by Isaac Hooke
“We have to maintain a faster pace, anyway,” Dickson said. “Remember, the bomb is set to detonate in only nine hours now. We have to be a hundred kilometers away if we want to clear the firestorm.”
“No one has forgotten,” Hicks said.
“Really?” Dickson said. “Sometimes I wonder…”
The trees became thicker, but still there weren’t enough to completely block the sky, making it impossible to lose the airships that mirrored them.
Eagleeye sent his repurposed drones forward to act as scouts.
“Hey Slate,” Eagleeye said while the Bolt Eaters continued the run. “Remember when we visited Venice Beach, five years ago?”
“I’m a robot, of course I remember,” Slate said.
“Venice Beach?” Bambi asked.
“It’s in California, outside Los Angeles,” Slate replied.
“I know where it is,” Bambi said. “What’s the significance.”
“No significance,” Slate said. “It was basically an orgy of organic and robot bodies, centered around me.”
“Ah,” Bambi said. “I guess I didn’t miss anything.”
“Actually, you did,” Slate said. “Why’d you bring it up, Eagleeye?”
“No reason,” Eagleeye said. “Except as a contrast to our current situation. Living there, in that tiny shack on the beach we rented, that was the closest I’ve ever come to paradise. The girls, the waves, the sand, the food… seriously, if I could go back to any point in my life, it would be there.”
“Why’d you guys leave?” Hicks said.
“It was a vacation,“ Eagleeye said. “We wanted to get back to the team. I thought I could reproduce the whole thing in VR, but it just wasn’t the same. I don’t know why.”
“Makes me think that even if you did go back there, you probably wouldn’t be happy,” Tread said.
“You’re probably right,” Eagleeye said. “What happened there was a time capsule that can never be reproduced, in any age. Slate and I just happened to be there at the right point in history, when sex with androids was still considered a big thing by humans who’d never done it. We were treated like kings, not just by the women, but everyone.”
“Now you understand what it was like for me when I was a rapper,” Slate said. “Some things, and feelings, just can’t be replicated.” He sighed. “We used to live like kings. And now look at us. Running from an alien race intent on our capture, and eventual dismantling. A nuclear bomb scheduled to go off less than nine hours from now, and at the moment, it’s questionable whether we’ll escape the blast radius. Yes, things have taken quite the drastic turn for the worse.”
“It all started when Manticore attacked us back on Earth,” Mickey said.
“That would be the root cause, yes,” Slate agreed. “I hope that bitch is at the epicenter of the blast.”
“He’s probably following along in one of those airships,” Traps said.
“Yeah, with our luck, he’ll escape destruction,” Eagleeye said.
“Well, that isn’t so bad,” Slate said. “Means I get to kill him myself. Which is what I wanted to do in the first place.”
“Hey, I called dibs on killing him,” Traps said.
“No you didn’t, bitch,” Slate said. “I get to do it.”
“I think it should be me who performs the deed,” Brontosaurus said. “He was a heavy gunner like myself, after all. It’s only right that I, one of his own, erase him.”
“We’ve definitely degenerated if we’re fighting amongst ourselves about who gets the ‘honor’ of killing a former team member,” Crusher said.
“Former being the key word,” Slate said. “He’s no longer part of our team. He’s a traitor. He hunted us down, and tried to destroy us at our apartment. That’s not something I can forgive.”
“Well, that’s you,” Crusher said. “He might be a traitor, but he’s still a Mind Refurb. A man who was once human. And my friend. At least, that’s how I’ll always remember him. And because of that former friendship, and all the times he risked his life for me, and the rest of you, I think we should spare him, if we ever meet. I don’t think he needs to die.”
“You were the one who said she wanted to kick him in the nards…” Dunnigan commented.
“Well sure,” Crusher said. “But kicking someone in the nards is a lot different than killing that person. Because to be honest, I always kind of liked Manticore.”
