Echo Effect

by Robert D. Armstrong

  “Looks like they were experimenting with bioweapons of some sort,” one the Marines mentioned.

  “Great, so not only were they dealing with fallout warnings, it looks like these things got loose?” Garza noticed.

  The Marines split into two groups inside the room, checking every inch of it. Most had to pinch their noses, and their mouths were curled downward in displeasure at the hideous odor.

  “Anyone thirsty?” Garza said. “Go ahead and fill your canteens with this slime and show me how much of a man you really are.” She peered into one of the tanks.

  “I’m good, Staff Sergeant,” someone said.

  “Whoa!”

  The lights came back on and the Marines’ visors retracted back into their helmets. “Well, that didn’t last long,” Garza said. The light transition lasted only a split second, but it was just enough of a diversion.

  Suddenly, a blurred figure darted right between the Marines’ formation. The movement startled them and they reacted, opening fire as the form disappeared into the room they’d just exited. The sound of glass shattering and gunfire was amplified in the metallic room.

  “I think I hit it!” One of the Marines cheered. Their stun rounds shattered several of the massive glass containers, spilling hundreds of gallons of slimy water into the room and filling it ankle high.

  Two Marines were struck in the crossfire by friendly rounds, knocking them unconscious.

  “I’ve got…two down. I say again, two Marines down from friendly fire. Watch your targets!” Garza ground her teeth.

  “Contact! Over there!” Garza searched around for her explosives expert. “Put an EMP in that room! Now!”

  The tech Marine fumbled around for a second before grabbing a grapefruit-sized device out of his satchel. The modified EMP grenade was designed to electronically scramble almost any tech device.

  The Marine tossed the grenade toward the door. The trajectory was perfect as the Marine’s eyes followed the EMP just as it was going through the door. Then wham! Shut.

  The door slammed, knocking the EMP down as it splashed into the water.

  “Get in the—” Garza started to yell for everyone to jump in the elevated tanks, but it was too late. The EMP detonated in the water, frying the Marine’s communications and weapon systems temporarily. Some of the Marines fell down trying to make quick movements to avoid the blast. But with their full gear, it was nearly impossible.

  “Ohhhh! No no no!” Belmont yelled.

  Lucas and Keith watched Saven’s video feed as he casually reentered the room.

  “It’s like we’re watching a horror flick, except we want the monster to win.” Lucas smiled excitedly.

  Keith didn’t say a word. His eyes were glued to the tube.

  “Hey!” Lucas said, trying to get Keith’s attention.

  “Click… Click… Click...” The Marines pulled their weapon’s triggers, but nothing happened. Their wet armor had sensory circuitry to detect impacts for the drill, which connected to their weapons. The EMP blast had traveled up their armor, disabling weapons.

  Saven entered the room slowly, almost casually, shooting the Marines execution style as some tried to stand up. Most of them were shot point blank in the face. He stepped over their bodies as he moved forward.

  “No! Don’t…” a corporal begged, putting his hands up as Saven shot him while he attempted to stand up.

  The pulsing sound of the stun round reverberated through the room with each blast. Garza could hear a shot followed by a splash as each Marine fell into the water.

  Garza hid inside one of the elevated containers, unaffected by the EMP blast. She watched through the shattered glass as the prototype evened the odds, taking one Marine out after another. They were helpless. Garza scrambled around, but couldn’t find her weapon. She knew if it didn’t hit the water, she might still have a chance.

  Garza spun around in the container and saw her gun dangling by the shoulder strap on a shard of glass, safe from the water’s electric zap. Garza needed to figure out something—fast. The prototype had finished every Marine in the room, except her.

  Casser watched on from Saven’s perspective. His sensors were directing him toward a homing beacon in the room—the sound of a single fluttering heart rate. Saven’s head cocked sideways as he headed toward the signal.

  Garza slowly reached down and grabbed her weapon. She could see the ECHO’s blurred reflection in the opposite container’s glass. It was slowly skulking through the soiled waters toward her.

  “Oh god!”

