AMP Rebellion

by Stephen Arseneault

  York spoke as she wrapped her fabricated hand around the Helgron’s neck, “I hope you called your momma before coming out here today. The prosthetic hand began to slowly close as York’s nerves sent dead-end muscle activation pulses to the prosthetic interface that governed her arms movements. Seconds later the Durian’s life was extinguished.”

  With the immediate threat gone my attention was now turned to the corner in front of me. Who was it that had fired the red energy bolt that had saved my life? Who was the mystery person or persons fighting for the same cause?

  As I turned the corner a voice spoke, “Don Grange! You sure do make it hard for a girl to get a hold of you!”

  It was Ashley Elizabeth and four of her SCore colleagues.

  I replied, “Wow! I was not expecting you. Uh, thanks for the save back there. I was about to get splatte…”

  Ashley stepped up and laid a kiss on me that I would never forget. My mind was suddenly in another place where the daily struggles of fighting a war did not exist. For only a moment I was in heaven. My dream was brought back to reality as a clumsy York bumped us as she wobbled by.

  York spoke, “Sorry about that Sir, but we got a station to take back. You can finish your little love fest later!”

  York looked over her shoulder and spoke with only her lip motion as she moved away, “She’s gorgeous Sir! Way to go!”

  Ashley released her hug and turned back towards the frozen Helgrons.

  Ashley spoke, “You are the ones that saved us Don. I only have one energy pack for this neutron blaster left. Another ten minutes and we would have been overrun.”

  I replied, “What are you doing out in this section? I thought the SCore agents were all rounded up early on?”

  Ashley replied, “After it became apparent that McKinzey was going to turn, 40 of us split off into small groups and went underground.”

  I replied, “Why haven’t we heard you on the comm? We’ve monitored all the Grid frequencies.”

  Ashley smiled and replied, “We are SCore Don. We have our own comm system. One of our team made a few mods before we went under that kept us off the normal frequencies.”

  I spoke, “I have an app for you to downlink to that arm pad. It will get you connected to our system. How many of you are out here?”

  Ashley replied, “We had ten teams of four. Eight of those teams have been captured or killed. We need your help Don. That gravity drive control room they destroyed… there are two smaller ones. We and the other team are trying to get to them.”

  I replied, “We can still jump? This is big! Where are these rooms? I need to get that info to the Colonel so we can secure them!”

  Ashley replied, “Uh, no. Sorry Don. We aren’t broadcasting that info. If the Durians have figured out how to monitor your airwaves they would be all over those rooms before we could make use of them, but we could use your help in getting there.”

  I replied, “Just point the way and we will make it happen. Can you at least tell me what level it is on?”

  Ashley replied, “We are heading to Gamma first. We have to retrieve something from there beforehand.”

  I connected to Frig on the comm. “Frig, I need a scan of Gamma and a path of least resistance to get us there. This is urgent. Can you manage that?”

  Frig replied, “I can Sir. May I ask where on Gamma?”

  I replied, “No you may not.”

  I turned to Ashley. “This item we need to retrieve, how big is it?”

  Ashley replied, “It’s a control box about a half meter cubed.”

  I responded, “Is it heavy? Can I carry it?”

  Ashley replied, “You can. What are you planning? I will not let that box out of my sight. I am the only one here trained to use it.”

  A call came over Ashley’s comm. “This is Alvarez, we aren’t going to make it. We almost made it to B23X, but they have us cornered. I’m destroying the console. It’s all up to you Ash. Make it happen!”

  The comm went silent. I immediately began to check hallway doors for an open room.

  Ak-ak-ak!

  I dropped to my knees as I swung my weapon around in the direction of the shots.

  I spoke, “Who is firing! What is going on?”

  Frost spoke as York came wobbling around the corner, “Its York Sir. It looks like she is wearing a partial Helgron battle suit.”

  As York got closer she replied, “That’s right. Since those suits would squeeze when gripped slowly I decided to try my knife on them. The material cuts like hard synthetic rubber Sir. I took the liberty of firing a few shots at it after I got it off of him, it still functions Sir, stops bullets and I would image it will still do the same for a blaster. I skinned this one off that dead Durian. I plan on wearing it like a protective vest.”

  I looked at Frost. “She really is an abomination isn’t she, but I like the idea. See what we can salvage from those other Helgrons, maybe put one of those on Morgan so he can reload and fire as much as he wants.”

  I turned back to Ashley, “What if I can get you to that control box and back to here without us having to fight anyone off?”

  Ashley replied with a puzzled look, “I’m not sure what you are talking about, but the faster we can do this the better chance we have of moving the Grid to a new sector. As long as these invaders can resupply themselves we are set to lose.”

  I replied, “You will have to trust me with the location of that room.”

  Ashley thought for a moment and sighed, “It’s on Gamma-12. Room G1219a.”

  I replied to Frig, “When I find us a room here I will need a full size portal opened. After that we will need to jump to Gamma-12 G1219a. Do us a favor while I’m looking here and get a scan of the area around that Gamma room.”

  Frig replied, “I am preparing for it now Sir. Let me know the precise location you need for the first portal.”

