Free The Last Hero by Nathaniel Danes Page A

came from its velocity, two point nine kilometers per second. The kinetic energy ripped apart anything it hit.
    Another marvel of a buried defense program, the MRG represented the first rail gun sufficiently downsized to allow a single soldier to carry it easily into combat. Its full auto one thousand rounds per minute firing rate, and two thousand round magazine made it infinitely superior to energy weapons. A fusion battery in the grip supplied the necessary power to accelerate the tiny pieces of depleted uranium.
    The MRG was a quiet weapon. It fired rounds with electricity and magnets not gunpowder. Even with this knowledge, he found the lack of noise odd as the damage from the units’ fire became evident on trees and charging animals that fell by the dozen.
    He held down on the trigger, sweeping the barrel from side to side. The charging herd disintegrated before the formation’s unending volley. They kept coming, and Trent kept his finger pressed down on the trigger.
    CAL flashed a warning, Ammunition low!
    The remaining number of rounds on the visor depleted so fast that he couldn’t read it.
    Trent was so focused on firing that he failed to notice right away when he ran out of targets. He only stopped to think after the MRG ran dry.
    Even with no shots left in the clip, he held the trigger firmly down as his heart raced. Finally, he managed to release his finger.
    “CAL, give me a readiness report.”
    Tense seconds passed as he waited.
    I can’t have lost anyone to fucking giant, wild, pink turkeys!
    Combat effective: Forty-eight.
    Thank God.
    “What the hell was that?” Simms asked out of breath.
    “I am not sure,” Thomas answered. “Thanksgiving will never be the same for me.”
    ***
    After days of running, they finally reached the mountain range that shielded them from detection on their shuttle approach. That didn’t make them much closer to their objective. The base was still days away from the mountains.
    Trent didn’t know what season the red planet currently celebrated. Hell, he didn’t know if it ever snowed here. All he knew was the passes through the mountains were open and for that, he gave thanks. He had no desire to reenact Hannibal’s daring and brutal march through the Alps on the way to attack Rome. This mission had been daring enough to date. He figured it would get brutal soon.
    Trent went up and down the single file column to monitor his troops, offer encouragement, and to be seen. With another kilometer before they reached the pass’s summit, Trent came up on Sergeant Roth, whose squad made up the rear.
    “Status, Sergeant?”
    “We’re as good as can be expected, sir.”
    “Anything I can do for you guys.” Trent didn’t know why he asked. He didn’t have anything to give.
    Appreciating the major’s good intentions, but understanding his limitations she laughed.
    “Well...since you asked. I could really go for a shower and pizza. A beer would be nice, too.”
    “Make that two of us.” Trent chuckled. “Tell you what, Sergeant. When we get back, the pizza and beer are on me.”
    “A good reason to get off this Godforsaken rock.”
    “Hold up, Sergeant.” He came to a stop, looking off into the distance dominated by numerous peaks radiating countless shades of red. They could be the Colorado Rockies in the summer if not for the red.
    “Look out there. What do you see?”
    She shrugged. “A bunch of funny colored rocks. Why? What do you see?”
    “Your view is too narrow, Sergeant. What we are looking at has never before been seen by human eyes. Of all we have accomplished as a species, no one has ever seen this gorgeous view. Not until we came and saw it. I think that’s pretty awesome.”
    “I see what you’re saying, sir. But honestly I would trade it all for a shower, and some beer and pizza.”
    He laughed as he said, “You know something, Sergeant? So would I.”
    The last of the column passed by shortly after they stopped to enjoy the view. Before turning