Space Scout - The Makers

by S A Pavli

  “Go on Cora. She is a one woman army.”

  “A one android army,” said Commra dryly. “With a huge military starship, sixteen heavily armed fighters and lethal robot soldiers.”

  “Yeah, aren’t you glad she is on our side,” I said.

  “Oh yes!” said Commra with a laugh.

  “Cora, why don’t you ask Tozak to stand down his forces. It could save much bloodshed,” said Manera.

  “I have already done so. But he thinks his forces will be victorious and has threatened to skin us all alive. He could be in for a surprise with me.”

  I had to laugh at Cora’s joke, but then I had a thought.

  “Cora, Tozak does not know you are an android?”

  “No. I entertained him with a night of sex until he was exhausted and fell asleep. Then I stole his gun and took him prisoner. He is tied up now on the bed.”

  I shook my head in disbelief.

  “Cora, that is above and beyond the call of duty. We all thank you.”

  “It was not unpleasant,” she said. “Although he is not someone I would choose to have sex with. But he enjoyed it and that pleased me.” I gaped at Manera and she made a face back.

  “Uh… that’s good,” I said, somewhat lost for words.

  “Once the attack commences, Tozak will be contacted by his commanders. Then they will know I have him prisoner. I will tell them to surrender or I will kill their leader.”

  “Good. Cora, promise them an amnesty if they surrender. They will not be punished in any way. That may persuade them.”

  “Yes, I will do so. Meanwhile, stay where you are. The palace is coming under attack.”

  A few seconds later we heard the first explosions. The floor vibrated but for the moment they seemed quite distant. I felt frustrated and impotent. I realised that we were quite defenceless in a building full of armed enemy soldiers. I walked over to the door and listened carefully. There were no sounds from outside. The door had no lock and I carefully eased it open a crack. Commra came over and gave me an enquiring look. I held my finger up to my mouth, then realised the gesture may not mean the same thing to the Hianja. But Commra seemed to understand.

  I peeked through the door and saw a trio of Dansai soldiers in conversation sixty feet away next to a sentry station. They were animated and started to shout loudly, pointing vaguely towards the entrance to the palace. One of them pointed towards our door, but fortunately did not turn around. Then, to my amazement, all three turned and ran through the outer door and disappeared. They had abandoned their posts! So much for Dansai discipline. It was a good sign that Tozak’s troops had so little dedication to their cause.

  But Cora had told us to remain where we were so that our robot soldiers could find us. I was in a quandary. Surely we should seize the opportunity to escape?

  “Shall I go and see where the soldiers have gone?” I asked my colleagues.

  “Cora told us to remain here,” said Commra.

  “Just to look down the corridor. Anyway, we are in contact with Cora and the ship. We can tell them where we are.”

  “Right. Don’t go far,” said Commra. I wasn’t inclined to accept his orders, but we had put him in charge so I played along. For now. Manera squeezed my arm and gave me a warning look. I nodded reassuringly. I eased out of the door and ran quickly to the sentry station. Inside there was some scraps of uniforms and a couple of helmets. Also a couple of carbines.

  “Come to daddy little babies,” I murmured. I examined the guns. Both were loaded with a clip of ammunition. They looked very basic, heavy and clunky compared to the light high tech composite rapid fire carbines issued to Space Scouts. But a rifle is a rifle. I checked the safety on both rifles and hefted them up. Before returning I risked a peek down the corridor. There was a bend twenty feet along but as far as I could see it was empty and I could hear no voices.

  I headed back to our rooms and slid through the door, leaving it slightly ajar.

  “I found a couple of toys,” I said. “Who wants the other one. Commander?” I looked at commander Pariso and he looked horrified.

  “I have never fired a gun,” he protested.

  “It’s very easy. You point and shoot. Holding on tight,” I said encouragingly. “Come on commander, circumstances dictate and all that.”

  “I’ll take it,” said Manera. “I have some experience.” She gave me a tough look and I grinned back, handing her the gun. I showed her the safety and turned it on and off.

