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Assault Dropship, Northern Sector, Capital City of Human Colony New Babylon
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Vicus heard the repetitive thud of the dropship's cannons striking against enemy targets on the ground. A sudden jolt almost made a few in the back lose their footing as the pilots dodged an incoming threat he couldn't identify thanks to the lack of outside view in the dark and cramped troop compartment, until the side doors opened up.
"Descending down now Commander, prepare for deployment" One of the pilots called from the front. Turning to waiting troops behind him who were all facing toward the front of the assault dropship, Vicus gave them his last pep talk.
"This is it soldiers. Remember, shoot anything that has steel for flesh. For the Empire"
"For the Empire!" They all chanted back, holding their weapons at the ready and faced the doors, standing by for the doors to part and release them into the new battlefield. He felt beneath his armoured feet the transport slow down, meaning it had reached the proper elevation for jumping out to the surface below. With one last check over the energy cells in the Heavy Carbine and making sure his Energy-Mace was clipped onto his magnetic clamps on his back armour, the doors of the dropship split open to the sight of kinetic and heated plasma from the other combatants.
Vicus jumped out first and was quickly followed by his warriors, the same action repeated by several other assault dropships close by deploying troops of the 8th Regiment. The last to disembark out was the Chamaele, Shevko roaring out a fierce battle cry once it's heavy clawed feet crashed to the concrete covered ground, which the Army Commander knew was to be a sign that the six eyed reptilian was ready for combat. His huge clawed hands equipped with small plasma cannons on the dorsal side, the leads running up to the energy tank attached to his back.
"This way!" He commanded pointing down a road where his inbuilt sensors presented on his visor the location of the thickest area of action. Black smoke billowing out of buildings and wrecked combat vehicles littered the war torn landscape, bodies of human warriors and civilians lay on the roads and paths with some hanging out of windows of emporiums.
One point of interest that caught Vicus' eye was the destroyed human walker laying on the ground with it's legs broken into pieces and it's crew section nothing more than a smouldering, empty space. In front of it was three droid tanks no longer in working order, all with evident signs of hefty battle damage and bits missing off their tanned coloured hulls.
Went down with a fight, He complemented seeing as the walker was said to have been a light armoured series of the UECAF combat vehicles, compared to machines own hover-tanks.
Taking a turning on the left hand side at the end of the road Vicus sighted the war droids for the the first time since landing on the human world. What must of been a company's worth were moving up against a group of human troops on the other end of the street. Judging by the flow of kinetic and plasma rounds being exchanged, Vicus summoned up the defending forces were the outnumbered party.
Without another word he lifted his Carbine up and pressed down on the stick thin trigger, sending a controlled burst of superheated white plasma into the back of one of the taller wrist mounted war droids. The great lump of steel fell forward with a dull clang to the concrete road, riddled with newly formed scorch marks the plasma embedded into it's body and melted away the electronic innards of the machine.
The low pitched drumming of energy rifles soon joined his own taking down more of the machine menaces, gaining their attention as they swapped targets now his warriors were seen as a bigger threat. The more smaller, skeletal droids started to fire back, a crimson bolt managing to collide into Vicus' shields but not enough to bring them down proportionately.
His unit dispersed into near by cover and continued to press a sea of heated white down on the machines, except for Shevko who charged at the war droids like an enraged Ekus*. A squad of droids flew several flights above his hulking form and slammed down into a dismembering pile as the Squaad Minor thrusted his right claw upward on a silver war droid, slicing it into two pieces. Vicus was always impressed by the ferocious fighting of the Chamaele species despite lacking discipline and control when they got into the heat of battle.
Thanks to Shevko 'clearing' a path for them he jumped from his covered position behind a waste disposer, signalling for the others to push forward. The hostile droid numbers lessened swiftly into a mere handful the humans took care of, bringing down the last one with a shot from a long, barreled shaped ammo feed weapon.
"Thanks pal, we thought we were goners back there" A armoured clad human a foot shorter than him approached, carrying his kinetic weapon in both his hands and pulling off his mask.
"It is our pleasure human. Where is the Commander in charge of the planet's defence?"
"Colonel Hall is held up in the leisure centre a couple streets down that way" The human pointed, verifying the location in his visor's map "Unfortunately it's clogged up by heavy armour and half a dozen of robots with bubble shields. We were taking a different route when we bumped into these guys" The human soldier indicated to the destroyed mess of droids.
