Battle ARC

by Toby Neighbors

  “You knew it was compromised?” Cash asked.

  “No,” Angel replied. “We knew that it was possible the battery coil burning out had compromised it. There was no way to know for sure.”

  “Yeah, they pushed these suits through testing pretty fast,” Bolton said.

  “They’ll probably find out years down the road that the ARC suits cause some kind of weird disease,” Vancini said.

  “You gotta learn to think positive thoughts, bro,” BJ said.

  “I guess you’ll be going back to civilization then,” Cash said.

  “Looks that way,” Angel said.

  “At least we kicked the Swarms’ ass,” Vancini said. “That’s something.”

  “What will happen to Captain Nance?” Princess asked.

  “He fled the battlefield without really engaging the enemy,” Angel said. “The colonel is bringing formal charges against him.”

  Just then Raven strolled up. His eyes were hard as diamonds as he stared at Angel.

  “Time to move out,” he said.

  “What?” Cash asked.

  “The Battle ARC is here and we’re going up to the Ramses.”

  “Who died and left you in charge?” Thriller said.

  “Since Captain Nance was removed from duty I’m the senior officer, Pilot. And you’ll watch that smart mouth if you know what’s good for you. Now, load up. We’re getting off this rock.”

  Cash looked at Angel and sighed. She stood up, the weight of her fatigue was like a lead blanket hanging across her shoulders.

  “Not you,” Raven said with a smirk. “You don’t have a suit anymore. I suspect you’ll be reassigned.”

  “You could show some respect, Lieutenant,” Daniels said. “She just saved all our asses when she killed the queen.”

  “That’s one opinion,” Raven growled. “Another would be that her incompetent strategy resulted in the biggest loss of life in the history of the CSF.”

  “Lieutenant, you’re out of line,” Princess said.

  “I said from the beginning that she didn’t belong,” Raven crowed. “And now she doesn’t. Let’s move.”

  He turned but no one followed.

  “I said, let’s go!”

  They just stared at him, no one moving until Angel stepped forward.

  “You’ve got a great platoon here, Raven. Don’t spoil it the way Nance did.”

  “Who the hell are you to try and tell me anything,” he snarled.

  Cash was suddenly beside Angel. Bolton, Vancini, BJ, and even Daniels crowded close. A look of surprise, and more than a little fright flitted through the pilot’s eyes.

  “Go with him,” Angel said. “Give my regards to Commander Mercer.”

  “What about you?” Cash said.

  “I do have to get my suit repaired,” Angel said, looking directly at Raven. “And then I’ll be back. You can count on it.”