“Oh ho!” Slate said. “Looks like you got some competition for your affections, Scorp!”
“Competition with a dead man isn’t something I’m worried about,” Eric said.
“Not you, too…” Crusher said.
“Like Slate said, he attacked us,” Eric told her. “And followed us all the way to this planet. He’s going to keep hunting us until we put him down, I’m afraid. If I have the opportunity to terminate his existence, I’m going to have to take it, I’m sad to say.”
“I’ll respect that decision, of course,” Crusher said. “But I won’t be happy about it. Because if I ever find him in my sight lines, I won’t squeeze the trigger.”
“What if it means saving my life?” Eric asked.
Crusher’s avatar seemed torn. But the moment faded. “Then of course I’ll do it.”
“There, there,” Bambi said. “I’m sure it will never come to that.”
“I’m not so sure,” Crusher said.
Neither was Eric, but he wasn’t going to say anything.
The group continued in silence for a few kilometers, with the airships shadowing them in the distance. Eric kept an eye on his overhead map, and watched as the team slowly closed with the mountain range. For a while he hoped alien reinforcements wouldn’t arrive before the team reached the mountains.
Soon the range was very near. Eric switched his gaze from the overhead map to the forest ahead, changing to the point of view of one of Eagleeye’s scouts. He waited for the trees to give way to the shoulders of the closest mountain.
But no such thing transpired. Instead, as the Bolt Eaters neared the edge of the forest, Eric finally understood why the pursuing airships had not yet attacked.
Between the trees ahead, Sloths and other alien robots were positioned in a long line, their thermal signatures blocking all access forward. Above them, the outlines of airships and Dragonworms floated above the treetops.
“Uh, you know that feeling you get when you eat an entire pack of Oreo cookies, and suddenly have to take a shit?” Mickey asked.
“Actually, no,” Slate said. “Dude, who does that?”
Eric dismissed the feed from the scout, and glanced over his shoulder, seeking a retreat. The two airships that had mirrored them all that time repositioned, moving directly behind the group. Those airships dropped more units—Sloths and walkers—into the forest behind them. The craft also opened panels to release more Dragonworms.
The Bolt Eaters were thoroughly surrounded.
“Guess we’re not going to be escaping the nuke after all,” Traps said.
21
Eric deployed his shield, and slid behind one of the tree trunks.
The other mechs did the same, without a word from Marlborough. Nearby, Traps and Hicks released their charge cables, freeing themselves from Eagleeye and Slate. Eagleeye recalled his scouts and stowed them in his storage compartment.
Eric held his shield behind him, to protect against attacks from behind, while leaning past the edge of the tree to fire at the units lying in wait ahead. He targeted a Sloth, and struck an energy shield immediately.
“Well, that’s no good,” Eric commented. He swung the weapon around behind him, toward the Dragonworms launched by the airships, and unleashed an energy bolt. He struck the head of one of the bioweapons, and it managed to launch a net at him before it died.
Eric flung himself to the ground and the tree trunk behind him became enveloped by that sticky net.
“We’re thoroughly pinned,” Slate said. He fired at another incoming Dragonworm. Meanwhile
, the Sloths remained back, utilizing their plasma weapons to keep the platoon members on their feet.
Eric’s shield took a blow, and he crawled behind a thick shrub for cover.
“They could keep us here for hours, or at least until they drain our batteries,” Dickson commented.
“That’s probably their strategy,” Marlborough said. “They’ll know all about our power cells, thanks to Manticore.”
Eric glanced at the trees above.
“Maybe there’s another way out of this,” Eric said.
“What do you mean?” Dickson said.
“The trees,” Eric said.
“The trees?” Slate said. “What are you talking about, bitch?”
“We climb, stick to the treetops,” Eric said. “Pass right over the enemy units. The lower branches will protect us from the troops on the forest floor, the upper boughs from the airships, and Dragonworms.”
