Declare

---

"Here comrade, take this weapon." The rifle is slippery from the guts of the robot's former companions. With the threat of another wave of reinforcements, the squad rushes to engage the enemy aircraft. Even the decapitated member of the squad joins in a concentrated volley of small arms fire. One of the riflemen engages his jets to get a firing solution on the craft's windscreen.

Mrrshan tank driver regains consciousness. He checks tank equipment: all is offline. No power as well. He is no surpised when he finds his fellow comrade is also dead. Muffled sounds of distant gunfire could be heared through open hatch. Driver takes his own portable radio, inserts poer cell and establishes connection.
- This is private Mukirr, land recon mission to sector 13-144... His own voice sounds unfamiliar to him.
- Vehicle is immobilized, lieutenant Kirrsh is dead. We ran into enemy fireteam. I request an artillery strike on my position. Sending coordinates now.
After a short while after at Mrrshan base some self-propelled howitzers started fire barrage:

First shell lands and violently explodes, throwing off dirt, grass and body parts alike, two other are inbound.

The Dropship flies forward, bullets tinging off of it, few make it inside the armored aircraft. Moving into position above the immobile vehicle, it fires an explosive shot downwards.

Underground, the drones keep flying forward.

Declare

---

The brainwashed machine burns up along with a straggler of the paragon scouting group and the rocket launcher. Still caked in fresh blood, one squad mate finds itself airborne in the shock wave of the explosions. A panicked distress call goes out relayed by the APC, which is then also immolated as an autocannon round busts it's radiator and engine block. Desperately, the flying soldier takes shots at the driver while risking a face full of either bullets or afterburner flame.

Portion of tunnel under the spot where first shell landed, collapses, sealing the tunnel with wall of stones and dirt. Craters of other hits are still filled by foul-smelling smoke, it seems that these two rounds were icendiary instead of high-explosive. It also explains burn damage on the victims. Boxy robot seems to be heavily damaged: its body was thrown onto already damaged APC, neck is broken, revealing black circuitry and leaking technical fluids. Kolozarian robotic unis are well-known for their unique ability to survive even heavy damage and limited self-repair abilities. Thus, the defected robot is probably not completely knocked out. Still, it is damaged by heat, shockwave and following collision with the apple tree.
Tank driver decides to stay in the vehicle for now. Meanwhile, an UAV arrives over the fray. Sounds of jet engines could be heard in the distance.

[Dropship will arrive next turn]

declare



The mobile worker hovers through a narrow passage in the cavern and spots three flying objects coming towards it. It freaks out a little.

Meanwhile, the egg's roots continue to grow under the incubator worker.

Declare.

The dropship pilot, unable to see due to the constant bullets being shot at the cockpit, shuts off the boosters for a second. The lower gun crashes into the headless robot as the dropship semi-lands onto it. Firing shots at the two targets he can see, the pilot opens the door releasing the troops.

Meanwhile, underground, the drones spot a large flying insectoid creature. The one in the back relays escape is impossible due to the exit having been sealed via cave-in. Their only hope is to charge at it to scare it off.

Declare

---

Witnessing as his remaining companions are overrun, the shaken and dirty last robot retreats. As it passes the tree, it pulls it's gun back from the kolozarian who hangs limp in the branches. The trapped and blind soldier fires wildly at the dismounting crew of the transport. Heavily damaged and down one arm, the systems of the robot still in mid air are shutting down along with it's jet booster. It uses the remaining power to push itself toward the ship below.

declare



The scouting worker backs up a little and flares it's wings and tail, drooling florescent goop at the mandibles, in an attempt to ward off the strange metal intruders.

Back at the egg, the incubator drone has been crushed into the ground by what appears to be vines. Some of the roots have swollen below ground into large gland-like pockets.

Mrrshan dropship arrives:


Due to rugged terrain the dropship is unable to land, and troops are unloading on the move. Tank driver rushes to join them.

The dropship flys upwards, and begins to leave. Putting the main engine to full, the flying robot is accidentally caught in the blast.

One of the blind robot's bullets manages to hit the officer, who angrily walks forward and blasts it at point blank. One soldier calls for air support, while another blasts the dying robot next to the hill.

Underground, the drones fire their small pistols at the creature blocking their path.

declare



While the low-caliber bullets aren't able to fully penetrate the worker's hard carapace, some find their way in-between the hard bits, punching a hole in it's side and blowing a wing off. The worker hacks a glob of goop at the attackers, covering and melting one, while searing another.



The wounded worker retreats back to the egg, which has sprouted a few more vines that are actively swaying about. Roots are also still growing, but slower than before.

Declare

---

A response team is on the approach, but not close enough to do anything but watch as the chaos unfolds. The defunct vehicle's last crewman is sandwiched between the disembarking Mrrshans and the Kolozarians already in pursuit. With no cover, it stops and waits at the mercy of the giant, heavily armed and likely angry cat people. It raises one of it's arms slowly from it's weapon, but the other remains gripped around the rifle.

Dropship leaves. Mrrshan commander overlooks the area. He can not identify the boxy robot, it's design is clearly unusual for Kolozarian robotic units. It's behaviour is also intriguing, all reports are stating that Kolozarian AI-controlled units, while being autonomous, are engaging all non-friendly targets on sight. Not being sure, what is it, a trap or possible contact with previously unknown force, commander slowly raises his rifle as an invitation for parley. His subordinate, however, continues to aim at the robot. Heavy trooper, who landed on soft ground above collapsed tunnel is preparing to climb the cliff, while tank driver leaps over huge hole in the ground. An UAV is circling high in the skies, transmitting realtime images of the area to the HQ.

Declare

---

The cavalry arrives. The cranes begin lowering their payloads just a few meters away from the landing zone for the VTOL. Two sentry drones move off to intercept the craft. Thankful for not being killed, the lone droid gives the Mrrshans it's battlefield intel, displaying the team of soldiers advancing over the hill and it's own friendly reinforcements.

RIP thread declare anyway

---

The tank and the large container both hit the ground and a fresh group of robots charge the hill. Above the carrier drones are returning to base while the sentries fire their auto-cannons at the Kolozarian pilot.