— 21 —
"Catapults, reload!" Nelson shouted.
The huge stones had crashed down on the enemy's leading formation and torn gaping holes in the solid block of pikes, but the advance hadn't been broken; in fact, the enemy hadn't even slowed down! Worse, the enemy foot archers were coming within good bow range to start peppering Nelson's own pikes.
"Gaius!"
"My lord?"
"Any message from Critos? Will his cavalry be able to rejoin us?"
"There is no message, my lord. It would appear that both groups of horse—theirs and ours—have ridden off to the north."
"Tell the light cavalry to stand by to charge. Their target will be the right flank of that leading enemy pike block."
"At once, my lord!"
Nelson lowered his M‑16 and moved forward to stand in front of his pike lines, at the corner of the formation.
Hate to waste ammo when I don't have that much, but this looks like do or die, he thought.
"Catapults," he shouted, taking aim at the front rank of the enemy formation. "Fire!"
Twenty-pound boulders flew high in the air, and Nelson loosed a full automatic burst from the M‑16 at the same time.
All five catapults and Nelson's M‑16 fire at once. Their total Attack Strength is 101+. This fire is on Chart A for close range.
In addition to all other modifiers, subtract 2 from the Morale value of the Karinthian First Pikes to reflect their reaction to seeing the effect of star weapons for the first time. Make this subtraction before rolling any required Morale check.
If the enemy First Pikes rout, go to section 19.
If the enemy First Pikes do not rout, go to section 57.