Generation 7

by Ross Richdale

  I'll try, Suzi flicked a tongue over dry lips, grinned at her companions and climbed into the driver's seat. Holly slid into the rear beside Graham and Clay who raised the back lumber wall.

  They're our flaw, Bowman Clay Farrell muttered. Why would a Marshal be carrying a load of lumber?

  Holly nodded. I know, she whispered. If the clickers insist on a close inspection we are in real trouble.

  Clay took a bow down off a hook, fitted an arrow and grimaced at the two other DPF men. George looked grim and said nothing but Graham gave Holly a confident smile.

  If it came to a fight, I have installed a few nasties on board, he said in a quiet voice.

  In spite of her worries, Suzi drove Charlie well and only hesitated when, without warning, another combo appeared at the end of a short straight and headed straight towards them.

  Head directly at it, hissed Jaddig. On a narrow road, a security vehicle has the right of way. She stared white faced at her companion. Use your siren and accelerate.

  Where? Suzi gasped but Jaddig had already pushed in a small blue button and a terrible scream howled from the roof above.

  Bloody hell! George's oath filled the air but the two in the cab had more to worry about their sergeant.

  Go! screamed Jaddig. If you need to pull aside, remember we drive on the left in Vybber.

  Suzi gulped, gripped the steering levers with one hand and used the other to push the hand throttle. Without the modifications, it would have been impossible but the woman's reflexes were excellent. Charlie accelerated and the siren wailed.

  In its haste to move aside, the oncoming combo skidded off the road into a snow bank and stalled. Suzi stared straight ahead and headed for the gap. My God! It was narrow. Would there be enough room?

  Don't slow! Jaddig screamed. It's a sign of nervousness to slow and they'll know we aren't the security force.

  Shit! the scientist, who never swore, cursed as the gap narrowed.

  Jaddig could see two faces staring at them from the other vehicle, Charlie wobbled as Suzi changed down a gear, the six wheels gripped slush beneath and they swung right towards the other combo! Jagged screamed and her four hands gripped handles.

  They were going to hit!

  At the last moment, though, Suzi swung left, scrapped past the stationary combo and splattered it with mud. Charlie's inside wheels hit the opposite side of the road and, for a second, the left of the vehicle lifted off the ground. Tires groaned, the motor roared but the expected crash did not eventuate. Instead, the inside wheels crunched down but instead of braking, Suzi accelerated.

  Okay, I know I said speed up but I didn't expect you to go crazy, Jaddig snorted as they reached a corner and the opposing vehicle disappeared from sight. She reached up and turned the siren off.

  The fake wall behind them hinged down and Holly's white face appeared. Did you see the clickers in the other combo? she shouted, realized her voice was too loud now the siren was off and flushed.

  Never had time, Jaddig retorted. Why?

  Holly's face relaxed and broke into a smile. The last we saw, they were standing by their vehicle saluting but their faces showed utter terror, I'm sure they thought we were going to run them down.

  That's discipline for you, George added. Shit scared but still managing to salute the Marshal.

  If they only knew, Jaddig gasped. Now the emergency was over she was shaking like a leaf.

  Suzi, though, seemed confident. She smiled at the others and accelerated. I know what to do next time, she grunted then cursed again. Damn these fake arms, she retorted. They keep getting in the way.

  Holly's eyes caught Jaddig's and they both grinned. It seemed as if Suzi was going to be a real asset to their party, not just a docile academic they though she might have been when they selected her.

  Traffic thickened over the next hour but, in every case, no sooner did Suzi turn on Charlie's siren or flash the lights when the opposing vehicle pulled aside and let them by. By fourteen hundred hours they were in a valley beside the river, the road had widened and the snow turned to a steady downpour of rain.

  Then the foot soldiers arrived, hundreds of clickers marching in single file up both sides of the road, heads straight ahead and four arms swinging. They've got rifles, Jaddig groaned. That's unexpected.

  What are they? Graham asked.

  Weapons that fire a bullet with an explosive charge. Your arrows would be useless against them. The soldiers can just stand back a hundred meters or more and fire at you. A bullet is like a tiny arrow but is flying a hundred times the speed. If it hits you it goes clean through and will probably kill you.

