Operation: Phoenix, Battle for the TRES HQ, Part 10
        Sub Title: Samurai Ridge

        by CyberPyro (cybrpyro@iac.net)

        The Jihaddi quadruple-timed their march across the valley floor as
they headed for the last stronghold left to them: The TRES Corps HQ.  Behind
them came the ominous, singing masses of the X'hirjq, intent only their
deaths.
        It had been a fair race, sprinting across the valley towards the
access roads to the HQ.  However, the X'hirjq had Exoskeletoned troops,
lightly armored but incredibly fast, in reserve.
        As the groups raced through the snow, kicking up huge clouds, it
became a matter of guess work: Would the fast X'hirjq encircle the Jihaddi or
would they make it off the valley floor and into the hills?  As the distance
to the northern ridges diminished, the conclusion became more and more
obvious.
        "We're trapped," stated Lt. Jaina.  No hysteria, no panic, no
distress, just calm, rational observations.
        "Maybe," said CP as he issued more orders over the TacNet.  If they
could punch through the X'hirjq blocking them fast enough, perhaps they'd
avoid the ones closing in from behind.

...

        The X'hirjq had closed the snare faster than the Jihaddi had
estimated.  Soon they were surrounded by BattleArmors of all kinds, each side
hiding finding cover in the rocky terrain of the foothills.
        A chorus of high whistling noises started, its strength growing until
it was the only noise audible across the battlefield.  The first shell
exploded behind the X'hirjq, spraying snow and rocks across them.  In the
space of a second or two, hundreds more landed, completely decimating the
landscape in and around the X'hirjq.
        The aliens looked around, no casualties taken on their side and
located the source of the fire.  On top of the ridge the Jihaddi wished to
pass stood a woman.  Around her were dozens more women and men, each holding
a PAW Rifle.
        Their banners, reminiscent of feudal Japan, fluttered in the icy
winds.  Every Jihaddi suit of BattleArmor on the ridge had a headband wrapped
around it, indicating some rank, honor, or position.
        The lead female stepped forwards, casting her PAW Rifle into the
snow, as she drew her katana and wakizashi.  Her voice echoed across around
the foothills as she spoke:
        "I am Caisoko Hiroshi, descendant of Masaki Hiroshi, Samurai Warrior
for Emperor Hirohito of Japan.  In the name our Ancestors, I challenge the
X'hirjq warriors to a dual of Honor with company of fellow Samurai.  If you
are worthy of being a foe, fight us: sword to sword, hands to claws."
        Silence fell over the battlefield, the Jihadii in the foothills
uncertain of what to do, the X'hirjq completely motionless.

...

(Author's Note: It is strongly recommended you go to
http://www.iac.net/~cybrpyro/phoenix/xhirjq.html and reference the X'hirjq
FAQ there so this segment makes some sense to you.)

        [Forgot them!] yelled F'qq'tt.
        [Silence, T'qaal'xqa backstabber] thought X'huurrj'qx.  [We
X'hirq'a'al do not ignore challenges to our Honor.]
        [Pursue your Honor] said X'ss'aaa'zo.  [I see no reason they cannot
both be destroyed at the same time.]
        [I cannot agree with the Jr'ihq'iu] said T'qll'iz, speaking for the
first time in days.  [The Aa'iei will assist to battling the Samurai.]
        [The X'uul'hzijq'o will attack the Samurai] said H'uu'ilz.
        [As will the Uz't~iiq] agreed D'q'~~y.
        [Then it is resolved] pronounced X'huurrj'qx.  [The Samurai shall be
our first target.]

...

        The X'hirjq forces moved in unison, charging towards the ridge where
the Samurai waited.  The Exoskeletoned X'hirjq, the quickest of the assault
force, were the first to reach the base of the ridge and begin climbing
upwards.

...

        "All personnel: retreat to the HQ.  NOW!" ordered CP.
        "You can't just leave them; they're dead!" complained J-Rock.
        "Hiroshi volunteered to do this.  Now let's move."

...

