The Ninth

by Benjamin Schramm

  “You know, I think I’d just as well ride the ship down and fail this exam right here and now,” Erin whined as she followed Dante into an empty drop ship. “I didn’t think the instructor would be this ruthless when she was talking back in the meadow.”

  A second violent lurch from the aft of the ship dislodged an empty drop ship. Dante watched as it drifted into the firing arch of another battleship. As his drop ship sealed and detached, Dante watched a warhead hit the empty ship, vaporizing it. As the drop ships launched from the invasion ship, a massive stream of green light washed over its hull. In an instant, the already wounded ship ignited into several explosions. The chain reaction quickly raced along the hull of the ship. When it reached the main reactor, what was left of the invasion ship was engulfed in a massive crimson fireball. The green stream continued on, searching for its next victim.

  “We leave anyone on the ship?” Dante sent a burst transmission to Owen’s ship.

  “Nope, we were the last; the rest should already on the surface.” Owen’s response was garbled with static.

  The drop ships quickly rushed through the atmosphere, whips of flame lashing out from underneath. Massive battleships completely covered the heavens in every direction. Dante couldn’t separate the blast of the warheads from the flaming wreckage of the wounded metal giants crashing into the planet below. The drop ship finally touched down on the ground with an odd clank. The pressurized hatches to the ships popped off like champagne corks. The recruits quickly filed out of the ships and assembled their training squads. The sounds of exploding warheads and other weapons fire rang out like a symphony of chaos.

  “What is this stuff?” Owen kicked his boot against the planet’s surface. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “It’s some type of metal,” Hiroko answered as her squad assembled. “The entire world is artificial. Our enemy built it near the start of the war. Not a single organic life to be found on this entire metal ball.”

  Overhead, a fireball flew over the horizon. Like a shooting star passing through the night sky, another battleship crashed to the planet below. The impact shockwave filled the sky in amber light, giving the appearance of an autumn sunset.

  “This is insane!” Erin cringed. “There’s no battle plan, no strategy! How are we supposed to win this?”

  “All we have to do is take out the Citadel, right?” Owen shouted over a nearby explosion. “I say we find it, blow it, and go home. I don’t like this place; it gives me the creeps.”

  Illuminated by the amber glow of the smoldering wreckage, a single form stood on a nearby hill. It was a small shadow on the gray slope. The shadow waved its hands as it approached the four, shouting as it got closer. Closely behind it were ten longer shadows keeping up in a neat formation. Dante recognized him as a fellow member of group C.

  “There you guys are; we’ve been waiting for you!” the diminutive recruit yelled, his ten troopers easily twice his height. “The other groups landed nearby. We are assembling for a group effort.”

  “So much for testing how we command others individually . . .” Erin stopped dead in her tracks. The sound of grating metal sent shivers up her spine.

  An inhuman howl from behind the recruits demanded their attention. Approaching fast was some thing on three limbs. It was a bright red against the dull gray metal surface. Its howl crackled and hissed like a massive Tesla coil. The screeching metal wailed as the tripod sped toward the troopers.

  “What is that thing?” Hiroko tried to back away.

  “Whatever it is, I want it dead.” Dante bellowed. “Troopers! Open fire!”

  Taking aim, Dante’s ten troopers starting blasting the approaching creature. The beams of concentrated energy swiped at the creature but didn’t slow its progress. Their impacts burned off the red coloring, revealing a metal as black as space underneath. Several of the troopers dropped their rifles and switched to launchers. As the ordnance of the launchers sped toward their target, they left behind small trails of smoke etching a path in the sky that resembled a massive claw closing in on the tripod. The ordnance impacted the tripod, igniting it. Despite the flames licking at the tripod’s every movement, its speed did not vary in the slightest.

  “It’s not stopping!” Owen shouted as he gestured for his troopers to join in.

