Niezen's allied forces pushed on past the forest they first took sanctuary in and entered the open plains. There they found a horrid sight, surrounded by scorched earth was the burnt-out shell of the Behemoth Felix and Baxter had taken for the reconnaissance mission. Niezen instructed his driver to halt and he stepped out to investigate. Niezen was followed by a handful of Troopers and Argai as they poked around the wreckage. They circled the shell looking for any signs and on the opposite side they found a body.

A Trooper removed his helmet just in time to vomit, many others looked away, unable to process the gruesome sight before them. In a kneeling position the body was propped up by wooden stakes protruding from the lower abdomen. There was no mandible and all the fingers were missing. There were no other apparent injuries and there was more than enough blood to indicate a slow, merciless death.

"Savages," Niezen muttered under his breath as he took a knee, "I'm sorry I wasn't here to see you off, old friend. You served me well and you certainly deserved a more noble death." Niezen then put down his rifle and called for Troopers to get shovels. He lent down next to Baxter's desecrated remains and set to removing the stakes. Niezen wrapped his fallen comrade in a blanket and joined the Troopers grave digging. Baxter was left to rest in an unmarked grave.

The Allied forces camped 50km South of the Hyperion. Drones were dispatched and confirmed their suspicions before being shot down by the larger class UAV patrolling the skies.

"Well, if they weren't sure about us coming they are now," stated Niezen.

"With an eye in the sky we can't sneak up on them," added Fletcher.

"I have a plan, let's send the Drusai into their first positions now. Then we take out their UAV," informed Niezen.

Niezen split the Drusai regiment in half and sent them NE and NW taking a wide berth from the Hyperion. To keep them from straying too close and being spotted the Drusai platoons were led by drones to their new positions.

The Behemoths sat ready with turrets trained skyward and a pair of drones were sent to bait the UAV. The first drone was shot down immediately and the second led the UAV straight back to the firing line where a salvo from each Behemoth was unleashed, a few shots succeeded in clipping it's wings sending the UAV spiralling down.

"They would have seen us before the transmission cut out," Fletcher pointed out nervously.

"Of course," smirked Niezen, "I'm banking on it. Hopefully they assume the Drusai chose not to join us after losing one of their own," explained Niezen.

"What now?" questioned Fletcher frantically.

"Now we wait to see if that was their only UAV," answered Niezen smugly.

After waiting almost 2 hours without losing another drone, despite sending them right over the compound walls and the Hyperion itself, Niezen was confident they had eliminated the mutineers edge.

The Drusai drones took flight alerting them to proceed to their secondary positions, placing the Drusai platoons just out of visual range. Niezen then had the Behemoths form a line and close in to just close enough to be spotted by the sentries.

"I see Heavies in those towers Sir. And they're every 50m," advised a Trooper manning the drone station. "We've got activity over the wall. They're taking up defensive positions amongst the equipment spread around the compound. Three lines of defence, they look pretty well fortified. There has to be at least eighty hostiles not including the units in the towers."

"Hmmm," pondered Niezen, "that must be close to his entire force. But why would that fool hedge his bets like that?" Niezen muttered to himself loud enough for those close by to overhear.

"Silly bastard must think he can win Sir," laughed a nearby Trooper followed by snickers from the others.

"Perhaps," Niezen uttered under his breath. He stepped outside to run over his final plan with the other crews in person as their radio chatter would certainly be intercepted. Confident in his forces Niezen stepped back inside and opened a comms channel. "This is Lieutenant 1st Class Lloyd Niezen calling Major Sova, over." Exactly sixty seconds passed before the reply came through.

"So, you are still alive. Where have you been hiding then hmmm?" mocked the voice.

"Identify yourself," demanded Niezen.

"I am Major Marek Sova, Commander of the Titan Hyperion!" the Major barked sounding agitated.

"Commander?" laughed Niezen, "well now, I will assume command of the Hyperion as soon as we suppress your little mutiny," corrected Niezen.

"Good luck with that, you arrogant little shit," countered the Major. Niezen relished hearing the Major's voice grow more unsettled. With any luck Sova would begin making poor decisions due to his emotional instability. Major Sova cut the channel after his final remark, he had no intention of letting Niezen get the final word in.

