Gy replied, “You have a five second delay, adjustable up to 30 seconds with this thumb screw.”
I continued, “What’s its effective range?”
Gy replied, “It will knock out everything for 30 meters. After about a ten second period, the diameter of effectiveness recedes back towards the detonation point. Total effect will last for just over a minute.”
Gy continued, “It is a relatively simple device to manufacture. Rita gave me a hand setting up an automated line that is already up and running. We can turn out 1,000 of these an hour Sir. With a little time to tweak the line I think I can triple that.”
I replied, “Were you able to construct anything larger; something with a broader and longer effect?”
Gy nodded. “We have the 20 centimeter box NIB that will stop all ion activity out to 120 meters. Again, you get about 15 seconds at the max range and the circle of effectiveness then it recedes towards the detonation point. The box NIBs will give you about three minutes total out to 20 meters.”
Gy continued, “I have 20 or so ready right now with an automated line coming up this afternoon. I should be able to provide you with four or five per hour after that. They are hefty at about 15 kilograms, so you won’t be tossing them around. I could provide you with a wheeled skid though. Would let you push then down a corridor a bit before they detonated.”
I stood up and placed my hand of Gy’s shoulder as I looked at him and Rita. “I don’t know how this place would stay running without the two of you. Head back to your shop and keep those things coming. I’ll let the Colonel and the others know what’s coming their way.”
Gy departed for his shop and I informed the Colonel of our new weapons. Plans would be adjusted to take full advantage of the TIGs and the box NIBs. It would take five days of shoving items through the small portal before adequate supplies for a prolonged assault were in place. We would not make a move without them.
Chapter 11
The day arrived to begin our assault. We would be taking control of the gravity drive, its fuel stores and control room. Supplies had been stockpiled, plans refined and orders put in place. The Colonel and his men would be the first to break out. A portal would be opened along the path to be taken and a box NIB would be pushed through. Once the NIB detonated the action would begin.
The Colonel’s team was headed for Vega-19. They would be joined by Admiral Chaulk and the standard Grid military. The plan called for the task to be completed in 38 minutes. We expected a major response from the Dakar and the Prassi.
The Colonel spoke, “Grange. We are ready to move. Drop that first NIB and we will be on our way.”
I replied, “OK, Colonel. We are going to try to do this by the clock as much as possible. At precisely 9:05 you should see the power drop out. If the Prassi in that sector offer any resistance, don’t hesitate to take them out. If they give up willingly start shoving them into the area you prepared. With a little luck their troops will be in chaos and we will have control of that drive in 120 minutes.”
As we waited for zero hour a computer console in Frig’s lab began to chime.
I spoke, “What’s that?”
Frig replied, “That is a test I was running in the background. There are specific frequencies where matter has an easier time coalescing than others. I have had a simulation running that will tell us if those frequencies can be used when initially establishing the wormhole. If my theories prove true, we may be able to expand the portal size.”
I responded, “Well how big are we talking? Can we push a ship through it?”
Frig replied, “Hardly Sir. Increases in the portal diameter will likely be incremental and small. I am hoping for an additional four centimeters.”
Frig sat at the console and began to examine the data.
Frig spoke, “No. That cannot be correct.”
I replied, “What? What’s not correct?”
Frig stood, walked to another console and began to type. Seconds later the diameter of the portal grew to a meter in diameter. We were soon staring at a Marine sergeant on the other side who was busy directing the unloading of supplies that were still coming off the conveyer.
Frig spoke, “That does not match up to the equations Sir. That should not be possible.”
Seconds later the portal returned to its previous size.
I replied, “What just happened here? Was that portal a full meter wide?”
Frig replied, “Yes Sir. I’m not sure how though. My equations projected a 0.77 centimeter increase. The increase was closer to 77 centimeters.”
I pressed, “Can you do it again?”
Frig stopped and looked at me. “I suppose. It should perform in the same manner if I follow the same parameter entry pattern.”