  “Don’t forget to turn it on before you fire.”

  “Aye aye Captain.”

  “You’d look good in a uniform,” I said, looking her up and down approvingly. She gave me a mocking salute and a cheeky grin. The commander and Commra exchanged long suffering glances.

  “Have the soldiers gone?” asked the commander.

  “Looks like it,” I replied. “They may have been called forward to support the defences.”

  We heard the unmistakeable sounds of gunfire followed by the crump of heavy artillery. I went over to the windows and looked out. There was a glint of silver and our Peacekeeper fighter banked around the building and disappeared. A staccato series of explosions followed.

  “It’s firing ground attack missiles,” I said. The others had followed me and we all craned our necks to see what was happening. “Cora, what is happening where you are.” There was no reply.

  “Hamo, any news from Cora?”

  “No Paul. She is still holding Tozak hostage.”

  “If only we knew where she was we could give her some help,” I suggested.

  “I think we are going to need some help,” said Commander Pariso. He had gone to the door and was peering out. “The soldiers are coming back.”

  “Shit, better take cover. Behind the sofas. Manera, with me.” I pulled her with me behind the biggest sofa and armed my submachine gun, nodding to her to do the same. I heard shouting outside. I activated the translation channel.

  “Translate what you hear please.” The translate program was still on line but radio connection with the Peacekeeper fighter was intermittent. The program gave me intermittent words, between bouts of static.

  “Orders…aliens.”

  “Repeat…”

  “Kill aliens…”

  “Where”

  “We are… attack. Evacuating..”

  I turned to Manera.

  “Not looking good darling. The soldiers have orders to kill us before they leave. Get ready to shoot.” We both rested our guns on top of the sofa and pointed them at the door. Manera looked totally cool and composed.

  “Heads down guys,” I shouted at Commra and the commander. The door burst open and a couple of soldiers were framed in the doorway. We both hit our triggers, almost losing our guns as they recoiled. Bullets sprayed everywhere except at the soldiers who immediately dived back out.

  “That’s redecorated the walls,” I remarked. There was shouting outside and the translate program gave me sporadic words.

  “Aliens…armed..”

  “…Door..”

  What would I do if I was them I asked myself. Blow the door off and chuck a couple of grenades into the room.

  “Into the back room everyone,” I shouted. I grabbed Manera and pulled her into the nearest bedroom, which happened to be the one Cora had used. Commra and the commander followed hastily. I closed the door and locked it. “The mattress,” I said. They looked at me blankly. “Up against the door.”

  We dragged the heavy mattress across the floor and up against the door and then pushed a chest of drawers against it. We positioned ourselves as far from the door as we could and waited. After a minute we heard heavy gunfire and a series of concussions. The door and mattress were blown across the room but absorbed the force of the explosion. Despite that, I was deafened by the blast and the room filled with acrid smoke.

  I knew the first thing the soldiers would do would be to follow the explosion into the room immediately and rake it with machine gun fire, followed by a co
uple more grenades into the bedroom. Despite the ringing in my ears and the smoke almost blinding me I leapt to the door, poked my gun around the corner and let loose. There were some satisfying screams above the thundering of the machine gun and I took that as a good sign and followed my gun into the room, finger still on the trigger, desperately holding on to the shuddering weapon.

  Three soldiers lay on the floor in various contorted attitudes. Two were clearly dead, the third clutching his stomach and groaning. There were no more in sight so I released the trigger and walked warily into the room, gun still cocked. They had not expected anyone to be alive in the room and I had caught them by surprise. The others were close behind me, Manera holding her gun in front of her.

  I was about to sigh with relief when I saw a group of soldiers running out of the corridor, past the sentry post and across the ante-chamber. .

