Fragments Gallery
Reavers: Under Fire
The weapons fire from the training weapons pounded constantly against the outer armour of Sellsword's Reaver. He steadily strode forwards into the heavy barrage of weapons fire he had faced since the beginning of the training mission. Despite this his Reaver had only sustained minimal damage. Between his evasive tactics and the mobile shield he had picked up immediately he had managed to avoid the worst of what Freya's fighters could throw at him. However the other Reavers in his squad weren't as lucky.
Vengeance and Renegade had done the best besides himself. They had sustained some minor damage but nothing critical. However Raptor had lost his Reaver's weapon arm when he had walked into a rocket emplacement and Elder's Reaver had been completely disabled when he had been backed into an ambush. Of course as this was only training the damage to their Reavers was only simulated.
The computer used information coming in from the opposing team’s weapons to determine the extent of the damage of any attacks. "Damaged" portions of the Reavers were displayed on an information panel inside of the cockpit, their pilots could not utilize the listed parts, and the affected areas glowed red along its outside armour. Likewise when any of the cadets on foot took "injuries" their afflictions were listed in their helmet's display and their armour glowed red and stiffened, eventually leaving them unable to assist their team in the training mission. All of this damage data was sent back to the mission control station where it was compiled for review in the debriefing.
Thus far Freya's raiders had done a remarkable job of avoiding Sellsword and the other members of Vengeance's team leaving them with very few incapacitated cadets. It wouldn't have been so bad if they at least knew where Freya had hidden her command, but for the moment they were no closer to finding it now than they had been at the drop. Things weren't looking good for the Reaver pilots.
"We aren't doing too well right now team," growled Vengeance over the comm, "This keeps up and Freya's going to win. Again."
Sellsword continued to push through the weapons fire as he tried to lock onto one of the numerous moving forms in front of him. It was proving impossible however. Freya's team would step out of cover for only half a second to fire and then duck back down. When he turned to face one, another would pop up behind him. It was as though they knew where he was without looking.
Knew where he was without looking. Something occurred to him. Or maybe someone else was keeping watch for the rest of them. If there was one watching where would they be?
High in a tree maybe? On an even higher point? Maybe…
Sellsword checked the map on his display and then turned to his left. Through the trees he could clearly see a pinnacle of rock sticking out of the forest. Something glinted on the rock.
"Vengeance I think we have some spotters on the rock pinnacle in sector twelve," he said into the comm.
"What? You sure?" Came the response, and then without waiting for an answer, "Renegade, you're closest. See to the spire."
"Yes Sir!" Renegade said, "It would be a pleasure. I'd assume that's how the ground forces have kept up with us so well."
"Seems like it," growled Vengeance, "How did I not see this? Good spot Sellsword."
"Thank you Sir."
There was silence for a moment before-
"Sellsword, my display shows that you are soon going to be under heavy fire. Why are you still where you are? Get out of there! Pay attention!"
"Yes Sir!"
A glance at his display told him the time had indeed come to leave. An energy spike consistent with a heavy weapons placement had appeared nearby. From the energy levels the weapon was emitting it was still charging up, but he wouldn't have the time to get past the weapons shields to disable it before it opened fire on him. His armour could not withstand that. He should be able to get out of there intact if he were to hurry.
Sellsword turned and began to run. At the same time he adjusted the power allotment of his Reaver, he moved some power from his armour shields into his mobility engines. His armour had less stopping power now; however he would be able to get out of the area faster.
"Has anyone seen any sign of Freya's command yet?" asked Vengeance, his voice scratchy over the comm, "We have seen plenty of her units, and we ought to have seen it by now. We have already searched the most likely sectors in this half of the arena."
That was true, in their initial drop the Reaver scans had shown that the majority of Freya's forces were arrayed to the south of their drop site. They had immediately set off south. Since then they had only found resistance and had nothing else to show for it. It was as though there was no command station directing the cadets. Unless…
"I have an idea Vengeance," Sellsword said, "What if Freya's command isn't in the south at all. Maybe she put her forces to the south and then dropped the command to the north? It seems like something she’d do to throw us off."
There was a brief silence before Vengeance responded.
"She would have left her command post virtually unprotected then?"
"Yes sir."
"If that's what she did that's a pretty bold move."
"Freya isn't known for meekness Sir," injected Raptor with a laugh.
"True that," Vengeance responded, "When Renegade is done-"
"I have dealt with the spotters Sir," said Renegade.
"Ah prefect timing. Rendezvous with Sellsword. You two are to proceed with full speed to the north. Start with Sectors twenty one through to twenty four. The heavy forests there would make perfect cover for her command.”
"Yes Sir," responded Sellsword and renegade in unison.
“Elder are you still mobile?”
“Yes Vengeance,” responded Elder, “I’m outside my Reaver, There is too much damage though, I won’t be able to repair her.”
“That’s fine Elder, let’s follow Freya’s lead. Grab your assault and recon gear and make your way up to the spire. Use stealth and get up there as quietly as you can.”
“Will do Vengeance. I’ll be up there as soon as I can.”
“Good. Raptor and I will do what we can down here,” said Vengeance, "Oh also, Sellsword and Renegade. You two should optimize your stealth as well. They will know you're leaving the battle here for better or for worse. Let's not make it too easy for them to track you. Good luck."
"To you as well, " said Sellsword as he set his new course and further adjusted his power division.
Maybe now they were on the right track.