DR: He he, things are looking up for the defenders now...
Brad: I'll say.
DR: And now we see the full power of the Judge Super Satellite unleashed. The Cybrids are about to learn the full power of orbital bombardment...
O'Neill: Cool!
Chapter 58: The Turning of The Tide
Emperor Nicholas gasped in horror at the sight laid out before him. The cities gates were nothing more than rubble, and the walls were crumbling and stained with black marks. Fires burned within, the smoke rising into the air. Surrounding the city was a cloud of black aircraft, swarming around the desultory AA fire that lanced up. A lone zoid weaved in amongst the mass, staying just ahead of them. Flashes of light could be seen on the first set of ramps leading into the city, and the plains outside were a ruined landscape. Craters pockmarked it, while fires burned. To the right of the Ultrasaurus a mountain of metal burned, while ahead a tide of Cybrids filed into the city. The Death Saurer was off to one side, fighting a titanic battle with that blue dragon zoid from before…
He looked across towards the Republican general. They both had transferred to the Ultrasaurus during the passage, the better to organise their combined battle plan. General Herman appeared to be as shocked as he was, his jaw hanging down and his eyes wide in fear.
"All right, men!" The Commissioner bellowed out across the command deck. "Let's show these tin cans what we're made of!" His roar snapped everyone out of their shock. Quickly the crew of the Ultrasaurus got to work.
"Pteras units, engage those hostiles attacking that ramp!" General Herman yelled into his comm system. "Take some of the pressure off those guys!" The wings of Pteras units roared forward, arming the heavy 30mm Vulcans slung under each wing.
"Barons, take the fight to those aerial units! Help out that last zoid!" The Storm Sworders went to full power and rocketed across the plains.
"Third and Fifth divisions, land within the city." The Emperor ordered. "Push them out of there!" The four Whale Kings loaded with Iron Kongs jetted away.
"Juggernaut Team, go with them. All Gojulas units deploy!" The Commissioners bellow added to the general dim that had erupted within the command centre.
"I want all Shield Ligers deployed in line abreast formation, one rank deep, just before the Ultrasaurus!"
"All Red Horns are to form up behind the Shield Ligers! Fire over them at the enemy!"
"Tell the Gojulas units to form up behind the Red Horns! We need to hit them with a massive barrage at once!" Outside, the Guylos and Republic transports began to unload their cargos of zoids, while Gojulas zoids thundered from within the ZBC hammer Kaisers and the Ultrasaurus itself. Quickly the zoids began to line up, just ahead of the Ultrasaurus.
"Hammer Kaisers, once you've dropped off the zoids flank the battle and get to the city! Those people are going to need medical help."
"All squadrons are to take out the hostile air force first, then engage ground targets."
"Gunnery control, fire at will, but keep the big guns for the Death Saurer."
"All Whale Kings are to engage the enemy once they have delivered their payload. Circle the Death Saurer, and pound it to scrap!"
Quickly the disciplined soldiers formed the required formation. The Republic Shield Ligers were up front, their shields deployed and fully charged. Behind them the Imperial Red Horns primed their weapons, while the towering Gojulas zoids of the ZBC ranked up behind them.
"Tell the Shield Ligers to stand closer together!" Herman yelled. "Their shields must be touching, if not overlapping!"
"Tell the other teams to engage the Cybrids how they see fit, but try not to get in our way."
"Sir! Sensors report a half dozen zoids on our left flank… and something else!"
"Let me see." The commissioner yelled, before one of the main monitors snapped up an image of the zoids. The Commissioners jaw dropped at the sight. "My god… what happened to them?"
Before them on the screen were the battered forms of Eros, Thunder, Zeke, Shadow, Panthro and Aries. The Apocalypse HERC was off to one side, still pinned to the ground by the 'Death Rain' spears. All the zoids showed extensive damage, some of it horrific.
"Sir, main guns are now in range of primary target, and the super satellite is in position."
"OPEN FIRE!"
X-X-X-X-X-X
In the city every pilot and trooper continued to cheer as the fresh zoids formed up, but they cheered even more loudly when the Ultrasaurus fired, the four massive main guns belching fire. The Death Saurer rocked as each heavy shot slammed into it, causing the titan to stagger. Lances of fire began to rain down on the masses of Cybrids that were swarming around the outside of the city as the Judge Super Satellite far above began to open up.
