《Advent》


 Introduction

    First discovered on the outmost fringes of the Milky Way, GEOMs are life forms altered by their original form. The parasites are sentient and, according to autopsies, came from deep space. The First Plague Wave dawns the parasitic revelation to human flesh, astride their conquered races. Fortunately and unfortunately the human body has already attained another step in evolution in 2400¡¯s; attaining a neurological evolution that enabled the use of inert and unique powers. Of course all of this means that you have to be genetically gifted to have super human output. Hedge cults believe GEOM worms have been drawn to the tertiary settlements due to this human potential.


    Though the possible acquisition of powers have cause the human race to come to the brink of extinction specifically in the year 2425 where the estimated one hundred trillion population of the Tertiary planets have dwindled down to thirty trillion in just twelve years after the First Plague Wave Started on 2403. But the evolution of Homo sapiens was also its salvation.


    Knights, named after the noble warriors during the medieval era, were the vanguard of humanity¡¯s resistance against the Plague. Only one in'' fifty thousand would have fully developed brain cortexes to sustain inert superhuman power. Ten thousand of those fifty thousand people would awaken a power but fail to develop them further due to genetic make-up. And only one in five hundred thousand developed potentials would be able to use their awakened and sustained power to their average potential.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    Depending on the power acquired, one could be selected and trained to be a knight or invited to join the Union Tertiary Space Forces. Only the elite have been chosen for Knighthood. Even though powers are the core being of a Knight, the person¡¯s physical, mental stability and environmental factors are also rated to standards of missions the Knight should be sent in---such as being already above average genetically even without an enhanced brain cortex, though weaknesses are sometimes overlooked for one¡¯s raw talent or gift.


    Feats and stories of these incredible people spread like wildfire among the desperate human race, lifting much needed morale to sustain its fight against the dreaded GEOMS.


    What follows are one of those stories.

 Chapter 1: Wolfe鈥檚 Hill

    ¡°¡­The massacres on New Gettysburg, Hanz and Io maybe unintended, a good intentioned political folly or an act of confused intrepidity but if we make human life that expendable, what difference do we have with the GEOMs ?...¡±


    -The Knight Codex Vol. 29, Chapter 6, p. 18.


    ¡°Hold the line gadammit!¡± the commander shouted, thinking if his words could even provide the same reinforcement.


    ¡°Where the hell is Reid!?¡± he exasperated but no one answered him. He caught a glimpse of the last officer under his command get impaled by an insect-like stinger. He roared as he avenges the young sergeant---He remembered how the boy saluted and said how he was honored that his first deployment would be under Lord Knight Wolfe¡¯s command.


    That was two hours ago.


    He surveyed the battlefield; they were atop a hill laced with hurried breastworks which provided little defense against the creatures, Genetically Ectoplasmic Organ Monsters or GEOMs. From the hill, Lord Knight Wolfe had a bird¡¯s eye view of the GEOM forces they were against. They were surrounded on land and air so reinforcement or air support was not an option. Reid was nowhere to be found. He counted he had a fourth of his initial command---about forty soldiers and they were barely holding out.


    ¡°gadammit.¡± He cursed under his breath as he realizes how weapon automatic fire has receded rapidly He ran towards their southern flank, built up momentum and jumped twenty feet in the air and landed deep behind the GEOM lines, creating a shockwave, crushing and knocking back GEOMs.


    He now braced for their counter attack, unsheathing his rapier and held his signature ¡°rapier and cloak¡± stance. The knock backed GEOMs now retaliated with their array of grotesque appendages but all were parried by the lord knight who now glowed white, after a few seconds, he released an explosive energy which disintegrated everything within a radius, which just fell short of their southernmost trench.


    ¡°Give them no quarter!¡±


    The lord knight¡¯s war cry was followed by the resonant roar of the morale fueled forty. Wolfe then continued to cull the GEOMs attempting to climb the hill. Little did the soldiers know that the commander¡¯s shout of confidence was more for himself than them.


    He must not give up the last quarter.


    Planet Red 420 was a semi-desolate medium-sized planet that has a drug-inducing atmosphere, hence the number coding. But what makes Red 420 crucial for the stellar war effort was its strategic orbit which can be used to leapfrog warp points between the mother solar system and the southeastern outer territory rim, Leo sector. The GEOMs have infested Red 420 fifty years prior---during The First Plague Wave. Now it is the year 2474, and the Tertiary Union now sets its course to reclaim Leo Sector.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    They sent three divisions on respective strategic landing points after a series of intense orbital bombardments. Lord knight Wolfe led one of the divisions, The Lion¡¯s Streaks. When little resistance was met upon landing on Red, it caught the commander¡¯s attention that something was amiss but still proceeded to march towards the Industrial city Io. That¡¯s when the Lord Knight made his second mistake, upon concluding to separate his forces in preparation to siege Io, Bravo Company---led by Lord knight Reid, Charlie Company and the logistics Company headed by Knight Clara while Wolfe led Alpha Company.


    As soon they were positioned to attack Io from three different directions, the GEOMs emerged from the red earth beneath them, a new genetic evolution.


    Chaos ensued.


    SOLAR YEAR 2429, LEO SYSTEM, SECTOR ONE, PLANET RED 420 ORBIT. 1100 HOURS, THE MARSHAL, ONE HOUR BEFORE PLANET RED 420 INVASION.


    ¡°Does my armpit smell ok?¡± Lord Knight Reid asks as he sniffs his right armpit under his armor.


    ¡°Fuck you!¡± Clarahart exasperates avoiding Reid as they walk through a corridor while she frantically fans the air around her


    ¡°Clearly you guys are the best of the best.¡± Wolfe said face palming. Reid continues to chase Clarahart with his raised arms, forcing her to smell his armpit. The lady Knight mockingly pukes and keeps pushing the Lord Knight away.


    ¡°Knock it off you two. We have a battle to lead.¡± Wolfe now says sternly.


    ¡°Yeah I bet you a hundred pieces I¡¯m going to save you this time!¡± Clarahart exasperates as Reid finally stops having her smell his armpit.


    ¡°How about I bet that I if I save you again you¡¯ll smell my armpit and vice versa huh?¡± Reid says jokingly


    ¡°Suck a dick Reid!¡± she says as she storms away.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you up on that Reid.¡± Wolfe laughs


    ¡°Deal.¡± Reid answers as they shook hands.


    Ill smell both your armpits Reid if you save me this time. Wolfe scans the horizon after decimating another GEOM wave.


    ¡°Soldier keep trying coms!¡± Wolfe commanded as he parried another wave of GEOM blows. His men fought gallantly today, now a mere twenty eight were left and they were rapidly running out of ammunition. Their medium to long range radio communications was still being jammed by GEOM ¡°Hax¡±. All the company¡¯s psionic squires were killed out from the initial attack and from their retreat towards the hilltop so telepathic communications were not possible. The GEOMs¡¯ were learning. The only silver lining was before the last psionic squire was killed he had successfully linked with Lord Knight Reid. All they could do now was hold.


    There was a brief lull in the combat, Wolfe knew that means the GEOMs¡¯ are massing a large offensive to finish them off. He sat inside one of the trenches, now ridden with corpses and broken soldiers. Most of Lion¡¯s Streaks consisted of elite men, having over a hundred battles to some, now the company is almost annihilated. Wolfe sat beside a wounded soldier, who has broken most of his ribcage and his left arm.


    Late fifities. He thought.


    ¡°How are your ribs old timer?¡± he said while assessing the wounded man¡¯s left arm.


    The man tried to laugh but his blood almost choked him, ¡°I can¡¯t breathe that¡­.well but I can still swing my sabre with my¡­.right if it comes to it.¡± He gruelingly tried to answer then gave a blood smirked smile.


