?- asked Argus.
-I think it's my fault- giggled Rufus –the explosion from before…it was a tad powerful-
-You ugly!- but Argus couldn't finish the sentence when the soil collapsed and they all fell underneath.
Rufus threw himself on a beam right outside the protuberance, slipping underneath.
He started to run as far as he could watching his back and checking no one was following him, at least until he bumped into a big man, about 2 meters tall.
The boy fell backwards and shook his head because of the bump.
-Oh my God, a pirate!- he exclaimed looking at the big man he bumped into, he had a long untamed beard, patched clothes and a cap.
-I'm not a pirate- he defended himself.
-Are you Rufus?- called another voice next to the big man.
-I…well yes- Rufus stood up.
-Well, I'm Rob and this big man here is Mark Tragger, we were looking for you-
-How can I be sure you are not with them?- asked Rufus, pointing behind him.
-They're the organon!- firmly said Rob –We're the resistance-
-Org...what? Resistance?- said the boy, confused.
-come with us, we'll explain everything someplace quieter-
At this point Rufus, partly because he was curious and partly because he had never seen a pirate before, followed them.
Meanwhile, underneath the tower's ruins…
-AAARGHHH! I'm gonna kill him- exclaimed an irate Argus, taking the ruins off him –Captain, allow me to call Machina-
-What? Are you sure?- said the voice from the TV.
-Oh yes- Argus was furious –I'm going to crush that shrimp and every inhabitant of his beloved city-
Rufus, who had been brought on a little boat that belonged to Mark, was still confused about the situation and regretful about Goal.
-Good, we'll be safe here, Mark you know what to do- said Rob.
-Yes Rob, destination Kapitol- answered the man with his deep voice.
-I said it, you're a pirate…- said Rufus to Mark.
-I'm not- he retorted.
-But you have a boat!- clarified Rufus.
-I'm a merchant, Rufus- he said, resigned.
-Yes yes…an undercover pirate- continued Rufus, extremely convinced about it.
Mark sighed, then he went into the cockpit.
-Rufus, I need you to listen- intervened Rob.
Rob was a fifty year old man, rather short, grizzled and with a funny white moustache.
-I know you're aware of the fact that the organon wants to destroy Deponia-
-The organon?- he had already forgot about that weird name.
-Yes, the guys that wanted to kill you-
-Oh right, but who are they exactly?- asked Rufus.
-Theoretically they're the guards of the city-
-And they're planning on defending it by making it explode?- he clarified.
Rob shook his head.
-Elysium's council, the entire Elysium, are not aware of this-
-Damn them, I know they were a ne'er do well- said Rufus stomping his fist.
-We need to stop them, Rufus, we need to prevent the detonation of those bombs-
-Then let's do it!- said Rufus, determined.
-Sure, that's what we want to do, that's why the rebels exist-
There were a few moments of silence.
-Which would be us, Rufus- exclaimed Rob, looking at the apparently thoughtful boy.
-Yes I got that- said Rufus.
-Something bothering you?- asked the little man.
-I mean- Rufus minced –I understand I'm irresistible and everybody need to count on me- he said, with an enviable self-confidence, while Rob was looking at him frowning –but how exactly…do you know my name and why me?- he asked pointing at himself.
-one question at a time- said Rob –we followed you, saw you spending time with that Elysian girl-
-Yes…Goal- said melancholically Rufus –but she hates me now-
-You know…the funicular she was travelling on fell due to the tower's destruction- said Rob.
Rufus opened his eyes wide! Then he thought that he had her plummet not once, but twice.
-But don't worry, she fell in the mud sea and we're pretty sure she's in Kapitol now- reassured him Rob.
-So…you'd like me to warn Goal?- asked Rufus.
-Yes, it's likely she doesn't know about the plan-
-So did Cletus survive too?- asked Rufus, ignoring his real mission.
-Who?- asked Rob –there was no one in the shuttle when we checked-
Rufus bit his tongue.
-Too bad- he whispered.
-About your name, instead…- Rob paused –we have our sources-
However, Rufus didn't mind Rob's behavior, though he was certainly hiding something from him. All he cared about now was seeing Goal again.
-Rob, it will take a couple of hours, I'll drive, you rest- said Mark from the cockpit.
Rufus didn't need to hear it twice and, while in his head he started to make up plans to win the Elysian girl's forgiveness, he sat on the comfy sofa at the center of the ship.