“Drop the fucking hammer! Fire!” Deines shouted at his gunner, slapping the Marine on his shoulder while pointing at another bug that was locking on to them. Aiming its railgun, the Super Destroyer’s detection system tracked on to the Vulcan’s weapon getting ready to blast its way.
“Kill that fucking thing!” Deines shouted. The Vulcan’s gunner opened up. “BBRRRRrrrr! - BBRRRRrrrr!” Earth flew up as rounds hit the dirt in a line heading toward the bug’s feet. The Vulcan’s cannon hit the metal insect as it fired its railgun back at the warriors. Spinning in a pirouette, the bug fell down amidst a dust storm from the 40mm rounds striking its chest, and peppering the ground all around where it was standing.
Seeing the giant insect topple, the Vulcan banked, sending Deines and Woolridge flying and crashing into the bulkhead once more. “Wham! Wham!”
“Jesus Christ! That’s starting to piss me off!” Woolridge barked. Electrifying with energy, the hair on the men inside the bird stood on end as the railgun’s projectiles narrowly missed, swooshing by with hurricane force wind. The Vulcan Captain struggled to keep the helicopter under control, battling the cyclic stick.
They regained pitch and roll and leveled off. Woolridge joined Deines after staggering behind their gunner and watched as the second Vulcan swooped down, attacking, banking and firing on the injured bug. Nosing up and breaking hard, “BBRRRRrrrr! - BBRRRRrrrr!” Trails of fire shot from its cannon as it hovered low.
A third insect came out of the darkness, creeping up on the war-bird, sneaking from behind.
Unable to warn them, Woolridge and Deines watched the scene, anxious and sickened, foreseeing the inevitable. The third bug launch through the air and grabbed the Vulcan’s tail rotor, dragging it toward earth. Deines and Woolridge could only watch.
Suddenly the pilots view out of the windshield changed as they looked out from the inside their captured helicopter and became disoriented. Like riding a carnival pirate ship, their stomachs dropped, bodies frapped, and their heads snapped, looking up at twinkling stars. Their war-bird plunged from the sky. Nose up and ass down, they were being dragged to earth by a bug.
Crashing in a fireball, the helicopter sent pieces from its rotors sailing like IED shrapnel. “Fire! Light that mother fucker up!” Deines shouted almost being swept off his feet from turbulence.
When it emerged from the wreckage, the door gunner shot at the metal bug, “BBRRRRrrrr! - BBRRRRrrrr!”
Samurai Sword in hand, the insect did the same after locking on to the helicopter’s position, “ZZZZWWWppp!”
Vulcan and bugs shot in a crossfire. The Super Destroyer missed, but now, both bugs were engaging the lone Vulcan. As the massive insects aimed their railguns, the pilots anticipated their shots and dropped their war-bird low, then high, jutting away from the blistering projectiles.
Deines and Woolridge were rag dolled as their helicopter raced away from the battle and out over the ocean, smashing against the ceiling, floor, ceiling again, back to the floor.
“Hang on!” the Captain shouted. Holy fuck! Hang on! It’s getting worse than that? Woolridge thought, still seeing tweedy birds. Deines concurred as the Captain pulled on the cyclic stick between his legs, torqueing on it, lifting the Vulcan’s nose straight up while he kept the jet thrusters firing on full throttle.
Racing toward Orion’s belt, the Vulcan reached the limit, suspended and stalling. Feeling zero gravity as if they were astronauts in space, scared shitless Woolridge shouted, “Are we crashing!” Rolling the helo over, the pilots get its nose pointed south, and the g-forces begin replacing weightlessness as it angled down like a toboggan on a flume ride.
Both Marines and the SEAL hung on as the Vulcan swooped, leveling off, surging and mounting till the men were breathless, feeling their skin sliding and pulling on connective tissue while they raced toward RMB Pendleton on a kamikaze assault. Below, nothing but carnage was left. There wasn’t a man alive on the ground; only two giant metal bugs, waiting and aiming.