  Ashley spoke, “Portal? What portal?”

  I twisted the handle on a room and it opened. It was an apartment that was not occupied. The family room up front had adequate space for the creation of a portal. I forwarded the location to Frig.

  I turned to Aaron and Frost. “You two are in charge here. We will be back. Just hang out in this room and don’t draw any attention. We should not be long and will likely need your help when we return.”

  Frost and Aaron agreed. I asked Ashley into the family room of the apartment. The other side of the empty room sparkled and a one meter round hole opened into the air. Ashley again looked confused.

  I held out my hand. “Step over to there and someone will help you through. I’ll be following after. Oh, and be careful and don’t touch the sides. They are at absolute zero. You will freeze instantly.”

  I again gestured towards the portal and a plank on a rail came through the hole. I helped Ashley lay back on the plank and she was carefully pulled through to the other side. I followed.

  As I stood up in Frig’s lab, Ashley again spoke, “Where are we Don? What just happened?”

  I replied, “Our friend here figured out how to open a wormhole from here to wherever we want. We are limited in its size and for how long it stays open. This is what has allowed us to fight on the Grid thus far.”

  I turned to Frig, “What did the scan show?”

  Frig replied, “First, hello Miss Elizabeth. And the area around Gamma-12 is teaming with activity Sir. From the data I can see it appears they are searching for something.”

  Ashley replied, “The control box! We have to get to it now Don!”

  I nodded to Frig as he punched in the coordinates for G1219a. Seconds later the portal once again opened and two assistants setup the plank for us to pass through. I went first.

  I spoke as Ashley came through next, “What is it we are looking for.”

  Ashley pointed towards the door. “Check that and make sure it is secure. This is going to take a few minutes.”

  Ashley pulled a small la
ser cutting tool from a pouch on her side as she walked into an adjacent room. Seconds later she was hard at work cutting into a back wall. The handle on the hallway door behind me began to wiggle.

  A voice called out through the door. “Humans! Open this door or we will open it by force! Our sensors show that there are two of you in there. Comply or you will be punished!”

  I looked at Ashley through the doorway, “You may want to speed that up if you can. I don’t think that door is going to hold them back for long.”

  I looked about the room for protection. A refrigeration unit stood unplugged against on the far wall. I began to push it in front of the door.

  I spoke, “This is all I have, it’s not going to slow them down much if they decide they want in. I suggest getting that hole cut as soon as possible.”

  Ashley replied, “This cutter takes time, I’m moving as fast as I can.”

  I asked Frig for information on who and how many soldiers were outside our door.

  Frig replied, “There are 26 soldiers including three Helgrons Sir. I am sending you some help now.”

  The portal once again opened and a plank slid out. Frost came through first, followed by York. Each was wearing the remains of a Helgron battle suit.

  York spoke, “Get what you are getting Sir. We will take care of the door!”

  The glow of a laser cutter showed around the door handle. As the sparks came to an end the butt of a blaster rifle was used to knock the door handle and lock from the door. I stood, pushing against the fridge as several Dakar soldiers pushed from the outside.

  Frost pulled the pin on a TIG and forced it through the smoldering hole.

  Pop!

  York then stepped up with her AK.

  AK-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak.

  Frost pulled me backward as she pushed the refrigeration unit out of the way. York was first to step into the hallway. Three negative ion bolts from the Helgrons outside quickly impacted the partial battle suit she wore. York rocked backwards from the impact and then again leaned out the doorway with a grin.

  Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak!

  Dakar were scrambling for cover as the three Helgrons attempted to move into a fighting position. Frost followed behind York, pulling the pins on three grenades while flipping them into the hallway.

  Booom! Booom! Booom!

  The two warriors stepped further out as they sprayed the panicking Dakar with .762mm rounds from their AKs.

  Ashley soon yelled out, “Got it! Let’s move!”

  I called to Frig and the large portal once again opened. The control box went through first with Ashley quick behind, I followed, pulling my legs quickly through, just as the portal collapsed.

  I raised Frost on the comm. “We are through. Get your butts back here as well. Portal should be ready in another ten seconds or so.

  Frost replied, “No can do Sir! York just went around a corner after those Helgrons! I’m trying to hold off these Dakar until she gets back. Go do what you need to do Sir. We will work our issues from here!”

  Chapter 23

  As we stood in Frig’s lab, with the gravity drive control box in hand, Ashley spoke, “You will have to tell me what this is all about later, but for now I need to get this box to the next location. There are two circuit boards that have to be inserted in the back.”

  Ashley passed the coordinates to Frig. The circuit boards were being stored in a maintenance locker on Beta-4. Dakar and Durian activity was high around the small room that contained the locker. The room itself was too small for a full portal. An apartment just across the hall was occupied by a family of five.

  Frig spoke, “I can’t guarantee the safety of that family if they decide to move while the portal is being created Sir. They are in an adjacent room at the moment. Should I move forward?”

  I replied, “Let’s just hope that no one starts screaming. Ashley, do we need to take the box or can we leave it here?”

  Ashley replied, “We can leave it if we are coming back.”

  I turned to Frig, “Check back on Frost and York. See if you can bring them back through.”

