by Jake Bible
The two girls looked at each other and frowned.
“You make the call,” Melissa said.
“You sure?”
“You’ve got three people in your brain. I’m just one.”
“Whatever you decide, make it quick!” Desmond shouted as the creatures moved away from the destroyed HAV and turned their attention on the remaining vehicles.
“GO!” Beth yelled. “Tell everyone to back up and get out of here! If we get separated just meet at the original rendezvous point!”
Desmond reversed as fast as he could, while still trying to avoid hitting the HAVs behind him. “All vehicles are complying!”
“I bet they are!” Billy cried. “Can we shoot these things? Please?”
Melissa took control of the weapons system and targeted the creatures, firing as many rockets at once as she could. The HAVs in the rear did the same.
Streams of flame and smoke lit up the nightscape, but were lost upon impact.
“What happened?” Beth asked.
Melissa checked the readings. “Nothing. Nothing happened.”
Small explosions could be heard and the creatures lit up internally as the rockets detonated. Everyone held their breath, waiting for the creatures to collapse. But none did.
“Are they moving…faster?” Billy gulped. “They are, aren’t they?”
“I think those rockets just acted like fucking scabs for those things! They’re all jacked up and coming right at us!” Melissa yelled. “I’m out of rockets!”
“Fire all guns!” Beth ordered over the com. “Tear them apart!”
Large caliber rounds with tracers interspersed streamed towards the creatures, ripping into their undulating flesh. Chunks of black meat flew everywhere, tentacles fell to the ground and the night filled with unearthly shrieks.
“Looks like that is working!” Melissa cheered.
The rest of the Americans cheered with her until a Tech spoke up. “Are the pieces moving too?”
Everyone’s celebration was cut short as they watched as a tentacle began to drag itself along the ground, inch-worming its way quickly in pursuit of the reversing convoy.
“Turn this thing around and get us out of here!” Beth shouted.
Desmond spun the HAV about, tossing everyone into each other and against the sides of the hull. The vehicle rammed into a hillside and Desmond struggled to get it loose. “We’re stuck!”
“Their coming right at us!” a Tech screamed from the hold, his face pressed against a porthole. “Sweet God!”
Beth concentrated on the scattered BC of the General’s destroyed HAV, splitting it again and again until the air was filled with thousands of razor sharp shards. She brought the shards screaming towards their HAV, shredding everything in its path.
“I love that move,” Melissa grinned. The ground was covered in black chunks of creature and various oozing liquids. “Now let’s fucking go before all those little pieces become mini-monsters!”
The chunks began to squirm before Melissa had finished talking, but Desmond was able to free the HAV from its entanglement and they rocketed away, trying to catch up with the others.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Beth found a seat in the hold as far back as she could. Her head was killing her and she honestly wondered if she wasn’t going to throw up.
“You okay?” Billy asked, startling her.
Beth shook her head and smiled. “Yeah, I’m fine, just really tired.”
“And a bad liar. What’s really going on?”
Beth looked towards the front. “Promise you won’t say anything to Mel?”
“Tell me what’s going on first.”
“No. You have to promise you won’t tell Mel.”
Billy sighed. “Fine. I promise I won’t tell her outright, but I can’t make any guarantees if she threatens me.”
Beth grinned and leaned back against the hull. “Headache. Happens each time I manipulate BC.”
“Let me guess, they’re getting worse with every manipulation?”
Beth nodded. “This is a bad one. Kinda made me dizzy back there. Like I was gonna pass out.”
“Well, I’m not going to even pretend I understand how you do what you do.”
“I don’t think any one knows how I do what I do.”
“True. But, I’m willing to bet it strains your body, and your mind, past healthy levels. Probably like doing a ton of zip scabs without eating first. Spins you up then sends you crashing.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” Beth laughed. Billy frowned. “That wasn’t a judgment. Sorry. I’m just so tired.”
Billy patted her on the leg and stood up. “Then rest. I’ll keep everyone away from you, if I can.”
