The Phantom came down hard on the Lowman Assault trooper. From a general physiological understanding he knew something would break – just not what – so the crunching sound upon his landing was one he didn't dwell on. He didn't have the time either. Chaos reigned everywhere, all adversaries on edge and the trooper next to him was already mid-swivel with his blaster raised, barrel glowing.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYQFfWcfjR
He caught the wrong end of Layla's thrum-staff however, which smashed his helm in and knocked him backwards to the ground. The surprised trooper let go some stray shots from his automatic blaster as he went down. One of them took out a class one vector drone. Standard issue--for all League frigates.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCXkNleSsT
Well that was just wonderful. If the League had brought a whole entire frigate then this wasn't a regular run off the mill such as had been implied by his client. He would claim an extra fee later but first...574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlbjgQ5KxG
“Layla, how'd you miss an entire frigate?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3InDm0uby
“Oh come on they have shields most people can only dream of. Besides it probably arrived after we made land fall and I won't pick up anything from down here, what with all the signal jamming. Now quit your whining and watch your back.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmRSMX3jrV
“Why, when I know you've always got it covered” he pulled out his sonar disrupter and shot two League paratroopers in rapid succession that had sought to intercept them. They went flying into the heap of rubble that was once a building. He finally got his bearings and headed left along a back alley whilst she took the right. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDbmvsvExO
He was headed towards the yawning cavernous entrance where the main event was taking place. Hopefully he would get there without much hindrance. His combat gear had a cloaking mechanism for sound, visibility and heat, but it wasn't so effective when one was running through an active war zone. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXzyszAtCs
It bought him a little time though. Enough to zip by or take out a threat before it registered and reacted. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnytWhdGLFp
The chaos and carnage was for now working in his favour, but clarity as to who fought who, was somewhat obscure. There seemed to be 4 different adversaries, including the actual defenders, and they were all shooting and blowing each other up. The details of their objectives were unclear. Everyone here was here for the same target, that was clear.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRXup0RDi8
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb6BvzQl4l
Gorann Kalenko had joined forces with the mercenary from Valguard. Together they had managed to recruit a small contingent of militia from the local inhabitants of Clato. Unfortunately things went downhill after that. Half of them were either lost, dead or quit while tracking the two targets up this blasted, too cold for sanity, mountain range.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zr09ndN7Q
In fact, with the way the mission had so far progressed, he had been glad when they had caught up with the target and seen him crest the ridge, vanishing beyond. All hell broke loose later on, however. One of the broadcaster droids had followed them up and survived the trip long enough for federal ships to get a lock on their position and movements, after they made it over the ridge bordering the hanging valley. Just long enough for a hidden gun turret to pick out the droid. The droid's cloaking device was fully functional. Heck, he didn't even know it was there until it's burning parts and shards struck three of their party. If the town hadn’t already been warned of their approach now they were. It was easier to shoot a cloaked droid when you were looking for it.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1fGSln0Xq
The first problem with hiring amateurs is that they panic under fire. They fled in all directions like Paria hens and the combined cloaking failed. That's when he realised the entire valley was a death trap. Gun turrets along the entire vale picked them out from all directions. If it hadn't been for the frag class assaulters that flew into the scene, he would have been lying charred, back there in the dirt. They made for an excellent diversion, and together with Mirza and the operative from Valguard, they harried what few they still could and made it to the town proper.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrEqLiIRXv
By then the sky was filled with all kinds of aircraft. Some were firing at the turrets, some dropping troops, some doing bombing runs, plenty were burning out of the sky but a lot more were coming. Then the League came into the picture and the entire battlefield turned upside down.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzthdhDdnRo
The second problem with hiring amateurs is the emotional attachment. Kalenko realised this the moment his exile militia crossed paths with federal assault troopers. Exiles were one of two . They were either born on the Four Brethren or fled to them. Both had a personal score to settle with the Federation. The two were firing at each other before he could even formulate a counter measure. To make it worse the commanding officer's orders were most likely to apprehend, and eliminate where necessary, any and all exiles. No amount of badge flashing would get him out of this situation fast enough. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XyYqpAS5C
Mirsa had already come to the same conclusion and more. The League troopers, which Kalenko had only come across in Dosiers, weren't actually there to aid the federal host. When it seemed witnesses were few enough, they fired at federal and exile units alike. The result; everyone was fighting everyone.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGa7ryQEyV
The home team had still not made an appearance but drones were pouring out of the huge cavernous opening at the far end from whence the town seemed to sprawl out from. Also, from this distance, it seemed all units there were facing heavier resistance than most. League units hadn't made it that far. He couldn't tell from what, but as yet the laser turrets and GTA cannons were doing plenty of damage everywhere. It was there, that he was certain he would find the target.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJjjq5orra
He shot an assault trooper in the back and rolled to take cover next to the mercenary. The heavily armoured league trooper near him was a little too preoccupied with the ion cannons pelting him. Another distraction and a little more time.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYaszUxZ4Z
“Still alive, Mr Discreet?” She shouted over the din of nearby explosions.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bJX2OuvXm
He grinned “What? Me die and leave a fine lady such as yourself in all this fun alone? Not gonna happen.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXyJLvAwX9
“Glad to hear that. So what new game had you in mind seeing as we're fresh out of 'toy soldiers'?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStLCeC2EzA
“Who needs toys to play soldier?” He winked. “This one is called 'duck duck go'! The target is the cave on the other side of town. Just ten blocks away. Are you game?” 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvlSRdCfOT
She finished checking her newly acquired weaponry, courtesy of the bombed League trooper a few feet away, and slung out a compact mine launcher. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUvUuw3JLp
“Ready when you are.” She smiled seductively. He returned her smile and crawled over to the dead trooper to relieve him of the few hand grenades Mirsa hadn't already done so. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6XtX5nnc9
“Ready” he declared when he got back and threw the plasma grenade back into the street. As the Astral class League trooper was lifted of the ground, Mirsa turned and stepped out onto the street. In the two seconds before he followed she had already planted mines on four turrets, their motions already setting the charges off. The lady made guns seem alive, she did. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8bahmpLNB
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwMpsSi0Nn
Layla was the first to reach the cave. Unlike the others she had opted for the roofs. The turrets there were designed mainly for airborne and large enemy units. They had difficulty with fast targets that scaled walls and kept low. Her cloaking device was an added advantage but as an added insurance policy she left timed charges on every turret she passed.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVezmvbpqJ
She lay back against the low, slanted roof and calmly surveyed the scene before her.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWKbJLOVR2
The mouth of the cave was littered with corpses. Some Nebulon troopers had managed to erect barricades and were returning some fire, but theirs was a hopeless cause without heavy artillery, she didn't even think they knew what they were firing at.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1im0acqHzE
