INCURSION - an ALIEN OMNIBUS
Page 46
“Sorry Commander,” said Bruce, not even looking at her. “My leader gave me an order.”
She moved her pistol from Webster to Bruce.
“I can’t let you do that.”
Pip pressed her rifle against Nova’s head.
“We will do it, Sir. We’re not on your team anymore.”
Bruce hit the last key and the laptop fed a series of equations into the Main Terminal.
“It’s done.”
“You’ve killed us,” said Nova.
She turned her pistol on Webster. He was gone.
The Templar raised Ju over his head and threw him into the platform. It crumpled under the weight of the Suit and the cowering Council members.
“Templar!” Bruce yelled.
The Templar shook off his battle lust and looked at him.
“Done!”
“Everyone out!” he commanded.
Bruce and Pip helped Robe up, carrying him to the hole in the floor. Darwin followed.
Nova stood in front of the Templar, her gown soiled and torn.
“I’m supposed to kill you,” she dropped her pistol to the floor.
He looked at her.
“There is no place for you here,” he said, reaching for her hand. “Come with me.”
She looked at Bram’s limp body across the room.
“I have a responsibility here,” she said.
Webster jumped from behind the rubble of the platform.
“Not anymore!”
He shot the Templar in the chest, knocking him over backwards.
“I killed him!” he advanced on her, pistol raised.
She shook her head.
“Plasma blast won’t do it,” she said.
He laughed.
“I studied the vids. I know his weakness.”
She stood transfixed as he raised the pistol to her head.
“Now for you,” he smiled.
A plasma blast slammed into his back, sending him sprawling.
Harry stood at the door, a smoking rifle at his side.
“The Computer’s declared you outlaw,” he said.
“What about the Mob?” she asked.
“We’re holding them. It’s just mop up now. They’re acting different. I don’t know how. Things are crazy, ever since he came.”
He pointed to the inert form of the Templar.
“He wants me to go with him,” she said.
“You have to go. All orders are to kill you on sight. You’re branded traitor.”
“Why didn’t you shoot me?”
The grizzled veteran smiled at her. He scooped Bram up on his shoulder and passed him over to her. She sagged under the weight.
“I knew better,” he said.
Darren ran into the room.
“They’re coming. More Troops! We have to move.”
“You’re coming with me?” she asked.
“Get the other end of this,” he ordered Darren to help pick up the Templar.
“We don’t have much choice. I’m not staying here under him,” he spit at Webster.
“I can’t follow lies,” echoed Darren.
They moved as a Unit to the hole in the floor.
Pip popped up, rifle trained on them.
“We’re coming with you,” Nova said.
“Who shot the Templar?” Pip didn’t lower her rifle.
“Webster got him.”
“He’s alive,” said Harry.
“And heavy,” Darren grunted.
Pip studied them for a moment.
“Come on,” she decided.
They followed her through the labyrinth of pipes and passageways, turning left and right on a seemingly random path. It finally ended at a small opening in the wall.
A hover car with on open canopy floated outside of the hole. It was a micro-bus variety, customized for hauling cargo. The Troops squeezed in the back with the Templar.
“Is that a Corsair?” Harry hissed as he clambered aboard.
Robe sat by Reanna in the front, holding a rifle over the back of the seat.
“You act under my orders,” he said. “You will do nothing.”
Harry snickered.
“My Commander is still here,” he nodded to Nova.
“And we are guests,” she said. “We will do what he says.”
Harry smirked and leaned against the back of the car. Darren squatted beside him. They held their rifles in their laps and watched.
Nova cradled Bram on her shoulder.
“How is the Templar?” Reanna asked as she bolted into the sky.
A surface rocket exploded off to the right.
“The Mob’s got rockets. Take us higher,” he stared out of the window.
Reanna acted wordlessly, diving for the street.
“What are you doing?” Robe screamed.
Pip leaned up between them.
“She knows what she’s doing.”
Reanna concentrated on weaving between the buildings, straining with the tight turns.
“Too low for rockets to arm,” she said out of the side of her mouth.
Robe nodded. They raced for the harbor.
76
“So they’re going to come with us?” Bruce said to Reanna and Pip.
“The Commander said Templar offered,” Pip answered.
“We’ll keep them under watch,” Reanna pointed to the Corsairs sitting on the deck, rifles on their knees.
“They’ve got Suits,” said Bruce.
“Doesn’t matter,” Robe walked up. “They gave their word to behave.”
“And you believe them?”
“They don’t want to be put off,” he said. “Looks like our group is growing.”
He sat beside Pip and threw his arm across the bulky shoulders of her Suit. Bruce frowned, but said nothing.
“I wish we could have recovered my Suit,” Robe groaned.
“You will learn to fight without it,” said Reanna. “I will teach you.”
“And Templar,” added Bruce.
Darwin stepped out of the deck cabin and made his way to the group.
“How is he?” asked Robe.
Darwin sat on a crate and sighed.
“He is sleeping.”
They laughed quietly as the ship chugged West to the Corsair island of Channel.
THE END
Thank you for taking the time to read EPOCH. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and much appreciated. Thank you. Chris.
About the Author
Chris Lowry is an avid adventurer and ultra-running author. He divides his time between Florida, Arkansas and California where he trains for 100 mile Ultramarathons. He has completed over 68 races, including 18 marathons and 12 Ultramarathons and is planning a Transcontinental Run across the United States from Los Angeles to New York City in 2017. He has kayaked the Mississippi River solo, and biked across the state of Florida. When not outdoors, he is producing and directing a documentary film about adventure and writing. His novels include Sci-Fi thrillers, Spy thriller’s and mainstream fiction. He loves good craft beer and meeting with reading clubs and running clubs, especially if the aforementioned beer is offered.
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About the Author:
Chris Lowry is an avid adventurer and ultrarunning author. He divides his time between Florida, Arkansas and California where he trains for 100 mile Ultramarathons. He has completed over 68 races, including 18 marathons and 12 Ultramarathons and is planning a Transcontinental Run across the United States from Los Angeles to New York City in 2017. He has kayaked the Mississippi River solo, and biked across the state of Florida. When not outdoors, he is producing and directing a documentary film about adventure and writing. His novels include Sci-Fi thrillers, Spy thriller's and mainstream fiction. He loves good craft beer and meeting with reading clubs and running clubs, especially if the aforementioned beer is offered.
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