Liu Tao, ever the strategist, had indeed held a reserve; within mere moments, over one thousand fully armed soldiers materialized. Eschewing a conventional encirclement, they dispersed, each seeking cover from which to observe the mecha's movements. The initial volleys originated from snipers ensconced in elevated positions. Their anti-materiel rifles, of considerable caliber, possessed the capacity to perforate even heavily armored tanks. Yet, the dozen or so projectiles merely elicited fleeting glints upon the mecha's surface before dissipating into silence. The ponderous automaton faltered, a momentary stillness descending upon the assembled troops. The guttural whir of the Gatling gun recommenced, the mecha executing a clockwise rotation, its weapon unleashing a sweeping arc of fire before its mechanism fell silent once more. The cessation of gunfire from the sniper emplacements resonated with a profound tremor through the soldiers' collective spirit.
"Commander! A mecha has breached our defenses!" Secretary Chen reported, his voice betraying a palpable agitation.
"Order the exterior units to cease engagement and execute an immediate withdrawal to the base. The forces positioned internally are not to seek the enemy's destruction, but to impede its advance! To endure for half an hour is to secure our victory! Convey to the soldiers that this is the critical engagement that will determine the potential reunification with Taiwan!" Liu Tao commanded with impassioned urgency within his office.
"'Angel' reports encountering entrenched hostiles, requesting full system activation to ensure egress or conclude engagement within thirty minutes."
"Let them behold the true measure of power," a glacial smile etched itself upon Annie's countenance.
Upon the severance of communication, the mecha shuddered subtly. 13 sensed the propitious moment drawing nigh…
The soldiers received Liu Tao's directive, the stark realization dawning upon them that the mission's success would necessitate the ultimate sacrifice. Fear dissipated, replaced by a burgeoning sense of pride in participating in such a pivotal conflict! The notion of patriotic immolation suffused their minds. Some might never again tread the path homeward, never again tend to their parents, spouses, or children. Yet, no one harbored regret. The nation would enshrine their memory, the populace would revere them, for they would be heroes! But 13 was destined for oblivion, their sacrificed remains to be retrieved, their corporeal form subjected to scientific dissection, a quest to ascertain the genesis of failure, paving the way for the hasty creation of new iterations. Such was 13's lamentable fate…
Several rocket infantrymen erupted from their concealment, the mecha commencing its rotation almost instantaneously. Their lives were the price exacted, yet their sacrifice would not be in vain. The last remaining soldier acquired a target lock and launched their rocket. The mecha's singular arm ascended in a futile attempt at interception. The high-explosive projectile detonated upon contact with the mecha's gauntlet, igniting a surge of exhilaration within the observers. A dense pall of smoke obscured all visibility, a chorus of prayers and maledictions directed towards the machine's demise. But the mecha was ensconced in "Titan" alloy; no extant man-portable weapon possessed the capacity to inflict substantive damage with a solitary direct impact.
"'Sky Eye' system initiated! Commencing comprehensive battlefield reconnaissance… Hostile S-class sniper located!" A solitary, malevolent crimson beam pierced the dissipating smoke, fixating upon 13.
"The opportune moment has arrived." A finger tightened upon the trigger, the projectile ejected at high velocity. Yet, 13 understood that the mission was not concluding, but had merely commenced…
A resonant clang reverberated, a stark auditory testament to the continuation of the conflict. Through the swirling haze, the Gatling gun resumed its lethal gyration, its distinctive sound serving as a grim reminder of its continued "existence."
"Perish!" The Gatling's projectiles tore through the obscuring smoke, a violent eruption of pulverized concrete showering the rooftop where 13 lay concealed.
With a lithe maneuver, 13 vaulted from the three-story precipice. The fusillade ceased as it traversed the rooftop's edge. Rising to their feet, 13 leveled their weapon directly at the mecha, patiently awaiting the reappearance of that glacial red luminescence…
A gentle zephyr stirred, dissipating the obscuring vapors. The mecha remained standing, its singular arm raised in defense of its head, the faint crimson hue of its chassis deepening, an unspoken testament to its inherent peril…
"Unit report: Minor compromise to right arm plating. Ballistics analysis indicates hostile targeting of 'Sky Eye' observation unit. Hostile threat level assessed: S!"
"Who are you?" the mecha articulated, a feminine voice speaking in flawless Mandarin.
"Your appellation is of no consequence, for your demise is imminent. By my hand," 13 responded with impassive resolve, their weapon unwavering, devoid of curiosity towards their adversary.
The soldiers betrayed no apprehension at 13's emergence, likely predicated upon their unwavering aim directed at the mecha. The axiom "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" held sway; 13 now represented a potential ally.
