The black clad mercenary clashed swords with a mechanical soldier. The boy pushed the android back away from the barricade.

"Commander Dire," a rough voice spoke over the speaker in the his helmet, "Report your position."

"Barely holding down the defense. We need backup." William launched the sword into the torso of an opponent. Sparks flew and the android fell to the ground, the demonic glow of its red eyes dead. Another soldier rushed вперед to attack the young officer.

"No can do, Dire," the voice said. "We have all our other troops defendin' the Greater Tower. Ты will need to secure the Spirita Pillar using your own forces."

William kicked a soldier back into the others.

"Sir, there aren't enough of us left to hold off these 'bots for another ten minutes, let alone fight them off completely."

"There is nothin' I can do. I know the Spirita holds our only connection to the North Coast tradin' posts, but we don't have enough men to defen' both positions. And we need the Tower more. I'm sorry."

William risked a glance to his left. Six other mercenaries completely garbed in black fought off the androids. To his left were another seven. One of his brethren looked at him and saluted. Even through the tinted visor of the communications's helmet, he could see the determination the other fighter felt.

William knew they all held that same burning flame of valor. His troops would defend this Pillar at the cost of their lives if they had to. They knew the importance of keeping the access to the trading post. Without it, they wouldn't be able to trade with the North Coast. And the citizens would surely abandon the Resistance in desperation and alley with the Kingdom.

But the few Resistance mercenaries left would not be able to defeat the entire army of mechanical soldiers.

"Fall back!" William ordered reluctantly.

The mercenary beside him look at him with astonishment.
"Sir," the accented tone argued, even as the fighter decapitated a soldier with his cutlass , "we can't give up on this Pillar."

"The general isn't going to send us any support. We have to retreat, или we'll all be slaughtered," William added, "That's an order, Sam."

To emphasize his point, he skewered an android and kicked it off his sword into two others, then turned on his heel and sprinted toward the tall building behind the barricade.
William heard the pounding of boots on pavement behind him as his troops followed.