Chapter 8

06.13 Monday

The shells had ceased their bombardment, and the marines were now covering the entire field above and bellow. For there were 2 wars waging on this plain of rock and smoldering ruin. The assault force was fighting the resistance that kept the confederate troops away from the rebel base. They were the ones bombarding, fighting and dying for the cause of the U.E.D. While the second force, the strike force was infiltrating the subterranean base underlying the entire military facility.

Unfortunately for Zack, he was with the assault force, and things were starting to look grim. For while the strike team that had smoked out the first resistance of rebels, had made a good few kilometers into the base, the assault team was being drastically pushed back by rebel forces as their problems were worsening with the presence of not 2 but 3 mechs laying siege to wavering forces of confederate troops.

Zack, along with the survivors of his team, was situated inside a large building... of sorts, that used to be a sort of hotel for veteran soldiers. The entirety of the structure had lost much of it's walls from a siege shell that had landed right pat down on of the wood beams supporting the stone structure. Many had died and only the fire bat Jason, and the 4 marines Stackhouse, Johnson, Marel and Fargo were left alive.

Each soldier held a position in each floor of the building, and each soldier held a special duty to that floor. For now, Zack was playing sniper as he was out of battle gear and strapped on some civvies, he was on the top floor at level 5 along with Stackhouse who was picking off rebels like a carnival shooting gallery. Fargo was 2 floors down with gauss rifle in hand fending off any unwelcome guests, as Johnson stayed ready at his side to patch anything up when needed. And finally the two huge men at the bottom of the building were Marel and Jason. Jason would fry any intruders infiltrating the structure while Marel served as cover and took up a position behind a knocked over table, he held a fully loaded 20mm goliath auto cannon resting on the mahogany wood.

The plan was crafted by Zack who took the lead after Smith died by 3 stray auto cannon rounds to the chest and left leg. The brother of the fire bat died tragically and strangely by a flying knife that plunged deep within his throat slowly draining the blood from his brain until he passed. And Davids and Ellins were K.I.A. by a stoic group of rebels that flanked their left position within a trench, they were killed immediately. Positioned on the team's left side Davids was shot straight in the skull with a crunch while Ellins was set a blaze by the following shots.

Though the marine's deaths had been tragic, their lives were not taken in vain as the shots from the rebel troops immediately alerted the rest of the team and they were obliterated within seconds. The now remaining team stayed their ground within the structure. As the urban war waged, they were lucky to get this kind of cover while the surrounding assault force were left with chunks of rock and trenches.

Zack was pumped; he tore off a few of the addictive stim drugs from his utility belt and was shooting up like a junky. The drugs soothed his mind and tensed his muscles, giving him a strong yet subtle advantage over his enemies. The Sons of Korhal did have stim drugs but their supplies came directly from their branch of the confederacy, forcing them to ration their supplies until they could simulate an effective, stimulating, nerve amplifying drug that offered the same advantages the stim did.

Zack's eyesight was heightened and his senses were controlled, he spotted a covered marine and grabbed the chance. Pulling the trigger Zack fired a well placed round through the barrel of the canister rifle. The metal partially melted and formed with the shape of the barrel as it flickered through the shaft of the rifle, down the tube and out into the air. The metal cooled and formed it's pointed, death bringing shape. Raining down on the unwary and unsuspecting marine, the rifle round flew past the dirty rock and right through the marine's domed metal helmet, making it's final descent in through hair, flesh and finally skull.

With a snap and a crunch, the marine fell like a rag doll, landing with a thump on the cold hard ground. Zack smirked with personal pleasure, we was pleased that his shot was precise and accurate. Though the shot was accurate, the rebels were now well alerted to the teams presence and were now searching for were the shots were coming from for the main assault team was only gaining ground on one level and the shots were coming over the rebel cover.

