Free Dawn of the Mad by Brandon Huckabay Page B

remnant of the research survive and fall into unintended hands.”
    “Of course, my master.” The telepathic link was severed. The Auger-Seer placed the palm of his gloved hand on the globe surrounded by the Auger-Lords. He shuddered briefly at the grotesque sight of them. Once vital beings, they were now just withered husks. Tubes snaked from where their eye sockets and mouths used to be, connected to the base of the globe that occasionally emitted a blast of steam.
    A pulse of energy surged through him as the consciousness connected to him. He issued his commands, which were translated into psychoenergy and boosted across space to Lord Sabis, one of the six Auger-Lords who were similarly connected to the consciousness on board Admiral Raus’s flagship.
    His commands were simple: “Destroy all ground forces and structures, and pursue the doctor.”

    “We have a problem, colonel.” Static slightly obscured Matthias’s voice as it came over the tactical net.
    “What is it, Matthias?” The colonel stood outside the complex, having just observed a small craft take off into space from within the forest. Its vapor trail remained visible as it streaked into the upper atmosphere.
    “Our sniper team at the base of the plateau reports a small armored column heading this direction from across the desert.”
    The colonel pondered this information as he stroked his chin. “What? Can you identify the force?”
    After a brief pause, Matthias responded, “No sir. We cannot positively identify the column.”
    “Interesting,” mused the colonel. “It seems another player may be seeking our prize. Very well. Recall all elements to Level One. If Captain Cruwell is ready, prep for liftoff.”
    The colonel walked to the edge of the plateau, where he opened his helmet’s visor. Producing a set of binoculars, he scanned the area and soon spotted the approaching armored column.
    “Matthias,” he said into his wrist communicator, contact Raus and see if he can track that craft that took off from the forest.”
    “Understood.”

    “Let’s get that door down!” Captain Cruwell yelled to his cutting team, which had nearly cut through the blast doors. “We’re running out of time! And watch your fire; stick to your zones!”
    He watched as light appeared in small holes which formed into jagged cracks in the door. The team leader signaled to the others, and they put aside their torches. They put their shoulders into the door and pushed with all their might. With a loud boom, the cut out section of the blast doors fell to the ground with a deafening roar. The cutting team was shot down in seconds as a hail of small arms fire hit the assault force. At Cruwell’s signal, the rest of the team rushed forward and entered the vast cavern. They took positions behind any pieces of cover they could find. Cruwell could make out only five or six defenders, but they were doing a good job of keeping his element at bay. The defenders had a belt-fed projectile machine gun and were putting up a lot of fire.
    Cruwell could not get all of his force inside. “We don’t have time for this,” he grumbled. He moved around the rock of the cavern wall that provided his cover and brandished two frag grenades. Without hesitation, he charged toward the gun crew and threw both grenades perfectly at the stack of crates they used for cover. He rolled behind an earth mover fitted with a giant drill bit just as the grenades detonated. The blast destroyed the crate barricade and the machine gun, dazing the defenders. Before they could regain their composure, the assault element rushed them, gunning down the first defender who tried to stand up.
    As they realized that their primary defense was out of commission, the small contingent of defenders dropped their weapons and raised their hands, resigning themselves to be prisoners of war rather than facing certain death in battle. Cruwell emerged from behind the earth mover determined to get answers.
    “Where is