We moved forward slowly and were soon confronted with our next hardship, 200 Dakar regulars stood in our way.
I spoke to Feta, “Here is an opportunity for you to help your people. If that was previously your company of soldiers out there, and if you can tell us a way around them without fighting, you will save a lot of their lives.”
Feta replied, “What is it that you want of me Mr. Grange? I do not have the information you seek. Since I have been here on this station, my duties have been to patrol the perimeter of the company and report anything unusual. It has been an endless exercise of walking the hallways. Your group was the first Humans I have encountered in the three weeks I have been here.”
I replied, “If you are patrolling, how often do the patrols go around, how many of them are there and are there any other hallways open that will allow us to move around your company’s position?”
Feta thought for a moment. “Patrols are sent out every tor. A tor is the equivalent of 1.6 of your hours. There are three two person teams. They walk the route assigned and return within a few of your minutes. The adjacent hallways have been sealed. To go around, you will have to make your way to another trans-way and change floors. Those other floors however, have soldiers stationed on them as well.”
I replied, “Were there any Durians with you, any special weapons? Do you have any friends among them?”
Feta replied, “There are only Dakar present. We do not have any of the laser weapons, only standard issue blaster rifles. I have no friends Mr. Grange, even the guard who was with me looked upon me with disgust. You should have allowed him to plunge his knife into my back. I am a man without a people.”
I again placed my hand on Feta’s shoulder. “You have a choice now Feta. Fight with us and we will claim you as our own. It’s the Durians who are your enemy not the Humans. Help us push the Durians off of this station and I will do my best to see that the remaining Dakar are treated fairly and released. Your leaders are ambitious, but they would not have undertaken this assault without the Durians pushing them. If they ever find out the Durians true intent they would gladly change sides.”
Feta looked up from his downward stare. “I have suspected these Durians were playing us for fools. What information do you have that proves this too me?”
I got on the comm to Frig. “Can you send a video copy of the Durian we captured? I have someone who wishes to review it.”
Frig replied, “It should show momentarily Sir. Who is it that is requesting it?”
I replied, “I’ll tell you later. OK, I see it, thanks for sending that along.”
I turned back to Feta and held out my arm pad. The video began to play.”
The Durian in the recording, infuriated that he had been captured, spewed his hatred of all who were not Durian. It was an eye opener for Feta.
Feta spoke, “I must get this information to the High Council! We have been deceived. Perhaps I could be returned to the Paswari, although, my core, my friend, is no more.”
I replied, “Hold on Feta, we have some immediate business to take care of. We want to return this child to her parents. And besides, you can’t just walk back to your company and expect a warm greeting. They will want to know where you have been and why you are alone. And they certainly aren’t going to take your word or even that video as being real. You go back now and you are dead. I think you need to stick with us for a while, at least until we figure out how to get that video in the hands of someone who will recognize its value.”
Frost spoke, “Sir, I must protest. He is a Dakar Sir. We have 200 of them in front of us that we are going to have to fight our way through.”
I replied, “We don’t have to fight Frost. Go get one of those bottles of Chlorine. We can gas ‘em with just enough to send them scrambling.”
Feta gestured towards himself. “What of me Mr. Grange? Chlorine is deadly to Dakar. Even a moderate exposure to it will scar our lungs, making it difficult to breathe for the remainder of our lives. Please just kill me now Mr. Grange, I have seen the effects of Chlorine on others, it is not a life or death I wish to go through.”
I replied, “Relax Feta. Frost, bring one of those filters and give it to our friend here. If you breathe through the filter your contact with the Chlorine will be minimal.”
I turned and spoke, “Aaron, how about you walk us up to a staging point. I checked the airflow in that hallway, it is towards the Dakar. We lucked out in the direction we needed. Throw that bottle and give it a few minutes to spread.”
We quietly moved up to a point where we could hear the discussion between two Dakar guards. They were discussing their last duty station and how exciting that was as compared to the inaction they had faced since being on the Human station. That excitement level was about to change.
Aaron swung the flask behind his back and then around the corner towards the two Dakar.
The crackle of glass could be heard followed shortly after by a scream from the guards. “Chloooorrriiiine!”
The two guards sprinted away from the small cloud of green glass and a commotion could be heard from further on. The company of Dakar soldiers rose from their resting place in the hallway and began to move away from the gas.
Lieutenant Aaron peeked around the corner and then waved the rest of us forward. Feta quickly pulled the filter mask over his head. We moved forwards slowly.
As Aaron rounded the second corner in front of us blaster bolts began to impact the wall just behind him. He fell backwards to safety as two bolts struck the floor in front of him.
Aaron yelled, “There are at least four soldiers out there Sir. They have masks on!”
I replied, “Get a TIG down that hallway! Frost! Baker! Get ready to move when it goes off!”
Pop!
Frost and Baker rounded the corner together.
Ak-ak-ak! Ak-ak-ak! Ak-ak-ak! Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak!
The four Dakar who had remained behind fell silent. Baker rushed to the next corner to see if the hall beyond was clear. As she leaned her head around a Dakar battle knife was thrust into her left temple. Frost rounded the corner behind her.
Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak!
Frost looked down at her former squadmate. “Grrrr!”
In an instant Sergeant Frost snapped. She rushed down the hallway, throwing a grenade ahead of her.
Booom!
Screams could be heard as the grenade detonated at the next corner. Frost dove and slid out on the slick floor, her AK aimed down the next stretch of hall.
Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak! Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak! Ak-ak-ak!
A second grenade was pitched down the hall, Frost then rolled sideways to the safety of the corner wall before several blaster bolts sizzled past her.
Booom!
As we ran forward she swapped clips and again rolled out into the hall.
Ak-ak-ak-ak! Ak-ak-ak-ak!
When we arrived I knelt down and placed my hand on her shoulder.
She laid her forehead down on the floor. “I should have been on that point Sir. Baker knew better than to just stick her head out there. That was my mistake.”
I replied, “War is full of mistakes Frost. You can’t think or act for everyone. It was Baker’s time that’s all.”
Frost replied as she rolled over and sat up, “Sorry Sir, sometimes I just get frustrated and when I get frustrated I get mad, and when I get mad I get a little crazy.”
I held out my hand to help Frost to her feet. “Just so long as you only get crazy at the right times I’m OK with it. Get back up there and let’s get this girl home.”
Emily spoke, “I’m sorry you have to take me back Sir. I could stay and fight if needed.”
I smiled as I walked along with our young warrior. Frost stopped next to a Dakar who was badly injured and in pain.
Ak-ak!
Feta winced at the end of a Dakar life.
I spoke as I looked back over my shoulder, “We can’t take prisoners Feta.
We have nowhere to house them and no way to feed them. This is the ugly reality that war is. You live or you die.”
The Dakar fled the area as the Chlorine gas dispersed. Ten minutes later we were knocking on the door of Emily’s home. Her parents shed tears of joy over her return. I had each of the squad members donate an MRE to the family. Food supplies were running out for our civilians.
Frost gave Emily a hug. “You are going to make a fine Marine someday kid. Try to look me up before you head off to boot camp. Frost will show you a trick or two that will help you through it.”
I knelt and put my hand out for a handshake. “Remember this day Emily. You fought for our freedom. Be proud of who you are in life. And take good care of your parents. Things could still get rough for us all.”
Emily shook my hand as she replied, “Thank you for fighting for us Mr. Grange. You are all heroes. I’m proud to also be a Human.”
Emily then spun on her heels and walked proudly back to her parents, I gave a nod as I turned and exited their home.
Frost spoke, “Where to now Sir?”
I replied, “Now we head towards Alpha bay and the Durian Helgrons. I think our fight is about to get a lot tougher. We need some new weapons if we want a chance at pushing them back. I’m hoping the Colonel has some success with those bazookas.
Chapter 20
The comm blared with numerous encounters. “This is Manchester! I have two dozen Helgrons pushing us back. We’ve lost five men out of our two squads! Nothing seems to be working to stop ‘em. All we can do is slow them down.”
The Colonel replied, “We have a squad with bazookas coming your way Manchester! Just try to keep your men alive until they get there.”
Manchester replied, “I see ‘em Colonel! OK, fall back… Hope this works Colonel. We could use some good news about now.”
Pssst! Booom! Pssst! Booom! Pssst! Booom!
A new voice came over the comm, “This is Rudolf Sir. Scratch five Helgron. Wait… three of them are getting up slowly Sir. The two that are still down were direct hits. Their suits are intact Sir. The shock of that explosion must have done them in. It looks like we only get one at a time Sir.”
A second voice came over the comm, “Colonel, this is Major Halford, we are seeing the same thing Sir. Direct impact takes down a single Helgron. Whatever they have going on with those suits Sir is making them extremely tough to kill.”
The Colonel replied, “Use what rounds you have sparingly. Only take shots that you are sure of. We have a limited number of those rounds available.”
The Colonel continued, “This is Colonel Harper. The bazooka hits are only mildly effective. Use them only if you have to. They are one shot one kill for direct hits. Keep yourselves alive while we try to figure this out.”
Frost spoke, “That is bad news Sir. If we can’t stop them they are going to just chase us around until they corner us. I don’t think they are going to take any prisoners this time Sir.”
I switched comm channels. “Frig, how’s it coming with that Durian battle suit? Has anyone had any luck penetrating it?”
Gy responded, “Grange, this is Gy. We’ve been beating the daylights out of this thing and I will say it is impressive. Heat, cold, electrical charges are useless. Hard impact is the only thing we have found that has an effect, and that is only because the soldier wearing it can’t take the severe g-shock. But even that g-shock needs to be extreme. If I was going into battle Sir, I would want one of these!”
I replied, “Keep at it Gy, try everything. It must have a weakness somewhere, that or we are going to get our asses kicked all over this station.”
Frig spoke, “Sir, I have been performing scans around the station where the majority of our fighters are located. I have identified a number of Helgron squads. It appears that they are now splitting up that main column into hunter / killer groups. I cannot monitor more than a handful of locations Sir. Keep in mind that you may encounter them at any time.”
