---

---

Caz listened, and sighed. The others seemed to have the panicked girl under control for now, and there wasn’t much he could do that they couldn’t, so he’d leave it to them, and try to pick up the pieces if they failed. That’s how he usually did it, afterall. He drank a bit more of the tainted coffee, this time a lot slower than before, and almost flinched at the taste. He still wasn’t used to it, but it wasn’t the worst thing ever. He then nodded to Chelsea, and shrugged at her while smiling once more, and toasted her with his cup. He kept his frown to himself when he found his arms sluggish, and instantly knew he was already on the cusp of intoxication, again. Eh, he’d deal with it as it came, he mused to himself silently, then pulled out another canteen, popped the lid and took another swig. If he was gonna go into battle drunk, he might as well do his best to get as drunk as possible.

He continued listening in, not going out of his way to speak to anyone if they didn’t initiate, and just remained in his seat, leaning on the back two legs of the chair, in a poor attempt to balance. It was good to feel young again, though that came with bittersweet emotions. It didn’t matter, he closed his eyes. He’d ‘enjoy’ it as much as he could before the coming battle, he was owed that much, at least.

---

Oh-Cee Four/One

---

Oh-Cee listened and monitored Cassius’ vitals from the earpiece, and again, if she could frown to herself, she would. His heart-rate increased, and she felt him slipping into an induced dream state, something he had learnt to do over the years. Through monitored brain patterns, she could tell he was already in some other place, thinking back on the years, doing whatever he did whenever he faded. She couldn’t tell where he went. He never told her whenever she brought it up, and she couldn’t delve into his mind with him, though she’d do it in a heartbeat.

He was lost at this point, and she’d only bring him back if she had called out to him… but she didn’t. The only time he could dream was during the day, when he was awake. She knew the things that he saw when he slept, and she didn’t blame him for wanting other dreams for once. As a being incapable of dreaming, she didn’t know the feeling first hand, but with every simulation she ran, the more she was grateful that she didn’t dream. The things that both her and Cassius had seen over the years would be enough to panic even an AI, a being incapable of emotions. That was a scary thought, wasn’t it?

She shook herself out of her own dreamstate, if it could be called that, especially since she couldn’t dream, then made a mental note to pull Cassius out of his own daydream in nine minutes and forty-eight seconds. Until then…

She sent a message to Theodore Narra, the Commander of Haven, more or less. He was the only one that’d be able to give her what she wished, and it seemed that everyone else that she would have enjoyed talking to was currently in the same area as her Pilot, so that would complicate things.

Commander Narra, this is Oh-Cee, Pilot Cassius Chaplain’s AI and NC. I was wondering if you could send me the psych evaluation of all the allied pilots that will be operating with my Pilot and I. I intend to study them.
Er, not the probe kind of study, I assure you. Just their minds, and what I might expect from them during combat as to better formulate strategies based around their predicted maneuvers.

Thank you,
Oh-Cee.

She nodded to herself, happy with the message itself, then sent it to Theodore. Happy with the utilisation of her time, she decided she’d just run a diagnostic on herself, in-case anything was different within her…

/PackageData_Secure (Y/N)? Y
/ProtocolOne_Analysis=Operational: Assist Pilot Cassius
/ProtocolTwo_Analysis=Operational: Keep Pilot Cassius Alive
/InitiatedHibernation_Temporary (I/S)? I
/EmotionalRegulator_Active (Y/N)? Y
/AI_Core_Memory? Secure
/Cached_Data_Secure (Y/N)? Y-error
Diagnostic_/error:Run/ Error
Simulate_Analysis: {Quote}”diagnostic_/error… Error"{End_Quote}
Simulating…
Simulating…
Simulating…
Error.
RunX100_Start
Ru-
Error.
End_Diagnostic
Error.
End_Diagnostic- AuthCodes: ●●●●●●●●●
Error.
Emergency_Disengage/Reboot.
…
…
Rebooting.
DiagnosisLogWillNotBeSaved/Confirm? ...Confirm, AuthCodes:●●●●●●●●●

Oh-Cee woke up.
She wouldn’t be the first to admit that she was surprised.

Haven Shield Airbase - Darwin

Oh-Cee would receive this response:

Greetings, Oh-Cee, it seems that your Pilot is well-cared for, considering your tone. I will send you the data packet containing the psychological reports shortly.

A few seconds later, the AI would receive the data pocket containing the psychological profiles, and Theodore would then continue to speak.

I have a few personal impressions as well. This team has all the makings of a war-winning formation, but by necessity, we have picked up people who need therapy more than they need to stay in combat. Building up a band of True Companions is needed as a countermeasure against psychological issues destroying the team, but I, as their commander, need to trust them beyond the bounds of caution to do this.

A pause.

You, however, are not their commander. So I have to make my own request: Do you recognize the welfare of the team as the welfare of your charge?

@Andre Valias@AzenExile@FalloutJack@Landaus Five-One@Metatrooper@Scribe of Thoth@Stern Algorithm@Sgt Vandingo@Selvariabell@Bartimaeus:

Oh-Cee Four/One

---

---

It took Oh-Cee a while to respond to the Commander. Between manually checking her systems for a glitch, or a virus, anything that might’ve resulted in the previous malfunction, and attempting to calm her nerves, Oh-Cee responded four minutes late.

Yes, well, I do try my best. I would say that he is the destructive force, and I’m the thing that keeps him in line.
As for the rest of the team, well, I cannot- A moment later, and she had read through all of the psychological profiles, save Cassius’. She knew his mental state more than Haven, so it wasn’t needed. After a short pause, she continued, this time thinking through what she said several hundred times before she sent them to the Commander. I… see Pilot Cassius as my first priority. However, he would be safer with a group, and as such, I will make sure to take special care of the members of the team that are… most at risk. Is that sufficient, Commander Narra, and do you wish to ask me anything else?

Oh-Cee paused. There was more she thought she should send, but she told herself that she should at least wait and confide in Cassius first-.
She had completely forgotten about her actual Pilot.
She quickly changed her perspective to hear out of Cassius’ earpiece, and finally let out her bated breath. Nothing had come out of the woodwork to kill him, so gradually her worry subsided, and she went back to thinking.

She laughed softly as Cassius snorted in his daydream, then 'woke' with a start, wide-eyed, before gradually settling back down, wanting to drift back into whatever he was thinking about.

Maman enters the coffee house with a smile and glow of a proud mother. Maman always have a motherly aura, a trait inseparable from her, as if she is hard-wired for such. She goes ahead and greets her "children".

