This time, the op would go smooth as s-silk. Vost sent out a drone cam to locate the closest enemies, soft targets that would let the men burn off some of the need for revenge currently clouding their heads. If they didn’t chalk up a win, it would lower performance and morale, so he watched the crackling image on the screen until he spied a likely group of drooling, pockmarked cretins from the lower levels, at least forty of the ugliest creatures Vost had ever beheld. The beasts were united in their aim, however. For some reason, they were moving, not to attack his unit, but another territory. That decision didn’t make sense unless they took his bounty seriously, and they thought they’d wipe out the other cons before doing away with each other. If that was the case, it made him want to laugh.
“Silent run, gentlemen.”
His men nodded. They’d learned that their boots gave them away in this echoing cavern of a station, so they wrapped them swiftly to muffle the sound. Vost never led from the rear, so he took point, rifle in hand, laser pistol on his hip, and a couple of knives in sheaths on his thighs. The armor felt heavier than it used to, dragging on joints that had been injured more times than he cared to count. It was hot inside his helmet, too, and his breath smelled like the paste he’d swallowed for breakfast. He skimmed the update in green just inside his visor. EIGHTEEN DEGREES CELSIUS. NO ORGANIC LIFE WITHIN FORTY METERS. SCANNING PERIMETER.
Then the feed scrolled with new information. THIRTY-FIVE METERS, FORTY-TWO HUMAN LIFE SIGNS. WEAPONS: PRIMITIVE. THREAT: NEGLIGIBLE.
Vost didn’t need the armor to tell him that. The sound of turrets banging away told him the filthy bastards had engaged. Until now, he hadn’t realized that the cons had repurposed certain station defenses. Good to know, as that misstep would’ve cost them.
“Hit them. Stay in cover, don’t draw the automated emplacements.”
“Yes, sir.”
The team arrayed itself on either side of the corridor. When Vost peered out, he saw the animals clawing at each other, using bodies as a shield, in the attempt to breach the makeshift barricade the denizens had built. The turrets spun inward, firing toward the territory, and the ballistics tore through the scraps, sparking cries from those on the other side. You’ll have to rethink your strategy or rebuild the barrier every time from new materials. And in here, there was a definitely a dearth of resources.
On his signal, the men opened fire. It was precise and economical—ten shots, ten kills. Now there were only fifteen left, given the ones the turrets had mowed down. The installation was top-notch; someone had the capacity to retrofit tech with the same efficiency as the initial installation, an uncommon skill and one that made him wary.
I need eyes on the other side of those barricades. This was the one zone he hadn’t scouted; some athletic bastard kept breaking his tech. And when I get my hands on him, I’ll pull his head off.
“One more time.” Another burst of red, and ten more brutes dropped dead. The turrets took out the other five, and he signaled for his squad to fall back. “That’s it for now. We don’t go in there until I have more intel.”
“Makes sense, Commander.”
After what happened to Gerardo, the guys were hungry for payback, but they weren’t stupid. It might take a little longer, but the time he spent gathering information would be worth it when the last murderer died at their feet. Fifty million credits went a long way toward excusing the fact that the job hadn’t been as easy as described. At that price, he ought to have known it wouldn’t be a quick in and out. These men were the worst of the worst, and they’d had the run of the place for a long time. They won’t surprise me again, he vowed, as he led his men away. The turrets spat a few rounds, activated by the retreat, but his unit wasn’t in range. On the way back, they shouted out a marching song, buoyed by victory.
Vost smiled. I’m coming for you, assholes. And then I can go home.
11
Havoc Unleashed
It was two days after Mungo’s last attack, thwarted unexpectedly by the mercenaries.
The mass of attackers had been thinner than the first strike, so they took some casualties due to rounds blowing through the barricades and into defenders trying to hold it in place. That was collateral damage she hadn’t predicted, and she was hearing complaints from the injured. A few of them probably wouldn’t make it, especially the man with a massive hole in his gut, currently moaning in the makeshift infirmary. There were no nurses; nobody was looking after them unless they had friends or lovers willing to take on the burden.
“This wasn’t your fault,” Tam said.
He met her as she came out of the secondary barracks, now purposed for the wounded. The reek of septic wounds and unclean bodies nearly choked her, even out in the hall. I don’t want to know that the last man on the left’s just pissed himself. She strangled the dying scraps of human decency that made her want to go back in and take care of people; that wouldn’t serve Queensland, and it sure as hell didn’t fit the Dread Queen.
Sometimes I hate that bitch.
“Doesn’t matter,” she answered. “Everything comes to rest at my door, whether I could’ve prevented it or not.”
“Price of power.” Seeming to realize she was in no mood for a prolonged conversation, Tam limped away, likely to pursue his private intrigues.
Dred went looking for Jael. He wouldn’t see the wisdom of her next move, but she had to use every tool in the armory, even one that horrified her personally. But since she’d coaxed a promise out of him, she couldn’t take off without informing him. Trust had to go both ways. So while she wasn’t asking for his blessing or permission, she did intend to offer full disclosure. For obvious reasons, she chose mealtime because he couldn’t react too strongly while they were surrounded by Queenslanders.
Jaw clenched, Jael listened with palpable, growing incredulity, then he shook his head. “If you do this, I’m coming with you.”
“You can’t. Not because I don’t trust you, but I can’t risk that you’ll be affected. If you go nuts and attack me, that won’t help.”
“Do a test run, see if I’m susceptible.”
“The whole zone will run amok, pretty lad. I don’t think you understand the scope of what I’m capable of.”
His blue gaze skimmed the room. “There has to be somewhere we can be alone.”
“Jael . . . I appreciate your loyalty, but it’ll be faster if I just do this.”
“On your own. After your blistering lecture, too.” He wore a thunderous scowl, lips clamping to a thin white line.
“The difference is, I’m not crawling out of bed and sneaking away. You don’t have to understand, just keep things together until I get back.”
There was a long silence. The susurration of other voices rose and fell around them. Utensils clinked against tin plates; laughter rang out, along with the occasional curse. She leveled a frank gaze on Jael, waiting for his response.
“You really think this is necessary?” he asked at last.
“We have no armor. One rifle. And the turrets out front are running low on ammo. There’s enough in the storeroom to reload once. After that . . .”
“I take your point,” he said.
“Yes, I think it’ll bolster our position.”
“Then go. Do it fast before I realize how stupid I’m being . . . and how much you’re putting on the line for a bunch of gits who don’t know or appreciate you.”
Dred pushed to her feet, dinner untouched. There was no way she could eat anyway; the prospect of what happened next churned in her stomach like dread. Jael caught her wrist, circling it with his fingers. His thumb and forefinger traced lightly over her pulse, then he kissed the heel of her hand.