Seaside Destruction (Britannia, Area 3)

[Rawk]

2880 AD
Area 3, Former Panama City
3:55am

There were a great many members of Liliana who traveled around the world for their operations, and the information they shared among one another tended to, in one manner or another, lead to a certain degree of safety in their work. After all, if someone had just attacked one coast, it was a fairly safe bet that the other would be lacking in at least some degree of defense. More to the point, however, there had been rumors among some of the more traveled members that some sort of disturbance had occurred in Britannia's Area 11. Howitzer Frontal would be all too happy to take advantage of whatever this might have been, but not at the moment. There was, after all, a more pressing target that he'd been long hoping to target.

This was, naturally, what had led him to bring a few of the more trustworthy men and women of Liliana toward Panama. The canal running through this place was something of a central piece of the world's transportation infrastructure, though certainly not to the degree it might have been centuries before. Of course, it didn't matter to Howitzer one way or the other how crucial it was. If anything, the fact that it had become somewhat irrelevant only meant it would be less defended, and this in turn meant he could surely run roughshod over whatever defenses might have been present.

"Go ahead, everyone. Burn it down."

The low, almost apathetic voice of Liliana's creator rung through the cockpits of the mobile weapons that had accompanied him, an eclectic assortment of Normals, Armored Troopers, and other machines that were by and large out of date. Of course, age hardly precluded them from carrying destructive equipment, and indeed the vast majority of them were all too prepared for this sort of assault. They hardly needed Howitzer's permission to operate, after all, given the anarchic nature of their organization. It was simply the equivalent of letting a hound off the leash, and within mere minutes, the sound of destruction filled the air.

Was there much this force could actually do? No, not especially. Howitzer knew that well. If they caused a serious issue, spectacular. He would gladly assist in any major destruction that their subpar machines couldn't handle. But, more pressingly, he suspected that a port of this caliber would not go totally undefended. It would be much better to let the small fry go first in case of any unforeseen threats. He, meanwhile, would simply lie in wait, the dense Central American jungles meshing perfectly with Lisa's deep green color.

 

[Nemesis]

The chattering of gunfire.

The roar of flamethrowers.

The searing heat as the area around the Canal plunged into chaos. Those that made this place their home fled before the onslaught in terror - none, it seemed, were eager to stand and fight, not even against Frontal's walking war museum. Everything was going according to plan-

And yet, in the middle of it... Something gleamed.

Unearthed by a careless rocket, the strange disc-like structure jutted up out of the lip of the Canal itself, its serrated, diamond-like surface catching the light from the various explosions. To one looking upon its 15-meter wide surface, they might have thought it to be the largest, most beautiful piece of jewelry they had ever seen, or perhaps some sort of glistening, fallen alien saucer. To any who looked even closer, it almost seemed to ripple, pulse, its sections elevating slightly as it "breathed".

Crik-crik-kr-kr-krrr-r...

Another round slammed home, dislodging the Plate from its resting place - and galvanizing it into action. With a distinctive bio-organic whine, the disc of devastation spun in the air - and careened away, slicing violently into the ranks of those that had disturbed it, sweeping and swooping seemingly at complete random with more than enough force to tear clean through even something over twice its size.

That was not all.

Howitzer's sensors would register incoming heat signatures, approaching quickly from the west. They weren't Mobile Suits, or ATs, or even the Britannians' KMFs, judging by the way they moved. No, the signatures were... irregular. Almost like...

Heartbeats.

 

[Rawk]

There were plenty of responses that a man like Howitzer might have had to the disc which flew now through the air. Disgust, fascination, even fear, but none of them were fully accurate. More than anything else, frankly, Howitzer was simply filled with a profound sense of superiority. He had, after all, always maintained that the people living on Earth were blind to the dangers surrounding them. This proved him quite correct, didn't it?

The indications coming from his sensor array brought his attention away from the wanton destruction of the disc, however, and instead toward whatever was rapidly approaching. It certainly wasn't anything he had been prepared for, and he supposed it likely had something to do with the unearthed Plate. Well, if there was to be more destruction, Howitzer thought he may as well step in and assist. Besides, even if the lapdogs he sent out weren't particularly important to him, it would be better not to simply throw their lives away for absolutely nothing.

