Firing her weapon consumed the bar, as well. Using the polearm stopped its recovery, but didn't deplete it.

[color=FFEEBB]Sorry about the fire rate. I can do the same burst fire as the sergeant, but the refire rate would be worse.[/color] Chii-Meiko bowed apologetically. [color=FFEEBB]I thought you'd like this better.[/color]

The average soldier's shielding proved to be much less durable than Miyuki's. The ones on her squad had small indicator bars each, matching the color of Miyuki's bar. When one of them took a shot from a lasgun flash, it would drain a significant portion of their bar. Firing a bolt from her rifle would drain about as much as taking a shot.

If Miyuki drained the bar completely, the pip beneath it would empty and then the bar would be full again.

Some of the slimes produced pulse emitters and kept their distance, pelting the team from two tiers.

"I've got to get out of here, shields are nearly down." The dropship lifted from the deck before it swooped out through the vacuum back into space, retreating toward the Aobashira - the shrine ship.

Two lobs of plasma chased after it.

[color=FFEEBB]Miyuki! I can manipulate the boots holding you down. There's no time to explain magnetism right now, just,[/color] Mini-Meiko gesticulated, searching for words before giving up, turning urgency to Miyuki instead of precision or knowledge, [color=FFEEBB]think at me! Treat me like your body, an extension of you![/color] She'd learned how to use this equipment, before. Learned how to maneuver well and turn about. She'd done so under Earth's gravity, but it was still experience. She could adjust the strength and state of the magnetism and all sorts of nuanced controls that would allow Miyuki to [i]dance[/i], though she might have to deal with a small learning curve, first. They had enough energy for a few mistakes.

Her team's bars were depleting. Three lasguns were managing their perimeter, but it wouldn't last, the pressure was building. The melee units were closing in, metal jaws and arms and blades gnashing and gleaming in random distributions. The ranged units harried them from a distance, with heavier ranged support blasting them from the depth of the hangar bay, toward mission progress.

[color=peru]"Cannon! Sweep the enemies near!"[/color]

The man with the laser cannon began sweeping the enemies closer to their formations, instead of attempting to counter the unbothered beam coming from down range.

The sergeant motioned at another squad member, who brought his railgun to bear.