by Seth Libby
He was about to give the order for the armored support to open fire when movement caught his eye. He had been scanning an area closer to his defenses to confirm none of the humans or Lykaans had moved in when a flash of light reflected off of something in the distance. As he focused his glasses on the location, he dialed in to magnify the area. He did not understand what he was looking at at first. It appeared to be a piece of rock but it was moving. As the rock shifted, light once again reflected off of what he had spied a few moments earlier. Shock ran through him as recognition dawned upon him. He registered the flash of light but he was unable to move quick enough.
Vort was dead before he realized it as the depleted uranium round slammed into his helmet, punching through the thick armor to burn its way through his skull and into his brain. His head snapped back as his body fell backwards to slam into the ground below at the feet of his subordinate. With his death the area erupted in battle.
February 1st, 2014 8:33 am EST
Lykaa
Steve could hear the clear sounds of battle from the other side of the facilities but none of the Shenkar nearby moved to join their brothers. For now it seemed General Leonid’s assault was not enough to draw all the forces to the front lines.
“Lieutenant, is that the sounds of battle? Shouldn’t we move out?” asked Sergeant Robinson from behind him.
“Yes, but we have a problem, there is a few hundred Shenkar milling about just outside the tunnel.”
“So?” Robinson asked plainly.
“What do you mean so? We have to exit one at a time, I personally cannot kill or hold off that many before the rest of you can exit. Can you?”
Sergeant Robinson seemed to think this over for a few moments before he frowned slightly.
“Maybe but can’t say for sure.”
Steve only looked at him for a few moments, trying to gauge whether he was being serious with him or joking.
“You did hear me say a few hundred right?” Steve asked.
“Yep, I would have surprise on my side and I am sure they are not expecting an attack.”
Steve was about to disagree but he did see the man’s point. Then another issue occurred to him.
“Ok and if I let you do this then how do I let you out first? I am in your way.”
Sergeant Robinson seemed to think this over for a few moments as he looked about, above and behind before he spoke again.
“Lay down on your side, I should be able to step past you then.”
This thought had not occurred to Steve but he did not know if he wanted to let Sergeant Robinson throw his life away. While he would surely surprise the Shenkar, he knew they would eventually react and then Sergeant Robinson would die. Steve was not sure he was willing to sacrifice the man at the moment.
“Let’s give General Leonid a little bit longer before you throw your life away. Perhaps he has some plan that will draw our friends out there to him and give us the time to exit without you throwing your life away.”
Sergeant Robinson seemed slightly disappointed but did not say anything, only nodded his understanding.
Turning back to the opening, Steve listened to the battle as it unfolded. He could not help but wonder what was taking place out there as well as where could Liam be. All he knew was, the longer the Shenkar sat outside the tunnels the worse it would be for the human forces.
February 1st, 2014 8:33 am EST
Lykaa
The Shenkar officer’s head had just snapped back and he had fallen from the battlement.
“Nice shot!” stated James to Danny as he clapped him on the back.
“Thanks, let’s get out of here.” stated Private Henderson as he started to withdraw from sight.
As they began to withdraw the world around them erupted in turmoil as the Shenkar forces unleashed everything upon the immediate area. It was clear the Shenkar forces did not know where the shot had come from that had killed their commander but they guessed the general area. The area exploded around them as they attempted to withdraw.
Shards of rock showered down upon them from a nearby explosion as they attempted to move as quickly and safely as possible. James Reuban thought he was going to die for sure when the assault they were experiencing lessened somewhat granting them a moment of reprive. Taking this moment to get his bearings he raised his head to see that the rest of General Leonid’s forces had drawn close enough to engage the Shenkar.
The flashes of energy being transferred back and forth was nearly blinding as the intensity of the battle grew. The crack of a rifle report made James look around to see that Private Henderson had given up on pulling back and had once again set up his sniper rifle. He was methodical in his attacks upon the Shenkar. Never rushing the shot as he sighted in on Shenkar after Shenkar, dealing one deadly shot after another.
Unfortunately his skill did not go unnoticed and as Danny took aim upon another Shenkar, two bolts of energy slammed into him. One hit him in the shoulder which was not life threatening but the second one took him through the eye socket, burning its way through to his brain and killing him instantly.
James weaved his way through cover until he made it back to his own lines. Upon arrival he rejoined his own squad and saw that Danny Henderson had not been the only casualty of the day. Dozens of Praetorian Guard members lay dead along the battle line as well as a couple Lykaan’s. An explosion nearby engulf three men and a woman in fire, killing them instantly.
“Damn it! We need to take those tanks out now! They are chewing us apart!” screamed a man to James left who he did not know.
James was forced to agree but he did not see how they would receive any help, however, this did not stop him from praying for some help.
