Beginning Part-18

The lieutenant swallowed and added his weight to the forward wall, his eyes on the roasting heavens. By the light of the deadly display, the darkness of the battlefield was dispelled, and its bloody flanks were revealed nakedly before him. Beyond the eastern wall of the ditch, Revitz could see portions of the captured enemy camp, and was horrified to witness similar destruction washing over every aspect and rampart of the base.
“Holy shit!” shouted the corporal excitedly. “It’s them! They’re coming! They’re
Coming! I’m going back, sir!”
But Brash had a grip on the man’s webbing, and held him fast. “If you do, you’ll die! We’ll all die! The only thing we can do to save our asses is to get to those drones!”
“Fuck the drones! They can’t help us!”
Revitz yanked the corporal back again, “You’re a combat programmer, remember! Now, by God, earn your pay!”
Wethers swallowed and righted his helmet. Gathering his gear, he nodded, and turned his gaze on the forward wall.
“It’s less than thirty meters away!” he shouted, preparing to charge over the top, once the flames died out. “Ready! Go!” and the corporal jumped and pulled himself over the lip of the trench, kicking dirt into the lieutenant’s upturned face.