Read Battle Earth II for Free Online

sight of re-enforcements, but before they could reach the defence lines an energy bolt flew overhead and smashed into them. Three of the soldiers were thrown down and smashed into the walls.
    “Come on! Keep moving!” shouted Kelly.
    He watched as Martinez stumbled to his feet, clearly dazed.
    “Run!”
    He quickly came to his senses and staggered towards the defensive line as quickly as he could. Martinez dropped down in front of the Commander. Shrapnel littered his body armour and had punctured through in several places. Blood seeped from the wounds. Kelly wanted to enquire about his condition, but there was no time.
    “We’re in deep shit here. This is a meat grinder.”
    “We can’t let them get a hold underground, Sir!”
    “The longer we stay here, the more people we lose!”
    “Then what are your orders, Sir!” shouted Martinez.
    The Commander lowered his head, looking up at the lines of dead and wounded. Their forces battled on bravely, but they were taking more losses than they could afford. He looked up at the other officers for answers.
    “Sir, we could blow the tunnel,” said Jansen.
    “And give up more ground?” Martinez asked.
    “What else is there to do?” shouted Jansen.
    “Sir, we can’t fall back!”
    Kelly turned to Martinez, but he knew he no longer had a choice.
    “This battle is over, so let’s not make it our last.”
     He turned to the wounded Jansen.
    “How can it be done?”
    Light pulses still surged overhead as the soldiers battled on to a stalemate with the Mechs. The enemy never seemed to be able to push enough forces in to break the line, but they always sent enough to keep them on their toes.
    “I have already rigged up explosives a hundred metres back down the tunnel!” shouted Jansen.
    Kelly had never given such orders, but he could not bring himself to discipline a man who may well prove to be their saviour.
    “What do you need to do to set them off?”
    “There’s a control box on the sidewall marked with MDF warning signs. Just arm the three switches and hit the big red button. The fuse is set for thirty seconds.”
    Kelly sighed as he looked back over the defences to see the mound of dead Mechs, and the fresh ones that continued forward. He could not believe they had to give yet more ground although there appeared to be little choice left. He turned back to the two officers who waited for his answer with baited breath.
    “Sound the retreat and get everyone back. Last one of us to pass that box hits the button.”
    Martinez nodded, and he leapt out and ran for the other cover to pass the word to the troops.
    “This definitely going to work?” asked Kelly.
    “Definitely, Sir, the charges are placed on a joining point for the tunnel. They’ll bring down enough ground to ensure our safety.”
    “And the buildings above?”
    “A school. The colony’s systems will section off the area.”
    The Commander nodded. He liked the news less and less as it was laid out before him. He looked across for Martinez who was staring back at him and ready to move. Almost a hundred soldiers now defended the tunnel, many packed shoulder to shoulder. He looked around for one last moment, hoping to see some reduction in the enemy’s advance, but there was no such luck. He looked back to Martinez.
    “Go!”
    He knew that the officer would not hear him over the gunfire, but he could see well enough to understand the order. Martinez shouted and the message was passed along the line. The troops quickly took flight. For the soldiers whose sole purpose was to fight, fleeing the battle was welcome news. Kelly grabbed Jansen and hauled him up. Martinez rushed to his side, and they each took an arm each of the wounded officer.
    The fleeing Moon defence colonists rushed across the crater and debris-strewn ground, occasionally turning to fire back. The Mechs were advancing slowly down the tunnel. Kelly winced in pain. It was hard enough work for him to run in armour, let alone having to