[center][color=steelblue][h2]ECHO DOMAIN - PLATFORM #2884[/h2][/color][/center]

An ambush. The unztadtlige made a sound roughly congruent with irritation as it hunkered beneath its shield, rifle fire pinging off of it with little effect. The larger threats to it and its structural integrity were the heavy mag-machine guns and etheric artillery. It picked up the chatter from the rest of the squad- the void hanger was going to flank, while the rest of them established a base of fire. Each time replying through their headsets with a signal that most organics would consider an audible confirmation. Pieces were moving, and even on this battlefield Echo could not afford to stay in the same place for too long. 

[color=steelblue]"Requisition: Grenade. Denied. Reasoning: This unit does not carry infantry explosives. Advise: individual should carry necessary materials in future engagements."[/color] The large unztadlige replied as it burst from cover, taking advantage of the haze and sensor disruption to bull itself into a new building to take cover in, closer towards Ilshar so it could provide cover with its shield if necessary. Simultaneously the remaining free Microform skittered over to the tarrhaidim soldier, clambering up onto the back of its armor and settling in. Its arms raised to hover above the shoulders of Ilshar, not blocking his line of sight, but ready to throw its arms forward to block incoming rounds towards his head. Its beam cannon swept lines of energy at the CivSec squad as well, to further keep their heads down.

With its squad in close proximity, and Salvator moving to flank, even with the voidhanger's exact position known to Echo thanks to its Microform, it was no longer comfortable firing its autocannon at the CivSec squad- the Envenomed were too close, and risk of friendly fire from shrapnel or stray explosions from rounds was too great. Instead, the Endoform turned its autocannon to fire into the treeline where the heavy gunners were, while the Warform's remaining autocannon also opened up on the treeline. 

As the heavy walker lumbered through the trees, enemy fire pinging off of its hefty armor, it noticed something: a barrier absorbing fire, and inside of it a strange alien creature that was most likely the etherealist that had bombarded the squad a few moments earlier. Etherealists were always priority targets, as their capabilities were varied and always chaotic. As wild and unpredictable as a conventional battlefield was, it still followed laws and order. In a way, there was method to the madness of warfare. Such was not so when etherealists entered the picture: they had a way of shaking up the battlefield in ways that were frankly, unacceptable.

[color=steelblue]"Alert: Priority target. Hostile etherealist."[/color] Echo's voice rumbled into the squad's comms, while simultaneously tagging it on the squad's network. The etherealist's barrier seemed to be holding for the moment, mostly shrugging off small arms fire- most likely, more heavy ordnance would be required. As the warform continued to rumble forward, the large turret on its head shifted towards the glowing shield in the distance. 

[color=steelblue]"Alert: Initiating strike on priority target. Alert: Danger Close."[/color] Echo crackled into the squad comm. There was a small, telltale whine that filled the air around them as the Siege Beam Cannon drew in power and prepared to fire, crackling and growing louder in intensity. A few moments later, a deep guttural roar was heard as a massive beam crackled towards its target. The air around them sizzled and ionized, as it was superheated, and smelled of burnt ozone as the beam streaked across the field.