Epic: Book 03 - Hero by Lee Stephen

that nonetheless brought him upright to his knee. The slayers around him did the same. Svetlana remained cradled in Egor’s arms as if he were carrying a child.
    Plasma blasts erupted all around.
    Scott aimed at the alien attackers, of which there were several scattered in the sanctuary. An exchange of projectile and plasma ensued. The Nightmen dove behind the cover of the available pews as woodchips flew through the air.
    “ Two on the north side!” Dostoevsky yelled. “Three at the south!” With those words, the counterstrike formed.
    Scott popped up and fired a burst at the aliens in the south. The three Bakma there ducked for cover.
    At no time did Scott’s mind stop racing. Dostoevsky and Auric have the two on the north. Egor will concentrate on the three on my end. As if on cue, the oversized Egor launched a blast from his hand cannon. The corner where the Bakma hid exploded, and the plasma fire ceased.
    “ Two targets retreating,” said Dostoevsky, referring to the two aliens on the north.
    Scott had no idea if the three Bakma on the south were dead or in retreat. There was only one way to find out. “Nicolai, suppress.” He leapt up to charge the enemy stronghold.
    Nicolai cracked off several bursts.
    The sanctuary, or what was now left of it, was huge and ornate. The space was the size of a gymnasium. A wide stage spanned the front, complete with an altar, pulpit, and baptismal pool. White ceilings arched high above. As he charged, Scott took it all in.
    Plasma had a distinct odor. If inhaled too heavily, it watered the eyes. Scott could smell it through his helmet as he rushed the Bakmas’ position. Nicolai’s bullets whizzed over his shoulders, splintering the wood along the wall and shattering stained glass windows.
    The first Bakma emerged to fire a shot. It never got the chance.
    Scott was steps away from the doorway when the purple alien popped out—close enough to engage hand-to-hand. Scott raced forward, his armored fist catching the alien’s face the moment it appeared. The Bakma flew against the wall as Scott ducked then swung his rifle down the hallway. He opened fire, and a second Bakma was dead before it could shoot.
    Nicolai was right behind Scott. Grabbing the Bakma Scott had punched, Nicolai gave the alien’s head a violent twist. Its spinal cord cracked in its neck.
    “ There were three here,” Scott said through the comm. “There’s one unaccounted.” The last Bakma was nowhere to be seen. But there was no telling how many were hiding in the building. By the look of it, the door and adjacent hallway were actually add-ons to the orthodox church building—an entirely different wing. It might even have been an attached seminary.
    “ Pursue it,” Dostoevsky ordered. “Auric and I will pursue the two Bakma on the north. Goronok—take the bell tower.”
    “ Da, commander.”
    The Nightmen split up.

    * * *

    Clarke grabbed a support rail as the Pariah neared its second drop point—the roof of the warehouse they were supposed to clear for Jayden. Fire illuminated the streets in the distance. As the transport lowered to the rooftop, the captain readied his gun. “There’s a radio tower attached to this warehouse, Timmons. You should have an excellent view from atop.”
    “ Yessir.”
    “ Ryvkin will accompany you. The rest of us will clear the warehouse from ground floor up.”
    Behind the captain, Viktor looked mildly surprised.
    “ Do you object to this, Mr. Ryvkin?”
    “ Not at all, captain. That will work very well.” His eyes panned to the Texan.
    “ Ms. Brooking,” Clarke said, turning to Esther. “Assist Timmons from ground level. Be his second pair of eyes.”
    “ Freedom to improvise, sir?”
    “ Not yet. Just help Timmons shoot.”
    A look of defeat replaced her anxious expression.
    As the Pariah touched down on the roof, Jayden hopped out. Viktor was right on his heels. The Vulture transport lifted away.
    “ I will clear the rooftop entrance!” Viktor