Chapter 36 - New War - End of ARC II
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Piper
Piper navigated through crowded hallways, bodies pressing close as she moved. Some civilians jostled for space in the cargo area, but Piper swiftly dealt with them, directing them to the brig with a firm hand. Sighing, she made her way to the mess hall, where families had erected makeshift tents.
The sound of babies crying echoed off the walls as Mercurian doctors hurriedly tended to their needs. Ernest wove through the crowd, finally reaching Piper's side amidst the throng of people.
"Pipes," he called out to her.
Piper drew closer until they stood side by side, surveying the sea of faces. Ernest let out a heavy sigh. "Now, this is one real big mess..."
"I know," Piper replied with a sigh of her own. "But as long as we leave soon and drop them off on a planet loyal to Mercury, we can head back to the academy."
Ernest's sigh morphed into one of relief. "Yeah, I'm craving heading back home," he admitted, absently scratching at the cast encasing his burnt arm in a mess of plaststeel bandages. "At least we have enough supplies."
Piper remained silent, and Ernest nudged her side with his elbow, prompting her to look up. He met her gaze with a smile. "This is all thanks to you, Pipes. Your quick thinking and skills saved the day."
Piper waved off the praise. "Don’t underestimate our troops," she insisted.
Ernest shrugged. "You may say that, but you made the call."
Piper's eyes widened at the realization. "I made the call," she repeated softly to herself.
Ernest turned his attention to the civilians. "I hate to admit it... but that machine may be cursed, yet it did its job of protecting our vessel," he remarked. "And if you had died out there... the morale of it all could've cost us the battle."
But Piper remained silent, contemplating the weight of her actions. She was just a pilot, skilled perhaps, but she hadn't fully grasped the impact her life had on those around her. She knew her family would mourn her, but the thought of Zephyr and the others...
Her radio crackled to life, interrupting her thoughts. "Christ, what now?" she muttered, reaching for her radio.
"Lieutenant Piper," the captain's voice crackled through. "I wanted to inform you of recent developments. There are more transports coming up from the planet... and they wish to join us."
Piper rubbed the back of her head, feeling a surge of annoyance. "Listen, we've already taken in extra passengers from all the vessels, but double-check to ensure they have any military vessels around them. Some ships might be banking on the luxury of protection from an Academy Ship."
The captain fell into a tense silence for a moment. "They've radioed that they're being assaulted by GrimGar," Piper was stunned into silence. "Everyone we rescued was fleeing from them on the world... are you telling me that a species as primitive as the GrimGar has evolved to master space travel?"
There was a weighty pause. "All the transport vessels around them are broadcasting the same distress signal. If we take them with us, we'll have a harder time leaving the sector. But if we abandon them without aid... they're from the Academy as well. They're even suggesting that if there are any issues, we should take the civilians and escort them from the sector. They'll deal with the outliers."
Piper was stunned by this revelation, as was Ernest, along with their fellow Mercurians and even the civilians, their heads bowed in resignation at the unfolding developments. "Who are they?" Piper demanded.
The captain hesitated, his voice strained. "I know that President Gerald and his brother are on the lead vessel... the lead vessel, with GrimGar pouring in from all sides... House Mars."
Henryk
After dispatching the last GrimGar, Henryk regrouped with his Squad, flying alongside their main transport, now the flagship, its nose ablaze with cerulean fire as it broke through the cosmic expanse. Ed's grip tightened on the controls, his teeth clenched, the strain evident as he pressed down on the ignition button.
Meanwhile, Henryk and the others faced their own harrowing ordeal.
"They just keep coming!" Bracken's voice echoed through the commotion. His mech's SMG rattled in his hands as he deftly maneuvered through the sparse air and zero gravity, outmaneuvering the GrimGar. Bullets tore through their crude vessels, causing explosions amidst the endless expanse of black.
