“What are those things?” I asked Lewen. Her lavender eyes were darker in the dim cabin.
“The Zalt have many types of weapons. These are likely Umir.”
A shiver rolled down my spine. “What’s an Umir?”
“Umir are their soldiers. Programmed to scout,” Lewen advised. “And defend.”
“Programmed?” Tripp cracked his knuckles. “They’re robots?”
“Robotic, yes.”
I caught a subtle interaction between Baska and Lewen, and swore the bigger man had a doubtful expression on his face. It vanished a moment later.
“They sent these Umir like scouts,” Tripp said. “A week ahead of their own arrival. We have to assume the Believers have already attuned.”
“They will have. We’re knee deep in a pile of trouble.” Veronica’s fingers interlocked with mine, and her legs shook as she nervously shuffled her feet.
“What’s at Ball’s Pyramid?” I asked Lewen. When she didn’t answer, I looked at Baska. “Would someone give us some damned answers?”
“The Rodax always leave supplies with each Seedling planet. Our Children occasionally require assistance.” Baska stared at the floor while he spoke. The other soldiers ignored us, blankly watching each other as Gren flew us through the violent storm. There was something they weren’t sharing, but this wasn’t an opportune moment for a discussion.
The ship dropped, and my seat lifted from the bench beneath me. The straps held me in, and a couple of seconds later, we leveled off again. Tripp’s color paled, and he hugged himself as we flew on. I saw the bright orange glow of yet another meteor through the cockpit glass. I still didn’t know exactly what an Umir was, but the idea of an army of robot soldiers reactivated my dormant childhood fears.
“How long until we reach Australia?” I asked.
Baska finally locked gazes with me. “One of your hours.”
“That’s a hell of a ship.” Veronica laughed. “Maybe when this is done, they’ll let me pilot one of them.”
“We’ll have lots of opportunity when we’re living on Kabos,” I reminded her.
“Wait.” Tripp reached over and tapped me on the leg. “What is that supposed to mean? What’s Kabos?”
“I’ll explain.” We leaned closer, and even with the strapping, we were only two feet apart. I spoke as quietly as I could, but with the loud engine, I wasn’t sure the Rodax soldiers could hear our conversation. When I got to the part about them demanding we live on Kabos when our planet was liberated, Tripp slunk into his seat.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” He huffed a deep breath and glared at Lewen. “I guess it’ll be worth the sacrifice. I didn’t sign up for this expecting an easy ride.”
“You don’t have to join us, Tripp,” Veronica said.
“What, and leave you two alone to have all the fun on an alien world? I never even saw Rimia. Maybe it’s my turn for some Bridge action.” He actually smirked as he said this.
“Have it your way.” If Tripp survived this coming battle, I’d be glad for his company on Kabos. I couldn’t let myself dwell on the future, not with so much at stake in the present moment.
We rocked heavily, and Baska called in their native tongue at Gren, who made a hand signal at his partner. The ship dipped lower, and it felt like my stomach was inside my throat.
A landmass appeared ahead. The skies were even darker here, and another glowing red asteroid burst into the atmosphere. How many of these Umir were they sending?
“Hang on tight. I think we’ve been spotted,” Gren said.
Veronica looked around nervously. “By whom?”
“The Zalt.” Gren tapped at his screen, but from where I was sitting, I couldn’t see what he was indicating. “The Umir will be seeking us out. We might have come with fewer soldiers than we needed.”
“You thought twelve of your finest, plus you three, would be sufficient?” Tripp snorted. “Man, you guys don’t lack self-confidence.”
“We’ll be fine. The Umir aren’t the worst thing we’ll encounter,” Lewen suggested.
That didn’t ease my mind.
Ten minutes passed, and we flew lower and lower toward Australia. Ball’s Pyramid was a few hundred kilometers off the coast of New South Wales, meaning we had to cross over the entire giant continent before arriving at our destination. Gren’s ship made quick work of the distance, and we finally saw the Pacific Ocean. The skies opened up enough to see the sunlight peeking through momentarily, before shutting like snapping jaws again.
