AMP Rebellion (19 page)

With all of the other ports on the station under our control, we turned our focus towards Alpha bay and the remaining gun bays. If the Durians, Dakar and Prassi wanted to keep their ships parked in the space surrounding the Grid they were going to pay a price. But first, we had the Durian Helgrons to contend with.

I spoke with the Colonel over the comm. "Have we come up with any tactics to at least give them a good fight?"

The Colonel replied, "We aren't getting close enough for grenades to work. Those battle suits are armored and unless you get a grenade right next to them they seem to shake it off. I'm having Frig send us a contingent of bazookas. They offer more destructive power, so we will have to use them judiciously as we don’t want to severely damage the station. Alpha bay is swarming with civilians on lockdown. We will have to pick our shots."

I replied, "How about something like the Chlorine we used on the Dakar? Could we use chemicals?"

The Colonel thought for a moment and switched comm channels. "Juphes, send that dead Durian and his suit back through to Frig. I want them to analyze its weak points. Make it a top priority!"

Juphes replied, "Yes Sir."

The Colonel then returned. "Grange, I'm sending the one Durian suit we have back to Frig and the others. Maybe they can figure out a way to get around its defenses. We need to hurt 'em if we want to have a chance at taking this station back. Keep your mind open Grange. We could use a little help right now."

I replied, "I'll see if we can come up with anything Colonel. In the meantime, I have a nine year old girl that I need to get back to her parents on Wallace. I'm taking two squads with me and leaving the rest at Mako-7. If you find you have use for them then put them to work as they are ready to fight. It’s been my privilege so far to fight alongside them."

The Colonel thought and responded, "I think the same of all of the men and women who volunteered for this mission. And they think the same of you Grange. Now go do what you gotta do and keep your big head down. We need you now more than ever."

I thanked the Colonel and turned to Lieutenant Aaron. "You ready for a run back to Emily's apartment? If we can get her back home we can head back to the gun bay and take the shuttle out."

Aaron replied, "There are 156 more guns on this station Sir. If we find a method for taking them back that works, we should let the Colonel and the others know ASAP."

Emily was glad to be heading home. She had killed a Dakar, a feat she would always remember, but she missed her parents and the security that came with being with the ones you love. After reloading our weapons and packs we were on our way.

Frig, with his never ending duties had performed a scan of the area surrounding Emily's home.

Frig came on the comm. "Sir, there are a company of Dakar regulars between you and your destination. They are holding a hallway that you will need to pass through. The surrounding halls have been sealed. I would suggest that I drop a NIB into a room that is adjacent to their position. When you reach a staging point just beyond, I will set the NIB off on your command. After that I can be of no further help."

I replied, "Do they have lasers or only blasters."

Frig was silent for several seconds. "I'm checking now Sir... the scans are inconclusive. Just know that there are 200 soldiers that you will have to fight through."

I responded as I walked, "Unless they have lasers they are in for a hard time. Were they all Dakar?"

Frig again checked his scans. "Again, the scan data is inconclusive. I can only discern that there are 200 individuals. From the video images that were obtained, they are shown to have blasters. If they have lasers or Durians or Prassi with them, I cannot say as the images we have are not complete."

I replied, "Thanks Frig. I'm sure you have other demands being made. If I find myself in need I'll be calling on you."

Frig replied, "I’m sure you will Sir and I will be here."

I responded, "Speaking of there... how long have you been there, at your console?"

Frig replied, "It has been 36 hours Sir, but I am fine. You have been on a similar schedule Sir, you may need some rest yourself."

I shook my head. "I’ve had my catnaps. I know you and you are beginning to push it as always. Is there anyone else there who can run that console?"

Frig replied hesitantly, "I could train someone Sir. Their abilities would be limited. I do not believe I can train someone to resize the wormhole as it takes a complex sequence of actions and precise timing to achieve. They may be limited to opening and sustaining a portal or perhaps moving it to a new location."

