Page 36 of Orange Tundra
Panic threatened to overwhelm me, but I forced it down. Panicking wouldn't help us survive this ambush. I gritted my teeth and raised my weapon again, firing at a shadow that moved between columns. Smooth as butter, I didn't even felt any reverberaton from this thing.
Deep breaths. Deep breaths. Inner peace.
"You should fall back," CG urged. "There's more cover behind that fallen dome."
"And leave you alone? Not happening," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt.
Nif appeared briefly at my side, his massive frame providing additional cover. "Kru'h Nim says you should retreat," he rumbled.
Of course Nim would try to protect me, even from a distance. "TellKru'hNim I'm exactly where I need to be," I responded, emphasizing his title with a touch of defiance.
Nif looked torn, but another barrage of enemy fire sent him diving for cover, the message presumably undelivered.
I pressed a hand to my lower back, trying to ease the persistent ache. The baby shifted inside me, a flutter ofmovement that simultaneously reassured and terrified me. Too fast. Everything was happening too fast.
"They're pressing in from the north side," Nif reported, reloading his bigger weapon. "Getting bolder."
I peered around our shelter, assessing the situation. The attackers had indeed grown more aggressive, perhaps sensing our vulnerability. They moved with purpose, clearly intent on preventing us from reaching the heart of the ruins.
"We need to hold this position," I insisted. "Just a little longer."
Nif nodded grimly. "We'll hold."
I signaled to the remaining members of CG's crew, directing them to maintain a perimeter while Nim and Sim executed their flanking maneuver. Xy and Clitasoxdfwe’h looked at me strangely, a question in his eyes. Now was not exactly the time to mention about the many hours I spent on online war games. Alas, the reality really was different than simulation. There was no reset button in this game.
CG's remaining crew responded with practiced efficiency, shifting positions to cover all approaches, even Snarz who I belatedly realized was cowering behind Elder Onork. Internally, I sighed. I couldn't really blame him, no matter the planet, self-preservation was more important than being part of a team.
Another contraction—for that's what I now realized these pains were—gripped me, and I bit my lip to keep from crying out. Not now, I silently pleaded. Not in the middle of a firefight.
The attackers advanced, emboldened by what they perceived as weakening resistance. Little did they know what awaited them from behind.
"Nif, Clitasoxdfwe’h—take the passage through that collapsed corridor," I directed, pointing to a narrow opening partially hidden by debris. "It should lead behind their position."
My plan was forming rapidly, fueled by equal parts desperation and adrenaline. If we could catch the ambushers in a crossfire, we might gain the advantage we so desperately needed.
Clitasoxdfwe’h looked at Xy, who nodded, his keen eyes already mapping the route. "And if it's blocked?"
"Improvise," I replied, managing a tight smile despite another wave of pain building in my abdomen.
I turned to Clitasoxdfwe’h. "Keep their attention focused here. Make them think we're pinned down and running out of options."
"That won't be hard to sell," he muttered, glancing at my pale face.
The pain crested, and I pressed a hand against a broken column to steady myself. My legs trembled, threatening to buckle beneath me. The baby shifted again, more forcefully this time, as if responding to my distress.
"Brynn?" Clitasoxdfwe’h's voice held genuine concern now. Xy immediately at his side assessing me.
I forced myself to straighten. "I'm fine," I said automatically.
"You're not," Xy countered. "But first we need to end this, and then we'll get you the help you need."
I nodded, grateful for his pragmatism. No false reassurances, just a promise to keep moving forward. Clitasoxdfwe’h wanted to complain but one look from Xy shut him up.
Nif appeared briefly at my side, his expression grim. "Ready when you are."
"Circle west," I instructed. "There should be an access point near that toppled obelisk. If I'm right about White Tribe architecture, it'll lead to a passage running parallel to the main path."
Nif's eyes narrowed as he studied my face. "What's wrong?"
