After a long gun battle a squad member from the lead squad returned. “Colonel, we got trouble! The Dakar have joined in the fight and they are pushing around some large laser weapons.”
The Colonel replied, “Are those the hand lasers the Durians used against us?”
The Corporal replied, “No Sir. It’s on a wheeled tripod and packs a punch. A five second blast will burn a hole through one of those corridor walls. The Major wants to know if we should start chucking grenades Sir.”
The Colonel spit on the wall, “Tell him to do what he has to within reason. This is an occupied section and we don’t want to hurt any of our own civies behind those walls.”
The Colonel turned to his aide, “See to it that the tip of the spear has a healthy resupply of grenades.”
As the corporal turned and jogged back towards the fighting I jumped in line behind him.
The Colonel could be heard as I moved further down the hall, his gruff voice fading with distance. “Grange, I am going to kick your…”
When we reached the battle line the Corporal gave the Major in charge the news he wanted.
The Major spoke, “Gresham! I want two rolled right up to the base of that thing. And everyone move back. We can expect a beam coming through the corner of that wall as soon as he makes his throw. I don’t want any burn victims in my squad!”
We moved 5 meters back down the hall leaving only Gresham with his two grenades at the corner. As he began to pull pins a high pitched screech could be heard. In an instant the wall beside Gresham glowed red hot and burst forth as molten steel. The grenades hit the floor as Lieutenant Gresham was incinerated from the waste up.
The Major yelled as he turned, “Nades down!”
The squad turned and hit the floor, but it was too late for the Major. A centimeter sized piece of shrapnel penetrated the bottom of his combat boot and entered his heel.
“Arrrghh! Gaw! Mmmm!”
The Major was grabbed under the arms and pulled back to a secondary position where a medic began to administer to his wound. Footsteps could be heard coming down the hallway towards our position. I pulled a grenade from my pack, popped the pin and held it up.
I yelled a command, “As soon as this pops I want to hit that corner with guns blazing! Mop up whatever is coming and drop back to this position.”
I loosed the grenade from my grip and it bounced hard around the corner.
Booom!
The Marines moved with a swiftness I was not expecting. Between my grenade and the quick assault eight Dakar soldiers had been riddled with lead while four others ran back towards their initial position.
As the Marines returned corporal Dallas spoke, “What now Sir?”
I replied, ‘We stick with the Major’s plan. I want two grenades down that hall. We aren’t going anywhere until we take out that laser cannon.”
Dallas swiveled, popped two grenades from his pack, pulled the pins and tossed them down the hall as he rolled out flat on the floor. The laser cannon fired over his head for only a second before the detonations ended its reign of terror.
Booom! Booom!
I barked out another command as Dallas began to fire his AK down the hall. “Let’s move!”
Ak-ak-ak-ak! Ak-ak-ak-ak!
Fifteen seconds later, the mangled laser weapon and its location were ours. Two TIGs were rolled down the hall in front of us as the lights and power began to turn on.
Dallas spoke, “We are running out of time Mr. Grange. We need another NIB set off or they are going to be all over us with blasters!”
I turned to the other squad members, “Everyone, pull a TIG and a standard grenade. We are going to cut a path straight through them before they know what hit ‘em. I want a TIG followed a second later by a grenade. When the first set goes off I want the next set thrown farther down the way. We have 40 meters and five bends before we hit the next major corridor. I want that point under our control in a single run!”
Dallas spoke, “What if we encounter another one of those lasers Sir?”
I replied, “Then we kick its ass before it kicks ours! I don’t think they are going to be ready for fast and hard like we are about to bring. These will be new troops that haven’t encountered a grenade before. Let’s count on them being stunned while we follow up with some hot lead.”
I continued, “I’ll take the first charge. Line up behind me and as the next guy is ready the man in front peels off and falls to the back.”
I checked each Marine for grenades before I turned and threw mine down the hallway as hard as I could. Screeches could be heard as the lights went dark.
Pop! Booom!
I cried out, “Move out!”
As we reached the first blast point we cut loose with the AKs as the next Marine made use of their grenades. The Prassi and the Dakar with them were in complete chaos. Mangled and groaning enemy soldiers were shot as we moved swiftly down the hall. This was our home they had invaded, mercy would not be shown.
We reached the junction of the main corridor after a quick 30 second sprint and five sets of grenades. The Dakar were busy trying to pull back a laser cannon as the lights went out.
Booom!
Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak!
The remaining troops fled behind a far corner as Dallas and a Marine private dragged the laser cannon back to our corner location.
I spoke, “Can we fire this thing?”
Dallas replied, “Miles was a systems tech Sir. If it has buttons, knobs and panels she can figure it out.”
Miles spoke, “Get me turned and aimed down that corridor and let’s see what this baby will do!”
Miles scanned the weapon’s console and seconds later a high pitched screech was heard as the laser cannon fired down the corridor. A hallway corner glowed red hot before the beam burst through into a crowd of waiting Dakar on the other side. Screams of pain could be heard as the surviving burn victims cried out. The Colonel’s column quickly advanced up behind us.