Isaac streaked past Bracken, his mech adorned with ten rack missile launchers. As he entered the fray, he observed the swarm of GrimGar, witnessing one of their ships exploding and hurtling towards the planet below. His features twisted into a disgusted sneer. "You damned insects," he muttered. "Only humanity was meant to inherit the stars!"
Laughter echoed, a stark contrast to the whizzing of bullets slicing through the air. Isaac gripped the controls of his mech with white-knuckled intensity, maneuvering with desperate precision. As he dipped and barrel-rolled past a civilian transport command port, its crew and captain caught a brief glimpse of his mech ablaze with orange light.
Missiles erupted from Isaac's mech, shooting forth like bullets from a cartridge, each splitting into eight more projectiles, overwhelming the GrimGar before they could react. Joseph's sniper rifle picked off any stragglers, ensuring the safety of the transport ship amidst the chaos of flames.
Breathing heavily, Isaac surveyed the scene. Across the expanse, he witnessed Henryk's mech blazing in blue fire as it tore through GrimGar assailants. With swift precision, Henryk dispatched them with his laser rifle, his tank cannon reducing them to smoldering wreckage. Another ship saved, in half the time.
"So, you seek to test yourself, druid?" Isaac's voice crackled over the radio as he propelled forward, rockets igniting as the rest of the squad followed suit, converging towards Henryk's position. Together, they veered towards the flank, where another ship faced heavy assault.
Henryk paused his music, tuning into the frantic transmissions of the vessel's crew. "This is medical and military, urgent!" The captain's voice rang out, urgency palpable in every syllable.
Switching on his radio, Henryk's voice cut through the chaos as he maneuvered towards the besieged vessel's front. "Joseph, I need long-range support," he commanded, his mech arching towards the sky as he prepared for a freefall descent.
Amidst the screams and chaos, Henryk plunged downwards, GrimGar mechs looming ominously. "Annoying crabs," he muttered as he engaged his thrusters, leveling his rifle and dispatching the enemies one by one, fiery explosions marking each decisive blow.
"Shit," Henryk murmured, his gaze fixated on the heated barrel of his weapon. With practiced ease, he slinked the weapon back to his mech's thigh using magnetics. Even as he descended, he maintained his composure. "This is Henryk Brown, of The Sons of Mars, here to help and aid!" His voice boomed, infused with the calm assurance of a seasoned warrior.
Descending further, Henryk prepared to confront the remaining enemies. Joseph's sniper rifle echoed with booming shots, each electrical blast tearing through the enemy ranks. Yet, the enemy had the advantage, two of them releasing their hold on the vessel, causing it to leak fire from its ruptured hull.
With a swift cleave, Henryk descended upon the first GrimGar vessel. As tendrils thrashed, he deftly slashed them away. Peering beneath the vessel's side, he noticed a disturbing sight. Unlike previous encounters, these vessels seemed constructed from ruined two-story buildings, with GrimGar operatives lurking within.
Neptune's words echoed in his mind—"abomination." To some, within the Empire, the line between GrimGar and Wizard blurred. With resolve hardening, Henryk plunged his blade into the vessel, his determination unyielding.
The second vessel surged towards him, lasers and tentacles lashing out. Henryk flicked on his music, finding rhythm in the chaos as he danced through the skies with his foe. A laser grazed dangerously close to his mech's head, a narrow escape that sent a shiver down his spine.
Thrusting forward, Henryk's visor and helmet bore the brunt of the assault, darkness creeping into his field of vision. Yet, undeterred, his blade found its mark, striking true against the heart of the GrimGar vessel.
Piper
Piper strode with purpose through the bustling halls, her pilots trailing behind, navigating the crowded corridors with urgency. Time pressed against them, overriding any concern for bruised egos or personal space.
"Piper!" Ernest's voice cut through the din, drawing attention as he hurried to catch up. "Are you really going to do this?" he pressed, falling into step beside her.
Piper shot him a determined glance, her steps unyielding. "What's different about what we're doing now?" she challenged, gesturing towards the throng of civilians filling the vessel. "There are more ships and more people out there... I won't stand by and let anyone else die because we hesitated to act without Zephyr's approval."
