Sooner Dead (Gamma World) - Mel Odom [62]
“There are two ways of setting off the EMPs.” Riley took one of the devices and held it gingerly. He pointed to the button alone. “This one is like a grenade. Depress it and it starts an internal three-second fuse. Get to cover because there’s also an antipersonnel layer wrapped around it. Should help kill whatever’s left that’s human on those things.”
Stampede nodded. “How big is the effective range?”
“For the antipersonnel contingent, about a five-meter radius. The same as a conventional grenade. The electromagnetic pulse travels about five times that before it loses effectiveness. If you’re caught in the backwash of the EM flux, all your electronics will be fried. Including your comm links. You don’t have to be close to use these. Stand clear.”
Stampede grimaced. “I guess the hardshells are insulated against EMPs?”
“Have to be. Otherwise we’d be incapacitated if we used them.”
Hella had already guessed that, and she was certain Stampede had assumed it as well. But it was good to know in case that kind of knowledge was ever necessary.
Riley reached into his hardshell and brought out two small cases about the size of the knuckle of Hella’s thumb. “These are insulated cases you can use for you comm links if you’re at a questionable distance. If you get the chance to store them.”
Hella took both cases, gave one to Stampede, then split the grenades between them as well.
A hesitant expression filled Riley’s open face shield as he looked at Hella. “I don’t know what effect the EMP will have on your nanobots. They don’t affect a human’s normal electromagnetic field, but you could be something different.”
That was something Hella hadn’t thought of, but she didn’t allow herself to swap looks with Stampede.
“I’m asking you again to reconsider going by yourselves.” Riley returned his attention to Stampede. “If you use those EMP devices, you could seriously damage Hella. Especially since you don’t know how integrated she truly is with the nanobots. If her body is in any way dependent on them, you could kill her. Or maybe just wipe out the person you know.”
As she thought about the consequences Riley was talking about, of possibly having everything she thought of as herself erased by the EMP, Hella felt sickness twist through her stomach. She kept her face neutral through sheer willpower.
“We’re going by ourselves because it’ll be safer for you and for us.” Stampede slid his rifle over his shoulder. “If anyone can get that device back from the ’Chine, we’ll get it done. Having more people will just confuse everything, not make it more simple or safer. And we’ll travel faster by ourselves than we would with any of you.”
“All right.” Riley frowned at that, though, clearly not happy with the answer.
“How am I supposed to know what it is we’re looking for?”
“Dr. Pardot says you’ll know. He also says it’s in your best interests not to do anything with it other than transport it back. The best scenario, according to him, would be if you were to guide us to it.”
Stampede glanced to the east where the sun was almost up and the darkness in the forest was at its thinnest. “You can find the rendezvous I marked?”
“I’ve got the coordinates locked into the map.” Riley tapped a view screen embedded in his left forearm. “We stick to the trade route for a day. If you haven’t caught up to us by the evening of the next day, we’re on our own.”
“Good luck.” Stampede reached down for his huge backpack and pulled it on. He turned and walked away, heading in the same direction the sled tracks of the ’Chine had been traveling the previous night.
Riley looked at Hella. “Be careful out there. I’d like to see you come back safe, and I don’t care if you find Pardot’s lost cargo.”
Hella smiled and felt strange inside. She didn’t like the idea of leaving Riley in the Redblight on his own. There were too many things the security captain still didn’t know about. “I’ll be back.”
“I’m going to hold you to