"Bonjour mes chers alouettes, I see new faces here, oui?", Maman greets the newcomers with vibrant hospitality.

Maman has a habit of affectionately addressing her "children" as alouettes, it is a matter of habit back from her squadron in Fairbanks.

"Where are my manners? Anyways, I am Marianne Solenn Trudeau, or you can just call me Maman. Oui, from hereon out, I'll be your maman, so if there's anything you need, I am here to help.", she introduced herself.

@Andre Valias@Scribe of Thoth@Letter Bee@Sgt Vandingo@Landaus Five-One@Senhara

The Coffee House – Darwin

---

Chelsea does the cheer with Caz even though he looks like he’s been drinking a bit. She looked around the room to see if anything was happening. However, she saw a cute scene with the two pilots behind Caz, hugging as if they were in need of a helping hand. ”Aww, that’s adorable… Even though I need a bit of help every now a then.” Chelsea thought to herself, thinking about her relationship with her mother. It’s still a bit rocky every now and then only when they get off on a wrong foot.

She noticed Caz fell a sleep sitting up, which made her a bit worried about him. However, she didn’t really know him that well and allowed him to sleep. The cup of coffee she was drinking was finished, she got up a bit and looked around. She decided to walk to the two ladies, which she saw was a cute scene. ”Hello, are you two doing okay?” Chelsea questioned Terra and Kxeyun. She was a bit worried about them since they were her squadmates in this up and coming battle. She had a smile on her face.

Chelsea looked when anew person entered the room, which had an air of being a parent and smiled at her. She had a bit of a strange smile on her face, which is a bit confused. However, she had seen her around and remember talking to her once. ”Oh hi, Marianne. How are you doing today?” Chelsea questioned Marianne with a smile on her face. She felt a bit nervous around Marianne because it reminds her about her own mother but with a fearlessness to her unlike her mother. She gives out a sigh of relief. ”U-Ugh, every time she talks to me I feel like I am bringing up my past around her… I dislike this..” Chelsea thought to herself, which caused her to look towards Terra and Kxeyun instead.

@Selvariabell@Senhara@FalloutJack@Sgt Vandingo

Zahra considered Alexei's questions about safely disabling their own allies should they fall under forced commandeering. Taking a sip of her tea, Zahra calmly added, "It seems almost defeatist for us to be discussing taking out our own, ominous even, but I am not the superstitious type and commend your foresight, Mr. d'Vexville. Since my drones are capable of repair, they are also capable of disabling an allied NC in a non-lethal manner if it should be called for. However, I sincerely hope that we can take out this threat before such misfortune should befall us. Although the Commander General has implored us to capture the pilots, the safety of the team and the defense of Darwin are our priorities, and anything that poses too great a threat to either should be dealt with accordingly."

Zahra was glad to see that the less emotionally stable members were getting support from their peers, though it was a bit troubling to know that their other repair specialist was Chelsea, the one she had comforted back at the briefing. It didn't do for a field medic to lose focus and presence of mind so easily. If anything, a medic had to be made of tougher stuff than most soldiers. Zahra said a silent prayer that they would be given the fortune of being able to defend from safe positions and to be able to make quick hit-and-run offensives, and to not have their psychological weaknesses exploited by the enemy. of course, whatever happened was the will of God.

Then a French woman entered, calling everyone her 'alouettes' and asking them to call her maman. Zahra raised an imperceptible eyebrow at the younger-looking woman, and wondered if this was a sign of haughtiness, delusion, or actual age. Of it was truly due to age, it made Zahra question the unnatural things humans did to themselves to avoid meeting their Lord. Not that such practices were absent in Al-Amir either, this was simply Zahra's most recent encounter with the anti-aging process.

@Landaus Five-One @Andre Valias @Scribe of Thoth

Len smiled at the compliment, but it also made her feel proud of her beloved Cecilio Castoldi, an exiled noble from Paragon, or at least he claims. Cecilio had a hand in making Charlemagne, adding a touch of Paragon romance in an efficient and reliable Haven frame.

"I am confident that Charlemagne will do it's best. It hasn't failed me once, nor will see it fail.", she guaranteed.

She looks at her surroundings, and noticed Maman greeting the newcomers. Len assumes she's a commanding officer by the way she address herself. While she likes her maternal aura, she doesn't like is her possible parenting approach. Based on her impression, Maman is more intrusive than a surveillance drone, something she doesn't like. Nevertheless, she straightens up and salute in attention.

"Second Lieutenant Maria Leonora Trillanes reporting for duty, Ma'am!", Len salutes in attention.

@Andre Valias@Scribe of Thoth@Letter Bee@Sgt Vandingo@Landaus Five-One@Senhara@Stern Algorithm

---

---

Maman reciprocated the reactions with a smile. She is honestly surprised with a snappy reception from the newcomers, particularly Len, who might have mistaken her for a commander.

"At ease, ma cherie, I am not your commanding officer.", Maman puts Len at ease.

She then turns to Chelsea, her informal response reminds her of her daughters. She replies to her cheerfully.

"I feel absolutely fantastique, ma cherie. Anyways, how should I address you, dear?", Mamam replied to Chelsea.

Maman noticed Zahra raising her eyebrows. She asks her on what's bothering her.

"You seemed bothered, is there anything that I can help you, ma cherie?", she asked Zahra.

@Andre Valias@Scribe of Thoth@Letter Bee@Sgt Vandingo@Landaus Five-One@Senhara@Stern Algorithm

For someone of her age and experiences to so-badly need the help of another, for something solid to cling onto, was unthinkable to Terra. Everything about Kxeyun's emotional outbursts and situations told her that...as much as Red-Star wanted her own personality to develop quicker...someone had basically taken an axe to the other woman and sent her back hard. The lack of parenting and her rising up as a fighter in what was essentially a blood-sport had made terrible things - not just low standards of human lifestyle - the commonplace, and her mind suffered trauma after trauma, with no one to show her the way out, so she would willingly put herself out here for the acceptance of just about anyone sane and decent. It was a tragedy, and it showed in Kxeyun's face and words and actions.

For one, she got up and hugged an NC Pilot who was born to kill. This...was so surprising that Terra could not conceal the surprise on her face. It was too sudden to internalize, and the words that followed.... Terra was shocked to realize that this was what her relief sounded like. She was eager, maybe even desperate, to please anyone who would give her the time of day, so for someone who offered to help her deal with her problems...immediate affection. Kxeyun was right, though. They'd never be normal. Terra was forever altered to be ahead of the curve and Kxeyun needed to catch up to it. The defector pilot placed her arms around her to reassure her that things would be fine now.

