There was weapons fire all around them. The war that had suddenly hit Senti was literally destroying everything around them. The Ictarans had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The long-range sensors had not alerted them. This was something that the humans of this planet had not expected. They were ill prepared for this extent of combat. In the initial attack the vast number of ships bombarding the planet surface had decimated almost half the population. As soon as it had been possible Commander of all the forces had given the order for civilians to evacuate the planet. This too had ensured considerable loses. There military fleet of combat airships was not enough and the enemy had considerably faster and more manoeuvrable ships. They were out gunned. It was like that once the enemy knew that they had the advantage they pushed for ground assault. It seemed the intention was to completely annihilate them.

They had to evacuate in small numbers. A message had been sent that they should group at a certain location for the ships that were able to survive. After the initial evacuation they had stopped as too many were lost. Then in time they were able to get a few ships out of orbit. It was not enough the population and been reduced from billions to less than a million in just a few weeks. They were now a dying species, but they hadn't given up yet. It was not in the human nature to admit defeat or to give up trying.

Back in central command it was not as they had expected or hoped for.

"Admiral," said the Commander as he entered the room.

The Commander had been out with the troops attempting to delay what they all knew would eventually be the inevitable outcome.

"Are you okay?" was the Admirals initial reaction.

"Don't worry about me the suit took most of the damage. That's the lucky thing about elites."

The Admiral nodded. Elite troops had certain enhanced abilities that allowed for a long sustainability in combat and normal life. There advantages gave them so much of a better chance compared to regular troops and civilians, but to become an elite took time and was costly on resources. It had been hoped that one day all humans would benefit from the effects of and elites' abilities, but it was still a long way off. Now things had completely changed that would affect everything from this point forward.

"How is the evacuation going?" asked Commander Kern.

"There has been considerably more success since you diverted the elite ships to act as escort, but its slow as they have to operate as a four-unit team to ensure the success."

Commander Kern nodded, but his thoughts were racing at what he was about to propose next. Before coming to command, he had been in contact with his elite leaders as to the numbers he had left on the ground. He had also been in contact with his General's to establish the loses of the other ground troops.

"Can you connect me to Mercy it's time for a change of tactics. I need to find you the time to evacuate the last of our people and the remaining troops."

The Admiral nodded in the direction of the communications officer so that he could be connected.

"Mercy. Its Kern."

"Commander."

"I intend to recall all elites to the ground to give the rest of our people and troops the chance to evacuate. The troops cannot survive much longer they are taking too many loses. As elites we will have a better chance, but we are stretched too thin to be totally effective."

"I understand. I can recall all ships immediately."

"We still need to protect the remaining evacuees. I require two units. Who's your best?"

"Ensign Reyes and Cameron."

Kern looked at the communications officer can you contact both of those.

"One moment, Sir. Your connected."

"Ensign Reyes. Ensign Cameron. This is Commander Kern.

"Sir," they both responded.

"I understand from Major Rudski that you are two of her best. I have a task for you both. I am recalling all elites to the surface to protect the final evacuation, but I am entrusting the safety of the ships to your two units. Therefore, I am giving you both a field promotion to flight sergeant and from this point forward you will answer directly to Admiral Gray."

"Understood Sir."

"Admiral do whatever you need to recall all your troops and escape now."

"What about you?"

"Don't worry I have an idea, but first I need to give you the cover and protection that I can. Good luck."

"You too."

Commander Kern shook the hand of an old friend and left the room with his detail and headed out, back to where the fighting was. It was time to end this and to ensure what he could for the protection of his people.

It was obvious that the order had already been issued to the troops that they were evacuating as he watched them fall back. His troops around him immediately gave covering fire to ensure a safe retreat.

"Cover them and then move forward. Keep relieving each squad of troops you find."

His helmet also had abilities other than communications. It also had an AI. As did each elite this was one of their prime abilities.

"Commander," said the female voice in his head. "You have incoming enemies at ninety degrees. Approximately two hundred metres."

"I have visual. Two with me, the rest push forward."

The battle rifle within his hands was not standard equipment like the troopers, because of the suit and the additional strength, speed and agility that each elite gained the battle rifle was larger too. He bound over the nearest vehicle, which was completely shot to pieces and slid up behind a concrete pillar lying on its side where bombardment had collapsed a nearby building. The two other elites were close in pursuit. The commander had not waited. He had always been one to step in and deal with the fight, but for a number of years they had been complacent and the elites had been the only military force that Senti had needed. They had not had a real fight on a series of simulation mostly in a simulation suit that was off planet considering the size it needed to be to ensure that each soldier could practice and maintain a high level of expertise with their weapons and abilities.

