There was a metre-wide hole in the centre of the doors they had so recently repaired. Several of the soldiers nearby went forward to begin repairs.
"No! Get back!"
As Kelly said it, a pulse flew through the gaping hole and struck one of the soldiers square in the chest, knocking her flat onto the floor. The woman's armour was smouldering, and fragments had burned into her neck and shoulder, but she was alive. The huge hands of one of the Juggernauts reached into the weakened door and began prising it open like a tin can.
Kelly pulled two grenades from his webbing, primed them, and tossed them through the hole. He fired a few shots to follow them and then ducked away for cover. The grenades ignited with a fraction of the force and resonation of the weapons the enemy had used against the doors.
Just a few seconds later, Kelly was on his feet again.
"Fall back! Fall back!"
A few of the soldiers near him looked in surprise and for him to repeat the order. But as a pulse zoomed through the breach and flew past Kelly, they soon moved. He reached down for the wounded woman and hauled her to her feet.
"No time to lick your wounds, move!" he screamed at her.
Troops poured out from the bunker entrances either side of the hallway while he and Reynolds laid down fire through the breach. The flow of soldiers finally stopped long before he would have expected it to. The Commander leaned into the bunker that had been opposite theirs and could see the bodies of at least ten of their people. They had gotten it far worse than his position. He looked to each of the bodies to be certain there was no sign of life, but there was nothing.
"Kelly, we gotta move!" Reynolds pleaded.
He was suddenly tugged backwards, and the Captain hauled him out into the corridor. As he spun around, they both continued on into a quick paced charge to escape the incoming enemy.
"This isn't working!"
"You saw how many we killed, Captain! I'd say it worked rather well!" he answered.
It was the only justification he could think of for the losses they had endured.
They heard further explosions at their backs from the Mechs blasting their way in.
"At least we can bottleneck them now," he added.
"You really do try and find the positive in every situation?"
Kelly smiled.
"Somebody has to."
The corridor ahead broadened out into kill zone lines of loopholes at two levels, and just one small doorway to one side that they headed for. They were the last survivors to make it. They went through it and found Corporal Berlin sealing the door. She didn't have to ask if they were the last; she knew Kelly would be the last one out.
He stopped, leaned against a wall, and took a deep breath.
"I'm getting way too old for this shit," he grumbled.
"Don't worry, you won't have time to age much further," a croaky voice replied.
He looked across the room. Becker was sitting on a worktop with a rifle in hand. His face had been hurriedly wiped of blood and dirt. Much of it was still ingrained in his hairline and neck. Kelly nodded in appreciation for having him there.
"So they haven't killed you yet?"
"They can shoot me, burn me, blow me up; they can fly motherfucking planes into me, but they can't kill me," he replied.
His voice was slow and weary as if he would pass out at any time. And yet he didn't.
Kelly dropped the magazine from his rifle and fed in a new one.
"You really are into this fighting to the very end?" Becker asked him.
Kelly looked up at him in surprise and then around to all those who surrounded them and listened in keenly.
"You never believed me, did you, none of you? I said this was the end, but you didn't believe it?"
Nobody responded.
"Yeah, well, maybe I didn't either. But what does it matter? We've lived on. We've gotten more out of life than most on this world. Every day we go on is a kick in the teeth to those bastards out there. They think of us as small and weak, an inferior race. But whose blood is running in rivers out there? Maybe death isn't all that bad. Maybe we were always destined to die against the never-ending hordes. But know that I am proud of you all. You fought on, and you fought well. If this is the end, then we will end it well."
He could see they appreciated the sentiment, but they couldn't bring themselves to cheer at the prospect of their own deaths. They could hear the resonation of the heavy Mech footsteps hurtling towards them now.
"You all know what to do. Fire at will!"
Kelly turned and positioned himself at one of the loopholes in the defensive line. There was no way over or around it. All the Mechs could do was come right at them and try and breach the walls. It was a purpose built killing zone for dealing with this very threat. As they waited for the first target, a dome-shaped object rolled into view. It looked like some kind of large grenade, but it stopped halfway into the kill zone.
"Cover!" Kelly shouted.
It was too late. The device opened and expanded rapidly, letting out a blinding ray of light over their entire position. Many of the troops winced in pain, dropping to the floor disorientated. Kelly had gotten to cover and was able to stay on his feet with at least a few others around him. He looked out through the loophole as one of the breaching Juggernauts stormed into view.
"Fire!"
His vision was blurred, but the creature was so large and coming right at them, he couldn't miss. He held the trigger down and opened fire as a dozen others joined him. He aimed low for its legs. After about twenty shots, he struck one of its knee joints and sent it hurtling face first to the floor. As it slid to a halt, they kept up their fire onto the top of its head and collar. More than two hundred shots were poured into the beast, when finally the explosive device it carried ignited. Kelly ducked back down for cover, just as a fragment of shrapnel flew through his loophole and embedded in the wall behind him.
