“I don’t think we’re that special, to be honest. But if there’s one thing we’re good at, it’s shooting things. And I don’t know if you’ve stepped outside, but there’s a lot of things to shoot these days.”
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-Private James “Jimmy” Perez, 12th Tiberian Marine Corps
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139, 2432
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Calinola, Hubion Prime
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The crowd hissed and excitedly screeched as the prisoner was pushed through the streets. Her feet and tail were bound together, her hands were tied behind her back, and her mouth was sealed behind a metal mouthpiece. The crowd threw stones at her, calling her a traitor and coward. Despite this, she didn’t flinch nor look away from their gaze. She held her head high and walked up to the marble and steel podium, on top of which were several more of her kind. All of them were dirty, bloody, and broken but still stood upright and looked outward. As one, the guards pushed them down to their knees and a figure in ceremonial white and green robes strode upward and raised his hands, telling the crowd to calm itself.
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“We all know why we are here!” he said, “Evil plagues our world! Even now it spreads its corruption around our world! They once came here, in their great starships, and promised great things! And too late did we realize they were all lies!”
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Another roar came from the crowd.
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“Now that we know who they are, what they are, we will never make the same mistake again! The Monarchs have declared war upon these killers and the people have answered! But not all, as it seems! Some of us, may the Ancients forgive me for saying this, are too corrupted and beyond salvation! Even now they spread their vile beliefs like a disease! We must purge them from our ranks and remain pure!”
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Another cheer of approval boomed but this one made her laugh. The cheering died down and everyone looked at her in bewilderment.
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“What is funny?”
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“The whole thing, really,” she said, trying to hold back another laugh, “Hypocrisy, that’s what it is. The humans offered us peace and yet we betray because some stranger we never met before told us? You people make me sick.”
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“How dare-”
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“But now it’s too late. They destroyed our fleets, massacred our forces, and are now coming here. And they will not stop until they get justice. You’ve doomed us all.”
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The crowd gasped and booed at her words. Many began throwing rocks again and had to be stopped by the armed guards.
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“Enough of this!” the robed man shouted, silencing the masses, “Karana Balak, you have been found guilty of high treason! You and your conspirators are as a result of this sentenced to death! Have you any last words?”
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Armed guards walked in behind and pointed their long rifles at their heads.
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“May the Ancients guard the jewel,” Karana said with a smile on her face and fell to the ground as a bullet pierced her head and ended her life.
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— — — — — — —
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“Poor bastards. They're losing members by the day,” Admiral Parker said as he turned off the live drone feed, “How goes the assault?”
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Marshal Evans’ hologram flickered and showed a map of the giant walled-off city and its surrounding areas. Blue, green, and red triangles edged closer to its smaller and less dense parts.
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“Very well,” Evans said, “The 7th Tiberian Marines and 4th Cohort of the 9th Raiders Legion are closing in on the Eastern district gate. Meanwhile, the 12th are moving in from the west alongside the 7th Cohort from the 6th Legion.”
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“The 14th Terran Troopers Corps are already in the Northern district. We’ll control the garrison and power station within the day.” General Huber said.
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“And the Praetorians?” Parker asked.
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“Four of my cohorts are hunting the stragglers in the Southern District,” Legate Kerr of the 6th said in a deep voice befitting of a Praetorian, “Gordon, on the other hand, is leading his entire legion toward the Spires.”
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Marshal Evans’ eyes widened at that, “Is he insane? You’re far enough behind enemy lines as is and he’s going further?”
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“He wants to finish this as soon as possible.”
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“And when the Hubions recall their troops and surround them?”
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“Then you’ll have less resistance. Gordon is a stubborn ox but he’s no fool. These lizards are no match for him and his boys.”
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Evans frowned and wanted to make another retort but was interrupted by Parker, “And what about the Arcadium bomb? Have the Crows found anything?”
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“Nothing yet,” Huber said, “Colonel Fraser had informed us that he sent teams on a possible lead.”
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“Deep scans show minimal levels of Arcadium presence,” Evans said, “They haven’t figured out how to utilize it yet. Not properly anyway.”
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“Then we should get this over with before they do.”
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“Agreed,” Kerr said, “To battle then. Let’s teach them not to piss off the Union.”
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— — — — — — —
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Eastern District, Calinola, Hubion Prime
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"All units be advised, we are closing in on entry point Beta-2, ETA five minutes, over," the Vulture pilot said over the comms.