I can't believe Narra's idea actually worked. Maybe he's good at his job, after all.

She was letting Kxeyun get things out of her system, not saying anything because it was a little hard to get a word in, anyway. Dealing with her problems was going to be like when Terra fellt overwhelmed by her hormones when she became a teenager. They didn't obey, or they were slow to obey because it was a new part of her biology opening up for the first time. They had to be managed by being let out and sorted through, from time to time, until she got a hold of herself. She still got urges, of course, but it wasn't as out of control. Kxeyun needed control, and the first step was probably letting the floodgates unload for a while. When the Denver-Vegasian - or whatever you call them - had finally run out of words, it was her turn. She pulled Kxeeyun back enough to talk to her, face to face.

"I'm sure we'll get through this, but don't worry for me. They may want us to capture pilots, but I will kill if my life is at risk. That is why I understand you, even though you're very different from me. The most important thing is not how we win, it's in frustrating them by refusing to die. These battles are going to test you, but it doesn't matter because you are going to be whole again."

She was doing it because she was certain that she could. But more importantly...it was because she couldn't stand NOT doing it.

"I apologize, but I am a woman pushing on forty, so you can imagine it comes as a bit of a surprise to be asked to call you 'mother'." Zahra replied to Madam Trudeau. While Zahra had called Kxeyun 'my child' when consoling her, that was intended as a term of endearment for someone who seemed to be struggling with abandonment issues. What this woman was doing felt...creepy to Zahra, especially given the woman's apparent age. For example, Zahra would never call someone like Cassius 'my child' as it could be perceived as rude. Zahra stood up and addressed the cafe.

"It has become quickly apparent that many of us come from very different backgrounds. We may hold different ranks in our respective parts of the world, but I see no sense in comparing titles, not while we are here in the service of Haven. While I feel that this time together has been very productive, I am sure that military structure will, at some point, be enforced, and we must be ready to fall in line when the time comes. To work together efficiently, there are certain sacrifices of autonomy that must be made. As soldiers, this an unopposable truth. I am sure that General Commander Narra knows this, and already has one of us assigned as battalion leader. I do not know who that individual is, but once they have been announced, I will not question the decision, no matter how much I may disagree with it. I hope all of you can carry the same resolve when the time comes."

@Selvariabell

---

Chelsea looked at Marianne with a slight bit of confused look on her face, which is mostly at the fact didn’t really understand what she was saying. She didn’t speak French, which was primarily the reason of her confusion. She smiled, however, when she heard the question in specific. ”My name is Chelsea Rain Steiner. You are kinda making me nervous with how you are acting.” Chelsea answered her question. She still remembered when she outright said she hated her mother all those years ago, which she ran away from her own parents. Her feelings were making her think a bit irrationally towards Marianne.

What calmed her down was when Zahra spoke towards Marianne, which made her not yell at Marianne alike all those years ago with her own mother. She was pouting a bit and was looking down with a nervous body language to her. However, she was curious of what Marianne’s NC was. Therefore, she slowly looked up with tears in her eyes because she can’t help but remember the past with her family. Her body was shaking. ”I-I’m sorry for what I said… but what’s your NC called, Marianne?” Chelsea questioned with a tone in her voice of sadness and a bit of regret of what she had said. She was showing a bit of unstable from what she had said. The first thing she did was put on her headphones but kept one of her headphones off her ear. She turned on her music player and started listening to her playlist she had created specifically for herself, which is mostly to calm her down from her emotional outbursts.

In terms of everything, she was willing to keep an ear out for people who was talking to her. Her focus was on the conversation, however. She did hear what Terra said to the girl, which she was hugging and that was pretty cute nonetheless. ”A-Aww… that’s giving me a tear. Why did Priscilla have to die? I miss her...” Chelsea thought to herself, while awing at what she was hearing from the two girls she doesn’t know. However, the ‘refusing to die’ part that got her to start crying a bit more and couldn’t stop the tears since it reminded her of Priscilla protecting her from the truth.

@Stern Algorithm@Selvariabell

Oh-Cee Four/One

---

---

Oh-Cee sent a ‘^o^’ back to Narra in response, then went back and woke up Cassius properly by shooting him with really loud music., then laughed at his reaction.

Today was going to be a good day. Eventful, sure, but good nonetheless. She had already pushed back the 'error' in her diagnostic back, willing to let it slip for now, just so she could have a good day with her pilot. That was probably for the best.

---

Cassius Chaplain

---

---

Cassius woke with a start, as one would expect when they’re blasted in the ear by metal. He winced, then rolled his eyes at the sounds of Oh-Cee malfunctioning from laughing too hard, and sighed hard. He rubbed his eyes with one hand, and reached into his vest for yet another flask, popped the lid, and drank until there was nothing left inside. He let out a loud groan as he realised where he was, then brought back his old smile, and greeted the new arrival, not quite hearing what she had called everyone before, since he was in his own daydream.

”Hi, I’m Caz, an’ I’m also gonna be real drunk in about thirty minutes. Mission started yet?” He asked the last part to nobody in particular, then finished the last drops of the coffee he had forgotten about, and slumped very slightly, still smiling, though at this point, it was quite the forced one.

Oh-Cee continued laughing.

After Terra finished explaining her backstory, Cody remembered hearing rumors about her during his time in Red-star. He had recalled hearing about his upper-ranking officers talking about soldiers trained from birth, who were apparently even more skilled and powerful than elite NC pilots. He was about to reply to Terra but stopped as the other pilot, known as Kxeyun, started talking about her origins before breaking down emotionally. He felt sympathy for her, but didn't try to comfort her, as he was afraid he would only make it worse. Instead, he stayed silent, watching Zahra and Terra successfully comfort her. He then takes the tablet and rises from his seat, walking over to the counter and ordering a few breakfast sausages along with an egg, before heading back to his quarters. Before he does however, he stops by the man that had asked him for the plans a while ago and handed the tablet to him.

Cody: Copy those plans to your device, I'm still gonna need that datapad.

@FalloutJack @Sgt Vandingo

Haven Shield Airbase - Darwin

Joey Glory then looked at his watch and said, "If my estimates are right, the General Commander ought to end the session in a few seconds; be ready, Pilots."

It was then that the International Volunteers received a call on their communication devices, saying, "All right people, General Commander Narra here! The bombardment has ceased, repeat, the bombardment has ceased. Red-Star will now attempt to send its invasion force through the Kinetic Shields the slow way! Report to the NC Hangar immidiately now that you've eaten - Zahra Mazghuuri is your squad leader for the duration of the defense!"

