Exhar sealing gun. Resigoo capacity: 200/200
“Now, how the hell is this thing supposed to work?”
***
Nori guided the ship, keeping it on a steady course.
Lana sat to her right, tapping her own console. “Everything looks clear up ahead according to the sensors. Um … I think.”
“You think?” Nori said through clenched teeth, trying to maintain her concentration and keep the ship above ground.
“Well, the blue dots around us don’t move, and there are no red or yellow spots anywhere near us. A few of the darker ones on the sides shift a bit but calm down once we pass them, so, yeah - I think it’s clear.”
Nori frowned. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to doubt you.”
“That’s alright, we’re still figuring out how all this stuff works. We’re inside an alien spaceship for crying out loud.”
Nori glanced at Nathan who was sitting, eyes closed, with dozens of fibers still connected to him. “Doesn’t look like he’s struggling to learn.”
“No.” Lana’s expression sobered up as she looked at her friend. “I didn’t know him very well before the Calamity, but I think he was always sort of a closed person.”
“But he used to talk?”
“Yes, but not much. He’s only sixteen, one of those smart straight-A students. You know, the weird smart guys everyone is impressed with but stay away from?”
Nori nodded slowly. “I think I understand. So if he was like that before …”
“Yeah. The Calamity shook him real bad. I found him cowering and whimpering in a storage closet and … I couldn’t just leave him there.” Her voice became defensive.
Nori frowned. “Of course you couldn’t. Why? Did something happen?”
“Yeah …” Lana’s voice quivered. “I … he ... “ She swallowed hard. “He wouldn’t listen when I tried talking him out of there, so I reached out to grab him and …”
“Yes?”
“And something happened. I felt something. When I touched him. A spark. You know, kinda like a static electric jolt. Only this was a hundred times stronger, but it didn’t hurt. And since then …” The dark-haired woman’s voice faltered.
Nori waited patiently, sensing the other woman needed the time.
Lana took in a deep breath. “And since then we’ve been connected. Bulco was right when he said it didn’t make sense how I could understand him so easily. I think Nathan changed me somehow.” She threw a guilty glance at the motionless man and lowered her voice. “It’s just a hunch, but I think he was the one who made it possible for me to take the Expert Path. The other two options were so obviously inferior it almost seemed odd to have Expert as an option.”
Nori nodded slowly. “Perhaps you’re right. There’s something different about Nathan. We never discussed the ‘Scion’ part of his race description.”
“You’re thinking he’s part alien?” Lana's voice was barely audible.
Nori grimaced. “I don’t know. It’s an unsettling thought. But if he is, it’s a good thing he’s on our side. Every time I look at him, something inside tells me that he could be dangerous.”
“Nathan, Dangerous?” Lana barked a short laugh. “No way. He’s the sweetest guy ever. But I think he has a powerful Path. Too bad he can’t tell us what it is.”
“Maybe he will, someday.”
“I hope. He seems to be doing much better these last two days.”
“He’s recovering from his trauma. I hope he’ll pull out of it eventually.” She paused and mulled it over. “It sort of cancels out your theory that the Tec regulates our minds as well.”
“I don’t know about that,” Lana said. “I don’t think normal terms apply when it comes to Nathan. He’s different than the rest of us.” She hesitated before continuing. “No, I think his condition improving has more to do with you, Nori.”
“Me?”
“He only started getting better after we met. You took us outside, brought us here and gave him a chance to shine. I think he really likes you. Your presence somehow helps him cope with things he’s trying to suppress.”
“I don’t know about that. But I’m glad he’s doing better.”
“Me too.” Lana glanced up at the large monitor. “How long till we get to the shelter?”
“Right … about … now.” They flew over a hill and the Grand Mall came into view.
Lana stepped toward a console. “All clear. No Warped around. I think.”
“That’s good enough for me.”
