The torn wound in the sky was still dripping fire and death.
Five particularly massive Drop Pods, their hulls daubed with profane runes, broke through the last sparse curtain of anti-aircraft fire like precisely aimed spears. With piercing shrieks and waves of scorching air, they slammed down toward the isolated outpost where Biberus and the others stood.
Their shadows instantly engulfed the outpost's crude courtyard and reinforced shelters, the crushing weight of death almost tangible.
Bang—!!!
The first Drop Pod slammed into the assembly area at the center of the outpost with overwhelming force. Its sturdy alloy hull struck the reinforced concrete with a deafening crash.
The ground shook violently. A visible shock wave blasted outward in a ring, carrying rubble and dust and instantly flinging two nearby makeshift ammunition crates into the air.
The heavy hull buried itself deep in the ground, cracks spreading more than ten meters from the point of impact.
Its surface glowed red from atmospheric friction. Now it hissed as it rapidly cooled, the warped metal groaning.
The doors had yet to open, and the hiss of the internal hydraulics had only just begun—
A figure was already charging toward it like an arrow loosed from a bow, straight into the lingering smoke and scorching blast of air!
It was Biberus.
He had not waited. The instant the Drop Pod struck, his combat instincts had driven him into action.
His charge was straight and unadorned. The heavy thuds of his powered boots against the ground even drowned out the fading echoes of the impact.
Rrrip—!!!
A teeth-grating shriek of tearing metal erupted!
The Power Sword in Biberus's hand was already active. Its invisible disruption field hummed at high frequency, making the blade capable of cutting through anything.
Rather than hack at the seemingly sturdy door