Ren tightened his grip on the controls of Raven as the mecha shuddered with each step across the battlefield. The dense, metallic fog that hung over the ground barely shifted as Raven pushed through, obscuring the full view of the land ahead. Through his monitor, he could see Valkyrie, Goliath, and Tempest close by, each moving forward in formation. His team was silent, every one of them acutely aware that any misstep here could mean another loss, another friend gone.
They had been moving in stealth mode for hours, following Sera's intel on an enemy patrol site. The plan was simple: use the temporary code override Sera provided to disrupt the N-Types long enough for them to launch a decisive attack, hitting hard and fast. Ren's stomach tightened as he thought about what they were up against. The N-Types were evolving fast, almost as if someone was actively making them better, smarter, deadlier.
The memory of Kai and Myla's screams echoed in his mind, and he forced himself to stay focused. He couldn't afford to lose anyone else.
In the cockpit beside him, the AI system of Raven flickered to life. "Enemy proximity alert," it intoned, its voice cold and unfeeling.
Ren's heart pounded as he steadied his breathing. "Everyone, ready up," he said over the comms, his voice low but firm. "Looks like we're going in."
Ford responded with a shaky breath. "Copy that. Let's hope Sera's code does the trick."
Elara's voice was hard, masking any fear she might have felt. "If it doesn't, then we go out swinging. Nothing new there."
They crept forward, their mechas' metal feet almost silent on the hard earth. Ren's eyes scanned the surrounding fog, tense for any sign of movement. The N-Types could come from anywhere, could strike at any second, and their silence made every shadow a threat.
"Ren," Jax said over the comm, his voice tense. "On your left. I'm picking up something. Looks like…three, maybe four contacts."
Ren turned Raven's head to face the direction Jax indicated. Sure enough, faint outlines of hulking N-Types were visible through the haze, their shapes shifting as they moved, swift and quiet for machines of their size. He steadied himself, his hand hovering over the control panel. They needed to be strategic.
"Elara, get ready to engage on my signal," he ordered, his voice level. "Ford, Jax, flank from the sides. We'll use the code to disorient them first."
He could hear Jax's nervous chuckle. "Here's hoping it works."
Ren clenched his jaw, his finger hovering over the button to activate Sera's code. His heart pounded as the N-Types drew closer, their silhouettes looming larger. These machines were far more advanced than any they'd faced before—sleek, streamlined, and ominously quiet.
"Now!" he shouted, triggering the override. For a heartbeat, the N-Types froze, their movements stuttering as if they were glitching. In that moment, Ren's team sprang into action.
Raven surged forward, its arm cannon firing directly at the nearest N-Type. The blast connected, sending the enemy machine staggering back. Beside him, Valkyrie leaped forward, her agile frame maneuvering around another N-Type, Elara deftly firing bursts at its weak points. The fog filled with the sounds of metal clashing against metal, the staccato rhythm of gunfire, and the heavy thuds of the N-Types stumbling under the assault.
Jax's Tempest roared to life, its modified cannon firing in powerful arcs. Jax swung his mecha's arm to deliver a brutal strike to an N-Type's torso, sending sparks flying as he tore through its plating.
"Take that!" Jax shouted, a grim satisfaction in his voice.
For a moment, it felt as if they were gaining ground. The N-Types' movements were jerky, their responses delayed by the code. But the override effect was fading fast. One by one, the N-Types started to regain their balance, their targeting systems locking onto Ren's team with renewed aggression.
"Code's wearing off!" Ford warned, panic creeping into his voice. Goliath was holding the line, its bulky frame shielding Jax's Tempest from the worst of the enemy fire, but he was taking heavy hits.
Ren gritted his teeth, his mind racing. "Jax, Ford—fall back, create some distance. We'll lure them in."
The two complied, maneuvering their mechas backward, trying to keep out of the line of fire. Ren focused his sights on one of the advancing N-Types, its red sensors flashing ominously as it recalibrated. He aimed Raven's cannon and fired, but the N-Type anticipated the shot, ducking to the side with alarming agility.
"Damn it, these things are learning!" Elara cursed, her voice tense as Valkyrie barely avoided a sweeping attack.
Ren was about to respond when a loud, metallic crash filled his speakers. He whipped his head to see Tempest knocked to the ground, sparks flying as the N-Type's claws raked across its torso. Jax struggled to get Tempest upright, the mecha's frame groaning under the weight of the attack.
"Jax, hang on!" Ren shouted, Raven rushing forward to intercept. He fired a volley at the N-Type, forcing it to divert its attention. The enemy turned, its metal limbs moving in a disturbingly fluid manner as it closed in on him instead.
Raven's alarm system blared as the N-Type swung a heavy arm toward him. Ren braced for impact, but just then, Valkyrie darted between them, Elara slashing at the N-Type's arm with her blade, severing one of its joints. Sparks flew as the machine staggered back, temporarily disoriented.
"Nice save, Elara," Ren said, breathless.
"Anytime," she replied, her voice tight with concentration.
They continued their assault, but the N-Types seemed almost…aware. They moved in sync, as if adapting to every move Ren's team made, countering their tactics with a precision that was unnerving.
"They're boxing us in!" Ford called, his voice strained as Goliath struggled to keep another N-Type at bay. "We can't keep this up forever!"
Ren's mind raced. They were running out of ammo, and the enemy was pushing them toward a cliffside, cutting off any possible escape routes. His heart hammered as he considered their options. They could retreat, try to escape in the open terrain below, but that would mean all their lost comrade's sacrifice will be in vain. And, he realized with a pang, it would likely mean they wouldn't make it out at all.
"Ren, what's the plan?" Jax's voice was tense, but determined. Tempest was back on its feet, though heavily damaged, its frame sparking with exposed wires.
Ren took a deep breath, the weight of command heavy on his shoulders. "We're not running," he said firmly, his voice steady. "We make a stand here. We hit them with everything we've got."
Elara let out a breath. "Then let's make it count."
The team steadied themselves, preparing for one final, desperate assault. Ren felt the weight of every loss, every friend he'd watched fall in this endless fight. But this time, it wouldn't be in vain. They would make sure of it.
Ren opened the throttle, Raven surging forward, cannon blazing as he led the charge. His team followed, each of them fighting with a fury and desperation that gave them strength beyond the limits of their machines. They struck hard, targeting weak points with precision and ferocity, taking advantage of every second.
The N-Types, caught off guard by their sudden onslaught, faltered under the assault. One by one, Ren's team brought them down, their mechas shuddering and sparking, barely holding together.
When the final N-Type fell, collapsing in a heap of smoldering metal, Ren's team was left standing in the silence of the aftermath. They were battered, bruised, and barely holding on—but alive.
Ren slumped back in his seat, exhausted but filled with a fierce sense of relief. They had won, if only for this battle. In that moment, it was enough.
"We did it," Elara said quietly, her voice thick with emotion.
Ren nodded, letting himself feel a small flicker of hope. For the first time in a long while, it felt like they had struck back—made a difference. And he knew, deep down, that they would keep fighting, no matter what Osiren or the N-Types threw their way. Together, they were more than just survivors. They were Unit 07, and they would not be broken.