Lisa's generator hummed to life, and Howitzer took to the air, simply scanning the area for now as he fired off a salvo of missiles here and there toward the ground below. He had no particular target, and he was all too willing to let the chaotic Plate continue its wanton destruction for now without calling its attention. More pressing was whatever was coming his way.

 

[Nemesis]

The Plate hummed through the air, glittering like a frozen chunk of the aurora. Yet, as it turned to make another pass towards Howitzer's forces-

A blow struck it, a ray of light that sent it tumbling perilously back to the earth, where it clattered to a halt in a clearing conveniently formed by Howitzer's... for lack of better word, forest-clearing. Shapes were beginning to emerge among from the darkness. Glowing eyes flickering into existence among the treeline, and the stomp, stomp, crunching, grinding noise of heavy feet meeting the earth, slowing their pace.

Reptilian features, wrought of a king of glossy, bone like substance, peered through the treeline as they emerged, one after another, like a boy's childhood fantasy... or perhaps, nightmare. The Zoids looked for all in the world like skeletons, or perhaps animated corpses, bereft of flesh, the assembled group of six Bio Raptors skulked forward, forms low to the ground, guttural growls filling the air as they began to fan out, slowly.

"Hold it! Hold everything!"

A voice, a man's, with a thick Bostonian accent called out as, at the center of the pack, another Zoid emerged - the one around which the others seemed to be positioning themselves. This one was off-white, standing head and shoulders above the smaller, yet similar machines, the Bio-Megaraptor surveying the situation as its jaw gnashed the air in anticipation.

"Do not touch the Plate! We... are professionals!"

"Shut up, Wolfgang."

There was a flutter, a rush of air that joined the young woman's voice, and a trio of equally unusual machines(?) materialized overhead, their signature "leaping" ahead on Howitzer's radar. Their frilled heads and curved, oddly proportioned bodies only added a sense of unease, in addition to the overtly-large, bayonet-like weapons each cradled in its grasp. The Granchers looked down at the assembled group, the lead one a flush crimson.

Within the cockpit, Dahlia exhaled, slowly. Her fingers traced the Gran Cher's interior. Its nerves didn't need any steadying - it was far from a weak Antibody. Her fuschia hair bobbed slightly as she closed her eyes, letting herself be carried along with its essence, feeling what it felt. Anticipation. Her eyes opened, again, moving to the NEXT before her.

Good.

"...There's no reasoning with those who would treat the planet with such callousness." She said over the open channel, eyes narrowing into slits.

"You adults... are really the worst."

 

[Rawk]

Perhaps it was dull amusement that compelled Howitzer to listen to the newcomers in their feral-looking mobile weapons, or perhaps it was simply so he could take stock of the situation. Either way, he listened well to the message which had come through his communications system. Callousness? What a descriptor that was.

"I would do this even if I were half your age, girl. But maybe you'll understand when you're older."

There was an undeniable, faint mocking tone to Howitzer's otherwise-even voice. After all, while his only aim in life was to burn the world until there was nothing left, that didn't mean he existed only for that aim. Ideally, he would be the last one left to look upon that inferno. Regardless, he wasn't one to simply engage an opponent openly, if only because that was antithetical to his own tactical ability. Better to bide some time for now, and Howitzer brought Lisa gradually closer to the destroyed city as he spoke. Whenever hostilities commenced, he would rather prefer if it happened nearer the populated areas than out in the jungle.

"While I'd be willing to discuss this destructive philosophy with you, I have the vaguest suspicion that this disc we've unearthed won't give much time for that. And, besides, I have a feeling you wouldn't care to listen particularly well."

Of course, there was no real desire in Howitzer's mind to talk these things over with her at all. He'd sooner blow her out of the sky now, but that was counterproductive. Being able to restrain such misanthropic tendency was the difference between himself and the countless savages Liliana sent out to die.

