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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0K8UOi2xP
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQBouMWor6
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...558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDTGeBV2v1
“Layla, how'd you miss an entire frigate?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm8LMSqMAI
“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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtzb3zWNBr
“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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsS4BpBNuF
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNr8AUrtqf
It bought him a little time though. Enough to zip by or take out a threat before it registered and reacted. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5xbaFZFY3
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMgpiNR3zJ
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0JLecQ9ni
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEeofydUMv
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTmQ9Q3osy
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SoaXQBmc7
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuUwNoMRDw
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlktfbOFDg
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26BdIBVYEY
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpX0EtRWmq
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHif5NXRI2
“Still alive, Mr Discreet?” She shouted over the din of nearby explosions.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfzIPB6sX2
He grinned “What? Me die and leave a fine lady such as yourself in all this fun alone? Not gonna happen.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBSvgJUwzi
“Glad to hear that. So what new game had you in mind seeing as we're fresh out of 'toy soldiers'?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBFMzgv3qL
“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?” 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYjOTa5pIc
She finished checking her newly acquired weaponry, courtesy of the bombed League trooper a few feet away, and slung out a compact mine launcher. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSVgnzTzha
“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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJ1F1oFEXW
“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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTfXdcUzVd
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfWMESJbIA
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Dx7oKXzGN
She lay back against the low, slanted roof and calmly surveyed the scene before her.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoptJL7tHr
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp62LLpJYr
She pulled out a pair of scopes and zoomed in into the dark cave.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJ411LNwZC
“Where are you?” She spoke calmly. Her ear piece crackled to life with a lot off background noise.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddfPNgjP8u
“Not far.” Another explosion went off nearby that fed back through the comm-link.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoT3vq2kNl
“Having fun, I see.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gfUCnatc3
“Well, I guess that's one way of putting it.” the Phantom replied, “What you got?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj4cFSYkSW
“Blast doors 500 paces in and open. Some kind of heavy artillery gun. I'm counting ten of those and manned.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI7JDZISmW
“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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAgTocTcRl
“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?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ67BXI5AY7
“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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAnL46928T
“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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHNfhcIB5W
She propped herself up a bit and took aim. “Here goes”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI11mimBO3
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi56iBHD3Fb
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXWSWIyxBp
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVjyo6JNEQ
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwAKf2jvjJ
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57QdRmcSke
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaHj4OR9bf
“Dammit Layla, can't you fly these things nicely. You'll throw me off”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr7WXJjOy7
“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?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4bOdfeNCl
“That she fly straight!” He grit his teeth.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEsphTRQUa
“You whine too much.” she said as the drones did another evasive manuever and fired at the battle suits and manned gun turrets.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8HlbskBax
"Remind me again why I finally let you tag along for a field mission?" He yelled558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWlDWEYdOf
"Because I'm bored and I might die before I step out of that tin can ship of ours!"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawY9VcZ20K
"Then why do I have the feeling I'm the one who should be worried about dying!?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5Rb71te6p
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJmJOGciGJ
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FEq0LK3CL
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhPxIiw3ka
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXxuyXrwpG
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKloWs1WJ3m
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDyQ788Rup
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYLZRe15UJ
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyLSbawO1h
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3RIg5wAyF
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0h6GXy0cn
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXA9Po4oAw4
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMrLxeawGe
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC2D4uLynj
With deafening finality the blast door closed, echoing throughout the cavern, then silence fell. Both sides roared and surged forward to clash. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWndAYKMKpe
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpn6KVSJhyK
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHdr3kg4Vx
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...558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8GoeCernc
“Layla, how'd you miss an entire frigate?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmqZWao8bG
“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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGwSpRceYz
“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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01xNWK82i5
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXxj9DSGxW
It bought him a little time though. Enough to zip by or take out a threat before it registered and reacted. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFpc7IB2Qw
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqdQrT8VEY
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyVRw4rAnN
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGldI8tXnl
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAyTfS7t3y
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEqA5vhTsX
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6Yx51WSp5
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AREvzsIqe
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaBQxGFu29
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUD7hkrD90c
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c2vlUURFr
“Still alive, Mr Discreet?” She shouted over the din of nearby explosions.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWqJZUjaVJ
He grinned “What? Me die and leave a fine lady such as yourself in all this fun alone? Not gonna happen.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk9zK9IVjW
“Glad to hear that. So what new game had you in mind seeing as we're fresh out of 'toy soldiers'?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6uTrThXM3
“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?” 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuOCZSF02h
She finished checking her newly acquired weaponry, courtesy of the bombed League trooper a few feet away, and slung out a compact mine launcher. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrifMa1izo
