When the Stars Fade (The Gray Wars) (102 page)

             
“Fall back
,”
Josh heard himself say
.“
Fall back
,”
he shouted
.“
Get into the shuttle
!”
He put his rifle over the window sill and fired into the crowd, trying to get their attention away from his squad. The Valkyrie lifted up slowly, every open space filled with a firing weapon. Animals leapt at the sides, biting the landing skirts and scratching at the hull. One managed to make its way to the cockpit and held onto the vents near the glass. Josh watched as the windshield exploded out and the monster flew back in a spray of blood and gore.

             
It was Cho in the cockpit, standing guard while the pilot struggling to bring the damaged bird about
.“
W
e’
re clear
,”
Cho said
.“
You planning on joining us
?
”

             
Josh could
n’
t contain his relief. His legs nearly gave out from under him. He was searching for a door when he saw it.

             
How it had snuck up, h
e’
d never know. A small part of his brain shouted ou
t“
Maneto
n”
before it attacked. Surely it could
n’
t have been the once docile gorilla-like native of the planet. They never grew to be twelve feet tall. And their bifurcated lower jaws did
n’
t have those horrific tusks leering out. Josh barely had a second to try and comprehend the abomination standing in the room before it lunged out and shoved a spiked paw clear through his chest, launching him out the window.

             
Dax saw the body fly out from his seat at the door. The HUD caught sight of the object and labeled i
t“
SHOGUN-CRITICAL
.”
The heavy gunner did
n’
t think. He leapt from the shuttle, reaching out for his frien
d’
s falling form. They met with a slamming of carbon fiber, sending sparks out. Dax wrapped Josh in his arms as they plummeted toward the ground twelve stories below. As the floor rushed to meet them, Dax activated his Phantom gear. The wings shot out and buckled under the added weight. After only a dozen feet the thin arms snapped, sending the two men crashing through a section of the fifth floor.

             
Dax rolled to a stop against a wall, his body crying out in pain. The onboard medical computer informed him that he had just broken four ribs and had a hairline fracture running from hip to heel on his right side. He looked over at Josh, praying for movement. The officer lay still, blood pooling from a ghastly hole in his armor. The HUD still rea
d“
CRITICAL
.”
His suit began to apply first aid, flooding his torso with pain killers and hardening the under armor to create a cast.

             
“Dax
!”
It was Liane back in the shuttle.

             
He could
n’
t see them, prone on his back, but he could hear the engines protesting
.“
Go
,”
he said, his voice weak
.“I’
ll meet you outside. Get out of here
.
”

             
“Goddamnit, Dax
.”
She was crying, but sounded more angry than worried
.“
Yo
u’
d better be there. Damn you, Dax. Yo
u’
d better be outside
.
”

             
Dax crawled over to his frien
d’
s body, pulling the medical pack from the blood soaked combat webbing. He popped the cap off the biofoam, a medical sealant that expanded to contain bleeding and prevent infection. Taking a breath, Dax jammed the applicator deep into the wound and squeezed until the can was empty. He took Jos
h’
s hand in his own, tears dripping onto the inside of his mask.

             
“Dax
?”
Jos
h’
s words were barely a whisper.

             
“Please
,”
Dax said, blubbering
.“
Please do
n’
t go
.
”

             
Josh squeezed back
.“
The bomb. Go
.”
He went limp, his hand falling down to the ground with a thud. The HUD rea
d“
KIA
.
”

             
“Dax
,”
Pierre said over the radio
.“
I do
n’
t know if you can still hear me, but everything is headed your way. All of those creatures know where you are and they are coming with a vengeance
.”
The distant cry of the beasts confirmed his warning
.“
And there is one mean-looking hoss leading the charge
.
”

             
The heavy gunner did
n’
t answer. His eyes were red and full of fire. He set his jaw, blood surging to every muscle, bringing powerful adrenaline around his body. Dax stood, throwing Josh over his shoulder. He lifted his HMG with one arm, pointing it forward. He did
n’
t wait for the enemy to find them. With a battle cry that rivaled the howling horde, Dax charged into the fight.

