Chapter 51 The Hard Way
"Before you're old and wise, you have to be young and reckless."
Suman Rai
"Show the inside of that tunnel," Colonel Claw ordered.
The image appeared on one of the bank of screens.
"Hold back the bones," he continued.
One among the many technicians responded instantly. His fingers flew over the control console, and the advance of the skeletons came to a halt.
"I don't see him, Sir," the tech stated. He initiated an organic scan. "He's not there. No organic material."
"Cue in on his chip," the senior controller said.
Another few seconds passed as the range's sensor array scanned and located the small identification chip that each clone wore in his wrist. A collective expression of surprise—even awe—went up in the control center.
The junior controller shook his head with an admiring grin. "This guy is either incredibly lucky or the most skilled soldier ever to come from the cloning facilities."
Colonel Claw allowed his own impressed smile to spread across his face. "I'd say a bit of both."
"He's going over the top," Commander Steed noted. "He'll just cross the chasm at a higher level."
"How is it he didn't blow that jetpack?" Major Tides wondered out loud. "A burn like that—we felt that explosion—yet the damned thing is still intact . . . and working."
"He took a risk and it paid off," Colonel Claw stated. "Just remember: this is only day one. I'm sure we can look forward to more of the same from him over the duration of the course." A pause. "And they may not all work out the way he wants."
The junior controller spoke up. "He downloaded the cave schematics into his HUD. He's using them now to find another way to the objective."
"Make a quick pulse on him for injuries," Colonel Claw ordered. "He's hardheaded enough to keep going even if he sustained injuries in that last burn."
The junior controller complied. "Heart rate is up. Respirations are increased, but no signs of injury or distress."
"Cool as a comet," Commander Steed commended.
"I wonder what it takes to rattle this guy," Tides remarked.
"We've got plenty of time to find out," Steed replied.
"Gents, may I remind you that it's not our goal to break any of the trainees," Colonel Claw pointed out. "We're here to teach them original thinking, problem-solving at a higher level, and to see if they can display initiative and leadership under drastic circumstances." A pause. "These are going to be our elites. There's no sense in destroying them along the way."
"Of course, Colonel," Major Tides replied. "But I have to wonder what kind of situation, what drastic circumstances we'll have to concoct in order to present a challenge to CT-7567."
"I'm sure his weaknesses will make themselves known as the training progresses," Claw said. "But let's not get over-zealous. We've got a lot of fast-burners in the class. We may have to out-think ourselves to present a challenge to all of them. But we'll deal with that on a day-to-day basis."
Another technician interrupted. "Sirs, the rest of Echo is approaching the arachnids."
To the first tech, the senior controller said, "Keep track of 7567. Console 2, you have the other three that just escaped the chasm." He then focused his attention on the group led by CT-2025, approaching the humanoid-arachnid obstacle. "These guys haven't lost a single man yet. If they make it past here with all their men still alive, it'll be a first in the history of this scenario."
"Don't take it easy on them," Claw ordered. "Treat them like you would any other team."
"Switch."
At this command from CT-2025, his three accompanying squad mates changed frequencies again.
"Still no contact with the men we left behind," CT-5576 stated. "They must have gotten caught up in some trouble and didn't have the chance to switch."
"They'll catch up," CT-2025 said with certainty. "We need to push on. Stay focused. We have to trust that they'll be alright. We need to make our objective."
"Those two explosions we felt . . . " This from CT-390.
"We don't know what those were," 2025 insisted. "But . . . if they made a sacrifice for us, we need to make sure we don't squander it."
"Looks like trouble, boss," CT-9218 announced. "Up there, just in the shadows at one o'clock."
They all followed his direction.
"What the hell is that?" CT-390 asked.
"I don't know, and I don't plan to find out," 2025 replied. "There was a shaft behind us about fifty meters. We're taking that route. Head back. Go straight up three levels."
"You know they'll have something waiting for us no matter which route we take," CT-5576 stated.
"I'm sure. Let's go."
"They're turning back, Sir." This from the junior controller.
The senior controller leaned over the man's shoulder and focused on his more detailed scope. "Let's see where they go."
"They're going to meet up with the other three," the junior stated.
"No . . . they wouldn't turn back for that," the senior disagreed. "They must have detected the arachnids and are going to try another route."
"I meant that the other three are coming up behind them quickly. They'll meet up unless either group turns off," explained the junior.
"Did they all download the schematics?" Major Tides asked.
"Yes, Sir. Most teams do, but then they don't use them once they've downloaded them," came the reply. "This scenario lends itself well to use of the schematics."
"Well, no matter what level they decide upon, they're going to have to get past the arachnids. By trying to find alternate routes, they're burning up their time," the senior controller noted.
"How much time is left?" Colonel Claw asked.
"Twenty-two minutes."
Commander Steed crossed his arms and smiled with a sense of hopeful anticipation. "Plenty of time. They can still make it." He turned his attention to another group of controllers. "What about Delta Squad?"