    The Lord Knight placed a hand on the old man¡¯s shoulder and returned the smile. ¡°Bring down what you can.¡± He then gazed at every soldier on that trench giving each of them a nod. ¡°Do and die boys, do and die!¡±


    The twenty eight repeated the chant as the sound of the ghastly GEOMs began to resound.


    ¡°Do and Die!¡±


    ¡°Do and Die!¡± their voices drowning the GEOM swarm, taunting the monsters to finish them off.


    ¡°Do and Die!¡± they steeled themselves from their trenches wielding what weapon they could use, most on their standard side arms, the sabre.


    ¡°Do and Die!¡± the ghastly sound was no more.


    ¡°Do and Die!¡± Lord Knight Wolfe was now on top of his lungs.


    Then there was silence.

 Chapter 2: Reid鈥檚 Raid

    Lord Knight Reid was not amuse, not one bit. There was something off during their landing on planet Red 420. Every planetary landing he had before this was intense and filled with GEOM flak and was met with stern ground resistance. Their landing, in fact, was the complete opposite of his previous experiences---no GEOM anti air fire from the second they entered Red 420¡¯s atmosphere to the time the bay doors on their transport ship had opened. His mind roamed at all the possible scenarios as went through the oxygen adaptation system---a scanning machine that changes level of atmosphere adaptation of nanomites with regards to the current planet¡¯s atmosphere. These nanomites are injected to one¡¯s bloodstream and act as air filters and converters. With these innovations, the use of oxygen replenishing suits and helmets were unnecessary and would focus more armor and protective headgear efficiency against solar radiation, space fragments and GEOM attacks.


    He wasn¡¯t amused at all.


    ¡°Wolfe, did intel fucked up again?¡± Reid said worriedly as he went down the transport ramp. ¡°I mean, where the hell are these bastards? They should be all over us by now!¡±


    ¡°I know Reid,¡± Wolfe answered, ¡°but orders are orders we should head towards Io.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah.¡± Reid jests, ¡°Just don¡¯t hold back on our bet. My armpit gets extra sweaty after I fight GEOMs.¡± He said with an insolent smirk. Wolfe retaliated with a potent middle finger.


    Io, northern outskirts one hour after planetary deployment


    ¡°Fucking GEOMs!¡± Reid said sulking, ¡°where are they?¡±


    The red desert landscape showed no sign of any living creature moreover GEOMs. Fifty years of GEOM inhabitation has made the Red 420 desolate and eerie. The only distinctive landmark on the landscape is the industrial towers and gigantic mining equipment of Io. The psionic squires haven¡¯t felt any life forms since they have landed, that didn¡¯t help Reid¡¯s gnawing anxiety. They had C and D class psionic squires, having a psychic potential is a rare talent but having just C and D class psionics, it worried him that they are facing some new or high rank GEOM swarm.


    Dammit Max where are you when we need you.


    ¡°Squire Cairo.¡± Reid beckoning one of his three psionic squires assigned to him. ¡°Contact, Knight ClaraHart and ask if she has foreseen anything yet.¡± He said waving his fingers in the air.


    ¡°Right away Lord Knight Reid.¡± The squire, no older than twenty years old, answered. He sat still on his hovercycle for a moment and only shook his head, ¡°She says her premonition power isn¡¯t cooperating with her right now.¡±


    ¡°Ok Cairo, round up the rear of our column.¡±


    ¡°Sir!¡± the boy saluted and drove off towards the end of the Bravo convoy. The Lord Knight watched at the convoy of about one hundred forty soldiers. He scans his command of five hexapod tanks called ¡°Dims¡±, six ¡°Dune¡± armored personnel carriers, two ¡°Harpy¡± attack helicopters and two ¡°Black hawk¡± helicopters, one of the oldest continuously upgraded helicopter line; a heavily armored company than most. He then rode closer to Io in hopes to scout the GEOM plague.


    Knights and Squires ride on custom made hovercycles when deployed on planets and personalized fighter jets for aerial and space combat. These personalized ¡°Stallion¡± hovercycles are suited for a knight or squire¡¯s power and combat needs. As Reid rode across the field a couple of miles from Io¡¯s northern wall he was linked with a telepathic contact from one of Wolfe squires.


    Sir have you stumbled with any GEOM contact yet? A young accented voice resonated in the Lord Knight¡¯s mind.


    Not yet Charles, in the way you asked I guess your company hasn¡¯t encountered anything yet


    Affirmative, Lord Wolfe orders your company to conduct a Pickett charge on Io simultaneously with Alpha and Charlie Company at fourteen hundred hours sir


    Reid smiled. Brute force was always his and Wolfe¡¯s forte and his anxiety for battle was leaking from his pores since they entered the atmosphere.


    Do you acknowledge Lord Reid? The telepathic squire broke him off his battle reverie.


    Acknowledge, fourteen Hundred hours.


    Fuck! Fuck! Reid thought with blazing intensity as he collapsed all fours on the red sand.


    Being inside the mind of a person before and during death was mental torture. After he discussed to his company the planned assault on Io the GEOM alarms began beeping nonstop as the GEOM visual scanners¡¯ screens went all red. Burrows began to appear around them and from the holes and crevices nightmarish creatures appeared, that¡¯s when he got linked with Squire Charles final telepathic exchange.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Fuck!


    This was the first time Reid saw these type of GEOM hosts that were to be the vanguard of the plague attack. The new GEOM was over six feet tall; they have sharp clawed forearms and paddle like hind legs. Their eyes were pearly white and they had a high pitched roar, like the sound of an overheated kettle.


    ¡°What the f-u¡ª.¡± a soldier muttered before his head was swatted clean off by one of new ¡°mole¡± GEOMs.


    ¡°Retreat to first rendezvous point!¡± The Lord Knight commanded. One of the Harpies exploded. ¡°Get the birds in the air! Go! Go!¡±


    Reid ran towards the nearest mole GEOM and punched it twice on its underbelly. The GEOM cried in pain with an ear piercing howl. The Lord Knight then unsheathed his long sword and finished the monster with a vertical slice, cutting it in half. Two hovercycles stopped beside him.


    ¡°Sir!¡± the squire shouted. ¡°Get on sir we got to get out of here!¡± he had the Lord Knight¡¯s hovercycle in tow.


    ¡°Cairo!¡± the lord knight shouted as hurriedly got on the hovercycle,¡±Where¡¯s Aki and Jed?¡±


    The squire just shook this head, ¡°They were covering the copters¡¯ lift offs sir and got swarmed. I was inside their minds when their C5 microchips went off.¡± He said with sullen eyes.


    ¡°I know the feeling Cairo but we don¡¯t have time for that.¡±


    They sped off towards the company¡¯s rendezvous point. ¡°Cairo, status report.¡±


    ¡°We are down to one Dim, four Dunes, a Harpy and both Blackhawks.¡± He answered after using his psionic power. ¡°We have thirty seven casualties so far Sir.¡±


    ¡°We must hold a rear guard of our retreat Cairo.¡± Reid said stopping his hovercycle midway from their rendezvous. Soldiers ran past them or sped off on the remaining Dunes and Blackhawks. The slow Dim was lagging behind the retreat and the remaining harpy provided what little air support it could do. Cairo now stopped behind the Lord Knight.


    ¡°What¡¯s the Plan sir?¡±


    ¡°We kill them all.¡± Then he rode off towards the Dim, followed suit by the young squire.


    Speeding Up, Lord Knight Reid used his potential of density manipulation to make his and Cairo¡¯s hover bike lighter. Using the Momentum they gained, they lifted off the red sand and landed on top the six legged tank.


    ¡°Cairo, throw the hovercycles towards the Plague and when I give the signal detonate their drive cores. I¡¯ll hold off the Hornet GEOMs. They are targeting the Dims for a reason; it seems they can¡¯t destroy them with the moles alone. We need to protect this Dim.¡±


    The Squire nodded and used his telekinesis to hurtle both hovercycles towards the chasing Plague. Wolfe planned their rendezvous well; the path they took was between two quarries which meant only one land route in case they were overwhelmed from their assault on Io. And Lord Knight Reid¡¯s primary power is more effective when focused on a single point.