"I'm asking for twenty to thirty minutes," Ernest declared firmly, his words cutting through the tension like a blade. "The Martians are bad news... this whole event is going to hit everyone's TV, phone, and the internet. Heck, the Emperor is probably going to make a statement. We can't be rash, Pipes," he implored, his gaze locking onto hers. "You think I don't want to help? You don't think I feel horrible?" His eyes flicked down to his cast, a silent testament to the recent turmoil. "I'm just the wrench boy," he admitted. "I don't have the gift that you and the rest have."
Piper fell silent, absorbing his words. "What gift?" she finally asked, her voice edged with curiosity.
"The gift you, Lucas, Marcus, and even Simon had," Ernest replied, oblivious to the tension brewing beneath Piper's surface.
Ernest's resolve hardened. "You represent House Mercury, Piper. Zephyr isn't going to like this, and most especially the people back home," he warned. Piper remained silent, a hint of acknowledgment flashing in her eyes. "If you do this, I can't promise that you won't be demoted or kicked out."
As Piper opened the hangar doors, the tension crackled in the air. Without a word from her, her pilots sprang into action, each one sliding into their mechs with practiced ease.
Piper turned to face Ernest, her expression resolute. "I understand your concerns, Ernest, and I appreciate your worry," she began, her voice steady. "But I would rather face demotion or expulsion than allow people to die on my watch," she declared, her gaze piercing. "I will one day face my father again," she continued, her tone unwavering. "And when that day comes, I want to tell him that I lived my life with no regrets, doing what I believed was right."
Ernest fell silent, his protest dying on his lips as Piper shook her head. "I'm going to do this," she affirmed, her eyes locking onto the ruins of the False Martian Warcasket. "I'll take my plain vessel," she added.
With purposeful strides, she made her way to her old mech, climbing into the seat with determination. "I want Heavy Caliber Placements!" she called out to Ernest, her resolve unyielding.
Ernest climbed up, desperation etched across his features. "Piper, you can't be serious... these are the Martians, the ones that maimed you!" he pleaded, his voice tinged with urgency.
Piper's fist collided with the console, the echo of her frustration reverberating through the cockpit. "I already told you that it wasn't Henryk's fault!" she bellowed, her voice cutting through the tense atmosphere. With practiced precision, she initiated the suit's systems, the mechanical appendages flexing and thrusters roaring to life in response to her command.
"We can't afford to lose anyone else," Ernest pleaded, his voice tinged with desperation. "Who will lead us if you're gone? Marcus, Jeremiah, Todd, Eric... Simon and Lucas. They're all gone or dead. We can't afford to lose you."
Piper's expression twisted in defiance. "I won't die," she declared adamantly, her resolve burning fiercely. "And as for Simon... well, screw him."
Ernest's eyes widened in surprise as Piper continued, her words dripping with bitterness. "Yeah, screw Simon," she spat. "That bastard. 'This is for Piper.' What a load of crap! You know he went after Henryk for me... attacked him with a bat, called him an abomination too."
Taking firm control of the console, Piper's anger radiated like a storm about to break. "I completely misjudged him," she admitted bitterly. "I gave him that resignation letter to House Neptune to be with his girlfriend, yes, but also because I thought he understood people, Simon. Looks like I was dead wrong about him."
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"Pipes," Ernest began, but he faltered in the face of her intensity.
"Simon is dead to me," Piper declared, her tone final and unwavering. "Enough talk... prepare me to sortie." With a steely determination, she focused on the task at hand, her resolve unshakable amidst the chaos surrounding her.
HenrykTop of Form
They soared through the upper reaches of the atmosphere, Henryk's gaze drawn to the serene expanse of stars above. For a fleeting moment, he wondered if he would ever have the chance to appreciate their beauty with the same peace again. But the tranquility shattered as the sharp staccato of machine gun fire echoed behind him.
The GrimGar vessels had breached the atmosphere.
