by Todd Mcleod
What is that?
That’s when he spotted the names and numbers. He laughed. “That crazy robot! He backed himself up to my armour’s data unit. Incredible!”
Vi called down to him.
“What’s going on down there?”
Elvin took a deep breath, forcing himself back to his feet. He knew that Rover was just an AI drone, but he had made a sacrifice worthy of any Human. But knowing that part of him had transferred to his armour lifted his spirits. He could not see his companions or the wall. He could only hope they still stood. He could clearly see the aliens struggling to regroup. It was good to see them reel in the chaos like the Humans did against them up until now.
“Go now!” Vi shouted as she began firing shots toward the aliens to add to the chaos, fighting through the pain and shock of her wound.
Deep within the smoke Willia looked down to her arm, blood still flowing from her wound. She looked on to Brendan. “Go now. I will buy you as much time as I can.”
“I won’t leave you.”
Willia nodded to Brendan before disappearing into the smoke toward the hole in the wall. Behind him the sounds of advancing aliens could be heard moving ever closer. Gunshots grew louder, but with the sound the rest of the squad finally regrouped. Elvin found Vi, and the pair began to fall back with the others. They went through the wall and down deep toward the train. They made it halfway down when a great boom filled the facility. Vi staggered, but Elvin caught her before she could smash her head on the wall. Brendan shook his head bitterly.
“Willia is gone. And for what?”
In answer to his question the lights flickered, and a dull hum announced that power had returned to the maglev rail system. The fastest and safest way out of the city. They raced down the steps towards the waiting train. One by one they clambered in and sealed the doors. Brendan and the others moved to the next car along and leapt in, while Vi worked on the controls. Laser fire struck the side, and two of the curved windows shattered into small pieces. Elvin rose to his feet and placed his rifle on the broken frame. The gun shuddered as he blasted away. The enemy soldiers scattered to avoid the fire.
“Whatever you’re doing, Vi, do it fast!”
The aliens were coming from multiple directions. Some took aimed shots, but most simply fired wild, sporadic shots from the hip. One after the other they smashed into the train.
“Got it!” Vi yelled as she bypassed the train’s security panel and powered up the train. It rose above the single rail and began to move.
“I’ll take it from here.”
Brendan took over the controls while Vi joined Elvin and blasted away at the rapidly disappearing enemy soldiers. Brendan increased power to the train as they sped down the tunnel. One moment they were fighting, the next they were sitting or leaning against the sides of the train. They could take a breath and relax to treat their wounds as they enjoyed this temporary respite.
Vi slumped to the floor, and Elvin lowered down to sit beside her. He reached out for her hand, but she grabbed his fist and squeezed it tightly. They had escaped the invasion, and though there would be more battles and challenges to come, for now they had a victory. No matter how small it was, they would gladly take it.
`-To be continued-