ARMS Harris' Revenge

by Arseneault, Stephen

  Bannis Morgan had been a busy man. He’d made contact with the owner of the failed domed city on Rega III and the assets there were fully purchased. The dome construction was modular in nature, requiring a special ship to transport and drop the many pieces in place.

  The slugs and stumps on Eden were forwarded the designs for constructing the concrete foundation. Pourings had already begun by the time the Bangor arrived.

  The group looked over the display as the Bangor hovered over the colony site.

  Trish said, “That dome must be huge.”

  “Two kilometers in diameter,” Gandy replied. “Just over three square kilometers of floor space. Should fully support our first several thousand people and then some.”

  “And after that?”

  “After that…” Harris said, “Mr. Morgan purchased the designs and the defunct factory where the parts were made. He’s branching into the colony-dome manufacturing business with several partners. That gives them a business presence without the appearance of being directly involved in all this.”

  Trish asked, “Will we be building a dome at each mine claim?”

  Tawn nodded. “Eventually.”

  Harris added, “We plan on building this colony out fully before starting the next. Mr. Morgan advised that we take this first one to full production. Once the yields fall by half we start moving these domes and all the people to the next site. When the major sites are depleted, we split up the domes between the smaller ones.”

  Gandy said, “Sure wish we could have gotten all those claims. Did we find out who got the last one?”

  Tawn scowled. “It was Bax. She bribed the claim processor. He said he was never given the documentation you turned in.”

  Gandy huffed. “I carried it in there myself. I saw the digital signature. He’s lying.”

  “Doesn’t matter,” Harris said. “The claim was filed and registered. I looked over what was available from our scan. I would say there’s enough ore there to build a dozen warships. That’s according to Mr. Morgan. Not enough for them to restart a war.

  “Besides, word has gotten out at home that she wants to sell titanium to the Earthers. Nobody is willing to sell her mining equipment. She’ll have to get that from New Earth – which she will – but at least it slows her down.”

  Gandy grinned. “This is all so fantastical and exciting. I can’t believe we’re building a mining colony on Eden. We fly around wherever we want in our own ship. We’re making huge deals with industry leaders. And we shot down a New Earth destroyer! Life just doesn’t get any better than this!”

  Tawn took in a deep breath. “Starting to remind me about the last time things were going this easy for us. We got roped into nearly starting a war all on our own. I have to wonder what schemes Baxter Rumford and the Earthers are cooking up for us. They aren’t just gonna let all this titanium go back to Domicile.”

  Gandy said, “We can protect any cargo with the Bangor. She can handle anything Bax can throw at us. Even a NE destroyer.”

  Harris laughed. “We aren’t going up against any more warships in this. They wouldn’t let us get close enough to offer a fight. What we’re gonna have to do is keep our eyes peeled for any signs of Earther ships in the area when our freighter takes off. They’ll be vulnerable for about forty-five minutes from liftoff to jumping through a wormhole. If they can traverse that safely, they’re home free.”

  Tawn nodded. “No way they are jumping destroyers after them. That would be a treaty violation our military wouldn’t stand for.”

  Gandy asked, “When we get the refined ore back to Domicile, what do we do with it? I thought that market is already fully supplied.”

  “We’ll stockpile if we have to.”

  Trish winced. “Can we afford that? Don’t we have to be making income? Just selling supplies can’t possibly pay for all this.”

  Tawn smiled. “You let us worry about that. For now, let’s just keep moving forward.”

  Several days had passed before the first of the dome beams arrived. Scaffolding stood ready to support the beam as the custom transport lowered it. Before the day had come to an end, a dozen such pieces were in place.

  Gandy looked on in awe. “Those have to be two hundred meters each. Hard to believe five of those fastened together will be strong enough to hold up one side.”

  Harris replied, “They said three weeks to move them in place, a week to check for issues, and we follow with the crown. After that the roof goes on, then we insulate, and finally power and cooling equipment are installed and brought online.”

