Frost used a small mirror to peak around a corner. Eight Helgrons we standing in a hallway, firing their blasters down a corridor at an unseen target. The Helgrons were preoccupied with their intended victims. Morgan lay on the floor while Frost and Aaron prepared to push on his feet to move his upper torso just around the corner.
I spoke quietly, “Take your best shot Morgan. Then you two, I want his ass back around that corner and out of the line of fire of those blasters.”
The push came quickly and Morgan released his round.
Boop… splat!
Frost and Aaron immediately pulled him backwards to safety. Morgan began the process of reloading the weapon while Frost moved up, crouched and again peered around the corner with her mirror.
Frost yelled as she sprang to her feet, “Two Helgrons coming and they are running Sir! The one Morgan hit is moving in circles!”
Frost grabbed Morgan buy the ankle. “Aaron! Grab that other ankle and start pulling his ass! We need to get around the next corner ASAP! And Morgan! You have about eight seconds before those Helgrons rounds that corner! I would suggest you get that round in the chamber and prepare for another shot! We’ll be dragging your ass so this is where you may have to earn those credits boy!”
Our two squads scrambled to get down the hallway to the safety of the next corner. Corporals Metzger and Carson turned too slowly and were bowled over by another squad member coming past their position. They went down hard as Frost and Aaron came running past them, dragging Morgan by the ankles.
Frost yelled backwards, “Metzger! Carson! You are on your own! Make it count!”
Corporal Rand Metzger pulled two grenades from his satchel and rolled over on top of them. Carson only lay still two meters away. The Helgrons rounded the corner just as Morgan was swung out of sight. We had made it to the safety of the next hallway, Metzger and Carson lay motionless at our prior position.
The first Helgron stopped and looked suspiciously at the downed Marines. Four steps later had him standing over Metzger with his blaster aimed down. The Helgron kicked the motionless Marine with his boot, there was no reaction. The Helgron then slid his boot under Metzger’s side, using it to roll the Marine over as his blaster was aimed at the floor.
Metzger opened his eyes and smiled as he held the two grenades up to the Helgron’s crotch. “Lunchtime!”
Booom! Booom!
The Helgron was rocked from the blasts and thrown hard against a wall. Even though his battle suit had blocked the shrapnel from entering his body, the Helgron slumped to the floor dead from the concussion. Frost and Aaron once again pushed Morgan out into the hallway.
Boop… splat!
The stunned second Helgron was immobilized.
As the Helgron slowly brought his weapon to bear on Carson the Marine took his last action.
Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak! Pzzt! Buke!
Frost caught the action as she peered around the corner with her mirror. “Metzger! Carson! Now that is going out with honor right there! Sempre Fi Metzger! Semper Fi Carson! The rest of the Corps will immortalize your names!”
The now largely immobile Helgron turned his blaster down the hall towards our position. Frost stepped backwards as the first bolt impacted the hallway floor directly in front of us. We hurriedly moved back two additional hallways to a position of safety where we could collect ourselves.
Aaron spoke, “What do we have next Sir!”
I replied, “I think we have to wait this out for a bit. We need those Helgron battle suits to be permanently disabled for this to be effective. I want these halls filled with stationary targets for Jeb’s 20mm rounds.”
Frost was grinning, I spoke, “What are you smiling about Frost? We just lost two men!”
Frost replied, “I don’t think so Mr. Grange. Those two back there, that was classic! If there is one thing that drives us Marines Sir, it is heroic, giving-your-everything, sacrifices like those two back there. That is a rallying cry for our kind Sir. It will be an inspiration for us all! That was classic Sir, just classic!”
A full sized portal opened up in the hallway just behind us. One of the new legs of Diane York came through first, followed by her torso with the other leg and two new prosthetic arms. York was holding an AK and sporting a huge grin as she flopped over on the floor.
As York reached for her second leg Frig came on the comm. “Sorry Sir. She held that gun to my head until I opened the portal.”
York spoke, “You can put me in the brig later Sir. You need replacements for Metzger and Carson and I just volunteered.”
I replied, “You can’t be ready to fight yet York. It takes time to train those prosthetics. That process usually takes weeks even for the best of candidates.”
York replied, “I’ll make due Sir. I’ll admit to only having the basics down, but that won’t hold me back.”
I replied, “Suit yourself York. But we aren’t going to be sticking our necks out for you if you are having issues. There are other Marines that can replace Metzger and Carson. If you turn out to be a hindrance I’m taking those arms and legs and sending you back through. I don’t want to risk lives because you want to play.”
York replied as she clicked her second leg into place, “I’m not here to play Sir, and I won’t be slowing anyone down. If I fall behind that will be my responsibility.”
York rolled over and awkwardly pushed herself up with her hands. As she stood, one of her legs detached and fell back to the floor. York looked down and sighed.
Frost attempted to hold in her response, but was soon unable. “Bwahahahahaha! Yorkie! Hahahahaha! … just can’t get a leg up can you! Bwahahahahaha!”
The rest of the squad began to laugh. It was the first bit of levity our squad had seen since I had flopped off of the conveyor. York angrily grabbed at her fallen leg as she hopped on one foot. It only made the others laugh harder.
