AMP Rebellion (21 page)

As I turned to run the blaster bolt perfectly impacted the hinged portion of the door, blowing it from its mounts. The door caught me mid-stride as I moved away, knocking me helplessly to the floor. After several stunned seconds I pulled myself up and ran. My timing was now short.

As I ran Frost, Margot and Dawson stepped back out of the hallway and took up firing positions.

I yelled, "Get your asses back in that hall!"

The first Helgron ion bolt impacted the floor beside me, sending me sprawling as I came to the end of the pool. I again pulled myself up and ran, two more bolts whizzing by just over my head.

The second and third Helgrons then entered the skirmish. I turned towards a nearby office as two more bolts just missed my torso. Frost and the others fired repeatedly in an attempt to draw the Helgrons attention. When the final three Helgrons entered the room Frost, Margot and Dawson turned towards the staff hallway. Margot was the first to take an ion bolt directly in the back. His ribcage exploded violently, knocking Dawson to the ground and into the corner of the hallway opening as he ran. Frost barely skipped by.

The next bolt caught a startled Dawson as he pulled himself up. It was a shot that grazed the right side of his head, blowing away the bone and half of the gray-matter that made up his brain. Frost ducked deep into the cover of the hallway as I dove and rolled into what was probably an administrator's office. Office furniture then began to explode around me as bolt after bolt of ion energy came through the door behind me. I curled up in a corner as the shrapnel from the furniture bounced endlessly off the walls around me.

The Helgrons then moved their position up to the overturned tables. Half a dozen more bolts came into the office where I lay curled up. A metal cabinet beside me was the only thing keeping the flying bits of furniture from ripping me to shreds. Two more of our squad, Corporal Dennis Talon and private Caitlyn Bottoms stepped out of the cover of the hallway, again to draw fire from my direction. The Helgron were excellent marksmen, Talon and Bottoms quickly paid the ultimate price.

The Helgrons then began to move along the side of the pool beside the rigged tables. Ion bolts continued to impact the office.

Booom! Booom! Booom! Booom! Booom! Booom! Booom!

Seven grenades went off at the same instant, forcing the turned tables into the Helgron fighters and the Helgron fighters were knocked into the cool water of the pool.

A rain of grenades then fell from the catwalk, followed by a single bazooka round which passed them during their fall. The explosive weapons detonated as the Helgrons regained their bearings.

Boooom! Booom! Booom! Booom! Booom! Booom! Booom! Booom! Booom!

Seven more grenades were then dropped.

Booom! Booom! Booom! Booom! Booom! Booom! Booom!

All went silent... seconds later the clatter of battle boots on the catwalk filled the Aqua Center with sound as Aaron and his team headed for the stairs. Frost emerged from the staff hallway and immediately threw two grenades into the pool where the lifeless Helgron fighters had sunk to the bottom.

Booom! Wooosh! Booom! Wooosh!

As I slowly stood, ears ringing from the explosive force of the ion bolts, I stepped and looked out the door towards the pool. Frost was standing at one end with a wide grin on her face.

Frost yelled over to me. "We bagged six Helgrons Sir! Dawson and the others would consider it a fair trade! Should I call up Frig to get us a portal open? We won't want to be dragging six of them around for our experimenting. Let Doc and Gy have a few more to run tests on!"

I struggled to reply, "Go ahead and... hmmph... go ahead and... hmmmph... yes!"

I waved Frost on as I dropped to my knees, the remains of a chair leg protruding from my back. Aaron and our medic were soon offering aid.

The medic spoke, "We are going to have to send you back Sir. That thing is right beside your liver. I can't tell from here if you have damage or not.

Aaron raised Frig on the comm. "We need a big portal here! Mr. Grange has taken some shrapnel to his back and needs more care than we can give him. Mark my position and open it 5 meters to my right if possible. That's a clear area."

Frig replied, "Opening a portal now. Please hold your position while I mark... done. Make sure he does not touch the sides as you pass him through, we will have people waiting."

Aaron replied, "Roger that, we will be sending through a few dead Helgron after him so keep opening the big portals as you can. We took out six of 'em."

The portals were opened and my now unconscious body was passed through. It was decided that the Helgron would all follow as the labs on the Suppressor would offer a better test bed for unlocking any Helgron weakness.

The doc had the operating room ready and I went immediately into surgery. I awoke in a bed several hours later.

George was waiting and spoke, "Sorry Don, I had to amputate that leg you had growing out of your back."

George smiled.