Perfectly leveled, they stormed over the mountains at almost 230MPH. The pilots stayed a bit wide of the base, giving the door gunner a clear shot, now racing at 243MPH. “BBRRRRrrrr! BBRRRRrrrr! BBRRRRrrrr!” Firing as wind rushed against his face and tears in his eyes, no clue if he was hitting his targets, the gunner couldn’t see a damn thing. The bugs fired, sending the Vulcan out of control in a three sixty, nearly missing and causing the helo whirling past the base. Still squeezing the trigger, the door gunner’s rounds littered the sky to nowhere as the g-forces pinned him against the deck.
Sailing on smooth air, the Vulcan leveled off. “I’m out!” the door gunner shouted. The pilots banked again, this time, away from the fight for good. There was nothing they could do now. Out of ammo and every man on the ground was dead.
Deines walked to the pilots and leaned in between them. “What’s the range on this thing?” The copilot looked at the gauge. “Bout twenty five hundred miles,” the Captain answered.
It was twenty-eight hundred to RMB Jackson. “Keep it due east,” ordered Petty Officer Deines. “Roger that,” both pilots replied. They weren’t going to argue with the SEAL, even though he wasn’t an officer. They didn’t want to be left in charge, and by due east; both knew what he was referring to.
Twelve Hours Later:
Just outside Nashville TN:
Out of fuel, the Vulcan touched down outside the city. Both pilots were not happy about having to move out on foot... What choice did they have?
CHAPTER 48 - DARPA DARK
“We already have the means to travel among the stars, but these technologies are locked up in black projects, and it would take an act of God to ever get them out to benefit humanity. Anything you can imagine,
we already know how to do.”
-Ben Rich, Skunk Works
Charlotte North Carolina:
“That should stop the bleeding.”
“Thank you Dr. Marcus.”
“Does it hurt?”
“Well… I can feel it if that’s what you mean Dr. Marcus.”
Dr. Pressfield looked into Cy’s eyes, searching for signs of pain. The cyborg didn’t show any, but Marcus sensed that Cy was uncomfortable.
Cy slipped his shoe back on. “Good as new Dr. Marcus.”
“You’re pretty tough Cy.”
“I’m a man,” Cy said in a fake, deep voice.
“That you are,” Marcus said looking around the laboratory space, his mind racing at what he could do with the technology now at his fingertips. “That you are.”
“I’ll work on repairing the door Dr. Marcus… if I can…”
With his eyes still scanning the lab, Dr. Pressfield acted as if he was ignoring Cy. Marcus walked around and heard a crack. Illuminating, the lights softly increased after Cy pulled the handle on the backup power source. They spent the day familiarizing themselves with the laboratory before going to bed early, exhausted. Stirring like a teenager on prom night, Dr. Pressfield was filled with exciting dreams.
The next day:
“What are you thinking about Cy?”
“RMB Jackson Dr. Marcus.”
Dr. Pressfield wanted to ignore his cyborg’s words as he continued typing on a computer screen.
“There could be survivors Dr. Marcus.”
Marcus looked at Cy and stopped typing. The space was deafeningly quiet. “Doubtful.”
“Possible though Dr. Marcus… isn’t it?”
Dr. Pressfield paused before speaking, tapping his finger on the keyboard. “I guess… Doubtful though Cy,” he said shaking his head, looking down at the floor.
Dr. Pressfield didn’t want his cyborg going off on, well… another mission. Not wanting to be left alone in a strange place, but Marcus knew it was the right thing to do.
“Something tells me that I’m not going to be able to talk you out of this one,” Dr. Pressfield announced, ticking his head in disappointment, tapping his pen against the desk.
“I think it’s the right thing to do D
r. Marcus.”
Changing from disappointment to acknowledgment, Dr. Pressfield started bobbing his head while looking off with a new expression. “I hate to admit it Cy… but… you’re right…”
“Have faith in me Dr. Marcus, remember?”
“I do Cy but…”
“I love you too Dr. Marcus. Nothing will happen to me.”
“Cy I…”
“I’m a man, remember,” Cy said poking out his chest with a big grin stretching across his face.
“Yeah… I remember Cy,” Dr. Marcus said, loving his cyborg creation as much as he’d loved anything else in memory. If any man knew what it was like to give birth to a child, it was Dr. Marcus Pressfield. He’d created life…
“Besides, RMB Jackson is only ninety miles from here Dr. Marcus. I can be there and back in a day.”
