Klatos swore as the display filled with green markers blooming behind them, above them, flanking wide like predators that knew the terrain better than prey ever could. Drones first, then heavier signatures riding higher in the air lanes, engines tuned for pursuit instead of transport.
"AIL doesn't give up," Klatos said, hands tight on the controls. "They rotate pressure until something breaks."
"Yeah, yeah. You keep saying that. Just focus on driving."
Xavier leaned across the cockpit and grabbed the heavy gun mounted beside Klatos' seat. He ripped it free and braced himself against the frame, firing into the swarm behind them. The recoil hammered his shoulder as rounds tore through two drones, shredding their casings and sending them spinning down into the basin.
It didn't help much.
More filled the space immediately, shields flickering as they adjusted. Energy fire streaked past them and clipped the rear plating, alarms screaming louder.
