Chapter 6.2: Daring Rescue

Trade Era 1235, Day 163. 12:30:12 UTC
With a fizzle and a bang, R1 explodes after Douklan’s shot. The air filled with the acrid scent of burning electronics, mingling with the scent of ozone and smoke.

With the chaos of battle still echoing in their ears, Maya and James emerged from the relative safety of the warehouse, their senses on high alert as they ventured back into the fray, the robot hot on their heels.

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Trade Era 1235, Day 163. 12:30:12 UTCMercer's muscles tensed as he swung his vibrosword, aiming to cleave through the cybernetically-enhanced ape's defenses. But to his dismay, the creature anticipated his move, dodging with unexpected agility. Moreover, Hank's laser rifle spat another burst of energy, but the beams sizzled harmlessly past.

Then, instead of using his claws again, this time the ape retrieved a small device from its back—a Force Pavis, an Elder force disc projector capable of absorbing all manner of small arms fire.

"What?! It has a force pavis!" Mercer thought, with envy and frustration, having heard about it but never having seen one in person before.

Rumors said that one of the megacorporations in New Jordan had reverse engineered it and were able to build and sell some shields, but its components were incredibly expensive, so it was never a common equipment. Even the best ITC’s Marine armory didn't include them.

Regardless, holding it with one of its hands, the ape grinned menacingly, its primal instincts augmented by the Elder’s technology as it activated the device. A shimmering blue barrier materialized before it, crackling with energy.

Mercer tries to steady and attack where the ape isn't protecting by the Force Pavice.

After seeing one of the robots get inside the store after the others Peter says to Douklan:

"Keep an eye on the one inside, i got the other one"

he will shoot a burst on R2

Hank sighs at the increased difficulty and fires away again. He's now down 9 charges.Ooo. Forgot to add in the burst mode bonus of +2, so that roll is actually 18. So, hopefully that is a hit. Here's the damage ...

EDIT: Oh! I totally missed that most energy weapons (including the laser and plasma weapons we are using) get a "free" +1 to hit! Ignoring the past, that means that my roll for this attack is really a *19* to hit! Woot!

Trade Era 1235, Day 163. 12:30:18 UTC
Mercer gritted his teeth, his grip tightening on his vibroblade. With a silent determination, he lunged forward, his blade flashing in the dim light as he struck at the creature's exposed flank.

The ape recoiled, its augmented muscles straining against the onslaught. But Mercer pressed on, his movements fluid and precise as he danced around the beast's attacks.

Hank fired another burst, the laser beams slicing through the air with deadly accuracy. This time, the ape staggered, its movements slowing as the damage took its toll.

With a final, decisive blow, Mercer drove his vibroblade deep into the creature's chest, severing vital circuits and bringing it crashing to the ground in a heap of twisted metal and flesh. As the cybernetically-enhanced ape fell to the ground, its metallic body convulsing in its final moments, the Force Pavis clattered to the floor with a resounding clang.

---

As the echoes of battle faded, Mercer and Hank stood amidst the aftermath, their breaths ragged but victorious. Approaching cautiously, Mercer picked up the force pavis, turning it over in his hands. The device was still working and recently fabricated, its sleek surface devoid of any signs of wear or decay. But what intrigued them most was its design—it bore all the hallmarks of Elder technology.

"This isn't man-made," Hank remarked, his voice tinged with wonder. "It's Elder's design. Probably made recently, somewhere in or near the Forbidden Regions."

Mercer has questions about where it could have been made, by who, why, and how.
But there were still people in trouble, "We have to keep moving." Then he gestures to the Force Pavice he is holding. "You don't mind if I... "

After examining it for a minute, he hands the force pavis back to Mercer.

"Take the force pavis? Of course I don't mind! You're the one using a sword. Might as well have the shield to go with it. Just be warned that Professor Stone is gonna wanna borrow it for study when we all get back together. But sure, it's yours.

I agree. Let's get moving! But, before we go, please cut its head clean off. I don't want to find out if it can repair itself."

After a quick decapitation, they are on the move again.

Douklan nods at Peter's suggestion, turns, and tries to take a shot at R5 through a hole/over the top of the wall. ::Getting low on plasma charges...::

Trade Era 1235, Day 163. 12:30:18 UTC
Douklan is unable to take a shot at R5, as the robot is completely inside the warehouse and behind its walls. So he shoots and destroys R2.

Either way, R5 can't fire at him either. So a low, ominous hum fills the air as the last remaining combat robot maneuvered through the debris-strewn floor on its sturdy treads inside the warehouse. Its sensors scanned the area, seeking out any signs of movement or heat signatures from Maya and James.

Fortunately, they had exited through the front door just moments before, but the robot was not far behind. Its mechanical joints creaked slightly as it navigated the cluttered space, pushing aside rusted crates and broken equipment in its path. Finally, it left through the front door, the echoes of the ongoing battle outside seemed to beckon it forward, promising further conflict and potential targets.



Doctor Maya Chen, now a few meters away from the warehouse, ducked behind a large dead tree, her breaths ragged from the tension and exertion. She peered back toward the warehouse, watching the entrance and dreading the sight of the robot emerging in pursuit.

In the meantime, Corbin lay sprawled on the ground, his body motionless and his face pale. Leaving the warehouse, James's optical sensors scanned him for signs of life, quickly identifying a faint but steady heartbeat. Relief, in whatever capacity a robot could feel, surged through James's circuits. Without hesitation, it calculated the fastest route and sprinted towards Corbin, his mechanical legs propelling him swiftly across the battlefield.

::Last shot, Duke.:: Douklan thinks as he sights down the muzzle of the whining plasma projector. ::Better make it count!:: Then he releases his last plasma sphere at R5 as the robot trundles into view.

Even though Lt. Paravides hit the robot, it was not enough to destroy or incapacitate it. With a menacing intent, the robot turned his guns towards Douklan.