The Waylander system quit relying on the SR pickup as the cruise missile flew into its line of sight. The radar gave ratios to the various imagines, highlighting the highest probabilities. Alarms sounded in the PBT-2 command center. A second and third Red Dragon now appeared.
“Are they’re saturating us?” the TCO asked.
As the latest cruise missile headed for Sixth Behemoth Regiment, a PBT-2 system accelerated particles. Then it fired a burst, which raced at nearly the speed of light. The particles struck, and then heated the targeted Red Dragon to an intolerable degree. The cruise missile exploded.
At the same time, the second battery fired at the second cruise missile, taking it down.
The third battery malfunctioned, whining out of control as it accelerated particles, unable to fire them.
The first battery targeted the next Red Dragon. The second PBT-2 cannon took that moment to destroy another missile.
“We’re doing it,” the TCO said.
More cruise missiles kept coming. The initial Chinese targeting chief must have realized the Americans would go to extraordinary lengths to guard their prized Behemoth regiments. It seemed the Chinese used blizzard tactics.
Now, however, the Behemoth tanks got into the action. Their fire control systems were just as good as the particle beam platforms, and could hit at longer ranges.
“The Chinese don’t know who they’re messing with,” the TCO said.
Maybe he was right.
It was hot inside the green glowing insides of the tank. With the outer hatch shut and the heaters pouring, there was no cold air at all.
Jake Higgins unbuttoned the top of his shirt. He sat in the commander’s chair, his underarms slick with sweat. He knew the odds. They all did. The colonel had just radioed them with the information. The Chinese sent nuclear cruise missiles, and they were almost here.
The super tanks no longer traveled for Oklahoma City. HQ had radioed for them to circle into a defensive laager, with their rail guns elevated skyward. The colonel had other ideas.
“I don’t care what nuclear defensive strategy says. We split apart to present fewer targets.”
The Behemoths did exactly that, radiating outward, traveling away from the central particle beam platforms. Each tank was still plugged in the PBT-2 net, their radar systems providing linked coverage.
“The farther apart we are, the wider our radar net,” the colonel said.
Jake didn’t know if that was right or not. Maybe it was just good BS for doing what they already did.
The Red Dragons roared at them from treetop level. Chinese UAVs barreled down out of the sky. Some US V-10s tried to engage them. The Chinese drones weren’t playing along. Obviously, their objective was the particle beam platforms. The drones also added to the number of enemy targets. Only one set counted now—the cruise missiles.
Jake swayed in his seat as he watched his crew going about their tasks. With his regular intensity, Chet tracked. Grant kept up a constant chatter with the PBT-2 net and Simons drove fast, with a white-knuckled grip on the controls. Jake kept debating whether he should tell Simons to take it easy. Despite the advanced hydraulics, at this speed, the rail gun would lack precise stability.
There were no two ways about this. Nukes frightened Jake. Sitting here, waiting—If I’d let the Detention Center goons take me away, I wouldn’t be in this mess.
“Corporal,” Chet said.
“I see it,” Jake said. “Simons, slow it down.”
The driver ignored or didn’t hear him.
“Simons!” Jake said.
“What?” the driver said.
“Slow it down, I said.”
The long-faced Simons cast Jake an angry look, but he slowed the tank.
Jake shook his head. The nukes were wrong, maybe even evil. They’d beaten the Chinese fairly. This tank could take anything the enemy could throw at them… conventionally speaking, of course.
Is this what it had felt like for Comanche warriors back in the day? The Comanches had been the best light cavalry in the world. No one could compare to their horsemanship and daring. Imagine thundering at US soldiers the first time. A brave would have yelled at the top of his voice, shaking his lance with battle joy. Then US soldiers would have stood up, raised their Winchesters and shot down the brave with advanced technology.
I guess nukes trump Behemoth tanks. Actually, I’m surprised the toe to toe fighting lasted this long. Jake scowled. He should have talked to his mom more often, phoned or written a letter at least. No one wrote letters these days, just sent texts or emails. He hadn’t even done that much with her.
Jake couldn’t believe this was the end of his life. How in the world were they going to stop every cruise missile? Ha! They wouldn’t stop anything if he played Hamlet in his commander’s chair.
“Let’s do this,” Jake said. “Simons, stop the tank. It’s time to shoot.”
“Are you crazy?” Simon shouted. “We’ve got to get out of here.”
Jake stood, moved to Simons and grabbed the back of the man’s jacket. “Stop now, damnit. I’m giving you an order.”
Simons scowled at him.
Jake shifted his stance, ready to cock a fist and smash Simons in the face. I need to buy some heavy metal rings, leave an impression in the man’s face. When he gave an order, he meant it.
“You’re crazy,” Simons muttered. But he slowed the tank. “We’re supposed to have a lieutenant or at least a sergeant in charge. Whoever heard of a corporal running a tank?
“Yeah, that’s the breaks,” Jake said.
Soon, the monster tank squealed to a halt. Chet raised the cannon. Jake listened as Grant talked to the battle-net operator. Thirty seconds later, it was their turn. They were a mile and a half from the PBT-2. In rail gun range, that made no difference.
On his screen, Jake watched the targeted cruise missile flash toward the center of the formation. Man, the thing moved fast.
“Fire!” he shouted.
Chet pulled the trigger, although he didn’t actually fire. With the way it was set up, the trigger-pull gave the internal AI tracking system the green light to do its thing.
Five seconds later, the engine revved with power. A red firing light blinked on Jake’s screen. “Here it goes,” he said.
A surge went through the super tank, making the entire three hundred tons shake. The rail gun sent a penetrator screaming through the cannon.
They weren’t the only ones relying on computer AI technology, though. A Chinese UAV dropped at precisely the wrong moment. The saucer-shaped craft with its alien wings took the penetrator meant for the Red Dragon.
“Son of a bitch!” Jake shouted.
“Corporal Higgins,” the PBT-2 captain said over the data-net.
“I can’t believe it either,” Jake said. “We’re getting ready to fire again.”
“Negative,” the captain said. “I have it.”
He was wrong. The selected particle beam weapon system took that moment to overheat. Automatic safety programs began a shutdown procedure.
Jake watched his screen. Others watched on theirs. Chinese UAVs dove at them, jamming and expelling chaff.
A Red Dragon cruise missile sped low over the Earth. Its internal systems categorized the giant tanks for what they were. Did it recognize the increased distance between machines? Whatever the case, the cruise missile headed up for the maximum blast value.
Corporal Jake Higgins leaned forward in his commander’s chair. Sweat pooled on his face, with his eyes glued to the screen. His mouth turned dry. “Take it down, Chet.”