 

[MKR]

"And that's the situation. " A voice on a radio channel concluded.

"Not just an inferno but one of those plates and their 'guardians' as well. What a combination." A woman grumbled.

"Surely you don't think this is too much for you Mauve 1."

"Not at all milord, but this shows all the more reason to not let either of those terrorists leave this place alive."

"Well I've got good news for you then. Given the damage already caused to the infrastructure you are authorized to use extreme force." She perked her head up, hands gripping the controls of her machine tighter as a smile came upon her features. That made things easier.

"Now then." Their commander continued.
"Your mission is simple, Peacekeeper squadron. Eliminate all terrorists."

"Yes my lord!"

---

The Peacekeepers of Area 3, that was who they were. The highest honor for threes such as themselves, some people called them traitors. Others called them idols to aspire to, neither opinion mattered much when they were inside the cockpits of their machines as it turned out very few people cared if salvation came in the form of a saint or a sinner. They were just glad to be saved.

This was it, a testament to the love for their home and their love for their heritage. Inclusion into these ranks made one a honorary Britannian, to that it was an accelerated path. It also allowed one to remain in the place they knew and grew up in. But of course, a honorary Britannian still has honorary in front of it. Still they didn't care, that's why they were picked. After all only people who would take choose Britannia over some nation long buried beneath the Holy Empire's heel were even permitted in their ranks and they were the best eight of those who qualified.

"Everyone ready up, it's time to engage the enemy."

The comms were flicked to public, allowing all the petty terrorists to listen in on the next part.
"Alright party's over- This will be the sole warning to any terrorist within the area. If you remain on Britannian soil any longer you'll be buried beneath it."

​

Mauve Team:
4x Gloucester
4x SU-37 Terminator

 

[Nemesis]

Dahlia's features deepend into a thick-set scowl - remarkable the way muscles count constrict even a beautiful face into a mask of fury. The Sword Extension was jutted towards the AC in a challenge, organic energy already rippling across its surface. She could feel how badly it wanted a fight. They both ached. Some among their number found riding the Gran Cher an unpleasant experience, but for her? It was home.

"Don't patronize me-!"

"Hey, ladies? I don't mean to interrupt your little tea party here, but... We've got a little situation."

In mid spit, Wolfgangs' voice interjected, the Megaraptor seizing the Plate between its front claws as it looked up at the skies. The distant dispersal of flares, and the incoming warning of the dreaded Mauve team was enough to give even the more seasoned Reclaimers pause. Fight, or flight? The eternal question hung in the air, but only for the briefest of moments. The crimson Gran Cher moved its weapon, using it like a directing baton as it pointed first at Wolfgang, and then to his fellows.

"Take the Plate and go. The Cetotherium isn't too far."

Wolfgang blinked in the dingy cockpit, unaccustomed to such acts of seemingly selfless bravery.

"But what about-"

"I'll cover you. I owe you, remember?"

The man's resistance died in his throat. Seizing the plate close, the Megaraptor stole one last glance back - and then departed, as swiftly as it had arrive with its pack, darting back through the immolated greenery, leaving a massive dust cloud in their wake, joined by the two white Gran Chers. That left only Dahlia, who eyeballed the Lisa skeptically. She gave the Gran Cher a reassuring pat, calming its nerves.

The two of them would be more than enough.

"Old man." She said as the Antibody descended, dropping into cover behind a pile of debris. It stared back at the AC pilot - and in that moment, if he were not familiar with the entities, he would have been innately aware that it too, was looking at him.

"This isn't over. Stay out of my way."

It was a strange way to ask for a truce, however temporary - but it seemed unlikely that the terrorist wished to be brought to heel either. You made friends where you could, after all.

 

[Rawk]

Now this was exactly the sort of affair Howitzer always hoped for when he sortied. None of this simple destruction followed by a swift departure. When it came to a real battle like this, there was much more destruction to be had without him so much as raising a finger. Thousands, tens of thousands even, could die from nothing more than him evading fire. That held infinitely more appeal than these uneventful bits of arson that Liliana had become too accustomed to. Whether his surviving compatriots lived or died here meant nothing to him, frankly. Most of them were just cowards who wanted a bit of revenge against people far above their station. Pathetic, more than anything.

