Ferrite and bioptics had kept the base going until this point but the upkeep was starting to outpace the grow rates of crystal mines and deplete the dwindling resources to a critical level. The underlying concern is that our outdated mechs would meet the challenge in the event of a assault, and we would become victim to a ravaging squadron. Sgt Morgan predicted the base would implode on itself within 2 weeks at this rate and ordered the extended patrols in hopes of finding a cache of resources.
The squad followed the spear head formation, the two iMechs taking point, and the flanks being guarded by the Orcus and Keradon, which bounded from one rock outcropping to the next. The Axeman, the Hoplite and the two Shocklites filled out the ranks in the center of the triangle – ready to rush to whichever apex of the triangle which encountered any resistance. The Shocklites bristled with missiles but lacked the short range, quick release lasers and projectiles to protect themselves from a face to face encounter – at least that was theory which hadn’t been battle-tested …. Yet. The neglected Mechs sat dormant at the base, only nine squad members were trained sufficiently to pilot the Mechs on a sortie where there was a realistic chance of encountering combatants. The other pilots were adequate on a low risk salvage or clean up mission but had a very low survival rate if they faced a proficient squad of attackers and this was a risk the small colony of seventeen could ill afford .
Both mechanics spent the entire night stripping the potent weapons and accessories off the orphaned Mechs to optimize the firepower of the nine unit squad. Hopefully, the junior pilots would develop their skills to the point of being a competent pilot and weapons handler – until then they were more of a liability to both themselves and the valuable Mechs. Until then it made more sense to have the high end weaponry on the front liners. The trainees remained at the base, doing construction jobs and maneuvering the agility track in an effort to build their skills and proficiency. Sgt Morgan monitored the new recruits, maximizing the training as well as keeping an eye on any standouts to put into the field.
One of the mechanics, London, was also a pilot and was nursing a thermos of caffeine to try and maintain his alertness, while keeping his Hoplite in the rear guard until he woke up. Sure, he could use a Stim Pack but these were being conserved in the event of a hostile engagement, and he preferred the old-school hot and bitter caffeine alternative. He sipped from a 25 year old super hero coffee mug most pilots would consider a "relic" in today's age of modern vessels and beverage distribution equipment.
The hydraulics did their best to lessen the force as a dozen tons slammed into the ground with each footstep. Gyros worked incessantly to dampen the trauma on the cockpit and subsequently the pilots themselves. Scanners searched tirelessly for some sign of an enemy or treasure trove . Dave, one of the iMech pilots, toggled between IR, radar, heat and sonar in hopes of picking up some fragment that signaled a hidden threat in the wasteland.
Submitted by Dave Gale#54168