Chapter 30: A New Front
The jungle was eerily quiet, the only sound the faint hum of the titan mecha's dormant systems. The team stood on high alert, their mechas stationed defensively around the towering machine. Though they had secured the ancient titan, they all knew the reprieve would be short-lived.
Ace scanned the horizon from within his cockpit, tension coiling in his chest. "It's too quiet," he muttered. "They're regrouping. I can feel it."
Captain's voice cut through the comms, sharp and decisive. "Stay focused. Vega, any movement on your scanners?"
"Negative," Vega replied. Her tone was steady, but there was an edge of weariness. "But that doesn't mean they're not out there."
Before anyone could respond, a low, resonant rumble echoed through the jungle. The ground beneath them trembled slightly, a warning of what was to come.
Techie's voice came through the comms, frantic. "Movement detected—east and south quadrants. It's a massive surge, and... damn it, they've got heavy units this time!"
Captain immediately barked orders. "Everyone to battle positions! Protect the titan at all costs!"
The team scrambled into formation as the treeline burst apart. The swarm returned with renewed ferocity, their ranks bolstered by massive quadrupedal beasts with spiked carapaces and glowing, pulsating cores embedded in their chests.
Scarface's voice came through, grim but eager. "Well, looks like they brought the big guns. Let's see if they can bleed."
The Battle Ignites
The battlefield erupted into chaos as the swarm clashed with the team. The smaller, insectoid creatures surged forward in droves, while the heavy units lumbered behind, each step shaking the earth.
"Target the cores on the big ones!" Captain commanded, her mecha firing a barrage of missiles into the oncoming horde. "Take them out before they reach the titan!"
Ace dodged a swooping flyer, his energy blade slicing through its wing. "Easier said than done, Captain!" he shouted, his voice strained.
Shadow perched on a higher vantage point, her sniper rifle picking off the glowing cores of the heavy units. Each shot caused a chain reaction, explosions tearing through the swarm.
"Shadow, focus on the left flank," Captain ordered. "Ace, cover her and keep those flyers off her back!"
"On it," Ace replied, pivoting his mecha to intercept a group of airborne enemies.
Scarface and Wolfe held the line on the eastern front, their combined firepower creating a deadly barrier. Scarface's massive blade carved through enemies like a scythe, while Wolfe's dual weapons sent bolts of energy tearing through the swarm.
"They just keep coming!" Wolfe shouted, his tone a mix of frustration and determination.
"Then we keep cutting them down!" Scarface roared back, his mecha surging forward to meet another wave.
A New Enemy Emerges
Just as the team began to push back the swarm, a deafening roar silenced the battlefield. From the south, the trees splintered and fell as a colossal creature emerged—a hulking monstrosity twice the size of the heavy units, its body covered in jagged armor and its eyes glowing with a malevolent red light.
Techie's voice cracked with urgency. "That's not just a heavy unit—it's a command-class bioform! Its core is buried deep in its chest, and its armor is practically impenetrable!"
Captain's jaw tightened. "We need to bring it down, or it'll tear the titan apart. Techie, can the titan's systems handle something that size?"
"Not yet!" Techie replied, frantically working to stabilize the titan's controls. "I need more time to bring the big guns online!"
Captain didn't hesitate. "Scarface, Wolfe—engage that thing. Keep it distracted! Shadow, find a weak point and take it out!"
Scarface let out a low whistle. "Big guy's got a lot of bark. Let's see if he's got any bite."
The command-class bioform charged forward, its massive limbs smashing through the smaller swarm units in its path. It swung a spiked tail with devastating force, narrowly missing Wolfe's mecha as he dodged to the side.
"Yeah, it's got bite," Wolfe muttered, firing a volley of shots at the creature's head. The energy blasts barely left scorch marks on its armor.
Turning the Tide
As the command-class bioform wreaked havoc, Ace and Shadow worked together to thin out the remaining swarm. Ace darted between enemies with precision, his energy blade slicing through cores and limbs, while Shadow's sniper rifle delivered devastating long-range shots.
"Captain, we're clearing the swarm, but that thing's a problem," Ace said, glancing toward the massive creature.
"I'm aware," Captain replied, her tone icy with focus. "We just need to hold out a little longer."
Inside the titan, Techie's hands flew over the controls. The ancient machine groaned as its systems strained to come online. Finally, a deep, resonant hum echoed through the battlefield.
"The titan's main cannon is operational!" Techie announced.
"About time," Captain said. "Target that command-class and fire!"
The titan's shoulder-mounted cannon swiveled into position, its glowing barrel charging with immense energy. The command-class bioform turned toward the titan, as if sensing the danger.
"Everyone, clear the area!" Captain ordered.
The team retreated as the titan unleashed its attack. A beam of searing light shot forth, striking the bioform square in the chest. The impact was catastrophic, ripping through its armor and detonating its core. The creature let out a final, deafening roar before collapsing in a smoldering heap.
Aftermath
The battlefield fell silent, the remaining swarm retreating into the jungle. The team regrouped near the titan, their mechas battered but still standing.
"Is it over?" Wolfe asked, his voice hoarse.
"For now," Captain replied. She turned to Techie. "What's the status of the titan?"
Techie exhaled, slumping in his seat. "It's holding together, but barely. We've got power for another few shots, but it's going to need major repairs."
Ace leaned against his mecha, exhaustion evident in his voice. "That thing was a nightmare. If they have more like it, we're in trouble."
Captain's gaze hardened as she looked out over the battlefield. "Then we make sure we're ready. This titan is our strongest asset now. We'll defend it, rebuild it, and use it to turn the tide in our favor."
As the team prepared for the next challenge, the jungle remained ominously quiet. Somewhere in the distance, their unseen enemies were undoubtedly planning their next move. But for now, they had survived—and survival was victory enough.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone