it

rumbled forward,

rumbled forward, wheeled left into line, advanced toward the exit ramp. I preceded them, emerged into the open, watched as they filed out and took up battle formation.
"They caught on to where we were going, Jones," Joel called. "I've been listening; they sent ten units over to see what we're up to!"
"I'll take this squad and hold them off, Joel! You get the rest of them out!"
I heard his voice rapping out orders as I set off.
As I reached the crest of the defile, the interceptor force came into view—ten mighty machines, glittering under the light of the full planet. At once, a thunderous command blasted at me:
"UNITS, IMMOBILIZE! REVERT TO STAND-BY ALERT!"
I reached out, found the grotesque form of an alien mind, and dealt it a smashing blow.
"Task force, you are now under the control of Talisman Command," I roared in imitation of the Command-voice. "Take up positions in echelon with Talisman force!"
Nine of the battle units acknowledged, moved into the pass, leaving their dead leader behind. Under our guns, they mounted the path, took up stations as ordered. Far out on the flat, the main body was in view, coming up fast.
"All out, Jones," Joel's call came. "We're on the way."
"Some new volunteers have just rallied to the standard," I called back. "Post units at all the passes into the crater; we're going to have to defend this position."
"If we run for it, we could get away clean now, Jones,"