“Even what little information Commander Chambers got from Dr. Lafrenz suggested a level of sophistication on both the nanotech and magitech sides of the equation beyond anything I am familiar with.”
She shook her head.
“Even the science parts of this may as well be magic, I’m afraid. It is entirely possible that the nanites dissolve on exposure to the magnetic fields present in a bioscan unit, before we even commence the scan.”
“We live in a nation that for two hundred years has relied on magic for almost everything,” Roslyn said quietly. “And I think this might be the first thing I’ve ever seen that I would actually call black magic. Nothing about this thing isn’t inherently evil.”
“I don’t believe anything is solely evil, Commander,” Breda countered. “I can see potential for the use of nanites writing runes like this. Just not…the use they’ve made of it.”
“Fair. But…can we do something to convince the nanites they’re in a bioscanner?” Roslyn asked. “I know we can’t do the magnetic fields, not across an entire city, but the X-rays?”
“If the doctor can get us the frequencies and energy levels the bioscanners use, we might be able to rig up something,” Jordan said. “I’ll have to talk to Chief Westcott, but I think we can rig the EMP warheads to pulse at a lower energy level. It won’t burn out the unit like the EMP does, so we should be able to get a sequence of a given radiation…maybe.”
“It might not work, but I agree that it’s worth a shot,” Breda said. “We’ll take a stab at it, Commander Chambers, and get back to you.”
“I have a plan for buying us more time,” Roslyn told them all. “Well, Captain Daalman had a plan. We’re going to see if it works—but we’re still talking hours to rig this up, people. Not days.”
“We know,” Jordan said quietly. “We’ll do whatever we can, sir.”
“I know,” Roslyn replied. “I have faith.”
And if she didn’t, apparently Cardinal-Governor Guerra did.
42
Roslyn took a few moments to assess where her people were with everything as she returned her attention to the surface. Barricades were going up across the streets connecting to the park., mostly being assembled by volunteers.
They had enough personal protective equipment to cover everyone who had gone out, but they still weren’t sure they could clean the suits of the nanites. The people on the barricades weren’t going to be able to go into the underground sanctuary—and unless Bolivar had done differently than Roslyn had told him, they knew that.
But there were far more people in the park than they’d ever be able to get underground. The only real hope for tens of thousands of people was to hold the rough line they were assembling around the park.
On the other hand, the longer she could keep the infected away from the line, the more secure it was going to be and the better chance she had to save everyone.
“Sergeant Colburn,” she pinged the Marine. “Is there someone actually in charge of you Marines I should be talking to rather than just calling the latest noncom to answer my messages?”
The Marine laughed.
“Mage-Captain Daalman made damn sure our officers didn’t pull any crazy stunts, sir,” he told her. “Major Dickens and the Lieutenants are still in low orbit above the city, providing overwatch from the last pair of assault shuttles that didn’t drop.
“I’ve been letting him know what you’re telling us, but everyone figured we were a bit too busy to insert another person in the loop.”
“Well, now I need all of the Marines, so let’s loop them in,” Roslyn replied. “Can you get me into the Marine command net? I need to talk to all of you.”
“Give me five seconds,” Colburn told her. Maybe half that later, a small chirp announced she had access to a new channel.
“Marines, this is Commander Chambers,” she announced herself after flipping over. “Who have I got?”
“Captain Chiyembekezo Dickens,” the Marine CO said instantly. “Lieutenants Firoz Kneib and Ainoa Figueroa. Sergeants Colburn, MacCrumb, O’Mooney, Toft, Day and Kaiser. Six of eight squads, Mage-Commander. One went in with you and Sergeant Mooren; one is still onboard Huntress with Sergeant Carl Horton.
“What do you need, Mage-Commander…Voice…whatever title you want.”
“Mage-Commander will do, Captain Dickens,” Roslyn said calmly. “I assume you’re also in contact with Corporals Andrews and Knight?”
“I am,” Dickens confirmed levelly. “I’m doing my best not to joggle your elbow, Mage-Commander. You’re in the middle of all of this mess.”
“I needed every Marine I hadn’t already sent underground for the next step, so I figured I should talk to their commander,” Roslyn admitted. “How many are down here? I’ll admit I haven’t kept as much track as I should.”
“Five squads on the surface. Kaiser is up here, playing bodyguard to a trio of officers who should know better than to want what they want,” Dickens told her. “You’ve got sixty Marines to hand, Mage-Commander, and fifteen more of us on high, plus twelve more on Huntress if things get real messy.”
“They aren’t already?” Roslyn asked. “I didn’t know zombies were part of your training.”
“As much as anything, Mage-Commander, my understanding is that we’re hoping for solutions that aren’t going to involve Marines and automatic weapons,” the Captain said grimly. “When the answer comes down to Marines, a lot of people are going to die.”
“Not yet,” she said flatly. “And not ever, if I have my say.”
“Good. What do you need of us now, then?”
“Bait,” Roslyn told them with a chuckle. “Mage-Captain Daalman asked me what the mob’s targeting priority was. My understanding is they don’t have one—they’re operating on a single order from the nanites that basically says kill everything.
“If we give them targets away from the park, they should chase. But even with hazmat gear, if I send regular folks in on foot…”
“They’re going to get run down,” Dickens agreed. “But there’s no way in hell mind-controlled civilians are going to catch exosuited Marines.”
“That’s what I was hoping you were
