Mana in the Modern World non illustrated version (29 page)

Just then the radio comes alive with a report
from the west tunnel assault group that the tunnel has collapsed
and they will all be heading back with several with minor wounds.
The mage has bad burns to her hands. The Corporal quickly informs
them of the pending situation and asks them to ‘step on it.’

Nora and Carol come up to the Captain and
Nora states, “Captain Connors, with all due respect, myself and the
other healers refuse to evacuate. We will be needed.” Then Carol
says, “That goes double for me Capt’n. I am over 18 and make my own
decisions. Besides I have a few new spells I want to try out on
those Bozos. I just called Anna and she is headed this way too with
two APCs.”

“Sir, I just informed the Major and he says
things are well in hand there and is sending Xena and Gabriella
back down the road and they are switching over to our freq. Both
have embarked all but four men each,” reports Corporal Lesley.
“Also that the hostiles up there had some RPGs so be alert. A10’s
have been requested but doubtful they will get here in time to be
much help.”

The Lieutenant from the medical component
comes over, “Sir, all the medical personnel have requested to
stick.” “Approved, but tell them to shut off lights and hunker down
unless needed. As much is possible have them make it look evacuated
and empty. Corporal, get the choppers out of here and have them set
down about two or three miles to the west and await further
instructions. Have the men over at the news compound move back over
here, we’re going to need their BAR too!”

***

“Dudley, you circle to the left, Herk to the
right and check for more exits from the big dome and waste the
small domes. Time for the cloaked mages on top to watch for
magically concealed exits. Use the walkie talkies on your assigned
channels to communicate with them,” Six Actual out.

***

The dismounted troops are on the outer side
of the slow moving Dudley. Mirrors on extendable rods permit the
front and rear guardsman to watch from cover for any hostiles
around the domes. The other troops watch the outside area. Two
automatic weapons open fire from the next small dome’s slit hitting
the APC to no effect but does bust the mirror from the hands of the
private at the rear. A bright red beam like a laser leaves from
above the APC and hits just above the slit erupting in a ball of
fire.

“Damn!” is heard from atop the APC and then
another beam goes through the slit, this time erupting inside the
small dome. Screams are heard as two men and a women come around
both sides of the dome with hair and clothing smoking, firing their
weapons. Guardsmen and the .30cal make short work of them. Two of
the guard, covered by the others, slowly go over and check the
bodies. They then move over and peek thru the slit before looking
back and giving a thumbs up. They move back into position and the
APC moves on.

Moving as the Dudley had Hercules approaches
its first dome. Two bright red beams shoot out from the domes slit
and impact the front and rear of the APC exploding into small
circles of flames. A scream and the sound of a body falling is
heard atop the APC as are yells from the front and rear as the
mirror holder’s hands are hit by some flames.

Before the .30 cal gunner recovers from
surprise curse words and then Chinese is loudly shouted from atop
the APC and a bright jagged lightning bolt flies through the dome’s
slit opening. “Go, Quick,” shouts the IMS Mage, “they will be dead,
unconscious or at least stunned!” Four guardsmen rush both sides of
the dome. Inside they find two women, both unconscious. While three
keep their weapons on the women one guardsman runs back for duck
tape and restraints. They then drag the women to the APC and
roughly toss them in. Lite burns treated, the APC continues to the
next dome.

The rest of the small domes are found to be
empty of people and no other openings or people are found so the
APCs and troops return to the two entrances.

***

The military helicopters quickly load and
head west as the tanks, three of them, are seen about a mile down
the road moving slowly up the road. The news choppers are slower to
get loaded and lift off. Some reporters had run to their vehicles,
one heading up the road, others across the terrain to the east and
west. One heading east hits a soft spot and gets stuck, spinning
wheels dig it deeper. The two reporters get out regretting their
choice of rentals and start running toward the two helicopters that
are still loading.

One helo lifts off before they reach it but
the pilot of the other sees them and waves for them to get in. The
crowded overloaded helo slowly lifts just as the lead tank stops,
aims and fires, exploding the chopper in a huge fireball. Captain
Connors had instructed his troops to conserve ammunition and hold
fire until they see a green flare, hoping against hope that the
tanks would continue on without using their main gun. Hope dashed,
he quickly fires the flare.

