Subway to the Universe by Nathan B. Dodge

Author:Nathan B. Dodge
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781961511422
Publisher: Novus Mundi Publishing

22

ANOTHER INFESTATION

Sunday. A day of rest. Ha.

Kaley still asleep, I arose around seven, after a solid nine hours of sleep. She had hit the hay around ten and slept until eight or so, as the baby’s growth phase had now entered overdrive.

Excited about a day at home, I was in the process of brewing coffee when our network com lit up and I went to the wall receiver in the kitchen to answer. Guess who?

“Scotty? It’s Bill.”

I wasn’t even half-finished composing the report. I had worked on it before Kaley ordered a pizza and we watched a movie the preceding evening. To finish it would take hours. It was the only item on my agenda for the day, other than Kaley.

And why would Overton call me on a Sunday? It could only be one thing.

“You found another Bug site.”

“Your associate, Dr. Taylor found it. He sent me a link this morning, and sure enough, the satellite scans show evidence of metals and a portal construction. It’s in southeast Asia, not China, and the sighting is confirmed.”

Bobby must have stayed in the office after I left to pursue his other full-time job, the search for the Bug site. “Southeast Asia.”

“Just where your buddy said it would be. It’s well hidden, but the Bugs seem to have decided to ramp up activity and try to complete the large portal before we could spot them. They might have, too, if Dr. Taylor hadn’t been on the lookout. I’ve been in touch with Martinez on Ganymede, and he can’t handle an attack exercise right now, not with full responsibility for the E Two project and what is the main bridge to our colony. He suggested we attack from Mars, now that Mars Delta has a jumbo and a bit more room.”

“And of course, you want to move on it ASAP.”

“I think we have to. In the scans, the hoop looks about three-quarters complete, and you know how fast those crawly bastards move.”

I did. After taking over Titan, they had built a giant portal in about two days. “You think I should come up and direct the operation.”

“Look, it’s a lot to ask, as you’re responsible for E Two as well. You know the dangers we face here.”

“Yeah. Okay, I’ll collar Bobby and meet you there. Listen, I have an idea. Can you get your hands on a bunch of stun grenades? I know they’re used by law enforcement organizations more than the military, but can you find some?”

“Yeah, we use them for exercises. We’ll find ‘em.”

“I got things to do. I don’t want to show up on Mars until you guys have the troops ready and everything set to go. When?”

He pondered. “Fourteen hundred hours our time and we’ll be set. Come over with Bobby and you can travel with me.”

“Oh, you going?”

“Damn straight. I want to make sure the new site is fully neutralized.”

“See you about ten to two.”

I called Bobby, assumed he was home. He was.

“Well, you’ve opened a can of worms,” I told him.

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