Retrieval by Caleb Fast

Author:Caleb Fast [Fast, Caleb]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: X27
Published: 2020-04-14T04:00:00+00:00

Three

The Bulwark, Allegra

“Up and at ‘em boys!” Louise calls cheerfully.

Matthew sits bolt upright, which isn’t saying much since the chair he is slept in didn’t allow him to recline. Regardless, Matthew is awake now, and he squints as he tries to see anything in the dark cockpit.

As Matthew looks around, Louise flips a switch and the steel shades over the cockpit window recede, bathing Matthew in the bright Allegrian afternoon sun. Matthew winces at the harsh and sudden light before he raises a hand to try and keep the sun out of his eyes.

“How long were we out?” Matthew groans as he stands from his seat. Stretching, Matthew realizes how stiff his back is, and he swears to himself that he will never sleep in that same position ever again.

“Five hours,” Alois reports from behind Matthew.

Matthew turns and sees that Alois had sprawled out in the open area between the two gunner seats. Chuckling, Matthew can’t help but feel jealous of the man’s sleeping arrangement. Matthew turns and sees that Louise is already partially covered in grease and she gives him a curious look after he had been staring for a few too many seconds.

“I got the reactor fired back up while you two slept,” Louise announces as she turns away from Matthew and takes her seat. Facing the cockpit window, she flips a few more switches and the mech shifts slightly. Nodding approvingly, Louise adds, “Everything seems to be in order.”

“So, we’re all set?” Matthew asks as he takes a hold of his chair to stabilize himself as the mech moves once more.

“The mecha is ready to walk,” Louise replies with a nod. Glancing back to Alois, Louise asks, “Are we ready to shoot?”

“I’m reading full ammo on all weapons,” Alois reports from his seat, “I guess whoever stole this baby must have not needed to shoot anything.”

“That’s a yes,” Louise chuckles before she looks over to Matthew. She nods toward his chair and he quickly takes a seat.

Matthew looks out to the charred world beyond and he shudders slightly as he remembers how many gassers had been out there just a few hours ago. Now all that remained of them was blackened concrete and ash. Looking to the walls of the garage, Matthew asks what he thinks is the obvious question, “So, how are we going to get out of here? The walls are all still up.”

“Let’s see,” Louise replies as she looks back to her brother. Chuckling, she passes along Matthew’s inquiry, “Alois, should we walk through them, or blow them up?”

“As much as I’d like to shoot our way out of this one, let’s save our ammo,” Alois responds, sounding slightly distraught with his answer.

“Alright, strap in, this’ll be a rough ride!” Louise warns before she takes a hold of the controls before her and drives the mech forward at full speed.

Matthew takes a hold of the various straps that make up his harness and he hurriedly straps them into place. Without a moment to spare,

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