Snippet #2466916

Aaron heard Howe mention Captain Raiyn Ire having been killed in action, which infuriated him after a wave of shock hit him. He then proceeded to go slice some enemy mechs trying to breach the Titan in a rage. That same magnitude of rage released was part of the reason he was known all over Metargo as the Falcon of Fury; there were very few people who did not know of him and his reputation for applying deep ferocity when slaying opponents in melee combat. The artillery bombardment on the 96th Royal Fleet was over, by then, meaning all that was left to do was ensure the retreat be carried out.

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Bibi was about to give out the orders for the switch on the newer mech, but the pilot beat her to it. Whoever was in there obviously did not know who was in charge of the mechanics on the Titan. "Who does that guy think he is? [I]I'm in charge of this ship's mechanics!" Despite her anger at someone doing her job, she figured she would just roll with it until the battle was over. Working quickly, she contributed to the switch and watched as the new pilot launched and took down two Benjlakki mechs while he was at it.

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Saul became even more stressed out the more the battle went on. He knew fighting Benjlakk would not be easy, but this went beyond his expectations for a country with few men with much experience. He heard his son mention the loss of Captain Ire, as well as the capture of a woman whom allegedly had her genetic makeup altered. "I heard from Howe about losing the Captain. He was all over the fleet's channel. As for the woman, I would like a medic to go and check her genetic structure, to be sure. If it is true, and her genes were altered, one question rises in my mind, it would confirm my fears concerning what Benjlakki news said on an unorthodox laboratory on an island close to this battlefield during an attack there by mercenaries with an unknown employer. That would also raise the Why was a group of Benjlakki doing such experiments, knowing it was illegal in their country? Could whoever it was that conducted the alteration of the woman's genetic structure know something that we do not?"

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Zechariah Was unable to respond to Sandra's query, at first, because he was preoccupied with an enemy mech's next move. Now that he was able, he said to the Admiral, "Sorry for the delay in responding, ma'am. The only casualties so far were Sergeant Harrison, Privates Jones and Robinson, and Corporals Johnson and Mercutio. Harrison's Eagle was shot down by a stray blast before we even engaged Lion Team. The other confirmed deaths I mentioned died during the dogfight with the enemy squadron. The Shapiro Twins' status is unclear. I can't pick up their Eagles' heat signatures. They may landed them underwater and went to investigate something, possibly that downed mech that used a nuclear weapon. I can't pinpoint where they are, right now."

He next heard a person, whom he assumed was Axl, mention the retreat and ask what to do. In his Eagle's current state, Zechariah could not withstand more damage. Other pilots in Brown Wing were in similar situations. It certainly proved how tough the Lion Team was. "All Brown Wings, regroup and head back to the Seraphim. We're in no state to continue the fight as we are, right now."

Benjamin heard that and groaned. On the open channel, he said to the opposing mech, "All right! I'm letting you off easy, this time! Don't be so sure about next time!"

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Adira was still unconscious as Zechariah said for the others in the squadron to regroup. When she finally woke up, she noticed both the man and her sister were missing from the scene. Tears came down her eyes, her grief turning into renewed anger. She was not going back to the Seraphim without Chemda. Bringing out a spy probe, she activated it and had programmed to follow the Titan and record its movements. Then, she went underwater and swam back into her Eagle, waiting for the right moment to pursue. The mech's electronic systems were still off, meaning her heat signature would minimum, with neither Benjlakk nor Metargo able to see where she was.