She pulled out a pair of scopes and zoomed in into the dark cave.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HEI91zp9I
“Where are you?” She spoke calmly. Her ear piece crackled to life with a lot off background noise.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06fKPJIRDF
“Not far.” Another explosion went off nearby that fed back through the comm-link.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoweYmlZxwp
“Having fun, I see.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVwMYIBL0B
“Well, I guess that's one way of putting it.” the Phantom replied, “What you got?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSAaQJgeKJ
“Blast doors 500 paces in and open. Some kind of heavy artillery gun. I'm counting ten of those and manned.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOgj1RGc0E
“I can't tell whether those are battle suits or droids. I've never seen anything like them. There are dozens of them and that's what's been using the assault troopers as target practice.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBuxmOmSfM
“Great!” He shouted as another chorus of explosions rocked a few buildings closer now. "We need a decoy. Any chance you can borrow a few rides for us?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q522zQESa
“Already on it boss.” She had already unclipped a slender case off her back and was in the midst of assembling a rather long rifle. She spied a retinue of some League Crawlers coming into the foray from her right “Decoys coming up. EMP override in 20 seconds. Infiltration in 60. Be ready for your ride then. I'll be right behind you Ghost.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtMghZMICM
“Roger that Psycho” and another explosion went off 2 buildings down from a different direction. She eyed it for a moment, thinking, then went back to her business of setting up her rifle. Which she finished a few seconds later and loaded the cartridge with the ammunition.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmra4SRzEN
She propped herself up a bit and took aim. “Here goes”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZGSeOh0Ic
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgnqoQprmu
Mirsa saw the three crawlers veer suddenly towards the cave and accelerate just as they cleared the streets and came to the large open space in front of the cave. Their Shields were at full power and visible from their distance. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3ZN9j2cW4
She acted out of pure instinct and ran towards them. Barely managing to scream for Kalenko to follow. It took him a split second to realise what was happening, and he was soon beside her sprinting across the battlefield under heavy fire.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsWaEvB5Cr
They sprang on to one of the crawlers as it veered left to right and held on for dear life. The impact at those speeds was jarring. He thought it wondrous he hadn't been thrown off or crushed as the crawlers swept into the cave with a rush. He was exhilarated and, for some reason, glad to see Mirsa was in her element.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTNP1y6IiX
His moment of euphoria was abruptly cut off as he heard the whine of thrusters behind them. They both turned to see 4 drones from the defence, fly in right behind them and open fire. His blood went cold and he thought his time had finally come.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkAB4erNXz
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsyTTRX1w9
“Dammit Layla, can't you fly these things nicely. You'll throw me off”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4QVq0rGPh
“Give me some credit here!” She screamed back. “ I'm controlling seven alien military units with one hand whilst holding on for sanity. What more do you want from a girl?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMHwbr1K8F
“That she fly straight!” He grit his teeth.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2jOIoeFSQ
“You whine too much.” she said as the drones did another evasive manuever and fired at the battle suits and manned gun turrets.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAdfif7UOM
"Remind me again why I finally let you tag along for a field mission?" He yelled574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcQaMnjSqg
"Because I'm bored and I might die before I step out of that tin can ship of ours!"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1guhuIAT5
"Then why do I have the feeling I'm the one who should be worried about dying!?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl0uBV4MZ4
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr584uySSEs
The bulldozing crawlers didn't fare so well. One veered straight into the strange ray the turrets were shooting. The shields saved it but they also failed, whilst it lost control and veered left and right to crash into the other crawlers. They too swerved about, but at those speeds and that distance, there wasn't much the defenders could do to stop it.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnfzkd2dEb
They made to retreat and abandon their stations, but that too was too little too late. Turrets were torn, battlesuits were either swatted aside or crushed as the crawlers bulldozed, flipped and careened through the tunnel and the drones flew in tow ,where they crashed past the blast doors. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtnrByjVXd
Kalenko and the mercenary let go when the ride got choppy, rolling as they hit the ground. They quickly came to a stop thanks to all the wreckage. They had to duck, though, as the drones flew by low and fired another hail. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWdlCpUQLS
A few shots must have finally hit the spot because one of the crawlers exploded and the drones flew into the blast a second later. They too exploded taking with them more battlesuits and infantry.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor5JrkGtm5
Kalenko and Mirsa got up slowly, shakily and painfully. The blast doors were still open, and for a moment he could see both worlds, disoriented and trying to make heads or tails out of what just happened. Even Mirsa's confusion was apparent.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aBAwYQ4VT
They decided to ask questions later and get a move on before everyone else recovered. They slowly began to limp and walk off the pain , onwards through the carnage of broken turrets and mangled battlesuits, towards that ever elusive target.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkbWhtbXCR
The aggressors recovered first, and advanced into the cavernous tunnel when they were just a few paces from crossing over. Their front line made up of ATS disrupter vehicles, accompanied by those ever imposing League Astral class battlesuits, and covering ground at a rapid pace.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXT67QARM0
Another blast went off inside. It must have been another one of those drones. It had started a fire, the inferno spreading to all the wreckages and making a small barrier. Then the huge blast door started to slide down and close. Someone on the defence had their head back in gear. They certainly understood the meaning of haste and urgency.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrz3BId6g2
They ran but didn't stop when they got through, those disrupter vehicles were fast on their heels. Quite a few units would make it through but that blast door was simply too vast to hold up. It would have been almost akin to holding the mountain itself and any that got in would be cut off from the outside. Either way they didn't want to be caught in the cross fire. So on they ran.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYsTMaS1Je
Onwards, jumping headlong through the fire, where they came out on the other side in two identical rolls, and got up running. They stopped themselves short however, as they took in the scene before them.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJol1r4Pza
Behind them they heard the steady whines and thrummings of moving military vehicles and personnel, as they came rolling over and around the burning wreckage. The two had to backpedal further into the gigantic cavern, for fear of being run over. The assailants stopped short as well, as they took in their adversaries.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDxXKZXHQc
A long silence fell across the cavern broken only by the sound of more marching as more units made it into the cavern. The attackers from Nebulon and the League were staring at every gun and every able body that yet remained in battlegear. At every drone and droid remaining in Ode. The defenders were still outnumbered but no-one looked inclined to give any quarter. Behind them the rest of the town was holed up behind another closed blast door.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqnVfpHtfS
With deafening finality the blast door closed, echoing throughout the cavern, then silence fell. Both sides roared and surged forward to clash. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce40OPLRD8
