>>5544506>>5543627>>5543613>C2 rolled 11.“They’ve gotta be artech, Cleo!” Kiro exclaims, leaning forward from his perched position - excited despite still being in the midst of battle, “What else could absorb damage like that but void plate?”
Cleo looks sidelong at the lounging lizard. “I don’t know little man, but maybe you should worry more about how we can take them apart!”
“Hey, it’ll be fine.” He laughs, “We’re following Dal’s plan. What could go-”
The optimistic Ops officer is interrupted abruptly by a loud, sizzling hum. The Crab focuses its two Scythe Beams onto a single point, rapidly melting through the cables and spools alike - attempting to penetrate through and eliminate its hiding target.
A bright red beam briefly blinds the two officers as the spool beside Cleo is melted through in under a second. Their visors rapidly compensate, tinting to a reflective black to protect their eyes from permanent damage.
Fortunately for the Ulveng, the Crab’s blind shot through cover misses her by a fraction, melting a hole through the side of her riot shield instead of shearing off one of her limbs.
<span class="mu-r">Cleo’s riot shield takes one (1) armour damage.</span>
Stunned, Kiro and Cleo turn simultaneously to stare first in the direction of the surprisingly powerful adversary. “You had to just fuckin’ jinx it, didn’t you?” Cleo curses. “How’re we supposed to ambush this guy when it can take pot-shots at us <span class="mu-i">through</span> cover?!” She inspects her damaged shield, eyes wide with concern. “Ablative, my furry ass!”
“I mean, it’s only ablative from the front, right?” Kiro attempts to shrug nonchalantly, his voice an entire octave higher than usual. He smiles weakly at Cleo, trying to ignore what might've happened to him, had the Crab’s aim been slightly higher.
“I hope so, for both our sakes!” Cleo growls, turning back to the Marrok. “You’d better get behind me while I call this in.” She shifts the tall barrier to face the direction of C2 - for whatever good it might do - and hunkers down behind it. She reaches for her helmet’s comm switch, some choice words for her commanding officer’s ‘plan’ beginning to form in her mind already.
