Defiance

Chapter Thirteen

Skian main reinforcement base, en route to the capital

"Hey. How's it going?" Blaze came up to Trickshot, who was fixing the wing of a fighter jet so it would work to their advantage.

"Eh. Tricky piece of hardware."

"At least you're doing something useful. Last I checked, Fallar's got Scope stacking ordinance."

Trickshot reached over for a wrench. "And I'm still waiting for Fallar to thank us for handing this base over to him."

They both looked at the top of the base tower, where they knew the General was.

"Yeah. Me too."

~~

General Fallar walked into the database room, the doors sliding open for him. Rush walked silently behind, a few steps back.

"Where is he? General Isle, do you read me?"

The form of General Isle flickered to life on the main hologram. "Congratulations on capturing the main Skian reinforcement base, General."

"There will be time for celebration when we take the capital." Fallar said.

"Yes, well, that's going to be harder than we thought. Their attacks are increasing, and their long ranged missiles are forcing us to retreat from our positions."

"I was hoping to cut off their armed shipments and supplies when we took this base."

"It seems that their weapons are coming from a supply ship in orbit with Skia."

"Can't we take out the supply ship?" Rush butted in. Faller glared at him, so he lapsed into silence.

"The 399th are trying, but with little success. They outnumber us, and the extra ships that we requested have not yet arrived." Isle said. His form flickered rapidly. "It seems... jamming our communications..."

"We will just have to take the capital regardless of the missiles. My division will meet you at the rendezvous." Isle regained his form and looked at him, unconvinced.

"We cannot expect..." General Isle flickered and faded.

"Trying to get him back, sir." A soldier said.

"Don't bother. They will be jamming our lines. We're on our own." Fallar turned and walked away. Rush shook his head, then turned to follow him.

~~

They walked into the main area of the base, where Walkers, soldiers, and crates moved around.

"You! Have those containers searched, and all weapons loaded and ready." Fallar said, pointing at a pair of soldiers next to the crates. They set down a crate and nodded. Then he turned to Rush.

"Have all squads ready to move out in twelve hours. We're advancing toward the capital."

"Sir, should I try to get a signal to General Isle? Shouldn't we coordinate our attack?"

"General Isle has his hands full, and so do we. We need to throw everything we've got at the capital, now." General Fallar countered.

"Sir, we'll be running into a blast zone." Rush argued. Just as he finished his sentence, two explosions rocked the buildings near the perimeter.

They both looked at the damage, now a smoking pile of rubble. Soldiers ran toward the explosion, dropping their work. Fallar's eyes narrowed, but he didn't stop them.

Rush turned back to the General. "I realize you don't agree with all of my strategies, Sergeant, but you are smart enough and loyal enough to obey my orders." Rush glared at the floor, refusing to look into Fallar's eyes. "Now, prep those soldiers!" The General turned and marched away. The sergeant watched him go, then turned in the direction of the barracks.