Book 3: Chapter 153: Fire and Rescue (4)

Book 3: Chapter 153: Fire and Rescue (4)

USD: 2 Days Since Comm Failure

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

The ship shuddered. Lavignes safety attachment in the spine of his suit magnetized, locking him to the seat. Under normal circumstances, the A-Grav field would protect the ships internals from inertia; however, the damage had clearly compromised systems as the main railgun fired and the recoil resounded throughout the ship.

Damage control! Lavigne yelled, but Morrison and the engineering crewman were already collaborating with the rest of the ships crew to reroute resources and information through the damaged section.

No return fire came their way; the large bio-organic blob was incapable of firing again in rapid succession.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

The SR Hot Rescue plunged deeper into the darkness below, toward the Alpha Site platform attached to the tunnels side, its railgun roaring in retaliation against the blobs attack. The shell tore through the thin atmosphere, producing a deafening crack and boom that reverberated through the air.

The shell pierced the blob, inflicting minimal damage as it cleaved through organic matter. However, upon striking the solid metal surface of the reactor rooms wall, its impact intensified. The shell deformed before compressing into a molten pancake while refusing to pierce or deform any further due to the tremendous kinetic energy of the projectile.

The molten pancake exploded, breaking into thousands of tiny pieces of hot metal that flew backward in a circular blast wave through the blobs body. A growing cloud of searing shrapnel gouged thousands of minuscule holes into its insides.

Daniel quickly commanded the ships PDC-Ls to strike as well. Invisible beams of coherent light set organic mass ablaze on contact with the creatures surface.

Morrison gave him a damage control report. Captain, weve got damage in multiple compartments, but hull integrity remains intact. Weve lost some power, but the emergency power systems are keeping essential systems operational.

Lavignes eyes remained fixed on the main screen, observing the SR Hot Pursuits weapons do their best to fry the assaulting organism. Logan, any updates on the bio-organic mass?

Logans fingers raced across his console while he analyzed incoming data. The lasers are inflicting damage, but it isnt dying fast enough. It seems stunned, though.

Fucking hit it with a railgun and turned it into a light show, and its only fucking stunned? Morrison exclaimed.

Lavigne gritted his teeth, his mind racing through possible strategies. We need to find a way to deal with it.

Morrison had an idea. If we get close enough, we could cook it with the ships thrusters or main drive.

Lavigne considered the idea for a moment before nodding. Do it. Logan, keep monitoring the situation and adjust our weapons targeting as needed.

Daniel frowned. Are you sure thats a good idea? The others seemed explosive.

Lavigne and Morrison exchanged glances at Daniels breach of bridge etiquette. Not the military; Not a formal bridge, Lavigne reminded himself.

I think its a risk we need to take. We arent getting answers if that thing is alive on our destination. The rest have been cleared out, Lavigne responded.

Morrison and his engineering team set to work modifying the LDS (Linear Drive System) while Lavigne closely monitored the ongoing battle displayed on the screen. The organism writhed under the assault; but it wasnt dying.

As the ship finally reached the local area, the helm steered them dangerously close to nearby buildings. Morrison reported they were ready. Maneuver plotted, sir. Well drift by and light off the main torch as we come around.

Taking a deep breath, Lavigne felt the weight of the decision on his shoulders. Do it.

He acknowledged as the shuttle reached one of the Heaven Fires intact dorsal hull plates. Before they touched down, dozens of the drones clinging to the outer hull of the shuttle jumped free. They landed with metallic thumps and immediately brandished their pulse rifles, as they cleared the area in search of hostiles.

As soon as Morrison came down the ramp, his HUD flashed with direction from the GAI that was controlling the drones, directing him to a hull hatch that was sealed. Morrison deployed his suit connector, and the hatch lit up with power as his suit fed it energy locally. Computers tossed each other a challenge and reply, and the SR codes turned the lock from red to green.

The hatch popped open as the hydraulic bolts retracted. Were in. Morrison relayed.

The drones jumped down first without using the ladder, their sensors scanning the area. One of them beeped to signal that the corridor was clear, prompting Morrison to follow. The group began to make their way toward the CIC.

They made quick progress. This place is a mess. Looks like those things went through the ship; guessing theyre slightly acidic.

They melted through the fucking hull plates; slightly my ass, Logan retorted.

Morrison could hear Lavigne grunt on the comms channel. Stay alert and keep moving.

On it, sir. Almost to the CIC. Morrison said. Nothing alive so far.

The CIC was sealed shut. It didnt like his suit energy and remained locked. He pointed toward the hinges and nodded to one of the bots. Cut it.

The drone complied, folding up its assault rifle and moving up close to the door. Its forearm folded backwards revealing a laser cutter. It aimed; a flare of light began to burn at the hinges. Morrison moved back, and a half dozen other drones joined to speed the process up.

Fucking dystopian. Morrison muttered.

A few moments later, the team was pulling the bulkhead door away, and waiting drones flooded inside. There was no one there, and they filtered out to allow Morrison to investigate. The Rexxors bridge was cramped and claustrophobic and the single command seat was surrounded by a dozen control monitors that would have taken half a bridge control to manage. A few seats near the back were more like passenger seats for people along for a ride.

Morrison homed in on a glowing panel, the first sign of anything online since theyd breached the ship.

Theres a screen with a message here, lit up. Not sure where it is getting power.

What does it say? Lavigne said.

Morrisons HUD zoomed in for him, then displayed the message: Press when safe.

His eyes dipped to the large red button below the screen. There was even a sticky note with an arrow pointing toward it.

Could be a trap. Logan said. Morrison suppressed the desire to thump the boy when he got back to the ship.

Press it. We need answers. Lavigne ordered.

Morrison moved forward and then thumped it with his fist. A hiss erupted above, and the ceiling panel crashed to the floor. Combat bots dashed towards the space, leaping up to grab the ceiling and poke their heads into the compartment. A female scream filled the air.

Morrison scrambled to stand below the hole as the combat drops released their grips; returning to their overwatch of the corridor outside without a word. Looking down at him, Amy had a surprised look on her face, her arms wrapped around a Rexxor Nestling that was growling at him.

Found the manager and her pet, boss. Morrison sent back to the ship.