“Take control, Emma,” Erik ordered. “Fly us to the location. Also call it in. It’ll be nice to have a little backup if this isn’t just someone trying to have a good time.” He grinned. “Tonight’s not going to be boring after all.”
The flitter accelerated and pulled away. Emma activated the holographic red and blue lights atop the MX 60 and the emergency response transponder signal.
It was time to do their job.
Chapter Forty-Three
The two of them closed in on a new platform surrounding an entertainment tower.
The structure was cloaked by the shadows of surrounding towers. None of the bright lights or holographic displays were on, leaving a tenebrous patch in an otherwise brightly lit Halloween night.
Flitters lifted off the ground as panicked people rushed toward parked vehicles, including several sprawled on the ground. A masked man with a rifle stood near the center, clearly marked by his muzzle flashes.
His gun sent a steady stream of bullets into an escaping flitter, shredding its rear. The smoking vehicle jerked and glided toward the platform, the remaining grav emitters and thrusters keeping it from plunging to its doom.
Dim emergency lights activated, revealing more of the horror. Even at a distance, the spilled blood was obvious.
Bile rose in Jia’s throat. “The blood! Terrorists here?”
“There are,” Erik growled. “But there won’t be for long. Circle the gunner, Emma, but keep a good speed. Brighten our police lights. Let’s see if we can get their attention, and at least get them to pause.”
Several other terrorists spread out from the primary tower entrance, equipped with a mix of pistols and rifles. They fired at other vehicles and terrified citizens.
Jia swallowed.
Several people were on the ground, but maybe Erik’s precious Lady had finally intervened. Given the hundreds of people on the platform, the actual number of casualties was modest.
Emma brought in the MX 60 low and fast, circling per the instructions.
The first terrorist whipped up his weapon and fired, and the bullets thudded against the MX 60. Erik yanked out his pistol and tossed it into his left hand before lowering the window.
“How we are doing?” he asked.
“Minor external damage, no internal damage,” Emma replied. “It seems your improvements were worth it. Remember, I’m only a hardened vehicle. I’m not one of your military toys.”
“Trust me, I know. Go lower. It’s time for a little risk reduction.”
Jia’s stomach lurched as Emma dropped closer to the platform.
The terrorists all concentrated their fire on the MX 60, and, given the AI’s warning, Jia wondered just how many bullets it could take, even with Erik’s recent modifications.
Another barrage pelted the MX 60.
“At least they don’t have missiles,” Jia muttered.
“Not hearing me complain,” Erik replied. He narrowed his eyes and shoved his arm out the window. He fired three quick shots and the first rifleman jerked back and collapsed, clutching his chest, where a crimson stain grew. “No armor, either. These guys thought they would get to just come and shoot up the platform?”
A few bullets whizzed by Erik’s arm before he pulled it back inside. Bullets struck the window, leaving small cracks. The repair systems would probably be able to handle them if the shooters didn’t end up blasting through the whole window or incinerating the entire flitter.
“Keep circling, Emma,” Erik ordered. “While they’re shooting at us, they aren’t shooting at anyone else. I can pick most of them off from here.”
The MX 60 shuddered and wobbled after another terrorist barrage. The intense motion made Jia glad she’d had a light meal that evening.
She sucked in a few breaths to try to settle her stomach. “What happened?” She managed to get out.
“One of the grav field emitters has been damaged,” Emma explained. “There are limits to the level of reinforcement they can put on this type of civilian flitter, due to its design.”
“Yeah, I’d kill for a troop transport about now.” Erik gritted his teeth. “Just keep us in the air a little longer. We’ll keep them firing at us until backup arrives. A few TPST snipers will be able to take all these bastards down easily.” He jammed his gun out the window and fired a few rounds, but the unstable flight sent his shots wide.
People continued to rush into flitters and pull away from the platform. Although over a dozen people lay on the ground wounded, most of the crowd were already in their vehicles, with at least a quarter of them rushing away from the platform at high speed.
“Unfortunately, TPST is unlikely to come in an acceptable time, nor any backup, for that matter,” Emma reported, slight irritation in her voice.
“What?” Jia shouted, shaking with rage. “This isn’t about us being in trouble, this is about people being in trouble. They can’t be dragging their feet.”
“That’s not it,” Emma responded. “If anything, the problem is the opposite. Multiple incidents are now being reported. Most are smaller scale than what we’re seeing, but I doubt reinforcements will be able to come anytime soon.”
Erik fired a couple shots, nailing another terrorist despite the distance, speed, and shaking.
Another volley of bullets struck the flitter, and a loud pop sounded from the rear.
“I applaud Miguel and his team,” Emma explained. “Without the modifications, you would undoubtedly be falling to your deaths now.”
“What about you?” Erik asked.
“My core has a much higher chance of survival,” she admitted.
Jia took a deep breath. “We need to clear that platform to get ambulances here.” She looked at Erik. “There are probably victims inside.” She looked around the sky, hoping to see the familiar red and blue lights.
None were in view.
“No backup, and we need to take those monsters down,” she finished.