    Concentrating on the path behind them, Reid turned the sand in to a phased state while making the Dim lighter to go faster. The chasing ground GEOMs fell through the desert path. Moles appeared momentarily beneath the sand before falling.


    ¡°NOW CAIRO!¡± The Lord Knight exclaimed as he made the path solidify again. The earth shuddered with the explosion of the hovercycles.


    ¡°What a waste, I really liked that bike.¡± The squire muttered.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go sentimental yet we didn¡¯t get all the hornets.¡± The Lord knight said as the buzzing of wings became apparent. These four- feet -tall GEOM ¡°Hornets¡± aren¡¯t suitable for flying long distances but they move fast whether they travel on land or air.


    ¡°Shit that¡¯s a lot of Bugs.¡± Cairo stuttered.


    ¡°Get ready here they come!¡± Reid shouted as he felled a diving hornet.


    From above, the Dim looked like a rock in a green stream. The duo separated the flying formation of hornets with support fire from the Dim¡¯s remaining operational guns. The Lord Knight hacked away the plague with his long sword with ease. He wouldn¡¯t tire easily even on the intensity on what his sword wielding style appears to be.


    Density Manipulation has a grand list of uses. Lord Knight Reid adapted his fighting style with the cheating effects his potential enables him. When He swings his sword, he turns the sword¡¯s density to that of air and basically arcs a six foot long weapon with a weight of a plastic toothpick and just as he is about to hit a GEOM, he floods the weapons density up to a metric ton. The combined momentum and weight he generates has power equal to a megaton missile exploding at point blank range. Though some Lord Knights disapprove of Reid¡¯s inefficient style due to its requirements of multi-tasking one¡¯s density manipulation talent and rigorous training or a secondary power to resist the whiplash caused by the sudden change of density but the Reid raid sword style gets it done.


    It also lies under Reid¡¯s context of ¡°fun¡±.


    The Lord Knight was but a blur at the tail end of the Dim, A human GEOM grinder. The squire was the lord knight¡¯s link to his platoons since GEOM Haxes have already jammed their long and medium range communications. He was impressed with the squire, multi telepathic linking him with his platoon leaders while fending off stray hornets that escaped his Raid technique.


    A quarter mile from rendezvous point Sir! Bravo Company has secured the point perimeter.


    The Lord Knight nodded towards the plague not letting up his flurry of blows. The hornet swarm is thinning now. I must save my energy for when we rescue Alpha Company. Oh my armpits are real sweaty now.


    Too much information Lord Reid, we are now within support range fire. No sign of GEOM moles for now sir.


    Reid nodded Try contacting Lord Wolfe now; let¡¯s hope they survived as well


    ¡°BRAVO OPEN FIRE!¡± He commanded through their short range coms.


    An orchestra of gunfire came from the Bravo rendezvous point mowing down the last of the chasing hornets. The Lord Knight dropped his weapon, sat at the Dim¡¯s edge and watched the fireworks display.


    ¡°Sir Reid, I can¡¯t link with Lord Wolfe but he is still alive and with about half his men. They are barely holding off their GEOM plague on these coordinates I¡¯m about to relay now. They are now retreating further from my telepathic range¡­south east and I¡¯m too tired to extend my standard range.¡±


    ¡°Good job Cairo, don¡¯t exhaust yourself further. I can tell it¡¯s going to be a long day.¡± Reid then faced the direction where Cairo said the Lord Knight Wolfe was retreating to. The last salvos echoed across the red desert.


    ¡°Don¡¯t die yet Wolfe.¡± he muttered, ¡°You still have a bet to honor.¡±

 Chapter 3: Lone Wolfe

    Silence, The vividness of peace within is invigorating. The darkness that silence emits envelops one¡¯s senses, making them oblivious of their grasp of time and reality. Wolfe opened his eyes; he was lying on something prickly. It crunch when he turned to look at it. He was lying on a bed of dried wheat under an aquamarine colored sky. A gentle breeze swept across his skin that smelled of spring wonder. Wolfe was back on Sierra again. He squinted as the blue sun popped up behind a cloud; he shielded his eyes with his right arm and stood up. He remembered this place well.


    He walked the other end of the harvested wheat patch and instinctively turned left only stopping when he reached a dirt path leading to a farmhouse. He ran towards it, a distinct crunch of gravel and grass sounded for each step he took.


    Please be there, please be there.


    Before he reached the farmhouse a sudden flash of light blinded him followed by a terrible crack, forcing Wolfe to cover his eyes and drop prone; the air smelled like toasted almonds¡ªWhen he reopened his eyes he was back again on Red 420 still inside the trench.


    The smell hasn¡¯t receded yet.


    What were left of his men and the bodies of the fallen were blackened remains of their skeletons and a few patches of burnt hair and skin. The Lord Knight piece by piece grasped the horrific reality¡ªhe was sole survivor of the Alpha Company.


    He looked at himself, his armor was red hot and melted on some places, his equipment other than his rapier, disabled; and that¡¯s when he realized his skin was glowing bright blue. He was sure then that they were hit with some kind of an energy attack and that partly explains why he had survived it. He tried to remember what happened before the GEOM rushed them as he rose from the trench. A huge crater, about ten meters across was at the crest of the hill where they held their last stand.


    No. Not again.


    He stood at the center of the crater and saw how their position was with ringed rows and rows of GEOM remains---he stood at the bull¡¯s eye of a massacre target. Wolfe studied the energy that course through him and the still energized epicenter, this was not a UTSF artillery strike ¨Cthe energy felt more¡­organic.


    Wolfe concluded that this encounter with the GEOM¡¯s became the proving ground of the parasitic plague¡¯s new weapons. He has to report this to command. He drew his rapier; the GEOM¡¯s won¡¯t let up an opportunity to capture a knight. The earth beneath him began to rumble faintly, he quickly dropped rolled to his left falling inside a trench. From the crater emerged two mole-like creatures, their bodies littered with flesh colored GEOM worm protrusions.


    He stood up to meet them rapier drawn, He pierced the right most mole on its side and released a portion of his stored energy; expulsion of energy from the rapier went clean through the GEOM and collaterally hit the second mole instantly killing them. Piercing shrieks echoed from the GEOM burrow.


    Shit.


    Wolfe started running down the northern face of the Hill. Burrows began appearing from the hill surface following his escape route.


    There must be thousands of them underground. I need to find the other companies.


    With his enhanced strength, Lord Knight Wolfe easily gained a two mile progression towards their deployment zone with ease but he knew it wouldn¡¯t be enough. The Hornet-types would be chasing him and he knew little of the new mole-types other than they were blind and travel underground using, what seems to be, sonar. His legs were starting to wear out, they were fighting the GEOMs continuously for an hour and the side effect of his potential is now affecting him. He weighted his options; he had approximately eighty percent stored power left from the energy beam that finished his company off and he had about an hour left of sunlight before the Red 420 day cycle ends.


    Sir Wolfe! A disembodied voice ringed in his thoughts.


    Squire? What Company are you on? The commander responded slowing his retreat to a jog.


    Its squire Cairo sir from Bravo Company, we are now rendezvousing towards your location on half strength. What¡¯s your status commander?


    Wolfe¡¯s mouth primed shut for a moment. Alpha Company is wiped out squire.


    There was a pause before the Reid replied through Cairo¡¯s psychic link, Say again Commander Wolfe?If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Alpha Company is gone Reid, I am the only survivor.


    Copy that Wolfe¡ªwe¡¯re coming. Keep heading towards the rendezvous point, Clara already established an FOB there.


