Battle Earth II Read Free Page A

slowly opened it a millimetre at a time and looked for any sign of their attackers. He turned back to the other marines with a nod and a grin.
    “We’re in business,” he whispered.
    He eased the door fully open and stepped out onto the roof. His posture was still hunched and his rifle at the ready, but his head shot from left to right always looking for any threat. As they reached the edge of roof, they could see that it was joined directly onto the next building and several more after that. They were only divided by half-metre walls which the marines quickly vaulted one after the other.
    As they reached the fifth building, they could hear the sound of stomping feet getting louder. These new enemies may be smaller, but they were no quieter. Their armoured suits clanged together as they strode for all to hear.
    “Hardly stealthy,” whispered Mitchell.
    “Who needs to be stealthy when you’ve got the best armour and the biggest guns?” replied Silva.
    They went silent and waited for the steps to pass beyond the entrance to the building they were on. They still had no idea what hearing abilities the Mechs had, but it seemed little different to their own. They were only thankful they didn’t possess thermal imaging devices.
    “Back up,” said Taylor.
    They continued quietly and cautiously across the roof until they reached the edge, gasping at the gap which divided them and the next building.
    “That’s got to be two metres or more,” said Jimenez.
    “But with a metre’s drop, should be doable,” said Silva.
    “Has to be,” replied Taylor.
    Without another word, he took a few steps back and sprinted to the edge to launch himself across. The Major landed hard the other side on the gravel, rolling into a tumble. He was brought to an abrupt halt by a small wall.  He shook his head to regain his composure, got up to one knee and nodded to the others.
    “Oh, shit,” said Silva.
    He followed suit by leaping after the Major. The other three marines were left humbled and quickly made the jump. Mitchell was last. As he made his run for the jump, Taylor could hear a Mech approaching the alley, and so lifted his hand to signal for the marine to stop. The signal caused Mitchell to hesitate, but it was too late for him to completely stop. He jumped short and struck the edge of the building.
    Silva jumped forward landing belly first on the gravel and taking hold of Mitchell’s arms. The weight dragged the Sergeant to the edge, but the others took a hold of his legs. They stopped with Mitchell hanging precariously from the roof, and they all froze. Taylor looked down the narrow alleyway towards the location of the Mechs, dipping his head in the hope of remaining unseen.
    The footsteps of the creature grew near as they waited, not wanting to make another sound or movement. Silva winced, his elbows and wrists being stretched by the weight of the man he was holding. Their hearts raced as a Mech appeared at the entrance to the alleyway. It stopped and turned to look down the dim, shadow cast alley, scanning for any sign of life.
    Taylor prayed that the beast did not look up, or they would all be doomed. A moment later the Mech turned and strolled on. The Major sighed in relief before reaching for Mitchell and hauling him onto the rooftop. They all sat back breathing deeply.
    “Fuck me,” said Mitchell.
    “For a species with such technology, they aren’t too smart are they?” asked Silva.
    “We are just as alien to them as they are to us. Think you can predict the way they think, the way their will respond and act?” asked Taylor.
    The Sergeant nodded, genuinely thinking about what the Major had said.
    “Do not forget what you learnt in training. Just know that what we are dealing with here was never included in no manual. We are re-writing the rules as we go along,” said Taylor.
    “Let’s get the hell out of here, Sir,” said Paria.
    “Agreed.”
    Taylor stood up, realising that he was covered in yet more dust