Free Black Legion: 05 - Sea of Fire by Michael G. Thomas

leader walked toward them as though he didn’t have a care in the world. The gun battle inside the distant dome was audible, yet had little effect on them.
    “Cover me,” said Xenophon.
    He moved out from the group and ahead by a few meters. With a thought, the blades in his arm-mounted weapons retracted.
    “I am Topoteretes Xenophon, second-in-command of this force.”
    The Carduchian laughed and replied in the same language, but with a thickly concealed accent.
    “I do not care. You Terrans have assaulted Carduchian territory. You have declared war on the Median Empire and the Satrapy of Carduchia. Lower your weapons or face annihilation.”
    Xenophon shook his head and kept his hands low.
    “We do not want war.”
    Artemas and Roxana were busily speaking to each other, while Glaucon did his best to hold Tamara back. She pushed him hard and then stumbled out to land right next to Xenophon. He looked at her as she straightened herself up.
    “The distress signal, it’s coming from up there.”
    She didn’t move her head and instead simply used her eyes.
    “Good work.”
    The door to the next habitation dome hissed open, and nearly twenty more Carduchians spread around the Taochi soldiers.
    “Now, surrender your forces,” said their commander.
    “No,” Xenophon replied firmly, “In seconds, the Laconians, with hundreds of troops will come through that dome and into this intersection. If you do not surrender, they will kill every soldier and civilian on this outpost. Do you understand me?”
    The Carduchian looked to the Taochi soldiers who stood motionless, waiting for their orders. Another of his comrades stepped out from the dome and to his side. They spoke quietly for several seconds. Finally, the first looked back to Xenophon.
    “Order your ships back and we will talk.”
    The airlock doors to the damaged dome ripped open and in came the Laconians, closely followed by Chirisophus. He marched in like some ancient Terran God, right up to Xenophon as though on a stroll. His troops fanned out and filled one entire half of the open space.
    “Topoteretes, I see you’ve located their leadership. Good work.”
    He then looked away from Xenophon and to the Carduchians.
    “You have ten seconds. Lower your weapons.”
    The enemy commander spoke to his own people, but one of the Taochi disagreed angrily. A Carduchian pointed a weapon at the great beast, and it turned about, yanked the firearms from its hands, and then struck the Carduchian so hard he hit the ground and stayed down. Instead, the creature bellowed and pointed at Chirisophus.
    “What is it saying?” demanded Chirisophus.
    Lady Artemas, though still sheltering amongst the Arcadian shield wall, called out in reply, “The Taochi say they will lower their weapons, but only if we do the same and withdraw our forces.”
    Chirisophus laughed and activated his arm-mounted weaponry. The cruel looking blade pushed out and was met with a growl of approval from the small group of Taochi.
    “Xenophon, do something!” Artemas pleaded.
    Both groups were well armed, but the defenders would have little chance in a firefight. Xenophon looked to Chirisophus and then around the open space. More of the spatharii had moved inside, and the shimmering of Laconian shields gave the place an odd, artificial hue.
    Damn them all!
    Xenophon lifted his hands up and removed his helm, completely exposing his face to them all. He lowered it under his arm and walked directly up to the Taochi. Next to them he looked like a small boy, but not one of them raised a hand to strike him.
    “Lower your weapons, and we will leave this place peacefully.”
    The Taochi warriors muttered and complained, but the Carduchians began to plead with them as well. It was then that Chirisophus spotted the Imperial insignia on the armor of the massive warriors. He snorted and then pointed and shouted out loudly.
    “They are soldiers of the Median Empire. This outpost has been infiltrated!”
    The