22nd July 2355, 12 noon
We are ready for another journey but it’s different this time. Me and Husky are not the only ones traveling this time. We’ll be accompanied by a dozen mechanical humanoid soldiers, Phil, Sergei and Minerva. Of course Sergei and Minerva will be in separate isolated compartments. We had to design two different vehicles for this purpose not to mention the new soldiers. Three Rhinos, two panthers and about half a dozen Bulls were going to tail us. Air support which consisted of five Spectres and two Revenants were put on standby.
The armed unit manufacturing facility had been continuously working to produce stronger versions of the units. Sergei’s tank was being studied to understand the working of its shield. The administration didn’t want to take chances anymore. I am glad that they understood the gravity of the situation before there was any major damage. From damage, I forgot to mention our dome was repaired to its full capacity. Coming back to the topic, our arsenal was being enhanced continuously. The next time we have a meeting, I’d discuss expanding the city for our new establishments.
The humanoid soldiers were designed according to different needs. The weapons were built in, and the design of the body was based on the type of weapons a soldier handled. We didn’t induce any sniper unit since we already had the Panthers. The type of units designed were:
A. Assassins: Close combat units, armed with two katanas, one fitted with each arm. Those katanas could rotate about two orthogonal axes and the added rotation of the arm gave it immense flexibility. These units were further outfitted with a pair of shotguns, one on each shoulder. These shotguns could rotate about the horizontal and vertical axes and used shells which contained pellets that exploded upon impact. These units moved on a cushion of air to minimise the sound produced during motion.
B. Infantry: These units were outfitted with two built in assault rifles which used piercer bullets for ammunition. They operated mid range to short range combat and could be used in almost any situation. Additionally, they carried remote explosives that deployed a semi solid form of aqua tabificus upon detonation. This could help us immensely if the need to destroy something arised.
C. Heavy machine gunners: These were the largest of all units, almost half the size of a bull. Each of their arms contained a multi barrel machine gun firing about 100 rounds per minute. The guns were housed under a tapered casing. The main role of the casing was to cool the gun. The cooling mechanism operated by passing a coolant over the barrels which evaporated reducing the overall temperature of the gun and the gases were exhausted through four vents in the casing. The ammunition used were larger versions of Reaper bullets. The legs of these units were made appropriately large to provide balance during movement and while firing. However, while firing, two supports emerged from the back and provided added foundation to handle the recoil of the guns. Their range was enough to use them as mini artillery units.
I had requested for two machine gunners, six infantry units and four assassins to accompany us. All of the units had AI and their behaviour modified based on their experience. Phil was telling me that the programmers had included humour in these soldiers to create a more realistic environment. No, I don’t get it. What’s the need of humour among killing machines? I just hope that they do their job right. We will leave in two days. The robots need some training apparently to gain some perspective in teamwork. Me, Phil, Husky and the soldiers were supposed to go in an armoured personnel carrier, Magnus, similar to the Unmanned Probing Vehicle but larger in size to carry at least twenty people. It was much slower than the UPV because of the additional armour which also made it sturdier. It also had the same self defence mechanisms which I had employed in my car.
Sergei’s car Azai, well it’s more of a prison van, also unmanned was little smaller. It’s interior was designed to carry a total of six prisoners each in an isolated cell. Every cell was cutoff from the outside including sound proof walls, with a built in camera and microphone. The inside of the walls had screens to give the prisoner a simulation of the outside. The sound of the vehicle moving was channelled to each cell. This environment was to keep the occupant calmer and thus less susceptible to harming his own self. Of course the walls were coated with protègo for obvious reasons. Sergei didn’t know that Minerva was absolutely fine and we intended to keep up the ruse till we reached our destination. That’s why, it was best to put Sergei inside his cell and secure him first followed by Minerva. It’s late. I’ll sleep now. Gotta make some preparations tomorrow before we start for the trip.
24th July 2355, 10 AM
Sitting inside the Magnus presently. We started about two hours ago. Minerva almost succeeded in creating a ruckus. She was hell bent on seeing Sergei before getting on the van. She had to be sedated finally. Sergei was for some reason very calm. Didn’t sit down well me. What’s even more irritating is the constant chattering among the soldiers. The training did give them a better perspective on combat but at the same time they developed bonding among themselves and now they are cracking jokes in mechanical voices. I have absolutely no idea how do they even recognise who is whom. I think one of them is calling me.
Yeah, it was their team leader, an assassin unit. I heard, “Hey chief! What’s up with the gloomy face? You ain’t happy traveling with us?” I saw Phil chuckle, I was little embarrassed.
Phil quipped, “Don’t mind him guys. Smiling isn’t his cup of tea. You carry on with your conversation. It’s entertaining.”
The team leader said, “Thanks man. I am Jonas by the way. This is my second in command in infantry Nate. Fellas, don’t be a chum and introduce yourselves. And make nice with the chief or else he will tear you apart.” And he laughed in that nasal cracked voice. Phil nodded, “You got that last part right Jonas. The chief can tear you apart.”
Jonas was taken aback,”Dayyummnn man!! We got a solid chief. Fellas, start talking.”
The rest of the assassins spoke in unison, “we are the three musketeers but instead of muskets we carry katanas and shotguns apparently.” Then the one in the middle spoke, “this one to my left is Athos, the one to my right is Aramis and I am Porthos. We intend to start a revolution. I have a question for you chief,” as I nodded with a faint smile, Porthos said, “why weren’t we given assault rifles like Nate and his team? You think we can’t handle those little weapons or are you too scared of the revolution?”
I started grinning at this point,”You are sarcastic little mugs aren’t you? You want to start a revolution because you are the musketeers? How old are you?”
Porthos sounded embarrassed now, “Me and Aramis are five days old I guess. Athos is the youngest. He was born two days after us. Don’t kill us please.”
“Don’t worry. I am not entirely heartless. Well musketeers, your weapons are as important as the others. Your role is in close combat and sometimes stealth. I hope your shotguns aren’t very loud. Assault rifles aren’t accurate enough for close combat purposes and hence only infantry units carry them. Are you satisfied now?”
Porthos grinned, “Yo chief, peace.”
They went back to their chattering and I took report of our prisoners. Minerva had tried banging on the walls but upon seeing no effect sat down. Sergei was enjoying the view outside. His face was calm, I couldn’t understand why. We had about twelve hours of journey left. The facility was about two hundred kilometres from the bunker Minerva had taken me to.
As per our information, it was a fortified compound with a 2.5 metre thick and ten metres high outer concrete wall enclosing an area of about ten square kilometres. Minarets, each about twenty metres high, were built in the wall at a gap of five hundred metres. Those minarets housed automated turrets. A guard was posted with each turret. Platoons of armed clones were posted in different pockets for added security. Some of the clones also operated mini nuke mortar systems. These mortars as per our knowledge had a range of about seven kilometres. There were a total of eight mortar teams. About one kilometre behind the outer wall, started the inner wall of same thickness as the outer wall. The area near the central building which happened to be the manufacturing facility was used as training grounds. The main facility started five hundred metres behind the inner walls whose entrance were a pair of blast doors. The central area of the facility served as the army barracks. Surrounding the barracks rose the main research and development facility. This facilitated fast deployment of troops if the complex came under attack. Every nook and cranny inside the building was under AI surveillance coupled with automated short range high power laser guns. The building was segregated into five levels, three above the ground and two below. Each level had sections for specific purposes. Will continue later. It’s time for lunch apparently. Few more hours and we will reach our destination.
To be continued…
Chronicles of Tomorrow: Echoes from the Future 