Bit grinned as hope flooded through him, but then he looked ahead, and he saw the light of a Cybrid sensor eye shining through a hole in the gate. "Look out! They're breaking through!" Even before he finished his warning, he had fired off a volley of mini-missiles into the breach, the swarm smashing into the Cybrids eye. As the whole gate collapsed, the defenders opened fire, smoke and tracer filling the air. Laser fire stabbed back, but the City Guard remained unflinching.
Leena began to fire wildly, her Vulcans sending an unyielding stream of fire into the Cybrids ranks, which were pushing forward despite the murderous punishment they were taking. Brad sawed his laser fire back and forth across the top of the ramp, cutting through the Scarabs like a scythe. Even Naomi added to the barrage, firing her secondary weapons as fast they could cycle. At this close range and with no clear view her sniper rifle was next to useless. As a Cerberus was ripped apart by her guns, Leena's face contorted into a feral grin. "Think you could just wipe us out huh? Well take THIS!"
Vega's face was twisted into a look of superiority as he unleashed his charged particle cannon. The beam burned right through a Diablo before slamming into the shields of a Cerberus. Cassandra fired her weapon too, adding her cannons destructive power to his. The Cerberus quickly folded in on itself as the beams carved it apart.
Despite the terrible losses they were taking, the Cybrids pushed forwards, their feet crushing the remains of their own as they stepped forward. The return fire was beginning to take its toll, as zoid after zoid sustained heavy damage. The Rev Raptor next to Derek was torn to shreds by a stream of cannon fire, while laser fire punched deep holes into the amour of other zoids.
Slowly, the defenders were forced backwards, each step taken reluctantly. Zoids were beginning to fall, and with the defenders forced into the streets, they were unable to fully concentrate their fire to cut down the oncoming Cybrids…
X-X-X-X-X-X
"So how are we going to do this?" Jameson asked his team leader as he set his custom Dibison into position.
"Well, I'd suggest we concentrate fire just before the… where the gate was." Michelle, the Burning Rain Team's strategist suggested as an answer, in that cool, confident tone that she always used.
"And why's that?"
"Simple. The bulk of the Cybrid force is in the city…"
"The bulk?" Jameson asked in shock as he looked at the huge mass standing outside the city. How many were there?
"Yes, at least six thousand units." Jameson felt his blood run cold at the figure, while gasps came across the team comm line. "If we can place an overwhelming barrage at that entrance, any that try to get in or out will only do so after taking severe damage."
"And there is no team that does that better than us!" Graham, the team's leader and owner yelled. "All right team, let rain fire on those monsters!"
As the team settled into bombardment positions, Jameson remembered something. "Wait. Don't these things have constant shielding? How can we hurt them with those shields?"
"Their shields can be battered down, just like armour. If we can hit them hard enough, then we can turn that region into a killing ground."
"Someone already has…" David commented, pointing towards the huge number of burning wrecks that surrounded the gateway.
"Less talking, more firing!"
As one, the Burning Rain opened fire. Given the flat plain, they had decided to leave their Hellcats behind and mobilise all their artillery zoids, including the old Gunbluster, which hadn't seen combat since the team had been in Class B. Almost thirteen years ago.
The ground trembled as the barrage began to fall around the gateway, the intensity so great that several Diablos caught while entering the city were cut apart before they knew what had happened. Considering the speed at which the Cybrids central processors worked, it was quick indeed. As the team unleashed another salvo, more laser fire from above lashed down amongst the Cybrids that were turning to engage them.
X-X-X-X-X-X
Pierce watched tiredly as the Land Skimmers settled in on her tail. She was exhausted after such a long battle; she didn't have the strength to attempt to evade. And neither did the Storm Sworder. A tail of black smoke followed her around now, and the zoids motions were less like a wounded bird, and more like a dead one. She looked down at the young man on her lap that meant so much to her. "I guess this is it."
Jamie slowly nodded. "I guess so. You do know that even if we do eject, they'll shoot us as we parachute down?" Pierce concurred. She doubted that the Cybrids would allow either her or Jamie to make it safely to the ground.
