“Chandra, lock on to their signals. Prepare a scrambling matrix.” The HOVA needed to figure out the best way to save the Mzisoh people. “Ellis, gather the children and anyone who can’t fight. We’re evacuating them.”

Her order had the snap of authority. Ellis didn’t even glance at his own commanders before rushing to obey.

“Can we contact the Hughes?” Fela yelled. “The ship might be able to scatter the drone wave.”

<They are jamming all signals. Nothing in or out,> Chandra said.

“What about—”

<You don’t understand. Nothing in or out.> Chandra lowered her head. <Planetwide.>

“Planet…” The word trailed off Fela’s lips. It would take more than one ship to do that. Or a battle cruiser. It required the heavy armaments of a battalion. Fela didn’t want to contemplate what this meant for the Hughes. “There’s not a lot we can do against drone bombardment. Not with what we have. We need to buy the Mzisoh time to escape. Ladies, do what you do best.”

Epyc Ro spoke tactical assessments like a gifted linguist, pointing out weaknesses and stress points to the Mzisoh fortification. Small units of them dispersing to various points along the ridgeline. The HOVA Hellfighters raced along the perimeter to ascertain its defensive capabilities. The Mzisoh soldiers had experience fighting the CO/IN units, and Fela needed her squad to figure out how best to fight alongside them. And learn their strategies since even allies required study.

Sound traveled in peculiar vectors along the ruts and valleys. The eerie pulse became a thunderous vibration right in her eardrums, a sound she felt as much as heard. The drones flew toward them, drawn by whatever signal drove them. Their approach was a terrible screech as one of the shadow funnels veered up, circled once, then dove toward their positions.

Chandra created a perch at the highest location within the crags. The carapace on her back opened. A series of small missiles protruded. <Commander?>

Fela adjusted the visor of her navsuit, following Chandra’s pointing to a ridgeline, locking on to and enhancing the picture. A group of CO/IN unit soldiers stood, only half-hidden. The leaders surveyed the scene, coordinating others as they gathered all trace of the HOVA’s presence. “They’re erasing our presence.”

<Studying us.>

“We have to get out of here.” Fela turned her gaze to the rapidly approaching next wave of drones. A voice revisited her, unbidden. She knew only that they had to make it back to the connect point.

Fight for your sisters.

Fela fired her talon as rapidly as her finger could squeeze. With each shot, she searched for her next target. The drones scrabbled up the cliff side, spilling toward them in a singular wave. She blasted into them, their metal carapaces splintering with each hit. Her charged pellets vaporized their systems upon contact.

“Close up!” Fela yelled. “Pull back on me!”