Zim felt a great tremble in Black Star's inner systems, followed by the sound of metallic parts bashing against each other; it lasted only a couple of seconds, but it was enough to cause 3% worth of damage to the Werk's internal systems. What was alarming was the location for the damage; it was in the torso section, close to where a human's heart would be located. His Synch rate with Black Star seemed to also waver, fluctuating at a 2-3% ratio. For the first time, Zim could sense that this was intentional, as if Black Star had meant to behave in this manner. However, the Framewerk's system stabilized as Zim's rage rose. In response, the Frame seemed to throw off the Cruxi Beast's massive palm aside with a flick of the Thermal Scythe on its own, scattering it aside like the uncertainty that the pilot had.
The Cruxi CWM squad at J7 was hunkered down behind a sturdy bunker, ready to intercept any direct assaults with counter-fire. However, by performing a circling sweep Zim managed to buy a bit more time before they caught on. Due to the high gravity, performing a flanking dash was difficult, as there was more inertia involved in the Framewerk's velocity that required more force to redirect. However, Zim's high Experience proved its worth, as he knew to shift the Framewerk's mass towards the inner circle, helping to keep the momentum for just long enough to reach behind the squad. Of course, the Cruxi managed to land shots on Black Star before he closed in and strike the first CWM down, easily slicing through the metallic armor with the symbol of death.
The damage incurred was partially absorbed by an Orbital Deflector, which ended up breaking when one of the Cruxi landed a point-blank strike with a new type of melee weapon; it was disguised to look like a Plasma Cannon when closed, but it packed tremendous punch as it launched with the three-pronged blade. The CWMs didn't get a chance to take another shot, as their vertical halves fell to both sides, four pieces one after the other. The rest of the shots landed to the shoulders and chest, having incurred 8% exterior damage in total. Were it not for the protective drone, the damage would have likely been multiplied. Elise's face popped up on Zim's HUD. "Come in Black Star! Our long-range Frames can't get a dent on the turtles while those mechs are blocking the firelines. Approach discreetly, and eliminate them given the opportunity. Over and out."
Ojo readied the Hoshizora, and aimed the rifle down at the Cruxi Beast, slightly trembling as it was hit with the EMP-inducing payload. However, as soon as Ojo turned, the Beast lunged like a zombie from a horror movie, and gripped the Framewerk's ankle; it only seemed to turn even more frenzied as the cybernetcis in its brains were fried, its muscles bulging grotesquely. At that moment, if the Beast was undeterred, it would have easily torn off the limb. Fortunately Katya was there to save Elizabeth; using Caretaker's Artemis Attack Droids to their full potential, she used them to deadly effect as they attempted to cut off the Beast's head. The Beast let go of Ojo at that moment, and grabbed one of the Droids, slamming it down on the ground and destroying it; frighteningly, it was still capable of attacking even while it's head was leaning to the side from being cut, like Nearly Headless Nick. Before the Beast could repeat the move on another one, the Drones backed off to launch ranged shots, finishing the job and severing its head off of it's broad shoulders. High-pressure blood then splattered on Ojo, not unlike when Irina decapitated the Beast grappling Ana's Frame, leaving a terrible mess. Ojo did not escape completely unscathed; it's ankle had been damaged to the point of no longer being able to support the Frame's standing.
Valéria's scans confirmed the kill on the Cruxi Beast before her, with the additional information that the rapidly shot lasers managed to hit the beast right between its natural armor plates; as a result, they pierced its lungs and destroyed some cybernetic implants linked to them, causing the Beast to drop dead near-instantaneously. At that moment, Elise opened a comms window at the corner of Redeemer's HUD; her eyes were constantly flicking back and forth, as if she had over six different screens that she tried to monitor at the same time. "Good job scanning the bogey, Pilot! Downloading database, over and out."
Redeemer proceeded to join Black Star in getting up and personal with the enemy. However, unlike the flanking maneuver that the more lighter Frame performed, Valéria's hulking juggernaut smashed right through the defensive cover that the CWMs were using with a hammer strike with Judgement, sending rubble flying in all directions. The Two of the CWMs immediately began shooting, clearly surprised by their sudden loss of cover; Redeemer's heavy build absorbed most of the Cannon shots, incurring only a measly 10% damage to its armor before one of the CWM's was sent flying by Judgement smashing into them, their chest caved in to the point the Frame doubled over itself. The third CWM, who was located behind her, grabbed on to the larger Frame's back, and shot a three-pronged blade into the back at point-blank, managing to punch into the armor deeply enough to become lodged in, allowing the Cruxi mech to ride on Redeemer's back by using the blade as an anchor.
Krieg deftly moved to cover to avoid the Cruxi War Machine squad's plasma fire, using the Cruxi's own artillery weaponry's size against them. That turtle had just finished firing, and now became aware of the enemy unit right next to it. It's weapon systems switched on the fly, the large cannon having switched to a pair of Plasma Gatlings, identical to the ones the other turtle had attempted to use on Krieg. The rotary cannons began spinning, but Dietrich bid his time, waiting for the right moment. As soon as the turtle began firing, Krieg flipped over the turtle in a parkour of extreme agility, the turtle unable to turn it's cannons fast enough to hit it. The CWMs were too late to realize their mistake, and stood completely still the moment Krieg struck with Helles Messer; as the CWMs were Medium-armored foes, the blade sliced halfway in before it bounced back up, followed by a sweep kick that Dietrich seemed to perform almost instinctually, sending the machine down. The other CWMs seemed to finally get out of their stupor, and lowered their guns. However, this wasn't a case of surrendering; one lunged forward with a shot of a three-pronged blade that Krieg deflected with the sword, causing sparks to fly between the two, before slashing the arm off the Cruxi, while the other attempted to flank around.