“You are not in an optimal tactical position,” Emma countered. “It’s difficult to get thermal readings from the interior of the tower due to its particular construction, but I am able to detect various other unusual readings that make it highly unlikely the interior is empty.”
“All the more reason to go clear it,” Jia insisted.
“Let me be more specific, Detective Lin.” Emma’s tone turned slightly sarcastic. “You are not supported by additional forces. You aren’t starting out in a building with natural cover, or surprise. You are undoubtedly outnumbered. Detective Blackwell should continue his shots from here until such time as we are forced down. Landing and trying to clear that building as is would be equivalent to charging the fighter in the simulation.”
“I’m not going to stay up here and let innocent people die,” Jia shouted.
Another round of enemy fire bounced off the MX 60.
Erik grunted and holstered his pistol. “Neither of us are. Emma, take us down behind some of the parked flitters for cover. If backup isn’t coming soon, we’re going to have to eliminate the need for it.”
“It was pleasant knowing you two,” Emma replied cheerfully. “But at least there aren’t any non-metaphorical fighters you have to destroy. I should note that some of the troglodytes are going in.”
“We need to hurry,” Jia replied.
Emma began to descend. Jia reached under the passenger seat to grab the TR-7 and toss it to Erik as they continued toward the platform. She pulled out every magazine in the compartment and handed them to him one by one. He stuffed them in his duster pockets. The MX 60 violently shook as it continued its descent until they touched down, bullets bouncing off the armored sides or windows for the few seconds. Several uneven rows of flitters now provided cover.
“We’re going to need these.” Erik reached into the back and grabbed the two tactical vests lying on the seat. He gave Jia one and took off his duster before putting his on, then put the coat back on. Now parked behind several other empty flitters, bullets whizzed by and pi
erced the windows and bodies of the other nearby vehicles.
Jia’s heart galloped as a clarifying calm settled over her mind, making her body feel distant.
Innocent people had been shot. They could still save them and prevent anyone else from being hurt. She drew her stun pistol. This wasn’t like in Florida. This was her home.
Erik frowned at her weapon choice before eyeing her. “You’re kidding.”
“Living suspects can give up information about their organization,” Jia reminded him. “I want to save people, but I want to make sure we can follow up and disable their entire twisted group when this is all over.”
“Huh,” was all she got.
The torrent of bullets flowing their way ceased. That didn’t make her feel any better.
From what she had seen earlier, most of the unwounded people had managed to flee during the period the MX 60 was drawing terrorist fire, but that still left people who had been shot and needed help, and several terrorists both outside and inside the tower.
He shook his head in resignation. “Fine, but I’m sticking to what I know.” Erik slapped a fresh magazine into the TR-7. He eyed the building. “We don’t need all of them alive.” He opened the door and slid out, staying low next to another flitter perpendicular to the MX 60. “Any luck with hacking the systems, Emma?”
“No,” she replied, irritation now obvious in her tone. “These souped-up terrorist troglodytes have obviously disabled all the systems for the floor. Maybe several floors. A few drones are still flying, but there’s extensive jamming going on.” She scoffed. “Excuse me. There were drones, but the jamming has terminated.”
A few seconds later, a drone smashed into the platform a few meters away. Several flitters spiraled to the ground, sparks and metal flying as they scraped across the hard surface.
Fortunately, none of the falling vehicles were high enough for total destruction.
“An EMP,” Jia observed. She tapped her PNIU, which remained functional. “Must have been directional.”
She opened her door, slid out, and rushed around the back, keeping low until she was next to her partner. She looked behind them as Erik watched the building. “I wonder why they waited? They could have done it when we were up higher instead of shooting at us, or they could have disabled the few remaining drones. It’s almost as if…” She sucked in a breath.
“What?” Erik asked.
“I think they wanted to make sure we were on the ground.” She growled, “Be assured of finishing us off.”
“Maybe. Don’t care.” Erik gestured toward a flitter diagonally across from their current cover. “We need to move forward. Whatever they’re up to might involve them bringing out heavier weapons, and our tac vests aren’t going to save us from missiles.”
Jia nodded. “I’ll cover you, then you cover me. Ready?”
Erik grinned as he rubbed the TR-7. “Let’s deliver peace through superior firepower.”
Jia popped up and fired several quick stun bolt at the terrorists in the distance as Erik sprinted toward the next flitter. One man went down. Another hesitated before firing at Erik rather than Jia.
She finished him off with her next few shots.
The TR-7 came to life, spitting out single-barrel bursts. A bullet-riddled terrorist screamed in pain before thudding to the platform. Jia sprinted to join her partner as he laid down suppressing fire that clipped another terrorist. He collapsed to his knees, making him an easy shot for Jia as she ran. The remaining men retreated toward an open side door into the tower.
Jia fired and missed. She shook her head. “Not enough.”
“You think I need to go four-barrel?” Erik asked with a chuckle. “I’m trying to preserve ammo since we don’t know when our reinforcements will show up.”
“Why did they leave so few men outside?” Jia asked. “They obviously think they have an advantage inside. A trap?”