"No worries human, Imperial forces of the 8th Regiment are converging in support of your forces"
"Greatly appreciated sir. I'm Sergeant Hibbert of the 20th Marines" He gave him a quick loose salute.
"Commander Hikar'an of the 8th" Vicus returned with a light bow "Can you take us to this 'leisure centre' your superior is held up?"
"Sure thing Commander, it's this way" The Sergeant stopped suddenly when he saw the Chamaele Squad Minor "Uh, your Chameleon friend might have some trouble going through these buildings"
Without so much a word uttered by him, Vicus and both his and the human warriors watched the unit heavy marched over to one of the suggested buildings and ploughed through the brick and metal structure like it wasn't even there.
"It appears that problem has been solved Sergeant Hibbert" Vicus said to the bewildered human, the look and sense of shock clearly visible on their faces.
"Uh, ok then. Well it's heading in the right direction so let's follow him" Raising his arm and waving to the rest of his warriors to accompany the UEC troops, Vicus joined his fellow Imperials through the maze of emporiums and back streets with large sized gaps left by the Chamaele heavy in the passing walls.
As they got to a clearing a vast shadow eclipsed over their position. Vicus stared up at the sky to find a Separatist frigate hovering over them.
"Sergeant, why was there no mention of enemy ships blockading the city?"
"Don't know sir. Our communications have been sketchy and we've no air support to take them out. We had Mass drivers keeping them out for a time but they've all been destroyed by those damn fighters doing suicide runs" The human informed him with a hint of anger at the last part of his statement. A second could be seen flying over 500 metres away, according to his visor's readings and it too was going in the same trajectory as the one above his and his warriors' heads.
"Stop!" He ordered to his unit, making them all halt and wait for the purpose of their Commander.
"Sir what the hell you doing?" Ignoring the outburst from the Sergeant he tapped once on the side of his helmet, contacting the fleet in orbit.
"High Captain, two enemy frigates-"
"There's three" Another human informed him.
"Correction, there are three enemy frigates within the city limits. Request bomber supporter to eliminate hostile advantage"
"I can do one better Commander" Tuchar'an's voice replied back. Vicus left it at that and awaited for what his friend to send them air support. In the meantime he nodded for the troops to continue heading for the human Army Colonel location, to wipe out the rest of the war droid forces and liberate this world of this 'Separatist Alliance' scum.
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"These bastards just won't let up" Dan complained whilst firing the last remaining subsonic bolts from his Hailstorm. Ben fired from a Razor he picked up from a dead marine on their retreat from Town Hall, sending dozens of bullets on fully automatic into the encroaching robots.
Despite the unexpected help from Chimeran air support the mixed unit of soldiers, marines and militia had been pushed back to the remaining stronghold not overrun in Port Alexander. From a place that was supposed to relax and release stress of people's minds had turn into the exact opposite of it's purpose. Had it not been for the Widowmakers defending each road that connected to the command post Ben was sure it would fallen hours ago.
The crack of their 130mm main gun was an oddly reassuring sound that meant they were still operational and raining hell on the invader robots. The machines own tanks couldn't even break through and instead ones who came too close became smoking, fiery remains of battlefield ruins. It was concerning that all the surviving armour was clumped up together too tightly, making them big fat juicy targets for an air strike but neither Ben or anyone around him had seen an enemy fighter since the arrival of the Chimera.
"Wish those AS guns were still operational"
"Well you can thank these pricks later for taking away our only means of keeping those ships out of our sky" Henrik growled whilst throwing a frag grenade at a few bots who somehow managed to evade the anti-personel machine guns of the Widowmakers. One by one Ben and the defending troops watched in disbelief at the Mass drivers being rammed by hostile fighters, all of whom didn't show any signs of damage. The lengths these things went just to kill them was nothing short of extraordinary.
"Govno, it's those rolling robots again" Victor pointed out in alarm, the machines in question rolled past the tanks and uncoiled. Six of them drew up into a fighting stance and activated their blue bubble shields like before and started pouring down laser bolts.
"I hate those fucking things!" Michelle shouted loading a 40mm grenade into the launcher.
"Can't someone get one the tanks to shoot them?" A militiaman suggested by a car that didn't look it'll be ever driving again.
"This close?, are you crazy!" As if the gunner in the tank across the street heard the young militiaman's idea, the turret swung around at 180 degrees and aimed at the cluster of droids. Ben was able to catch a quick glimpse of the recoiling cannon before ducking behind the cement wall, feeling the ground shudder at the HEV shell pulverise the car park ground.