"They're still in the running," came the reply from a member of Delta's tracking team. "They're like mice in a maze right now, but they're headed in the general direction of the tar lake."
"That's CT-1004, isn't it?" Claw asked unnecessarily, for he knew every man on every team. He had played a large part in making the team assignments based on his own knowledge of the individuals, as well as reports from their field commanders. "He's a good matchup against 7567. They were podmates. Two spikes on a Lylek's back."
Commander Steed and Major Tides both chuckled at the imagery.
"They've already been at it in the barracks," Tides noted. "Wrestling in the hallway."
"They're both very competitive," Steed added. "And good friends."
"So I've heard," Claw nodded.
"Sirs," the first tech interrupted. "The two Echo groups have met up. They're using the jetpacks to ascend L shaft."
"Whatever level they end up on, activate the arachnids," the senior controller ordered. "And if they take too much time screwing around . . . send the beasts after them."
The reunion had been brief. Long enough to inquire after the missing CT-7567 but not long enough to ponder the answer.
CT-2025 was well aware that time was running out. There could be no going back in search of a missing man. The objective was not much further, and it was critical that they press ahead. With a 7-man team, the odds of prevailing against any more obstacles had greatly increased, though there was no such thing a sure victory in this scenario – not until the flag was planted.
Once the remaining team members had alit three levels up, they switched frequencies again before setting off at a slow, cautious run. By now, their suspicions had made them hyper-alert to the point where even the slightest anomaly, the faintest sound, the dimmest glint grabbed their attention and tempted their trigger fingers.
The tunnel through which they were moving only added to the uneasiness. It seemed that every nook and cranny was alive with the momentary gleam of light-reflected eyes, the echo of scuffling creatures, the acrid smell of something vile.
"I'm picking up a large open space on my schematic," CT-390 announced. "Twenty meters ahead. I think it's the objective."
"I think you're right," CT-2025 agreed. "I'm picking it up, too. Keep moving! CT-8848, CT-8462, keep an eye on our six. We don't need any surprises sneaking up on us from behind."
Within a matter of seconds, they entered into a cavern, the far end of which looked like a small underground mountain of solid rock.
"Our objective is up there," 2025 stated. "CT-390, you have the flag?"
"Safe and sound, squad leader," came the reply as he pat his belt.
"8448, 8462, 1550 stay down here and provide cover," 2025 ordered. "The rest of us are going up. We're jetting, so once we get airborne, standard wagon-circle formation around CT-390. Only one of us has to get up there, and it's him. If anything happens to him, one of us will take the flag and continue on." He paused and drew a deep breath. "There's no way they've let us come this far just to have a cakewalk to the top, so be on your toes."
They began the ascent at a fair but cautious speed. CT-2025, CT-5576 and CT-9218 formed a circle around CT-390, their backs arrayed to him as they scanned their surroundings for the next attack.
Down below them, CT-8448 and CT-8462 had switched to infrared to see if anything was hiding in the crevices or approaching from the cave through which they had just passed.
CT-1550, still without a jetpack and feeling particularly vulnerable, watched the progress of his squad mates on their way to the top.
A shadowed part of the cavern roof seemed to waver in the blue-tinged darkness. He instantly activated his helmet's night vision.
The shadow was a shadow no longer.
"Look out! Above you!" he shouted, raising his weapon and firing towards the roof.
Silently descending was a creature half spider, half-human. It dodged the blaster fire with ease and with lightning speed, shot out a ball of sticky filament that knocked CT-9218 out of the air and pasted him to the rocky ground below.
"Take cover!" CT-2025 called out, placing himself between the creature and his flag-bearer, firing off blindly while they tried to retreat to the nearest protection that afforded itself.
That protection turned out to be a small opening in the rocky crags, just barely big enough for the two of them to squeeze into. In their haste, they plowed gracelessly into the opening, tumbling forward to their hands and knees.
"2025, this is a tunnel," CT-390 announced, raising his head and switching to night vision. "It may lead us closer to the top—holy—fek! Back! Go back! Get out!"
Before CT-2025 could even collect his bearings, he was pushed bodily out of the opening by CT-390 and found himself sliding down the steep fels, every attempt at finding a handhold breaking away as he plummeted. Immediately above him, CT-390 was also falling. And above him . . .
Another man-spider, not quite as large as the first one, was giving fast pursuit.
"Shoot it! Shoot it!" 2025 cried, hoping that anyone would take action, while at the same time, struggling to turn his own body into a position that would allow him to fire on the enemy.
It suddenly sounded as if the entire place had erupted in blaster fire. A stolen glance as he dropped over the cliff edge and careened towards the ground below, showed CT-2025 a veritable army of the creatures—dozens upon dozens in the confined space of the cavern—emerging from every possible vent and shaft.
