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Paul and Adam trained their rifles on the battered steel door, even though Derek had stressed the weapons were useless against the Chinese robots. They held their rifles like a child clung to a security blanket.
Derek’s main concern was how they could possibly defend themselves. Once the Chinese robots broke through the doors, which seemed inevitable, Isaac and Bradbury could effectively use the EMP one time from inside Olympus Mons. In such tight quarters, his robots didn’t have any way to shield themselves from the electromagnetic pulse. To defend Derek, essentially they sacrificed themselves.
He had no way to determine how many enemy robots were outside the door. If only one came through, forcing his robots to use the EMP, the other seven Chinese robots remained functional. The best he could hope for was that all eight of them were trying to force their way inside and were close enough together for the EMP to shut them down. But the satellite map had only shown four of them. He had no guarantee the other four were hidden in stealth mode outside the doors.
“Suit up,” Derek said.
Adam gave him a nervous glance. “What?”
“We cannot let them come through.”
“Then why do you want us to suit up?”
Derek smiled. “We’re taking the EMP to them.”
Paul’s mouth dropped open. “Are you crazy?”
Derek shrugged. “If we wait until they’ve come through the door, they’ll kill us. My robots have only one shot inside this enclosed area. The pulse will short them out, too.”
“Exactly how do you think we can take the weapon to them? If we open the door, it’s no different than them coming through on us. They’ll kill us,” Adam said.
“Not if we plow through the door with one of these Caterpillar dump trucks. You two get into the cab of that truck and crash through the door. The impact should flatten the robots pounding on the door. It won’t destroy them. It probably won’t even dent them, but it should knock them down.”
“Then what good will it do?” Adam asked.
“I’ll back that flatbed truck through the door with my robots and the EMP on the bed and hope for the best.”
Paul shook his head. “It’s suicide.”
“So is waiting.”
Adam nodded. “That’s true. Let’s suit up then. I’d rather die fighting than running.”
“Me, too,” Derek said.
***
Gary stood with his back pressed against the wall as he eased open the door that led to the doctors’ offices. He tapped his earpiece. “Jonas?”
“Yes?”
“Matthews is in the infirmary.”
“You’re certain?”
“Affirmative. Heading back to where the receptionist said he was.”
“Wait for backup.”
“He’s cornered where the doctors have their offices.”
“On my way.”
Gary glanced down the narrow hallway. Three doors were on both sides of the hall. Examination rooms. He guessed the doctors’ offices were at the far end of the hall and to the left. At least that was what he determined by the shape of the hallway.
Six rooms didn’t seem like a lot for the number of people on Mars, but since the prisoners weren’t able to voice their injuries, they seldom were examined. Most guards and staff members only suffered from one common ailment and that was usually a mild to severe hangover.
As Gary neared the first door, he wished he had asked Cindy if there were any patients in the rooms. The doors were open, but he didn’t hear any sounds that indicated people were waiting inside. One room at a time, he edged to the door and quickly turned with his gun aimed into the room. He found no one, so he pressed himself against the wall at the end of the hallway and listened.
Soft voices spoke around the corner.
He took a deep breath and dared a slight glance around the corner. One desk was visible but no one stood nearby. The name plaque on the desk displayed: Dr. Lee. The end of the shorter hall seemed to open into a larger room, so he wondered if another desk or office was outside his immediate view. He hated not knowing the layout of the office because that meant he was approaching blind. One misjudgment in his estimate could be a fatal mistake.
Gary was halfway down the short hall when footsteps scuffed the floor behind him. He turned and aimed. It was another guard. Carlton Baxter. Gary placed an index finger to his lips. Carlton nodded.
Gary motioned a finger above his head, indicating for the guard to head to the wall across the hallway. As he stepped into the open and slid against the far wall, Gary stepped from his hidden point as well.
Matthews noticed them, drew his gun, and grabbed Dr. Sheung from behind, placing the gun to her temple. Matthews shook his head. “Lower your weapons and back away.”
“You bastard,” Sheung seethed.
“Matthews,” Gary said. “Put your gun down and surrender. You don’t have any way out.”
Dr. Lee cowered to the floor, covering the sides of his head with his arms, and he whimpered like a frightened pup.
“Back away,” Matthews said. “Or I kill both of them.”
Lee burst into tears, sobbing aloud.
“Matthews,” Gary said. “This can be settled in a civil manner. It does no one any good if you kill the only two medical doctors we have on Mars.”
“Then do as I said.”
“We cannot do that.”
Jonas eased into the hallway with his gun aimed toward Matthews. Boony was only a few feet behind him with her gun drawn.
