RP: Section 6 Dissidents

[IQ]

RP Date

YE 40, 10:00 fleet time

RP Location

Sanctum / Sirris VI

The vast expanse of the Sanctum system rippled with energy as several large ships made their trek through. Unknown origin, energy signatures that weren't tradition to NDC ships, nor Neshaten. Any doubt of freespacers was also laid to rest. The signatures were of an unseen magnitude. An anomaly that caused several planetwide alerts. Though their calculated trajectory didn't collide with the habited Sirris VI or any of their military installations. Staying well out of proper firing range.

A vast fleet of unknown seemed to just pass through.

Though said mystery fleet slowed down, coming to a halt at the edges of the system. Whilst several ships slipped further. All of a sudden, a massive energy spike was visible on the various monitors and what was presumed one of the massive flagships had fired its weapons. The console lit up as the handful of ships that didn't follow the brunt's movements exploded. At the exact same time several pods were launched for Sirris VI. It was at that point the fleet began slowly moving again. Heading for Phosphorus, before jumping out of the system once more, leaving naught but a trail of debris in their wake. It was a quick exchange, one that took only minutes, with no seemingly hostile intent for the residents of Sirris VI. Right up until several proximity alarms triggered once more as the aforementioned pods breached Sirris' atmosphere, their trajectory calculated to land in the middle of nowhere.

And this was the exact reason why various NDC troops were gearing up, vehicles were prepped, orders were given and squads were formed. Whatever had landed on planet needed to be identified.

 

[Jack Pine]

1 HOUR AFTER LANDING
Hounds rolled through the jungle, as a possessor and a pair of Hydras blew apart and cleared a path through the trees. The mech would cut them down with a bladed weapon, then the tanks as they blazed a trail. The convoy advanced at a steady pace, the trucks laden with troops in power armor, mostly Revenant Mk II's and a few Mk I's as scouts. Streaks of smoke, most likely emissions from debris off the destroyed ships, or quite possible from sort of crude propulsion, but which ever the case, the LZ was still a bit of a ways off.

"Search for survivors, that is the priority, and if found. Then you will locate and identify, do not engage unless engaged first. The ships that came through were definitely not anything known, or anything we've seen out here. Try to make contact with them if possible.", Talos commanded as he checked his chaingun propped between his armored legs, the twin storm rifles on mounts ready to dock when he got up to disembark.

 

[Leonardo]

Craig was yet again inside a hound, this time as a passenger, checking his weapons while listening Talos orders inside his helmet.
Since he was wearing a MK1power armor he was appointed to the scout team, the first to arrive on the LZ. The mercenary wasn't all that happy as during the operations against the crimsons, even if the possibility of an aggressive interaction with the uknown contacts was a possibility still it wasn't enough for him.

Since the last time he trained himself everyday in the jungles, leaving for entire days before coming back, forging his body and mind in the harsh habitat, he was already well experienced in jungle warfare and now even more.

 

[SirSkully]

Maverick, Maverook? Hati honestly couldn't remember the guy's surname but apparently the young wolf underneath that custom set of Phantasm armour was filling in for the guy his snow-furred niece had taken a liking to... he still thought it was odd to look up to someone that was usually meant to look up to you but given how odd familial relations were around here he just dropped the thought and would continue to see her as his Alpha regardless.

The human with wolven features was itching to get out of the base and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so, only regret was that he couldn't remove his helmet and feel the rushing wind against his face as they rushed through the forest but it was probably for the best - Hati stood up on the back of the vehicle with both hands grasping the vehicle's roll cage as his armoured tail trailed along behind, a Harbinger lmg across his back with the Lupine's tell-tale push-knives on each hip and a Maverick pistol across his front - he was ready to move fast and hit hard.

"Do we have an ETA on the crash site?" his voice filtered through the communications channel as Hati leant forward a little more, his tail giving a few happy wags in the meantime.

 

[IQ]

"This is your driver speakin'- uhmm. We're experiencing some rugged terrain, please hold on to your seats, stow any open bags, finish your drinks and strap in," Lynn's voice chimed through the troop transport. "We're close to our destination, we at Lynn Transport hope you had a pleasant ride and thank you for using our services." The Jane clone concluded with a grin, before focussing once again on the rugged terrain and navigating it. The first vehicle in the convoy, blazing the trail for the rest. On the background of the intercomm, or those close to the cockpit, had a pretty good idea of the metal their driver was listening to.

