[IC] Evolution of Conflict: A Sci-Fi Mecha 1x1 FaithfulMuse and Stern Algorithm

[Stern Algorithm]

Orpheus opened his protective cape and began firing a salvo of high-energy beams at Nyx. While he covered a large area, he had very low accuracy.

---

Mayura ducked behind the mesa again to avoid getting shot at by Asteria. Tera kept an eye on the radar, looking for an opening to sneak around and flank Asteria again.

[FaithfulMuse]

Nyx was hit by one of the beams, but keot going and hiding behind mesas, starting to move from mesa to mesa in a way that was bringing it closer to Orpheus.

Asteria did notice something moving between the mesas and fired at it, hoping to hit it succesfully.

[Stern Algorithm]

Without returning to a defensive posture, Orpheus continued to blast the first mesa Nyx ducked behind, reducing it to rubble only to find that Nyx was no longer there. His shields opened out further as they started firing in random directions, hoping to smoke Nyx out.

---

Given how wide Mayura's sensor array fanned out, Asteria's shot managed to hit it, causing it significant damage before it managed to hide behind the mesa. Tera checked her sensor readouts and saw some of its functions had been lost, but it still let her keep track of Asteria's movements. Still, Tera began to hesitate as she wasn't sure if she could take another hit like that and stayed behind the mesa trying to decide her next move.

[FaithfulMuse]

Once Blythe thought that Nyx was close enough, she fired at Orpheus again to see if she could hit the cog decently from her current position. If not, she would have to find a way to get even closer without being noticed.

Asteria remained still as she tried to to figure out where Mayura was, but that seemed to be useless. Instead, she shot at one of the mesas, hoping that Mayura would be behind it.

[Stern Algorithm]

As it turned out, Orpheus was leaving itself wide open as it scanned around rather unsuccessfully for Nyx to show up. Israfil was being very unobservant, and the difference between his and Blythe's combat skills were pretty glaring at this point.

---

While Asteria's shot was not strong enough to destroy or punch through the mesa, it did induce Mayura to attempt to run to another mesa, blowing its cover.

[FaithfulMuse]

Nyx shot again at Orpheus when it was scanning the area, not understanding why it didn't try to hide.

Although Asteria did saw Mayura moving and fired at it, Asteria was in clear sight as well now.

[Stern Algorithm]

Nyx's shot came as such a surprise that Orpheus flailed, unable t oget a proper bearing on Nyx, and leaving itself open to more shots.

---

Mayura took some good hits from Asteria, though it fired back as well, until it managed to find cover again, Tera checked her diagnostics and saw that Mayura had sustained quite a bit of damage.

[FaithfulMuse]

Nyx fired again now that Orpheus was so open and vulnerable, taking the time she had to deal damage before he would get his protection back on again.

Asteria did get hit by Mayura and had afterwards lost sight of her, while remaining in clear sight herself.

[Stern Algorithm]

Nyx scored several good shots. One in particular severed the limb that connected Orpheus' left cape to its shoulders, causing the cape to fall to the ground loudly. Now Orpheus' left side not only lacked armor, but also half of it's cannons were now gone. Orpheus was also pretty unbalanced and fell to its right, landing in its cape, its shotgun falling out of its hands, out of reach. Orpheus struggled on the ground like a turtle that had been flipped over.

---

Tera took a risk and turned around the mesa to take a few more shots at Asteria. Asteria's AI, which had remained silent thus far, began prompting Claire to have Asteria heal itself.

[FaithfulMuse]

Once Orpheus had fallen onto the ground Nyx shot again, aiming at the head now that the cog no longer had its protective shield.

Claire read what the AI said and quickly did so, supposing that the cog itself knew the best when it needed healing.

[Stern Algorithm]

The battle was practically over, Nyx had successfully disabled Orpheus, and the simulation ended. Israfil's voice came over the comm, heavy breathing and shaking were audible, "W-wow, y-you're pretty amazing..."

---

Mayura continued to hide behind the mesa. Its scans revealed that Asteria had repaired itself. Initially, Tera had thought they had done about even damage to each other, but now she saw herself at a distinct disadvantage and was unsure how to continue.

[FaithfulMuse]

Blythe simply shrugged. "I've just trained a lot. Maybe I can help you a little later." She suggested.

Unsure of what else to do, Asteria shot at one of the mesas in the hope of finding Mayura behind it.

[Stern Algorithm]

"S-sure, but it's not like we'll be fighting other cogs, so I don't really see the point of this training," Israfil said.

---

Tera decided to try one last tactic. Mayura came out of hiding, rounding the mesa and dashed straight at Asteria, intending to spear it with its bayonet.

[FaithfulMuse]

Blythe shrugged. "I don't know, but I'm pretty sure this training has some use." She said.

Upon hearing something coming towards her Claire made the cog turn around, although she was too late and got hit by the spear.

[Stern Algorithm]

Getting hit by the spear ended the simulation for both Claire and Tera. The match between Solomon and Sion also finished. Maya's voice came through the comm, "Good job everyone. Having you fight each other has given me a better idea what your strengths and weaknesses are. I'll talk it over with Sion first, but afterwards he or I will approach each of you individually to talk about it. For the time being, you're dismissed, but you can come to me or Sion if you have questions."

Solomon, Tera, and Israfil exited their cogs and congregated on the hangar floor. The screen flashed a "Goodbye" to Claire.

[FaithfulMuse]

Claire smiled upon seeing the message, but didn't talk back to the cog, not sure if the comm link was still on.

[Stern Algorithm]

"Man, I need to watch out for Lt. RHS from now on," Solomon complained, "He pretty much had me figured out our whole match. Did you win your matches?"

"I don't think it's really a matter of winning or losing," Tera said, not liking the competitive air that Solomon was promoting.

"I lost, Blythe was amazing," Israfil said, "I thought that I had her outgunned, but she ran circles around me."

[FaithfulMuse]

Blythe shrugged."I think Tera is right. It's not important who wins or loses, the training is just meant to improve our skills."

Meanwhile, Claire didn't say anything.

[Stern Algorithm]

"I'm surprised you got beat though," Solomon said to Israfil, "Orpheus seems to be a superior cog to Nyx, no offense. Maybe a cog is only as good as its pilot."

"At any rate," Tera continued, "Mayura and Asteria weren't even really meant for combat."

[FaithfulMuse]

"The cogs are not superior to obe another. They are designed to fit the personality of their pilots." Blythe said to Solomon.

Claire nodded. "I suppose that even if they're not meant for combat, our cogs can still cause quite some damage."