Matthews smiled. “Ah, welcome Jonas! Just the man I was hoping to see.”
“You might rethink your enthusiasm,” Jonas said.
“Grayson’s marionette has a long set of strings.” Matthews laughed. “Your reputation certainly precedes you, even on Mars. I’ve heard so many splendid details of your work with the CIA. Never thought a man with your background could become a hired hand of one of the most notorious men on Earth.”
“It’s a job, not a love affair.”
Matthews smiled and nodded. “Nicely put, Jonas. As I understand it, Grayson has padded your wallet quite well over the years. Surely you’d like to take that money and simply . . . retire? Rest those weary old bones of yours.”
“And what? Leave Olympus Mons in your hands?”
“That’s a good trade. I can see the benefits for both of us.”
“For a lot of good it will do you,” Jonas said.
Matthews tilted his head to the side and cocked a brow. He grinned like a spoiled child. “Now, see, that’s where you’re wrong. Taking Olympus Mons for myself would be for the greater good.”
“How do you figure?”
“Grayson has more money than he could ever use.”
“He’s earned it.”
Matthews shook his head slowly. “Are you so blind to the obvious, Jonas? Grayson is corrupt to the core.”
“Your list of transgressions is quite high, too.”
“Yeah . . . I’ve not always been the notable, God-fearing Boy Scout that most mothers favor. But hey, who’s perfect, right? Here you are on Mars, as the grand overseer of all these wonderful slaves that Grayson has tricked the US government into handing over into his care. Slaves in the 21st Century. My, how that would make the perfect news headlines back on Earth?” He paused to chuckle and give another smug smile. He raised his free hand and tapped the air to emphasize each word of the predictive title. “Ex-CIA Agent Oversees Corrupt Tycoon’s Mining Plantation on Mars. You think that headline would snap the attention of every civil liberties and rights activist in the world? Of course it would. Never mind that these men are ruthless psychopaths unable to conceive the slightest notion of a conscience. You know how the media runs with things? You’ve seen it. They’d have a field day with this. And you’re reputation would become as stained as Grayson’s already is in society’s view.”
“I don’t agree with how he’s setting up Mars,” Jonas replied.
“And yet, here you are. I doubt that you’re rejecting those wonderful monetary deposits into your bank account.” Matthews released a slow, gentle laugh. “But looking around, where will you spend it all? Such a barren wasteland, isn’t it? No steakhouse establishments. You like steak. Oh, a porterhouse would be lovely this evening. It’s a shame that there aren’t any cows on Mars.”
Jonas eyed Matthews sternly. “By your narcissistic attitude, I’d swear you and Grayson were twin brothers.”
“Dashing out insults now?” Matthews’ eyebrows rose. “There’s no way I find that comparison flattering.”
“No, it’s not meant to be an insult. It’s merely my observation,” Jonas replied. “I’ve worked for Grayson for many years. I see great resemblance in the two of you. Your report lists you as a pompous bastard.”
“Does it now?”
Boony nodded. “Word for word.”
“Well, I must take the time to read that. I’m sure Grayson has added all sorts of exaggerated animating details. Perhaps a wee bit of editing on my part could summarize my profile better.”
Boony shook her head. “No, I think it’s quite accurate like it is.”
Matthews laughed. “My, aren’t you a feisty one? Much like the lovely Dr. Sheung here. Powerful women definitely bring life to the workforce, don’t they? Why just look how crumpled Dr. Lee is sitting on the floor.”
Gary frowned. “Yeah, he’s afraid you’re going to kill him.”
“Nonsense, he was like this when I first arrived. The moment Dr. Sheung and I began talking, he started shaking. You can see his fear of her whenever she approaches him, which means she’s one powerhouse of a woman.”
“She’s a bitch!” Dr. Lee said, staring at the floor with his head between his knees.
Matthews tilted his head back in a hearty laugh. “This lovely lady? Really, Dr. Lee?”
Dr. Lee frowned. His jaw tightened, but he refused to look up. “She is. Always hostile. Makes work environment intolerable. She’s a hate-filled bitch.”
“Seems the job evaluations have come a bit early this year and not so favorable for you, my dear,” Matthews said, staring at her. He glanced at Jonas. “Perhaps, Jonas, we should come to terms, hmm? I’m tired of this useless standoff. Dr. Sheung is probably getting a nasty ache in her back and neck. So, what do you say? Can we reach some kind of truce? An agreement? Something you find favorable. Something I find favorable, and poor Dr. Sheung can stretch out those achy neck muscles. What do you say?”