“Brace yourselves,” Gren said, and the ship shuddered violently.
“What was that?” Tripp shouted.
We were closer to the ground, maybe two hundred meters in the air, coming in hot to the coastline. The water was thrashing over a rocky beach.
“The Umir. They tracked us.” Lewen reached above her and pulled her long-barreled gun free from its fasteners. The others did the same. This was a bad sign.
“Aren’t we going to fly to Ball’s Pyramid? Why are you grabbing your weapons?” I asked her.
“We won’t make it there.” A shot hit the hull of the vessel, sending an alarm ringing throughout the cabin. The soldiers were tugging on their straps, ensuring they were locked in, and I did the same.
“Why are they…?” Tripp started asking his question, and the ship began to plunge.
“Aim for the water!” Veronica shouted to Gren, and I felt the nose lift ever so slightly. Something was burning, and I saw a draft of smoke entering the cracks under my seat.
Boom. The hull was struck again by an unseen force. Gren spewed out a few unfamiliar words as we dove for the ocean. One second I had the sense of weightlessness; the next we slammed into water. It felt like my shoulders were being torn from my torso.
“Is everyone okay?” Baska asked, and his soldiers echoed a response.
“Veronica?” I snapped my fingers in front of her face, and her eyes darted open.
“I’m fine. We have to get out of here.” She fumbled with her strapping, trying to free the restraints. I could tell she was in panic mode. Tripp was already out of his seat, and he knelt by Veronica, calmly unclasping the bonds. He did mine next and grabbed Baska’s arm.
“Do you have floatation devices?” he asked.
The Rodax soldier shook his head. “Not this model.”
“Great. This is who you brought back with you to save our people?” Tripp shoved past him and checked on Gren. The pilot hadn’t vacated his seat yet. We were submerged, and the ship settled onto the ocean bed, but it was only ten or so meters deep.
“We’re close to the shore,” I said. “We can swim up.”
“Did you see the waves?” Tripp opened a set of metal doors at the rear of the ship. “The current will be trouble. Not to mention, whatever shot us is likely still out there. Watching and waiting.”
Water seeped in through the walls. Slowly, but not for long.
Tripp refocused on Baska. “What are we dealing with here? The Umir?”
“We will handle the Umir. Do not worry,” Baska replied.
“They shot down a spacecraft. That has me nervous.” Tripp passed Veronica and me each a handgun from his pack, and unraveled a roll of metallic rope from the ship’s storage container. “I’ll swim to the rocks and hold on. You guys walk your way up with this. Don’t let go, whatever happens.”
I glanced at Veronica, then at the rope. “Is this the best idea?”
“Unless you have a better plan,” Tripp said.
“Are you prepared?” Gren asked, finally out of his seat. His nose was bleeding, and he had a gash on his cheek. His head must have whacked into the dash on impact.
“We are ready.” Baska was near the hatch, flanking two soldiers. Their snub-nosed weapons clung to their backs, and they wore goggles.
Baska hefted on the hatch, tugging the lever. Water gushed in, filling the floor, and the two soldiers climbed through, swimming away. Tripp shoved past more of the Rodax soldiers, the metal rope in
his hands. “Remember. Don’t let go.” And with that, he was off, carrying his pack.
The water surrounded us quickly, and it was already up to my knees. Veronica’s teeth were chattering by the time the second round of Rodax exited the hatch. Soon there were only Baska and Gren with us. The level rose to my chest, and I felt a tugging at the rope. “He’s ready.”
Baska and Gren stayed behind, and Veronica went first, out into the murky blackness of the ocean. Her feet narrowly missed striking me as she kicked, her arms wrapped around the rope Tripp was holding above the water. I waited a moment, then sped ahead. The ocean was cold, and although it wasn’t deep, the darkness threatened to overtake me.
We’d secured help from the Rodax, and even before we arrived at the weapon stash on Ball’s Pyramid, the enemy had shot us down. That didn’t bode well for the future of our mission.