“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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPUrMoAb1F
“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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPttNIykUDC
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPmJGRAe0B
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTQlRcbbny
She lay back against the low, slanted roof and calmly surveyed the scene before her.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSiYOb5Lxk
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDi8ZSzI8j
She pulled out a pair of scopes and zoomed in into the dark cave.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTVhn3kRq6
“Where are you?” She spoke calmly. Her ear piece crackled to life with a lot off background noise.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZjX5uNAwm
“Not far.” Another explosion went off nearby that fed back through the comm-link.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbSSHC4PWk
“Having fun, I see.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbfxxrQXS1
“Well, I guess that's one way of putting it.” the Phantom replied, “What you got?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ9uDTyG26
“Blast doors 500 paces in and open. Some kind of heavy artillery gun. I'm counting ten of those and manned.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX4YTyABRO
“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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer0ps1BcxM
“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?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPlA3LovgA
“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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrPR3xUEPB
“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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l8y6k5Lg2
She propped herself up a bit and took aim. “Here goes”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Wpxxd9LJz
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgy2PfV2dt
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87EMj5x8YJ
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh46ENOaUYc
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7M4ptfmrD
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDi1g6rVInz
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6UMcsPDY1
“Dammit Layla, can't you fly these things nicely. You'll throw me off”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbouXB3ThKI
“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?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvl5FV9c5a
“That she fly straight!” He grit his teeth.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl469TiJW3z
“You whine too much.” she said as the drones did another evasive manuever and fired at the battle suits and manned gun turrets.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6vIoCCg14
"Remind me again why I finally let you tag along for a field mission?" He yelled558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80q5TTI1DZ
"Because I'm bored and I might die before I step out of that tin can ship of ours!"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP6OmPSUng
"Then why do I have the feeling I'm the one who should be worried about dying!?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvopWz7uUpV
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnVfkitfhp
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAFuv1JelE
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0r4AJIgQa
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMwLNiDhcZ
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGpy7WjAu2
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjXQzYqCeK
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNdiRvUXnT
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XosLYTpPK
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeV6YYHbtN
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRQLww5kHW
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUaxAbCRhj
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwpZSra8hQ
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5keTvZa3IZ
With deafening finality the blast door closed, echoing throughout the cavern, then silence fell. Both sides roared and surged forward to clash. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8iKqS9j7x
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQBouMWor6
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...558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDTGeBV2v1
“Layla, how'd you miss an entire frigate?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm8LMSqMAI
“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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtzb3zWNBr
“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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsS4BpBNuF
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNr8AUrtqf
It bought him a little time though. Enough to zip by or take out a threat before it registered and reacted. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5xbaFZFY3
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMgpiNR3zJ
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0JLecQ9ni
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEeofydUMv
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTmQ9Q3osy
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SoaXQBmc7
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuUwNoMRDw
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlktfbOFDg
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26BdIBVYEY
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpX0EtRWmq
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHif5NXRI2
“Still alive, Mr Discreet?” She shouted over the din of nearby explosions.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfzIPB6sX2
He grinned “What? Me die and leave a fine lady such as yourself in all this fun alone? Not gonna happen.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBSvgJUwzi
“Glad to hear that. So what new game had you in mind seeing as we're fresh out of 'toy soldiers'?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBFMzgv3qL
“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?” 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYjOTa5pIc
She finished checking her newly acquired weaponry, courtesy of the bombed League trooper a few feet away, and slung out a compact mine launcher. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSVgnzTzha
“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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJ1F1oFEXW
“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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTfXdcUzVd
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfWMESJbIA
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Dx7oKXzGN
She lay back against the low, slanted roof and calmly surveyed the scene before her.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoptJL7tHr
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp62LLpJYr
She pulled out a pair of scopes and zoomed in into the dark cave.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJ411LNwZC
“Where are you?” She spoke calmly. Her ear piece crackled to life with a lot off background noise.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddfPNgjP8u
“Not far.” Another explosion went off nearby that fed back through the comm-link.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoT3vq2kNl
“Having fun, I see.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gfUCnatc3
“Well, I guess that's one way of putting it.” the Phantom replied, “What you got?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj4cFSYkSW
“Blast doors 500 paces in and open. Some kind of heavy artillery gun. I'm counting ten of those and manned.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI7JDZISmW
“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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAgTocTcRl
“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?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ67BXI5AY7
“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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAnL46928T
“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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHNfhcIB5W
She propped herself up a bit and took aim. “Here goes”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI11mimBO3
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi56iBHD3Fb
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXWSWIyxBp
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVjyo6JNEQ
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwAKf2jvjJ
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57QdRmcSke