"So I guess this is the end." He said slowly, turning about on her lap again. "Just one last thing…"
"What?"
As an answer Jamie slipped a hand round the back of her head to pull her down closer to him. When their lips were inches apart he whispered, "I love you…"
"I love you too…" She replied as a smile formed on her lips, just before they met…
A sudden explosion behind him caused them both to jerk apart. Pierce frowned. "That wasn't a hit. Something behind us…" Jamie, looking backwards relative to the zoid, was the first to see, and his eyes widened.
"Look!" He cried, his finger pointing.
Pierce turned to look over her shoulder. Behind them a half dozen silver Storm Sworders were carving through the Land Skimmers like a hot knife through warm butter. Missiles streaked out to blast Cybrids from the sky, while laser bolts and blades sliced the machines apart. A group of Land Skimmers rose from the city, intent on helping out their comrades. But a flying wedge of Redlers, including some of the extremely rare Black Redlers, came snarling in, their guns tearing the lumbering craft apart.
"This is Baron One to unidentified Storm Sworder. Please respond." The voice that came over the comm was cool, confident, sounding a little like a female version of the Wild Eagle.
When Pierce acknowledged the call, an image came up from the other zoid. The female pilot sat at her controls wearing a finely tailored blue jumpsuit, with a flight helmet that covered her upper face and eyes, leaving her mouth and chin exposed. As she saw Pierce and Jamie together, Baron One smiled. "Having fun are we?"
Pierce snapped out of her shock. "Uh, not… um, thanks for the help…" She blushed bright red as her tongue became all tied up.
The other female pilot smiled warmly, her red lipstick shinning. "Well get on the ground. That zoid looks like it'll fall out of the air any second. And remember, you owe the Barons of the Air a round." And with that the woman signed off.
Pierce slowly piloted the Storm Sworder towards the top level, shock riding clear across her face. It was so clear and deep that Jamie got worried. "What's the matter Pierce?"
"The Barons of the Air… They're the Republic's elite Squadron! The best of the best! They only accept the top one percent of pilots to their flight school, and only those who come top of the class are allowed to join." She shook her head in awe.
Jamie too was stunned at the thought of such skilled pilots. "They have to be good…"
"Good? I once tried for a place there…"
"You're kidding!"
"No… I was accepted into the class, and I came out near the bottom! Seventh out of nine pilots!" Pierce looked once more at the Barons, as they tore the Cybrid aerial force to ribbons. The Imperial Redlers continued their flying wedge tactic, leaving crashing Cybrids in their wake.
X-X-X-X-X-X
The Death Saurer snarled at Mnementh as the Imperial Whale Kings began to head towards him. #So, you are so weak now that you need help? You are pathetic Eve!#
…You're the weak one here! One is always stronger when one stands with friends…
The Death Saurer reeled again as a second volley from the Ultrasaurus slammed into him. Deep in his core, the Death Saurer felt dread. Although it did not show on the surface, the constant battle was draining his systems. The constant demands on his self repair system was straining it to the limit.
#Fine! Then Lets see how strong your friends are then!# The Death Saurer spun round to face the distant Ultrasaurus. As he primed his charged particle weapon, he saw the line of zoids that marched before the titanic zoid. …What luck! I can wipe them all out in one shot!
Before he could fire though Mnementh landed on his back. Bringing his head down, the dragon zoid unleashed his fiery breath right into the intake vent for the Death Saurers particle weapon. The superheated flames poured into the delicate systems, melting through almost everything they touched.
The Death Saurer bellowed in pain as the fire burned deep into his body. He tried to reach round to remove the dragon, but Mnementh was out of reach. He tried to shake him off, but Mnementh's claws were dug in deep, and he continued to pour flames into the titan.
X-X-X-X-X-X
Leena snarled as she blasted a Diablo apart. "I don't get it. We're holding them off; we've got help coming… why don't they quit?"
"Because they still have overwhelming numbers Leena!" Brad cursed as he swept fire across the street to hold back the Scarabs. The defenders were being pushed back faster now, unable to hold the Cybrids back at all. It was really only the Blitz team that prevented the orderly retreat turning into desperate flight, a defiant rearguard action instead of a massacre.
