[h2] Commander Stader Volger[/h2] [b]CO 89th LSC (Onyx-9)[/b] There was a saying about the best tactics being the ones you couldn’t predict. But Volger could say he had never encountered a mech slamming a piece of debris into the line of fire of enemy mechs. Especially when that mech used their own chassis to do it. But it worked. The debris blocked the majority of Onyx-9 from the AC’s fire. Leaving their rapidly diminishing amount of shooters in the debris field their only defense. As the Lance engaged their “counterparts”; Onyx dealt with theirs. The pirates in the debris field reflected their mechs. Rough, well used surplus that was great against the surplus or low grade security equipment civilians bought for peace of mind. Armor good for space debris punctures and hastily modified with scraps and aftermarket parts for combat. There had been a good forty of them in the debris field for the ambush. With the mechs they had stood a chance against a company. Now they dwindled rapidly. Puffs of air and shattering visors marked Onyx’s better optics. The company snipers clamped onto debris; their magnetically assisted rifles rated for anti material work. Overkill for their current targets. A pirate gunner in a former cargo container never noticed the pair of rocket assisted grenades that decimated him and his drum fed weapon. Six pirates tried to reorient as a pair of Onyx troopers scythed laser and 8mm fire respectively from above. The fire team that had suppressed the half dozen now moved forward. Vectoring in on a trio of pirates fleeing for the [i]Venture.[/i] The threat display was still muddled by debris and the battle but the path forward was for the most part clear. Volger watched red indicators of hostiles turn the dull orange of eliminated threats. [color=007236] “Onyx—9 Actual to Onyx-9 Alpha. Clear the debris field. All other callsigns; proceed to Venture. Stand by to board.” [/color] The excitement was palpable as the platoons turned to their respective tasks. In the distance Volger watched the dizzying background that was the AC’s fighting. Beams, blasts and even blades at work. Another stage for the same play Volger and Onyx-9 were playing. [i]’Just hope they can keep the ship mech free for the next twenty minutes at least.’ [/i] ******** “Someone get me a stomper to the mess deck!!!!” Volger yelled into his comm. Ducking behind a pillar as an array of enemy fire struck the cover. Volger’s retaliation came from two of his troopers. The pair letting loose ripping bursts of 8mm fire from their own cover. The two sides had roughly stalemated themselves in the former dining facility. Ironically, both parties having taken this route to flank another stalemate that had developed in the main access corridor that ran parallel to the engineering damage control station. Itself, not important but a node one could use to fast track their way to the critical location. Volger had detailed Diaz to double back and find a way to the next level. Using their heavy equipment to punch though the deck above the pirates while Volger would flank to catch them from hopefully three directions. Instead they had run into a force of pirates of equal number to his two squads. To make matters worse; these weren’t the same caliber as those outside. Their armor was current gen kit. The latest model of the independent and paramilitary types with credits to burn. And if the trio of wounded icons flashing in his helmet was any indication; they’re weapons and training were above their ill fated debris bound brethren. Volger used a lull in the fire to drop low left. PDW tucked tight; HUD targeting reticule dragging up onto a visor peaking over a nearby table. The stubby weapon jerked in his gauntlets and the visor fell back. The faint spray of chipped visor mingled with pink accompanying the falling the pirate’s plasma repeater. Volger allowed- “Grenade!!!” The warning was verbal. Not in any comm- The room shook as the explosive detonated in the small no man land the pair of sides had established through their crossfire. Volger felt the rattle though his armor and gave a curse. Another icon blinked rapidly; one wounded trooper. The Onyx-9 retaliation came in the form of a trooper dumping seven rounds of underslung 25mm heat seeking munitions that could barely maneuver in the clustered space. The munitions lacking the power or flight time to kill the pirates through their cover or near misses given their armor as well. What it did do was take apart the tables and knock the eight assorted pirates using them off their feet. Exposed and shell shocked; they died in the sudden resurgence of Onyx gunfire. Which picked up with the trio of figures that poured into the room. Two were troopers with heavy armor inserts; cradling shotguns and lugging packs full of ammo that didn’t fit any weapon systems they wielded. The third figure was the nine foot tall armored stomper that bore the callsign “Prancer” stenciled on his chest. A pair of 20mm cannons were in both of the suit’s weapon arm mounts and they swung into play with rapid fanfare. As the screams of pirates drowned under cannon, shotgun and automatic fire; Volger toggled his comms. The distance thump of a deck charge accompanied a report from Diaz. The flank had been complete. His other platoons were having an easier time on their way to the bridge. The remnants of the ship’s crew and security having hardpointed there. The pirates caught between the massed fire of the crew and the encroaching platoons of Onyx-9; the bridge area would be secured within the hour at the most. As for engineering… [color=007236]”Onyx-9 Actual to Indomitus. Hostile pirates still aboard Venture. Bridge still secure at this time and under friendly control. Heavy resistance enroute to engineering. Unknown status of control. Be advised; hostiles within Venture displaying better equipment and training then exterior forces. Unknown if this extends to their AC’s as well. Out. [/color] His report done Volger stood from his cover. The immediate gunfire having died out. A medic worked on the Onyx wounded. Troopers swept through the blown apart section of the mess hall. Following in the wake of the stomper and his ammo handlers. A wounded pirate dragged himself on his two remaining limbs. His destination forever unknown as the stomper’s namesake became apparent. The stomper pilot gave a violent grinding of its foot before continuing on; bloody footprint marking its path. Volger ignored the mess and stepped into the stream of troopers. “Alright boys and girls. Let’s see how engineering is looking.”