The large ship flew toward the shelter’s main gate and touched down gently. Nori flicked her fingers and the thrusters’ holographic controls disappeared from her fingers. The consoles around her vanished, and her chair folded back to the floor.
“Bulco!” she called toward the quarters. “We’re here. Lana and I are taking the ammo to Diamond’s people.”
“Alright!” he shouted back at her.
The two women walked to the brightly lit cargo hold. Nori easily picked up the heavy ammo case, the exoskeleton’s hum barely increased as it supported her.
Lana nervously drew the Zapper from her belt. “I didn’t detect any Warped, but it’s better safe than sorry, right?”
Nori nodded. “Good call.”
She touched the console next to the smaller doorway and it opened. There were no Warped in sight, so they disembarked, Lana took point with her small gun extended.
“Oh, wow,” she said as she turned to look at the freighter. Several crushed cars protruded from the ship’s underside, pressed into thin strips of metal by the overbearing weight of the alien ship.
“Yeah, there wasn’t enough room this close to the shelter,” Nori said. “I aimed for the largest clearing, but I still had to land on a few cars. We should really think of installing proper landing gear on our girl.”
Lana let out a short laugh. “You turned them into car-cakes.”
Nori rolled her eyes. “We can ask Diamond to clear out a landing zone for us for next time. Come on, let’s go.”
The shelter’s heavy steel gate had already opened, revealing the dozens of armed guards behind it.
“You’re back already? And with a cool new ride, I see!” One of the men at the front shouted, motioning the others to lower their weapons.
Nori identified him as Noah, the level two Gunner who was one of those that accompanied her to test Bulco’s new cartridge. She nodded and approached, carrying the ammo crate. “We come bearing gifts. Is Diamond around?”
“Right here, girl,” Diamond’s deep voice carried over behind the guards and they parted to let him through. “You guys are just full of surprises. Last time you came in a small shuttle and now a ship? What’s it gonna be next time, a dreadnaught? I’m afraid our small parking lot won’t be able to accommodate you much longer.” He looked pointedly at the crushed cars. “Not without additional vehicular casualties, that is.”
Lana chuckled. “Good one. No, we brought you more ammo. It’s only a thousand rounds, but we’re working on getting more.”
“That’s good news.” The beefy black man nodded approvingly. “I’ll see what I can do about clearing up some more space for you to land next time.”
“I’d appreciate it,” Nori said, handing the crate to one of the other familiar guards. The poor man’s eyes nearly popped as the full weight of the crate suddenly dropped into his arms. He fumbled but managed to steady himself.
A second guard smacked his shoulder. “You’re letting yourself go, Nicolas, if it takes you two arms to lift something a skinny girl does with one.”
“That skinny girl has an exoskeleton that boosts her strength,” the man responded in a huff. He saw Nori’s astonished look and smirked at her. “I used to read and watch plenty of sci-fi, so I recognize an exoskeleton harness when I see one.”
“That’s a handy tool,” Diamond stepped forward to take a closer look. “Any chance we can get a few of those? Would be a big help in organizing everything around here.”
“It�
�s possible,” Nori said. “But we’ll need piTec. Have you collected some more?”
He shook his head. “You left us with less than twenty rounds, so I didn’t think it was prudent to go out hunting. No Warped approached us since your last visit either.”
“Yeah, what’s up with that?” one of the women guards grunted. “They used to claw at our walls at least twice a day, but in the last few days we barely caught a glimpse of them.”
Diamond shot Nori a warning look before shrugging at the woman. “I guess we got lucky.”
“About time luck starts working in our favor,” a third man grunted.
“Now that we have Nori’s gift box, we can take some of the boys hunting.” Noah grinned. “What do you say, boss?”
“I’ll think about it,” Diamond replied shortly.
“We can use all the piTec you can give us,” Lana said. “The ammo doesn’t cost much to make, but it does cost. Every little bit helps.”
Diamond nodded slowly. “I’ll see what I can do. You two want to come inside?”
