Strapping myself into the pilot's chair of my trusty mech, I grab the horizonal joysticks on each size of me and the computer systems on the DX-7 Avenger light up, as the various systems kick in.
[Nuclear Fusion Engine: Online]
[Structural Integrity: Stable]
[EM Shield Generator: 100% Charge]
[Plasma Rifle: 100% Charge]
[Ballistic Sidearm: 50/50 Ammunition]
[Mounted Railgun: 4/4 Ammunition]
All set. I test out the revolving mechanism in the spherical cockpit, and it's stable. The communications console displays the order to standby and prepare for launch.
Three other mechs join me in the launching bay, a Federation-issue GA-22 Defender, an older model but trusty and reliable, I should be able to trust the pilot, most are just ordinary people trying to protect their home. Second, a fellow mercenary, in a DX-7 Avenger like me. Good taste in mechs, at least. But not all mercs are loyal to their client, will have to watch out for this one. I like to think I'm slightly above that level of scummyness. I hope.
And thirdly, to my surprise, a UU-993 Psyshock. An enhanced human, just great. Just my luck. Humans undergone brain experimentation, giving them psionic power, but also severe mood swings and extreme emotions. I hope the pilot in it is more stable than- never mind. The Psyshock is bearing the insignia of the One Earth Society. Even without human experimentation those guys are nuts. Religious zealots with both political and financial power, going on about the those born in space don't have souls, only granted by Mother Earth to the chosen people born on the holy land of the planet.
"Greetings, my callsign is Wolf. I look forward to working with you all, I'll have your backs, please have mine." I say, given the awkward silence. Then, my speaker system recieves three connections.
"GUF 1st Battalion, callsign Alpha 733." a very formal voice says, from the Defender unit.
"Callsign Vulture, fellow merc like Wolf over here. Looking forward to seeing the infamous Wolf in action." a shady voice says, from the other Avenger unit.
"Hee hee, Subject 05. Please, help me purge these space rats who would try to taint our beloved Mother Earth." a rather... unique voice says, from the Psyshock.
"Ok, normally I'd not be given such authority, but the GUF has placed me in charge of this squad. The mission is a dangerous one." I say. "The Stellar Alliance is bringing in a a Leviathan-class starship, capable of orbital bombardment using it's main guns. Our job is to sink it before it can approach Earth. While the GUF 's main forces attack from the front, we ambush the ship. The ship itself will be heavily guarded, with a number of mechs. Ano top of that, the infamous callsign Crimson Star may be with the ship, so if we have to fight him, we have to work together, or we'll be picked off one by one by him. If we can slow him down, my railgun may be able to accelerate the ammo fast enough to catch him off guard, and failing that, Subject 05 can use psionics to deal with him, possibly with it's psy barriers or the mind-link rockets. Is everyone ready?"
After a brief period of silence, they respond.
"Roger that, leader. Alpha 733, on standby for launch."
"Vulture, ready to make some money."
"Subject 05, heh.... ready to hunt."
"Ok, signalling the bridge to open the landing bay. Cover each other's backs, let's all make it back safely."
The landing bay door opens, and I engage the thrusters on my Avenger, and the others follow behind me. The Stellar Alliance forces are using an asteroid belt to mask their forces, we will have to maneuver through it carefully, and avoid any of their AN-93 Enforcer mechs that may try to ambush us.