Niezen then addressed his forces over the radio, "forward, half speed!" he ordered. The armoured line advanced, closing, now 5km from the compound, "pattern Alpha, full speed!" The Behemoths expanded their line now sitting fifty meters apart to each target a single sentry tower as they drew closer. The heavy machine guns in the towers opened fire aiming for the vision blocks to blind the Behemoth drivers as the rounds would never penetrate the vehicle's heavy armour itself. The sound of bullets pinging off the armour rattled many of the occupants as they drew closer to battle. One of the Behemoths lost its vision and slowed to run off the turret's sighting. The Behemoth turrets returned fire, many rounds flying high over the walls as they approached at full speed. Eventually the Behemoths were close enough to target accurately and started to focus fire of the sentries. "Auto cannons fire!" called Niezen.

A barrage of explosive projectiles wiped out two of the towers, weakening a portion of the wall to punch through. The sentries began to launch RPG's and Anti-tank missiles. At the sound of the first explosion the first half of the Drusai Regiment had sprinted for the compound. They got within fifty meters before they were noticed and then began to hurl spears at the sentries as they were being cut down by the gunners. Most of the Drusai made it to the wall and used their spears to vault over the four meter high structure with ease. An unlucky few were caught in the razor wire and picked off quickly. As the Behemoths drew closer one suffered a direct hit from a missile and was crippled, its occupants incinerated instantly. The others pushed on firing at the wall before ramming straight through mowing down a dozen Troopers on the other side.

The second half of the Drusai Regiment led by Argai then sprung into action. By the time they reached their side of the wall, all the sentries were focused on the forces that had breached their defences and were wiped out swiftly by Argai's unit.

Surrounded on all sides the Behemoths continued to fire in all directions clearing the enemy forces. One by one the Behemoths were hit by RPG's and their crews had to abandon their cover, bursting out roaring, rifles in hand firing.

The air was thick with turmoil and smoke from the burning remains of the Behemoths. Dead bodies began to pile, human and Drusai. The sound of rifle fire was constant as the odd explosion grew less frequent.

Niezen and Fletcher took cover, pinned down by six Troopers. Argai bounded across the compound to their aid. He was hit by numerous rounds before he arrived. Argai leapt over the mining equipment and slaughtered all six Troopers in a matter of seconds. Niezen and Fletcher pushed on cheering Argai's praise. After only minutes, the battle intensity had dropped as most of mutineer forces had been nullified quickly. The last remaining resistance was a group concealed behind a smaller wall with a trio of heavy machine guns proving costly for the Drusai numbers.

"Argai! Pull them back!" shouted Niezen as he assessed to situation. Acknowledging his order Argai threw another spear towards the smaller wall, the spear penetrated deeply and impaled a Trooper hiding behind it.

Seeing a solution to their conundrum Fletcher made a run for a dropped RPG sitting just fifteen meters away. He dove to reach it and rolled, with his prize in hand he headed back to Niezen's position. One of the gunners spotted him and five heavy rounds cut the ground before zeroing in on Fletcher. He took three hits to his chest as he hurled his prize and collapsed with a smile on his face as the RPG landed at Niezen's feet . The gunner fired at a pair of Drusai that popped their heads up as a diversion and Niezen saw his opportunity. He armed the warhead, jumped up and fired, annihilating the concealed gunners.

"Regroup!" Niezen called to his forces. They swept the entire compound finding eight more enemy Troopers cowering with cold barrels and executed them on the spot, whilst the Drusai worked their way through the compound ensuring the enemies that fell were indeed dead. Each enemy cadaver was run through by spear and more than one enemy combatant was found feigning death.

"Argai, get your hunters together and carry out the wounded," called out Niezen. Argai nodded back to him and set to work. Niezen was busy checking to see how many troops he had left. He sent his last two Medics out with the Drusai to tend the wounded leaving him with only four Troopers. The Drusai fared much better, losing only nineteen and another handful with ranging injuries. "Alright guys, salvage whatever ammo and power packs you can find, we still have to take the ship," instructed Niezen as he used his hands to split them up. Niezen tried an air-lock and as suspected the codes had been changed. He continued his sweep until he found a familiar face or rather what remained of it.

