Millie the Gunsinger

The lead vehicle and the one at the rear of the convoy looked identical. They were four wheeled with each big wheel sitting on its own arm attached to the central body. The boxy body had a slope side turret on top studded with sensors, smoke launchers, antenna and a long barrelled machine gun.

I had seen them once or twice in the Spit, supporting Guard squads doing a sweep. These were drones, run directly by a low level AI. Like all the Guards it could also be run directly by the Archimedes Network. Both were painted the standard dark blue and had clear white markings on their sides to denote whom they served.

In the centre was a six wheeled armoured carrier. This was another vehicle we saw a lot in the Spit. They could carry up to ten Guards in the rear with a driver and gunner in front. A small turret sat on the top sporting sensors and a machine gun as well.

Up in the air were two drones. These were bigger than the reconnaissance version that had overflown us earlier. Nearly five meters across from one rotor arm to the other, they gave off a heavy buzz in the air that we could feel.

Each had an array of sensors and a rocket pod slung beneath the body. These were the primary targets for Twenty and I.

Twenty sighted her long weapon at the left side drone first. With a gentle squeeze she launched the first shot of the ambush.

With my Gunsinger I felt more than heard the hypersonic round leave her railgun. There was a loud crack of noise as the shell crossed the intervening three hundred meters to the target. It felt instantaneous as the drone seemed to come apart into a dozen or more pieces and fall to the ground.

Even as the pieces cartwheeled across the earth sending up dusty clouds, she had switched her aim to the second drone. Another crack of sound and the drone met the same fate as its fellow. This one exploded with a spectacular burst of flame and noise – I guess Twenty set off the rockets it was carrying.

With a rapid response the leading vehicle pulled to the right hand side of the road and started firing its machine gun in our general direction. It could not spot our exact position but was trying to make us keep our heads down. I duly complied as I heard the heavy rounds slamming into the dirt and trees close by.

Twenty calmly moved the aim of her rifle to the centre of this drone and launched three shots in rapid succession. From where is was I could see a small view of the scene below from under the rim of my helmet. The drone vehicle shuddered and stopped firing. A thin trail of blue smoke came from the holes in its hull.

By now the armoured carrier had pulled to a stop in the road. The rear drone vehicle had moved off the road and was slowly rolling forwards. At any moment I thought it would actually drive over where Daniel-san and Thorsfeldt were hidden.

“Why did they stop like that?” I called to Twenty over the noise.

“In case the road is mined” she answered. She was already sighting on the other drone vehicle when its own gun spat fire directly at us.

I could see the barrel of the gun aiming right at us. Where we were hidden had some earth and rocks as partial cover but I knew the heavy bullets could reach us. Our vests and helmet would not stand up to that kind of firepower.

As the gun spat its volley of lead I came up to my knees and screamed in defiance. My Gunsinger flowed out eagerly into the sound waves before us and turned the air into a wall. I could physically feel the bullets thudding into my shield and screamed hoarsely to throw more strength into it.

In mere seconds the volley ended and I dropped back next to Twenty. I did not see all the bullets I had captured fall to the edge of the ridge but I heard them patter down.

“Well done Millie” said Twenty and sent the remaining shells from her railgun into the drone. It rocked and died like the first. “Reload me please” she added and hit the release on the magazine.

I reached over and slid the second magazine into place. It went home with a satisfying click.

“Now we need to encourage them to open up their carrier” she said, more to herself.

This was the critical part. We could not destroy the carrier with Otaki and Emily still inside. Our companions only had small arms that would not penetrate the carrier either. So we had to get the Guards inside to open up and engage us personally.

If they played the waiting game, reinforcements would be called in and we would have to retreat. I had asked before if there was any way to jam their signals for help.

Twenty had explained that the quantum processors were able to communicate in real time any distance on the planet and could not be blocked. There was no way to stop the Guards inside from sending messages to their base.

The turret on the carrier was turned towards us now. We had been the only visible threat so far. They would expect others to appear, but for now we were the only target. The machine gun opened fire and the trees and dirt started to leap and dance around us.

“Team One moving to second position” said Twenty over the earpieces.

“Copy that” came the response from Chang

We scooted back from the edge of the ridge, dragging our equipment with us. Keeping low we headed around to the flanks of the road way. Twenty needed to be able to shoot into the side of the carrier.

We could hear the carrier firing sporadically into the area on the ridge. It had been less than two minutes since the ambush began. Time was definitely not on our side.

Our second position was in the trees down the edge of the cleared land along the road. The scrub was pretty dense but offered minimal protection from any gun fire. I was puffing badly by the time we got there. Twenty had lugged her huge gun and was only breathing a bit heavier than usual. Definitely had to start doing some morning runs again.

From here, Twenty could take out the turret and the crew in the forward section of the carrier. In theory the rear section with Otaki and Emily should be safe.

“Team One in place. Stand by for firing” said Twenty into the earpiece.

