Contact

Chapter 57

Chapter 57

February 1st, 2158 (station time)

The next half hour was rough on both those watching the events from the common room as well as those on the mountainside. Mike Gantulga and Eamon continued their retreat, and the goliaths continued to badger them on their way.

The goliaths stayed far enough away that they would not be too affected by the electronic transmissions. They did manage to continue to pepper the group with stones with regular intervals.

For the most part Mike took care to shoot any of the larger stones before they became much of a threat. Occasionally Gantulga would cover while Mike reloaded ammunition or if he just needed a short break.

Eamon eventually woke from unconsciousness, and they were able to increase their speed a little now that Mike no longer had to control or even sometimes carry that mech's dead weight.

With the increased speed, the frequency and size of the incoming rocks lessened. However, the hail of rocks didn't stop until Nassor was able to meet up with the group.

Instead of continuing to flee to the camp, Nassor took high ground and waited for the others to meet up with him. With the use of his shoulder mounted rail gun, he began to lay down cover fire at the feet of the goliaths. It didn't take long until the goliaths backed away.

Nassor continued to provide cover and occasionally took a shot at a goliath who wanted to see if it could get a rock off at the group.

Mike took advantage of the cover and exited his mech and talked Gantulga out of his. There on the side of the mountain, Mike examined Gantulga's leg.

Even though Nassor occasionally took a shot at any goliath that showed its face, the tension in the common room began to relax. The near constant dose of adrenaline was slowing down, and Logan fought the urge to fall asleep on his feet.

Mike finished his field dressing of Gatnulga's leg and then began an exam on Eamon. No audio was currently coming over the communications system, but Logan could swear that he could hear Eamon complaining about the examination. Actually, Logan was just getting to know Eamon's style of complaining and mentally filled in what he imagined he would be saying right now.

First he would start by saying that he was ok, and there was no need for Mike to examine him. Then he would spin the situation to make it look as if he were the victim, and therefore deserved some type of special treatment. Logan was not looking forward to having to listen to how he was a victim, or how he had it under control before someone else messed things up for him.

"Taavi," Mike's voice came over the communication system.

"Go ahead," replied Taavi.

"Alright," Mike began, "first things first. I just finished checking over Eamon. He is unharmed without a scratch or bruise on his person."

The comment hung in the air for a moment before Taavi replied with a wry smile on his face. "Huh, so what you are saying is..."

"He wasn't hit by a rock or his mech," Mike said with a laugh, "he simply passed out."

Muffled complaints from Eamon could be heard over Mike's line of communication. Mike allowed for everyone to get a short laugh in before he continued with worse news.

Mike continued, "The next thing is Gantulga's leg." He paused and took an audible breath. "There is nothing I can do, it will have to be amputated." Mike didn't allow for a pause this time. "His pain is managed, and his mech injected him with a local coagulant and a small number of antibacterial nanobots. He is in good shape and should recover."