I attempted to sit up but was met with a twinge of pain. "What happened to the Helgrons? Did we get any off them?"

George replied, "Sit back and relax. You got all six. Two of them were still alive when they came through. They have been restrained and their comm gear removed before we brought them back. When their cohorts got to the pool your team was long gone."

I winced again as I spoke, "What happened to me? Last thing I remember was coming out of that office."

George replied, "You took a metal chair leg to the lower back. It lodged right next to your liver, but other than a slight bruise to it you got lucky. It left a hole about two centimeters diameter."

I replied, "What's my downtime Doc, we have a lot to still do out there."

George replied, "You just relax. The hole it created was general tissue. I knew you would want back in the fight so I cleaned it up and covered it with a medi-graft. You might have a little discomfort, and a nasty scar that I can take care of later, but you should be able to get back in the fight by tomorrow evening. The Colonel and the Admirals can keep things running until then.

I was done fighting for the day. It was time to rest and heal. I turned my head to the right to look at the bed beside me. It was occupied. George smiled as he walked over to the bed and pulled back the sheet that covered an obvious body.

George spoke, "I thought you might want to watch as I cut him up."

I replied, "A Durian?"

George nodded and continued, "A couple quick observations, they are surprisingly strong for their thin frame as their muscles and tendons attach further up the bone than ours. I was looking at their knee joints and..."

I dozed off to a sound sleep as the painkillers the Doc had administered took their toll.

When I woke, Feta was sitting in a chair beside me. "Hello Mr. Grange. How are you feeling?"

I sat up and reached around to feel the bandage on my back. "Much better than yesterday I can say that."

Feta replied, "I watched the doctor perform the surgery. He is quite impressive. I found some of the practices interesting as compared to those at home. Our medical technology is advanced, but the techniques your doctor used were superior to ours. Most of our surgeries are automated. With every medical situation being unique, that automation does not always employ the best methods to a particular problem."

George came in the room. "Ah, our patient is up. How does he feel?"

I replied as I sat up in the bed. "It actually feels OK. I can tell it's there and it's a little tender, but it doesn't hurt."

I gently twisted from side to side and then bent over and straightened. "You do good work Doc. Always have."

George replied, "Let me take off that bandage and have a look. I still get excited to see how quickly one of those medi-grafts takes hold... Yes, looks good. I think by this evening you can return to the fight if you like. I temporarily deadened a few nerves around the wound. Just don't savage it in any way and it will heal nicely."

I replied, "I certainly don't plan on savaging it Doc. And thanks for taking care of this. I'm eager to get back out there."

Feta spoke, "I have a few questions for you Mr. Grange. Where is it exactly that we are? What hidden passages are there on the Grid that you have these facilities available to you?"

I replied, "Those are some good questions Feta, but it’s better that you don't know the answer to that at the moment. If we can get this battle turned around I'll gladly fill you in then. Until that time, just be happy that you aren't getting turned inside out by an ion bolt or a grenade. If all goes well I hope to have you be a voice of reason for your people out there. If we can get surrender they will all be sent home safely."

Feta replied, "I would like that very much Mr. Grange. Even though I will not be able to return with them as I will forever be viewed as a traitor. I would be killed before reaching Dakamus."

I pulled on a shirt as I replied, "We'll take care of you Feta. You help me, I'll help you."

Later that day George blessed my medical repairs and I traveled back through the portal to my squads on the Grid. I was traveling back with the only potential defense Gy and Jeb had come up with against the Helgrons and their seemingly indestructible battle suits. It was a powerful bonding agent that was highly viscous.

A shotgun round had been constructed that would fire a thin silicone encased capsule of the bonding agent. If it struck a joint the agent would penetrate and harden, making any joints affected immovable. If the legs were struck the Helgron would be unable to move from their current position under their own power.

I spoke to my squads, "Jeb can make about a thousand rounds an hour of these glue bullets. If it turns out to be effective he can ramp production up. If those Helgrons are stopped in place they will be much easier to defend against."

Frost replied, "I do like the thought of a stationary target Sir."

Jeb came on the comm. "Chief, I may have another weapon to use against those Durian battle suits. I crafted a 12mm round that weighs about 20 grams. It's made out of Tungsten with a Copper tip. We have a whole cargo bay loaded with each so there is plenty of supply. The center of the round is hollowed out and has a small capsule with enough of an ion charge to turn the Copper tip on this baby into plasma.

