“Priminae GWIZ,” he said, raising the volume on his speaker. “Gravity gun. Was presented to me by an admiral I know back on Ranquil.”

The GWIZ was a strange looking beast, lacking many of the features that a Terran would equate with a weapon. It didn’t have a barrel; instead there was a set of five free-floating “rail points” that flexed as needed to direct the gravity warp that propelled the projectile. These were mounted along a long rail that included a hand grip, power pack, and other bits and bobs of interior mechanics.

All in all it was the most lethal nonthreatening-looking device he’d ever held, a fact that normally amused him to no end, but for the moment he honestly couldn’t remember why. He’d picked it rather than a standard-issue assault rifle because of the fact that the GWIZ could accommodate almost any ammunition he chose to load it with. Right now he was firing diamond rounds, but in a pinch he could toss in practically anything and the gun would launch it without issue.

Lyssa was working her jaw and had a finger in her ear as she tried to get full hearing back. “What?”

Eric chuckled, turning away. “You guys have to get clear. I’m going to spot for the Strykers until the Guard gets here.”

“Oh, like hell I’m going anywhere,” Lyssa snarled. “This is my city, leatherneck. You don’t get to tell me what to do.”

Eric glanced at her sharply, noting the nickname she’d pinned him with. He hadn’t heard that particular appellation for a long time. It wasn’t something in common use outside the Corps any longer. He evaluated her for a moment while his computer connected to the military networks and ran facial recognition.

Well, well, well. Melyssa Sirenne Myriano, lieutenant in the Corps. Communications specialist. Her service record flitted by, but he mostly ignored it once he’d determined that she had no significant red flags. He could use a good comm link, actually, and someone who knew the city for that matter, but without some decent equipment she wasn’t much more than a meat target.

Eric looked her over. “Alright then, Lieutenant. You want to hang around, that’s fine with me. We’ll have to get you some proper kit, however.”

Lyssa snorted, holding up her empty hands. “Twist my arm.”

He turned back to the others in the alley, speaking to them all, but looking at the big man in SWAT gear. “Get these people out of here. Stay near the waterfront and head down toward the Lincoln Tunnel. The Guard has a command post setup at the USS Intrepid. They’ll have an evacuation plan and weapons for you. I’ll let them know you’re coming.”

Lyssa slapped Alex on his armored chest, nodding to the spotter’s scope he was still holding. “I’ll take that, man.”

He shrugged and nodded, dropping it into her palm. “Be careful.”

She jerked her head in Eric’s direction. “The man just face planted his whole fucking starship into New York City. I think he’s used up his bad luck for this year.”