Page 174 of Dustwalker

The gunfire in the bot district continued, picking up tempo.

Newton took a small step forward. “We must do this together. Not as bots and humans, but as a single, unified community. Gather whatever weapons we can find and march on the clinic to finish this. There cannot be freedom without sacrifice, but we cannot allow another life, whether organic or mechanical, to be taken for no reason but to serve Warlord’s whims.” He punctuated his statement by slamming his metal fist onto his open palm.

Rapid conversation swept through the crowd, shifting to calls of assent. Chester helped Lara down, and Newton followed behind her.

Captain Cooper approached her. “It’s time, Lara. Newton will take you to the forward camp.”

“No.”

“I’m not asking, Brooks.”

“It is going to be terribly, dangerous, Lara,” Newton said, settling a hand on her shoulder. “And Ronin would not be happy with any of us.”

Lara shook her head. “I don’t care. As shitty as it’s been, this is my home, and these are my people. I’m not going to hide while they risk their lives for it, especially not after I encouraged them to fight.”

“And just what the hell do you think you’re going to do in there?” Cooper demanded.

“Whatever the hell I can.”

He stared at her, jaw clenched. “Shit,” he muttered and ran a hand over his face. “Nancy’s going to kill me, but she gets just as stubborn, and there’s no budging her either once she’s made up her mind. Newton, get back there. Tell them what’s happening. If they can spare any more bodies, we might need them here.”

“Please, check on Kate,” Lara said.

Newton gently squeezed her shoulder before dropping his arm. “Thank you, Lara.”

“For…what?”

“For getting me out of that hole, even if it was indirectly. I shall never?—”

“Just save it, okay? I’ll see you soon.”

Despite his lack of skin, his expression was clearly troubled. “As you say. Soon, then.”

Newton walked away. She watched him before Cooper caught her attention.

“Take this,” he said, holding out another pistol. It was larger andheavier than the one Ronin had given her. “Two hands when you shoot. It’s going to have a hell of a kick, but I don’t want you to hesitate. Just…stay back. That clear?”

Lara tightened her grip on it and nodded.

Cooper pointed to Chester. “Like the colonel said. Like a fly on shit.”

Chester sketched a salute. “Yes, Captain.”

“Good. Now let’s move. We’re already late for the party.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

“Get that AMR up here,now!” Maul shouted.

In Ronin’s peripheral vision, a soldier scrambled forward with a long black rifle—an anti-materiel rifle, Ronin’s memory said.

The weapon didn’t come fast enough.

Comp charged at the entrance, making the ground quake with every heavy footfall. Whatever bullet riddled glass that remained shattered on impact, and the bot’s broad body clipped the doorframe, raining brick and plaster.

A cloud of dust obscured Ronin’s vision, but he still saw the barricade explode inward against Comp’s forward momentum.

The desk broke into countless pieces, and mangled chairs flew in all directions. Ronin ducked out of the way, but at least two soldiers went down. The heavy rifle clattered to the floor.