Reinforcements Have Arrived

Delithita

The Klaxon's went off. Even deep in restorative sleep. Del's mind tried to respond.

Why had she run off to save that pilot? Something in her had forced her hand. Like someone hitting a switch.

Maria, where are you? Why did you leave us? We need you so bad now. Why did you sacrifice yourself? We won the battle! You did not have to do that!

She felt someone's cool lips press against her forehead. Some words too. "Come back soon my little one. They need you." A definitely feminine voice. Maria?

=====

"The IB Force is coming Xeno." Icey's concerned voice came across the comm.

"Yes, I see them. Do they not know what passive radar is? Sheesh. Razor?"

"Yeah?"

"You got that banshee in the air yet?"

"Yes. I'm 2k out and closing. I will be there momentarily."

"Good. We all set?"

One by one, the remaining Ghosts sounded off. Xenogears was in her stubby emancipator. Icey in his Gorgon, Altas running around in his Shephard. Ko'ah in a modified Apoc. Four Ghosts. Out of the normal six. Odds were three to one. They would not likely make it out alive. But they owed it to the residents. Looking back over the other two pilots behind her, Xenogears frowned. Things were not looking good.

=====

The IB were toying with them. Sending only two of their troops in to start off with. These two were superhuman in their piloting and gunnery.

"Razor to Xenogears. Need a hand?" One of the IB, a Minotaur, suddenly vanished in a fireball. Chunks of metal flew about and ricocheted off shields as Razor's Banshee hardballed overhead and pulled a hard climb just as it passed overhead.

"Your timing is flawless as usual."

"You know me. Never late for a date."

The other IB Minotaur retreated as in an attempt to avoid Razor's phenomenal piloting. It failed. Razor flew close to the ground and pulled up at the last moment. Flew vertical for a little bit and then nosed down guns blazing. It happened so fast that the Ghosts could barely keep up with the movement. Let alone react. At the destruction of the two Minotaurs, the remaining force came at full speed.

====

One of the residents who had some medical schooling came into the infirmary. Turning on the table lamp she looked about. One of the beds was empty. Looking\ about she realized, that Delithita was missing. The alarms went off again. The HERC bay was in use...

"Shields down! Repeat shields are down!" Ko'ah's voice came across the comm. An Apoc had him hard pressed to keep his nose from being shot off. Swearing heavily he kicked himself for not paying more attention to Maria's training sessions. The Apoc faced him. He knew he was dead. The Mfac hit prefire. He blinked. The Apoc was gone. The ground shook as a bright flash of light to his right lit his console. Looking to his left he balked. A marble-looking executioner. A PBW, rail, EMP, MFAC. DEL?!

"Be careful next time Ko'ah. These IB goofs are good. But human" Del's voice rang came across the comm. Strong... clear, and vibrantly alive.

Icey let out a whoop of joy as he heard Del's voice.

"You did not think I would actually let you people play without me... did you?"

"Welcome Delithita. Enough talk. We have IB to scatter across... oh my.."

"What? Xenogears? What?"

"I count fifteen more HERCs, inbound, all human in origin. Looks like backup."

"Copy that."

The HERCs crested a nearby ridge. Fifteen HERCs. All wearing BDU markings. All with custom paint as well.

The battle was joined. Eight IB, and fifteen BDU. Against a partially restored Ghost force.

==

"...2#@$ in" "Repeat this #@#$#%#cho calling Antipode come in... Repeat this is Tycho, calling Antipode. Delithita, Maria, please come in."

"Tycho? TYCHO!? This is Del! Where are you?!"

"Above, about 200k and closing."

"Above?"

"You'll see in a few minutes."

Moments later a steak of light barrels into the IB line. The explosion so thunderous it shakes the very earth erupts. A Talon and a Seeker drop onto the ground. Both wearing Antipode colors.

"Tycho and Durandal online Del. Let us party."

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