"Hell no, this isn't going to happen! Not when we're this close!" It was not anger that welled up inside CT-2025. It was not even a sense that he had something to prove, although he did have his pride to protect. Rather, it was a determination that he would not fail this mission, this test. He owed it to his squad mates to succeed, to lead them to victory.
He ignited his jets, and a split-second later, so did CT-390. It was going to be a matter of punching their way through now. Finesse, stealth, and wily temperament were not going to do the job at this point. Brute force was the weapon of choice now.
"Concentrate fire on any creature that's in our path!" he commanded. "We have to get CT-390 to the—" He cut off abruptly as a line of spun web as thick as a man's finger struck his side, splattering and sticking to his armor. It was followed by another and then another until he was in a tug-of-war, the force of the jetpack against the creature trying to drag him down.
He fired awkwardly at the strands, but no sooner did he sever one than another would take its place. Another tactic was needed to free him. He followed the line of the strands down to their source, but the creature was well-hidden behind a parapet of rock. The best he could hope for now was to hold out and provide cover fire as long as possible in order for CT-390 to get to the objective.
He activated the afterburners and turned his focus towards his flag-bearer . . .
. . . except CT-390 was no longer airborne.
A quick scan revealed him pressed against the rocky crags, grappling with one of the creatures.
"If you—if you can get—a shot—try to take out—agh!—take out the one fighting 390!" CT-2025 grunted. What he could not see was that every one of his men were engaged, fighting for their own lives without any possibility of coming to 390's aid.
For his own part, he was finding it almost impossible to get off a steady shot; and one badly aimed bolt could take out his squad mate as opposed to the enemy. It was an untenable situation. Within a matter of minutes, the fuel in his jetback would be used up due to the protracted afterburn. He was running out of options—
A streak of light flashed in front of him; a second later, a roar of pain and rage erupted from above. Looking up, he saw CT-390 now free and clinging to the cliff side by one hand, one of the creatures plunging towards the ground. In the next moment, 390's grip slipped and he began scraping downward, unable to stop his fall. He appeared to be trying to ignite the jetpack, sparks spurting from the engines, but there was no catch.
And then the flash appeared again, revealing itself as none other than CT-7567. He snagged CT-390 in mid-fall and swept him up towards the pinnacle. Every creature was focused on them; and with the extra weight of a second man, CT-7567 opened the fuel vents fully to increase speed, moving dangerously fast for such a confined space.
Dodging the strands and the creatures jumping from the walls and roof, he arced over the top of the objective. He dropped CT-390, whose speed sent him careening towards the edge. And no sooner had he unloaded his passenger than the jetpack sputtered . . .
He was out of fuel.
Which was hardly of consequence, for the same speed that had sent CT-390 tumbling towards disaster now sent CT-7567 crashing into the cavern wall then rolling down out of sight behind the pinnacle.
CT-390 dug in his fingers, stopping his momentum just short of going over the side. Knowing that the creatures would be on him within seconds, he didn't even try to get to his feet before reaching into the belt at his waist and pulling out the flag. He slapped it against the ground, and for good measure, shouted, "Fekking planted!"
The scenario was instantly silent.
In mid-air, CT-2025 felt the jetpack cut off remotely, but an invisible energy field had hold of him and he was gently lowered to the surface.
"Is everyone alright?" he asked, looking around to see CT-1550, 8448, and 8462 gathering themselves and getting to their feet as the creatures that had just been combatting them now stood frozen, nothing more than inanimate plasma.
A rough chorus of affirmatives met his ears.
"Did we really do it?" 1550 asked.
"I think so," 2025 replied.
"Was that 7567 who came in at the end?" This from CT-5576 as he came over to join them.
CT-2025 nodded. "It was. Where is he?"
"I didn't see," 5576 replied.
A team of medics approached.
"Well done, chaps," one of them said with a grin. "First time anyone has beaten this scenario. Come on, let's get a look at you."
"We're missing some squad members—" CT-2025 began, but the same medic interrupted.
"We've got everyone. No worries."
"CT-7567—"
"Is one crazy bastard," the medic grinned. "Stop fretting. Someone else is with him. He's still in one piece." A pause. "Incredibly enough."
"What about the two men we left back at the start?"
"We have everyone. No more questions. We've got to clear the platform for the next contest, although I don't know how anything is going that top that performance."
CT-3636 turned a wry eye towards Commander Cody. "Looks like the ego is about to get bigger."
Cody simpered. "That's if he didn't break something in that crash." His voice and manner was glib, but he was concerned. He'd already suspected his roommate was a loose cannon and a dare-devil; but he'd not wanted to see him get hurt, and he certainly did not want his ARC training to have come to a premature end due to injury.
He turned with as much nonchalance as he could muster and began to walk away.
"Where are you going?" CT-3636 asked.
"Med-bay."
"They didn't let him to see you; you think they'll let you in to see him?" CT-5052 asked.
"I'll have the answer to that in a few minutes," Cody replied.