Maria took position, steadying Neo Angel's aim for a shot on the Cruxi turtle in the west, using a rifle with emphasis on range and accuracy. She successfully hit the Cruxi Turtle several times, punching holes in the turtle's shell and causing the cyber-biotic monstrosity to cry out in pain. As before, tentacles rose up from it's back, and began repairing the damage that it sustained, with smaller tentacles squirming inside the holes. The CWM squad in B4 incurred damage from Tayna's antimatter rifle, and one shot managed to tear off a leg from one of them, causing them to fall. In response, both that squad and the one in C4 began shooting counter fire at Tayna; they were not successful in hitting her despite launching a volley of plasma, as she launched herself in dodging maneuvers with her charges, avoiding any damage. But as much as she wanted to be a distraction, it wasn't enough...And war showed it's true face.
The turtle shifted it's aim, and with a mighty sound shot another immensely powerful shell.
Maria had not taken cover, nor did she prepare for evasive maneuvers, so it was too late when Neo Angel attempted to leap out of the way before it was partially caught in the blast radius; an intense light burrowed into her eyesockets, followed by burning heat and agonizing pain. When Maria next opened her eyes, she saw a vertical world; the Framewerk was lying on it's side. Based on the data, she was blown back to A10.
Most horrifically, the Frame's entire left side was burnt and broken down, missing an arm and a leg. Maria herself felt a trickle of blood coming down her nose, and noticed how her own left side felt numb; due to her extreme Synchronization, she had to struggle to move her arm and leg, feeling like the bones in them were broken. "Caretaker!" Elise popped up, looking shocked. "Neo Angel has sustained critical damage, and needs repairs!" The entirety of Squad Sigma was now witness to the threat that the Cruxi turtles imposed upon them.
"Tch."
Irina saw what happened to their fellow comrade, and scoffed at Anastasia's resentful threat.
"See that?" She sent the visual feed of her Frame to Ana, showing Neo Angel's torn arm and leg lying in a crater.
"That could have been you."
With those cold words, she shut down the communication channel between them just as Sköll readied GAR, and took fire on the turtle. Her shots failed to hit the turtle, as the CWM with the broken leg jumped to intercept them, before it blew up. "Damn. No choice but to cut them up, huh?" She cursed under her breath, no longer as calm as before. Her vision flashed back to Neo Angel's remains. "Why...Why does it still hurt?"
Hou-Yi dashed across the battlefield, it's many legs suited for traversing the rough, cratery grounds. As such, when it reached crater, Krista had enough time to identify an enemy unit, and proceeded to launch a shot from the ditches. However, she didn't have time to calculate the shot trajectory, and so the impact zone erred to the side; it only managed to hit a single Cruxi mech, destroying half of it in exploding plasma. In response, the Cruxi units at E5 and F5 retreated while shooting at Paladin's shield. Paladin took the opportunity, and blasted apart two Cruxi mech that were lined up, destroying them completely, before it advanced further into the battlefield, seemingly ready to take on the turtle before it. The CWM unit at G5 proceeded to advance, and opened fire on the Redeemer, causing 10% more damage to its armor bombarded by plasma.
The turtle in the middle, having seemingly decided that the new arrival on the east would no longer be a threat, aimed down the middle, aiming to destroy both Paladin and Caretaker with a single shot. Once again, Elizabeth's Ojo managed to redirect the shot that was aimed at them. However, because of her unfortunate meeting with a berserk Beast, the shot ended up landing right in the Yeager's way. Fortunately, Yeager managed to outspeed the impact radius, but the resulting explosion's knockback sent the Framewerk flying; it ended up landing at C2, farther away than Roger had planned to. Having experience with high velocities, Yeager only ended up making a light tumble before it was already back up, ready for combat behind enemy lines. The CWM unit at C4 at first aimed at him, but then lowered their guns and charged at him with claws and a Punch Blade.
However, Roger soon realized he wasn't alone.
A raucous sound seemed to come from west, similar to a demonic roar, and squad Sigma saw
imposing Framewerk come charging in at unnatural speeds, aiming right for the Cruxi turtle in the west; it seemed to be able to move four grids in one move. Elise looked confused, and managed to open communications. "Come in, Framew-" In return, she got a pleasant response.
"GO TO HELL SHELLHEAD!" The Framewerk lifted it's arm up, and a giant glowing blade suddenly appeared, glowing with energy. He slashed downwards, and with an earth-shaking slam, cut the giant Cruxi turtle in half. Numerous tentacles popped out, attempting to pull the halves back together, but the Framewerk's shoulder-mounted cannons lifted up, took aim, and unleashed hell on the two sides, obliterating them to ash.
"YEAHHHH! EAT IT, FILTHY FUCKING BUGS!" The squad heard him announce on a loudspeaker system installed in the monstrous Frame.
Elise was irritated, yet a bit relieved; after all, the mysterious new pilot managed to destroy one of their targets. She opened up comms with everyone. "We got a rogue unit. Give it a wide berth, and take out the two remaining turtles!"