"I am 'Angel,' an assault operative of the God's Punishment mecha squadron. You are the first entity to genuinely elicit a sense of mortal peril within me, thus I deem it imperative to inform you prior to your expiration…" The mecha's left appendage relinquished the Gatling gun, retrieving an unfamiliar weapon from its dorsal mounting.
"You possess considerable strength…" the mecha observed, manipulating the weapon's action, the auditory feedback confirming its classification as a short-range scattergun.
"Perhaps neither of us should exist within this realm; we are superfluous…" 13 mused, an uncharacteristic loquacity coloring their tone.
"Is that so? I demur, but your superfluity is evident. Therefore, meet your end!" The mecha, shielding its head, surged towards 13.
Remaining stationary, 13 did not stir, maintaining their vigil…
A wave of trepidation rippled through the surrounding soldiers…
The mecha's velocity was remarkable, approximating a hundred meters in seven seconds. As the distance closed to ten meters, 13 abandoned their passive stance, discerning no intention on the mecha's part to lower its guard for target acquisition. They surmised the presence of a GPS locking system, the American satellite overhead serving as its omnipresent "eye."
"Do you truly intend to terminate me?" 13 murmured, a trace of bewilderment in their voice.
The mecha's weapon ascended, discharging without discernible aim.
"Yet, the specter of mortality still instills apprehension within me…" 13 offered their own rejoinder.
A lateral displacement blurred their form, the discharge of over one hundred projectiles whistling past.
"Therefore, I cannot permit you to extinguish me…" This was 13's resolute determination.
The mecha reached 13. Discarding its weapon, it engaged in a mutual relinquishing of their respective COOL-FIRE, their hands locking in a contest of raw power, their gazes meeting for the first time in direct confrontation. "Angel" perceived the four luminous "eyes" flickering upon 13's helmet, while 13 discerned only a singular, pulsating red point.
"My mecha's maximum grip strength is three thousand kilograms. Do you genuinely believe you can prevail against me through mere brute force?" "Angel" asserted, intensifying its grip, the distinct grating of "Titan" alloy against itself filling the air.
"Only a simpleton would contest a crane's strength; we eliminate the operator…" With an improbable upward thrust of their leg, 13 struck the mecha's mandible.
The mecha's head recoiled violently, its grip momentarily slackening – an opportunity 13 would not forsake.
Swiftly disengaging their interlocked hands, 13 retrieved their fallen weapon, executing a rapid spin to position themselves behind the momentarily stunned mecha.
Without hesitation, 13 discharged their weapon, the proximity of the shot unprecedented. The recoil reverberating through the hardened armor propelled 13 backward involuntarily. Allowing no time for physical recalibration, they squeezed the trigger once more. The COOL-FIRE's exceptional rapid-fire system unleashed four high-velocity armor-piercing rounds within a mere two seconds. The sheer kinetic force compelled the mecha, weighing at least one metric ton, to lurch forward.
Previous testing had indicated that exceeding eight shots on a single point would fracture ten-millimeter-thick "Titan" alloy. However, "Angel" denied 13 the opportunity for further shots, its hand clamping down upon the weapon's barrel.
"You shall atone for your transgressions!" "Angel" declared, a note of fury lacing its synthesized voice. With a forceful pivot, it hurled the weapon-clutching 13 through the air like a discus.
Straining to regain equilibrium mid-flight proved largely futile. 13 skidded across the ground for five meters before arresting their momentum. Executing a backward somersault, they witnessed the impact point of the mecha's heavy fist, the ground pulverized.
Victory appeared a distant prospect…
"Is this the extent of China's Special Task Force 7?" Annie mused, scrutinizing the satellite-transmitted images. "Semi-protective armor, ostensibly to enhance human agility? A combat philosophy predicated on human agency? Ludicrous! Old Nie should have long since retired! Observe! Mechanical might constitutes absolute power, against which humanity is insignificant!" Annie, her voice escalating with fervent excitement, seized the communicator. "Eliminate Liu Tao first, then dispatch the one before you. I want Old Nie to witness this! Before their supposed greatest strength, I shall still decide who lives and who dies! I shall demonstrate the true meaning of absolute power!"
13 observed the approaching mecha with quiet intensity, anticipating its subsequent action. The means to neutralize "Angel's" power now lay beyond their grasp, save for the deployment of SEED…
The mecha's "eye" flickered, its right hand ascending, directed towards Liu Tao's distant office. An inexplicable tremor resonated within 13's chest…
"Observe me!" "Angel" commanded, its tone imperious. "This maneuver was originally intended for your termination, but directives from above mandate the prior demise of your commander…"
13 registered only an electromagnetic undulation emanating from its right hand, followed by a luminous projectile hurtling towards the office. The assembled soldiers watched the ensuing detonation in stunned silence, momentarily forgetting the imperative to seek cover.