    Roger, I got thousands on my tail, get me out of here.


    We will get there as fast as we can. You have to hold out.


    What else am I going to do?


    Wolfe was breathing heavily. He was about six miles from the hill now, his two mile lead from the Plague was dwindling and it was getting dark. He has to hold somewhere safe and hidden from the plague or run faster towards the FOB. There wasn¡¯t anything around him for miles and battle-fatigue is starting to affect his senses. The sunset was just an orange blur; he was now on the verge of collapsing. Wolfe now felt how burnt his shoulders and part of his neck is. First degree burns from how it felt and looked like, that energy attack was something else.


    His legs suddenly gave away as he reached the top of a sand dune and tumbled down to its base. Red sand plumed from where he landed, he coughed then blacked out.


    The red sand was all gone now, replaced by scorched earth and crystallized matter. The farmhouse now burning, the fires licked and dance every surface with its orange red flare. He fell on his knees, tears swelled from his eyes and his voice cracked as he cried in agony.


    Please don¡¯t be there. Please.


    But Wolfe already knows the truth, she was inside and he can¡¯t do anything about it. He didn¡¯t do anything about it. The now red sky rained with projectiles pockmarking Sierra¡¯s surface, Wolfe was oblivious to the destruction. He just knelt there waiting for his death, he was already dead inside. Every ounce of hope had drained from him as he watch his house burned down, a salvo exploded near the farmhouse eradicating it completely.


    I¡¯m Sorry, I¡¯m Sorry.


    His pleas lost in the wind. The arid air and revolting smell of burned and rotting corpses swallowed his words and engulfed him.


    A light emanated from the smoke. Wolfe stood up, his brows furrowed, his eyes blood red from his tears and the smoky air. He slowly walked towards it and the light molded into a figure of woman; her slender body accentuated by her glowing garment.


    Wolfe, where are you? She said with a sing song voice.


    ¡°Jane?¡± His voiced cracked ¡°Jane is that you?¡±


    Wolfe, where are you sweetie?


    He was running now, ¡°Jane!¡± he was close now. ¡°Jane! I¡¯m here! Jane!¡±


    She was now within arm¡¯s reach, Wolfe now held her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m here honey.¡± He said as he turns her towards him.


    A woman with a burnt face with empty eye sockets greeted Wolfe and answered with a broken gape


    ¡°WHERE WERE YOU SWEETIE?¡±


    Wolfe woke from his nightmare just in time to see a trio of hornets, their stingers primed, diving towards him. The GEOMs missed. Wolfe instinctively released his collected energy vaporizing his assailants.


    He ran towards the FOB¡¯s direction. It was pitched black now; his only guide was the battleship beacon atop the deployment zone.


    Commander Wolfe! The Squire¡¯s voice ringed.


    Where¡¯s my evac?! Wolfe uppercuts a mole as it emerges from the ground it front of him.


    They¡¯ve set up a blocking force to intercept us sir, their new GEOM is giving us hell.


    Wolfe frowned. Beam artillery-type GEOM?


    Yes sir about five miles from your position if you keep on your direction commander. Lord Reid is trying to assault their artillery right now.


    Status?


    The Squire paused, ¡°¡ªnot good sir. Haxes are still jamming our radio contact with our fleet but we have exceeded our second com check so they should be sending troops right now.¡±


    Wolfe had to do something fast. He saw the lights of the battle flickering at the distance and the flutter of hornet GEOMs reminded him he was still being chased. He had to shake them off and somehow flank the GEOM organic artillery. As if on cue, bright red beams fired towards the UTSF lines. Wolfe rushed towards the beam source, the hornets¡¯ buzzing and stomps sound closer now.


    Cairo link me with Reid!


    After a few moments the squire answered with a prompt,¡± Connected Sir.¡±


    Reid distract their artillery from their west side, I¡¯ll be coming from the east. Hold your fire from the east!


    As if an answer, the GEOM artillery focused fired towards their west.


    Where were you sweetie?


    Wolfe willed his body to move towards the expose flank, cutting down stray GEOM grunts along the way. They clearly think he was not a threat as he was earlier the day not reinforcing his direction of approach.


    Reid retreat now! I¡¯m prepping the fuse!


    The flurry from the other end of the GEOM artillery fire base receded and the flash of the gunfire indicated Reid has received his order. Wolfe was closer now; the GEOM artillery that destroyed his company was now more than a silhouette. The GEOM artillery resembles a plump orange firefly grown to a size of twenty feet high; their abdomens glows as they prep to fire their organic plasma. Wolfe ran on top of one of the firefly GEOMs and as it was about to fire jumped in the way of its beam trajectory; absorbing most of the beam salvo.


    Where are you Wolfie?


    The commander winced in pain as he landed on the sand and held in the energy that¡¯s swelling inside him. He watched as Reid led their remaining forces away from the GEOM line. The Firefly GEOMs aimed at the immobilize Wolfe, The Lord Knight laid there waiting for the buzz of the hornets to get louder.


    ¡°Come and get it you bastards!¡± Wolfe¡¯s eyes turned white as he sat up and released plasmatic energy within him with a ground punch. The combination of his power absorption and enhanced strength created a very powerful version of his usual parry technique. The vaporizing radius was tenfold of that his normal expulsion and also created a shockwave that stunned the GEOMs enough to get caught inside the steady growing destructive field. The bright light enveloped the battlefield followed by a thunderous bellow.


    Ash began falling, the remnants of the vaporized GEOMs. The few that escaped the field retreated towards the industrial city Io.


    Wolfe then laid at the focal point. His brown eyes staring at the Battleship beacon above him which slowly formed into a slender body of a woman, her smiling face now whole and beautiful again.


    There you are Wolfe.


    Wolfe raised his burnt arm, trying to reach her.


    ¡°I¡¯m he¡ªre Jan¡ªe.¡± his hand dropped, his body succumbing to exhaustion.

 Chapter 4: Death from above

    SOLAR YEAR 2429, LEO SYSTEM, SECTOR ONE, PLANET RED 420 ORBIT. 1230 HOURS, THE MARSHAL THIRTY MINUTES AFTER INVASION


    ¡°Admiral Axton,¡± An officer brandishing the Captain insignia on his uniform said with unease. ¡±Was it wise that we did not fully briefed the vanguard landing force about our suspicion on the unusual GEOM signals on our Thermal scans?¡±


    The Admiral¡¯s hologram on the Captain¡¯s panel flickered. ¡°We can¡¯t undermine our soldier¡¯s morale about the stakes Captain Hawkins. Besides, The vanguard is commanded with the best Knights HQ can spare.¡±


    Captain Hawkins can¡¯t shake the numbing feeling on the pit of his stomach. They have basically sent the men with one eye blindfolded. ¡°Sir, Permission to send the second wave.¡±


    ¡°Permission denied.¡± The Admiral¡¯s voiced crackled on the coms. ¡°Follow the protocol Captain we can¡¯t send more soldiers without a foothold on Red 420.¡±


    The Captain almost gave away his frustration. ¡°Sir, two com checks from now it might be too late.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s an order Captain.¡± The hologram disappeared.


    Hawkins collapsed on his chair; his officers on the bridge gave brief glances at him then went back to work on their respective stations. The invasion plan was flawed from the start. Headquarters were rushing the offensive, desperate for results---trying to follow up their victory defending the inner Virgo system.


    ¡°Lieutenant Herrard, post the thermal scans on screen.¡±


    ¡°Aye Captain.¡± The Lieutenant typed a series of commands and a grid went on bridge¡¯s holographic screen.


    The grid contained templates of all the thermal scans they took on Red 420; the earliest dating two weeks before the invasion. The captain carefully studied the thermal scans for anomalies they had missed or similarities from previous thermal scans on prior invasions. One template caught his attention.


