[h3][u][b]Silver[/b][/u] Still Lost in that Damn Forest[/h3] A blinding light enveloped the area as the last of the mortars fell on their crash site. It was so bright that Silver had to momentarily dim the feed coming from his visor. His cybernetic sensors were fast becoming overwhelmed as the deafening screams of warfare ripped through the trees, from the thunderous crashes of mortars to the whip like cracks of rifle fire. The Voidhanger had never been through anything like this. Sure back in the day there was the odd mission that went south but, planetside, the worst that Silver had faced was a squad or two of personal guard. Lightly armoured, these goons had pea shooters by comparison, attempting to stop the assassin from his mark. But even still, all of this was done in the Core of the UCL, there was a decorum there, a sense of style and grace that everyone followed, as if they were shooting in a grand library or during a ball. This, this was different; dirty, heavy, ugly, it was nothing but grunt warfare. The kind meant for mindless drones and their puppeteer superiors who threw toy after toy at each other until one fell over in defeat. Silver shifted, changing which knee was planted in the dirt, trying to loosen up. The artificial adrenaline shot had long worn off and Jerry was taking its sweet time scanning the area. It was so long that the cyborg had begun to take note of his surroundings. Dead plantlife littered the floor of the rainforest, fallen leaves from the thick canopies above layered the ground. Everything and everywhere was wet with the humidity caused by the constant shade. Around Silver, thick roots from large trees ensconced him, as smaller ferns and shrubs reached out to try and touch him. All of it made his skin crawl, he could practically feel the bacteria. [i]Ugh, planetside.[/i] He thought, as he rubbed his throat with his hand. [i]Host, Silver, my analysis is complete.[/i] The sound of Jerry’s small robotic voice played in Silver’s helmet, breaking his concentration as the drone breached this side of the forest. “What have you got for me Jerry?” he replied. The drone climbed down the trunk of the closest tree. An odd little thing, Jerry was shaped similarly to a CCTV camera from the 21st century. A large lens at the front enabled it to scan things at a tremendous distance and in surprising detail. Even more surprising was its ability to transform and flatten itself out so perfectly, it fit within Silvers’ leg armour without being noticed. Midway down the trunk, Jerry stopped, looking up before leaping out towards Silver. Once in the air, two little panels flung open, revealing VTOL like propellers. It was a simple, and often unexpected design, that allowed the drone to infiltrate into most situations unseen and unheard, aiding it’s host tremendously. [i]Would you like the good news or the bad news?[/i] Silver flashed a quick smirk under his helmet, followed by a reprimanding tone. “Jerry, I’m not sure this is the right time to test out that humour update I gave you.” [i]Apologies, Host, Silver, it was assumed that humour might help you with your overwhelmingly negative situation.[/i] The cyborg’s head dropped, as his hand slowly tried to wipe the stress from his face. “Just…” he exhaled, “Fine, the bad news.” Silver’s HUD lit up like a Christmas tree on crack. A small topical map of the area appeared on screen with their enemies positions being highlighted in a thick red mass. [i]There is a large group of enemies encroaching on you and your team's position. A forward team of what appears to be simply equipped humans are taking point; followed by heavily armed bio-walkers and a heavy ordinance Unztadtlige in the far back. Scans also indicate that another potential mortar team is moving towards the crash site, though I was not able to confirm this. On top of this there is a large contingency of enemies waiting for you to enter the city. [/i] Jerry paused, its learning algorithm had predicted a 90% chance that it’s Host would reply with a sarcastic quip at this point. Instead Silver motioned for the drone to continue, it would make the appropriate adjustments to it’s behavioural monitors of its Host later. [i]Other members of your team,[/i] Several individual blue lights appeared on screen, paling in comparison to the red that covered the map. [i]Have been engaged.[/i] Small little red lines indicated the direction of live fire towards some of the blue dots on the map. Silver sighed, looking down and around, as if the answer to his problems were to be found elsewhere. Outgunned, outnumbered and in the middle of nowhere, the odds couldn’t be more stacked against them. “Ok,” he said, looking up, “and the good news?” The drone whipped around the cyborg, zipping back and forth in front of him, as if excited by all the action. [i]A few members of your team, yourself included, have not been spotted. We have also detected a clearing to the East of the city, a residential area, devoid of enemy signatures. It appears to be an ideal location to regroup.[/i] “Or for an ambush.” [i]My scans did not indicate…[/i] “Yes, yes, I know,” Silver said, shoeing the drone away. “I was just thinking out loud.” Suddenly an ear piercing whine came through the comm channel as the mysterious voice returned. [color=orange]“-IN THE TRANSPORT WRECKAGE, IS HE-…- AT THE PARK-…-HAVE VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE RECLAI-…-MULTIPLE HOSTILES-…-REGROUP AT-…-JAMMER DEVICE PREP-…-“[/color] “Jerry, anything you can do to clear up that signal?” [i]Not without giving away our position, Host, Silver. Though the park referenced in the message lays just before the residential area.[/i] The cyborg stood, looking the way of the park as if he could see it through the thick collection of trees. He was so close and no one had noticed him, not even anyone on his team. He could easily make it there alone and continue on to complete the mission. Not even the GES would know. Jerry, seemingly noticing his Host’s hesitation, sprouted its legs and flung himself onto Silvers’ arm. The cyborg looked down as the drone crawled up and onto his right pec, inching it’s scanning lens (or eye) towards his face. “Don’t you give me that look Jerry.” The drone was silent, refusing to move from its stance. A heaviness began to drag at Silvers’ heart as he let out a pained groan. “Fine!” The cyborg held out his arm, turning the palm of his hand up for Jerry to use as a perch. The drone jumped with what was a little too much enthusiasm for Silver’s taste. “The two closest to the park,” [i]Team members [color=gold][b]Reclaimer Corsica and Linus Guiren[/b][/color], according to the doss…[/i] “Yes, yes, them. Take them this message first, [color=gold][b]then find the others[/b][/color], give them the same message and point everyone towards the park. [color=gold][b]This is Silver, a surviving member of your GES team, I will be providing sniper fire from the edge of the forest to cover your approach to the park. My stealth armour should keep me safe long enough for most of you to reach that area and repay the favour. My drone will point you in the direction of said park after this message. Good luck.[/b][/color]” With that the drone jumped from its perch, folding it’s legs back in. Silver motioned forward, feeling the strings of emotion tug inside once more. “Jerry… er… just hurry up and don’t scare anyone into shooting you.” The drone dipped again, nodding, before taking off towards the rest of the group. The cyborg reached over his left shoulder, grabbing the stock of his sniper and pulled it into it’s familiar position across his chest. With a final sharp exhale, Silver grit his teeth and tore off through the forest ready for action.