Two Timberwolves and one Gargoyle responded as one. Without hesitation the three Clan Omnimechs pivoted 135 degrees to their left, and began advancing toward the northernmost IS mechs. Meanwhile Delgato, tasked with fire support in his Mad Dog, began checking his range-to-targets.
Judy resisted the urge to thump her foot. She was just over half a klick from the rest of her star, and with the rough terrain it would take her nearly a minute to rejoin them. Before she could so much as begin turning, her battlecomp spoke again. WARNING: INCOMING MISSILES. Another barrage of LRMs crested the hill to the south. Having just slowed enough to change her course, she was unable to accelerate enough to avoid the full salvo. With a hellish cacophony eight missiles detonated against the right side of her mech. He damage schematic flashed yellow, indicating moderate damage to her right leg, and arm. Realising that she would be unable to avoid further damage if she continued north, she made a snap decision.
"I am unable to rejoin at this time. I will pursue their fire support mech to the south. Fangmeyer, you have tactical command. Over."
"Roger that Hopps. Good hunting."
Using a stand of trees as cover, Judy began to approach the hill. The nearest face was too steep for her to climb without jump jets, so she was forced to circle to the west. Her alarm sounded again, but this time she was ready. Decreasing speed slightly she stutter stepped her mech, throwing off the missiles lock. Two still impacted her center torso, but the armor was thickest there, so she paid the damage no mind. No further fire pursued her as she made her way south. As she rounded the corner she accelerated to full throttle again, making her tiny mech as difficult a target as possible… Only to find the area clear.
"Savashri!" She swore. Of course the inner sphere Surat would withdraw rather than meet her in open combat. She took a moment to examine the nearby ground. Evidence of her targets presence was obvious; Torn earth told her that the enemy mech had retreated further east, and scorched trees indicated the use of jump jets. Without hesitation she continued her pursuit, this time rounding the next hill to the north. It would not do to become predictable.
"WARNING: INCOMING MISSILES."
Judy's eye began to twitch. Swerving in an attempt to evade the fourth cluster of missiles she still took several hits. He battle computer informed her that the armor on her right leg was dangerously thin. She could not afford another hit on that location. Any reduction in mobility would assure her destruction. Her ears tight against her back, she continued forward. Her opponent could only evade her for so long. Soon it would be her turn.