The tanks then continue up the road, opening
cannon fire on the parked cars and trucks. The front tank’s
commander is out of the cupola firing a machine gun and laughing
crazily. The following hummers and trucks with trailers fan out and
drop the trailers of armed men about one hundred or so yards from
the command area. The men, well over 100, spread out and move
forward with six machine guns mounted ‘technicals’ and open fire.
Ten large dogs are also seen in a loose pack, snarling and with
teeth bared awaiting the command to charge.

The tanks continue up the road machine
gunning the command and reporter areas. Lone Wolf comes fast from
around the tents opening fire with his .30cal at the lead tank’s
tracks. Wolf begins to maneuver as all three tanks stop and the
first two begin swinging their main gun toward him, aim and fire.
As the Wolf makes a sharp turn one of the incoming shells explodes
close by the its side. The explosion, plus the turn, is enough to
cause it to knock the APC over onto its left side putting him out
of the fight. The crew quickly abandon the APC and race for cover
behind the tent berm.

Carol, the healers and medical personnel
rushed toward the explosions and saw the soldiers dive over the
berm. They and the three soldiers quickly duck close behind the
berm as bullets hit it and Nora asks if any are hurt. “Just my
feelings ,” responds the driver Doug, “O man, I’m never gonna live
this down!” Carol peeks over the berm and says, “If you turn it
back upright will it work?”

Doug shifts over for a better view and has a
very quick look. “Yah, I don’t see any blast damage from here so
probably and the two front tanks are heading on up the road and the
other is backing. To blow us away probably. Why?”

“If a proper ditch is dug under her do you
think some guys can get to the other side and help push her
upright?” asks Carol. “He, he’s a He. I doubt enough guys can be
freed from the defense line to do it even if it is possible. Again,
why?” “Well; we have a dig spell and then we can use magic to do a
tractor beam while you guys push.” Peeking over the berm and then
looking at the two other crew members she continues, “That is if
you want to try?” Nora, looking over at the two healers who quickly
nod, says, “We and maybe a couple or so of the other medicals can
help push too.” Lone Wolf’s commander, Bill, says, “No one is
shooting at us now so what the heck; lets at least try. I feel
naked without metal around me!”

Several others had been listening and seem
eager to give it a go. Carol says, “Look and tell us where n how
you think best to dig.” She and the other mages look over just
enough to see and begin shifting the tough sand. With Doug’s
guidance they quickly dig enough to hopefully do the trick. The
crew and helpers then run to the APC and get set. Bill yells,
“READY HERE!”

“
NOW,”
yells Carol as the three mages
‘latch on’ with the pull spell and pull for all they are worth.
Slowly Wolf begins to lift and slowly slide into the shallow
depression. Suddenly Wolf almost jumps upright to the loud cheers
from everyone. The whooping crew hurry to climb in and quickly
drove out of the depression to get back into the fight. The rest
hurry back behind the berm and find the mages sitting, sweating
rivers and gasping for air.

Nora asks, “You guys OK?” Nods from all three
as Carol replies, “Just tired. Man, was that thing ever heavy!”
More nods from the other two. They all hear Wolf tear out to get
into the fight. Nora asks the other medical people, “Any casualties
yet?” and receive the reply that so far only very minor wounds.
There is a sudden explosion outside as the returning tank fires at
the berm. Screams of “Medic!” are heard and the corpsmen grab
equipment and rush out the tent. The Healers, Carol and the two IMS
Agents follow close behind.

They see several sand bags knocked over and
the corpsmen working on two men. One is lying on the ground with a
severe neck wound which is bleeding heavily, pulsing around the
attempt to use pressure to stop the bleeding. His eye is also cut
deeply. Keeping low Nora and the healers hurry over and one
corpsman looks over and shakes his head. Nora kneels down and
gently slides the corpsman’s hands away to cover the wound with her
hands.

