The Komani were caught in a vise.
Aikens’ Marines, in battle cruisers and armored cars, drove up the streets between the warehouses, crushing the Komani attack with massed firepowerThe invading warriors fell back, slowly at first, but when they tried to regroup, they found Terran armored vehicles boring down on them. The Komani fled for the city’s outskirts, only to be met by Merdon’s vengeful fighters.
By nightfall it was ended. A few of the attackers had escaped—very few. Merdon and the exhausted citizens of Katan rejoiced by torchlight through the blackened, rubble-strewn streets.
Vorgens remained at the railing of the veranda, watching the celebration, in the dark. The city’s electrical power generators had been heavily damaged. “Sir.”
He turned, and in the flickering shadows saw Mclntyre, grimy and tired, but alive. “You’ve—done a good day’s work. Sergeant.”
A satisfied grin broke across Mclntyre’s beefy face. “Thank you sir. Uh—we’re just about ready t* leave. The brigadier has already gone back t’ the Mobile Force. Ail other troops have pulled out.”
“All right,” Vorgens said quietly, “I suppose there’s no sense in my staying any longer.”
Mclntyre peered out over the railing. “They’re havin’ some time down there—celebratin’ their victory. I—uh, don’t suppose we could stay a bit longer and join ’em?”
“Victory?” the Watchman echoed. “What victory? Look at this city. It’s smashed to pieces. Who won?”
Mclntyre shmgged. “They seem t’ think they won, sir. They’re already talldn’ about how they’re gonna rebuild the damaged sections of town.”