"Unleash fury upon them!" Joeseph's command cut through the chaos, rallying them to action. They moved as one, a synchronized dance of metal and determination.
"Bracken, Isaac, Henryk," Joeseph's voice crackled over the radio. "We must protect the medical vessel. There's an emergency signal—something's amiss."
Henryk and the others surged forward, their mechs cutting through the void with purpose. Yet, Bracken lagged behind, his own mechanical hand poised over the devastating beam mounted on Henryk's mech. With a single pull of the trigger, he could eliminate the would-be Executor before his legend even began.
But as his hand hesitated, a wave of uncertainty washed over him. Alone against the GrimGar, he knew he'd be overwhelmed in an instant if he acted rashly. Yet, as his mind raced, a chilling realization dawned.
There were only three of them. Which meant...
As they drew closer to the medical vessel, the transmission crackled into clarity. Joeseph toggled his radio, greeted by the grim sight of a crew strewn across the command center, their fate hanging in the balance. A young man, with wisps of grey in his hair, lay propped up amid the chaos.
"Hello... captain," Joeseph ventured cautiously.
The young man stirred, his voice hoarse. "Captain?" he rasped, a wry chuckle dancing on his lips. "I'm no captain. Just a guy who got everyone together. I'm from construction, learned to pilot in the army," he explained, his words punctuated by a cough, blood staining his clenched fist. "We don't even have enough escape pods."
"Escape pods?" echoed Isaac, his brow furrowing in concern.
The makeshift captain's next words sent a chill through them. "We've sustained too much damage. Engine's got fifteen minutes, tops, before it blows," he disclosed, his gaze haunted.
"Isaac, you handle this. I'll inform Ed," Joeseph instructed, taking charge.
The young captain pressed on, revealing the dire plight of the vessel's occupants. "We've got sick and wounded, most from the hospital. They need urgent care," he implored.
Isaac wrestled with the weight of the situation. How could they save them all? Who would they choose to save?
But Bracken, ever resourceful, offered a glimmer of hope. "Do you have storage containers?" he interjected.
The captain nodded hesitantly, puzzled by the inquiry.
Bracken's smile hinted at a plan. "Those containers have air pockets. Ten minutes, maybe less. Enough to transfer them to another vessel," he proposed.
Joeseph chuckled at Bracken's ingenuity. "You're a clever one," he praised, relaying the plan to Ed and the captain.
With a nod, the young captain activated the vessel's systems, the hangar doors yawning open beneath them. "I'll instruct everyone to load into the containers. But I doubt I'll make it to—" he began, his voice trailing off.
"We'll handle the clamps. Just focus on getting them in," Joeseph reassured him, his tone resolute.
"Why?" the young captain inquired, puzzled.
Joeseph's reply was solemn. "It's going to be a rough ride."
The captain's laughter echoed through the airwaves before the transmission ended. "Axel!" he commanded over the radio. "Join Henryk and the others. I'll hold the line and keep them at bay until the evacuation's complete!"
With a snort, Axel ceased firing at the GrimGar, disappearing in a burst of blue flame. Now, Axel, Henryk, Isaac, and Bracken soared across the fiery wreckage of the vessel, the command post engulfed in a cataclysmic explosion.
A profound sadness washed over them all. "He sacrificed himself for them," Axel remarked solemnly.
Isaac rolled his eyes. "He had a duty... and he fulfilled it. Let's focus on our mission and do the same."
They proceeded in silence, descending beneath the vessel. Axel and Isaac led the way, finding rows of loaded cargo containers teeming with civilians. Axel took a deep breath. "Your turn, Sir Lancelot," Isaac quipped as Axel activated his mech's rear camera and prepared to connect with the containers.
The vessels bore simple stamped names, but Axel knew they held countless lives—old, sick, and wounded. Their fate rested in his hands, and failure meant their demise.
"Ready, Axel!" Henryk's voice crackled over the comm as more GrimGar approached, this time a squadron of five, comprised of various-sized vessels.
