Chronicle of the Unknown Sector. (#Wattys2015)

Part 34: Serpent's engulfing heart.

Deep inside Irvon-7's capital city ruins, Serpent company completely surrounded and suffering ever growing losses fought on with bitter bloodshed not offering a single step of ground or any quarter as the dense smog filled air lit up from muzzle flashes and air rang with the metallic clings of spent bullet casings.

"Keep up the pressure, we will not be forced into defeat!" Gab shouted out directing those around to keep fighting as the chaos dragged further onward, every few moments one or two soldiers would be torn asunder by Raveners or sniped by Ravoid weaponry whilst others became wounded sounding it out clearly from yelling groans of pain with the more younger troops crying out for their parents or friends. "Drog! Where the fuck are the Hydra's?!" Gab barked out between sniper shots from her rifle kicking up dust around her.

"They can't risk friendly fire of our own forces ma'am! We're on our own!" Drog responded reloading his rifle continuing to fire afterward, looking around at the troops around her Gab could see some of the Scales fighting even when wounded with the most notable being Nevison laying on his front struggling to hold up his rifle in a single arm letting off two round bursts yet still keeping hold of the cigar in his mouth.

Each passing minute a squad of troops or two would regroup with them aiding in the stand, some even bringing heavy weapons ranging from light machine guns, shoulder mounted Ion-guns and flame-throwers.

Still closing in on the battle Pablo's heart-rate and adrenaline began to race again, so too did his mind begin to worry if his wife, his sister and his daughter were safe before grinding a huffing stop "Damn, I'll never get there quick enough at this rate."

He grunted catching his breath looking at his surroundings later lying sights on a discarded motorbike causing him to shake his head "Nah, there's no way." muttering out whilst heaving it up right checking it's state making jury-rig style repairs replacing it's energy cell with one out of his cybernetic arm, before spinning it up amazed when the engine started roaring up lively "Ooooh niiiice." he chuckled out sitting himself on it before speeding off through the city ruins echoing it's roar along the way.

All the while Gab and Serpent company continued in their stand against the relentless enemy forces with increasing losses, "Ma'am! We're suffering heavy loses, if we don't get help soon we're done for!" Woods cried out whilst tending to a wounded soldier.

A faint crying voice caused Gab to turned her attention away from the hectic surroundings, the voice belonging to Rachel who'd snuck her way aboard one of the ships sneaking from the drop-site to the battle now wandering round to where her mother was.

"Rachel, stay down! Dawnes, Crick keep her safe!" Gab screamed out instantly after seeing her before being struck down by a stray-bullet to the shoulder lashing out a painful cougar roar with Rachel cried out for her. Heaving herself up knowing like her husband the entire company was depending on her, lead to the drawing his Ion-handcannon gurging the machinery before hurling bright azure beams of destructive energy at the enemy numbers.

The distinct sounds from the weapon swayed through the air reaching Pablo's ears triggering him to speed up even more towards a vast gap leaping over it, however it also forced him to ditch the bike diving from it onto solid ground with several crashing thuds. His skin regenerating from the damage sustained to it whilst forcing him to keep going running fast as his tired body could allow, later coming across an old decomposed corpse of the planets former garrison taking liberty into prying off a single grenade left there Pablo kept going knowing more Raveners were on the way.

Screeches closing in on him, Pablo spotted a refuelling station dropping sharply to his knees and sliding to a quick stop taking the vine he'd used as a knife holster tying one end around the grenade tight enough to hold the arm but loose enough to drop if tampered with setting up a trip-wire. Finishing up taking another swift gaze at the thundering stampede he pulled the pin prior to darting up into a sprint only to stop few feet ahead, fully aware of Ravoid troops moving in on Serpent Company's location. Gritting his teeth and wanting blood of anyone who'd harm those close to him Pablo then dashed in pursuit of the Ravoids.