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The sky screamed in protest as the Orbitals blazed across the sky, the heat shield doing an excellent job at deflecting the friction from atmospheric braking. Judging by the comms and sensors, the Aurora was directly ahead, while the Odysseus, the Voyager, and the Michael were behind. The Bedwyr and Starstrike circled overhead as the ground team made planetfall. As they began their landing, Castle couldn't help but grin.

<<[color=#239C89] I could probably recite the entirety of Genesis if asked. I'd rather not receive infractions for proselytizing during a mission, though.[/color]>>

The Ajax was combat-rated for multiple environments, whether that was in Zero-G or in high-intensity situations. The heavily-armored hull lent it a degree of resilience that allowed the Orbital to survive locations other machines would not. You could even park the thing in orbit of a gas giant-- though you'd certainly be tempting fate with that. Kitezh's climate was Earthlike in nature, which was the baseline of most Orbitals, the Ajax included. It would have no problem working here.

The Ajax had long since breached the Kármán line and was now hurtling through the planet's stratosphere. Castle wondered if the people in the shuttle could smell the burning ozone as the Orbitals came closer to landing-- though in hindsight, they were probably in full EVA gear, much like the rest of the pilots here. As the Saturnian pilot pondered this, he looked to the information being provided to him by the Bedwyr's overwatch. Judging by these readings, there was something beneath the ground, radiating heat.

<<[color=#239C89] Copy that, Stojanović. Ground team, watch your step.[/color]>>

With that, the Ajax made touchdown shortly after the Aurora and Michael did. The massive steel colossus promptly discarded the heat shield as it took in its surroundings. The particulates in the air and the strong winds would make vision a problem, and the ITU was already taking those variables into account for aim adjustments. The Ajax took several steps towards the north, avoiding the patches of heat beneath the ground just in case, with the intent of establishing a perimeter on a sandy dune. The height advantage was negligible at this sort of altitude, but it did help establish visuals better.

<<[color=#239C89] Moving to secure northern perimeter. All quiet so far.[/color]>>

The Ajax removed the Hephaestus Assault Gun from its magdock, the metal backpack opening up to allow for easy access to the ordnance within. The Typhon was here too, but hopefully, it wouldn't have to come to that. All weapons systems were fully calibrated, and they were ready to go at a moment's notice.