AMP Rebellion (15 page)

Frost grabbed my arm. "Don't do it Sir. It's not worth the risk. Those lasers coming up that ramp will cut you to pieces before you make it there and back."

At that moment two live grenades rolled through the portal just before it closed.

Booom! Booom!

The satchels had been scattered with most of the lost grenades being destroyed. I fired off several rounds from my AK as the first of the Dakar came into view.

Ak-ak-ak-ak!

The soldiers remained just out of sight as I squeezed off another round into the open doorway. A Dakar hand could then be seen reaching down for one of the remaining grenades.

Frost pulled at my shoulder. "Sir, come on. We need to set up our defensive positions again. Those grenades are gone."

As I began to turn I replied, "I'm just hoping they don't figure out how to use the ones that are still there. They could toss one of those things up the ramp and take us all out at once."

I was then startled by the sound of an exploding grenade behind me.

Booom!

The Dakar had pulled the pin while attempting to figure out what the device was and how it worked. Frost again pulled on my combat suit as the laser fire from the Dakar on the ramp continued to move up the wall.

We once again took up position in the doorway on Uriah-8. A portal soon opened behind us and four more satchels of grenades dropped out.

I spoke, "Mendez, start handing those grenades up here. We are going to make another push down that ramp!"

Frost, Rodriguez and I each tossed grenades down the ramp. The Dakar had no viable defense against them. We rose and again advanced down the ramp. We soon found ourselves once again on Uriah-7, heading for Uriah-6.

Stanton came up behind us with three new satchels of grenades. "I have more where these came from Sir. I’m bringing them down now. I moved Rochester and Weeps into that hallway. They should be able to hold their positions from any small force like that last one. I think we can safely move down to six."

I thanked Stanton as we continued to push downward. The ramp was a bloody mess. Dakar bodies, arms, legs and heads lined our path. The ramp floor was slick with their entrails and bodily fluids.

Rodriguez spoke, "Man, York would have loved this. I've been recording most of this on my helmet-cam, but I think it might upset her to watch it, to see what she 'missed'."

I replied, "There are a lot of the Colonel's Marines that thrive on being in the thick of it. That tells me why we survived all those years against the Milgari. It takes soldiers who don't fear death to charge into some of these fights."

Rodriguez replied as she winked, "Yeah. I suppose when you have commanders who will do the same it makes it a lot easier. York is a machine Sir. You wind her up and aim her in the direction you want cleared out and she will go do it. Hopefully the doc can get some arms and legs on her and get her back in the fight."

I replied, "George will take good care of her, but those prosthetics take a minimum of several weeks to get used to, and months to master. She will be back, but probably not for this battle."

As our push continued the Dakar on Uriah-5 were driven back into the hallway. The Colonel's teams advanced, pushing them farther away from the doorway. When the outer hall was secure the Colonel's men began to stream by, going up the ramp towards our next way-point.

The Colonel soon came up to our position. "Grange, heck-uv-a job son! Sorry to hear York got knocked out of commission."

I replied, "Yes Sir, she lost her arms and legs. Had we not sent her back she would have continued to fight by pulling herself forward with her chin and attempting to bite the enemy."

The Colonel chuckled as he replied, "I have no doubt about that Don. She doesn't know quit. What's her outlook?"

I replied, "Her cuts were clean through Sir, and cauterized. She will be back soon enough."

The Colonel scanned the ramp around us. "Bad day to be a Dakar I would say."

As we walked and talked the Colonel came to a Dakar soldier that was still moving. Without hesitation the Colonel pulled his battle knife and thrust it into the Dakar's skull. It was a Dakar officer. The blood was wiped on the officer's tunic and the Colonel's knife jammed back into its sheath. The Uriah trans-way was ours.

Next up was a move across Uriah-25 to the Wallace section. From Wallace we would again move up a Transway to the Pretoria section after which we would make another move across the section to a new Transway. Changing vertical trans-ways was an attempt to keep the enemy scattered as we fought our way upwards.