  Erin and Hiroko followed Owen’s lead, and all four groups of troopers opened fire on the tripod. The massive volleys of charged light slammed against the approaching tripod. Against the increased strength of their assault the armor of the central mass started to weaken and the smooth approach started to wobble. With the concentrated firepower of all four squads, the tripod finally fell to the ground. Due of the speed of its approach, the tripod continued to scrape along the surface of the metal hill with alarming speed. As its momentum was robbed from it, the tripod slid to within inches of the recruits. It had two large front appendages that were more blades than legs. The blades were caked with dried blood. The hind limb was a three-pronged claw, equally discolored with the red powdery material. The three limbs combined into what was left of the thick center with a single large glowing sphere located between the two front limbs. As the thing lay dying, the single sphere’s glow faded. Realizing what gave the creature its red hue, Hiroko turned and vomited.

  “You actually survived one!” The diminutive recruit had arrived too late to provide assistance. “Three of those things ambushed group A after they landed. Took out most of their troopers.”

  “How many troopers do we have left?” Dante asked as he left the charged remains of the tripod.

  “With you guys, six hundred and twenty three. Hey, wait a minute. There are only four of you?” The diminutive recruit was startled.

  “What do you mean only four of us?” Erin snapped.

  “We assumed Brent was with you.” The diminutive recruit backed away from Erin.

  “You mean he’s not with you?” Owen exchanged a worried glance with Dante.

  “No, the rest of the recruits are all accounted for. We figured you five were the last to leave the ship. Guess that makes it six hundred thirteen.” The diminutive boy gestured for the four to follow him back up the hill.

  “What do you think could have happened to Brent?” Owen asked.

  “I don’t know, but I sure hope he didn’t run into one of those three legged monsters.” Hiroko shuddered.

  As they rounded the hill, a massive encampment greeted the four recruits. Hundreds of troopers formed a circular barrier around the encampment. They each scanned the horizon, weapons drawn. With the way the troopers’ weapons shook, it was easy to tell everyone was on edge. Off in the distance beyond the camp, brilliant explosions lit up the surface of the world, each impact leaving craters and other distortions in the perfectly smooth surface. The diminutive boy led the four to the center of the encampment. A large tent had been hastily constructed. Inside were dozens of recruits giving reports and looking over maps.

  “It’s about time.” A tall female greeted them coldly. “Those things keep harassing our position. The longer we wait here the more of them show up.”

  “Dante of group C reporting. We are the last of our group; we don’t know what happened to Brent.” Dante saluted the woman.

  “Elisabeth Brooks, leader of group B.” The young woman returned the salute. “Who’s this Brent person?”

  “He was our leader.” Dante stepped closer to the map Elisabeth had been studying. “He wasn’t on the ship with us. Do we have a plan of action?”

  “Beyond avoiding getting sliced to death by those nightmares?” Elisabeth sounded endlessly frustrated. “Not really. The target Citadel is a little over a half mile to the north. However, between this camp and the Citadel are about three thousand of those three legged death machines. Most of them seem to be on patrol and haven’t noticed us yet. I don’t know how much longer that will remain the case. They are tough to bring down, and I doubt we could survive a run-in with one tenth that many. I have no idea how our ancestors
kept these monsters at bay. Let alone won the Great War.”

  “What exactly are those things?” Owen interrupted. “I hate to admit it, but my ancient history is a bit rusty. I know next to nothing practical about the Great War.” Owen stared expectantly at Hiroko.

  “Why do you all look at me whenever you need something explained?” Hiroko sounded defensive.

  “Great, even she doesn’t know.” Erin laughed.

  “I’ll have you know that I have read about the Great War.” Hiroko’s tone was one of pride. “I studied for years getting ready for these exams, not that it’s done me much good so far. Those things out there are called Shards. Dozens of specializations of those things during the Great War.”

  “Hold up. Specializations?” Elisabeth turned to face Hiroko.

  “According to the parts of the historical archives I could access, each Shard had a single purpose. There were thousands of unique designs. They were each created to perform one single function, everything from recon to artillery. Those things that attacked us were most likely mêlée fighters.” Hiroko looked a little green as she recalled the red hue.

