“No!” Ryssa shouted. “Go to hell!”
“Get your boss, lady!” Hans yelled back. “I’m not screwing around here. Whoever’s in charge of this colony needs to understand all your lives are on the line. We aren’t…”
“We’ve got incoming,” Gunny interrupted. “If they’re not opening here, we have to go to the alternate entrance. You know where that is, Alon?”
Alon’s cheeks burned. “Um… I… well, I hate to say…”
“Stop stuttering. Where is it?”
“They didn’t… dig it out.” Alon shrugged. “The admins were saving money. Figured they’d never need the bunker, so…”
“That why the walls aren’t done either?” Hans asked. “Or the damn defensive turrets?”
“We’re supposed to have turrets?” Alon hadn’t heard anything about that sort of thing.
That would’ve been nice! We might’ve shot their shuttles down!
“Well, shit.” Gunny sighed. “If they’re not opening up, we gotta move. There are civilians outside we can still save. You’re with us, Alon. Keep up cause we ain’t sticking around for you. Move your asses, men. Out the back. Now!”
Alon turned his attention to the door where the others were held up. He wanted to try again, to talk them out of staying, but if the soldiers wanted to move, there wouldn’t have been time to get them all out anyway. No, the best chance was to get out of there then return to save them later.
The invaders can’t get into the bunker, Alon thought. They’ll be safe until we bring back some reinforcements. Or even better weapons. Hell, maybe those pricks will just leave and we can let them out without any trouble. Regardless, at least he got to live. He hurried after the soldiers as they vacated the command center.
They weren’t even halfway down the hall when an explosion made him yelp. Something went off behind them, a powerful charge that shook the floor. Heat rushed down after them then dissipated within seconds. He moved over to Hans again, keeping pace with the man so they could speak.
“What the hell was that?”
Hans huffed. “We destroyed the computers. We don’t want whoever that is to get data they don’t deserve.”
“So you blew it up?”
“Best way to keep something out of someone’s hands,” Hans replied, “turn it to dust. Hurry now. We need to make good time if we want to rendezvous with the shuttle.”
And leave everyone behind. Alon didn’t blame them. He couldn’t think of an alternative. We’ll figure it out, guys. I swear!
***
Ryssa paced away from the door. She bumped into someone, crying out as she spun in place. Mallen, the head administrator, scowled at her, arms folded over his chest. She stared at him with wide eyes, unable to speak. He’d start in on her soon enough without her digging the hole any deeper.
“Did I hear you turn the military away?” Mallen asked. “Are you insane? What are you thinking, Ryssa? We can’t stay here!”
“They don’t have the situation contained!” Ryssa shouted. An explosion made her yelp again. “What was that?”
“The computers were just destroyed.” Mallen rubbed his eyes. “Do you know what that means?”
“No…”
“That they’re leaving us here, you idiot!” Mallen clenched his fists. “You may have doomed us. I hope you realize that.”
Metallic taps at the door drew their attention. She advanced, tapping the panel so they could see what was happening. Two men stood there in black armor. They seemed to be applying something to the door. Neither looked at the camera nor paid any attention to the fact that the panel outside lit up.
“What are they doing?”
Mallen sighed. “Possibly putting charges on the door.” He grabbed her arm, dragging her back to the common area. “Listen up! The enemy is attempting to breach the bunker! We might not have long. Get weapons. Anything you can find to defend yourselves. Hurry up!” He waved at them. “Ryssa, you too. This is your fault, at least you can hold a gun.”
“I… I haven’t used a weapon in months!”
“Too bad for you. Time for a refresher.” Mallen left her alone. She didn’t follow.
Ryssa moved over to one of the sofas, crouching beside it. There’s no way they’ll get in. They can’t breach those walls. It’s impossible! Absolutely impossible! The words kept dancing through her head, but she couldn’t believe them. Not after what they’d already seen. The assault on the structures outside… the bombardment from above…
Why didn’t they shoot this building? That part bothered her the most. They had specifically left it alone when they could’ve easily leveled it… possibly before anyone had escaped to the bunker. I don’t really want to find out. Please, God. Don’t let them break in. She had no illusions they could fend off the enemy.
Not if the militia all died fighting them.
The rest of the command center crew returned with rifles, aiming them at the passage leading to the door. Ryssa cringed, tensing every muscle in her body. Tears burned her eyes. She felt utterly helpless… abandoned… isolated… on the verge of death. No amount of wishing or praying brought her any comfort.
Nearly a minute passed without incident. Ryssa looked around at the others. Not one of them loosened up nor took their eyes from the passage leading to the door. “Maybe… maybe they weren’t putting explosives on there after all.” Her comment may not have been loud enough to be heard but she kept talking anyway. “Maybe they’re going away.”
Mallen glared at her. “Where the hell is your rifle? Didn’t I tell you…”
The walls and floor trembled, lights immediately winked out as an explosion made Ryssa’s ears ring. She screamed though she only felt the vibration in her chest. She couldn’t hear anything.
Rifles went off around her, people firing into the darkness. The muzzle flashes made the walls glow yellow, the stark color reminding her they were in a metal box underground…