Kelly was right back up on his feet and surveying the scene. There was a metre-deep crater in the floor where the creature had ignited, and only fragments of metal scattered about the area.
"Suicide bombers?" Reynolds asked, "All their wealth of technology, and that's the kind of primitive thing they come up with?"
"But it works, doesn't it? If you don't value the lives of your soldiers, and they're either brave or stupid enough to do it, it's a cheap and simple means of getting the job done. We don't have any infantry in the world that could manage what those things can do. We'd have to bring in heavy armour or air strikes."
"But what do they fight for?"
Kelly shook his head. "I have no idea anymore."
"Here they come!" a voice yelled along the defensive line.
Three Mechs appeared at the entrance where the bottleneck opened up into the kill zone of their position. The second they appeared the first few shots rang out, and several others joined them. The creatures were cut down before they got more than two metres into the room. Kelly looked around to see crates of ammunition were being carried in, and he smiled at the realisation that it was their opportunity to butcher the enemy.
He left his people to keep up the onslaught and picked up handfuls of magazines, standing them on a ledge near his firing position. He casually reloaded and took aim. The Mechs began to topple over their dead, and yet continued coming forward like a swarm of ants.
Kelly took in a deep breath and then joined in the fire. He could feel the heat rise from the barrels of the weapons around him as they rattled off shot after shot. The Mech bodies began to amass at the bottleneck leading to the kill zone. There they formed a wall.
The gunfire slowed and finally came to a standstill. The heap of corpses had created a barrier between the two sides. The soldiers of the Drachenburg watched with anticipation to see the enemy's next move. Several took the opportunity to reload and then continue staring at the bizarre situation ahead of them. Kelly knew that any human being could not go on beyond that, but he also knew the enemy were nothing like them.
“Did we stop them?” Reynolds said quietly.
“Are you kidding me?” asked Becker, “You think a few bodies will stop them?”
As he said it, an explosion rang out, and the corpses were thrown forward into the open floor, blasting a breach into the corridor where fresh Mech warriors advanced. Kelly sighed, accepting the inevitable and raising his rifle to fire. A few seconds later, his finger was on the trigger without him even consciously intending to do so. Half the magazine was emptied before he even snapped out of the daydream, finding he had slipped into some kind of autopilot. He kept on firing until the magazine was dry and quickly ducked back down to reload.
Kelly looked over to Becker who was doing the same. He panned over to the doorway. Engel was struggling with yet more ammunition boxes full of grenades. He glanced back to Becker, who seemed to be the most sane and competent officer at his side, even if we was still suffering from the horrors of losing so many friends.
“They’re never going to stop coming, are they?”
“No,” Becker replied sternly, “Why would they stop coming? They didn’t stop till they conquered the world, so why would they stop because a few of us are giving them some trouble?”
“And every day we live is a day we defy their conquest?”
Becker nodded in agreement.
“Then we have to leave.”
Becker looked surprised.
“No fight to the end? No last man standing?”
“One day for sure, but not now. We escaped to this forest and we lived this long. We can do it again. We are going to die, no doubt, but not today.”
Becker’s interest seemed renewed.
“What do you have in mind?”
“Only really one way out of this now, Captain. The route we kept hidden from the moment we all arrived here. Pass the word. We’re getting out of here.”
Kelly turned to Captain Reynolds who had been listening in.
“I want two platoons to maintain this position until the rest are ready to move. And I want everyone else ready for that in fifteen minutes!”
“Fifteen?”
“Load as much food, water, and ammunition you can get in that time. Then get everyone wheels as fast as you can.”
“Wheels?” asked Becker, “We have a lot heavier gear than that.”
“We do, and that’s for another job. Your job."
"Care to enlighten me on the plan?"
"Follow me, and it'll soon reveal itself."
* * *
Taylor stood with Jafar, looking at the heavily armoured suit of a Juggernaut in front of them.
"Well?" Taylor asked.
He was well aware they had done this very same thing before, and yet not found a satisfactory answer.
"Our heavy weapons will be able to take them on," added Morris.
"Yes, but they are in small numbers and far from flexible. We get to fighting in the corridors of the Washington, or one of the enemy vessels, and they could be taking us apart before we can bring the big guns to bear."
"Yeah, and it still doesn't change the fact these things are nothing like what we faced on that planet."
"No," replied Taylor, "but they are the closest thing we have to compare for size and power. If I could have recovered that robot...thing, whatever it was, I would have. So we focus our attention on what we do have. Our heavy weapons were needed to bring both of these monsters down effectively."
"We need them on our side," Parker joined in.
"I know that. We all know it, but it's out of our hands now."
"Surely they must see, Colonel. They must see we're in this together?"
"You can want it all you like, Morris, but it doesn't make it so. We don't know who these people are. We don't know what they want, what they have been through, or their connection to the Krys. Fact is; we don't know anything. So let's stop wishing, praying, and assuming. We're starting from scratch here. Look, listen, and observe. Maybe then we will learn something."