Then a searing bright white light from the podium off the left The Phantom came down hard on the Lowman Assault trooper. From a general physiological understanding he knew something would break – just not what – so the crunching sound upon his landing was one he didn't dwell on. He didn't have the time either. Chaos reigned everywhere, all adversaries on edge and the trooper next to him was already mid-swivel with his blaster raised, barrel glowing.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6PvnU19ZH
He caught the wrong end of Layla's thrum-staff however, which smashed his helm in and knocked him backwards to the ground. The surprised trooper let go some stray shots from his automatic blaster as he went down. One of them took out a class one vector drone. Standard issue--for all League frigates.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Wfuloah1E
Well that was just wonderful. If the League had brought a whole entire frigate then this wasn't a regular run off the mill such as had been implied by his client. He would claim an extra fee later but first...574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6mxoU2pS2
“Layla, how'd you miss an entire frigate?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5YqfXHLTr
“Oh come on they have shields most people can only dream of. Besides it probably arrived after we made land fall and I won't pick up anything from down here, what with all the signal jamming. Now quit your whining and watch your back.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWt1QccKBV2
“Why, when I know you've always got it covered” he pulled out his sonar disrupter and shot two League paratroopers in rapid succession that had sought to intercept them. They went flying into the heap of rubble that was once a building. He finally got his bearings and headed left along a back alley whilst she took the right. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvesZ9SPMP
He was headed towards the yawning cavernous entrance where the main event was taking place. Hopefully he would get there without much hindrance. His combat gear had a cloaking mechanism for sound, visibility and heat, but it wasn't so effective when one was running through an active war zone. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYCa7M6dUo
It bought him a little time though. Enough to zip by or take out a threat before it registered and reacted. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGFK4UAMs0
The chaos and carnage was for now working in his favour, but clarity as to who fought who, was somewhat obscure. There seemed to be 4 different adversaries, including the actual defenders, and they were all shooting and blowing each other up. The details of their objectives were unclear. Everyone here was here for the same target, that was clear.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B25ZmuIMM
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvNr5qV2Jo
Gorann Kalenko had joined forces with the mercenary from Valguard. Together they had managed to recruit a small contingent of militia from the local inhabitants of Clato. Unfortunately things went downhill after that. Half of them were either lost, dead or quit while tracking the two targets up this blasted, too cold for sanity, mountain range.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6WfaLClgo
In fact, with the way the mission had so far progressed, he had been glad when they had caught up with the target and seen him crest the ridge, vanishing beyond. All hell broke loose later on, however. One of the broadcaster droids had followed them up and survived the trip long enough for federal ships to get a lock on their position and movements, after they made it over the ridge bordering the hanging valley. Just long enough for a hidden gun turret to pick out the droid. The droid's cloaking device was fully functional. Heck, he didn't even know it was there until it's burning parts and shards struck three of their party. If the town hadn’t already been warned of their approach now they were. It was easier to shoot a cloaked droid when you were looking for it.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgfsB5H9pp
The first problem with hiring amateurs is that they panic under fire. They fled in all directions like Paria hens and the combined cloaking failed. That's when he realised the entire valley was a death trap. Gun turrets along the entire vale picked them out from all directions. If it hadn't been for the frag class assaulters that flew into the scene, he would have been lying charred, back there in the dirt. They made for an excellent diversion, and together with Mirza and the operative from Valguard, they harried what few they still could and made it to the town proper.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyzqFkhEeg
By then the sky was filled with all kinds of aircraft. Some were firing at the turrets, some dropping troops, some doing bombing runs, plenty were burning out of the sky but a lot more were coming. Then the League came into the picture and the entire battlefield turned upside down.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI90RYLpuI
The second problem with hiring amateurs is the emotional attachment. Kalenko realised this the moment his exile militia crossed paths with federal assault troopers. Exiles were one of two . They were either born on the Four Brethren or fled to them. Both had a personal score to settle with the Federation. The two were firing at each other before he could even formulate a counter measure. To make it worse the commanding officer's orders were most likely to apprehend, and eliminate where necessary, any and all exiles. No amount of badge flashing would get him out of this situation fast enough. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡge9Hvg6EQc
Mirsa had already come to the same conclusion and more. The League troopers, which Kalenko had only come across in Dosiers, weren't actually there to aid the federal host. When it seemed witnesses were few enough, they fired at federal and exile units alike. The result; everyone was fighting everyone.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubEAZcFULl
The home team had still not made an appearance but drones were pouring out of the huge cavernous opening at the far end from whence the town seemed to sprawl out from. Also, from this distance, it seemed all units there were facing heavier resistance than most. League units hadn't made it that far. He couldn't tell from what, but as yet the laser turrets and GTA cannons were doing plenty of damage everywhere. It was there, that he was certain he would find the target.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt36TaBpIs
He shot an assault trooper in the back and rolled to take cover next to the mercenary. The heavily armoured league trooper near him was a little too preoccupied with the ion cannons pelting him. Another distraction and a little more time.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKhk7azz30
“Still alive, Mr Discreet?” She shouted over the din of nearby explosions.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD22BigBk2
He grinned “What? Me die and leave a fine lady such as yourself in all this fun alone? Not gonna happen.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhn0Ye9oes5
“Glad to hear that. So what new game had you in mind seeing as we're fresh out of 'toy soldiers'?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMH3yeI6NL
“Who needs toys to play soldier?” He winked. “This one is called 'duck duck go'! The target is the cave on the other side of town. Just ten blocks away. Are you game?” 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QPLUXlATV
She finished checking her newly acquired weaponry, courtesy of the bombed League trooper a few feet away, and slung out a compact mine launcher. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGml3wEhAZ
“Ready when you are.” She smiled seductively. He returned her smile and crawled over to the dead trooper to relieve him of the few hand grenades Mirsa hadn't already done so. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aCt75I5Xv
“Ready” he declared when he got back and threw the plasma grenade back into the street. As the Astral class League trooper was lifted of the ground, Mirsa turned and stepped out onto the street. In the two seconds before he followed she had already planted mines on four turrets, their motions already setting the charges off. The lady made guns seem alive, she did. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWeeColhTS
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQolzt85TYo
Layla was the first to reach the cave. Unlike the others she had opted for the roofs. The turrets there were designed mainly for airborne and large enemy units. They had difficulty with fast targets that scaled walls and kept low. Her cloaking device was an added advantage but as an added insurance policy she left timed charges on every turret she passed.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kRy9hI2Ro
She lay back against the low, slanted roof and calmly surveyed the scene before her.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYtpUnVMku
The mouth of the cave was littered with corpses. Some Nebulon troopers had managed to erect barricades and were returning some fire, but theirs was a hopeless cause without heavy artillery, she didn't even think they knew what they were firing at.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFNjbqVBJ1
