Cyberpunk: Spartan Walker

He and his companions climbed onto the upper steel beam. The team quietly weaved a load-bearing net so they could lie down and rest in relative comfort. Below them are 100,000 liters of black water, surrounded by stainless steel tanks two centimeters thick. Sam controlled the water filling sensor to stop the computer from releasing water into the water storage tank where they were. As they performed these tasks, the lights on their helmets drew lines of light in the sky, intertwining into a network of light.

It was a perfect hiding place and fit perfectly into the plan. John couldn't help but reveal a triumphant smile. The technical specifications of the Raiden provided by the Military Intelligence Agency show that there are some water storage tanks installed around the spin system of the spacecraft - huge water tanks that irrigate the crops grown on the ship under the influence of artificial gravity.

Perfect.

The tank shields them from their heat signature and blocks any motion sensors from detecting it.

The only possible danger is if the central zone stops spinning. Then it will be a mess in the tank, and the speed of everything in it will suddenly increase. But John believed that wouldn't happen.

Kelly installed a tiny signal repeater outside the overhead hatch. She took out her tablet, held it steady on her belly, and entered the spacecraft's network system. I'm in, she reported. There's no artificial intelligence or security encryption and I'm connected to their system now. She clicked a few more times on her computer, activating the intrusion software that Military Intelligence had to offer. state-of-the-art procedures. After a while, a success message flashed on the screen.

Their route points to the asteroid belt. It is estimated to arrive in ten hours.

Good job, John said, We'll take turns sleeping. Sam, Fred and Linda turned off their headlamps.

As the Redden's engines fired up, the water tanks began to vibrate. Then the spacecraft left the orbital parking port, and the water under the Spartans tilted under the influence of acceleration.

John still remembered Eridanus—he vaguely remembered that it had been his home. He wonders about the old school and whether his family is still there

He suppressed his curiosity. Thinking is a great exercise in thinking skills, but the task comes first. He had to stay alert - or maybe just take a nap so that when the time came that he needed to be alert, he would be in good shape. But Sergeant Major Mendez had told them a thousand times: Rest is as deadly as a pistol and a grenade.

I found something, Kelly whispered, handing over the tablet.

The display screen showed the Rayden's cargo list. John scanned the list: water, flour, milk, ice-cold orange juice, welding rods, superconducting magnets for a nuclear reactor and no weapons.

I won't guess anymore, give up. He said, What do you want me to see?

Let me give you a hint, Kelly replied, The sergeant major always smokes.

John looked over the list again. Here it is: Dianthus cigars, and the next registered cargo is a case of champagne, a vintage wine from Beta Centauri. There are also quick-frozen New York steaks, Swiss chocolate, and Gaoyou duck eggs. These items were all placed in a safe labeled with the same shipping number.

Luxury items, Kelly whispered, I bet they'll be express delivered directly to Colonel Watts or his officers.

Good job, John said. We can put trackers on this shipment and track them.

It's not that easy, Fred said in the darkness. He turned on his headlamp and stared at John. There's a million ways it could go wrong and cause trouble. We're going without reconnaissance. I don't like that.

In this mission, we have only one advantage. John said, That is, the rebels have not been invaded yet. They think they are quite safe, so they did not expect us to come. But if we wait for a second longer, we will get more We share the risk of being discovered. We'll just go with Kelly's instinct.

You actually questioned the order? Sam asked Fred, Are you scared? There was a hint of provocation in his tone.

Fred was silent for a moment. No. He said in a low voice, But we are not training now. The enemy is not using non-lethal stun bombs to deal with us. He sighed, I just don't want to fail.

We will not fail, John told him. We have accomplished all our previous missions.

That's not entirely true: bioaugmentation surgery eliminated half of the Spartans. They are not indestructible.

But John Wells wasn't afraid. Maybe a little nervous but he's ready.

Take turns sleeping, John said. Wake me up in four hours.

He turned away and soon fell asleep to the gentle stirring of the water. He dreamed of Graf balls and a coin spinning in the air. John grabbed it and shouted, Eagle! He won again.

He always wins.

Kelly pushed John's shoulder, and he woke up immediately, and then took the assault rifle that Kelly handed over.

We're slowing down, she said, shining the light downward: the water was already at an angle of twenty degrees.

Turn off the lights, John ordered.

Once again they disappeared into complete darkness.

John opened the top hatch a little and stretched out the fiber optic probe attached to the helmet. Everything is normal outside, no one is there.

The Spartans climbed out and slew down the back of the tank, then took off their helmets and put on oil-stained blue protective suits. The two layers of clothing (with a black tights underneath) made them look a little bloated, but the outer layer of camouflage could block curious eyes. They carry their weapons and equipment in duffel backpacks and look just like staff - from a distance.

The Spartans walked through an empty corridor and entered the cargo bay. They heard countless tiny metal banging sounds, which were obviously coming from the outside and exerting gravity on the spacecraft. The Raiden must be heading into a space station or asteroid port that relies on spin-generated gravity. Arrived at destination.

The cargo hold is a huge room filled with all kinds of boxes and cans. The huge oil storage tank is also installed here. Fully automatic robot forklifts shuttle between rows of goods to check whether any cargo boxes may be loose.

There was a terrible bang as the port's clamping arms seized the craft.

The cigarette case is in this hold. Kelly looked at her tablet, then stuffed it back into her pocket.

Hiding in the shadows, they moved on, stopping every few meters to listen to their surroundings and make sure no one else was within range. (End of chapter)