I heard sounds of gunfire before I breached the surface. Tripp’s predication was accurate. The waves were relentless, trying to throw me underwater. Veronica was near the rocks, and Tripp bent over the wet, slick stones, reaching for her arm.
Four of the Rodax soldiers were farther up the shore, two of them kneeling and firing at an unseen enemy. I clutched the rope with all my strength, and the metal fibers dug into my palm.
“Hurry up, Rex!” Tripp had Veronica out of the water, and they were both pulling on the rope, heaving me closer.
A big wave thrust me forward and quickly descended, tossing me against the rock wall. My shoulder screamed in pain, and I was dragged below. Water filled my mouth, and I did my best not to swallow it. Instead, I focused on holding on to my lifeline.
A few seconds later, I was being winched up, and Tripp grabbed my wrist. The pair of them hauled me over the ledge, and I lay on a large stone facing the clouds as I spat ocean from my mouth.
“We can’t linger,” Tripp said, as if I had a choice.
All fifteen of the Rodax were rushing the coastline, dashing for a public beach. It was devoid of people, and that was a small saving grace. I peered at the horizon, wondering how we’d fly to Ball’s Pyramid now.
We trailed after our allies, and I finally saw what they were firing at. The opponent was thin, with two skinny guns aimed from a narrow chest. It stood its ground, the weak daylight seeming to absorb into its dark chassis. I was too far away for a good look, but when one of the Rodax fired at it, the thing seemed to disappear.
“What is that?” Tripp asked between huffs of air. We were running, and my shoulder barked in agony from the battering I’d taken getting out of the ocean. Veronica kept quiet, holding her gun at her side as we chased the Rodax. Lightning flashed, and another meteor dropped in the distance, heading farther inland.
“Damned if I know.” We arrived on the beach, and the Rodax had two paint-chipped picnic tables flipped on their sides. They huddled behind them, using the tables for cover.
I recognized Lewen, and she waved us behind her barrier. Everything was silent, and I saw the Rodax were all hiding. No one moved for a few moments.
I heard the Umir before I saw it. It whirred and clicked as it rolled across the sand. It was shaped like a sphere, about three feet in diameter. I watched through the cracks in the picnic table’s wood. Veronica let out a whimper as it stopped.
The thing clicked and unrolled into a ten-foot-tall monster. Red eyes dimmed and glowed as it surveyed the area with a small round head. The guns at its sides lifted. The bottom of the robot acted as legs, and it stepped with assurance, slowly taking in the area. It knew we were here, but it was waiting for us to make the first move.
One second it stood there; the next it was a ball again, rolling farther down the beach. Two of the Rodax jumped out from their hiding spots, blocking its path. They shot at it with long-barreled guns, and for a breath, I thought their bullets were ricocheting off its exterior. More of the Rodax emerged, firing in unison. The Umir attempted to unroll and fight, but it was outnumbered. Within a minute, the Zalt weapon was smoldering on the sand, pieces of it splattered around.
“Clear!” Baska was the first there, and he tugged free a wiring harness. The red eyes dimmed before turning dark.
We walked up to it, Tripp kicking one of the guns with his booted foot. “That wasn’t so bad.”
“We were lucky,” Gren said. “We must hurry. This thing would have advised the network of our arrival. They will send more.”
“More of those?” Veronica glanced at the sky. “We have to fly to the island. It’s quite the hike from here. What’s our move?”
“We need a boat,” Tripp offered.
Veronica shook her head. “Not in these conditions. A helicopter would be much safer. And faster.”
The wind gusted against my face, and I wondered if she was even right about that.
“Where do we obtain this?” Gren asked.
“In town. I saw a city nearby. This is a public beach, so it can’t be far.” Veronica was already hiking up the sidewalk.
“And we’re going to rush in and rent a helicopter?” Tripp asked her.
“No. We’ll steal one.”
She kept walking, and I shrugged at Tripp.
“Gren, keep your people out of sight. We’ll return with transportation,” I told him.
“We won’t be discovered.” His hand snaked out, and he set it on my arm. “Rex, I’m sorry. We didn’t expect the Umir to be here already.”
