Free Hakusan Angel by Alex Powell Page B

that defied her concept of time and space. She didn't know how far she'd walked or for how long.
    "We're here," Mari finally said. "It looks like they built some scaffolding up around it and have supports in place against the wall."
    "What is it made of?"
    "Metal and wood. Here, there's a ramp right in front of you. Watch your step."
    Good, she probably wouldn't accidentally electrify the walkway then. She carefully stepped forward and felt the edge of the ramp, keeping to the middle and away from the metal framework. She could see a bit better now, but Mari kept up her steady monologue and occasional instructions.
    "We left the door open," Mari said with a laugh. "Looks like someone was in here and cleaned up a bit on deck. I think you can turn your light off now."
    Kaede did, and she felt her way around in the dark until she found her seat. Plugging herself in was easy; she'd done it so many times over the years that she could do it in her sleep.
    "Can you do the back for me?" she asked Mari.
    Mari followed her voice, and hurriedly located the plugs, sliding them home quickly but with a sure hand. As soon as they were in place, she heard Mari say into her comm unit, "Beginning initiation sequence."
    "You're there?" The comm unit crackled as Sano responded. " Good. I thought you might have trouble getting to the machine. We've got a tech on the way to open up the surface hatch and get you to the top. Get Hakusan powered up while you're waiting."
    Kaede took a deep breath and started pulling power to the surface of her body. This time, she wouldn't make a mistake. There was no time to do so, not with everyone counting on them. She fed power into the three main ports on her back first, and this time the ache was hardly present and there was no pain.
    Her power spilled out into the machine, and Kaede remembered the pathways to take, which areas needed power first, and how to keep the balance of power even. Now that she knew what to do, powering up went much faster and more smoothly. She had the time now, to marvel at what she had become. Level 3 machines were large, but that was nothing in comparison to the leviathan she was powering now. She couldn't even feel her own body it was so miniscule. She was the machine, and it was marvellous.
    *~*~*
    "Come in, Ishigaki. We're beginning initiation sequence now. Hold on tight!"
    Mari sat up in surprise. Hold on tight? What kind of advice was that?
    She didn't have long to wonder as a loud and painful sounding groan came from the floor beneath the machine, and the whole cavern rumbled. She checked the external cameras and saw that the walls of the cavern were moving. The roof above them was parting, letting in moonlight and mayhem. The entire cavern was a lift, the floor ascending steadily and the roof gaping wide to allow them access.
    The sky lit up red and orange with fiery explosions, and they were getting closer.
    "Sir, what are my orders?"
    Sano answered quickly, " We need a base to attack back from. The Level 3 hangar bays are all on fire, and the Level 2  bays are under attack. Our personnel are all being forced to take cover. You can provide cover for us. Go to the Level 2 bays . "
    Mari affirmed the order, and waited. All too soon, the rim of the surface came into view, and she could see what was going on above ground. There was fire everywhere, and as soon as they came in sight, the enemy machines started firing on them.
    Mari checked the levels on their shields, and they were holding steady for now. Her viewscreens were filled with bright starbursts of light as the enemy attacked. She didn't need to see in order to find her way to the docking bays, so as soon as Hakusan 's legs were level with the earth, she began moving. Hakusan was far slower than anything she'd ever driven, but even she could feel the vibrations as each leg struck the ground.
    Abruptly, the enemy ceased firing on her. Perhaps they realized that all their fire-power was put to better use against their