A Web Serial by M.C.A. Hogarth
| 35. After-Action with Aliens. | 37. Spit and Bailing Wire. |
|---|
36. Desparate Quarters
Testing Center. Spots, Claws and Samuel-Colt continue their discussion. This involves frequent demonstrations of unarmed techniques, gesticulation on Claws's part and note-taking by the Fiddler. Samuel-Colt brings out a test shield-generator. More discussion.
Spots goes from demonstration...
to talking...
to sitting....
Claws notices her asleep on a bench. "Aw, ****. What time is it?"
Samuel-Colt, quick back-and-forth notes. "We have been here three hours."
Claws. "****, we have to get back or we won't get any sleep." He crouches beside Spots. "Hey. Hey, lady."
Spots opens her eyes.
Claws. "You didn't tell us we were borin' you."
Spots laughs muzzily and gets up.
Claws to Samuel-Colt. "So, more later?"
Samuel-Colt, single long note. "I should have a prototype for you within two days."
Claws. "If we live that long... sounds good."
Samuel-Colt, rising agitated arpeggio. "Is it so serious?"
Claws. "Hell yeah, it's so serious. See ya, Sam."
Outside, in the corridor. Spots. "You don't have to scare him."
Claws. "In case you ain't noticed, Spots, things are pretty scary." More bitterly. "If he can't take the heat, he shouldn't be in this kitchen with the rest of us."
Spots. "But he is. I wonder why?"
Claws glances at her and frowns.
"They did WHAT?"
Gunny. "They gridded over the traps, ma'am."
Peaches. "What... the... ****."
"A mistake."
Peaches. "A mistake that almost killed four people!"
"Three. One of them was already in Sickbay."
"Even better!" Peaches scrubs a hand over her face. "How close to finishing are they?"
"Fifteen percent now."
"We can't have them gridding over the traps."
"They say they can't guarantee the integrity of the floor if we leave holes in it, ma'am. It's either we have a floor they can't tunnel through, or we have the traps. Otherwise..."
"Otherwise, we have points of failure." Peaches frowns. "Or choke points."
Gunny, fighting a grin. "Or choke points."
"Think they'll take the bait?"
"I don't know, ma'am. They're not acting predictably anymore."
Peaches sighs. "All right. Let me think about this."
"I'd think fast, ma'am."
"Right. I'll get right on it."
Sickbay. The door opens for Peaches. She wanders through, greeting the medical personnel and talking with the injured who are awake. Fang2 manages a weak pass at her, which she pretends to misinterpret; she leaves him smiling. She moves on to the two coma patients, sits next to each and tells them both stories before patting them on their arms and telling them to feel better.
Then she walks out of Sickbay and back to her office. She stares at the casualty reports, eyes unfocused. Some time later, she calls the Gunny.
"Let's leave the choke points. We're almost out of options... and people. If we can't get them to take the bait, we're going to have to shut down the outer perimeter of the Warren."
"You sure about that, ma'am?"
"Do you have better advice, Gunny?" She looks up at him. "Any advice? I'll take anything."
He hesitates, then shakes his head. "No, ma'am. I wish I did."
Peaches, grim. "Then we go with what we've got. And pray to God it's enough."
| 35. After-Action with Aliens. | 37. Spit and Bailing Wire. |
|---|
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