by M. R. Forbes
"Here we go," Donovan said.
His heart was racing, but his nerves were calm. He was excited about this, more excited than he had expected. The Dread had taken so much from him and from humankind. He was eager to take something back.
The tractor angled toward the building, picking up speed as it left the roadway and jostled onto the dirt and vegetation. It rolled over it all with ease, gaining momentum and sliding deeper into the wilderness. Within minutes the road was hazy behind them, and a small incline began to appear on the horizon.
"It's right over that hill," Kraeger said. "Eight minutes out."
The tractor was surprisingly fast with the transport unhitched from it and Ehri pushing it to full throttle. It wasn't long before Donovan could feel the heat of the vehicle's exertion begin filtering into the cabin, leaving him sweating.
"There's no way they aren't going to spot us like this," Soon said.
"It's okay if they see us," Donovan said. "They just need to see us too late."
It was Kraeger who had presented the haphazard plan. It was Donovan who agreed with the logic of it. They would lose a lot of time going to the Dread facility on foot, time that would allow the larger force to return. By charging in the tractor, they might be able to catch the Dread off-guard in more ways than one.
They reached the hill in no time, coming upon the incline and rumbling up it with only a minor slowdown. Donovan leaned out the door of the cab, looking behind them. There was a light in the distant sky. A Dread fighter, or the transport heading back to base?
He grabbed Kraeger's shoulder and pointed to it.
"It's going to be close," Kraeger said.
"We have to reach the mechs before the reinforcements get here," Donovan said.
"I'm going as fast as I can, Major," Ehri replied.
The tractor trundled up the hill, slowing to almost half the speed as it neared the crest.
"That's it," Ehri said.
"Kraeger, you know what to do," Donovan said.
"See you in Hell, Major," Kraeger said. "The real one." Then he moved to the side of the vehicle and jumped off.
The rest of their small army jumped with him, abandoning the tractor to make the remainder of the trip on foot. They rolled beside and then behind the vehicle as it reached the apex of the incline, giving them a view of the Dread base a moment before they started dropping toward it.
It was a more open facility than the much larger city, with four roundish main buildings and a few smaller outbuildings all connected by narrow corridors. It gave the outpost an almost insectoid appearance, one that loosely resembled an asymmetrical wheel and spokes.
Donovan quickly spotted the two mechs he had seen earlier. They were moving to the front of the outpost, directly ahead of them.
"They saw us," Soon said, reaching up and pulling the safety restraints over his chest.
Donovan found his seat and did the same. "Let's hope their aim is off."
The tractor shook as it began to roll down the other side of the hill. Ehri kept the throttle all the way forward and began rocking the machine from side to side while it charged ahead. The mechs raised their weapons in unison, sending a spew of heavy slugs at them.
The projectiles slammed into the heavy metal shell of the vehicle, creating a din of clanks and thunks as they tore into to machine. Sparks skittered off the plating in front of the cabin as rounds nearly found them and the entire night sky grew bright white at the onslaught.
Plasma fire began streaking past them, the shots coming close to the mechs but intentionally not hitting them. Kraeger and his team were attempting to distract the pilots, to give them something else to think about and throw their aim.
The tractor continued on its course, racing down the hill toward the mechanized armors. Slugs continued to tear it apart, and Donovan watched chunks of iron explode from the machine, leaving a trail of debris along the sides. Something popped near the back, and a huge plume of smoke appeared in front of them. He expected that any moment one of the projectiles would find its way into the cabin and kill them all. One came close, catching the edge of the cage and tearing a huge hole in the side, taking the door with it.
It didn't matter. They had reached the point of no return. The mechs had also failed to adjust to their tactic. Was it because they didn't think the machine was a threat or was it because they just weren't accustomed to playing defense?
Whatever the reason, the tractor continued its approach, growing ever closer to the mechs until it was right on top of them, nearly as tall as they were and much, much heavier.
