The Simpleton by Mark Wayne McGinnis

Author:Mark Wayne McGinnis [McGinnis, Mark Wayne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
Publisher: Avenstar Productions
Published: 2016-12-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

Cuddy was hit hard by something coming in low—in from his right side. The momentum lifted him off his feet and jammed him up against the house. A series of plasma bolts sizzled past him in the air and undoubtedly would have killed him, except for Jackie, who had careened into him. Still stunned, he watched her grab the alien’s rifle from his clutches, then spin around and fire the weapon. Cuddy hadn’t been aware the Howsh alien had steadily advanced on them—was less than twenty feet away. Jackie continued to pull the trigger, though the Howsh alien was obviously on the ground dead. Dead, and on fire, from more plasma fire than necessary.

“I think that’ll do it, Jackie,” Cuddy said, stepping away from the wall.

“You’re welcome,” she said.

“I guess I’m not a very good shot,” he said

“Good thing I am … thanks to my dad.” Staring down at the weapon in her hands, she added, “This is beyond cool. I’m keeping it.”

“Fine with me—keep it. Come on, let’s go see how the AI orb is doing.” He headed toward the alien spacecraft, stopping only long enough to pick up another plasma weapon that had been dropped next to the corner of the house.

“Want me to show you how to use that?” Jackie asked, still three strides back.

Cuddy didn’t bother to answer. Reaching the top of the drive, he now had a far better vantage point. Of the Howsh invasion, the first word that came to mind was battlefield. No less than eight Howsh fur-balls lay sprawled on the road, at various locations. Adding also to the body count were those slain in and around the house—tallying up to an even dozen. With still no sign of the AI orb, Cuddy ran to the first smoldering police vehicle. Black smoke still spiraled into the air from the four charred tires. Peering into the glassless window frame, there was little left to see—both bucket-seat frames, with their blackened coil springs, showed no signs of incinerated bodies. But Cuddy wasn’t sure if even skeletal remains could endure the kind of blaze that took place here. He next moved on to inspect the SUV, Officer Plumkin’s vehicle, and found the same thing. Nothing in the car’s ruins—no skeletal body in the driver’s seat.

He looked back to see Jackie collecting Howsh weapons. She’d mounted them into a pile by the side of the road and was adding another to the top.

Cuddy asked, “Any sign of the AI orb?” After first doing a cursory glance around, she replied, “Nope.”

He could see she was feeling pretty pleased with herself. Cocky, while he was still dealing with feelings of some remorse and guilt. He knew it was illogical. The aliens came here to kill Tow—as well as them. He stared up at the top of the gangway.

“Cuddy!” Momma shouted, heading their way. She’d changed her clothes and was wearing tennis shoes. Meeting her halfway, he could see she was upset. “What is it? What happened?”

“On TV … we’re being attacked!” She looked at Cuddy and then Jackie.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.