Her head begins to glow with the sparkles and
all quickly flow down her arms onto her hands and the many sparkles
sink into the wound. Suddenly a small group of the glowing sparkles
detach, flowing up the man’s neck and settle over his eye. The
other wounded man is watching, waving off another Healer’s help
saying, “I’m ok; just stunned and bruised a bit. Watching that is
something I will always cherish; especially as he’s my brother
Jerald.”

The probie IMS Agents and Carol had stopped
by Captain Connors and asked what they can do to help. “Just
getting Wolf,” pointing to where the APC appears to be playing tag
with the remaining tank, “back into action probably saved us. Their
‘troops’ seem to be waiting for the tank before advancing. They
tried earlier but our aimed fire brought down enough they backed
off behind their vehicles. Looks like they also hotwired some of
the reporters cars and I imagine they intend to use them for cover
when they advance. Right now I think they are partying a bit to
restore their nerve.”

Carol says, “Wolf does seem to be enjoying
himself.” “Say, I heard about what you mages did with digging the
ditch for Wolf. Think you can dig shallow ditch about five feet in
front of the berm? It would give us an advantage if any reach this
far. Especially if the bottom and this side of the sand is soft and
loose,” says Capt Connors. The agents say, “Sure, just have someone
explain what you need.”

Connors yells, “Badger; you digging fool, get
over here and show the IMS Agents how n where to dig!” “On my way
sir,” is faintly heard. “Why Badger Captain?” Carol inquires. “He’s
the best in the Guard at excavation and building. Owns a small
construction company but loves getting his hands dirty and hates
the office.

He told me he recently started sculpting in
granite. Showed me his first work, a nude statue his wife posed for
and it looked like a professional did it,” answers the captain. A
few minutes later a very short (not quite 5 foot) burly man of
about 45 comes rushing up. The agents and Carol look at each other
nodding as ‘Badger’ is very faintly glowing but with a very slight
greenish color. As the agents and Carol have their auras turned off
Badger cannot see their auras, if indeed he even could. Healers
could not see Auras so he might be the same.

“What you folks be ah needing?” he inquires
grinning, “uh sir.” Pointing to the agents Connors, with a sigh,
said, “Show them where and how to put a shallow ditch to slow the
hostiles.” Badger looks at them and says, “Ditch? With magic?
Neat!” He quickly describes what will do best to slow attackers but
still allow defenders to easily see and target them.

Then he watches in awe as the tough sand
flows away like water leaving a shallow ditch as he had described
with soft sand in the bottom and front side. Wayne, the lead probie
IMS Agent, quietly says to Badger, “Badger, we need to speak
privately with you once this is over.” “Sure thing,” he replies
before hurrying back to his position on the berm.

Meanwhile Carol has been watching Wolf play
tag with the tank by staying on the move and shooting to keep the
tank commander from using the top mounted machine gun. Wolf had
been hit several times by the small internal front machine gun but
the bullets were not powerful enough to penetrate. This also had
the benefit of preventing the tank from using its cannon on the
defenders. She pulls out her phone and calls Wolf.

***

After a lot of rings the phone is answered
with, “This better be damned important! We’re a bit busy.” “Oooo
temper, temper. This is Carol and I think I can disable the tanks
electrics if you are interested in some help tho I must admit it
looks like Wolfie is having fun.” “Sure, if you can do it safely
cause the hostiles are getting hopped up and are about ready to
advance. What do you have in mind?” Carol replies, “I thought a
small lightning bolt might blow the tank’s electrics, will it?”
“Well yes, but how close do you have to get?” “you guys keep his
attention and I will cloak and fly out the back way. I will be
about 75 or 100 feet high so shoot low please as I will drop down
to 20 when I light them up as my bolts are not too strong ...yet,”
Carol says and hangs up.

Just to be on the safe side Carol stays at an
even higher altitude as she flies around to the tank and dropping
down a bit lower when she is over it. She waits until the tanks
cannon is pointed away from the tents, drops down quickly and fires
her bolt just ahead of where she sees engine exhaust. She lets out
a yell when it works. The tank abruptly stops with the engine area
begins smoking. Suddenly she realized she had just given her
position away so she climbed fast back to over 200 feet as bullets
went below her.