“The trees are too far apart,” Marlborough said. “And don’t provide a seamless canopy.”
“Yes, but they’re close enough to reach by jumping,” Eric said.
“The branches will break,” Brontosaurus said.
“No, the lower boughs will hold our weight, even when we jump,” Eric said. “It’s the upper branches we’d have to worry about. But we won’t be bringing ourselves that high.”
Plasma and energy bolts were exchanged on both sides.
“It’s worth a try,” Marlborough said after some time. “To the trees, Bolt Eaters!”
Eric threw himself up right, and launched his Devastator toward the closest tree. He hit the bark, and began to climb; his magnetic mounts were useless, of course, so he had to use his brute strength to crunch his fingers and toes through the bark to create handholds and footholds.
He had to pause halfway when he became the focus of enemy fire, his mech exposed to a group of Sloths across from his position. He swung his shield into place to protect his body, and because of that, couldn’t climb. Not with any sort of efficiency, anyway: he could still climb one-handed, but it was slow going, and his climbing arm would be exposed.
His shield was already littered with blast holes, and new ones began to form as he watched.
“Guys, could use some covering fire here,” Eric said.
Bambi, Brontosaurus, Crusher, and Frogger, located at various heights on nearby trees, began unleashing suppressive bolts at the group. Their shields flashed into existence, protecting the Sloths, but the diversion had its intended effect, as most of the Sloths targeted the other Bolt Eaters in question.
Eric quickly clambered upward with one hand, and when he was out of view, folded his shield away to continue climbing with both hands.
He paused along the way to provide covering fire for other mechs that likewise became exposed, and in a short time he obtained the lower branches of the tree. He pulled himself onto the thick wooden shafts, which were easily big enough to hold his Devastator, and he hurried out toward the thinner peripheries, heading in the direction of the mountain, and the robotic attackers.
The branch underneath him began to bend considerably.
Maybe the trees won’t be able to hold our weight after all…
But the platoon had to try.
Eric had to try.
He glanced at the closest tree ahead. He wasn’t going to make it, not unless he made a running leap.
He retreated several paces and then dashed forward. As the branch bent underneath him, he vaulted from the surface. The limb sprung back into place as he left it, and he arced across to the boughs of the next closest tree.
He fell short of the target branch, but managed to grab onto it with his arms. The branch bent way down, but didn’t break.
Energy bolts came at him as he pulled himself up, and missed. He hurried forward along the branch, and sliced through a Dragonworm that swooped low to attack him.
Protected by the overhead boughs from targeting by the airships, he made his way toward the main trunk, hauled himself around it, and continued toward the perimeter once more. He switched to a run, leaped off, and landed on the outermost branches of the adjacent tree.
Eric continued forward in that manner, as did the other Bolt Eaters.
“Why do I feel like a circus monkey?” Eagleeye said.
“That’s because you are one,” Slate quipped.
The airships began to open fire into the boughs, hoping for a lucky hit, and Eric and the others had to contend with random bolts piercing the leaves. Sometimes a mech was hit: actuators were damaged, and arms disabled, but so far none of the impacts were fatal.
“Why do I get the feeling they’re toying with us?” Traps said.
“They still want to capture us after all this time,” Hicks said.
“Or maybe we’re just lucky,” Crusher said.
“I wanna get lucky with you, that’s for sure!” Slate said.
The branches occasionally broke so that the team members plunged to the forest floor; however they quickly clambered onto the trunks and back into the trees while their companions offered covering fire. Thankfully none of the branches failed while they were passing over the main line of enemy units that blocked the path to the mountains.
When they were past that main line, the team members began to fire downward to keep the tangos pinned in place, and proceeded forward until they had put fifty meters between themselves and the enemy.
“Down, Bolt Eaters!” Marlborough ordered at that point.
The platoon members quickly clambered down and proceeded toward the eaves of the forest ahead. They held their ballistic shields behind them against the Banthar attacks. Thankfully, up ahead, no more alien units were waiting to ambush them.
