11,939, The end of the 13th Machine War

The enemy attack, when it crashed against the defense lines of the Resistance androids, would be seen coming a long way away. This was a particularly important stretch of the Alps, filled with yet untouched resources such as uranium, zinc, silver, copper, oil, crystals and other varieties of vital elements to machine society; a rare, untapped gem that could mean the difference between making up for their losses... or supplying the seemingly endless Machines with even more.

Though the Androids of the Resistance typically avoided open conflict with the Machines (They simply weren't built to take on Goliaths head-on, after all, not without unworthy casualties), this particular mountain was of enough importance that the Council of Humanity deemed it necessary to hold. At all costs.

Thank goodness, one particular android thought, that our Creators care enough about us to send us the tools for the job. Or at least, they aren't fools.

Indeed, with the amount of time they had bought (paid with the sacrifice of several anti-Goliath teams and some of their last Battle Tanks), the 87th Mountain Division of the Resistance had been able to dig well into the mountain. Bunkers, underground tunnels, and well-hidden weaponry emplacements would ensure that they survive the upcoming battle.

Or at least, bloody the Machines before they tear them apart with overwhelming numbers.

Anti-flyer turrets, ion rifles, mortars, and EMP launchers. Even the fancy Orbital LaserSats, and a couple of EMP Shields too. If that's not enough, then nothing will be.

Jackass hoped it would be enough. She'd already made it through the 2nd Massacre of Lichtenstein, and she'd be damned if she died here.

The mountain itself was tall, imposing, and wreathed with snow at the tip. Prophet, the self-proclaimed historian of Humanity, had been fangirling about the location. Something about it being the ancient base of a powerful military leader, before his downfall, during the Second World War.

Well, if it was good enough for the human, it would have to be good enough for the Resistance.

Besides, you can't be picky about where you hold your last stands.

A young, feminine voice interrupted Jackass's musings. "Hey, boss, check this thing out!"

The Resistance android looked over. It was CC, an emerald streaked silver head, holding a very ancient rifle in her hand.

"Lilt and I found it during our scans of the base, buried in an oil clothe. It's over nine thousand years old, but it's practically brand new! Isn't it great?"

Jackass gave her a thoughtful look over. With an olive-green cloak over a brown uniform, CC did fit right in with the ancient Human weapon... but what kind of leader would she be, if she let the kid's enthusiasm grow too much.

"Yeah. That's neat and all, but what the hell is that little plinker going to do against the Machines, scratch their rust off for them?"

Rather than getting upset, the android took the barb for what it is and laughed. "Hah, maybe that'll get them to realize they're due for a fashion change. Think we could get one of them to wear a dress or something?"

Jackass shook her head. "Alright kid, what's the report from our radar junkies?"

The younger Resistance android sighed, her enthusiasm all but deflating. "They're just a few hours out, and there's more of them than we thought."

"Damn. I thought we would have more time. Do we know their composition?"

"It's as you feared, boss. They didn't get that much of a read, but we know there's at least a hundred Goliath Bipeds, each with their own amount of smaller machines. Maybe a couple of dozen Quadrupeds and Captain Altriar mentioned something about those Goliath Flyers that survived the battle against the 7th Fighter Group."

All of the Machines could be deadly, even the smallest of Stubbies, because of their fearless tenacity, and overwhelming numbers. But Quadrupeds had the speed to charge through the lines of androids if they weren't careful. The Goliath Bipeds, with their large size, meant they were simple targets, if not for the fact that there were always dozens of smaller units with them, and they were armored. The Goliath Flyers, though, were what made the cooling systems in Jackass freeze.

During the previous battle, the Flyers had been responsible for the fall of Lichtenstein, because while Androids were flexible and determined against the starkest opposition, there was only so much that willpower could do against aerial laser platforms several kilometers into the sky. It had been the final effort- and sacrifice- of the 7th Fighter group that had destroyed almost all of the Machine's Flyers, but they had done so at the cost of 100% of their forces.

Now, there was no more air cover, and this would be their last stand.

Granted, it had only been a matter of time. The reserves set aside for this 13th War have all been used up anyways, and we've already lost this time. It's up to the Council of Humanity to save us now.

With that final grim thought, Jackass set to work. "The rifle's neat and all, but you'd better get your ass back to the Command Center! No slacking!"

Humanity, I'm not cut out for this.