by Mike Freeman
Stone cast to him.
> Sorry.
> You ok?
> I'm ok.
> You sure?
> I’m ok.
> Good.
> Thanks.
> No problem.
> I just...
> I know.
> Ok.
> Here.
> What's that?
> A little hytelline. It isn't over yet, Stone.
> What could possibly be worse than having your face ripped off? And I'm not moaning, by the way.
Havoc slowed, scanning as they neared the lip.
> Saskia's dead.
174.
Jafari steeled himself.
The halo was so near to the bottom of the column of light that the altar and the Nmr Qátl soldier were lost within it – only the Nmr Qátl’s hands penetrated the top of the halo like the tines of a fork.
Abbott cast to Jafari and presumably the historical record.
> What a glorious moment in our history.
Jafari watched carefully. It was exciting and terrifying. He wondered what was going to happen.
The Gathering soldiers at the base of the staircase flung themselves forward, their visors scraping the floor, apart from four of their number who were so mesmerized that they forgot to bow. They were raised up like snags in an otherwise smooth carpet.
An alarm lit up in Jafari’s mind’s eye.
> We have the ORC incoming, Ambassador.
> Force only in self-defense, Jafari. An absolute last resort.
> Understood, Ambassador.
ORC troops jogged in three abreast and circled around the outside of the chamber. There was nothing that Jafari could do to prevent their entry without killing most of the people in the room. Abbott was right – violence didn't seem appropriate in the circumstances. Fortunately, the ORC captain seemed to agree. He raised an arm to bring his troops to a halt as he marched briskly toward the double helix staircases.
The ORC soldiers looked around, surprised by the lack of resistance. They clearly hadn’t expected to burst in en masse and be ignored.
The Gathering soldiers paid them no attention whatsoever.
The ORC captain contemplated the Gathering then swung round to look at Jafari. Jafari raised a hand in greeting.
“We have three Tier-1 civilizations present already. I’m hoping we can do this without bloodshed.”
The ORC captain stared at him for a long moment then nodded.
“I agree.”
The ORC captain issued instructions and ORC soldiers hustled toward each of the main entrances. The rest of the ORC troops took up station on the opposite side of the staircases to the Gathering.
The ORC captain and a subordinate made their way up to the disc platform. Jafari thought the ORC captain’s timing was either impeccable or disastrous, though he didn’t know which yet. The ORC captain reached the platform just as the descending halo reached the bottom of the column of light.
The halo brightened and vanished.
The room held its collective breath.
A transparent capsule lowered through the column of light on a slender cable. There was some kind of gas inside the capsule that made it hard to see the humanoid, if that was what was inside. Presumably the gas emulated the creature’s natural habitat. Jafari wondered if the alien would leave the capsule. Maybe it needed to stay inside to survive. Maybe it would be too scared to leave.
The capsule stopped next to the altar.
The capsule started to open.
175.
Intrepido monitored the surface around the shaft. He had the G6 in position and numerous microdrone sensors deployed. He swallowed. If Havoc got past the G6 he had nothing left. But the very idea of Havoc beating the G6 was ridiculous. Still, he felt something that he never usually felt.
He felt scared.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead.
~ ~ ~
Tyburn sat in the shuttle reviewing the battlespace.
“No confirmed kill. Goddammit.”
“He’s a fucking cockroach,” Ekker said.
Tyburn considered the situation. It was Havoc versus the G6 prototype. Tyburn stroked his chin as he reviewed the encounter around the towers. Havoc’s survivability seemed extraordinary.
“Intrepido? You ok?”
Intrepido’s voice was a dry croak.
“Yes.”
Tyburn raised an eyebrow. Intrepido swallowed and tried again.
“Yes.”
“Good. Let us know when you take Havoc out and we'll pick you up.”
“Ok. Will do.”
Tyburn cut the connection and turned to Ekker.
“Is the cabin nuke slaved to Intrepido's vitals?”
“No.”
“Do it.”
Ekker nodded.
“Done. If he goes, it goes.”
~ ~ ~
Havoc surveyed the lip above him as he sent three microdrones flying over. Dust shrouded everything, obscuring his sensing. Beside him, Stone wasn’t reacting well to news of Novosa’s death.
> Fucking hell, Havoc! Talk about kiss slap kiss.
> Sorry.
> Are you sure she'd dead?
> Spare me, Stone. We haven't got time.
> Fuck.
> Stone, where's the shuttle?
> What?
> The shuttle, where is it?
> Far side of the hook platform.
> It wasn’t when I arrived.
> You noticed that? Do we have any reinforcements? I mean...
> No. It's you and me.
> I don't have a gun.
> You don't have a helmet.
> I don't know. Where the shuttle is, I mean.
> Forge is gone.
> You think any of them are still here?
> Intrepido, maybe. He probably didn't have time to leave. Or he didn't know Forge was gone. A squad of platforms left while I was on final approach. It must have been them.
> Are the reactors still there? Next to the shuttle?
> Gone.
> Gone? How can that be?
> The ORC.
> I still can't believe what that fucker did to my face.
> Stone.
> Sorry.