The Colonel spoke, “Grange! Sometimes I don’t know whether or not to kick your ass or kiss it. Parker! Pass the word of the grenade rush back to the coming squads. I think we just found a way to pick up the pace a bit!”
The Colonel grabbed me by the neck and shook my entire frame with his one hand as he grinned. “Just like your Daddy Grange! Kicking ass and taking names!”
I replied, “I’m not sure what it is Colonel, but I can’t sit and wait. I just get an urge that I can’t control nagging at me that says, ‘Do something! Just do something!’ From what I remember of my father he was a lot more reserved. He planned his actions ahead of time. I just kind of explode on the scene.”
The Colonel released his grip. “I wish I could honestly tell you to quit, but you seem to come through whatever hair-brained action it is that you run headlong into. I can’t deny that it’s not working either. Just at least try to keep a little voice back in that skull somewhere that tells you to hold back now and again. We need you… the Human race needs you and more people like you.”
I took a long breath and leaned back on a wall. “Thanks Colonel. You are always the voice of reason and I appreciate it. Now, how do we get to that next way-point?”
The Colonel looked over several papers he held in his hand. “We go up. There are 14 levels between here and where we want to be. Do you like fighting on stairs Grange? Because stairs are in our future, either stairs or the ramps that surround them. Elevators will be out of commission with the NIBs.”
I replied, “Well, I guess my rush in with a grenade strategy is out. Throwing grenades uphill is not a good idea.”
The Colonel responded, “Gravity is not our friend here Don. I have no doubt the Dakar and Prassi are going to throw everything they can down at us.”
I thought for a moment and replied, “Colonel? Can you give me a squad? I have an idea.”
Several minutes later I had Sergeant Frost and her squad following me back to Zeta-9 and the portal. We were goi
ng back through to the Suppressor.
When we arrived I yelled through the portal. “Frig! Can you set that wide portal up again? I’m coming back through!”
Frig replied, “One moment Sir. When it goes wide you will have approximately ten seconds to come through. And remember Sir. Keep away from the sides.”
A few seconds passed and the portal grew in size. I dove onto the conveyer knocking a number of articles off onto the floor. I struggled to get through as the conveyer pushed me back. At the last second I let go and was pushed back through to the Grid, falling off onto the floor.
As my chest slammed hard into the floor of the room I let out a yell. “Gaw! Hmmmph!”
I slowly pushed myself upright.
Frost was first to comment. “Now that was entertaining! Hahahaha! You were flopping around like a fish out of the Pi aquariums Sir. Hahahaha!”
Frig spoke, “Sir, I have to agree with the Sergeant. That was quite the show.”
I began to turn a slight red color due to embarrassment. “Frig. Let’s try this. Turn off that conveyer and re-open that portal. If you people are finished with your guffawing we have business to tend to.”
Frost spoke, “Now you are thinking Sir. But if you wanted to try the other way one more time I’m sure we would appreciate it!”
I looked over at a grinning Frost and shook my head no. The conveyer then came to a halt. I pushed the items on the conveyer off onto the floor as Frig reprogrammed the portal parameters. When the portal opened wide I again dove onto the conveyer and pulled myself through. Frost and the rest of the squad followed after going one at a time as Frig ran his portal updates again and again.
Once the squad was through I selected the general comm. “Rodriguez and York! Report to the science lab immediately! And be wearing your combat suits. You are going to see some action!”
Two Yes Sirs could be heard over the comm. Ten minutes later the two combat veterans joined our ranks.
Frost immediately stepped up to York when she entered the room. “Yorkie!”
Diane York rolled her eyes as she responded, “Awe Sir. You aren’t pairing me up with the man-eater are you?”
York then turned towards Frost and received a big bear hug. “Glad to see you too York! Sir, we had some fun times together back on the Sinister when we were bunk-mates during the 43rd Milgari. I saw York here rampage into a room full of tri-heads and come back out without breaking a sweat. She was covered in guts, but she was cool and calm. You would have thought she had just come from having dinner! Hahahaha!”
Rodriguez smiled and held out her hand.
Frost took it and flipped it over, looking in my direction as she spoke, “Who let the princess in the Marines Sir? Her hands are soft and supple. You ever seen action Rod-ri-guez? Hahahaha!”
York turned to her newer friend. “It only gets better Maria. She is like this 24 / 7.”
I stepped into the conversation. “OK ladies, now that the reunion is over we need to get down to business.”
York spoke, “Tell us there is going to be action Sir. I’ve been going stir crazy on this boat. The simulators and gun range are fun, but they don’t offer the excitement of the real thing. I need to be knocking some heads Sir.”
As we looked at a monitor screen I replied, “You’ll get your chance York. We are dropping in high in the hot zone. Our next way-point is 14 levels above where the Colonel is right here. We are going to insert here at Uriah 15, through that portal, and fight our way down. They have a large amount of troops on the fifth level from the bottom. We need to give the Colonel and his men an opening big enough for them to ram through.”
Frost then placed her hand on the small of my back as she leaned in and peered over my shoulder. “I like ramming Sir.”
I turned to Frost. “I’m sure you do Frost. But please take your hand off my back. Save that energy for the enemy.”
