Quoted By:
Metal and men, the foundation of the empire.
Though the metal seems to be lacking, tonight. Or perhaps it’s the men.
Questioning heads poking out of hatches track your progress down the column, the orb of the moon shining down, peeling away your stealth for now.
Already some of the powered armor has dismounted, trying to find cover around their parked vehicles. Some have even started trying to dig holes in the dirt.
A little extra spring in your step to make the ground quiver is enough to make all stop and briefly look at your frame, passing by. You like the attention
Onyx and Nugget’s mechs aren’t as tall as you, and you can see preexisting armor damage as you approach. However, Onyx seems to have a pair of Power Armor latched onto the outside, riding along. They could be useful.
The Warbook classifies their mechs as Griffins, moderate speed and decently armed with a primary arm-mounted laser weapon, and secondary missile battery. They couldn’t keep up with you at full speed, but you can slow down a little for their lesser capabilities.
They wouldn’t be fast enough to escape most pursuing units, so they’re either lucky or skilled to be the last few mechs to be alive and mobile.
You note that Onyx in particular seems to have taken almost all of its damage to the weaponless left arm. Passing them, you note Nugget took several strikes to the rear, slagged and melted armor showing the old path of a laser.
“I am Cobalt. Fall in, subordinates.”
Sophie projects over the comms while proceeding down the road.
There's a bit of a pause, then the waiting mechs both follow your lead, one after the other. Nugget first, then Onyx sweeping left and right at the rear.
There’s a comm request for personal channels between them, which you grant. You’re listening, naturally.
“I thought we were slag, Gehrman. We were putting tubes on marked targets, then blam, The jamming went up and a laser went straight through Pinman’s cockpit. Must have cooked that poor bastard alive. Glad you skedaddled and got out of there quick.”
The voice of Nugget is rapidfire and quick.
“It’s good to hear your voice, Nugget. But can the chatter and stay focused. We’re going back in, so head on a swivel. And, ah, don’t talk about that last thing. Not sure why we're being led by a kid, though.”
Onyx sounds somewhat raspy.
