Free Battle Earth IV by Nick S. Thomas Page B

see the other Mechs taking cover.
    “Grenades!” he shouted.
    He pulled a frag grenade from his webbing and twisted the cap. He looked around to see that three others were waiting for his command.
    “Now!”
    The four grenades were launched into the air in almost perfect synchronisation and tumbled over into the Mech positions. They hunkered down for cover as the explosions shook the room, and part of the ceiling near them caved in. Taylor jumped up and leapt over the counter top, advancing on the enemy positions with his rifle at the ready.
    Chandra looked over the defences to see Mitch had jumped ahead quicker than any of them were able to follow. She saw him fire two shots into the ground, and as she drew nearer, she could see the body of one of the creatures lying lifeless at his feet. Another lay dead close by. She caught a glimpse of movement, turned quickly, and fired at another creature that was trying to get up from the ground.
    She nodded at Mitch, and they both knew each other’s thoughts. The grenades were not powerful enough for the enemy they were fighting, and they were not going to take the chance that any had survived. The two officers moved up to the bodies of the other two creatures and fired several rounds through each of their faceplates until they were satisfied it was over.
    They stood for a moment, marvelling at their work as Captain Jones approached their positions. Before he could open his mouth, a signal came over their intercom from Lieutenant Green.
    “Tracking three hostiles into the basement in the north west of the building, over.”
    “Hold tight, we’re coming,” replied Chandra.
    She turned and led the way without as much as a word to the troops. As they jogged down the corridors to meet with the others, she noticed specs of blue blood on her arm. Taylor also saw where the spray had coated both of them. He looked at it at first with disgust and then sadness. He was reminded of the scene in the conference hall just minutes before.
    Up ahead, they could see Green and Silva, and they had a wounded soldier being attended to.
    “Any other casualties?” she asked.
    “No, just one wounded. He’ll be fine,” replied Green.
    “Good.”
    She looked down at the stairwell close by. It appeared to disappear into darkness.
    “This where you last saw them?”
    “Yes, Ma’am.”
    “Any other sightings of the enemy?”
    He shook his head.
    “Jones, you and Yorath are to continue to sweep the rest of this building. Get on it.”
    The Captain nodded and liaised quickly with Yorath before rushing off to continue his search.
    “Any other ways down there?” asked Chandra.
    “One fire escape from what I can see.”
    Taylor looked over at the doorway to a nearby elevator.
    “What about that? It goes down below?”
    Chandra lifted up her Mappad and carefully studied the limited diagrams they had been given of the layout.
    “Not that one, but it looks like there is a freight elevator not far from here.”
    “I’ll take it,” replied Taylor.
    “Alright, Green you’ll take the stairs, but wait for our breach. Silva, you’re with me.”
    Parker had been listening and butted in.
    “We can’t use that elevator. It will give us away in seconds.”
    “I don’t intend to ride it down,” replied Taylor with a smile. “Come on, let’s move.”
    He turned to move out, but Chandra stopped him.
    “Confirm when you’re in position and ready to go. Green, you wait ten seconds after our breach. That stairwell could be hell.”
    Taylor nodded in agreement and quickly made his way for the elevator. After passing through a storage area, they found what they were looking for. He drew out his Assegai and thrust it into the join between the doors. The torch style blade cut a hole and broke the seal quickly. He levered open the door and took a look inside.
    “Good, it’s up on one of the upper floors.”
    He reached for the emergency stop lever to ensure it stayed put before looking into the most