Henryk aimed his laser rifle, unleashing a barrage of shots that tore through the approaching vessels. "Never a dull moment," he quipped, impressed by the weapon's power. But the strain was evident; the rifle overheated quickly, the barrel scorching to the touch.
With a swift motion, Henryk drew his laser blade, slicing through the last vessel. As they veered away from the exploding wreckage, two GrimGar ships opened their hangar doors, unleashing a barrage of fire and explosions. Amidst the chaos, something emerged.
A dark, bipedal figure emerged, wielding an assault rifle and a menacing machete, propelled by the same crude fuel as Henryk's mech. The force of its strike threatened to throw him off balance, his senses reeling from the onslaught.
"Henryk!" Isaac's urgent cry pierced through the chaos as he and Bracken raced to his aid. The mysterious figure's mech was a patchwork of junk, its spiky protrusions piercing Henryk's vessel like deadly spears.
Locked in a saber clash, Henryk delivered a powerful kick, sending the cockpit of the opposing mech flying open. Inside, a GrimGar—a creature of legend—struggled with the controls, its snarls echoing through the cockpit.
"They've created their own Warcaskets... they're space-worthy," Henryk declared, shock evident in his voice. Without hesitation, he plunged his beam saber into the GrimGar's cockpit, extinguishing its defiance.
Stunned into silence, the others watched as Axel's keen eye caught sight of debris from an unknown source amidst the GrimGar wreckage. Had there been a recent space battle near Oceana II?
"Launch now, Axel!" Isaac's urgent command snapped Axel back to reality. Maneuvering through the swirling debris, Axel's mech touched down on a makeshift platform, propelling away from the vessel just as a rippling explosion consumed it.
Bathed in the orange glow of destruction, Axel fought to outrun the looming fiery vessel hurtling toward the planet. "Get the hell out of there, Axel!" Isaac's warning spurred him on as they raced to evade the impending disaster.
With Isaac providing cover fire, Axel navigated through the chaos, narrowly avoiding the GrimGar's relentless assault. As the fiery vessel descended, Axel's heart raced with the realization that their survival depended on his skill and speed.
Axel wiped the sweat from his brow, his heart pounding in his chest as he spotted a split-second opening. With a swift movement of his control stick, his mech and the containers surged forward, narrowly evading the fiery explosion that erupted behind them.
"Holy shit!" Isaac's voice crackled over the radio, his excitement palpable. "We pulled it off, pretty knight!" he exclaimed, his jubilation contrasting with Axel's hollow, steadied breath.
Rejoining Henryk and the others, they blasted off into the vast expanse of space, heading towards their flagship. But the relentless pursuit continued from behind.
"They're refusing to let up!" Joeseph shouted, frustration evident in his voice.
Bracken's gaze flicked to the side. "How long are they planning to keep at it?" he muttered.
Henryk's expression darkened as he gripped his weapons tightly, preparing for the impending confrontation.
As fifteen GrimGar ships loomed closer, the Sons of Mars were suddenly greeted by unexpected support. A massive bullet struck the first ship, igniting a cacophony of explosions that echoed through the cosmos.
The sound of heavy caliber weaponry reverberated as the newcomers made their presence known. Henryk's radio crackled to life, and Piper's voice cut through the chaos.
"How you doing, music boy?" Her tone carried a hint of flirtation, but Henryk remained focused, swiftly patching her through to Joeseph.
Piper couldn't hide her mild disappointment at the brief exchange. She hadn't spoken to Henryk in over a month, and this was all she got? With a huff of annoyance, she vowed to address it when they returned to the academy.
Joeseph's voice filled the air. "We're grateful for the Mercurians' aid," he declared.
Piper shrugged nonchalantly. "It's no big deal," she replied. "You're people, and they're people..." Her words trailed off as she detected multiple hostiles closing in on their position.
“You have multiple hostiles on your ass,” She announced.