As Zack was shooting with great preciseness and accuracy, Stackhouse was showing a side of himself that know one had seen until this point. In a mad frenzy, Stackhouse was wildly spraying rounds from the mouth of his weapon. Cursing and taunting at nothing, Stackhouse was beginning to seem crazy as many of his shots were serving as warning rounds, hitting cover and dirt, scaring the enemy into a waning fear.

Though small, the fear that was spread served as good covering fire for the rest of the confederate assault force.

"I'm out" said Stackhouse, busily searching for fresh clips.

Zack turned to face him, resting the rifle on the ground "of course you are man your shooting rounds off like a popcorn machine" explained Zack.

Stackhouse was well aware of his frenzying massacre, though he couldn't control the urge.

"Sorry man I just get so pumped in these pitched situations, my mouth does the talking but my finger does the thinking" explained Stackhouse to a mellow Zack.

Zack sighed "alright man, here's 1 clip, but make it count or I'll use you for ammo" said Zack to a grinning Stackhouse as he tossed over the ammo.

Grinning, Stackhouse knocked the clip on his head twice and slammed it in as rush of relief spread through his body. He pulled back the hammer and let lose 5 round bursts.

"What's cookin down there?" screamed Zack to Fargo and Johnson on the 3rd floor.

A faint noise was replied, soft and centered "A fire fight" explained Johnson "big one, about... 12 to our right, friendlies, can't spot many of the Soks, much of 'em are pitched in behind the bunker and rubble, 2 o'clock" She yelled.

Zack scanned the area for any potential victims, he spotted 2 marines behind a stretch of brick and one fire bat advancing with 4 other marines to outlying cover.

"I See 'em" Zack yelled as he pulled the gun up into his shoulders, resting it on the window sill. He aimed his weapon carefully, following the motion of his target. The target was of course the fire bat, perfect for a personal bomb against his fellow soldiers, if aimed well.

Zack calmed his senses, as time seamed to move slower. The tip of the barrel moved down the field. A little to the left, no that was not acceptable, Zack moved the barrel farther to the right. It was still to far to the right to make a precise hit, if Zack didn't hurry he would lose this one. Last chance Zack slowly eased the movement and... perfect, grabbing the opportunity Zack pulled down on the trigger as hard as his finger muscle could.

BOOM the shot exploded from within the barrel rattling Zack's bones. The round flew through the air and landed on the side of the firebat's fuel tanks with a "ping". Nothing happened aside from an uneasy and curious fire bat who was now quickening his pace as he realized something had shot at him.

"Dam" yelled Zack "one in a million and I missed it!" exclaimed Zack kicking the wall of the building.

Stackhouse glanced at Zack with a hopeless look. Looking down, Zack could barely notice the firebat giving orders to the rest of his squad. He seamed nervous and anxious to get the job done as the marines listened carefully.

Zack could make out nothing but noise from the mouth of the firebat while nameless gunshots and explosions circled around his head at random. As the fire bat gave his orders to the rest of the squad, he noticed a strange hissing sound coming from somewhere. Looking around, he raised his eyebrow and turned from talking to the marines.

Zack looked down through the window, ready for more as suddenly a massive explosion erupted from behind the stretch of brick wall down bellow, sending brick and metal everywhere. Sok marines ran, ablaze, frantically around the field like chickens on a farm. Zack's sorrowful frown quickly turned into a playful grin.

"Alright" exclaimed Zack to his comrade "that's one less bastard or 2 to worry about" he said, while Stackhouse mindlessly droned his way about shooting, paying no attention to the rambling Zack.

2 floors down Fargo and Johnson were placing well-aimed bursts at one of the advancing squads attacking their left flank. The enemy squad was now situated behind the base of a destroyed building and had took their cover.

"we need some help over here their swarmin us" screamed Fargo. Fargo had been constantly shooting at rebels the whole time they were in the dammed building, never taking a break. Johnson did her part but mainly kept busy on ops commands and hails.

Fargo, along with Marel and Stackhouse were now taking shots on each soldier advancing on their left flank. Finally notified to the squad's presence, the enemy stopped concentrating on the ground fire and laid waist to the building, leaving their fellow marines to THEIR left to deal with the ground fire.

