Astronomicon: Behemoth

Chapter 51 - Return Fire

Aron dropped onto the floor, hoping the counter would provide some protection from the cannon that was now protruding into the cabin as the robot tried to force its top half in through the open doorway. The doorway was clearly not wide enough for the robot to easily move through it, but he was not going to assume that it could not wriggle its way through somehow.

The last thing he saw before he dropped out of sight was the cannon pivoting on its base, turning towards the front end of the cabin. It seemed wise to assume that the cannon was fitted with an integrated targeting camera.

Ekono shuffled on his backside around the end of the counter where Aron was hiding. Another blast roared across the air above them, melting a hole in the wall beside the cockpit doorway. Ekono pushed the jerry-rigged cannon across the floor to Aron using his feet.

"Is the battery dead?"

"I doubt it," Aron replied. "Let me get a look at it."

Ekono pulled his sidearm from his belt and held it up for Aron to see. "Be quick. I do not think I am going to get close enough to use this."

Obi popped out from behind the cockpit doorframe, fired two rounds and then ducked back into cover before a blast from the robot scorched the edge of the doorframe, melting and distorting the metal panel but, thankfully, not piercing it.

Aron hunkered even lower as he worked his way quickly but methodically through the wiring connections. It was hard to concentrate on his task and even harder to avoid imagining the robot making it in through the doorway and blasting all of them.

Even after narrowly avoiding death last time, Obi leant out again and fired another round at the robot. Judging by the sound, it ricocheted off the robot's armour. The return blast hit the same spot of wall, vaporising the damaged metal.

Despite the distraction of shots flying overhead, it did not take Aron long to find the fault; just a loose wire. Pulling pliers from his belt pouch, he rewound the offending wire and tightened the screw. He switched the battery back on and was about the test the firing switch when he realised he had not aimed the cannon.

Before he had opportunity to move it into a good firing position, a splatter of melted metal splashed onto his E.V.A. suit as a blast from the robot's cannon burst right through the top of the console above his head. He dropped onto his backside and leaned sideways to get as low as he could while still sitting up.

While Ekono and Obi were still taking pot-shots at the robot and dodging the return fire, Aron swung the heavy cannon across his legs and placed it on the floor just behind the end of the counter. He paused for a moment, waiting for Ekono's next shot, hoping the distraction would give him the few seconds he needed.

The moment he heard Ekono's gunfire, he pushed the cannon clear of the counter and leant out just enough to see what he was aiming at. It would have been easier to aim if he was looking along the barrel but taking the time to do that would have been suicide. He pointed the cannon as best he could and pressed the switch.

Almost immediately the counter above his head was struck again. This time the blast obliterated the top-third of the counter, showering him in another spray of molten metal.