    ¡°Lieutenant, enlarge template number thirty two.¡±


    The thermal scan was Io and its surrounding area; glowing red hot at its outskirts, indicating GEOM activity.


    ¡°Zoom in Lieutenant.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir!¡± the image focused on Io. The city had a faint orange glow and a red dot almost perfectly situated on the city¡¯s center.


    ¡°Compare the image with Io¡¯s map.¡± A Fifty year old industrial city map blinked beside the thermal scan.


    ¡°Shit,¡± The Captain muttered, ¡°Lieutenant Buhari, Get me Admiral Axton right now!¡±


    ¡°On it Captain,¡± The Lieutenant said with a heavily African-accented voice, ¡°On screen now.¡±


    But just before the Admiral¡¯s hologram fully materializes the display went white with static and a thud rocked the Marshal hurtling the Captain sideways.


    ¡°We are under attack Captain!¡± Lieutenant Herrard exasperated. ¡°I¡¯m counting twenty three Bogeys coming from 420¡¯s moon---they¡¯re GEOM controlled ships sir!¡±


    ¡°Son of a bitch,¡± Captain Hawkins recovered and held the bridge¡¯s railing, ¡°Sound the alarm! All hands on battle stations, Buhari I want to know if we have orders dammit!¡±


    ¡°Sir--.¡± The Lieutenant¡¯s voice trailed off.


    ¡°Spit it out Lieutenant, we don¡¯t have time for dallying!¡±


    Lieutenant Buhari swallowed and took a deep breath ¡°Flagship...Red Dawn is¡ªgone sir¡±


    Captain Hawkins gawked, wide-eyed, ¡°give me aft cameras.¡± One of the screens blinked and showed the burning wreck slowly being pulled by Red 420¡¯s gravity. ¡°My god.¡±


    ¡°Frigates Minerva and Helix have engaged the enemy sir,¡± Lieutenant Buhari snapped, ¡°The rest of the Battle Squadron is waiting for your orders Captain.¡±


    Hawkins straightened, with Axton gone he was second in command of the Squadron; he mustn¡¯t panic. He remembered what his drill sergeant kept ringing into him during his basic training, lives were counting on him.


    ¡°Rally the fleet into squadron formation on us; hail the Minerva and Helix to stop their advance!¡±


    ¡°Order¡¯s away Captain,¡± The communications officer entering encrypted codes on the panel, ¡°Minerva and Helix have sustained heavy damage sir.¡±


    A display then flashed with both frigates venting atmosphere and fires erupting on their structures. The Captain gripped the railing tighter. ¡°Report Lieutenant.¡±


    ¡°We just lost two Myrmidon-class destroyers and a Tera cruiser,¡± Lieutenant Buhari consulting the coms he has been receiving.


    Hawkins then looked at his tactical officer, Lieutenant Shizuka Miyo, absorbed at her control panel, typing commands checking weapon systems. Her face impassive and her sudden silence was unnerving.


    ¡°Shizuka weapons status?¡± Hawkins snapped


    Not looking up from her monitor she responded, ¡°Ordnances and Lebensschmerz rail guns are all green. Autocannons are green. Bogeys are in range in ten seconds.¡±


    ¡°We just lost the Minerva Captain.¡± Lieutenant Buhari reported his uniform starting to get drenched by his perspiration.


    ¡°Herrard get us in formation, I want full speed on our engines. Our left flank is falling apart.¡±


    ¡°Aye Captain,¡± the Navigation Officer steered the Cruiser on the lead finger formation, ¡°running on two hundred fifty percent on primary engines---ETA thirty seconds before blank party. Two minutes before red line.¡±


    The destroyers Damio and Vasily formed at the Marshal¡¯s port and starboard respectively and the fleet¡¯s only carrier ¡ª The Nobunaga¡ªcompleted the lead finger four formation. Three other sets of finger four formations completed the fleet squadron.


    ¡°The Helix is heading towards the middle of the enemy formation sir!¡± Lieutenant Buhari displayed the stern camera¡¯s feed on the bridge display. The Icatha-class frigate was going towards the now thirty ship strength GEOM fleet as fast as its damaged engines would allow it to. Green glowing projectiles homed in at the Helix as it lumbered towards the heart of the enemy formation. The frigate riddled with explosions---pieces of debris peeled off from the Helix every hit it took. The Helix was almost in range for its planned kamikaze detonation of its fusion core when a streak of red light fired from the GEOM flagship¡ªtwice the Nobunaga¡¯s size¡ªand hit the Helix amidships; the frigate¡¯s stern and rear sections separated and exploded.


    ¡°Shit. We need our Operator online now.¡± Captain Hawkins gritted his teeth. That was surely the weapon that sniped the Red Dawn when the GEOMs opened up on them and the ship AI, called an operator, was the only countermeasure to precisely dodge the GEOM beam¡¯s trajectory. Unfortunately, the ship¡¯s AI was scheduled for a much needed reformatting after the last of the transport ships have landed on Red 420 because Intel from Tera HQ stated that the invasion of Red 420 was a low GEOM density level mission and GEOM space presence was non-existent.


    ¡°Two minutes before Rita is online sir.¡± Buhari reported as he overrides the AI¡¯s reformatting midway.


    The GEOM beam flashed again hitting a cruiser from their rightmost formation of the squadron.


    ¡°Buhari send an SOS message to the Herodutus invasion force,¡± Hawkins said with urgency on his tone, ¡±the queen¡¯s not on Herodutus it¡¯s on Red 420.¡±


    Another UTSF ship, the Conway, was hit by the GEOM beam; splitting the destroyer in half before it lazily drifted and exploded. Fourteen Ships remained in the Red 420 invasion fleet.


    ¡°Rita is now loading sir!¡±If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°Thirty seconds to blank party.¡±


    ¡°Get me on squadron frequency Buhari,¡± Captain Hawkins ordered, ¡±Release LS rail gun and torpedo safeties Shizuka and as soon Rita is online delegate the autocannons to her as well as the port and starboard break thrusters Herrard.¡±


    ¡°Aye Captain,¡± the Bridge officers said in Unison.


    ¡°Eleventh USTF squadron I¡¯m sending firing solutions and maneuvers now. Godspeed.¡±


    A few seconds later, as the Marshal¡¯s operator materializes from the bridge hologram, the barrage of LS raliguns and various torpedoes and missiles fired on the Plague fleet---half of the barrage focused on the animated GEOM flagship. The GEOM fleet consists mostly of ships with GEOM controlled crewmen whom the plague captured during the seventy-four years of conquering human controlled planets and space. But every now a then, an organic ship would spawn from a queen-controlled space dock, as intel would theorize.


    ¡°Twelve of thirty GEOM ships neutralized from initial salvo Keptan Hawkins,¡± The Marshal Operator said with a cool, artificial and imperfect Russian accent, ¡°autocannons have engaged GEOM generated projectiles and GEOM controlled fighters.¡±


    ¡°Sir we¡¯ve reached red line on primary engines!¡± Lieutenant Herrard reported, ¡°She is now running on thirty percent with secondary reactors Captain.¡±


    There was a dull thud that sent the ship portside a split second before a flash of light fried the starboard primary camera, the GEOM flagship had missed. The Nobunaga had now deployed most of its single manned Karve fighters. The Blank party has started.


    ¡°Rita what¡¯s the status on GEOM flagship?¡± The Captain asked; cold sweat ran down his pores.


    ¡°GEOM flagship¡¯s propulsion has slowed and as my statistics surmise, its reload time extends after each shot it takes with its beam weapon.¡±


    ¡°A weakness perhaps?¡± Hawkins mused. ¡°Calculate next firing sequence of GEOM beam Rita.¡±


    ¡°Sixten Sekends.¡± The Operator responded.


    The Marshal made a sickening lurched as its hull was hit with a direct hit from a gravity cannon.


