The fighters at the time were preoccupied with the various armors swarming around them to get to plant. Though the presence of the Stonewall had not gone unnoticed, any fighters who came too close quickly learned to fear the ship's guns-powerful mass-drivers tearing through their armor and shields, however Steiner could've sworn that he'd seen beam weapons occasionally,. Though at the moment...
The ex-mercenary growled as he splashed another fighter. This one had attempted to use what he thought were anti-capital ship missiles and had very nearly scored its mark-the ordinance streaking off just a few feet in front of him and detonating some distance away from the battle after flying overhead-given the brief scrambling of his radar even at this distance they must of either been nuclear or worse, anti-matter. "Captain, we need to make planetside." He radioed, narrowly avoiding a collision with a small cluster of armors, two supporting a wounded comrade-it looked like the thruster unit was damaged and red splotches on one arm. They made eye contact-or at least what passed for eye contact on his end, and Steiner nodded to them. The one had what looked like a shoulder cannon trained on him, but didn't fire. When yet another fighter attempted to make a pass on the craft-Steiner made a point of standing between the trio and the aggressor-taking several hits from anti-armor weaponry-the NDS activating and covering his armored frame in a silvery shell while the self repair systems kicked in, mending the fractured composite armor and monoplate. Steiner's own response was to raise his cannon-but the Stonewall's guns drove the craft off. Well, that wasn't the effect he was hoping for.
He turned and raised his other arm-a thin stream of nanites began to assess the damage-while he was unfamiliar with the flight system used-it was at least able to mend some of the damage-filling in the gaps and forging themselves into the perquisite martials, matching them on the atomic level-though the feedback he got indicated a lot of non-standard ones; he'd need to look into it later. The wounded one's thruster unit sputtered a couple of times, and finally kicked on-but the output was weak. The unwounded ones had clearly been ready to pounce, but had relaxed after he finished his work. They limped their friend along, guiding them-as he watched them go-making aboard the safety of one of the ships, the captain finally responded. "Yea, I'd reckon so-we following these Star Army boys down?" Steiner considered it, and shook his head. "No, I would rather them not shoot us by mistake when we try to land-see if we can land north of them." Not like they weren't already taking the risk as it was running into an active warzone, and as it seemed no one knew they were here for the most part-all it took was one misstep to lead to tragedy.
"I'm coming back in, send up lift." That drew a chuckle. "Finally had enough?" Steiner shrugged. "No, my machine is not rated for atmospheric re-entry." When the captain chuckled, confusion went through him. "What?" Was the only response he could muster.
"Scrapyard I ain't got no atmosphere." Oh-perhaps he should've studied this further before coming to this place. "I see, still, it would likely be wise for me to refit and re-arm."
"Whatever you say, Mr. Steiner, just stay clear of the lift."
As the aforementioned lift came up, he scanned around for any further hostiles; the fighters seemed more preoccupied-he hoped-with the main battle-though he was forced to drive a squadron off again, plasma cannon blazing though he'd missed both his shots as the Stonewall clamed two of them. At least they didn't volley missiles at them. When they showed no signs of returning, Steiner returned to the cargo bay bringing the drones with him-it re-pressurized, and helped bring the temperature of his machine down rapidly. "We'll land on Scrapyard I in five minutes, best get whatever rest you can." Steiner grunted, and used the drones to replace the partially spent fusion gas canister. When the ship started to shake violently, he immediately radioed Reinhart "I thought you said this planet lacked an atmosphere?" He inqured conversationally, doing last minute checks of his air supply and life support-he'd only been out for less than fifteen minutes, so he would be good for just under the five hour limit. "We've got a bunch of goddamned AA guns-gonna hafta' set down." The captain's tone was a combination of anger and worry, "We're gonna be cuttin it close in terms of landing zone 300 meters, but if you wanna get off this planet, we're gonna need those guns gone." The ship landed with a heavy shudder, kicking up clouds of dust.
"Alright, I'll see what I can do, but I may need assistance." Once again, Steiner found himself stepping into the airless void, but at least this time it was a planet and not the hull of a ship. There was a pause. "I can't really spare anyone at the moment-we need all everyone here incase they try to board us, but my recommendation is to use the battle as a distraction-it'll make your job a lot easier."
'No, really?' He shook his head, realizing it was unfair for him to ask any more of the captain than he already he. 'These men have followed you of their own accord. They did not have to bring you as far as they have.' He chastised himself. "I will keep that in mind, Stay safe Captain."
"You too Mr. Steiner." And with that, he set about his grim work-he had to first locate the AA guns, then bring them down; he had no doubts this would not be an easy feat, but it had to be done.