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Abbey that allowed a view of hundreds of kilometers in every direction.
    “Em, what is that?” Barcus indicated smoke on the horizon to the southeast.
    “Maximum magnification,” Barcus ordered, but 10x was the best optical zoom on the BUG. Another 100x via digital zoom provided no addition information.
    “Can you estimate where that is Em?”
    A map popped up on the HUD, showing the basic location of where the fires were.
    “Do you have any BUGs near there?” Barcus asked.
    “I have some close but still a couple hours away, depending on conditions.”
    “Redirect them there, please. We need to know what's going on here. And also move in that direction. Just in case we want to redirect there.”
    “Barcus...”
    An image came up of a village burned to the ground and still smoldering.
    “I thought you said they were a few hours out.”
    “This is a different village. One on the way to the smoke.”
    The BUG flew closer to the largest ruin. The ashes were full of skeletons and charred remains.
    They were herded into there and then burned.
    “Head for the smoke, best possible speed.” His voice was flat.
    Anger was building.

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    Fire and Monsters
     
    “Barcus was acting counter to the Emergency Modules (EM) primary mission objectives. It was able to adapt.”
    --Solstice 31 Incident Investigation Testimony Transcript: Emergency Module Digital Forensics Report. Independent Tech Analysis Team.
    <<<>>>
     
    Em was moving fast, not taking the time to be stealthy. She wasn't trying to hide their tracks. Every step tore great wounds in the forest floor. The constant rhythmic pounding of her feet was like ground thunder.
    More BUGs spread out as they ran. Six more freshly burned villages were discovered that day. Each time it was the same, people corralled or piled inside a barn or hall that had been burned.
    “There were signs these last two villages fought back - makeshift fortifications and weapons. I think some of the burned remains were of the attackers.” Em was all business. It was unlike her.
    “Why are we doing this, Barcus? It's not safe. What will we do if we catch up to them?”
    “We will kill them all.” It had been barely a whisper.
    “Barcus.”
    The main HUD showed a small village under attack. Fires were already burning. Men on horses surrounded the town. They were armed with drawn swords and crossbows. An elderly couple, still in their nightshirts, was being dragged to the crossroads by their hair. None of the villagers were armed in any way. Not even an ax or kitchen knife.
    A signal was given, and the people were forced into the blacksmith’s barn on the opposite corner from the Inn at the crossroad. After the villagers were all inside, the doors were nailed shut.
    “Em, what is our ETA?”
    “Two hours at full speed.”
    Fuck.
    He clenched his teeth as the barn began to burn.
    “Prep the suit, Em. Stop one kilometer out.”
    After the barn was fully engulfed, the horsemen started a house-to-house detailed search. Valuables were collected, as well as wagonloads of supplies. It looked like they were planning to bed down there for the night. The barn fire had jumped to the thatched roof of the next building and then on to the next one, downing that section of the village.
    It was almost dusk when Em and Barcus stopped and Barcus moved to the suit. As he climbed in he asked, “How many are there?”
    Em replied, “I have counted 57 so far.”
    “I want them all dead. I don't care how. All. Is that clear, Em?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    His suit’s HUD had a tactical display of the village and indicated that hundreds of BUGs had already been deployed, and several followed each of the men.
    “None of them will survive. There are 59 in total. For now.” Em was chilling in her declaration.
    It was full dark, except for the fires when the monsters descended on them. Barcus loomed out of the darkness to grab two men by the necks. In the suit, he was over three meters tall. He lifted