April 20, 2031

Cairo, Nod Command Center

Two full armored regiments and assorted mechanized infantry units occupied the remnants of the Nod base. Despite this, the area was still full of Nod insurgents and infiltrators. As such, Field Commander Michael McNeil rarely had time to look out at the landscape, though finding a good view in this godforsaken wasteland wasn't easy. Thus he was almost glad when Chandra interrupted him. Almost.

"Mac, we're receiving an encrypted transmission from Berlin. It's Major General Langley."

"I'll take it in my quarters," McNeil said.

Like all the other rooms, Mac's quarters aboard the Kodiak was extremely cramped. The only luxury he had was not having to share it, but with spaces this small, that was little consolation. After authenticating, Langley appeared on his monitor.

"Will, what's the occasion?" McNeil greeted as he popped open a can.

"Drinking on the job?" Langley joked. "I really hadn't pegged you as the type, Mac."

"This is soda, Will. I've never heard of anyone getting drunk off of caffeine."

"I'm sure you could manage."

McNeil decided to ignore that jab. "So, what required you dragging me into this coffin just to speak with you?"

"Funny as always. I was looking over your after action report. You actually got it in on a timely manner this time."

"Bite me," McNeil said, deciding insubordination was justified this instance.

"You'd probably taste rotten," Langley replied without blinking. "Anyways, you mention finding three old Mammoth Mark Is and getting them running. They spearheaded your initial assaults?"

McNeil nodded. "That's right. The Mark II didn't get here until we'd already taken out the first ICBM. Those things really fucked up Nod's defenses, even if they're thirty years old."

"And it seems three of them working together were enough to destroy an Obelisk of Light. Three Titans couldn't pull that off."

"True, though the Mark II chewed through the other base fairly easily by itself. Those railguns really turned the tide."

"Yes, I've read the reports on them. Still, I imagine your job would have been a lot easier with more than one Mark II."

McNeil snorted. "You kidding? I would've taken as many as I could get! Nearly lost this one to a Cyborg Commando though. Those fuckers are nasty with their plasma weapons."

Onscreen, Langley paused. "That would've been quite the black mark on your record."

"Hey, I didn't lose it. Isn't that good enough?"

A chuckle sounded from the speakers. "Point. So? How'd you avoid losing a very expensive walker?"

"One of the Wolverines rammed into it and literally forced it in front of the Mark II. The Mark II was then able to target the Commando. I do believe that part was in my report."

"Hmm, yes. Sergeant Garcia Ramirez, recommended for the Silver Star. I believe the recommendation was approved."

McNeil nodded gravely, grinding his teeth. As if a piece of medal and some ribbons would compensate Ramirez's family for the loss of their son. Still, it at least let them know he had given his life for something.

"Mobility does seem to be an issue with the Mark II," Langley commented. "That thing's too big to be a truly effective weapons platform."

Tilting his head, McNeil regarded the screen. "If I remember correctly, you were one of the few people who said the technology behind the Mark II wasn't ready for that kind of deployment."

"Your memory's surprisingly good today. Anyways, the weapons system is good in principle, but the way it's used has some major weaknesses. The prototype at the England testing facility was taken down by those Banshee fighters. Yours nearly got taken out by a single Cyborg Commando because it approached from behind."

"Can't argue with that."

"We have to rethink how we're using the walker technology. I'd say the most successful deployment would be the Wolverines."

"What? What makes you say that?"

"Wolverines play havoc with Nod light vehicles and infantry. Sure our Titans gain a range advantage by being mounted, but I've found Wolverines to be more flexible. Do remember I helped force through the design when I was a colonel."

"You sure you ever served as a field officer and not just some R&D guy?"

"Hah. I wanted the Wolverine because Nod infantry was chewing my Titans to pieces. Despite their firepower, they're not designed to take on infantry and the lack of a machinegun is one of the dumber design decisions I've seen."

"I'll give you that. But the Titans overall are still effective tanks."

Langley grunted. "Maybe. I'll be testing out some concepts in Project Lazarus to see if we can do better. I'm tagging parts of your report as reference material, so I'm giving you a heads up. There will likely be people who'll demand to know why you're 'endorsing' my 'obsolete' proposals."

"Oh. Just great. Well, best of luck with Lazarus. Hopefully it won't get derailed by your critics."

A wolfish smile appeared. "General Cortez likes the idea. Hopefully that'll be enough for me to start seeing some results in the project."

"Commander McNeil to the bridge," Chandra's voice said over the intercom.

"Uh oh, sounds like trouble. I'll talk to you later, Will."

The link terminated and McNeil sighed, preparing to deal with whatever new crisis had just come his way.