Any Hill To Die On (Kujo)

[MKR]

December 13th, 2880
Serra do Cando, Spain
14:43 PM

Hanging over the area formerly part of the long gone nation of Spain was a dreary forecast. There was no rain, that much was true but the sun hid itself equally so as if in acknowledgement of the battle about to unfold below to which it would bear no witness. The stage for which, looming in the distance was the fortified position as reported. It was no full blown military fortress that much was sure but between its elevated position above the barren lands that provided no cover by itself lest one claw their way under rock and stone like the Beta and the various pieces of heavy ordnance staring down the hill it was no wonder that the Erebonians had opted to leave this outpost for later during their advance south.

Various pieces of heavy artillery barely looming over a metal barricade and machineguns taken from larger had been turned into emplacement guns as behind them movement was clear. Who knows how much food and water could be contained inside those walls, were the inhabitants starving or bunked down comfortably with an afternoon snack on their schedule? At this moment it did not matter, at least not for the assailant. Erebonia cared sure, they cared how long this could be a thorn in their side and a potential threat to the inhabitants.

The one thing left to do, was kindly get them to leave permanently. With heavy violence.

 

[Kujo]

Aria stared at her screens and sighed. "I really should have waited to make this a night operation, purple just doesn't cut it in the afternoon sun." The CHORUS starlet leaned back in her cockpit chair. Her pilot suit was far and away from the usual clinical white of the organization; jet black and heavily accented in reds, this was the uniform of "independent mercenary A.E" and the disguise of "agent Es". Indra Mu Seraph did seem to delight in commanding the idol as his personal secret agent, but perhaps it was simply because she now manned his old Gundam.

Cloaked within a field of colloid particles, Regenerate Gundam stood atop an opposing ridgeline from the rogues' fort. The old mobile suit perched and standing tall in Mobile Armor mode for none to see at the moment, its mono-eye camera leering as it scanned the enemy's position.

'TSFs, those erebonian knights, and an old variable fighter. None of these sound like the choice for the target, but I suppose beggars can't be choosers.'

As the Gundam autonomously marked targets and noted info, Aria reached below her seat and picked up a small white sphere, hardly 2 inches across. A small, simplistic face lit up under the lightly translucent material of the orb. "Pii~," it chirped as it registered Aria. "Haropi, start mission log for Erebonia; 'A.E. commencing operation,' and keep an eye out on the limb cameras, please." Haropi vibrated and hopped out of Aria's hand with a click as it flipped out minute wings with rotors, the little ball flying up over Aria's head and into a round slot that snugly fit it. "Pii- Haropi~"

​

Leaning into the controls, Aria set Regenerate into a crouched position and kicked off into the air with its 4 powerful limbs. The Gundam tilted with its verniers and shifted into cruise mode going almost straight up as it launched up and away from the ground.

Sailing high up and over the enemy's position, Aria angled the Suit downwards and cut the thrusters. Regenerate quickly began to plummet down over a gun emplacement with a pack running into it, the only noise coming from it a subtle hum from the Gundam's nuclear reactor and the faint rush of air. Impact warnings rang out and Aria swiftly switched off the Mirage Colloid and shifted Regenerate into MA mode once more. The Gundam produced the thick beam blades in its clawed legs as it landed with a crunch into the metal and quickly brought up it's long rifle to blast a beam at another similar turret, the great green streak illuminating all those underneath.

 

[MKR]

Green hues suddenly interrupted the evening sky, but even more disturbing was the sudden explosion of one of the emplacement guns with what amounted to no warning at all. The hum prior unheard and now the machines outside were essentially face to face with something far removed from any machine they fought prior. The green soon matched by the reds of alarm lights, their vibrant colors and cacophony of sirens blaring through the complex the two Drakkhens patched together as they were with metal plating and haphazard repairs sought to stand in defiance as both took the guns in their hands and aimed at the monstrosity sitting atop the burning weapon.

The green beam collided with another similar gun, causing a loud detonation and segments of the upper half of the emplacement weapon to rocket skyward without its fuel tank. Shortly after it impacted and embedded itself in the dirt as many shards of hot metal had done already, the blast having sent them into the hillside or into the barricades surrounding the weapon.

A spray of bullets, not particularly well aimed but still approximate to any perceived weak points of the quad legged, very un-gundamlike gundam. Both of them slowly making their retreat as they sought any nearby weapons to mount. The F-4 that had been there with them closed in on the location of the action, but as it was on the other side of the base that would take a moment. Furthermore there were stirrings inside the complex itself, aside from the alarm or rather it seemed in response to it. Men scurrying about, trying to hide from the sight of the invader or reach for weapons hidden from view perchance.

 

[Kujo]

"Pii- Phase Shift Armor holding fast-pi~"

The towering Mobile Armor brought its broad, clawed limb up in front of it, tipping it's long rifle upwards; the physical ordinance of the OPERA's targets flashing relatively harmlessly against the Gundam's powered armor.