I reached down and picked the leg up, handing it to York. “Get yourself together York. We can’t afford for you to come apart on us now.”
Marines were falling to the floor in laughter. York was turning a bright red. After a few minutes of wiping away tears our squad was once again ready to take on a challenge.
I spoke, “We go back to the Durians and see if they are still there. If so, we are going to circle around the one we froze and attack the rest of his squad. I want to know who they are fighting as there is no indication of anyone on our comm frequencies.”
As we turned towards our new target, York began to walk. She was struggling, looking more like a drunken recruit after their first mission than a battle hardened veteran.
Frost spoke, “I’m sorry Yorkie, but you are going to have to follow behind us with that walk. I would not be able to hold it in and would give away our position if had to watch that as we go.”
York replied, “I’ll take the back Frost, if that helps. I’m going to need a little room to kick around with anyway. Training these things is a pain in the ass.”
We were soon in the hallway just around the corner from where we had last seen the Helgron. Frost took a peek around the corner with her mirror.
Frost spoke, “Sir, the Helgron is still there. His weapon is in its bracket on the side of his leg and he is slumped over slightly with an access panel open on his thigh.”
I looked at Morgan. “If we slide you out do you think you can hit his left shoulder? That would lock him in position where he can’t reach that weapon.”
Morgan replied, “I can make that shot blindfolded Sir. A stationary target is not much of a challenge.”
Morgan stretched out on the floor with his weapon at the ready. Frost and Aaron grabbed him by the ankle and calf of each leg and slid him just around the corner.
Boop… splat!
The Helgron was now immobilized and unable to arm himself. Frost was the first to arrive at his position.
Frost spoke, “I am going to come back
and gut you personally when I get a chance. You got into that suit. We’ll be getting you out before long.”
The Helgron replied, “I do not fear Humans!”
At that moment York stepped up, clumsily bumping Frost out of the way. York grabbed the Helgron around the neck.
York spoke, “Oh, you should be afraid of at least some of us. We can be real mean.”
York turned in my direction. “Sir, with your permission I would like to check out the slow hydraulics of this arm. They supposedly offer a respectable amount of crushing power when put in the proper mode.”
I replied, “Good luck with that York. Those battle suits can take a bazooka dead on without showing a dent.”
York replied, “One thing Gy showed me just before I left Sir. These Helgron suits are only like that for high impacts. You hit them hard and fast and they do some type of rapid crystallization that makes them extremely tough.”
York, using her other arm, clumsily flipped open a panel on the forearm of the arm that gripped the Durian’s neck, a sequence of buttons were pressed and the panel closed.
York smiled as she looked at the Durian, “You should fear me now!”
In an instant it was apparent that York’s prosthetic arm was hydraulically tightening its hand around the Durian’s throat. The Durian began to struggle with what little movement he had available. York’s hand continued to close and the Durian’s head soon went limp. York released her grip and once again opened the panel to restore her arm to its normal function.
York replied, “See how that suit popped back out to its original size. What you can’t see is the bloody mess inside. I just left this clown with a pencil neck Sir. He won’t be blasting anyone else.”
Frost put her hand on York’s shoulder. “Welcome back to the action Yorkie!”
Chapter 22
Frost peered around the corner using her mirror.
Frost spoke, “Sir, the Durian we first hit remains in the same place. The rest of his squad is gone. You can hear the thuds from their blasters so they are still nearby. And the Durian has a helper that appears to be analyzing the suit problem. If Morgan can hit his friend I think we can have two of them to pick on Sir.”
I gave a nod and 15 seconds later Morgan was being pushed out beyond the corner of the hallway.
Boop… splat!
The second Helgron was now held in a crouched position. Repeated blaster bolts came down the hallway, impacting the wall just across from us.
I spoke, “Here’s what I want. We are going to roll a TIG down there and the instant it goes off I want Morgan out there to immobilize their arms. We should have a few seconds from the time that TIG detonates until they are able to switch their weapons to negative field. That should buy us time for Morgan to pop off another glue round.”
Frost replied, “The standing Helgron should be done first. He is in the better firing position. Freeze him up and we may be able to walk that hall Sir.”
I replied, “Do it!”
Several second later a TIG detonated.
Pop!
Morgan followed with a quick shot and the blaster threat from the Durian Helgrons came to an end. York immediately pushed her way past the others and turned the corner towards the frozen enemy.
I yelled, “York! What are you doing! It’s not safe out there.”
York replied, “Safe enough Sir! That clown can’t shoot at anything in this direction. I’m going to give each of them a squeeze so we can continue on.”
York continued her wonky walk down the hallway. Each Durian used the body parts they could in an attempt to defend themselves. During York’s final steps she recoded her right arm to once again enable the slow hydraulics.
York spoke as she clasped her prosthetic hand around the kneeling Durian’s throat, “Say goodbye sucker.”
With a sure, quiet squeeze, the kneeling Helgron shook violently for a moment and then went silent. In less than a minute the second Helgron met with the same fate. Two shiny black battle suits now held the remains of the dead Durian soldiers, frozen in position as if statues in memorial to others who had perished. York stepped back and looked at the standing Durian for several seconds before pushing it over. There would be no honor or respect bestowed upon the fallen Durians by York. To her, they were little more than common trash that sullied the halls of the Grid.
