Page 7 of Galactic Search and Rescue
Yanoshi cast a dubious glance toward the big shuttle. “The fault really tore up that section of town.” He snorted. “This is supposed to be a geologically stable ancient lakebed, but we’ve already had two aftershocks.”
“How about we take our airsled for a quick survey?” asked Taz. “That’ll give you time to get the hub unloaded. Our Captain Wa’ara can sort it for you.”
“Works for me,” replied Yanoshi.
* * *
Thirty minutes later, Rylando sealed the entrance to the sturdy pop-up dome that was their new temporary command center. The lock was keyed to only GSAR Unit 1051 personnel, which thwarted would-be looters or overreaching local incident commanders. Only one small area near the target building was flat enough to set it up. The rest looked like a road glass recycling yard.
He’d already rigged the animal team with their working harnesses and collars, then slipped into his own red harness with light armor and tech. Taz wore her GSAR-issue, fully enclosed, armored, tech-powered assist frame, popularly known as a mech suit.
In the GSAR publicity vids, the gleaming, streamlined mech suit was obviously modeled after the Jumper combat version. It looked nothing like the real ones used in the field. Instead of shoulder-mounted hellrail guns, GSAR mech suits had grappling and construction tools, plus a variety of hooks and straps for holding more gear. Shiny coatings never lasted beyond the first few rescue deployments. Each user customized their suit according to their own preferences and skills. With Taz’s enviable gift for tech and eye for decoration, hers was practically a work of art.
Rylando tapped his earwire. “Did you find a place for the shuttle?”
“About that,” replied Hatya. “I know you really need a third, but I have to fall out of line for this operation. I’d probably be the one needing rescue.”
Concern shot through him. Jumpers thought of themselves as invincible. That Hatya was taking herself off the front battle line meant she was seriously compromised. “Your leg and hip again?”
“Yeah. Too much sitting, I guess. Even if I used the cargo lift frame we brought, my new cybernetic controller might lock up. ‘Improved version,’ my ass.”
He hated hearing the thread of guilt in her tone. “We’ll be fine. Just a quick in and out.” Or so he hoped.
Taz chimed in. “Considering the town probably doesn’t have many undamaged flitters right now, I bet they’d be grateful for use of the shuttle and your skills.”
“Okay, I’ll ping Yanoshi and trade him volunteer time for a full tank of fresh water. Keep in touch.”
“Copy that,” Rylando replied. “We’re green-go here. See you soon.”
3
Salamaray Citizen Activity Center, Perlarossa • GDAT 3242.334
Taz noted with wry amusement that the CAC building looked no better close up than it did from a distance. Adding texture to utilitarian blocks made them look like construction-print rejects.
Because her armor was better protection than what the airsled offered Rylando and the animals, she led the way through the wide entrance. The building’s AI answered her queries with variations on “please try later,” so she ran every scan her suit could manage the moment she got inside the meter-thick walls. Being buried alive under a failing roof would absolutely ruin her day.
The architectural schematics labeled the long, cavernous space beyond the wide entrance as the Grand Foyer. It looked more like a retro transport depot. She took it as a good sign that all the interior lights still worked, not just the glowing emergency beacons. Functional life-support systems were always a bonus.
While connected to her suit, she didn’t need to tap her earwire to talk to Rylando over their GSAR secure net. “My scans say this end of the structure is sound. Lifesigns are clustered in an area leased to a business called Eye-Fire-Mind. The doorway in the northwest corner of this room should be a hallway that leads to it.”
She switched on her top torch and aimed it toward the hallway. Dust swirled in and out of the light beam, suggesting the ventilation system was still working.
“My scans say the same.”The suit’s superior tech made his voice sound like he stood right next to her.“Let’s proceed.”
Turning to her right, she crossed toward the target hallway. “That’s odd. In this part of the building, at least, my scans say the subfloor is made of incalloy.”
“Mine, too. Yanoshi did say it was built like a fortress.”
Taz made a rude noise. “Starships need incalloy for transit space. Space stations need it for the gravity layer. Terrestrial buildings in small towns don’t need incalloy anything.” She made a scornful sound as she stepped over a pile of glass that might have once been a sculpture.“Unless RSI installed it so they could run up the settlement debt.”
He laughed. “You’ve been talking to Hatya.”
“She did send me… Oh, hell, the hallway’s blocked.” She read the scan results. “Three interior wall units collapsed into the hall. At least it’s wide enough to maneuver in. Ceiling is solid but tight for the sled. Floor is solid. I can clear the debris and you can follow, or we can look for another way in.” She couldn’t resist teasing him. “What are your orders, exalted Field Commander, sir?”
“Clearing it will be faster.”After a pause, he added,“And I’m demoting you if you keep calling me that.”
She grinned at his grumpy tone. “Yes, sir. I’ll make a note, sir.”