"Keep yourself away from the populated areas then, little girl, and you won't have any trouble from me."

For now, anyway. The piercing gaze of her Antibody was certainly something that would have unsettled most, and even Howitzer, hardened as he was, felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. But when one had such aims as he did, there was little room left for fear. Only a dull curiosity, at best, or perhaps even amusement at her tone.

Even so, this petulant girl made for a spectacular distraction. She was, after all, not part of his plans. Howitzer had no way of knowing how she might approach this battle, and that sort of chaos was exactly where he thrived. Raising Lisa's hand to offer her a thumbs-up gesture, he thought he may as well give her some sort of olive branch. A wide enough berth to at least keep from completely contaminating her with Kojima Particles should have been enough. Nodding confidently as he felt his Overed Booster warm itself up, Howitzer directed his AC straight toward the city proper as the full boost began to push him forward, the civilian population seeming like all too beneficial a defense. These jungles had been all well and good for an ambush, but now it was a proper fight. Better to keep them on their toes, eh? Barking orders to those few Liliana members left, he decided it would be best to make sure they were at least useful in some respect.

"I want all of you to stay focused on the canal. I'll handle these peacekeepers. If you turn back now, I'll shoot you down myself."

Of course, he knew they would be quite easy targets with that sort of mission. If he were providing covering fire, it might have been at least marginally safer, but he would do no such thing. He just needed to get some of the heat away from himself. He counted at least 4 on visual, but his sensors were picking up more than that. This battlefield was getting crowded. Those whelps by the canal would be doing him a favor by getting shot down. At least the radar wouldn't be so crowded.

 

[MKR]

Mauve 1 watched the commotion, it was always a pleasure to watch them squirm and writhe. The expected course of action was for them to form a loose alliance to hold ground. Sadly she was in her patrol machine if only she had had time to change. But alas, one could not get everything they wanted and this would do just fine. "Alright let's give these people all the burial rites they deserve before the main force arrives. Mauve 4, Mauve 5 deal with those over by the canal quickly and flank. Mauve 3 and 6 give those eco-terrorists a farewell present and escort them back home will you."

"Yes my lady!" The four replied in unison, a pairing of a Gloucester and Terminator branching off to both groups on the battlefield, leaving the last four to head straight towards the two remaining enemies. At least there were no Beta to deal with here, that was always nice but it could be an annoyance depending on the flight capabilities of both their foes.

For their approach, the Gloucesters had already prepared their Assault Rifles and the Terminators their Assault Cannons. Those unfortunate enough to be around the canal were nice and open for the initial barrage of the two sent off to dispose of them. The SU-37's High-Velocity Armor Piercing rounds dashing through the air to find themselves the loving embrace of those they hunted. The Gloucester in turn had its landspinners already on the ground, using its speed and mobility to round around a building as it whipped its gun forwards prefiring a little bit to ensure a full volley from a second direction as it skated forwards to rend the members of Liliana into a fine red mist.

On the other side, the retreating Reclaimers would find much the same tactic employed against them. The Assault Cannon taking the direct approach and peppering their retreat with its altruistic sharing of bullets while the Gloucester used its superior turning and mobility courtesy of the heel wheels to fire from a second direction and close the gap. For them however, there was a bit more finesse to it, as their targets were moving and retreating the assault cannon fire was just a bit lopsided to one side, aiming to guide the retreating raptor and Gran Chers closer to the Gloucester to give it an easier shot.

Which left the red Gran Cher and the AC dashing into the swiftly emptying streets.
"What a coward. Though from their ilk it should be expected that they dash into the masses for a shield. Expect them to pull out every dirty trick in the book and a few more for good measure." She remarked to her team, "Hmmm, actually you three flush him out of the streets. I'll deal with our red baron here. At least for a bit, once you all finish your tasks come back around to here."