Zack and the rest of the squad were now busying themselves with shooting and covering themselves behind the brick walls of the building. More now than ever, bullet's started flying off of their cover, striking the morale of the squad.

Both Zack and Stackhouse flew back beneath the enveloping arms of the building's walls as round after round orchestrated their symphony of fire against the 2 brave marines. Waiting, the marines held on for dear life as finally, the weapons fire shifted from their position to the next level. Zack notice something, the rebels didn't know exactly were they were. Notified of their presence in the building the enemy was unaware of which floor each soldier was on.

Zack took this advantage swiftly, nodding at Stackhouse; Zack received his nod as they both went full auto on the bastards, railing them from top to bottom. Zack could see his kill count rising, as each marine fell after another. Zack shot a couple more rounds before returning to his point of safe haven to lay low until his friends were done with their rain of fire.

The fire shifted yet again to Zack's point and Fargo took the chance to fire upon the squad. Though unlucky for Fargo, he raised his weapon too early. Fargo fired 15 or so rounds off before noticing that some of the rebels were still aiming at his position.

"SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT" screamed Fargo as blood and bullet plunged into the ceiling and walls surrounding him and Johnson.

Johnson couldn't even catch a breath before jumping at the site of blood on her face. Shaking, Johnson raised her gloved hand up to touch her face. Her shaking became increasingly violent by the second as she stared deep into the pool of blood on her palm and at her feet. Raising her eyes up, Johnson stared deep into the diminishing soul of the dead soldier, as a pool of blood flowed from under his armored suit.

"What the hell was that?" yelled Zack.

Johnson tried to speak, she tried to yell out that her comrade had fallen but words only came out in whispers and pitiful sighs. Johnson continually tried to speak before yelling out the words.

"Johnson is down... he's... he's dead" she started to whimper. Obviously the girl couldn't take death as well as the other marines, she was beginning to shake again.

Zack took in the information and looked down in despair, though it was just another casualty, he knew that men would die today, it was not unexpected. Though, while Zack and Stackhouse both stopped to let the information sink, they felt sorrow and pity for the soldier.

Johnson's uncontrollable shaking turned into feverish cries and whimpers as she broke in to sobs. Zack looked at Stackhouse and immediately knew what had to be done.

"I'll go" said Stackhouse as Zack gave a nod and the man began to descend the stairs to the 3rd floor.

The bullet rounds were becoming more wide spread now, as each of the enemy marines were taking different targets instead of unison groups of fire. Zack had to be more careful now; one wrong move could cost him his life. Throwing down the now useless canister rifle, Zack reach into his belt and loaded his pistol, for now. Zack cocked the weapon and breathed a deep breath. His rifle was on the other side of the room and Zack would have to either duck down like a coward, or shoot his way through the maelstrom like a true soldier.

He made his decision and ran as fast as he could, shooting blindly into the fray, through each of the 3 windows he passed. Flying by the 1st and 2nd, Zack shot down bellow as finally after Zack reached the 3rd, the soldiers, aware of his sprint, fired at the wall doing nothing after Zack leaped out of danger and into the building's cover.

Without a scratch Zack rose from the ground and leaned against the colorfully decorated brick wall. Zack tossed away the small side arm and lifted the massive gauss rifle, cradling it in his shoulder.

Down bellow on the bottom floor, the situation was getting worse, even Zack could here the searing heat seeping from the fire bat's twin Perditon flamethrowers. Jason stood in the doorway, leaving only his fuel tank covered by the brick wall. As round after round ricocheted off of the fire frenzy marine's heavily armored suit, the huge man spewed a wide spread shot of flame out through the air, roasting every troop within his range.

The acrid smell of burning flesh seeped into the nostrils of Zack as he let out a groan of disgust. Zack could tell that the firebat was serving as good covering fire from most of the enemy marines, aside from a few rebels who were still constantly firing upon the confederate troops.

