The Dying Time by Thomas S. Gressman

Author:Thomas S. Gressman [Gressman, Thomas S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2011-04-12T14:58:27+00:00

* * *

"Legion One, this is Assassin One. We've got a breakthrough in our sector."

Lori looked at the map of the Doering Electronics complex and its environs displayed on a secondary monitor in her 'Mech's cockpit. The tiny blue triangles marking the Legion's second battalion were arrayed in two staggered lines along the Doering Electronic complex's northern perimeter. A spear of scarlet icons was now penetrating the line. It had taken the Skye Rangers some time to get "on track," as Major Devin would say. Then, just before midnight, they launched a new attack.

"Major Devin, get your battalion into the line to support Major Houk," Lori barked into her communicator. "Davis, we'll move the command company into the center of the complex and form a mobile reserve."

"Colonel, it's no good. They're coming at us in full strength," Houk yelled. "I don't think we can hold them."

"You've got to hold them, Major," Lori snapped. "Devin is on his way to support you. I'm moving—"

A triphammer series of explosions thundered into her cockpit, ending her message prematurely. Lori scanned her primary viewscreen, catching sight of four heavy BattleMechs moving in on her right. None of the humanoid war machines responded to her communication system's automatic Identify Friend or Foe interrogation. The enemy had somehow managed to flank the Legion's positions.

Lori slammed the control sticks hard over. In response, her Victor twisted at the waist. She jerked the triggers, snapping off a hasty volley at the attackers. Her lasers dug into the tough, armored hide of an enemy Black Knight, but the short-range missiles all fell short, scattering chunks of pavement across the 'Mech's feet. The Knight responded with a blast from its PPC that ripped away the last of the armor on her Victor's left arm. Lori heard the groan of overstressed metal as the endo-steel of the 'Mech's chassis all but collapsed under the particle beam's savage caress.

A Cataphract and an Orion stepped up beside the Black Knight, while the fourth 'Mech, all but invisible in the moonless night, hung back. Lori's computer rendered the machine as a Banshee, making it the heaviest enemy machine they had seen yet. Lori suspected that the Banshee might be the Skye Ranger command 'Mech.

Dallas MacKensie and the rest of the Legion's command lance closed ranks with her Victor and opened fire on the new arrivals, but they stood little chance against the armored monsters.

"Legion command, pull back," Lori called to them, though the order almost stuck in her throat. "All Gray Death units, fall back on the DropShips."

One by one, the Legion's company commanders registered their compliance with her orders. Each voice carried with it its own note of anger, reproach, or disgust. The Legion had lost battles before. This was something different. It was almost as though the Gray Death Legion was admitting defeat. To Lori's mind, it seemed that each bitter-toned acknowledgment was an accusation. This was her first big fight as the commander of the Gray Death Legion and she'd been found wanting.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.