Wizard Cadet (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 2) Read online

  Richard jumped to his feet. He felt a cool liquid being shot into him from one of the battle suit’s needle threads. The pain in his back and legs subsided. As he rushed towards the magic user, Richard had a fleeting thought that his battle computer was taking on more of his personality the longer they were together. A year ago, Nickelo would never have used a curse word.

  Maybe I really am corrupting him, Richard thought.

  Of course, you are, agreed Nickelo. But, my point is still valid. You need to take out that magic user before she links up with the other two.

  I’m trying, Richard said. And, I hate not having my thoughts private.

  Well, I’d suggest trying harder, said Nickelo. I will be very unhappy if they kill you. I’ll bet the orcs will try and make a soup pot out of this helmet. I don’t want to spend the next fifty years being used to cook who knows what for a family of orcs.

  Richard didn’t bother with a reply. He just continued running towards the magic user as fast as his battle suit’s legs would carry him. He knew he had to take her out fast. She was already moving her hands and mouthing words as she drew Power from her reserve. Richard made a quick active scan of the link between the magic user and her Power reserve.

  Her link’s protected, Nick, Richard said.

  That’s unfortunate, Rick, said Nickelo. I calculate your best chance of success is to do that ‘Power drill’ trick again.

  I only have twenty-six percent Power in my reserve, Richard said. Should I use twenty percent? I still have to fight those other two magic users as well. I don’t want to use all my Power on this fight.

  Not twenty percent, Rick, said Nickelo. Don’t play around. Use twenty-five percent. That will leave you one percent Power to resupply your weapons. The extra five percent won’t help you fight the other two anyway. They’re too much for you to take on alone and survive. I recommend waiting to worry about them until we see if you survive this fight. The good news is her fireball cleared out the riffraff around you.

  Sure enough, the living, breathing orcs that had surrounded him a few seconds earlier had been replaced by smoldering lumps of meat mixed in with blackened weapons and armor. Richard had a clear, uninterrupted run at the magic user.

  Gathering together all but one percent of his Power, Richard bore into a spot directly in front of the magic user at chest level. She must have sensed his attack, because she seemed to frantically speed up the pace of her spell. Unfortunately for her, she sped up too much. Richard sensed her flow of Power getting tangled. There was a bright flash as her spell backfired. The explosion blew her backwards. Her defensive shield dropped. Richard shutoff his own flow of Power and sent a 20mm grenade at the magic user. It hit her square in the chest while she was still flying through the air. The grenade exploded. Blood and bits of bone were expelled from her back. She flopped to the ground and did not move again.

  Lucky break, said Nickelo excitedly. You still have fifteen percent Power left in your reserve. It’s not much, but your odds of staying alive are better than they were five seconds ago.

  Richard dropped to one knee and removed the expended isotopic battery from his M12. He dropped it in his dimensional pack and pulled out a fresh one along with a resupply of 20mm grenades. He stood and reloaded as he ran towards the remaining group of orcs with the other two magic users. Most of the other orcs were either too dazed to continue fighting or were hightailing it back the way they’d come.

  You had better warn Dren and Brachia they might have company, Richard said. Tell them if they have to move to head west. We’ll link up with them when we can. Have Brachia track the orcs with the drone.

  Wilco, said Nickelo.

  Any suggestions on how to handle these last two magic users? Richard said.

  It looks like those two gnomes won the fight with that smaller group, Nickelo said. The gnomes are headed this way now. Maybe you can work together somehow and get those magic users in a cross fire.

  Maybe, Richard said doubtfully. Which way is the wind blowing?

  From your right front to your left rear, said Nickelo. Why?

  I was just wondering if those magic users’ defensive shield is airtight, Richard said. I know it stops physical and energy attacks, but would it stop a gas. They have to breathe, right?