  “Sir?” One of the corporals questioned Belmont as they watched the video feed back at the control station. “Should we help her?”

  “There’s nothing we can do,” Belmont said, widening his eyes. “By the time we get down there, it’ll be over.”

  Watching Belmont’s second in command fight for her simulated life looked real to Casser. It looked real to everyone. Keith was nearly pulling out his hair. Both he and Lucas were standing up, silently watching Saven’s every move.

  All eyes were on Garza. Do or die, semper fi.

  Garza could see the invisible form gingerly and silently creeping towards her, creating ripples in the water. She’d moved down to the ground level, leaning up against the container. The prototype’s demeanor was different. Previously, it moved incredibly fast, but it was moving slowly and with confidence, one step at a time.

  “Garza, it’s Belmont. If you can hear me, take the shot. It’s just standing there. I say again, take the shot! It doesn’t know your weapon is functional!”

  Against her better judgment, Garza followed the order to be aggressive. She quickly snatched the weapon up into firing position. In the reflection, she saw a pair of green eyes snap toward her position. She turned and fired on the ECHO, and then rolled behind another container.

  “Shit!”

  Then, there was silence. She waited for any sound that might give away Saven’s position, but there was nothing. Garza continued to use the container’s reflection to look for any signs of its location.

  “Where’s it at, people? Use the cameras from our downed Marines! They are working again. Anyone see it? Talk to me!” Belmont demanded.

  Garza scanned the room, noticing a circle of water that looked unnatural. Ripples pinged around it.

  She immediately fired just short of the anomaly. The splash covered the ECHO’s invisible form, revealing his position.

  “Sssssssssssssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhh!” Strangely, the ECHO hissed like a cobra as water rolled down its face, dripping off his massive fangs. Saven spewed water out toward Garza.

  Casser jumped back in his seat.

  “Sir, you all right?” Niven smiled.

  “Yeah, yeah, that sound was a bit louder than I expected.”

  A surge of energy erupted from the Saven’s position, slinging water everywhere as the ECHO dashed away in a blur. Garza scoped in and fired, but it seemed the prototype could anticipate her shots, zig zagging back and forth.

  After every shot, Belmont glanced at the prototype’s life bar on the holographic display. All it took was one shot and Garza could end it.

  “Go, dammit! You got ‘em!” A Marine yelped as they all huddled around Belmont’s monitor, watching the video feed from Garza’s shoulder-mounted camera. It was frightening. The camera bobbed up and down as she panted, peering around the container for the prototype.

  Garza stopped.

  One of her unconscious Marines slumped face down in the water.

  “Drill, cease fire. Marine in danger!” Garza waved to the camera and pointed, trying to get Casser’s attention.

  Before Agent Casser could even respond, Saven lifted the Marine’s head out of the water, flipping him over on his back against the wall. The man started coughing, spitting up water. He was still unconscious, but alive.

  Garza drew her gun down on the ECHO as he helped her Marine. She pulled the trigger in slightly, but not enough to fire. “H-He all right?”

&nbs
p; Casser’s pen fell out of his mouth just as he was about to pause the drill. “He just put himself at risk to save that Marine.” Casser chuckled.

  “The drill has been suspended. All hands await further instruction before proceeding,” Casser ordered over the loudspeaker. He turned to view the vitals holochart that depicted the Marine in question.

  LANCE CORPORAL HOLLEN STEWART – STATUS - UNCONSCIOUS - STABLE

  “He’s fine. Okay, let’s resume the drill and we’ll send a medical unit down there immediately afterward,” Casser said, pressing the intercom button.

  “Wait,” Niven interjected.

  “What, Niven?”

  “Agent Casser, sir. Can we have a word alone?” Niven requested.

  “Uh sure,” Casser said, getting up from his chair. He followed Niven outside of the room while the other agents trailed them with their eyes.

  “You really think what we just witnessed was artificial intelligence?” Niven whispered, arms crossed, looking through the glass back into their control room.

