Head down, arms swinging, Qazin ran through the forest dodging and heading towards the sound of gunfire, with more than half a dozen goblins closing in rapidly behind him. Their lips peeled back to reveal sharpened elongated teeth. But despite the danger, all he could think about was the look of surprise on the young recruit's face, staring at him with blank eyes. He shouldn't have left the kid on his own to fend for himself like that. A young man like that deserved to at least live another fifty to sixty years. Needing a breather, he swung around on his heels, leveled his rifle, and fired six rapid shots, killing the four nearest goblins with bullets to the head and chest. The goblins startled by the attack paused for a second, allowing Qazin time to continue sprinting. Spears flew past him to thunk into the trees. Panting for breath, he wiped the sweat that dripped down his forehead into his eyes and hoped the re-grouping point was close. He didn't think he had it in him to run another mile.

The slow methodical gunfire grew louder and louder. He wasn't far now, one more push and he should be there. Catching his second wind, he scrambled over tree trunks and brushed past large branches. Realizing the human was escaping, the goblins launched another volley of spears. Most fell short, except for one that struck him in the side of neck, leaving a deep bloody gouge mark. He stumbled forward a couple of paces blood spilling from his neck to soak his green army fatigues. Ignoring the fiery pain, he kept running one arm gripping his neck to stem the flow of blood and the other clutching his rifle. Finally, he broke free of the forest, and gave a tired smile at the sight of his bloodied men lined up on the opposite side of the road with rifles at the ready. Bullets flew in all around him, driving the goblins that had tailed him back.

~ * ~

Hick's his eyes focused on the growing line of goblins across from his position was considering their remaining options, when Qazin appeared. Stumbling out of the forest the left side of his body sheeted in blood, rifle loosely grasped in his right hand. Face creasing in worry he called out to Soren his most able-bodied veteran, "Go retrieve the Commander!!Snap to it soldier!!" Soren nodded and raced over to the commander with the practiced ease of an athlete. Wrapping his arms around the commander's thin shoulders, he half carried, half dragged him towards the defensive perimeter. He swiftly laid the commander out to rest against a tree trunk, and rejoined the firing line. Hicks his eyes still focused on the other side of the road where the goblins were massing, wished again that he had more men on hand. "What's the plan commander?"

Qazin stared up into the night sky his face void of all emotion. "Position Cora and Tommy our best shooters up in the trees, give them my cartridges." Hick's frowned in confusion. "Chief?" Qazin pulled his hand away to expose the ugly wound in his neck. "This is the end for me," he whispered. Veins and arteries torn, this was a mortal wound. His friend needed a doctor right now or a medic. Unfortunately, those two professions were a rarity now.

Hick's hard face with its harsh edges and flat planes softened, his blue eyes moistening. His friend was dying. He had grown used to losing friends and battle brothers in the new world. But this somehow was different; he had known Qazin a long time, they had been together when all this had begun, they had fought side by side for years. His friend had been there at the birth of his child and had always been there to watch his back. He felt a lump welling up in his throat. He tried to speak, but couldn't. His mouth refused to open. Qazin, as if understanding his thoughts, patted him on the shoulder and gave him a sad smile. He then opened the pockets in his cargo pants and pulled out his two remaining cartridges. Nodding his head, he took the proffered cartridges and stood up. Now was not the time for mourning.

He gestured for Cora and Tommy to join him. "How many rounds do you have each?" Cora licked her dry lips, wiping the sweat on her brow. "Using my last mag Sarg, have around 17 rounds left." Tommy a short squat man with golden skin, pale green eyes, spat in the ground and help up nine fingers. "Here," he said and handed out one cartridge to each of them. "Now, get your arses up those trees and give us some sniper fire." The pair saluted slung their rifles on their backs and began climbing up the nearest trees, leaving him alone with Soren and Qazin on the ground. Eyes red with weariness, he squatted down beside the old veteran to await the end. He raised the M16 rifle back up to his cheek and clicked on the torch attached to rifle barrel. A small pool of light encircled the group of humans.

More goblins filtered in from the forest with a few surviving Orcs who hadn't lost their senses in the bloodlust. The grey-skinned giant its hunger sated by goblin flesh, marched to the front of the line coated head to foot in blood. The creature lifted its massive war axe to the sky and gave a deep-throated growl that reverberated in the air, sending shivers down his spine. Giving them a taste of what was to come.