Zack took this chance and after the last few rounds hit his cover, Zack pulled out of hiding and shot 3 well aimed bursts at the enemy marines. Missing one soldier, Zack wounded one enemy and killed the other with every bullet hitting it's mark on the enemy's battle suit. The enemy marine grabbed his chest as he flew back into the ground, dying quickly.

Zack pulled back and took cover yet again as another appropriate hail of bullets flew off the building. Suddenly, an inducing pain scream at Zack's left arm as one of the bullets sliced through the side of his flesh, skimming a burning it right off of the bone, barely missing it. Unfortunately for Zack, his battle armor was yet to be warn.

Zack tried to scream but made only a peep as he kept his pain within him. Bellow, the enemy marines were roasting like chestnuts at Christmas time. Jason ceased his fire and waited, all was quite but the surrounding sounds of war. Marel prepared for he knew something was coming. The quiet was sickening, Jason stood behind the wall as he listened carefully for anything to sound.

Suddenly, out of the blue, light footstep were heard on the ground as marines started to pass the doorway. This was followed only seconds later by immediate gunfire from the auto cannon situated behind the table. Round after round flew through the armored suits, setting them off like fireworks. Each marine fell as they passed the door before finally realizing the situation and stumbling back for cover, only to find searing flame licking at their toes.

Jason chuckled along with Marel "theirs nothing like barbequing a couple of skewered pigs for dinner Heheheh" chuckled the rough bearded Marel.

Zack noticed the retreating marines and chuckled to himself. Stackhouse quickly came to the aid of the sobbing girl and shook her, trying to get her to snap out of it.

"Pull your self together we gotta job to do here" Stackhouse screamed into the ears of Johnson as she woke up and nodded her head.

"Yeah... ye-yeah your right, s-sorry, it was just so horrible I-I couldn't watch" explained the now cheerful Johnson.

"Alright, alright come on let's get up and get to work... you alright?" asked Stackhouse.

Johnson nodded, wiping her eyes and nose. Stackhouse nodded his head in response and headed back up the stairwell.

Zack was quickly firing his 5 round bursts yet again into the wavering marine groups when Stackhouse came waltzing up the stairs.

"What's the situation?" asked Stackhouse.

"I think their about to crack" added Zack quickly "one squad has already bolted and the other is about retreat explained Zack.

"That's good" said Stackhouse "and what of the one to our right fighting in the rubble" asked Stackhouse as he took point on the other side of the room.

"I don't really know" explained Zack, quickly firing a long blind burst into the enemy as they returned fire "last time I checked they were all bunched up in the rubble pile over there" said Zack as he pointed to his right.

Zack heard a voice from bellow "they're cracking and splitting" it was Marel "we gotta move!" he screamed as noticeably, the bulk of the enemy marines were starting to run. Zack, realizing the opportunity for a major offensive, lunged for his battle armor and began to mount it. Stackhouse was unsettled, Zack had to hurry if they were gonna get there in time.

"Hurry up man we gotta bolt" said Stackhouse looking around him impatiently.

After 5 or so minutes of quick bolting and buttoning, Zack nodded at Stackhouse and they quickly flew down each flight. Flying over3 or 4 stairs at a time, their massive bionic legs and boots made the building seam like Lego to them. Each stair denting and splintering a bit with every step. Stackhouse descended and Zack followed quickly behind flying past the elaborate wall decorations that had been blown to smithereens by the bombardment.

As they finally reached the bottom, Zack and Stackhouse took point around the other marines lining the wall for cover.

Zack started to speak as gun shots continued to sound "alright men, here's the plan, we got most of the enemy force retreating out their but there are still some stragglers so keep sharp and stay steady. Stackhouse, Marel your with me, were gonna move through to the left down the street and in through the buildings on our right, before the road forks, Jason and Johnson, you cut through the center buildings where most of the friendlies are moving, you'll be well covered by them" explained Zack "Now my group, after we go into the rubble when the road forks, after a few yards, we're gonna turn left and slice through the road real fast and head through the buildings on the other side of the road, after that, our job is to take out any retreating marines on the way" he explained. "Everyone got it?" asked Zack as the team replied with a nod "good... let's move move move" screamed Zack as the marines trailed one by one through the door.

