The Grey Chronicles Part Two: Under Siege.

Chapter 14: Go Out With A Bang.

Battlefield on Apostle Nine, planet's surface, January of 360 BL.

Salem just gaped at her, his mouth wide open. Augustus broke out of his stupor before his brother did.

"The Titanus?" Augustus stared at Aela, "What?"

"Two of them, they just arrived in a shuttle." Aela panted, leaning against the doorway. "They're here to oversee the assault tomorrow."

"Did they have big pockets? Or knapsacks?"

"Um, I wasn't paying attention. Satchels I think, why?"

"Never mind that, I don't think we can fit eighteen of us into satchels without them noticing," Salem shook himself slightly and looked at her side, "Are you hurt?"

"Just a flesh wound," Aela looked down, "One of the Nephilim got the drop on me. I didn't notice him until he was right on top of me, don't worry, I took care of him."

"Good," Salem nodded and stepped towards the door. "How are your brothers doing?"

"I checked in with them after I staked out the generator. They've cleared the ammo dump and have charges ready to go."

"Double good, now we just need to set those charges and find a ride out of here."

"Any ideas?" Augustus looked at him.

"One, but it's crazy," Salem grinned, "The Titanus showed up in a shuttle?"

Augustus froze and stared at his brother, "You're fucking nuts. Let's do it."

Salem chuckled and looked over the thirteen women shivering in the corridor. He turned to Augustus, "Take care of Aela, I'm going to see about finding them some weapons."

"They took our gear and stashed them in lockers," Korana stepped forward. "If you move we can get to them, jackass."

He grinned and stepped aside. Korana shoved past him and threw open a crate, grabbing breastplates and kilts and pairs of boots. She passed out armor and clothing, the women pulled them on as fast as they could, glad to feel something familiar again; warm socks, thick fatigue jackets, armor and gloves. In ten minutes everyone was dressed and warm again.

"We ready to move out?" Salem asked Korana with a smile.

"Yes, we can go now," the woman glared at him, "They've stored our weapons elsewhere, but we don't need them."

"Triple good," he turned to his brother who had just finished bandaging Aela's wound. "You two lovebirds ready to head out?"

"Yes, we're good to go," Augustus looked at Aela, "Be careful, I don't want anything happening to the two of you."

"Two?" Aela raised her eyebrow at him, then nodded understanding. "Ah, right. Sorry."

"Everybody understand the plan?" Salem looked at the women behind him. "Follow Aela and her brothers, they'll hook you up with charges. The enemy has mulcher heavy cannons on the edge of the battlefield, you'll take the charges and sabotage the cannons. After that, rendezvous here. Korana, get some charges and meet me at the shield generator. Any questions?"

No one spoke, everyone nodded, and Korana glared at him. Salem set his hand on the hilt of his sword and the other against the door. He pushed out slowly, looking out into the courtyard. Upon seeing that it was empty, he swung the door wide open and ushered the demolition technicians out of the prison. The women hurried into the yard and followed Aela to one of the nearby tunnels. Salem pointed to the small group of soldiers still huddled around a bonfire and smiled at his brother.