  “That or someone is remotely controlling this prototype. Still no evidence that supports that?”

  “None.”

  “There is another option for this behavior,” Casser said suspiciously.

  “Cybernetics,” Niven immediately fired back.

  “I don’t even want to go down that road. You’re talking about a media field day—no way to hide it if we press it,” Casser said.

  “Not only that, the official guidelines don’t have regulations in place for cyborgs. It was strangely omitted. I just combed the entire thing after I realized that this was a possibility,” Niven replied.

  “There was nothing strange about it.”

  “So, you’re saying someone altered the rules?”

  “No, Agent Niven. The objective of the Crucible has always been about creating a prototype that was completely self-sufficient and efficient.”

  “So you’re telling me our government wouldn’t mind the concept of cyborgs imbedded within the ranks of our military servicemen?”

  Casser looked right at Niven, pausing for a moment before answering. “No. If it gets the job done, no modern politician gives a damn how sci fi the premise is. It’s more about keeping it out of the public view.”

  Niven didn’t look convinced.

  “Just keep your mouth shut about it, Niven. Nothing good will come from this revelation, if it’s even true,” Casser concluded.

  “Um. Understood, sir. I just—”

  “Niven, I understand you’re new. I get that. The longer you do this job, the more stuff you’ll see, and you can’t stop it. All we can do is follow the rules. Now, do our rules state anything about Cyborgs?” Casser posed.

  “No.”

  “No, then,” Casser said, pointing at Niven’s chest. “If you want to be a politician later, then by all means, go try and be a hero there.” Casser smiled. “I’ll even vote for ya.”

  Niven looked down at his feet before looking back up. He shook his head in agreement. Casser patted him on the shoulder. “Now, let’s go do our job.”

  The agents stormed back into the room and turned their attention to the Marine control room. Belmont’s reaction appeared wide-eyed, but he was focused on prepping Garza, like a coach readying his player during a short timeout. “Get ready. Don’t let that thing distract you, Garza. I’m telling you, our cameras show what looks like the enemy at your three o’clock.”

  “Roger that, sir,” Garza said as she looked over her weapon. Her voice was full of forced confidence.

  Keith and Lucas looked at one another without a word. The contrast between Saven’s methodically murderous mindset in the drill and assumed compassion here was staggering.

  “Why are we waiting? That corporal is breathing. I can see it plain as day,” Lucas asked.

  “Oh my. Hold your horses people. A two-minute break and everyone is freaking out,” Casser said as he listened in on Lucas.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, prototype and Marines. Ahem. Corporal Stewart is fine,” Casser ordered over the loudspeaker. “We will resume the drill on my countdown from ten. Everyone get ready...” Casser instructed. He scanned across his control room briefly, meeting eyes with his subordinates.

  “10”

  “Come on, Saven!” Keith scurried to his feet.

  “9”

  “8”

  Suddenly, Saven let out a deafening roar that echoed off the walls. The sound shattered the remaining glass and woke up a few Marines that were unconscious. Garza shut her eyes, holding her weapon tight. She hunched closer to the metal container as if she was taking shelter from an approaching storm.

  “7”

  “No fear, Garza! Do or die, semper fi!” Belmont attempted to yell over Saven’s roar. The remaining Marines chimed in over her mic, rallying her.

  “6”

  “Marines, if you’re waking up now, don’t move! You are out of the drill!” Belmont ordered.

  “5”

  “Do or die, semper fi!” the Marines continued, standing to their feet.

  “4”

  “3”

  “2”

  “Just one more here Michael, then to Belmont!” Keith yelled, interlocking his fingers behind his head. Lucas glanced over at him, squinting his eyes at Keith.

  “1”

  “Play ball!” Casser whooped over the loudspeaker in umpire fashion. Garza didn’t waste any time getting the jump. She immediately shot at Saven as he darted around the room.

  Garza fired aggressively. She could see him better while he was evading, but he was more difficult to fire at. He darted from container to container, encroaching on her position. He was like a rocket fueled boat streaking through the water as it splashed up a wake that reached the ceiling.

