Shroud of Doom

by William Manchee

  Chapter 25

  Accidental Death

   

  Threebeard lost track of time in the tank. He didn’t know if he’d been there one day or three. There was no change in his environment—just complete and absolute darkness and silence. He felt cold and wet. His muscles ached from lack of use and being held in one position for countless kyloons. He had an urge to flex them and move around but knew he couldn’t do that because the churning of the water could easily drown him. It was pure mental torture and had been much harder to endure than he could have ever imagined.

  Finally he was startled by a blinding light. He closed his eyes tightly trying to fend off the painful rays of the sun. He felt arms rudely pulling him out of the tank but he didn’t dare open his eyes for fear of permanent injury to them. He was pulled onto a metal platform where he fell onto his side being too weak to stand up. They gave him a towel to dry himself and his clothes. After he’d struggled back into his uniform, they helped him climb the stair out of the hold. The warm air felt wonderful until he took a breath of it and nearly gagged.

  “Give him a breather,” a voice commanded.

  A breather was put over his face and he took several deep breaths.

  “Threebeard, are you okay,” a voice said.

  Threebeard tried to speak but nothing came out. He tried again. “I don’t know. I’m still alive, I think.”

  “Yes, you are,” the voice agreed.

  Threebeard gradually opened one eye and was delighted to see a hazy Lt. Marsen. “How long was I in there?” he asked.

  “Eight days, I’m afraid. That’s quite a bit longer than usual.”

  Threebeard opened his other eye half way, looked around and noticed he and Lt. Marsen were alone. “So, why so long?”

  Lt. Marsen swallowed hard. “I’m sorry to say your identity has been compromised. The commandant knows who you are. He ordered the extra five days.”

  “Who’s the commandant?” Threebeard asked. “And how did he find out who I was?”

  “Captain Videl Lai is his name. He’s not sympathetic to mutants or any non-human life-form. He was vehemently against allowing the mutants into the TGA. When he found out the leader of the mutants had made it into Hell Squad he was, needless to say, delighted.”

  “Yeah. I bet. . . . So, what now?”

  Lt. Marsen sighed. “I’m afraid you’ll have to go back to the squad now. I’m to deliver you there at 17:00 kyloons. The squad is in firearms training: lasers and rifles.”

  “Good. That’s the kind of training I need. Lead the way.”

  “You sure you’re up to it? I could take you to the casualty department for a checkup before we report.”

  “No. I’m sure I’m already way behind the other recruits. I don’t want to miss any more training.”

  Lt. Marsen led him to classroom B22 where his platoon was listening to a lecture on the armaments the recruits would be learning to use. Sgt. Hovic frowned when they walked in. He pointed to a chair and Threebeard took a seat. Lt. Marsen stood in the back to make sure Threebeard’s integration back into the platoon went smoothly. The instructor was speaking.

  “This is the C31 pistol. It is a semiautomatic, magazine fed, recoil operated, double action pistol. It's magazine holds fifteen rounds and it’s light and versatile. There is a heat seeking version in development but it will be a few cycles before it is perfected. Imagine if you didn't have a straight shot. With the heat seeking technology you could simply shoot as close to your target as possible and if the ball detected a heat pattern it would veer towards it."

   Next he picked up a rifle and said, "This is the R6, the standard issue rifle for the TGA. Lightweight, durable, and always dependable. The R6 can fire either semi-automatic (single-shot) or 6-round bursts. It also can fire heat-seeking balls. Become proficient with the R6. It is your most versatile weapon, able to engage targets at long range and in close-quarters. As a general rule, select single-shot mode when attacking at long range. However, when you are going to be up close, such as in urban operations, go to burst mode."

  The instructor set the R6 down and picked up another rifle and held it up. "This is the T6. It's a modular light rifle weapon system that delivers a coherent, directed lethal laser beam over a range in excess of 200 strides against visible targets. The T7 provides a total integrated weapons system, including high energy density power source, laser medium resonator and focusing system. It weighs approximately the same as the R6 and is capable of delivering a maximum rate of fire of approximately three lethal laser bursts per tik. Differing from other individual small arms, the T6 does not employ ammunition in the conventional sense, relying upon the thermal energy provided by a D33 power source. The T6 may be fielded for continuous tactical use for a period of over 45 days which gives it a significant advantage over the R6."