They opened fire on the Ictarans.

"These are Ichaks," shouted one of the soldiers with him.

"Thought you realised that the majority of their forces are Ichaks."

"Sorry sir only been recruited with the elites a few months."

It took a long time to build the AI for the elites, hence why the number of humans that had one was only to elites and several high-ranking officials.

Ichaks were the strongest, largest and toughest of all of the Ictarans. They were almost unstoppable, but the Senti had developed a projectile that they fired that could penetrate the thick skin. On normal Ictarans it could even penetrate all the way through the tough skin. If used on lesser skinned creatures had been known to penetrate more than one object or person. They kept shooting at the approaching hostiles, the three of them held their ground.

"Sir, Mercy has landed and her elites are in bound on your position."

"Thank you, Eloise," responded the Commander to his AI.

Mercy had landed several blocks away, there was and old facility where they had been building a prototype ship, which was intended to be the best in the fleet. Yet it was still under construction and also underground in a hanger. Two elites per each ship had landed and were making their way towards the Commanders known position. Another feature of having an onboard AI was that they could all communicate with each other and ensure that the elite units could work in total harmony. There losses had been few but some had been destroyed in the initial attack when they had been caught off guard. They had been in excess of one thousand elites and growing slowly each year, but now they were a lot less. The actually number because of the constant fight for the last few months it had been hard to keep tabs on every squad, but was probably between six and eight hundred.

"Okay move out have your AI's watch all approaches. Stay with your unit no matter what."

They fanned out and slowly started to make the approach towards the city. It was not easy as they had been spotted landing. The cloaking on the ships had reduced some detection, but on leaving each ship they had to de-cloak.

Enemies approached from every direction. Explosions could be heard all across the city and fires were lighting the night sky. In a few hours it would be dawn and then they would have more visibility. The number that had landed totalled forty-four from the twenty-two ships that had landed close to the hidden hanger.

Using a staggered attack pattern of four per unit the eleven squads were able to dispel any approaching Ichaks that tried to take them down. The elites had trained in combat chambers mostly, but the simulations allowed for large numbers to be able to move as one force and so they were able to know where each squad was based upon their own position and could therefore concentrate on the enemy that they encountered knowing that the other squads were doing the same.

It didn't take too long before they had reached the position that had been signified by Eloise.

"Commander."

"Good of you to show up Mercy. Hammer, Rico and Hennessey are on the other side of the escape area. We all need to fall back once the ground troops are evacuated. The last ship should be able to leave momentarily."

"I figured that you would be intending to use the Jericho to escape. I left our ships close by."

"Guess we have worked together for far too long for you to know my thoughts."

"Well that's what you get for saving my life all those years ago. I said then that I would always be there."

"Then I guess you won't mind covering the fall back and ensure the escape site is secure."

"No problem we cleared a path on our way to you. What are you intending to do?"

"Contact the others and rendezvous with them and ensure we all get away safely."

As they continued the conversation of what they had planned the other elites were keeping the constant assault of Ichaks back. The weaponry of the elites was more formidable compared to the ground troops.

"Take four of my squads to assist you, sir."

"If you're sure."

"Well you do only have a two-man detail," commented Mercy.

"Well we have been doing fine so far, but I will welcome the extra help right now."

Mercy gave the orders through her headset. "Units two through five with the commander the rest form up on me we're returning to the Jericho. Units six, nine and eleven on arrival get the Jericho prepared. The rest secure the perimeter for hostile extraction."

"We will see you shortly, Mercy."

"Good luck, Sir"

With that each went their own way. The additional help made the progress to the other side of the evacuation site much easier. The units working in unison was much more efficient and effective. Not only did each elite have a call sign the prime elites known as Omega's also had a numerical value. The Omegas only numbered five, which was Kern's own unit.

"This is thirteen come in thirty-five, forty-six and fifty-seven."

"Finally decided to show up to the party then," came the voice of Hammer.

Eloise was automatically picking up GPS location on receiving the communication.

"Hammer is approximately two hundred metres north," said Eloise.

As the others confirmed she pin pointed their locations too.

It didn't take long to find Hammer. Considering he was the tallest and largest of all the elites, his form was as if he was an Ichak too.

"Each of us needs to fall back to the Jericho," said Kern.

"Why not just go there and send us the orders?" said Hammer.

"And miss out on all the fun," said Kern, standing at his side.