  “Shit, he’s coming in fast!” Lucas observed.

  Garza stood up, exposing herself to sight in a shot. She pushed her weapon near the point of overheating. “Shit!”

  She let up on the trigger just before the critical point. If the weapon expended too much heat, it would jam.

  “One shot. That’s all we need!” Belmont yelled.

  “Whoa, she’s getting mighty close,” Lucas said as energy projectiles flashed by Saven’s camera.

  Saven was forced to jump straight up to avoid Garza’s rapid fire assault. He thrust his claws into the high ceiling, suspending himself for a brief moment before he dropped back down.

  As he fell, Garza anticipated it, firing ahead where he would naturally land. Saven twisted his body in mid-flight, facing her, prone in midair. He flared out his wings, slowing his fall for a split second. Her shots zipped just underneath him, missing him by inches as he retracted his wings. He landed then retreated behind cover.

  “What? That’s not possible!” Garza fired, moving toward him to the next row of containers. He was completely visible for a moment when he used his wings, sacrificing camouflage.

  “I see it!”

  Saven weaved back and forth, closing the distance completely. He was just on the other side of the same container as Garza. They were back to back. Only a couple of meters of aluminum separated them.

  “See, it’s what Sergeant Martin said about how fast it is,” one of the operators in Belmont’s control room commented.

  “What did you just say?” Belmont snapped around.

  “Oh…nothing, sir.”

  Belmont saw how close the ECHO was on his camera feed. “Garza, it’s just around the corner! It’s right there!” He smashed his fist into the desk.

  The ECHO eased around the side of the container. Garza knew he was there, thanks to Belmont. She unloaded her weapon in the water, trying to land that single victory shot. “Ahhhh!” She furiously fired, yelling as she fought for her simulated life, fighting for her unit’s reputation.

  The weapon started to give off a warning sound before overheating, but Garza’s nerves got the best of her. She pushed it past the limit.

  Shoof shoof shoof shoof shoo sho sho<
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  The weapon’s sound frequency changed, jamming up. Garza looked down at her weapon as steam poured into her face, then back up. Her face instantly changed from intensity to a casual smirk.

  “Well, I guess that’s it,” Garza said to herself, looking at her useless weapon.

  “No! No! Don’t!” Belmont lunched forward.

  Saven rounded the corner, kicking up a stream of soiled water into her eyes. It burned.

  “Aaarrghhhh!”

  Garza dropped her weapon in her lap, rubbing her eyes. Saven snatched up her rifle, waiting several seconds for it to cool down and for her to open her eyes. When she did, he shot her in the chest with her own gun. The blast knocked her against the container as she slumped over unconscious.

  “Yeaaaah!” Keith high-fived Lucas.

  Saven dropped Garza’s weapon in the water, turning toward the room’s camera. Saven must have known Belmont could see him. He stared into the lens for a moment, flashing his green eyes and disappearing like a ghost.

  “See that? That’s purely psychological. Drones don’t do that,” Niven said, standing up.

  “Get me proof,” Agent Casser replied.

  “Nooooooo! Damnit!” Belmont pounded the table with his fist several times. He picked up a chair and tossed it into the bulletproof glass. It flexed from the impact and the chair spun wildly across the floor.

  “Whoa!” Keith turned toward the racket. Keith just stood in front of the screen, shaking his head. “That was close.”

  “I can’t lie. That was pure entertainment,” Lucas said.

  “Well, I’m glad you think so. Here I am with my career on the line and you’re over there like it’s a night at the movies. You need me to make you some popcorn? Maybe a soda?” Keith joked.

  “That’d be nice, actually. But people don’t scream as much as you do at the real movies, so if you could keep it down, I’d appreciate it.” Lucas smiled.

  “You could at least pretend you’re stressed—that’d help,” Keith said, pacing the room.

  Lucas raised an eyebrow.

  “That’s right. I forgot I’m talking to a Navy SEAL commander here. There probably isn’t much that does stress you out at this point,” Keith said.