We started the party with some grenades; unfortunately, we figured it was useless when ‘Friend’ told us one had shield enhancements. That would need to be taken out in hand-to-hand, that is what made them so damn useful. I knew the trick to this though.
“Cover me.”
Phillip nodded and kept up a great suppressing fire with our automatic weapons. I rushed into the group, trusting Phillip to not hit me by accident. I jumped, swerving bullets from foes that decided to hit me despite Phillip’s work. I landed on top of the cyborg with the shield and pulled a plug in the back of the head. They were wired to self-destruct in case of emergency and it was not different this time. I went flying but managed to angle myself so that I flew down the hall, towards Phillip. Some of the soldiers had been taken out in the small explosion. A camera was following our every movement and was most likely hooked up to everyone’s headsets, so that the boss could issue orders.
I nodded and Phillip stopped my cover fire to take out the camera. It exploded and I was glad that the boys and girls would be fighting without the boss’ directives. Some of these guys were like mindless drones. Without someone to tell them what to do, they would go down easy. It was obvious which were like that, because they just rushed me where I had landed; where I was still laying and shooting from. I did not have the energy to crawl back; my leg was twisted and broken from my rough landing after the explosion. I knew I would have to get up and fight at some point so I was conserving energy.
Those that rushed us, Phillip easily mowed down. Sadly, by this time, both our automatic weapons were empty. My semi had been keeping me alive on the floor and I could hear Phillip cursing as he said something about not enough bullets. Damn, his was almost out too. I tossed him some extras that I had and stood. I could help with the lack of bullets.
I drew my sword and, when a fresh onslaught began, I swung, flitting through the air letting the bullets hit it and ricochet back to those shooting at us. I did this until my arm was hit. My swings became unpredictable then. Phillip leaped forward and jumped on top of me, pushing me down as he threw something. He covered his ears and I - knowing him as I did - covered mine as well. We both had headphones on, so it pressed them deeper into our ears and I could hear ‘Friend’ telling us to make sure we had our ears plugged. I had not heard it over the sound of bullets hitting my sword.
I soon found out why we had to duck and cover our ears. I could barely hear a sharp sound so piercing that everyone was covering their ears and some even collapsed into a state of shock. They were drooling and staring at nothing. When Phillip rose, I uncovered my ears, then stood, as some with swords had drawn them and rushed us. Phillip danced around them, using his guns to block as he made his way over to those on the ground. He put them out of their misery and ensured they would not enter the battle again.
We were down to half, but the harder half was still alive and I had a shot arm plus a broken leg. I would be fine after it was set, but that wasn’t happening anytime soon. I could still fly a plane and I could still shoot. I would not be so good at hand to hand, but the next battle would be an air battle and that would be the decisive one. If we could bomb the planets from orbit, I would not have a problem with my leg.
There were only three swordsmen, and two were amateurs. I could tell they were only using swords because they were out of ammunition and their friends would not share. That meant they were all almost out of ammo. Phillip had a bunch of guns left, mostly pistols, but none autos or semi autos. However, he could still shoot quickly and efficiently. I looked over to see him dealing with seven on his own. He could only last so long dodging bullets and using hand to hand combat against seven though.
I turned my attention back to the fight at hand. The sooner I finished, the sooner I could help Phillip. I was injured though and the blood loss was starting to get to me. In addition, my broken leg was still twisted up. I pushed through. Using the pain to make me angry, and taking it out on these horrible swordsmen. It did not take me long, injured or not.
I looked over to see Phillip starting to slow. I needed to finish this. I incapacitated the two and turned to the third. He stood back, waiting for me to catch my breath. Then he smiled and stepped forward. My left arm was still bleeding and the blood loss was affecting my eyes a bit. My sword was a two-handed long sword, and with my left arm throbbing it was starting to shake a bit. The man smiled and I remembered him. I had done a mission with him before.
“I shall enjoy this opportunity to prove you are not the best at everything.”
I smiled. So, that was what this one-on-one thing was about. “I’m not exactly at my best right now. Not much of a fair fight, don’t you think?”
“On the contrary, if you are half as good as everyone says, then this should even us out.”
I smiled at him, trying to seem like I had better control than I actually had at this moment. Bluffing could make all the difference in a fight. “Still too much of a coward to fight any battle but the ones you know you can win, I see. Not much has changed these past few years.”
“And you still have a big mouth for such a little girl.”
I snorted. That I could not deny. Jane had always said talk big and fight bigger. I lived by that rule. He bowed and rushed me before I could say anything smart. Apparently, the time for talk was over.
It was just bad luck that the sword he used was his first-choice weapon. Not only that, but he was fresh, having done no fighting until this point. I was injured, probably half dead by now, and could not use my sword effectively. Still, I managed to block him. I could feel the clashing of the swords in my teeth though.
I heard a scream and made a stupid mistake. I looked over to see Phillip get punched in the jaw. He recovered, kicking the knees of the boy as he went down, and rolled out of the way jumping back up into combat. But I had given my opponent what he needed. I had lost focus. He faked a swing while I looked away and I reacted instinctively to block. He pulled back at the last minute and kicked my broken leg. I went down with a scream. No matter what anyone says, a broken leg hurts and getting kicked in it hurts worse.