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"Roger that," Jenkins said, "Final check, ladies! We're almost there! If you'd kindly look out the window, you'll see a pretty sight I like to call a clusterfuck!"
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The Marines looked out to see the carnage below. Dozens of tanks and armored vehicles filled the streets of the sparsely-filled slums. Hubion artillery, anti-air guns, and blockades were positioned sporadically between the buildings, and shooters covered almost every rooftop. Mark-9 Vultures and V-6 Eagles dominated the sky but still had to pick their battles carefully.
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"We're dropping in there, Lieutenant?" a Sergeant asked.
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"Yes, we are, Polanski. The birds can't get over the walls smoothly until we bring down the AA guns."
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"What about the tanks?" Corporal Finlay asked as she clutched her rifle.
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"They can get us to the gates but then we're on our own," the Lieutenant answered and turned in the Vulture's holographic projector, "There's a service tunnel that runs beneath the moat. Its entrance is under this service building. We’ll link up with the 9th platoon, clear the structure, and get to the other side. Once there, we’ll shut down the defenses, lower the gates, and get our armor through.”
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As the hologram turned off, a Vulture was shot next to them and crashed into a nearby building, destroying it and sending debris flying all over the streets.
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“One minute,” the pilot said.
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“First things first, that AA. The MBTs are having problems with the blockade so it's up to us. What are we?!”
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“Tough as nails!” the Marines shouted and prepared to descend.
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The vulture hovered a dozen meters above ground and the Marines jumped out, turning on their propulsion packs and gliding to the stone-littered street. After forming a defensive circle, Jenkins scanned the area and gave the all-clear. The platoon made its way down the street past the broken-down buildings and burning vehicles. Dead bodies covered parts of the road. Most had bullet holes while others had burn marks and torn limbs.
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"Damn," Polanski said, "The Praetorians must've gotten to them first. Where the hell are they, though?"
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"Like it matters," Finlay said, "I don't like those guys."
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"You don't like anybody, Finlay, " Private Barns commented, "It's why you're still single."
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The other marines chuckled at that.
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"Says the virgin," Finlay said in agitation.
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"You wanna help me fix that? Maybe kill two birds with one stone?"
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"Quiet," the Lieutenant ordered, silencing the quiet laughter and letting the not-so-distant sounds of gunfire and energy discharge occupy everyone's attention, "We're close. Through the alley."
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As the Marines moved through the shortcut, they kept an eye on their surroundings. Their visors gave them clear vision and focused hearing, allowing them to fight better in their environment. For a while, the only lifeforms they encountered were rat-like rodents and occasional terrified residents, who hurriedly closed their windows and tried not to look at them. Being in the slums, they were the lowest members of Hubion society, if they could even be called that. Most lived together in poorly-made housings and slaved away at whatever job they had.
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"Stay on alert. We don't know which of them are armed." Jenkins warned.
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After a few minutes of maneuvering through the alley, Jenkins' motion sensor flared up, and his visor warned him of nearby movement. Raising his hand in a halting gesture, the platoon stopped and crouched. Finlay spotted something in the corner of her vision and fired a short burst at a window. A Hubion screamed in pain and his comrades appeared and opened fire.
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"Weapons free!" Jenkins shouted.
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"About time," Finlay said and opened fire, killing another Hubion.
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One by one, the Hubions fell to the Marines. Polanski fired his grenade launcher and blew apart a wall, exposing the enemies behind it. Barnes looked up to see Hubions leap through windows. When they landed, the lizards slashed at the Marines with curved blades and whipped their legs with their tails. Three men were killed before the aliens were put down. As soon as they were, a new threat appeared. Engine noises edged closer as an armored vehicle blocked the exit and its turret opened fire, killing another Marine. The others got to cover behind rubble and protruding walls.
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"Ken, get ready!" Jenkins shouted and threw a flasher that popped small bright orbs, blinded the enemies, and covered the area in smoke.
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The armored vehicle kept firing but hit nothing but air, stone, and steel. Specialist Ken turned on his shoulder turret, which peaked out from behind the wall, and fired a barrage of small missiles. The projectiles pierced the sides of the vehicle's side and destroyed it, burning anyone close enough to a crisp. Wasting no time, the Marines jumped over the wreck with their propulsion packs. Once on the other side, they opened fire on the stragglers, who tried to regroup. Less than a minute later, the area was clear.
