The sound of the osprey that carried their party hummed so deep in his ears that Moose had to put his head against Cobra’s chest to block just a bit of the stereo racket, struck in a sonder looking at the two other members of his squad.

Cobra’s heart beat strong in her breast, a happy sound making him feel calmer.

“Why is this child in the group?”

Bear teased, but his partner Panda slapped him on the shoulder.

“He doesn’t like to fly,” she said.

Cobra called out, “He lost his folks to a Class6 Dragon type TBD. Their plane went down.”

Bear gave a little whistle, “CL6, damn, sorry uh, was it Moose?”

Moose sat up and nodded, “Yeah, sorry, I promise, once I’m on the ground, I hunt TBD’s with the best.”

“He’s our best tracker, Canada is lending you a gem, Panda.”

“Japan thanks you both,” Panda giggled, she was a sweet woman. Moose had worked with the Lancer before, she smiled lots, and was always reassuring. And her country had been a major benefactor to the Exo-suits that most of the hunters worldwide used. Well, all except Moose, Canada led the arms race for rangers like himself.

“You two are still an odd couple, no?”

Moose laughed.

“He’s a real snake charmer,” Cobra laughed, kissing his neck.

“India didn’t mind giving you up to Canada?” Panda asked.

“No,” Cobra shook her head, the gold chains from her ear to her her nose jingling. “Plus, we international now,” she squeezed, Moose tightly. “I go where the man I love goes.”

Moose sat back as the osprey jostled, “Well,” he croaked, “I’d like to go down.”

The coms squawked three short bursts, two long, and finally three long.

“Here is wish little, Moose.”

They came to a stop in a wide sweep that made his stomach clench as the G’s hit them, and the osprey came into an arc.

“Mist is closing in,” the pilot called, “We have seismic tracing on the target, the mists are slowing. CL3 confirmed, and at the speed it’s moving we’re sure it’s a Lind type. Laser targeting is negative though.”

Moose didn’t need any other prep, he stood up and walked to the locker at the back as the door opened, he placed his hand on the pad, the doors opening and his exo unfolding to wrap around him. The suit’s mechanical muscles hissed and whirred, the others suited up too, Panda, and Bear both grabbing their lances. Cobra walked over to him looking down at him through the valley of her chest as he handed her her trap kit, the polycarb wires and air-pressurized launchers all charged and ready to go.

“Let’s go take down the Kaiju bastard,” Panda shouted, jumping out of the back, Bear on her heel.

Cobra Leaned down kissing him slowly, “I’ll set up the shot for you, love.”

“So, I’ll never miss, as you always assure.”

She jumped, disappearing into the growing mist.

“Moose, we’re gonna circle back a bit,” the pilot said into his ear, “The TBD is getting too close. The mists are getting too close for safety.”

Moose nodded, “Not a worry there bud,” he called, “You won’t even have time for a dart before I have a shot lined up.”