Skies Over Tomorrow: Constellation Read Online Free Page B

regenerate. The defensive strength of the powersuit had revealed itself, as a display of its damaged areas appeared before her eyes; the Shell consumed the bullet material and used it to remold the dents. Simone had found herself with heavy breaths. Her attention then focused back to the fear on the president’s face, as he cowered away, his image further distorted on the panoramic screen within the suit’s head section. That was the last time she saw her Commander in Chief in person.
    â€œIt is now 18:20…” said Attila, breaking Simone’s trance from the rustling sways of foliage along the roadside.
    â€œWhat time is it?” Simone said, her eyes blinking and focusing from the daydream.
    â€œ18:20. It is time to file your second status report.”
    â€œGet the LCAC,” she said with a deep yawn, “on line, audio only.”
    â€œObtaining satellite connection.”
    During a mission, an Army Predator was required to call in two status reports. The initial call was made a few days after departure from base camp, to signal that arrival into the mission zone went with or without incident. The second call occurred a few days before retrieval in order to put the Marines’ Landing Craft Air Cushion on standby.
    â€œConnection obtained.”
    â€œThis is Alpha Road Kill Three,” said Simone.
    â€œRead you loud and clear, Alpha Road Kill Three!” the voice said over the whooshing of skipping waves.
    â€œSpider, is that you?” There was the murmuring of the LCAC’s giant fan, and crackling that sounded like gunfire.
    â€œHow’s it going, sweetheart? Don’t tell me you’re ready for pick up! We just got your boy, Carlston, and he’s got the entire Red Army on our ass!”
    â€œHe actually made it?”
    â€œEH, GET THAT SON-OF-A-BITCH ON PORT!”
    â€œHow about that? He actually made it.”
    â€œHold on! Hold on, here he is!”
    â€œSimone? Simone, I fucking made it! I can’t believe it! Told you I would!”
    â€œYou’re one lucky hombre.”
    â€œWhat can I say?”
    â€œI guess you’re the man, then.”
    â€œYeah, well, my ass was in a sling for a minute, but nothing to worry about now!”
    â€œI bet Spider begs to differ.”
    â€œWell, these Marines seem to be handling themselves! They’ll get us home!”
    â€œSo how was your first mission?” she said. “I’m thinking some scout caught you taking a piss.”
    â€œI don’t want to talk about it over open channels!”
    â€œOh, really? With all the screaming you did?”
    â€œYou heard me screaming?”
    â€œYou know I wasn’t the only one.”
    â€œWell, it doesn’t matter, I got my hundred!”
    â€œWhat did you say—a hundred percent?”
    â€œYeah, that’s right!”
    â€œYou liquidated your mission targets?”
    â€œHell, yeah! Capped the whole family!”
    Background clamor beleaguered the communiqué.
    â€œSimone?”
    She was silent.
    â€œYo, Simone, you there?”
    â€œYeah, Carlston, I’m here.”
    â€œWell, check it out: These fellas need my help, so I’ll see you back at base!”
    â€œAll right.”
    â€œMaintain!”
    â€œYeah, you do the same.”
    â€œSo when do you think you’ll be ready for pick up?” said Spider, his voice blaring and startling Simone.
    â€œI—I don’t know,” she said. “I’m starting to second guess the intel report from the NRO.”
    â€œI can understand!”
    â€œI’ve been out here eight days, and I’m bored. I could have made some twenty-plus kills by now, counting ten China PIGS.”
    â€œWell, be patient!” Spider said. “I’m sure the report is accurate! From my briefing, you can expect some action soon!”
    â€œHope so.”
    â€œJust keep it cool! Just execu—EH, NUMB NUTS, LOOK OUT!” he said.