  Our ancestors had them, Suzi explained, but they were banned in the Survival of Humanity Protocol as being too dangerous. Up until now, it was a good idea.

  I see, Holly replied in a grim voice. So, for example, if the clickers were on a cliff top in a mountain pass, they could kill our people below without our arrows even reaching them?

  Yes, the scientist replied. In that case we wouldn't stand a chance. I believe we have some of our own in the secret vaults below the food caves. Your mother would have access to them. From what I remember, there are about thirty weapons of this sort and also the more advanced ray guns that fire a beam of concentrated light.

  Holly shuddered. The thought of these ghastly weapons frightened her. We need to tell the Commander but how can we get a message back?

  I'll go, Clay volunteered. If you let me out, I can slip into the hills and take one of the forest tracks. It should only take a couple of days. I've done it in exercises before the clickers invaded.

  If you aren't caught, George snorted. It's too dangerous to go alone.

  Holly stared at the sergeant. You go too, George, she said. I think this is too important to ignore.

  But I can't, muttered the man. I promised your mother...

  That's an order, Sergeant, Holly interrupted. You and Bowman Farrell are ordered to report to Commander Evans and the Proctor. They are not due to leave New Seattle until the day after tomorrow. If they've gone when you arrive you are ordered to follow and catch the settlers up.

  But Holly! the man protested.

  We'll be okay, Sergeant, the woman's voice softened. Graham will remain with us and we aren't helpless, you know.

  Put it in writing, snapped the sergeant. Otherwise your mother will skin me alive.

  There are more immediate problems ahead, Suzi interjected. A barrier is across the road and traffic on our side is not moving.

  Oh hell George snapped.

  As Suzi slowed Charlie down, Holly who had been sitting in the middle front seat, gave Jaddig a quick glance, dived through to the back and the fake wall was swung up. Suzi and Jaddig were on their own.

  Act confident, hissed Jaddig as they ground to a halt behind a row of vehicles.

  Right, Suzi whispered with determination that overrode her nervousness. She pulled the helmet lower on her face, slipped dark glasses on and juggled the fake arms so they appeared to be gripping the inner steering levers.

  When a grim faced officer approached, Suzi slid down at the driver's window and snapped, I have Marshal Mother Vinalon, hexagon clearance aboard, Guard Leader. We demand to know the reason for the delay. Her voice was accentless with that ring of authority but she did not turn her head.

  The male clicker glowered until he saw the insignia on Jaddig's chest and also wings folded neatly across her back. Suddenly he was all attention. My apologies, Marshal Mother, he snapped. I was not informed you were on this side of the river.

  I wanted to visit the front line myself, Guard Leader err... she glanced at his body suit name tag, ... Mooren. I believe the Biped-rats have not been eliminated.

  No, Marshal Mother. They blew up their own town and disappeared. No doubt you have the report.

  I do, Jaddig snapped. She turned and stared at the officer, and more. It is urgent I get back to headquarters. Is it still on the Vybber side of the river?

  Yes, Mother Marsh
al, the clicker replied. Half our troops are there, too. The river's in flood and we cannot risk heavy vehicles on the pontoon bridge. At the moment only foot traffic are crossing.

  In the darkened rear, Holly heart sank. She could hear the whole conversation through gaps in the lumber but could see nobody. If they couldn't cross the river, they were doomed.

  But it was Suzi who used her initiative. One vehicle can make it, Guard Leader. She turned to face Jaddig. I am prepared to drive across, Mother Marshal, if that is your order.

  Why yes, Jaddig replied. For a second her nerve had failed but now she swallowed and glanced back at the officer. Can you arrange for an escort, Guard Leader Mooren?

  Certainly, Ma'am, the clicker replied, As soon as our routine inspection of your combo is made.

  Again Holly's heart thumped.

  Jaddig, though, was ready. Of course, Guard Leader, she smiled sweetly, I assume you have hexagonal level search clearance.

  The man hesitated. No Mother Marshal, he snapped. Only Colonel Apnhil has that clearance. Will pentagonal clearance be sufficient?