Chapter Ten

Ronin Protocol

“
I was a sergeant then, leading a raid. We were inside a shaft, trying to flank the bastards coming from the other side, when a bombing run knocked down the walls. Both sides of the tunnel caved in and we were stuck in that pitch black. It was dark like yo
u’
ve never known, the absolute absence of light. Iona, my friend, had his leg caught in the rubble. I could
n’
t see him, but his screams were deafening. I remember that, and it still scares me. Because that was the end. There was no way back. No way out
.
”

                                                       
Sasha Otravlyatovich

             
                                          Veteran, Martian Conflict

             
                                          2238

-
                           
I                            -

February 27, 2237

              Eruk relished the smell of battle. Blood and smoke mixed in the air in a constant assault on the senses. Towering over his soldiers, the Cthanul strode unchallenged through the Boxti lines. He wore a necklace made of bones; fingers ripped from his slain enemies. It was his one keepsake from his former existence, this old Homeworld tradition. He was, after all, a warrior at heart. The Druuma never chastised him about his souvenirs, and none of his soldiers dared speak of it in his presence. Already his jewelry dangled near his belt, and he had plans to add another row.

             
New Eden was already in Boxti control, the humans simply had
n’
t come to terms with that reality. Every day the front grew further and further into the enem
y’
s backyard. Cities fell under constant bombardment. The ports were blockaded, and even the escape vessels were summarily knocked down by the patrolling Hornets and Wasps. There were millions already under the influence of the Druumatan. Those hideous mutations served as cannon fodder, keeping the Terran military busy while the Black Army moved ever onward.

             
“Warlord
,”
a young Boun ran over. The powerfully built alien resembled a brick wall hastily carved into a humanoid shape. I
t’
s mottled red skin was marked with warpaint and chipped from enemy fire.

             
Eruk did
n’
t care much for their kind, but they made sturdy infantry. This one wore a simple orange neck wrap, signifying him as a platoon leader. Boun wore no other amor; they needed none. Eruk sneered at the diminutive officer, but allowed him to speak.

             
“We have located a small detachment of enemy tanks
,”
the Boun said
.“
They are heavily outnumbered, but have held off all attacks
.
”

             
The Cthanul sighed
.“
Must I handle every battle myself? Who is your pack commander
?
”

             
“Lord Futakhan, sir
.
”

             
Eruk thought on the name, drumming up a picture of a squat, hairy creature. He did
n’
t recall the name of the species, only that he found that particular officer to be pathetically useless
.“
Kill him and assume command
.
”

             
“
I’
m sorry, sir
?”
If it were possible for a brick to look apprehensive, the Boun was pulling it off.

             
The Warlord grabbed the rock creature by the throat and squeezed. Even in the warzone Eruk heard a sound like gravel rubbing together as the platoon leader choked
.“
Put his head on your battle flag as a lesson to other commanders unable to crush our enemies. I will not tolerate failure
.
”

             
“Yes, my lord. It will be done
.”
The Boun ran off, his feet leaving square imprints in the soft ground.

             
Eruk looked out in the direction of the enemy, wondering if he should take a better part in the fight. He had already waded through several skirmishes, firing his pistol and swinging two great cleavers at neck height. It had been the most fun h
e’
d had in years. Still, he longed for more of a challenge. Perhaps there was a warrior out there worthy of a fight.

             
The Druuma sensed his thoughts and rumbled
.“
Your place is here, commanding the battle
.
”

             
“I know
,”
Eruk said
.“
But there is no honor in this combat. The humans are weak, fleshy creatures that break at the touch. I want a champion to destroy
.
”

             
“There are no champions in human society. They are like Qom or Nangolani. They fight as a whole to compensate for their weakness. You must make do with what they provide
.
”

             
They walked through the encampment, passing dozens of different species of soldiers. Some walked on multiple limbs, others rode in mechanized armor that supported their tiny frames. Each wore their own haphazardly constructed armor and carried worn equipment. It was the one area Eruk often felt the Boxti failed. Their army was massive, but comprised of slaves and conscripts. Sure, there were regiments of true soldiers nearer to the home planet, but those were kept in reserve. In fact, now that he thought about it, the Dread Knights had never been sent to a fight in his lifetime. There had been a point during his indoctrination that the Cthanul thought he would choose such a prominent path, but the idea of remaining behind while others went to war pained him. Besides, that silver armor was too gaudy for a true warrior.

