Private Mandella, Chapter 15 Summary

After cautiously approaching the enemy base, Cortez divides the company into three firing squads. The Hope drops its frequency-scrambling bomb, Cortez recites the trigger poem, and the battle begins. Mandella finds himself compelled to destroy the enemy. Even though he is consciously aware that the flashing images in his mind are not real, he cannot stop himself from feeling rage, from wanting revenge, from thirsting for enemy blood. The Tauran defense system consists of shimmering spheres that slice through anything with which they come into contact. Mandella watches as a private right next to him cleanly loses a large portion of his head. Although the bubbles are deadly, they are all released at least six feet from the ground. Cortez orders the company to stay low.

When one of the buildings opens up and Taurans begin pouring out, the...