The Blue of Antyllus by Michael E Gonzales

Author:Michael E Gonzales [Gonzales, Michael E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fire Star Press
Published: 2019-01-07T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

THE GIFT OF EYA’ETEE KI KEE

Nash called three of his missile bearers forward. He pointed out the locations of three bunkers where the enemy machine guns controlled the causeway. “The first two bunkers are within range of the AT-88s,” he explained, “but the last one is outside the effective range of the weapon. The three of you will cross the river and take up positions behind the rubble of the old bridge, then without being seen, creep out onto the path. From there, two of you will launch your missiles simultaneously, and in the confusion, the third AT-88 will run at least a hundred meters forward, then engage the third bunker.”

The three soldiers were an E’meset and two humans. The E’meset’s name was Dalthna, the two humans were Specialist Melvin Rodgers, and Corporal Barbra Meldenhal. Nash would send them out in the order they arrived, which made Corporal Meldenhal the winner of the Purple Heart run. She showed no concern over her selection.

As soon as Nash relayed his order, Dalthna spoke up, “Min too lee ah’yah henan.” It was obvious by his gestures he was talking about Barbra.

“What did he say?” she asked.

Nash bit his lower lip. He knew that Dalthna thought he was being chivalrous by asking to take the dangerous run from her, but such an antiquated, and apparently chauvinistic, gesture would not have been appreciated by the young corporal. “He says that as an E’meset, he is faster than you are and wants to make the run.”

“Well, that may be, sir, but I think I’m fast enough for a hundred meters. Thank Superman for me, but I got this.”

“Okay,” Nash said. “Good luck to all of you.”

As a diversion, Nash told the left flank to open fire on the area of the third bunker as soon as the first two were destroyed. Hopefully, the gunner in the third bunker would concentrate on them and thus allow Corporal Meldenhal to run up the right side of the road and get within range.

Nash watched as the three slowly forded the river and got into position. They would have to acquire their targets fast, and fire, because the enemy gunners had night vision-equipped respirators, as well.

It seemed to take forever. At last, all three stopped and lay still on the surface of the road. Dalthna was more or less in the center or the road. Two meters to his right was Specialist Rodgers. Between them and about a meter behind was Corporal Meldenhal. The two gunners nodded at each other, popped up on one knee, fired, and then immediately fell back prone. The explosions were horrendous, the concussions pounding, but the two enemy bunkers disintegrated in bright flashes of blue light and large columns of gray smoke.

Nash’s left flank’s burst of rifle fire looked like the opening of the gates of hell. Their bullets ripped into the remaining bunker and the area around it.

Corporal Meldenhal rose and rushed forward. She’d gotten about sixty meters when an enemy soldier in

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