Nori exchanged a look with Lana. “I guess we can come in for a bit, but we can’t stay for long. Gotta drop by the moon soon.”
Several of the guards started laughing but stopped as they realized Nori hadn’t even cracked a smile.
“You’re serious?” Diamond asked incredulously.
“That’s why we got this big tub working again.” She gestured toward the ship behind her.
“I see,” he said, though his expression was doubtful. “Well, come on in, then.”
“Just a second,” the Navigator replied, “Let me tell Bulco.” She hurried back to the freighter and found the Engineer cursing loudly as he tried to force two torn and twisted parts of the wall back together. “Bulco, we’re going into the shelter for a while as Diamond’s guests. You want us to bring you something to eat?”
“Might as well,” the large man grunted. “This thing’s gonna take a little longer than I’d thought.”
“How much longer?”
He wiped the sweat off his forehead. “Normally, I’d say about half a day, but I’m pretty beat already from pulling an all-nighter working on the cartridges. I’ll finish up the interior in a couple of hours, then I’ll have to crash for the night. I’ll start working on the outer hull first thing in the morning, and hopefully finish it up before noon.”
Nori winced.
“Hey, I’m not too happy about it either, but I don’t want to rush it, unless, that is, you want the hull to breach while we’re in space.”
“OK, I get it,” Nori said. “Anything we can do to help?”
“Just bring me something hot and greasy to eat when you get back.”
“Will do.”
The tall woman went back into the shelter and joined the others in the shelter’s communal mess hall for a light dinner.
“I think I’ll get back to the ship before it’s too dark,” Lana said after Nori filled her in on the intended delay. “I want to keep reading up on the alien technology and learn how to operate the ship’s internal systems.”
Nori nodded as she slowly chewed on a piece of canned peach. “That might not be a bad idea. I still don’t know what half my flight monitors are there for. I should probably take some time to figure it out.”
Once they had finished eating and parted warmly from the shelter’s residents, they returned to the ship. They found the Engineer spread-eagle on one of the beds, snoring loudly. He was still sweaty and dirty and hadn’t even bothered taking his boots off.
Lana’s face softened when she took in his unkempt state. “Do you think we’re working him too hard?” she whispered to Nori.
“It can’t be helped. We need the ship space-worthy ASAP, and right now, he’s the only one who can do it.”
“I think I’ll go get some coffee beans from Diamond,” Lana said thoughtfully. “He's earned that much.”
“Good idea.” Nori nodded. “While you’re at it, see if you can get us a few plates and utensils. The ship’s folding kitchen isn’t exactly stacked.”
“Will do,” Lana said cheerfully and headed toward the exit.
“And be careful. The guards should be keeping an eye out, but it pays to be vigilant.”
“Got my Zapper right here.” She patted her belt. “If any Warped try to get in my way … well … I’m probably going to throw the gun at them and run away.”
“Good plan,” Nori said seriously.
***
They spent the major part of the night studying the ship’s systems and experimenting with its different controls.
Bulco woke up shortly before sunrise, and his nostrils flared at the rich aroma. “Is that coffee I’m smelling?” he asked hopefully and sat up in his bed.
“Yep.” Lana smiled at him and put a steaming mug in his hands. “I brought some from Diamond’s stores. You’ve earned it.”
He took a careful sip and sighed contently. “We ran out of the stuff months ago. If I’d known the old man kept some in storage, we'd have raided the shelter ages ago,” he joked. At least, Lana hoped he was joking.
“I also got a plate with some canned goods ready for you.” The young woman pointed at the raised kitchen counter nearby. “Help yourself.”
“Thanks.” He frowned. “Didn’t you sleep?”
“The others and I stayed up most of the night, running diagnostics and poking our noses around the ship’s systems.” Her eyes shone in excitement. “There’s so much to learn and so little time. We slept a few hours, but there’s so much more to learn that we didn’t want to waste time oversleeping.”
