Chapter 14

Before Jacob could get a few steps in, he heard Genesis speak.

"Sir, the colony has received its first refugees. They will be transported into the square."

Jacob paused for a second. "… What do you mean, the colony has received its first refugees?" Jacob asked, trying to keep the panic out of his voice.

"Sir, 63 human refugees have been transported to the square," Genesis replied. "They will arrive immediately."

Jacob's heart sank at the news. He knew that the colony's resources were already stretched thin, and so many refugees would only make things more difficult. He would have to act quickly to ensure that everyone was taken care of.

"I'll be right there," Jacob said, already heading for the door. He had a feeling that this was going to be a long and difficult day, but he was determined to do whatever it took to help these refugees and protect his colony. Before he could get through the door, however, he heard a commotion outside.

"Who the hell do you people think you are? I'll have all of you killed for stopping me from finding shelter! I was supposed to be in a bunker! We have to find shelter now!"

Jacob heard a woman yelling outside, her voice amplified by the AI orb. Oh no, he thought to himself. This isn't going to be easy.

Taking a step outside, Jacob saw a large and confused group of individuals. Many had angry faces and had stood behind a woman who looked furious and very rich. Her clothes were clearly picked out for a dinner party, complete with jewellery and pearls.

As Jacob walked out, the woman continued to speak.

"Anyone here who will help me get out of this mess will be given protection by the British military when it arrives. Do I look like I'm joking? They don't have any weapons. Let's take over that building and grab what we can. Maybe there's a cell phone we can use to call my team for help!"

The woman looked at the colonists, who were still stunned by the sudden arrival of strangers. The moment everyone appeared, it looked like they had materialized inside a flash of light.

"Well!?" she shouted.

The only ones to act on her behalf were 33 individuals who came with the refugee group. They were also confused and thinking that there was a nuclear war happening right now. They were doing their best to ensure their own survival.

There was a guard on duty in the square, carrying a rifle strapped to his back. He walked over to the woman, trying to calm her down. "Lady, it's fine. You can calm down, or I'll have to detain you for causing issues." As he reached out to grab her shoulder, the woman surprised him with her dexterity. She kicked out his legs, and with a fluid motion, grabbed the gun from his back. She hit him square in the neck with the rifle's base.

"Let's go! Quick, we have the advantage!" the woman shouted, and 45 people charged behind her. The guard was trampled by the panicked crowd, pack mentality taking over their stressed minds. They ran towards the storage facility, with the woman leading the charge.

Unfortunately, Steven was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was hit by a flood of boiling water as a couple of refugees crashed into the food ration stand, spilling hundreds of rations. The large pot was tipped over, and Steven was burned by the boiling liquid as it flooded up to his ankles. "Ahhh, my legs! F#$% it burns!" he screamed, but he was able to run far enough to the side to avoid falling directly into the boiling water.

The panicked refugees simply ran onward.

Jacob's eyes popped open in shock as he saw what was happening. "Shit," he muttered, before turning around and slamming the door shut. He ran towards the group of colonists who were still working, out of earshot of the commotion. "EVERYONE, stop what you're doing NOW! We have an emergency! Quickly take the handheld equipment. Strangers are attacking the storage facility!"

Everyone jumped into motion quickly. Sophia grabbed her laser welder and moved a few crates for cover.

"Genesis, purchase and spawn some rifle ammo. NOW," Jacob shouted.

"Yes, sir," Genesis replied, and a blue light flashed. The ammo spawned beside the guns.

Jacob ran over and grabbed one. "Show me a holo of loading. Hurry!"

Instantly, Jacob saw a blue holographic hand and blue rifle. He watched as the hand loaded the bullets into the magazine and prepared the gun for firing.

The woman arrived inside the building, and someone from the group threw an axe at her. But she dodged it and pointed the rifle at the worker. She pulled the trigger, and the man's head disappeared in a moment.

Unfortunately, the man behind her was not so lucky. The axe hit him directly in the chest, cutting into his lungs. A spurt of blood came from his mouth as he fell, trying to take breaths. His struggle was cut short, however, as another refugee behind him stepped on his neck as they continued to pile into the building, snapping it and killing him instantly.

In the chaos, Jacob had dashed behind the crate with the rifles. He missed the action as he was loading the rifle with the clip. It took him a moment to get the clip into the gun, but finally, with a click, he could look back over the crate.

He was stunned at what he saw: dozens of panicked people running inside with a woman and a rifle, and a bloody mess between him and her.

His adrenaline had kicked in. He ducked back down, attempting to hide. Hoping nobody saw him. If he got rid of the lady with the rifle, they had a chance.

Another volunteer peeked out and pointed her rifle at the lady.

Pulling the trigger,

BANG.

She clipped her thigh. It went straight through the side. Leaving a bloody hole.

Flinching for a moment, the lady grabbed her leg. "F#$%!". But used her other arm to aim the gun at the volunteer. BANG.

The volunteer's body fell to the ground, no longer breathing.

Jacob couldn't handle it anymore, daring to make a move. He looked over the crates again. The lady was looking down at her leg. Grimacing.

One refugee then bumped into her by accident in their panicked packing to the building. Causing her to lose balance for a moment.

Seeing this, Jacob raised the rifle. Pointed it in her directed and pulled the trigger.

BANG

A flash of light later, the woman was knocked back. The bullet going directly through her chest.

Surprised, Jacob stood up and paused for a moment, and then he saw the rifle of the lady sitting there.

Jacob was desperate to grab the rifle from her body before the refugees could. He held his rifle and screamed, "GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY!!" pointing it at the people who ran in his direction as he ran forward.

Most had arrived inside the facility by now. Trying to find hiding places. There was no organization, only panic.

Once Jacob made it to the other rifle, he grabbed it. And immediately booked it back to the printers.

Just before he got halfway, someone tackled him from the side. Attempting to steal the guns again.

But before Jacob could move, the person who attacked him screamed in pain as a light hit his back and burned his clothes. Looking over, Jacob saw Sophia keeping a certain distance from the man as to not cause too much or too little damage.

Sophia's hands were shaking as she held the welder. Her face, full of fear. As she continued to burn the man for a few more seconds until stopping the welder. The man was writhing in pain on the ground.

Jacob got up and moved himself past the crates. Grabbing Sophia's frozen hand as he passed her. Dragging her along.