Incursion by Paul Teague & Jon Evans

Author:Paul Teague & Jon Evans [Teague, Paul & Evans, Jon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Imaginary Brother Publishing
Published: 2019-12-15T16:00:00+00:00

16

“Have you any experience with mines?” Hunter asked on a private channel.

“Anti-spaceship mines and their disarmament, anti-personnel mines and their use in ground warfare, denial of access using anti-vehicle mines, or just mines in general?” Ten asked.

“Any. All. Anything that you can do other than just watch me work would be handy to know. If I'm going to explain my arm to you all, you could do the same,” Hunter replied.

“I've done plenty of demolitions and bomb disposal in my time, but mostly landmines and terrorist weapons. I've done courses on minefields in space, but the plan was always about how to get through them to reach a target. I've never had to disarm anything like this. How about you?”

“Some. I’ll bet Stansfield read my criminal record. That’s probably why he looks so tired and grey-faced all the time.”

“No judgement here, Hunter,” Ten reassured him. “We’ve both done some serious shit to get where we are. I wish Stansfield didn’t have such a downer on us brig-bunnies, though. I mean, what’s not to love?”

Hunter and Ten were closing on the ten-kilometre perimeter. Fernandez had warned them not to take too many detours. The suits were designed for use outside a ship, but they weren’t suitable for flying through space for long periods.

Mason and Kearney had dropped them off as close as possible, then retreated five kilometres to wait for them. If the Sentinel mines were somehow kicked into a different operational mode and crossed the threshold to pursue the Raptors, they'd need a head start to respond and make their escape.

“Not that I don’t trust you boys,” said Kearney, “but we’ll sit out here well beyond the blast zone. Shout if you need a hand. Mason will be happy to come to your aid.”

“I’d rather be out there with them,” said Mason, genuinely pissed to be left out of an explosives situation. “It’s a bit dull just sitting here in space. I’ve got this lovely Raptor at my disposal and nothing to do with it.”

“Stay alert, Charlie Team,” Stansfield’s voice came over the radio. “We’ve got the portal opening once again, we’re going to try and establish a radio link hop while you’re out there. Keep your eyes wide open, we’ll shout if we need you.”

Hunter and Ten arrived at the Sentinel Mines. They looked even more sinister up close.

“Are you seeing this, Kearney? Mason?” said Ten. “These things look like tricky devils.”

The Sentinel Mines were small, jet-black metallic spheres. They were dotted with propulsion vents and sensor arrays, but the engine mechanics and power source weren’t immediately obvious. Each had two red lights at the front, and it was these that gave them their demonic appearance. All nine remaining mines had clustered together on the perimeter, sitting in a holding pattern and waiting to seek their next target.

“Where do you think they came from?” Hunter asked. “Do you reckon they were just waiting there for us? Or do you think there's some kind of mine-laying ship out here?”

“No idea,” said Ten.

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