She Bleeds for Us: The Galactic Consortium 3

Chapter 61

They drove south with Jake and Brown Bessy in the lead. It was funny to Jake, but Captain Sesay was of the opinion that the consortium trucks could take more damage than the "rusty iron contraptions" that were the military tanks and that it would safer with them in front.

Not that they had faced much opposition. At least half or more of the checkpoints had already converted to their side and they were waved through and at times joined by more military units, intent on joining their coup.

When a checkpoint wasn't on their side, the tanks spread out and flanked the trucks. The show of military might was enough to send the small guard units fleeing and the flimsy wooden barriers didn't even leave a mark as the truck barrelled through.

The first real barrier they faced was Tagrin Bay, more than six kilometres of water between them and their final destination, Freetown.

Jake opened a communication channel. "How do we get across? Is there a bridge or something?"

"We are going to have to commandeer a barge, or several to get these tanks across. That's going to take some time. Why don't you unload and take a break."

Jake was tired, but thought of stopping now was heartbreaking.

Initisha jumped on the call. "What you mean to say is that you are going to have to commandeer some barges. We are driving Civil Service trucks, built for virtually any environment. We need to seal our cargo and then let me take the lead, you guys aren't exactly rated for hazardous environments."

Jake climbed out of his truck and met Initisha at the third truck back. "What exactly do you have in mind? Don't tell me these trucks can float?"

"As heavy as they are? No. But the bottom of a bay this size ain't that different than some the extraterrestrial environments I've driven in, methane worlds, the like. We seal the cabs for a hostile environment, secure the cargo and across we go."

Jake laughed feeling a little giddy with panic. "Okay, I guess you're the expert."

It took only a half hour to check the supplies, cover them with a heavy tarp like material to protect them from the water. Sealing the cab was even simpler, Jake climbed into the cab and set the controls to hazardous environment. The doors sealed themselves.

Initisha's truck pulled out in front and slowly entered the bay, Jake following. It was surreal driving along the muddy bottom of the bay. The trucks churned an incredible amount of mud and at times Jake feared they would be buried under it all, but the huge tires seem to always get enough traction to keep them moving forward. The mud made it impossible to see anything, even with the headlights set to the highest setting and Jake had to drive by the ultrasound display and map settings on his dashboard.

Initishi was fearless and at times, Jake feared, reckless. Their route caused the trucks to dip precariously into deep ravines and then tilt almost vertically up to climb out again. But after some time, Jake had to admit the man knew what he was doing. He knew the limits of the truck's capacity, taking long detours where necessary but they still rolled on relentless towards Freetown.

"Getting back on land is going to be the hardest part, there's a ton of mud and our weight distribution is gonna change as we come out of the water. Keep your speed and don't stop for nothing, you loose momentum and you'll be stuck for sure. Follow me now..."

And with that they were barreling forward and upward, the mud/water mixture growing lighter and lighter until they suddenly broke the surface and were grinding their way up to the shoreline. A building loomed close over them and it was a tight squeeze to get between the tall brick warehouse and the dock, onto the narrow road.

Surprised dock workers stopped and stared as they emerged one by one, six giant consortium trucks rising up out of the bay, and now racing down the road into Freetown.