The Colonel spoke, "Wallace is an industrial section. It has the chemical labs as well as ore processing facilities. We won't be running into many civilians until we hit Pretoria."

I replied, "How are we going to manage the people in the sections that we liberate?"

The Colonel replied, "We aren't liberating sections. We are passing through them on the way to our objective. The people we pass-by are going to have to stay locked up in their homes unless they want to get shot. We have one mission right now Don. We have to get control of that gravity drive."

I responded, "What about the places we have taken?"

The Colonel shook his head. "The Prassi are closing in on Zeta-9. I already have the operations there shutting down. The guys at the tail end of our column might have the worst of the fighting. Everyone will be following us up to Lima-22."

As we continued moving forward our lead squads encountered only light resistance on Uriah-25. Our progress seemed too easy. I wondered if we were being allowed to move forward on purpose.

I spoke, "Colonel, why aren't they putting up more of a fight? They are only taking pot-shots at our lead squads."

The Colonel replied, "We have noticed the same. It may be time for us to split the column into three. We have enough supplies to last us a week and with the portal, Frig can resupply us almost at will. With three forces to guard they will have to spread their defenses. I'm expecting Wallace to be a nasty run, but it plays in our favor with the lack of civilians. I'm trying to avoid the critical sections that the population is reliant on. The farms on Newton and Orienta come to mind. Fighting there could lead to starvation for all the civilians."

I replied, "As always, you are one step ahead of me."

I slapped the Colonel on the back as I turned back towards my squad. "Let me know when we can be of use Colonel."

As we entered the Wallace section all resistance fell away. The Colonel gave orders to stop the column. After a short discussion with his planners, the column was split into three sections. The Colonel would lead the three from the first, Admiral Zimmerman would lead the second and Admiral Chaulk would head up the third.

The Colonel spoke into his comm, "Zimmerman, your men will accompany you back to Transway-7 on Uriah. Chaulk, when you reach Uriah-25 keep going up until you reach Mako-4, then shift over to Transway-9 and continue up to Lima-2."

Admiral Chaulk replied, "And if we reach our objective before you and Zimmerman?"

The Colonel replied, "Hold position there when you reach it if we have not achieved our way-points. Zimmerman, fight your way straight up to Lima-8 and hold there until we have reached Melody-18."

Zimmerman replied, "Melody-18? That has one of the hydrogen storage facilities doesn't it?"

The Colonel replied, "Exactly! We need those facilities operational or that gravity drive is useless. There are four such storage sections. If we have and hold at least one, we can send this station off away from this sector and the Durians. It might only give us a couple years space, but space is what we need. I'm just hoping they don't figure out what we are doing before we get there. If they purge those tanks, it will bring nothing but bad times with it."

Chaulk and Zimmerman had their new orders. Admiral Chaulk's column numbered more than 800,000 soldiers. Zimmerman's crew numbered 103,000 while the Colonel's team pushed 84,000 veterans. All three forces were well trained and disciplined. They were also fighting for their homes.

The Colonel came on the comm, "Grange. Take your squad and 20 others out on the right flank. See if you can make it all the way to the outer wall and on to Transway-3."

I replied, "This isn't some lame attempt at keeping me out of harm’s way is it Colonel?"

The Colonel replied, "Geez, you figured me out Grange. I was hoping you and your teams could stop somewhere for milk and cookies..."

I responded, "Was that sarcasm Sir?"

The Colonel replied with an agitated voice, "Of course it's sarcasm! Now get your ass in gear and head out! I want to secure that space port on Wallace-18. If we ignore those ports the Dakar can take advantage of them by moving in supplies and troops. I would rather they have to fight us in the hallways head-to-head, where they are packing all their supplies in!"

I replied, "Roger that Colonel. The comm channel for the 20 just came through. We will head out immediately following this conversation. Out."

I turned to my team, "Frost, Rodriguez, we are headed out to the wall and then on to Transway-3 and down to the ports on Wallace-18. I would expect stiff resistance somewhere along that path, so let's keep the TIGs at the ready."