The Dread pilots finally realized what was about to happen, and they concentrated their fire on the front of the tractor, trying to slow its momentum.
Of course, they couldn't. Of course, it was too late.
The massive vehicle slammed hard into the mechs, catching one full on and clipping the other. That one spun and tumbled to the ground with a jolt, while the first was pushed backward, sinking into the front of the machine and finding itself pinned. Donovan braced himself as the tractor sandwiched the mech between itself and the wall of one of the outbuildings, slamming into it and coming to a sudden, complete stop.
"Come on," Donovan said
He removed the restraints and got to his feet. They had been hoping they would be able to catch both of the machines with the tractor. They would have to settle for the one. He could see the upper part of it ahead of him. It was struggling to get free, pressing against the weight of the truck.
Soon threw off his restraints, as did Ehri. They had an easy exit from the torn cage, and they made their way out of the hole and into the open air. Donovan found the first mech getting back to its feet, recovering from the glancing blow it had taken.
They were running out of time.
"Ehri, go," Donovan said. She was already moving, rushing toward the mech. He hoped they hadn't hit it too hard. They needed it to get loose.
"This is even crazier now that we're here," Soon said, watching along with him. Ehri jumped from the front of the tractor to the shoulders of the mech, a fifteen-foot leap that she made look easy.
"We're just getting started, Captain," Donovan replied.
The Dread forces were beginning to pour out of the buildings, getting mixed up with heavy fire from Kraeger and his approaching force. Clones were already falling nearby, hit by both plasma and traditional rounds, clearly caught unready for the assault.
Donovan almost fell as the trapped mech managed to get enough force behind it to shake the tractor. He leaned down, putting a hand on the scored metal, looking back to see that it was getting loose. Ehri had scaled the front of it, and he saw her put her hand to a spot on the chest and open a small access panel. She moved her hand across that, and the side of the mech's chest cavity parted, revealing the pilot inside. He could see the surprise on the pilot's face as Ehri shot him.
"What about that guy?" Soon said, pointing at the second mech. It was back on its feet, and facing their way.
"Run," Donovan said, turning and dashing across the top of the tractor. Projectiles dug into the metal behind them as he crossed to the other side. He reached the edge without pausing, jumping without a second thought.
He tucked his shoulder, hitting the ground in a hard roll. Soon was right behind him, trying to copy the move and coming up a little short. He landed hard on his side and didn't get up right away, stunned by the impact.
Donovan rushed back to him. A Dread soldier appeared in the doorway of the building they crashed against, and he got his rifle up in time to bring the clone down. He reached Soon, leaning next to him.
"Captain?"
Soon groaned and pushed himself up. His clothes were torn, but Diaz's gori'shah had survived beneath it, helping absorb some of the fall.
"I'm not dead yet," Soon said.
Donovan helped him up, and they both looked over in surprise as the tractor was shoved back, Ehri working the mech completely free.
"We're going to have comp
any," Donovan said, pointing at the light that had been following them in. It was the transport the Hunters had taken out into the wild. "Bad company. Hurry."
Donovan led Soon toward the doorway. The clone he had shot was slumped there, along with another that had been hit by Kraeger's more distant fire. They stepped over it, moving into the structure. They could hear Ehri's mech join the attack behind them, the whine of the powerful guns and the hard echoes of the slugs pouring into the second armor. Donovan turned his head right before rounding the corner, seeing Ehri's mech ducking around the tractor, using it as cover while she rained fire on the opposition.
"We need to clear the way for Kraeger," Donovan said.
They raced through the structure, catching the clone soldiers by surprise, hitting them with conventional fire before they could make it out the door. Only a few appeared by the time they had reached the first connecting corridor, proving Kraeger's hunch right. The base wasn't heavily defended.
"Honey, I'm hoooommmmeee," he heard Kraeger shout from somewhere behind him. "Get those charges down boys and girls. I'm expecting fireworks."
"Where to?" Soon asked.