In the same transport was the off-coloured Revenant of none less than the Queen of Spades. Or as she had introduced herself prior, Q. A custom paintjob that sported streaks of white and a merc's logo on the chestplate. The Harbinger, configured as a DMR resting in her lap.

A loud bump, before the vehicle ground to a halt. "We've got a fire at the contact site," came the Jane clone's voice again. At the same time, the lights blinked red and the back of the troop transport slammed open.

Q adjusted her tie momentarily and let out a soft huff. Pushing herself up, she trailed behind Hati and thudded down on the soil, disengaging the safety of her DMR. Immediately checking their surroundings and getting her bearings.

Lynn pushed open the door and stepped out, gathering her Hailstorm shotgun as well, before sauntering over to the back of the transport where the rest was disembarking. Though most important to her, Talos.

***​

The crashing was rough and hard - entering atmosphere had knocked several of the Tsumi in Affin's pod unconscious. Though that was only breaching atmosphere. Any lesser race would be squished due to the concussive force. But they were Tsumi after all. Emerging from her own pod, the female glanced around and saw several of her consorts, brothers and sisters in arms, emerging themselves. "Check the pods for wounded, drag them in the middle. I want axemen and flamethrowers, make a clearing outwards. Controlled fires only." She glanced at one of the Tsumi standing at attention. "You're our quartermaster, rationing and control is up to you. Start taking inventory."

She glanced across the handful of Tsumi still present. "One flare per pair." Glancing across the dense forestry, the Tsumi exhaled a soft breath, before biting her lip. "We're not here to die gloriously, we're here to survive. Saweya and Ywach be with you all."

The remaining able-bodied Tsumi nodded, pairing up themselves. Leaving only a few guards and Affin herself to guard and possibly tend to the wounded. Though, judging from the severity of some wounds, there would be need for a myriad of gravestones as well.

 

[Leonardo]

Craig calmly exited from the Hound, holding his NovaCorp Heavy Assault Rifle. He took a brief look at the digital screen of the large double barreled weapon and set the firing mode to kinetic semiautomatic fire with subsonic projectiles option, he bought a lot of that type of ammos right after the Operation Free Real Estate as he realized the possibility of more stealthy missions in the coming future.

The mercenary turned around to see the area, they weren't to much far away from the LZ, actually 700 meters as he saw from the Satellite Map he activated through voice comand. His experienced mind worked on an approach, taking control of more areas around the unknown place was the first priority if they wanted to have the advantage on any possible hostility.

"Craig Mulder to Major Talos, permission to flank the LZ with relocation coordinates 0877933441 Whiskey, 5463877112 November" His serious and deep voice sounded in the commlinks.

 

[SirSkully]

As the convoy of various vehicles and other mechanized units came to a halt Hati disembarked, vaulting over the Hound's roll cage with ease in one smooth motion, turning his body mid air so that the young wolf would be facing the back of the hound with a soft crunch of armoured boots against the ground. He reached in and began dragging out a small object, quickly strapping the thigh-holster containing three bubble-shield grenades that was quickly strapped to the armoured outside of one lean leg, it wasn't quite as elaborate as he had originally intended but the armour was still new and those modifications would have to wait until next time.

Hati's helmet with its stock-standard paint job, despite being painted for his less than standard anatomy, turned to face Craig as he spoke - giving the mercenary a small nod before speaking in kind, "If he's doing that I'll go with him," Hati offered in a tone that might come across as a little offhanded, his lupine features did lend the boy a natural advantage in the field of tracking and reconnaissance afterall.

That same helmet pivoted back around to this mysterious Q, his red eyes behind that faceplate observing the paint job that admittedly made the wolf a little envious he had to stick to regulation colours, though he brushed that aside and voiced his innermost thoughts of, "Nice armour~" as the suppressed sidearm was pulled from his chest, quickly dropping the magazine out into his palm to ensure it was ready to go before the wolf racked back the slide and held it by his side.