Derek and Cassandra were still with them, along with the last Apocalypse, and about a dozen City Guard zoids. They were now at the central gateway that bisected the level. Once beyond that they could regroup and try to hold them back again…
Bit looked over the last few defenders. Leena stood centre, firing her Iguanosaur's hybrid cannon down the main street. The massive zoid was battered and damaged, armour peeled back and warped. The main guns were damaged by hostile fire, and with her lasers burned out from overuse, his fiancée was running out of options. Fiancée. Bit shook his head, still struggling to fully accept the concept.
Naomi's Snipe Master had been hit hard, and while she had not been disabled, Brad had told her to fall back to the upper level. She had agreed, since she had been worried about her child. The Shadow Fox was now coated in grey dust and soot, catching in every crank and mark of damage. The Liger was limping, and the Fury's head hung. Even the seemingly inexhaustible Fury was at limit of his endurance. Leon was heading up to the upper level, his Blade Liger missing a leg and him having a suspected dislocated shoulder. Cassandra's red Genosaurer was missing an arm, and the zoid itself stood as if it wanted nothing more than to just crash down face first into the roadway. Derek's Command Wolf was missing an ear, a near miss from a Bulldog.
A Cerberus appeared at the end of the street, its blood red eye blazing. Leena lined up her shot… and then failed to fire. "Shit! My zoids power cells are out!"
"None of us have the power to take that thing down before it gets in range to…" Vega tired voice trailed off. They all knew what he had been going to say.
"Well, he isn't getting by me! Everyone get through the gate!" Leena snarled her violet eyes livid.
"Leena, what are you up to?" Bit asked worriedly.
"If I hole up in the tunnel, they can't go around. They'll have to blast their way not just through the gate, but me too!"
"Leena! Don't…"
"Stand aside Blitz Team!" The voice was charged with adrenaline, and unknown. "COMING THROUGH!"
The Iguanosaur stepped aside, and a dark shape rushed past. The black Shield Liger roared right towards the Cerberus, leaping just before impact. The mighty machine was struck just on the eye, sending it toppling over onto its back. A pair of heavily customised Dibisons and a jet black Gojulas followed the Liger, before a stream of red Iron Kongs stomped out from the gateway, pushing forward in the wake of the black zoids charge. Two of the simian zoids paused to blast the downed Cerberus apart at point blank range, while another turned to the remaining defenders.
"We'll take it from here. You guys have done enough for one battle. I salute you all." The image of an Imperial Major popped up on screen, and he saluted to their image.
"Major Harding!" Cassandra cried relief at seeing an old friend here was clear in her voice.
"Hello Captain." The major smiled thinly. "I see I taught you well."
"That, and the teachings of my ancestor, is what has kept me alive tonight…"
"Well, stand down captain. That's an order. You're in no condition to fight anymore." As the Iron Kong turned away, Cassandra sagged in relief. She had not realised how tired she was until that moment. Now every bone in her body ached.
"So what do we do now?" Bit asked his tone puzzled.
"Like the major said, we stand down." Brad answered him, his voice tired. "We did our job, we held them back. It's the turn of the real military men to fight now…" The Shadow Fox slowly walked into the gateway, the thick tail almost brushing the ground. Slowly other City Guard zoids began to follow Brad, all the zoids movements tired and heavy footed. Cassandra and Derek moved out, leaving just the three Ultimate X zoids and the Apocalypse to stand at the entrance. Ahead of them they could see the Imperial forces engaging the Cybrids in close range fire fights and hand to hand. Or in this case fist to barrel. The first three black zoids tore about, busting up the Cybrids lines and diving between them, making them fire on each other, while the Gojulas fired volleys of shots into the rear ranks of the Cybrid horde.
"Go. Rest yourselves and your zoids." The Apocalypse pilot called them. "I'll stay and ensure that nothing gets past the Imperials."
#He is right Leena# The Iguanosaur gently roared her voice weak. #We are all tired, exhausted. We can fight no more today…#
#But… there are still Cybrids to crush!# The Fury bellowed, taking one step forwards.
#Old friend, even you need rest# The Liger roared. #There is such a thing as pushing yourself too far…#
Slowly the Fury turned back, before following the Liger through the gate.
Irvine: Hell of an entrance.
DR: You said it. Next time we have the final act, and the Death Saurer is going down...