Vorpal Blade

29

“Third’s going on initial deployment,” Sergeant Jaenisch said. “They’ll be on the ground for two weeks with the science team, then we’ll drop for two weeks. After that, we have to go home. The boat’s running short on spares and our CO₂ filters are about shot.”

“Sounds good to me,” Guppy said. “Let grapping Third take the heat this time.”

“I heard that, Guppy,” Sergeant Samson caroled from down the compartment.

“First and Second took a hammering on Runner’s,” Tanner pointed out. “Time for us to earn our pay.”

“Hey, we were on Runner’s too,” Lance Corporal Revells said.

“Yeah, and Two-Gun saved your ass,” Sergeant Jaenisch said. “This time, though, you’re on your own.”

“We’re going to be dropping a Barrett for the SEAL chief,” Revells said. “That should take care of any old demon.”

“Anybody asks me about it on the after-actions report,” Tanner said, “I’m going to recommend bigger guns. Screw these damned 7.62 mm Gatlings.”

“And rocket launchers,” Sergeant Samson said, making a “whoosh” sound. “And claymores.”

“The ship needs a cannon mount, too,” Revells said.

“Yeah, and we need a tank while you’re at it,” Hatt said. “Couple of F-18s with JDAMs wouldn’t be turned down. Make that a carrier. Oh, wait, that won’t fit. Where, exactly, are we going to put a cannon on the ship?”

“We can put it in the bunk area for one platoon,” Guppy said, gesturing at the empty bunks. “Plenty of room there,” he added bitterly.

“I’d rather have the troops,” Jaen said. “But I agree on the heavier firepower. We definitely need .50 calibers. 7.62 mm just don’t cut it.”

“We’ve got ’em,” Sergeant Samson said sarcastically. “Old Two-Gun will always save the day!”

“Sergeant, with all due respect,” Berg said. “Take a flying—”

“Third Platoon!” Gunny Hedger said. “Get your ass down to the missile bay! We need to prep load out!”

“On the way, Gunny,” Samson caroled. “Hold that thought, Two-Gun. I’m interested to see how it ends.”

“How were you going to end that without ending up on report?” Sergeant Jaen asked. “Because if you were going to end it the way I think you were going to end it—”

“ ’Take a flying jump on a squealing chinchilla,’ ” Berg said. “What did you think I was going to say, Sergeant?”

“We appreciate your offer, Commander Beeel,” the queen squeaked. “I understand that you must return to your homes soon. But if the Demons attack, we are united in defense, this is agreed?”

“Agreed,” Bill said through Miriam’s translation. “We normally try to coordinate with local forces in something like this, but we are hampered by language. But in the event of attack, we will respond. We do need some things, however, to remain. Our doctor has determined that some of your food is partially edible. We cannot survive on it, but we have had no fresh food for some months. We would like to get some food from you. We also would like to establish a ground base near the palace so that we can help in the defense of your city. So we will need a spot of land. And it will be dug up because we intend to build a small fort for defense. We will put tents in there that will allow us to come out of our armor. We will put some of our ground forces in that fort. Some will remain on the ship. It will then withdraw into the air. From there it has weapons that can fire down to attack the Demons and also drop the remaining Marines in places where they are needed.”

“This is a wonderful ability,” the queen said. “But can they not use boards?”

“We do not have boards, Your Majesty,” Weaver said. “We are, in fact, interested in how they work. But until we understand them, we must use the ship.”

The queen had brought up one of her commanders to stand equal with the high priest on her other side. She waved him down and there was a whispered colloquy before she turned back, her nose wrinkling.

“They have fourteen boards they’re willing to let us use,” Miriam said. “In fact, if all goes well, we can keep them.”

“Go for it,” Miller said. “Hell, the Wyverns might be able to drop from orbit on those things.”

“We don’t know if they’ll take Wyverns,” Weaver said. “We need to experiment. But, yes, Miriam, offer her our thanks.”

