Chapter Text
Metal clanging echoes the Command Center as the two marines made a mad dash to the front of the building.
It wasn't often that their commander had something for them to do. Most times it was just try harder to win or shoot the blues.
Making their way down, they saw the imposing armor of their Firebat commander, Aegis.
"Hurry up, buttercups. This ain't no ice cream social..." Aegis said.
Huffing for breath, the pair looked at each other.
"Ice Cream Social? The hell's that?" Guerrero asked.
"Stop the feelin' talk, you two." The Firebat interrupted, "Do either of you want ta guess I called you down here...today?"
Looking at each other, the marines shrugged.
"Um...UED showed up, got wrecked and the war's over? So you'll be ending out training?" Saul asked, hopeful.
"That's right, Private Saul. The war's over. We won. Turns out, you're the big hero. I git to drive the float and Guerrero, here...IS IN CHARGE OF CONFETTI!" The Firebat snapped.
"I'm no stranger to sarcasm, commander." Saul said, bored.
The Firebat fumed as he stomped in front of his marines.
"God...DAMMIT, Saul. Shut yer mouth before I have Guerrero here slit your throat in yer sleep!" Aegis growled.
"Oh, I'd do it too, Sir!" The maroon soldier happily noted.
"I know you would. Good man." Aegis noted, nodding his helmeted head toward the marine.
Turning to Guerrero, Saul just gave him a deadpan look.
"You are such a kiss-ass, man." The orange trimmed soldier grouched as Guerrero flinched.
"Gentlemen! Command has seen fit to increase our ranks here at the training facility." Aegis said, gesturing proudly at Command's announcements.
"Ah, crap. We're getting a newbie..." Saul mumbled, crossing his arms.
"That's right, dead man. The new recruit will be here by the end of next week. But, today! We've been sent the first half of the ship from Command." The Firebat commander announced.
The two marines gawked at each other in confusion. Aegis snorted in confidence.
"Ripley! Bring out the vehicle." Aegis called as a large four wheeled jeep-like car is driven up.
On top of the vehicle is a large turret that resembled a flamethrower.
"Shotgun!"
"Shotgu-! Fuck"
The marines called, with Saul getting ticked he lost.
"Boys, I'd like to introduce you to the latest in Anti-Zerg Infestation technology. It has four inch armor plating, mag bumper suspension, a mounted flamethrower with extremely reliable combat range, and total seating for one. Gentlemen, this is the D12 AZV! I like to call it the Hellion." Aegis announced.
"Why Hellion, sir?" Guerrero asked, raising his hand.
"Because D12 AZV is too complex to say in casual conversation, boy." The tired Firebat argued.
"But...Why Hellion specifically? Doesn't look that...Hell-ish?" Saul countered.
"Because the Hellion, while it is a light reconnaissance vehicle, it also doubles as a power mech-infantry unit. Allow me to show you." Aegis said.
Disengaging the locks on his Firebat armor, Aegis, an older man with grey hair and grizzled scars entered the large vehicle.
Closing the cockpit, the older man activated the engines of the Hellion and hit a switch inside. Saul and Guerrero were surprised as the vehicle's parts and wheels moved and contorted.
The Hellion soon began to change from a four-wheeled jeep to a large mechanical soldier unit.
"And boys...Allow me to introduce you to my favorite part of the Hellion. The Hell Bat!" Aegis shouted from within the metal monstrosity.
"Oh...Yeah! I can see the reasons for THAT name." Saul snarked.
(Up in the cliffs)
"Yo! Tempest! The hell's that thing down there?" Grady asked.
Looking through his scope, Tempest was convinced the universe was making him suffer something he caused in a previous life.
"Looks like the reds got a new vehicle...And it turns into a mini-mech unit. We gotta report this to command." Tempest stated, as he prepped his radio.
"That got a new car? Man, that blows!" Grady scoffed.
"Why do you care? We're getting a Siege Tank and a new recruit in the next drop!" Tempest hissed, as he attempted to access his radio.
"Ya can't pick up chicks in a tank, bro." The Marauder muttered.
"The fuck are you on about? Why would we need to pick up chicks? We're in the middle of a training facility and you're thinking about girls?! What the hell?" Tempest scolded as he receives a notice from command.
"Still...Just they get a cool mech for their crew and we get a tank! Theirs is probably faster than a tank." The massive soldier complained.
"Oh quit your bitching dude. It's only fast in vehicle form! And it has to stop when transforming. The Siege Tank can handle it in Siege Mode." Tempest pointed out, "Remember? The mode the Siege Tank's biggest draw is it's massive stationary, mortar launching form. If it's stuck in robot form, it'll be bulky and slow as shit."
"Okay fine...I wonder if it's got a name?" Grady mused, loudly.
"I dunno...But...given Aegis' in it...Hell Bat?" The Ghost remarked, tiredly.
"Oh yeah that sounds about right." Grady replied.
The universe suddenly shuddered...