Solar Warden

The drill Part 98

The machine was now close below. Explosions occurred over it and finally the rocks came down. They crashed on the machine and then to the ground. Still it was moving and the stepping on a rock while some more were falling on it. That it could not compensate and was falling to the back.

"Fire all what we have," Knight ordered and all fired. It did seemingly nothing. Still this shield was working. Knight was hoping that somehow the shield would deplete and then at least the combination of the alien rifles and the others could do something.

"Focus on the arm with the Gatling gun," Knight shouted.

It already stopped turning. Maybe it was even damaged through the falling. Also the armor may not as effective there. The machine was no trying to stand up.

An explosion occurred and further behind near the side of the lift the rocks also went down.

"Fall back. Lure the machine to the other side," Knight ordered, then shouted, "Retreat!"

Yamada and his team were now throwing three ropes down. Caine was on the border of the hole looking down. He could see the huge machine which was standing up. Immediately he fired and was surprised about the shielding effect.

"Ryan, we have a problem down there!" Caine shouted. "Better Newman comes, too."

Both joined Caine which changed the setting too maximum and fired again.

Knight was running to the cover at the other side of the lift.

The machine was up now unsure were to pursue. Blair went into cover.

Knight met up with the other part of the team. After him Pearce and Riley were joining.

"We will lure it to here. You will try to get behind. If you see the chance to escape do so. Else fire on it as much as you can. The others already blown up the top at the dead end. There should be ropes now. If they reinforce. Tell them to retreat." Knight started to fire again. Grenades exploded, bullets sparkled off and plasma was absorbed by shield. It went not well and there was no clue to improve it.

"It must be creating a strong electromagnetic field. Continue shooting with the plasma rifle. This must cost a lot of energy," Newman said which was now recording what he saw.

The machine ignored Caine and moved to the lift while raising the left arm. The plasma Gatling gun on the right was not rotating anymore.

"Get up!" Ryan shouted to Blair which was now on his way to the rope.

"Caine better lay down on the side to give cover fire if needed," Ryan ordered. Caine went to the right.

The machine was closing in on Knight's position. If they run to early the machine would probably turn around and cut them off. His rifle was now depleted. He didn't want to reload it. At closer distance the high speed ammunition would be dangerous. "Anderson, give me your rifle and run. The same is for the others."

Anderson which was close to Knight gave him the rifle. Knight continued firing and stepped around the corner, shots of the other arm from the machine were passing. This was only a gun mount at the top of the arm, which fired much slower.

Pearce also took over the other alien rifle, but went further back. He checked the open door. There was no one to see with his infrared support. Was the machine their last option, he thought.

Finally, Knight went on the run. Pearce was now at the end. He used no cover there and was aiming for the probably coming machine.

Riley was on the corner close to the lift. The others were heading for the ropes.

"It's turning. You will be cut off!" Riley shouted.

"Go up! There is nothing you can do," Pearce shouted back and went for the corner.

The machine was faster than Knight. It didn't matter anymore. Pearce fired. The machine reacted to this and fired back. He went just in time behind the cover. But soon there was no cover. One more shot went off then he retreated back. The machine was close before him.

Riley was on the rope now trying to get up. It turned to Riley ignoring the shooting of Pearce.

Caine was also firing again and nearly depleted.

"Watch it! On your back!" Ryan shouted.

Riley turned around. The left arm was pointing on him. He let the rope go. The shot went off and missed, but the second one didn't. Riley went down. It turned.

Both, Knight and Pearce, which were firing while stepping back, were now out of options. There was nothing to hide or run to. The arm was targeting now then fired two shots with a short readjustment delay. It was over down there.

"The lift door is closing!" Diaz shouted.

"Run back. Drop the weapons!" Ryan shouted.

Everyone went for the entrance.