493 Battle for Sandcrab (1/2)

Morti held the ten-foot iron cannon in his jaws like it was a twig. He nodded his head in agreement.

/Skelly: Sasi: Sending updated enemy positions to our tactical map. There are setting up north of the choke-point.

/Skelly: Pon: We starting something?

/Skelly: Nix: Let's get this stuff back and then decide.

/Skelly: Sasi: There are several crates hidden in the brush a hundred meters from your position.

Pon had been searching the immediate area for projectiles and powder charges. When he heard the report, he took off at a trot.

Nix patted Morti's shoulder. ”Your first fight as a bone bear. What did you think?”

Morti sat the cannon on the ground with a heavy thump. ”Was pretty much like Tautius said.”

Nix froze at the mention of the Titan First. ”Tautius? Did he mention this place?”

Morti's big skull nodded. ”Not by name, but he referred to this place as the Hardening.”

”Hardening? Is that like seasoning or training?” Nix had allowed Morti to spend time with Tautius after they cleared the 'First' trials.

”No. Bone hardening. He said that fighting as a bone bear strengthens and hardens your skeleton. Titans use to go somewhere and do it. The way was lost; even my Papa couldn't find it.”

/Skelly: Pon: Found the ammo and the powder charges. We are in business!

/Skelly: Nix: We'll save a few charges for firing the cannon, but the rest will go to Pon. APMs are our priority, at least for now.

/Skelly: Pon: We going after them? What if they decide to bring another cannon?

/Skelly: Nix: Let's get you and Nez leveled up. Do you have a spirit companion, Nez?

/Skelly: Nezbit: Sure. Rhylia Thundercloud.

/Skelly: Pon: Really? When did that happen?

/Skelly: Nezbit: Right after Nix gave her the Black Ice Blessing. Thanks for that one, by the way.

Pon stirred the fire with his bone hand; this would have been a perfect time to have a cookout if skellies could eat or drink anything. ”What's the plan? We gonna thin the herd and get me to one hundred?”

”Yeah.” Nix glanced at Nez; getting a cleric to 100 kills might be challenging. ”Let's give Nez the Freestyle Golems to use. Getting some air support here, along with your fire companion, would be awesome.”

Edi was studying the hud map. ”Perhaps it's smarter to wait. We could thin them out before trying any too risky.”

Nezbit stifled a laugh with her hand, while Pon stared at the blue sky.

Edi noticed the interaction and nudged Nix, who was over standing directly next to her, sharing the same hud. ”Did I say something funny?”

Nix shook his head slightly. ”Tell her, Morti.”

Nix nodded in agreement. ”Prey waits.”

***************

[Bone Fortress, 1945 hours Ice Faction: 13151, Undead 7]

Alfie: 21,109

Edi: 20,323

Nix: 100

Pon: 57

Sasi: 48

Morti: 6

Nezbit: 0

/Alpha: Edi: Why did we switch to Alpha?

/Alpha: Pon: Alpha is for killing shit.

/Alpha: Edi: We're really going after control of the precinct now?

/Alpha: Alfie: Prey waits, Edi.

/Alpha: Pon: See? He gets it.

/Alpha: Nix: Well said. Let's go, a quick rundown on assignments!

/Alpha: Pon: I'll wait in the woodline while Morti, Nez, and Edi move into position. I'll use the rest of our [Fusers] and [Inferno Golems] to drive them beyond the choke point. Once that is done, I'll start mining the west side of the choke point.

/Alpha: Nezbit: Once the chokepoint is cleared, Morti and I will set up the perfect cleric/tank position.

/Alpha: Alfie: While the golems are being used, I'll be down for a few minutes while I establish a new Sniper Nest on high ground. From there, I'll scout the battlefield and keep an eye out for assassins. My one-shot kill has a five-minute cool-down (cd). In the absence of any assassins, I'll be using it regularly on the most viable target.