Seven and Al never heard the first shot fired, but they heard it collide with Bev’s metal tail section. It made a distinctive “plink.” It was just as the Colonel described it, like a hailstone striking a tin roof. Seven paused for a millisecond to digest the sound. A slight smile came across his face as he realized that he was in the fight, just like the detailed narratives of his grandfather’s time in Southeast Asia.
The security detail circling Big Bev quickly located the origin of the shot fired. They assumed a fighting stance and began returning fire. The radio channel opened with a squelch and the sound of gunfire. Seven listened intently to the conversation and for any more hailstones striking his tin roof. Davis announced that the team had “the package” and was ready to return to the craft. He advised that they were taking fire and needed cover from the security detail. The detail replied that they were pinned down and taking fire as well.
Seven knew that the team needed some kind of cover to get them back aboard. He peered out of the windshield and quickly found a solution. Big Bev was sitting in a giant sandbox. She just needed to stir things up a bit and the team would have all the concealment they needed. Seven keyed his radio and instructed the team to get bearings on Big Bev. “Get her in your sights and plan your path ’cause we’re about to disappear, goggles on and faces covered and tell me when you’re ready,” he announced. Davis responded and replied that the team was ready to make their sprint to the big heaving machine in the courtyard.
Seven grabbed the stick, planted Big Bev into the ground, and pushed the power to her turbines. Big Bev took in a deep breath and began to exhale a mighty force as the power ran to her blades. The sand beneath her feet began to rise into a violent tornado. All vision was obscured in every direction as the blades pushed anything beneath her into the surrounding environment. Seven built a wall of sand and debris around his craft that created chaos and invisibility to the opposing force. Big Bev’s turbines