Chief Engineer Sunisa sat upright leaning against some wreckage, her right foot was lost and her face mostly charred. With painted armour Niezen knew her to be one of his as he approached. Niezen looked her over quickly. She had been hit in the chest and she'd lost a tremendous amount of blood, it amazed him that Sunisa was still conscious. To her side lay a fallen Drusai, she didn't notice Niezen until he stood directly in front of her. With laboured breathing and blood running down her chin, her good eye slowly wandered to the Drusai at her side, "he saved me," she spluttered, "we dragged them, into our mess, and they, they fought to protect us."

Niezen took a knee in front of her, "we could learn so much from them, perhaps they can appreciate the bigger picture far better than we can."

Sunisa spat blood to empty her mouth, "so did we win?"

"Just cleaning up now. But we're stuck outside, we have ourselves a stand off," Niezen answered as his eyes returned to the airlock he tried moments ago.

Sunisa continued coughing up blood, struggling to draw breath, "why, haven't you, called me, a medic?" her eye remained focused on Niezen as its light began to fade.

Niezen smirked, "for this little scratch?" he jested, as Sunisa gurgled a final time before slipping away.

"Sir! Come see this," called out a Trooper. Niezen rushed over to find an enemy impaled by a Drusai spear. "I think it's Captain Fitzroy Sir," laughed the Trooper.

Niezen grinned as he nodded, "indeed it is." They heard a faint noise from Fitzroy's helmet. Niezen picked it up to hear the Major's frantic voice.

"Captain report! Captain? Do you read?" shrieked the Major and Niezen's grin widened as he saw fit to respond to the Major.

"Why hello Major, I'm so sorry but the Captain is quite busy at present. Shall I take a message?" Niezen provoked him in the most coy fashion he could muster with so much adrenaline still in his system. There was no response over the comms the channel was now dead.

"FUCK!" screamed Sova smashing his fists down on the panel before him.

"Not going so well I take it?" chimed in Felix before being struck in the ribs by Chance and a gag shoved in his mouth. There he sat on the floor of the bridge, his hands bound, with a sidearm to his head.

"This can't be happening," Sova whispered, "how did my men fall? And to cavemen no less," the Major continued to mumble to himself in disbelief as he sat in the Commander's chair with Croxen standing by his side. She leaned in to whisper to him.

"It's okay Sir. They can't get inside, and once we get the primary systems back online we shall blast them into oblivion," Croxen cooed while rubbing the Major's shoulders.

"Yes, yes you're right my dear," Sova declared after coming out of his trance, he was then interrupted by a Trooper manning the comms station.

"Pardon me Sir, but we're being hailed," informed the Trooper.

"Hailed? By who?" snapped Sova.

"It's some sort of code Sir, I don't understand," replied the Trooper.

Sova spun his chair around to face the Trooper, "well repeat it to me!" he barked.

"Yes Sir!" the Trooper choked, "it's 4863-992C. Shall I send a reply Sir?"

The Major gleamed, his anxiety had alleviated instantly and he had regained composure. Felix felt uneasy at the Major's new found confidence as he watched on, powerless. "Yes Trooper, send as follows; 8537-331H," confirmed the Major with a deepening smile.

"Done Sir," the Trooper confirmed. A moment later a new request was received, "we're being hailed again Sir, they request an open channel."

"Patch it through here," instructed the Major almost politely. The Trooper complied and a stern voice came over the speakers for all on the bridge to hear.

"This is Colonel Jacob Orazi, Commander of the Titan Crius, identify yourself." A wave of emotion flooded over Felix as a sense of relief filled his entire being. Finally the cavalry had arrived and this nightmare would be over. But why was the Major not afraid? Did he really think he was going to talk his way out of this? Thought Felix.

"Sir this is Major Sova, I successfully took control of the Hyperion but we are trapped, as we speak there are traitors attempting to enter the ship. We've suffered heavy casualties and there are native savages aiding the traitors."

Orazi ignored the Major's plea, "tell me, what of the planet?" he enquired.

The Major hesitated, "Oh. It's perfect Sir. Rich in mineral deposits and there is plentiful food."

"Good, good. Well Major, I am accompanied by the Titan Theia commanded by Major Roanna Bolstad. We have just entered your system, under sub-light we should arrive in," he paused a moment, "ten hours."