Marel was the last one as he carried his large auto cannon at his side, bullet chain rattling. They branched off and head down their paths. Zack lead the group down the dirty road, galloping across lose stone and rebar. With each stride they made an indent in the ground, marking their presence on this day, on this battle along with every other single marine that created the bulk of the confederate fighting force.

Zack pondered to himself, he wondered why he was even doing this... was there a point? What was his personal reason for fighting the Soks, why was it so important for him to gain advantage in battle against a nameless enemy? What was the reason behind every marine's relentless quest for blood? These questions Zack knew nothing of the answered to aside from the main reason, to fight for his people and what he believed in. Or was it truly what HE himself believed in.

Zack quickly transferred out of his torrential coma and back into reality, he had reached the fork and now moved through the rubble and buildings, as the light which passed through each crack shone brightly upon dust rising from the ground, Zack was entrance by this simple phenomena, and found strange beauty in a war torn battle field.

As Zack and his team passed the last building, Zack could sense a shuffle to his left. He turned to find 3 rebels, in hiding, waiting for some confederates to fall into their trap. As he and Stackhouse passed, Marel was left last, lugging along the massive auto cannon.

As Zack realized the fate of his comrade soon dawning, he let out a hand to the soldier and a warning yell, but it was too late. The massive beast of a man turned to his left right before a spray of weapons fire hit his side and the rats jumped out of their holes. These pathetic creatures weren't even armored.

Still firing wildly, the unarmored regulars let lose their reign of personal hell upon the soldier as round after round pierced through the armor plating of Marel. The man started to fall to the ground, weakening with every jolting hit of the weapons.

Zack gazed upon the man as time seamed to slow yet again. The man's massive structure went twirling in a tornado like spin before slowly falling like a rock, hitting the ground with his mass. With one final thump the marine, slowly died in Zack's eyes. Zack could feel the life draining from him, with every second passing.

As each of the rebel scum jumped out of their holes, Zack and Stackhouse had already reached for their weapons. Stackhouse reached for his pistol, but it wasn't there, it must have fallen in the fray. Stackhouse, realizing the pointless effort, then reached for the gauss rifle strapped to his back. Zack also reached for his pistol and drew the weapon quickly out of his side. He raised the weapon at the forming team of rebels while Stackhouse was still getting his rifle off of his back. Zack aimed the weapon and pulled the trigger, waiting for the jolt of the weapon to fire out a volley of bullet rounds into their pathetic, unarmored, frail bodies.

Out of the back of Zack's mind, in the pit of his worst fears, came the incessant clicking noise of an empty clip. No Zack thought, no this can't be the end. The rebels were now fully aware of their plight and quickly aimed their weapons at the 2. Stackhouse was furiously fidgeting with the rifle but foolishly, the strap was caught on one of the many knick knacks that pulled the suit together. Stackhouse's attempt was useless, and within seconds they would both be fragged. Zack foolishly kept pulling the trigger like a child, just waiting for a stray bullet to pop up, anything. But nothing happened and he was left, waiting for the end.

Zack let his anger go and gave in to the hopelessness of the situation. Nothing was going to happen, it was over. Zack waited, and waited, until something very strange happened. The hopelessness was beginning to fade as something, moved from underneath the enemy soldier making their shots go off in wrong directions.

It was Marel, with his last breath, he had mustered the strength to quickly brush aside the pathetic flies that were pestering his comrades. With one massive swipe of his bionic arm, Marel flew his fist into the chest and legs of each soldier. As Stackhouse finally got his rifle from his back, he noticed the enemy soldiers fly back into the hard concrete with a smack, knocking them out cold and crushing the skull of one with a crunch, blood oozing from the dented hole in his.