A moment of silence, and then the three machines broke off, vanishing in between the buildings and into the streets moments prior filled with life and now resembling a ghost town. Mauve 2, 7 and 8 aiming to corner the machine that had just run off and smoke it out like the good old days. Mauve 1 looked down at the blade wielding machine, it boasted performance above her own machine. So she would have to get clever until she knew how good a pilot was in there.

The Arm Blade Motors folded out as the Assault cannon was levelled against her foe. 120mm fire, six rounds of it she had available in her gun and two thousand regular rounds. It would do just fine as a greeting. The gun fired with an almost silent display, the first HESH round going forward a nice test for the red machine's pilot to see if they could deal with a 'pleasant' surprise.
Immediately afterwards the TSF would vanish behind a building, a burnt husk of one but a building nonetheless.

 

[Nemesis]

"Here they come!"

The two cream-white Gran Chers that hovered overhead the retreating Bio-Raptors observed the advance of the Britannians, slowing as they allowed their terrestrial cousins to advance. Leaving Dahlia to handle it all by herself might have been a mistake after all. As the assault cannon blazed, and the Glouchester's barrel lit up, the two exchanged a knowing nod.

"Ready?"
"Ready!"

Both Gran Chers placed their hands out in front of them - and light flowed from their bodies, the accordion like wafers behind their heads bristling with energy.

"Together!"
"Haaaaa!"

The Chakra Shield plumed into existence, forming a wall of oscillating, kaleidoscopic light between the onslaught and the convoy, the large caliber rounds chattering harmlessly across its surface. Even Wolfgang had to give a low whistle of admiration, the Plate clutched in his Zoid's talons, as he quickened his pace. Not much further...! They just needed to hold out a little longer!

As the light faded, the two Gran Chers raised their Sword Extensions in unison and fired a pair of radiant parting shots, one directed at either offending machine, before leaping back through the air towards their allies. As impressive as the barrier had been... It wasn't something they could likely do again, and the signs of fatigue on their bodies was already evident. Still, catching up was no issue for the Antibodies, and their fluttering, erratic jolts through space still after all this time, managed to unnerve Wolfgang.. Even if he was grateful they were on the same side.

Meanwhile, Dahlia watched the distant assault with a scowl on her features - but before she could move to intervene, the "leader" had her in her sights. The crimson Gran Cher gazed at the mauve Tactical Surface Fighter, biomechanical beast against the steel eagle of the skies. Unbidden, Organic Energy began to flow around the Sword Extension's blade, stirring the air beneath it. She could already sense the Gran Cher's own eagerness, tempered with uncertainty, and she placed a hand against the smooth wall of its interior.

That machine. Are they... an ace?

"No need to hold back. I'm with you." She said, soothingly - but there was no time for reflection as the Assault Cannons blazed.

"Go!"

With a bamf and a burst of compressed air, the Gran Cher burst towards its target, each erratic Vital Jump leaving rings of organic energy in its wake. The rounds pulverized the debris which she had been standing in - and the explosives caused it to shatter into a thousand pieces, causing Dahlia's eyes to momentarily widen.

What kind of round was that?

"You've got some nerve to challenge a Reclaimer!"

The Sword Extension was leveled - and flashed, once, twice, gleaming rays of Organic Energy aimed to smash into the TSF's chest and upper thighs, to send it crashing to the floor.

"Wretched, hateful people like you...!"

Flexing its pointed fingers, the Blade Hilt on the machine's right arm flickered - and then faded momentarily as the Gran Cher "jumped" ahead in space once more, closing the gap between them at a breakneck pace. It would be only seconds before they were on top of one another - and the disproportionately large, un-ergonomic looking blade in the Antibody's hands would be brought to bear.

"Have no right to join Orphan among the stars!"

Suddenly banking to the TSF's left, the Blade Hilt slashed out, bolts of tendril-like energy that were smaller, yet more intense than those which came before it, aimed at the machine's waist - a forebearer of what was to come.

 

[Rawk]

"Heh. Lapdogs."