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"Headcount," Jenkins ordered.
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"We lost four," Barnes said, "Petrenko, Jones, Meyer, and Choi."
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The Lieutenant grimaced behind his mask and nodded. Could've been worse, he thought. But there would be time for mourning later.
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"Bastards," Finlay hissed and kicked one of the Hubion corpses.
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"They'll pay, " Polanski said, "Don't take it personally."
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"Right," she said and moved onward.
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Soon, they reached the intersection and observed the AA gun. It was protected with a portable two-way shield generator. This is what allowed it to protect itself while also firing at anything that tried to fly over it. The roads were blocked by more armored vehicles and barricades. Getting to higher ground, the Marines killed the soldiers stationed on the rooftops and waited near the edges.
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"Prepare for a drop assault," Jenkins ordered and checked his ammo.
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While the shield was a formidable defense, it had a flaw. As long as the object was slow enough, it could get past it. Jenkins wanted to utilize this as much as he could. He was about to give his troops the order to attack when he saw something rapidly approaching the Hubion position. Adjusting his visor, he saw something he thought he would never see.
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"Praetorians, three o'clock," he said and everyone turned their attention to the street.
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They were shocked to see five large, armored figures sprinting at inhuman speeds toward the enemy. The Hubions noticed them and opened fire, but their small arms couldn't even dent the armor of the Raiders. Their armored vehicles could do more damage but each shot was blocked by thick shields each of them carried. Seeing how bullets didn't work, the Hubions fired rockets at the still-advancing Praetorians, who either dodged them or shot them with their shoulder-mounted cannons. With nothing else to use, the Hubions panicked and lost their focus, allowing the Raiders to step through the energy shield and begin their slaughter.
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Their high-powered hand cannons blew the defenses into pieces of scorched meat. Most ran away at the mere sight of them but it did them no good as they were killed by the Marines.
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"Ken, the AA," Jenkins ordered.
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"On it," Ken said and ran toward the massive machine.
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He placed explosives between each of the large double-barreled missile tubes. When he was about to leave, a Hubion grabbed his legs from below and pulled him down. The scally alien was about to stab Ken in the back when his head was blown to pieces by the specialist's shoulder turret. Ken got up and gave a warning to everyone before running to cover behind one of the burned armored vehicles. The Praetorians were in less of a hurry and weren't fazed by the explosion.
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When the dust and smoke cleared, the Marines carefully got out of cover and searched for any survivors. They found a few, which the Raiders killed momentarily. Once the massacre had finished, the Praetorians and Marines stood in front of one another. The sheer difference in scale was undeniable. While Polanski was the tallest and broadest in the platoon, he was still more than a head shorter than the shortest of the Raiders. Most suspected this was because of the bulky armor they adorned but they doubted it would make much of a difference if it was off.
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Jenkins was the first to salute, "Lieutenant Simon Jenkins, 7th Tiberian Marine Corps."
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After a brief moment of silence, one of the Praetorians holstered his hand cannon and saluted back with his fist on his chest.
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"Decanus Gregor, 7th Cohort, 6th Raiders Legion," he said in a deep and low voice.
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“Intel says you’re supposed to be down south. What happened?”
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“A battalion of your Marines was pinned down by Hubions. Our centuria was close by and we decided to aid them. From there we kept moving north-east.”
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“Just goin’ where ever you feel like, huh?” Finlay murmured under her breath.
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Jenkins ignored her and continued, “Our mission is to clear a path for the MBTs to get through. There’s a tunnel, that leads underneath the wall. Would you assist us?”
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“It would be our pleasure,” Gregor said.
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Jenkins nodded and the platoon headed out. The prospect of having Praetorians on your side was something almost every soldier found unlikely but greatly desirable. Almost but not all. Finlay kept her distance from them and tried not to look in their direction. Barnes took note of this and, despite his better judgment, felt like prying.
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“What’s up with you?”
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“Shut up,” she said.
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“Just curious is all,”
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“I don’t want to talk about it. Shut it before I knock your teeth out.”
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“Go on a date with me and I’ll consider it.”
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Finlay stopped and grabbed Barnes by his vest. Despite the visor covering her eyes, her glare pierced through his skull and made him tense.
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“This ain’t Panoa, dipshit, this is serious. Shut. Up.”
