Book 3: Chapter 154: Fire and Rescue (5)

Book 3: Chapter 154: Fire and Rescue (5)

USD: 2 Days Since Comm Failure

Location: Nu Crateris, Outer System, Hades Interior, Near Alpha Site, Heaven's Fire

Amy jumped down, Yapper following right behind her. The nestling bumped into her leg almost knocking her over as it curled around her protectively and growled at Morrison.

He held up an empty palm and took a step back. Good doggo.

Yapper, no. Amy chided, tugging on one of the spiny protrusions on the back of the Rexxors skull. It turned its head away and ignored him. Sorry. He didnt like Wyles power armor, either.

Are there others? Morrison asked.

The expression on Amys face was partially hidden by her breathing mask, but he could see the pain in her eyes. No. Yapper and me were the only ones here when Heeler shoved us in the smuggling hold.

Do you know what those things are? Lavigne chimed in, his voice carrying out of Morrisons suit.

She shook her head. They just started attacking. Everyone was going crazy. I dont know what happened after Heeler sealed me inside; the compartment blocks all signals.

Get back here with her now, Morrison. We got company.

Aye, sir.

USD: A short time later

Location: Nu Crateris, Outer System, Hades Interior, Near Alpha Site, SR Hot Rescue

Lavigne watched as the ships sensors continued to blink with red displaying the location of organic signatures several kilometers below. Logan quickly confirmed, More of them coming up at us.

Lavigne furrowed his brow. Keep monitoring their movement. Well want to move and light them up at some point.

He watched Morrisons camera feed intently, even turning the volume up as he listened as Amy filled them in.

Things were bad, but they got worse. Security started suspecting each other. Even the Rexxors were affected. There were some incidents where fights broke out. We lost communications just before the things came out and started eating people.

Lavigne grunted, checking the progress of the drone division as it neared the buildings. Squads and platoons were already surrounding the bases of the nearest buildings while the rest of the force reached the corpse of the gigantic blob and picked their way around it to the power station. Another group moved toward the factory that Heeler had set up.

Any idea what caused the insanity? Morrison asked.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

Heeler determined it was some kind of EMF radiation

Lavigne noticed that the two had stopped. Concern blossomed in his stomach as Morrison turned to look at her; she was looking pale and had a hand on the corridor to keep her balance. Clearly, she needed to get inside the ships protective field immediately. And a protective suit of power armor.

Uhh The compartment was shielded, but I am feeling it again we should hurry.

Yapper whined and nudged the back of her legs, as if he was trying to urge her to move on.

Morrison. Lavigne said.

He understood without further discussion. On it, boss. The NCO directed his attention and his voice softened considerably. Amy, if you need, I can carry you.

Im good for now. Lets keep going. She moved to continue, and the combat drone escort led the way back toward the shuttle. Heeler grabbed me and Yapper when things went to shit. He dragged us back into the ship and put us there when it was obvious things werent looking great. He said he was going to manage the factory and counterattack and help the others... did you find any sign of them?

No. None. Morrison said.

Lavigne wondered how the Rexxor NAI would have so much trouble utilizing the resources hed built up to fight against the blobs. Despite the surprise at encountering them, theyd been dealt with by the ships weapons without too much issue.

He left you in a half melted ship? Lavigne asked.

Where the fuck were all the things coming from? There werent even that many crew on the expedition. Lavigne felt a chill as he realized that they might have been breeding, multiplying, or whatever since the expedition had been lost.

Were already on the way, sir. Almost back to the shuttle.

The battle escalated rapidly, with both sides sustaining heavy losses. The relentless horde of abominations seemed unfazed by their casualties, even as the drones unleashed thousands of pulse rifle fusillades into their midst. As the mound of corpses grew, the drones continued to retreat, increasing the distance between themselves and the buildingsbuying them more time to fire their rifles.

Combat strength at 45%, sir, Daniel announced flatly.

Lavigne felt the tension mounting in the room. Everyone was focused on monitoring multiple converging enemies and repairing damage where possible. With a gaping hole in the hull, repairs were essential before they could escape. The ships complement included repair drones capable of this task, but it would require time and resourcesboth in short supply.

Suddenly, a lull in the battlefield occurred as the abominations halted their relentless charge. Pulse rifles fell silent as drone squads lost line of sight on further hostiles. Seizing this momentary reprieve, they sprinted back toward their ships with renewed urgency.

Prep for extraction, Lavigne ordered, his voice tense yet controlled.

Crew members hastened to coordinate the drone squads retreat while keeping an eye on the still-looming threat.

The situation remained perilousevery second counted as they balanced between the drones' survival and potential catastrophe. As pulse rifles ceased fire and drone squads sprinted back, it became evident that time was both their most valuable asset and their most daunting adversary.

USD: A short time later

Location: Nu Crateris, Outer System, Hades Interior, Near Alpha Site, Heaven's Fire

Amy and Morrison, accompanied by their drone escort, navigated through the Heavens Fire. Their hearts raced as they sprinted through darkened corridors littered with debris and dismembered metal.

Upon reaching the roof, the squad of drones took up sniper positions and assisted their allied units in their retreat. The crack of rifle fire hastened Morrison and Amys steps. Yapper yapped as he pulled himself up and out of the ship, following closely behind them.

Morrison grunted as he noticed Amys faltering speed, even as they neared the shuttle ramp.

Youre doing great, Amy, Morrison reassured her as they pressed on. Stay close to me and well make it out of here.

She almost tripped on an exposed conduit, but Morrison quickly caught her with a power-armored gauntlet.

Ssorry its getting bad. She scratched at her arms, and Morrison noted with alarm that she was covered in a growing number of red welts.

Were almost there, Morrison encouraged Amy breathlessly over the sound of distant skirmishes. Hold on just a little longer.

As soon as they were in the shuttle, he punched the ramp close lever. Drones rushed to follow them inside, while those left behind found handholds on the shuttle or continued their sniper activities.

Get us out of here, now! Morrison yelled into his comms, urging the tactical GAI to lift them off immediately.

The shuttle engines roared to life, lifting them into the air. Amy collapsed in a corner of the shuttle, with Yapper screeching beside her as he spun in circles, chasing his tail or perhaps seeking an invisible enemy.

Morrisons suit clanked as he took a seat in the co-pilots seat, immediately finding the shuttles D-field setting and inputting an emergency override to crank it up to 250%.

|Warning: D-field emitter degradation detected. System operating outside of normal parameters.|

Fuck off. Blast those thrusters too; I dont care if this thing falls apart, as long as it lands in the boat bay. Punch the thrusters too.

The tactical GAI didnt argue, and the shuttle red-lined its engines to the absolute limit, smoke trailing behind them as outer components and the paint cooked from the excess heat.

Morrison watched the battlefield from the shuttles simulated cockpit display. The ground was a roiling mass of chaos, lit up by continuous heavy weapons fire streaming from the ship.

He punched his comm piece. We need a medical team and maybe a suit as soon as we land; we are coming in hot, and the girl is sick.

Roger. Will have a team waiting, Daniel answered.

Dont put them too close; the bay might get roasted when we come in.