  The instructor put down the T6 and continued, "Now this afternoon each of you will be issued a C34 pistol and either a R6 rifle or T6 laser rifle. You will be instructed in the proper use, handling, and care of these weapons. Over the course of your training you will become proficient in their use. These three weapons are the ones you will be using most often in your combat operations, but there are many more weapons that you will be trained to use in the course of your time here at Pegaport."

  Threebeard left the classroom with the platoon and went back to the barracks. While they were getting ready to go to the mess hall for dinner several of the recruits inquired as how Threebeard was feeling. Later he struck up a conversation with a mutant who had recently be sent to Hell Squad named Stixx Leode.

  “What was it like in the tank?” Leode asked.

  “Cold, desolate, and very lonely. It’s like you don’t exist except in your mind.”

  “How did you survive it without going crazy?” he asked.

  Threebeard took a deep breath. “Fortunately, I was familiar with the concept of the chamber and knew there was no use trying to fight it. It was difficult at first, but finally I just let my mind wander wherever it wanted to go. It was like a long night full of sweet dreams and horrible nightmares from which you could not wake up. But I knew eventually it would be over, so I kept telling myself not to panic and get overwhelmed.”

  Leode shook his head. “It sounds horrible to me.”

  Threebeard nodded. “No, I wouldn’t recommend it. It did give me a lot of time to think.”

  “Sgt. Hovic is a scutz. It’s too bad somebody can’t give him some of his own medicine.”

  “Well, I’ve given that idea some serious thought, believe me.”

  “You have?”

  “Sure, I had plenty of time to think about it—not much else to do in the tank. I came up with quite a few fun ways to kill him.”

  “I bet,” Leode laughed.

  “So, how is everyone holding up in the platoon?” Threebeard asked.

  “Well, things are settling down a little bit. Everyone is being very careful to follow orders meticulously and not to do anything to piss off the sergeant. He’s still picking on Tuckh, though. Yesterday he beat him pretty badly when he couldn’t make it over the obstacle course wall quickly enough.”

  “The dirty scutz,” Threebeard spat shaking his head. “With those feet it’s a wonder he can even get over it at all.”

  “I know. I wanted to help him, but there wasn’t much I could do.”

  “No. You would have ended up in the tank just like me. . . . So, what’s the schedule tomorrow?” Threebeard asked.

  “Right after lunch we’re running to the rifle range to learn how to shoot the T7 and our lasers.”

  “Good. I’m anxious learn how to shoot. I hope I can do it with six eyes.”

  “You’ll have to close five of them and aim with just one,” Leode suggested.

  “Yeah. I figured that. I just don’t know if I’ll be able to hold a rifle properly. They weren’t exactly made for three-headed mutants.”

  Leode laughed. “Probably not.”

  The next morning
the recruits were awakened early and paraded double time to the shooting range. On the way Tuckh stumbled and fell and Sgt. Hovic took the opportunity to beat him severely again while the recruits looked on in dismay. It was all Threebeard could do to restrain himself from choking the sergeant with his third hand.

  The range personnel distributed a laser to each of the recruits. Threebeard inspected his laser carefully and Tuckh looked at his warily. While everyone watched, the instructor took apart a laser and put it back together again. Then he showed them how to fire it properly. When he was done he directed everyone to practice on the targets. Threebeard aimed the laser as he’d been told and fired it straight ahead. The laser blast missed the target and hit the wall behind it. Others began firing with most of the shots missing the targets.

  “Keep your lasers steady and squeeze the trigger gently,” Sgt. Hovic screamed. “Don’t jerk it.”

  Threebeard tried again and this time burned a hole through the upper left quadrant of the target. He laughed in delight for the first time since he’d returned from the tank. Then he noticed Tuckh having trouble holding his laser steady and Sgt. Hovic rushing over to give him hell. Anger welled in Threebeard as he recalled his eight days in the tank. Memories of all the abuse the sergeant had shown the recruits rushed through his head. Then he thought of Videl Lai and how he’d added five days to his punishment for doing nothing but caring for another human being. He thought of Eyeball and Misty and how they’d been brutally murdered by those who despised the Supreme Mandate and wanted to destroy it.

