Readyworld

fiction by michael werneburg

We all heard the unmistakable sound of an energy weapon. All of the military personnel sprang into defensive positions with weapons charging.

I seized the opportunity by sprinting down the hill to the central complex where Lena would be working.

I heard him shout behind me, but I didn't turn to look. I was surprised that he'd cared one way or another, but wasn't interested in what he had to say. I descended the gentle slope of the hill's shoulder, and ran across the flat lifeless expanse that separated the hill from the complex.

As I neared the central complex, I tried to raise Lena. I put out an urgent feeler as I mounted the broad steps at the foot of the complex's main entrance, but no response came. Just as I reached the steps, though, an energy weapon went off behind me.

Startled at the violence and immediacy of the sound I looked back and saw the shuttle I'd left still standing next to the little shelter structure. Near the foot of the ramp, one of the huge soldiers was shooting at something obscured by the bulk of the escape shuttle. As I watched, stunned, I saw something low and lean slink around the corner of the small building that capped the ramp we'd climbed up. It was a naked, dark shape with maybe six legs and a clearly predatory stance.

The soldier spotted it just after I did, and swung around to fire on the thing. The beast disintegrated. The soldier stepped back onto the shuttle's extended ramp, and the vessel took off. The man knelt on open the ramp to fire again even as the shuttle soared up over the buildings.

I watched the shuttle turn in my direction. As it neared, I could see the discharged field from the soldier's weapon flashing around the stark silhouette of the small ship, even though he was out of sight.

I turned and bolted up the stairs. When I got to the top, I sensed an incoming message. It was Lena. I answered it frantically.

"What's the big emergency? You know that Baby and I have our naps in the afternoon!"

I barged through the glass doors at the top of the steps—a human addition to the site -, and practically shouted, "We're being evacuated! Where are you? We've got to go!"

I sprinted down the corridor that led to the rear of the complex. The rear was where the support facilities were located. "We're in the day room just off of food prep," she said. "What do you mean we're being evacuated?"

There were people running every which way in here. Someone ducked out of my way, then cursed after me.

Sensing that Lena was going to be difficult about this, I tried to choose my words carefully. "Local fauna has overrun the perimeter. The military guys are freaking and they want us out. Lena, there's all kinds of dangerous stuff turning up out there, and some of it has found its way here. We have to go!"

"Come meet me!" she cried. "I—I'll pack a few things!"

"No packing, honey, there's no time. Come on, the shuttle is coming, they're going to take me and leave you if you don't hurry!"