If it works, which I believe it will, the Copper plasma will cut into the outer armored skin of the suit while the heavy Tungsten round follows it inside, shattering the protective layers underneath. I don't know yet whether or not it will penetrate fully, but it should make one heck-uv-a dent if it doesn't!"

I replied, "When can you have that ready to test?"

Jeb hesitated before his response, "Technically, I don't have the gun to fire it yet, but I'm working on it. I'm thinking another... let's say... 12 hours to construct the barrel. Once I have that, assembly and test should go quickly."

I looked around at the smiles on my squad's faces. "Get that to us as soon as you can Jeb. We have some people here who will be eager to give it a try."

Jeb replied, "There is one issue that I haven't mentioned yet Chief. This gun will be a beast. It will be heavy and it will give a kick like nothing you have ever fired. I imagine only the strongest in your unit will be able to handle this thing. And after a couple shots, they aren't going to want to keep playing with it."

I replied, "These are Marines Jeb. They will make use of whatever you can provide in one way or another. Just get us that gun as soon as possible!"

Jeb replied, "You got it Chief!"

I turned back to the squad. "Let's get the glue gun in operation and see if we can immobilize a few Helgrons.

With our new weapon in tow we proceeded to look for the first band of Helgrons we could find.

Frig came on the comm. "Sir, squad L77 is reporting a unit of Helgrons on Naker-22. I have downloaded the path to your arm pads. You should be in position to engage them in 16 minutes."

I replied, "Thanks Frig. We are heading that way."

As we approached the designated area the residual echoes and vibrations of ion blasts could be heard and felt.

I spoke, "Morgan. We will spot for you and you take the shot. Frost told me all about that marksman patch on your battle suit and how you got it. I want a shot to a leg if possible. Let's see if we can bring one of these beasts to a halt."

Frost used a small mirror to peak around a corner. Eight Helgrons we standing in a hallway, firing their blasters down a corridor at an unseen target. The Helgrons were preoccupied with their intended victims. Morgan lay on the floor while Frost and Aaron prepared to push on his feet to move his upper torso just around the corner.

I spoke quietly, "Take your best shot Morgan. Then you two, I want his ass back around that corner and out of the line of fire of those blasters."

The push came quickly and Morgan released his round.

Boop... splat!

Frost and Aaron immediately pulled him backwards to safety. Morgan began the process of reloading the weapon while Frost moved up, crouched and again peered around the corner with her mirror.

Frost yelled as she sprang to her feet, "Two Helgrons coming and they are running Sir! The one Morgan hit is moving in circles!"

Frost grabbed Morgan buy the ankle. "Aaron! Grab that other ankle and start pulling his ass! We need to get around the next corner ASAP! And Morgan! You have about eight seconds before those Helgrons rounds that corner! I would suggest you get that round in the chamber and prepare for another shot! We'll be dragging your ass so this is where you may have to earn those credits boy!"

Our two squads scrambled to get down the hallway to the safety of the next corner. Corporals Metzger and Carson turned too slowly and were bowled over by another squad member coming past their position. They went down hard as Frost and Aaron came running past them, dragging Morgan by the ankles.

Frost yelled backwards, "Metzger! Carson! You are on your own! Make it count!"

Corporal Rand Metzger pulled two grenades from his satchel and rolled over on top of them. Carson only lay still two meters away. The Helgrons rounded the corner just as Morgan was swung out of sight. We had made it to the safety of the next hallway, Metzger and Carson lay motionless at our prior position.

The first Helgron stopped and looked suspiciously at the downed Marines. Four steps later had him standing over Metzger with his blaster aimed down. The Helgron kicked the motionless Marine with his boot, there was no reaction. The Helgron then slid his boot under Metzger's side, using it to roll the Marine over as his blaster was aimed at the floor.

Metzger opened his eyes and smiled as he held the two grenades up to the Helgron's crotch. "Lunchtime!"

Booom! Booom!

The Helgron was rocked from the blasts and thrown hard against a wall. Even though his battle suit had blocked the shrapnel from entering his body, the Helgron slumped to the floor dead from the concussion. Frost and Aaron once again pushed Morgan out into the hallway.

Boop... splat!

The stunned second Helgron was immobilized.

As the Helgron slowly brought his weapon to bear on Carson the Marine took his last action.

Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak! Pzzt! Buke!

Frost caught the action as she peered around the corner with her mirror. "Metzger! Carson! Now that is going out with honor right there! Sempre Fi Metzger! Semper Fi Carson! The rest of the Corps will immortalize your names!"

