Five rounds surged from Taylor’s weapon. Light burst from the barrel as the armour penetrating rounds riddled the first. It crashed against the far wall and tumbled to the ground. Before he could target the other guard, it had been hit by Silva and two of the others multiple times.
Even before the second creature had hit the ground, an ear piercing alarm rang out and the lights around the edges of the walls quickly transitioned to a pulsating red flash. Taylor smiled as he marvelled at the chaos they had created. They waited and listened for the inevitable sound of thundering footsteps that soon followed. Huge structural supports running around the rim of the circular room would give solid cover. Taylor pointed towards them and they quickly took up position.
They listened as a horde of the Mechs rushed down the corridor to the right side of the room, and they readied their weapons. Taylor looked back at the door that had been guarded, and it was still shut. He knew that whoever was inside would have a clear view to the site where Suarez was putting the bomb. He turned back to see the first wave of Mechs pouring into the room.
Light pulsed from the marines’ weapons as their grenades smashed into the first line of approaching Mechs. Taylor marvelled at the firepower they now possessed. Their new weapons made the enemy body armour almost obsolete, and they could put out a higher rate of fire. It was clear to the Major that their enemy would soon realise the humans were far more a threat than they had ever expected. As the battle raged, he turned to Ortiz and Wright.
“You two, on me!” he cried. He turned to Silva. “If we aren’t out in five, you get your asses out of here, that’s an order Sergeant!”
Taylor leapt out from cover and dashed towards the doors with the other two marines at his back. Light pulses flashed across their path, but Silva and the others were quick to silence their guns. Explosions rang out in almost continuous bursts as the Mech advance was smashed to a halt. As the three marines rushed for the door, Taylor lifted his launcher and fired three rounds into the translucent material. The first barely damaged it, but the second caused huge cracks to surge up to the frame until the final round caused the doorway to shatter and implode.
The three marines continued to rush forward. They were aware that stopping could result in death. Taylor got to the rubble of the door and leapt into a roll, tumbling into the room over smashed debris. He rolled to his feet to see half a dozen creatures with pistols already firing at them. Two of the shots hit his torso armour and were absorbed by the thick plating.
They lifted their weapons to the shoulder, and the three men quickly returned fire. Wright was struck by a pulse to his face. He was killed instantly, and his body tumbled to the ground as his burnt flesh smouldered. Taylor and Ortiz dropped to one knee and fired rapidly. Their ammunition blew apart the consoles and the creatures using them for cover. Their launchers quickly overcame the unarmoured and lightly equipped foes. Taylor could only imagine that they were technical staff.
Smoke rose from the burnt units and the room became silent. They could still hear the battle raging through the doorway behind them. Taylor looked around to see Wright’s body, but at least he had died a quick and painless death. Out of the corner of his eye the Major caught just a single glimmer of movement and turned quickly as he lifted his weapon.
He turned just in time to see a tall dark figure appear from between the burning consoles and shadowy corner of the room. Before he could pull the trigger, a pulse lashed out and struck Ortiz in the neck, cutting his head from his shoulders. Taylor pulled the trigger of his weapon but it dry fired. The magazine was empty.
He looked up in horror as the figure stepped out of the shadows. The creature wore a finely tailored armour that was something between the skin tight body suits he had seen and their soldiers’ armour. It was intricately detailed and gave off a bluish finish as was still liked by many old gun collectors. The armour glimmered as the red flashing beacon lights bounced rays from it. The creature’s head was unprotected, and it was obvious that he was of major importance to their forces.
The creature looked down at his weapon, studying it intently. It was clear that it understood the launcher no longer presented any threat. Taylor threw it down before him and stood up straight and proud. He would not be intimidated by the creatures. Out of the corner of his eye, and behind the creature, he could make out the shape of Suarez’s team advancing into position. He looked back into the eyes of the beast.
The two studied each other for what felt like an age before finally the monster stepped over to a console and placed its weapon down.
“Who are you?” shouted Taylor.
He knew that his death was almost certain. He cared only about buying his people enough time to place the weapon that would blow the complex to hell. The creature turned and glared at him, and then to his utter surprise, it spoke.
“You are Major Mitch Taylor, are you not?”
The beast spoke in a rough and deep voice. Taylor was taken aback by the question. His mind went from the mission and to his curiosity over the monster’s knowledge.
“How would you know that?”
“You have proved most troublesome for our armies, Major. Captain Jones speaks very highly of you. Credit which I see is due.”
“Captain Jones? You have spoken to him?”
The creature smiled, but it was clearly not in any mood to answer. The name of his friend being used left Taylor desperately trying to imagine what could have become of him. He had heard enough from the beast. He wanted nothing more than to cave in its skull if it had nothing more to say. He reached for the head of his recently acquired hammer, pulled it from his belt and took a wide grip in both hands.
“Why did you come here, Major? Did you believe you could save your Captain?”
Taylor stood ready with his weapon and glared at the monster.
“Because you came in vain. You chose your location poorly.”
Taylor smiled, knowing there was a chance that his friend was still safe.
“Who are you?”
“You may call me Karadag for the time you have left on this world.”
The beast put its weapon down on the burning console and lifted a device from its armour which quickly expanded to the height of a man. A heavy ball end extended from one end and a double-edged recurved blade the other. Taylor’s eyes widened at the sight of the savage looking implement. The creature was certainly no stranger to combat.
Taking the initiative, Taylor rushed at it with his hammer held high for a powerful strike. Before he could bring the weight of it down, the beast had leapt nimbly aside and swung its vast weapon around, smashing the heavy ball end into his back. The power of the strike sent him hurling into a tall console that smashed on impact. His torso armour was all that had saved his spine from snapping under the force of the impact.
As he sighed in pain, Taylor turned to see that Karadag had already recovered his posture and stood ready for a second pass. Taylor stretched in pain. His face had smashed into the sidewall, his helmet only cushioning the impact a little.
“What do you even want with this planet?” he shouted.
The creature circled around him as it eyed up his intentions.
“What are you doing here?” he yelled.
“This land should not belong to lesser beings.”
“Then there is no end to this war?”
“Yes, when you are defeated.”
Taylor lifted the hammer to his side and rushed forward. He swung with a wide strike that was easily avoided, but kept the momentum into a second swing. Karadag narrowly avoided it and cut up with the blades of his weapon. One of the recurved edges caught Taylor’s left arm, cleanly cutting the flesh open.