When the plasma missiles struck the cannons, the gloomy sky between Yen and the rest of the Terran capital city lit up in a solid wall of burning plasma. The purples and blues of the plasma danced through the center of the flames as subsequent explosions erupted. Fuel cells, ammunition depots, and coastal guns exploded in steady progression, wreaking more and more havoc to the nearby Terran communities.
The Duun fighters disappeared through the flames, oblivious to the potential hazard as another series of explosion erupted from around the gun ports. Beyond the closest set of flames, Yen could see further explosions from within the city as the Duun fighters launched volley after volley into the city itself. Though hardly carrying the destructive capacity of the plasma bombs on board the Cruisers, the rockets bore enough explosives to bring down some of the heavenly skyscrapers, which collapsed into the city below.
By the time the Cair Thewlis broke through the wall of flames along the coast, the Terran capital city lay in ruins. Metal and stone lay twisted around one another in a macabre dance. Terran civilians nearby the multiple rocket strikes were lucky, having been instantly obliterated by the explosions. Others on the outskirts of the blasts, however, were now buried beneath tons of rubble and, in many cases, burning debris.
Staring out the window, Yen struggled to fathom the depth of destruction and loss of life caused by a single pass of the Duun fighters. Suppressing a sadistic smile, Yen imagined the sheer volume of destruction that would be waged once the rest of the Fleet finally arrived at Earth.
“Sir,” Pelasi said, the Uligart angling the Cair Thewlis further into the heart of the capital city, “I’ve got something on radar.”
Yen broke his attention away from the rain-streaked window and examined the radar. Overlaid on the radar, a satellite image showed the terrain of the city. Ahead, blinking red on the overlay, a section of the city was illuminated. Tracking his gaze outside the window toward the area marked on the map, Yen noticed a sudden downturn in the height of the buildings, as though the closer they got to the heart of the city, the more the buildings bowed in solemn reverence to the area contained within.
As the buildings grew ever shorter, they eventually leveled out at a series of two and three story structures. Beyond the low buildings, however, the structures stopped altogether in an architectural cliff face. In the valley created by the lack of buildings, lush green grass spread over multiple city blocks. There, towering over the green grass and flowering trees, Yen could see the large tower, jutting toward the sky. The odd, square-sided structure reached over a hundred feet high before ending in an elongated point. As to the purpose of the building, Yen couldn’t fathom, nor could he understand the rectangular lake that sat at the base of the tower and stretched away like a long, reflective shadow.
Breaking his attention away from the grassy park, Yen gestured toward an open square a few city blocks away. “Put us down over there.” As Pelasi complied, Yen continued. “Once we hit ground and download the equipment, I want you airborne again.”
“Sir?” Pelasi asked, confused.
“You’re our way out of this hellhole. If you stay on the ground and this ship gets damaged, then we’ve not only walked right into the lair of the enemy, but we took away our only way out. I’ve been in that situation before and I have no intention of repeating a bad mistake. Land, download us, then get the hell out of here. Understand?”
Pelasi nodded. “Yes, sir.”
The Cair Thewlis set down heavily on the paved Terran square, its heavy alloy body crushing the flimsy vehicles beneath it. Before Yen could climb out of his chair, he could hear the back door to the ship dropping and a scurry of booted feet. He opened the door and was proud to see that most of his men had already hurried off the ship.
“I’ll be manning the radio, sir,” Warrant Pelasi called from behind him. “The second you all get into trouble, call me and I’ll be back here.”
“I know you will,” Yen replied as he hurried to catch up to his men.
Stepping outside, Yen wrinkled his nose in displeasure. The city smelled at though far too many Terran bodies had been living on top of one another for far too many years. It permeated the buildings and floated along the air like wisps of smoke.
Looking around, Yen smiled at his men. They had already moved into defensive positions around the square, ensuring that no counterattacking Terran forces could gain an upper hand while approaching down any of the main thoroughfares. Catching Buren’s eye, Yen motioned for the officer to join him.
Approaching, the Uligart looked eternally unhappy. “Sir?”
“Take your men and sweep around the outskirts of the park,” Yen ordered. “I’ll take my team and make a more direct approach. Our forces should be able to meet near the eastern side of the park, which was the last known location of the doctor we’ve been sent to retrieve.”
Yen could see the obvious disagreement cast on Buren’s face. Both the men knew that the outskirts mission was one that relegated the subordinate commander to little more than a supporting role while the primary commander, in this case Yen, claimed all the honors for the victory after making his direct attack. Though Yen had little time for the rivalry that Buren perceived, he couldn’t resist a small barbed attack to the man’s ego.
Buren sneered as he replied. “Yes, sir.”
“And Buren,” Yen said, his voice sickly sweet with false concern, “do be careful.”
“Like you care,” Buren snarled as he turned and walked away.
Yes, Yen realized, they would have to reevaluate their relationship very soon indeed. That, however, would have to wait for the time being. Motioning toward his team, Yen’s men took up positions on both sides of the road as they began their approach on the park.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
The street was cast in harsh shadows as the brilliant red sun began setting on the distant horizon. Half the town was swallowed by the darkness; the edges of buildings and darkened alleyways disappeared into nondescript lines that defined the separation between the structure and the ground on which it sat. A hot breeze blew across Pteraxis, carrying clouds of sand through the streets of the small mining town. The fine particles of sand settled over Keryn as she and Adam stepped into the street.
In the failing light, the town took on an eerie look. Shadows lengthened as they watched, giving them the impression of constant movement out of the corners of their eyes. They glanced from side to side, but they found only longer shadows and darkened corners. Where before the mining community looked like a ghost town, now it appeared as though the dead had awoken and sought revenge on the living. Just the thought of it made the hairs on Keryn’s neck stand on edge.
When a gruff voice suddenly whispered in Keryn’s ear, she nearly screamed in surprise before she realized that it was only her radio.
“Talon Six, this is Talon One,” Rombard called over the radio, his voice more subdued than Keryn remembered ever hearing it.
“This is Talon Six,” Keryn replied, her heart pounding in her chest.