Only Human (Themis Files #3)(71)

—What is—?

—Oh, crap!

—Where’d they go?





FILE NO. 2196 (CONTINUED)


MISSION LOG—WARRANT OFFICER EVA REYES AND LT. BARBARA BALL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, MECHA DIVISION


Location: Aboard Lapetus. Seoul, South Korea


—Ready for what, Eva?

—Can you put us right behind them? Say thirty, forty feet?

—Yeah, I think I can do that. Just tell me when.

—Can you punch it in now and press go when I tell you to?

—Yep. Eva, I gotta tell you, I’m a little nervous about this.

—Does it help if I tell you I’m also scared shitless?

—You fought one of these before. I haven’t.

—Yeah. I was inside Themis, fighting … this guy, actually. I was just a kid.

—How was it?

—It didn’t go well if that’s what you mean. I don’t remember much. I was trying to hold on to the robot, to Lapetus, but I wasn’t strong enough. I felt so small, I was so small. I was scared out of my wits, shaking. I was absolutely convinced I was going to die.

—Your father saved you?

—Not really, no. He …

—What?

—He was standing where you’re standing now. He got out of his station, walked up to mine, and he held me. He held me so I wouldn’t let go, but mostly so I’d feel safe. One last big hug. He also thought we were gonna die, but he wanted me to feel safe.

—Did you?

—Yeah. I did. I always felt safe around him.

—Eva, I …

—That was a long time ago. A lot’s happened since then. He— —Eva, I’m not judging you. Family’s fucked up. I don’t really care what kind of issues you and your dad have to work out, but I really, really don’t think this is the place for that. I don’t think you should be here. I think you’re endangering the mission, endangering me. Especially me. Not to mention this could start a war.

—What is the mission? They told me it was “to prevent Themis from providing support to the People’s Liberation Army.” I’m not fluent in military talk, but I assumed they meant we should kick her ass and make her leave. Am I wrong?

—No, you’re not wrong. That’s what they want us to do.

—Then, Barbara, and with all due respect to the moron you normally ride with, you have a much better shot with me here than with anyone else. As for starting a war, I didn’t come here looking for trouble. To be honest, I didn’t want to come here at all. I only signed up hoping I could use Lapetus to get back home.

—Home where?

—Home! Where I grew up. Anyway, it took about two seconds of staring at that console to realize I’d never figure it out. So no, I’m not here to start a war. I’m here now because I’m stuck on Earth, and China is about to invade Korea. That’ll start a war. So how about you cut me just a tiny bit of slack, and we find a way to get out of this alive?

—Roger that. Just say when.

—Well, we can’t move yet.

— … What was it like?

—What was what like?

—Being on another world.

—Well, I was ten when we got there. To be honest, I don’t remember much about before. There was just … normal. I did—Same thing you do, I guess? I got up every day, ate breakfast. I spent some time with my friends, hanging out, mostly. I worked. I had a job. Have you ever spent any time in another country? Not on vacation, I mean. Like, for real.

—We were a military family. My dad was army. He was stationed in Turkey for about a year. I was young, though. Five years old? I spent most of my time on the base.

—Playing with other kids your age.

—Yeah. There were a bunch of kids.

—That’s how it was. The view’s different. People don’t look the same. Different food. But that’s pretty much it. You can change the backdrop, but your life is basically your life anywhere. We’re not that original. Anyway, that’s how it felt for me. That was my ordinary. This. Now. This is the strange place.

—Why do I find that depre—

—I can move my fingers! Beam us behind them, then turn around as fast as you can.

—And here. We. Go.

—NOW! Turn around! Sideways! Kick them in the back!

—Ugh! That must have hurt. Now what?

—They’re shaken up right now. It’ll take them a second to realize they’re lying flat on their face. Then they’ll crouch to try and get up. They won’t be able to see us that whole time.

—They will if they roll over.

—They can’t get up from their back. They won’t roll over. We’ll do it for them, though. There! They’re moving, get closer so I can grab them. Get ready to push with your right leg, I’ll flip Themis on her back.

—All right. We’re straddling her.

—Push! Quick! Step on their arms and crouch so I can punch them.

—We have a light cannon, Eva. We can just fire at them.

—Fuck the cannon. They’re pinned down. Now bend your legs!

[Oh shit! … Eva, don’t do this!]

Did you stop when I told you not to drag Ekim into this? Now take this you yokits ass! UGH! How’s that feel?