             
“
Gehnom
sends a message
,”
the Druuma said. There was a feeling of ice running through his spine and Eruk could sense a second voice join the parasite
.“
Greetings, Warlord
.
”

             
Eruk paused mid-step. It was a sign of respect to remain still while addressing the Harbinger
.“
M
a’
Arak, it is an honor. I had not been warned of your arrival, or I would have made sure to meet you in person
.
”

             
“That would have been unnecessary, Warlord
,”
Vanwa said through the Druuma
.“
As it is, I see you are busy cleansing this planet of a small pest problem
.
”

             
The Cthanul smiled. He had not expected the Commander of the
Gehnom
to speak so warmly. It was a pleasant surprise
.“
Nothing that wo
n’
t be handled in due time. I can say with certainty that New Eden will be ready for colonization within the week
.
”

             
Vanwa gurgled, a sensation that did not properly translate and came across as a disturbing vibration in Eru
k’
s chest
.“
I appreciate the work that has been done, and you and the Vanguard should take momentary pride in your accomplishments, but an order has been given. This planet is to be an example of the Great Kin
g’
s supremacy.
Gehnom
will destroy it
.
”

             
That sunk Eru
k’
s mood
.“
What? How can this be? We are winning
.
”             

             
“I imagine you are, but the Voice has spoken. His words were clear. I will allow you a cycle to remove your troops from the surface and clear the space around the planet, and then I will attack
.
”

             
He almost spoke back, argued with the M
a’
Arak, but there were less painful ways to commit suicide. Eruk swallowed his words, fighting off every inkling in his body
.“
Yes, commander. It will be done
.
”

             
The connection severed and Eruk was left alone with the Druuma. One cycle to complete everything that he had set out to do. His soldiers were spread across the planet, surrounding every city and combing street to street to find each bastion of humanity. It would take longer than that to even bring down enough transport for his ground troops. The harsh truth was some of the Horde would be left to die, a sacrifice deemed necessary by the Great King. Eruk knew better than to argue, or even to think an argument, lest the thing on his back react.

             
“What say you, parasite? Who shall live and who shall die
?
”

             
The Druuma twisted and turned in thought
.“
We all die, Cthanul. Today you will give many the honor of dying for their Master
.
”

             
Eruk looked back out at the field, in the direction the Boun had run. Somewhere in the distance, hidden by a crop of trees, a human defied the mightiest army in the galaxy. If New Eden was not going to be his greatest conquest, than at least he would get a good bit of fun in before it was destroyed.

-                           
II                            -

              He sprinted flat out, taking turns at random down the winding corridors. Several times he would arrive at a dead end and be forced to double back. More often than not, the creatures were already waiting for him. He preferred it that way. With his HMG held out with one arm, Dax would pour an endless spray of lead into the roaring throngs, clearing a bloody path through the alien Hive. Sometimes they would survive the gunshots and grab ahold of his ankle as he went passed. He loved that, getting to crush them under his boots like insects.

             
They had to be near an exit. It was
n’
t possible for a ship to be this big. Josh still hung over his shoulder, bouncing like a rag doll as the hulking soldier tore down the hallways. The sun was rising over the trees as Dax and his friend broke out from the alien ship onto a small landing twenty feet off the dirt. Smoke blotted out the sky for three-quarters of the horizon, evidence of battles still being fought. Aside from the roaring wind, it was silent outside. Bodies of the dead alien crew littered the ground inside the fortress. Most had been obliterated when Thunder and Lightning rained down.

             
“Cho
,”
Dax said, breathless
.“
Cho, where are you
?”
His legs wanted to quit, begged him to stop, but Dax kept moving. He could hear the animals coming from behind, yearning to tear him to pieces. The big one, the monster that had taken down Josh, always seemed to be just around the corner. Dax could hear its feet stomping toward him, hear its ragged breath
.“
Cho
!
”

             
A hydra stepped into view, its three mouths spitting saliva as it charged toward the two soldiers. Dax lifted his weapon and fired, hitting the creature dead center. The heads flopped around, still trying to get at them. Dax squeezed the trigger but the firing pin snapped at air. He dropped the empty gun and pulled his pistol, putting a bullet in each of the hydr
a’
s eyes until it lay dead. He looked up toward the door the
y’
d come through and saw the Maneton, its white skin stretched taught over bulging muscles. More infected beasts ambled around, waiting for the alpha to make a move.

             
With a piercing whine, the Valkyrie dove into view, sending dirt flying in all directions. The pilot put the craft into a hover a few feet above the ground, the damaged engines screaming. Pierre and Alexa leapt from the doors, firing their rifles at creatures just behind their fleeing comrade. Dax heard the cries of pain from monsters inches from his back and ran harder, faster than he thought he could ever move. His HUD showed a carpet of glowing red dots flooding from the carrier and following him toward the shuttle.