jump

“ Less than generous , ” Sinesh said . “ But I accept your limited losses . The battle has been joined . Some of your spears are broken , or damaged , and now comes the problem — that close to your front , demons can leap . ” He began to pick up black shells , drop them in the midst of her ranks . Some of those demons would die on the spearheads of her back ranks , but demons were heavy — they would break spears , fall upon the rear ranks , raining burning blood all the way . Others might leap into the gaps created . Once past her massed spearpoints , she envisioned the remaining demons lashing out in all directions , tearing her warriors to pieces . Men would break . Men would run . Her phalanx would collapse . “ You lose , ” Sinesh said .

***

A demon leapt through the air , trying to launch itself over the front ranks , only to impale itself on angled spears . The beast seemed to hover in midair , legs kicking , tail whipping , claws slashing at the wood , tearing free splinters until the shafts snapped . The beast fell . Wounded , spilling burning blood , it tried to rise , but met its end when the half - spears of a dozen archers sliced through it , pinning it to the ground .

***

The black wave crashed against the Takantan phalanx , the first demons impaling themselves . Some wooden shafts snapped , but most held . The beasts behind the frontrunners crashed in as well , some trying to push through their brethren , some climbing up over them , most spreading out along the phalanx’s length . Some leapt high , trying and failing to arc over the top . All along the line , claws , tails and teeth punished hard bronze , while spears in the second and third rows thrust forward and back through the wall of shields .

***

Ahiliyah watched , horrified and helpless , as demons leapt high , and there were no spears left to catch them . The beasts landed on their feet , instantly cut down screaming archers , turned and tore into the backs of the spearmen holding the line .

***

Aliens: Phalanx, Chapter 23, 39, 42