I spoke to Frost as we approached York, “You were right Frost. She is crazy.”
Frost replied, “Funny thing is Sir. You take York out of all this and she becomes the kindest, gentlest soul you will ever know. She has control of an On/Off switch in there somewhere Sir. It’s kind of scary.”
We moved down the hallway towards the sound of blaster fire. After two additional turns we were again just around the corner from the Helgron fighters as they pushed against some unknown defenders.
I spoke, “Whoever it is they are fighting, they have done a good job of keeping those Helgrons just far enough away.”
Aaron replied, “We still don’t have a clue as to who they are Sir? It’s got to either be civilians, whom I can’t even imagine, or an individual who has lost their comm. Still, even that one is a stretch Sir.”
Frost peered around the corner and reported back. “I only see four Helgrons Sir. It looks like the remainder of that same squad. How would you like to handle this?”
I replied, “I think we follow the same plan.”
Morgan spoke, “I have an option Sir. If I can catch them at just the right angle I should be able to hit either the front of the shoulder that is closest to us or the back, depending on the angle. If I can do that there is a good chance that glue will cover shoulder to shoulder. It would really cut down on their ability to fire those blasters.”
Aaron replied, “If you want I can take a shot first to see if I can spin them slightly in one direction.”
I shook my head, “I don’t like having two people out on that floor. Let’s just let Morgan take his best shot. How fast can we reload between shots if needed?”
Morgan replied, “My best guess right now is eight seconds. Jeb didn’t have time to automate or improve this weapon for us. It’s basically a shotgun, but it has a few tweaks that make is slow to load.”
I spoke, “Well, let’s get this show on the road. The longer we wait the more difficult our future is going to be.”
Frost and Aaron prepared to push Morgan out into the hallway.
Rodriguez spoke, “Sir, I think we should employ a TIG just after Morgan’s shot like last time. If we time it right he can reload and pop a second one before they have a chance to fire at him. I would like the honor Sir.”
I replied, “Maria, you have been quiet for a while, glad to see you stepping up. I know I can count on a quality job from you when you participate. When Morgan fires, count five seconds, pull your pin and release. Morgan, be ready to reload for a second shot.”
Morgan was again thrust part way into the hallway. His aim was perfect, striking the nearest Helgron on the left shoulder and traveling across his upper torso to the right. The highly viscous bonding agent immediately settled into the Helgrons joints and stiffened. He was left with his weapon aiming slightly up towards the ceiling. An added benefit to the high strike was that the liquid spilled downward quickly, also locking his hips in place. The Helgron’s only options for movement were his head, knees and ankles.”
Two ion bolts came sizzling down the hallway followed five seconds later by a TIG thrown by Maria Rodriguez.
Pop!
Again Morgan was thrust into the line of fire and again a Helgron took a critical strike.
Frost waited and then slowly peered around the corner with her tiny mirror. “Ooh! Nice one Morgan. You caught him looking away. Scratch two Helgrons Sir… oh crap! They are coming our way! We got two heading in our direction! Aaron! Take that ankle while he reloads! Move out people!”
Again my squads turned a
nd scrambled down the hall. York had remained at an initial distance from us and now slowly turned and waddled towards the first available corner. I shook my head as we ran past her position.
As we turned the corner Morgan kicked his legs free from Frost and Aaron and lined up in the middle of the hall, waiting for the first Helgron to round the corner and to take aim at York.
I stopped on the corner and aimed my AK down the hall.
The first Helgron came into view.
Boop… splat!
Morgan’s shot hit the mark. The liquid splattered from just under the Helgron’s chin and first his shoulders and then his hips locked solid. He fell hard into the hall wall as York rounded the corner.
York spoke, “Sorry Sir. Now get your ass down that hallway to safety! I’ll take care of myself!”
I again shook my head as I lowered it into her gut, picking her up onto my shoulder. “We aren’t leaving you here to fry York. Just try to hang on as I run this hall!”
Morgan rolled out in the other direction and sprinted off down the hall away from us.
Frost and Rodriguez yelled from the next corner, “Come on! Twenty meters! Move it!”
At ten I knew my luck was running out as the Helgron rounded the corner behind me. York released her grip, causing me to lose balance and fall as the first ion bolt sizzled down the hallway. As I slid forward I turned and fired.
Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak!
The Helgron jerked slighlty as each bullet impacted his battle suit. As he raised his weapon and took aim at a struggling York a red energy bolt struck him from the side. The Helgron was rocked and knocked off balance. It was the extra moment Morgan needed for a reload.
Boop… splat!
The Helgron was frozen in position as the glue capsule shattered on the back of his helmet and ran down his suit. A second red energy bolt then knocked him from his feet. His blaster, now aiming at the wall beside him, was useless.
Without hesitation, York picked herself up to her feet and began to waddle down towards the fallen Helgron. Frost stood over me to offer a hand up as the squad watched on.
AMP Rebellion Page 20