She pulled out a pair of scopes and zoomed in into the dark cave.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU262DSjzEK
“Where are you?” She spoke calmly. Her ear piece crackled to life with a lot off background noise.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbE53NtKvh
“Not far.” Another explosion went off nearby that fed back through the comm-link.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLyCDyW6by
“Having fun, I see.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUhiJEFqig
“Well, I guess that's one way of putting it.” the Phantom replied, “What you got?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMr8NzIsL9
“Blast doors 500 paces in and open. Some kind of heavy artillery gun. I'm counting ten of those and manned.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbcEQmGn3N
“I can't tell whether those are battle suits or droids. I've never seen anything like them. There are dozens of them and that's what's been using the assault troopers as target practice.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKenJEfUue
“Great!” He shouted as another chorus of explosions rocked a few buildings closer now. "We need a decoy. Any chance you can borrow a few rides for us?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4AXFGxCzG
“Already on it boss.” She had already unclipped a slender case off her back and was in the midst of assembling a rather long rifle. She spied a retinue of some League Crawlers coming into the foray from her right “Decoys coming up. EMP override in 20 seconds. Infiltration in 60. Be ready for your ride then. I'll be right behind you Ghost.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlSvqOxJ8z
“Roger that Psycho” and another explosion went off 2 buildings down from a different direction. She eyed it for a moment, thinking, then went back to her business of setting up her rifle. Which she finished a few seconds later and loaded the cartridge with the ammunition.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAb8mbrIja
She propped herself up a bit and took aim. “Here goes”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wnA3YlRzE
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3sdVdRo56
Mirsa saw the three crawlers veer suddenly towards the cave and accelerate just as they cleared the streets and came to the large open space in front of the cave. Their Shields were at full power and visible from their distance. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6m9PgfRqP
She acted out of pure instinct and ran towards them. Barely managing to scream for Kalenko to follow. It took him a split second to realise what was happening, and he was soon beside her sprinting across the battlefield under heavy fire.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl05OAmHRq2
They sprang on to one of the crawlers as it veered left to right and held on for dear life. The impact at those speeds was jarring. He thought it wondrous he hadn't been thrown off or crushed as the crawlers swept into the cave with a rush. He was exhilarated and, for some reason, glad to see Mirsa was in her element.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbS3LADqzR
His moment of euphoria was abruptly cut off as he heard the whine of thrusters behind them. They both turned to see 4 drones from the defence, fly in right behind them and open fire. His blood went cold and he thought his time had finally come.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz02l4KTjhz
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xm05qA84G
“Dammit Layla, can't you fly these things nicely. You'll throw me off”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO3FoZVRHc
“Give me some credit here!” She screamed back. “ I'm controlling seven alien military units with one hand whilst holding on for sanity. What more do you want from a girl?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T8wDi0net
“That she fly straight!” He grit his teeth.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9DjJNVFEC
“You whine too much.” she said as the drones did another evasive manuever and fired at the battle suits and manned gun turrets.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iCrVuc8xK
"Remind me again why I finally let you tag along for a field mission?" He yelled574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRVZHti6Ab
"Because I'm bored and I might die before I step out of that tin can ship of ours!"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaMFqRtc3d
"Then why do I have the feeling I'm the one who should be worried about dying!?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiLRMlare6
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CrXm8OWpm
The bulldozing crawlers didn't fare so well. One veered straight into the strange ray the turrets were shooting. The shields saved it but they also failed, whilst it lost control and veered left and right to crash into the other crawlers. They too swerved about, but at those speeds and that distance, there wasn't much the defenders could do to stop it.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqQWv23wLr
They made to retreat and abandon their stations, but that too was too little too late. Turrets were torn, battlesuits were either swatted aside or crushed as the crawlers bulldozed, flipped and careened through the tunnel and the drones flew in tow ,where they crashed past the blast doors. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNybTRLVrg
Kalenko and the mercenary let go when the ride got choppy, rolling as they hit the ground. They quickly came to a stop thanks to all the wreckage. They had to duck, though, as the drones flew by low and fired another hail. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSuGSBNZnl
A few shots must have finally hit the spot because one of the crawlers exploded and the drones flew into the blast a second later. They too exploded taking with them more battlesuits and infantry.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZQdFDCKku
Kalenko and Mirsa got up slowly, shakily and painfully. The blast doors were still open, and for a moment he could see both worlds, disoriented and trying to make heads or tails out of what just happened. Even Mirsa's confusion was apparent.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejDKUUIebE
They decided to ask questions later and get a move on before everyone else recovered. They slowly began to limp and walk off the pain , onwards through the carnage of broken turrets and mangled battlesuits, towards that ever elusive target.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN5ZF6DeE6
The aggressors recovered first, and advanced into the cavernous tunnel when they were just a few paces from crossing over. Their front line made up of ATS disrupter vehicles, accompanied by those ever imposing League Astral class battlesuits, and covering ground at a rapid pace.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR7ks0twyh
Another blast went off inside. It must have been another one of those drones. It had started a fire, the inferno spreading to all the wreckages and making a small barrier. Then the huge blast door started to slide down and close. Someone on the defence had their head back in gear. They certainly understood the meaning of haste and urgency.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM67pMzyCx2
They ran but didn't stop when they got through, those disrupter vehicles were fast on their heels. Quite a few units would make it through but that blast door was simply too vast to hold up. It would have been almost akin to holding the mountain itself and any that got in would be cut off from the outside. Either way they didn't want to be caught in the cross fire. So on they ran.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gdxN4fP9b
Onwards, jumping headlong through the fire, where they came out on the other side in two identical rolls, and got up running. They stopped themselves short however, as they took in the scene before them.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkA27gr411C
Behind them they heard the steady whines and thrummings of moving military vehicles and personnel, as they came rolling over and around the burning wreckage. The two had to backpedal further into the gigantic cavern, for fear of being run over. The assailants stopped short as well, as they took in their adversaries.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUfxqRdYpT
A long silence fell across the cavern broken only by the sound of more marching as more units made it into the cavern. The attackers from Nebulon and the League were staring at every gun and every able body that yet remained in battlegear. At every drone and droid remaining in Ode. The defenders were still outnumbered but no-one looked inclined to give any quarter. Behind them the rest of the town was holed up behind another closed blast door.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h508THLMh
With deafening finality the blast door closed, echoing throughout the cavern, then silence fell. Both sides roared and surged forward to clash. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngyop1BnIC
Then a searing bright white light from the podium off the left wall lit up the entire cavern.
