Chapter Twenty-Two - Cheesing it

    Chapter Twenty-Two - Cheesing it

    Thats stupid.

    Yeah, alright, were called Samurai, which comes with this mental image, right? The Bushido code, lots of honour in battle, some formality and respect. Maybe sharing tea with some idiot before you swipe his head off.

    And yeah, some of us go deep into that. Personally I think running around in an oni-mask is tasteless, but whatever.

    Truth is, when there are aliens around, youre at war, and in a war, theres no place for honour.

    --Off the street interview with Three Strikes by Teen Lyfe Mag! Aug 2045

    ***

    The doors opened, just three or four inches wide, enough to show off the half-dozen already dead and partially aflame bodies of the Antithesis Id already shot at. I aimed at those still moving, and after locking my arm in place as best I could, fired.

    I was growing to really love incendiary rounds. Something about seeing a red-hot hole punch into an aliens side, then a gout of flames pouring out of it...Re?Ad lateSt chapters at novelhall.com Only

    Yeah, if Lucy was in the room she would have made a comment about me getting hot and bothered, and she wouldnt even have been entirely wrong.

    My Trench Maker clicked empty, the elevator doors slammed shut.

    How many? I asked.

    Five! Youre getting better!

    Targets Eliminated!

    Reward... 50 Points

    Nice, I said as I slumped back against the elevators far wall. The doorway was a mess of splattered green blood that smelled a bit like a mix between mold and freshly cut grass. Some of the Model Threes had gotten close to slipping in, but Myalis was faster than them with the doors.

    Not that I figured the doors would last all that much longer. They had a nasty dent in them already and there was a bit of a squeal when they opened and closed now.

    One more try, then well have to clear things out for real, I said.

    The elevator door boomed as something big rammed into it. How about you give me something that can clear our little mess, then we can talk shop?

    Wonderful idea! Might I suggest the Mark I-D Resonator? It uses resonant frequencies to melt organic materials in its surroundings.

    Like... noise? I asked. That sounded awesome.

    Indeed. One unit costs five points. It is non-reusable, as you can imagine. Also, quite loud, though you should be fine within the confines of the elevator.

    Let me try one, at least, I said.

    New Purchase: Class I Resonator Mark I-D

    Points reduced to... 112

    A small boxy item appeared by my feet. Just about big enough that I would have a hard time wrapping my hand around it, and shaped like a cylindre. A plastic tab sat at the top passed through a hole in a big thumb-switch.

    I stuffed my Trench Maker down the back of my pants--with the safety on-- and picked up the device to twist it this way and that. Mostly grey metal, with a few silver disks around it that looked like the little bits inside a speaker. The tap had PULL TO PRIME written on it in big letters.

    There was a little dial next to the button above it, currently set at five, but it looked like it could go up or down with a flick of the thumb.

    Pull the tab to free the trigger and prime the grenade. The dial allows you to set the time. The second dial below allows you to pick the targeted material. It is set to Antithesis flesh by default. The large red button... well, I suppose I dont need to explain that one.

    Neat, I said. I tore the tab out with my teeth, spat it to the side, then moved to the side of the door. When I say go, can you pop the door open? I asked.

    On your mark!

    I grinned, pressed my thumb down on the grenades trigger, and shouted. Go!

    The door slid open a crack. A pair of long black claws raked into the elevator, like a cat questing for a mouse in a hole.

    I flung the explosive over the claws and heard it clunk somewhere in the room beyond.

    Please cover your ears. This will be quite loud.

    I stuffed a hand over my left ear, then pressed myself against the wall.

    The world filled with an anguished wail, one that grew, then cut off like painful waves. I pressed my hand harder against one of my ears and squatted down to escape the noise. Maybe playing with weird bombs wasnt my finest idea.