“Ok Cy.” Might as well get this over with Dr. Pressfield thought. This will be worse than him nagging about driving…
“Excellent Dr. Marcus... Thank you for having faith in me.”
Dr. Pressfield stared at the open doorway of the lab. “Don’t worry… I’ll barricade you in Dr. Marcus. You won’t be able to go outside till I return though.”
“That’s fine,” Dr. Pressfield stated, looking around at the lab space. “Want to get started on a few things in here anyway.”
“I’ll return before nightfall… If I find survivors... then we can figure out what to do.”
“Yes. Get your butt back here Cy, even if you find survivors. Don’t leave me here for days wondering… while you drag them back here. Understood?”
“Very well Dr. Marcus.”
After walking up the staircase, Cy disappeared and it was quiet for a moment, until he began sealing Dr. Pressfield inside DARPA Dark. The lab shook as Cy rolled huge boulders of concrete into place. It fell silent inside the lab after Cy dropped the last one over the buried steps. Marcus waited for the next boulder but it didn’t come. Already running, Cy was sprinting toward RMB Jackson.
Dr. Marcus focused on his work and temporarily forgot about Cy, like he used to do with his wife, his nose to the grindstone.
Five hours later:
Marcus lost track of time when he heard the earth moving above him. Back already, he thought, looking at the time. Dr. Pressfield’s heart began to race. Not possible… Cy couldn’t make it to RMB Jackson and back in five hours, it was impossible. Boulders smashed overhead as he leapt from his chair and eyed the staircase. Light began to shine down in beams of early afternoon sun.
Mechanical sounds entered as metal footsteps descended down the landings, pounding. Marcus froze at the sight of two Sentinel bots leading a Ker inside the lab. His life flashed in front of his eyes. Wishing Cy was there to protect him, Dr. Pressfield marveled at the strength and power of the bots moving closer. Bracing for death, he closed his eyes just as two Sentinels arrived in front of him. He felt their powerful grip clenched around his arms and opened his eyes while being dragged toward the staircase.
Dr. Pressfield was thrown into the back of a Hum-Z and secured inside its metal canopy. As he rested on the cold deck, he heard the door shut and then lock. He felt the engine start as he looked down at the chipped paint, still down like a dog on his hands and knees. Two small window slits were on both walls of the shell. Just as he thought of looking out of them, the Hum-Z suddenly raced forward, sending him on a jarring trip. Dr. Pressfield rolled out of control to the back, slamming into the tailgate. He bounced mercilessly as the Sentinel bots headed for Atlanta.
A lone Ker was programmed to remain at DARPA.
CHAPTER 49 - DIGGING HOLES
“We bury love; Forgetfulness grows over it like grass: That is a thing to weep for, not the dead.”
-Alexander Smith
If she was to get to the old man, Clio would have to walk on top of the monster. She held the heavy rifle against her aching shoulder and began forward. Lady waited on the other side, licking Russ and whining.
The stench of the beast filled the house as much as it filled the girl’s fear. Clio was in a trance, eyeing the monster that bled out on the floor, and then to Russ. She jumped over it as if she was playing a game of tag, outrunning an outstretched hand. Clear. After looking back at the creature’s motionless body, Clio then focused on Russ.
As he felt the child touching him as she kneeled at his side, the old man opened his eyes trying to speak. “Russ,” was all she could get out. She felt like she was being electrocuted, prickling all over. Clio’s mind became frantic at the thought of losing him. What would she do in this world if he was gone, how would she manage?
Knocking on the door, Rusty Tucker was slipping away.
“Take care of Lady,” Russ said. His final sight, the old man looked out into nothingness, finally beating someone that was close to him into the grave.
“Russ… please… please don’t go,” Clio begged. His eyes remained opened after his life expired. “Russ…” she shook the old man and his head fell to the side, limp. Clio sobbed on the floor next to him. His blood stopped flowing and his skin began to cool. Clio reached over and shut his open lids. Burning through her like a blue flame, fear turned to rage as it ignited her small body. She’d had enough of this shit. This wasn’t fair. She was alone again.
“Hello…” Clio whipped around, frightened by the voice.
Looming his shadow over her with gentle power, a cyborg stood in the doorway. Clio remained on her knees, staring at the handsome young man that was before her.
“Are you ok?” Cy asked.
