The battle raged on, and Dominic's pulse quickened as his mech collided with the CMC Juggernaut, a monstrous machine that seemed impervious to everything he had thrown at it. The battlefield had become a blur—flying debris, explosions, and the constant screech of metal against metal. For a brief moment, he felt invincible, his massive mech carving a path of destruction through the enemy forces, but that moment was fleeting. Every victory, every kill, seemed to only fuel the Juggernaut's relentless march.
Dominic's eyes locked onto the hulking beast ahead. Its weapons roared as it unleashed a barrage of heavy artillery, the blasts rocking his mech and forcing him to sidestep with impressive agility. But just as he was about to close the distance for another attack, a powerful energy beam shot out from the Juggernaut's chest, striking his left leg. The impact sent a violent jolt through the mech, and for a split second, everything seemed to freeze.
"System malfunction!" The AI's voice screamed inside his helmet, cutting through the cacophony of battle. The readout on his HUD flashed red, and the cockpit rumbled violently as the leg joints locked up. Dominic's stomach lurched as he felt the left leg of his mech crumple under the pressure, the servos grinding to a halt. The mech's massive frame teetered, a high-pitched groan reverberating from the damaged leg.
"Shit," Dominic hissed, trying to regain control. The mech stumbled, and for a terrifying moment, it seemed as though it might fall, its entire balance compromised. The Juggernaut, sensing the weakness, moved in closer, preparing to finish the job. Dominic's mech was crippled, vulnerable, and the enemy wasn't giving him a second to recover.
The battle was no longer a matter of victory. It was about survival.
"Left leg integrity compromised," the AI continued, cold and detached. "Warning. Immediate evacuation recommended."
Dominic's mind raced. He couldn't let the Juggernaut take him down now—not after everything. His gaze darted across the battlefield. The UOP battleship loomed in the distance, a beacon of safety among the chaos. But it was far—too far. His mech could barely stand, let alone make it through the remaining enemy forces to reach the ship.
His left leg, now completely useless, dragged behind him, sending sparks flying from the exposed joint. He had no choice. He needed to get to the battleship and fast. But how? The Juggernaut was closing in, its massive feet shaking the ground with each step, and a few other CMC mechs were circling, cutting off any potential escape route.
"Get up, damn it," Dominic muttered under his breath, clutching the controls. His left leg was a dead weight, but his right leg was still operational, and with the remaining power, he could still move—just not much.
The Juggernaut fired another blast, narrowly missing him as Dominic leapt sideways, using his remaining momentum to push the crippled mech into a roll. His right leg scraped the surface, kicking up dust and debris, but it was enough to create some distance. He couldn't afford to be a stationary target. The Juggernaut was too slow to pursue, but the other mechs—faster, more nimble—would be on him in seconds.
"I need a plan," Dominic thought, his brain working at full speed. With his left leg rendered useless, he had to rely on his other systems. The AI was calculating his best course of action, but he didn't have the luxury of time. If he didn't act soon, the entire UOP fleet might be overrun.
He fired his thrusters, activating the remaining boosters on his mech's back. The energy from the small jets sent him hurtling sideways again, using the last bit of power to gain some distance. He managed to break through the enemy lines—just barely—and began a slow retreat, using the massive rocky debris of the battle to shield himself.
"Come on... come on..." Dominic muttered, gritting his teeth. The cockpit vibrated as the damaged leg caused the entire mech's frame to buckle slightly. The mech's left leg was practically dragging now, and the servos in the joint had completely given way. With every step, sparks shot from the limb as it scraped along the battlefield.
His eyes flicked toward the UOP battleship again, now within reach but still a long way off. The distance between him and safety felt like miles, but the closer he got, the more desperate the enemy became. The Juggernaut and its accompanying mechs followed suit, relentless in their pursuit.
"Almost there," Dominic hissed, pushing his right leg forward, ignoring the pain as he forced his crippled mech to keep moving. His fingers gripped the controls tightly, the sweat beading on his forehead as his head ached. The core's influence was still there, gnawing at him, but right now, he couldn't afford to let it take control.
The UOP battleship's hangar bay doors were now opening, the fleet's defenses already preparing to provide cover. The massive guns of the battleship fired, creating a wall of explosive firepower between Dominic and the approaching mechs. For a moment, the battlefield lit up with bright flashes of blue and orange as the energy blasts collided, and Dominic pushed himself forward with everything he had left.
Just as the Juggernaut launched another devastating shot, Dominic's mech staggered forward one final time, its body nearly toppling under the strain. He gritted his teeth, his mech limping the last few meters, until the safety of the hangar doors loomed just ahead.
"I'm not going down today," Dominic thought fiercely as he powered the thrusters one last time, throwing everything into that final push.
He made it.
The doors slammed shut behind him just as the ground trembled from the impact of the Juggernaut's final blast. The shields held firm, and Dominic's mech collapsed forward into the hangar, its body falling with a heavy thud onto the bay floor.
"Mission failed..."
Dominic slumped in his cockpit, his body shaking from exhaustion and adrenaline. The battle was over, for now, but the damage to his mech was severe. He had made it back to the ship, but at what cost? His leg, his systems, his mind—he wasn't sure if he could keep up this pace much longer.
The core's whispers grew louder again, pulling him into the darkness. He wasn't sure if he was ready for what was coming, but one thing was certain—he was no longer just fighting for victory. He was fighting to hold onto what little of himself remained.