 

[Jack Pine]

Troops began to fan out, the Mk Is moving ahead in full ECS and with assorted configurations of the Harbinger. Ready to encounter whatever lay ahead, among the silent jungle, the motion trackers were detecting a mass of movement even from well beyond the range of the minimap. The heavier Mk IIs armed with multiple heavy weapons along with an equally armed Talos, advanced behind them, their ECS also engaged.

"Granted, but Hati is in charge, he'll coordinate your team with ours. Nora, back em up, no need to go with only two.", Talos confirmed and ordered after quickly jogging down the ramp in his armor. The bi-colored fenrir clone gave a thumbs up to Lynn as the last trooper cleared the ramp, "Vehicles hang back a bit, and wait for the signal to advance, or if things get hot."

Nora shook her head as she jumped over the side of the bed of the Hound as they had stopped, the young woman carrying her sword and Wasp-LSSR, the STAR slung at her side. She was wearing the predator combat armor, having no need to use PA, and not enlisted to have been given a Revenant like the rest. She formed up with Craig, and Hati after closing her full helmet's faceplate, "I'm ready when you guys are."

 

[IQ]

Q glanced at Hati as he spoke. Tilting her head and lowering her rifle again. The blank faceplate staring at him momentarily. Before she dipped lower, tracking two armoured fingers through the mud, before standing up straight again. Streaking a lopsided smile on the faceplate. Droplets of dirt-water running down, as well as the quick wipe she gave it, made it look nothing but unnerving. And not a word spoken in return as Q grabbed the side of the truck and hoisted herself up. Climbing on top of the cabin, before watching through her scope. "Blasted flora," her voice resounded through the comms. Feminine, crystal clear. But with a positively chilling lack of emotion. "Magnification will be... Interesting to utilize. My abilities would be best used in the flanking team, unless you have plans that dictate otherwise, Major?" The now eternally smiling Revenant spoke.

Lynn glanced at her co-pilot, who had also trailed behind her. Nodding curtly, she cleared her throat. "You get the wheel Travis, I'll go in with the boys," Her glance went back to Talos, lifting the hailstorm from her shoulder. Giving the weapon a singular pump to enforce her sentiment. The Jane clone then turned back to her co-pilot. Thudding shoulders with the soft clunk of armour. "See you on the other side, three-finger," to which Lynn cracked a delighted chuckle. "Same here, quickshot."

After the brief exchange, she fell in next to Talos, ready to follow him.

***
​

By now, her hands were stained in blood. The roaring of flamethrowers, the crackling of fire and the chopping of axes in the background, however, made Affin feel just a tidbit more comfortable. Though, it weren't just her hands, or abdomen. Nor her legs coloured in the thick black-red substance. It was the dagger that bothered her most. Those she couldn't rescue, were promised a swift death. One she, as the leader of this entire group of outlaws, was the only one fit of delivering.

The damn thing was getting dull by now as well.

But, at least, they were organized now. The people that could be tended to, had been tended to. Now they had to pray for forgiveness and hope for them to heal. Affin glanced back down at the Tsumi she held in her arms. The back of his head and neck supported by two hands. A third holding his. Softly mumbling under her breath as the aforementioned dagger rested against his chest. There was no point in attempting to save this man. If anything, his corpse, like many others, would be food if they failed to harvest and hunt properly. After the rations would inevitably run out.

Concluding the communal prayer, the knife slipped in. Piercing the toughened skin, slipping through the ribs. Serrated edge piercing through the heart. And with a final yelp, the soldier died in her arms. Painfully so, but it wouldn't do to just extend his suffering. Swift and brief pain, it made one feel alive even in their final moments. Affin gently carded her hand over his face and slowly got to her feet. Ripping the dagger back again, before stepping out of the boarding pod. Wiping the dagger, the Tsumi woman pushed it back into it's sheathe. Empty and vacant eyes glancing across the various boarding pods that they had used to get here. Now used as a makeshift infirmary. It was time to tour the wounded again. See whether there were corpses she had to take out.

And with a deep breath, she jerked into motion again.

 

[Leonardo]

Craig sighed internally after hearing the narrow orders of Talos, not giving him any space of leading actions. He thought that he was quite clear with Jack when he said he was the best in rough terrains or maybe they just wanted to keep the stuff all for the S6, it was an acceptable nuisance but still a nuisance, more over he wanted to stay alone.