  “How long to cool it down?”

  “Another three days. A month from now we should be able to comfortably walk the insides.”

  Gandy shook his head. “That’s just crazy. And your people are all out there working in those flimsy reflective suits. I don’t know how you can stand it.”

  Tawn gave an answer. “Not so bad now. They have cooling vests they swap out about once an hour. And plenty of water. It’s not ideal, but it is manageable. Next week we should see the first of the biosuits finally coming out of production. They’ll be able to work all day after that.”

  Trish asked, “Any word on Bax and her operation?”

  “We’ve had a couple scouts sneaking out there to evaluate,” Tawn said. “She’s still working on her first building. I don’t think she’s getting much support from the Earthers. They must be fuming about how we scooped all the claims.”

  The construction of the dome framework was completed on schedule. The roofing material was applied and the underside insulated. When the last of the roof panels were fastened into place, the reactor was installed, started, and the cooling equipment powered up. Over the three days that followed the temperature inside dropped from sixty degrees to thirty six.

  Trish walked across the concrete floor, looking up. “I can’t believe we just built this. Still like a sauna in here though.”

  “Temp is expected to drop about seven degrees per day,” said Harris. “Should be sitting at a tolerable level in another three days. Longer than we thought, but workable. Those box-like structures over by the coolers are humidifiers. I’ve been told 50 percent is our target.”

  Colonel Robert Thomas walked up to the foursome. “Harris, Tawn, looks like we might just get this thing built.”

  Harris replied, “Couldn’t have done it without your help, Colonel.”

  Tawn added, “Everyone is working so hard.”

  Robert nodded. “You’ve given them purpose again. Jobs, a future, and friends. They appreciate all that you’re doing here. And as the miners arrive, some are eager to transition to full-time security work.”

  Harris said, “We still need construction workers, Colonel.”

  Robert smiled. “And you’ll have no shortage of them. We’re picking up another twenty or so recruits a day from the colonies and Domicile. Seems every Bio has their eye on working here.”

  Harris looked around at the insides of the giant dome as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I just hope we can keep things running this smoothly. I’d like to get started on the next dome as soon as possible. Mr. Morgan thinks he’s only weeks away from producing the first pieces.”

  “You somehow lit a fire under that man. He has worked tirelessly in support of this project.”

  Tawn smacked the colonel on the shoulder. “No harder than you, sir.”

  Harris said, “The first acclimatized mining gear should be here tomorrow. We have all the pipes for the plumbing and wiring for the power. Buildout of the housing should be underway right after those. After that it will be time to start bringing in colonists.”

  The colonel asked, “How’s that effort going?”

  Harris replied, “Fritz says he has close to three hundred signed up. His ad campaigns will be going out tomorrow. He expects a flood after that. Says what he’s seeing is completely different from what he expected. With the right message, the worker supply might only be limited by whoever wants to stay on Domicile
.”

  A comm came into the colonel from a Biomarine perched on the top of the dome. “Sir, I’m seeing a column of soldiers coming in from the south! They appear to be armed! Will be here in three to four minutes!”

  The colonel flipped comm channels. “Major! Assemble the security force as we practiced! Looks like we have company!”

  Another switch was made. “Everyone, listen up, we have hostiles incoming. All personnel move to your pre-assigned safe stations and await my commands. Security teams… I will see you at the weapon’s locker.”

  Harris asked, “You need weapons? We have a handful on the ship.”

  The colonel shook his head as he walked toward his armory. “We brought in several dozen plasma rifles, Mr. Gruberg. Hope you don’t mind.”

  Harris laughed. “Mind? I’m thrilled.”

  Tawn said, “We should go back and get the Bangor in the air. We could take out that whole column with ease.”

  Harris replied. “We fire anything from that ship and the pacies will ban us… permanently.”

  Robert Thomas yelled across the open floor. “We’ll handle this. You two get back to the safety of your ship.”