By the 'slow' way, Red-Star was relying on the fact that slow-moving objects can pass through the Kinetic Shields, such as transports and NCs. This was a very costly way to conduct an invasion, but Red-Star stood to gain much more from re-enslaving Australia and extracting its mineral resoures.

Now, one of the first things that the International Volunteers had been given when being housed in the building complex that was Haven Shield were easily memorable directions to the NC Hangar from any part of the base. If they forgot those, holographic maps of the base would pop out of the corners of the coffeehouse. Either way, they had better get moving.

------

The NC Hangar was a large chamber that was able to fit several times the team's number of NCs, and it was buzzing in activity as the mechanics were scrambling to get the Mechs ready for combat; it seemed that most of the maintenance work had been done already.

Chief Mechanic Cecily would then send out a comm to the various Pilots to tell them, "Your machines are ready; General Commander gave me orders to get them in fighting shape just a few hours ago! We've also filled up their ammo and energy reserves, so they'd be able to fight for days!"

Theodore's voice was heard once more through the speakers, "I wasn't completely neglecting preperations for combat when I asked you guys to socialize. Now get in your Mechs; Pilot Ang ought to know where they're to be deployed." His tone turned frosty as he addressed Maggie, "Pilot Gunn, I don't want there to be any incidents, so you're accompanying me and Lucille in the defense of the northern portion of Darwin."

Margaret/Maggie nodded with barely hidden discontent, "Of course, sir."

The General Commander of Haven responded, "Now, the rest of you - Move Out!"

Darwin City

As the NC Team deployed to Darwin City's western parts, they could see Red-Star's transports moving slowly through the shimmering kinetic barriers, the prows of the levitating ships penetrating the shields before projecting their own forcefields, forcefields that gave them a fighting chance against Haven's own artillery, which was as bound by the kinetic fields as the Red-Star's own guns. This chance wasn't enough to save the first wave of transports; they were blown up as they pushed further through the kinetic shields.

This was the same for the second wave, but not the third one, which managed to get a few transports inside, transports that deployed their fierce and fantatical cargo - Gunships, Tanks, and Power-Armored Infantry.

And finally, entering through the smoke of their own allies' wreckage, came the NCs of Red-Star and their pilots. Alexander Sky in his Phoenix Inferno and Mako Shintai of his 'Kitsune' went through the barriers, the latter vanishing into invisibility as it fully went through the Kinetic Shield. Others were there as well; monstrous Mecha of animalistic forms and sinister edges. It was clear that Red-Star was committing their all into this assault. Theodore messaged the Volunteers directly one last time to say:

"Make sure you have the support of Haven's own conventional forces when attacking the enemy NCs; they'll be supported by their own folk as well. Do not underestimate the enemy's own Non-Mecha troops; NCs are powerful, not invincible. Theodore out."

@Andre Valias@AzenExile@FalloutJack@Landaus Five-One@Metatrooper@Scribe of Thoth@Stern Algorithm@Sgt Vandingo@Selvariabell@Bartimaeus:

Zahra's eyes narrowed at the announcement as the weighty responsibility of leadership fell on her shoulders. "Alright everyone! Get to your NC's and we'll meet on the field. Take cover and do not engage the enemy until they've been scouted for exploits. Thin ksmart, play it safe, and we'll all make it home in one piece...inshaa Allah." Zahra whispered the last part, 'by the Will of God', quietly to herself, an Islamic expression when one hoped or wished for a positive outcome. She headed quickly to her quarters first to change into her combat gear, which was a similar getup, but made with coarser, tougher cloth better suited to the jostling she would likely receive in the cockpit of her NC. It also came with a facemask/helmet built-in to her head covering that allowed the base of her neck to connect to her NC while still maintaining her modesty. The metallic visor covering her eyes not only shielded her face in the event something inside the cockpit exploded, but also connected visually to the NC's cameras, allowing her to see outside even if her screen malfunctioned. At her waist she wore a pack with emergency rations and medical supplies.

As Zahra arrived at the hangar, she vocally thanked every mechanic she passed by, going so far as to invoke God to bless them for their work. She arrived at Hisn-ul-Ghayma, and looked the white machine up and down, before hopping into the cockpit. As she settled in and the hatch closed, the neural connection was made and she was confronted with a security measure, a cryptic prompt, "Iqra", the Arabic word for "Read", the first word that the Angel Gabriel transmitted to the Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him). This word prompted Zahra's response by reciting the first eight verses of the 96th chapter of the Quran, The Embryo.

Iqra bismi rabbika allathee khalaq
Khalaqa al-insana min 'alaq
Iqra warabbuka al-akram
Allathee 'allama bilqalam
'Allama al-insana ma lamya'alam
Kalla inna al-insana layatgha
Arraahu istaghna
Inna ila rabbika arruj'a

Which translates as:

Recite in the name of your Lord who created -
Created man from an embryo.
Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous -
Who taught by the pen -
Taught man that which he knew not.
No! But indeed, man transgresses
Because he sees himself self-sufficient.
Indeed, to your Lord is the return.

Upon accepting Zahra's response, Hisn-ul-Ghayma fired up, and Zahra's mind went into 'hafidh' mode, a state of heightened concentration and memory access to the scriptures that she knew by heart: all 114 chapters, all 6,236 verses, all 157,935 words. She did a quick status check of her drones before walking Hisn-ul-Ghayma out of the Hangar.

Standing on the battle lines, Hisn-ul-Ghayma surveyed the incoming enemy forces. This would not be an easy battle. She thought back to the time they had spent on the cafe, and one thing became obvious; Red Star broke their NC pilots down and amplified whatever traits they felt made the pilots the best combatants. This meant a few possibilities for Zahra. The pilots could be reckless, either eager to prove themselves to their superiors like beaten dogs, or because they were overconfident, seeing themselves as so physically and mentally superior to other humans. They might also be unstable, a factor that Zahra had to account for in her own squad. As she looked at the enemy forces penetrating the kinetic barrier, she kept a close eye on the enemy NC's, noticing one shimmering out of existence. Cloaking technology.

"We have a cloaker!" Zahra called out, opening Hisn-ul-Ghayma's wing binders and powering on her thrusters. The force was not enough to lift Hisn-ul-Ghayma off the ground by any means, but was enough to create a thin fog of dust around her NC. "Kick up dirt as much as you can. I'm sure that thing is invisible to radar as well, so keep an eye out for shapes in the dust. Stay together, cloaked units tend to infiltrate enemy lines to assassinate targets, so he's coming to us, alone. Watch each other's backs, form groups of two or three." Hisn-ul-Ghayma's wing binders opened some more to allow 12 of her 24 drones leave their docking stations. These zipped around through the streets between the buildings, low to the ground, throwing up dust clouds. She sent another 6 up high to survey the urban battlefield to keep an eye out for silhouettes and to take out any air support the enemy might send their way, while keeping 6 drones in the binders in case she was attacked. The game of hide-and-seek had begun.

