Final Frontiers

Just one more shuttle.

We can hold.

We have to hold.

The sound of someone yelling for immediate evacuation leaked into his comm. He tried to tune-out the distraction, bringing his weapon up to his shoulder.

"...hostiles advancing..."

Two shots went down range. We can hold.

"...primary objective complete..."

We have to hold. His blaster barked three more times.

"...majority of civilians..."

Mission BLAT! not BLAT! complete.

"..."

We can hold. BLAT!

"..."

BLAT! We have to hold.

"..."

Just one more shuttle. BLAT!

"..."

The distinct roar of lift jets coming to life came across the landing pad. A shuttle, piloted by the person on the comm, ascended above the ridge-line they were holding. The mercenaries turned to watch - they knew the consequences.

It didn't take long.

Two hits to the lightly-armor fuselage just as it cleared the ridge. The plating was unable to resist the corrosion, causing the components below to be exposed. Three more hits in the same area. Emotionless visors continued to watch as the wing supporting the lift jet folded under the force being exerted on it, sending the shuttle spiraling forward of the defensive line. It was crawling with them as soon as it touched down.

Comms were much less distracting after that.

We will hold.

"Mercury-4 coming in hot, cutting low through the canyon. 15 seconds out," the call came over the comm.

Time to go.

After the communications shuttle went down their hold on ground had been repeatedly lost. All they had left was this last hangar and the attached machine shop, and they wouldn't have either for much longer. The heavy metal door on the other side of the airlock began to sag as the corrosion ate away at it.

"Docked. Loading initiated. 60 seconds."

"Confirmed, commencing extraction," his unit leader responded. A hand signal and the four were backing out of the room, weapons remaining at low ready position. He fell into position: one behind him on either side with one more behind the soldier on the right.

A hole in the airlock developed, its size growing rapidly as serrated claws pried at the edges, angry screeches reverberated off the walls of the shop.

Two brought weapons up and engaged as the other two continued to retreat.

"COVER!" he called.

At the call, the two retreating found cover and brought weapons up to engage.

"MOVING!" he called out again.

The two on point fell back, reloading when they got behind the firing line.

The choreography continued as they moved for the hangar.

"COVER!"

He and the other mercenary turned to support their comrades. The combination of training and augmentation let them acquire the advancing targets blindingly fast and drop them even faster. They kept firing as the two on point fell back behind the firing line.

"CO-" Long arms reached down and plucked the trooper beside him up and into the shadows as another creature dropped down in front of him, it’s maw curled back to bare its teeth. They had gotten in the vents."-VER!" One clawed fist smashed the blaster out of his hands as the other reached out for him. He went for his sidearm.

Two hands, weaker hand on belt, strong hand to grip.

Unsnap weapon.

Clear holster straight up. Bring to two handed hold.

Move to target position.

Fire.

BZAT!-BZAT!-BZAT!

Drop to check target over sights.

"MOVING!" His remaining comrades resumed covering fire from the final door while he continued his retreat, discharging into the advancing nightmares that so desperately wanted to drag him into the darkness.

Once he was through they sealed the final door. The comm came to life: "Shuttle loaded. Commencing liftoff procedures. You bounty hunters have 30 seconds."

They were moving for the open cargo hold when he thought he caught motion in his peripheral vision. Something blue. Turning, he brought his weapon up and scanned the area looking for a target. The hanger was empty. The other two troopers had stopped to check for targets as well.

“Contact?” the question crackled over the comm.

“Caught motion in my peripheral,” he responded, "sensors are clear, though." Continuing to check for targets as they fell back, they reached the airlock without further incident; the door hissing closed as the ship sped off into the atmosphere.

Was it a coincidence? Had he been looking at her, or through her at something? The more questions Princess Luna had the more intrigued she became with the odd creature whose dreams had caught her attention while she slept. She spent much of her morning drifting through memories and nightmares.