He caught the wrong end of Layla's thrum-staff however, which smashed his helm in and knocked him backwards to the ground. The surprised trooper let go some stray shots from his automatic blaster as he went down. One of them took out a class one vector drone. Standard issue--for all League frigates.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCXkNleSsT
Well that was just wonderful. If the League had brought a whole entire frigate then this wasn't a regular run off the mill such as had been implied by his client. He would claim an extra fee later but first...574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlbjgQ5KxG
“Layla, how'd you miss an entire frigate?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3InDm0uby
“Oh come on they have shields most people can only dream of. Besides it probably arrived after we made land fall and I won't pick up anything from down here, what with all the signal jamming. Now quit your whining and watch your back.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmRSMX3jrV
“Why, when I know you've always got it covered” he pulled out his sonar disrupter and shot two League paratroopers in rapid succession that had sought to intercept them. They went flying into the heap of rubble that was once a building. He finally got his bearings and headed left along a back alley whilst she took the right. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDbmvsvExO
He was headed towards the yawning cavernous entrance where the main event was taking place. Hopefully he would get there without much hindrance. His combat gear had a cloaking mechanism for sound, visibility and heat, but it wasn't so effective when one was running through an active war zone. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXzyszAtCs
It bought him a little time though. Enough to zip by or take out a threat before it registered and reacted. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnytWhdGLFp
The chaos and carnage was for now working in his favour, but clarity as to who fought who, was somewhat obscure. There seemed to be 4 different adversaries, including the actual defenders, and they were all shooting and blowing each other up. The details of their objectives were unclear. Everyone here was here for the same target, that was clear.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRXup0RDi8
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb6BvzQl4l
Gorann Kalenko had joined forces with the mercenary from Valguard. Together they had managed to recruit a small contingent of militia from the local inhabitants of Clato. Unfortunately things went downhill after that. Half of them were either lost, dead or quit while tracking the two targets up this blasted, too cold for sanity, mountain range.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zr09ndN7Q
In fact, with the way the mission had so far progressed, he had been glad when they had caught up with the target and seen him crest the ridge, vanishing beyond. All hell broke loose later on, however. One of the broadcaster droids had followed them up and survived the trip long enough for federal ships to get a lock on their position and movements, after they made it over the ridge bordering the hanging valley. Just long enough for a hidden gun turret to pick out the droid. The droid's cloaking device was fully functional. Heck, he didn't even know it was there until it's burning parts and shards struck three of their party. If the town hadn’t already been warned of their approach now they were. It was easier to shoot a cloaked droid when you were looking for it.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1fGSln0Xq
The first problem with hiring amateurs is that they panic under fire. They fled in all directions like Paria hens and the combined cloaking failed. That's when he realised the entire valley was a death trap. Gun turrets along the entire vale picked them out from all directions. If it hadn't been for the frag class assaulters that flew into the scene, he would have been lying charred, back there in the dirt. They made for an excellent diversion, and together with Mirza and the operative from Valguard, they harried what few they still could and made it to the town proper.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrEqLiIRXv
By then the sky was filled with all kinds of aircraft. Some were firing at the turrets, some dropping troops, some doing bombing runs, plenty were burning out of the sky but a lot more were coming. Then the League came into the picture and the entire battlefield turned upside down.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzthdhDdnRo
The second problem with hiring amateurs is the emotional attachment. Kalenko realised this the moment his exile militia crossed paths with federal assault troopers. Exiles were one of two . They were either born on the Four Brethren or fled to them. Both had a personal score to settle with the Federation. The two were firing at each other before he could even formulate a counter measure. To make it worse the commanding officer's orders were most likely to apprehend, and eliminate where necessary, any and all exiles. No amount of badge flashing would get him out of this situation fast enough. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XyYqpAS5C
Mirsa had already come to the same conclusion and more. The League troopers, which Kalenko had only come across in Dosiers, weren't actually there to aid the federal host. When it seemed witnesses were few enough, they fired at federal and exile units alike. The result; everyone was fighting everyone.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGa7ryQEyV
The home team had still not made an appearance but drones were pouring out of the huge cavernous opening at the far end from whence the town seemed to sprawl out from. Also, from this distance, it seemed all units there were facing heavier resistance than most. League units hadn't made it that far. He couldn't tell from what, but as yet the laser turrets and GTA cannons were doing plenty of damage everywhere. It was there, that he was certain he would find the target.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJjjq5orra
He shot an assault trooper in the back and rolled to take cover next to the mercenary. The heavily armoured league trooper near him was a little too preoccupied with the ion cannons pelting him. Another distraction and a little more time.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYaszUxZ4Z
“Still alive, Mr Discreet?” She shouted over the din of nearby explosions.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bJX2OuvXm
He grinned “What? Me die and leave a fine lady such as yourself in all this fun alone? Not gonna happen.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXyJLvAwX9
“Glad to hear that. So what new game had you in mind seeing as we're fresh out of 'toy soldiers'?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStLCeC2EzA
“Who needs toys to play soldier?” He winked. “This one is called 'duck duck go'! The target is the cave on the other side of town. Just ten blocks away. Are you game?” 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvlSRdCfOT
She finished checking her newly acquired weaponry, courtesy of the bombed League trooper a few feet away, and slung out a compact mine launcher. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUvUuw3JLp
“Ready when you are.” She smiled seductively. He returned her smile and crawled over to the dead trooper to relieve him of the few hand grenades Mirsa hadn't already done so. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6XtX5nnc9
“Ready” he declared when he got back and threw the plasma grenade back into the street. As the Astral class League trooper was lifted of the ground, Mirsa turned and stepped out onto the street. In the two seconds before he followed she had already planted mines on four turrets, their motions already setting the charges off. The lady made guns seem alive, she did. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8bahmpLNB
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwMpsSi0Nn
Layla was the first to reach the cave. Unlike the others she had opted for the roofs. The turrets there were designed mainly for airborne and large enemy units. They had difficulty with fast targets that scaled walls and kept low. Her cloaking device was an added advantage but as an added insurance policy she left timed charges on every turret she passed.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVezmvbpqJ
She lay back against the low, slanted roof and calmly surveyed the scene before her.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWKbJLOVR2
The mouth of the cave was littered with corpses. Some Nebulon troopers had managed to erect barricades and were returning some fire, but theirs was a hopeless cause without heavy artillery, she didn't even think they knew what they were firing at.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1im0acqHzE
She pulled out a pair of scopes and zoomed in into the dark cave.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HEI91zp9I
“Where are you?” She spoke calmly. Her ear piece crackled to life with a lot off background noise.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06fKPJIRDF
