Death Grid_Game of Valor

by Tripp Ellis

  You have a new mission objective: Escape the mega-structure.

  We twisted through a few more passageways, heading toward the portal. Around the next corner, we ran into another Primo.

  I blasted off a few useless rounds at the creature, then fell back with the others.

  Energy blasts nipped at my heels. I rounded the corner, studying the map in my HUD as we kept running through the maze-like passageways. The corridors all looked the same. I would have been completely lost without my HUD.

  “Would you still give anything to meet one of the ancients?” I asked, my voice thick with sarcasm.

  “Maybe if I would have been introduced on better terms,” Carver replied.

  “Any idea how to kill them?”

  "I didn't study how to kill them. I studied them because I thought their technology could be of benefit to mankind," Carver said.

  As I rounded the next corner, a flurry of plasma bolts streaked in my direction. I could feel the heat from the sizzling projectiles as they whizzed inches from my skin. The bolts slammed into the bulkheads, showering sparks.

  I dashed for cover around the corner, but I wasn’t quick enough. A plasma bolt slammed into my chest. Pain shot through my body. Every nerve ending felt like it was on fire. I huddled against the bulkhead for a moment then caught my breath. My health bar was down to 64%. I angled the barrel of my rifle around the corner at the source of the projectiles—Krong.

  I lined the goon up in my sites and squeezed off several rounds. He flattened himself against the bulkhead, hiding behind a pilaster. My shots missed, impacting the near bulkhead.

  “What is wrong with that guy,” I grumbled to myself as I ducked around the corner again.

  Tug kept an eye on our six as I continued to sling rounds downrange at Krong. The Primo chasing us would catch up soon.

  We were at a “T” junction. The only way to go was left—toward Krong, right—away from Krong, or back the way we came. Taking a right would still put us in Krong’s line of fire for an uncomfortably long time. But it looked like we weren’t going to have much choice.

  The angry Primo lumbered around the corner, blasting at us from behind. Tug opened fire as deadly energy bolts blazed all around us.

  I angled my weapon toward Krong and put down a stream of suppressive fire. “Go! Go! Go!”

  “Moving!” Tug shouted. He kept firing at the Primo and ushered Carver around the corner, moving away from Krong.

  I leapfrogged in front of him, while he switched his aim from the Primo to Krong.

  I hugged the bulkhead, falling back, continuing to fire. Plasma bolts zipped in all directions. The corridor filled with haze.

  It only took a few strides for the Primo to reach the junction. He emerged around the corner and took aim at us. But he had stepped into Krong’s line of fire.

  Several plasma bolts slammed into the Primo from behind. His energy shield glowed with each impact. The ancient alien spun around and took aim at Krong.

  We used this opportunity to run like hell.

  The Primo seemed preoccupied with Krong, and the two exchanged a furious volley of rounds.

  We had almost cleared the area when a stray round caught Tug in the back. His body flopped to the deck, and his icon disappeared from my HUD. He must have taken a few rounds previously that drained his health. This was the final straw.

  I screamed, and the veins in my neck bulged. My face boiled red with rage, and my eyes brimmed.

  There was no time to mourn his loss.

  I grab Doctor Carver and pulled her down the corridor, moving away from the chaos. I sure as hell hoped the Primo got the best of Krong.

  48

  5:43.

  The timer in my HUD counted down.

  That’s how much time I had to get off the installation before it turned into a searing ball of flames as hot as the sun.

  Carver and I raced down the corridor toward the teleport pad. The hallway was clear. We were only a few steps away. We were home free.

  Then Parker’s voice crackled in my earbud. I heard the clamoring of weapons fire in the background. Her strained voice shouted over the noise. “Archer, Parker. Where are you?”

  “Just now reaching the portal. You?”

  There was a moment of silence as she squeezed off a few rounds at the enemy. “Did you get Doctor Carver?”

  “Affirmative.”

  “Get her down to the surface, ASAP.”