  Without conscious thought he reached out with his third hand and tripped him. Sgt. Hovic fell forward crashing into Tuckh. Tuckh twisted in shock losing his grip on the laser. Suddenly, there was a flash from the laser and a scream of utter agony from Sgt. Hovic. Tuckh dropped the laser and backed away. Several members of the range staff rushed over and huddled over the sergeant. There were calls for a medic, but Threebeard knew there’d be no need for one. A laser blast through the chest at point-blank range would, he knew, be fatal.

   

   

  Artis was growing weary from her journey. The freighter they took from Rallis was diverted to Dalo to deliver supplies there. Millions on the small island had been killed when the islands sole volcano, Mt. Triberius, erupted and spewed lava over seventy percent of the island. By the time the ship sailed into Pulguras Harbor in Darkland twenty days had passed. The only thing that had made the trip tolerable was a sudden connection to Threebeard eight days into the journey.

  “Where have you been brother?” Artis asked joyfully.

  “Submerged in an iron tank. That’s why we couldn’t communicate?”

  “An iron tank? God and Sandee save us. What are you talking about.”

  Threebeard explained what had happened and told her about the accident and Sgt. Hovic’s death.

  “So, are you in trouble again?”

  “No. They have no reason to suspect me. It was just a tragic accident.”

  “You don’t think anyone will be suspicious?”

  “The commandant, Videl Lai, may question what happened but he will have no way of proving it was anything but an accident.”

  “I’m so worried about you, brother. You must be careful. I don’t want to lose you.”

  “Don’t worry. My training at Pegaport is almost over. I’m told officer training on Pogo Island will be much easier. They treat the candidates very well there. But, what about you? I’m sorry you had no luck in the Duesi Desert.”

  “Yes,” Artis said. “It was very depressing there. I hope it is different in the Rezoon Desert.”

  “Me too. Perhaps the tremors haven’t been so devastating. Keep me updated.”

  “I will. May God and Sandee be with you.”

  Artis disconnected feeling much better that her brother was safe. Two days later when they finally docked in Pulguras Harbor she felt slightly optimistic that they’d eventually find a nanomite city. She reasoned that God wouldn’t allow her six thousand kylod journey to be in vain. Unfortunately, the situation in Pulguras was desperate and Giant had great difficulty procuring transportation for their journey inland. There were no ATVs with internal filtration systems available so the group had to settle for an old hover taxi that had gone out of service when the volcanoes began to erupt.

  One advantage of the hover taxi was that it didn’t have to travel on ordinary roadways. It could travel over any flat surface. This came in handy when they came to large cracks in the road. Usually a small detour off road would get them moving again. The downside to the hover taxi, however, was its small size and lack of adequate storage for water and provisions. It also lacked the strength and stability of an ATV and even a modest wind made it difficult to drive.

  Once they got out of the city the roads were nearly deserted which made travel easier but also made them apprehensive. If no one was traveling there had to be a reason. Half way to their destination they found out why there were no travelers. As they came over a hill and began to descend into a valley they were confronted by a dozen men on jet cycles. Having been warned about marauders Giant didn’t stop but rather turned the hover taxi off road in an effort to get around the cyclist. The maneuver was partially successful but two cyclist managed to circle around and head them off before they got back to the road. Giant nearly collided with one of the cyclist and in his effort to avoid one of the bikes he sideswiped the other one.

  The collision damaged the propulsion unit and the hover taxi fell to the ground and slid 150 feet before it came to a stop. Giant immediately sprang from the car and turned to face their assailants. A few tiks later the cyclists were encircling the hover taxi waiting for the command to attack. When the command came the lead cyclist began bearing down on Giant, but before he reached him Giant reached out with this third hand and dislodged the cyclist from his bike. The startled biker rolled head over heels several times before crashing into a tree.

