[The only sign before the attack is a comm connection. It's the voice of the General himself.]

Surrender now and return. I will treat you fairly. This is your last warning.

[And that sure is an energy lance out of seemingly nowhere. Without immediate (and very skilled) evasive maneuvers it's likely to be a direct, crippling hit.

The mech that just fired it, however, is a modified sylph, not a cataphract.]