Stackhouse lowered his weapon and smiled. Zack was joyful, he hadn't died, and in a strange turn of events fate's hand decided to point at the enemy. Though the price was great, the massive Marel fell to the ground with a thud as the dust rose from his body into the sunlight again. Zack was thankful, and looked in aw as Marel let out his final breath into the air.

Zack smiled and gave thanks to the hulk of the man, who was rudely interrupted by the persistence of Stackhouse "his death will be greaved, but now is not the time, we have to get out of s here" stated Stackhouse "come on we gotta go" he said once more as Zack turned his gaze from the dying man over to his destination. He was dead, but Stackhouse was right, there was nothing that he could do for the man, his time had come, and it had saved his life... for now.

Well that's one of my best if I do say so myself, I for one thoroughly enjoyed writing and I hope you enjoyed reading it, but for now, I drastically need sleep, see ya next chapter!

Chapter 2

06.08.Tuesday

It was about a week now and they still hadn't taken the command center. The confederation troops waited patiently for a chance but every time they tried to forward an attack they would get pushed back. They had called for air support, something to give them a little push but none came from ops. They had to take the field and take the command center, they had already bombed everything on the ground and still the rebels came out of their holes.

Zack stood now, readying his gauss rifle for an attack. He and his squad were stuck behind a brick wall for cover, in behind them was an abandoned factory where a battle ready goliath mach assault warrior lay. A line of at least 50 assorted troops were laid down a long a huge position to Zack's left. A lone scout (who was a ghost) shuffled his way to a huge pile of rubble and there he stood with binoculars in one hand and a pistol in the other. He was scanning for the enemies on the ground and quickly found them, laying behind a shingle, witch for incase you didn't know was just a long straight man made hill for troops to get cover on. Behind the shingle was a short and small patch of burnt forest area and before the forest lay a small command center.

He quickly and un-noticeably de-cloaked behind the safety of the rubble of building he was situated behind and waved a signal to the troops.

"Ok ladies, we're gonna push our way up that hill and make our way down it with suppressive fire, once we do that go the nearest cover and await my orders, a mech will be assembling beside us so let's not everyone try to get their cover behind it ok, it's there for killing not for squashing you bugs." Explained the bearded sergeant that was commanding the squad behind the brick wall.

"Sir" asked Zack "how long till the mech arrives sir?"

"About a minute, so when he does listen for a sharp whistle blast, that'll mean it's attacking, once we've seen it go by the wall we'll cover it from behind and the make our way up the hill behind it" he explained.

Zack looked around him, the soldiers were shaky, like leaves ready to fall off from a branch. Zack was medium build, clean shaven and had fairly long hair for a marine. He was still a boy in the mind of his friends and family but was actually almost 25! He looked up at the still orange sky and wondered why it hadn't changed since yesterday? This planet was aqward, the weather was cold and biting, and the scenery was desolate. Suddenly an explosion rang through their ears, the Sok's were probing them for weaknesses, they were trying to find out where they were hiding, the mech had to hurry.

The ghost behind the rubble was nearly cut to pieces by the shrapnel coming out of the siege shell. A piece tore through his arm, he almost screamed at the pain but he had to remain quiet, a ghosts training was very severe and he remembered it well. With a straight face he sucked it up and continued to wait with the others, his canister rifle was strapped to his back and was ready to take it out once the attack took place.

Zack was rubbing his gloved finger down the smooth barrel of his rifle when he suddenly and unwarily heard a whistle sound. Oh no he thought, they were starting to attack. David cringed at the thought as suddenly the line of marines were lifted up in unison and began to lay down fire. No not yet he though not now, I don't want to die, my life is just starting. He was terrified at the thought of getting shot and was curled up behind the wall waiting for it to all end.

The mech descended from the abandoned building and started pouring down auto cannon rifle fire over the wall on the pour saps behind the shingle. An array of shells cleanly went through a large group of marine helmets before the other rebels realized what had happened. They weren't prepared for this.