  “Oh shit, take cover,” I gasped. But the soldiers ignored us, throwing terrified glances behind them they ran as fast as they could, disappearing through another doorway towards the rear of the palace. Behind them came our Peacekeeper robots, chivvying them along with the odd burst of gunfire. I gave a little cheer of relief. There were broad grins on my companions faces. The Peacekeeper robots ambled over and examined us carefully.

  “Nice to see you Peacekeepers,” I said. “You arrived just in time.”

  “We have come to evacuate you,” said the leading robot, it’s mechanical voice reverberating off the stone walls of the old building.

  “Good. We must also find Cora,” I said.

  “We have no instructions to rescue Cora.”

  “We must go and find her,” I said firmly.” There was a pause before the robot answered.

  “I must confirm that with my controller.”

  “Hamo, are you on the line?” There was noise on the comms line but Hamolatonen‘s voice came in faintly.

  “Paul, the fighter is circling around to support Tara’s forces. We have not heard from Cora.”

  “The Peacekeeper robots have arrived so we are safe. But we need to find Cora. You need to instruct the robots to allow us to accompany them.”

  “Paul, it would be safer if you allowed the robots to escort you to out of the building. Tara’s forces are about to take the palace. There is still heavy fighting going on.”

  “We are not leaving Cora behind,” I said firmly.

  “I agree with the Captain,” said Commander Pariso.

  “Yes, she is a member of the team,” agreed Commra. “We must get her out.”

  “We haven’t heard from her for some time,” said Hamolatonen. “She may be… destroyed.”

  “The robots will protect us Hamo. Give them permission please,” said Manera.

  Hamolatonen gave in. The robots had been still while we talked, and now they came back to life.

  “We have the coordinates of Cora’s last position,” said the leading robot. “I will go in front, you will follow, and the other Peacekeeper will follow in the rear.”

  “That’s clear,” I said. I hitched up my gun, took Manera’s hand and we followed the giant robotic insects.

  Chapter 11

  Tozak’s presidential apartments were on the top floor, which was awkward because the robots could not negotiate the ancient narrow stairway. We came across groups of soldiers who immediately headed the other way at first sight of the Peacekeeper robots. A search revealed a large goods lift which could accommodate both robots and all of us. We had no idea what awaited us on the top floor and why the indomitable Cora had failed to respond to our calls, so we proceeded with caution.

  The lift doors opened to a sumptuously decorated reception area. It had a number of comfortable sofas and potted greenery positioned to make an intimate alcove by the broad windows. But the impression was spoilt by a number of dead soldiers in various untidy positions about the room. Our robots went ahead, scanning the room with their multiple sensors. There appeared to be no sign of life and we followed them into the room.

  “Let’s stay together shall we,” I suggested. “Robots, one of you stay with us. The other check the rooms.” I spoke to the robots over our common comms channel. They paused to digest what I had said; their thinking processes were designed for action. They were not too fast with analysing language.

  “Understood.” The leading robot responded. There were five doors leading off the reception and two of them were wide open

  “Investigate the open doors first,” I suggested. One of the two moved towards one of the doors. It stood to one side and extended an arm around the corner. There must have been an ’eye’ on the end I guessed, as well as a lethal looking laser.

  “It is clear,” it announced. It then proceeded to do the same with the other door.

  “There are bodies in this corridor,” it said.

  “Let us investigate that corridor,” I said. Then I realised that the robot could not fit into the corridor.

  “Ah, I think I will have to go in,” I said.

  “I will come with you,” said Manera.”

  “Right. Er, just be careful where you point that thing,” I said nodding at her gun.” She gave me a reproachful look, but pointed her gun to one side. I gave her a wink just to show I was not serious. Well, perhaps just a bit serious!

  I stepped over the bodies and peered into the room with the open door. There were more bodies inside, sprawled everywhere, all soldiers. Sitting up on the bed was Tozak, a bloody hole through the centre of his forehead.

  “Shit, there’s been a massacre in here,” I exclaimed.