  You had better find your colonel then, Mooren, her voice turned to ice. We have top security equipment aboard.

  What's she doing? George hissed in a hoarse whisper to Holly. The damn fool girl is going to blow it.

  Bluffing, Sergeant, Holly whispered back, and it seems to be working.

  The guard leader stared at Jaddig for a full moment but her eyes bore into him without a flicker. Well, Guard Leader, she snapped. Are you getting him?

  It will take an hour, Mother Marshal. He is up in the forbidden zone.

  Where I came from, snorted Jaddig. I'm sorry I missed him but I can not wait.

  The clicker officer grimaced but came to a decision. I'll clear a path, he snapped to attention and saluted both right arms.

  Thank you, Group Leader and may I commend you on your vigilance. If you had not insisted on searching my vehicle I would have had you up on charges.

  Thank you, Ma'am, the relieved clicker replied. It's a pleasure being at your service.

  Jaddig certainly knows how the clicker military hierarchy works, Graham grinned. She must have nerves of steel.

  Holly nodded and hung on as Charlie moved slowly forward. She wriggled to the side window and moved the wooden panel a slither so she could see. Outside, the rain was still pouring down but they were moving forward on the wrong side of the road while clicker foot soldiers were standing at attention as they swished past. The guardhouse, with a raised barrier flashed by and, afterwards they drove by a row of combos exactly the same design as Charlie. The backs were open and every vehicle was filled with troops, hundreds of them.

  She turned to a grim George who was peeping out the next window Well, you can't get out here anyway, Sergeant, she said. We might have to keep you with us after all.

  What I can't understand, George replied, is why they have so many troops here. There must be more in their mind than just flushing us out of the caves.

  You're right, Holly replied. Perhaps Jaddig can give us a reason.

  In the cab, Suzi stared through the swishing wipers that could barely cope with the downpour and gasped. I can't do it, she chortled.

  Jaddig stared at the pontoon bridge in front. The structure floating on the bloated river bucked and rocked as clicker foot soldiers poured off the end.

  Stop Charlie, hissed the Crucnon. I'll drive. The rain is so heavy no-one will notice us.

  Suzi nodded and slowed to a crawl. Are you ready? She cried, eyes met and there was a brief nod.

  Open the wall, Jaddig called and banged on the structure. It hinged down and Holly was there.

  Right, Suzi snapped. She braked and found two sets of arms grabbing her. Graham and Clay had her into the rear in seconds. At the same time, Jaddig bounded across the cab and grabbed the throttle, Holly leaped into the passenger seat and the vehicle began to roll.

  The bucking bridge, mere centimeters wider than their combo seemed to disappear into choppy dirty water that blended with the rain to formed a wall of mist in front. Jaddig edged sideways so the driving wheels almost touched the slightly raised edge of the bridge while a clicker shouted instructions that were wrenched away by the wind.

  Check out your side! she yelled.

  My hair! screamed Holly. If I put my head out they'll see I have hair.

  Here put this on, George tapped Holly on the shoulder and yelled in her ear. She turned and saw his grinning face and a Balaclava in his hand. She ducked and the man pulled the black woolen object over her hair. In seconds she had her red hair tucked under and head out the window. Rain hit like nails and all she could see was water, but no, through the mist and spray below was a log bolted to the bridge edge. Water was lapping over it so the surface was one mass of water.

  Jaddig has half a meter, she called back.

  George heard, passed the message on and Holly felt Charlie shift over. But as the wheels turned, water from the wide snow tires now sent an arch of water directly into her face. There was a bump and the front wheel began to mount the side log.

  Too far! she shrieked.

  Unknown to her, the others were also helping as best they could. Graham yelled instructions from directly behind Jaddig while Suzi came back to the middle seat and was peering through the windshield wipers.

  Jaddig eyes were riveted ahead at the bucking river. She realized something new; the current had carried the middle of the bridge downstream so the bridge was shaped like a new moon. It was useless just keeping the wheels straight!

  Fit in the gap between the retainer logs, George advised. They'll hold the wheels inside and on the decking. Don't fight the steering.