A judgement of both his own fallen allies and the Britannians who were now in pursuit. Howitzer's eyes scanned his instruments briefly, needing only a moment or two to take in the situation. Looked like they were sending quite a few after him. Not many signs of life left in this city, but that wasn't something that mattered much to him one way or the other.

With a sudden rattling to break the quiet, the missile rack on Lisa's right shoulder released an eight shot salvo, the missiles sailing toward nothing in particular, merely causing further destruction to make the urban environment a bit more unstable, more eclectic. Some debris in the streets, instability in some of the structures, that was the sort of chaos Howitzer fought best in.

With a quick boost to his left, Howitzer kept a close eye on his sensors, but just as much to what was directly in front of him. People in these sorts of situations often put too much stock into paying attention to all of their surroundings, and it was easy to get distracted from what was right in front of you.

"Tell me, Britannians, how long have you been in this line of work? I'm curious."

Idle chatter over an open line was easily taken as a sign of confidence, but Howitzer wasn't the boastful sort. It was, rather, just another manner of warfare to him, projecting overconfidence that these government forces would surely take into account. The psychological aspect might have come into play on another battlefield, but he doubted it would be as effective against these sorts. They tended to take no small amount of solace and pride in their numbers. Maybe after the first one fell, he could shift his approach.

For now, however, all he needed to do was wait and watch the sensors. After all, just by his presence he was achieving his aims, Kojima Particles contaminating the air around his AC with every passing moment. They would have to come to him eventually, and he looked carefully around for every alley, every particularly destructible structure, every single bit of this environment that he could use to his advantage. If only he could find the evacuees, however, that would make this all the easier...

 

[MKR]

As the two Gran Chers pulled off their team defense the two members of Mauve team just let it happen, ducking behind buildings as retaliation came. Concrete catapulting in every which way, peppering their machines as the counter attack impacted the road where they used to be mere moments prior. At that point they would flick around, the Gloucester coming along first, its slash harkens embedded into a nearby building as it pulled itself forth and slightly up even with its acceleration.

"The way these things flick in and out of existence always gets me." one of the members said to the other as his Gloucester readied its rifle, firing from the side.

"I get you, they're real freaks those things. At least they still eat bullets like any other machine." The SU-37 ducked from behind its cover, observing the road ahead as it fired during its weaving between two buildings.

The Gloucester's harken let loose. Retracting from their resting place as the machine impacted the ground. Swiftly rotating 90 degrees as it continued to move sideways. Harassment from its gun continuing. Over on the other side, a slaughter. Those left at the fire quickly mowed down like a fresh lawn which left Mauve 3 and 6 to fulfill the remainder of their duty.

Right as the red Gran Cher made its move at that. Mauve 1 responding in trained fashion the Blade Motor of the left arm being raised to contend with the blade. The last second switch catching her slightly by surprise but still the weapon capable of rending through a Beta's hide came against the blade, even if this position was disadvantageous for her- for now.
"Well damn." Mauve 1 muttered to herself. "How's a kid like you end up in some eco-terrorist cult." Came the simple response.

The reclaimers, she'd dealt with them before. Had the feeling it was them here now but it was nice to have it confirmed blatantly. Gran Chers like that either were in the hands of nobility toting it around like a prize horse or terrorist cults.
"You call me hateful? You projecting kid? Nevermind- look I've been piloting these things for as long as you've been able to stand on two legs. Probably longer." The Assault Cannon was lowered seemingly shifting to close combat.

"So this hateful old lady is going to give you one chance." The TSF rotated this was the point of the blade vanes after all, this proximity made weapons on the TSF's legs and shoulders were next to unavoidable. So with one swift turn the TSF rotated around with its Jump unit raising its knee which could blast apart a tank class Beta was now brought upon the Gran Cher. The thrusters on the back of the machine lighting up as the Jump unit continued to exert force to catapult the machine backwards and upwards.
"NOW!"