> Ok, Stone, get ready. I'm going to throw you over the top. I want you to run around waving your arms. Try to attract as much attention as you can and I'll try and snipe anything that takes a shot at you from down here. Good luck. You ready?
> What the fuck?
> Kidding, Stone, just kidding.
~ ~ ~
Intrepido wanted to take a drink from the water bottle across the table but he was too focused on his instrumentation. He didn't want to miss anything. He blinked as he wiped his brow again.
There was a flutter as one, two, three microdrones were deployed over the edge of the shaft next to the platform. Havoc had arrived.
Intrepido’s microdrones were all stationary and sensing passively. Havoc's microdrones glowed on his sensors.
Havoc rose over the top. Intrepido’s heart fluttered. Havoc's suit looked trashed. Intrepido’s hands flexed with excitement. Havoc turned, scanning, then pulled Stone over the top. Stone's face looked a mess.
Havoc hustled them into cover, partially sheltering behind the base of the hook platform, and used a filament blade to free Stone's arms.
“Come on, Havoc. Come to me.”
Havoc advanced into the open.
“Very good.”
Intrepido bracketed Havoc's movement options, making assumptions about his jetpack and jump capabilities. His mouth was dry. He licked his lips.
Havoc and Stone moved toward the cabins through the rubble. The atmosphere was heavy with dust. A thick layer covered everything. Havoc moved smoothly ahead of Stone.
Stone didn't want to get too far behind and kept scooting up behind Havoc. Havoc stopped and waved Stone back. Intrepido tensed.
“Come on. Come to me.”
Havoc ad
vanced again. Intrepido’s fists clenched and unclenched.
Would Havoc see it?
~ ~ ~
Havoc stood next to Stone, sheltering by the hook platform. The wind clawed at them. He thought Stone looked like shit.
Stone leaned back against the base of the platform shaking his head.
> Thank God for that. I am never, ever, going down that fucking hole again.
> Let's go, Stone.
Havoc moved across the rubble, scanning around him. His microdrone caught a glimpse of the cabins at the top of the slope. He assumed the cabins had been positioned set back under the overhang because they provided adequate shelter. With Forge, nothing was certain. Maybe the whole cliff was rigged to come down.
The wind was building back to its previously atrocious levels. The dust was horrendous, swirling around and blanketing everything. Despite that, the horizon was appreciably lighter – it would be dawn soon.
Havoc had three sixty vision and could see Stone coming too close.
> Stay back, Stone. At least five meters.
> Ok.
> Five meters, Stone.
> Ok.
Havoc decided to take a chance. He broadcast on an open channel.
“One chance, Intrepido. One chance only. Three seconds.”
~ ~ ~
Intrepido sat stock still, staring at the holo.
He considered Havoc’s proposition then dismissed it. Havoc was scared. Why else would he make the offer? And he was Rodrigo Intrepido, blade genius, in control of a G6. He had such a huge advantage it was ridiculous. He shouldn't be worried.
He used Havoc's offer as an opportunity to snatch his water. He watched the two men on his instrumentation as he swigged heavily. Not far to go.
“Come on, come on.”
Intrepido willed Havoc into his trap. One on one with a G6. The guy was fucked, no matter how good he was. They were nearly there. It was so close. They had to come to the cabins. He was banking on it. Stone needed a helmet. Check mate.
Havoc turned to Stone.
Intrepido bounced in his chair.
“Come on.”
Havoc started to advance again.
Intrepido shivered with nervous excitement. Havoc’s line was perfect.
He held his breath.
~ ~ ~
Havoc looked around. There was rubble everywhere and the dust plastered everything. Stone followed close behind him.
> How did she die?
> Not now, Stone. I'm sorry but not now.
> Ok.
Havoc resumed his progress. Something didn't feel right.
> Can’t you just summarize though?
Havoc stopped abruptly. He resisted the urge to tell Stone straight. Too cruel.
> Stone, we are in danger here. Danger close. This could be a trap. We need to get you a helmet and get out of here. Sunrise is coming. We need to be gone, far gone, from here. Further west, to the library or the pyramid. Or we'll cook. Please, let's talk about it later. I'm not asking you.
> Ok. Sorry. Go ahead.
> Ok?
> Ok.
Havoc stepped forward.
> You know what the Aalirika say when an elephant steps on a trap?
Havoc turned. Enough was enough.
> Look, Stone, I know your body is flooded with chemicals because you thought you were going to die and instead you lived. But trust me, that can change. Would you please shut the fuck up?
Stone raised his hands as he pouted.
> Fine.
Havoc groaned.
> Alright. Tell me, what do the Aalirika say when an elephant steps on a trap?
Stone looked content in a brutally wounded, frostbitten, kind of way.
> No more trap.
Havoc laughed, despite himself.
> Very good. Now can I please...?
Stone gestured with his arm.
> Be my guest.
~ ~ ~
Intrepido watched Havoc and Stone confer about something. Havoc was probably chastising Stone for trying to climb inside his suit with him.
Intrepido leaned forward as Havoc resumed his advance.
“That’s it.”