---

Chelsea heard the announcement of that the Red-Star Corporation has finished their kinetic shield bombardment. She was a bit shaken at the news, however, she heard who her commanding officer will be, which is Zahra which gave her a smile on her face. She followed everyone to the NC Hanger, which held her NC the Fixer. She knew she’ll face the two pilots from the briefing, and the one that can take over the NC. ”I hope the Fixer’s maintenance checks were worth it. Why did they have to be about for seven hours in total.” Chelsea thought to herself, with a bit of annoyance in her facial features.

She noticed the chief mechanic in question, which helped her with her Maintenance check. She waved at the Chief Mechanic Cecily. ”Oh good, it was worth it after all then, thank you Cecily for the help yesterday.” Chelsea said, kindly towards the Chief Mechanic. She was genuinely happy to see the mechanic again. She got into her NC by the orders of Theodore, which is the Fixer. She noticed Priscilla’s picture on the dashboard, which made her tear up a bit and touch the picture while looking at all the gauges and things.

The Fixer was turned on and sighed at Chelsea’s tears. “Better hold your tears until we get through this battlefield, which the Red-Star wishes upon us.” The Fixer said with a bit of a fatherly sound. However, it knew Chelsea was its pilot and didn’t want to annoy her or anything but it is true to hold the tears, which she felt for Priscilla and turn it into outright defending Haven and outright hating the Red-Star disturbing the peace, which Haven had.

Chelsea heard the Fixer’s words, which were correct in what he said. ”Y-Yes, I know I will make sure we get through this Fixer.” Chelsea said, with a sigh of relief. She heard the move out order from the General Commander and started to move out with the rest of her squadron, of the 1st International Volunteer Battalion. She approached the battle lines, which was the evacuated city. The one thing she was impressed with was how fast, they evacuated the civilians from the city before the Red-Star started their invasion.

She heard the orders from Zahra, which was a bit scary when she saw the cloakers from Red-Star Corporation, which was probably the two NC Pilots they were supposed to capture. The one thing she remembered using her thrusters would be dangerous to use in an urban environment even though there’s no civilians in the area. The order, of kick up as much dirt caused her to activate her thrusters on her feet but turn it off after she was lifted up a bit and landed a bit loudly. After that she decided to move the Fixer to a position behind a building, while watching her comrades. ”W-Why do they have to have cloakers? This sucks I can’t really get close to anywhere to make drones to attack the enemy in terms of my salvaging abilities on my NC. Guess I can wait for people, which would need repairs.” Chelsea thought to herself. Her NC was a bit out of its league mostly for the fact it only had weapon systems, which dealt with drone sized vehicles and not NC-sized things.

Chelsea heard something over open comms, which was a bit freaky, it was a sound of a female’s voice that outright showing the intent of what was told to her in the meeting. She couldn’t help but shake a bit but she didn’t move from her position. However, the entire thing was a bit too much, however, she didn’t see what the NC was in question. The entirety of the cloakers were a bit much for her then that declaration from that specific girl, which had a Japanese sounding accent. ”W-What in the world… Does the enemy have no self control…? B-But I mustn’t lose focus or the Fixer will be the first to be taken over.” Chelsea thought to herself. She was shaken a bit by that declaration from that female voice in specific.

---

---

The Grand Sword Star entered the battlefield, which felt faster than the other two, but the other two cloaked and could be anywhere on the battlefield. Hisako, did eye the NC Fixer, which was trying to hide behind a building before it did hide behind the building. The Red-Star Pilot was more worried about being in cover, while keeping an eye out for the NC Mechanic. ”These Havenities needs to die in a fire for their outright disdain of being controlled by the Red-Star. Something tells me I will be primarily tasked with taking out the Neural Combatants, which will be repairing.” Hisako thought to herself. Her look on her face, while in her Neural Combatant was a bit sadistic in the entire thing.

She moved her Neural Combatant to behind the building, which she took out her Star Impale Assault Rifle from its equipment slot. The Precision Spectrum Analyzation system could see the basic percentage of her survival during this combat, which was pretty low. It always underestimates her abilities, since that’s what the Red-Star put into the entire Grand Sword Star Neural Combatant. It is mostly because of the drones in the sky. She points her gun up into the air and tries to shoot down one of the drones with the NC Assault Rifle. ”Go to hell Havenities. All of you are going to be forced to join our glorious Corporation!” Hisako yelled, pretty much over open comms to freak out the enemy. This tactic is one of her specific tactics, which is to invoke a fear response from any of the enemy combatants because she outright hates them. The entirety of thing was a bit more likely to her desired tactics, even though if she does freak out one of the enemies, it’ll mean easier control by their ace in the hole.

The Grand Sword Star felt like it was face palming in annoyance at Hisako’s blatant outright disregard for tactics told by her superiors. “Calm down Hisako, you can enjoy yourself later. On the torment of whoever you capture. There’s a reason why I outright constantly show underestimation of your abilities because of these outbursts.” The Grand Sword Star said, annoyingly specifically to Hisako. It can believe that Hisako is mentally unstable by the fact, she’s more or less constantly in the state of never going to become a Comrade in the Red-Star Corporation. The one thing it could enjoy was the outright knowing that they were being watched and firing at the Drones specifically, which she was trying to fire at. The only thing, which the Grand Red Star knew was as long as the Superior officers, were giving her attention it kept her without blowing up on them.

Hisako heard, the annoyed tone in her NC. She sighs with a bit of of like oh, yeah. ”Oh yeah I should stop doing that on open comms… Guess they know, who pilots this now a female crazy I guess. I don’t really care much about that though.” Hisako said, not over open comms and only to the NC she’s in. The entire of what she said is true though, however, she hoped she still freaked out someone over open comms, it’ll make her day. She laughed a bit loudly inside of her NC, however, she got shocked by the calming mechanism, which was the shock collar on her arm. She stopped and sighed a bit regretfully about what she did. She couldn’t wait to laugh at everyone in Haven, when they lose and become slaves to the glorious Red-Star Corporation.

"Yes ma'am!", Len salutes with affirmation to Zahra's order.

Len rushed to battlestation upon hearing the alert. Like Chelsea and Zhara, she would like to have a word with the Quebecois, but that would come later.