“Not far.” Another explosion went off nearby that fed back through the comm-link.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoweYmlZxwp
“Having fun, I see.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVwMYIBL0B
“Well, I guess that's one way of putting it.” the Phantom replied, “What you got?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSAaQJgeKJ
“Blast doors 500 paces in and open. Some kind of heavy artillery gun. I'm counting ten of those and manned.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOgj1RGc0E
“I can't tell whether those are battle suits or droids. I've never seen anything like them. There are dozens of them and that's what's been using the assault troopers as target practice.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBuxmOmSfM
“Great!” He shouted as another chorus of explosions rocked a few buildings closer now. "We need a decoy. Any chance you can borrow a few rides for us?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q522zQESa
“Already on it boss.” She had already unclipped a slender case off her back and was in the midst of assembling a rather long rifle. She spied a retinue of some League Crawlers coming into the foray from her right “Decoys coming up. EMP override in 20 seconds. Infiltration in 60. Be ready for your ride then. I'll be right behind you Ghost.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtMghZMICM
“Roger that Psycho” and another explosion went off 2 buildings down from a different direction. She eyed it for a moment, thinking, then went back to her business of setting up her rifle. Which she finished a few seconds later and loaded the cartridge with the ammunition.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmra4SRzEN
She propped herself up a bit and took aim. “Here goes”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZGSeOh0Ic
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgnqoQprmu
Mirsa saw the three crawlers veer suddenly towards the cave and accelerate just as they cleared the streets and came to the large open space in front of the cave. Their Shields were at full power and visible from their distance. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3ZN9j2cW4
She acted out of pure instinct and ran towards them. Barely managing to scream for Kalenko to follow. It took him a split second to realise what was happening, and he was soon beside her sprinting across the battlefield under heavy fire.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsWaEvB5Cr
They sprang on to one of the crawlers as it veered left to right and held on for dear life. The impact at those speeds was jarring. He thought it wondrous he hadn't been thrown off or crushed as the crawlers swept into the cave with a rush. He was exhilarated and, for some reason, glad to see Mirsa was in her element.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTNP1y6IiX
His moment of euphoria was abruptly cut off as he heard the whine of thrusters behind them. They both turned to see 4 drones from the defence, fly in right behind them and open fire. His blood went cold and he thought his time had finally come.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkAB4erNXz
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsyTTRX1w9
“Dammit Layla, can't you fly these things nicely. You'll throw me off”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4QVq0rGPh
“Give me some credit here!” She screamed back. “ I'm controlling seven alien military units with one hand whilst holding on for sanity. What more do you want from a girl?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMHwbr1K8F
“That she fly straight!” He grit his teeth.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2jOIoeFSQ
“You whine too much.” she said as the drones did another evasive manuever and fired at the battle suits and manned gun turrets.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAdfif7UOM
"Remind me again why I finally let you tag along for a field mission?" He yelled574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcQaMnjSqg
"Because I'm bored and I might die before I step out of that tin can ship of ours!"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1guhuIAT5
"Then why do I have the feeling I'm the one who should be worried about dying!?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl0uBV4MZ4
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr584uySSEs
The bulldozing crawlers didn't fare so well. One veered straight into the strange ray the turrets were shooting. The shields saved it but they also failed, whilst it lost control and veered left and right to crash into the other crawlers. They too swerved about, but at those speeds and that distance, there wasn't much the defenders could do to stop it.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnfzkd2dEb
They made to retreat and abandon their stations, but that too was too little too late. Turrets were torn, battlesuits were either swatted aside or crushed as the crawlers bulldozed, flipped and careened through the tunnel and the drones flew in tow ,where they crashed past the blast doors. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtnrByjVXd
Kalenko and the mercenary let go when the ride got choppy, rolling as they hit the ground. They quickly came to a stop thanks to all the wreckage. They had to duck, though, as the drones flew by low and fired another hail. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWdlCpUQLS
A few shots must have finally hit the spot because one of the crawlers exploded and the drones flew into the blast a second later. They too exploded taking with them more battlesuits and infantry.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor5JrkGtm5
Kalenko and Mirsa got up slowly, shakily and painfully. The blast doors were still open, and for a moment he could see both worlds, disoriented and trying to make heads or tails out of what just happened. Even Mirsa's confusion was apparent.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aBAwYQ4VT
They decided to ask questions later and get a move on before everyone else recovered. They slowly began to limp and walk off the pain , onwards through the carnage of broken turrets and mangled battlesuits, towards that ever elusive target.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkbWhtbXCR
The aggressors recovered first, and advanced into the cavernous tunnel when they were just a few paces from crossing over. Their front line made up of ATS disrupter vehicles, accompanied by those ever imposing League Astral class battlesuits, and covering ground at a rapid pace.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXT67QARM0
Another blast went off inside. It must have been another one of those drones. It had started a fire, the inferno spreading to all the wreckages and making a small barrier. Then the huge blast door started to slide down and close. Someone on the defence had their head back in gear. They certainly understood the meaning of haste and urgency.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrz3BId6g2
They ran but didn't stop when they got through, those disrupter vehicles were fast on their heels. Quite a few units would make it through but that blast door was simply too vast to hold up. It would have been almost akin to holding the mountain itself and any that got in would be cut off from the outside. Either way they didn't want to be caught in the cross fire. So on they ran.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYsTMaS1Je
Onwards, jumping headlong through the fire, where they came out on the other side in two identical rolls, and got up running. They stopped themselves short however, as they took in the scene before them.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJol1r4Pza
Behind them they heard the steady whines and thrummings of moving military vehicles and personnel, as they came rolling over and around the burning wreckage. The two had to backpedal further into the gigantic cavern, for fear of being run over. The assailants stopped short as well, as they took in their adversaries.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDxXKZXHQc
A long silence fell across the cavern broken only by the sound of more marching as more units made it into the cavern. The attackers from Nebulon and the League were staring at every gun and every able body that yet remained in battlegear. At every drone and droid remaining in Ode. The defenders were still outnumbered but no-one looked inclined to give any quarter. Behind them the rest of the town was holed up behind another closed blast door.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqnVfpHtfS
With deafening finality the blast door closed, echoing throughout the cavern, then silence fell. Both sides roared and surged forward to clash. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce40OPLRD8
Then a searing bright white light from the podium off the left The Phantom came down hard on the Lowman Assault trooper. From a general physiological understanding he knew something would break – just not what – so the crunching sound upon his landing was one he didn't dwell on. He didn't have the time either. Chaos reigned everywhere, all adversaries on edge and the trooper next to him was already mid-swivel with his blaster raised, barrel glowing.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6PvnU19ZH
