This is another good chapter, but I'd like to point out a couple things that could be edited for the sake of Realism and Logic.
Starting off, when Pop asks whether Mar was a bomber or not, it should be obvious that he is, considering his bombs. So the dialogue is a bit... Well... Awkward. It can be fixed by saying something like "or are those just for decoration?" or something along those lines.
When Stalig recommends taking out the cannons, I wonder how he knew. There are, of course, a couple of ways. The scent of gunpowder, the destruction which should have been visible when the knights were outside, attack plans from a Gremlin Tactician who thought that the battle was over and decided to go to the front lines -- only to meet his untimely demise. Anything like that would work, but he needs to have a reason to know that there are cannons on the western side, and this reason should be indicated. For now, it just seemed like he knew, as soon as he entered the halls, that they had Cannons on the West side.
Stalig's shield is a bit OP, considering it not only provided cover, but also killed off attackers as he walked ahead... But to be completely honest, I didn't really mind. I can handle Cannon Fodder being fed off from a shield. But still, note that making too many things like that can bring Combat complexity down really quick, and lower the luster given off by characters who defeat enemies.
For example: Let's say someone made and app with a really strong and detailed weapon -- one that would kill immediately, but has proper downsides to balance the weapon out. If such a character was present, but then a different app could just fire a simple gun and kill just as well... It seems a bit unfair. A proper downside is needed for items which can kill opponents off so easily... Unless all the enemies are just weaklings. Then it's fine.
Also on that note, I liked how the Hammer that hit Pop killed a Gremlin on its way down. I could sort of envision it happening with a flying character overhead; a Gremlin's just minding its own business on maintenance on the Cannon -- or whatever it was doing, and then suddenly it gets crushed by a giant hammer. It was a spark of comedy inside of the battle scene, and I appreciate that! Good work!
Final note: I also liked how Mar was damaged on his way back from a now-known assailant -- one that will probably be elaborated upon in the next couple of chapters. In this way, you not only foreshadowed dealing with said sniper (who I suspect to be Aelston -- but that's just a personal suspicion), but you also provided some realistic results with how the entire situation rolled out. When combat happens, injuries are possible: a lot of people forget this, I'm glad you didn't.
That being said, the fact that he "Angrily" yelled was also a nice touch -- one that is small, but has an impact on the tone which Mar formed in my mind. Instead of "Goodbye!" it came off as "See you later, you freaking Fuzz-Faces", which added to his character and current feelings -- which probaly revolved around being in a lot of pain after being shot two times.
As always, keep up the good work; I'm looking forward to the next couple of chapters!
(OOC: Chapter 13 is from Pop's perspective, 14 will be from Alisa's, and 15 will be from Grub. Since the Warriors of Old split up into smaller squad for the battle at Cravat Hall, I decided to do chapters on some of the more important events. Enjoy! And... On a less serious note, WOOHOO!!!! THREE PAGES!!! And I'm the 101st post! Okay, that was a bit excessive. But thanks for all the feedbag and such, people! <3)
Chapter Thirteen: The Cannons
Pop quickly walked down the stairs, followed by Jacques, Stalig, and Mar. He noticed that Mar had demolition gear on, with bombs around his belt. Pop asked, “Mar, you are a bomber, right?"
“Yes, sir, I am,” Mar replied. “Where shall we go to fight?”
Stalig, a knight in plate mail with a large sword, said, “We could take out the artillery cannons on the western side of Cravat Hall. One of my friends told me they were there. Those beasties have the potential to raze this fortress to the ground.”
Jacques then commented to his group, “That sounds like good plan. Pop, what should we do?”
“Stalig’s idea sounds good,” Pop replied. “Follow me.”
Pop walked briskly down to the courtyard, and under the portcullis to the jungle below. His squad followed him to the edge of the jungle, where he stopped to talk to them. “See those guns over there?” he asked, pointing to five artillery cannons. “Those things appear to be operational, or almost operational. It won’t be long before they open fire on the fortress, and our friends inside will die.”
“What’s the battle plan?” Jacques asked, inquisitively.
“I was thinking that you and Stalig could create a diversion on the ground,” Pop said. “While the gremlins are paying attention to you, I could fly above the cannons, shooting their operators. That will slow them down, and, if you need it, I can shoot down the gremlins attacking you. Mar, on the other hand, could sneak under the cannons and plant bombs and detonate them when we are all ready. What do you think?”
“I like the idea of blowin’ things up,” Mar said happily. “I’m not much of a stealthy person, but if you are flyin’ above those gremlins, I ought to be fine.”
Jacques gave a silent nod of agreement, and Stalig grunted in approval.
“Alright then, it’s a plan,” Pop told his squad. “I’ll fly over there and slow them down while you three jog through the forest. Stalig and Jacques can come out of the woods near the first artillery, but I want Mar to attack the one farthest from us. He can meet up with you after planting bombs.”
“Yes, sir,” the Jacques, Stalig, and Mar said in unison, and disappeared into the woods at a slow jog. Pop then activated his ankle and shoulder boosters, which lifted him into the air. Using his mind, he was able to control them, allowing him to fly. He flew beside the wall of Cravat Hall. The ground below him was soft green grass, and he quickly arrived at his destination. In front of Pop were five gremlin artillery cannons, all aimed at Cravat Hall.
Still hovering, he thought to himself, I had better attack the one on the right first, as the others will be coming from that side.
Pop then flew toward the cannon, and, using his Argent Peacemaker, shot the gunner through the head. The gremlins below turned to him, and one aimed a Gatling gun and opened fire. A hail of blue lasers surrounded him, but not one managed to hit. Pop swerved to the right, and took out his assailant with one quick shot from his gun.
A group of bulky gremlins with hammers charged toward him. Several of them threw their hammers toward him, but only one found their mark. The hammer hit Pop’s left arm, but his armor was enough to stop the blow, and the hammer fell to the ground, killing a gremlin.
Jacques and Stalig suddenly emerged from the trees. Stalig’s Area Protection Shield was up. A blue energy dome had been created. Stalig was in the center, and the shield had a ten foot radius. Jacques and their other squadmates were able to move in and out of the dome, but nothing else could enter. Some gremlins charged toward the dome, but every time one made contact, a jolt of electricity would usually killing them.
Many of the artillery cannons protectors had already fallen to Pop’s gun and Jacques’ sword when Mar stealthily crept out of the trees on the far end of the cannons. He quickly snuck under the cannons, and placed bombs on them. While Jacques and Pop were finishing off the last of the gremlins, a blue laser hit Pop’s left ankle booster, sending him spiraling to the ground.
Pop thought the laser came from the far west, but was not certain. After he hit the ground, Pop ran for the safety of Stalig’s Area Protection Shield, from where he shot at the remaining gremlins.
He watched as Mar placed the final bombs, and he saw a blue laser shoot toward him. This time, Pop saw the laser’s origin. It came from a hill southwest of Cravat Hall. He knew a gremlin sniper was trying to sabotage their mission.
Mar placed the final bomb and ran, but a shot from the sniper found him. Fortunately, it only hit his arm, and he was able to keep running. Another shot connected with Mar just feet away from the Area Protection Shield. The shot had hit his ankle, and he limped into the cover of the shield, where he collapsed.
Angrily, Mar yelled to the canons, “Goodbye!” He pressed the button on his detonator, and the cannons exploded.