Atlas: Infinity Verge Trilogy: Book II (22 page)

To the left Six took cover behind a damaged fabricator resupply container. The large container was cylindrical and provided enough cover for Six on either side. He rolled his back against the resupply container and fired off several shots from his plasma pistol. One of the EXO faces exploded. There was not much blood, only enough to keep the skin from drying and cracking. The thing's eyes and face were mostly machine. Echo watched as wiring and electronic debris mingled with blood and flesh. The EXO fell backward into one of its companions and the other's fire missed wildly. The plasma bolts connected with the open hole and Echo saw the flash of the shield as it absorbed the impact.

Good,
she thought.
We have atmosphere, probably gravity too based on that impact.

Echo held a hand in front of her visor and waved it back and forth,
cover me
. Six nodded and opened fire again. Echo climbed over the wing and leapt from the top of it. Her naginata extended for an attack. She clicked her heels and gained a boost from the embedded rockets. Echo launched forward and nearly flipped.

Abel made this look so easy,
Echo thought.

She landed somewhat upright. One of the EXOs was impaled on her naginata. She pulled the blade back and it pulled through the side of the impaled enemy. Again there was little blood as she tore out the innards of the machine. She spun on her heel and extended the blade again. The powered hydraulics in the WASPS gave her extra power as she spun. The blade tore the head off another EXO and embedded itself into the next at the shoulder. She looked up to see a large Quintarran EXO brandishing an electrified baton.

The weapon extended from the EXOs wrist as he swung it down at Echo. A plasma bolt caught him in the other shoulder and he spun back for a moment. The quick moment took Echo by surprise and she nearly lost her grip on the naginata. She realized too late that she should have let go. The EXO tripped over the body of one of his fallen comrades. As he stumbled backward, Echo went with him. Keeping a firm hold on her weapon Echo was dragged forward several meters before the naginata dislodged from the creature's shoulder. Suddenly in full control again, Echo stumbled backward and found herself being hugged by one of the EXOs.

The man-machine had a hold of her. Its incredible strength was more than a match for her powered suit. Echo struggled, but could not free herself from its grip. She still held the naginata, but she could not raise it to attack. Another EXO stepped in front of her and punched her hard in the gut. Despite the armor of the WASPS she felt the strike ring through her ribcage.

* * * *

Six watched as Echo struggled with the Quintarran and started forward when he saw that she was being dragged forward. Using the same heel jets that Echo had used in her WASPS, Six launched into the fray. He scanned his trajectory as he flew forward. He aimed himself at a cluster of EXOs converging on the Captain. Six landed directly in front of the bulk of the group and began swinging his sword in his left hand while taking occasional shots with his plasma pistol in the right. The shots mostly went wide, but they were distracting enough that the EXOs failed to see the swing or stab of his blade.

At least two of the EXOs made it past him and he saw them grab Echo. He swung furiously at those still in front of him but he could not fight all of them off and save Echo. Each slash damaged the EXOs but they kept coming. Silently he wished he had thought out his plan.

Six took a step back and nearly tripped over the corpse of the EXO he'd shot in the head. It reminded him. He swung his blade in an arc and cut off one of the creatures' head. It toppled backward and collapsed to the ground. When the next advanced he stuck the barrel of his plasma pistol in its eye socket and pulled the trigger. Heated plasma, electronics, and blood splattered from the back of its head and it too fell backward.

Six swung at the next but overcompensated and swung over its head. He slipped in the blood and toppled backward to the ground. He hit the ground incredibly hard and his vision blurred for a moment. He was sure he hit his head against the back of his helmet. The EXOs advanced and he continued to swing wildly above him from a prone position. He tried to get in a few shots as well, but the EXOs overwhelmed him.