  The lookout passed down a new assessment. “Column is spreading out. I estimate four to five hundred soldiers… all with plasma rifles.”

  Harris sighed. “Come on, we need to get these two on the ship. Gonna get heated out here.”

  A quick sprint took the group to a covered docking hangar where the Bangor was parked. Tawn and Harris changed into biosuits, collected their arms, and headed to the hatch.

  Harris said, “Take her up to a half kilometer and wait. And don’t try to get involved no matter what you think you see. This is our fight.”

  The hardened ship lifted from the deck and shot skyward. Tawn and Harris hustled back into the dome, heading for an exit on the other side.

  As she sprinted, Tawn said, “We should coordinate with the colonel.”

  Harris replied, “He has his people doing what he wants. We’d just get in his way and be a distraction. Besides, he would be putting us at the back of any assault or defense. I’d rather us be on equal ground with everyone else.”

  The rumble of plasma explosions could be heard as they approached the far exit. The attacking force had spread out to form an assault line composed of three sections. The center section would come straight in while the other two forces worked their way around to each side.

  Each plasma round that struck the dome plating ripped a small hole. The colonel’s men took position behind a low concrete wall, the attackers behind the numerous rock outcroppings that dotted the sand and dust-covered landscape. Plasma rounds blasted sand and rock into the air.

  Tawn said, “They’re gonna bust through the east and west entrances. The colonel needs to split his defense.”

  Harris pointed back toward the north door. “He’s already done so.”

  Two contingents of sixty Biomarines funneled through the north entrance on their way to the east and west positions. Each of the grand doors were blown just before their arrival. Heavy plasma fire was exchanged.

  Harris said, “Pick your fight.”

  Tawn pointed up. “I should be up top.”

  Harris opened a comm. “Trish, Tawn is coming out the south door. Set down between her and the Earthers. She needs a ride up top.”

  Trish replied, “Fifteen seconds…”

  The Bangor dropped in, settling just above the sand and drawing intense fire from the Earther assault force, her ion shielding absorbing all that came her way. The hatch opened and Tawn sprinted out from the dome with a dive and roll. As the Bangor lifted toward the crown of the dome, Harris Gruberg joined the colonel behind a concrete wall.

  “I’d say we have a standoff at the moment.”

  The colonel shook his head. “I have five hundred unarmed Marines holed up at the wellhead building. If they make a move toward there it’s gonna be a slaughter.”

  Harris said, “Give me a half dozen fighters and I’ll see to it that move doesn’t happen.”

  The colonel gestured to one of his Marines. “Perino, take your squad and follow Mr. Gruberg.”

  The squad-leading slug snapped back a salute. “Yes, sir!”

  Perino pointed at the entrance door. “Lead the way, sir.”

  A sprint led Harris and his new squad to the north entrance. The Biomarines at the east and west sides had pushed the attackers back outside the dome. Harris and his squad, ran through the north entrance and into the docking bay. As the team moved out into the sand beyond, plasma fire thundered on the ground all around, forcing them back into the cover of the bay.

  Harris got on the comm to the Bangor. “Can you see the armored carriers from where you are?”

  Gandy replied, “They’re over by the beginnings of the pit.”

  “Trish, I need you to drop your brother at the carriers. Gandy, bring one of those to the north docking bay.”

  Trish pushed the controls over and the Bangor darted overhead before settling beside the vehicles. Gandy was out the hatch and quickly inside.

  “Haven’t driven one of these before.”

  “Standard controls,” Harris replied. “You’ll figure it out. And don’t worry about plasma rounds from these rifles. The armor on that rig is built to take it. Strap yourself in though, as this will get rough.”

  Gandy flipped several switches, bringing the electric motors online. The armored carrier lurched forward as he pushed the throttle down with his boot. The six wheeled beast vaulted out of the pit, almost going airborne, before racing across the sand.

  “This thing has some power!” Gandy yelled.