They slowly started to fall back the more units that were working together the stronger the force they became. The Ichaks were being slowed. If when the invasion had taken place, that their military body had comprised of just elites then the outcome would have been far different. Hennessey had met up with Rico and they were using their units to hold off their side of the perimeter.

"In coming," shouted Hennessey.

"Icbak." came the cry.

An Icbak was a large four-legged beast with tusks on the side of their head. Long and straight with like rings, possible signs of periodic growth spurts. They were very large and strong and could toss or use their tusks like a lance and pierce you through.

"Hammer," came the Commanders voice.

"I heard. I'm on it."

Hammer had a weapon that he had modified. With ease he threw it over his back so that he could move quickly without having to deal with it in front of him. He ran as fast as he could the suit constantly helping him and giving his body the strength, it needed. He came bounding around the corner with the beast in front of him, but the beast was not aware of him as he approached its flank.

He slowed, but was still moving as he reached over his shoulder and told hold of his weapon. It was a modified gatling. The modification was the rocket that it could fire from the centre.

He opened fire letting bullets hit in the front legs. It didn't slow, but it did change direction. Now it was all on him. The elites were now on the flank and kept firing. Hammer kept firing over and over rounds kept hitting the same spot on the Icbak. It started to slow. Then suddenly its front legs buckled. That was it Hammer stopped firing and loaded the rocket to his weapon. He then fired at the back of the head as it had now become exposed as it was falling forward. It hit its target and the beast started to topple over. The only problem was that he had now caught the attention of the Ichaks that had been accompanying it.

"Don't worry mate, were here now." said Kern appearing at his side. The Ichaks were caught from two sides and had to retreat.

"Everyone, fall back now while we have the advantage," commanded Kern.

In time they had managed to fall back. Mercy and her units were waiting and gave covering fire to allow all of the units to get below the surface and on board the Jericho. Her squads stayed top side. She planned on taking as many ships with them and would board the Jericho once all ships were in orbit. Commander Kern had pre-planned the possibility that one day an eventuality might occur that the hanger doors would not open or needed to be opened in an emergency.

"Jericho?" the commander addressed the ships AI.

"Commander."

"Bring all power to the top side of the ship. Prepare for an emergency evacuation."

"Commander."

They had to wait a moment as the ships power was diverted to the required place to protect it. Jericho was then heard communicating."

"Major Rudski please move all ships clear of hanger doors, emergency protocols in place."

Mercy gave the orders to her units. The ships took off and maintained a circling formation around the site give covering fire from above. It took only a few seconds for them to be in the air.

"Were clear," she responded.

"Commander I suggest every one braces themselves accordingly."

Kern nodded in the direction of someone sitting at the communications. A ship wide message was relayed preparing everyone on board.

"All yours Jericho."

"Commander."

An explosion could then be heard. The doors were flung back and some debris could be heard as it impacted on the surface of the Jericho.

"Jericho, get in orbit. Be prepared for any incoming hostiles."

"I already have all locations. Unfortunately, I am unarmed. Major I require your assistance, there is a detachment of incoming vessels starboard side would you be so kind as to remove them?" asked Jericho.

Jericho was an educated, polite kind of AI, at least his persona was.

"Affirmative."

Mercy moved her units towards the incoming enemy while the Jericho veered port. The Jericho had incredible speed and was a very sleek ship, but large enough to hold several ships on board and around six hundred crew and troops. She had been specifically designed for the elites in extreme combat situations, but was incomplete.

The ships under mercy's command targeted the wave of incoming vessels. They had been doing this for so many months now that they could almost predict the enemies every move. The AI's could quickly calculate the possibilities of the enemy's position and likely position and target them very quickly.

The incoming ships had been foiled and dispatched. Mercy's personal squad covered the rear as the rest made their way to the Jericho. They stayed outside giving cover when it was needed until they were sure that no Ictaran vessels were following them. It looked like they were interested in ensuring that the planet was clear of any other humans. Unfortunately, Commander Kern had to hope that all of the remaining Sentian's had made it to the evacuation point and had safely escaped Senti. For now, it was goodbye Senti.

The Admiral was informed that they were clear and what they intended. As previously discussed, the fleet of survivors would follow at their own pace. They had about twenty-five ships that needed to be protected and keeping the balance of the Senti people alive was no small order. They would have to re-provision at various times. The ships were not small and they carried several thousand Sentian's. The elite detail that had been assigned to Admiral Gray would stay with him until they reached the intended destination known as, Solar system.

Commander Kern gave Jericho the details of where they were headed. Considering the capabilities, it had it would only take a few months for them to get to their destination.