I pressed my comm, "Frig? Can you download the layout of Wallace-25 from my current position to Transway-3?"

Frig replied, "Wallace section should be coming through now Sir. I performed a scan of the monitors the Colonel's team has in that section. It appears the Dakar are trying to lure the Colonel into a trap. He is aware of the situation."

I replied, "What about us? Anything in our way heading out?"

Frig replied, "Yes Sir. There appears to be 2524 Dakar in a formation that will coincide with your path in 12 minutes Sir. They are part of the pincer move on the Colonel."

I punched up our location on my arm pad viewer. "You wouldn't happen to see a good place for us to hide on your monitors would you? These arm viewers make it a bit difficult to search for such."

Several seconds passed before Frig responded. "Sir, continue on the path set in your plans. At seven minutes distance you should encounter a doorway off the hall you are in, it will be Chemical Lab W-25D. The door to that lab is always open Sir. There are two storage rooms within that should be of sufficient size to hide your men Sir. Make use of those while the Dakar farce passes you by."

I replied, "And I suppose it’s all gravy from that point to the wall?"

Frig replied, "I'm sorry Sir. I do not have that information. The Colonel's teams only command a limited number of monitors in that area as it was not previously deemed critical. If the opportunity presents itself Sir, I can scan local areas in your vicinity, but those scans are limited to line of sight."

I thanked Frig and continued towards the lab as he had suggested. When we reached it the door was open.

Rodriguez spoke as we entered, "Sir, I'm wondering if this was such a good idea."

I replied, "What is it Maria?"

Rodriguez pointed. "Everything on that wall and down this center isle has flammable decals Sir. If we have to fight this is not such a good place to do it."

The lab was lined with chemicals containers, many of which were flammable. If the Dakar forces were to discover us, they would have the ability to burn us out.

I replied, "Those soldiers will be here in a few minutes. Let's just get into those store rooms first. Maybe we can think of a way to make use of something in here. Anyone know chems?"

A voice came over the comm. "I studied Chemical Engineering before joining the service Sir. This is York Sir."

Frost replied as we moved into the first store room with eight of our 20 squads. "Yorkie! You can't possibly be here. Where are you?"

York replied, "I'm sitting in a room. The doc is attempting to attach a mechanical leg to me as we speak. Frig was kind enough to patch me into a direct channel through the portal. I'm here as long as he keeps that open for us. I've been listening in where I could. I know Chemicals, so if you can sit tight until those troops pass, I'll see if I can figure out a good way make use of them."

I replied, "York! Glad to hear you are OK, err... making progress. I can send the inventory list of what was last reported in the lab if you need it."

York replied, "Already got it Sir, looking it over now."

Several minutes passed before we heard the sound of Dakar boots in the hallway. Low voices could be heard as they marched past the open lab door. We stood, quiet and listening as the handle on the store room door jiggled. Frost held it firmly on the other side. When the sounds of Dakar had moved on we emerged from the store room.

Frig came on the comm. "Sir, York and I might have a use for some of those chemicals. I did a quick analysis of the atmosphere on the Dakar home-world that you gave your speeches on Sir. The atmosphere contains a low amount of chlorides. From the minimal medical information we have obtained on the Dakar we found they have an issue with Chlorine. While Chlorine gas is fatal to us in sufficient quantity it is far worse for the Dakar in smaller amounts."

I replied, "How can we make use of that?"

Frig continued, "We are going to make Chlorine gas Sir. It is deadly to the Dakar. Take a flask, add ten milliliters of hydrochloric acid. Drop in a 1 gram pellet of Manganese Dioxide and seal the flask. The flask, when broken, will release the Chlorine gas. The quantity released will be unpleasant to us, while being deadly to them."

I replied, "So, we just throw it?"

