Chapter Seven - Hummingbird

    Chapter Seven - Hummingbird

    INT. LIVE STUDIO

    CRAZY CLIVE adjusts his suit and turns his chair so that he faces the camera.

    The Applause from the audience dies down.

    CRAZY CLIVE

    (Manically)

    Today, were talking aliens. Oohhh yes boys and girls and others. Weve all seen what the bastards look like. We wish they were little green men, but no, the aliens killing us are big green monsters. But killing you isnt the worst. Hah! You just wait! Well be showing you exclusive footage of what happens once the bastards are done snapping you pretty little necks! Right after these ads by todays sponsors.... AdamsCorp!

    The camera pans away from CRAZY CLIVE who grins back at it. Audience applause, cheers.

    -- REDACTED Episode of Crazy Clives Truth Talk. September 2027.

    ***

    I ran.

    No, I didnt just run, I sprinted.

    It felt as if I was as light as a feather, as if every gasping breath filled my lungs with a hundred times more air than I had ever had. Every nerve along my skin tingled, every scent I caught told a story, and every twitch of my eye showed me the world with an amount of detail I had never seen before.

    When Myalis had said that Mind Krank Ultra was addictive, I thought it had been chemically so. Wed gotten our share of warnings about drugs at the orphanage--drugged up kids were harder to adopt and strained the orphanages insurance bills when they inevitably ODed--so I knew a bit about chemical addictions.

    This wasnt that. Or maybe it was. I didnt know. I didnt care.

    I pushed myself to run just a bit faster and the runners high, even after only crossing half the museum, was nearly orgasmic. Oh, damn, I said.

    I would advise some caution. As good as you may be feeling, the drug is mostly suppressing your bodys reactions to your injuries. You are still in very poor health.

    Right, right, I said.

    I heard screams again. Many of them, and from down the corridor where the shelter was.

    My shitty sneakers squeaked as they bit into the faux-marble floor and I shot ahead. My grip tightened around the hummingbird, finger hovering over the trigger. I was ready. I felt ready. I also felt as if I could punch a cement wall for an hour and still have energy to spare.

    Lucy was near the front, her crutched pointing out towards the beast, the kittens huddled behind her. Her gaze flickered up to me. Run! she screamed.

    I raised the hummingbird.

    The monsters were between me and the kids. If any of those little missiles missed...

    Three reticles flashed red.

    I pulled the trigger, then again, and again.

    Twelve lines of vapour raced across the room, ending in the sides and backs of the Model Threes.

    Two fell, dead. The third roared and spun around, one leg dragging behind it.

    Four more flechettes punched into its chest and head. I even heard the distinct pops of the projectiles bursting apart inside the beasts head.

    Targets Eliminated!

    Reward... 30 Points

    Well done!

    I lowered the hummingbird and took in the still terrified gazes of all the kids. Itll be okay, I said. Itll be okay.

    Humans saved: 32

    Points added

    New total: 62

    What? I asked.

    Your role, as vanguard, is to fight and protect humanity. The ways to do this are many, but Im sure I can help you find a path that suits you. And, of course, your efforts will always be rewarded.

    Cat! Lucy stumbled forwards, then started racing across the room on her crutches until she crashed into me as a crying bundle of shiny brown hair. Youre okay? she asked.

    Not really, I grunted. I had to be careful hugging her while holding a weapon, but I did my best. Im glad youre alive, I said. If my voice caught a little, she didnt comment.

    ***