I replied, "Pick someone from your lab and train them up. I want you to get at least four hours sleep out of every 24. At least until we get this situation under control. From what the Colonel says, the Admirals are having an extremely difficult time with the Helgrons. If you are there, do what you can to assist them."

Frig replied, "I will do my best Sir."

Our path took us back to Transway-5 on Wallace-20. Emily's home was on Wallace-18. From the data we had at least 200 Dakar soldiers stood in our way.

As we worked our way down the ramp of the trans-way we encountered two Dakar guards. One of those guards was Feta Lunge. Frost dropped a TIG leaving the two Dakar without weapons.

Pop!

I stepped in front of the others just before they fired. "Wait! Hold your fire!"

Feta stood in place as the other Dakar backed up.

I spoke, "Feta? What are you doing here?"

Feta replied, "When the decision was made to attack Humans I was demoted for having consorted with you. I am now a soldier of the lowest rank in the Dakar army."

The other Dakar spoke, "What are you doing Lunge! Shut up! These are the enemy!"

Feta continued, "They took away my ship, acting as though I had somehow been disloyal to the Expansion. The Paswari has had her core ripped out and reprogrammed. My friend is no more."

Again the other Dakar raised his voice. "Lunge! What you are doing is treason!"

With that the Dakar pulled a knife from its sheath and raised it over his head. He was looking directly at Feta.

Pfft!

Frost ended his attempt to silence his fellow soldier with a shot from her AK with its suppressor. The Dakar slumped to the floor.

Feta spoke, "Please. Do me the honor of having been killed in battle. They have taken my Paswari. My family has disowned me. I have nothing to live for Don Grange. My world is empty."

I placed my hand on Feta's shoulder.

Frost stepped forward and spoke, "Sir!"

I replied, "It's OK Frost. I know this Dakar."

I looked at Feta. "He is my friend."

Feta Lunge slowly raised his eyes. "But I am your enemy Don Grange. My people have betrayed you and taken your home."

I spoke, "Most of the time we are just pawns in this game of life Feta. We are there for those in charge to play with, to push around and to sacrifice for their interests. But we are sometimes called to rise above that. To take charge and take action that we consider to be just and right. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices to do what’s right for our people."

I continued, "You once had a people that you cared deeply for. Those people are still there. They don't want war, your leaders want war. They are ambitious and have no qualms about sacrificing many Dakar in the name of those ambitions. We have many leaders who are often the same, selfish, greedy and power hungry. Those are universal traits. I know you to be a Dakar of honor, one who is proud of his heritage and his accomplishments. Perhaps it's time you stood up against your corrupt leadership. Start a revolution of your own."

Feta looked back with a disturbed expression, "If you are asking me to fight against my own people Mr. Grange. I could not do that. I would not do that!"

I replied, "I'm not suggesting that we put one of these weapons in your hand. You have valuable information that we could use. I know you can never regain the Paswari, but what if we could get you another ship, with a new core that you could train? You might have to live an existence outside of the Expansion, but you would be free to go where you wanted, to see what you wanted or to be whoever you wanted to be. Help us get this station back Feta, and I will help you get that ship and a new core to go with it."

I looked back at my squad, "Jenkins! Take Mr. Lunge here to the back of our team. You stick with him and see that he doesn't make any rash decisions. I will be walking with the both of you in just a minute. I have some further questions for Mr. Lunge."

Jenkins escorted Feta Lunge to the back of our formation. Each Marine offered a nasty scowl as he walked past. Feta's head hung low as he was lost in his indecision.

We moved forward slowly and were soon confronted with our next hardship, 200 Dakar regulars stood in our way.

I spoke to Feta, "Here is an opportunity for you to help your people. If that was previously your company of soldiers out there, and if you can tell us a way around them without fighting, you will save a lot of their lives."

Feta replied, "What is it that you want of me Mr. Grange? I do not have the information you seek. Since I have been here on this station, my duties have been to patrol the perimeter of the company and report anything unusual. It has been an endless exercise of walking the hallways. Your group was the first Humans I have encountered in the three weeks I have been here."