  Jaddig nodded and realized her four hands had the steering levers gripped so hard her fingers ached but she was scared to relax her hold. It would only take one wheel to mount a log for their whole vehicle to topple into the river.

  George is right, Suzi's calm voice penetrated Jaddig's brain. Relax the steering and concentrate on maintaining a steady speed.

  Jaddig swallowed and ever so slightly, let her grip on the outer levers, the ones which controlled the front wheels, relax. There was a slight shudder as a tire rubbed the right log but it worked! The lever moved a few centimeters as the wheel slipped away from the log. Jaddig noticed at that moment that the other steering wheels were locked for the human drivers and followed the front ones. She relaxed her hold further and maintained a steady crawler speed.

  We're following the curve of the bridge, Holly called back at George. Oh Hell!

  What? screamed George?

  The river is flowing over the log. I think the weight of the combo is holding the deck down.

  Right, the sergeant snapped and turned to Jaddig. I'm new to these mechanical monsters but I reckon you increase speed, he advised. Just go that wee bit faster.

  Jaddig never argued but edged the hand throttle up, the motor roared and they surged forward. Water from the wheels was now arching as high as the cab. Suddenly a howling gale filled the enclosed space.

  What happened? Jaddig screeched.

  It's Clay, Graham yelled back. Said he'd see us back at New Seattle and leapt out the back.

  The idiot! George snarled.

  He's all right, Graham continued. He waved. My God, he dived in the river!

  He'll be fine, George relented. He's a strong swimmer. If he lets the river carry him down steam past the clickers he'll be safe. If he doesn't freeze, that is. The sergeant's eyes swept around the confined space. Well I'll be off, too.

  What're you doing? cried Holly.

  Your orders Generation 7 Leader, George replied with a slight grin.

  Don't be bloody silly! Holly snapped. She glanced up. For God's sake, Graham. Shut the back door.

  You'd better do it, lad, George grinned. Orders, you know.

  Men! snorted Holly and stuck her head back out the window into the stream of water arching up from Charlie's tires.

  You know, Jaddig muttered,
her eyes still riveted straight ahead. I believe the logs were designed to guide the combo's wheels. I hardly have to hold the steering levers.

  Good, Suzi said. Holly said the inside is fine.

  ...And I believe the end is coming up, Jaddig replied. Tell Holly she'd better get in the back and shut the flap.

  Charlie rumbled on through the final section of the bridge, up the incline where the pontoons were anchored to the shore and onto the road. Rain still poured down and darkness had arrived. Jaddig switched the headlights on and they bathed across a wide paved road running at right angles to the bridge. Water was everywhere with half the road flooded but Jaddig didn't care. The place was empty. Not one of her kind was in sight.

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  Chapter Six

  Jaddig turned Charlie upstream and continued up a familiar sealed highway with the powerful front lights carving a tunnel of light through the darkness. Light reflected back at them from the wet road surface while rain still banged on the metal roof. She accelerated and the heavy tread of the tires screamed. Holly clung on but couldn't keep her eyes off the speed dial. The needle was pointing to twenty wedden and she mentally converted this to a hundred kilometers an hour. In these conditions, this was almost flying.

  We have to get into the foothills before dawn, Jaddig explained. That's over hundred of your kilometers, She yawned and rubber eyes.

  And you're exhausted, Holly replied. Pull over and I'll drive.

  After a brief protest, Jaddig relented so Charlie was soon humming along at a more leisurely eighty kilometers an hour with Holly at the wheel. Jaddig was sound asleep beside her and gentle snores came from the rear passengers but they were not all asleep.

  I'll keep you company, Graham whispered and slipped over into the middle seat with a thermos of hot coffifake in his hand and handed it to Holly. He tucked a blanket around Jaddig and stared through the swishing wipers at the diagonal lines of rain cutting through the vehicle's lights.

  You okay? he asked.

  Not bad, Holly replied. A bit stiff and tired. It's Jaddig and Susi who have done all of the driving.

  I wonder if there are other clickers like her, the man muttered. She acts human, He shrugged. You know, she has feelings, concern for others and is not a cruel killing machine we've always been told clickers are like.