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Just like that, the powerful backup for the two Mjolnir Exosuits in the valley was cut off. The Islamic Jihad fighters surged into the defensive positions like a tide, tossing aside mangled corpses and looting weapons and ammo. Within two minutes, the Mjolnir Exosuit that had rushed back to recharge appeared outside the defenses. The operator parked the exosuit in a spot reserved just for him, then started roaring over comms: "What's going on? Where did you all go? Damn it, get your asses out here and bring the truck up to recharge me! Call in the plane to resupply my ammo, now! Immediately, you got that?"
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Before the guy could finish yelling, a barrage of RPG rockets flew at his Mjolnir Exosuit, mixed with armor-piercing grenades from U.S. armored vehicles. The exosuit operator tried to dodge by yanking the controls, but it was too late—dozens of rockets and grenades slammed into its metal shell!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The Mjolnir Exosuit was instantly swallowed by a towering fireball. Even with its tough metal-ceramic armor, the concentrated barrage left its hull riddled with craters of all sizes.
Especially its two mechanical legs, which supported the massive metal body—Colonel Hank Han, hovering in midair, fired a powerful 'Scorpion' air-to-ground missile that hit dead-on, causing a mechanical failure. The exosuit was stuck, unable to move. The resistance fighters didn't hold back; a second wave of RPGs rained down, and many charged forward, firing their AK-47s and shouting as they rushed the exosuit!
After the second round of RPG strikes, the Mjolnir Exosuit codenamed 'Albatross 2' couldn't hold out anymore and crashed to the ground. The operator was left dizzy, his ears and eyes bleeding from the shockwaves and concentrated attacks, and he passed out cold in the cockpit.
Only one Mjolnir Exosuit operator remained in the valley, unaware of the chaos outside. He kept charging at Shawn Young's sand illusion. Within five minutes, the ammo and energy of the exosuit codenamed 'Albatross' were nearly spent. The operator quickly opened comms: "Eagle, Eagle, clear the docking area and bring the charging truck over. I'm heading there now! Got it?"
But there was no response on the comms. The operator tried several times but couldn't get through. In desperation, he connected to the V-22 Osprey's channel and shouted with relief, "Oh, damn, finally! I thought something happened to you guys! Get the charging and ammo ready for me, I'm coming over!"
"Okay, got it! Clearing the docking area now, get over here quick!" Colonel Hank Han replied in fluent English over the comms.
"Great, I'm on my way. Uh, question—where did Eagle 2 go? Haven't seen it, and I can't reach it on comms." The 'Albatross' operator asked, puzzled.
"Oh, it had some mechanical trouble. The engineers are fixing it now, no worries. It'll be fine soon! Just get over here!" Colonel Hank Han replied.
"Alright, I'm coming now!" The 'Albatross' operator said, then drove his Mjolnir Exosuit at full speed toward the valley entrance.
A few minutes later, the 'Albatross' Mjolnir Exosuit charged into the cleared docking area. The operator found it odd—no charging Humvee, and none of the technicians or mercenaries were around to refuel him. Not a single worker in sight. There was a pile of shells and magazines on the ground, but the V-22 Osprey circling overhead made him less suspicious.
Thinking the techs and mercs had gone off for lunch, the 'Albatross' operator started cursing: "You bastards! I'm out here risking my neck and you're all kicking back in the rear! Damn it! I'm gonna blow off a few legs and fry them up for your lunch meat!"
Muttering, he parked the Mjolnir Exosuit in the docking area and opened the thick armored energy bay on its back, revealing a row of massive power cells.
Suddenly, the 'Albatross' operator sensed something was off. Even if the techs were at lunch, there should be mercenaries standing guard around the ammo. But now, not a single soul was in sight! It was downright creepy.
Thinking that, he decided to open the armored cockpit and step out to see what was really going on.
Too bad he never got the chance. Colonel Hank Han, in the V-22 Osprey above, had already targeted the Mjolnir Exosuit, waiting for him to open the hatch. Meanwhile, the Dragon Task Force had rigged all the magazines in the docking area with explosives! As soon as 'Albatross' stopped and the operator poked his head out, Hank Han's finger hit the launch button—a Hellfire air-to-ground missile streaked out.
Kaboom! Kaboom!
The massive explosion shot straight into the sky. The 'Albatross' Mjolnir Exosuit, along with its clueless operator and everything around Wolf Valley, was engulfed in fireballs four or five stories high. Blinding flames shot toward the heavens, metal debris and fire streaking everywhere. The blast shook the whole valley like an earthquake.
The Islamic Jihad fighters and Dragon Task Force members stared at the swirling smoke in the sky, knowing the battle was over. They couldn't help but raise their weapons in celebration—especially the Jihad fighters, who fired their AK-47s into the air, cheering for their hard-won victory!