    ¡°Decks 7 through 9 compromised, sealing.¡± Rita¡¯s hologram crackled.¡± Damio has taken extensive damage.¡± The Marshal¡¯s port camera feed came into view showing the destroyer listing to its port.


    ¡°Send firing solutions to third finger and the rest of lead to target the GEOM flagship with their LS guns.¡±


    ¡°Solutions away Captain.¡± Buhari said as he types the order.


    ¡°LS guns are primed on GEOM flagship.¡± Shizuka reported. She ignored her brown hair as it fell, covering half her face. ¡°Rounds away.¡± Simultaneous car size chunks sped towards the GEOM flagship.


    ¡°GEOM ships are maneuvering between our LS trajectories and the GEOM flasgships Keptain Hawkins.¡± The AI focused the stern camera on the GEOM ships sacrificing themselves by blocking the Lebensschmerz volley. ¡°Eighteen out of thirty GEOM ships neutralized zir.¡±


    The GEOM flagship fired its main weapon hitting the cruiser Miyagi. The damaged cruiser lost control of its engines and collided with the frigate beside him; the two ships spun in a death embrace and slowly went out of the Marshal¡¯s starboard camera view.


    Captain Hawkins slammed his control panel in frustration. The GEOMs were learning. Most of the fleet also had their operators rebooted after the initial invasion wave and they were paying the price for it.


    ¡°Twenty sekends before GEOM beam weapon recharges,¡± The AI announced, ¡°New GEOM conteks kemin frem coordinates Ex-sero-sero-Why-thirteen-four-Si-fivty-eight-four.¡±


    Captain Hawkins double-checked the coordinates, His eyes widened. The GEOM reinforcements were coming from below them. The Marshal groaned as she sustained another hit.


    ¡°Sir, armors on Decks 2 through 5 are down to five inchez,¡± The Operator reported. ¡°autocannon ammunition is at twenty percent.¡±


    ¡°LS railgun reloaded Captain.¡± Lieutenant Shizuka said, facing the Captain. ¡°What do we do sir?¡± Her voice strained with stress.


    They were almost at melee range with the GEOM main line and the GEOM flank was almost in range to fire their weapon on the fleet¡¯s bilges. It would be almost impossible to evade the GEOM beam from this range.


    ¡°Rita, send orders to release chaff bilge side and for formation two to intercept the flanking maneuver,¡± Hawkins commanded, ¡°Herrard, I want one hundred percent on our secondary engines. Shizuka, target the GEOM flagship with our LS guns and release safeties on all our port and starboard Leonid missile pods, this is going to get messy.¡±


    The officers hurried to their tasks and Rita paused as she sent new orders to the eleventh UTSF fleet. The second finger-four formation---consisting of two frigates and destroyers---dove in an almost ninety degree angle to face the ten ship strong GEOM flanking force. Captain Hawkins winced. Dividing his forces isn¡¯t the most optimal tactic in the situation but The GEOMs had used their element of surprise with great effect. Their only hope was that the intercepting second formation could buy them time as they try to destroy the main line of GEOMS.


    A static-filled com signal from the Nobunaga filled the bridge speakers. ---Captain---kins¡ªwe los¡ªhalf our Kna---fighters--primary ¨Csecon---engines fail---. The connection ended with white noise.


    The display then showed the Nobunaga, her armor had taken significant hits. The carrier was peppered with holes and fire-filled crevices; one such crevice ran from her centerline to her stern.


    ¡°god almighty.¡± Hawkins heard Herrard gasp.


    ¡°Nobunaga, we are heading into melee,¡± Hawkins responded on the intercom, ¡°hold here and provide fighter and ordnance cover, over.¡±


    There was a pause and the intercom flared ---with¡ªdue res-pect sir. You ¨Can shove yo¡ªcover up your---ass we did¡ªt go all thiss---ay to watch a frea¡ªn movie. ¨Cover.¡±


    The Nobunaga¡¯s engine fired for a moment before venting black smoke. It used what momentum it had and followed lead formation towards the heart of the GEOM main line. Audio again erupted from the intercoms. Second formation has engaged the enemy sir. Seven first-gen Tera-class cruisers and three unknown frigate-size animates. Explosions from the destroyer¡¯s com line ended the signal.


    ¡°Ten seconds before melee,¡± The navigation officer reported, ¡°Three minutes before secondary engines go red line. Primary engines forty percent operational.¡±


    A salvo of LS ordnance launched towards the GEOM line, four ships shielded the GEOM flagship disabling three. The fourth one floated aimlessly but kept firing its organic weapons.


    ¡°Rita, take control of Leonid Firing trajectories and hold autocannons for counter---.¡± The Captain¡¯s command ended abruptly as gravity cannons and a missile barrage hit the Marshal portside.


    ¡°Damage report!¡± Hawkins barked as he braced himself from the impact. Sparks erupted from the instrument panels and the ringing of warning alarms filled the bridge.


    ¡°Sector D is gone sir!¡± Lieutenant Buhari said frantically, he turned to face Captain Hawkins. ¡°One of the enemy frigates crashed into us sir!¡±


    Hawkins gritted his teeth. They were being boarded; the GEOMs are trying to capture his ship. A blinding crimson light coruscate the bridge. The GEOM flagship had fired on the Nobunaga, piercing the carrier from bow to stern; despite the gaping hole and the severe damage it sustained, the Nobunaga was still navigating towards the GEOM flagship.


    --We¡¯re¡ªg-ing---nish what¡ªHelix¡ªstart¡ªd sir! The Nobunaga¡¯s com line stuttered.


    The Captain understood. ¡°Rita, isolate sector D and sound the boarding alarms. Shizuka give Nobunaga all the covering fire we can spare.¡±


    ¡°Sir?¡± Shizuka paused indecisively before snapping to attention, ¡°Yes sir!¡± She entered the commands on her panel.


    ¡°What¡¯s the status on the GEOM boarding party?¡±


    ¡°All bulkheads and fents towards sector D are sealed,¡± The Operator responded, ¡°The Organizms are trying to go through the bulkheads on Deck 6.¡±


    The GEOM and UTSF line had started to mesh together reaching the battle¡¯s climax. Fire and return fire hailed from both sides, shells of armor peeling away from ships, fires breaking out and sparks spewed as the graphic melee went on. The crew of the heavily damaged Damio tried to steer a collision course on one of the GEOM controlled cruisers. The Vasily fought point blank against a GEOM destroyer---parts tore away from both ships. The GEOM flagship fired once more on the Nobunaga but that did not stop the cruiser from crashing into it. The Nobunaga¡¯s stern bent upwards as it collided with the flagship¡¯s prow---it kept cutting through the animated ship until it split amidships and imploded on itself. The carrier broke into pieces, its debris floated aimlessly. When the GEOM and USTF lines passed each other, only three USTF ships remained---all sustaining severe damage.


    Lights blinked on the Marshal¡¯s bridge, Captain Hawkins used his chair to lift him up. His vision blurred and there was a constant ringing on his ears. The Operator¡¯s hologram fizzled in and out of its projector as it repeats the cruiser¡¯s status: all decks compromised. All crew evacuate to life boat sections and standby. GEOMs have taken Decks 6 to 8, initiating counter measures.


    Captain Hawkins assessed their situation, Herrard was resuscitating Buhari---who seemed to have hit his head hard, blood gushed from his forehead---Shizuka was still on her panel coordinating fire teams to flush the GEOMs out, more than half his bridge personnel were injured; he calculated that the Marshal alone had a thousand casualties.


    ¡°Rita, hail the Vasily and the Epitome,¡± the Captain gasped, he tasted blood in his mouth, ¡°Get them on display please.¡±


    The last of the cameras fed their recordings on the display. The Vasily¡¯s starboard was so decimated it looked like it was half a ship; The Epitome, another Icatha-class frigate, had fires burning throughout its structure but were slowly going out.


