(placing this here, since it didn't feel right in commonwealth and not really to do with modding)
This is a short tale of one of the first major successes in the corporate war, the destruction of the Deliverance corporation's home world, reducing them to a fleet of nomadic travelers. This seems to have had no effect on long term morale, and has forced them into a guerrilla war.
(Disclaimer: Deliverance has nothing to do with any real religion past their use of gothic architecture.)
It concerns the most heroic of Sebenkia's pilots, the pilot of the heavily modified mech known as "Devil dance" on one of his first campaigns in the spotlight, and his last in such publicity, never one for attention.
"The central cathedral is two clicks northwest of our current position, along this avenue. It's as close as support can..."
The young mech pilot's voice was cut short in a roar of flame as their transport touched down, magnetic clamps releasing and immediately moving off again.
"Well we can't miss it, they're not exactly hiding..." Muttered the young hero, his voice bitter from the long campaign they had fought to reach this point. He began to move, but a missile flew past him, narrowly missing his shoulder and slamming into a ruined building behind.
"Let's move- We'll show these Deliverance fools what martyrdom really means!" He accelerated, metal footsteps echoing along the road, drowned out for the most part by the roar of gunfire from the enemy lines just ahead. They had erected a crude barricade, infantry firing with everything they had- pistols, rifles, and the laser cannons salvaged from a crashed ship. His escorts thundered along next to him, opening fire with assault cannons and not slowing as they crashed though the barricade, sweeping aside the broken warriors. His jetpack kicking in, he took off, rising above his comrades and opening fire with his particle whip, the stream of deadly particles forming their distinctive whip pattern. The stream sliced into the next barricade, several soldiers and sections of the barricade falling, one of the enemy screaming as the vicious weapon cut him apart at the waist.
They had closed on the cathedral rapidly, the steps looming up before them towards the huge structure.
"How do you know he will be there?", one of the escort mechs asked, unsure of the answer he really wanted.
"He'll be there- the faithful never falter, even when all is lost."
"You sound like you respect them, sir"
"Or perhaps I think too much, soldier. Wait here while I go inside"
He began to ascent the steps, his squad taking up defensive positions around the base of them.
The doors to the cathedral had been easily cut open- more ornate, not designed for war. Inside the looming structure, another staircase led to the main chamber, a cavernous room with a roof formed by a huge shield- to look at the stars which had allowed them freedom to flourish. At the altar of this massive edifice stood another mech- obviously of Deliverance origin from the design, flourishes and details coated the beast, scrolls of scripture affixed to it's hide, a walking shrine to inspire the faithful in battle, a direct contrast to the simple curves and sleek design on the Devil dance.
"I know why you are here, unbeliever"
"Oh, enlighten me then, faithful one"
"You are here to kill me, am I not correct?"
"Perhaps, but not for the reasons you may expect"
"Hmmm? If not for your forsaken corporate allegiance, then for what?"
"To prevent the wasteland you and I would wreak upon this system. Have you not seen worlds fall and burn? Have you not rejoiced in destruction because of the symbol your target bears?"
"But my destruction will not halt that, unbeliever."
"Yes, but it's a start- I have seen how you led your corporation of vicious crusades, and I wonder if it had to be this way. Now, stand and fight. I need no answer, save the one I will find with your destruction"
He rushed forward, the streams of particles weaving a twisted web over the shield of the Deliverance war machine, Devil dance weaving it's eponymous dance around the lumbering mech, seemingly to no avail.
The antimatter cannon of the enemy blasted forth tiny shells of destructive ammunition, one slamming into the cathedral support and causing it to collapse, shaking the massive structure to it's foundations. They continued their ballet of destruction, Devil dance circling the relic-mech and continuing to leave glowing marks on it's defenses with his particle whip, and the relic-mech attempting to draw a bead on the nimble Devil dance.
"You cannot win, my faith is in impenetrable shield!"
"But your faith makes you blind, fool!"
He smiled victoriously as he leapt over the head of the ancient war machine, landing on it's back and aiming carefully. A second later the overcharged particle whip discharged, blowing clear though the shield and armour of the relic-mech, killing the supposed "eternal saint" who had piloted it. It crumpled to the ground, Devil dance hoping off and landing before it, leaning down on one knee.
"You poor misguided fool. We are all tools of the machine, and while there are tools remaining the machine will find us tasks. Be glad yours are finished."