        Hiroshi watched the steaming corpse of Exoskeletoned X'hirjq roll
down the ridge, leaving bright, shiny stains as it rolled.  Another came in
from the side, it claws hissing through the air.  The Samurai side stepped
the attack, her katana slicing deeply across the alien's midsection.
        The X'hirjq stumbled forwards, taking a secondary wound from
Hiroshi's wakizashi.  Its serrated sword hissed through the air and met the
human's katana.  Blue-green spurted across Hiroshi's forearm as she performed
as impromptu hari kari on her enemy.
        All across the ridge the snow slowly turned a pinkish tint,
intermixed with blue-green phosphorescent high lights.  The Samurai were
holding their own but wearing down quickly.

...

        [The other humans are escaping!] snarled F'qq'tt.
        [We know where out prey are going.  They will be destroyed] thought
X'huurrj'qx.

...

        The dying screams of Samurai echoed across the ridge, the X'hirjq
steadily gaining ground.  The initial groups of X'hirjq, mostly Exoskeletons,
had proven easy killing for the Samurai as they held commanding advantage of
the ridge.
        However, with the arrival of heavier suits, control of the ridge
rapidly shifted into the waiting claws of the X'hirjq.  A Samurai took a claw
swipe across his exposed chest, mortally wounding him, as he continued to
parry and slash at the oncoming enemy.
        "The time is approaching," said Hiroshi, dodging an attack from a
decloaked Devourer and slashing with her katana as a counter attack.  Beside
her, Lieutenant Toba lost his sword and then his life to a Heavy suit of
BattleArmor.
        Hiroshi backed away from her enemies, trying to avoid attacks from
the rear.  The wind howled across the ridge, she realized every other Samurai
had died at the hands of their enemy.  She was alone, the winter wind
chilling her skin in places where armor had been torn away, and her body 
completely exhausted.
        A Devourer slowly walked towards her, snow and ice crunching noisily
under its metallic feet.  Other X'hirjq sprinted to the left and right,
flanking and then encircling Hiroshi.
        [Surrender and we will be merciful] thought the lead Huntress.
Hiroshi, much to the astonishment of the X'hirjq, sheathed her katana and 
wakizashi.  A small device appeared in her hand and she punched a couple of
buttons.  The device bleeped a high pitched noise as she tossed it aside and
charged the nearest enemy, katana held high.
        The Devourer, momentarily surprised, failed to block the attack.
Hiroshi's blade split the helmet of her enemy, cleaving it skull neatly in
two.

...

        "The garri..." said J-Rock, jumping away from the observation window.
Below the TRES HQ, the ridge where Hiroshi and her Samurai had made a stand
disappeared in four gigantic, synchronous explosions.  Blinding flashes lit
the entire valley as the ridge disintegrated in rubble, its pieces streaking
in every direction.
        A visible shock wave rolled up the mountain side, a mate to the
rising mushroom cloud.  Trees snapped from their roots, bursting into flames
as the heat rose into the sky.
        The walls of the HQ, more than a mile away, shuddered as the shock
waves hit them.  Several of the weaker windows blew inwards, embedding glass
in empty offices.  The marble podium in the amphitheater cracked and settled
slightly to the side.
        "My god..." said J-Rock in total disbelief.  "They blew up the ridge
where they made their stand."
        "Their is no higher honor to a Samurai," spoke CP, "than to die in
service of their ruler.  I hereby request, and whole heartedly recommend,
that the Captain Hiroshi and her entire battalion be granted the Star of
Grimace posthumously.  Their sacrifice gave us a fighting chance against the
X'hirjq.  They deserve the honor."
        After a brief discussion 'link discussion with Admirals Mysterium and
Piper, an agreement had been reached.
        "It is with great thankfulness," began J-Rock as he addressed the HQ,
"that I hereby award TRES Corps' highest honor and commendation, the Star of
Grimace, to the late Captain Hiroshi and her battalion.  May their self-
sacrifice and brave deeds be recorded for all time."

To be continued and concluded in part 11!
                                                                CP

Copyright, Pyrokinetic Productions, Inc. (1996)