Donovan paused. "Command is that way," Donovan said, following the layout Ehri had given them in his head. "There should be a hangar that way. I don't know if they have any equipment we can use in there, but it's worth trying to take what we can. Let's wait here for the others to catch up."
"Yes, sir," Soon said.
Kraeger appeared at the end of the corridor a moment later, flanked by ten men.
"How are we doing?" Donovan asked.
"It's fifteen to six in our favor, Major," Kraeger said. "And I think the odds are going to get better. Your alien girlfriend beat the hell out of that other mech. I'm glad she's on our side."
"Me too," Donovan said, relieved to know Ehri was okay. "We need to split up. Half to the Command Center, the other half to the hangar."
"You heard the man," Kraeger said. "I assume you want the charges in the Command Center?"
"Absolutely."
Soon put his hand on Donovan's shoulder. "If I don't see you again, Major, it was an honor."
"For me, too, Captain," Donovan said.
"Aww. You two are going to make me cry again. I think we should get moving."
Soon saluted, and then started running down the corridor toward the hangar, half of the other rebels following behind him.
"Well, you were right, Major," Kraeger said. "We can fight back. Are you ready to blow the insides of this place to mush?"
FIFTY-FIVE
The resistance in the hallways was light, the majority of it coming from a single squad of clone soldiers being led by an armored bek'hai in the corridor right outside the Command Center. Donovan and the others were pinned down there for a few minutes while they traded fire, the battle ending quickly when Kraeger threw a well-placed explosive into the center of them. The blast shredded the clones and left the Dread dazed long enough to get shot.
They filed into the Center. It was similar to the room that Donovan and Diaz had met Ehri in. Sparse and solid and cold. Simple slabs of metal rose up throughout the room, trailing back into the dark, uneven walls and flooring. A raised dais with a single chair resting on it sat in the center, ringed by three more levels of what appeared to be workstations of some kind.
The stations were all deserted, except for the chair in the center. A bek'hai in a flowing gori'shah was sitting there, looking ahead to a feed of the battle continuing outside.
Donovan let his eyes wander to the feed. He saw the tractor first and shuddered at the amount of damage it had sustained. It was a miracle they had survived their initial attack. He found Ehri's mech ducked behind it with the remainder of the rebel soldiers. The transport carrying the Hunters was further afield, on its side against the ground and smoking.
Three more Dread mechs had appeared in the distance and were peppering the tractor with fire, trying to get it out of the way once and for all. Two Dread fighters were circling, staying at a safe distance.
Donovan's heart sank. Either the forces hadn't been as light as Kraeger assumed, or reinforcements were already on the way before the battle started. Whatever the reason, it looked like it was only a matter of time before they were overwhelmed.
"Screw it, Major," Kraeger said. "Let's finish the job and go out as heroes."
"Funny thing for you to say," Donovan replied.
"What can I say? I'm fickle."
The pur'dahm reacted at the sound of their voices, turning his head to look at them. He was uglier than some of the others Donovan had seen, the ridges of bone on his head protruding in odd, asymmetrical angles, his skin thicker and more gray. He looked old.
"Druk'shur," he said calmly. "The resistance ends tonight."
"Maybe," Kraeger said. "You first."
He fired his rifle. The plasma caught the bek'hai between the eyes, sending him tumbling from the dais.
"Set the charges," Kraeger roared. "We aren't dead until we're dead."
The others set about spreading the explosives while Donovan watched the action unfolding outside. Smoke was pouring from the tractor, and Ehri had turned the mech to get it in front of as many of the rebels as she could. He could see some of the slugs were getting through now, digging into the mech's armor, the enemy drawing nearer.
They had tried to do something special. They had tried to claim the first real victory in the war against the Dread. If he was going to die, at least he could find comfort in the fact that he had died doing something, the same way his mother, Matteo, Diaz, and all of the others had. His life was only a waste if he died for nothing.
"Charges are set, Major," Kraeger said. "Let's see if we can get out of here."