The now largely immobile Helgron turned his blaster down the hall towards our position. Frost stepped backwards as the first bolt impacted the hallway floor directly in front of us. We hurriedly moved back two additional hallways to a position of safety where we could collect ourselves.

Aaron spoke, "What do we have next Sir!"

I replied, "I think we have to wait this out for a bit. We need those Helgron battle suits to be permanently disabled for this to be effective. I want these halls filled with stationary targets for Jeb's 20mm rounds."

Frost was grinning, I spoke, "What are you smiling about Frost? We just lost two men!"

Frost replied, "I don't think so Mr. Grange. Those two back there, that was classic! If there is one thing that drives us Marines Sir, it is heroic, giving-your-everything, sacrifices like those two back there. That is a rallying cry for our kind Sir. It will be an inspiration for us all! That was classic Sir, just classic!"

A full sized portal opened up in the hallway just behind us. One of the new legs of Diane York came through first, followed by her torso with the other leg and two new prosthetic arms. York was holding an AK and sporting a huge grin as she flopped over on the floor.

As York reached for her second leg Frig came on the comm. "Sorry Sir. She held that gun to my head until I opened the portal."

York spoke, "You can put me in the brig later Sir. You need replacements for Metzger and Carson and I just volunteered."

I replied, "You can’t be ready to fight yet York. It takes time to train those prosthetics. That process usually takes weeks even for the best of candidates."

York replied, "I’ll make due Sir. I’ll admit to only having the basics down, but that won’t hold me back."

I replied, "Suit yourself York. But we aren’t going to be sticking our necks out for you if you are having issues. There are other Marines that can replace Metzger and Carson. If you turn out to be a hindrance I’m taking those arms and legs and sending you back through. I don’t want to risk lives because you want to play."

York replied as she clicked her second leg into place, "I’m not here to play Sir, and I won’t be slowing anyone down. If I fall behind that will be my responsibility."

York rolled over and awkwardly pushed herself up with her hands. As she stood, one of her legs detached and fell back to the floor. York looked down and sighed.

Frost attempted to hold in her response, but was soon unable. "Bwahahahahaha! Yorkie! Hahahahaha! … just can’t get a leg up can you! Bwahahahahaha!"

The rest of the squad began to laugh. It was the first bit of levity our squad had seen since I had flopped off of the conveyor. York angrily grabbed at her fallen leg as she hopped on one foot. It only made the others laugh harder.

I reached down and picked the leg up, handing it to York. "Get yourself together York. We can’t afford for you to come apart on us now."

Marines were falling to the floor in laughter. York was turning a bright red. After a few minutes of wiping away tears our squad was once again ready to take on a challenge.

I spoke, "We go back to the Durians and see if they are still there. If so, we are going to circle around the one we froze and attack the rest of his squad. I want to know who they are fighting as there is no indication of anyone on our comm frequencies."

As we turned towards our new target, York began to walk. She was struggling, looking more like a drunken recruit after their first mission than a battle hardened veteran.

Frost spoke, "I’m sorry Yorkie, but you are going to have to follow behind us with that walk. I would not be able to hold it in and would give away our position if had to watch that as we go."

York replied, "I’ll take the back Frost, if that helps. I’m going to need a little room to kick around with anyway. Training these things is a pain in the ass."

We were soon in the hallway just around the corner from where we had last seen the Helgron. Frost took a peek around the corner with her mirror.

Frost spoke, "Sir, the Helgron is still there. His weapon is in its bracket on the side of his leg and he is slumped over slightly with an access panel open on his thigh."

I looked at Morgan. "If we slide you out do you think you can hit his left shoulder? That would lock him in position where he can’t reach that weapon."

Morgan replied, "I can make that shot blindfolded Sir. A stationary target is not much of a challenge."

Morgan stretched out on the floor with his weapon at the ready. Frost and Aaron grabbed him by the ankle and calf of each leg and slid him just around the corner.

Boop… splat!

The Helgron was now immobilized and unable to arm himself. Frost was the first to arrive at his position.

Frost spoke, "I am going to come back and gut you personally when I get a chance. You got into that suit. We’ll be getting you out before long."

The Helgron replied, "I do not fear Humans!"

At that moment York stepped up, clumsily bumping Frost out of the way. York grabbed the Helgron around the neck.

York spoke, "Oh, you should be afraid of at least some of us. We can be real mean."

York turned in my direction. "Sir, with your permission I would like to check out the slow hydraulics of this arm. They supposedly offer a respectable amount of crushing power when put in the proper mode."