  I don’t think you should bet your life on that logic, Rick. I noticed the smoke from your flash-bang grenades did not penetrate that first defensive shield. The creatures inside have to breathe, but I’d say there’s a ninety-eight percent probability they use a spell to generate their own oxygen or only open the shield up to let air in on a sporadic basis.

  Then what do I do? Richard said getting increasingly frustrated. He didn’t even know if the gnomes would attack the remaining magic users much less if they would cooperate with some type of cross fire. He needed to do something on his own if he could.

  I told you what I thought, said Nickelo. But, if you’re going to do something on your own, you had better do it quick. At your current rate of speed, you’ll make contact with their shield in four seconds.

  Richard skidded to a stop and went to one knee. He fired a quick salvo from the M12 at the group behind the shield. To no surprise, the plasma rounds stopped short of their targets.

  In response, one of the magic users sent out a line of energy towards Richard. It did not head directly for him. Instead, the line of energy began probing Richard’s link to his Power reserve.

  Trying to find a weak spot in your link, said Nickelo. They must feel confident behind their defensive shield. They don’t seem to be attempting a counterattack at the moment.

  I suspect they’re waiting to see what the gnomes are going to do, Richard said. They undoubtedly sense I’m low on Power. Maybe they don’t consider me the most dangerous threat at the moment.

  An explosion on the far side of the orcs and magic users seemed to confirm Richard’s analysis. The two gnomes were attacking after all. The probe against Richard’s link to his Power reserve withdrew. The magic user must have sensed it was too well protected to be quickly broken. Richard sensed the magic user combine his Power with his companion as they began forming a new spell.

  I hope those gnomes are quick on their feet, said Nickelo. These two magic users appear to know what they are doing. Their defensive shield is top notch. You won’t be able to penetrate it with only fifteen percent Power in your reserve.

  Hit them with your electronic scan, Nick, Richard said. How far down does their defensive shield go?

  About two meters underground, said Nickelo. But, it will prevent any attack from underground the same as it does above. That is, as long as they are stationary. I suppose the underground part of their shield would have to work differently if they were moving. But, they aren’t, so there’s no advantage to be gained by attacking from beneath them even if you could.

  The two magic users released their spell towards the gnomes. Richard wasn’t sure what the spell was supposed to do, but apparently it didn’t work as the magic users had hoped. Richard could see the two white dots representing the gnomes still shining brightly on the heads-up display.

  I wasn’t thinking about attacking them, Richard said returning to his discussion with his battle computer. I was thinking about trying to do something with the ground below their defensive shield. What’s below them? Is it bedrock or dirt?

  Mostly sand with a layer of dirt on top, said Nickelo. The bedrock is a good fifteen meters down. I think this valley used to be a riverbed at one time.

  No time for geography lessons right now, Nick, Richard said before his battle computer got started. He knew he was grasping at straws, but right now, straws were looking pretty good. He needed to end this fight and get back to the children.

  Can we teleport the ground underneath them or something? Richard said. Their defensive shield stops physical and energy attacks, but surely it doesn’t levitate them as well. If we can remove even a little ground beneath their shield, the ground they are standing on will drop. That could
distract them enough for us to make a successful attack.

  Not teleport, Rick, said Nickelo. Even if you knew how to teleport, which you don’t, you’d have to have an energy source larger than anything you could summon. But, you could try some digger mines. They are civilian mines used for mining minerals on planets whose oceans have dried up. They’re designed to burrow underground and blast a crater in the sand. I calculate three of them would be sufficient to do what you want.

  Good enough, Richard said. Send me the specs.

  Do you want to discuss other alternatives first? said Nickelo suggestively.

  No, Richard said. Just send me the specs.

  Richard had learned long ago a mediocre plan implemented at the right moment was better than a great plan implemented too late.

  Okay, said Nickelo. You’re the wizard scout. I’m just the sub-servient and humble battle computer.

  Grow up, Nick, Richard said as he received the digger-mine specs. And, I’m not a wizard scout. I’m just a cadet.