The frightened Zack closed his eyes as the line of 20 marines started to fire at the hill, dirt and rock flew everywhere, they were doing a pretty good job. Zack with eyes still closed tried to forget everything that was going on around his head and started to sink into nirvana, until he realized that he had a job to do and wasn't going to hide like a rat in a sewer. Zack slammed down on the stim pack button on his chest and a sea of stars blinded his eyes. He was shocked at the effect rate and was getting surprisingly angry. The medicine was taking affect for the stars began to clear and Zack found himself standing upright staring over a sea of death.

He was pumped and ready for action, chatter filled his ears and blood filled his veins, he pulled the trigger on his weapon and started to shoot with incredible accuracy and speed. One guy to his right, BANG, 2 guys to his left, BANG BANG. 2 of them went down and the other round bounced of the marine's battle suit. The marine ducked realizing he was being fired at.

Zack looked at the man on his left and noticed he was very calm and quiet about the combat. He shot short 5 round bursts at the enemies and hadn't even used his stim pack yet, though he was shooting almost better then Zack was! Zack looked to the man on his right and watched as a round flew through his armored head, blood trailing out of the wound. The casualty hit the floor with a thump, making a muddy indent in the earth. Zack felt a round bounce off his own arm pad leaving an engraved mark of it's presence. No matter for Zack, his suit was full of power and so was he. He continued to fire at the enemy troops until the glorious killing machine of a mech started to reach the hill.

The troops flooded from behind them wall, bullets still trailing off of their locations. The sergeant was right in front of the action. He was shooting here and there, left and right, making his presence well known to the enemy troops. The mech span around on it's metal torso, spewing hell from the mouths of it's twin auto cannons, the weapons made a godly sound like repeated thunder hailing down from the heavens.

The machine was being worn down as almost all enemy fire hailed onto it's powerful armor. Machine was smoking out clouds, it had almost had it. The mech was screaming out indications that is was getting destroyed as a flurry of missiles cried out of their holsters. The missiles flew down the hill creating huge fireballs of explosions on impact. Metal and fire flew out from the ground, and marines flew out from their holes, battle suit parts jumping off their backs. A handful of men and metal landed hard on the ground, bones snapping and necks braking.

Zack made his way down the hill, he (along with 10 others) took cover behind the legs of the huge mechanical Goliath. Troops started dispersing from the machine as they realized it was about to blow. Zack widened his eyes and looked behind him, the mech was still fighting hard and whining with pain more than ever now. Zack sprinted to his feet as the bionic legs gave him a quick and powerful boost.

Zack leaped out of the way as an enormous fireball waved to the tortured sky. Zack went flying, the power of the explosion gave him such a huge push that he was thrown a good couple of yards away. Zack's guns flew out of his hand and landed with a chatter on the ground. Zack could sense the laughter coming from behind the shingle. The enemy was getting a good advantage for the confed's main support had been destroyed.

The confederation troops were totally disoriented, they shuffled and stumbled hear and there. Another volley of rounds came raining down on the marines that were unlucky enough to not get some cover. Their armored battle suits were set on fire as round after round impaled though their heavy armor. The bullets flew through them like butter after even more bullets had softened it up. Large fiery explosions thundered from the backs of brave firebats turning them into torturous kamikaze bombs for the Sok's advantage. They were turning the confederate's own troops against them. Zack stumbled to a pile of rubble just a meter away from where he lay. Bullets ricocheted off of his leg armaments as the confederacy casualties started piling up.

Zack was now back to his frightened un-moving self again, he was un-able to move, un-able to speak, he was mentally paralyzed. Fright had took over his mind, war had took over his body witch was hidden under thick red armor. He was in a sub-conscious world now, sounds slowly faded into nothing as they echoed through his brain. His eyes fluttered closed and he pictured himself on a farm in the outskirts of Antiga prime. Nothing could bother him, he was care free, dogs and birds made their normal animal sounds, no screams, no explosions, no machine gun chatter, no nothing, just peace and quiet. The farm was almost magical as it lay at the bottom of the valley. Everything was slowed down. Family and friends awaited him at the bottom of the grassy hill, he ran to them but couldn't reach them. He let out an arm but they just moved back, oh no, he was cutting out of his dream!

