Tonk and I skidded to a stop, taking cover behind an overturned truck. Blaster fire flew above our heads as the drones advanced.
“Christ,” Tonk’s chest heaved as he sucked air into his lungs, and he reloaded. His eyes narrowed as he looked at me, and a worried frown spread across his face.
“Jeb?” he said my name slowly. It was a warning.
“They have a weakness, you know,” I said.
“That right? Well, I sure don’t see it. All I see is unstoppable blaster fire. Take out one drone and another appears.”
“You haven’t noticed? They do everything together.”
Tonk’s expression told me a lot.
“Control says turn left, they turn left. Control says neutralize target—“
“Yeah, I get it. They’re doing a damn good job of neutralizing us.”
“That’s just it. One target. They can’t process multiple targets.”
Tonk stared at me.
“Look at them.” I pointed through the busted window. Tonk watched the advancing drones.
“They’re only shooting. They’re not aiming at anything.”
“So?” Tonk shook his head, “How’s that help us?”
“Remember the drone I took apart?”
Tonk nodded.
“There’s a piece of code.” I stopped, realizing Tonk wouldn’t understand what I needed to do.
“If I can get to their programming, I can write a routine and force them to fire on their own command.”
“So, you need me to nab another drone for you?”
“Yep.”
“Next time just ask. Back in a second.”
Tonk smiled and disappeared around the side of the truck.
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Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
Jo Hawk 