“Thanks, Billy,” Beth yawned. “I appreciate it.”
“Well, you’ve saved my ass too many times in only a few days. I think running interference while you nap is the least I can do.”
***
“So how bad is she?” Melissa asked as Billy came back up front.
“She’s fine,” Billy lied.
“Bullshit. Don’t make me rip your nipples off and shove them in your eyes!” Melissa growled.
“Damn, Mel! Why does everything have to be so violent with you?”
“No decent male role models, I guess.”
“Fuck you, Mel,” Billy said and turned.
Before he could go, Melissa grabbed his arm. “I’m sorry, Billy. You don’t deserve that after everything we’ve been through the past few days.”
Billy looked at Desmond. “You heard that, right? She did say that?”
“Leave me out of it,” Desmond grunted.
“Don’t be a dick, Billy,” Melissa scolded. “I said what I said and I meant it. Don’t make me take it back.”
“Fine. Thank you, Mel. That means a lot.”
They were silent for a bit. “So, what’s wrong with Beth?” Melissa asked finally.
“I knew you were just buttering me up.”
Melissa didn’t push, just waited patiently.
“Fine,” Billy continued. “Her head hurts and it’s getting worse every time she works with BC.”
“That happens to some Ghosts though, right?”
“Sometimes. Not usually. We need to keep an eye on her. She’s not really like the rest of us. She’s…”
“A freak?” Beth asked from behind them both. Billy started to apologize, but Beth stopped him. “Don’t worry, Billy. I figured she’d get it out of you.” She leaned against Melissa’s seat. “I guess it’s like a migraine, but almost full body.”
“That sucks,” Melissa responded. “You gonna be okay?”
“For now, yes.”
“Good. Just rest. We’ll let you know if we run into anything else.”
Beth nodded and made her way back again.
Melissa and Billy shared a worried glance.
***
The Spiders crested the hill and stopped, surveying the wiggling mass of black flesh below them. They watched as hundreds of chunks moved towards each other, combining and reforming as they made contact. Soon several large creatures stood between the Spiders and their quarry.
The Spiders and the monsters waited, soundlessly. Then, without warning, they attacked. Metal slammed into dark, rubbery skin and the world exploded into chaos as the creatures roared and the Spiders activated their weapons.
Two Spiders were ripped apart, their BC legs snapped off and tossed aside, while tentacles pried their exoskeletons open to reveal the unfortunate pink bodies inside. The things that had once been human were plucked from their protective shells and torn in half, each monster taking a piece for itself.
The other Spiders took advantage of the creatures distracted eating and pressed their attack. Black flesh once again littered the ground and the Spiders only paused long enough to scan the area then moved on, their artificially fueled need to hunt driving them forward.
***
“How close now?” Melissa asked.
&n
bsp; “Four hours away,” Desmond yawned. “Any signs of trouble?”
Melissa yawned in return as she checked the scanners. “Nothing I can see, but that doesn’t mean much. The wildlife seems to have a natural ability to avoid detection until they start to move.”
Desmond gave a noncommittal grunt in response and kept his eyes trained forward, watching the shadows outside the HAV’s halogens, looking for whatever would come at them next.
“Do you need someone to relieve you?” Melissa asked, yawning yet again. “I’m sure we have a Tech back there that can drive this thing.”
“I’ll be okay. This isn’t my first long haul,” Desmond grinned, pulling an injector from his breast pocket. “This will get me through the next twelve hours if I need it. But, it’s a bitch of a come down, so I’m trying to avoid it.”
“Okay, but I’m getting a Tech to watch the scanners,” Melissa said. “I can’t keep my eyes open anymore.”
“Good call. Get some rest.”
***
Billy stirred as Melissa settled next to him, Beth’s head resting in his lap.
“How is she?” Melissa whispered.
“She finally fell asleep an hour ago,” Billy whispered back. “She’s been dreaming the whole time.”
