Extraction by Toby Neighbors

Author:Toby Neighbors [Neighbors, Toby]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
ISBN: 9781952260339
Publisher: Mythic Adventure Publishing
Published: 2021-11-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

“Run,” I told Holly.

She looked at me like she didn’t want to do as I instructed. I was just an enlisted man after all, with no authority to tell her what to do. But she turned and ran nonetheless.

“We have to flee,” I told Quon.

“This fortress will protect us,” Loomis insisted.

“That’s the sound of orbital bombardment,” I said. “Kinetic warheads. They’ll level these mountains.”

“That is impossible,” Rictar said.

“Believe whatever you want,” I snarled. We’re leaving.”

“The Orrkasi will be watching,” Quon said. “Should you leave before dark, we will be discovered.”

“If we stay we could all be crushed when this mountain collapses.”

“I implore you to wait until sunset,” Quon insisted. “You can have the shuttle. Take your people and do as you see fit, only wait until dark. The Orrkasi may not see you once the sun sets.”

“I can’t make any promises,” I said. “If you’re smart, you’ll get your people ready to move and join us.”

“That is not our way,” Jisma said.

“Good luck then,” I told them.

Holly was no stranger to physical exercise. She was making good time up the spiral road, but I caught up with her near the valley entrance. Trip and Estavez were coming down to meet us. We stopped at the tunnel that led out of Havvar just as another rumbling crash was heard.

“What’s happening?” Holly asked, her breath coming in ragged puffs.

“Orbital bombardment,” Trip said. “Looks like kinetic warheads but it’s hard to tell.”

“We have to get out of the mountains,” I said.

“And go where?” Holly asked.

“The secondary camp,” I said. “We’ve got supplies and weapons already there.”

“We can take the rovers,” Trip said. “Haul as much as we can.”

“You said kinetic warheads?” Holly asked. “What’s the sky look like?”

“The sky?” Estavez asked.

“It’s clouding over with debris,” Trip said. “By the time we’re ready to move out, they won’t see us.”

“Good,” Holly said, before turning to me. “Any chance our friends will come?”

“I tried,” I replied. “But they don’t want to leave.”

“Get whatever you need for the laser,” Holly ordered. “Will the rovers fit on this road?”

“Just barely,” Trip said.

“Then drive them up. We need to get loaded and ready to move out. I’ll get the scout drones scanning for enemies. Van, you lead the way.”

“Yes, Lieutenant,” we all three said in unison.

Trip and Estavez followed me into the tunnel. The rovers had been back inside. I got into the first one and waited for my companions to get past me, then I activated the big utility vehicle. It was quiet, not as silent as the Orrkasi cargo hauler, but larger and more powerful. After shifting into reverse I turned in my seat and watched behind me as I drove the rover out to the spiral road. Trip had been right when he said the rovers barely fit on the spiral road. In fact, the big, knobby tires hung over the edge a little. I bumped into the walls a few times as I drove the rover up toward the upper floors. It didn’t take long to catch up with Holly.

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