Re: Episode 7: Mine
"Aw, c'mon Mark! The guy's got a set, so we gotta give him credit for that at least," Kelly remarked with a smile. The Frame Team Leader then checked the display in his cockpit - they were reforming, but it wasn't quite time to move yet. He began to sip from his canteen and mulled over their options. The team still had a few more moments until they had to - the image of a cute little girl throwing a hissy fit over a pink lunchbox suddenly appeared on his display!
Kelly's fist slammed into the mike-mute and choked back the water he was drinking. He started to pound away at his chest hard to clear away that growing, horrible burning sensation as some of the water went the wrong way. The man's coughs soon turned into outright laughter as he took in the scene; all Taela needed was a schoolgirl uniform, and the scene would have been complete! "Now, now, I'm sure we can all figure out who did this pretty easily as soon as we get back," he replied with audio only. Kelly knew he wouldn't be able to keep a straight face, and it would only bruise her ego more if he allowed the video feed from his cockpit.
Before he could go any further and explain his suspicions, he heard pure, unadulterated rage from Victoria. Adrenaline spiked through his bloodstream as images of blood splattered metal and gore flickered across his mind. He imagined her doing the worst! "NO VICTORIA! DON'T - " Kelly then went silent as he took in the sight.
It was too late.
Victoria had done it.
*****
"But he's down on his - grr!" Coffee growled with dislike at Camellia's order, but quickly got up from under the rubble and lead the others out the back. "I hope you know what you're doing; you just got your head knocked hard!" she called out at the woman. Meanwhile, the pirated Ashigaru was getting back up, it's shiny exterior now stained with groceries and grime from the supermarket as it rolled over onto all fours before starting to stand.
Fight, and she risked getting bogged down as more showed up. Flight, and she risked getting hounded down as it gave chase.
Camellia had to think fast!
*****
"Wow, I wish I could do that," Yoshiko spoke, breaking the silence along with the others. "I mean, I don't think I'd be brave enough to! Just imagine all the eyes watching and everything - it'd be like being a supermodel, but worse!" she added on, now opening up her soda and taking a swing. The Ex-Neko frowned however, and upon looking at the bottle, soon turned to Mark with teary eyes. "Someone...someone sent me D-diet Soda! Why?" Taela was apparently not the only victim this time around. "I'm not fat..." she pouted.
The silent Nepleslian speechlessly eased himself back into his seat, and making himself comfortable, took in the scene. Over his shoulder, the Angel begrudgingly forked over the winnings to the Devil. It was the captured pilot that broke the silence the moment things were safely tucked away. "Well," he admitted with a straight face, "I was dead wrong for sure, but I've seen better. I still don't know about your ass though." He then grinned at Victoria and winked.
"NO! I mean, uh - " He searched for the right words, "As much as I'd like to say 'yes' I gotta say 'no' as the team leader!" Kelly quickly intervened. "Oh damnit, that didn't come out right," he muttered. "Er, just give me that!" Reaching out with the frame, Kelly gently plucked away the prisoner and began to set him on the ground. "Now scram before we nuke the place!" the leader ordered.
"And before you provoke her into doing something else!" Kelly somehow discreetly hissed at him with the frame's loudspeakers.
"Hey! The hell is a guy doing in a pink frame? I thought it was some Yamataian chick in there - way to get a guy's hopes up!" he yelled up at 02. Kelly merely ran a hand through his cornrows; the enemy pilot had a sharp mind to say the least, despite his crudeness. It was impressive in its own way he had to admit. A brief moment of silence passed before he answered the man down below.
"Yeaaaah...We got two," he answered flatly.
"Well nooooo shit!" the pilot shot back.
*****
Eight shiny new
Ashigaru walked along, with two of them sporting several antennae coming out of their heads and packs. The group soon arrived at the crater that bit into the concussion blasted edge of the city and edged into the windswept and charred forest. They were somewhat well armed with half of them wielding knockoffs of the
Hyper Rifle likely absconded with when the initial ones had been stolen. A few hundred meters further back, a pair of
Tanks ground to a halt.
Though the slagged remains of other units that had been too close to the bast littered the area, these units were roughed up but good to go. A glint briefly shown from the black and charcoal forest, catching the eye of one of the HiGa Mechs. "Sir! Loo - " A flash of light and a second mushroom cloud, this time courtesy of Taela, pummeled the enemy forces and stunned them with its concussive blast.
"EN-GAGE!!" Kelly roared, blasting on ahead.
*****
A new sun briefly reflected of Camellia's helmet as another sun briefly shone not too far off.