Joeseph's audible groan reverberated through the chaos. "We know," he acknowledged, the weight of their predicament heavy on his shoulders.
"But one last push," Piper declared, her voice cutting through the tension. "Then we'll be free of this nightmare." With determination etched on her face, she readjusted the scope over her grey eye, the interface highlighting as she focused her breathing, surveying the battlefield.
Henryk and the Sons of Mars, alongside their Mercurian and Plutonian allies, surged forward, joining the fray. The tank cannon mechs of House Mercury positioned themselves on the false landmass of debris, their thunderous cannons roaring a symphony that drowned out the GrimGar's advance.
Amidst the chaos, Henryk found himself locked in combat with two enemies. "I think I finally got the hang of it!" he shouted triumphantly, unleashing a barrage of gunfire that brought down one of his foes.
But the second enemy danced around him, evading his attacks with skillful maneuvers. As two more enemies joined the fray, Henryk's situation became dire.
"Henryk!" Joeseph's voice rang out, filled with urgency.
"Is Axel clear?" Henryk shouted back, his focus divided as he fought off the relentless onslaught.
"He's fine and already made it to the Mercurians' dock!" Joeseph's reassurance spurred Henryk into action. With Isaac's and Joeseph's mechs swirling around him, they provided cover fire, their stub arms working in tandem to shield Henryk from the incoming onslaught.
"Catch!" Isaac's voice pierced through the chaos as he and Joeseph hurled their shields towards Henryk. With swift reflexes, Henryk caught both shields, maneuvering them into position just in time to deflect an incoming barrage of enemy fire.
With shields in place, Henryk blasted off into space, pursued by two relentless enemies. They darted through the skies, streaks of starlight and orange bursts of energy colliding around them as the battle raged on.
Isaac's machine gun thundered in his hands as he unleashed a barrage of fire, the tremors coursing through his mech. "Come get some!" he shouted defiantly, his determination unwavering even as his gun stopped responding from the lack of ammo.
Suddenly, a searing orange laser blast tore through his mech, severing his stub arm at the joint, as it was whirling a new magazine into his hands. The weightlessness of zero gravity carried the detached mag into Isaac's outstretched freehand before slamming into his gun, jolting him with the impact. And fresh fire.
With a defiant roar, Isaac surged through the battlefield, unleashing a torrent of death upon their enemies, his maneuvers as deadly as they were graceful, a testament to the Sons of Mars' prowess in combat.
The Mercurian allies, along with Ernest observing from the vessel's cameras, bore witness to the Sons of Mars' relentless defense. Faces transfixed, they watched in awe as the Sons of Mars fought with unwavering determination, refusing to yield even in the face of overwhelming odds.
But shock rippled through the onlookers as a GrimGar Warcasket ambushed Isaac from behind, unleashing a barrage of fire at his vulnerable back. Despite the onslaught, Isaac's backpack absorbed the brunt of the damage, and with a swift turn, he retaliated, unleashing a volley of bullets that obliterated the assailant.
"Damn it," Isaac muttered, his mech's emergency systems ablaze with warnings as chaos erupted around him.
"Joeseph, I'm surrounded by fire and smoke!" he yelled, his voice drowned out by the roar of flames engulfing his surroundings. A burst pipe sent jets of fire cascading above him as he hastily donned his helmet, securing it into place.
"I see you, Isaac!" Joeseph's voice crackled over the comms, filled with urgency. "But... oh no."
"Oh no?" Isaac echoed, incredulous. "Joe, that's the last thing I need to hear right now!"
Isaac fought to maintain control over his mech as flames licked at its exterior, small explosions rattling its frame.
"Piper, we've got a problem," Joeseph relayed urgently. "Isaac needs to retreat!"
"Don't get that Mercurian girl—" Isaac began, but Piper's voice interrupted him, sharp with concern.
"What's going on?" she demanded. "Isaac, your mech is on fire... eject!"
Taking a deep breath, Isaac steadied himself, his gaze sweeping over the chaos below. He spotted the transport vessels ahead and formulated a plan.