“General Chuk-tuk also points out that we have a disused barracks,” the queen said. “It is based on an old fort. You might wish to look it over and see if you can make of it a sanctuary for your fighters.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Weaver said. “I will communicate that to my commander.”

“We will meet in privy counsel at sunset,” the queen said. “Please discuss this with your commander and if you must use open space, by that time we will find it. We appreciate your willingness to aid us in our time of need. Though we do not have your wonderful devices, we Cheerick are strong, able and courageous. Never will we forget your aid, win or lose.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Bill said, bending over as far as he could in the armor. It was as close as he could get to a bow.

“There’s no place to effectively drop the ship on palace grounds,” Weaver said. “The commander of local forces, though, is preparing a cart caravan. It will bring out some fresh food and pick up the materials for the base. In the meantime they suggest staying here with Lady Che-chee.”

“What about this fort?” Captain MacDonald asked.

“It’s in good condition,” Bill replied. “I’m not sure if we can perfectly seal it, though. And we’ll have to decontaminate the interior.”

“We can always use ID Ten T decontaminator,” the CO said, blank-faced.

“That’s only effective on neenion contamination, sir,” the first sergeant said.

“What in hell is a neenion?” Captain MacDonald asked.

“Never mind,” Spectre said, grinning. “Okay, Captain, I would suggest taking your boys to the barracks and seeing if we can decontaminate and seal it. If Dr. Chet clears it for occupancy, and if there’s enough room for gear, you can move in there.”

“We’ll leave Second Platoon in place and take Third,” Captain MacDonald said. “When’s this caravan arrive?”

“This afternoon,” Bill said.

“Make sure that food is thoroughly decontaminated,” the CO said. “I’m not going to sit in quarantine for a month because the med board says we violated quarantine. No matter how much fresh fruit is involved.”

“Oh, this is quite wonderful,” Dr. Becker said, looking at the astronomy laboratory attached to the palace. “It takes me back,” he added, looking at the lens-grinding area.

“We believe we saw your wonderful ship floating above,” Master Jadum said. “Journeyman Agoul actually spotted it first. He has very good eyes.”

“He must have been using this,” Dr. Becker said, peering through the lens of the telescope, which was about a sixteen power but so distorted as to be nearly opaque. “But you don’t have optical coatings. Hmmm… I think I remember some very low-tech optical coating recipes from when I was in high school. Those, alone, will double the clarity of this scope. And if you add a mirror, a clear one, you can double your focal length. But using a bigger aperture diameter is the key…”

“I’m not sure I can translate all of that,” Miriam said.

“Of course, my dear, sorry,” Dr. Becker said. “And what’s this? An electric spark generator?”

“We are just beginning to explore these properties,” Master Jadum said enthusiastically, pointing to the complex arrangement. “This has some of the same properties as the puffiness from fur in winter.”

“Yes,” Dr. Becker said, nodding. “And with a bit more tinkering and by hooking it up to, oh, a water wheel, you can have full-scale power generation. Electric lights, even…”

“Dr. Becker,” Chief Miller said. “We haven’t been using flashlights around them since they say that is one thing that always brings the Demons.”

“But they’re already here,” Miriam said. “So it’s not our flashlights that are causing them.”

“True,” Becker said, then frowned. “Is it the light or the…”

“Oh,” Miriam said, her eyes flying wide. “Electromagnetism?”

“Radio signals,” Becker said, his face going white.

“Particle emissions?” Miriam whispered.

“You mean it’s just the electricity?” Miller said. “These things track in on electricity? Like, you know, the generators on the boat?”

“If we’re right, the boat is a giant smorgasbord to these things,” Becker said.

“But the boat’s in orbit, right?” Miller pointed out.

“Chief Miller,” Miriam said, hoarsely. “Do you remember the tapestry?”

“The… Yeah,” Miller said, frowning.

“Those figures in the corner,” Miriam said rapidly. “The ones that looked like fighter planes? What if they can reach orbit?”

“Marine One, Marine One, this is SEAL One…”