The smell of metal being melted came as a spot the size of a fist turned red hot. A second later a spear penetrated the softened metal. It acted as a grappling hook, barbs popping out to embed in the hatch. Metal screamed as it pulled tight.
The hatch bent outward. A little at first. Then more and more before the grappling hook ripped free, taking a giant hunk of the hatch with it.
"They're through. Prepare for contact," Jace ordered.
The sound that came from the other side was a spine tingling reminder of other battles. The war cry that followed might as well have been a call to arms as demons and cannon fodder poured through the hole.
"Fire!" Jace shouted.
Green and his fellow petty officer did their best. Never letting up as they targeted those entering.
Tsavitee fell. A couple of them sniped in the head by a focused Green. As soon as one went down, their brethren yanked them from the gap, sending more through.
A couple made it past Green and the petty officer's bombardment.
Jace stepped to meet one such demon, careful to keep out of Green and the petty officer’s line of fire. His sword whistled as he slashed the Tsavitee’s side.
The demon lumbered at him. Jace ducked under his reach, sinking his blade into his chest.
The demon went limp.
Jace ripped the blade free. "One down."
Too many to go.
In the brief lull, he took stock. Green and the petty officer were still firing as two other ensigns engaged with the Tsavitee who'd made it through the blockade.
Bechler shot one in the back of the head when it went for his weapons specialist.
Jace dodged a cannon fodder's reach, slicing at the creature's arm before running his blade through its neck.
"We can't take much more of this," Bechler shouted.
Jace was aware of that. Unfortunately, doing something about it was easier said than done.
"Fire in the hole," Jace responded.
He chucked an incendiary grenade through the hole the Tsavitee had made in the hatch and ducked back behind cover. There was a boom and then the smell of smoke before the ship's automatic fire suppression system activated, drenching everything outside in white retardant.
"Yes!" Green yelled. "Take that, you bastards."
His smile fell as did the rest of those around him as the clomp of footsteps came. A voice rumbled in Tsavitee, calling out orders to the rest.
Jace knew what was going to step through the breech before the general ripped the hatch the rest of the way off in a terrifying display of strength. The general made his way through the ruins, straightening to his full height. He towered over the humans. His body massive. An intimidating presence.
Damn. Just when Jace thought they had a chance.
"It's been an honor, everyone," Jace said as the general swept a predatory gaze over the bridge.
Sorry, Kira. Looks like I won't be there for the end, after all.
The general's gaze came to rest on him. "Puny human. Surrender or die."
"Death before defeat," Jace spat in Tsavitee.
He would not dishonor his mentor by lowering his blade at this juncture. If he was going to go, he'd do it taking one of them with him. It was the least he could do for those he'd sacrificed through this battle.
"You will scream for mercy," the general rumbled.
