[@Letter Bee][@Plank Sinatra][@Krayzikk][@Onarax][@Silvan Haven]
[h3]OSDT [i]Jannah[/i], Martian Sphere[/h3]
[B]BGM Set:[/B] [url=https://youtu.be/Vw9xUn90wWc]Uninvited Guests[/url]

"Hey chief, I bet you five bucks that I can smack their lead Rook with one shot."

The comms, initially silent, were interrupted by the carefree tones of Lumen 3. Lydia's GT-010 was continuing to act as a gun emplacement on top of the [i]Jannah[/i]'s hull, her targeting sensors constantly adjusting themselves as the OSDT vessel too began to close in upon the incoming swarm of pirates. Its signature Mega Beam Cannon was in position, the prominently-placed barrel hanging menacingly above the artillery HFV's right shoulder.

"This is not the time for the impossible, Lydia," was Francis' cool reply. The leader of Lumen Team was making a careful approach towards the pirates, his heavily-armoured OSDT Rook ready to screen his teammates against any attack from the front. "Nor do I have any interest in taking your five dollars."

Behind him, Lumen 2's M5-改 did a short, lazy loop, his agile tan machine a direct contrast to the hulk of metal that was his wingman's HFV.

"Francis' last five dollars got eaten by a malfunctioning vending machine," explained Marco, his Italian-accented voice tinged with conspiratorial amusement, as if he was revealing something truly exciting rather than just a run-in with mechanical failure. "He couldn't take the bet even if he wanted to."

"It is of paramount importance that they repair that infernal device."

Marco's cheery chuckle echoed over the comms. He was clearly amused by his friend's seriousness in the face of such a minor issue. "We're not going to get any repairs soon, my friend. I ran into McMahon in the mess hall earlier, and he told me that old Schrijnemakers was purposely avoiding doing any work on the thing."

"Hn."

"That's a good thing, isn't it?" added a confused fourth voice. Buddy Wang, Lumen 4, also piloted an OSDT variant of the Rook, but his was yellow rather than his leader's light green, and his mastery over the HFV was inferior as well. He hung behind the other two male members of the team, preferring to move more slowly. "The drinks were trash anyway."

Silence filled the comms. The pirates had yet to move into firing range.

"Lumen 4, I will be judging your performance this sortie," spoke Francis, his deep and powerful voice suddenly turning quite chilly. "Be prepared for a detailed report when we return to the ship."

"Anyway," Marco immediately cut in, trying to stall Buddy from further irritating his wingman with all the tact of a bull in a china shop, "go ahead and fire, Lydia. Nothing wrong with taking the shot, and I have faith in your aim."

Inside her cockpit, the Jovian girl grinned, eager to try her luck. Her viewscreen zoomed in onto the pirate Rook in the lead of the large triangle formation, targeting reticule centering itself on the flying tank's torso. Given the speed and mobility of most space-based OS Type-2s, it was a sure-kill shot. Energy began to build up in the GT-010's cannon, bright blue light radiating outwards as the amount of exotic particles began to increase in density and number.

"Gotcha!"

An intense streak of blue shot across the empty void, screaming through the darkness on a collision course with the pirate.

It missed.

"He dodged?!" she exclaimed in shocked surprise. That wasn't possible for a Rook!

"I will be taking my five dollars, Lumen 3," said Francis dryly (and ignoring the "[i]Hey you didn't accept the bet![/i]"), watching as the thirty-large group of pirates immediately split away from their initial formation, instead consolidating into two groups of fifteen. The blue Rook that Lydia had failed to hit had joined the wedge furthest from them, showing off far greater manoeuvrability than was expected. "It appears that our foes have upgraded their machines as well."

If there had been any excitement leaking through his voice, then none of his teammates made any comment. Instead, the leader of Lumen Team was free to analyse the situation before them. Two formations of Rooks, each containing one Bradley. They were no longer rushing directly towards them, but appeared to be performing a flanking manoeuvre. That was a legitimate tactic: given the superior numbers of the pirate forces, encircling the members of the [i]Jannah[/i]'s HFV squadron would be rather effective.

They would be worthy opponents.

"This is Lumen 1 to all units," he said, broadcasting his message across their comms. "Lumen Team shall be engaging the right-most flank. Also, the opposing Rooks, despite their appearances, have undergone unknown refits to better function in vacuum. Please be advised."

[right][i]ETA four seconds to contact.[/I][/right]

"So my friend, shall we be going with the usual?" asked Lumen 2.

[right][i]ETA two seconds to contact.[/i][/right]

"Why not?"

[right][i]Contact established![/i][/right]