Free AMP Siege by Stephen Arseneault Page A

All good people, and fighters that we would need for our coming defense.
    The shuttle of the Friza followed soon after with a similar fate. The captain was spared from ordering another ion blast when the shuttle broke apart while still high in the atmosphere. The fireball streaked across the sky.
    I turned to the dismayed Gonta captain. "I'm sure those were all good men, Captain. Tell us what we can do to secure this area. We are under your command. And, we are going to need weapons as well, since we came over to the Jaarke unarmed."
    The captain looked at me intently. "Major Harkei. Take these Humans and get them outfitted with blasters. Mr. Grange, see that rock outcropping? I want you to kill every Targ that tries to come between those two boulders. We will cover the rest."
    As the major came our way, the Gonta gunner scrambled out of the shuttle hatch and flopped onto the ground.
    The captain spoke. "Corporal Haalu, I can only guess that the shuttle is now under control of the virus?"
    The corporal held up an object in his hand. "Not without the power coupler, Sir. She is of no use to us, but she will not be used against us!"
    The captain turned and continued to bark out orders as the major led us to a weapons crate. "Here you go, Mr. Grange. Press here to activate the charger, and wait about ten seconds for this display to turn blue. Press here to fire at whatever you are aiming for. If I was you, I would take a few practice shots, just enough to feel comfortable with it. When the clip runs dry, pop it out like this and slap another one in its place."
    I replied, "How many rounds in a clip, Major?"
    The major looked up apprehensively. "Two hundred twenty rounds per clip, one hundred clips per soldier."
    I replied, "That should last us a while."
    The major shook his head. "We have just over four million rounds, Mr. Grange. There are billions of Targs on this planet. And men, women, children, doesn't matter, they are all equally vicious and aggressive."
    I looked over the long, sleek Gonta blaster as I spoke. "Why do the Targs fight between themselves and then butcher the losers like they do?"
    The major replied, "We aren't entirely certain, Mr. Grange. They have been doing that same thing for as long as we have been observing them. I would guess that it is their way of controlling their population or settling long-standing cultural arguments or something. There are many strange cultures out there, Mr. Grange. Now with you, I am certain we will be adding one more to our list."
    The major gave a half smile with his final remark before turning back towards his officers. "Sergeant Greaj, take your squad to that row of shrubs and set up a macro shield. Juuils, set up just to the right of Greaj."
    I turned back to find York, Frost, and Goddard heading for the outcropping. "Hey, wait up!"
    York replied as I caught up, "Sir, we have some scouting to do. Frost and I are going to comb the area in front of those rocks for any position that the Targs might take that would be advantageous to them. If we know how they are going to be coming at us, Sir, we will be better prepared to defend ourselves."
    I nodded my head in agreement. "I will have to defer to you and Frost this go-round, York. I can storm down a hallway, but tactics and strategies aren't my strong suits."
    Frost smacked me on the ass as she trotted by with a smirk. "We'll keep you safe, Chief. Not gonna let anything happen to you before you have a chance to wise up, take me in your arms, and plant a big wet kiss on me!"
    I replied, "Keep dreaming, Frost. But, if you can get us out of this, I might just help you live the dream!"
    Frost let out a squeal as she disappeared behind the first boulder.
    I turned to Goddard as we stopped just short of the outcropping. "You climb up on the left, and I'll take the right. Watch for York and Frost out there, as they will likely be marking positions. Take notes of anything you see on your arm pad so we can talk about it later."
    I