by Chris Hechtl
“Yeah, all that rust is a tetanus shot waiting to happen,” Eddy Newman said. A few people nodded. “But thermite? That's really cooking.”
“Damn man, thermite? Seriously? That shits scary. As bad as white phosphorous,” Hernandez said.
“True,” Shane said with a nod. “High ignition time right?” he asked.
“You mean ignition temp. Yes,” Kyle said with a nod. “I think we'll have to use it as a weapon of last resort. What I'd love to do is dust the bastards then light it.”
“Ouch,” Hernandez said with a grin. Ross nodded. Thermite was one of the few fuels that could burn right through the alien armor like it wasn't there. “Can we get enough of it?”
“That's the problem. Even with all we've been doing,” he nodded to Jesse, “We only have about... um... about a ton. Not nearly enough to really push them back. Not for long.”
Now Jesse kicked herself for not seeing this sooner. She was a welder; she should have realized what he'd been after all along. She hadn't pushed the project, just blown it off. Now she dearly regretted it.
“So we'll make more. Figure out something that maximizes its spread and use,” Shane ordered. “Now, we've got to check the Northern perimeter one more time and work on a training exercise for the crews assigned there. Tom, you said you're handling the artillery over there?” Tom nodded. “Okay...”
...*...*...*...*...
Eddy shook his head wearily as he looked up from the desperate modifications they were enacting. He looked out to the parking lot of vehicles. Some were being scrapped, others converted into weapons of war. A few might be tanks or APC's, but most were being turned into a fixed weapon of some sort.
A crew of teenagers was about, going from one sacrificial vehicle to the next, carefully siphoning out their precious gas and fluids and then pushing them to the crews that would start taking them apart. Scrap metal were being cut up to be used as extra armor on the walls and roofs. Eddy had been on that crew for a day, using a sawzall or torch to cut up the metal into jagged bits and then tack it wherever the architects wanted it.
Now he was working his own idea. He'd pitched it to Hernandez and a few of the mechanics. They'd laughed at the idea, until he made a prototype. Basically he'd yanked the drive train out of a truck, kept the rear drive train mostly intact, and added a free wheel under the spinning wheel to turn the contraption into a large tennis ball shooter. The balls were filled with a liquid, they had yet to come up with a winning combination. His favorite was napalm, but hell, acid or something else would work just fine.
They'd tested it the day before, and he'd woken up to an order from on high to make a dozen of the things. He'd gotten elbow deep into that when the order had come down to make mobile versions as well. He'd thrown in ideas about using the engines to power rotors and mulching weapons... and then he'd found himself trying to figure out how to get them to work while also overseeing his first project.
“Well, least I'm busy,” Eddy muttered.
“What was that?” a kid asked.
“Nothing. Let's get back to it,” Eddy said, flipping his helmet mask down and moving along the weld line to tack somewhere else.
Chapter 59
“Todd, damn it come in!” Jill growled into her mike. She'd lost her patience a while ago. He knew better than this. Damn the man, what was he thinking being so far out so late?? It was less than an hour before dark. Curfew had been moved to two hours before dark to keep the aliens from tracking them back to base since they were in Riverside, tearing the place up.
It was rough; the teams were hitting the outer edge of the swarm by day, trying to do as much damage as possible without giving away their positions. They'd had casualties but the aliens were faring far worse. Unfortunately they had size, breeding, and numbers on their side.
“Almost there,” Todd said over the radio.
“Almost as in a minute? Because we don't see you on the camera's man. Boss was about to send out a chopper,” Jill said. “I think just about everyone here is shitting a brick.”
“We're getting there. We had a delay,” Todd said.
“Shit,” Jill sighed. “Delay he says,” she sat back and rubbed her sweaty brow. Everyone was freaked. They had thought Todd and his team had bought it since they had been off comm. for so long.
“Anything?” a voice asked from the door. She looked up and flinched at Ross' steady stern look.
“Yeah. he said he's delayed and in transit.”
“Does he even know the time?” Ross asked.
“I think he does. I think they got carried away.”
