The Colony by John Davis

thrashing curb stomp-style kick meant to end him – responding with a solid kick of his own to one of the Rynal, its leg buckling a bit. Then a second, as Jack began to work his way back upright.
    Even the smallest bones in his skull, however, jarred wildly as the second Rynal crushed him back to the ground with an authoritative backhand.
    With his vision blurred and what had instantly become a near-crippling headache, Jack was reluctant to stand again, opting instead to defend himself from his back.
    Pulling a rifle from its back, one of the Rynal uttered several harsh words, its language very cold and direct; as Jack remained crumpled to the ground awaiting his fate. Eventually closing his eyes.
    The lieutenant shook as the burst of ammunition sounded loudly, though it took a moment to register. It was Earth Defense gunfire.
    Quickly opening his eyes, Jack saw a Rynal falling victim to a single round, high-caliber. As the second turned with surprise, Ronaldo fired on it as well, though the monster evaded the shot. At least in terms of being fatal, the bullet merely clipping its side.
    The demon screamed in pain however, as Jack dashed to his feet and plunged man-made steel into the lower spine of the creature; brutally dragging the blade upward as the Rynal's screams turned to silence.
    “Run!” Ronaldo yelled, nearing his brother in arms.
    “ Huh?” Jack asked, a ringing headache partially to blame.
    “ RUN!” the sniper yelled once more, sprinting past his military superior.
    Oh Shit. Jack thought as the horizon was now filled with heavy rain and a small horde of Rynal, each of them closing in fast.
    The pain of a headache is enough to put even the best to rest. Amazingly, however, the adrenaline of death at the gates seems to always push us to our limits. As it did with Lieutenant Jack Strong as he began sprinting as though his life depended on it.
    Which it did.
     
    -
     
    “How are you feeling?” Julia asked several hours later as Jack lay resting.
    “ My head is still splitting...but I'm lucky to be alive.” he replied.
    “ Yes you are, given everything that has taken place.” the young woman said, lifting his head up a bit to place a fresh rag across his forehead; the linen full of cold water and headache-killing ability, or so it seemed.
    “ Sitrep!” the lieutenant yelled.
    “ Well sir,” Renaldo replied, leaving the general to watch over the building's one and only entrance. “It isn't a good one.”
    “ Give it to me.” Jack demanded.
    “ Well alright, you asked,” the sniper replied as a disclaimer. “We're at war.”
    “ What?” Jack asked, removing the rag from his head as he sat up quickly, preparing to stand.
    “ I mean we're at war. The Earth Defense Force. Whatever those things are, we've dubbed them Rynal. Turns out the bastards are everywhere, not just here.”
    “ What?” Jack asked, trying to process the new information. “How can that be?”
    “ I dunno. There was a small radio in the satchel, but it's one-way. I've been listening in the best I can, but nobody is talking how. Just battle orders and casualties for the most part.” Renaldo said.
    Jack began to think about everything. The crew he had lost, the memories of home and his government as a whole. Then, pulling his sidearm, the lieutenant slowly aimed into the direction of the general.
    “Why have they not taken this building?” Jack asked, his pistol glued to the general.
    “ What?”
    “ I just saw with my own eyes what these things are capable of. They have the muscle and the weaponry to get to us. To get through my ship. So my question is, why haven't they broken through yet?” Jack demanded to know.
    “ I, I don't know,” the general said, pausing to lift his hand in front of the gun's path. “Please, that's the truth. I wondered myself, but I don't have the answers lieutenant. Now please.” the general replied.
    “ I do,” Julia added, stepping forward to the conversation. “At least I think I