United We Kill by J. N. Chaney & Jonathan P. Brazee

Author:J. N. Chaney & Jonathan P. Brazee [Chaney, J. N. & Brazee, Jonathan P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: military, SF
Amazon: B0B4GV6R85
Publisher: self-published
Published: 2022-09-04T00:00:00+00:00

21

The surviving Naxli must have had enough because the retreat from the mine and movement to their extraction point was unopposed. It was an ebullient group of humans and Breel who arrived at the LZ, waiting for the shuttle.

The mission had been a rousing success. All but two of the Breel hostages were rescued, while there were only three human casualties, two of whom should recover. Nikolaou was already conscious and accepting the teasing from the others for not ducking quickly enough.

It was also bittersweet. Rev didn’t know what kind of shit they were in, but he knew it paled in comparison to that awaiting the twelve Breel who’d been on the mission with them.

Lieutenant Vorbando was facing charges of mutiny. Rev was getting to understand the non-verbal cues of the Breel, but he couldn’t tell if the Breel officer was now contemplating his future or enjoying the success of the mission.

Rev was happy things turned out as they did, Neary notwithstanding, but he didn’t understand it. From the inability of the Naxli to execute more than the one, possibly two Breel, to their inexcusable defensive plan, and to their questionable tactics, he was puzzled. There was no way Rev, Božič-Mizaki, and Kumph, the Breel they’d rescued, should have gotten off without a scratch while eight Naxli soldiers were killed.

Any other time, Rev would have thought they’d come across a rear-echelon unit. But that made no sense. This was a raiding party. Sure, it would help to have knowledge of the equipment. That helped the first group Second Squad engaged when they were able to use a Breel excavator to try and break out. But still, there should have been top-line troops leading the raid.

And these weren’t that.

Rev ran through several possible explanations, running from just bad luck on the Naxli’s part to the gods of war finally having pity on Rev and his units. But nothing seemed to fit. The only possible explanation was that the physical characteristics of the race the Naxli had chosen to mimic lacked certain capabilities.

But they still had the normal Naxli weapons. Except for maybe the underwater form, the weapons didn't depend on whatever form they were using.

Finally, he approached Lieutenant Vorbando, who was with Lieutenant Marble at the edge of the LZ.

“Gunny, that was very rewarding. Many families owe you humans,” the lieutenant said, pointing to where the rescued Breel were standing. “And Colonel Gaffenuo sends his personal thanks to all of you.”

You’ve got comms with him? he wondered for a moment. Of course, with the Naxli out, we’d have comms here now that we’re out of the mines.

“How is the colonel? Is he, uh . . .”

“The colonel is at peace with whatever happens now.”

Rev exchanged looks with Lieutenant Marble, then said, “Since we recovered your people, and we’re now just waiting for our extract, uh, does anyone have to know?”

The lieutenant rumbled, which seemed to be the Breel equivalent of a chuckle or a snort. “He will give a full report.”

Rev shook his head.

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.