Silas and Sven popped from their hidden positions and poured relentless fire into the grouped ranks of the enemy infantry before them. Many of them fell dead in the opening volleys and those weren't gunned down were instead chased down Ducaelia. The APCs immediately moved in but were then met by Gerad's anti-vehicular armaments. The first APC became practically disabled while the other two that attempted to reinforce the failing first wave of troops were obliterated. The initial APC to have been hit eventually shared their fates. That only left many of the other troops in an awkward spot, unsure if they should advance or fall back. 

Whether it was out of desperation or annoyance of the startled thugs that began exhibiting doubts about committing to another charge, the gunners of the rigged trucks, armed with heavy machine guns and even gatling guns, peppered the defensive positioned Silas' crew assumed. Concreate fragments and sparks flew in all directions as their cover began to literally disintegrate. Silas and then followed by Sven were forced to withdraw which then only left Ducaelia exposed as she tore into some of the surviving thugs on the field. Figuring that they were as good as dead anyway as a metallic predator had befallen them, the gunners shifted their aim toward the Vandrell and opened up. Two of her would-be victims were quickly chewed to pieces. Ironically, their fortunate, or unfortunate - depending on whom you asked - positioning, had took the brunt of the machine gun attacks aimed for her. But like the cover, they two fell apart into meaty junks.

And then one of the gunner's heads exploded.

The headless form lurched forward and pressed against gun it still gripped, causing the barrel to drop to the roof of the truck. It was still firing. The occupants were riddled with heavy caliber rounds, ripping them apart and painting the windows and windshield with red. Soon, the truck's engine became compromised with the continuous fire and promptly erupted into a fireball that consumed the vehicle. Alerted to the new threat the other machine gunners scrambled to find their attacker, one of them even firing wildly in the direction they believed the shot to have originated from.

Another gunner fell with a chuck of their skull having been carved off, turning their head into a grotesque fountain of blood and ichor. The body collapsed and prompted the driver to take evasive action by maneuvering the truck behind one of the APC wrecks. But like their former gunner, another shot found him too. The truck continued to roll off, staying its original course before running into a destroyed APC.

After another was shot, the remaining trucks began pulling out, their drivers not wanting to stand up to a threat they couldn't see. Along with them, the remaining thugs booked out of the fight. Silas rose from his spot and observed the remnants of the first wave of thugs retreating. While he would normally celebrate the victory, he knew better that this was simply a tactical retreat. Whomever brought this entire force has kept plenty of troops and armor in reserve. If anything, this was more of a probing assault if anything. Now that the commander of this unit knew what they were dealing with, Silas could count on them changing their strategy. He mentally pretended to be the same person, mentally speaking, and thought how the new approach would go. They were clearly entrenched and possessed anti-armor means. Attempting another assault like last time would be foolish unless Gerad was taken out of the equation. Mortar fire would certainly help with that. If that could be achieved, the APCs, their best assets available, would be able to roll in unopposed. Along with the trucks providing support fire, Ducaelia would be rendered a non-issue. By then, Cyne would be forced back off as continuous fire would undoubtedly give his position away, risking coordinated return fire. After that Silas and Sven would be over run at that point.

Silas frowned, they were no longer in suitable position and he could hear shouting and the rumbling of vehicles, heralding the arrival of a better prepared second wave. But retreat was not really much of an option; they were surrounded. They could feasibly retreat back into the complex and fortify there, but with what? The place was pretty much robbed of anything that could be repurposed into barricade. And then, who what to say if the attack wouldn't just level part of the building? And going deeper back to the control room would present an unproductive stalemate. There only option was to break the assault without being overrun. Silas pondered this dreadful thought as his tactical eyes danced around the battlefield for any exploitable advantages. 

For a moment he found nothing.

But then he spied the Chimera from before.

In all honesty, despite overcoming the monstrosity, they genuinely didn't actually destroy it. Not enough of it anyway to prevent it from functioning anyway. If anything, it was crewless. He then turned to Sven, [color=00a651][b]"I want you to do something stupid and yet possibly thrilling."[/b][/color]

Sven stared at Silas, honestly stumped upon what he had mind, [b][color=fff200]"I'm...listening?"[/color][/b]

Silas continued, [color=00a651][b]"You think you can take over that Chimera?"[/b][/color]

[color=fff200][b]"The one we downed?"[/b][/color]

[color=00a651][b]"Yes."[/b][/color]

[color=fff200][b]"The same tank that we knocked one of the lift boosters out on, including a sophisticated defense suite?"[/b][/color]

[color=00a651][b]"Err...yeah."[/b][/color]

[color=fff200][b]"The same tank that you practically fire-bombed, internally I may add, which likely cause fire damaged to quite a few of its systems."[/b][/color]

He didn't want to answer that last one.

[color=fff200][b]"Sure."[/b][/color]

Silas blinked, [color=00a651][b]"really?"[/b][/color]

[color=fff200][b]"Shouldn't be too hard to repurpose. Think I should get it up and running within about, say, ten minutes?"[/b][/color]

It was then that the first mortar strike Silas predicted came crashing down on the open field. A tower of dirt and debris erupted from the impact before raining back down upon the terrain.

[color=00a651][b]"You have two minutes."[/b][/color]

[color=fff200][b]"Fine,"[/b][/color] Sven replied, [color=fff200][b]"only if Cyne helps push."[/b][/color]

Evidently, Cyne was apparently listening, [color=00746b]"I'm doing [i]what[/i], now?"[/color]

Silas got a chuckle out of that one, [color=00a651][b]"Fair. Listen up folks, we're getting our asses out of here and we're using the tank that nearly kicked our asses to do it. We just need to hold out until Sven can get it up and running. Rally at the Chimera, double time, unless you want to get acquainted with the artillery."[/b][/color]

---

Once everyone has moved from their former positions, the mortar strikes zeroed in and pummeled the area where the first wave had marked. Silas watched as one such strike flatten where he just was seconds ago. Just as before, he ordered everyone to maintain their assigned roles. Having relocated to the tank, their attackers would not consider their position until they came under fire. 

This time, seven APCs slowly crawled through the gate, infantry and armed trucks coming from behind. Clearly, they approached the original site the first wave failed against. A half a minute later and they found nothing. More loud and angry yelling could be heard behind them, ordering second wave's assault units to spread out. Two APCs and three trucks supported by infantry made their way towards the downed Chimera though albeit to pass by. Once the distance was acceptable, Cyne opened fire, killing one of the truck gunners and took aim upon the others. Silas then ordered Gerad and Ducaelia to engage as well.