As the colored SU-37 jumped away line of sight would show another, its assault cannon already levelled and ready to fire. Another HESH round filling the air where there had been a SU-37 moments prior, that very same colored SU-37 using the already downward angle of its gun to fire a second HESH round upon the crimson Gran Cher. But where was the Gloucester that accompanied it before.
"As I was saying, you can either surrender now. You'll get a fair trial or we can continue the song and dance we've got right now. See unlike your judgement of you I'm not hateful." Within her cockpit she smiled.

"I just play rough."

---

As Howitzer called out to the remaining member of Mauve team he actually got a response.
"Long enough to know not to answer honestly when someone asks." A coy reply came along. Accompanied by the sound of gunfire to the man's right the radar having cleared out that he could track the three dots trying to corner him. One of which coincided with where the gunfire was coming from now.
Another however was waiting for any retaliation, the SU-37 sent after Howitzer was ready if the man intended to retaliate or pursue with a clear firing line. The last Gloucester seemingly intent on cutting off an escape route leaving him as 'only out' the way he came, back towards where the rest of the group was fighting.

"So how many battle fields have you survived, or do you just cower on the sidelines getting off on destruction?" the same voice called out to him "Because if you just want to chat then how about you just sit still."

 

[Nemesis]

The Glouchester's rifle chattered away, the two Gran Cher sinking back among the Zoids, some of whom had slowed to provide cover for them. Machinegun fire raked the body of one Bioraptor as it moved to protect an Antibody, the gleaming, metallic flesh hissing and spitting as the small ordinance clattered against the Zoid's reinforced frame. The Slash Harken snapped against its neck, luck - or perhaps skill - guiding it between the bones and into the Zoid's throat as it prepared a jet of fire - and instead causing it to detonate in a riproaring explosion as its payload was sent back into its body.

This death was answered in turn by a chorus of flames, each Zoid in its pack spitting death back at their pursuers before turning back into a sprint, a leaving a wall of burning, caustic fire between them and their pursuers. New sounds were joining the battlefield now - the heavy ordinance of a Whale King class transport, shells raining down in defensive patterns, aiming to discourage any further pursuit with the promise of having to contend with true firepower.

In the distance, Wolfgang clambered up the ramp to the Whale King, and gave a wistful, backward glance as more Bioraptors began to join him, his brow furrowing with concern.

Something was wrong.

---

The torrent of crackling energy around the Gran Cher's arm was swept back as it closed in, eager for the kill. The old woman's words were almost lost upon Dahlia - what cared the new world for the feeble excuses of the old, who had left the planet to rot? Her fingers pressed and goaded the Antibody's sensitivites, spurring it on further, harder, faster-

Thoughtless. Reckless.

A rocket-assisted flying knee was far from what they'd been expecting. The machine flew up, and its blow sunk home, catching the Gran Cher in the chest before it could finish bringing the Blade Hilt around to gut its foe, the natural mobility of the TSF seemingly catching it off guard. So it was that the crimson machine stumbled, lost between fury and blind panic, flinching noticeably as the Assault Cannon came up.

"...! What?!"

Bang! Bang! BANG!

A shower of shattered, metallic flesh was the initial reward for Mauve 1's close-range barrage, and the ensuing conflageration lit up the surroundings like a Roman Candle. Flames seared and surged across the Gran Cher's leg, the only part of it's body it hadn't been able to shield in a moment of blind fury. The Silt Wafter melted away down to the Antibody's strange analog for bone, tearing the limb from it source, sending the metallic monstrosity crumpling to the ground below, everything below its left knee now nothing more than blazing, shattered chunks that looked like hot coals scattered beneath it.

Cracks ran all the way up its thigh from the impact, some even stretching across the groin, where the cockpit for was located. The Antibody convulsed in pain, one hand still reaching in blind hatred towards Mauve 1, visor flickering in defiance-

And then, it went dark. The Sword Extension dropped limply to its side as its body ceased writhing... and was still. It was as if a switch had been flipped. Had it fallen "unconscious"? Was that something these things could even do? Or was it obeying some form of hidden command, issued by its taskmaster. At length, the cockpit hatch ground open - a slow, uncertain movement, an unfurling of waver-like plates, as the figure within limped into view. Just a kid, really - exactly as the enforcer had surmised.