  “Copy that, LT,” I said. “I’ll send her down ahead, and wait here at the portal for you.”

  “Negative. Get out now. We’re cut off. I don’t think we’re going to make it out this time.”

  My throat tightened. My stomach twisted. I had lost enough friends for one day. I had lost enough friends for a lifetime. “I’m coming to get you.”

  “Negative. Get down to the surface. Protect Doctor Carver. That’s an order.”

  I hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly complied. “Aye-aye, sir.”

  “It’s been nice knowing you, Archer.”

  “You too, sir.” I could barely scratch the words out. My eyes were brimming again.

  “I sure hope to God this blast takes out Krong,” Parker said.

  “Me too, sir.”

  Doctor Carver’s worried eyes gazed at me. “Is everything okay?”

  I shook my head. “Let’s get you out of here.”

  I helped her step onto the platform. I stepped on behind her. I handed her my pistol, then stepped off at the last moment.

  Carver looked at me like I was crazy. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m not leaving my squad,” I said with a determined face. “I’ll see you back on the planet. I promise.”

  The teleport pulsed, and the pad filled with a beam of energy. Doctor Carver de-materialized before she could speak another word.

  I spun around and headed toward Parker’s location. I didn’t get more than a step when an energy bolt slammed into my chest. My vision went red again. I saw a lanky Primo marching toward me. Pain filled every part of my body as I disintegrated. My health bar went to 0%.

  I re-spawned a mere foot away. I sprinted toward a side corridor as soon as I materialized. I don’t think the Primo had anticipated I would re-spawn in the same area. He did a double take and hesitated before he fired again. It gave me just enough time to disappear down the passageway.

  I was on my last life, and I was determined not to lose it. I ran as fast as I could.

  Titan whizzed alongside me. “I’ve been scanning the ship as I’ve navigated the corridors. Through the use of my enhanced imaging capabilities, I think I’ve located the armory.” Titan transferred the suspected location to my map. “It may be worth investigating. Their weaponry seems considerably more powerful than our own.”

  4:58.

  I twisted and turned, sprinting through the labyrinth of corridors and somehow managed to lose the gangly alien. Titan was right about the location of the armory. I mashed a button on the bulkhead and stepped inside. The compartment was filled with an array of weapons. Rows of rifles lined the walls. There were handguns, rifles, and grenades. I didn’t have time to get picky about my weapons selection. I grabbed a rifle from the rack and looked over the receiver. It was sleek and elegant. The form factor was the same as any other rifle, though this one was exceptionally light and well-balanced. It had a pistol grip and a charge magazine. The stock was adjustable and the barrel had an ergonomic rail covering.

  K-7000 Energy Rifle (1000 megajoule output).

  The rifle was like wielding the power of lightning in the palm of your hand. The only trouble was the rapid cycling would cause the weapon to overheat. Sensors within the weapon would initiate a mandatory cool-down period.

  “Grab an energy shield,” Titan said.

  “Where?”

  Titan shined a spotlight on a shelf. There were rows of devices that looked like bicycle grips with a finger guard around them. “I believe that is an energy shield.”

  I pi
cked up the device and gripped it, making a fist around the handle.

  Version 6 Energy Shield.

  There was a button on top that activated the device. A glowing blue shield formed in front of me when I pressed the button. Projected from the finger guard, the barrier was translucent and took the shape of a riot shield. I didn’t know how much energy this thing could absorb, but something was better than nothing. I figured it was similar to that of the energy armor worn by the Primo Elämas.

  I quickly decided that wielding a shield in one hand and a long rifle in the other wasn’t going to be desirable. I deactivated the shield, and grabbed a smaller energy weapon. It was a short-barreled carbine designed to be fired like a pistol. Instead of a butt-stock there was a forearm brace and a subassembly under the grip for counterbalance. I hoped it was as powerful as the rifles.

  I grabbed a few grenades for good measure.

  XVCF Thermal Anti-personnel Device.

  I moved to the hatch and peered into the corridor, making sure it was clear. Then Titan and I headed toward Parker’s location.

