"What are they? Are they machines? like androids of sort?"
"Shh."
The mechanics looks at the man in lab coat, exiting the Hornbill with a troop of pilots. On their data pad, they are register under the Experimental Science Unit, however, the crest on the chest plate of the pilots shows a sparrow insignia.
The pilots are about the same height from the others, the mechanics have a hard time telling if they were male or female from their pilot gears.
The lack of movement, rather normal human interactions puzzles the mechanics more. A normal human being would at least show movement of their heads, looking around the facility or the people working there.
Before any escorts arrives, the pilots showed no movement, standing still like a machine and not once shows any signs of fidgeting.
"Professor Ye wen." Colonel Raquel Marin and her escorts exits the lift and approaches their guests.
"I was told that you were too busy to make a personal appearance."
"I was told the Anvil base went up in smoke, lost with all hands ." Ye Wen replies back as they are escort into the Command deck.
"You changed since the last time we spoke."
"Enough with the small talk, let us get to the point." Ye Wen looks at his pilots and back at Raquel Marin. "The ESU pledge to help the Vanguard does in this pointless war, it does not mean I'm allowing you to act the same as others, using these children as a disposable tool."
"I understand. I promise-"
Ye Wen raises his hand, stopping Raquel Marin.
"I have heard enough of promises in this lifetime. So, let me be clear on where we stand. Sparrow company is here to provide long range support and weapon testing. If the battle turns against the favor of Vanguard, our support will be immediately withdrawn from the battlefield."
Raquel Marin nods her head.
"I'm sorry." Ye Wen turns around, back facing Raquel Marin. "If we had met under a different situation, one without a pointless conflict, we all could-"
Ye wen stops himself from continuing, takes a deep breath to compose himself, not allowing his emotions to overtake him.
"Please, I ask of you take care of them and make sure no harm falls onto them. Not as an order but a request as a friend. They are more than soldiers; they are my family."
"I will. Old Friend."
As the door of the hornbill begins to raise, the children salute toward Ye Wen, sending him off.
[Episode 1: Sparrows]
"Remind me again, why are we here?" one of the Strider pilots questioned his team leader as they exited the Hornbill. "Our weapons are nowhere near effective range at this distance from the battlefield."
"Special order from the Colonel." Team leader replied back while surveying their area for any potential ambushes. "We are to provide support for the ESU pilots."
"Baby sitting? You can't be serious. We should be out there kicking ass and earn some medals or bragging rights."
"We have our orders, move out and secure the landing zone for the ESU."
A cliffside overlooking the flat plain was the perfect view and firing zone for any Artillery crew. Three Hornbills could be seen flying towards them in a V shape formation. The two leading Hornbills opened up the doors and white Holons can be seen dropping down, much like excitied recruits exiting the hornbills before fully landing back in the training days.
These white Holons had blue marking on the chest plate, the arms and the backs. The helmet of these white Holons were design base on Hoplite helmet. The plume of the helmet was replaced with a blue metal curve.
They were equipped MAUS experimental Anti-material rifle on one hand and a shield on the other. They arranged themselves into a firing squad as the lagging hornbill lands.
The Strider pilots were about to make fun of the Hornbill in the way it settled down like a rookie flight pilot as it scratched the base of the hornbills, till they saw what was being unloaded.
A massive cat like mech being unloaded. The width of the mech was three Strider long. When it fully extends, it was the almost the height of a standard Holon's chest.
"That's a big cat."
The mech movements were loud, probably from the amount missiles pods strapped onto the sides of the legs. At the back of the beast was a large single cannon.
"A joint operation?"
The Hornbill carrying Chase and his team were halfway towards the battlefield after their previous mission in the city nearby.
"Fire Support will provide what they can from their position." Raquel Marin replied as she showed the location of Sparrows.
"I'm sure we can handle the Union mechs by-" Cammie looks as red pings began showing up on the map. "On second thought, Fire Support seems like a good idea."