“Not much we can do to change it.” I set off with Tripp on my trail.
We traversed a street that ran north and south along the coastline, but it had no traffic. We darted across the lanes, hopping the meridian, and I noticed the streetlights were out. I had no idea what time of day it was out here, but suspected they should have been lit up, given the heavy cloud cover.
“Power’s out,” Tripp said right after I thought it.
A sign told us the nearest city was two kilometers away, and we hurried, catching up to Veronica. She was determined. My shoulder was already aching less, so that was one positive thing of note today.
Rain began to fall as we broke into a jog. It was summer here, and despite the strange storms that accompanied the meteors, the rain was warm and almost refreshing.
Tripp had his phone out. “Any cell coverage?”
I checked and told him mine wasn’t picking up a signal either.
“Great. Just great.”
Veronica froze ahead, letting us catch her. Her eye was angled to the side.
“What is it?” I listened, but could only make out the sound of the wind rushing by us.
“Sirens.” She pointed down the road, and I saw incoming emergency vehicles.
“Tripp, you better put the gun away,” I suggested, and he stared at his 9MM like he was surprised to be holding it. He shoved it into his jacket pocket.
“What about you two? You look like escaped convicts,” he said.
I hadn’t thought about it, but we were wearing the jumpsuits the Rodax had given us on Kabos. “Good point.” My own gun was concealed, as was Veronica’s.
“Should we hide?” Veronica asked. The sirens were closer.
Tripp took the lead. “Nah. I have an idea.”
The first vehicle near us was an ambulance, screaming as it tore over the road. A fire truck followed, and two police cars were next. One of the cops slowed when the driver saw us and rolled his window down. “You folks see anything at the beach? We heard reports of the meteor striking this area.”
Tripp shook his head. “No, mate. Hell of a lightning storm, though. It got my truck, fried the computer. Crikey, almost zapped me.” His accent was atrocious, but the cop didn’t seem to notice. He glanced past Tripp at us.
“What exactly were you doing out here?” The officer’s partner was reaching for the door handle, and I braced myself. We didn’t have time to be detained. And if we were, and they found the guns on us, we’d never be able to talk ourselves out of this. Especially with no IDs.
“Tripp Breaker’s Electrical Service. City called me
and asked us to check on the transformer. It musta been hit by the storm.” Tripp crossed his arms. He was quick on his feet, I had to give him that.
“You need a lift into town?” the cop asked.
I was about to interject, but Tripp was already moving for the back seat. “Thanks, mate. We’d appreciate it.”
“No problem.” He rolled his window up, and we were filing into the back of the squad car. Veronica took the middle spot. We were dripping all over the fabric.
“Where to?” the driver’s partner asked. He glanced at me from the front passenger seat. The guy was older, maybe late fifties, and he frowned when he saw my strange jumpsuit.
“Airport,” Tripp said.
“No planes are running today.” The driver laughed. “Been closed for weeks. What with the government orders and such. If you ask me, it’s a bunch of malarkey.”
“Same here. No, got my spare van parked at my cousin’s warehouse near there.” Tripp was managing a passing job of impersonating a local, because the cop radioed the other squad car and told them he’d be back in ten.
The lights were still off as we drove into town, and I saw the city was bigger than I’d expected. Fast food chains lined the main stretch of road, giving way to cheap hotels and grocery stores. We slowed at a stop sign, and I watched the lengthy line leading into the market. People were trying to buy supplies, and I bet this place was only a few hours from turning chaotic. Most of the world would be on the brink of violence and panic.
The drive to the airport only took five minutes, and they pulled over at the shoulder near a large warehouse. The area was fenced with chain link. “Entrance is on the side.” The driver pointed at a gravel path.
“Thank you,” Tripp said as he climbed out.
“What’s with your friends? They don’t speak?” the passenger asked.
Veronica was quick on her feet and started to sign something.
“No. She can hear, but signs. This is her husband. They met at the school for the deaf up in Brisbane,” Tripp said.
“That’s ace. Have a good day.”
Lost Hope (The Bridge Sequence Book Three) Page 2
