Black Source #theWattys2016

Marshal III

They were deep into the forest and could see the glow of the colony, its blue flood lights panning across the black forest. Having left the rovers behind on Smith's orders, the group was held up right outside the colony, slowly advancing on its laser grid, periodically dipping in and out of cover to avoid the spot lights. They had to trust Clyde's direction and hope that he wasn't leading them into a trap.

Smith motioned for the group to halt, and without pause they dropped to a knee and awaited further instruction. The survivors wore white body armor and were armed with light rifles. Smith stood up and walked along the line of them, giving nods as he passed, approving of their form as he had taught. The training they underwent before the mission was short but intense, like a Special Forces crash course. Smith had definitely trained soldiers before. In no time he took them from slaves to warriors.

"Don your helmets." Smith commanded. "The laser grid will recognize the chips inside and let us pass" He turned to Kevin, the skinny, slim faced boy. "You, Ralph, Maria, and Lisa will go for the holding cells and free the prisoners. And, Felix, I'm going to need you to jam their distress signals when they go off." As far as Marshal could tell, the cause for the laser grid malfunction at the previous colony was entirely the fault of Felix, with the use of a disrupter he had stolen. Marshal noticed that he was quite capable, be it that he was the first to pass Smith's demanding tests.

"Got it," Felix said as he stood up with the others.

"Watch your corners and stay together...Good luck." Smith walked over to Chloe. "I need you and Ellis to take care of those lookout towers Clyde warned us about. And do it quietly. While you two do that, I'll take Clyde and Marshal into the barracks. And if everything goes smoothly, we'll save more than seven survivors this time," Smith stared at Ellis.

Bounding over the laser grid with ease, Chloe and Ellis split up and sprinted toward the lookout towers at the ends of the colony. Marshal glanced over in time to see Clyde's face, his eyes wide at the sight of their strength. He was enamored. Marshal felt the same when they first attacked him, and to see that they had all the strengths of the flesh eaters and none of their weaknesses, only added to his awe. There was no telling how Clyde must have felt.

"Ready," Smith said, pulling on his helmet. The whole plan depended on if the Mod Soldiers had left the southern end of their colony relatively unguarded, figuring that they were well protected by the colony further south. As the team entered through the grid, Marshal started to trust Clyde's forewarning.

Walking along the outside of the colony, supply storehouses before him, Marshal hugged his light rifle tight to his chest, with his eye pressed against its scope attachment. Having the element of surprise calmed his nerves, and helped him to keep his breathing steady and rhythmic as he walked in line behind Smith. Marshal noted how the Mod rifles, unlike traditional automatic machine gun, were lite as plastic, and had efficient grips on the barrel that reduced its recoil. Their technology was incredibly effective. Arcana's technologic advantage—the large energy dome protecting its citadel—was the only thing keeping the factions and the flesh eaters at bay.

As Clyde led the group he stopped briefly and motioned for a single story building. A moment later Smith split off and made his way for it, stalking against the outer wall. Clyde spun around to face Marshal.

"This next barrack is yours." He said, pointing to the building. "I've got the farthest one." Without waiting for a response, he continued on, checking the center of the colony.

After creeping his way into the barrack, Marshal scanned the large rectangular room, finding a dozen iron framed beds lining the walls. Next to each bed was a wide locker, most likely holding their equipment. In a rush, Marshal realized what he would have to do.