  “That’s probably why it couldn’t fight back when we attacked it at range.” Erin sounded optimistic.

  “Still, it took a lot to take down,” Dante’s voice was pragmatic. “These Shards must be protected against their natural handicaps. It took forty troopers to take one down. Considering there are three thousand out there, I don’t think we can destroy enough of them before they close to mêlée range.”

  “What do you think Brent would do?” Owen asked aloud.

  “Shush, Owen,” Erin hissed. “This isn’t the time or the place. This is the command exam, not the let someone lead for you exam.”

  “Right, and you have a brilliant idea?” Hiroko hissed back. “Maybe you can make them all run away if you whine at them enough or scare them off with your bad attitude.”

  “Calm down,” Dante shouted at the two girls. “Fighting amongst ourselves isn’t going to solve anything.”

  “It’s hopeless,” Elisabeth moaned. “We’ve been thinking up strategies ever since we landed. Each one of them is little more than a quick run to death’s waiting arms.”

  Owen joined Dante by the maps and started to study them. Suddenly snatching the map, Owen started tracing imaginary lines with his figures. Dante stared at him with a puzzled expression. Owen burst into laughter.

  “He’s lost it.” Erin sighed mockingly. “The kid from the rim finally lost it.”

  “Brent did it!” Owen shouted gleefully. “He saved us all!”

  “What are you rambling about?” Elisabeth sounded irritated. “Isn’t he missing?”

  “Dante, look at this, and this!” Owen thrust the map before Dante and started pointing at the landscape. “It’s the same! It’s the same as before! We can do this!”

  “Dante, what is he raving about?” Hiroko tried to peer at the map.

  “I hate to say it, but Erin might be right.” Dante feverishly followed Owen’s movements. “Owen, I don’t see anything.”

  “It’s right there! We’ve done this before!” Owen was manic.

  Hiroko stepped up behind Owen and spun him around. Firmly holding his head still, Hiroko pulled him close.

  “Owen. Listen to me.” She spoke slowly. “You need to calm down and explain what you are talking about. You are scaring the others.”

  “It’s the stealth exam, Hiroko! Look for yourself! Those things out there are on static patrol routes, just like the lights the instructor used!”

  Owen put the map down and traced the patrol loops of the tripods. Just as Owen had said, they formed four distinct groups, each one patrolling a single facing.

  “That’s all well and good, but how does that help us?” Erin was intrigued.

  “It means we just have to sneak past them.” The look on Owen’s face showed his mind was already formulating a plan. “We can reach the Citadel without engaging a single one of them!”

  “Hold it right there, all of you,” Elisabeth’s voice was loud and annoyed. “First off, what are you all blathering about? What do three legged death machines have to do with the stealth exam?”

  “You weren’t there, but Brent guided us through the search lights by crawling through the underbrush. The lights passed right over us without knowing we were there,” Dante explained.

  “Perhaps that would work with an automated light, but these things are far smarter.” Elisabeth shook her head disapprovingly. “Plus, you might not have noticed, but this entire world is covered by metal plates, not a lot of foliage to hide in.”

  “Foliage is irrelevant.” Owen wouldn’t back down. “And those Shards are not necessarily any smarter than the lights. If Hiroko is right, these things are designed with one thing in mind. They are mêlée units, not recon. I’d be willing to wager the tripods that have attacked this encampment were doing so because it was on their patrol route. Otherwise why wouldn’t the other three thousand have already over run us?”

  “Maybe we are not that big a threat and they are ignoring us.” Elisabeth took an angry step toward Owen. “Or maybe those three thousand have standing orders to wait until an idiot like you does something really stupid before they wipe us out.”

  “Or maybe there is another instructor behind them.” Owen took an aggressive posture against Elisabeth. “Like the instructor who was watching the monitors, maybe there is something above the tripods directing their actions. With the constant bombardment, maybe whatever is controlling the Shards hasn’t noticed the few missing tripods that attacked the encampment yet.”

  “It doesn’t matter. Even if you are right we have no way to sneak past them.” Elisabeth was still on the offensive.