“How about you? Have you gotten any sleep?”
“Off and on,” Billy stifled a yawn. “I’m too freaked out to really get deep—” The HAV came to sudden halt, jarring everyone inside. “What the…”
“Um, I need some Ghosts up here now, please,” Desmond’s voice said over the com. “We have trouble.”
Beth stirred and sat up. “What now?”
***
Billy, Melissa and Beth stared out the windshield at yet another group of new creatures.
“Those must be the Aghori,” Beth stated.
“And a lot of them,” Billy added as they all watched what must have been fifty creatures or more stand in the path of the HAV.
“They just showed up,” Desmond said. “I looked down to check a reading and when I looked up they were there. No warning, nothing.”
“Have they moved?” Melissa asked.
“Not one bit.”
“What are the other HAVs saying? Do they have any Aghori around them?”
“None that they can see. We have eyes sweeping the area.”
“Can we get a closer look?” Beth asked.
“Really? Closer look?” Billy exclaimed.
“Through the holo, dumbass,” Melissa growled.
Billy mumbled something, but everyone ignored him as the holo came to life.
“Fuck me,” a Tech said. “Those things are messed up.”
The holo showed figures similar to the nanotech zombies, but warped and twisted into creatures that may have been human at one point and were now a jumble of overgrown jaws sporting massively long teeth; multiple arms and legs, many with long bone spurs piercing their green-black flesh. Their eyes bulged and bugged out, almost as if they could pop out of the skull and extend if they wanted to. Ears stuck straight out from their heads and turned independently like a cat’s, constantly checking the area for sound. The most disturbing parts were the fingers and toes—incredibly long claws, like a large cat, also protruded from each digit. From the end of each claw and from the teeth dripped yellowish fluid, thick like pus, that made the ground sizzle wherever it dropped.
Beth and Melissa looked at each other.
“What do you think, Desmond?” Beth asked. “Can we drive through them?”
“I don’t see why not,” Desmond responded.
“Can we shoot them first?” Billy asked. “Cut them down or torch them?’
“We can try,” Melissa answered, checking the weapons system. “We’re out of missiles and RPGs and low on flame. We still have a few thousand rounds for the guns, but those will be empty in minutes.”
“We can make more,” Billy suggested. They all looked at him. “Whatever materials we have that we don’t need we can morph into bullets. That should give us a few thousand more rounds.”
“Good call,” Desmond replied. “Ghosts should be on that. Techs up here on weapons.”
“Now who’s in charge?” Melissa grinned.
Desmond grinned back. “Oh, you are, but I’ll be doing everything possible to get our asses safely aboard an American ship.”
“Fair enough,” Melissa said, stepping to the back with Beth and Billy. “We’ll get on the ammo. You guys get on the killing.”
Desmond focused out the windshield. “I’ll get the other HAVs on board and then we’ll attack and push through. I’m looking forward to some beach time.”
“I’m looking forward to some no blood and/or guts time!” Billy hollered back.
“Just hurry on that ammo!” Desmond shouted.
***
The Aghori circled the vehicles, their deformed bodies crouched low, ready for an attack. Many sniffed at the HAVs, growing excited as the scent of warm, living flesh wafted from the vehicles’ ventilation systems.
One of the creatures licked the side of an HAV, tasting the splattered blood that had dried and crusted on the hull. Others followed suit and soon they were shoving and pushing, clawing and biting, each trying to get a taste. Dozens surrounded the vehicles, their fighting rocking the HAVs from side to side.
The jockeying for position soon turned to full-on aggression and several Aghori fell to the ground, their heads ripped open by others; their black, sticky brains trampled under foot and ground into the dirt.
An Aghori took a swipe at another, but missed, its claws raking the side of the HAV, making long, sizzling gouges.
***
Alarms blared and the Tech in the weapons seat turned to Desmond. “We have a hull breach! Those things can cut through BC!”
“How are we coming with the ammo?” Desmond shouted.