Not wasting any time to let the Phase Shift get worn down, Aria sprung Regenerate off from its position and thrust itself down with its booster. The Gundam skittered behind the spartan facilities and old stones of the hilly region as it advanced against the scurrying mobile weapons before digging its back legs into the rocky terrain and shifting into cruise mode, firing its four limb beam guns in a burst before shooting off just over the enemy's heads.

"Anything looking like a 'boss enemy', Haropi?"

"No-pii."

 

[MKR]

Hangar doors slid open with noise and racket, a response mobilized and poured out of the facility as the F-4 also arrived on the scene. "If they hurt my baby!" a voice called out over a private comms channel, only for a sigh of relief to follow. Their beloved Lightning III was still safe and sound.
"Boss, they immediately disabled two of our guns!"

Iris looked around to spot which ones were wrecked. That was at least easy to asses.
"Both the.... Well fuck. Bullets put a dent in it?"

"Nothin'."

She could see what game was being played here, "Everyone deployed in something solely relying on bullets. To the hangar and pick something else." She called out, her Spiegel sliding forwards towards the tarp covered VF. As she could spot the weird claw taking off in her rearview. "And if nothing is free try and fix the broken guns. Whatever that thing is is immune to bullets, so bust out the explosives and beams on it and save the rounds for covering fire."

A good chunk of the mobilized machines turned tail and ran inside, trying to scour whatever energy based weaponry they could. Drakkhen's put their guns away and turned to their blades, those aught to work right? Still, a dread was creeping over the environment.
Iris herself placed her Spiegel besides the tarp, pulling it off in one swift motion to reveal the spotless VF. She hated that she even had to do this, it was her beauty, her baby but it had energy weapons and she sure as hell was letting no one else pilot the Lightning III in her stead.

The TSFs that had mobilized outside, the F-4 now joined by two more of its kin each bringing its APSDFS rounds skywards towards the claw of doom that had descended upon them.

 

[Kujo]

"Status?"
"Reactor output green and Phase Shift voltage nominal; Frame integrity at 80%-pii."
"We're holding up pretty well with these hit and runs but I'll be here all day looking for the target with just this. Haropi, we'll be in close quarters from here on."

Wheeling the Gundam around as a fresh stream of bullets chased after it, the claws of the Mobile Armor mode spread wide once more as another great beam was loosed from Regenerate's long gun at the TSFs attempting to wear down its Phase Shift armor before firing for effect with its beam guns and swooping back down to the ground. As it came in to land, Regenerate shifted modes once more.

Though this would be its first time for this mode during this particular engagement, the upright form of the Mobile Suit would be instantly recognizable. The oversized Gundam's eyes flared as it dashed forward at the ground units, thrusters roaring with power and beam blades prickling with energy.

 

[MKR]

The TSFs unfortunately in the sights of the Gundam suffered for this wrath, detonating from the damage as parts scattered in every direction. The advancing Drakkhens paused as the intruder transformed once more.
They were ready for whatever horror came next from this part plane part spider tank monstrosity as their blades were readied, at least they thought they were ready.

"Its a gundam!" one shouted in abject horror, the favored mech of the spacenoids outside of the league was not unknown even this far from its home. A pause from the Panzer Soldats but interrupting the momentary cease-fire were two beams shooting forth.

The Lightning III stood in GERWALK smoke coming forth from its lower arms as the twin beam cannons had been fired. The spiegel besides it was opened up, the cockpit empty.

"Stop gawking and fight!" the boss addressed her subordinates, their blades once more readied as the first stabbed forth to pierce the Gundam.

 

[Kujo]

"Pipipiii~! High energy spike detected, incom-"

Aria continued forward, shredding the helpless rogues with the Gundam's overwhelming size and carving them up with the ship-grade beam blades. Readying to strike at a weakened TSF for good measure, the clawed shield of the Regenerate's backpack was wound back ready to lash out. One of the many mono-eyes across the Gundam's limbs swiveled as Haropi searched for the spike, meanwhile Aria swiveled the shield arm down quickly .

The beams collided with massive flashes as the Phase Shift Armor was instantly overwhelmed, leaving the damaged areas a dull grey along with the chunks blasted from the Mobile Suit's shield and part of its right arm assembly.

"Tch. Hm? A Variable Fighter? Well, that's as unique as it can get here I guess. Haropi, focus on that Valkyrie but keep watching for energy weapons."

As the first to redouble their efforts neared, Aria thrust out the claw bearing sub-arm of the Regenerate's backpack. The large appendage easily clamped around the waspish abdomen of the TSF, meanwhile the Gundam's hand was brought down over the TSF's head. Aria lifted the smaller unit with the aid of its shield claw and began to boost forward towards the old Valkyrie, using the hapless hostage as a shield. While advancing, motes of light shed from the Gundam as the Mirage Colloid particles enveloped the unit and left the captive TSF to appear as if it were held by some unseen force.

 

[MKR]

These gundams really were monsters, such was the thought echoing through the mind of Iris as she saw one of her men get clamped and then utilised as a shield. The VFs legs and arms collapsing inwards as it took off and upwards.
Cloaking tech mid combat was also completely unreasonable, if only she'd listened to that martial arts tutor about sensing enemies without need of her eyes but no, still that was a months worth of food he was asking for it.

