Hold The Line Part 2

General POV:

Everyone in the city was quiet, their minds focused entirely on the clanking of robotic footsteps that steadily grew louder. They could tell just from the sound alone that they were vastly outnumbered. However, the soldiers remained undeterred, as they knew they must hold here, no matter what.

Or so they thought until from the trees the huge frame of a Titan emerges. The confidence they previously had, immediately disappears as the soldiers slowly realizes they have no firepower to take that thing down.

Two more Titans emerge and the soldiers stare in horror. The second lieutenant couldn't believe what he was seeing. Nowhere in the intel wh there reports of Titans headed their way. If that had been the case, they would have immediately abandoned the city and tried to keep ahead of the omnic reinforcements.

But he didn't give up hope. Although it looked like it, there weren't out of options. He has heard stories of Shawn and his omnic friend, he knew they were this mission's final hope. Since he knew there was nothing he could do about the Titans, he focused on what he could. Restoring morale.

He stood, and his voice carried across to all the soldiers along the outskirts of the city. 

" Are we going to allow the enemy who has the audacity to trample on our homes to continue to do so? Do we dare let them strike fear in us time and time again but do nothing to stop them? Think back, to when you promised your sons and daughters that you would return triumphant, and that you would defeat all the monsters. Here is our chance, to show that we are scared no longer. Now, we show them that humanity is not to be underestimated." 

A chorus of battle cries echo from the soldiers. 

' I put my faith in you Rose.' The second lieutenant thinks. 

Even from his position at the center of town, Shawn could sense the incoming Titans. 

"Listen up you guys, I'm needed at the front lines. Although this is your second time operating, I trust in you guys enough to know that you don't need me babysitting you. Just remember the training and you won't die." Shawn addresses them. 

They exchange worrying looks, but don't say anything. Shawn turns towards S3bastian. "You ready to get your revenge?"

"Revenge is a dish best served cold, but if used with the microwave of patience, it is all the more enjoyable." He responds, leaving everyone confused.

"What are you even saying right now?" Marco asks.

"I had a thought then lost it halfway." He explains, looking off towards the cheering soldiers.

"Lost a thought. But he's an omnic....?" Marco questions. 

"I don't even question him anymore." Shawn admits to them. "Anyway, stay frosty, everyone." 

Having said that, both Shawn and S3bastian take off running towards the Titans. On the front line, the Titans pause their advance as soon as they exit the trees, as if commanded to do so to increase their intimidation. Around them, rows of OR-14 units begin to advance towards the city. After them, Bastion come stumbling out with ATW Huntsman as well. 

'These really were the reinforcements meant for New York.'

 Before taking this mission, he intensely studied each enemy that they would be facing. Looking through the binoculars, he easily identified the Bastion units capable of transfiguring which would cause them the most problems. The second lieutenant waited until they were within 50 meters before giving the go ahead.

"Rocket men, take out those OR-14's, fire at will. Everyone else focus on the fifth row of Bastions." 

Soldiers peek out from their cover holding rockets that fire off into the OR-14's exploding them into parts. Others begin blasting the Bastions on the fifth row. To retaliate, the Bastions begin to transfigure into turret form only to be focused down with the soldier's gunfire. 

Three Ravagers watching from a distance observe the opening moments of the engagement. They immediately calculate a counterattack to the lieutenant's strategy. The Titan's body lurches with movement that the lieutenant did not fail to miss. 

'Shit. I was hoping we would have more time to deal with them. These guys really don't play.' Knowing all too well what was going to happen next, his mind quickly works and formulates a plan that would buy them some time. 

"Smoke grenades now!" He orders. 

Without hesitation, different soldiers pop a smoke grenade and throw it in front of them. The omnic infantry units continue firing, but the Titan pauses, trying to recalculate as it couldn't actually follow the orders given to it by the Ravager to destroy the cities defenses. The Ravager readjusts their order, commanding the Titan to fire in the middle of the smoke. 

Through the smoke, the Lieutenant's heart drops as he could hear the scrapping of metal as he knows the turret on the back of the Titan is moving. If they opened fire and destroyed their barriers, the omnics could just walk in and wipe them. 

As the Titan begins to fire, the town illuminates with a red glow as a ball of liquid red shoots past the soldiers at high speeds clearing the smoke. It continues on, crashing into the Titan's chest in an explosion that staggers the Titan back. The Titan's turrets go off, shooting rockets harmlessly into the sky. 

All the soldiers look back to see S3bastian, who's arm was still smoking. 

"He ordered the gumbo that came with a side of ass kicking."