"The vox, now! Quickly." Sandre looked to Castus, who again nodded his head. Handed her the vox-caster. She scanned the settings, selecting the appropriate vox frequency, flipped the switch to turn the speaker on, and grabbed the talker and activated it.

"Checkmate Command this is Raptor One Four, authorization Citrine Mars Hammer Null One Four, Priority fire mission override. Fire for effect, Grid Solar Ordos One-Five-Seven-Three Eight-Two-Four-Four, Direction One-Two-Six-Zero, Target Enemy HQ, 15 Rounds, Over."

After a brief pause, the vox screeched to life. "Raptor One Four this is Checkmate Command. Authorization confirmed. Target confirmed, 15 rounds, fire for effect. Message to Observer, Forge, Target number Solar Ordos One-Zero-Zero-One. Over."

"Checkmate Command this is Raptor One Four, Execute. Out."

Most looked at Skane in open puzzlement. She must have been something more than a simple intelligence operative to have the ability to override local command and redirect friendly artillery.

One of the PDF, who had been looking out the back of the hauler cursed suddenly, causing everyone to look up. Rounding the corner maybe 300 meters away was one of the Skinny LAVs, followed by the remaining infantry.

Skane's reaction was the calmest as the guardsmen began to bring their weapons to bear. Activating the vox again, barked off another set of orders. "Nomad Command this is Raptor One Four, Adjust fire, Polar, Direction six-four-zero-zero, Distance 500, Target enemy platoon and light-armour in the open, Variable Time Fuse in effect, over."

"Raptor One Four this is Checkmate Command. Target confirmed,  Message to Observer, Forge, 3 rounds, Target number Solar Ordos One-Zero-Zero-Two. Over."

Calmly addressing the passengers, Skane suggested they brace themselves as she continued to look out the back towards the enemy behind them. It came without tell tale noise or warning. Simply an explosion overhead that peppered the Skinnies in shrapnel. The explosion's shockwave buffeted the hauler, but the driver seemed to compensate well enough and continued to try to escape their pursuers.

"Checkmate Command this is Raptor One Four. Danger Close, Drop 150, fire for effect. Out."

Castus caught the trace of a smile on Skane's face as she dropped to the bed of the hauler and covered her ears. She was soon followed by the rest of the passengers as a series of artillery shells exploded over the enemy position, decimating the enemy ranks and silencing the main gun on the LAV. The pursuit ended, everyone began to relax and settle in for the long drive back to Fort Crissinger.