Invasion of Kzarch Read Online Free Page A

it, but some things required a more human touch.
    The platoon had spread out into a much more scattered formation, in order to give more room in-between each member, to prevent accidents, as well as lowering the chance of a missile managing to take out a large number of them. It also made themselves less noticeable to sensors than they would as a close group, which should hopefully prevent missiles from being a problem in the first place.
    Getting steadily deeper into the atmosphere, Frank shut down the visual in his helmet in favor of a computer generated plot. With the flames that had begun to gather around his battlesuit blocking off his view, he was better off without it.
    The next few minutes, though boring in a way, were also filled with tension. Although there was little to see or do, there was a definite chance they’d be attacked mid-fall, which could be a disaster. Descending the way they were, at high speed, dealing with intense friction heat, and with sensors confused by both the former, they were hardly capable of putting up a real defense.
    Fortunately, the planetary entry was completed without incident, taking only just over two minutes and a half to accomplish. A mile above the ground, the platoon engaged their battlesuits’ ‘brakes’ (Frank was smashed against the front of his this time.), and reformed into a closer unit moments before hitting the ground.
    All was quiet. For a moment, anyway. Then Sergeant McKain began bawling into the troops.
    “Javer, get your scouts moving! I want this area secured ten minutes ago! Everyone, activate your camouflage and ECM! Move it, before you get a shot up yer ass! Kate, have your squad ready to shoot down any incoming! Move it, people! Abe, I want your squad taking point behind the scouts! We’re heading north to the city! Move out!”
    The whole platoon was in motion, in a seeming mess of confusion. Within seconds though, they had steadied out, and were moving forward.
    Over the com, Frank said dryly, “Thank you, sergeant.”
    “Just anticipating your orders, sir!”
    The lieutenant gave a snort, and shut the channel. After all, what else could he say?
    Running swiftly, Frank mentally reviewed the situation. He had chosen a landing spot near one of the planet’s few cities, more of a town to be truthful. While he could have tried to set the platoon down near the planet’s main city, which also contained their one and only spaceport, the lieutenant had felt such a move would be… ill-advised. If there was any city on the planet the pirates would’ve wanted to take, and must’ve taken, that would’ve been the one.
    The thing about the current situation though, was that they had no intel. Had the pirates taken over the planet? Were they still hiding? Had they perhaps been attacking the population? What forces did the pirates have, aside from five Blastfires, and a deceased sixth one?
    Well, hopefully the town ahead, apparently named High Cliff, would give some answers.
     
    ***
     
    “Well, McKain?”
    “I… think its clear, sir.” The sergeant was obviously somewhat reluctant. “The town’s suffered some damage, yes, but it’s not recent. Well, within the last week, anyway. While I imagine the town’s population was… decimated, there should still be some people left.”
    ‘Decimated’ is perhaps a bit much, thought the lieutenant, looking over the town, which, yes, had been built on top of a cliff. While the town showed the black circles of a missile attack, there weren’t that many of them. At any rate, the town seemed fairly quiet.
    “Okay. Let’s move in. I want s-squad split, and checking out the town as we go.”
    “If I may suggest…” Javer broke in. “Perhaps into teams, sir? We’ll be more effective in smaller groups, and we shouldn’t need more than one back-up.”
    Frank considered a moment, then mentally shrugged.
    “Works for me. See to it, sergeant.”
    “Yes, sir!”
    Moving cautiously, their scout squad leading, the