  Richard imagined six digger mines. He felt almost half of his remaining Power leave his reserve. Richard quickly removed his dimensional pack off his back and opened the flap. He tugged on a handle attached to a bullet-shaped metal device about the size of a military duffle bag. The opening of the pack stretched to accommodate the size of the digger mine.

  It’s bigger than I thought, Richard said as he reached in to pull out the second mine.

  I told you that you only needed three, said Nickelo.

  If three is good, then six is better, Richard said confidently.

  More and bigger is not always better, said Nickelo disapprovingly. You should listen to me more. I’m older and wiser. Didn’t your momma teach you to respect your elders?

  Just program the mines, Nick, Richard said as he pulled out a fourth mine from his pack. Space them along the group at whatever depth you feel appropriate. And, you know I was an orphan. The only teaching I got was from the school of hard knocks. Also, I thought you were just created last year when I received my battle suit.

  Ha! said Nickelo. Aren’t you the center of the universe? Your battle suit was manufactured for you last year. I’ve been around a lot longer.

  How long? Richard said as he pulled out the last of the mines from his pack.

  Hmm, said Nickelo. That’s a good question. I really don’t know. The information is not in my databanks. But, I’m sure it’s been a lot longer than a year. By the way, I’m programming the depth for the mines at four meters. It will take about a minute for all of the mines to get into position.

  A series of explosions occurred on the far side of the orcs. A glance at his heads-up display confirmed the gnomes were still there. However, Richard’s passive scan gave him the impression they were noticeably weaker.

  Get the mines moving, Nick, Richard said. I’m not sure we have a minute left.

  The six mines immediately began rotating as they burrowed into the ground. Within seconds, all six mines were gone.

  The two magic users had not been paying attention to Richard. He thought he should change that to take some of the pressure off the gnomes. Richard fired a long burst from the M12 along the entire length of the group of orcs. He fired two rounds from his grenade launcher for added effect. As expected, nothing penetrated the magic user’s defensive shield. Richard removed the starburst grenade from his belt and threw it towards the nearest magic user. The starburst was a signaling device. It exploded with a bright light amid a shower of sparks.

  The starburst grenade caused no harm, but it must have irritated at least one of the magic users. The magic users consisted of a male and a female. The female magic user turned and sent a quick ball of energy at Richard.

  Paralysis spell, said Nickelo.

  Richard threw up a hasty defensive shield and angled it to the left. The ball of energy hit his shield at an angle. Part of the spell’s energy was absorbed by the shield, and the rest of the energy glanced off and ricocheted into the night.

  The magic user turned back to give her full attention to the gnomes. Richard had a feeling the magic user did not consider him a viable threat with his low Power reserve.

  Time? Richard said.

  Eighteen seconds until the mines are all in position, said Nickelo.

  Richard took the time to replace his partially expended isotopic battery. He also retrieved two replacement 20mm rounds from his pack and loaded them in the M12’s magazine. After extracting a new starburst grenade, Richard replaced his dimension pack on his back.

  Good little wizard scout, said Nickelo with a laugh. You are learning, aren’t you? I knew if I told you to reload every chance you got you’d eventually pick up the habit.

  Richard didn’t bother answering. He positioned his M12 for easy firing and bent his legs in preparation for making a mad dash at the magic users.

  Three seconds, said Nickelo as another series of explosions came from the far side of the orcs.

  Boy, are they ever going to be surprised, Richard said with a grim smile. A good plan coming together was just one of life’s little pleasures in his opinion.

  One second, said Nickelo.

  Richard took off running hard for the magic users. He wanted to hit them immediately after the mines exploded.

  Boom!

  A giant wall of dirt and sand erupted from Richard’s front. He was blown backwards a good fifteen meters before he hit the ground.

  What the heck? Richard managed to say as he staggered to his feet.

  I told you three mines were enough, said Nickelo. Now get moving. Don’t give them time to recover.