  “Over here Captain.” Startled by the voice I gave a gasp of surprise and almost fell back against Manera. Sitting on the floor against the back wall, partly shielded by a side wall, was Cora. There was gun on the floor next to her, and a couple more submachine guns nearby. There was also a hole in her chest and a black gash marring her perfect face.

  “Cora, my God, what happened?” Manera pushed me to one side and ran over to the android, squatting down next to her. I followed , carefully surveying all the bodies to make sure they were all dead.

  “Tozak had an emergency button,” she said. “His personal bodyguards tried to rescue him.”

  “Why didn’t you let us know what was happening?” I asked.

  “My comms circuitry has been damaged,” she replied. “And as you see, I am physically disabled.”

  “We are so happy you are still alive,” said Manera.

  “Thank you,” said Cora.

  “What …er… happened to Tozak?” I asked, indicating the dead body on the bed.

  “I shot him,” she said simply. I was shocked by her blunt answer, but before I could say anything, she continued. “The soldiers came into the room when he operated the alarm. While I was defending myself he took out a hidden gun and shot me. I was grazed in the head. I had to kill him. While I was distracted I was also shot in the chest. But I managed to kill all the soldiers before my motor functions broke down.”

  We listened with amazement at her simple account of what would have been a heroic accomplishment for a normal person. The thought occurred; I am so glad you are on our side Cora! And I could not also help thinking that it was good riddance to Tozak. The bastard had used Cora and then cold bloodedly shot her.

  “You have done a magnificent job Cora,” I said. We are in your debt. Now let‘s get you back to the ship so we can get you fixed up. Can you stand up?”

  “I will need some help,” she replied. Manera and I took an arm each and hoisted her up on her feet. She was surprisingly light, her weight was no greater than if she had been human. She had some motor function in her legs, but her balance was gone. We both supported her out of the room and back down the corridor to where our friends were waiting. They had heard our exchange on the comm and greeted Cora with relief and congratulations.

  Hamolatonen came on the comm with an announcement that our Peacekeeper fighter had landed on the front lawn of the palace. Also, Tara’s forces had now surrounded the palace an
d Tozak’s soldiers had surrendered or ran away.

  Escorted by our Peacekeeper robots we made our way to the front of the palace where we met the vanguard of Tara’s forces. They had been pre-warned of our arrival but as we exited the front doors into the courtyard the soldiers assembling to enter the palace ran for cover at the sight of our robots. For a few moments I thought someone would panic and start shooting but their discipline held when their commanding officer bravely broke cover and strode towards us, shouting at his men to stand down. He stopped twenty feet from the robots and gave us a smart straight hand salute.

  “General Larson at your service.”

  Good English name I thought.

  “You are the aliens.”

  I wasn’t sure if it was a statement or a question. Commra stepped forward.

  “Yes, General, thank you. Have no fear of our robots, they are highly intelligent and will not attack unless they or we are threatened in any way.”

  “They are very impressive,” said the General. Then he spotted Cora . “She is injured…” he began, then realised that she was not a ’she’. His eyes bulged and his jaw dropped open.

  “She is an android General, and she can be repaired,” said Commra. “We will put her on our ship and take her back to the mother ship.”

  “Yes. Your ship is outside on the lawn.” The General stuttered. The General’s surprise at seeing such a ‘human’ looking android reminded me that we had seen few advanced robots during our stay on the planet, and none that were ‘humanoid’. He recovered quickly and shouted orders to his troops.

  “We will clear out the Palace,” he explained. “Councillor Tara Con Sata will be arriving by drop ship very soon.”

  Their ‘drop ships’ were winged helicopters with jets at the rear and counter rotating blades on each wing. Earth had very similar machines. The Hianja had Artificial Gravity of course and had no need for such ‘crude’ devices.

  “Very good General. We will wait for Councillor Con Sata,” said Commra. The General gave us another smart salute and jogged away towards the Palace. We headed out of the courtyard supporting a shuffling Cora. Our Peacekeeper fighter was waiting for us and we climbed aboard for a conference with our colleagues on the Settang Despass.