All equipment on Andrei, including his "Complete Invisibility" system, completely lost power. He was not only abruptly exposed but also plummeted downwards.
The insect swarm reacted instantly. The nearest scout flies swarmed him, their saw-like mouthparts whirring, ready to tear him to shreds.
Andrei's blood ran cold. This was the problem with much of the Empire's current equipment: their reliability was wildly inconsistent. When they were robust, they were indestructible; but when they were fragile... they shattered like glass.
While falling, Andrei frantically attempted three restarts before his power core finally reignited, but the delay exposed the entire team.
Andon cursed. Two hatches then opened on his Mecha's back, each revealing thirty-six small, densely packed missiles with orange-red warheads.
WHOOSH, WHOOSH, WHOOSH...
One by one, the missiles launched, blasting the sixteen scout flies surrounding Andrei to smithereens in a series of explosions.