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“He didn’t mean anything bad by it,” Polanski stepped in, “Let’s just keep moving.”
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Finlay let go of Barnes and walked off. The private wanted to go, too but the sergeant put his hand on his shoulder.
“Try not to do that again. Her fuze is so short it might as well not be there. For your sake, I suggest you keep quiet.”
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Barnes nodded and moved along. After several minutes of traversing the streets, the platoon found the service building but no sign of the 7th platoon. Jenkins checked his comm feed and sent out calls to all nearby forces but no one picked up. A feeling of unease crept up everyone’s spine. Overhead, they could see the V-6 Eagles soaring through the sky and firing their missiles at the wall-mounted defenses. They were careful not to damage the control tower over the gate. As this was going on, the doors of the building opened and everyone raised their weapons. To their surprise, however, they saw a Marine in the doorframe waving at them.
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“This is Bishop-4, identify yourself,” Jenkins ordered but received no reply, “I repeat, identify yourself.”
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Again, no reply came but the Marine kept waving. Everyone tensed as Gregor fired his hand cannon and blew the Marine apart. Before Jenkins and his platoon could say anything, dozens of Hubions appeared and opened fire. Two Marines were shot while others took cover behind walls, vehicles, and the Praetorians. Polanski dragged one of the wounded men to relative safety and patched up his wounds. The firefight was intense as each side threw lead and explosives at each other. The Hubion numbers didn’t seem to be dropping despite how many they killed and Jenkins turned on his long-range comms.
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“Castle, this is Bishop-4, we are pinned down by enemy fire! Requested immediate heavy air support, over!”
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“Roger that, Bishop-4. Redirecting nearby Eagles to your location. Mark your target, over.”
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“Ken! Fire a marker!”
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The specialist did just that and soon, two V-6 Eagles swooped in and dropped off their payload, blowing the building apart and killing everything inside.
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“Thanks for that, Castle,” Jenkins said.
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“Don’t thank me, thank the Eagles. First round’s on you,” the voice over the comms said, making the lieutenant sigh and chuckle.
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While the platoon was alive, the mission was now in jeopardy. They couldn’t get into the tunnel and there was no other way of getting behind the wall.
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“Sir, can you get us a Vulture?” Finlay asked.
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“Negative, Corporal. Too big of a target for enemy guns.”
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With nothing to do, the Marines felt beaten. Apart from Barnes, who walked over to the Praetorians.
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“I got an idea. How strong are you guys?”
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The Raiders were taken aback by this.
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“Very. Why?” Gregor asked.
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“Come on,”, Barnes said and ran over to the edge of the moat, “Give me a boost and I’ll get to the tower.”
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“Are you insane?” Finlay said, “That thing is ten meters up and thirty across, you’ll never make it.”
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“Come on, Becks, have a little faith.”
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“No,” Jenkins said, “I’m ordering you not to do this.”
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“You see any other way, LT?” Barnes asked, “I don’t think I wanna disappoint the tank crews.”
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Looking over his shoulder, Barnes saw that Gregor was in position. Without wasting time, he ran as fast as he could at him. His right foot landed on the Praetotian's hands, who launched him into the air like he was a sports ball. Barnes' heart raced as he turned on his propulsion pack and landed on one of the railings.
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"You should try it, it's fun!" he shouted before ducking to dodge enemy fire.
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The Marines and Praetorians gave him support, shooting any enemy they could see. Barnes moved up the stairs, fighting off enemy after enemy. To his surprise, there weren't many Hubions in the tower. This changed when he got to the top. The windows shattered to pieces as bullets and lasers came after him. After getting shot in the shoulder, Barnes ducked behind the wall and threw a flasher into the room. The dazed Hubions fired randomly until they ran out of ammunition, giving Barnes enough time to stand up and fire back. Getting inside, the Marine pressed several buttons and the gates opened and the bridge extended.
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Jenkins shook his head in disbelief as Finlay grunted in annoyance and Polanski laughed. The Lieutenant reported the situation back to Command and more units began moving to their location.
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Gregor chuckled, "I like him."
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End of Part 2
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Thank you very much for reading.
If you'd like to support me and my work feel free to upvote, follow, and check out my Patreon where you can get access to early chapters, a private Discord server, a chance to commission, and even influence ongoing stories: patreon.com/SimpleWrites (1$, 3$, 5$ and beyond).
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