“Team Two, copy that” replied Chang. There was no response from Daniel-san or Thorsfeldt.

“Daniel-san! Are you there?” I spoke before anyone else could respond.

“Millie” came a weak response. “It’s me. We are caught under the drone. Gudrun is out and my leg is caught under something”. My heart somersaulted in my chest.

I moved forward without thinking. At the edge of the open space I could one of the wheeled arms of the drone had fallen across the netting where Daniel-san and Thorsfeldt had been hidden. I started to run forwards and then I saw the carrier turret rotate towards me.

There was someone shouting behind me but all I could focus on was that gun barrel now facing right at me.

I was out of breath. I had abused my throat so much over the past few days that I wondered if I could speak again. My Gunsinger leaped out to try and defend me but there was not the sound waves it needed to stop bullets.

Two heavy thuds to my chest and one that knocked my helmet sideways. I collapsed to the dirt as the other bullets sprayed around me.

And then a tall figure was standing atop of me, shielding me with her body. The massive railgun was in one hand and firing devastating shells one after the other into the front of the carrier. The firing abruptly ceased.

Twenty dropped her gun and checked me over.

“I’m alive” I gasped and tried to sit up. Twenty helped me and we both looked at the torn holes in the front of my vest. “I can’t believe I survived that” I added in wonderment.

“Maybe your monster slowed them down enough” said Twenty. “We still have to get our friends out of this”.

She went over and pulled the piece of wreckage away from the hiding spot. As soon as he got free, Daniel-san dragged Thorsfeldt to cover behind the rest of the drone hull. The freelancer was bleeding from a cut over her eye but was coming around.

“We have one minute before we can expect inbound drones” said Chang in our ears. “I can see movement at the carrier. Get ready”.

I glanced back over at the carrier and the rear armoured doors were opening. Twenty drew her pistol and Daniel-san got his rifle ready. Four Jacks in armour and helmets came charging out, firing as they ran.

Twenty and Daniel-san opened fire in response. I could hear the sounds of gunfire on the other side too. Chang was firing into the Guards as well.

It was not pretty. It was not brave or heroic. The Guards fought well but their bullets thudded into the vests of our people without piercing to the flesh. It hurt but did not kill us.

The bullets from our side cut through their armour and tore into their flesh. They died.

No minutes left.

I staggered to the rear doors of the carrier. Inside it was full of acrid smoke and I thought for a moment we had been betrayed. Then I saw the slumped form of Otaki, protectively cradling his sister in her cannister.

Clambering inside I shook him gently. He roused and looked up at me. He was cuffed and gagged and his eyes seemed unfocussed. Drugged or concussed. Either way he was going to need help moving.

I dragged him to the doorway and then went back for Emily. Her cannister seemed undamaged. “Hang in there guys” I said encouragingly. I doubted either one could hear me.

Chang had already gone to get our van from where it had been hidden.

Daniel-san and Twenty were scouring the sky, looking for any drones.

Then Twenty pointed to the south and we saw three drones racing towards us in the sky. One looked to be the recon drone from before, the other two heavier drones with weapons.

“We are so screwed” I muttered.

“Team Four engaging” said an electronically altered voice over our earpieces.

“Copy that” said Daniel-san in reply. “Take cover!” he called to us so we crouched down in the wreckage of the vehicles.

With a roar of engines two delta winged shapes flashed overhead from the north. Fast attack drones of some sort, deploying small missiles from their wings. Two of these blazed across the sky from each craft and two of the enemy drones exploded.

The smaller recon drone buzzed back in the direction it had come from. It nearly made it out of sight when Twenty killed it with a railgun shell.

With a dip of their wings the deltas headed off.

“Thanks for the air support” said Daniel-san into the earpieces.

“Our pleasure” came the modulated response. “Always happy to help a friend do their thing”. Zeke-san I wondered? My boss must have arranged this without letting me or Twenty know,

Chang arrived with the van and we bundled everyone aboard. He did the driving while Daniel-san looked after Thorsfeldt in the back. I strapped Otaki into a seat and put Emily’s cannister into the one beside him.

Twenty rode in front next to Chang, cradling an assault rifle in her arms. She kept looking worriedly back at me.

“I’m fine” I assured her. A very obvious lie but it had to do for now. “Keep watch for any more drones”.

She held my eyes for a moment. “Copy that” and turned back to the road ahead.

=====

We made it to the rendezvous without further incident. On the way Daniel-san had tended to Thorsfeldt and then checked me over.

“Kid, you are a mess” he stated in no uncertain terms. He had me take off the vest and lift up my shirt so he could check my ribs. I felt kind of shy as he examined me closely but at least I was wearing one of my best sports bras.

“Hmm, not much I can see” he muttered to himself. I glared at him – was that a boob joke? I just happen to rock the sporty young woman look I will have you all know.

He did not think anything was broken but I was going to be one big bruise from my neck to my navel. Daniel-san applied some anti-bruising gel and gave me some painkillers.