23:
BOARDING ACTION

Near Quintar V - EFNF Destroyer: TP-D Justice

2973 ESD - Monday, June 7th 21:22 hours

The image of DINA's holographic display continued to flit in and out. At first Lieutenant Boulson worried she was malfunctioning or worse that she was infected with the EXO virus. However, the ship's power continued to increase and the rail cannons fired periodically preventing more EXO boarders. Andrew Boulson knew there would be trouble if they couldn't get out of this mess soon. The crew of the TP-D was within sight of the EXO planet Quintar V and they no longer had support from First Fleet.

This entire mission seems to be a series of one flak up after another,
he thought.

He did not know who to blame for the mission. His instincts told him Captain Shade had drawn them into this foolish pursuit in the first place. However, he felt that the fault lie at the feet of Fleet Admiral Clark. Her bullheadedness drove away the Captain they needed: Abel. Andrew would be the first to admit he had signed on for this commission solely because Abel was rumored to be the commanding officer. When Abel left, Andrew was stuck.

He could not justly blame Abel, though. The man was a legend and the only one with real experience combating the EXOs. Andrew refused to believe the rumors about the URSA class vessel they were hunting. He knew that Abel used to be a pirate, but he also knew, firsthand, that Abel never killed people. The
Exeter
was the first starship Andrew had ever been on. It was a cargo ship designed to ferry supplies to the outer worlds and to the other systems until EXO threat.

Abel and Zee had accosted the
Exeter
on her third run. Despite their fearsome reputation neither of the men killed anyone on board and they only took the reserve fuel. Andrew understood that at its core that was piracy, but the rumors now suggested this URSA class ship was destroying entire ships. Abel would never do that.

Echo is a good captain
, he decided.
Certainly, she is no Abel Cain, but the events forced upon us are out of our control.

Alerts began to blare on his view screens drawing him from his thoughts. Several of the First Fleet fighters were forming up on the URSA class vessel. The rail guns continued to fire vigorously every few minutes, keeping the EXOs from boarding. He turned his attention to the now powered kinetic array. The Kinetic weapons were non-explosive ordinance. Essentially he would be firing giant metal bearings at the enemy ships. He aimed the upper deck cannons at the First Fleet vessels.

Captain Shade had given him orders to attack the URSA ship. He figured the First Fleet was close enough that he might do some collateral damage. Aside from that, he was looking for a little vengeance. First Fleet had not only betrayed his captain, but him as well. If he thought hard enough about it he figured they had betrayed humanity. That was enough to set his teeth on edge.

Andrew Boulson checked the AI's calculations and entered commands to track the First Fleet RAVENs for optimal damage. He carefully picked his targets to align with the URSA ship if they missed the fighters. The resounding
thwoomp thwoomp
of the kinetic array shook his teeth. The stabilizers were failing again.

“DINA,” Lieutenant Boulson sounded panicked. “The stabilizers are they still functional?”

“Stabilizers are at thirty-five percent efficiency. Any more power diverted to the stabilizers will compromise the secondary power coupling,” DINA understood the line of inquiry.

“So we're just going to get some shakes from the kinetic array? Nothing is going to break apart?”

“I cannot foresee the eventual outcome of the extended use of the kinetic array. However, thirty-five percent should be sufficient to stabilize the vessel from … breaking apart.” DINA said.

“God. Alright, make sure it holds at thirty-five percent then. How is propulsion?” Andrew asked.

“The primary power coupling is now at eighty-five percent. We should have propulsion available in two point three five minutes.” DINA relayed.

“Flak,” Andrew said. “Two and a half minutes is a long flakking time.”

“It is a short amount of time considered the relative measurements of time within the universal view,” DINA said.

“Forget it. Can you patch me into the captain, I cannot get her to respond.” Andrew asked.

“Just a moment Lieutenant,” DINA said.

The holographic image of the woman disappeared. Andrew liked the DINA model found in most of the AI led program studies. The military application of AI was rare, especially after working with the Quintarrans for so long. There was a prevailing fear among all Quintarrans that humans would follow the same path and eventually allow themselves to be enslaved by another AI. He assumed this was why the Captain had sent Ensign Kay to assist in engineering.

