Laser fire and muzzle flashes emerged, penetrating the fog. Multiple red silhouettes appeared, standing on the edge of the coast, barely within Alan’s line of fire as Ace leapt forwards into the enemies.

Alan focused on the nearest silhouette, firing into the mist. The shot hit, but simply depleted 10% of the Haxlard’s shields. His next shot was a headshot as Eve got a better estimate of where the Haxlard was, eliminating another 80% of the shields. The enemy dived to the side, and Alan’s next shot was met by a barrier of some sort he couldn’t see.

“They’re wearing black power armor of some sort,” Thiago yelled above the burst fire of his assault rifle. “There’s a miniature shield they set up to defend against our fire." There was a grunt of pain. "Damn, DaLong took a shot to the head.”

Alan heard a tremendous roar emerge, followed by multiple heavy footsteps.

“Holy shit. DaLong has gone mad. He’s emitting a red aura, charging at the Haxlards firing into their shield dual wielding two sub-machine guns. He’s broken through their shield now, but they’re taking him apart.”

It sounds like the Last Stand ability, a common Berserker ability, Eve sent. Resume firing.

Alan did so, firing at the Haxlard whose shields he’d damaged earlier. This time, the headshot eliminated the Haxlard, their health apparently minuscule compared to their shield energy. Alan earned half a level of XP. Ace had also successfully taken down another Haxlard, but had retreated back to Daisy as he’d sustained damage equal to almost 80% of his HP from the full frontal assault. He was some sort of monster though, to have jumped into the fray, no doubt taking multiple directs shots. Alan wondered what sort of enhancements Ace had as he continued firing at the Haxlards.

Seeming to figure where Alan was firing from, the Haxlards pushed forwards inland, out of his line of sight. With a last scream of incoherent cursing, DaLong disappeared from Alan's minimap, having fallen in battle. Alan managed to get a few more shots off, eliminating the majority of four additional Haxlards’ shields, killing another, gaining a level. Thiago and the rest of the party rapidly backed away from the oncoming Haxlards, unable to match their superior weaponry. All Alan could do was watch his minimap, listening to the shouts of Thiago as he led the rest of the party.

Soon, two more Haxlards were eliminated by a grenade trap set up by Thiago. Aphrodite died shortly after, a well placed laser blast finishing her off with one blow. According to Thiago, she couldn’t keep up with the rest of the group, but thought she had a psionic skill that might save her. It clearly hadn’t.

Daisy soon ran out of energy next, but Ace wasn’t willing to leave her behind, convincing Thiago to join him in a final stand. Sounds of gunfire and fighting soon emerged once more, then rapidly cut off as Thiago was eliminated. Worriedly Alan stared at his minimap, thinking he’d see Ace and Daisy also disappear at any second. Alan didn’t want to risk distracting them by opening up a communication channel.