Frig turned back to his console and again began to type. Seconds later the portal again grew to a full meter in diameter. I turned, dove on top of the items on the conveyer and was soon rolling off onto the floor of section Zeta-9. The portal again shrank back to normal.
Frig yelled through the opening, “Sir! What are you doing? That was completely unsafe! Had that portal collapsed or had you touched a side you would have been frozen solid in an instant!”
I stood and straightened the collar on my shirt. “What I just did was join the fight! I’ll be with the Colonel for a while Frig. I’m sure you can hold down the fort there. Oh, and by the way, have someone run to my quarters and fetch my combat suit. I don’t want to go out there fighting in my civvies.”
The Colonel soon walked into the room behind me. ‘Grange! What the…”
I replied, “Hello Colonel. I thought you might need some help!”
The Colonel replied, “We have this covered Grange. You should go back through that portal to where it’s safe.”
I chuckled and grinned. “You didn’t think I was going to sit back there on my ass while you have all the fun did you Colonel? Besides, the only thing I would have accomplished back there was to be a pain in Frig’s side. He doesn’t need the distraction. Now, point me towards an AK and some ammo packs!”
The Colonel shook his head and spit a wad of Omega root juice at my pant leg.
I jumped back too late. “Hey! These are my good pants! Couldn’t that wait until I had on my combat suit?”
The Colonel leaned in and smiled his evil grin, “You want in the fight Grange. You have to be willing to take a few hits.”
Several minutes later my combat suit came through on the conveyer. I grabbed the suit and a Marine private was standing in front of me with an AK and a small backpack full of clips, grenades and two TIGs.
The private spoke, “Here Sir, your weapons. When you have the suit on the Colonel wants you to join his team. And please hurry Sir. The fighting should start in about three minutes.”
I immediately began to shed my civilian clothes. Two female Marines standing near the conveyer began to chuckle and smile.
“Nice gams Sir! Were you a dancer before the war?”
I nodded and gave a sarcastic smile in return as I stepped into the combat suit and pulled it up over my shoulders. I pressed a soft button on the collar and the suit magnetically sealed shut. I reached down, picked up the AK and ammo pack and turned to join my new team.
As I approached the Colonel he spoke, “Grange. You will be sticking by my side. If all goes well you won’t have a chance to pull that trigger. Our best teams of Ghouls are leading up the charge. I don’t expect much if any Prassi left for you to shoot. Either way, stick by me and follow my orders!”
The Colonel leaned in with a nasty look on his face. He meant business and I was again intimidated by his stature and demeanor. Seconds later a loud pop could be heard and the lights for 75 meters in every direction surrounding it went out.
The Colonel popped his comm and began to move. “Alpha you are a go. Keep pace and be thorough. I don’t want to be mopping up after y
ou!”
A response came back over the comm. “Roger that Colonel. We will be doing a clean sweep.”
Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak! Ak-ak-ak!
The hair on the back of my neck stood up as the excitement of the fight was upon us. We remained in a tight group about 30 meters behind the real action. The sounds of 0.762 rounds leaving the chambers of the AKs echoed through the corridors. High pitched screeches could be heard as Prassi soldiers were riddled with the AK rounds as the Marines swiftly advanced.
The Colonel barked orders as we moved along at a fast walk. After two minutes of fighting, two new squads passed us by on their way to relieve the initial assault team. The Colonel called them “two minute drills”, where the squads who were being replaced would spread out to insure the area was secure as the advancing column passed them by. They would then pick up again at the rear.
We soon came across our first dead Prassi. Mustard colored blood oozed from two holes in its head and six in its body. Word soon came back that the Prassi, with their exoskeletons, were a tough breed, but shots to the head made things easy.
As we passed the first corridor two squads branched off to clear a perimeter around our advance. Gunfire could be heard coming from every direction. As the next squad began to pass us on either side I tapped the Colonel on his far shoulder. As he turned away I jumped in line behind the last squad member to my left.
