Journey to the Heart of Luna - Andy Frankham-Allen [59]
“They protect queen. Very motivated,” K’ovib said, at the same time sounding proud and sad.
“Well, the deed is done.” Bedford looked to Miller. “Time to join the fray!”
Securing the compound was an easier task than Bedford had expected. As soon as the Selenites inside the fence noticed their fellows, armed and firing away, they too made their move. The guards inside the compound did not know what hit them. They began to fire their rifles, taking down a couple of Selenites, but the drones outside also fired. It was true that a lot of bullets went wild, the power behind the guns a little bit too much for the spindly arms of the drones, but a few bullets did strike home.
At the far end of the compound, a lone Selenite was being cornered by three Russian guards, their rifles aimed. Bedford stopped in his tracks, ignoring the gun fire around him, and lifted his Lancaster pistol. He may not have been able to take out all three Russians before they fired at the lone Selenite, but he would surely remove two of them, thus evening the odds a little. Perhaps the sight of two of his fellows would be enough to distract the third soldier long enough to enable the rusty coloured Selenite to strike back.
Then something most remarkable, and unexpected, happened. The Selenite seemed to draw its lower and upper body together, as if flexing its muscles. Abruptly it exploded, and viscous liquid flew everywhere, covering the Russians soldiers from head to foot. The screams that followed curdled Bedford’s blood, but he could not remove his eyes from the sight of the three soldiers falling to the dusty ground, writhing in pain as the venom ate its way through their uniforms and skin.
Bedford looked over at K’ovib, who was, alongside Miller, rushing over to the gate of the compound to free the Selenites who were there waiting. He wondered if all the rusty Selenites, the retainers of knowledge, had the same defence. A final option, certainly, but a devastating one. Suddenly Bedford was very glad the Selenites were on his side. What other surprises did these giant ants have in store?
A siren blared, and Bedford was instantly on the alert again. The Russians in the compound were no longer a threat, but those in the command centre were now aware of the attack. What they really needed were some more trained personnel from the Sovereign. Surely Captain Folkard did not attack this camp without any reserves?
3.
MAKING THEIR way through the chaos of the battle was less of a problem than Annabelle had anticipated. Platt was a capable gunman, taking down Russians with but one shot at a time. Where he could he would wound them so that they would not be picking up their weapons again, but when that was not an option he did not hesitate to go for the head shot. For her own part Annabelle did not much care about wounding the soldiers around her. As far as it concerned her they were all equally to blame for her mistreatment and using her against her uncle. Each shot from the carbine in her hand killed.
She had failed her parents, and she had promised to never fail her uncle.
The elevator scaffold was not far away now. There appeared to be an unconscious Russian soldier on the platform, a fact Annabelle turned to point out to Platt, only to find him gone. She looked around. He was some distance away, engaging a Russian with his fists. Annabelle lifted her carbine, but she could not get a clear shot of the Russian. She lowered her gun again. Could she afford to go back and help Platt? He was a trained Navy man, she decided, he could look after himself. Thus decided, she turned back and continued on her way to the elevator.
She barely got ten feet when she espied a Russian soldier, rifle raised, all set to take a clean shot of a rusty looking Selenite’s head. Without pausing, Annabelle raised her own gun and fired. The Russian dropped. The Selenite turned.
“Friend Annabelle!”
Water almost filled her