Looking down at the old man’s body, Clio began to sob. She placed her face in her hands and shook her head no.
“May I come in?” Cy asked.
“Ok,” Clio responded, wiping away the tears.
Cy noticed the dead creature in the hall and Russ’s body on the floor. Not sure what to make of the cyborg, Lady ran up to Cy and sniffed him. The dog didn’t detect danger from him, but still, for some reason Lady wasn’t sure what was different about this human. Cy turned his palms up and squatted low so Lady could inspect him.
“My first dog,” Cy stated. “Hello dog, I’m pleased to meet you.”
Clio was taken off guard by Cy’s comments. Maybe this guy is a nut? Something was different about him. Strange, but Clio felt at ease with his presence as she watched him awkwardly pet the dog. Losing her only friend in the world moments ago, she was confused and remained on high alert.
“You’re first?” Clio asked.
“I’ve never met a dog before,” Cy announced. Lady barked and began to wag her tail as if she finally approved of the cyborg. “I’ve always dreamed of meeting one.”
“You’ve never seen a dog before?” Clio asked with a puzzled expression that matched her question.
Lady lunged toward Cy and licked his face. “No. This is my first encounter. I now see why humans say dogs are their best friends.” Lady barked and wagged her tail before she darted to Russ and sat next to him.
Clio looked at Cy, still trying to figure out if he was crazy. “Humans?” she asked.
“Yes. Man’s best friend. I believe that’s the expression.”
“You’re not human?” Clio asked, afraid of the answer as much as she was curious.
“Well… No. Not fully human,” Cy responded.
Uh oh, Clio thought. What the hell is this guy talking about?
Cy could sense the fear emanating from Clio after he answered. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. I’m not capable of doing such a thing. My name is Cy, what’s yours?”
“Clio.”
“Pleased to meet you, Clio.”
Clio didn’t answer as she looked down at Russ’s body. “I’m sorry,” Cy said as he acknowledged the old man’s body. “Was he your father?”
“No… Russ was my friend.”
“Did you do that?” Cy asked, nodding toward the monster, noticing the birthday cake candle dwindling down.
“Yes. I killed him,” Clio answered.
; “You’re a very brave girl,” Cy affirmed. “Will you allow me to help you?”
Looking at Cy as her subconscious mind tried to figure out the mystery in his eyes, the young girl nodded her head yes. She felt a warm calming sensation flow over her body as she began to fully trust the cyborg. Cy walked over to Russ and scooped him up. As the cyborg walked over to a loveseat, the old man’s head draped down, and Cy gently placed his body on its cushions.
“Let’s get this filthy thing out of here shall we?” Cy suggested, staring at the dead creature in the hallway.
“Yes,” Clio firmly answered, holding her nose.
After walking to the beast, Cy squatted and grabbed it by both ankles. Clio opened the door for Cy and watched him drag it out, its head bouncing in a sickening thud as it went through the doorway. Cy dragged the smelly creature off the front steps and continued across the yard with the dead mutant. He towed the nasty ass thing until he disappeared inside the woods. As the cyborg appeared from the tree line, Clio noticed the blood trail on the wood below her feet. Cy had finished hauling and dumping the body and came out empty handed.
Moving with a distinct grace, light yet powerful, the cyborg returned and walked up the front porch. “I know this is hard but we’ll need to bury him,” Cy stated as he looked at the old man on the loveseat.
“I know,” Clio responded.
“Where would you like to do it?” Cy asked.
Clio shrugged her shoulders. “In the back yard… I guess.”
“Very well.” Cy picked up Russ’s body and went out the front, kicking the screen door open. As it swung back creaking, Clio caught it and slipped by following behind. He’s so gentle… how can he be that strong? She watched Cy carry Russ along the side of the house, as if he was holding something precious, noticing that he was doing it with care.
“I’ll look for a shovel,” Clio said as she walked ahead, moving toward a shed in the backyard. Wondering what was off about him, the girl entered the shed and rummaged through it, her mind racing; this handsome young man was mesmerizing to her. Something was very curious indeed. She felt her body tingle at the very thought of seeing him again. Walking through trapped musty air, Clio came out of the wooden structure delighted. Then the reality of the cyborg holding her dead friend ripped her heart out.
Clio and Cy: The Apocalypse Page 22