“This is not the time to be doing shit like that. What were they doing? What were they thinking?” Ross growled.
“They... we got a call for support in Riverside, from an ally. When they got there with medical support it got sort of ugly.”
“Oh?”
“Todd said something about a Mexican standoff and then hung up on me. He just now reported in.” She indicated the radio bank in front of her.
“Great.”
“Todd,” Ross said over the radio net.
“Yeah Ross,” Todd replied sounding tired. “Sorry man; couldn't help it. We had a bit of a tiff and well, the entire enclave just folded and they are tagging along with us. One thing led to another and we were cut off by a damn herd of Hell deer. We've had to take two alternate routes. The terrain blocked our radios apparently.”
“Go to ground?” Ross asked.
“I'm hoping that's more of a suggestion than an order. No,” Todd said. “Not happening. We just passed through a rather nasty neighborhood. The place is swarming. Eyes everywhere.”
“Lovely.” That was their worst fear, that someone would lead the damn aliens in. Great.
“Yeah.” Todd grimaced. He knew he was in trouble. They were about to lead a bunch of aliens back to the base, something he had been warned specifically not to do.
“Should we take the long route around?” he asked. What he was asking was if they should detour through Canyon Springs or down Alessandro or Cactus and hook back up to the mall. Hopefully it would lose the tail they were undoubtedly picking up.
“Negative. No need to lead the aliens to someone who's not prepared for it. Come straight in as fast as you can. We'll have a hose crew on standby. Try to hump it fast man.”
“Pedal to the metal,” Todd replied. “We're running and gunning it.” He winced at the sound of weapons fire from the rear guard.
“Boss we've got a tail!” the rear guard called over the radio.
“Great,” he sighed. “That's all we need. We stirred up a hornet's nest.” He clicked back on the long range channel. “Warning, we're coming in hot. Rear guard has engaged a tail.”
“Roger,” Ross grimaced. He looked up and then sighed. He changed the channel and then clicked the mike. “Alert. Alert. I say again alert. All stations, go to yellow alert. Prep for incoming. Major incoming. Western 215 front initially but prep all fronts. This is not a drill.” He set the mike back on its hook and shook his head.
“Bad?” Jill asked quietly. Rumors had been flying. Everyone knew what was coming, but the rumors had blown the alien army up into an unstoppable horde.
“Bad enough. We knew it was going to happen eventually,” Ross said. “We're just going to have to see how well Bob and the crews really are.”
Curfew came and went. Hernandez tried hard not to swear as he looked at the sinking sun with a mix of anger and helplessness. They were in trouble. He knew it. Ross, hell, everyone knew it.
The rule was to come in before dark so the vehicles had plenty of time to cool off. That way there was no betraying heat signature.
Just as the last light began to fade they saw the headlights approaching from the 60 before the interchange. Men and women on the wall pointed and nervously checked their weapons. They watched as the convoy made the turn on the off ramp to the 215 and navigated down to the Eucalyptus exit and made the turn. They trundled over the bridge.
&n
bsp; “Damn, damn, damn,” Bill muttered, belting his gun belt on and then buttoning his shirt. “What the hell man?” Adrienne was nearby, swearing as well.
“We take it as it comes,” Shane said.
“No sign of ground pursuit,” the 215 sentry leader said, sounding hopeful.
“They have made it into the outer perimeter,” Bob said, watching the lights pick their way through the defenses and through the gate. Hastily crews closed and locked the gates behind them. “Are you sure we want to run dark?” Bob asked.
“Yes,” Shane said. “We stay dark and hopefully stay off their radar. Who knows, we might get lucky,” he said.
“I doubt we're that lucky,” Ross growled. He watched with tired, knowing eyes as the convoy raced up past the warehouses on Day. “Where the hell are they going?” he asked.
“Screwing the pooch as usual,” Shane sighed. “Too late now. I'm betting he wants to come in to the mall. His kids are there,” he said.
“Damn,” Ross muttered. The trucks made the turn onto Campus Parkway and navigated through the locks. “No one's bothering to stop and turn them around either,” he said.