"I remember this from the academy," he muttered to himself. "Just angle the cockpit and let gravity do the rest."
But as he closed his eyes and activated the ejection mechanism, panic surged through him as it failed to respond.
"It's not working, Joeseph!" Isaac's voice cracked with frustration. "It's supposed to be automatic!"
"Well, it most definitely isn't working, and it's sure as hell getting a whole lot hotter in here!" Isaac's voice echoed with frantic desperation, drowning in the chaos of the battle.
"He probably took damage to the head. It probably isn't—" Piper attempted to interject, but Isaac's frantic shouts cut her off.
"The whole damned thing is red!" Isaac's voice cracked with panic. "I can't die here... not because of some faulty eject!" His words dissolved into screams as electric volts crackled around him, his desperation palpable.
Piper fixed her gaze on Isaac's struggling mech, his limbs flailing amidst the chaos. Despite the GrimGar's distraction, his predicament was dire. Her eyes narrowed as she assessed the situation—the head, the critical point.
"Isaac, you need to calm down," Piper's voice cut through the cacophony. "We need a minute to try and refresh the—"
"Shut up, woman!" Isaac's hysterical outburst interrupted her. "I don't have a minute!"
Rolling her eyes at his outburst, Piper attempted to reason with him. "Listen to me, and you won't—"
But Isaac's hysteria spiraled out of control. "I can't die here, I can't die here, I can't die here..." His frantic mantra filled the air, drowning out Piper's attempts to reason with him.
Without hesitation, Piper pulled the trigger of her heavy-caliber sniper rifle. The bullet streaked across the battlefield, finding its mark on Isaac's mech's head, shattering it into a gruesome mess. Isaac's mech spasmed in shock, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"You shot me... you fucking who—" His sentence was cut short as the escape pod initiated, hurtling the cockpit forward as the mech was engulfed in a fiery explosion. Isaac's anguished scream reverberated over the radio, leaving Joeseph to sigh in resignation.
"Sorry about that," he muttered.
Piper couldn't help but smirk and chuckle at the chaos she had just quelled.
"How did you know that shooting the helmet was going to..." Joeseph began, but Piper's smirk silenced him.
"Who said I did?" she replied coolly, her smirk widening.
Meanwhile, Henryk continued to battle the enemy mechs, his maneuvers a dance of destruction amidst the chaos. With a series of precise button presses, he unleashed the cannon, obliterating the GrimGar in a fiery explosion.
"Like hell you don't!" Henryk shouted defiantly, but his words were drowned out by the deafening roar of gunfire. With his shields raised, he charged forward, narrowly avoiding the enemy vessel's grasp. As he blasted himself upward, he unleashed a torrent of machine gun fire at point-blank range, tearing through the vessel in a cataclysmic explosion.
Henryk ascended, his senses on high alert, scanning for any lingering threats amidst the eerie calm that draped over the battlefield like a shroud. As he reunited with the Sons of Mars and the Mercurian Mechs, a heavy silence weighed upon them, pregnant with unspoken fears and apprehensions.
But before they could vocalize their thoughts, a colossal presence emerged from the planet's surface, casting a dark specter over the desolate landscape. Axel's voice broke the silence, tainted with a grim foreboding, while even Piper, typically composed, found herself wide-eyed in astonishment at the sight unfolding before them.
It was a behemoth of a ship, its massive silhouette eclipsing the horizon, a sinister amalgamation of industrial might and ancient debris. Despite its imposing presence, it made no move against them. Instead, it drifted past like a silent behemoth, leaving destruction and devastation in its wake—a chilling testament to the annihilation of Oceana II and the invaders' hasty retreat.
"A new war," Henryk's voice cut through the heavy air, his words laden with a solemn weight that echoed the sentiments of all who beheld the wreckage below. With a heavy heart, he watched as his mech was enveloped by the cerulean glow of what remained of Oceana II—a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made and the uncertain future that lay ahead.