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.
They'd see.
Green charged, firing his rifle in one continuous burst.
The general didn't even flinch, casually knocking the petty officer away. Green's neck snapped, his body flying across the room to hit the opposite wall.
The other petty officer screamed, rising to fire everything she had at the general. He dealt with her the same way he had Green. With one precise blow that left her dead on the ground.
Jace braced. He lifted his sword, refusing to back down.
Come on, then. Let's see if you're as good as her.
The general curled a lip, exposing a fang. He started toward Jace.
A black shadow hit him from the side. There were angry growls as a second general tore into the first.
"Hold your fire," Jace ordered as Aeron buried his teeth in the other general's neck before ripping his throat out.
