[@Nightknight]
Zoom-ins clearly showed the leader of the small army to be a strange robotic-looking figure with a skull for a head. Perhaps a primitive version of automated soldiers? It didn't matter, it was merely another inferior weapon, a vestige of a realm far beyond it's expiration date, struggling to survive the natural advance of time. Viral's clawed fingers dashed over the controls, as the laser primed and focused. It seemed their charge wasn't slowing, and the lead figure even seemed to be attempting an attack of some sort. Energy readings showed it was the same strange force that many so-called mages wielded on this world, a force Viral had yet to master. But a pale imitation of the true power wielded by Lord Genome. There was a flash of light, and.....

........

Was it a defensive tactic? Did this primitive believe that by turning themselves to stone, they could survive a direct impact from Enki's annihilation laser? It was certainly a.... unique ability, but Viral merely sighed, resigning himself to the destruction of this army of fools. Then, of course, once more the wand flashed. Perhaps it was curiosity that stayed Viral's hand, or perhaps it was the absolute knowledge that he could not be defeated. Confidence before the fall, and all that. But Viral merely watched as a wave of electromagnetic energy washed over the small army, and ineffectively slid past the giant Gunman. The lead tank slowly slowed to a crawl, as Viral watched railguns and lasers deactivate, inferior technology wiped out by an inferior countermeasure. A small hovertank near the back simply dropped to the ground, most of it's systems instantly wiped out. At this point Viral could easily have wiped out their army, with nearly half of their weapons systems wiped out by what appeared to be a misfire from their commander. A true testament to incompetence.

With a crack like thunder, the laser shot out and sliced across the landscape, trailing a vast wave of explosions in it's wake. The horizon lit up, and it seemed like the sky itself had been lit on fire. There was no doubt to any watching that the attack could have wiped out the small Alliance force, had it been aimed at them. However, that would be pointless to Viral. All those who would live to be impressed with the annihilation already feared him plenty, and he needed new men after all. The mech stepped forward, bringing Mortanius' tank to a stop by resting a foot on it. He leaned down, checking whether the granite figure was, in fact, still alive. After confirming that, while not really alive, it was at least 'active', he spoke out. "I have chosen to show mercy to you and your men. You live now because I chose to allow it. You have tested your powers against mine, and been proven a failure. I win."

The mech stood, and this time addressed the army, as opposed to the commander. "Your leader is toppled, your weapons disabled. Your lives are mine to give or take, and yet I show mercy. But this will be your only chance. Those who wish to follow a crippled fool to hell's gates are free to challenge me once more, and I will annihilate you without pause. Those who wish to live, however, should abandon the constraints of your petty mortal faction, and join the Viral Army. When I burn this world in Lord Genome's name, you should know what side you're on." With those words, Viral turned back to the city. It appeared his forces were having more trouble than he had anticipated. Perhaps some small force had managed to rally together and oppose his armies, or a high-powered individual had attacked his men. It didn't matter. If you wanted something done right, you had to do it yourself.

The mech strut forward, an icon of death and destruction. All would worship at it's feet, and fall before it's blades. This was Enki, one of the greatest Gunmen in the Spiral Empire's armies. And there was nothing that would stop him.