The Monarch Effect

Chapter 6: The Other Side

Chapter 6

Time seems to slow down as the trigger is pulled. A chill travels through my body as I feel like I've just lost all my blood. I know that even with Varialax, I'm not faster than a bullet.

But still... Prim has given me- no. The world so many chances.

I might die here, but if she can make it out...

I clutch Prim tightly as I turn around and kneel, hoping that the armor covers her from the hail of bullets coming our way. I ignore her now muffled cries.

I close my eyes and clench my teeth as I wait for my body to inevitably collapse as I hear the piercing bangs emit from behind me. It seems like a few marines joined in with the first one when she started shooting.

...

...

... Huh?

I... Don't feel anything, but I'm clearly not dead. Those marines didn't possibly... miss, did they? I would hope my taxes dollars would help them have better aim...

I slowly open my eyes to see that Varialax has given me a message.

AUTO-ENGAGE CANCELED

DEFENSIVE MATRIX ACTIVE

I turn around to a sight that leaves me baffled.

Hexagons.

Green translucent hexagons are the only thing between me and the hail of bullets. The honeycomb pattern of the hexagons gives just enough width to cover Prim and me. Two of the marines have run dry, while one is firing semi-auto fire as fast as he can.

Every time a bullet hits those hexagons, a whizzing can be heard as the bullet ricochets off into the distance. My eyes catch the energy bar in the top left corner of my HUD. 48% remaining.

"CHECK YOUR FIRE!!!" The buff marine screams at the top of her lungs as she puts her hand on the younger marine's rifle and shoves it down. "You couldn't hear those ricochets?!"

A moment of shock and silence goes by right before Prim calls for my attention.

My eyes widen, and my heart sinks as I look at her. Prim proceeds to close her eyes release a big sigh, then opens her eyes to glare at me while veins begin to pop up on her face.

After lowering her eyebrows, she issues me one simple command.

"Turn me towards them." She says calmly.

I do exactly as I'm told without missing a heartbeat. As I finish, the "nerd" marine begins to speak. "Captain Key, are-"

"PRIVATE BARNS!" Prim screams out, interrupting him in a thunderous voice before continuing.

"PRIVATE RIDER! OFFICER BELL! STAFF SERGEANT VANDERTIDE!" She screams all their names and ranks.

Prim takes the next 55 seconds to calmly explain why she is upset. Calm enough for all birds and small mammals in the area flee. Calm enough to have 3 out of the 4 marines standing in front of us shivering. Calm enough for Varialax to become concerned with my accelerating heartbeat.

That may have been the longest almost-minute of my entire life. And it wasn't even directed at me.

I can't see behind the mask and goggles the marines were wearing, but I can hazard a few guesses on what lies behind them.

...

...

...

Prim is now on a stretcher aboard the valor with a look on her face indicating she could blow up again at any time.