    ¡°Vasily here, we got wrecked sir,¡± Vasily¡¯s Captain reported, ¡°All starboard side deck faces destroyed but we still got half a reactor working and several Leonid pods.¡±


    The frigate sent an electronic message reading:


    AUDIO COMS DISABLED. LS GUN DISABLED. RUNNING ON SECONDARY REACTORS. CAPTAIN OSLO IS DEAD.


    The Captain said a short prayer to the one who was watching over that battle. They survived the first clash but he knew there was still another GEOM force they would have to fight.


    ¡°Rita, status on second formation.¡±


    The AI paused then answered, ¡°UTSF second formation has been annihilated Keptan Hawkins. Five GEOM controlled Tera-class cruisers and three unknowns are inbound on our coordinates.¡±


    The display then showed a formation consisting of five grey ships enveloped by black throbbing webbing and three flesh-colored frigate-sized ships heading towards them.


    ¡°Buhari, send orders to the remaining ships to turn towards the Plague---we¡¯re not going down without a fight.¡±


    ¡°Buhari is dead sir,¡± Lieutenant Herrard said with sullen eyes as he returned to his station, Buhari¡¯s blood still in his hands.


    The Captain nodded grimly. ¡°Rita, follow up on previous order. Shizuka, what do we have left?¡±


    ¡°Missile pods L through O and four LS rounds and one working railgun sir,¡± The tactical officer responded, her steely demeanor returning.


    ¡°Noted. Herrard give me everything our engines got,¡± Captain Hawkins sat on his chair then turned on the external coms, ¡°All right boys and girls let¡¯s send these bastards to hell.¡±

 Chapter 5: Isolation

    Wolfe woke up inside a white cot. His head ached and his right arm stung---he saw that he had several inject marks and an IV line. The designated Medical corpsman of that time entered the cot, Wolfe heard the medic call Knight Clara through the coms.


    ¡°Where am I?¡± The Lord Knight groaned.


    ¡°Forward Operating Base Geronimo Lord Wolfe.¡± The Medic answered not looking up from his clipboard. ¡°Your respirator nanomites got fried when you got hit by the fire tails.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Wolfe muttered dryly


    ¡°You inhaled Red 420¡¯s atmosphere and might have experienced delusions,¡± The medic now went to check his IV, ¡°We¡¯ve replaced your damaged respirators with new ones.¡±


    Wolfe then looked again at his right arm. So that¡¯s why I have these.


    Knight Clarahart entered the cot and smirked, ¡°I guess you¡¯ll be smelling armpits now.¡±


    The Lord Knight forced a smile, ¡°Speaking of smelly armpits, where¡¯s Reid?¡±


    ¡°He is leading a patrol around the FOB perimeter,¡± She then consulted her holographic clipboard, ¡°Sector Alpha two-four-four-six.¡±


    Wolfe nodded, ¡°So how long was I out?¡±


    The female knight looked at the corpsman, beckoning him to answer Wolfe¡¯s question, ¡°Uhm, two planet Red 420 full cycles, fifteen hours, twenty two minutes---and six seconds.¡± He answered after double checking his notes and watch.


    The Lord Knight took a deep breath then sank deeper into his medical bed covers. ¡°So where was the second wave and third wave delegated Clara?¡±


    The Corpsman and the Knight looked at each other, neither of them not wanting to bear the bad news.


    Knight Clarahart sighed, ¡°The fleet was also attacked Wolfe.¡±


    Wolfe sat up from his bed, locking eyes with the female Knight. ¡°What do you mean Clara?¡± His ribs ached but he ignored it.


    ¡°We have reason to suspect that---,¡± Clara¡¯s lips pursed for a moment then finally uttered, ¡°The Eleventh USTF squadron has been completely annihilated. We are on our own Wolfe.¡±


    ¡°Well, Shit.¡± The Lord Knight now sat at bed¡¯s edge, holding his swollen ribs, ¡°Logistics Clara.¡±


    Clara once again turned on her virtual clipboard, ¡°We have about a week of food, rationed. Two weeks of water. We¡¯ve managed to save all medical transports ---- and fuel for every vehicle we have for another full tank each. We are running low on ammunition though, as expected¡­we¡¯re especially low for our air support.¡±


    Before Wolfe could ask about how many vehicles do they have left the Knight was already speaking.


    ¡°Eight Dims---we¡¯re lucky to have that much since the GEOM¡¯s tend to focus them, Twenty R-6 Dunes, Four Harpies, Seven Blackhawks and Five Atlas transports. Oh, and one of those assault drone packages.


    Wolfe¡¯s brows furrowed. The vehicles they have aren¡¯t much help in defending an established point since they are low on fuel and ammunition. Thoughts of faces from his annihilated company suddenly poured into his mind. The soldier¡¯s weary grins, Wolfe blinks---and their burnt corpses. The shout of do or die deafened him until Knight Clarahart¡¯s voice snapped him out of his self ¨Cinduced incubus.


    ¡°---Wolfe,¡± Clara snapped, walking closer to the Lord Knight, ¡°Wolfe---are you alright?¡±


    ¡°¡ªy-y¡ªyeah,¡± He answered shaking his head then rubbing his eyes,¡± I think I¡¯m still high from this atmosphere. So you were saying?¡±


    Clara sighed, hands on her hips, ¡°You sure?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get this over with.¡±


    She glared at the Lord Knight for a moment then consulted her clipboard again, ¡°Bravo Company has ninety-seven men, Charlie Company is one hundred twenty six men strong---¡°


    The Knight was cut short mid-sentence as Lord Knight Wolfe fainted.


    He was back on Sierra---kneeling down and cradling Jane¡¯s lifeless body. The orbital bombardment of the GEOM infested Sierra Space Security fleet was increasing in intensity, every shot inching closer to where they were. The wave of heat enveloping his body, his skin shiny from sweat and the thuds and thumps of the glassing rounds was vertigo-inducing.


    He stared at Jane¡¯s peaceful face. He wept as the thought of never seeing her eyes open again came to him. They were slowly became covered by soot and dirt courtesy of each newly crater smashing at the ground around them. Wolfe stroked Jane¡¯s stray hairs behind her ears and caressed her face---nothing else matters now. A bright ball was falling directly over them---its heat blistering Jane¡¯s skin, Wolfe just hummed Jane¡¯s favorite song as he waited for the bombarding round to hit them.


    ¡°¡­watching you leave and I --- couldn¡¯t see you¡ªgo¡­¡±


    The bright light became brighter and brighter¡ªtotally consuming the two.


    Wolfe woke up drenched in sweat, he immediately shielded his eyes---The Bright light hasn¡¯t receded yet.


    The Medical cot was burning; the smoke was slowly choking him and caused his eyes to water. His IV bag was empty, its contents evaporated from the heat. Wolfe calculated that the cot was burning for around fifteen minutes. The lack of oxygen in Red 420¡¯s atmosphere saved him from being burned to a crisp even with his energy absorption powers. He pulled off the cannula through the IV cord and limped towards the cot¡¯s exit. When he got closer to the exit the resonant sounds of gunfire and shouts have overpowered the cindering hisses of the burning tent.


    When he got outside, the Lord Knight realized that the planet was undergoing its night cycle. Plumes of flame erupted around the camps perimeter and streaks of tracer rounds lit Fire Base Geronimo. Wolfe saw the chaos as good news since the firefights are outside albeit near the base perimeters. A loud cracked sounded behind him and saw the Medic tent collapse behind him; the telltale Firefly GEOM-made crater just intersected one of the corners of the cot.


    These goddamn things will be the death of me. Wolfe mused.


