Grendel Unit 1: Bad Day at Khor-wa Read Online Free PDF Page B

have to be passing through this sector?" he whispered to himself.  He felt the ship touch down and called out, "Tactical vests with Unification ID displayed.  Sidearms only, no rifles.  Frank, find the medical coordinator and see what's needed.  Bob, I want intel about this bombing.  Hack every system you can until we get answers.  Monster, you're with me."
    They exited the Samsara into the fray, acrid, chemical smoke stinging their eyes and throats.  Vic waved for Monster to follow him and they hurried around the rear of the crowd to the first command post they saw.  Vic held up his badge and identified himself, asking how they could be of assistance. 
    The Lieutenant manning the post's door said, "Captain, you can come in.  I'm sure my C ommissioner will want to see you."  His eyes looked Monster up and down, "Any chance this one can go help out with crowd control?  He might be able to help keep parents from running into the flames." 
    Monster leapt over the barricade and took off running toward the main entrance, his thick, muscular legs moving faster than seemed possible.  Vic moved past the Lieutenant and saluted the group of men huddled at the far end of the trailer ; a haggard looking medical Chief, a sweat-soaked Fire Marshal.  Seated between them, an old, thin man in a crisp white shirt with gold Commissioner stars lined up along the epaulets.  Vic nodded at all of them and said, "Gentlemen, how can I be of assistance?"
    The Commissioner looked back at Vic with narrow eyes, his face wan and drawn, the stress mapping every inch of his features.  "We appreciate Unification's fast response, Captain."  His words were slow and measured, like he scribed them in the air mentally to look at them before speaking.  "Once we've regained stability of the scene, any assistance your government can provide in recovery and rebuilding would be most welcome."
    "What about the investigation?" Vic said.
    The men surrounding the Commissioner glanced at one another, but the old man remained undisturbed.  "We have the matter quite well in hand, Captain, thank you.  The school's coolant system malfunction that caused the incident has already been neutralized and will be examined by our top men."
    "Coolant system malfunction?" Vic said.  "That's cute.  That's real, real cute."  He turned his back to the men and grabbed the command post's door handle and yanked it shut, hard.  He looked back at the Commissioner, "Now, how about you tell me why someone used Kerogel to blow up this damn school before I decide you bumbling bastards aren’t capable and have your charter revoked?"
    Outside, the crowd at the main gate had grown into a frenzy of screaming people pressed against the barricade, beating their fists on the police officer's riot shields.  Monster stood behind the row of cops, feeling the heat of the burning building singe the fur on his back.  A man broke through the ranks, pushing his way past the phalanx of officers, crying, "My little boy!" 
    Monster was on him in seconds, scooping him up in his massive arms and cradling him like a baby.  "There's nothing you can do," Monster said softly as he carried the man back to the barricades.  "I'm sorry.  There's nothing."
    The man sobbed and moaned but did not struggle as Monster set him back down.  And then, more screams.  Panicked ones, different than before.  People were crying out in renewed horror and pointing at the building's top floor, until finally the police turned to see what they were looking at and someone shouted, "There's someone up there!"
    A little girl appeared at one of the classroom windows her fists banging against the glass.  Flames lit up the room behind her and dark smoke poured out of the broken windows and cracked walls beneath her.  The policemen squawked into their radios for help, racing around the school's entrance futilely , flapping their arms like panicked ducks.  "Do something!" someone cried out. 
    Monster ripped his