“We have about two thousand more rounds than before!” Melissa called back. “We might be able to get another thousand!”
“We can’t wait for that!” Desmond yelled. He nodded to the Tech. “Target and open fire.”
The large caliber guns started firing into the groups of Aghori. Their bodies jerking and dancing from the impacts.
“They don’t look so tough,” the Tech said then gulped as he saw the images on the holo. “Oh, fuck…”
“What?” Desmond asked.
“The slugs aren’t doing anything! Look! They get hit, but they are fine in a second.”
Desmond watched the holos, seeing what the tech saw. “Fuck. It looks like the BC is melting on contact. We can’t kill these things with bullets!”
***
The Aghori roared as one and leapt onto the HAVs. Their long claws dug deep furrows into the hulls and the corrosive liquid burned its way through the metal.
Bodies were sent flying as the techs in each HAV desperately tried to fight them off, but they wouldn’t stop, the bullets dissolving almost instantly as they came in contact with the caustic fluids that flowed through the Aghoris’ undead bodies.
***
The HAV rocked from side to side as the creatures attacked and Billy’s BC work began to suffer.
“Keep it together,” Beth said, seeing the panic in Billy’s eyes. “You’re a Ghost, you can handle this.”
“No, I can’t,” Billy replied. “There’re reasons I became a junkie and combat situations is one of them.” He looked down at his shaking hands. “I can’t do this.”
Melissa reached out and slapped him across the face, knocking his head back. “Suck it up, William!” she yelled. “Or I’ll fucking kill you myself.”
Billy shook his head and rubbed at his cheek. “I’ll try.”
“Fucking do!” Melissa snarled. “We don’t need try!” She turned her attention to the front. “Why aren’t we moving?!?”
“I’m trying!” Desmond shouted. “The drive is pumping out power, but we aren’t going anywhere!”
***
The Aghori slashed at the massive biochrome wh
eels of all the HAVs, dissolving them in seconds, reducing the vehicles to useless hunks of metal on impotent axles.
***
“We’re dead in the water,” Desmond muttered, trying to get the mag drive to override the axles and at least hover forward like most mag vehicles, but he met with no luck. The vehicle was too heavy and soon the drive redlined, nearly frying the whole system before Desmond shut it down.
“What’s going on?” Melissa said from behind Desmond. “Why’d we power down?”
The Tech brought up external holos and Melissa stared for a moment until Desmond pointed to where the wheels should have been.
“This isn’t the first time these things have come across HAVs,” he said. “They knew exactly where to hit us.”
The clawing sounds from atop the HAV grew louder and the Tech screamed as acid dripped from above and onto his leg.
“OH FUCK!” the man screamed as he watched a centimeter hole grow in size until it became fist sized and they all could see down to his bone. “Wash it off me! Help!”
Melissa started to reach for the man, but Desmond yanked her back as more acid dripped from above. The Tech screeched and pleaded until a large drop hit the top of his head, burned through his skull and dissolved his brain.
Desmond sprang from his seat and pushed Melissa to the back. “Can you make suits that fight that shit?”
Melissa looked past Desmond at the liquefied Tech. “Um, yeah, I think I can.”
“Then do it fast or we’re all going to be soup!”
Chapter Thirty-Five
The hull was breached from above on the furthest back HAV and the Aghori pounced on the occupants. Mutated arms and claws slashed and hacked at the Americans, ripping into their flesh, rending limbs and flaying skin.
Despite the ferocity of the Aghori, the Americans fought, guns ablaze, but the metal was useless against the acidic fluids that dripped from talons and teeth. Everywhere holes burned and spread: through seats, the hull, crates, arms, chests, legs, heads, weapons. Everything was melted into a pool of BC, flesh and bone.
When the last person stopped moving, their final screams silenced as their vocal chords melted, the Aghori roared as one and fed. They lowered their deformed heads to the ground and drank from the gooey ichor, not stopping until it was gone.
