*****
“You all know why we are here and what we stand for…” Hank said to the Freedom Army. “…We are fighting for the right of Human existence. For years we have held our own against the Hierarchy, the High Council and the Rebu Mother Ship, keeping those within these walls safe, but now it is time to do more, much more,” Hank continued just as Hannah joined them in the courtyard. “Today we will launch what may very well be our first and only major offensive against my misguided kin. You all know me and what I stand for, and I can affirm to you that I will give my all in this battle and I expect nothing less from you all. Some of you have been given Rebu survival suits and I hope you used the last few hours to get accustomed to them because they will give us a much needed edge,” Hank added leaving a short pause for effect.
“I have brought out the extent of our armoury for convenience. You can select any weapons you feel will serve you best, however, the pulsed chamber assault rifle is a basic requirement. You must all equip yourselves with one of them; they are very reliable, all round weapons. You may also choose to take a sonic blade, these are one of the best weapons to use against a Sentinel. Make no mistake, this will be by no means an easy task, as we expect the Mother Ship to be heavily guarded; after all it is the only Rebu ship around for light-years,” Hank added as he sheathed a sonic blade and retrieved an assault rifle. “Take whatever you need and settle your affairs, we leave in thirty minutes,” Hank concluded and walked towards Hannah who was standing beside Nathan. As Hank approached Rohan, Sophia and Lola emerged from the crowd to join them.
“I’ve packed as many medical supplies as I can carry,” Sophia announced as she slung a bag over her back and secured a pulse pistol on her side.
“You should probably carry a few weapons as well,” Hank said to Hannah, while she stood considering Rohan and Lola’s cloaked appearance. Rohan opened his cloak to reveal the weapons he carried on his person, armed to the teeth as expected of Special Tactics Officer, and Lola did the same revealing two sonic blades holstered at her sides.
“I haven’t fired a rifle before…” Hannah started to say but remembered the pulses her suit fired, while escaping the Sentinels.
“All the same...” Rohan said passing Hannah a pulse pistol. “…You should probably carry one,” Hannah accepted the pistol and holster, securing the holstered pistol round her hips.
“These suits should help us all communicate via a secure network, so let’s keep in touch,” Hannah said.
“Agreed,” Hank replied. “I pray that Ehnmil keeps you safe and watches over both our endeavours,” Hank added as he turned and returned to his men.
“He’s worried,” Lola observed.
“He should be… We may all die in this attempt,” Rohan replied.
“How very optimistic of you,” Lola teased.
“What now?” Sophia asked.
“Since we all have survival suits the beginning of our journey will be relatively easy,” Hannah answered.
“What do you mean?” Nathan asked.
“We’ll fly to the shore,” Hannah replied with a smile. “It’s really easy, just bunch up your legs and jump, but imagine yourself remaining in the air, in motion; the suit will take care of the rest,” the others exchanged looks, obviously they hadn’t tried it before, so Hannah decided to demonstrate. She bunched up her legs and slowly lifted herself off the ground, suspended mid-air and then returned to the ground.
After numerous failed attempts, they finally got it right and it seemed word spread throughout the courtyard and others who had on the survival suits began attempting to fly as well. Hannah smiled at the game that had ensued, momentarily forgetting the challenge they were yet to face.
“It seems you’ve got the hang of it. Are you ready to go?” Hannah asked her companions and they nodded in response. Hannah prepared herself and then launched into the air, the others followed and joined her as the five of them raced towards the shoreline, leaving Fort Freedom behind them.
As the companions approached the shoreline, Hannah lowered her altitude until she was almost touching the surface and the others followed, and then she slowed to a landing directly in front of the open sea.
“Safe Haven is just beyond the horizon,” Hannah said as the others joined her. “After this point I expect an approach by air will be detected, but perhaps we can approach by sea.”
“What?!” Lola spoke up. “You never said anything about swimming!” Lola exclaimed.
“It’s only water,” Hannah teased. “Besides, swimming is easy and I’m sure that if these suits can help us fly they can also help us swim.”
“How sure is sure?” Lola asked and the others laughed. Lola looked around “What? I’m serious!”
“I think she is concerned that you haven’t tried this before and to be honest so am I,” Nathan said and Hannah smiled.
“If it doesn’t work then we’ll have to try something else, but for now that’s all we’ve got,” Hannah said trying to calm their nervous worries. “Are you ready?”
“As ready as I’m gonna be,” Lola replied.
“Let’s just get this over with,” Rohan added, itching to get into battle.
“OK then, let’s go,” said Hannah as she started walking towards the water, and the others followed; before long her implant spoke.
“Submerged optimisations installed, system activated,” Hannah watched as a clear film rolled from her neck completely covering her head. She turned to the others and saw that their suits were doing the same; Lola and Sophia were laughing as they observed the ocean life beneath, which they could now see in full clarity.
“I’m glad you were right,” Nathan said over their communication network as he swam to Hannah, a smile printed on his face.
“We shouldn’t waste time,” Rohan said simply.
“OK, this way,” Hannah said to them and propelled herself through the water, cutting through it with great speed as though she flew in the air. She was once again amazed at the capabilities of the survival suits, she turned back to see the others keeping up with her and she smiled, but her smiled vanished and she remembered their mission.
Stolen Minds Page 7