He caught the wrong end of Layla's thrum-staff however, which smashed his helm in and knocked him backwards to the ground. The surprised trooper let go some stray shots from his automatic blaster as he went down. One of them took out a class one vector drone. Standard issue--for all League frigates.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Wfuloah1E
Well that was just wonderful. If the League had brought a whole entire frigate then this wasn't a regular run off the mill such as had been implied by his client. He would claim an extra fee later but first...574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6mxoU2pS2
“Layla, how'd you miss an entire frigate?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5YqfXHLTr
“Oh come on they have shields most people can only dream of. Besides it probably arrived after we made land fall and I won't pick up anything from down here, what with all the signal jamming. Now quit your whining and watch your back.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWt1QccKBV2
“Why, when I know you've always got it covered” he pulled out his sonar disrupter and shot two League paratroopers in rapid succession that had sought to intercept them. They went flying into the heap of rubble that was once a building. He finally got his bearings and headed left along a back alley whilst she took the right. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvesZ9SPMP
He was headed towards the yawning cavernous entrance where the main event was taking place. Hopefully he would get there without much hindrance. His combat gear had a cloaking mechanism for sound, visibility and heat, but it wasn't so effective when one was running through an active war zone. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYCa7M6dUo
It bought him a little time though. Enough to zip by or take out a threat before it registered and reacted. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGFK4UAMs0
The chaos and carnage was for now working in his favour, but clarity as to who fought who, was somewhat obscure. There seemed to be 4 different adversaries, including the actual defenders, and they were all shooting and blowing each other up. The details of their objectives were unclear. Everyone here was here for the same target, that was clear.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B25ZmuIMM
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvNr5qV2Jo
Gorann Kalenko had joined forces with the mercenary from Valguard. Together they had managed to recruit a small contingent of militia from the local inhabitants of Clato. Unfortunately things went downhill after that. Half of them were either lost, dead or quit while tracking the two targets up this blasted, too cold for sanity, mountain range.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6WfaLClgo
In fact, with the way the mission had so far progressed, he had been glad when they had caught up with the target and seen him crest the ridge, vanishing beyond. All hell broke loose later on, however. One of the broadcaster droids had followed them up and survived the trip long enough for federal ships to get a lock on their position and movements, after they made it over the ridge bordering the hanging valley. Just long enough for a hidden gun turret to pick out the droid. The droid's cloaking device was fully functional. Heck, he didn't even know it was there until it's burning parts and shards struck three of their party. If the town hadn’t already been warned of their approach now they were. It was easier to shoot a cloaked droid when you were looking for it.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgfsB5H9pp
The first problem with hiring amateurs is that they panic under fire. They fled in all directions like Paria hens and the combined cloaking failed. That's when he realised the entire valley was a death trap. Gun turrets along the entire vale picked them out from all directions. If it hadn't been for the frag class assaulters that flew into the scene, he would have been lying charred, back there in the dirt. They made for an excellent diversion, and together with Mirza and the operative from Valguard, they harried what few they still could and made it to the town proper.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyzqFkhEeg
By then the sky was filled with all kinds of aircraft. Some were firing at the turrets, some dropping troops, some doing bombing runs, plenty were burning out of the sky but a lot more were coming. Then the League came into the picture and the entire battlefield turned upside down.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI90RYLpuI
The second problem with hiring amateurs is the emotional attachment. Kalenko realised this the moment his exile militia crossed paths with federal assault troopers. Exiles were one of two . They were either born on the Four Brethren or fled to them. Both had a personal score to settle with the Federation. The two were firing at each other before he could even formulate a counter measure. To make it worse the commanding officer's orders were most likely to apprehend, and eliminate where necessary, any and all exiles. No amount of badge flashing would get him out of this situation fast enough. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡge9Hvg6EQc
Mirsa had already come to the same conclusion and more. The League troopers, which Kalenko had only come across in Dosiers, weren't actually there to aid the federal host. When it seemed witnesses were few enough, they fired at federal and exile units alike. The result; everyone was fighting everyone.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubEAZcFULl
The home team had still not made an appearance but drones were pouring out of the huge cavernous opening at the far end from whence the town seemed to sprawl out from. Also, from this distance, it seemed all units there were facing heavier resistance than most. League units hadn't made it that far. He couldn't tell from what, but as yet the laser turrets and GTA cannons were doing plenty of damage everywhere. It was there, that he was certain he would find the target.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt36TaBpIs
He shot an assault trooper in the back and rolled to take cover next to the mercenary. The heavily armoured league trooper near him was a little too preoccupied with the ion cannons pelting him. Another distraction and a little more time.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKhk7azz30
“Still alive, Mr Discreet?” She shouted over the din of nearby explosions.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD22BigBk2
He grinned “What? Me die and leave a fine lady such as yourself in all this fun alone? Not gonna happen.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhn0Ye9oes5
“Glad to hear that. So what new game had you in mind seeing as we're fresh out of 'toy soldiers'?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMH3yeI6NL
“Who needs toys to play soldier?” He winked. “This one is called 'duck duck go'! The target is the cave on the other side of town. Just ten blocks away. Are you game?” 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QPLUXlATV
She finished checking her newly acquired weaponry, courtesy of the bombed League trooper a few feet away, and slung out a compact mine launcher. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGml3wEhAZ
“Ready when you are.” She smiled seductively. He returned her smile and crawled over to the dead trooper to relieve him of the few hand grenades Mirsa hadn't already done so. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aCt75I5Xv
“Ready” he declared when he got back and threw the plasma grenade back into the street. As the Astral class League trooper was lifted of the ground, Mirsa turned and stepped out onto the street. In the two seconds before he followed she had already planted mines on four turrets, their motions already setting the charges off. The lady made guns seem alive, she did. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWeeColhTS
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQolzt85TYo
Layla was the first to reach the cave. Unlike the others she had opted for the roofs. The turrets there were designed mainly for airborne and large enemy units. They had difficulty with fast targets that scaled walls and kept low. Her cloaking device was an added advantage but as an added insurance policy she left timed charges on every turret she passed.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kRy9hI2Ro
She lay back against the low, slanted roof and calmly surveyed the scene before her.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYtpUnVMku
The mouth of the cave was littered with corpses. Some Nebulon troopers had managed to erect barricades and were returning some fire, but theirs was a hopeless cause without heavy artillery, she didn't even think they knew what they were firing at.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFNjbqVBJ1
She pulled out a pair of scopes and zoomed in into the dark cave.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU262DSjzEK
