Next around the corner came three TAC units. They carried mixed weapons and were medium class machines. Nate and I concentrated our fire on the leading unit, while weathering the return fire. We let loose with everything we had; lasers, cannons, and missiles rained down on the enemy. The lead machine fell backwards from the combined assault, smoke billowing from several gaping holes in its armor. We moved our units backward towards the opening in the wall, trading fire with the remaining enemy machines. Both our units had taken several hits but our armor was holding. I could feel the pings through the neural feedback as Delta 1 was bracketed with return fire. Suddenly three more, heavier TAC units came around the corner to the south of us, firing into our exposed backs. More AG craft also began spilling into the street. We hastened our retreat and were soon within the relative safety of the burning base. Luckily none of the shots had penetrated Delta 1’s thick armor but the frontal armor was now more memory than metal. Nate’s machine had a couple smoking holes in it but was still functional. We ducked our machines behind the nearest cover and waited for the enemy. The enemy must have known that they were dealing with Red Fang forces from our distinctive paint scheme and weren’t taking any chances. They began firing missiles and mortars over the perimeter wall and firing lasers and cannons through the opening in the wall. Our forces took a few hits but the buildings absorbed most of the damage. “Nobody fires unless I order it.” Commander Jacobs called out. After a few barrages, the enemy ceased fire and a message ordering the bases surrender was broadcast over the militia’s frequency. After getting no response they cautiously sent their first units through the front gate. I watched through Delta 2’s sensors as two heavy AG tanks followed by two heavy TAC armor units entered the base.

The commander waited until the enemy was several steps into the base then ordered “Concentrate on the TAC armor, then take out the tanks…..fire!” All over the base our units stepped out from behind the rubble and opened up on the enemy’s TAC armor. The enemy machines each got off a couple shots before the combined firepower blew first one then the other unit apart, sending shrapnel over the top of the tanks. The tanks fired as they tried to escape but the burning wreckage of their comrades got in their way. They were quickly destroyed and the commander ordered our slower units to start retreating towards the woods. Most of the AG vehicles positioned around the training grounds would wait for the light units before moving to the woods themselves. Missiles and mortars started to rain down on us again as I rolled Delta 1 out the back gate following Charlie 1. Delta 2 would remain along with Alpha 1 and Alpha 2. Alpha 2 was a medium model with a linear cannon in a turret style head and missile launchers for arms. The enemy started blasting a new hole in the wall along the north side of the base, not wanting to give us a chance to concentrate our firepower again. “I guess it’s just you and me now.” I sent to Iella. “Cover the new hole, I’ll take this one.” Iella responded tersely. “Good luck.” I replied coyly as I ran to cover the new opening forming in the perimeter wall.

The barrage once again ceased and I waited impatiently behind a maintenance shed for the enemy to appear. The new opening was now a little larger than the hole they had blasted in the front gate. “Here they come!” shouted Iella. Instantly AG tanks came charging through my opening. Simultaneously two light TAC units leapt over the wall on pillars of flames from their jump pods. I targeted the nearest TAC armor and sent lasers carving into its legs. I hit my target and the jump pod on its left leg exploded in a bright fireball, taking most of the left leg with it. With the loss of one of its jump pods and a leg, the TAC armor was thrown off balance and fell hard into a burning pile of debris. Secondary explosions from the pile hopefully meant I didn’t have to worry about that unit anymore. The other TAC armor landed and immediately started firing on my position. I ducked my unit down lower and the shots passed harmlessly overhead. With my unit hunched over, I moved to the next piece of cover that was closer to the back gate, firing smoke rounds as I went. I glimpsed Iella on the far side of the base doing the same. I leaned around the corner and speared an AG tank with laser fire and sent a flight of missiles into the group of other AG craft. The front of the tank pitched into the ground from the laser fire, flipping it over onto its back. I ducked back around the corner as return fire blossomed around my position. I had to back up as the section of wall I was hiding behind caved in, taking half the building with it. I glimpsed more of the enemy coming through the opening and decided to make a break for the rear gate. Momentarily caught out in the open, the enemy’s light TAC armor took the opportunity to target Delta 2 with a flight of missiles and laser fire. I launched a few chaff rounds and dodged most of the laser fire. A few missiles got through but my unit was still fully functional.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

I reached the back gate ahead of Iella’s TAC armor. Turning around, I provided covering fire for her while she made her way to the gate. The units that had attacked me were going through the base cautiously. I saw power armored infantry entering buildings that were still mostly intact. Suddenly Alpha 1 vaulted over a small shed and made a dash for the gate, while Alpha 2 limped from around a crumbling building farther back. Three medium AG tanks chased after Alpha 1 from around the shed. I bored into the leader with my dual lasers and sent a flight of missiles at the other two. The lasers drilled deep into the tank, detonating it from within. The remaining two tanks veered out of the way as missiles rained down around them. A medium TAC armor and three AG tanks followed on the heels of Alpha 2. Ignoring the AG tanks for the moment, I targeted the medium TAC armor and fired my lasers again. I only had two flights of missiles left and used my second to last on the medium machine. The lasers stitched a path up its left side towards the left arm, severing it at the elbow. The missiles followed up, engulfing the machine in a series of explosions. When the smoke cleared, it was on the ground struggling to get back up. The AG tanks took no notice of their fallen comrade and bracketed Delta 2 and Alpha 2 with laser and cannon fire. My machine rocked from the impacts and a warning light lit up for my right-hand laser. One of the rounds had crumpled the housing, putting it out of commission. One of Alpha 2’s missile packs had taken a direct hit and was blown off but luckily hadn’t detonated. It also seemed to be limping worse than before. “It’s no good.” Iella sent over the comms. “Alpha 2 will never make it; I’ll use it to buy us some time while we get out of here.” Iella continued. “Roger that.” I replied as I sent my last flight of missiles at the AG tanks. With that we rolled out the back gate towards the forest, our waiting AG escorts forming up behind us while Alpha 2 waited for the enemy.