Frost complied and I continued, “Our surveillance shows Uriah-15 to be nearly vacant. If we portal in there we should have a low-risk run down to Uriah-9. There are about two dozen Dakar and at least one Durian positioned there.”
York’s eyes lit up. “I’ve been wanting me some Durian Sir. I had a 12 gauge shortie made up special for close combat like this; makes a four centimeter hole in the front and a ten centimeter hole out the back. I call it ‘The Butcher’ Sir. I slightly overload the casing with…”
I looked York in the face. “York! I’m kind of in the middle of a briefing here. Save your love stories for later.”
York replied, “Sorry Sir, but I do love my weapons.”
I replied, “I don’t think you will get a chance to use it on this run anyway. Jeb provided us with suppressors for our weapons. They won’t be silent, but they will be about as close as we can get. Once any big firefight breaks out they will be of little use, but we might need them for small encounters on our way. We don’t want to broadcast that we are coming down that trans-way.
The Colonel came over the comm and asked for twenty minutes to consolidate his position and to prepare for a run up to Uriah-5. We needed time to plan out our run downwards. Every bit of information we had would be used to optimize our assault. With a bit of luck we would meet the Colonel on the way down.
Chapter 13
After a short period of preparation Frig repositioned the portal to a storage room near the elevators on level Uraih-15. The standard portal was opened first and when the room was determined to be clear we each passed through using Frig’s parameter update. Frost was the last one through.
Frost spoke, “I do like that mode of transport Sir, gives you a sort of funky feeling as you pass through. I wonder what it would be like if you and I were…”
I cut off her conversation, “Frost! It ain’t happening. Get your mind on the game. Your banter is distracting people.”
Frost replied as she winked, “Yes Sir!”
I rolled my eyes and turned my thoughts back towards our current mission. Our supplies were pushed through the portal and it was then closed and repositioned back to the prior location. Weapons, ammo and food were once again moving through in a continuous stream.
I spoke, “York, check that door. If that hallway is clear we can begin our descent down those stairs.”
York replied, “Sir, can I suggest we take the ramp instead? It circles the stairs and it might give us better footing in a firefight.”
I checked my pack before pulling it onto my back. “The ramp is fine York. You are the combat expert here so I will defer those types of judgments to your knowledge and experience. Besides, I’m putting you at point anyway.”
York nodded as she replied, “That’s good with me Sir. The last in line misses all the fun.”
The hallway was clear. We moved out along the wall and turned the corner into the trans-way. The stairwells descended 30 meters for each level. The gently sloping ramps surrounding them swirled four times over that distance. Rodriguez placed a small monitoring device on the floor. If anyone came into the trans-way behind us we would know about it.
As we began our descent, voices could be heard from below. It was the bellow of a Dakar officer ordering more troops down the trans-way towards the Colonel’s position.
Rodriguez spoke quietly, “Sir, the longer we take to get down there the more troops they are going to move in. I suggest we hustle before their numbers become overwhelming.”
I replied, “I was having the same thought myself.”
I turned. “OK people, we are going to pick up the pace! York, you have the lead. If you spot anything just bring us to a halt so we can evaluate.”
York replied, “You got it Sir.”
We had walked down the ramp until reaching the second swirl of four on level Uriah-14. The movement detection device sounded in our comms. I moved over to the stairwell and looked up. A dozen Dakar regulars were coming down the ramp towards our position.
I signaled the others to move out. As we came to the doorway
for Uriah-14 we exited the trans-way.
I spoke quietly, “York, check those doors down to the left. Rodriguez, hit the ones on the right. The rest of you take position by that corner and ready a TIG in case we need to fight!”
As the others moved I began to check doors on the opposite side of the hallway. The first two were locked. York found an open door and the others hurried in. As I turned back their way the first of the Dakar had reached our level. I was left standing in the middle of the hallway. I casually leaned against the wall as if I was supposed to be there.
The first Dakar glanced back and alerted the others. The small troop stopped and five Dakar soldiers stepped into the hall in front of me.
The first Dakar spoke, “Human! What is your business here?”
I replied in a casual tone, “Just hanging out. Wanted to get out of the apartment for a few minutes that’s all.”
The Dakar scowled as he raised his blaster, “You are in violation Human. I would suggest you return to your apartment before you are arrested… what is that hanging over your shoulder? Is that a weapon?”
The sound of a metallic object could be heard rolling down the hallway behind the Dakar soldier. As they each turned to look they were greeted by the bright flash and pop of a TIG.
I raised my silenced AK and responded, “You. Dakar. All of you into that room over there.”
The first Dakar dropped to his knees and pulled the trigger on his blaster. Nothing happened. He looked curiously at the blaster and then back in my direction. I again gestured for him to move towards the open door.
The Dakar stood, drew a long knife and took a step in my direction.
Pffft, pffft, pffft.
The Dakar looked down at the three holes in his chest. He again dropped to his knees and then collapsed onto his side. I again gestured with my gun. The Dakar moved.
As each moved past York into the open room beyond the door she gave them a shove in the back. I grabbed the dead Dakar and dragged his body into the room behind them. As I released the corpse I turned to look at York.
AMP Rebellion Page 11