The tall man clad in power armor made some steps towards Hati, enough to speak with him without using radio messages or loudspeakers.
"Mister Hati, the manouver is yours, but my actions will only fall under my personal responsability. I'll be right next to you and I'll intervene only when you will order me to. I will not open fire unless you call for it." His deep and imposing voice made clear he was a mercenary, and no more than that.

He then moved the helmet to glance at Nora and raised a thumb as he activated the ECS, fading in the orange and brown colours of the forest.

 

[SirSkully]

Hati was silent for a moment as he took in the simple gesture from Q that sent a chill up his spine and made the boy's fur stand on end... god it was cool and now he wanted to know how to cause such a reaction with such little action, but when a female voice piped up he was a little surprised - the young wolf's head tilted sideways for a moment as he soaked it all in, her deadpan voice and overall demeanour was... cool

The clone supposed he was just so used to seemingly every woman around here being built like a supermodel, which struck him as an odd comparison considering a large portion of them were his sisters but the poor boy shook the thought from his head and turned back to the conversation at hand- "Acknowledged, Major, I'll keep you posted on the situation as I~ as we see it unfold," Fenrir's Wolf confirmed before likewise cloaking and preparing to approach, it felt good to have the annoying linguistics teacher and guy who was banging one of his many sisters be told to follow his commands~ now Hati wasn't a particularly overbearing person but it just felt good~ except for the mister part.

"It's just Hati, but likewise acknowledged, try to keep chatter to a minimum," the SABER Infiltrator ordered in the hope he wouldn't have to put up with their lovey dovey crap over comms, a grin curling up behind his faceplate that was invisible to everything but the highest-grade sensors, blank for now but he'd figure out something cool to put on there one day that was within regulation.

 

[Jack Pine]

ASSAULT FORCE
Talos clicked the mic twice to acknowledge the reply as the force around him continued their measured march towards the unknown group. He began to send textual orders to all the others in his group, and separate orders to the recon team that just broke off. {All units, spread out in squads and form a crescent formation. If this goes weapons free, and we get them to retreat, I only want one direction for them to go. Q, that is something I'll leave up to Hati, as the size of the team effects their effectiveness, so he would be best to judge such.}, was what he sent to the assault force.

The recon team would receive their orders a minute later, {Advance quickly around their left flank and report on what you see. Given Nora has no ECS on her equipment, I suggest she take the tree tops and support from above. Good luck to you brother, and your squad as well.}

RECON FORCE
Nora nodded and switched her own mic off, relegating her comms to textual messages only, and neural network messaging. [I'll take the high ground as the Major has suggested Uncle, will report as I can.], Nora reported to Hati.

 

[HarperMadi]

Not far away, Spark sat in an armored personnel transport, her fireteam sitting back as a reinforcing force, ready to go. She checked over her Storm Rifle as she looked over her troops. Four pairs of green eyes on buzzed short hair looked back to her, checking over their armor and weapons for the fifteenth time. Two of Spark's batch siblings lay on benches, their helmets on their chests as they slept. Both of her heavy gunners, loaded out with two HAR-1-1 mounted on the shoulders as belt feeds and the RCG laying on the ground.

Two of the Thorn clones had mere carbines, along with Spark's batch sister to her left. Ammunition had already been distributed, weapons were hot and ready to go. Spark gave a wave of her hand, allowing her team to relax, and wait for orders.

"Charlie Team, standing by as reinforcement unit. All systems go. Ready to drop within five mikes."

 

[IQ]

"Understood, Major," Q responded. Before glancing over at Hati. And on his acknowledgement, she slung the rifle over her shoulder and walked to the side of the cabin, before simply stepping off. Landing with a surprising light thud. Though the ECS activating halfway her jump. The colours of the cabin cascading through her armour as she landed. Falling in behind the signatures of both Hati and Craig, Q moved behind the company silently.

Likewise, Lynn trailed behind Talos. Not saying anything as she trudged through the jungle. Making sure to cover her sectors, constantly switching the safety on and off at any hints of movement. Though it was often wildlife, or wind, that caused the jumpy Jane clone to jostle about in her tracks. She couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. She never could, after all.

It was at this point the explosion of a single shot rang through the jungle. Causing a fleet of avian wildlife to scatter with loud chirping and distressed squeaking. A moment of silence, before the shot was answered by a single flare being shot in the air. And several seconds, the loud rattling of automatic fire resounded. Much louder than the first shot had been. A different breed, even caliber of weapon.