“I didn’t have much of a choice about it,” the large man grunted. “Forcing damaged bulkheads back into shape is a tiring job.”
Lana raised both hands. “Hey, I’m not complaining. None of us has a clue how to do any of that.”
“And don’t you forget it.” He chuckled, then took another sip of the steaming cup. “Ahh, that’s the stuff. Alright, I’m awake. I’ll go work on the outer hull next. Keep an eye out for me, will ya?”
“Can do,” Lana said cheerfully and turned back toward the bridge.
The hours flew by. At noon the Engineer returned to the bridge, followed by Diamond. “All done,” he said with clear satisfaction in his voice. “The living quarters are airtight and should have no problem withstanding the vacuum of space.”
“Good job,” Nori said, getting up from the pilot’s chair to face the shelter leader. “Diamond?”
“My men told me Bulco finished fixing your ride,” he said. “So I just came by to see you off to the moon.” He winced. “I almost can’t believe I just said that. These are weird times.”
“Tell me about it,” Bulco muttered.
“You still haven't told me why you want to go up there,” Diamond said.
“The ammo,” Nori stated plainly. “We’re hoping to find some leftover alien scraps so we can make more of them.”
“What if you can’t?”
Nori gave him a steady look. “Then we’ll figure something else out. In the meantime, stay safe. We’ll try to come back with more ammo as soon as possible.”
The man nodded gravely and offered his hand. “Good luck, kids. I’ve got a feeling you’re going to need it.”
***
The guards looked up as their leader came out of the spaceship. A moment later, the ship shuddered to life then rose up slowly. It remained hovering for a few seconds then shot out, like a bullet, disappearing behind the hill’s curve.
Noah shook his head admiringly. “Those guys are something else.” He looked up at Diamond. “Think they’ll be able to deliver, boss?”
Diamond’s expression was grim as he watched the horizon. “I really hope so, son. For all of our sakes.”
12 - Detour
The ship entered the city, flying several meters above the damaged buildings.
“So tell me,” Bulco said to the others on the bridge. “How did it go in the shelter last night?”
“We gave them the ammo,” Lana replied. “They seemed happy about it and excited at the chance to get even more.”
“The boys still have no idea about the Broodmother?”
“No,” Nori said. “I’m not sure I agree with Diamond’s decision to hide her existence. It might spread panic, but we’re risking people getting caught unaware if the Warped launch a sudden attack.”
“He knows what he’s doing, and his people respect him. People used to come to him to settle disagreements ...” Bulco shook his head as if trying to rid himself of burdensome memories. “Anyway, how are we looking?”
“We’ll arrive at your base in a few minutes,” Nori said as she gently twisted her fingers, guiding the ship on its course. “Hopefully your men have finished preparing the Hummer.”
“They should. They know their stuff.”
They touched down a few minutes later in front of the old library. Nori went back to the cargo hold with Bulco and they lowered the main hatch. The Hummer was waiting for them. The previously black vehicle had undergone a massive change. The heavy bulkiness was replaced with smooth curving lines that gave the Hummer a distinctly alien vibe. The chassis had been lowered and the wheels had been extended further out and were protected by thick plates.
Two men stood on either side of the vehicle.
Lucas, Level 2, Runner
D’Angelo, Level 2, Technician
“What the hell is this?” Bulco asked as he walked down the ramp.
“I don’t know what to tell you, boss,” Lucas said. “That sealing kit you gave us was some next level shit. It looked like a present wrapping at first, but after we applied it over the car it started to change. Took about fifteen minutes, then it looked like that.” He pointed his thumb at the vehicle.
Nori circled the Hummer, taking in its new features with great interest. “It’s incredible. The lowered center of mass will give it better traction and stability—and look at those hydraulics.” She pointed at a big tube connected to the wheels’ axis. “It looks like it can absorb some serious impact. Perfect for driving on the moon.”
Earth Force (Relict Legacy Book 1) Page 17