Phillip made the same stupid mistake I did. He turned and shot once before being jumped. Then he was on the ground as multiple opponents stood over him, pummeling him into the ground. I let one tear escape. I was prepared to die, but I did not really think it would happen here or now. I saw my opponent fall, clutching his chest.
“I guess the difference between you and me is someone cares enough to back me up.”
He smiled and blood gushed out of his mouth. He gurgled, as if he was trying for one last sarcastic remark and just could not get it out. I did not understand the smile until I noticed him dropping a grenade. I reached out and caught it, sending it flying at the mound of people tearing into Phillip. I put my hands over my head and heard a big bang. I looked up as the smoke cleared and I coughed. Damn dust. I would have some infection in the lungs when this was over, most likely. If I got out of here alive, anyway. I grabbed my sword, which I had dropped when I had dropped to the floor, and pulled myself up, leaning on it for support.
I adjusted my headphones and called to Friend. “Does he still have a pulse?” I did not expect so given that I had just thrown a grenade at him, but was pleasantly surprised when Friend gave me an affirmative. I picked my way through the pieces of scattered wall, over to the pile of bodies, and pieces of bodies. I almost slipped in a pool of blood and decided if I did, I was suing my work place. These carpets needed better absorption. I laughed at how ridiculous I was being. Obviously, blood loss was not good for sanity.
I pulled arms, legs, and a couple of loose heads away before getting to the whole bodies. I pulled them as well. It took more effort to drag them. When I got to the bottom of the pile, I found Phillip. He did not have any burns and the only blood loss was from places where he had been pummeled by those asses before I had blown them up. I was suddenly glad he had been getting pummeled. The multiple bodies had shielded him from the blow. I sighed
and gave a prayer of thanks to whatever God might be listening. I collapsed next to him and started shaking him.
“Ouch. That could have gone better.”
I could not help it. It was so ridiculous; all I could do was laugh. Phillip grinned and tried to laugh, but coughed up some blood which he had likely swallowed after being hit in his once handsome face a few too many times. He sat up and looked at me sitting next to him, with my legs outstretched.
“I guess, since you are alive, I got him.”
I looked over at my former comrade and nodded.
“You saved my life again.”
“Yeah, well we are still even. I figure they would have killed me after they were done beating the crap out of me if you had not thrown the grenade. But next time, could you save my life with something other than a grenade?”
I laughed. “I’ll try to remember that when I’m half dead and watching you get pummeled.”
“Good point.”
He looked up at the door in front of us. It was the only thing in the hallway to survive. Though it did show some wear and tear from the battle.
“Shall we go in? Or did we come here for nothing?”
I nodded; he got up and pulled me up after him. With our arms around each other to support one another, we pushed, and were surprised to see it open. No pummeling needed. We sighed in relief as Friend told us that we were in the clear. All defenses were disabled. That is why it was so easy to kill the cyborgs with a simple grenade. They were usually made of tougher stuff.
Behind a desk with a computer and next to a big-screen TV that was showing static, was my former boss. I had only seen him once before. During my rape. Phillip recognized him as well and stiffened up. The half man, half alien, smiled at us.
“You two are still alive. I must say, I did not expect it. Again, you prove yourself superior, Helen. I wonder if you could have done it alone. I think not, but even with the help of one other, and a computer, it is still impressive. So, what can I do for you? I would offer revenge on Jane, but you already have that. I could disband the company, but with the information released to the press by you and your friends, we were going to have to disband and move anyway. So, what shall it be?”
“Your head on my wall.”
He nodded and smirked, as if he had expected it all along.
“Go ahead and pull the trigger then. I have served my race faithfully. I am like you, Helen. Ready to die at any time. The only difference is, I will die for a cause.”
“What cause? The death and destruction of the entire human race? Please, that is not a cause. It just means you are a mindless race that doesn’t have the intelligence to coexist.”
I elbowed Phillip, shushing him. The man, if you could call him that, frowned and turned to Phillip.
“Boy, I don’t expect you to understand. The human race has had its chance and it squanders it. It sinks into nothingness, taking all other life with it. We will change that. Destroy the old and start anew. It is a vision I am willing to die for.”
“Good, because you are about to.” I pulled my gun and shot once. He died with a smirk on his face and bullet in his forehead. Phillip needed to vent though, so he grabbed my gun and put a few more bullets in him. By a few, I mean the rest of the clip. When it was done I walked forward - he had gotten closer to the body with every shot - and took the gun. He looked at me and broke into tears. We hugged and cried. Cried for the people we lost, the people we were going to lose, as well as the lives that were changed and destroyed by this horrible man.
Neither of us cared that soldiers did not show weakness. We had had this coming for years now. It was our closure. The final step before we got on a plane and risked our lives for the humans that cared nothing for us. Who did not admit that there was a full-scale invasion coming and that we needed to fight back at all costs.
