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  Bryson turned to his team. “Switch the cannon to mortar mode we're going to lay down some fire on these co-ordinates.”

  “But that'll drain its power reserves dry.”

  “How many shots can you give me?”

  “Five, six at best.”

  “Okay three blasts on these co-ordinates, ten degree spread, then three more on my mark.”

  The ground shook as three burning balls of plasma arched up into the black sky, hissing and spiting as they evaporated the snow that was falling all around them, and erupted with a sickening thud in the loading yard. Seconds ticked by as they waited for his mark, the remaining turrets were zeroing in on their position using the arc illuminated by the plasma charges as a marker.

  “We need to go now sir.” Jayne yelled as the air grew thick with fire around them.

  “Not yet.” he replied as updated co-ordinates flashed across his HUD. "Fire on these co-ordinates, fifteen degree spread, and run!”

  They dived headlong into the snow and careered down the ridge as heavy fire zeroed in on the position they’d occupied seconds before. The plasma cannon barely had time to get the second charge of it last salvo away before it was blasted from the ridge. A rapid succession of shots gouged deep wounds in the compacted snow and ice, sending plumes of steam up into up the freezing air, scorching the rock underneath. As they slithered to a halt at the foot of the ridge, the cold night air sucked the warmth out of the hissing clouds of water vapour that hung over the ridge, showered them with glistening ice crystals.

  “Everyone okay?” yelled Bryson rolling into a crouched position.

  “Andrews broken his leg.” replied Jayne.

  “Status.”

  She checked his suits medical readout. “Fractured tibia in the left leg, his suits splinted it and injected pain killers. Nothing a quick injection of bone stitchers can't fix if we can get him to Anna”

  “Shit, oh shit, oh shit.” Andrews groaned.

  Bryson pulled him to his feet. “Can you walk?”

  He swayed unsteadily on his feet and shook his head.

  “Walk, freeze or capture, choice is yours.” he yelled pushing his helmeted face against his. “Now pull it together, inject some stims, and follow me.” he pointed to a slightly raised ridge of compacted snow and ice 200 meters away. A windswept flat featureless expanse of snow stretched out between them and it. “We're going to set up there and lay down covering fire for their retreat, move out.”

  As he turned away he opened a private channel to Jayne. “Help him.”