Edge of War (The Eternal Frontier Book 2) by Anthony J Melchiorri

Author:Anthony J Melchiorri [Melchiorri, Anthony J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: galactic empire
Publisher: Anthony J Melchiorri
Published: 2017-04-10T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Tag and the marines scrambled away from the swarming Dreg. The little flying aliens hit the deck where Tag had been moments ago, thudding and slapping against it in a cacophony that sounded like a fisherman unloading a catch large enough to keep him set for life. A few of the Dreg struggled to fly again, scrambling over each other and making sickening slurping noises. In a wave of muddy brown, they roiled toward Tag. His boot landed on one of the creatures, and he slipped, falling backward. His shoulder and hip slammed against the deck with a boom that echoed in his suit. Pain rocked through him as Coren stepped to his side.

A few of the grotesque monsters latched onto Coren’s suit, but he paid them no heed as he aimed his wrist-mounted weapons at the swirling masses still flooding from the hatch. Blue-and-orange tongues of fire licked from Coren’s wrists and swallowed a swathe of Dreg. The monsters shrieked in high-pitched wails that felt like someone was hammering a nail into Tag’s eardrums. Their bodies shriveled and crisped, but still they pushed against the flames.

“Little shits are tough as nails,” Sumo roared, firing into the slowed-down masses.

“How do you think they survive in this atmosphere?” Coren asked, the glow of the flames flickering over the front of his suit.

They retreated into a narrow tunnel, forcing the Dreg into another funnel. The fire allayed the assault somewhat, but it hadn’t turned the tide of their numbers.

“They’re suicidal!” Sumo said. She jammed a fresh magazine into her rifle.

“Their individual lives are nothing compared to the life of their colony,” Coren said matter-of-factly, as if he weren’t roasting a swarm of ugly flying slugs.

A Dreg, still on fire, crawled forward using its insectile legs. Its wings burned, making it look like some kind of rejected demon banished from the three hells. Tag put four rounds into the Dreg, and it wheezed like a balloon deflating. Thick black-and-brown fluid oozed from its slack mouth. Tag kicked its leaking body back into the horde, and the little beasts flew out of its way, still churning into the wall of fire.

“Alpha, Sofia, how are we holding up?” Tag asked.

“I can’t do a damn thing until we’re no longer docked,” Sofia said. “Alpha and I are filling the air around us with PDC fire and chaff. But these ships are so damn small it’s hard, even up close, to get these assholes. Like trying to shoot a fly with a pulse rifle.”

“What about the energy shields?”

“We cannot engage the energy shields at full strength since we are docked,” Alpha said.

“Right, right,” Tag said. “Dammit. We’re about halfway back to the ships. Hold them off as best you can.”

“We will attempt to do our best, Captain,” Alpha replied.

The flames spurting from Coren’s wrists started to sputter. “I’m almost out!”

Another Mechanic took his place, and fire jutted from his wrists. Tag was relieved to have something to stymy the Dreg assault, but the barrier of fire wouldn’t protect them much longer.

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.