February 1st, 2014 8:53 am EST
Lykaa
Tank commander Dajet surveyed the battle field as his tank shifted slightly, lining up his next target. From what he had seen these humans did not pose much of a threat. They had certainly inflicted casualties against his own forces but they had yet to destroy or even disable one of the four tanks. It didn’t appear the humans had anything heavier than the shoulder rockets they had launched at them so far. He had to admit the rockets were certainly powerful but the armor on the front of a Shenkar tank was extremely thick. The only area of the tank where the armor was thin was in the rear, this was to prevent heat retention so the engines would not overheat. Dajet did not see a problem as long as the humans did not get behind them and even if they did they would need to go through the three hundred Shenkar warriors that were being held in reserve.
This would be a good day because he would be part of the first defeat of these humans. This would prove these humans were not the indestructible force they were thought to be. Dajet smiled again as his tank fired again, incinerating a group of humans who were attempting to move in closer.
Looking through his field glasses he spotted what looked to be a human that was giving orders, perhaps the leader of the ground forces. Looking away from the glasses he addressed the rest of his crew.
“Target coordinates four by three by five, let me know when you have a targeting solution, I believe I have located their commander.”
As he looked back he noticed something high up and above. A flash of energy exited an opening of a cavem roughly three hundred feet up the side of the cavern wall, followed by another flash. The flashes came quicker, building in intensity, until the light was a steady pulsing. Whatever was coming, Dajet had the feeling it was not good. His answer came soon after when he saw a figure surrounded in light ran and jumped free of the opening and began to plummet downwards.
The figured fell until it was within fifty feet of the ground, when much to Dajet’s surprise, it stopped in midair. Due to the intensity of light surrounding the figure it was hard to make out who or what it was but if he had to guess it looked as if he was human. How could this be possible?
The fighting seemed to lull for both sides as everyone looked upon the figure, clearly not sure of what to make o
f it. Dajet knew he had to do something, this figure needed to be eliminated.
“Gunner, target that figure and fire!” Dajet ordered.
The tank began to shift, its gun rising to target the floating figure. As the gun locked onto the figure, bolts of lightning lashed out, slamming into Dajet’s tank. Dajet’s body shook violently as the current pulsed through him and his tank, electrifying all within. He could feel himself cooking from the inside out, his mouth open but he was unable to scream. As Dajet felt his eyes burst, the electrical current ignited one of the fuel cells within, the entire tank exploded killing all within.
February 1st, 2014 8:55 am EST
Lykaa
As the schrapnel and fire from the explosion rained down upon the Shenkar, the figure began to move forward, levitating on pulses of electricity. More and more bolts of electricity began to lance outward, slamming into the other tanks. The result was the same, tanks exploded into fiery balls of flame.
“Jesus, did you see that!? asked Antonio to no one in particular.
Everyone looked up at the figure as it passed overhead, lightning impacting all around them yet injuring no human or Lykaan. A broadcast over the comm channel shook him from his gaze.
“The Shenkar are distracted, all forces immediately moved forward and engage!” commanded General Leonid.
All around him human and Lykaan alike surged forward, all firing at once at the Shenkar defensive perimeter. It gained them a few moments of surprise before the Shenkar shook off their surprise. Once again the battle intensified but the new addition changed the momentum of the battle.
The mysterious figure continued the deadly assaults, burning down Shenkar by the dozens. As the figure came to the outer wall of the mining facilities main building a massive bolt of lightning lashed outwards. The wall exploded inwards, in which the figure passed through and out of site.
Antonio did not have any time to think of their mysterious help as the Shenkar’s return fire intensified. From the looks of it the Shenkar had gained reinforcements which effectively staunched the human forces assault.
February 1st, 2014 9:08 am EST
Lykaa
Steve had just about moved forward with Sergeant Robinson’s plan when he heard explosions from the area where the Shenkar defensive perimeter was. All at once all the Shenkar that were located just outside the tunnel, grabbed their weapons and ran full tilt towards the sounds of battle.
“What the hell just happened?” Steve wondered aloud.
“I think we just got the signal to move,” stated Sergeant Robinson from behind Steve as he peered out over his head.
“Yeah I would say so, pass the word, we move NOW!”
Steve was not sure what was going on but something had just given them the opportunity to get his group out of the tunnel safely. The word passed quickly and soon four hundred humans and Lykaans poured from hidden tunnels into the area directly behind the facilities. As soon as all forces were out and got into position they would be able to attack the Shenkar from behind and with that they should be able to finish them once and for all. He only hoped they would be able to rescue Tim and Alyssa in time.
February 1st, 2014 9:10 am EST
Lykaa
The building shook trembled beneath Viero’s feet from a nearby explosion near the facility.
“What is going on out there!” Viero demanded of no one in particular.
One moment the reports had been flowing in that his forces were slowly destroying the human forces then nothing. He had just sent a runner to find out how the battle was faring when something had struck the building.
