The Third Book of the Alienbutt saga. Emperor of the Universe. Part 67.

“Between Cox here and Alienbutt, those things have gone off the idea of coming down that street; we’ll hold,” the chaplain answered with certainty.
“Either that or they’re running out of bodies. Did you see the six troop ships blast off when the shooting started?” Edion asked.
“They ran with their prize assets as soon as we arrived and left the prototypes to keep us busy,” Trix said.
“That could be as many as sixteen thousand if they were all fully loaded. Did you have time to check out any of the laboratories or production sites?” Alienbutt asked.
“We found an empty holding area before we were ordered back and then the fighting started. Not sure if Sergeant Dale managed to see any of them,” Edion replied.
“I need to speak to Major Kaela,” Alienbutt said. “I’m thinking there must be a support fleet far closer than we expected. I think it may be a good idea if we all pulled back to our perimeter.”

Major Kaela moved down the line of released prisoners, hurrying them along. The gunfire outside was getting closer, as was the arrival time for the fleet. So far, more than three thousand had passed through the mobile hyper-jump but still more waited to pass through to gain their freedom. A constant stream of information kept him in touch with his men and their losses. The cyborg units were forcing his men backwards and taking a heavy toll on their numbers. Kaela was used to leading from the front; overseeing the extraction of prisoners while his men were dying went against everything he stood for.
As he waited, Alienbutt entered the hangar and marched over to him.
“Where’s your escort?” asked Kaela.
“With your sergeant, holding the corner. Did you hear about the troop ships?” Alienbutt asked.
“Yes. Six class threes; no way to know if they were fully loaded,” the major said.
“How long until the last of the prisoners are away?” Alienbutt asked, looking down the line of figures waiting in line. “Maybe five minutes. I’ve ordered all my men back here. I want us out of here as soon as those charges have gone off,” the major said.
“We need to speed up the withdrawal, these cyborgs are delaying us until support can arrive,” Alienbutt said, watching as more prisoners stepped through the hyper-jump.
“Major, Sergeant Dale has just reported his men are pinned down. He’s running low on ammunition for his Tin-openers and is out of grenades. He’s unable to get back here,” a corporal said as he came up to stand beside him.
“Inform Sergeant Edion that he is to pull back, all but necessary personnel to hold their positions. You’re in charge till he arrives. Start setting the charges and as soon as all the prisoners are through, he is to begin our withdrawal through this hyper-jump. Send orders to the teams at the shield generator and power source to start the five-minute countdown and pull back through the main hyper-jump,” the major ordered before marching towards the exit at the other side of the building.
“D Squad, with me,” he bellowed, and marines moved to follow him. As Alienbutt fell in beside him, the major raised an eyebrow in question but said nothing. Alienbutt followed the marines as they set off between the buildings.
Coming to a corner, they turned right and headed towards the sound of gunfire. Sergeant Dale and his men were at the next junction with cyborg troops coming at them from two sides.
“I want smoke bombs down both streets, then a covering fire of thermal grenades,” Major Kaela ordered, taking in the scene in a moment.
The marines of D Squad responded instantly and smoke bombs were fired from rifle grenade launchers to arch over Sergeant Dale’s men and fill the streets with grey smoke. Within moments, thermal grenades followed and great white explosions lit up the smoke as the streets were filled with a phosphorus wall of fire. Instantly, Sergeant Dale ordered his men back.
As the last of the marines reached the corner, a series of massive explosions signalled the destruction of the shield and main power generator. The buildings shuddered and people were knocked from their feet as the ground shook violently. Within moments, the marines were up and moving as they raced back to the hangar where the portable hyper-jump had been set up.
As Alienbutt entered the hangar, he saw the last of the prisoners depart and the marines start to withdraw through the mobile hyper jump.
“The Fleet have arrived and signalled we have ten minutes before they level the area. They’ve only met light resistance since they jumped out of light-speed,” Sergeant Edion announced as Kaela and Alienbutt approached him.
“Are all our men back here?” Kaela asked.
“Yes Sir, the squads sent to destroy the power and shield generator are safely away. There’s just us left to leave,” Sergeant Edion replied.
“Well let’s get out of here then, inform our fleet they can begin to level this place in two minutes,” the major said as he watched his men withdrawing through the hyper jump.

To be continued.
All images are mine.