113 Battle for the Gate (1/2)
Ed and Carlos nodded, indicating they were prepared to start as soon as Tai gave the order.
Tai yelled towards the mechs. ”Initiate Kamikaze!”
”SIR!” Many voices echoed from the speakers of the various mechs. One left the safety of the tank formation, rapidly pushing forward amidst approaching gunfire and cannon fire. It's agile frame easily allowed it to dodge the worst of the blows, and it soon reached the nearest manullium bunker. The mech slowly started to glow with a mixture of different colors.
BOOM! The mech exploded, sending waves of elemental powers and shrapnel in all directions, demolishing the manullium bunker and those within it. The tank formation continued moving forward slowly. Another mech left the formation and charged forward, suicide bombing yet another manullium bunker.
One after another, the mech pilots sacrificed themselves for the cause. Who knew what Tai had done to earn such fierce loyalty from these men. It wasn't long before all twenty mechs were completely destroyed. Unfortunately, they still had almost a quarter of the way to go to reach the gate.
With no Gatling guns, mana-shells, or mechs to protect them, the steam tanks were now free targets for the enemies. One wave of mana-ammunition came after another, fired from enemy guns and cannons. The tanks near the front were rapidly destroyed. Even if the espers inside survived, the treads were completely ruined, immobilizing them. As the steam tanks moved forward to protect the front-line, the defense on the flanks became weaker and weaker, exposing the infantrymen to increasing degrees of danger.
Suddenly, Tai rose his hand in the air, ordering the formation to stop. ”We've only got forty steam tanks left!” He yelled. ”If any more tanks are immobilized, push them forward yourselves with your lives on the line! We can't afford to lose any more cover!”
”Hey, Carlos. Can't you blow the purple smoke away so that the men can use their powers?” Ed questioned.
Carlos sighed while shaking his head and pointed towards the gate. ”As soon as I do, she'll attack me. We're better off not escalating until we take out the bunkers. If things dissolve into chaos now, we'll only lose more lives.”
'Damn. Is that also the reason why Tai hasn't utilized the mech tank yet?' Ed frowned as he bit his finger. He could feel the waves of power from the explosions as they lost more cover. They were now leaving a trail of dead bodies in their wake as the espers sacrificed their lives to push some of the immobilized tanks forward. Even with their efforts, occasional shells made it past and exploded in the middle of their numbers. One had even blown up right next to him, the shrapnel tearing into his shoulder despite his chimera scales protecting him.
”KEEP PUSHING!” One of the espers encouraged the others as they shoved the steam tanks forward.
”HOO-RAH! HOO-RAH! HOO-RAH!” They collectively chanted as they continued onward, leaving their fallen comrades behind as they went.
”We're not going to make it at this rate.” Tai sighed. ”Rubi, order your little sister to pilot the mech tank forward to allow Ed and Carlos to keep advancing. Left flank, head towards the left wall to assist Thur and Pan! Right flank, head towards the right wall to help Neo and Nao!”
”SIR!” A chorus of voices echoed. The formation quickly fell apart as the espers hid behind the few remaining tanks and headed towards the left and right walls.
”Ed. Carlos. Good luck.” Tai nodded towards them before moving towards the front on his own. Enemy fire couldn't even scratch him as he moved at incredible speeds. He was like a dragon slithering back and forth between the enemies, completely untouchable by their mortal weapons.
”Wow!” Ed's eyes widened in surprise as he watched Tai fight.
”He may not be the strongest of the gang leaders.” Rubi commented. ”But he is by far the fastest.” She looked up towards the mech tank. ”Little sister, go! Just remember, your life is more valuable than theirs, so pull out if you have to!”
Ed frowned. 'Maybe I should have found somebody else to pilot it after all...' Shaking his head, he followed behind the mech tank, Carlos by his side.
Incredibly large streams of fire were released from the mech tank's flamethrower arms. Enemy fire couldn't even get near them, as the flames exploded their mana-ammunition before it even got close. When they reached the nearest bunkers, the flames entered through the small openings, roasting those inside to ash.
'Ah, this thing is better than I thought.' Ed smiled as he admired his own creation. 'Maybe I should make a few more after I get out. I really need to capture a manullium mine permanently one of these days.'
”Not good.” Carlos suddenly said as he pointed forward. The Warden seemed to dislike the mech tank, and so she was finally making her move.
”We'll take her together.” Ed replied has he slammed his fist into his hand.
”No.” Carlos shook his head. ”That's what she wants. She's more than capable of delaying us for a day. By then, our casualties will reach extreme highs. Even if we win the battle, the other espers won't be able to withstand the fallout of the fight without the use of their powers.” Purple wind began to swirl around his entire body. It even pushed back the purple smoke, allowing him to use his normal powers as well. A green tornado appeared around his legs. ”I'll delay her. Burn through the gate as quickly as you can manage.” A trail of shredded rocks was left in his wake as he charged forward.
”Tsk.” Ed clicked his tongue as he continued following behind the mech tank. 'I'm getting all the boring jobs today.'