Invasion of Kzarch Read Online Free

move with his shield active, doing so was difficult and slow, due to the heavy drain on a Marine’s power; which meant that his battlesuit’s ability to function, including the battlesuit’s powered ‘muscles’, were greatly curtailed. And further, the shield had to be ‘pushed’ forward as the Marine proceeded, as the shield’s surface would attempt to refract the air it was touching and being forced against.
    One final issue with the shield was the ‘ripple’ it made where it touched the ground. While these at least provided a place for air to enter, they also provided a way for weapons to target the battlesuit’s user without having to penetrate the shield.
    Indeed, it was that same ‘ripple’ which had gotten Frank’s foot shot in the second of the only two, now three, engagements he had ever fought. He had to spend a week in physical recovery afterwards, much to his embarrassment and annoyance.
    Wincing from the memory, Frank was glad of the distraction his sergeant provided, who was just then comming him.
    “Sir?”
    “Yes, sergeant?”
    “I’ve been thinking… those Blastfires ran too easily.”
    “Oh?” Frank’s tone invited the sergeant to continue.
    “We only destroyed one of them; then they ran like rabbits.”
    “Maybe, but on the other hand,” pointed out the lieutenant, “They didn’t even get one of ours until after they had already turned away. Besides, they’re pirates; and pirates don’t take well to losses. It’s quite likely they didn’t even have large missiles loads; it wouldn’t surprise me if they left simply because they were running low.”
    “Maybe, sir.” But the sergeant’s voice was doubtful. Frank suppressed a sigh. Then he was struck by a thought.
    “McKain, have the heavies re-supplied themselves?”
    “Yes, sir. I instructed them to do so once everyone was back in formation.” The sergeant’s tone held a bit of reproach, making Frank wince. He should have remembered to give the order, not simply let his sergeant attend to it.
    “I see. Thank you, sergeant.”
    “You’re welcome, sir.” With that, McKain closed the channel. Sighing to himself, Frank once more turned to the planet.
     

Chapter Two
     
    Forty minutes later, and the platoon was making atmospheric entry. The original plan had called for them to pause before doing so, and attempt to contact the planetary authorities. With that accomplished, the Marines would ask them for a landing location, and perform a soft, slow re-entry.
    But after the Blastfire attack, the plan required… modification .
    Frank attempted to hail the planet several times, just in case, but had, at the same time, ordered his platoon to prepare for a hot entry.
    Basically, the entire platoon would fling itself at full speed through the atmosphere, and to a landing of the lieutenant’s choosing, irregardless of what the planetary authorities might say. After all, they may have been compromised.
    That particular contingency didn’t matter, however, as, in the end, they couldn’t contact anyone at all… Which was odd, to say the least.
    “All right, people,” the lieutenant said grimly, after waiting for a moment past his last, final attempt to hail Kzarch. “We’re going in hot. And, metaphorically speaking, blind. We have no idea what’s going on down there. Keep your eyes open and your wits about you! I want to know the instant we find out something.” He paused a moment.
    “Begin entry in thirty-two, thirty-one…” Frank keyed in the automatic counter to take over for him, and waited the remaining seconds impatiently.
    Leaning forward, as the count hit ten, Frank commanded his battlesuit through his comp implant to prepare to generate a large thrust. At zero, it did so.
    The impact made him feel as if an elephant had smashed him against the back of his battlesuit, but he managed to shove off the feeling, and concentrate on controlling his steadily accelerating fall. The battlesuit would take care of most of