But as soon as the Bolt Eaters emerged, airships began to open fire from above. They also dropped Sloth units. And deployed more Dragonworms.
“This way!” Marlborough said.
A virtual path appeared in green on Eric’s HUD, toward a cave that was outlined with similar digital augmentation.
Eric held his shield forward, and fought his way through the thermal signatures of the Sloths and Dragonworms, liberally utilizing his Wolverine blades against the former, and his energy cannon the latter. Sometimes he bashed tangos out of the way with his shield so that another Bolt Eater could take them down.
He burst through the alien resistance, and made a final push toward the cave. More tangos dropped down to intercept him, but he struck them down. Nets came in at him from Dragonworms, and he evaded them, or sliced them in two. Finally he reached the cave, and dove inside after Slate.
“Ha! I win!” Slate said.
“Didn’t know it was a competition,” Brontosaurus commented.
“Everything in life is a competition, dude!” Slate said. “Those who fail just don’t realize that they’re in the game.”
Eric activated his LIDAR because it was pitch black in there. He considered turning on his headlamp as well, but the LIDAR had a far greater range than the light cones the lamps produced.
“Forward!” Marlborough ordered.
Eric was already advancing. The cave was extensive, its smooth cylindrical surfaces big enough to fit three Devastators abreast, and three more stacked from floor to ceiling.
He held his ballistic shield behind him to protect against the continual assault of their pursuers.
“Hey Traps, how about deploying that energy shield of yours!” Hicks said.
“Died a long time ago!” Traps said.
“Hey Tread, did you ever figure out a way to repair your black hole cannon?” Mickey asked. “Because now would certainly be a good time to use it.”
“Nope, sorry,” Tread said. “I honestly don’t think it can be repaired.”
Eric continued forward, following Slate deeper into the tunnel. The plasma bolt attacks picked up from behind, and Eric and the others returned fire as they ran.
The tunnel abruptly branched to the right and left.
“Continue to the right!” Marlborough said.<
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Eric and the others rounded the bend, momentarily moving out of the line of sight of the attackers. But the attack picked up a moment later.
Eric heard a clicking sound coming from down the tunnel. It grew in volume.
“I think we got some Snagglebeasts incoming…” Slate said.
That clicking grew louder and louder, sounding like a hundred cicadas shrilling into the night.
Sure enough, a moment later a moving wall appeared up ahead. It was bearing down straight for the Bolt Eaters.
Eric activated his headlamps and saw the seething, tumbling mass of entities.
“Flatten yourselves!” Marlborough ordered.
Eric and the others dropped to the floor as the wall smashed over them. Eric held his ballistic shield over his back for protection.
The weight lifted, and he scrambled upright. Around him, several of the Snagglebeasts lay scattered across the cave floor: to Eric, they still appeared as giant flying chipmunks with sucker mouths.
“Forward!” Marlborough said. “Let’s use this!”
Eric glanced at his rear view camera feed. The wall was still proceeding down the cave, toward the Banthar tangos. That would hold them up for some time, especially if the Banthar units attempted to offer any resistance.
Eric hurried after the others. They sliced at any Snagglebeasts that were in their path, disemboweling them along the way. Some of the creatures managed to get airborne, and the platoon members cut them out of the air. The team took the first righthand branch that presented itself, and then the next leftmost. The clicking sound had faded behind them, as did the clangs of their pursuers.
“You know, mates, I think we might have actually gotten away,” Dunnigan said.
“Not yet,” Marlborough said. “They’ll send termites through next to look for us. I want to be long gone before they arrive.”
The party continued forward in silence, keeping up their fast pace. Eric deactivated his headlamps, and his LIDAR, to save power. Eagleeye sent his repurposed drones forward to act as scouts, and shared the LIDAR feed from the units with the rest of the team, allowing them to navigate via the digital wireframes that augmented their HUDs.