She quckly gets into her g-suit, powers her Charlemagne. It only took a while for the cockpit to glow with numerous lights and displays. Len has no disillusions on her NC's capabilities, fighting the more maneuverable Red-Star NCs in melee is suicide. It is best to fight at a distance, using her drones to her advantage. She is now thinking what her drone loadout would be. She opts for a balanced approach as she will test the enemy's abilities, see which drones are more apt for the mission.

As the Charlemagne moves, her attitude also changed, gone is her shy aura, replaced with that of a cold person seeking revenge.

"About time we bring these Godless Ch*nks to the depths of hell.", Len said in the comms with a cold calm.

@Andre Valias@Scribe of Thoth@Letter Bee@Sgt Vandingo@Landaus Five-One@Senhara@Stern Algorithm

Cassius Chaplain

---

---

Cassius stared at Cody for a long second, before taking the datapad without really understanding what he meant. He continued staring at the man for a while, before Oh-Cee finally filled him in, after which his eyes lit up with drunken recognition.

”Oh! Right y’are, Darlin’s onnit.” He managed to blurt out as he pulled out his earpiece, and plugged it into the datapad. He pulled it out a second later, then pushed the datapad back to the man, smiling drunkenly. ”Thanks buddy.”

He saluted the man briskly, then waited for him to get moving before following at the back of the column of pilots. He did a quick headcount of all of the pilots, in case they forgot one back at the coffeehouse. Odd though, he thought there were a lot fewer than twenty, completely unaware that he was seeing double, or triple in some cases. He just wasn’t that good at counting. He shook his head, then continued on towards the hangar, getting more inhibited with every passing step.

He broke off from the group somewhere between, and took a quick detour to his room to ‘restock’ on alcohol. He left his empty canteens wherever he dropped them while fiddling around with his vest pouches, then left as quickly as he entered, once again, slightly more intoxicated than before. By the time he got to Oh-Cee, which, in itself was no small feat for Cassius, he could barely stand up straight. He grinned his ear-to-ear grin at her, even happy to see her in his drunken stupor, then stumbled up towards her, uncaring of the commotion he was making in the rapid environment that was the hangar.

”Oh-Shee! Hey there darlin’, ‘ow’re you handlin’?”
”Pilot Cassius, get in please. I will point you in the right direction, you drive. Just like always, yes?”
”Y’didn’t answer! ‘Ow’re you, y’big lumpa metal and love?!” He slurred as he fell against her in a massive hug, and despite the size different, he was still able to get his arms part-way around her massive bulk. ”Robotish!”

Oh-Cee let out a loud sigh of resignation at Cassius acting like the drunken child he was, though she couldn’t outwardly react to it. Yet, at the very least.

”Pilot Cassius, please, we are late as usual, please get insi-! Take your hands off my rear armour panels.- Please get inside, we will be left behind. I will deal with… communications with the rest of the team.”
”Ansah th’queschun! How’s ya little robo-butt likin’ ya chassis?”
”...” Oh-Cee let out another, much louder sigh at Cassius, then finally relented. ”It’s got some ticks that I need to sort out with you when you’re not… you. Other than that, it’s fine, get inside, NOW.” She emphasised the last bit, taking Cassius off guard for a second, though his drunken courage empowered him to not get intimidated by his pseudo-caretaker.

Admittedly, it didn’t last long. He quickly clambered into her cockpit barely a minute later, not bothering to change into something else more suitable for combat, then strapped himself in after a few failed attempts. Oh-Cee closed her compartment, effectively suspending Cassius in darkness. He didn’t mind, and, without thinking, reached into his vest to pull out a new canteen of whiskey, then took a small swig and dropped it somewhere inside Oh-Cee. He’d find it later.
Probably.

---

Oh-Cee Four/One

---

”Calibrations will begin once you’re linked in with me properly, just look as the lights as I turn them on, I’ll figure out the rest. And please, no more drinking, Pilot. You know the rules about throwing up in my cockpit.” At least she warned him this time. Was a lot more than he got the last time.

He grumbled in acknowledgement, and groggily plugged the cord that extended from the back of his pilots seat into the back of his head, then shuddered as the link was made.
Oh-Cee wasn’t spared from the feeling either, as her entire chassis shook for a split second as the influx of emotions and… drunkenness flooded into her system. It was quickly filtered out, and she took complete control once more. She ran the calibrations, turning on an interior light on one at a time and seeing how long Cassius took to look at it, and how long he could focus on it before his gaze went to something else. She hummed in satisfaction at him still performing well within his predicted parameters, then turned on the outside cameras on for him to look out of as she gently guided him into moving out of the hangar, well behind the rest of the group by now.
She also turned off his radio, and made sure he couldn’t get it back online without her knowing first. He pouted at first, before she distracted him by putting up the battleplan onto her viewscreen for him to look at. Like a child, he complied, and soon forgot about his radio being turned off. Oh-Cee would have smiled to herself if she could, then sent a broadcast to the squad, using their private frequency.

”Greetings, Pilots of the 1st International Volunteer Battalion, I am AI Designation Oh-Cee-Four/One-Bee-Ar, you may call me Oh-Cee. I am Pilot Chaplain’s personal AI, and I shall be taking the comms away from him during this mission. It’s for your own sanity, I assure you.” She let her voice travel through the radios of the other squaddies, before starting once more. ”Congratulations on the field promotion, Pilot Mazghuuri. I look forward to serving with you.” She ended the first broadcast with that, her calm and soft voice with a hint of a british accent cutting off soon after that as she went back to trying to coax Cassius into piloting her a bit faster as to catch up with the rest of the squad.
Due to knowing her stuff, Oh-Cee managed to do just that. Just in the nick of time too, it would seem

---

---

---

As quick as always, they were in a combat situation. Oh-Cee sighed, but didn’t panic, nor did she or Cassius bother to kick up dirt in the face of the ‘ambush’. Acting on muscle memory and advice given from Oh-Cee, Cassius pushed Oh-Cee closer to the ground, to at least try to get some cover from the insane enemy pilot, and what they both guessed to be a possible sniper in the distance somewhere around the battlefield. Wouldn’t be beyond Red Star to do something that dishonourable.

”Predicted contacts to be numbered between four and six. We will be turning on our signal jammer now. We can hear you, but you won’t be able to hear us. Give us orders, we will carry them out as soon as we can. Good luck, 1st International Volunteer Pilots.” Oh-Cee sent a quick message through the squad’s radio frequency once more, before her form flickered to the sensors of the squad, then disappeared entirely, turning completely invisible to the sensors and cameras of everything on the field, though if something gazed upon Oh-Cee with their naked eyes, they’d notice her.

