“Indeed,” said the Aesir. He put his finger next to where the bolt extended from the locking mechanism. While the Terrans watched, the bolt dissolved to a fine powder, and the door eased open an inch.
“That’s pretty handy,” said Zoromski.
Night looked at Landslide, reassessing his earlier thoughts. He quickly came to a conclusion and nodded. “Thanks,” he said in apology. He turned back to his troops. “What? Are you guys waiting on an engraved invitation? Let’s go.”
Caliph’s Retreat, Wendar, Day 2 of the Second Akhet, 15th Dynasty, Year 14
“I’m not sure I like the tone of that, mate,” said Rock. “What do you mean, ‘We get to continue living?’”
“Ever since you crossed into our universe, you have been slowly dying,” said Vizier Kawab. “I cannot confirm it for a fact, but I know that when we send people across the border for long periods of time, they eventually sicken and die. At first, we thought it was some new disease they had contracted, and we wouldn’t let them return because of it. They all died. It wasn’t until much later that we realized we are just not completely compatible with your universe.”
“And you suspect we are similarly incompatible with your universe?” asked K-Mart.
“I do,” replied Kawab. “If there is something that keeps us from staying in your universe long-term, our universe probably does the same to you. To avoid the effects, you will have to spend time across the border periodically or you will die. And while you’re there…”
“We could accomplish your mission for you,” finished Rock.
“Exactly,” said the vizier with a Sila version of a smile.
“What do you know about the prisoners or the race holding them?” asked K-Mart.
“The race holding them looks more like you than us,” said Kawab, “especially your hands. They also have fleshy appendages for grasping things, not bone like us.” He clicked his talons together in emphasis.
“We call ours, ‘fingers,’” said Chomper.
“Ah…fingers,” Kawab. “I will try to remember that. Yes, the race across the boundary is very much like you in form; however, they are enormous. They are almost three times your size.”
“Giants!” said Rock.
“The Jotunn,” agreed K-Mart, nodding his head. “We figured as much. Let me guess, the new race of prisoners also looks like we do, but they are a little smaller and either green or black in color.”
“With pointed ears,” added Hooty.
“Yes, the reports indicate they are green-skinned and have pointed ears,” said Kawab. “How did you know?”
“The prisoners are our allies on the other side of the boundary,” replied K-Mart. “In fact, the reason we came here is that we were searching for them.” He looked at the other Terrans. “Looks like we found them.”
“Yeah,” said Chomper; “too bad there’s no way to let anyone know.”
“So you will go then?” asked Kawab.
“Yes,” said K-Mart as the rest of the group nodded, “we’ll go.”
The vizier smiled again. “I rather thought you might.”
Chapter 21
Jail for Special Prisoners, Ashur, Unknown Date/Time
The sound of gunfire reverberated through the cell block. “We’ve found the stairs,” commed Wraith, “but we’re taking fire. Literally, fire!”
Night approached the staircase at the passageway’s “T” intersection as a wall of flames came shooting down it. The fire cleared and Staff Sergeant Zoromski leaned in and fired a burst up the stairwell. He quickly ducked back as another sheet of flames roared down.
“They’re hard to see up there,” said Zoromski. “There are several wearing some sort of black armor. Looks like they are heavy on flamethrowers.”
“No kidding,” Night stuck his head in the stairwell, then dodged back out of the way. “They’re going to be tough to kill up there.” He switched to his comm. “Nelson, we need you up front.”
“On my way.”
Night checked the passageways which ran left and right. “Wraith,” Night commed. “Take half of Alpha Squad and check the passage to the left. Gunnery Sergeant Bryant, take the other half and go down to the right. See if you can find us another way up.”
“I’m here, sir,” said Sergeant George Nelson.
“Good,” Night replied. “There are a bunch of Efreet up the stairwell, wearing some kind of armor. See what you can do about thinning them out some, would you? Beware, they have flamethrowers.”
“I can take a little bit of heat,” the cyborg replied. “As long as I don’t have to stand in it too long, I shouldn’t get all melty.” He unclipped two boxes from his back and laid them aside. “I’ll be even better without these,” he added.