  One thing Richard was really good at was reacting without thinking. He took off running in the direction his passive scan indicated the magic users were located. His night-vision filter was nearly useless. The air was full of dust. Chunks of dirt and rock were still raining down from above. Richard lost his footing on the uneven ground, and he fell down. He was back on his feet in a flash and running with all his might.

  Their defensive shield is down, said Nickelo. Hurry. I’m switching your filter to radiation.

  The scenery changed to a blurry white. By concentrating, Richard could make out differences in the blur that indicated the ground and objects. It was times like this when Richard wished he had paid more attention to radiation filter training back at the Academy. One of his instructors had even written in a report that Richard needed additional training before he could be considered proficient. Richard made a silent vow to put forth more effort during future training sessions.

  Richard hit the lip of a deep drop off. He did not hesitate. He jumped off the edge into the tangled mass of bodies below firing his M12 as he went.

  Darn it, Richard said. They’re a good ten meters down.

  See, said Nickelo smugly. Three mines would have been more than enough.

  Well, Richard said with a quick laugh, you’ve got to admit, six mines definitely distracted them.

  Richard didn’t waste Power trying to slow himself down. He landed on the back of the sole remaining ogre who was just getting back to his feet. Richard slammed his phase rod into the side of the ogre’s head. The ogre had lost his helmet during the drop and the resulting scramble of bodies. The ogre’s head basically exploded as the energy from the phase rod caused subatomic explosions in its brain. As the ogre fell back to the ground, Richard leaped towards one of the remaining magic users.

  Spell, warned Nickelo.

  Richard put a defensive shield between himself and the magic user. The spell ricocheted off Richard’s shield and hit a nearby orc. The orc burst into flames and ran screaming into a group of orcs. One of the orcs stuck a spear into his flaming companion.

  Richard was determined not to give the magic user a second chance at doing the same to him. He pulled the trigger on his M12 and sent a good thirty rounds at the magic user. The magic user was the human female. The rounds hit her in the chest. The magic user staggered back, but she did not go down. Richard sensed some kind of p
rotective gear under the magic user’s robe. It radiated an unfamiliar type of magical energy.

  It is magic armor of some kind, said Nickelo. But, her face is unprotected.

  So I see, Richard said as he sent a 20mm grenade into the center of the magic user’s face. The round did not explode, but the head disappeared anyway.

  The air is clearing, said Nickelo. I am switching you back to your night-vision filter.

  Richard’s vision changed to the familiar red tint. More of the orcs were beginning to rise all around him.

  Talk about a target-rich environment, Richard said as he did a spray and pray with his M12. At this range, he didn’t even bother aiming. It was hard to miss. Richard stopped firing long enough to remove his two anti-personnel grenades and toss one to his left and one to his right.

  Boom!

  Some of the shrapnel from the exploding grenades hit Richard’s chest and left arm, but the grenades were not powerful enough to penetrate his battle suit. It was, after all, the best armor the Intergalactic Empire’s engineers could devise.

  For a moment, no obvious targets presented themselves to Richard. The few remaining orcs were doing their best to scramble out of the hole. Since Richard had no desire to kill just to be killing, he let them go.

  Where’s that other magic user? Richard said as he looked around.

  He levitated out of the hole while you were throwing your grenades. I’ve marked his position on the heads-up display. I think the gnomes have taken him prisoner.

  Sure enough, the red dot on Richard’s heads-up display was about forty meters away. Two white dots were just a few meters away from the red one. The white dots were moving while the red dot was strangely still.

  Get a situation report from the kids, Nick.

  Dren says she hears the sound of running through the woods, said Nickelo. Brachia is sending us an updated video feed.

  Richard scrambled to the top of the large crater that had been created by the digger mines. The majority of the dust had settled by now, and he got his first good look at the results of the blast.

  By the Creator, Richard said. We’re lucky those inferno mines didn’t take us out as well as the orcs. I guess you were right, Nick. Three mines would have been enough.