  Frig nodded as he entered the coordinates into his console. When the portal went wide I was the first through. Two young children were standing in front of it with their mouths open.

  The first child, a young boy, spoke, “Mommy! A man is in our apartment!”

  The mother replied from the other room, “That’s nice dear.”

  Ashley Elizabeth came through next.

  A young girl smiled as she spoke, “Hello.”

  Ashley replied, “You two best go be with your Mom OK.”

  The two children turned and walked into the other room.

  I pressed my comm button. “Frig, scan the hallway outside. If it checks out we will move and you can go back for Frost and York.”

  Frig replied several seconds later. “The hallway is clear Sir. I’m moving the portal.”

  I unlocked the apartment door and stepped into the hall.

  The young boy of the family came around the corner. “Hey, you can’t go out there!”

  I replied, “We are the good guys son. With a little luck you will be able to go out there soon too.”

  I pulled two MREs from my satchel. “Here, give these to your Mom. Tell her we will be right back.”

  I pulled the door quietly closed and moved across to the maintenance room. The door was locked. Ashley stepped up beside me with a small tool in her hand.

  She spoke quietly, “I have this, part of our training.”

  Three twists later and the door lock clicked. We entered the room. A standard set of lockers lined one wall. Locker “C” was the locker of choice. Again Ashley pulled out the laser cutting tool and began to burn a hole into the back of the locker.

  As she cut away at the metal plating I took note of the wisps of smoke slowly moving up towards the ceiling.

  I reached out and touched her shoulder. “Ah, is that going to set off the…”

  A fire alarm began to blare in the room and in the hallway just outside. Ashley removed the plate and pulled the two circuit boards from the hole behind it. I cracked open the door to the hallway to the sound of Dakar soldiers running.

  I pressed my comm button. “Frig, I need a small portal here in this maintenance room immediately!”

  Frig replied, “Entering coordinates now Sir. One thing Sir, I cannot guarantee the exact location of that portal in that confined area.”

  I replied, “Just do your best to place it to the left of our position.”

  I turned to Ashley. “Get that battle suit off!”

  Ashley gave a puzzled look as she responded to my statement. “What?”

  As I began to remove my own suit I explained, “We can’t get out of this closet. Dakar are going to be pulling at that door any second. If we shove those boards, our battle suits and weapons through that portal we may get away with just being detained. You know, two lovers sneaking out for a tryst.”

  Ashley began to smile as she removed her suit. “I guess if I’m going out this would be as good a way to go as any.”

  The portal opened in the corner of the room and the circuit boards were quickly passed through, next the weapons and finally the battle suits. When the portal snapped shut we were standing in our underwear.

  Ashley spoke, “Is this the way you try to woo a lady?”

  I replied with a smile, “I don’t know. Is it working?”

  As Ashley pressed her lips to mine I unlocked the door behind me with my fingers. The door flung open with two Dakar raising their weapons.

  One Dakar yelled, “Humans! What are you doing in there?”

  We both offered nothing but embarrassed smiles. The second Dakar then let out a chuckle and whispered to the first.

  The first Dakar swatted his hand away and replied, “I know what they were doing! And yes, it is a filthy Human habit.”

  The Dakar turned back to the rest of his squad. �
��Go back to your posts. We will take them to detention. You, come out here.”

  The Dakar officer grabbed my upper arm and pulled me into the hall. Ashley followed after. The officer closed the closet door and the two Dakar then began to push us down the hallway towards a detention area.

  After turning the first corner I pulled up lame and fell to the floor. The Dakar officer began to yell at me as he pointed his weapon. I did my best to fake an ankle sprain. As I was pulled to my feet and began to hop the second Dakar went still and then fell forward dead on the floor. As the Dakar officer turned he was met with a battle knife, thrust up under his chin, through his skull and into the top of his helmet.

  Frost spoke, “You two coming or what?”

  We moved quickly back around the corner, down and into the apartment of the family across the hall. As the portal opened the children were sent through first, followed by their parents, Ashley, myself and then Frost.

  The stunned family stood in silence, looking around Frig’s lab as they huddled together.

  I spoke, “Welcome to the resistance. Sorry, but I couldn’t leave you back there. The Dakar would have ripped your apartment to pieces and taken you all away. You will find food, medical care and a safe place to stay right here. Frig, see to it that they are taken care of.”

  Frig replied as Ashley and I pulled our battle suits back on. “Yes Sir.”

  Frost then spoke, “Well, I don’t know what you two had going on, but I like it!”

  I replied with a slightly red face, “We’ll fill you in later. What happened to York?”

  Frost replied, “She is nuts Sir. That Helgron suit made her immune to their weapons. She ran off chasing a whole squad of them with a blaster in one hand and her battle knife in the other. They traded ion bolts until she got close enough to jam her knife slowly into their skulls. I got detained by a dozen Dakar that I had to take out with grenades. When I turned back she was gone. I made my way back to the room and Frig brought me through.”

  I replied, “I pity the soldiers in that area. York will have to find her own way home.”

  I turned to Ashley who was now fully suited up and spoke, “Hmm. I was kind of growing fond of the other outfit!”