[dcs_p]Devon ignored the older man’s words. “Move your men into position as I have
requested and quit stalling.” Devon smiled. Though he had always preferred to
keep his intonation simple and unchanging, he was very careful in the words he
selected. He hoped to bring out his opponent’s emotions and use those against
him.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“Very well, Star Colonel. You will get your wish. I will enjoy making an example
out of you for my men.” The old man sounded as confident as ever, but this time
Devon could sense that Paul wasn’t quite sure what to expect from Devon in their
coming duel.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]As the Clan and Word of Blake Mechs moved into a giant circle, roughly 1,500
meters in diameter, Devon readied his machine. Though there was little he could
do to protect his machine’s legs, he maneuvered the machine halfway into a dried
out streambed. At least this way he will have a harder time hitting my
vulnerable left leg. Devon waited in anticipation as the enemy Mechs slowed to
a halt, completing the circle and waiting for their commander to reach his starting
position.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Finally reaching his starting point, Devon watched Paul turn the Banshee and line
up a shot at the Direwolf. However the Blakist would have to make a run
towards Devon before the Mech would be within extreme range of its rotary
autocannons. From now on out, it would all be up to Devon’s skill as a gunner. A
bit of luck could not hurt either.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“Ready Star Colonel?” Paul spoke out in a clear, crisp voice. Again it seemed
he was making a show of things, letting all know that the battle was to begin.
“Aff, Paul Daggert.” Devon was careful not to change his tone as he attempted
to hide any fear or overconfidence in his voice.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Immediately Devon realized he had made a mistake. His Direwolf was blasted
almost instantly with a Gauss rifle slug. Though he had guessed the enemy Mech
had been retrofitted, it now seemed obvious that it was carrying a more classic
weapons configuration. I hope that is the only long range weapon he has. As he
glanced down at the viewscreen’s damage report, he noticed that the shot had
breached the left side of his Direwolf’s armored chest. Looking back up to his
targeting reticule, Devon watched a lance of man-made lightning flash over his
Mech’s squat form. At least one PPC also. Without another thought, Devon took
aim and waited for his targeting computer’s signal. Then he mashed hard on the
firing toggles of his two remaining weapons.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Devon was rewarded with a precise hit. Knowing that this model of Banshee
typically carried an extra light engine, he hoped to cripple the Mech by destroying
one of its engine’s sections. Both his Gauss rifle slug and his remaining particle
projection cannon carved deep holes into the Banshee’s left torso armor.
Before he could release a smile, another PPC shot out at him. This time the
enemy pilot had hit. The glowing blast of energy had sliced into the thin armor
covering his Direwolf’s left arm. However Devon wasn’t too worried by the hit. It
had caused more damage to the left arm, which was useless to him now
anyways. In the back of his mind, he worried about the Blakist’s skill. Not many
ordinary pilots could hit at such ranges, especially while making an advance.
Noticing his ER PPC had completely its cycle, Devon again mashed down on the
firing toggle. Once again, the Clan variant of the PPC punished the Banshee’s
left torso. Two or three more shots there and he should go down.[/dcs_p]