[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/a0xg11i.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/EkAnTYS.png[/img][/center][hr] Underneath the constant barrage of energy lances, Holden could do nothing more except weather the storm. The Ajax's resilience was a boon in that regard, even as its shiny new paint job was stripped away by the heat and force of the attack. Thankfully, he wouldn't have to wait for much longer. With support from the Odysseus and a final blow from the Bedwyr, the battle would soon reach its resolution. [color=f26522]<>[/color] A thunderous explosion resounded across the desert, prompting a scream from the Bandit. [color=f26522]<>[/color] Holden let out a long whistle through the comms. The payload worked well enough, it had seemed. If death by a thousand cuts just wasn't possible... then perhaps a single massive cut would be all that it takes. The Ajax had heavier ordnance in its backpack, but even the artilleryman had to appreciate that explosion. <<[color=#239C89]Nothing quite like watching the fireworks, eh, Stojanovic?[/color]>> Holden chuckled at his own joke as his HUD flared to life. STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY: ADAMANTINE ARMOR PLATING: [color=orange]67%[/color] HULL PLATING: [color=lightgreen]79%[/color] ANCILE BUCKLER: [color=red]0%[/color] [color=yellow]MINOR DAMAGE TO LEFT ARM HULL PLATING. Z-26 AKON LRM BATTERY DAMAGED. ANCILE BUCKLER NONFUNCTIONAL. SUPERFICIAL DAMAGE TO TORSO HULL PLATING.[/color] Holden clicked his tongue as he looked over the damage. He supposed things could've been far worse, but it just goes to show the difference between the pinnacle of human technology and the remnants of alien technology. The more pressing matter to him at that moment, however, was the signal interference on his screen. [color=6ecff6][ERROR: Data Transfer to PANDORA unable to complete. Suspected Signal Interference. Retry? Y/N][/color] [color=6ecff6][UPDATE: Data Transfer f̵r̵o̵m̴ PANDORA completed. Cached tactical data dumped to PANDORA.][/color] [color=#239C89]"...What the hell?"[/color] Holden said to nobody in particular as he received packets of data from the Pandora, the Merlon, and the Battle Net. The Diomedes and the onboard computer was throwing up errors too, but admittedly, the man couldn't quite understand what it all meant. [i]<>[/i] The communications from Command shook the man from his reverie. Looks like it was time to go. [i]<>[/i] <<[color=#239C89]...Copy that, Pandora. We'll be Oscar Mike in five.[/color]>> The Ajax raised its left arm and triggered the explosive bolts on its wrist, letting the now-useless pile of slag that was once the Ancile Buckler fall to the desert sand. At this point, it was better to have the shield replaced entirely than to try and restore it. Holden started moving towards the blasted remnants of Bandit Two. <<[color=#239C89]What's everyone's status? The Ajax took some hits in that fight but should be good to move.[/color]>> Holden asked as the Grecian Hero moved to pick up the wreckage of the enemy Orbital that had caused him so much trouble. It seemed Bandit One was in better shape, but the more samples they brought back, the better. Hell, if they couldn't use it, maybe they could at least make a nice trophy out of the hull. ...might be good for morale, if people could see that these alien Orbitals can be killed like any other, too.