DINA reappeared and looked concerned, “I am unable to reach Captain Shade via her Writcom. She is either not answering or it has been de-activated.”

“FLAKKING HELL!” Andrew cursed. “What about the Master Chief?”

“I anticipated your request. I was unable to hail the Master Chief in the same manner,” DINA replied. “I suggest following orders. We are ordered to flee.”” DINA said.

“Flakking machine!” Andrew cursed at DINA. “I'm not risking the Captain’s life in some uncalculated jump!”

“Captain's override Alpha Tango Zulu Niner Seven. Shade, Echo,” DINA said in a perfect imitation of Echo Shade. “System control authorization pass to navigation and propulsion AI. Zulu Echo Bravo Delta Five Five Seven,” DINA finished in a perfect imitation of Echo.

“Flakking machine!” Andrew said again.

“Considering our different anatomical structures I am certain that is not possible. Lieutenant please refrain from your present course of action,” DINA said as Andrew Boulson began trying to override the console. “It is imperative our orders are followed. Failure to follow the captain's directives will result in a court martial.”

“Flak Court Martials! I am trying to save the flakking captain!” Andrew said.

“My apologies for this Lieutenant,” DINA said.

The console sparked and shocked Andrew severely. His body flung back from the Transteel viewer and fell unconscious a few meters away. DINA resumed control and angled the TP-D for the nearest suitable landing. Several astronomical units away was the first moon of Quintar V.

“Records indicate an EFNF outpost on the first moon of Quintar V. Lunar station Alpha Foxtrot,” DINA said to no one in particular. “Propulsion increase to zero point zero one seconds before fuel reserves are depleted. Shields at ninety-seven percent. Probability of survival fifty-nine percent. Engaging propulsion in ten … nine … eight … seven……” DINA counted down.

* * * *

Echo struggled against the EXO holding her as the other continued to punch her over and over again. The armor of the WASPS was beginning to give and she feared what would happen if the EXO managed to punch through it. The pain in her abdomen was mostly from bruising she guessed. But if the armor gave she would suffer massive damage. In her struggle she caught a glimpse of the others battling against Six. He would not be coming to her rescue.

Why do you need anyone to rescue you?
She thought.
I don't!

Echo gritted her teeth and clicked her heels together again. The jets propelled her backward and the grappling EXO with her. She didn't aim herself or try to break free of the EXO. She simply let the rockets propel her into the hangar ceiling. Echo hit the ceiling with so much force it knocked the wind from her. She heard the audible snap of the EXOs spine and felt her head connect with its face. The arms let go of her and she began to fall. She tried clicking her heels again, but the suit was out of fuel. She plummeted the five meters back to the hangar floor.

Echo hit the ground hard and she was sure she cracked at least one rib and her left wrist felt suspect. Shakily she rose to her feet and saw the other EXO had joined the fight against Six.

So much for him saving me. He needs me to save him,
she thought.

Echo grabbed at her waist and found her plasma pistol still holstered. She drew and began to fire with abandon. She feared she might hit Six, but he was dead if she didn't do something. The risk of hitting him versus the risk of him dying at the hands of the EXOs drove her to action. The plasma bolts seared into the beings and drove two of them off the Master Chief. Those two turned on Echo.

“Surrender,” the EXOs said in unison.

Holy flak, they talk!?
Echo thought.

No one had heard an EXO talk save for Alek Vale, the EXO Prime.

And maybe Abel,
she hesitated.
If they can talk, can they feel?

Echo began to lower her weapon when she heard more plasma fire. She looked to Six and saw that several of the EXOs were dead. The two advancing on her were also dead. Echo turned around and saw the marines. Eight of the armored soldiers from the squad of twenty fanned out around her. Two of them broke off to help Six. The Master Chief was beaten and bloodied. The marines dragged him over and circled around the duo.