Hypothesis: Electromagnetic resonance generated by the mecha, attracting a substantial quantity of atmospheric free ions, forming a diminutive ion cannon…
Hypothesis: Mecha combat efficacy surpasses that of all individual operatives within Special Task Force 7…
Hypothesis: Survivability probability for all personnel present is negligible…
Hypothesis… Hypothesis…
13 was incapable of hypothesis…
Moisture beaded upon the holographic helmet display – their own tears? Why this sudden lachrymation? Fragmented memories of their past with the enigmatic uncle flickered incessantly through 13's consciousness. Such emotional turmoil rendered combat impossible! This uncharacteristic behavior jeopardized their very existence. Were they to succumb to the same fate as Liu Tao, obliterated by an ion cannon? Were they experiencing anger? Nay, it was a profound and visceral fury. Why direct such intense emotion towards their adversaries? Were they not simply instruments of termination? Their current overwhelming desire was… was… to annihilate her!
"Behold! This is the very embodiment of overwhelming power! A force that commands universal dread! Once 'Angel' eliminates the one before her, the mission will be accomplished! Hasten! Hasten! The ion cannon requires an hour to recharge to its firing capacity, but no matter! With your bare hands, you can slaughter all those within!" Annie shrieked maniacally into the communicator. "Very well, let us proceed…" the mecha intoned, as if having concluded a matter of trivial consequence.
"You have committed an unpardonable transgression, and now you shall pay the ultimate price." 13 divested themselves of their helmet, pulling down their combat suit until it concealed their nose. Extracting the dagger from its sheath, they secured it within their mouth, their hands clenching the modified 12-gauge shotgun. With a velocity exceeding any they had previously attained, they charged towards her, this being the first instance of 13 harboring such an intense desire to extinguish a life. Suddenly, darkness enveloped their vision, extinguishing their consciousness. In that final instant, a singular thought dominated 13's mind: I shall annihilate her!!!
Liu Tao had remained vigilantly at 13's bedside for the preceding days, never straying from their side. He felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility towards the youth who had twice rescued him from certain death. Mere expressions of gratitude seemed woefully inadequate for the profound debt he owed. 13 had inflicted grievous damage upon the mecha codenamed "Angel" with unimaginable force, even incapacitating one of the two mecha that had arrived as reinforcements. Although all the mecha eventually managed to escape, this singular feat was a source of immense pride and elation for all the soldiers. In the ensuing seven days, all units diligently executed strategic deployments, each vying to participate in the most perilous engagements. News of this triumph reverberated back to the nation, igniting a surge of patriotic fervor. "We fear not America's scrap iron!" had become a ubiquitous nationalistic refrain.
Liu Tao gently stroked 13's forehead, murmuring softly, "Do you realize? You are already a national hero. The Political Department has disseminated news of China possessing its own next-generation individual combatant. Your achievements serve as a potent rejoinder to America's presumptuous assertion that mecha are the 'kings of individual combat.' We Chinese no longer need to be beholden to the whims of others; we are now… formidable!"
At that precise moment, 13 abruptly awoke, shouting, "I shall kill you!"
Liu Tao recoiled in surprise, having never witnessed such intense agitation in 13.
"Where am I?" Thirteen finally regained their composure after several seconds, their voice reverting to its previous emotionless timbre.
"You are in the base hospital. You have been unconscious for seven days," Liu Tao replied calmly.
"Liu Tao!" 13 exclaimed in astonishment, recognizing the voice of the man they believed had perished.
"Indeed, it is I, Liu Tao, though I was not killed. I evacuated the office prior to the detonation. However, had you not subsequently inflicted such significant damage upon her, I would likely not be alive to converse with you now." Liu Tao rose to pour a glass of water for 13.
"Has the battle concluded? What do you mean by 'inflicted such significant damage'? I am perplexed; I experienced a peculiar loss of consciousness and recall nothing…" 13 pressed their hands against their head in bewilderment.
Liu Tao gently grasped their hands, speaking with paternal kindness. "It is now two in the morning. Rest now, and tomorrow I will show you the recorded events. Perhaps that will restore your memory."
13 gazed blankly at Liu Tao, an inexplicable desire to heed his words taking hold. Consequently, they ceased their mental struggle and drifted into a quiet slumber.
Liu Tao also noted 13's peculiar demeanor that day, sensing a childlike vulnerability.
Yet, he chuckled inwardly at his own observation, a quiet acknowledgment forming in his mind: "But he is, after all, still just a child…"