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==Tales from the Golden Lion AUKatya’s Quest - Chapter 1==
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11/22/3051 - Antares, Contested World
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Katya watched as illumination rounds burst over the Rakusian Hills illuminating the tree line with an eerie green light. Soon after small flashes of explosions could be seen upon the hilltop. Her Hellfire’s search lights and those of her Star shed a bright cone over the convoy of olive GP-LT trucks. Gun trucks swiveled their machine guns across the tall grass of the Westmacott Plains and dense woods opposite them.
“Ouroboros, SITREP!”
“We are under attack. Two-Twenty-Second,” a burst of gun fire was heard in the background as the operator fired at something a sense of dread in his voice, “Some of them are already inside the wire. Requesting immediate Striker support.”
“Roger, Sentinels, make best speed to the firebase. We will follow on.”
“Aff, Star Captain.” The gun-trucks and GP-LTs dashed down the road toward the sounds of machine gun fire and explosions.
The woods shifted as the boxy form of a Hunchback 4H emerged from them firing its Defiance Killer T and B3M lasers at her. It was followed by others all bearing the insignia of COMGuards 222nd Division, a set of 2s arranged in a dizzying circle with one another, and a blue Epsilon followed by some roman numbers. Katya’s Hellfire was ready for it, but the Autocannon was packing Armor-Piercing rounds which combined with the initial volley destroyed the modular applique armor panels on either of her side torsos.
Rockets and Thunderbolt Missiles impacted the rest of her Star causing the Adders to stumble under the surprise strength of their enemy’s firepower. They held themselves up determined to not let themselves be bested by the dezgra tactics of the Militant Order.
She flicked the weapon arming switch and felt the reactor’s systems shutter as a portion of its generation capacity was redirected toward the Heavy Lasers over her right shoulder and in both arms. A self-programed macro increased the circulation of coolant through her vest, her chest felt numbed, but it wouldn’t soon enough. “You should have chosen the G version Guardsman. All you did was make me faster.”
Three heavy lasers lanced out from the Hellfire followed by a flight of six stream missiles. The Hunchback shuttered as its right arm and torso melted under the intense heat. Struck by so much firepower it was knocked backward tripping over one of the fallen trees to lie on its back. Katya felt the temperature rise within the cockpit as the myomer and power systems strained under the sudden thermal flux. Energy draw and safety parameters threatened to shut her machine down or detonate its ammunition, her left hand flipped over the multi-function screens to override the DI computer.
Sweat dripped from her as she jumped away from the woods and onto the plains putting some distance between her and the ambushing forces. A parting shot from one of her heavy lasers cut another smooth gash across the Hunchback’s armor as a flight of missiles dug deep into the enemy mech’s armature.
A demi-company of COMGUARDs mechs emerged from the forest to threaten her Star as the infantry and supply trucks raced toward the hilltop firebase. They traded fire with one another before the COMGUARDs called in smoke rounds on their position and disappeared into the woods. 
Pursuit was hampered by FASCAM hasty minefields, streams with emplaced river bottom mines that trapped a Hellbringer in the middle of a ford, and artillery barrages guided in by forward observers and low observability Nightshade helicopters with mast optics.
Her Star arrived within the firebase, built with a dominant view of Westmacott Plain leading to the ruins of Antares City. The skeletal remains of the Nashan Diversified skyscraper and city skyline could even be seen on clear days nearly 40 kilometers distant. Armored Ambulances readied themselves to evacuate the moderately wounded that were not critical enough to be air lifted out under cover from the Sentinel Gun Trucks. 
Two Mobile Long Toms and assorted other heavy vehicles squatted behind the high earthen ramparts and bottom revetments. Above them a Medusa Aerostat extended their view even further, all the way to Alba and the mountains around it where sour water would be purified into water clean enough to fill irrigation canals all the way to the sea.
Katya ground her teeth as her Hellfire crouched beside the mobile field base. The Technicians gave her space as she stomped toward the earthen dug-out where a Force Protection squad sported bandages from last night’s skirmish. They saluted as she descended into the living area to take a cold shower and wash off her sweat.
Nothing should be beyond their reach, but somehow COMSTAR resists. 
The cold water washed away the grime. She lingered stewing in her seeming impotence. If COMSTAR kept her here longer, the fainter her prospects would become, and the less likely she was to have a chance at killing the traitorous Dragoons that had ruined her life.
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