Terran Tomorrow by Nancy Kress

Author:Nancy Kress
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

CHAPTER 13

Jason strode into the armory with two members of J Squad; more met him there. All wore full armor. They were going to meet the Return when it landed. Li had sent precise instructions to the ship where and when to set down in order to minimize the time it was vulnerable. The chosen rendezvous was far enough away to avoid the snipers and missile launchers undoubtedly hidden in the woods around Monterey Base.

The armory motor pool always seemed to Jason a pathetic remnant for an Army that had once had transport capabilities to deploy a brigade anywhere in the world within ninety-six hours and a full division in a hundred and twenty. It consisted of six FiVees—five here now—three quadcopters, and two Bradleys. Ten years ago, as the world fell apart, Jason had taken considerable risks to get the Bradleys to Monterey. Army research bases did not ordinarily stock armored fighting vehicles, not even older ones. Jason had also secured modification kits for the Bradleys, which were now as good as Bradleys got, although he still regretted that he hadn’t been able to secure any Strykers. Neither Bradley had as yet left base, and the enemy didn’t know they were here.

One was now prepared to roll. Jason was doing everything possible to neutralize possible attack by New America.

It wasn’t enough.

The Bradley roared out of the airlock and accelerated to its top speed, which was not very impressive, across the perimeter. Even before it reached the road, it was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. The vehicle jerked violently, throwing Jason against Corporal Wharton. The reactive armor installed between the armor plates exploded as it was supposed to, neutralizing the incoming fire.

“Direct hit, sir,” Private Kandiss shouted, unnecessarily. The Bradley bulldozed through the cloud of dust thrown up by the hit and kept going. The gunner was kept busy. Noise like falling mountains assaulted eardrums. Two more RPGs, and the Bradley turned off-road toward the river.

Immediately the ride became even rougher. The soldiers crammed into the small space bounced and clutched. Jason kept his eyes on the video display. New America had FiVees much faster than the Bradley, but no FiVee could go against the Bradley’s chain gun. He saw no FiVees. The armored vehicle crunched over saplings and rocks, keeping to open country.

The river finally came in sight, a dull ribbon under the low sky. The rain, which had stopped, began again.

“Okay, river ahead,” Jason said. “We turn north along it and—”

A Stryker tore toward them from a grove of trees.

No—New America did not have Strykers! Except, they did now.

The Stryker had slat armor; it could withstand any ordnance that the Bradley could fire without stopping. Nor could the Bradley outrun the Stryker; tracked vehicles were just not as fast as wheeled ones. But they were more stable, with better mobility over rough terrain. And—

“Make directly for the river, Sergeant. Gunner, if anything moves, shoot it.”

“Yes, sir.”

The Stryker gained on the Bradley, firing constantly. Jason lost track of the hits.

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