The first wave of troops rounded the last corner, weapons ready. Pulse rifles lit up the dark like a storm of lightning, hurling dozens of blazing bolts at the silver-armored invader.
The air filled with the deafening sound of ricochets. Sparks flew in all directions. But not a single shot pierced the Minotaur's defenses.
The beast stood tall and unmoved, his silver armor glowing with a pale light. A transparent barrier shimmered faintly around him from the energy of a shield woven from stellar force.
"W-What is that thing?!" one soldier cried, while fear rose in his voice.
"Captain! Our shots aren't working! It's shielded! we're not even scratching it!"
The captain cursed under his breath while his eyes narrowed. But then his lips twisted into a cruel smirk as he pointed deeper into the tunnel.
"No problem," he said coldly. "We brought a toy of our own."
A new sound thundered through the cavern; it was a deep, earthshaking roar of hydraulics and steel.