Nelson walked over to the stairwell. 10 stairs went up to a landing, and then the stairs looped back to the right as they continued up. “Be right back,” Nelson said as he passed Zoromski.
Unlike the other soldiers who leaned into the stairwell to fire a burst and then withdrew, Nelson charged up the stairway to the landing and rounded the corner. He was met with a wall of flame and burning fluids. His sensors indicated the fluids were sticking to him and burning at a temperature that was much hotter than expected.
His proto-skin was already starting to gel as his Mrowry autocannon came into line with the fire he was taking. He swept the barrel of his weapon back and forth across the top of the stairwell, and the flames ceased. Realizing he was still on fire, he ran back down the stairs, dropping his weapon as he reached the landing. Throwing himself to the floor, he rolled back and forth, trying to smother the flames. Whatever liquid the Efreet were using was difficult to extinguish, causing him to have to lay flat on his stomach for several seconds to put it out, which allowed the fluid to burn his back until he could flip over.
Zoromski and Staff Sergeant Rainer Koppenhoefer charged up the stairs, with most of Bravo Squad in trail.
As Sergeant Nelson got to his feet, Night could see several places where the metal substructure of his back was visible.
“That was kind of hot,” Nelson said. “I could feel my brain cooking.” As he spoke, his nose drooped to below his mouth, and the right side of his face sagged noticeably.
“I’m amazed your rifle didn’t blow up,” said Night.
“The autocannon is tough,” said Nelson. “The Mrowry know how to build them. The ammo in Tanker’s weapon would probably have cooked off. You’re lucky you had me.” He attempted a smile as he re-clipped the two boxes to his back, but only succeeded in jiggling the proto-flesh a little.
“We’re clear up here on the next level,” commed Staff Sergeant Zoromski.
“I copy,” commed Night. “Wraith, Mongo, have you had any luck?”
“None here,” said Wraith. “I’m at a dead end.”
“Me too,” added Gunnery Sergeant Bryant. “Dead end.”
“All right, come join us on the next level,” replied Night. “We’re moving up.”
Efreet Prison Headquarters, Ashur, Unknown Date/Time
“The queen hungers,” said the colonel, touching both claws to his chest.
“The eggs hatch,” replied the captain and lieutenant in tandem, mimicking the gesture.
“I need you to take a squad to the airfield,” said the colonel to the lieutenant. “Something is jamming our transmission, and we need to get the alert shuttles launched immediately.”
The captain looked out the window and could see smoke rising from several places. “What is happening?”
“The Sila are revolting,” said the colonel. “We must put them down, and put them down hard. Lieutenant, take no chances along the way; kill any Sila you see. Let them experience the penalty for their insolence.”
“As you command,” said the lieutenant.
“What about the prisoners?” asked the captain.
“Kill them. Kill them all.”
Jail for Special Prisoners, Ashur, Unknown Date/Time
“This level is emp
ty,” commed Staff Sergeant ‘Hoofer’ Koppenhoefer. “We have come to another set of stairs.”
“Hoofer, Wraith, up the stairs,” said Night.
“Gluck ab!” they chorused. Reaching the top of the stairs Hoofer turned left, and Wraith turned right…and came face to face with a squad of Efreet. Although the reptilian Efreet were fast, Wraith was faster, and she emptied the entire 20-round magazine from her FAL rifle into the group. “I’m out!” she commed, diving for the floor to give Hoofer a clear line of fire.
The former German Kommando Spezialkrafte trooper had already turned, and he fired his Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle into the two Efreet still standing. Hearing movement from further down the passage, he added a 40 mm grenade from the under-barrel launcher. The shock wave echoed down the passage as it exploded, and he could see dust coming down from the ceiling in a number of places.
Wraith saw movement from behind the German. “Hoofer, look out!” she yelled, frantically trying to reload.
A wall of flame engulfed Hoofer, and the smell of charred meat filled the passageway.
