Mars, The Bringer Of War by George P. Saunders

Author:George P. Saunders [Saunders, George P.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2012-02-14T16:00:00+00:00

The shape of the giant materialized against the glow of the intermittent light. For the remaining passengers of Flight 399, the horrible outline of the robot scorpion was horrendous, a living nightmare that froze blood cold to the marrow. Only John Mars, who recognized this machine to be a duplicate of another he battled on the moon one year ago, allowed rational thought to dictate action and command.

“Move back,” he yelled above the roar of the robot scorpion’s approach.

Mars picked up Jennifer, yelling continuously. “Come on, run. Spread out. Don’t give it a clear target.”

These were combat tactical orders, perhaps meaning very little to the largely civilian contingent. But it was the best he could offer at the moment. He doubted whether any of them would survive an attack from this proven killer. He had barely survived Mankind’s one and only battle with a Sel Warrior Drone twelve months earlier.

Ravers was running backwards, unable to keep his eyes off the extraordinary machine only thirty feet away and bearing down on them hard. He yelled to Mars: “What is it?”

“My imaginary alien,” Mars yelled back, even now unable to resist rubbing the fact into Ravers’ face.

Marine lieutenant Drakes was carrying an elderly woman, who was still unconscious. Ravers moved to pick up one of the young newlyweds, the girl, who was semi-conscious from bloodloss. Brenda and Barry together moved the only other remaining injured individual, the man named Drummond.

What Mars fully expected to transpire, suddenly came inexorably to pass.

The robot scorpion began to fire green laser bolts at his people. The first blast immolated Drummond, knocking Brenda and Barry ten feet on either side of him. They rolled, stunned and disoriented. Mars was certain that they would be his next victims, being the closest targets. But the robot scorpion ignored them, and in fact, didn’t even offer a token attack. It’s sights were aimed for Lieutenant Drakes.

Another blast was released. Drakes screamed as the old woman he carried exploded in his arms. The dissolution of flesh and bone was so instantaneous that not a drop touched Drakes. He was, however, sent flying by the force of impact.

The next blast hit the young woman Ravers was carrying. He rolled, cursing. The young man who was her husband, badly hurt, but able to rise on one knee from his position screamed out defiantly. The robot turned on him, and blasted him out of existence as well.

Mars put together an immediate pattern.

It’s picking off the wounded. Only the wounded.

He looked down at his co-pilot. Jennifer was still unconscious, but Mars knew that she would be the robot’s next acquired target. He turned and ran, looking to his right and left for someplace to hide, anything at all that could be used as cover. He could hear the robot clop, clopping behind him.

A blast illuminated the darkness.

And Jennifer sizzled into a light beam of death. Mars felt himself flying and landing hard on the ground. He screamed into the darkness, then found himself staring into the face of the scorpion, which now angled low and only a foot away from where he lay.

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