“Where are you?” She spoke calmly. Her ear piece crackled to life with a lot off background noise.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbE53NtKvh
“Not far.” Another explosion went off nearby that fed back through the comm-link.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLyCDyW6by
“Having fun, I see.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUhiJEFqig
“Well, I guess that's one way of putting it.” the Phantom replied, “What you got?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMr8NzIsL9
“Blast doors 500 paces in and open. Some kind of heavy artillery gun. I'm counting ten of those and manned.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbcEQmGn3N
“I can't tell whether those are battle suits or droids. I've never seen anything like them. There are dozens of them and that's what's been using the assault troopers as target practice.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKenJEfUue
“Great!” He shouted as another chorus of explosions rocked a few buildings closer now. "We need a decoy. Any chance you can borrow a few rides for us?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4AXFGxCzG
“Already on it boss.” She had already unclipped a slender case off her back and was in the midst of assembling a rather long rifle. She spied a retinue of some League Crawlers coming into the foray from her right “Decoys coming up. EMP override in 20 seconds. Infiltration in 60. Be ready for your ride then. I'll be right behind you Ghost.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlSvqOxJ8z
“Roger that Psycho” and another explosion went off 2 buildings down from a different direction. She eyed it for a moment, thinking, then went back to her business of setting up her rifle. Which she finished a few seconds later and loaded the cartridge with the ammunition.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAb8mbrIja
She propped herself up a bit and took aim. “Here goes”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wnA3YlRzE
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3sdVdRo56
Mirsa saw the three crawlers veer suddenly towards the cave and accelerate just as they cleared the streets and came to the large open space in front of the cave. Their Shields were at full power and visible from their distance. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6m9PgfRqP
She acted out of pure instinct and ran towards them. Barely managing to scream for Kalenko to follow. It took him a split second to realise what was happening, and he was soon beside her sprinting across the battlefield under heavy fire.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl05OAmHRq2
They sprang on to one of the crawlers as it veered left to right and held on for dear life. The impact at those speeds was jarring. He thought it wondrous he hadn't been thrown off or crushed as the crawlers swept into the cave with a rush. He was exhilarated and, for some reason, glad to see Mirsa was in her element.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbS3LADqzR
His moment of euphoria was abruptly cut off as he heard the whine of thrusters behind them. They both turned to see 4 drones from the defence, fly in right behind them and open fire. His blood went cold and he thought his time had finally come.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz02l4KTjhz
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xm05qA84G
“Dammit Layla, can't you fly these things nicely. You'll throw me off”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO3FoZVRHc
“Give me some credit here!” She screamed back. “ I'm controlling seven alien military units with one hand whilst holding on for sanity. What more do you want from a girl?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T8wDi0net
“That she fly straight!” He grit his teeth.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9DjJNVFEC
“You whine too much.” she said as the drones did another evasive manuever and fired at the battle suits and manned gun turrets.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iCrVuc8xK
"Remind me again why I finally let you tag along for a field mission?" He yelled574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRVZHti6Ab
"Because I'm bored and I might die before I step out of that tin can ship of ours!"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaMFqRtc3d
"Then why do I have the feeling I'm the one who should be worried about dying!?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiLRMlare6
#574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CrXm8OWpm
The bulldozing crawlers didn't fare so well. One veered straight into the strange ray the turrets were shooting. The shields saved it but they also failed, whilst it lost control and veered left and right to crash into the other crawlers. They too swerved about, but at those speeds and that distance, there wasn't much the defenders could do to stop it.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqQWv23wLr
They made to retreat and abandon their stations, but that too was too little too late. Turrets were torn, battlesuits were either swatted aside or crushed as the crawlers bulldozed, flipped and careened through the tunnel and the drones flew in tow ,where they crashed past the blast doors. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNybTRLVrg
Kalenko and the mercenary let go when the ride got choppy, rolling as they hit the ground. They quickly came to a stop thanks to all the wreckage. They had to duck, though, as the drones flew by low and fired another hail. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSuGSBNZnl
A few shots must have finally hit the spot because one of the crawlers exploded and the drones flew into the blast a second later. They too exploded taking with them more battlesuits and infantry.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZQdFDCKku
Kalenko and Mirsa got up slowly, shakily and painfully. The blast doors were still open, and for a moment he could see both worlds, disoriented and trying to make heads or tails out of what just happened. Even Mirsa's confusion was apparent.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejDKUUIebE
They decided to ask questions later and get a move on before everyone else recovered. They slowly began to limp and walk off the pain , onwards through the carnage of broken turrets and mangled battlesuits, towards that ever elusive target.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN5ZF6DeE6
The aggressors recovered first, and advanced into the cavernous tunnel when they were just a few paces from crossing over. Their front line made up of ATS disrupter vehicles, accompanied by those ever imposing League Astral class battlesuits, and covering ground at a rapid pace.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR7ks0twyh
Another blast went off inside. It must have been another one of those drones. It had started a fire, the inferno spreading to all the wreckages and making a small barrier. Then the huge blast door started to slide down and close. Someone on the defence had their head back in gear. They certainly understood the meaning of haste and urgency.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM67pMzyCx2
They ran but didn't stop when they got through, those disrupter vehicles were fast on their heels. Quite a few units would make it through but that blast door was simply too vast to hold up. It would have been almost akin to holding the mountain itself and any that got in would be cut off from the outside. Either way they didn't want to be caught in the cross fire. So on they ran.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gdxN4fP9b
Onwards, jumping headlong through the fire, where they came out on the other side in two identical rolls, and got up running. They stopped themselves short however, as they took in the scene before them.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkA27gr411C
Behind them they heard the steady whines and thrummings of moving military vehicles and personnel, as they came rolling over and around the burning wreckage. The two had to backpedal further into the gigantic cavern, for fear of being run over. The assailants stopped short as well, as they took in their adversaries.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUfxqRdYpT
A long silence fell across the cavern broken only by the sound of more marching as more units made it into the cavern. The attackers from Nebulon and the League were staring at every gun and every able body that yet remained in battlegear. At every drone and droid remaining in Ode. The defenders were still outnumbered but no-one looked inclined to give any quarter. Behind them the rest of the town was holed up behind another closed blast door.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h508THLMh
With deafening finality the blast door closed, echoing throughout the cavern, then silence fell. Both sides roared and surged forward to clash. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngyop1BnIC
Then a searing bright white light from the podium off the left wall lit up the entire cavern.
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