Donovan kept his eyes on the feed. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion out there as the fighters swooped down, unleashing heavy plasma on Ehri's position. The shots hit the tractor, and one of them struck something important. He felt like his heart stopped beating as he witnessed the growing flume of the explosion, the battery detonating, its secure containment structure already turned to slag.
The mech was thrown backward, the rebels incinerated. The building shook from the shockwave, and again when the mech slammed into it once more.
"I don't think we're getting out of here," Donovan said, stunned.
"You don't survive by giving up, Major," Kraeger replied. "No matter how bad it looks. No matter how futile it seems. I know. I've been as low as any man can be."
Donovan nodded. Kraeger was right. He had to keep fighting.
He started toward the doorway.
An armored pur'dahm stepped into it.
Donovan couldn't see the Hunter's face. It was hidden behind a dark mask, still connected to the tanks that allowed the drumhr to breathe more easily outside. He entered wordlessly, rifle shouldered, replaced with an odd, dark blade that was sweating plasma.
"What the?" Kraeger said, raising his weapon to attack.
The Hunter burst forward, crossing the room in three steps, the rebel's defenses too slow. Plasma bolts hit the wall around him as he reached their forces, decapitating the first of them, then the second, and the third.
Donovan and Kraeger backed away, both shooting at the bek'hai. Donovan didn't have a Dread weapon, and his bullets pinged harmlessly against the armor. Kraeger's shots came close, but somehow the Hunter was avoiding them.
"Druk'shur," a voice said from the doorway.
A second Hunter was there, also carrying a blade. He spun it casually in his grip as he entered the room.
"Druk this," Kraeger said, turning to shoot.
Then the first Hunter was on top of him, grabbing the weapon from his hands and throwing it aside. He didn't kill Kraeger right away. Donovan knew why.
"Where is your base?" the second Hunter said in thick English.
"Go to Hell," Kraeger said, smiling.
The first grabbed him by the head and threw him forcefully to the ground.
"There ar
e two ways to die, human. You choose."
Kraeger moved to his hands and knees. He looked a little dazed, but he was trying to get up again.
Donovan stood behind them. They didn't care if he was armed, they knew he couldn't hurt them. They also knew he couldn't escape. He looked around the room, searching for something he could use. A plasma rifle was on the floor a few meters away. Could he reach it in time? He had seen how the Hunters moved. He doubted it.
"How about instead of giving up my people, I give you this?" Kraeger said, raising his middle finger. The Hunter hit him again, the force putting him back on the floor. He didn't get up as quickly.
"You," the second said, turning to Donovan. "You started this with the un'hai traitor. Where is your base?"
Donovan smiled. "Go to Hell," he said, mimicking Kraeger. He gave them the finger for good measure. He was about to die. Why not?
"I did not expect you to reveal your base, Heil'drek," the Hunter said. "You have great honor as a warrior and my respect. For that, I will retire you without pain."
He raised the plasma sword.
The building quaked, rocking so hard it knocked both Donovan and the Hunter from their feet as something large smashed against it.
Donovan didn't get back up. Instead, he scrambled for the plasma rifle, crawling toward it on his hands and knees, not even daring to look back. He had one chance to reach it before the pur'dahm cut him in half.
He almost had it in hand when he sensed the Hunter's presence behind him. He rolled to the side as the blade came down, sinking slightly into the floor and then lifting away. He looked up at the Hunter, knowing he wouldn't be able to avoid a second strike.
A muffled whine interrupted everything, and a split-second later the entire room began to blow apart under the force of slugs coming in from outside. Donovan looked over at the feed just in time to see the front of a mech nearly butted up against it, too clean and fresh to be Ehri.
The Hunter turned to face the new attack at the same time the bullets began ripping into him, hitting him hard enough that his body was sent across the room and into the wall. The other Hunter was down as well, while Kraeger was lying prostrate on the floor, his hands over his head.