Cody J. Sherer

“A single ship docked at the station and then before we knew it they were attacking multiple sectors at once. We were swamped. If you hadn’t arrived when you did, we may not have survived,” The soldier spoke as he was checking some of the nearby bodies for a pulse.

 

“Though I appreciate your concern for your fellow man, we don’t have the time or the manpower to check for wounded,” Jackson placed a hand on Anthony’s shoulder as he spoke.

 

General Thomas nodded when the trooper glanced up at him. George and Todd took the lead with Talon and Anthony protecting the flank. The general and the others filled in the gaps. Jackson grimaced as he peeked around the corner. There were corpses of civilians, security officers, soldiers, and the intruders strewn throughout the corridor. He could see the entrance to the government center, which appeared to be in control of the attackers. Looks like we’ll have to find a way around, he thought as he and Todd crept around the corner. The sounds of a firefight echoed through the halls, drawing the attention of Jackson’s group as well as some of the intruders who were guarding the entrance to the government sector. George spurred the others onward, attempting to reach the firefight in time to assist.

 

The corridor opened up into one of the residential areas. General Kellar and a squad of twenty security troops from the Pilgrim were engaging a smaller group of intruders. Kellar and his men appeared to be on the winning side of things until the group from the government sector reinforced their enemies. George and Todd both spread out in opposite directions as they opened fire on the men in black. General Thomas, two of his soldiers, and the security officers stepped forward in-between Bradford and Jackson. They begin shooting as all of them slowly moved forward toward their new targets. The attackers retreated back to a more defensible position and then opened fire on Jackson and his men. General Kellar and his men pressed forward and attacked their location from the side. George ducked behind a pillar and ordered the others to find cover as well. He waited for Kellar’s men and his own to find cover before yelling for suppressing fire.

 

As both groups began to shoot at the men in black, Jackson spun out from around the pillar and pulled out one of his grenades. He ran forward and slid behind a nearby box. His men stopped their attack and waited for his signal. George peered around the edge of the box to examine his enemy’s position. They had retreated back into a small building with only one way in or out. It had previously served as a small security station in the residential sector. With a grenade in his left hand and his pistol in his right hand, Jackson called for another round of fire before vaulting over the box and dodging behind a pillar that was closer to the enemy’s position. He rolled out from around the pillar and threw the grenade as hard as he could. It bounced before landing inside the building, causing an uproar from the attackers. Several of the intruders attempted to escape the building, but were cut down by Jackson and his men.

 

He covered his face and head as the explosion send debris flying in his direction. The others came out from their cover and met up near Jackson. Todd offered him a hand as he was standing up. George let out a sigh of relief and holstered his pistol. The others were helping the wounded as he brought up his personal computer. He pressed a few buttons and the screen displayed a small map of their location. There was a corridor off to the side of the residential sector that bypassed the government center and lead back to the Pilgrim. Jackson powered down his computer and put it back in his pack. The others were still slowly gathering around him and he waited for everyone to arrive before he addressed them.

 

“We need to get back to the ship as soon as we can. I need a status report on wounded and lost.”

 

“I’ve got fifteen men left, five of whom are injured,” General Kellar replied.

 

“Our numbers stand, but most of us are worse for wear,” Thomas said as he held his left shoulder.

 

“Todd and I take point. Talon and Anthony will protect our flank. If a fight starts, find cover,” George said as he reloaded his pistol.

 

Bradford nodded to Jackson and the both headed for the corridor that George had pinpointed before. As they approached the entrance, they slowed down and motioned for the others to hold. George took up position on one side of the door and Todd went to the other. Jackson motioned for Bradford to open the door. It slid open and they both pivoted around the corner. The corridor was empty so they motioned for the others to join them. Seems unusual, George thought as they made their way down the corridor. It was strangely quiet, but they ran into no opposition inside the corridor. The door at the end of the hall opened up into the part of the government sector that was adjacent to the landing zone. They moved forward quickly, scanning the area as they went. The others followed closely behind.

 

Jackson kept his gun trained on the government center side of the expanse, ignoring the other opening that lead to one of the business sectors. He fired off two warning shots as soon as he saw the men in black. They fired back, hitting one of the security personnel. General Kellar yelled for Jackson and the others to continue forward while he and his men took care of the small force of intruders. George tried to protest, but the others pulled him along. He accepted his fate and joined the others as they made their way across to the entrance to the landing zone. Jackson’s communications device beeped and he took it out of his pack.