“No. I think Jill told him to go to Costco but he didn't bother. Pull our people in there. Get the wash crew up at the mall.”
“Shit,” Bob snarled. “Fucking idiot! What was he thinking!” he snarled.
“He's not. Fight or flight.”
Todd's lead truck pulled through the last gate into the Macy's parking lot. He rolled up to a stop and people began piling out.
“What the fuck are you idiots doing here??!” Bob snarled, waving his hands. “We told you and told you COSTCO! We're set up there you morons!” he snarled.
Todd ignored it, helping a wounded girl out. She looked around fearfully. He turned and nodded to another guy who supported her. He pointed to the lower JC Penny entrance.
“We've got wounded with us Bob. Chill.”
“Todd. This was stupid,” Shane said coming over.
“What do you mean? It will all work out man, its fine,” Todd said. He didn't sound very convinced though.
“Trouble!” a sentry said looking up. “Something's coming in hot and fast. Incoming!” he screamed pointing.
The others looked up just in time for the alien to line up on the line of cars and come in for its final attack run.
“Shit,” Todd snarled; turning and firing.
“Get clear of the vehicles people!” Shane snarled, grabbing a kid and throwing her over his shoulder into a fireman's carry and moving off fast. He snatched another kid up under one arm and kept moving for shelter. The hose crews who had been pulling hoses over dropped them and turned to run just as the alien Firefly began to spit. Chemicals in its spit mixed as they hit the air and burst into flames. Fire sprayed all over the line of vehicles.
“Kill that damn thing! Get that fire out!” Bob snarled waving. He ran to a hose as a fire truck pulled up with a squeal of tires. Hoses began to spray onto the fire but Shane knew it was too late. He dropped his burden near the hospital entrance and turned.
Todd put a hand on his arm. “Sorry man,” he said quietly. Bob looked ready to deck the guy. He couldn't blame him but they didn't have the time for crap like that.
“Yeah, so am I,” he sighed. He watched them try valiantly to put the fire out before it hit the gas tanks. Unfortunately one lit off and a fireball lit the sky. Now he knew it was only a matter of time before they could get it out. Hopefully before the locusts spotted it and before all the fuel cooked off. He knew it was a vain hope, but held it anyway.
“The Firefly uses its flames to mark a target for the locusts,” he said, remembering what the eggheads had said. He turned to Bob. He knew they were in serious trouble. He toyed with the idea of going public, turning the lights on, but decided to hold off...
An angry sentry used a rocket to take out the Firefly on its second attack run. The resulting airborne explosion alerted nearby swarms.
“This is Mall Six to all units. Go to red alert. I repeat; red. All generators on, prep for incoming. Multiple incoming. Air and ground. ROE is to attack only if they are incoming at less than one hundred meters. Man your posts people, this is only just beginning.”
...*...*...*...*...
The aliens attacked the Towngate complex an hour later. At first it was a small vanguard, but then it turned into a full court press right along the 215. Gabe flicked a switch and electronics were turned on as well as all the perimeter lights. This was used to stun and confuse the aliens. They could see many in the darkness, just on the edge of the lights. Scouts tried to get a head count but quickly gave up. The aliens were shifting around too much in the dark. There were so many eyes. It was crazy and terrifying.
The aliens charging the wall were suddenly turning and roaring in confusion. They were hit with sniper fire and RPGs as they exposed their vulnerable flanks. Shane grimaced, he didn't want them to use the heavy weapons so soon, but some of those aliens were big. He really couldn't blame the section leaders and he wasn't going to second guess them.
The first attack broke up in confusion and then reformed in the dark outside the range of the perimeter lights. His eyes were cold and hating, just as theirs were. No, the aliens had an almost sullen angry look in their eyes; they weren't used to being thwarted so easily.
...*...*...*...*...
“Think they'll try to find an easier way around? A hole in the perimeter?” Ross asked. The aliens had been slowly creeping around the perimeter on either side. Not many, mostly scouts he was sure, but growing in number as the troops on the march came up behind them and pressure drove them to the sides. None wanted to enter the hated light.