“Assumption’s a good way to die on the battlefield, both for them and us.” Erik fired another burst at the side door. He nailed the final retreating terrorist, whose body fell into the open doorway. He sprinted toward the next car as he called, “If they’re going in, it might mean there are more people inside they’re trying to kill.”
Jia followed her partner. The point-to-point movement took them away from the parking lot and among the fallen people. Her stomach tightened, and she almost threw up.
People moaned and sobbed, bloody holes in their arms, legs, or chests. Some people didn’t make noise, but their chests still rose and fell.
“These people need help!” she hissed. Heat spread from her face, and her jaw tightened
The rage of the situation almost made her charge the terrorists. Earth wasn’t perfect. She accepted that, but no argument about corruption would convince her innocent people needed to be targeted with violence.
Grim-faced, Erik approached one of the wounded terrorists and pointed his rifle at his head. “Who the hell are you supposed to be?”
The man coughed up blood. “W-we’re with the Evolved Six. We do this to support the cause.”
Jia frowned at the man as she pulled an emergency medpatch out of her pocket and applied it to the stomach wound of an unconscious woman lying on her back. “This is going to bring about your alien paradise?” She trembled with anger, tasting a small portion of what Erik must have felt on Molino. “You think your insane ideals justify this?” she shouted, gesturing widely with her arm toward the wounded citizens.
Florida had been different. The terrorists didn’t get their chance to shoot anyone. The missile attack and battle hadn’t done much for her blood pressure, but at least they’d involved criminals attacking someone who could fight back rather than innocent revelers.
“We have to do it for the…c-cause.” The terrorist swallowed, fear in his eyes. “We have our orders.”
“How many men do you have with you?” Erik demanded. “What’s your plan? Just shoot people up?”
“We have enough to kill everyone,” the terrorist murmured. He coughed up more blood, the wheezing of the air through the new holes into his lungs hissing. “You’re going to die, Blackwell.”
Erik looked around, keeping an eye out. “You know who I am?”
The terrorist’s head lolled to the side, and he stopped breathing. Jia couldn’t find even a sliver of pity for the monster.
She readied another medpatch and moved to the next victim. She only had a small number of medpatches, and she wasn’t wasting them on killers.
“Perfect.” Erik’s gaze shifted toward the side door. “We can’t let them regroup in there.”
Jia finished applying the medpatch and pulled out another. “Emma, fly over here. I’m going to need all the emergency supplies we have.” She sighed. “We need to stabilize as many people as we can until ambulances get here.”
Erik pointed to the door. “At least we forced them inside. Ambulances can land without taking rounds.”
The Taxútnta lifted off, wobbling unsteadily in the air for a few seconds, but Emma pulled forward slowly. “I’ve stressed there are active wounded,” she reported. “And I’ve made it clear you’ve secured the main platform. Ambulances are en route.”
Erik frowned. “But if they get too comfortable in there, it’ll take more people to dislodge them. How about you secure this area and apply medpatches, and I’ll go in there and finish them off? Who knows when TPST or reinforcements can even get here?”
Jia stared down at the dead terrorist, her breathing shallow. “Something still feels wrong about all this.”
Erik shook his head. “Don’t try to get in the head of a terrorist. You won’t like what it feels like.”
“That’s not what I mean. Unless CID was totally off, the Evolved Six should have been finished, and now they have the resources to launch a multi-target mass terror attack?” Jia moved to another wounded victim, a pale, trembling man shot through the leg. “It’ll be okay, sir.” She applied the patch directly to the wound, and he hissed in
pain.
Emma set down a few meters away and opened the back door to the emergency supplies filling the back, all of which had been forced on Erik by the department since he was using his vehicle as a police flitter. Jia had never been more grateful for the AI and forceful regulations than that moment.
“It doesn’t matter,” Erik muttered. “We can sort out where the Evolved Six got their new guys after this is all finished. Can you hold the fort here? I’m going to clean up inside.”
Jia nodded. “I’ll join you as soon as I’ve stabilized those I can.”
Erik surveyed the area, his face tight, before he jogged toward the side door. “This time we finish them.”
“Any ETA on ambulances, Emma?” Jia asked as she finished laying a medpatch on an unconscious man’s leg. She was running low on patches, but she would have enough to give at least one to every victim.
“They have been dispatched. There was some confusion concerning some of the other sites, but several are on their way. A couple of minutes at most. Unfortunately, armed backup is still not available. Initial reports indicate that terrorists are in the process of being repulsed on the other sites. EMPs and other such tactics are covering escapes.”
Jia jogged from person to person, applying medpatches. As long as people were still breathing, the medics would be able to handle them. Although many people had been shot, no one had taken a bullet to the head or through the heart. The few who had crashed had broken bones, but that was nothing nanites couldn’t handle. She moved to the next victim.
“They came out of nowhere,” wheezed a man propped against a flitter. He winced as she applied the medpatch over his shoulder wound. “They just started shooting. I don’t know if they were trying to shoot at particular people. They didn’t just fire into the crowd. They aimed carefully. I don’t understand it. How could this happen here?”
Shattered Truth Page 35