Bits of gravel landed on and around him and Natalie, who was dusting off the fragments of rock and dirt from her sleeves. Popping his head he saw all were no longer there, all that was left was a new crater in the spot the robots fired from seconds ago.
"Now that's some mighty fine shootin'" Ben snapped his head around to see Colonel Hall standing in the open holding a P17 in one hand and holding a cigar in his mouth with the other, only caring to put on his helmet without its mask.
"Colonel what's the latest?" Captain Pires called over the bark of his BM08.
"We just need to keep these brainless dumbasses occupied long enough for the Chimera to encircle the other side. Then we can see about driving these tin cans out of here"
"Colonel may I request you go back inside" Henrik recommended, getting a snort from the leader of the 115th.
"You could Henrik old pal, but you'll only know where you can shove that request" To emphasise his sincerity Ben saw him fire two 9mm explosive tip bullets at a bulky, silver robot then pulled on the secondary trigger, reducing the robot to a shower of sparks and smoke. It bothered him that so many were now getting past the tanks, only to find the one guarding the north west entrance had two new robots climbing on top it's hull.
They were like the skinnies but had the same colour as the tall ones, carrying the same snub nosed guns as the weaker robots and had a more rounded head. One opened up the hatch of the Widowmaker while the other dropped a ball into the tank, presumably a grenade. Ben's assumption was disheartenedly correct as a low bang followed quickly, immobilising the tank and killing the crew.
"Aim for the sneaky bastards on the turrets!" Hall ordered firing four rounds in quick succession at the robots climbing Widowmaker in the north entrance. Ben shot two rounds at the one trying to open the hatch, blowing off it's hand then fired two more into the machine's head. One more dull thud of an explosion came from the tank blocking the north east entrance, allowing for more to stomp round to their position.
The hatch to the tank on the east entrance flew open itself and the two robots staring down into the inside of the Widowmaker suddenly received a full load of bullets into different parts of their mechanical bodies. They both fell off no longer functioning and the tank hatch dropped down again, returning to fighting off the invaders blasting shells at the incoming machine mayhem.
"Crap I'm out of!" Dan announced as the Hailstorm coughed from a lack of ammo
"Here, catch" Ben shouted to him, throwing him one of his pistols. The Lance Corporal caught the gun with one hand and cocked it.
"Thanks Corp" He wasted no time in returning to combating the robots. A tremendous scrap pile was building up around the leisure centre car park but no matter how many were destroyed, more would only take their place like an endless tide that refused to halt.
The robots that had jumped aboard the tank were now pulling off acrobatic leaps across the place, blasting away at any soldier in their way. One gunned down a trio of militiamen who hadn't turned in time to eliminate it and another dived on a soldier, punching into his mask violently leaving a massive dent and no doubt the poor blighter's face had been smashed in. Retribution came instantly in the shaped of a marine kicking it down and pulling off it's head.
"How you holding up Nat?"
"Down to my last clip" She replied peering down the L5's scope and pulling on the trigger, bringing down some far ahead target. Ben return to firing at the horde when he heard a scuffle next to him.
"Colonel!" One of the agile robots had snuck up and was tussling with Hall, gripping it's steely hands around his neck. Hall tried reaching for his pistol that was discarded a few inches from where his hands reached out for it. Ben pointed his rifle at the robot as Hall kept punching it in it's face while still trying to grab his gun, it's hands still gripping tightly around his neck.
Ben booted the machine with the hardest kick he could muster and accomplished in getting off the Colonel, firing a burst into it's chest rendering it inert. He heard Hall violently cough trying to regain his breath as Michelle helped him up off the floor.
"Much appreciated soldiers" He nodded to him, picking up his pistol off the floor "Now come on, we still have a whole bunch of them still not getting the hint"
All attention was suddenly drawn to the sky at the enemy ships blasting up at an unexpected sight. An Imperial Chimeran destroyer emerged from the clouds flying toward the hostile vessels, it's front section glowing blue which could only mean one thing.
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The huge beam of plasma extended out of the destroyer and soared above Vicus' head at the frigate, engulfing it into a ball of fire. The Imperial Navy's main gun for it's warships blew the Separatist Alliance ship apart in an incredible blazing display of flames with it's hull collapsing into countless pieces. The only downside was the now obliterated vessel had been floating over their position at the resulting destruction had large chunks of debris falling down to the streets below.
"Get going!" Vicus ordered his dawdling troops, immediately changing their tempo at the incoming objects. The main body of the frigate cracked in two and fell into a skyscraper and a number of structures beneath it's dead hulk, other remnants crashing down all around his location. With what must of been the Gods' grace none of his warriors had been hit by the new danger, only doing more damage to the city landscape.