***​

The same shot hadn't been missed by Affin. Rushing out of the lifepod she had been spending her time tending to the wounded, she took note of one of the Tsumi guards to be on their back. A hole in their head. Eyes glassy and vacant as they stared at the sky. A flare was shot up, just moments before she heard the chime of Tsumi weaponry being fired, a bullet smacking in the floor near her feet. The other groups that had struck out entering the clearing and immediately rushing towards the squad that was presumably under fire. Affin broke into a sprint to the pod she had crashed down with, bullets whistling past her, some grazing her arms, but most smacked off of her armour and caused nothing but concussive damage, which she could easily ignore as adrenaline and rage flooded her system. Pulling the greatsword, as well as her rifle from the rack, before breaking into a sprint again, to provide assistance and leadership for the endangered Tsumi.

Once at the scene of battle, she unslung her rifle and began laying down covering fire. Her voice caling out above the gunfire, both allied and hostile, to form a shieldwall. The ones that actually had shields broke cover, swinging out the massive towershields and slamming the sides against each other's. Before making a steady wall from which the bullets plinked and reflected. "Second formation, firing line!" her voice clear through the almost deafening gunfire. Several soldiers threw themselves up behind the wall of shields, alternating fire at the enemy. "Steady retreat! To the pods! We need to protect the pods!" The chime of shields being lifted from the ground resounded. Before the line of Tsumi started to steadily retreat. "Left wrap around!" Affin cried out as she tossed aside a mag and loaded in a new one. Half of the shieldwall dislodged and wrapped around the group. Offering a handful of Tsumi soldiers in the middle, including Affin, reprief from the gunfire.

And like that, the turtle formation made their way back to their encampment.

 

[HarperMadi]

"Charlie, reporting for orbital! We have an active firefight, requesting permission to hot drop!" With a wave of her hand, Spark sent images from two of the Eye IIIs in orbit, showing a shield wall and rifle line defending a series of landing pods.

At some unheard order, the drop ship Spark's fireteam took off, powering off the ground with the scream of thrusters, which rotated to move the fireteam into position. "Looks like we have an assault on civilians. Requesting permission to engage and break up the firefight. Charlie, go hot, just in case."

With a whine, six Storm Rifles came to life, the Heavies rolling up and picking up their RCGs. Dock racked his MWSII's bolt, chambering a round as Spark primed her SR.

"Remember your ROE." Spark picked up her helmet as the chant began with the heavies.

"First your Team." Boots slammed against the metal floor, helmets sliding on.

"Fire only when fired upon." Spark responded.

"Team, then Self." The Thorn clones joined in, in unison, surprisingly. The beat of boots on the dropship's hull reverberated through the metal.

"Stop the fight"

"Team, then Self, then Objective." The eight people in the pod roared as one, cutting the stomping to a sudden and eerie silence.

 

[Leonardo]

As the group started the flanking maneuver Craig immersed in the jungle, moving with incredible agility and naturalness between the threes. His movements where so rapid and smooth that he pratically distanced himself from the rest of the group by 15 meters or so, but as he reached such distance he remained steadly to it, slightly moving a bit more to the left of them in the deeper jungle.

It was clear that he didn't want to remain stucked in the formation, rather as he was alone he was more aware of his surroundings and capable of better avoid any possible patrol and also intervene in case the group was under attack without geopardizing the surprise effect. He warned Hati through direct commlink of such before falling in to silence.

But the quiet remained settled just for a few minutes as the shots echoed in the entire forest, Craig waited for new orders as he continued to advance.

 

[Jack Pine]

ASSAULT FORCE
Talos didn't like this, he really didn't, as there was no intel and they were blind to what was happening. The plan was tossed to the wind now, and he had to act fast. "Alright, change of plans boys. Scout force, maneuver around right, go quiet but flank the unknowns firing on our guests. I want eyes on who the hell it is. If they're known hostiles, then light the fuckers up, no survivors if Crimson. Shotgunners in first, then riflemen, finally LMG gunners will cover as we sidewind them. BUT ONLY IF HOSTILE!", he barked over the comms via neural network, before sending off audio to the recon team in the same way. "Recon Team, continue previous orders, but only observe and report until we have a better grasp on the situation."