The Colonel yelled, “Grange! Get your ass back here! Grrrr! Hagan! Catch up to him and keep him alive!”
Hagan replied and he jogged forward, “Yes Sir!”
When the squad arrived the newest NIB had just been detonated. Even with the night vision gear we were wearing the pitch black of the surrounding space made for an eerie battlefield. The Prassi, without the aid of electronics, had vision in the darkness that was unexpected, but they were not prepared to fight without their blasters.
Sergeant Frost was leading the squad. She was a short, squatty woman with a permanent scowl on her face. With her equally mean attitude and stocky frame she showed no sign of weakness as she led us forward.
Frost spoke, “Collins! Stick to that wall son! Did your momma raise you in a garden?”
Collins replied, “Yes Sir! I mean, no Sir… I’ll stick to the wall Sir!”
Frost turned towards me and spoke, “Sheesh. Twenty years in those boots and you would think he would know the rules. I tell you Mr. Grange. Sometimes I’m glad they don’t make ‘em like they used to. Collins was in my outfit for the last 12 years of my career. He makes just about every rookie mistake in the book, but somehow he keeps on livin’.”
I replied, “I sometimes have that habit myself Sergeant. If the Colonel didn’t already let you know, you will want to keep an eye on me.”
Frost then slapped a hand on my left buttock.
She grinned as she squeezed and spoke, “I’ve been keeping an eye on you alright Mr. Grange. Hahahaha!”
I was at first a bit shocked. But Frost had nothing to worry about. She was not in the Grid military and under the Colonel’s rules, if anyone complained about such as harassment they would be laughed at. So, I took my abuse and kept walking.
As we approached the next corner two Prassi soldiers came around the corner on the floor while a third was on the wall near the ceiling. The Prassi were insectoids and as such had abilities that Humans could never dream of. Climbing walls that seemingly had no grip was one of those abilities.
Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak! Ak-ak!
As our squad moved forward Frost barked out an order. “We turn right here boys. Secure this corridor out to 100 meters. This is where we use those TIGs as the negative field recedes.”
The corridor was ten meters across with no doors for the first 15 meters. Collins approached the first door on his right.
Frost spoke, “Collins. Mitchell. One of you kicks in that door while the other covers. We’re taking this door to the left.”
The squad gave a wide birth around the two Marines as a strong boot overcame the door latch. The two Marines were quickly inside the empty room.
Frost stepped up to the next door as I moved to give her cover.
As she reached for the door gunfire erupted from behind us, the next squad was moving forward down the corridor we had turned from. I jerked and accidentally squeezed off a round.
Ak!
Frost giggled at my expense, “Ha! Not the first time I’ve seen that happen. I’m just glad you didn’t wet yourself!”
Frost checked the handle and the door was unlocked. The door was opened slowly. It was another empty room.
Frost turned back towards Collins. “Coll. Did you try that door before kicking the crap out of it?”
Collins shrugged.
Frost rolled her eyes as as she turned back. “See what I have to work with every day Mr. Grange? There is your evidence. He is indeed dumber than a doorknob.”
Collins replied with a grin, “Nice one Sir. I’ll check first next time.”
As we moved further down the hall Frost continued, “Yeah Collins, I’ve heard that before.”
Frost turned her head towards me. “Collins there, he enjoys doing things the hard way. I think he likes to break things. But I guess if in the end he gets the job done that’s all that matters.”
As we approached the next door to the right a Prassi soldier dropped down from a recess in the ceiling. Collins had his weapon knocked from his hand. The Prassi struck out at him with a spine covered forearm which Collins nimbly blocked.
Collins then raised his boot and drove it hard into the Prassi’s midsection. The six legged alien went sprawling backwards into the wall.
Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak!
The Prassi ceased to move. Collins turned back towards us.
Frost spoke, “He getcha?”
Collins held up his forearm. Blood dripped from his combat suit down to his elbow and then dropped to the floor.
