Countdown by John Walker (most life changing books TXT) 📕

tried to breach the room. Between her, McCully, and Zem, they tore into the bastards, filling the passage with bodies. The charge nearly worked though. Eight of them tried to pile in at the same time. Her rifle got hot in her hands, uncomfortably so.

“Guys!” Nostros called. “I’m pinned down! Can you spare someone, over?”

“Shit!” Torrence bit her lip. “I’ve got to go for him.”

“You break this position,” Zem said, “and you probably won’t make it twenty feet.”

“I’m not leaving him out there! We ordered him to flank the enemy and now he’s screwed! No. I’ve got to make this happen.”

“You keep your position,” McCully replied. “That’s an order. You will not sacrifice yourself. Lieutenant Nostros? If you can hear me, we are not in a position to break away. Evade and retreat as you can. Get back to the command center immediately. We’re trying to clear the space…” She paused to shoot. “Right now. Confirm!”

Nostros didn’t respond. Torrence gritted her teeth, maintaining her suppressive fire. Her weapon clicked. The core overheated. She let it fall to her side to cool while drawing her sidearm. Taking aim, she kept up the fire. How many can there possibly be?

When the enemy vehicle arrived at the gate, they managed to get the door open. Before they could drive in, the turret took the thing out. Several of the people disembarked, charging through the gates. They were the ones that managed to knock out the generators, ending the defensive turrets.

Then filled the damn hallway. Torrence risked a look at her computer. There were a number of dots in the hall, probably a dozen more. They’d already killed at least twenty newcomers. Those who were outside didn’t come their way though. They were moving back toward the entrance.

“They’re not retreating,” McCully said, “but we might risk moving ourselves. You ready, guys?”

Zem slapped something on the main terminal. “Let’s move out! Quick!” He rushed out of the room. Torrence cursed as she hustled to keep up. They barely made it into the hallway when the explosion went off, annihilating the consoles inside while scorching the space directly in front of the open door.

The bodies were instantly blackened, cooked by the flames. Torrence risked a quick look back at the bonfire of corpses before rounding the corner.

Three pirates turned to look at them. Zem and McCully blasted them without slowing down, hopping the bodies. Torrence took up the rear, keeping an eye on their flanks. Shouts on the other side of the complex indicated the men wanted to get to the control room. They really freaked out when they found the carnage there.

I guess they weren’t expecting that level of horror.

“Nostros?” Torrence asked. “Do you copy?”

He didn’t respond.

God dammit! They hurried along to his last known position, the enemy flank as they tried to take the initial hallway. Zem slowed to a halt. McCully nearly ran into him. Torrence approached, taking his side. She turned, following his gaze… looking at the body of the lieutenant, sprawled in the doorway.

He’d been shot at least eight times, his body smoldered from the wounds. Torrence ran a life scan out of habit. She knew better. All the battles she fought, all the conflicts she’d been in, she knew he was gone. Lost on a stupid flanking maneuver! He shouldn’t have even tried it! God dammit!

She turned to Zem. “This is your fault!”

“Stand down, Sergeant,” McCully said. “We are pulling small squad tactics and there are risks associated. Our objective is to get out of this structure and meet our VIP. Let’s go.”

“We’ll talk about this later,” Torrence pointed at Zem, “when we’re not in the shit.”

Zem just nodded, following McCully through the audience chamber. The front door yawned ahead. Enemy soldiers started toward them, the dots moving swiftly along the hall. The next fight would likely take place outside. I can’t believe I’m leaving him behind! She struggled with it, felt compelled to find a way to finish their opponents so they could get the body.

McCully burst outside, lifting her weapon.

“Whoa! It’s me!” Rita shouted. “Settle down!”

“Well, isn’t it good to see you?” McCully said. “We’ve got a lot of pissed off pirates behind us, Rita. Any thought of what to do?”

“Get away from there.” Rita gestured at them to follow her. “Come on!” She pressed her left hand to her ear. “Dora, take position at the front door. Anyone that comes out, annihilate them.”

Holy shit! Torrence watched The Bounty come around, hovering before the doors of the compound. She followed the others outside then turned to watch the action.

The pirates came to the door. Dora let the turret go, chipping at the walls around the door until the metal melted, the frame burst. Bodies caught fire as they danced. Those who tried to flee inside died from the heat. And she hadn’t finished yet.

Dora tilted the vessel, discharging the main cannons. That leveled the audience chamber, bringing the ceiling down on the area in a second. Even with her helmet on, Torrence winced from the sound of destruction. A moment later, the generators exploded, obliterating Loch’s home for good.

“That… was incredible,” McCully said. “Nice shooting.”

“This everyone?” Rita asked.

“Nostros…” Torrence pointed at the building. “He… he died in there.”

“Oh shit.” Rita rested her hand on Torrence’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. We’ll honor him soon. Dora, get down here right away!” She gestured at the others. “Prepare to board. I’ve got a plan that should work.”

“I can’t wait to hear it,” Zem said.

“When we’re on the ship.”

“You!” A man’s voice shouted from the left. All guns lifted, aimed directly at him. He was blackened, blood covering his face. One of his legs looked burned and he limped toward them. “I should have killed you on the deck when you got off that shuttle! I showed you