The Plague stepped off the groaning Brute and keyed Shipmaster 'Vadumee.
"Commander, troop bay secure," he reported.
When Rtas's voice came through the communications feed, it was loud and curt with concentration. Ludo had almost forgotten his commander was still in the heat of the bigger battle.
"-uvo, keep those bastards off the Walker! It is our only means of entry into the control room, we cannot afford to lose it! Ludo, status?"
As he listened, Itan walked over and handed him his spiker. Ludo retrieved the weapon and patted the young Elite's shoulder before letting him go on.
"Troop bay is secure, Commander," Ludo repeated. He caught Xepo's attention and nodded in the direction of the downed Major, then made a subtle cutting motion across his throat. Xepo happily obliged.
"I never doubted it," Shipmaster 'Vadumee said. "Now you can help us with our mongrel problem. I'm opening the bay doors now. I need you to get down to the Walker and clear out those hijackers. Show them no mercy."
"I never do," the Plague replied coldly, signing off.
He was absently watching Xepo, who was hefting his beam rifle by the barrel. The green Elite raised the rifle high over his head.
Ludo ordered Itan to clear out all the Brute corpses, then walked over to one and detached its anti-gravity Jump Pack, which allowed the user to leap incredible distances and safely fall from Olympian heights.
More Brutes to kill. Ready up.
Moments later Ludo stood at the very edge of one of the open bay doors, taking in the moment. The jagged cliff face rushing by, the roaring, ripping wind, his favorite soundtrack, war zone noise, on full blast in the background. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, then exhaled and stepped off the platform.