  Without another word, Owen gestured for his troopers to assemble and stormed out of the tent. Surprised by his actions, most of the recruits in the tent followed, including Elisabeth. Owen and his troopers quickly ran over the hill back to the valley where his drop ship had landed. The other recruits watched carefully as Owen reached the remains of the tripod. Owen and his group were too far off to hear, but it was clear Owen was giving detailed instructions to his troopers. Four of the troopers opened fire on the corpse with their rifles. However, the glow from the rifles was far less intense than it should have been. The other six started opening fire on the ground around them.

  “I think your boyfriend is crazy,” Erin quietly said to Hiroko

  After several minutes, the four troopers pulled off the two long blades from the corpse of the tripod. The other six pulled at the ground and lifted the massive section of metal. Turning the massive plate over, the six started blasting its edges. The other four carefully placed the two blades on either side of the plate. Turning the first blade so the sharp edge faced away from the plate, the four troopers aimed their weapons at the plate. Owen had apparently ordered his troopers to reduce the power output of their rifles, turning them from weapons to welding equipment.

  After a surprisingly short amount of time, Owen had finished his project. The large metal plate had been warped into a large bowl with two blades equally spaced within it. With a great effort, Owen’s troopers flipped the bowl. When they finished, it was apparent what they had created. The flipping had transformed the bowl into a turtle shell of metal that blended into the surrounding plates. The troopers easily slid the shell up the hill on the blade skids hidden underneath. The shell moved almost silently, leaving only two small grooves behind it.

  “Crazy like a fox.” Hiroko beamed.

  “Okay, so he’s good with his hands,” Elisabeth snorted. “It’s still not going to fool anyone.”

  “Excellent job, Owen!” Dante took a step toward the approaching squad.

  Dante offered up his hand to shake Owen’s. However, Owen and his squad kept moving past the recruits gathered on the hill. Giving Elisabeth a single defiant glance, Owen and his troopers started running down the opposing side of the hill. Dante and the rest watched in amazement as th
e shell picked up speed as it slid down the hill. As it reached the bottom, the troopers lifted it and gathered underneath it. Owen and his entire group had disappeared inside the massive turtle shell. The shell continued on its path. Dante pulled out his pad and linked with Owen’s pad.

  “What do you think you are doing?” Dante quickly sent to Owen’s crawling shell.

  “Brent saved my hide when my ident card set off the scanner,” Owen responded as the shell left the encampment. “Brent showed me how to distract the instructor as we crawled under the brush. Brent treated Hiroko’s wound when I panicked. Brent pulled us all through a sandstorm while I blindly held onto Hiroko. Brent switched doubles so we stood a chance. Now it’s my turn. For an entire day, I’ve been depending on Brent to pull my bacon from the fire. I might not have thought up this plan alone, but I’m going to test it alone.”

  Every recruit gathered on the far edge of the encampment. They all laid perfectly still as their goggles zoomed in on the turtle shell far off in the distance. It had been fifteen tense minutes since Owen had left the encampment. The shell was just now entering the far edge of the tripod patrol route. It was the moment of truth. A single tripod was bolting along the path in the distance. Dante had kept an open link with Owen and sent a transmission warning him of the approaching Shard. The shell stopped and held still.

  Dante groaned as he realized Owen was directly in the path of the approaching Shard. The worked quickly to warn him, but it was too late. If the shell moved now it would be spotted instantly. The Shard closed rapidly with Owen’s mobile disguise. It was too late now to do anything but hope the trick worked. The tripod continued rushing toward the shell with increasing speed. Just as the tripod was about to run into the shell, it swung one of its massive blades. The blade sunk deep in the metal surface and stuck there. Using the sunken blade as an anchor the tripod swung to the right. Freeing the blade from the ground the tripod swung the opposing blade, lodging it in the ground. Just as before, the tripod used the blade as an anchor and corrected its course back to the left. Dante watched in amazement as the tripod sped off into the distance, back on its original patrol route.