If this battle did not go the way they had expected then he would need to escape with the two remaining humans. He would need to take them to the Akron research facility. Perhaps the Akron scientists would be able to determine a way to exterminate these humans. Turning, he waved over the inquisitor who had remained here with Viero when the fighting had started.
“Go to the holding cells and take the remaining female prisoner to the gunship. If we lose this battle then it could spell doom for our cloning capabilities. If that happens we will need to find another way to defeat these humans. The technology within these humans could possibly be the answer to that. I will join you soon, if I do not, then take the gunship to the Akron facility and deliver the human female to the scientists there,” Viero explained in a low voice so as not to be overheard by the prisoners.
The inquisitor saluted and Viero watched him quickly head off in the direction of the holding cells. Turning he headed over to where Shizta and the human male were kneeling. Standing before the pair, Viero debated one what he would do with Shizta. Should he execute him now or bring him to the Shelecore? Deciding it would be better to execute him he reached for his plasma sword.
The sound of an explosion suddenly caused Viero to look up. That explosion was from within the facility, which should not be possible. This would mean the humans had penetrated the defenses and were now making their way here. He looked at the forty Shenkar warriors that were stationed within the room and debated sending them to engage the humans. His thoughts were interrupted when the door opened and in staggered the runner he had sent. The warrior was bloody from several wounds and smoke rose from a burned section of his uniform. His arm dangled at his side, mangled and clearly non functional. The warrior staggered up, managed a shaky salute before he spoke.
“Overlord, I fear I was unable to complete your orders. I was attacked within the facility by a human that almost killed me. It was only by chance that I survived and this was due to he was engaged combat with other Shenkar warriors.”
“One human did this?” Viero asked incredulously.
Before the warrior could answer he collapsed to the floor, either unconscious or dead, Viero was not sure. The sounds of fighting grew louder as Viero looked down at the warrior. This could not be possible, he thought to himself, no creature is that powerful. It was clear he underestimated these humans but he would make sure he did not pay the price. Turning he addressed the warriors throughout the room.
“Every one is to move and engage the human! He is not to make it here! Whoever kills the human will be rewarded beyond measure.”
All but two warriors exited the room, moving off to engage the human that was headed in this direction. Viero could not help but notice that more than one Shenkar did not have the look of confidence that was typically found upon a Shenkar warrior’s face.
“Lock down the doors, no one is to breach this room!” Viero ordered of the last two guards that remained behind.
The doors locking mechanisms sounded throughout the room as the heavy bolts secured the room from the outside. Silence soon descended over the room for a moment as Viero debated whether he should simply take the remaining human and head for the gunship. He would need to take one of the back routes, it would take longer but it would guarantee he would not encounter any humans.
He turned to the human only to find the human looking up at him, a smile upon his face. The smile, unsettled Viero more than he would like to admit.
“You are dead and you don’t even know it,” the human male said in a soft voice.
“In case you missed it I just sent nearly forty warriors to kill your human friend out there,” said Viero, although his voice held no real confidence.
“No, you just sent nearly forty warriors to their deaths,” countered the human male.
Viero was about to say something when the sounds of fighting grew much louder along with the screams of the dying. This continued for several minutes until silence descended outside the doors. Did his men succeed?
A thunderous boom sounded throughout the room from something slamming into the secured doors. It was so loud and sudden that Viero thought his heart would jump out of his chest. A few seconds passed when another boom slammed into the door. It sounded as if something was trying to batter the doors down.
A small laugh from behind Viero made him look around. The human male was laughing t
o himself.
“What is so funny?”
“Someone’s knocking at your door and wants to come in,” the human said, laughing a bit more before continuing. “Actually, that makes me think of a famous piece of literature from human history…although slightly altered in this case.”
“And what would that be” Viero asked without thinking.
“By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes. Whose that knocking at your door? That is death and he is coming to settle the score!”
As the human finished a massive explosion sounded behind Viero. Whipping around Viero saw the doors had exploded inwards and in floated a human surrounded in light. The two remaining warriors moved to intercept him but they both stopped suddenly, as if hitting an invisible wall. Neither moved as their bodies seemed to contort backwards. Their heads bent backwards as well.
Viero could not help but notice that as the warriors bodies twisted, the human’s fingers were slowly curling into fists. The sounds of bones breaking sounded loudly throughout the room over both warriors screams. The screaming ceased suddenly as the human’s hands closed quickly and the warriors bodies snapped backwards, folding them in half. Both warriors were clearly dead, blood flowing from their mouth and noses.
Viero tried to turn to flee but found himself unable to move. Every fiber of his being was screaming for him to move but he seemed to be locked in an unseen vice. The figure floated closer, the light surrounding him was almost blinding but Viero was able to make out the human with in…it was Commander Brennan. The anger that shown on this humans face was clear and Viero experienced something he was not used to…fear.