After a few minutes, we both pulled back and dried our eyes. I collapsed and breathed deeply, trying to manage the pain. Phillip dropped down next to me and tried to pull me up. Everything was getting dark from blood loss. I heard Phillip talking to Friend, and passed out.
When I awoke, I was in an infirmary. Hospital beds and the smell of sterilization. I looked around and saw Phillip in the bed next to me. I sat up and looked at my leg. It was blessedly numb. I sighed in relief. At least I still had it.
“You are finally awake.”
I looked up to see Missy standing in the doorway. I smiled, relieved to see a familiar face. She pushed a button near the door and Gabe walked in smiling.
“We were able to do that new surgery on your leg. In three days, you will be as good as new. Until then, you are confined to bed rest.”
I had heard about the surgery. It was still in the trial stages but apparently it had worked on me. I looked over at Phillip. “He gonna live?”
Gabe laughed.
“He’s tougher than he looks. He underwent surgery as well, only his was for a punctured lung. He also had a broken jaw. It will heal pretty fast. We used a new formula that the military has been developing on you two. It speeds up the healing process. You both will be up and around at the same time. You needed a blood transfusion though. Phillip was kind enough to wait to pass out until after the rescue team came in.”
Missy smiled. “He reported to me and dropped like a stone. I saw the destruction you two wreaked upon that place. I gotta say, I am a bit glad I didn’t come until after. I am also grateful that we are on the same side. I couldn’t believe you two were still alive with your injuries and how many enemies you had.”
I nodded. “It was close. What happened to the building?”
“Burned along with all the bodies in it. People stayed to make sure no one escaped the flames.”
I nodded. Missy bounced up. “I have to tell everyone the good news. A few people were worried when our leaders came back half dead.”
She skipped out of the room, whistling. I shook my head. Just watching her have that much energy made me tired.
“I have good news.”
I looked at Gabe. “It had better be really good news. I am at my limit right now.”
“Me too. Faking sleep so the blonde will leave me alone is hard, and very tiring.”
We both smiled over at Phillip. “Maybe you should go to sleep for real.”
“Eavesdropping is better.”
Gabe smiled and laughed. “It’s good to see you finally admitting to being awake.”
I nodded my agreement and we both turned to look at Gabe.
“Okay, I can see it’s down to business. You two are still recuperating and you already want back to work.”
Neither of us bit. He was baiting us and we just wanted the facts. He sensed this and sat down on the chair between our beds.
“Well, someone contacted the military with our plan. They told them everything, your theories and what we planned to do about it.”
“How is that good?”
“Let me finish. Most people thought it was a prank, a joke, if you will. However, one general happened to see the truth and believe it. He will arrive in four days, with two battleships under his command, for our hunt. He contacted me himself and asked how we expected to bomb alien planets to smithereens without battleships. Each battleship comes with those smaller fast planes you guys planned to use to clean our worlds out, without destroying them.”
“How many?” I had to ask. Always strategizing.
“Each battle cruiser has twenty smaller fighter jets. Not all are the same make and model. I don’t know the exact number of each, but the general plans on dealing with you for an attack plan, so you will soon find out.”
“Which general? Are you sure he doesn’t plan to blow us out of the sky?”
“I’m sure. His name is General Hoocker. Strange, upbeat fellow. Got my personal number somehow and contacted me directly, even threatened my life if something happened to you on this mission. Therefore, I would appreciate it if you would be back in shape by then. Ready to go at it.”
I started to tear up and looked at Phillip. He was smiling and laughed.
“Guess you are more liked than you thought.”
I nodded and wiped my tears away.
“He also brought some students and teachers. The battle cruisers are fully manned and everyone is a volunteer for Operation Save Humanity.”
“I can’t believe it. Finally, a break.”
Gabe and Phillip laughed at me as I sank back into my pillow. Gabe told us to get some rest and left, locking us in from the outside. I was too tired to argue. I leaned back, Phillip rolled over and was soon snoring. Before I knew it, I was as well.
The next three days consisted of sleeping, eating, and testing out our bruised bodies. We had physical therapy. I had never had an injury that I needed physical therapy for, not since my rape, that is. By day four, when the ship arrived, we were back to practicing with the rest of the troops and mercenaries. Phillip and I were back to perfect shape, we were practicing when two battle cruisers landed in the field, down the slope.
I had figured by now that we were on one of the planets that humans had colonized, but then been wiped out on. In fact, it was my home planet. We could not choose the one with the battle academies as our base of operations. The other was still colonized. What alien life was here, or in the area, had been exterminated while Phillip and I were on our mission. This had all started on C-12 for me, and the beginning of the end was here as well.
“Makes you almost nostalgic, doesn’t it?”
I smiled. Phillip could always read me like an open book. “Nope.”
He laughed and put his arm around my shoulder as we walked towards the ships. General Hoocker was stepping out, greeting everyone already there. I pulled out from under Phillip’s arm and hurried forward. Thanks to the miracle healer drug, I did not even have a black and blue. I was in perfect shape, and ready to fight back.
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