Zakharov immediately put out a call to the other faction leaders, telling of Chairman Yang's attack and calling for aid. As he was completing his broadcast and turning to other matters, the ground began to shake. In a continuous roll of thunder, bombs began to fall on the University's outer defences. The awful crashing grew nearer and Zakharov's office module was lifted into the air and crashed down on its side. Zakharov cracked his head against the edge of his desk and lay in a heap, unmoving.

Tania woke up screaming. Elspeth sat up next to her daughter and hugged her tightly, as the vibrations from the explosions on the surface made the shelter shake. "Mummy! What's happening?"
"Don't worry. We'll be safe here. Bombs won't get through to the shelter."
"But what about Daddy?"
"He's organising things so that we don't lose to Chairman Yang. He'll be okay."
Tania threw her little arms around her mother's neck and sobbed "I'm frightened."
Elspeth stroked Tania's face and kissed her gently. "It will be all right......"

General Connelly was fighting a losing battle and he knew it. The Hive had too many fighter bombers to defend against, too many were getting through. One by one the lights on his tac comm screen went out as defensive positions were overcome. The only chance now was that there would be enough of the ground forces left to hold off the Hive shocktroops. The continuous 'crump' of the bombing died down and, throughout the University, soldiers steeled themselves for the coming onslaught......(cont)