"Or get our heads blown off," Parker said quietly.
"Yeah, or that."
A voice came over the intercom, "Colonel Taylor to the bridge."
He shook his head.
Great, another opportunity to get shit heaped on my head, and be told to appreciate the fact!
He turned back to the group to see they awaited his instruction.
"All right, listen in. You all know this is bullshit. But if there is one thing we don't do, it's give up on our own people. Be ready."
"For what?" Morris asked.
"Anything."
With that, he turned and left. As he paced through the corridors, he sighed, imagining what kind of grilling he would get this time. He was starting to wonder if he had just become Huber's punch bag. Taylor began to grumble under his breath but realising a few crew were taking notice, he stopped.
As he stepped aboard the bridge, he was once again ushered into the Captain's quarters, just as he had been so many times, but once inside, he soon found the tone was very different. He wasn't being called in there to be ribbed. He could tell they wanted something big from him.
"Colonel Taylor, please sit down," Huber said calmly.
Huber's tone was serious but not at all rushed or urgent. Taylor took his seat and now gave them his full attention. He was more curious than anything, but nobody said a word. Huber looked like he was trying to figure out a way to break some news to Taylor, but Mitch stayed silent and waited for it.
"Mitch..." the Admiral began.
First names terms, this is gonna be a big ask. Spit it out.
"Mitch, we've had contact from the ground."
"From them? The...whatever they are?"
Huber nodded.
"Okay, well that's a start. At least they aren't shooting. They want to join us?"
Huber shrugged.
"The message gave no indication of their intentions."
Taylor looked confused.
"Well what did they say?" he asked bluntly.
"The message was very short. It read, 'Colonel Taylor. Come alone to the co-ordinates we last met.'"
Taylor didn't know what to say.
"That's all, Admiral? That's the whole message?"
"Yes. We tried to respond and get some more information, but there has been nothing. The message couldn't be clearer. They want you and you alone."
"That's it? I get no backup? You've seen how dangerous those things are."
"According to you, Colonel, we have little chance against them, anyway. So risking your life down there alone is no worse than refusing to respond to their request."
Taylor grimaced, understanding how his own words were being used against him. He looked around at the other senior staff sitting about the room and could see that all they were waiting for, and all they were willing to accept, was for him to say yes.
He thought about it for a moment. The one thing he had always been able to rely on was his own people. The Inter-Allied, and the many friends and allies he had picked up along the way.
"Taylor, you know I wouldn't ask you to risk your life unnecessarily," Huber added.
Of course you would, Taylor thought.
But he knew he wasn't in a position to refuse, and he'd take any opportunity he could to get off the ship and onto solid ground.
"Colonel, I cannot order you to do this. Or at least, I can, but it wouldn't be fair. But I must stress the importance of this task, and you are the only one that can do it."
Taylor shook his head slowly and replied, "Okay, I'll do it, Admiral."
Huber sighed in relief.
"Good man."
"So no other stipulations? Nothing about weapons, or anything at all?"
"Nothing, but I suggest you go equipped as you were when you first met them. They are looking for some kind of consistency, so give it to them. And at least you'll be geared up for a fight, should you find one."
Alone and against the most advanced technology we have ever seen? Sounds appealing.
"When do I set off?"
"They gave no indicator as to when, so we can only assume they meant as soon as possible."
Taylor stood up and started to leave.
“Colonel?”
He stopped and turned back to the Admiral.
“It is no secret that your woman is aboard.”
“What of it?” Taylor answered, indignantly.
Huber looked surprised at his defensive response.
“Be sure to see her before you leave,” he finally added.
Taylor relaxed, smiling in response at the Admiral’s unexpected purpose.
“Aye, aye, Sir.”
As he strode back towards Parker and the others, he thought about what Huber had just said. They both knew he was being asked to put his life on the line. Danger was nothing new to Taylor. But to face danger without a hope of fighting back, that was entirely alien and an unpleasant thought.
When he reached his own people, he stopped and could see Parker staring right back at him. She could see the expression on his face and instantly knew it wasn’t news she was going to like. He approached slowly. The rest of his unit stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to him. He stopped before Parker and Morris. Jafar was there, too, looming over the humans.
“This is how it is. I’ve been called down to the planet. Alone. No pilot, no back up.”
“No, you can’t go without help,” pleaded Parker.
Taylor shook his head.
“This isn’t optional. You don’t follow me. You do not leave this ship. Not any of you. This isn’t what I want, but it is the way it has to be. You know what you have to do. Be ready for anything. Stay sharp, same as always.”
“And if they strike you down?” Morris asked.
“Well then you better start worrying about this ship, as they’ll surely be coming for you,” he replied.
“Colonel Taylor, your ship is ready!” a voice called.
Battle Earth: 11 Page 3
