The Wiseguys: Sliver - The Wiseguys Novel Series Book One

Defense Plans

May 27, 2421

12:26

The Wiseguys Base

"Defense is an important thing, if you don't have it, then you might as Well die…," - Ethan Hugh of Universe GREEN

Eric runs quickly towards the Control Room, to fetch the Spelncast. He Lightly trips a few times along his way there. Shortly, he began jogging as he entered the Control Room. He stopped entirely to look around. After a minute of looking around, he soon spotted the case of Beer on the Bottom Shelf of a Metal Rack. Eric approaches the Rack and crouches down to grab the Spelncast. As his hand found the handle of the Rectangle box, a Voice suddenly spoke behind him. By the sudden voice, Eric was caught off his guard and flinched heavily. His forehead slammed into the metal rack, causing a few items to fall onto his helmet. 

First, a Coffee Mug; which cracked into pieces when it had made contact with his armored helmet. Second, a Wrench. Which just bounced off his head and fell onto the floor; creating an echo in the tight-spaced room. Eric quickly recovered from the annoying incident. He turned his head to see John. Of Course, like usual; John was wearing his grey colored armor, minus his Helmet. The words, which were the ones that spooked Eric; were of…

“Private Coliseum, why haven’t you recovered my Spelncast?” John asked, who had just walked in from the hallway; which led to the Private Quarters of the Wiseguys. 

Eric recovered and with a firm grip on the Container, stood up. He turned around and began to approach his Sergeant. 

“Right Here, found it on the bottom shelf of that rack,” Eric said, slightly nudging his head towards the Metal Rack.

John’s face looked confused and fatigued.

“Took you long enough, what were you doing the whole time I sent you to fetch it?” John asked, taking hold of the container, which held his private collection of alcohol.

“I was asking West where it was kept,” Eric answered, releasing his grasp of the Spelncast.

“Did you forget? It’s always on the bottom Mantle of the Metal Shelf,” John said, placing the spell cast against his chest.

With his left hand, opened the case slightly and held it open to snatch a metal bottle. Within this bottle, and the rest like it; were his Wine Collection. John held the Bottle in his left hand, as he pressed his right hand onto the Case, against his chest more; to close the Container. As he did all of this, Eric spoke…

“Sir, I don’t recall that information being given to me,” Eric said, placing his right hand on the back of his armored head.

“What? Didn’t I show you around the Base when you first arrived?” John asked.

“Yeah…I just don’t remember ever hearing anything about a Spelncast,” Eric added.

John simply ignored him and opened his metal bottle right away. As he took a sip of the contaminants within, Eric asked him another question.

“Why do you call it a Spelncast anyway?” Eric asked, lowering his right hand.

John had heard him this time but chose not to answer the question that was flown at him. He turned to face the Entrance and marched towards it.

“Eric, help me with something real quick,” John announced, leaving the Control Room.

Eric shortly followed him. Some time later, the two had arrived outside another entrance of the Base. At this time, John had his half-filled container, hanging off his belt. Eric stood beside him as he talked about the idea that he had thought of right before he sent Eric to fetch his Spelncast, which the container itself was onto the backside of John’s belt. 

“Alright, I realize we don’t have many defenses up and ready to go; so that’s what we’ll be doing today,” John said, beginning to march up the hill.

Eric followed after, with a question to his mind.

“Sir, why do we need more defenses? We haven’t even been attacked,” Eric Mentioned, quickly catching up with John’s pacing.

“Always be prepared, that’s what I always say,” John said, with a small grin.

Eric was about to speak once more but quickly stopped himself from seeming idiotic or too annoying. As the two reached the roof of the control room, which was flat and what you would stand upon the hill. There, one of their Jeeps was parked; facing north. In front of it, was a Concrete Barrier. With it, out of the Jeep’s way; a radio tower, which they used to communicate with the National Galactic Defense System, which recently; they haven’t had any connection with, ever since Eric arrived. The Two stood beside the Jeep. John looked over to the Concrete Barrier and smiled.  

“That is what we will use for one of our defenses,” John said, pointing  to the Barrier.

“Okay,” Eric said, slowly.

“I want you to get into the jeep and push the Barrier up the edge of the roof,” John ordered.

“Uh, Yes Sir,” Eric said, approaching the Driver Seat of the Jeep.

He jumps into the seat and as he does so, West approaches behind John. Instantly, West noticed Eric in the Jeep; in front of the Barrier, and assumed what the two were doing.

“Making Defense?” West asked.

John turned around to see the man the Voice belonged to.

“Ah, West, I need you to do something,” John Began.

West of course, sighed and looked in the direction of Eric.

“What is it that you want?” West asked.

“I want you to head into the Control Room and order some instant Defenses from Command,” John ordered, tilting his head towards Eric.

West turns around and heads for his personal Quad Bike. He Hops onto the Vehicle and turns the key within the Ignition. West slams onto the Gas and leans forward in his Quad. The Vehicle sped down the Hill, quickly arriving at the entrance of the Control room; within ten seconds. West climbs over his seat and enters their Control Room. Meanwhile, Eric looks towards John.

“Keys?” Eric asked.

“What-oh, here you go,” John said.

John quickly searched his belt to not find the key. As Confusion ran through his head, so did annoyance. John then connected the dots…

“Peter must have them,” John quietly said. 

“What?” Eric asked.

“Nothing-I’ll be right back,” John explained.

John turned away from Eric and charged towards the Garage. A Minute later, he arrives at the Entrance of the Building. His old green colored eyes quickly laid upon Peter, who, like Usual, didn’t wear his Armor. Ran Away, John approached him. Peter at this time, was now stuffed within the jeep; fixing the radio. He hummed a Song John had never heard before, but he hadn’t really listened; nor remember rhythm or lyrics of one.

“Peter, why are you out of your armor?” John asked.

Peter immediately stopped humming and sighed with frustration. 

“It’s hot, sir,” Peter explained, sliding out of the Jeep’s seats.

“Oh, so the same Excuse?” John asked, very well knowing Peter would…

“It’s not an Excuse if it’s true,” Peter quickly said.

…revolt.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s true or not, just get your armor on,” John ordered.

Peter mumbled under his breath.

“Oh, and the Keys to the other Jeep,” John added.

Peter snatched the Keys from the Ignition of the Jeep beside him. He hovers his hand over to John. In response, John places his hand slightly under Peter’s hand that held the key. Peter released his grasp, and the Keys fell into John’s hand. John turns around and exits the Garage. In Spite and…well, boredom; Peter makes his way to his Personal Garage which is quite far from the Garage he is in now. John soon arrives back to the roof, just to see Eric patting the Jeep’s wheel, quietly singing to himself. Eric quickly noticed John and seized his actions.

“Why is everyone doing that?” John asked himself. “I just know I’m going to see West doing the same as well,”

“What Sir?” Eric asked.

“Nothing, nothing…Here,” John said, tossing the Keys to Eric.

Eric reaches his hand out to catch it, but unfortunately underestimates it’s landing, for the keys flew over the Jeep. Eric’s eyes follow the Keys flying through the air, to see where it lands. The Jeep’s Keys laid between the Vehicle and the radio tower. He sighs and jumps out of the Jeep. John slightly chuckles.