Intrepido watched with growing excitement as Havoc neared the G6. The prototype blade was of composite construction, operating in passive mode and practically undetectable. It was buried under a screening sheet that covered a much larger area. Havoc would probably assume it was the normal properties of the ground. The collapse of the alien tower had been the icing on the cake, or rather, the rubble and dust on the cake.
Intrepido licked his lips. He had Havoc right where he wanted him. Not only that, but the idiot Stone was right behind Havoc again. Havoc wouldn't be able to flare his suit or blow his armor without killing or critically injuring Stone.
Intrepido balled his hands into tight fists.
“Come on.”
He chewed his lip, willing Havoc on.
“I have him, Tyburn. Give me one minute to confirm the kill.”
“Don't get ahead of yourself, Intrepido. We're meeting the Admiral now. Keep me informed.”
Intrepido’s hand hovered over the kill switch. He watched intently, not wanting to miss a thing.
Havoc stepped forward. Bull's eye.
“Fuck you, Havoc.”
Intrepido stabbed the button.
~ ~ ~
Havoc stepped forward.
Not far to go now.
Stone hustled up behind him, far too close. Havoc turned.
> Stone, for fu––
The ground underneath his feet exploded.
176.
Jafari watched the gas billow out of the opening capsule.
It was the moment of truth.
Jafari's keen senses could make out thin tendrils launching out of the gas and into the Nmr Qátl's helmet. The slender fibers pulsed momentarily. It took less than a thousandth of a second.
The kneeling Nmr Qátl clawed at his visor.
It might just be hello in Aulusthran but it didn't look good.
> Move back immediately, please, Ambassador.
> We mustn’t prejudge, Jafari.
Jafari wasn’t so sure. Everything stopped. Every eye in the chamber watched the inanimate Nmr Qátl. What would he do? How would he react to this cosmic kiss? He knelt, his body disturbingly still.
The Nmr Qátl toppled sideways. He plummeted a hundred and fifty meters and crashed onto an ORC soldier.
Another ORC soldier stepped forward and was immediately rewarded by fourteen, seventeen, twenty three tendrils whipping across the gap.
The soldier recoiled, thrashing his head from side to side. He half spun, staggered back and opened fire. Kinetics sparked brilliantly across the bottom of the disc, scattering the diplomats, then danced down the double helix staircase and neatly segued into massacring the ORC troops around him.
One of the ORC behind the possessed soldier grabbed him in a bear hug. The possessed soldier pointed his tricannon down and blew the attacker's legs off then spun around, still firing, with the legless torso clinging to him. Jafari saw the tendrils shoot out of his face toward another soldier as the original soldier was, quite literally, blown to pieces by his comrades.
In the next second the alien parasite, whatever the hell it was, transferred between seven more ORC soldiers, careening between them like a deadly pinball. The recipients of the alien's attention didn't seem to like it much. The ORC were dropping like flies. Jafari realized to his horror that the ORC soldiers had started firing at each other. The ORC soldiers charged off in all directions as their morale broke and discipline disintegrated.
The Gathering group broke for the exits as the ORC fled and the fire temporarily subsided. The diplomats jumped off the disc and flared to land beside them. A group of ORC soldiers ran past the Gathering when one suddenly doubled back. The tendrils whipped out again. Jafari watched them pierce a helmet visor, no mean feat, before the Gathering recipient unloaded hypersonic kinetics into the peopl
e around him. The final semblance of order in the room snapped. Everyone started running everywhere. It was chaos.
It was carnage.
The people who had been visited, touched or whatever the alien was doing to them were not getting up, moving or generally displaying any signs of life whatsoever. Jafari knew that most of the exits that people were running for did not lead out of the pyramid.
It was a blood bath.
Jafari didn't need to see any more directly. He had microdrones everywhere. The weapons fire increased in panicked bursts. It wasn't the time to mount a rescue bid.
He launched up the wall to the heat hide.
177.
Havoc fought for balance as the blade erupted from beneath his feet like a Kraken bursting from the depths of the ocean. Debris flew into the atmo as the upper half of the blade whipped upright. The blade was a centaur design that he hadn't seen before. Four legs and two upper arms, two primary sense bundles with micromissile batteries on either side of the frame.
In every imaginable sense they were dead. He couldn't flare his suit or blow his armor without killing Stone. He watched the blade’s arms unfurling as Stone stood with his mouth gaping wide open.
The blade hadn't used its missiles at this close range. Presumably it was set to avoid self-kill if possible and it had calculated that it had a certain kill without them. Havoc couldn't disagree.
Mechanical death loomed as the blade's massive filament pincers scythed inward. The blade hadn't even lit up its filament blades since it had burst from underground. They would be skewered on its two prodigious scimitars.
Havoc’s reaction speed was astonishing. Kinetics streamed out of his right forearm tricannon. His kinetics blasted the missile batteries from either side of the frame stem. The blade jerked back like a living animal at the impacts.
The two sweeping scythes swung inward like the snapping jaws of a trap.
178.
Jafari crouched in the darkness of the heat hide, high on the wall of the amphitheater. He considered what to do. He had to get the word out but he also needed to save Abbott. Not just wanted to, needed to. A lot of Alliance secrets were walking around in Abbott's head.