No he couldn't cut out now, it was just starting, sounds could be heard and they were not peaceful. No, no more screams he thought but it was too late, the world was crushed as he faded back into the hell he was brought into. Suddenly an explosion landed a yard away form his feet.

"SHIT" he yelled as he shielded his face and chest from the flying debris. It ricocheted off of his now worn out battle suit. The system readings on his visor showed 40%. Good he thought at least it's not at dangerous. Bullets started flying past his head as he quickly ducked even more to shield himself from the stirring combat. Zack scanned his surroundings and located his weapon. It had been blown away from his location and bent from the explosion. His face quickly turned to a hopeless frown as he realized he was un-armed and in the middle of a battle. He didn't know what to do now, he didn't have a pistol for it was lost when he arrived at this field, and that was 2 day's ago! Zack was surprised that he had lived this long.

Zack was loosing hope but as a last resort started thumbling through his utility belt. He was becoming un-successful at finding anything but his face soon lit up as he felt 3 concussion grenades latched to the left side of his hip.

"Yes, thank god" he said to himself and found that the remaining marines started to lay down an organized volley on the cocky enemies. The rebels were so sure that they would win, they started to stand up from the shingle and move around. They soon found that move to be a bad one for 15 of them went down, a big confidence booster for the confeds. Zack peered over the side of his rock, the enemy marines started to pile up and lay down as the confederate troops reloaded for another round.

This was Zack's chance, he pulled the grenades from his belt with a click, ripped out the pins and flew all 3 of them at the now preparing rebel troops. The Soks now locked and aimed their weapons, ready to kill and ready to die for their organization. They were about to fire before the right side of the defense line looked up in horror at the little gray ball flying through the air. Some screamed out "GRENADE" others just leaped out of the way as the tiny metal object exploded on impact with a roar.

A huge wave of yells erupted from the unwary crew of rebel troops as legs and arms flew from their torsos, blood trailing their flight. A victory roar sounded from the confeds as they came out of their hiding holes and right into the heat of battle firing and yelling away at the rebel troops.

Though some fell, it was glorious move for the advancing marines, the grenade's smoke cloud quickly cleared and a flood brave of confederate marine troops flew over the hill of the shingle. The marines rained hell down on the line of rebels. Un-suspecting and un-aware they fell to their deaths as the line of troops that were so safely behind a dirt ground shingle now tried desperately to gain control of it back. But it was no good for the wave of almost 25 confederate troops flooded over the hill pressing rounds of bullets to the rebels skulls and searing plasma flame to their bodies.

Those firebat's that were left offered helpful assistance to the fighting marines. Zack ascended the scorched field and came out of hiding as a gush of marines flew past him in dotted formation of attack. He looked around him on the ground for a weapon because the rebels were still fighting for their lives. He found a gauss rifle laying on the ground a bout a meter away from his feet and quickly picked it up. Crusted dirt fell from the weapon as he shook it off and ran with the wave of troops. They had taken the shingle, behind it was the command center, he noticed troops and naked regulars flood out of the main doorways only to quickly be shot at by Zack's friendlies. Some of them got a few shots in before they were ripped apart by the fire upon the command center.

That was it, it was over, Zack looked around at the troops flying by him, running into their victory. The rebels gave up and waved their white flag to show their defeat. Zack was filled with happiness, the battle was over, for now. For their was still a much larger battle to be won, this battle would last for days, they had to take they field along with tens of other command centers and barracks. He had won the battle but he hadn't won the war.

Well this is how it goes down, I think I might have about 13 other chapters to this story until the battle is over. You might not hear from Zack in a little while for the next chapter is on yet another character. But just keep waiting, AND KEEP REVIEWING because this is the only way I'm going to write anymore is if you keep reviewing. So please read and enjoy my saga. Top of Form

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