  Artis emerged from the other side of the hover taxi and began knocking the attackers off their bikes with her third hand almost as adroitly as Giant. Several cyclist charged at Giant on foot but were no match for him. He dispatched one with a crushing blow to the skull and lifted the other one high in the air and threw him thirty feet into a pile of boulders. He didn’t get up.

  Artis had more difficulty subduing her attackers but with Faruk’s help she managed to stand her ground until Giant was free to help out. Soon the bikers were rethinking the propriety of their attack, picking up their wounded, and making their escape.

  “We better get out of here,” Giant warned. “They’ll be back soon with a more effective attack strategy, I’m sure.”

  “What about the propulsion unit?” Artis asked.

  Giant looked at the disabled hover taxi and then at one of the abandoned jet cycles laying in the sand. “I guess we’ll have to appropriate these jet cycles. We don’t want to be around here when the marauders return.”

  Faruk looked at the jet cycle and frowned. “You want me to ride one of those?”

  Giant smiled. “Either that or wait for us here and we’ll pick you up in a few days on the way home.”

  Faruk looked around warily and shook his head. “No. That’s alright. You’ll have to show me how to ride this thing.”

  “It’s really quite simple,” Giant said picking up one of the cycles and rolling it over Faruk.

  After he’d given him a short lesson on the operation of the cycle they packed as much gear as they could load on the bikes, put on their breathers and helmets and took off. Three kyloons later they reached the Rezoon Desert and drove to the first location where the nanomite formations had last been seen. It was dark when they arrived, so they set up camp, built a campfire and cooked dinner. After they’d eaten they sat around the campfire and chatted.

  “So, Faruk. How did you like riding a jet cycle?” Artis asked.

  “It was fun for a while, but I think I prefer an ATV. I’m exhausted and my butt is sore.”

  A
rtis laughed. “Yes, I agree. “Particularly having to wear a helmet and breather. It got very tiresome.”

  “It beats walking,” Giant noted.

  “True,” Artis agreed. “So, tomorrow hopefully we’ll be able to find one of the nanomite formations and make contact with them.”

  “So, once we make contact, then what?” Faruk asked.

  “It will depend on the nanomites. If they are in distress we’ll see if there is anything we can do to help them survive. If they don’t need or want our help, we’ll go home.”

  “Are you going to have to teach them Tari again?”

  “Probably. I doubt the nanomites back in Tributon had time to pass on the new language to the other colonies.”

  “Well, I hope we find them,” Faruk said. “I’d hate to think that every last nanomite has been killed.”

  Artis smiled confidently. “I’m sure we’ll find some. Don’t worry.”

  Giant doused the fire and they all retreated to the tent to try to get a good night’s sleep. Giant and Faruk fell asleep immediately, but Artis twisted and turned but couldn’t get comfortable. Her mind was racing trying to think of the best approach to make contact with the nanomites. Then she remembered Threebeard had said not to fight it, just let her subconscious mind seek them out. So, she took a deep breath and tried to relax. Soon she drifted off and began a silent search for her new found friends.

  The next day she tried to remember her dreams but came up blank. After breakfast they started searching for the nanomite formations. The dark sky and endless grey landscape made it difficult to see any kind of rock formations. Everything looked alike, so Artis began searching with her mind for any sign of a nanomite presence. They searched all day hitting each of the suspected nanomite locations but they found nothing. Discouraged they made camp again that night with the intention of leaving at first light the next morning.

  During the night, however, a nanomite swarmmaster came to Artis in a dream and revealed that nearly all of the nanomites had been killed in the aftermath of the volcanic eruptions, except a very few who had taken sanctuary in a safe place. Unfortunately, the swarmmaster did not reveal where the few remaining nanomites were located. Artis wasn’t sure if the dream had been real, but nevertheless it gave her hope that somehow a few nanomites had survived and could be rescued.

  The next day they climbed on their jet cycles and began their journey back to Tributon feeling sad and dejected that they had been unable to save the nanomite life-form on Tarizon. On the way, however, Artis made contact with Threebeard and gave him the bad news. He was disappointed as well, but told Artis not to give up hope for he too had been contacted in a dream by a living swarmmaster claiming that somewhere on Tarizon a colony of nanomites had survived and could yet be saved.