Science Fiction Short Stories

ReBoot Chapter 2

BOOT #27 COMPLETE_

EXECUTE SYSTEM ANALYSIS_

ANALYSIS COMPLETE_

SYSTEM FUNCTION 100%_

ACCESSING SYSTEM OBJECTIVE_

SYSTEM OBJECTIVE - Use suppressing force to protect retreating allied forces.

ACCESSING WEAPONS INVENTORY_

WEAPONS INVENTORY - Mark I27 Rail Gun, classification long ranged weapon, mounted on left arm, 100 rounds; Fenreer M1706 Light Machine Gun, classification mid-ranged weapon, mounted on right shoulder, 1000 rounds; TSG 2153m Supersonic Mini Gun, classification short range weapon, mounted on right arm - modified to fire 7.62x51 mm supersonic armor piercing rounds, 50,000 rounds; Sonic Pulse Emitter, classification mid-ranged tube launched sonic grenade, housed in left thigh, five units; Thermite 27z Grenade, classification mid-ranged tube launched explosive, housed in right thigh, twenty units; EM27Zeus Laser, classification long range targeting system for airstrike, housed in left ocular.

 ACCESSING SITUATION BREAKDOWN_

SITUATION BREAKDOWN - An outpost on a remote moon populated mainly by scientist miners and their families are under threat by two groups of alien forces.  The two forces will converge on the outpost in approximately one minute.  Two personnel shuttles are en rout for civilian evacuation, escorted by one light gun ship.

ACCESSING OBJECTIVE_

OBJECTIVE - Protect all civilians, the shuttles and gun ship.

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      M3 23 found it's self standing on a rounded hill about a quarter kilometer from the outpost.  M3 23 charged the EM27Zues Laser and painted the ground on the other side of  the outpost.  Before the Laser had charged fully the request for air support had been made.  Two full seconds passed before the targeted area was bathed in explosive shells fired from an orbiting support ship.

    M3 23 had targeted the area simply to slow the enemy force.  That force would either circle around the now scorched rock, or move directly forward toward the outpost, and take damage.

     M3 23 began to run down the slope of the hill, not toward the outpost, but to the calculated area where it would meet the second enemy force.  The rail gun charged and M3 23 began to slow ensuring a more accurate shot.  Using live streaming information sent from the support ship, M3 23 was able to calculate the exact moment to fire.

     M3 23 fired twenty shots from the rail gun, each shot targeting an enemy.  The fastest ammunition in it's arsenal, the first shot found it's mark before the last was fired only two thirds of a second later.  Seven enemies few from this first barrage.

     A hatch on M3 23's left thigh opened and a large tube extended out.  The tube had a thirty centimeter boar and length of eighty centimeters, but most importantly it was build to deliver a ten kilogram Sonic Pulse Emitter.

     M3 23 started firing from the LMG mounted on it's right shoulder as the tube was loaded.  A target was selected and the tube fired.  The LMG spit out another one hundred and fourteen rounds before letting up.  That is when the Emitter reached it's mark.

     The Sonic Pulse Emitter arced over the crowd until it reached it's desired altitude of twelve meters above the ground and then pulsed.  First, there was a distinct lack of sound which was soon canceled out.  From where M3 23 stood the visual ques were collected two full seconds before the auditory ques.

     A sound wave was released that was so powerful that it atomized any exposed soft tissue of all biological beings whom were within a twenty meter radius.  To fifty meters the sound wave caused the hollow portions of the bodies to begin filling with fluids.  Beyond this radius the sound wave became a very effective stun grenade.  Any living organism within a hundred yards would be bombarded with so much auditory stimulus, the natural urge to protect oneself would override any training.  The majority of this group would be effectively slowed a for a minute or two.

     M3 23 turned and began to access the situation breakdown on the other force that had now separated into two smaller groups.  Both groups were circling around the burned area from the air support.  The furthest group away was heading directly for the outpost.  The closer group had targeted M3 23 and began to shoot.

     M3 23 began to bring the LMG to target the group closest.  M3 23 began taking heavy fire from the opposition.  The LMG reved up and then fire upon the group, but M3 23's accuracy was hindered by the shots that it was taking.

     The hydraulics on M3 23's left leg were the first to give.  Several bullets had dented and pulled the armor away from the joint that it was protecting.  Fluid shot out at high speed and the left leg refused to hold any weight.  M3 23 dropped to one knee, continuing to fire.

ACCESSING DAMAGE REPORT_

DAMAGE REPORT - Extensive damage to left leg; Mobility 47%; Shielding 84%

ACCESSING SITUATION BREAKDOWN_

SITUATION BREAKDOWN - Three hostile forces; first force temporarily incapacitated reduced threat to 68%, second force slowed speed reduced treat to 46%, third force slowed speed threat reduced to 93%.  Third hostile force will reach outpost in 42 seconds.  At 47% mobility fastest estimated time to outpost is 2 minutes 27 seconds.

 ACCESSING OBJECTIVE_

OBJECTIVE - Cannot maintain safety of retreating civilians.  Objective failed.