“I’ve got a reading,” Vesper said. “I’ll take point.”
Alon allowed her to move up ahead as she swept her weapon around the trees, clearing the path. Tiller took up the rear. They moved at a rapid pace, each vigorous and young, ready to prove themselves. He conserved his energy, keeping his eyes at the distance, watching out for any movement.
They were not even five minutes into the walk when blaster fire caught his attention. The energy weapons discharged from up the hill to their left, a steep incline that would’ve been hell to have to climb. The three of them moved into cover. Alon leaned out to get a look. The shots weren’t coming their way but rather some two hundred yards off.
“We must’ve found the people we’re here for,” Tiller said. “Unless these guys really want an alien turkey.”
“Stow that,” Vesper replied. “I’m picking up serious life readings but they’re garbled from all the particulates in the air. This place is seriously contaminated by radiation.”
“Human?” Alon asked.
“Besides the rest of our crew,” Vesper said, “looks like two more.”
“Okay.” Alon reached out to Gunny. “I’m assuming you have them on scan?”
“We’re converging now,” Gunny said. “Looking at your position, I want you to flank from your side. Move at… two eight three degrees north. That’ll take you up the hill and should give you a reasonable firing arc. Be sure you’ve got cover. These guys are going to shoot back. I guarantee it.”
“Come on.” Alon directed the others to follow him as he stayed low, hustling up the hill. The soft ground gave way under every footfall, making him sink a good two inches. This slowed them down but not significantly. The others called they were in position ahead of them. Another fifteen seconds put them where they needed to be.
A tree and a fair sized boulder provided them with some natural cover. It would have to do though the wood would likely go up as soon as it was hit by any sort of weapon fire. Won’t matter when we start throwing it back. He had a vision of the whole forest burning, a terrible fate considering how long it likely lasted without such destruction.
At least from an unnatural source.
“Take aim,” Alon said. “We’re in position, Gunny. Ready to go when you are.” The enemy continued shooting at someone, really laying down some heavy fire. From his vantage, he finally got a view of one of them as they made their way slowly down the steep decline. They managed to stay upright, planting every footstep deliberately.
When they start taking fire, we’ll see if they don’t drop.
Gunny reached out to the archaeologist, told him to get ready to run. That meant the action was about to begin. Alon took a deep breath, letting his HUD paint a reticle on the head of his target. After four seconds of observation, it provided a recommended firing pattern to lead the man, to improve his chances to score a hit.
“I can’t believe this stuff!” Tiller muttered. “You see the information this helmet provides, Ves? Seriously, this is nuts!”
“Stow it,” Alon grunted. “Stay focused. Pick a target and wait.”
Five seconds more… they dragged on for too long, an eternity sitting there as the enemy continued firing at civilians. Alon’s finger itched. He drew a breath, steadying himself despite a growing desire to start the fight at that moment. They’ll do it soon enough. Relax. Gunny knows what he’s doing.
Beams belched from the trees onto the hill, chipping away at the areas around the encroaching Kahl. Alon’s chest flared up with a tingle, a shock that it all happened so quickly. He opened fire, calling out for the others to do the same. The target he’d been tracking took the blow to the helmet, dropping him to his side.
The man rolled several feet, slowing his descent by digging his hands into the dirt. Alon chased him with shots, finally catching him with two shots to the chest and side. Life signs in his HUD showed minimal. The target may not have died, but he was out of the fight for the moment.
The enemy returned fire on the different positions blasting at them. Trees lit up, bursting into flames. Enough of them caught to cast an orange glow over the battlefield. Wood snapped in the fires, their crackles competing with the gunfire and muffled shouts from the various soldiers engaged in combat.
“Got one!” Tiller shouted. “Nailed him!”
Their opponents were out en force, at least a dozen of them on the hillside taking cover to compete in the shootout. Several bodies littered the ground, mostly from the Kahl who had ventured out into the open in pursuit of the archaeologists. Some writhed about, left there to suffer while others remained still, smoldering from their wounds.
“Alon!” Gunny’s rough voice burst through the speakers in his helmet, making him wince. “Take your crew up the hill! Flush those sons of bitches out.”
“Come on!” Alon nudged Tiller. “Both of you, on me!” He hustled up the hill, pushing to move fast. Sinking into the dirt along with the elevation made it hard. The armor compensated, enriching the oxygen in his helmet. That helped but after ten quick paces, his legs started complaining.
“Contact!” Tiller shouted, firing to their right. Alon followed the flicker, watching dirt fly in the air, a tree catch, and one of the enemy dance away from his cover while shooting back. The random shots went high.
Alon called for his people to get low as he blasted the target in the chest. That blow knocked the victim backward onto the hill. He maintained a hold on his weapon, planting his elbows to remain in one place.
The Kahl took aim… Alon found himself practically staring at the barrel. He adjusted, preparing to