"Striders? Did they have weapon upgrades?" Yaz studied the layout of the battlefield.
"Sparrows will be providing Fire Support."
"Sparrows? What kind of name is that? Naming after the smallest and most harmless bird?" Cammie laughed at the idea of small birds fighting union soldiers.
"Sparrows are noble creatures." Kazu countered back. "You shouldn't be laughing, the design your Holon look like a rabbit, which is a prey to most animals."
"Fire support commencing. All units please deploy Anchors. 0-2-5, Authorisation for the usage of the Experimental Howler missiles granted." The voice of the female operator for Sparrows pilot's helmet.
The cat like mech anchored itself to the ground by slamming down the supports that were located at the back of each legs. The hatch of the missile pods sprung open, revealing rows of missiles hidden in it.
The White Holons readied their rifles as an extra support attachment latched onto the rifle on the holding arm.
0-2-5 typed onto the keyboard as fast as possible, making sure all calculations were correct and minimizing friendly fire onto Chase team, who were in the getting surrounded by the minutes.
"Green light, Green light"
Rows of Howler missiles flew out from their missile pods, howling in the air like a pack of wolves signalling for the hunt to being as they flew towards the Union forces.
These caught the attention of Union troops as Spider-Tanks began to divert their attentions towards the incoming missiles instead of Chase and his team.
The Spider-Tanks were trained to shoot down Vanguard's missiles after being used against them for a long while. Cannons mounted on the Spider-Tanks began gunning down the missiles with ease.
"First wave ineffective." The female operator reports. "Prepare second wave."
Second wave of Howler missiles exited the pods, with the similar result of getting shot down before reaching the ranks of Union forces.
"Two second. Left side. Cockpit." 0-2-5 replied back.
"Roger. Left side Cockpit." The White Holon's pilots replied.
The rifles of the White Holons swift slightly to the left.
"Emptying all pods. Proceeding with Burning Big Bang."
A massive dust clouds kicks up as the massive cat like mech emptied all remaining missiles within seconds. The cannon on the beast's back remained silent.
"Cammie, get out of the area!" Chase shouted as the missiles flew past him and towards the Cammie's position.
"What's going on?!" Cammie saw her radar began flooding with warning signs. "Why are they firing at us!"
Her Holon could be seen waving her arms in panic as the waves of missiles approached her general area.
It was too late for Cammie to escape the bombardment area as the remaining eighty percent of the missiles slammed towards the ground.
There was a moment of silence between both sides as side prepare to hear a loud explosion following the motion of missiles slamming towards the ground.
"Duds?" Cammie looked at the missiles, zooming in onto the picture labelled on the missiles that were planted onto the ground around them.
The label shows a comical picture of a teary eyes Holon being tossed up into the air.
"Huh?"
Di- Di -Di -Diiiiiiiii
The missiles blasted both Cammie Holon and Union forces into the air with ease.
She could hear sound of metal and glass shattering around her.
Rounds from the MAUS Experimental anti material rifles pierced the thick Armor plating of the Spider-Tanks cockpits and exited the other end.
The White Holons and Valentina picked off the helpless Spider-Tanks that were blasted into the air, while Kazu watched from his position, unable to hit any of them with his fist or weapons.
Chase's Holon raced towards Cammie's Holon and grabbed onto her before she fell down with the rest of the Union forces.
The Union immediately withdrew with their remaining forces. The Vanguard soldiers capture the remaining troops, who were knock out by the blast of the Howler missiles.
"Test concluded and a report have been sent. Success deployment of the Experimental weapons." The female operator reports back to Professor Ye Wen from her station. "Howler missiles are effective against the newer Holons."
"Good Work. Clearance for other experimental weapons have been approved for usage on the battlefield." Ye Wen paused as he rubbed his chin as view the reports on his end. "Have 0-2-5 mingle with the Holon Team in Anvil."
"Sir?"
"We have to keep an eye on them. Even if they are our allies in arm."
"Yes Sir. I will send the order immediately."