An incoming communique flashed in the top left hand on his visor, the identification tag lighting Hek'ot's number.
"Junior Commander, what is the situation?"
"The district is clear of war droids and we've found few surviving human forces who were held up in an academy"
"Very good Junior Commander. Hold position until further orders" He commanded as he let off a round into a thin war droid who got too close for comfort.
"Yes Commander, it will be done" The link closed and Vicus pushed ahead with his unit cutting down every droid that stood in their way, the careless and poor way they engaged them only made his task easier.
The human Sergeant Hibbert took point, directing his forces in the same direction as his map had presented in his helmet and it appeared the clustered dark patch that showed the enemy forces was decreasing too. A squad of his troops were brought down by a silver war droid firing a rocker from it's arm, stomping together with a great number of it's kin. Revenge was at hand in the shape of Squad Minor Shevko blasting two heavy plasma rounds from his own wrist cannons into the column of machines, followed up by surrounding 8th Regiment warriors shooting at any still moving.
Another frigate exploded in the sky above with the credit of the Imperial destroyer sending it's crew to whatever afterlife they believed in. The last one tried clearing away from the battle and climbed high in an attempt to reach space. A concentrated barrage of plasma fire and torpedos from the friendly destroyer made sure that was not going to happen, giving Vicus and everyone within the city a great imploding display.
His comm flashed again, this time from Pack Master Kilr'us identification tag.
"Commander Hikar'an, we're closing in on the human holdout"
"As are we Pack Master. Hek'ot has reported his target area has fallen and the last of the Separatist fleet has been destroyed"
"Understood Commander, the rest will fall with ease"
"Remain cautious Kilr'us" Vicus warned the determined Pack Master "Drive them back, show them the might of the Imperial Army!" He rallied the soldiers of the 8th Regiment, getting cries of approval from his brothers and sisters in arms and a battle cry from the big Chamaele. These invaders were going to pay the price for their unprovoked aggression.
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Ben shot a skinny robot straight into its boney head, dropping to the floor like a rock and tripping the next one behind it over it's metal carcass. Despite stubborn resistance they were all forced back into the leisure centre, the Widowmakers finally succumbing to the combined firepower of over a dozen tanks. The battle was now resorting to close quarters within the tight corridors and rooms of the command post.
"Damn, I'm out of hedgehogs"
"Wouldn't be a good idea anyway Colton. Not with everyone bunched up together like this" Ben said pulling out his only P17 left, shooting three bullets into the side walls. He waited for more of the robots to come further forward before setting off the explosive tips, sending bits of masonry and brick into the machines.
Hiding back into the narrow cover of a strip of wall that stuck out into the corridor, he put the pistol back in his holster and checked his ammo count in the Razor seeing only half of his last magazine left. Returning to the shootout some of the skinnies were blasted back with great force, the reason being was Victor firing off consecutive buck shots with the best type of weapon for close quarter combat.
"I'm down to my last drum. After this we'll have to start using our weapons as clubs" Already Dan, Michelle and Natalie were down to using their sidearms and Ben wasn't far behind. If they come out of this alive he was sure to pray thanks to the genius who came up with the idea to put a tiny bomb inside the shell casings of the bullets.
The building rocked and dust fell from the ceiling, something outside getting in on the assault. The final burst of bullets left out of the overheated barrel of his rifle then Ben threw the empty Razor at one of the silver robots, causing it to stumble back a few steps.
"I just want to say it's been a real honour to serve with you all, even you Modric"
"We're not dead yet Stanovich, but it too has been a pleasure" Victor said with real conviction, something that Ben nor the others rarely hear from the Serb.
It was then a new noise entered the chaotic fray. Ben recognised it as the sound of another type of energy weapon, only it was more of a low pitch compared to the red lasers being fired at them. Then came an animalistic roar emitting from the end of the corridor the robots had been pouring in from. The floor beneath his feet began to shake and a loud crashing noise suddenly came from the same direction, a huge form rushed down their position flattening everything in it's wake.
"Shit, run!" He yelled at his squad. One by one they all pelted down the corridor toward the double doors at the end, leading into the swimming pool area. Red and black warning signs were painted on the wall advising visitors not to do so but none of the soldiers of the 115th paid any heed. The doors swung open and if he hadn't been in worrying about the colossal creature running down the corridor Ben was sure he could be laughing at Michelle and Dan slipping over a large puddle, making them slide head on into the 25 metre long pool.