Blood ran in rivulents from her mouth, around her eyes, as if blood vessels had burst in response to the pain endured by the Antibody. Couldn't some of them feel what their steeds did? The way she held herself, all the weight going on one leg as she craned her head back up to look at the older pilot - it mirrored that of the Antibody. Slowly, carefully, she raised her hands in surrender.



"...Heh."

 

[Rawk]

It seemed the battle outside the city proper was going rather poorly for the girl soldier. Well, that mattered little to Howitzer, though he was almost the faintest bit disappointed he couldn't see more from her. Well, that mattered little to him. His own life was at stake here, but he'd certainly been in worse situations than this.

"More than you've likely ever read about, and more than you'll live to see. Not to sound melodramatic, but I don't intend to be taken away in any chains. Least of all by mere toy soldiers like you."

A subpar pilot was one who understood his machine, and a fool was one who overestimated it. But Howizter knew well Lisa's limits, and he felt confident in saying that he was not in such immediate danger as to worry about a few stray bullets. He would need repairs when he returned to base, of course, but he always knew that would be inevitable after a sortie. If he sat in his position, no matter how defensible it might be, that only invited death to his doorstep.

And if Howitzer were to die, he would not do so quietly.

"If you're so confident, I ought to test your understanding."

A quickboost directly through one of the buildings to his right moved him directly toward the line of fire, his Primal Armor fully active and prepared for any manner of incoming munitions. Raising the shotgun in Lisa's right hand as he burst through the structure, he preemptively fired two shots toward the source of the gunfire. At the same time, his AC's body was still turned away and ready for other members of the Mauve team, a salvo of 16 missiles firing through the street accompanied by a spray of rounds from the assault rifle in his left hand. It was not something intended to kill, no perfectly coordinated killing blow. In fact, only the shotgun blast was intended to make any impact.

But he did not wish to overstay his welcome, and while his Primal Armor was prepared to absorb any incoming fire, he simply quickboosted further into the next building across the street. An atypical way to apply Primal Armor, certainly, but it would do what he needed it to do.

 

[MKR]

Mauve 1 stepped back from the dormant remains of the Gran Cher as the girl climbed out, seems she had some sense in her after all. That was nice, and historic. If she remembered things right none of the Reclaimers had ever been captured alive and she wasn't about to let this one slip either.
"Keep an eye on her and secure that thing, be ready to hand her over to the main force as I'm sure they'll be very interested." The TSF stepped further towards the part where the last enemy was located. Just in time to witness the cloud of dust coming from one end of the building as Howitzer made his mad dash through it, spurring the leader of Mauve team into action.

The Gloucester had been caught mostly unawares, his shotgun ripping through the purple plating and smirching it, though the cockpit was not penetrated unfortunately the legs would not allow the machine to move as well as it had before.
"Shit!"

The retaliation came as promised, only for the primal armor to absorb the volley. The stalemate was broken and with the rest of Mauve now inbound the second Gloucester and the SU-37 which had been pursuing Howitzer already entered a full pursuit.
"Status report!"

"He's a slippery bastard, broke out of the crossfire we set up."

Mauve 1 scoffed as she joined the two machines in pursuit, slightly behind them. At least this would allow the damaged Gloucester to retreat to where the Gran Cher was being secured. "Well the cavalry is here, so if he wants to scurry like a rat we just need to smoke him out." She stated. "Cut off his optimal retreat lines, and make sure he can't get to the evacuees before the main force can."

"Yes! My Lord!"

The Gloucester sped down a street, heading away from civilization towards its remnants, in the distance he could see them. Both those fleeing the damage and further still the backup from base. A sizable force, but not too big to leave the area defenseless besides here.
The two SU-37s in turn swayed through the devastation Howitzer had made, millions in taxpayer money squandered in a meaningless, and therefor meaningful destruction.

In the distance however, the pair that had pursued the other Reclaimers were returning and so five dots filled his radar, aiming to hunt him down.