Read Online Black Legion: 05 - Sea of Fire by Michael G. Thomas - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Michael G. Thomas
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showed key areas of the base.
“There is a security station at the center of the outpost, right here, where the three habitation domes are joined. It controls access to large areas of the facility. This tunnel bypasses most of the dome and circles around to the center.”
Artemas pointed to the damaged model of the site.
“This is a shortcut.”
The information was clearly for visitors to the outpost, presumably traders and travelers who were looking for a place to rest, purchase goods, or to resupply.
“That looks like the place,” said Roxana.
She looked down at the device on her arm and double-checked the data.
“Yes, its three, maybe four levels above our current position and right at the security station.”
Glaucon started to leave, but Xenophon held him back.
“Wait, have you seen what else is there?”
Each of them looked at the damaged schematic hanging from the ceiling. The symbols meant little to any of them, but to Artemas they were the common tongue, and it seemed to unnerve her.
“There is an Imperial guard unit stationed here.”
She pointed to one icon in particular, a short black symbol with the shape of two horns bending in to touch each other.
“Taochi. They have a squad stationed here.”
Glaucon gave her a stern look.
“You said there were no Imperials in Carduchia.”
Artemas shrugged.
“Times are dangerous. Maybe there’s been a deal with them, and part of it requires a small garrison.”
Xenophon began walking down the tunnel. The others ran to catch up. The ten-man Arcadian unit ran behind them in a loose group. Even their wounded leader came with them, although he said nothing to Xenophon or the others. Glaucon and Artemas reached his side first. Far off into the distance were dozens of civilians trying desperately to avoid the scenes of battle. Every step took them further from the violence occurring throughout the single habitation dome.
“I don’t understand,” said Glaucon.
“Me either,” added Tamara, “Why are we leaving the battle to go this way? Chirisophus will clear the dome in ten, maybe fifteen minutes. Then he’ll reach the center section and spread out through the rest of the outpost.”
Xenophon shook his head and pointed ahead.
“No. We will secure the security station and block access to Chirisophus. We will force the Carduchians to surrender. Once the outpost gives up, the battle will over.”
Even Lady Artemas raised eyebrows at that suggestion.
“The Carduchians will not simply give up.”
“Yeah,” Glaucon agreed, “and Chirisophus will kill you if you stand in his way.”
Roxana checked the ammunition feed on her rifle before joining in.
“Xenophon is right. We have to force them to surrender. If we don’t, every civilian here will be a target. They might not value their own lives, but what of the others here?”
The tunnel curled upward and into what looked almost like a public transport station. They went out into the open where great semi-circular airlock doors controlled the access to all three domes. One was still open that led back into the damaged area where the battle was continuing. Carduchian civilians ran through and into the center. In the middle of the space was an elevator built into a transparent cylinder that ran up into the complex. Roxana pointed up in the air.
“The security station is...”
The doors of the elevator opening interrupted her. From inside came a single Carduchian, armored from head to toe in ribbed plate armor. Around him were six monstrous Taochi warriors. They were twice the size of the Carduchian and with not a piece of flesh showing. Their armor was thick and covered in studs and extra plates. They carried energy shields and short maces in their hands.
“Spatharii, form a phalanx!” Glaucon yelled.
The ten Arcadians formed perhaps the smallest wall of Terrans in the history of warfare. Xenophon and his comrades joined them in tight ranks, with their weapons out in front. The Carduchian
“There is a security station at the center of the outpost, right here, where the three habitation domes are joined. It controls access to large areas of the facility. This tunnel bypasses most of the dome and circles around to the center.”
Artemas pointed to the damaged model of the site.
“This is a shortcut.”
The information was clearly for visitors to the outpost, presumably traders and travelers who were looking for a place to rest, purchase goods, or to resupply.
“That looks like the place,” said Roxana.
She looked down at the device on her arm and double-checked the data.
“Yes, its three, maybe four levels above our current position and right at the security station.”
Glaucon started to leave, but Xenophon held him back.
“Wait, have you seen what else is there?”
Each of them looked at the damaged schematic hanging from the ceiling. The symbols meant little to any of them, but to Artemas they were the common tongue, and it seemed to unnerve her.
“There is an Imperial guard unit stationed here.”
She pointed to one icon in particular, a short black symbol with the shape of two horns bending in to touch each other.
“Taochi. They have a squad stationed here.”
Glaucon gave her a stern look.
“You said there were no Imperials in Carduchia.”
Artemas shrugged.
“Times are dangerous. Maybe there’s been a deal with them, and part of it requires a small garrison.”
Xenophon began walking down the tunnel. The others ran to catch up. The ten-man Arcadian unit ran behind them in a loose group. Even their wounded leader came with them, although he said nothing to Xenophon or the others. Glaucon and Artemas reached his side first. Far off into the distance were dozens of civilians trying desperately to avoid the scenes of battle. Every step took them further from the violence occurring throughout the single habitation dome.
“I don’t understand,” said Glaucon.
“Me either,” added Tamara, “Why are we leaving the battle to go this way? Chirisophus will clear the dome in ten, maybe fifteen minutes. Then he’ll reach the center section and spread out through the rest of the outpost.”
Xenophon shook his head and pointed ahead.
“No. We will secure the security station and block access to Chirisophus. We will force the Carduchians to surrender. Once the outpost gives up, the battle will over.”
Even Lady Artemas raised eyebrows at that suggestion.
“The Carduchians will not simply give up.”
“Yeah,” Glaucon agreed, “and Chirisophus will kill you if you stand in his way.”
Roxana checked the ammunition feed on her rifle before joining in.
“Xenophon is right. We have to force them to surrender. If we don’t, every civilian here will be a target. They might not value their own lives, but what of the others here?”
The tunnel curled upward and into what looked almost like a public transport station. They went out into the open where great semi-circular airlock doors controlled the access to all three domes. One was still open that led back into the damaged area where the battle was continuing. Carduchian civilians ran through and into the center. In the middle of the space was an elevator built into a transparent cylinder that ran up into the complex. Roxana pointed up in the air.
“The security station is...”
The doors of the elevator opening interrupted her. From inside came a single Carduchian, armored from head to toe in ribbed plate armor. Around him were six monstrous Taochi warriors. They were twice the size of the Carduchian and with not a piece of flesh showing. Their armor was thick and covered in studs and extra plates. They carried energy shields and short maces in their hands.
“Spatharii, form a phalanx!” Glaucon yelled.
The ten Arcadians formed perhaps the smallest wall of Terrans in the history of warfare. Xenophon and his comrades joined them in tight ranks, with their weapons out in front. The Carduchian
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