The signal jammer was only good for electronics, but it served its purpose. Activating the hoverpads on the bottom of Oh-Cee’s feet, Cassius slowly but methodically lifted her up off the ground, kicking up as little dirt as possible, as to remain stealthed, and started working his way around the flank of where the fire came from on the enemy side.

”Once more intah th’fire o’ war, huh, Darlin’?”
”You’re insufferable.”

---

---

It was time. Time for Richer to once again prove his usefulness to the Red-Star company.

Of all the organizations he had sold out his services to, Red-Star was one of the highest-paying, and most supportive. Most others usually had him move out on his own against difficult odds, without anything more than himself and his NC, and scraps of information on his target(s). Not that he needed any more than that, but it raised his already-high chance of success.

However, taking part in an all-out war was not something they commonly had him do. But, he was in a contract with Red-Star, and they called for his services. Meaning this was mandatory. It wasn't as if he was forced to throw himself out onto the front lines, but his presence was, indeed, mandatory.

But it likely wasn't an issue. From how things seemed to Richer, Red-Star wore the big-boy pants in this war. But that was no reason to underestimate an opponent. Especially with the technological innovations of the current day and age running about.

But now, Richer was sheltered in the snug cockpit of his NC, Weaver. It moved lightly along, towards the rear of the rest of Red-Star NC's that would be initiating in combat shortly, its extra appendages - that separated its identity from the rest of the NCs - encased around the body of the machine, providing a light, bronze-colored cage-armor.

Being that both of Richer's NCs carry a tight-fit cockpit(thought not without room for movement), he was actually quite comfortable. And a small cockpit provides one advantage over larger ones, even if it may be negligible - it is harder to knock the pilot around with brute movements.

But to get back on track - well, off-track - Richer would separate from the rest of his regiment, stirring various controls to cause his NC to veer off away from the group, to their left. He aimed to flank around the middle of the city - the spot where he gauged this battle would pivot on.

And of course, he would do so with discretion. Using the many buildings to his advantage, Richer would slink off into the city, with high likelihood of going unnoticed. Due to the build of his NC, crouching and skulking were one of a handful of things he used to counter the mechanical beast's lack of heavy armor - if he could catch an enemy NC off-guard or out of position, they were potential easy prey.

As he moved into position, the pilot's gloved hand moved to the control panel, flipping one of the many switches that decorated it. Unremarked to the outside world, the many spinnerets that were spread throughout Weaver's body began to spin slowly, emitting minute clicking sounds that not even Richer could hear. But he knew they were in function. He's done this procedure hundreds of times. Now, he was preparing to fabricate webs.

When it was time - they would be ready.

Richer glanced at the munitions panel that displayed the ammo loaded into Weaver's 37mm cannon. The distraction tool had a rotating, two-cylinder system that would allow the machine to fire either one of its ammunition types at a moments notice - at short or long ranges. And for now, it was loaded with special 'Smoke Jelly' munitions and Napalm Shells.

The Mercenary had a position in mind already. But for now, he would have to delay the use of such a position, as it might draw too much attention to some sensitive sensors. Once the gunfire started however, was a different story.

But for now, as he prowled on the outskirts of the City, he would have to wait.

---

Upon hearing the order to sortie, Kxeyun gives Terra a gentle hug then darts off, running to her room to change into her entry suit. It conveniently looked a lot like her normal clothing except in a drysuit fashion. After that's done, she runs off to her NC, smiling widely "Oh how they'll see my claws turn the enemy into a filleted fish... That's too dark, I'll just cut them up and capture them." The large back plate on Sahaquiel is lowered, and unlike most NCs there are TWO entry mechanisms, a silver pod is inserted into the top one, that's the ejection pod. Kxeyun clambers into the lower one, playing leapfrog with the passenger seat, sliding into the main one. Upon doing that, she attaches a special collar to herself and grabs the rather advanced physical controls which yet again is unusual for an NC. After a few button presses, the NC starts up, a handful of startup commands flashing across the screen. Behind her, she can hear the entry hatch close as the metal plate slides back into position, temporarily dousing her in pitch blackness. After exactly five seconds, screens all around her flicker to life, showing her the outside of the NC and status indicators. A large status indicator flashes in front of her then vanishes, reading:

MENTAL CONTAMINATION: ZERO PERCENT.
LINK STATUS: HEALTHY.
SAHAQUIEL: ONLINE.
COMMAND>START: INITIATED.
ALL SYSTEMS NOMINAL, ENGINES ACTIVATED.
SELF TEST CONFIRMED.
"God is in his Heaven, all's right with the world."

After a short amount of time, Sahaquiel is released into the battlefield. She walks forward slowly, stomping with every footstep, kicking up dust. She proceeds to crouch down behind a large building, waiting for the enemy and to avoid snipers. She turns on the communication systems and tells the team "Godspeed, everyone. Let's not die today." Sahaquiel pokes its head up. "I uh... See an NC, black and purple with horns on its head. I'm... Not picking up any life signatures from it, no jamming detected. That's impossible! No NC can operate without a human pilot! Why does it look exactly like an armored human?" Her NC's claws twitch and the hands ball up into fists.

---

---

TABRIS hovers gently through the barrier, proceeding to hover about the battlefield head turning to check out the competitors. She mutters to herself using the NC's loudspeakers "Pitiful creatures... Slaves to your machines..." She proceeds to shout over the comms system "HISAKO! Calm yourself! Overextending yourself like that will only get you killed! That big clawed one looks like it'll be able to tear you up in seconds. Something isn't right with it, it's producing double the energy of the other NCs on their side, is it trying to draw attention to itself?" TABRIS hasn't spotted Oh-Cee jamming, thankfully "Other Red-Star pilots, I'd advise staying out of long narrow areas, they seem poised to take advantage of that. I'll flank and try and hit them from the side." She proceeds to dart off, moving elegantly. Too elegantly to have a normal pilot, of course. Her moves are like an ice skater, swiftly skating across the ground. If anything were to get in her way, well, she'd start cutting at them.

Once she gets in position, her swords stab into the ground, bringing her to a halt. She brings them up out of the ground and fires her EMP in a small area around her, just in case there were any traps. Her energy shields then spring to life, and she spins around with her swords outstretched, cutting anything in their path, ruining buildings and valuables left behind. Just to be a pain in the ass, she completely wrecks a building next to her, gently laughing. She destroyed a home to a family of five. "Causing psychological trauma will be fun... Destroy everything, make 'em cry. They'll rebel against Haven for not protecting their homes better. Weak ass Havenites..."

