Free Ep.#14 - "The Weak and the Innocent" (The Frontiers Saga) by Ryk Brown Page B

to him. The helmet automatically extended its umbilical into the top of the commander’s backpack and came to life, painting the tactical data onto the inside of the commander’s helmet visor. “I’m good!” he yelled, giving his master sergeant a thumbs-up.
    “ Telles, Control. Jojo and Tongo are both clear. We’re all that’s left on the ground. ”
    “What about Combat Seven?” Telles demanded.
    “ They put down on the other side of the lake, far from any unfriendlies. They’ve already detonated. I’ve got two Falcons flying cover until someone comes back from Porto Santo to pick them up. ”
    The energy weapons fire had ceased after Falcon Four’s last pass, and Telles and his men were able to stand again. The commander signaled Master Sergeant Jahal to position the men to keep an eye on the roof lines on either side, just in case. “Very well,” he replied over his helmet comms. “Shutdown and double-time it to Kato Two.”
    “ Copy that. Control to all units. We are shutting down and bugging out. Everyone rally at Kato Two. Good luck. ”
    Commander Telles scanned the skies above. He could still hear the exchange of weapons fire from the far side of the command bunker. “Brakar One Seven, Telles. Sitrep?”
    “ Telles, One Seven. Holding off about a dozen of the fuckers to our north and west. TDS shows another twenty or so two clicks north, moving toward us. ”
    “Copy. Hold until command bunker is clear, then move to Kato Two for evac.”
    “ One Seven, copies. ”
    “New movement!” Master Sergeant Jahal barked as he swung his energy rifle up to fire at the distant roofline. “Check your TDS! Check your TDS!” he yelled urgently as he opened fire.
    “One One, Telles. Sitrep!” the commander called over the din of weapons fire.
    “ Telles, One One, taking fire from the rooftops to the south. We’ve got no shot! Pinned down!”
    “ Combat Eight, Telles. Take out targets on the rooftops south of Micker Three! Then circle west and take out the targets in the street west of Micker Four!”
    “ Combat Eight, engaging targets on rooftops south of Micker Three and in street west of Micker Four, ” the pilot responded. “ On first targets in thirty seconds. ”
    “Combat Three, Telles. Targets in the street, north of Micker Four are yours. Then clear the roof tops around Kato Two again!”
    “ Combat Three, inbound for targets north of Micker Four, in the street, then on the roofs around Kato Two. Weapons live in twenty seconds. ”
    “All jumpers, your targets are dangerously close! Call your shots. Call your shots!”
    “ Combat Eight, copies. ”
    “ Combat Three, copies. ”
    Commander Telles noticed a dozen green dots moving up behind him on his tactical display. He glanced behind him to confirm that they were the technicians from the command bunker. Each of them had donned torso armor and helmets, and carried energy rifles of Corinari design. “Bulldog One, Telles. Start your approach. I’ll call your inbound jump.”
    “ Combat Eight! Danger close! Micker Three! Heads down! ”
    Commander Telles turned to his right, looking southwest as Combat Jumper Eight swooped in low over the top of the now abandoned command bunker, firing all of their weapons at the rooftops on either side. It was an impressive array of firepower with eight separate barrels spewing forth bolts of red plasma energy.
    “ Bulldog One is starting final. Understand you’ll call our inbound jump. ”
    “ Combat Three! Danger close! Micker Three! Heads down! ”
    “Stay here!” Telles ordered the fleeing controllers from the command bunker, gesturing for them to get down. “Hunker down and cover your ears!” he ordered as his men continued to fire at the distant roof lines to the east.
    “ Combat Eight! Targeting the streets west of Micker Four! ”
    “ Combat Three! Clearing the roofs south of Kato Two! ”
    “Brakars One One and One Seven, Telles!” the commander called as Combat Jumper Three streaked