It took her a few moments to realize that the mist that issued from the exhaust vents wasn't the usual steam but carried something a little heavier that made it swirl and hang only a short distance above the ground until it came into contact with its adversaries. A pale-white and noxious smoke rose when it connected with the metal of the Knights' mechs.
Jessica13 wasn't sure, but it seemed like the vapor was incredibly caustic or acidic and it had begun to eat into the armor. It would take a long time to destroy it sufficiently to reach the pilot, but it was certainly cause for concern, at least in her eyes.
"Windchime, stay away from the steam the Golem is emitting," she said. "It's acidic and it could eat into something important in your mech."
"I…are you sure?" He sounded a little stressed.
"Your mechs erupt in white smoke whenever you step into it," she told him firmly. "It's safe to say there's some kind of chemical reaction."
"That complicates things," he complained.
He was unfortunately correct. They needed to get in close to the Golem to inflict any real damage and he accomplished most of it with his vibroswords. They sliced deeply, but the laser-point defense grid that was mounted on its shoulders protected the vital functions from any shots, which meant shooting it from a distance wouldn't work. His close-quarters assault was the only option, and with its large, thick arms swung around like clubs, it had appeared this was the only defense it had and which Windchime’s speed and dexterity could easily avoid.
The acidic mist, however, created a dangerous complication that had bigger repercussions than simply the potential damage to their armor.
"Shit!" Windchime shouted over the comms. "Keep attacking but run systems checks every time. If there's any kind of breach in your armor, don't go in again. Leave us and help Hammerhand engage the escort."
The team highlighted their understanding of the situation and continued their efforts. Jessica13 turned her attention to the Lancers that had now resumed their approach. The one with a dead pilot began to walk around in a circle when the AI started to malfunction, and the other two seemed to realize that she was the shooter.
She selected her second target and pulled the trigger before they could attack. The mech immediately displayed the same kind of devolving function and she trained her weapon on the third one.
"Jessie, get down!" Windchime called.
Jessica13 looked up gaped at a new weapon that had appeared on the Golem's shoulder.
"Radar targeting systems detect that we have been acquired," Mini said and displayed the system in question.
"Shit." She turned to the building above her and aimed her grappler at the top of the building.
"Oh, I will regret this," Jessica13 mumbled and wracked her brain for any other possible solution.
"What is the alternative?" Mini asked as two missiles flared from the massive mech’s launcher.
She made no reply and simply fired the grappler at the still-burning building. The dart struck top the corner and embedded itself as she hastily engaged the retractor and hauled them up abruptly enough to make her head snap back. They climbed quickly while the missiles spun toward her and attempted to arc and adjust for her sudden change of location.
They weren't quick enough but their impacts with the building she was climbing were immense. The explosion caught her in the back, shoved her upward, and thrust the breath out of her lungs.
More importantly, her grasp on the building shuddered and suddenly pulled free as the entire side of the structure began to fall.
"Oh shit!" Jessica13 shouted and her stomach lurched into her throat as her upward motion ceased and she hung in a moment of vertigo before gravity pulled her down again.
Unfortunately, the structure toppled with her.
"Brace your neck!" Mini warned and she did as she was told, clasped her hands around her neck, and hunched herself in the cockpit when he took control of the mech again.
She grunted as they landed harder than she had anticipated with a jarring thunk, but Mini had already fired the grappler as another two missiles streaked toward her. She curled as best she could to protect herself as the grappler dragged her across the ground, away from both the projectiles and the falling building.
It wasn't a clean escape as chunks of construction material showered over them as they moved. Unfortunately, the missiles also struck home and hurled them forward. This caused a loss of traction on the retractor, which displayed a couple of malfunctions.
She was hurled around inside the cockpit and felt every shake and shudder. Something was wrong with the inertia dampeners and some of the jarring and pounding affected her more than they should have.
"Crap," she exclaimed when they finally came to a halt. "Why did it target us?"
"Core programming," Mini explained. "It's meant to contain us and you threatened to break that containment."
"Very helpful." She hissed in pain and rubbed her sore shoulder. "Run a systems check and make sure nothing's broken."
"Affirmative," he said. "Although it should be noted that the targeting system on the Golem is still locked onto us. You should eject."
"I wouldn't survive out in the smoke without help and you know it," Jessica13 said. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Our funeral," Mini said.
"Was that a joke?" she asked as she struggled to get the mech upright. "Are you making jokes now?"
"I have attempted to upgrade my human-friendly functions," he said. "I am glad you appreciate it."
The missiles flared again as the Knights continued to attack. There were many ways to kill something like that but the most basic was, of course, to tear it apart, piece by piece. It wouldn’t come close enough to achieve that, however.
She gaped as the missiles fired upward instead of at her to twirl and twist before they detonated hundreds of meters in the air.
The reason why was suddenly made