Frig replied, "Yes Sir. I will have Jeb look into adding a solution to our grenades. It would have immediate stopping power and keep the area clear of Dakar for a number of minutes until it adequately dissipates. It would prove a much more effective weapon, but I suspect it will take time for that to be designed into our current grenades."

I directed several of my team to get started on our Chlorine grenades as the others watched the hallway for Dakar.

I spoke, "Just make a dozen of those and let’s get moving. We need to secure that port for the Colonel."

As the last of the flasks was being corked and sealed, word came over the comm, the Colonel and his column we under attack. The Dakar were attempting to move in behind him, cutting off any escape.

I again got on the comm, "Frig, can you check the air system in this sector? Is there any way we could send the Colonel a gift in the way of Chlorine gas for those Dakar in front of his position?"

Frig replied, "That is an excellent suggestion Sir. I will analyze and have a recommendation shortly. Hold your position in the lab as we may need further access to those chemical supplies."

Several minutes passed before Frig came on the comm. "Sir, I have plotted a course from your position to the main air trunk for the Wallace section. This is an outlet trunk so there will be no further scrubbing or filtration of the air before delivery. I will need you to open the trunk. There should be an access panel. Place a tub that is sufficient in size to hold four liters of hydrochloric acid."

You will not be able to safely combine the pellets on that scale. If you search shelf 16, third from the top you will find blocks of a dissolvable wax. Take one of those blocks and heat it up in the tub you wish to use. When the wax has turned to its liquid state, remove it from the heat and add the Manganese pellets. It should harden before you reach the air trunk. Place the tub in the duct, add the acid and close up the access panel. The wax will dissolve, blend with the acid and release the Chlorine gas."

I replied, "So, is this going to kill all the Dakar?"

York answered, "It will probably kill some of them. But it will definitely clear them out of Wallace. This should give the Colonel a huge advantage as the Dakar will likely be in chaos trying to save themselves."

I responded, "Frig, did I ever tell you I love you man! You always seem to have an answer and usually it is an answer that I like."

I turned to the others in the lab, "Get ready to chlorinate the Dakar people. We have a section to take control of!"

Several minutes passed before we were carrying the tub of waxy pellets towards the main air trunk. As we round a corner we came face to face with four Dakar soldiers. Both sides were startled as the encounter was not expected.

Rodriguez quickly dropped a NIB as Frost and I opened fire. Two of the Dakar managed a single bolt from their blasters before the AK rounds took them down.

Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak!

Pzzt! Pzzt!

The bolts both struck Mendez in the chest, exploding his insides outward in a horrid display of blood and gore, the concussion knocked me to the ground.

The NIB detonated as the two remaining Dakar raised their weapons. The triggers were pulled but no bolts of energy emerged.

Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak!

The encounter was quickly over. Mendez was gone. I winced in pain as I looked down at my right forearm. A rib from Mendez’ exploding chest had penetrated my battle suit and lodged itself squarely between my radius and ulna. Our squad medic immediately got to work.

The medic spoke, "I’ve seen a lot of combat Sir, but this is a first. And I am not sure how, but it looks like it missed the major arteries and veins; went right through."

I pushed the medic aside as I stood. "It’s going to have to wait then Bellows. We need to get this Chlorine into that system. You can work on getting that bone out of me once we get there."

As we continued forward to the air trunk, Bellows attempted to bandage my damaged arm. The blood loss was minimal. Bellows was told to stand back.

I spoke, "Frost, use that mirror before rounding corners. We lost Mendez because we were sloppy. I don't want to lose anyone else."

Frost replied as she looked back, "Awe. I'm touched Sir! Would you miss me?"

I shifted my AK to my right hand, pointed to my eyes and then down the hallway. Frost got the message and turned back to her duties. We soon found ourselves in front of the maintenance door to the air trunk.

Frost checked the door and turned. "Looks like its locked Sir. You want I should open it?"

I nodded. Frost took three steps back and charged the door, raising her boot at the last second.

Bam!

Frost fell backwards, grimacing as she rolled over on the floor. "Gar! That freakin' hurt!"