Collins replied, “Yes Sir. Looks like I have about 30 of those spines stuck in me.”
Frost gave him an order, “Go see a medic and get that taken care of. We have lots of action coming up so rejoin us when you can. Grange here will have to pick up the slack!”
Again Frost reach out and grabbed a handful of my right buttock as she laughed and spoke, “I do love the young ones. Hahahaha!”
As Collins made his way back to see a medic we checked another three rooms. All were empty.
Frost spoke, “OK boys. We camp right here until that column has passed. All we gotta do is make sure no one comes down that hall. We have five doorways here. I want two men in each of ‘em. Mr. Grange here will be with me!”
Frost made a motion with her right hand and I jumped to just out of her reach.
Frost spoke, “Awe. Now you’re catching on Mr. Grange. Gotta stay on your toes if you want to tangle with the fighters. Glad to see you are up to it.”
We took position in the five doorways as the lights down the corridor slowly began to shine. Within minutes the area was once again under full power.
Frost turned towards the others. “Keep sharp. They got blasters now. If they start using them I want to see a TIG down that hallway before they get a good shot at us!”
I knelt against the open door as Frost crouched behind me. It had been two minutes since our hallway holding mission had begun.
I asked a question, “How long to we have to hold here Sergeant?”
Frost replied, “As long as it takes for that column to advance to way-point one. If I was to guess I would say that is going to be another 45 minutes. We are moving right along, but I think resistance has been light; once the Prassi catch on to our little game the real fun will start. They will be coming at us with just about everything that can be picked up and thrown.”
As I knelt, looking down the empty corridor, I suddenly felt Frost’s hand once again on my butt. Instead of a squeeze she rubbed her hand in a circle. I looked back with a facial expression that was easily interpreted.
Frost retracted her hand as she spoke, “
“Sorry Sir. It’s a bad habit I picked up ever since you joined our squad… hahahaha!”
Frost’s laugh went silent as four Prassi soldiers could be seen peering around a corner at a 30 meter distance. As the barrel of a blaster rifle slowly came into view a TIG went skidding down the hall. The grenade rolled up nicely with a bright flash. The return of darkness told us it was time to move. Harvey and Mitchell were first out of their doorway with Frost lifting me up by the butt-cheek to get me moving.
Ak-ak-ak! Ak-ak-ak! Ak-ak!
The firefight was short lived and the four Prassi soldiers were quickly dispatched. As the negative field faded and the lights returned we were once again back in our doorways. The corridor was secure.
Chapter 12
The Colonel’s column of Marines fought their way to the first way-point. The Admiral and the Grid military forces were free. The first of Admiral Chaulk’s squads out the door were sent back towards Zeta-9 to give relief to the Colonel’s men.
When I caught up to the Colonel’s squad he was pointing troops in the direction of the gravity drive on Lima-22. The 39 minute trek on foot would take much longer with a fight. The Gray Ghouls were eager to begin.
The Colonel spoke, “Grange! You keep running off into trouble! Someday your luck is going to change. Stick with me, I don’t want that day to be today!”
Frost startled me as she spoke and once again grabbed my right buttock with her hand. “I kept an eye on him for you Colonel. He was in good hands. Hahahaha!”
Frost moved on as the Colonel looked at me with a suspicious eye. You’re messing with a Rudian scorpion there Grange. That one’s got a deadly sting if you piss her off.”
I replied, “The pleasure was all hers Colonel. I can’t help if the ladies like what I have.”
The Colonel pulled his head back as he responded, “Son, Frost is about as far from a lady as you can get. Hahahahaha!”
Our resident team had done a fantastic job of placing NIBs along our expected pathway. The Prassi soldiers were unable to fire a single ion bolt in our direction before their lights and power were taken out. The precision of the plan had our teams advancing slightly ahead of schedule. Resistance was easily handled until we reached the elevators and stairwells leading from Vega up to the Uriah section.
AMP Rebellion Page 10
