AMP Siege by Stephen Arseneault Page B

would need a gunner.
    With the weapon secured on its perch, I spoke to the captain. "Meecha, who is going to be manning that thing?"
    The Gonta captain replied, "We don't have gunners on our ships, Mr. Grange. Sergeant Heavus has volunteered to go up there and to do his best."
    I looked back at my rock and then at the captain. "One of my crew spent time in a gun mount. I believe that with a few minutes of practice, she could make best use of that cannon for us. If you can give me a replacement for her up there on that rock with me, I would like to offer up her services."
    The captain looked at his Gonta volunteer and then over at Frost. "Have her come to the chair, Mr. Grange. Sergeant Heavus will stay to conduct any required maintenance. I will send a Gonta Marine to your position."
    I returned to a waiting Frost. "I have a new task for you, Sergeant. I want you in that chair up there. We need a gunner who can make maximum use of that weapon. I know you had said at one time you had spent a tour in a gun pod, so get up there and make us proud."
    Frost shook her head. "Sir, that was back when I first joined the Corps. I haven't fired a cannon like that in thirty years!"
    I replied, "You are the best option we have, Frost. The Gonta ship weapons are all automated. They don't have gunners."
    Frost looked down and then back my way. "I'll give it my best, Sir. But I ain't making any promises."
    With that statement Frost hopped to the ground and jogged over to the tower. After a short climb, she was seated in the chair and receiving instruction concerning the mount’s operation. With her first swivel move, she was nearly thrown from the chair. A cinching up of a lap belt pulled her in securely.
    The ion cannon made a heavy buzzing sound when fired, followed by a thunderous whump when the ion bolt detonated in the field halfway out to the Fergie encampments. Earth and hundreds of dead Fergie bodies flew violently into the air with each new practice round. As I had expected, within minutes Frost was mastering the powerful weapon that had been placed at her disposal.
    On more than one occasion, a shout could be heard coming down from the tower mount. "Woohoo! Gonna be kicking some ass, Sir!"
    York yelled from her rock, "I think you created a monster, Sir. When she gets going, we are going to have a hard time getting her out of that chair."
    I replied, "That's what I was hoping for, York. Let's hope the trade-off from that seventh laser was worth it!"
    As I turned back to face the field, a young Gonta engineer climbed the rock to my position. "Sir, I am Private Orfeo, Sir. The captain sent me over."
    I replied, "Well, welcome to the rock, Mr. Orfeo. All I can say is when they start coming, spray that field with everything you've got."
    Private Orfeo swallowed and then spoke nervously. "I will try, Sir."
    I could see the young engineer had sweat pouring from his brow. "Just keep doing whatever you were doing on the previous waves, Private, and we'll get through this."
    The nervous private replied, "I haven't fired my weapon, Sir. I've been resupplying ammo to the others through last night and this evening."
    I glanced back towards the Gonta captain's position and then turned my gaze back to the young engineer. "Just follow my lead, Private, and we'll make it through until dawn right here on this rock."
    The remaining few minutes before the next wave were spent giving the young Gonta engineer instruction. I wasn't sure why, but being the senior fighter up on that rock had somehow given me a boost in confidence. It was something I had seen in other leaders, but never taken note of for myself. I wondered if perhaps I was after all my father's son.
    York yelled out, "Here comes wave number three!"
    When the Fergie fighters reached midfield, the private and I opened up with our blasters. After a few extra words of encouragement, I could see the private's confidence in himself growing. The determination on his pug-nosed Gonta face told me