  49

  3:44.

  Parker and Hazard had taken refuge in a compartment. Two Primos pummeled the hatch with their energy rifles, trying to gain access. But the composite smart polymer of the ship was impervious to their weapons. They were unable to override the locking mechanism from the corridor.

  The only advantage I had was the element of surprise. As I reached the location of the chaos, I angled my newly acquired weapon around the corner and took aim at one of the Primos. I squeezed the trigger and sent several blistering rounds downrange. The glowing orange bolts slammed into one of the Primos’ back.

  His energy shield lit up with each impact, but the Primo remained unharmed.

  The two aliens spun around and unleashed a torrent of energy bolts.

  I ducked around the corner as the blasts impacted the bulkhead. I angled my weapon back around the corner and continued to focus my attention on the first alien. I squeezed off several more rounds, impacting his energy shield. The last hit made it flutter.

  More energy bolts streaked toward me.

  I activated my shield and advanced into the fray. The shield absorbed the energy bolts. But it was like getting kicked by an elephant. I angled my weapon around the shield and continued to fire at the Primo. After another few rounds, his shield disintegrated. It took another two shots to disintegrate him. His body vaporized and fluttered to a pile of ash on the deck.

  The chaotic exchange caused my weapon to overheat. It vented from the barrel jacket. The display in my HUD indicated my shield was reaching maximum capacity.

  I ducked for cover, hiding behind a pilaster. Energy pulses erupted all around me as I deactivated the shield, hoping to give it time to recharge as well.

  The remaining Primo advanced toward me, continuing to spray energy bolts in my direction.

  I coward behind the pilaster.

  Sparks showered all around me.

  Smoke filled the passageway.

  I lobbed a grenade down the corridor. It clattered across the deck and rolled to the Primo’s feet.

  KABOOM!

  The explosion rumbled through the ship. It knocked the alien to the deck. His energy shield flickered and crackled.

  My ears rang.

  A thick haze filled the corridor.

  The Primo attempted to stand.

  I tossed another grenade.

  KABOOM!

  Another blinding flash filled the corridor.

  More smoke and haze.

  The Primo had been blasted back several meters—but he wasn’t dead.

  I activated my shield and stepped from the pilaster. It was time to finish the job.

  Parker and Hazard emerged from their compartment. Their faces were filled with a mix of fear, elation, and wonder.

  “I told you to get the hell out of here,” Parker grumbled.

  “I don’t always listen so good,” I said with a cocksure grin. “Go! I’m right behind you.”

  Parker and Hazard sprinted down the corridor, racing toward the portal.

  I aimed my carbine at the alien and unleashed a deluge of energy bolts. I kept squeezing the trigger until my weapon overheated. The bolts vaporized the creature as he attempted to stagger to his feet. Ash floated in the air. The scent of ionized particles and seared flesh filled my nostrils.

  2:35.

  I turned and ran toward the portal. As I rounded the next corner, Krong stood in my way. He didn’t look happy. His eyes blazed into me and a ferocious scowl painted his face. I took aim with my carbine and squeezed the trigger, but the weapon was still overheated. The trigger just clicked, and gas vented from the barrel jacket. My HUD indicated the weapon was out of ammunition as well.

  I tossed the useless hunk of weaponry aside. It clattered against the deck. I was out of grenades. I had left my rifle back in the armory. My pistol was in the hands of Doctor Carver. All I had left was the energy shield, and that was dangerously low on power.

  Krong grinned as he aimed his plasma rifle at me. I don’t think he knew we were on a time frame. The clock kept ticking down. He squeezed off several rounds that I deflected with my shield. But the last bolt was all I could take. The energy shield fluctuated and crackled, then vanished. I tossed the handgrip aside—it was no longer functional.

  I was on the business end of Krong’s rifle, and there was nothing I could do to save myself. There was a diabolical glimmer in his eyes, and he looked like he was savoring the moment. I could tell there was a part of him that wanted to drag this kill out as long as possible.