Gunnery Sergeant Bryant dove up the remaining steps and fired down the hallway as Hoofer collapsed; Wraith finished reloading and also fired. The smoke cleared to reveal two dead Efreet, hit in numerous places.
“Medic!” commed Wraith.
Within seconds, the Ground Force’s medic, Sergeant Burt Yankiver, was at Hoofer’s side.
“Can you save him, Yank?” asked Night.
“If he were in a suit, maybe,” replied Sergeant Yankiver. “As it is, all I can do is make him comfortable.”
“Do what you can,” said Night.
Gunfire echoed from the floor below. “We’re getting hit from behind,” commed Sergeant Rick ‘Happy’ Day. “They’ve got some kind of – fuck! – flechette thrower. Corporal Holm is down. Holy shit! We need some help back here!”
“I’m on it, sir,” commed Master Gunnery Sergeant Hendrick.
Fuck, thought Night. What else could go wrong?
“Hey mon,” commed Sergeant Andrews, “has anyone seen the elves?”
Chapter 22
Caliph’s Retreat, Wendar, Day 7 of the Second Akhet, 15th Dynasty, Year 14
“We normally cross the boundary here,” said Vizier Kawab. “It is protected from prying eyes and comes out in a safe area.” Another male approached the group. “This is Hori,” Kawab added. “He will be your guide.”
“How well does he know the area?” asked Hooty.
“He is our most experienced guide,” said Kawab. “Hori has been across the boundary more times than anyone else.”
“Hori, are you familiar with the plan?” asked K-Mart.
“I am,” said Hori. “We will go through to the other side. It will take me two trips because I can only safely transport two at a time. Once we are all on the other side, I will lead you to a hill that overlooks the prison complex, so you can see if the prisoners are the ones you call ‘Aesir.’”
Vizier Kawab walked a little way from the group and then turned and asked, “Lieutenant Knaus, could I have a word with you in private?”
“Sure,” said K-Mart. “Be right back.” He walked over to join the vizier.
“Right,” said Rock to Hori, continuing in K-Mart’s absence. “We’ll see if there is any way to get close enough to talk to them. If so, we will attempt it. If not, we will come back and work out what to do next.”
“Got it,” replied Hori. “I am ready when you are.”
“Just a second,” said Rock, “we still have one more issue to decide.”
“Whether to wear the suits or not, aye?” asked Hooty. “I still say we should wear them.”
“They will give us some protection,” said Rock, “but they really don’t offer the same combat capability as the suits the platoon wears. They probably won’t stop a bullet or laser.”
“Yeah, but they give us some extra processing power if we have to learn a new language,” argued Hooty. “They also have a limited pharmacopeia if we need that, too.”
“I think we ought to conserve the batteries on them as much as possible,” said K-Mart, rejoining the group. “We don’t know how long we’re going to be here.”
“In the interest of time,” said Rock, “why don’t we vote. My vote is ‘I don’t care.’”
“I want to wear them,” said Hooty.
“I’d rather not wear them,” said K-Mart, “but then again, it really doesn’t matter that much to me.”
“I’d rather wear them,” said Chomper, “but I’m like K-Mart; it doesn’t really matter either way.”
“Okay,” said Rock, “the ‘ayes’ have it; we’ll wear them.”
The suits had been brought out earlier and checked; it was only a couple of minutes before everyone was dressed and ready. “We’re ready, Hori,” said Rock, “let’s go.”
Hori brought out a short golden rod with several buttons on it. “I need to be in contact with the first two people that are going.”
“Good luck,” said Vizier Kawab. “May the Protector watch out for you, in this world and the next.”
“Asp 08 leads the way,” Rock said as he put his hand on Hori’s arm. “Let’s go, K-Mart.”
K-Mart placed his hand on Hori’s other arm and nodded once. “Let’s go kick some giant butt.”
Hori pushed a button on the rod, and the three vanished with a flash.
Cells, Jail for Special Prisoners, Ashur, Unknown Date/Time
The lights snapped on again and booted feet could be heard approaching quickly. Calvin looked through the gaps between his fingers while his eyes adjusted and saw the leader and six of the armored Efreet. No taser troops? That couldn’t be good.
