As the ship was in orbit, Knoxes and his pilot Meagona waited for a transition response from the dock commissioner. Knoxes had asked if he could make a custom landing of him and his mech in a nearby glade. With a bribe of course. The commissioner hesitated then said he would consult with others.
He then came back on screen. "Fine, but make sure there is not a single civilian in the landing radius, or that mech of yours won't even save you, merc."
Knoxes only laughed in his face. "If it comes to that, I won't be the least of your problems!" and he turned the comm line off. Meagona looked at her deranged father figure. Knoxes had saved her as a girl, and trained her in the same things he was,
but had her pilot the ship instead of a mech."So, should I dock the ship at the port? Or am I going to hide it too, you maniac?" Knoxes only snickered, and walked off to the garage.
In the garage, his mech sat waiting. Hell Mantis came alive then, it's head surveying for it's master. {Hello Boss,
What are your plans for today? Assault? Espionage? Down-right mayhem?}[/color] the A.I. croaked with seemanle sarcasm. "I don't remember giving you the ability to be a smart ass, mantis. Should I check your programming once again?" he said crookedly. The mech seemed to shiver in disgust. {No, I was simply curious as to what your plans were. Plus, I've yet to adopt that concept. Yet. So, what is the job?}
"Your remember our favorite employer do you? Well, mech tournaments have reopened on this world, and I wanted a crack at it. But then our employer asked me to investigate as well. So, me and the employer both have business here. I can win the tournament and get job money in one go!" The mech shifted, as if stunned. {Fine plan with 67% of becoming 100% complete to your liking, but how do we do this within parameters? There already many registered mechs, so we would need to beat all of the ones we were given to fight. How do you propose this pilot?}
Though wearing a mask, he grinned evilly. "Do you recall the tactics I employed on Jeravous 3?"
{Yes, but I fail to connect that to- Psychological warfare again? Does that seem wise?} Knoxes simply giggled at the thought. "Some warriors in history have won whole battles simply by making a dramatic entrance. Shall we?" The mech shuddered, processing how illogical it was he came from such a ruthless and deranged, yet tactical mind. The mech picked up Knoxes, and opened to engulf in in darkness. Then, as the linked formed, a red light turned on in the monstrosity that was the
Hell Mantis, for it's name sake wasn't given by him, but rather those he obliterated with it. Stories always emerge from the trail of destruction one reaps, Knoxes being no different. He hoped when people recognized his mech walking into the town after a drop that tales of his feats will spread, along with the superstitious tales that surrounded him. One time, in a bar, he heard someone say that his mech had no pilot, but that the mind that made it had become so integrated that it was the owners new permanent body. Another people said that he was from purgatory, exiled because of his greedy depth and his wrathful pain. He always loved people for that, for it gave him an edge to fighting.
Soon, silence reined. The cockpit more quiet than the vacuum of space. He felt heat, but knew he was in no danger. He finished his up-link checks, and opened his eyes to see himself looking through the
Hell Mantis' eyes, and using it's ears. The ship had entered the atmosphere, it's hull holding with no damage taken. The ground came closer and closer, enough to scare a normal man to literal death. They eventually landed with a crackling boom, like a Basilisk canon going off. Dust floated around him, whilst he checked for damage of any type. None were to be found. He looked up and saw that a group of people surrounded the ship with the bay doors open. He studied them, and then turned on the speaker, it deepening his voice. "I am Knoxes, pilot of the
Hell Mantis, and I am here for the tournament.
Hope to see you all there, because it will be
BRUTAL! HA HA HA HAA!!!" With that, the crowd scattered, attempting to relay the news. He walked on to the town square, and, still in his mech, went to register. The person registering didn't hardly notice him. "Name?"
"Knoxes the mercenary. Pilot of
Hell Mantis."
The man looked up, eyes bulging in surprise. "Knoxes! Didn't think a legend such as yourself would come to this tournament! Um, there is a registering fee of 30c, and I'll have someone show you to the preparing garage. Will that be satisfactory?" he asked with mixed emotions. Knoxes, using the claw arms of his mech, handed 50c to the man. "That will do just fine. Anything else?" "No." and he finished paperwork and called over a grease covered women. "Follow me, Pilot. I'll show the garage you'll have." and she led him there.
Member