The held in TSF at least kept the location of their foe obvious to the eye. Two Drakkhens rushed out of the compound and to one of the destroyed batteries with equipment being carried. She'd need to cover for those two.

"Get every method of detection we have running!" she commanded "Whatever this bastard is doing I want to see." the unfortunate part was that her beloved ride was not meant for in atmosphere use giving her a problem but if she could force a wild goose chase instead...

 

[Kujo]

The captured TSF was quickly thrown aside at the hustling pair of Drakkhens. Now that the Valkyrie was on the run its cover was less necessary. A beam was fired from the Regenerate's rifle before the Gundam itself reappeared from stealth, now quickly pursuing in Cruiser mode. Neither unit was especially capable in atmosphere, but beyond size there was certainly one thing the Gundam unit had over the Variable Fighter.



The claw-like form of the Regenerate opened and its beam guns fired forth in sequence to force the Lightning to evade, lining up a second shot from the long beam rifle.



"Frame integrity at 72%-pi. Right arm assembly weak, replacement advised."

 

[MKR]

The TSF bounced off the ground, rolling up a small dust cloud as it was left as a warning? Threat? Projectile? The hustling, bustling, nervous bunch of Drakkhens sat there for a moment as they looked upon the remains of a machine more potent than what they were in.

There was a distinct fear in the air before their boss called out. "If you want all of us to end up that way, keep gawking!" the lightning flipping to the side as their adversary came into sight their shot piercing the air striking one of the Drakkhen's lower arms, turning it from limb to stump.

The two humanoid machines in plane form were now in pursuit, fortunately it was an equal duel. Barring of course the fact that the one in pursuit was shaped like a claw and that claws fingers fired lasers. Iris was indeed forced to evade, flipping upwards to try and change the order of pursuit. After all the one in the back had the distinct advantage and to that end two missiles were fired at the dirt to disguise this flip with a spray of sand and dirt.

 

[Kujo]

Unfazed, Aria pulled the trigger on her supposedly decisive shot. The Coordinator trusted that even if the aim wasn't exact then the sheer volume of the great green beam would bring this hunt to a closing act.

As the masking cloud of debris was launched up, a thought quickly came yo her. Following up after the shot from the beam rifle, Regenerate would bank downwards and fire its beam guns into the same spot as the missiles' impact zone. The glowing strikes becoming more dim as the cloud of terrain bellowed into a long and wide screen that would hide even the Gundam's garish Phase Shift coloration as it sailed straight into it.

Careful to orient Regenerate so that it's more stable leg assemblies would dig into the earth as it shifted into its Mobile Suit mode. Readying the beam rifle, Aria waited to make her move once again.

"Haropi, prepare limbs to purge."
"Pii~"

 

[MKR]

As Aria looped around the shot came out in pursuit, corralled and forced in a bad position the beam followed her as she spun the Lightning III upwards. The impact was clean but not as decisive as desired. Still the machine was forced to make sickening motions as it was clear from the trail of smoke and the decidedly one turn rotation going on that one of the thrusters had not just been disabled but destroyed.

The warlord took a moment to regain control, with the Lightning III flipping downwards as the debris cloud rose up, the attacker was not eager to fully play the game presented that much was clear by the hair's breadth she had been from death just now. It was a monster, that she was certain of now. That machine was monstrous, a devil from the pits come to deliver on the promise of Karma for all sins.

Spinning down the Lightning shifted quickly, assuming Battroid form not out of desire but since that was the only option left to its user. Here the left arm still retained some mobility, even if the shoulder was absolutely demolished and an easy way to disable the entire arm now, but in Gerwalk that arm couldn't move and in Fighter she would spin out and crash.

"Damnit." Now she had an outdated model that couldn't outrun the god damn hand of the devil that was somewhere in that cloud, the detection wasn't up yet but they looked nearly done at which point she had her backup and eyes. The beam gun pod in the Lightning III's hand was turned on the cloud, suppressive fire was a classic and if she kept moving unpredictably that meant her opponent shouldn't get a good shot without leaving that cover.

So with that sorted she began firing into the debris, trying to find the shadow of the monstrosity while aiming to be as unpredictable as it could.

 

[Kujo]

The beams sailed through the dense cloud, reflecting off the shimmering sediment but to frustratingly little illumination. The Gundam was no needle in a haystack, and yet there was little proof of its presence until light appeared in the diminishing cloud of debris. It wasn't the familiar green beam but instead a bristling and shocking pink. It seemed that the Gundam had a mind to be unpredictable itself.

Out of the screen whirled the spinning form of the Gundam's own right arm assembly, its color drained away by the Phase Shift Armor being disconnected but the monstrous plasma blade bursting forth all the same. As the impromptu, oversized beam boomerang spun out in the general direction of the grounded Variable Fighter, the Gundam itself burst forth from its cover to follow up as it did in the air moments before; one of its shield binders was held close to its shoulder as an approximate arm replacement while the other continued to hold the eager long rifle looking for its target.