  50

  2:01.

  Krong decided he had toyed with me enough. His fat finger squeezed the trigger.

  I cringed, knowing this was going to be my last moment. With no lives left, this death was going to be permanent. What would await me in the digital afterlife?

  At least I knew that I had given it my best. I never backed down, and I never compromised. If this was my time, so be it.

  But the weapon never fired. The rifle had jammed.

  Krong struggled to pull the charging handle back and clear the chamber.

  A glimmer of hope flickered in my eyes. I charged the big behemoth, even though he was twice my size.

  Krong tossed the weapon aside and pummeled me with a left hook as I approached. His massive fist smacked my jaw, wrenching my head aside. Blood splattered in the air. I crashed into the bulkhead and slid to the deck. Before I could stagger to my feet, Krong grabbed me and heaved me across the corridor.

  My head smashed the opposite bulkhead, my body flopped to the deck. I watched the health bar in my HUD decline again:

  62%.

  I wasn’t going to be able to take much more of this abuse. I staggered to my feet, still wobbly. I squared off against the giant in a basic combat stance. Krong had power and size, but I had maneuverability. If I was going to have any chance of survival, I needed to keep moving.

  Krong charged forward like an angry bull. He swung a hard right cross. His massive cinderblock fist whooshed overhead as I ducked and sidestepped. I kidney punched him, then planted the heel of my boot in the side of his knee. I was hoping to snap his medial collateral ligament. Usually, when you kick a man in the knee, it doesn’t matter how big he is—he’s going down. But Krong’s legs were like steel beams. They didn’t budge an inch.

  My eyes widened with surprise.

  Krong back-handed me. It was like a wrecking ball had made contact with my face. I heard bones crunch, and more blood spewed from my lips. The blow sent me flying across the corridor again.

  SLAM!

  My skull hit the bulkhead.

  CRASH!

  I flopped to the deck.

  My vision blurred for a moment. My head throbbed. My body ached.

  Health 45%.

  Krong grabbed me by the throat and pinned me against the bulkhead. I gasped for breath. The veins in my forehead bulged. My face flushed red. My hands grasped at his thi
ck wrists. My legs kicked and flailed. My health bar decreased by a percentage point every second he choked me.

  1:46.

  “You can’t win,” Krong growled.

  I was trying to keep from blacking out. His vice like grip was cutting off the circulation.

  “I will control this installation. The power of the ancient ones will be mine to wield.”

  I almost grinned. He had no idea the station was about to explode.

  Krong roared as he threw me across the corridor again. My body was like a wet noodle. I heaved for breath. But before I could move, Krong was kicking me in the ribs. Each time he planted a boot in my rib cage, I lost another 10 percentage points. The health bar was painfully low:

  Health 10%.

  Krong reared his leg back, ready to administer the final death blow. Titan ziped in front of his face and flashed his high intensity floodlights.

  Krong recoiled from the bright lights, and swatted at the drone. His fat hand slapped Titan, knocking him down the corridor like a racquetball.

  The distraction gave me enough time to scramble across the deck and snatch Krong’s jammed rifle. I grabbed the weapon and heaved the butt-stock into the deck as I yanked down on the charge handle, mortaring the rifle.

  The stuck casing injected.

  I brought the weapon into the firing position and took aim at Krong. He still had a blind afterimage in his vision from Titan’s flood lights. But he could see well enough to know I was about to vaporize his ugly face.

  I squeezed the trigger, unleashing hellfire on the demon. His head disintegrated, splattering crimson goo across the bulkheads. His thick, meaty body slapped the deck.

  :57.

  I staggered to my feet and started down the hallway. Titan was resting on the deck. His faceplate was blank and webbed with cracks. He appeared to be nonfunctioning. I scooped him up and ran toward the portal. I weaved through the maze of corridors, watching the timer countdown on my HUD. By the time the teleport pad was in sight, there were 6 seconds remaining on the timer—and I had 50 yards to go.

  51