“Um...”
“It’s what I'd do. Scout, then test the perimeter,” he said patiently.
“Probably,” Shane mused. “We're going to see scouts, air and ground. All fronts. Be aware. Don't go off half cocked and start shooting at shadows. Keep your cool.”
“Yeah, that's all we need,” Hernandez sighed. “I so don't want any blue on blue incidents, please.”
“I'm not so much worried about that as I am letting the aliens know what is where,” Shane cautioned. “If we're lucky they will go for a full encirclement.”
“Lucky?”
“I'd rather they do that than just hit one side and pour it on nonstop. A steady pressure on all fronts would suck, but it’s better than being overwhelmed. Or suckered on one front to expose another.”
“True.”
“What we're really doing right now is playing for time. I don't know if they realize that or not.”
“Time.”
“I'd love to kill all the bastards,” Shane growled. “But yeah, time. When the sun rises they will go to ground. Then it’s our turn.”
“Ah,” Ross said with a knowing nod. “Glad you're thinking of an offensive.”
“You never win on the defense. Eventually you've got to risk it to get on the score board,” Shane said with a bitter smile.
“True. Okay, let's see what they do. They've got the ball,” Ross said.
After a long moment studying the plot he turned to Ross and grimaced. “What's really going to suck is when they figure that part out. Or wise up and try diversionary attacks, or attacks on multiple fronts at once. Then things are going to get interesting.”
“Not to mention lively,” Ross said dryly.
“That too.”
...*...*...*...*...
Gabe armed the first outer layer of defenses. About a hundred meters out from the wall and moats weapons began to arm. Some were strapped to poles or structures. Others were dug into the ground. Most were below a meter high. Anything higher than that would just waste itself against the aliens' armor.
Fencing on the ground lit and sparked. Sections were anchored by rubber grommets to the ground. Some of them would short out, hopefully not a lot. He grinned at the sight of a Gremlin jerking as it touched a live fence. Served the bastard right.
They used improv
ised claymores, IEDs, electric fences, mowers, automated guns, and traps to do damage to the aliens. For the first time they got a clear view of the leadership and what they saw wasn't something that helped them to think clearly.
Some of that leadership came forward to the edge of the light to see the defenses clearly. They weren't sure how clearly, the aliens' night vision was probably sun blinded by all the lights. They saw for themselves Raptor bipeds were guiding the aliens. Gremlin Raptors. “Why does it have to be Gremlins?” Gabe asked softly.
“At least they are out there and not in here,” Shane said.
“And at least they are the real kind and not some mythological thing that likes to bugger equipment,” a Brit at a nearby console said.
“True,” Gabe said. He winced, pointing to something on the screen. Shane leaned forward to see. Gabe shoved the image to the big screen and then zoomed in.
Shane pursed his lips at the sight. The Raptors and something bigger, a Rex had odd harnesses and orc like armor. He shook his head in disbelief. “Damn.”
Some even had trophies or were wearing improvised armor and carrying weapons. One of the aliens had what looked like a belt and a doll head dangling from what looked like hair tied to the belt. Shane grimaced as he realized it was a child's severed head.
He passee an order. Snipers target the larger Gremlin Raptors first whenever possible. This pushed the bipeds back. It also began to disrupt the aliens' command and control of their army.
“Chinese,” Ross muttered darkly.
“Um...”
“Communist, okay?” Ross snarled. “Also third world dictators. They'd pull some kid out of a village, slap a gun in his hand and then stand behind him and force him up a hill in a human wave attack. Saw it in Korea, Nam, the soviet front of WW Two and other places. They stay in the rear to shoot anyone in the back who tried to bug out.”
“Lovely.” Shane cocked his head. “So are we doing their work for them?”
“I think... I don't know what to think. Shock and awe for one. Dazzlers definitely. Unfortunately the pressure from the soldiers behind will push the front forward, even over the bodies of their dead comrades. We need to prioritize those jokers though. If we can take out a knot of them do so.”