I replied, “Thanks Frig. We’ll stay on our toes.”
I raised the Colonel on the comm, “Colonel, how many of our people can we get behind those blast doors of those ports? I’m wondering if those are the only temporarily safe places on the station.”
The Colonel replied, “I really don’t like to run and hide Grange, but we might not have a choice. See if Frig can plan this out for us. I don’t want our people bottling up trying to get to a port that can’t hold ‘em.”
I switched channels, “Frig, how many of our people can we safely cram into those ports we hold. Those blast doors may be our only defense against the Helgrons. See if you can patch a plan through to the Colonel that sends the right people to the right ports without overloading them.”
Frig replied, “I will start immediately Sir, but that is a complex algorithm and may take some time to construct.”
I replied, “Just do what you can.”
I turned to my squads. “OK, looks like the Helgrons are unstoppable at the moment. We are pulling back to the ports where those blast doors should protect us, at least for a while.”
Frost spoke, “Run and hide? That’s our strategy? I don’t know Mr. Grange, doesn’t sound like we will accomplish much just waiting to die.”
I replied, “You have something else in mind Frost?”
Frost nodded her head. “I do Sir. I say we go get one of those Helgrons and make him talk. If he doesn’t know anything we can always run our own experiments.”
I replied, “Just one problem Frost, how do we capture a Helgron?”
Frost thought for a few seconds. “Well, what if we flood a hallway with them in it and set off a few grenades?”
I replied, “Grenades have not been effective Frost. They don’t have quite enough kick to ‘em.”
Frost replied, “That’s where the water comes in Sir. Set off a grenade in water and that concussion wave carries much further. Lure a half dozen of them into a narrow hallway, seal it off, fill it with water and drop in a few grenades. Sounds easy doesn’t it?”
I got on the comm. “Frig, is there anywhere on this station where we can flood a hallway or a room? We want to trap a few Helgrons there and flood it.”
Frig replied, “Sir, those are battle suits. I’m sure they come with an air supply. Water will not stop them.”
I replied, “Frost has the idea that we could set off a few grenades in that water and the concussion would be great enough to take them out. Does that sound feasible?”
Frig replied, “Hmmm. Let me look at Jeb’s data on those explosive devices. He has an extensive list of data points with power curves. I remember him showing them to me shortly after he came aboard with us. I have the curve for the bazooka in air. From what we have seen, the detonation needs to be within 40 centimeters to be lethal, or at a minimum, to disable a Helgron fighter. Jeb has power curves for a variety of environments. Here… I have a grenade in water.”
I replied, “Well? What does it say?”
Frig continued, “It says Sir that a grenade must be within 60 centimeters in water to offer the same concussion wave as a bazooka round in air. That remains a very close proximity Sir.”
I replied, “And what about a bazooka round in water? What is the effective distance say for that?”
Frig brought up the graph. “If you are able to get the Durians in water, and if you are able to fire a bazooka round into that water, you will have a lethal concussion wave out to 3.1 meters. A standard side hallway is five meters Sir. You are likely to only take out two or three at the most with such a strategy.”
I replied, “What about a swimming pool? We are on Mako-11 at the moment. Are there any pools on this level, in this sector?”
Frig replied, “One moment Sir… there is a swimming facility on Mako-3. I am sending you the location. The Mako-3 Aqua Center has two pools that measure 25 by 50 meters. They are
training pools for the annual Grid Games Sir. To be effective, it would require that you get them into one of those pools in a confined area.”
I replied, “So, we dump them all in one end and have a bazooka and grenade fest. That sounds doable. Can you get us a bazooka or two and a few rounds?”
Frig replied, “I can send bazookas, but the Colonel has all the available rounds. Jeb is attempting to ramp up production, but we are short of materials at the moment.”
I looked at Frost. “You think we can make this work? Keep in mind; I want an exit in case we fail.”
Frost replied, “We’ll make it happen Sir. Show us that facility and we will see what we can do with it.”
Ten minutes later we entered the swim facility. The two large pools lay dormant as they had not seen Human use is some time. The doors were closed and the windows in them covered. We would be planning our swim party for the Durians in private.
Aaron spoke, “Sir, we have three entrances into this facility, two public and one for staff. Frost is securing the second public door. I think our best exit will be out the staff entrance Sir. It offers cover from this main area as we exit.”
I replied, “Help me arrange these chairs and tables. I want the Durians to come through that door and walk beside this pool. If we can steer them past here, we only have to figure out how to get them in the pool.”
Aaron looked up. “See those catwalks up there Sir? That would be perfect for firing down at this pool. If we can get them in there as you suggest, we can drop as many grenades or bazooka rounds in that pool as we need.”
I replied, “Find the way up and down from there. I don’t want us to get trapped up there if this doesn’t work.”
Aaron went off to look for the stairs to the catwalk. Frost returned from securing the second doorway. Chairs were aligned and tables were laid on their sides in a pattern that would send anyone investigating the pool area to a center area between the two pools. From there they would reach a pinch point that would place them on the left edge of the right hand pool.
AMP Rebellion Page 18