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaHj4OR9bf
“Dammit Layla, can't you fly these things nicely. You'll throw me off”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr7WXJjOy7
“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?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4bOdfeNCl
“That she fly straight!” He grit his teeth.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEsphTRQUa
“You whine too much.” she said as the drones did another evasive manuever and fired at the battle suits and manned gun turrets.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8HlbskBax
"Remind me again why I finally let you tag along for a field mission?" He yelled558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWlDWEYdOf
"Because I'm bored and I might die before I step out of that tin can ship of ours!"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawY9VcZ20K
"Then why do I have the feeling I'm the one who should be worried about dying!?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5Rb71te6p
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJmJOGciGJ
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FEq0LK3CL
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhPxIiw3ka
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXxuyXrwpG
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKloWs1WJ3m
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDyQ788Rup
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYLZRe15UJ
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyLSbawO1h
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3RIg5wAyF
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0h6GXy0cn
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXA9Po4oAw4
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMrLxeawGe
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC2D4uLynj
With deafening finality the blast door closed, echoing throughout the cavern, then silence fell. Both sides roared and surged forward to clash. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWndAYKMKpe
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpn6KVSJhyK
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHdr3kg4Vx
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...558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8GoeCernc
“Layla, how'd you miss an entire frigate?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmqZWao8bG
“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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGwSpRceYz
“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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01xNWK82i5
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXxj9DSGxW
It bought him a little time though. Enough to zip by or take out a threat before it registered and reacted. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFpc7IB2Qw
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqdQrT8VEY
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyVRw4rAnN
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGldI8tXnl
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAyTfS7t3y
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEqA5vhTsX
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6Yx51WSp5
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AREvzsIqe
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaBQxGFu29
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUD7hkrD90c
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c2vlUURFr
“Still alive, Mr Discreet?” She shouted over the din of nearby explosions.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWqJZUjaVJ
He grinned “What? Me die and leave a fine lady such as yourself in all this fun alone? Not gonna happen.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk9zK9IVjW
“Glad to hear that. So what new game had you in mind seeing as we're fresh out of 'toy soldiers'?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6uTrThXM3
“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?” 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuOCZSF02h
She finished checking her newly acquired weaponry, courtesy of the bombed League trooper a few feet away, and slung out a compact mine launcher. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrifMa1izo
“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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPUrMoAb1F
“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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPttNIykUDC
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPmJGRAe0B
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTQlRcbbny
She lay back against the low, slanted roof and calmly surveyed the scene before her.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSiYOb5Lxk
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDi8ZSzI8j
She pulled out a pair of scopes and zoomed in into the dark cave.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTVhn3kRq6
“Where are you?” She spoke calmly. Her ear piece crackled to life with a lot off background noise.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZjX5uNAwm
“Not far.” Another explosion went off nearby that fed back through the comm-link.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbSSHC4PWk
“Having fun, I see.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbfxxrQXS1
“Well, I guess that's one way of putting it.” the Phantom replied, “What you got?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ9uDTyG26
“Blast doors 500 paces in and open. Some kind of heavy artillery gun. I'm counting ten of those and manned.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX4YTyABRO
“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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer0ps1BcxM
“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?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPlA3LovgA
“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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrPR3xUEPB
“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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l8y6k5Lg2
She propped herself up a bit and took aim. “Here goes”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Wpxxd9LJz
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgy2PfV2dt
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87EMj5x8YJ
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh46ENOaUYc
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7M4ptfmrD
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDi1g6rVInz
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6UMcsPDY1
“Dammit Layla, can't you fly these things nicely. You'll throw me off”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbouXB3ThKI
“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?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvl5FV9c5a
“That she fly straight!” He grit his teeth.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl469TiJW3z
“You whine too much.” she said as the drones did another evasive manuever and fired at the battle suits and manned gun turrets.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6vIoCCg14
"Remind me again why I finally let you tag along for a field mission?" He yelled558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80q5TTI1DZ
"Because I'm bored and I might die before I step out of that tin can ship of ours!"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP6OmPSUng
"Then why do I have the feeling I'm the one who should be worried about dying!?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvopWz7uUpV
#558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnVfkitfhp
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAFuv1JelE
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0r4AJIgQa
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. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMwLNiDhcZ
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGpy7WjAu2
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjXQzYqCeK
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNdiRvUXnT
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XosLYTpPK
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeV6YYHbtN
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRQLww5kHW
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUaxAbCRhj
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwpZSra8hQ
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5keTvZa3IZ
With deafening finality the blast door closed, echoing throughout the cavern, then silence fell. Both sides roared and surged forward to clash. 558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8iKqS9j7x
Then a searing bright white light from the podium off the left wall lit up the entire cavern.
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