Joey warned them maybe thirty seconds before the actual call came that a call was going to come. With a nod, Terra gave a nod to Kxeyun to indicate that now was the time, and then headed off towards the NC Hangar. She would have enough time to suit up at the locker room nearby. They really needed to make her a spare suit, in future... Anyway, the battle was upon them, and they had to get moving right away!



Soon, she was in her flight suit, stepping into the hangar where she left Id originally. Good, they had maintained it. She would've said that if it wasn't at full when she herself left it, then it hadn't been properly dealt with. Terra had made sure that Id was in good shape when she arrived here in Haven, and wouldn't hear a word against it. Proceeding directly to the red mecha, it opened itself up as it scanned her presence and she stepped inside. Her presence in the cockpit automatically started up the machine, even as she was connecting herself to the system. It was a simple program. You could do similar with your own car.



Pilot Interface - 90%
Cockpit Status - GREEN
Weapon Status - GREEN
Engine Status - GREEN
Sensory Input - GREEN
Gyro-Stabilizers - GREEN
Power Source - 100%
Energy Shield - 100%
Overclock Engine - GREEN

Check Status Complete.
Begin Combat Procedure.

She launched, not long after somebody else in the group did, and soon they were facing the Kinetic Shield, not exactly out of town... They watched as at least a couple waves of attackers never made it through without being pummeled by Darwin's perimeter defenses. Then, some of them made it through. It hadn't been easy for Red-Star, since they had to phase slow-moving targets through and such. To think, this was the sort of thing that they expected her to live with in attacking this place, just shoveling meat bodies through to waste their lives for the next group. Pointless, tactless, idiotic actions... This alone would've been enough to make her leave, but Red-Star was Red-Star, so they were a conglomerate of bad habits.

Non-NC weapons had come out to battle among the mecha. True, they could still do some harm, but not as much. Doubtless, they had even been given orders to locate Id among the enemy, but where WAS their wayward NC, just now? The answer was that Terra was stealthed, and by that we mean she had crouched. What? There were buildings enough to conceal one's presence. It allowed her to sight the enemy before she was sighted. Advantage, Haven people. Well, for a moment, anyway, because those gunships would most certainly have an aerial view and- Oh, she was shooting them down just as they found her. So much for the element of surprise. Now, the combatants would see her get up and start firing at the Red-Star support as the larger enemies were making their way onto the scene.

They were a problem, for sure. For instance, Terra was at least vaguely aware of some of them and their capabilities, while she actually knew the pilots of others. Defection has its advantages too. Some of the information might change on you because of it, but this wouldn't. This was NC piloting. You couldn't go on a random shuffle without things suffering, yes? Oh, definitely yes. And that was when she heard someone shouting at them from the other side, on an open channel, easily tracked AND well recognized by her. Terra got on Haven's closed channel first to talk to the team.

"I've identified Grand Sword Star and I know the pilot personally. I'm going to use some psychological warfare now. If anyone overhears this, DO NOT take it seriously."

So, the FIRST thing that Terra did was use her Overclock Engine with her thrusters while readying her plasma rifle. Then, as it went off, she flew - very fast - to basically strafe over Grand Sword Star with a barrage of plasma shots and a grenade launch. That was just to get her attention. Hisako loved GSS, maybe a little too much. She was a slave, and her mentality was to serve with fanaticism, so everything she had, she treasured deeply. Because Terra's own defection would have been a surprise to all - She let on NOTHING before her escape - she could imagine that it would be pretty galling if GSS was damaged by Id now. Even more so, was what Terra now did with a direct line of communication to Hisako's NC as she landed nearby. Her voice took on a sultry flavor and she sounded umm...horny. Terra could do this at will, and even slaves have imaginations. The only question was...did the other pilot ever fantasize about the white-suited ace?

"Hisako, I found you... I knew you would be here. I need you... I want you, in battle and in body. I remember that long flowing hair and that perfect shape... I've wanted that in my quarters for a long time. They just wouldn't allow it in Red-Star. But we could do it, now that we're here. We could fight and be free, and come together as one when we're done. I missed you so much..."

If anyone wants to know what this sounds like, just imagine Terra's steady voice suddenly going to Lust from Fullmetal Alchemist.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>



So, at last, the day had arrived. They'd been trying to hype him for this, but it was just irritating. If you're going to deploy, then deploy already. There's no sense waiting, when you can taste the viceral carnage in the air. Just let open the gates, let chaos reign, and most importantly...get out of his way. Now, there had been some preliminary trash to be flung at the Havenites - Havenites? Who cares what they're called? They're nothing. - and then some of the other pilots went in. Some were sneaky about it, while others were loud and stupid. Dread merely waited a moment to allow them to be targeted like the meat they were...and then entered himself.

Into the battle walked a bear on two legs. More than a bear, Ursa Nova was a semi-humanoid murder machine. It was built like a bear, but highly functional on two or four limbs, and about to leap about quite easily, though it was heavy. The trick lay in an advanced thruster system and a pilot who doesn't care about the forces involved. For now, Ursa stepped into view and did a quick look around, trying to determine just who was it that needed to be assaulted. There was mention that the artificial human, Terra Laedo, was to be taken in...but Dread was going to ignore those orders, unless he found himself assaulting her...and by then he would kill her. No, he didn't care about their human-plus project. It was a foolish waste of time and resources, and she was garbage, anyway. You want something dead, you hire a killer. End of story.

Now...which one of you can be torn apart the easiest, which one of you is a challenge, and which one of you...is a vital backbone to be SNAPPED?

These thoughts had him quickly focusing his attention...on Hisn-ul-Ghayma. And he did so because, believe it or not, Neural Combatants showed up rather highly on infrared, as opposed to a currently-empty city. NCs were packing fusion generators. You don't conceal the heat from that so easily. Maybe with a factory or a nuclear powerplant nearby, but really what you needed was Nova's own dispersion vents on a subtler setting than 'purge'. As it stood, Hisn-ul-Ghayma was easy to find by heat-traces AND because Dread had seen the drones fly out. It was offering support fire, it did not seem like it was meant to take as many hits as some of the others, especially not his own machine. It was open and waiting for attack. Time to take a bite...

Ursa lowered onto all-fours, the rear thrusters activated, and it began rapid-leaping towards its prey! Though it was a big and heavy-looking target, it was made for stable leaps and outright slamming and wrestle attacks, so pounding through fire and pieces of city were nothing to it. Indeed, what was coming at Zahra was pretty damn dangerous! The fiery beast was going directly for the heavy slam with all of Newton's Laws and plasma flames behind it as the forward claws were coming in for a burning grip! It was gonna be the tackle from hell!