After training for hours with Puhi, Xiao excused herself to go for a jog. She needed some fresh air to clear her head after working with the dozen or so templates Puhi possessed. The problem with the Hornet was that it was so versatile that it could have diverse templates. Puhi was skilled enough to be proficient in multiple templates, forcing Xiao to keep up. In the hours of training, she was still barely remembering the different templates, let alone fighting in tune with Puhi against AI opponents.
We need codes for the different templates so I can better remember them. Maybe the code has a letter that tells me how I should fight.
During the jog, Xiao came up with a few code ideas which she shared with Puhi later. Her squadmate, realizing the challenge faced by Xiao, agreed to spend an hour hammering out the code idea. In the end, they came up with a simple system which used the format ##XX##. ## referred to the template number while XX was a short form of their formation. For instance, 10SS02 would indicate that Puhi was using template 10 while Xiao used template 2. Their formation would be side by side where they would both be engaging the foes at the same time.
“Let’s put the code to the test then!”
After the first few trials, Xiao found that she could better fight alongside Puhi. She might not have fully memorized Puhi’s loadout with every template but the code provided her with enough info to fight effectively. Since Xiao worked with so few templates, it was far easier for Puhi to come up with the code as she could better decide upon the ideal formation. For the rest of the week, the two of them trained most of the day together until their teamwork became acceptable. More time was needed but their match wasn’t about to wait for them to be fully ready. For them to succeed in a four versus four match, they must also train with the other squad which posed its own challenges.
“What do you know about the squad we’re fighting with?”
“Nothing good,” said Puhi. “We might have a tough match that will force us to fight our very best.”
Puhi went on to explain their allied squad’s reliance on No Brand equipment. Unlike the standard equipment in both her and Xiao’s mechs, No Brand equipment was a cheaper alternative for those with limited funding. The low cost came at the price of being unreliable in combat with a known history of failure and/or explosion mid combat. Essentially, it was a gamble as to how long their allied mechs would last before something went horribly wrong.
“It’s only a matter of time before our allied mechs are incapacitated. If the match develops into a two versus four, then we have no chance of winning at all. Not even the best pilots could overcome such odds against pilots of similar skills and I know our opponents are at least as good if not slightly better.”
“So we just have to even the odds quickly,” replied Xiao.
During the shuttle flight to the practice arena, the duo worked on strategies that essentially pitted the two of them against four mechs. If their allied mechs could serve as a distraction for even a minute, then their job became much easier. Xiao then turned to Vesna.
“What did you learn about our opponents?”
The duo agreed that they should have their operators present for the practice matches. While Puhi’s operator would meet them there, Vesna chose to arrive at their academy so they could leave together. On the shuttle, the little girl organized all the intel she gathered on their opponents.
“The odds are stacked against you two,” said Vesna. “Both of the opposing squads come from academies. One of them comes from the Desert Winds Academy while the other comes from Waterfall Academy. In a sense, it’s fortunate that you two aren’t fighting terrain matches.”
After hearing the academy names, Xiao had a rough idea of what Vesna was hinting regarding terrain matches. In higher ranked leagues, there was a format called terrain matches where the arena field was made to resemble terrains found in the wilderness. In these situations, many mechs couldn’t fight at their full capacity unless they had specific modifications. The Desert Winds Academy sounded like an academy that focused on desert terrain while the other academy was more water related. Despite having such a specialization, it still didn’t make their opponents any weaker. In truth, those academies were often pickier with who they accepted.
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“The squad from the Desert Winds Academy uses two Bombardier Beetle Mech or Bomber for short. The mech is known for mid range combat and shouldn’t be confused with a standard beetle mech. Their specialty is packing a lot of missiles to be thrown at their foes. Here’s the mech overview for it.”
Xiao looked down at her tablet while Puhi looked over her shoulder.
<
Mech Type: Bombardier Beetle (Bomber)
Mech Weight Class: Light
Left Arm (Structure): 30
Left Torso (Structure): 30
Left Leg (Structure): 60
Center Torso (Structure): 60
Right Leg (Structure): 60
Right Torso (Structure): 30
Right Arm (Structure): 30
Armor Type(s): Armor (Basic)
Gyro Type(s): Gyro (Basic), Gyro (Improved)
Engine Core Type(s): Engine Core 10 (Basic)
Cooling Type(s): Cooling (Basic), Cooling (Improved)
Weapon Type(s): Small Laser, SRM2, MRM5, MRM10
>
“That mech can pack quite a punch with its MRM10,” commented Xiao.
“With two bombers, I don’t like the idea of dealing with a blanket fire from them.” Puhi switched to her tablet. “I believe that’s how they won so effortlessly so far. Very few mechs survive the initial blanket fire and those that do will lost a torso or two, eliminating them from the fight anyways.”
“Correct,” said Vesna. “Light mechs aren’t built to survive such an attack so, for many, bombers are a cheat code in the light mech category. Even if it’s just you two facing those two bombers, it will be a difficult, if not impossible, match to win. Then, there’s the other squad with its spider mechs.”
<
Mech Type: Spider
Mech Weight Class: Light
Left Arm (Structure): 30
Left Torso (Structure): 30
Left Leg (Structure): 60
Center Torso (Structure): 60
Right Leg (Structure): 60
Right Torso (Structure): 30
Right Arm (Structure): 30
Armor Type(s): Armor (Basic)
Gyro Type(s): Gyro (Basic), Gyro (Improved)
Engine Core Type(s): Engine Core 10 (Basic), Engine Core 10 (Improved)
Cooling Type(s): Cooling (Basic)
Weapon Type(s): Chainsaw, Sword, Small Laser, SRM2, SRM4
>
“Spider mech?” asked Xiao. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of these mechs.”
“These are new prototypes meant to be close combat specialists. Vesna can correct me but I believe this is the first time they are making their debut.”
“Correct,” said Vesna as she sent the duo a news article. “The two squad members had the right connections so they got to participate in the trial. If they do well and make it to the tournament scene, then that’s the best advertisement the spider mech can get.”
“Regardless of what they hope to achieve,” said Puhi. “I fear this is the worst scenario for us. We are facing two close combat mechs and two mid range mechs. In terms of composition, that’s a pretty good four mech squad. Meanwhile, we have two mechs that can explode at any moment.”
The room grew quiet as the three individuals were deep in thought about the upcoming match. In terms of close combat, their mechs couldn’t possibly get a quick victory against the two spider mechs. In fact, victory wasn’t even guaranteed if those opposing mechs were built specifically for close combat. Then, there was also the threat of blanket fire by the bomber mechs that no doubt could end the match within the first couple of seconds. Assuming they survived the first few seconds, they had to face a possibility of the two opposing squads working well together. In such a scenario, they couldn’t possibly fend off the spiders and dodge incoming missiles. On paper, their odds of winning were so low that only fools would bet on them. Then, Puhi spoke of another concern that was on her mind.
“An ant mech may not cut it in such a battle. I trust your skills, Xiao. but the mech disparity is simply too much. This will be similar to you facing that beetle mech in the academy but, instead of an inexperienced pilot, you’re facing someone with similar mastery of the mech.”
“You can be blunt with me, Puhi. I already foresaw this issue, especially after my conversation with my head mechanic. That’s why I secretly went with plan B for this match specifically.”
“Plan B?”
Xiao quickly opened a mech template on her tablet and presented it to her squadmate.
“We had a secret weapon that I kept a secret even from you. I think this upcoming match will be the perfect time for it to make its debut!”