"Sir, I'm grounded here, I have no weapons or eyes outside. Please advise," Sova pleaded as desperation slowly crept into his voice.

"I expect a detailed report upon my arrival, Orazi out." The transmission cut out and the Major clenched his jaw, left embarrassed in front of his prisoner and without reassurance from his superior.

Felix's hope of rescue was shattered. He sat fixated, staring at the Major's aggravating face wishing he could get his hands around that throat. In what seemed like an act of providence, Croxen smiled at Felix, he relaxed as he attempted to get a reading from her. Nothing. He was unable to feel anything from her. He shrugged it off, perhaps he couldn't pry into just anyone's mind and decided simply to return the favour, smiling back.

Croxen closed her eyes and took a slow deep breath, as she exhaled her hands found their way to her belt. She drew her sidearm and blade simultaneously crossing her arms, elbows outward. With a lightning fast slash she opened Sova's throat sending an arc of blood soaring across the room as she took aim at the pair of Troopers by the door, both dropped by a single head shot. Croxen spun on her heel and hurled her knife at the Trooper manning the comms station, biting deep into his chest. She pounced to retrieve her knife as she continued to pick off the remaining four Troopers spread around the bridge, they fired back hopelessly at her blurry image as she darted back and forth closing the gap swiftly before eliminating each of them. Felix had jumped to his feet the moment the Major sprayed blood across his panel and the floor around him. Chance stood in shock for a moment, he had realised too late what was happening and was unable to aid his comrades. His thoughts turned to self-preservation and he fled the bridge. Croxen dripping with the Major's blood heard the door and exploded from her position in pursuit.

"Wait!" Felix screamed after pulling his gag out, "he's mine, cut me loose. Please!" Croxen stopped and set Felix free, she handed him her sidearm with a wink. "Thanks," he yelled back as he charged off after Chance. Croxen went to the nearest panel and began to enter an authorisation code. All weapons systems came back online as she continued punching in commands. After a few minutes Croxen left the bridge heading for the brig. She opened all the cells and helped the battered women into the corridor. Some of the women were terrified by Croxen's appearance. She tried to comfort them advising it was the Major's tainted blood she now wore.

"Don't worry, we're being rescued. You're all going to be okay," Croxen smiled, "just line up here and I'll remove your restraints." The women lined up and were set free, many of them driven to tears overcome with emotion. "Everyone follow me to the cargo bay," she announced. Without a sound they followed Croxen as she led them through the ship.

Chance had taken the direct path to the cargo bay, he was on his own until the Crius and Theia arrived. His only hope was to take the last Behemoth and get clear of the Hyperion to assess the situation and wait out his rescue. Felix was always faster on foot than Chance and without armour Felix quickly caught up. Chance had just entered the cargo bay as Felix flew in behind him, weapon at the ready.

"Don't fucking move!" Felix barked. Chance dived to the side as Felix fired three shots each failing to contact. Chance rolled and jumped up drawing his own weapon and they found themselves in each other's sights.

"Don't be stupid Felix, how many rounds do you think are left in there? She didn't give you a fresh mag did she?" Chance smirked feeling he had gained the upper hand. Felix narrowed his view trying to contain his rage, his hands trembled trying to keep his aim true.

"I still had four when I got here and I only need one to kill you," boasted Felix panting. He felt confident, he could sense Chance was uneasy about having to draw his weapon on him. The main doors of the cargo bay began to open, Chance fired but Felix evaded firing his final shot striking the outer edge of Chance's right thigh. The round left a mark on the armour but didn't penetrate. Felix righted himself and dropped his weapon, "now it's empty," he sighed as Chance leered back at him.

"Looks like I win again," cackled Chance. "But don't worry I won't kill you just yet, I'll need a hostage to get out of here," he boasted.

Felix closed his eyes, seemingly in acceptance of his fate.

"Yeah, I'd be scared too if I were you," snickered Chance. "Once the Colonel gets he-"

Amidst the silence of the cargo bay, they heard something odd and Chance paused. The sound grew louder, it was a repetitive pounding, gaining speed, getting louder, closer.

Felix opened his eyes and called out, "Argai!"