  The armored carrier shook as it approached the bay, dozens of plasma rounds banging off its hull. As Gandy turned the stick toward the open bay, a missile streaked across the sand, striking the left front wheel and sending the APC over onto its side.

  Harris sprinted out into the open, skidding to a stop beside the overturned vehicle. “Gandy! You OK?”

  “I’m good. Hit my head, but I’ll live.”

  A dozen Earthers rushed out from their position, throwing out a relentless barrage of plasma rounds as they ran.

  Tessika Perino took command. “We’re taking that rock formation! Benson, Peck, Herrington… follow the edge of the dome around to that rise. Should give you a good firing angle on their position. Ross, Sanchez, Umbutu, we’re taking the hard road, going straight in. You’ll be porpoising across those sands. Use what little cover there is. Gruberg, you’re gonna have to hold your own!”

  Harris peered around the edge of the APC as dozens of rounds popped across the top side of the vehicle. Three squeezes of the trigger on his repeater caught three of the approaching Earthers dead center, cutting their number to nine. A sprint around to the far side of the armored hull saw another two caught in the open, their chests ripping open as the plasma rounds spread out on impact.

  Black shards of sand-glass pelted his biosuit as he lay on his belly for the next set of shots. Another Earther fell, his comrades reaching the opposite side of the APC.

  Harris thought to himself: “Six on one is not the odds I was looking for.”

  A handle turned and the back hatch popped open. “Inside! Hurry!”

  Harris dove as three plasma rounds impacted the sand at his feet. Gandy pulled the hatch shut, having taken hot shards to his upper chest and left arm. The hull of the APC shook as the attackers outside made every attempt to blow it open.

  Gandy collapsed backward. Harris rushed to catch him, setting him down gently.

  “How bad you hurt?”

  Gandy winced. “Burns. Feels like I’m on fire. Nothing deep though. Do what you need to secure us.”

  Harris winked. “You’re not a warrior until you have battle scars. Just hang tight. I’ll see what I can do.”

  Trish came over the comm. “You OK in there?”

  Gandy took a deep breath and replied, “Took some hot sand. I’ll make it. Mr. Gruberg is unhurt.�
�

  Harris popped the latches on a bottom hatch, flinging it open and shooting another of the Earthers before pulling it slammed shut.

  “And then there were five.”

  A voice came from outside. “Give up and you’ll go unharmed!”

  Harris laughed. “Not believing it! Earthers don’t take captives while the fighting is still going on!”

  They heard three quick bursts, a sound Harris Gruberg knew all too well: bodies exploding from the impact of plasma rounds.

  Tawn came over the comm. “Can I assume someone is in the APC?”

  Harris replied, “Gandy and me. Was that your handiwork out there?”

  Tawn growled. “Only got three. The other two are around on the top side. I’ve got no line.”

  Harris glanced over at Gandy. “Got your weapon?”

  “Right here.”

  Harris smiled. “If I’m not back in thirty seconds, be prepared to use it.”

  The back hatch was opened with Harris diving out into a roll. As he came up in a shooting stance, the first of the two Earthers rounded the corner of the APC. Two well placed plasma rounds saw the attacker splitting apart and flying backward. A loud thud could be heard as the last of the group to assault the APC attempted to flee.

  Tawn came over the comm. “You’re clear all the way around.”

  “Can you see Perino?”

  “Hang on. She’s pinned down. But so are the Earthers. I have two stumps who didn’t make it. The rest of her squad is trying to work their way back toward you.”

  “This is Harris. Perino is pinned.”

  The second APC raced across the sand, skidding to a stop beside Harris. A top hatch popped open and Trish’s head came up to eye-level.

  “Come on!”

  Harris hurried around to the back hatch, helping Gandy out and into the second APC. The armored vehicle lurched forward as Trish depressed the throttle. A short drive had it skidding to a stop beside Tessika Perino. The back hatch was opened and the Biomarine climbed in.

  Colonel Thomas came over the general comm. “They’re pulling back! Hold your positions and hold your fire. If they want to leave, let them.”