The disaster at Orrim resulted in the colony survivors being relocated to another inhabitable part of the world. There was a memorium for Battle Major Sewik-Rando, then it was back to business on the MECHA.
The MRD needed to reinforce the armoured chest plating. They had the best materials that could be found. So the next solution was to create a force shield for the MECHA. Normally, the force shield would lose power as it was hit, until it had no power output remaining. However, with energy being supplied through the fusion reactor in the MECHA, the force shield could be re-energized to its full output on a continual basis, until such time as the reactor was damaged. The pilot still had to manage power to the mobility of the MECHA, as well as any energy weapons utilizing power from the fusion reactor, so this could still limit the energy supplied to the force shield.
After a few more test runs piloted by Colonel Nogel, the MECHA was ready for combat again. This MECHA was labeled as XPM-02. This time, Colonel Nogel fought against another "Brawler" and a "Ravager", a 30 metre tall four armed simian creature. The Djoreli started calling these giant creatures djaikrozito (jai kro zee to) or war titans.
The Ravager was easy. It seemed to have a tough hide, and was vicious in close combat, but once it was hit by HEAP (High Explosive Armour Piercing) missiles, that was pretty much the end of it. As for the Brawler, Colonel Nogel had his hands and mind full with this one, as it just would not stop charging into his MECHA.
It was much tougher than the Ravager, and almost faster with its four massively muscled legs. It still had the barbed tails, but this one was holding a slug throwing weapon in one hand and the massive axe in the other. It seemed to be ambidexterous. The projectiles from the slug thrower were armour piercing (AP) tipped, and could have penetrated the armour of the MECHA if it was not for the force shield.
Colonel Nogel unloaded all 24 missiles from long range at the Brawler. It took almost half the hits, but still pushed on towards him. He then fired his plasma rifle at medium range. Some of the energy blasts managed to strike and burn the Brawler's hide as it charged onward, although a little slower as its injuries were starting to take effect.
As the Brawler charged forward it was firing its huge slug thrower at the MECHA, but due to his movement, the rounds were not so accurate, and most bounced off the shield or missed altogether. Colonel Nogel realized, that if the Brawler has been still, the AP rounds from the slug thrower would have been more accurate and would have burned out the force shield. It was a good thing the Brawler was not very adept with the slug thrower.
Colonel Nogel decided to let the Brawler enter into close combat. He wanted to utilize all weapon systems at all ranges to ensure their effectiveness. So he waited as the Brawler came within arms reach. He had his two forearm plasma blades ignited. As the Brawler closed in, it dropped the slug thrower and held the battle axe with two hands as it used one strong overhand strike to attempt to cleave the MECHA in two.
Seeing the axe coming down, Colonel Nogel used his left forearm blade to strike up at an angle to cut through the Brawler's right arm, while using the right forearm blade to cut across the creature's chest. The axe was not blocked enough as the force of the down strike hit and penetrated the right shoulder, thereby disabling the mobility of the right arm. Colone Nogel angled his left foream blade so it entered the flesh of the Brawler and he attempted to cut through and down to severe the arm.
The right forearm blade had also cut across the Brawler's huge chest, creating a sizzling swathe, causing some purplish ichor to ooze out of the wound. The Brawler reacted violently and shifted back, but not before its right arm was hanging limply at it side, with the axe still embedded in the MECHAs shoulder plating.
While the Brawler was in a weakened state, Colonel Nogel used this moment to press forward his attack with his left forearm blade, and cut across its throat. The Brawler was not able to react in time to stop the full thrust of the attack as the energy blade sliced open his muscular throat. The Brawler held its left hand to its throat in an attempt to block the flow of blood, but too late, as the arteries were severed and it fell over on its side, breathing ever slowly until its last breath.
MECHA XPM-02 was a success with moderate damage. Colonel Nogel was given a brand new MECHA of the same design with a command suite modification. He was promoted and given the title of Stremzaya (strem za ya) or Battlemaster. Battlemaster Nogel would also call his MECHA the Battlemaster class.
In a few years he was able to organize the 1st MECHA Battalion, consisting of 125 djaigota (jei go ta), war machines, of various sizes and classes. Battlemaster Nogel wanted the MECHA pilots to have some status, so if they excelled, they were given the command of a MECHA company of 25 djaigota, and title of Artegneor (ar tag nee or) or Knight. Once in command of a MECHA battalion, they were given the distinct title of Stremzaya.
It was years later that Battlemaster Vankar Nogel was given the title of Dogotai (do go tie), or Lord, by vote from the Djoreli Charter of Lords for his endeavour in creating the MECHA organizarion, and upholding the honour and integrity becoming of a soldier, an officer, and a leader in the Djoreli Imperium.
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