Tears of Kerberos by Michael G. Thomas Read Free Book Online Page B

urgent message came in from the monitoring ships in orbit.
    “This is General Rivers. We’re picking up comms traffic that New Georgia is sending forces to help liberate Carlos from our forces. The other five colonies are still debating but it looks like Avagana is on its own for now. We’re sending five companies of reinforcements to the Southern perimeter, ETA forty minutes.”
    “Lieutenant Daniels here, we need immediate air support, Sir, the front line is fracturing and casualties are heavy!”
    “I know, we’re monitoring the action from here. They are throwing everything they have in the South. If you can hold until relieved we will have a chance. I’ll have ground support with you in less than ten minutes, good luck, Marines,” he said as the radio unit clicked off.
    Bullets and missiles continued to pound the line but for now it looked like the enemy were content to pour fire into the defenders, rather than risk another full frontal attack. Though it looked less decisive their greater numbers were slowly taking their toll with the sheer weight of bullets.
    “Sir, we have to get out of this fire, we’re getting creamed!” Marcus shouted.
    Spartan looked around their position, instantly spotting the many dead commandos and a number of the CES units burning or heavily damaged. Another missile streaked across the battlefield and slammed into the arm of a unit, the blast tearing it off but leaving the unit still standing and operational.
    “Maybe the suits weren’t such a great idea, they’re sitting ducks!” said Daniels bitterly.
    “You’re both right,” said Spartan as he quickly assessed the situation. “If we stay here we die. These suits are designed for close-up work, in this kind of firefight we’re not going to last long.”
    “I take it you have a suggestion, Sergeant?”
    “Yes, Sir. I suggest the commandos stay here and provide covering fire, the CES units should advance and assault their positions.”
    “Assault their positions? You mean a full frontal attack against greater numbers?” he asked incredulously.
    “Yeah, he’s right. We’ll be much safer the closer we are to them,” Marcus said.
    The Lieutenant considered Spartan’s proposal, though he knew in his heart that their options were limited. Either they stayed on the line until there was only a handful left, they retreated or they moved forward. If they stayed the enemy would assault them again when their numbers were lowered sufficiently.
    “Okay, let’s do this!” Daniels said as he checked along the line. He wasn’t completely sure it would work but any action was better than waiting to die. He called his units on the tactical net.
    “CES units, on my mark you will advance to the enemy, everybody else keep your heads down!”
    Two of the units turned to look towards the Lieutenant, surprised at the order to advance in such adverse conditions. Both of them were splattered with blood and scratches ran along the sides of the armour. Lieutenant Daniels suit was painted differently to the rest and distinctively marked with tiger strikes on the lower body. The defending marines kept up a withering fire on the enemy but it was clear a change of tactics was in order. Small groups of the units emerged from what little cover they had found and moved towards open ground. As they prepared for the attack plinks of small arms fire bounced off their thick armour.
    “Watch for friendlies out there!” shouted Spartan as he surveyed the assembled platoon.
    They looked impressive, each machine a great lump of hardened metal. The battle had already taken its toll and of the entire platoon, only twenty-nine of the armoured suits were still operational. The rest were either destroyed or immobilised.
    “Follow me!”
    Spartan jumped down from the piled up debris and onto the rough open ground that separated the two sides. As he moved ahead the rest of the ragged line of machines went forward as fast as they could. More rockets and