Don't any of you do it! Byrne cursed. But before his recruits could lay down their weapons and disappoint, a sudden chorus of approaching engines echoed off the tower. In his current state, Byrne had difficulty comprehending the sheer numbers of his rescuers: the ten gargantuan combines backed
by phalanxes of gondolas that came rolling over the eastern ridge, the squadrons of dusters that darkened the western sky. But the sight of the approaching JOTUN army stunned the blue-armored
alien, and it pulled its weapon from Byrne's neck. When it did, all the recruits on the tower opened fire.
The massive brute fell backward, gouting dark red blood, leaving Byrne to topple forward. By the time the Staff Sergeant rolled over on his back, the militiamen had shot one of the other armored
