Chapter Forty-Six - Monster Interrupt


    Chapter Forty-Six - Monster Interrupt


    Verified-User Deus Ex:Yeah, nah, the worst hives are the ones in places you cant get to. Like sure, hives in cities suck, but theyre at least visible, you know? You can tell aliens apart from human-made shit easily. Now hives out in the desert, or underground, or god forbid, underwater? Fuck that.


    User; Find-El: Omg, who asked?


    Verified-User Deus Ex: ... I know where you live.


    -WriteIt Live, Deus Ex FAQ, 2055


    ***


    Alright, I said as I tossed a bomb up and down one-handed. Heres the plan. We toss bombs all over, then get the fuck out before shit goes down.


    Manic huffed. What a plan, she said.


    I like them simple, I said.


    The pulsating mass of antithesis flesh ahead of us gurgled and we both stared as some of the sacs burst open and disgorged half a dozen model threes onto the tiled floor. One of them slipped near the edge of the pool and fell in with a splash, its body writhing as the acids at the bottom started to eat it.


    Okay, Manic said. Simples alright.


    I should warn you, theres a good chance that this small hive isnt the only one in the basement.


    Crap, I swore. Manic, blow those guys up, then toss this... this and this around, I said as I placed a trio of bombs on the ground. The first was one of those acid sprayers, the second and third were more conventional explosives. These two go on those pillars next to the pool.


    And why am I doing all the work? Manic asked.Chee?ck out latest novels at novelhall.com


    Because Im gonna make sure the rest of the building comes down too. I patted Manic on the shoulder. Scream if something happens.


    Alright, she said before scooping up the bombs and stuffing them into the pockets of her jacket. The freshly-birthed model threes were shaking themselves off of their sac goop and had started to notice us, so Manic was going to have a bit of fun ahead of her, but I figured shed be fine.


    Heading back down the corridor leading to the pool, I checked my guns ammo count, then wondered if it was worth reloading when I still had over ninety-percent of a magazine left. Eh, it was probably fine. I didnt feel like wasting points just yet. I was doing alright for myself, but I noticed that as my gear improved and started to cost more, I made fewer points per kill.


    The curse of having better equipment was that it all cost more.


    I was still in the black though, so I couldnt complain too much. Myalis, can you get me a blueprint of this place? Maybe give me an idea of where to put the bombs?


    Certainly.


    A map of the basement popped up in my augs. It was isometric, made entirely of pixel art, and featured little pixel bombs (in the style of those round cannon balls with the little fuse sticking out the top) where I needed to place explosives.


    Well, now that I know its an option, I said.


    I pushed the big bomb back towards the wall with a foot. It wasnt like it would go to waste, then I giggled and rubbed my hands together as Myalis summoned up a box that was half as long as I was tall. Kicking it open revealed a long tube and a single very obvious rocket right under that with a metal rod on one end and a very obvious rocket head on the other. The words SINGLE USE. POINT THAT WAY => were painted on the side of the launcher.


    I picked it up, slid the rocket into the end, then spun around the corner and took a knee. There was a handle with a big old trigger on it, and a little glass sighting thing that I used to aim the rocket down the corridor.


    A corridor now nearly entirely filled by a single, massive alien that was charging down through half-melted corpses without a care in the world.


    Ah, shit, I said before I fired.


    The rocket screamed forwards and rammed the alien in the face, then it dug in and sputtered out.


    Ah, shit shit, I said as the alien continued to charge.


    That was a model eighteen, and I had no idea how it was fitting into the corridor.


    That rocket was supposed to be detonated from range. Its packing a rather powerful explosive warhead, to compensate for the fact that youd likely miss the section of wall you were supposed to aim for.


    Okay, and? I asked as I ran.


    The model eighteen is carrying it back towards you.


    Right, that was a problem. I pulled out a couple of grenades from my belt, tugged the pins out, then flung them behind me. Hopefully theyd gain me a few seconds.


    Then the model eighteen barreled around the corner and rammed into the far wall while its trunk-sized legs scrambled for purchase.


    Manic! I called out ahead. Manic, were leaving now!


    Manic popped up at the T-junction ahead, looked at me, then past me to the big alien on my ass, and then she did the smart thing and darted into the stairwell. I followed after her, shoulder checking the door out of the way as I barged in. She was already halfway up the stairs. Hurry up! she said.


    You dont need to tell me twice, I said. I flung more grenades behind me. Resonators, adhesive grenades, garrots, whatever would slow the big bastard down without setting off the bomb lodged in its face.


    We burst out onto the ground floor, then took off through the building even as the linoleum cracked and the model eighteen started to ram its way up from below.


    Jennifer! I shouted as I got to the maintenance closet and tore the door open.


    Hello, the sexbot said.


    I grabbed it by the wrist and ran. Move!


    ***