I replied, "If you are patrolling, how often do the patrols go around, how many of them are there and are there any other hallways open that will allow us to move around your company’s position?"

Feta thought for a moment. "Patrols are sent out every tor. A tor is the equivalent of 1.6 of your hours. There are three two person teams. They walk the route assigned and return within a few of your minutes. The adjacent hallways have been sealed. To go around, you will have to make your way to another trans-way and change floors. Those other floors however, have soldiers stationed on them as well."

I replied, "Were there any Durians with you, any special weapons? Do you have any friends among them?"

Feta replied, "There are only Dakar present. We do not have any of the laser weapons, only standard issue blaster rifles. I have no friends Mr. Grange, even the guard who was with me looked upon me with disgust. You should have allowed him to plunge his knife into my back. I am a man without a people."

I again placed my hand on Feta’s shoulder. "You have a choice now Feta. Fight with us and we will claim you as our own. It’s the Durians who are your enemy not the Humans. Help us push the Durians off of this station and I will do my best to see that the remaining Dakar are treated fairly and released. Your leaders are ambitious, but they would not have undertaken this assault without the Durians pushing them. If they ever find out the Durians true intent they would gladly change sides."

Feta looked up from his downward stare. "I have suspected these Durians were playing us for fools. What information do you have that proves this too me?"

I got on the comm to Frig. "Can you send a video copy of the Durian we captured? I have someone who wishes to review it."

Frig replied, "It should show momentarily Sir. Who is it that is requesting it?"

I replied, "I’ll tell you later. OK, I see it, thanks for sending that along."

I turned back to Feta and held out my arm pad. The video began to play."

The Durian in the recording, infuriated that he had been captured, spewed his hatred of all who were not Durian. It was an eye opener for Feta.

Feta spoke, "I must get this information to the High Council! We have been deceived. Perhaps I could be returned to the Paswari, although, my core, my friend, is no more."

I replied, "Hold on Feta, we have some immediate business to take care of. We want to return this child to her parents. And besides, you can’t just walk back to your company and expect a warm greeting. They will want to know where you have been and why you are alone. And they certainly aren’t going to take your word or even that video as being real. You go back now and you are dead. I think you need to stick with us for a while, at least until we figure out how to get that video in the hands of someone who will recognize its value."

Frost spoke, "Sir, I must protest. He is a Dakar Sir. We have 200 of them in front of us that we are going to have to fight our way through."

I replied, "We don’t have to fight Frost. Go get one of those bottles of Chlorine. We can gas ‘em with just enough to send them scrambling."

Feta gestured towards himself. "What of me Mr. Grange? Chlorine is deadly to Dakar. Even a moderate exposure to it will scar our lungs, making it difficult to breathe for the remainder of our lives. Please just kill me now Mr. Grange, I have seen the effects of Chlorine on others, it is not a life or death I wish to go through."

I replied, "Relax Feta. Frost, bring one of those filters and give it to our friend here. If you breathe through the filter your contact with the Chlorine will be minimal."

I turned and spoke, "Aaron, how about you walk us up to a staging point. I checked the airflow in that hallway, it is towards the Dakar. We lucked out in the direction we needed. Throw that bottle and give it a few minutes to spread."

We quietly moved up to a point where we could hear the discussion between two Dakar guards. They were discussing their last duty station and how exciting that was as compared to the inaction they had faced since being on the Human station. That excitement level was about to change.

Aaron swung the flask behind his back and then around the corner towards the two Dakar.

The crackle of glass could be heard followed shortly after by a scream from the guards. "Chloooorrriiiine!"

The two guards sprinted away from the small cloud of green glass and a commotion could be heard from further on. The company of Dakar soldiers rose from their resting place in the hallway and began to move away from the gas.

Lieutenant Aaron peeked around the corner and then waved the rest of us forward. Feta quickly pulled the filter mask over his head. We moved forwards slowly.