However the bi-colored clone cursed as Spark was annoyingly jumping for action, but almost jumping the gun in the process. "Spark, sit your ass down for now. We have no idea what is going on, last thing we want is to lose the element of surprise. Neither side knows we're here yet, that gives us the advantage. Plus that shuttle is only going to be useful for the clearing where party one is. If they become hostile, then we'll need it to bombard the area. or if we mark them as friendly, then they may need reinforcements on the spot. Keep it on standby for now.", Talos barked back to her, trying to keep things under control for now.

 

[SirSkully]

Hati snapped to attention at the sound of the rifle cracking through the undergrowth, hunching down immediately for a moment to track the sound before the current leader of this scouting group leapt up off the mud to land on a fallen tree log in a crouched position friendly forces would be able to see, invisible and down on his haunches, observing the situation.

"We have our orders, get an angle if you can but hold fire and stay out of sight for now, over" the young wolf calmly pinged across to Q, Nora and Craig as he marked a possible angle of observation that he felt would do good and curve around behind whatever the hell was making that racket, a sweeping arrow on the map of each scout, glancing at the silenced sidearm in hand before the wolven-featured clone began prowling off in the direction of danger - staying low and quiet as he moved quietly through the undergrowth at a brisk pace, padding through the jungle with measured strides from his long, lean legs.

Instincts were telling the wolf to bolt towards the sound, and being a SABER infiltrator kitted in the faction's stealthiest armour with predatory genes flowing through his veins moving quickly with minimal sound was something that would more than likely work - but he held back that urge for now and instead focused on sneaking forward with the rest of the team, tail sticking out behind him and drooping down slightly at the tip though still bobbing and bouncing with each step.



Back with the main body of the assault force one larger-than-standard suit of Revenant armour came rushing up to meet her fellow mis-matching siblings Talos and Lynn, Jacky had been one of the first in the troop transport and her sturdier frame caused the Jane to bump and get slowed slightly while clambering out of the vehicle but she was here now, pumping her strong legs while slamming a magazine into the bottom of her carbine and racking a round into the chamber before coming to a sliding halt that dug deep divots into the ground from the combined weight of her muscle and armour.

"S~sorry! sorry... armour issues but, copy that~ over..." her voice came back over comms as the Jane ducked her head slightly and moved into position, the slip-up only adding to the embarrassment she felt on a daily basis but all that was tucked into armour right now and the heterochromatic woman's voice almost sounded a little less meek than usual funnily enough. She may have been recon too but due to the clone's last outing and the scars that now dotted her torso it'd been strongly suggested she should hang back a bit more this time, something that was understood with a small blush of guilt - yet Jacky would do it all again if she had to~

 

[IQ]

As Lynn heard the command, she glanced at her shotgun and let out a soft sigh. "Well, fuck me sideways," she breathed to herself, before pushing up to take the vanguard with several other Revenants. Pushing up, they finally had eyes on the clearing. Though weren't revealed to the unknown force yet. Though what they saw caused Lynn's jaw to drop momentarily, before a shot pinged in the rock next to her. "Vanguard force taking fire!" Her voice chimed out over comms, before she pulled behind the boulder. Hunkering down after a quick glance to see who it was. Confusing, though she made out that it weren't the soldiers in the clearing that were fighting to the bitter end. "Sniper fire!" She added to the call-out, before throwing a quick glance from the other side of her cover. "Not them in the clearing - whatever the fuck they are."

And whatever the fuck they were, they were a sight to behold.

Q scaled the ridge Hati pointed out to her swiftly, rifle at a ready. Trimmed at a small nest of sniper, spotter and two soldiers for fire support and guards to the pair. Though through the marvel that was the ECS, all that was visible was the mud-tracked smile, which didn't do anything to give her away. A message broadcasted to the Geists of the main force and Hati's team. "Got eyes on a Crimson sniper nest. Repeat - it's Crimson's assualt on the unknowns." Slowly, she looped the rifle's belt around her shoulder and grasped at one of the grenades on her belt. Taking slow and measured steps to approach the nest. Still as death itself.

