บท 34: Two Fronts of Survival
The roar of another wave echoed through the ruins. Ace's pulse quickened, but he shoved the fear aside. He wasn't fighting for himself. He was fighting for everyone—Vega, Wolfe, Captain, Shadow, Techie, and even the others who might not see the dawn if this battle was lost.
"This isn't over yet," he muttered, slamming his mecha's controls forward. Twin cannons erupted with fire, blasting through the thick of the swarm. The walls vibrated with each explosion, and the ground was slick with the remains of the monsters he had already killed. Yet they kept coming, a tide of claws and teeth.
A sudden metallic screech caught his attention—a damaged turret buckled under the swarm's assault. Cursing under his breath, Ace fired a volley of missiles, clearing the immediate area around the turret. Smoke and fire filled the corridor, and for a moment, the swarm hesitated.
"They're learning," he realized grimly. These creatures weren't mindless—they were adapting.
He slammed a button on his console, activating the base's remaining defenses. Automated lasers and heavy turrets roared to life, buying him a moment's reprieve. Sweat dripped down his brow as he glanced at the ammunition counter. Running low. The realization hit like a blow to the chest, but he pushed the thought away. There was no room for despair here.
At Base Beta, Captain and the others fought their own brutal battle. The ground was littered with the carcasses of swarm monsters, but the horde showed no signs of slowing. Shadow darted between cover, her daggers glinting as she slashed through smaller foes. Wolfe's rifle barked in rapid bursts, each shot precise and deadly. Techie manned a makeshift control station, sweat pouring down his face as he monitored the sensors.
"Another wave incoming—west side! ETA twenty-seven minutes!" Techie called out, his voice strained.
Captain swore under her breath. "We can't handle another one at this rate. How's the northern front holding?"
"The turrets are still operational, but they're struggling. We're out of replacements for the northern grid," Techie replied. His hands flew across the console. "We need a miracle, or we're toast."
Wolfe reloaded his rifle, his jaw tight. "Then we'll make one. Vega's out of commission, Ace is holding Alpha solo, and we're all that's left here. No retreat."
Captain nodded sharply. "No retreat."
The team braced themselves as the swarm renewed its assault. The ground trembled as larger, artillery-like monsters joined the fray, their shells pounding the base's defenses. Shadow vaulted over rubble, landing gracefully beside Wolfe.
"Got your back," she said with a quick grin, slicing through a leaping creature that came too close.
"Appreciate it," Wolfe replied, firing over her shoulder. But his gaze flickered toward the titan's living quarters, where Vega remained unconscious. He forced himself to focus. One thing at a time.
Back at Base Alpha, Ace found himself backed into the innermost section of the facility. His ammo reserves had dwindled to a desperate low. The only sound was the hum of his mecha's systems and the faint skittering of claws on metal.
"Not today," he growled. He fired a final missile into the corridor ahead, clearing it momentarily before charging forward with his mecha's blade drawn. The narrow space amplified his fury as he tore through the remaining swarm units, his strikes precise and unrelenting.
Suddenly, a high-pitched tone echoed in his cockpit. A signal. It wasn't from Base Beta or any of their known channels. Ace froze for a split second, his instincts screaming caution.
"What now?" he muttered, glancing at the comms panel. The signal was faint but persistent, broadcasting on an unknown frequency. His grip tightened on the controls. He didn't have time to investigate, but something about it gnawed at his gut.
At Base Beta, Techie's console flashed with the same signal. He frowned, his fingers flying over the keys as he tried to decode it. The team regrouped near him, their weapons ready but their curiosity piqued.
"What is it?" Captain demanded.
"It's a transmission," Techie replied, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Not from the swarm. Not from us. It's... something else."
The signal grew stronger, and the BIOs on their arms buzzed faintly. The translation interface activated, and a single phrase appeared in their minds:
"We are not your enemies."
The team exchanged wary glances, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten. The sounds of battle still raged around them, but this new revelation demanded their attention.
"Do we trust it?" Shadow asked, her voice low.
Captain's eyes narrowed. "We don't have the luxury of trust right now. Techie, find out where that signal's coming from. Wolfe, Shadow—stay sharp. Whatever this is, we don't let our guard down."
Another wave of swarm units loomed on the horizon, and the clock was ticking. They had less than thirty minutes before the western assault hit Beta.
"We don't have a choice," Wolfe said, his voice heavy. "If this signal's legit, we might not survive without their help."
Captain nodded, her jaw set. "Then we hold the line until we know for sure. No matter what."
The signal continued to pulse, and far to the north, Ace's comms flared to life again. His mecha's sensors flickered, and the translated message rang in his mind:
"We fight the same enemy."
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