He stood to one side of the door frame whilst Victor and Natalie did on the other, waiting for the enraged beast to make an entrance. A skinny robot flew from the doors first screaming falling hard on the solid formerly pristine white floor, landing on it's head rendering no longer serviceable.
The doors swung open violently again and there stood the perpetrator snarling at the decapitated bot, an 11 foot tall Chamaele with a big oblong shaped generator strapped to it's back. It snapped it's huge body at a speed surprising for it's size startling him and the others.
"Human. Here to fight alongside allies of Empire Protectors" It spoke in a growl like tone, it's six yellow coloured eyes trained on the trio.
"Uh, cheers mate" Ben nodded to the reptilian, who looked so much like the Chameleon creatures from the Human-Chimeran War. Water splashing and coughing from the two squad members who had fallen into the swimming pool brought the attention of the small party to Dan and Michelle.
"Not the appropriate time to take a swimming lesson Hai" Victor poked fun at the soaked pair with Natalie sniggering at their misfortune.
"Yeah, I always go for swim in the middle of a battle when the situation gets hot" The Lance-Corporal's voice dripped in sarcasm as he and Michelle tore off their masks empting out the water.
"Swimming while fighting not practical, ends in high probability of death" The Chamaele said in it's checkered speech, obviously unaware of the teasing and winding up between the squadmates.
"Who's the big guy?" Michelle pointing up to the big alien.
"What's your name friend?" Ben asked stepping up to the newcomer.
"I Squad Minor Tenko, heavy unit of 8th Regiment of Empire Protectors' Imperial Army"
"Well Tenko, thanks for saving our arses back there. Where's the rest of your unit?"
"Enter building, Empire Protectors sent to support human allies. War constructs soon to taste defeat" The group all exchanged looks of relief, feeling their morale and confidence boost from the Tenko's words.
"That's great news" Michelle sighed sharing the same sentiment as the rest of them.
"Do you wish to rejoin your kin, human?"
"Lead the Squad Minor" Ben indicated for the Chamaele to take point. Whether it's from the hulking alien in front of them or the news the robots were on the verge of loosing, Ben suddenly felt there was nothing that could stop them for driving the enemy out of New Babylon.
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New Babylon Orbit, UEC Space
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From the fleet that came close to obliterating the defending ships of the Commonwealth Space Fleet, all that remained were wrecks and space junk of up to 18 ships. Eiji could not feel any more grateful for the support of the Imperial Chimeran warships currently helping them on recovering survivors amongst their own graveyard of debris that used to be proud vessels of Second Fleet.
The Amazon had sustained heavy damage and the crew were doing everything they could to repair much of the battle scarred cruiser. The Canberra and the Prague had more problems but reported the ships could be saved, unlike the Shadow Fist which the Commander of the last remaining frigate reported it may have to be end up being scuttled.
For the moment he oversaw the repairs of several computer systems as Captain Fisher spoke to the holographic of the Chimeran naval officer High Captain Tuchar'an.
"Our forces on the ground report the war droids units are nearly annihilated. Your colony should be liberated and under your control within the hour"
"Thank you High Captain, you have the gratitude of my crew, command and no doubt the ground forces below" Eiji saw the Chimeran bow lightly to Fisher.
"These beings had invaded our territory and seeked to subjugate my people. It's only right to make sure they do not try elsewhere and keep them from spreading terror across the great cosmos"
"Captain we have incoming" The Ensign, who Eiji found out her name to be Jill Warren, informed the Captain, giving a scoff once she recognised the readings of the ships "It's Second Fleet"
On cue the FTL Windows opened up into real space and the thirty ships of the their main command, including that of Admiral Keller's flagship the Leviathan class dreadnought the Hawthorne.
"Admiral Keller is hailing us" Silva read from his station. With a nod the link to the flagship was established.
"Admiral Keller, how nice of you to finally join us at last" The cold, contempt in Fisher's voice wasn't lost of Eiji or any other of the crew, mostly because they shared the same feelings to the absent reinforcements.
"Captain I apologise for our delay, all will be explained in due time. In the meantime I request you come aboard, along with the Chimeran Captain to discuss the issue in private"
"Very well, I hope it's a damn good one" With a wave to his throat the link was severed.
"She'll not be amused Captain-san"
"I couldn't give a shit to be honest Eiji. Whatever this explanation is, it better be worth all the lives lost today"
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*Ekus- A four legged Marauder creature native to the Chimeran homeworld