Terra Forever

Chapter 3

Carter snapped back into focus. He must have blacked out from the force of the crash. The deck of the ship was slanted at almost a 30 degree incline, the cockpit windows covered with red dirt. The shuttle was buried, who knows how far they had sunk into the ground.

Armored boots clanged against the deck. Looking in the direction of the noise, Carter saw his Centurion standing in front of the Optio, his second in command. He seemed to be checking the Optio's suit. Facing away from everyone at the front of the shuttle, he couldn't see why he was checking the man's suit.

Achillen stepped away from his Optio and faced his men. Carter froze, not being able to look away. The plating behind the Optio's seat had broken and caved in, spearing him through the midsection, blood dripping from the end, his head set to one side.

"Praetorians" Achillen said in a very deep, almost growl. "These insurgents will pay for their actions. We have lost our brothers in Sparrow Two, My own brother was the copilot. If it is chaos these fools want, it is chaos they shall receive. Pilot! Lock down the ship. Seal the hatchway and rout power to the rotary cannon."

At this point the Praetorians all detached themselves from their seats and headed to the small armory portion of the shuttle under the cockpit to arm themselves. Every trooper geared themselves for a hold out as was protocol in these situations. Wait for backup.

Armed with plasma spears that generate high pressured gas into plasma bolts, as well as their side arm, a close range pistol, and an Arch sword, which generates enough energy to melt plated armor. The Pilot, Axios, marched out of the cabin with his co pilot armed as well, though not as heavily armored as the Praetorian infantry. One of the crew members carried an ammunition crate and hooked it up to the rotary cannon.

Axios spoke up. "I'm detecting movement on what's left of the ships sensors. Estimated range of 100 meters, unable to identify friend or foe."

"Very well. Open the rear loading ramp as well as the rotary cannon doors. Praetorians! Weapons hot!" commanded Achillen.

The Praetorians simultaneously roared nearly vibrating the entire shuttle. As the ramp opened, the war cry stopped. There seemed to be a small dust storm bellowing around the ship. Two troopers carrying deploy-able barriers move out into the storm. One was struck directly in the chest by a plasma blast and was launched back into the shuttle, hitting the inner wall with a sickening thud as he slumped over.

The other brave Praetorian activated the power source of his barrier which lit up in a blueish purple energy field, rushed over to the secondary barrier and managed to activate it just as another round flew over his head.

Achillen grabbed Carter's shoulder plate, holding him back as 5 troopers rushed to the barriers and opened fire in the general direction of the village.

"Sergeant. I understand you were top of your class at the Academy in both weapons proficiency, and Command ability. I am hereby field promoting you to my second in command as Optio." Carter was absolutely stunned. Rather morbidly, Achillen grabs the rank bars on the previous Optio's suit and replaced Carter's. "I expect nothing less than total loyalty. You are not only a brother in arms, but now a leader of men. Go forth and show these resistance fools their fate..."

Carter saluted the Centurion by pounding his fist on his chest once, and bowing his head slightly. He was an Officer now. Hopefully the Legate in command of the Martian forces would approve. Carter turned back to the men. Troops had lined the walls of the transport, activating the gun port switches allowing them to fire, while remaining mostly in cover of the ships armor.

The rotary cannon had finally spooled up. Massive plasma shots could be seen flying down range even through the storm. Some would shatter as they struck a target, the quick dissipation of the round was the only indication that a target was hit. Visibility was low, but the storm was clearing.

Carter sprinted outside and took up position on the farthest barrier. Plasma bolts seemed to be coming in an endless stream from the direct North. That must be where the village is he thought.

Plasma rounds flew back and forth in wave after wave. Duck behind cover, then return fire, over and over. Carter had lost count of how many times he had reloaded his rifle. He couldn't see much in the storm but kept track of individual blaster shots and tried to fire at their source. Sometimes he got lucky and took one down. Other times, he was nearly struck himself.

The battle continued on for several minutes. Few of the Praetorians were injured from glancing shots. Only one was fatally hit in the face plate and died before he hit the dirt.

The storm had finally cleared and it seemed as if the Resistance retreated to the safety of the village. Carter's helmet counted up the bodies that lay before them. 47 dead, at a loss of a single Praetorian. The odds seemed to favor them today.

Achillen walked out of the shuttle up next to Carter and turned to face the remaining Cohort. "Brothers. The cowards retreated into the village in hopes that they would be able to hide. How foolish of them. Prepare for close quarters combat. Arm shields and spears, two formations!"

The Praetorians saluted and returned to the armory quickly changing out gear and formed up, two columns in front of the Achillen and Carter.

"Formation One, with me. We'll head directly North. Formation Two, flank to the West with Optio Carter. We'll meet in the center and clear the rest of the village. Move out!"