By the time we arrived at the smuggler site I was drifting along quite happily. Then I realised Otaki had been in the back with us all the time my shirt had been up over my shoulders. I hoped the little perv enjoyed the show I thought angrily.

The place we arrived at was an old farm, with long unused cattle pens and a huge vehicle shed. It probably once held tractors and trucks but now helped conceal a small stealth VTOL. It was all sharp angles and concealed thrusters and looked like it was a military craft.

There were two crew waiting as we disembarked. The pilot was a Korean woman who had half her head fitted with cyberoptics and sensors. Her co-pilot was a tiny girl, maybe fourteen of fifteen years old, who ran the ECM array for the craft. There was a strong family resemblance I thought, so Smugglers need to train apprentices too?

Daniel-san went over to the air crew and a brief discussion was held. Satisfied he came back and spoke to Otaki. The young man had been given a shot of something as well by my boss and he was looking quite alert now. Otaki nodded and he collected the canister with Emily.

I was sitting off to one side watching all the preparations for departure. Chang and Thorsfeldt were at opposite ends of the shed, keeping a watch out for any unexpected arrivals. Twenty was sitting on the open tail of the van, checking her railgun. None of us were ready to talk about the mission yet.

Otaki walked over to me and stood shyly in front of me. I was not sure what the problem was. To be honest we had barely got to know each other and he was now flying out to parts unknown. Guys can be really weird sometimes.

“Millie” he began uncertainly “I just wanted to thank you for everything you have done for Emily and I. You could have just taken us in for the bounty. But you cared enough for a stranger to help them without thinking about it”.

“Yeah, well, it was only because you were going to pay us ten thousand Pandas” I said back.

He stepped closer and I thought he was going to hug me. I tensed up and he just laughed softly and stepped back.

“I know you are like me” he continued. “You are frightened of the power inside of you. It makes you do some terrible things, even to the people you care about. So you try to cut yourself off from nearly everyone”. I was giving him my best don’t-you-continue-down-this-line look. But like every guy on the planet he could not read the clues.

“But you need people close to you, Millie. You need people who care about you and you care about them. Because that is the only hope you have of keeping your monster under control” he finished.

“Don’t you have a plane to catch?” I replied. I was not ready for this conversation, especially with a stranger.

“OK” he said. “I’ll send you a postcard once we get settled”. He picked up his sister and went into the VTOL. What the hell is a postcard I wondered?

The crew did their checks and soon after the craft blasted us all with dust and hot air before lifting easily into the sky. It rose up to just over the treetops then rocketed away.

I watched it until it disappeared from sight. I felt something tighten in my chest and hoped it was just my battered ribs.

Daniel-san came and sat down carefully on the low wall I was sitting on. His leg was aching I could tell and he was not so young anymore.

“How are you going, Millie?” he asked me.

“I was pretty useless today” I answered honestly. “You guys did all the dangerous stuff. I was just some dead weight”.

“Twenty did the hard part today” he said. “I had my doubts about her last night, but today she showed her true colours. I don’t know why she has latched onto you, but you need her in your life right now”

I looked at her sitting there quietly packing her rifle away in its case. She was like some ancient goddess of war, all beauty and bloodshed. But she was timid and gentle too.

“I think she needs me too” I replied to Daniel-san. “We both want to be human. Maybe we can show each other the way?”

“Copy that” he said. “But don’t knock yourself kid. You were really brave out there today. And I know you stopped a full burst from a machine gun with just your power. The thing is though, if you want to continue in this life you are going to have to improve your skills”

“Like what?” I questioned.

“How about we start to teach you some combat skills. Actual martial arts. And you need to learn how to use guns. Your Gunsinger is amazing, but you need to have a backup”

I looked at the Assault Rifle he had on his back,

“No, not rifles” he said when he saw where I was gazing. “Pistols first, something small and controllable. And I think you need to learn to sing”

“What?” I spluttered. I was not going to join a choir. I had enough of that in the orphanage.

“Your power works best with your own voice doesn’t it? If you learn how to hold the notes better and project the sound more easily, you will able to do some amazing things I am sure”.

“You are pretty smart for an old guy” I responded.

“I care about you Millie. I have from the first day Dianne introduced me to you” he said slowly.

“Daniel-san, can I give you a hug?” I asked him. He looked at me and nodded assent. I leaned over and gave him a gentle hug. Nothing too extreme as I was seriously broken.

“It doesn’t mean I like you or anything” I added and pulled away.

“If I ever had a daughter I would wish she was just like you Millie” he said to me. “Except maybe smarter”.

“Well, I am technically still an orphan” I said. “Maybe you could adopt me?” I hoped I put a little jokiness in my voice that I was not really feeling.

“I think that time has passed for both of us kid” he said sadly. He rapped his knuckles on the battered helmet I had forgotten I was still wearing and stood up.

“Alright people, lets pack it up and head home!” he called out to the team