The Efreeti captain said something to Master Chief. “It appears the resistance has started, because he said the citizens are in revolt,” the caliph translated. “He also said we shouldn’t get excited because we will be dead long before any of them can get here.”
“Wouldn’t you like to come in here and kill me yourself?” asked Master Chief.
“He said that while it would be fun, he doesn’t have time for you,” said the caliph. “He is leaving to deal with your friends but wanted to see you burn, first.”
The captain stepped out of the way and motioned his troopers forward. Three approached each of the cells. While two stood at the ready, the other unlocked the cell doors. As the doors opened, the Efreet in front of the cells each took a step forward, arming their flamecasters as they stepped into the cells.
“Maximus!” yelled a voice from behind the Efreet. The air shimmered, and the Aesir team appeared, Farhome towering above the rest.
Over nine feet tall, Farhome stepped forward into Calvin’s cell and took one of the armored Efreeti’s heads in each of his oversized hands. Farhome slammed them together, then dropped their inert forms to the floor. With a giggle, he tossed a sheathed sword to Calvin.
Landslide appeared next to the two Efreet in Master Chief’s cell. Before they could move, he touched the trigger mechanisms of their flamecasters, then dove to the side. Both tried to pull the triggers, but found them locked in place.
With a command in their own language, flames covered the armor of the remaining four Efreet, and they stepped forward to engage the Aesir.
The two facing Landslide reached forward to grab him in a burning embrace, but their flames suddenly extinguished.
“Oh, you like fire, do you?” asked Captain Nightsong from behind them as he stuck a finger into the joints of their armor. Both Efreet began screaming as flames appeared inside their armor, and their skin started to melt. Unable to escape the flames, they dropped and tried frantically to put them out by rolling on the floor.
Master Chief and the Aesir jumped out of the way of the slashing tails; the vizier remaining in the corner out of the way. Steam poured from the joints in the armor as the Efreet cooked.
The Efreeti trooper outside of Master Chief’s cell saw the battle going against them and turned to run. As
he passed Landslide, the Aesir reached through the cell bars from his knees to slap the tanks on the Efreeti’s back. The trooper made it four more steps before the tanks began falling apart. A hole appeared in the left tank, which was apparently the propellant for the flamecaster, as the escaping gas spun the Efreeti around to slam into the wall. With a splash, the bottom of the fuel tank fell off, and the trooper was doused in flammable fluid. Something sparked as the Efreeti slammed into the wall again, and he was transformed into a seven-foot tall tower of smoke and flames. The Efreeti screamed as he righted himself and ran down the hall, trailing smoke. Blinded by the smoke, flames and pain, he ran full-speed into the wall at the end of the passage. The Efreeti fell to the floor and lay still, flames crackling over his body as the rest of the fuel and flesh was consumed.
The final trooper charged into the cell, intending to kill the caliph, but was intercepted by Calvin who jumped in front of him. Calvin drew the sword, a rapier, from its sheath. As he brought the rapier to the ready position, the blade burst into flames and began glowing a bright blue down the length of its silver surface.
Faced with the rapier, the Efreeti stopped and grabbed the handle of his flamecaster. He brought it up to fire, but was hammered down from behind by Farhome with a double fist. “Oooh, hot!” cried Farhome. He began blowing on his hands, which had been singed by the flames on the Efreeti’s armor.
Seeing no way out, the Efreeti captain grabbed the seemingly defenseless Cyclone from behind and put a knife to her throat. The Aesir smiled in his grasp and brought a finger up to the knife while her other hand reached back to touch the captain on his nose. As the circuit closed, 75,000 volts flowed through the captain, and all his muscles spasmed. Cyclone pushed backward to the wall so the captain wouldn’t fall and continued to electrocute him. Turning her head, she watched until smoke began to trail from the corners of the captain’s eyes before she released him. The Efreeti fell to the floor, dead.
The Search for Gram Page 17