Slowly smoothing the pin out, she made an underhanded throw. The clunk of metal causing one of the guards to perk up. Yet too late to make out what caused the noise as a grenade ripped through the four entrenched Crimson soldiers. "Sniper nest terminated. Assuming position - proceeding to scope out other ingrains." The message came through again as she broke into a light jog, diving down to the floor. Pulling up her rifle and peering through her DMR's scope.

***
​

It was at the time Q's grenade detonated, Affin's force had made their way back to the clearing. "Shieldwall, open south! Two break each pod for cover! Hold wall North and Northwest!" With practiced ease, the rebels opened up the back of their shieldwall, several soldiers bolting out to find cover behind the charred drop pods. A bullet ripped into Affin's chest, winding the interim commander as she staggered. Everything went black for a moment, before her foot slammed into the dirt. Now all she could see was red. A veritable roar resounded, seeming to bring life to the inside of the pods. Several of the Tsumi that were wounded or unable to fight now both rushed and limped out. Some carrying eachother as they threw themselves into cover and contributed as much as they could. Even though the wounded reinforcements brought little to the fight. "Their pebbles do not hurt us! Give them no quarter!" One of the wounded Tsumi cried as he lugged out what seemed to be extraordinarily heavy ordinance. Shouldering the massive tube launcher.

Though it seemed Crimson took note, several bullets peppering the armour clad - though battered soldier. However, not before a loud thump resounded, the sound of ignition and the shrieking of a rocket ripping through air. A massive explosion ensuing within Crimson ranks, fire and smoke billowing up in a mushroom cloud. The Tsumi had dropped not seconds after, although a company of two had rushed to his side. One dragged the demolitionist off, whilst the other protected both with a gargantuan, full steel tower shield.

Another roar rose from the shieldwall, Affin's voice answering it with a bloodthirsty cry herself as she stuck close to them. Supporting her rifle on one of the shoulders present. "Stetark's ferocity! Feldark's determination! Ywach's resilience and Saweya's holy light! We shan't fall today!" The dry thumping of several star splitters being fired resounded, explosions littering behind the woodline that bordered the clearing. "With steel will and rock-skin! With bloodlust and bloodrage! We were made for this! We are war-kin!" Affin's cry emenated across the battlefield. Finding traction amongst the present soldiers as the shieldwall began stomping their boots and thumping the sides of their shields together. "We are war-kin," began to echo from the Tsumi ranks in repeated chant. Battered and bloody by now. But refusing to succumb, the advantage of surprise was eliminated for Crimson and the Tsumi began to rally.

 

[SirSkully]

"Acknowledged, keep an eye out for us, Q," the young wolf spoke as he continued to move through the undergrowth to position himself behind a tree, resting the armoured backplates of his suit against its ancient trunk as the cloaked SABER infiltrator pulled a map up on his hud that cross-referenced what the sensor kits in other suits were picking up, marking three spots on the digital map for Nora, Craig and himself to take up before the wolf threw the new battle plan to their huds and began swapping out the silenced pistol for that LMG that had he felt would be more appropriate.

"Listen up, Q's got overwatch on us from that angle and I've given spots that'll put the focal point of our fire on the main skirmish, I'll jump up on that giant log while you two take cover in the rockier outcropping I marked on the sat-map - keep your heads down until I give my mark, clear?" the young wolf commanded, easily keeping his cool and writing out battle plans as screams of both victory and pain rang out through the trees, punctuated by explosions and gunshots as he racked back the charging handle on the Harbinger LMG and looked from Nora to Craig.

Jacky threw herself down into the mud as the shot slammed into the environment next to Lynn's head, a small breath of relief from the tall Jane clone as she scrambled to hunker down better behind that rock, heart pounding beneath her chestplate as F-22 shouldered her carbine and thought for a hot second - helmet tipping down to the muddy ground before coming back up to Talos' hulking armour as she had a lightbulb moment.

"Tal~ could you give some~ some covering fire for some of us to push up?" Jacky queried, checking the status of her thrusters to find them functioning as if factory new, sure her legs were beefy and had a lot of power behind them even without the revenant undersuit but surely pushing that speed further wasn't a bad thing. It gave the clone a sense of deja-vu from her last outing, a slight tingling sensation on the scars that now dotted her body but she had a clearer head at the moment and this seemed a lot less suicidal than that had... it was different, right?