    A Harpy attack helicopter passed over the Lord Knight; the helicopter¡¯s rotors reverberated loudly, kicking up the red sand---Wolfe was forced to cover his face from the upstart of dirt. The Helicopter¡¯s mechanic heartbeat slowly faded as it went south west of Fire Base Geronimo to provide air support; The sizzling sound of missiles launched was audible enough and within a few seconds explosions resounded. Wolfe suddenly fell to his knees, his vision swirled and a blaring sound filled his ears. The Lord Knight winced, he just caught sight the burning cot and that¡¯s when he realized that he might have fried his nanomite respirators again.


    He was careful not to take deep breaths so as not to inhale the planet¡¯s hypnotic atmosphere and the sand that gets winded up. He was on all fours now, slowly fully collapsing. The buzzing of Hornet-GEOM wings and the bellows of Firefly-GEOM organic artillery became louder. His thoughts ran through the timeline of the GEOM infestation process of overrunning a UTSF base that was constantly repeated during his GEOM-nistics class back on the Knight Development covert program he was in back at stronghold planet Advent.


    First Phase starts with GEOM¡¯s forcing to breech the weakest point in a base¡¯s defense --- using wave tactics and, now with a new line of infected organisms, bio-bombardment then widening the gap with full blown selfless---mindless---vigor. Because of the nature of this GEOM attack, the usage of ammunition was inefficient, expensive and became the main weakness of UTSF but the simplicity and ease of training of using firearms overlooks its weaknesses---especially when the GEOM advance are causing humanity to bring more people to arms on short notice. However, the High Command of the UTSF have hedged regarding this problem, the training of specialized and enhanced units that use weapons that would never ran out of ammunition.


    A sudden explosion snapped the Lord Knight back to Fire Base Geronimo.


    My Rapier!


    Wolfe willed his legs to move, they strained in the effort. He was able to stand for a moment before collapsing face first on the red sand. He knew he had to do something before the FOB is breeched and the GEOM attack would turn to its Second Phase, which their stout drill instructor at GEOM-nistics would analogize as ¡°Filling the Cup to the brim.¡±


    Fortunately, Wolfe¡¯s Left arm was not as badly burnt and injected as his right; he pulled himself, painfully and painfully slow, back towards the ash pile which was once his medical ward. The few meter distance felt like kilometers as the anxiety brought by ailing screams of helps and the familiar concord of GEOM wings and marching was becoming more evident. He was near enough the burnt tent to see the faded glint of his rapier¡¯s hilt, now he just has to crawl over the searing cinders to get to the weapon.


    He was about to crawl over the burning embers, the thought of being burned a third time amused him for a moment, when he felt strength coming back to his legs than to his arms. He stood up easily and looked at his healing burns and wounds.


    ¡°Get your Rapier and your fat ass on the South-West gate you bastard.¡± Clara shouted atop the gun turret of one of the Dunes that parked near him, a reinforcement detachment going towards the South-West perimeter. ¡°They have been focusing that gate for some time now,¡± Her right arm reaching out to the face Lord Knight, ¡°Chop Chop A-hole. Let¡¯s go!¡±


    The rancid-smelling wind blew fiercely atop the Dune as the column sped through the base in hopes to reinforce the ailing South-West gate. Wolfe saw Clara slightly retch before retaining form, the decaying smell of body parts was a good sign that the GEOM horde was being held off---if the GEOM¡¯s were winning they wouldn¡¯t allow any corpse to decompose.


    The gunfire from the South-West went silent and the Harpy that went to provide cover fire earlier was starting to return back to the base Helipads, rearming or in retreat. After passing through the red gust the helicopter created, the badly beaten gate came into view; blackened sand, smoldering craters and body parts---both that of humans and GEOM-infects---were littered all over the immediate area.


    Wolfe was more surprise on one of the units that were holding the South-West perimeter. Wearing red and silver unit colors and cladded with the ancient Roman-inspired Segmenteta armor was the Legionary force. The Legions were one of the Knight outfits that consisted of C to A rank ¡°awakends¡±. Being Knights, the Legions were also independent from the USTF military main body, the difference they have from regular Knights is that they were trained as a unit and they have basic and common potentials. The Lord Knight counted that they were at least fifty of the legionnaires--- they all have the black raven insignia emblazoned on their armors indicating that the legion consisted of ocular-enhanced humans.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    ¡°Their Legion Battalion dropped out of the Consul destroyer, one of the ships from Formation two,¡± Clara said, instinctively answering the Lord Knight¡¯s would be question,¡± Apparently The Captain of the Consul had the presence of mind to jettison the barracks as they were crashing into Red 420¡¯s atmosphere...¡±


    Wolfe remembered what he thought was a battleship beacon he saw before he first blacked out --- it turned out it was a destroyer burning up into pieces.


    ¡°..The barrack section landed near the FOB with all two hundred Black Ravens Legionnaires alive,¡± Clara continued and broke a smile so fast that if Wolfe blinked he would have missed it. ¡°That¡¯s one hell of a Captain.¡±


    Wolfe pondered. The destroyer¡¯s Captain still kept the mission in mind while they were crashing towards inevitable death, launching the Barrack section to a precise and safe drop path towards the nearest rendezvous point, one hell of a Captain indeed.


    ¡°They were to be part of the second wave of the invasion force,¡± Clara said, ¡°Fortunately, they were quite well equipped.¡± Wolfe eyed their large rectangular shields and thrusting swords. It reminded him one of the knights he grew up with.


    ¡°Do we have anymore jettisoned troops salvaged?¡± Wolfe asked.


    ¡°We have gathered some marine survivors that landed using escape pods,¡± Clara answered as she shot a GEOM with her sidearm, ¡°but most of the pods were so scattered out that it was too late when we got to them.¡±


    Wolfe nodded, disembarked from the Dune and went towards one of the legionnaires,¡± Who¡¯s your battalion commander?¡±


    The Legionnaire Knight had solid black pupils, likely to be a side effect of his power. He gulped and answered ¡°Knight Alexander Silvus sir.¡±


    ¡°Where is he?¡±


    ¡°He is at the North-West gate leading First and Second Company.¡±


    ¡°That gate is being held solely by Legionnaires Lord Knight Wolfe,¡± Clara added,¡± Charlie Company and Fourth Legion Company are at the North Eastern Gate and These are the Third Company Legionnaires with marines from Bravo Company.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve noticed,¡± Wolfe answered, surveying the beaten part perimeter, ¡°So where is he?¡±


    ¡°Oh Reid has being doing what he says he does best,¡± Clarahart said with contempt, ¡°Raiding.¡±


    As if by cue, the South-West gates opened and a group of marines led by a Lord Knight wearing a cocky grin entered.


    ¡°Good Morning Sleeping Beauty.¡± Reid said sheepishly, referring to the classic story of a princess cursed to sleep endlessly until she receives a kiss of true love.


    Wolfe smiled, ¡°Where¡¯s my kiss you arrogant bastard.¡±


    Reid reached from one of his pockets and manifested a one-finger salute, ¡°I got it right here baby.¡±


    Wolfe shook his head then his face went serious once more, ¡°Sit-rep, two minutes.¡±


    Reid nodded and went towards one of the makeshift storage bunkers. Clara was now directing their column of three Dunes into a defensive inner perimeter reinforcing the single remaining Dune and an immobilize Dim. Wolfe studied the defensive layout and capabilities they had remaining at the South-West gate---Forty eight Legion Knights, Eighty-Nine Marines, Four Dunes equipped with heavy anti-GEOM gun turrets, a badly damaged Dim, two dedicated mortar pit installations and scattered air support. The good news was that Reid is stationed here, if that was good news at all. He knew Reid relied too much on brute force and luck making him ineffective in defend and maneuver tactics.


    Suddenly, Lord Knight Wolfe felt faint and was forced on one knee. Had Wolfe was wearing his full armor he would have collapsed and broke several bones since his enhanced Strength made him capable to carry much heavier armor so he could absorb more energy and ease the displacement of the absorbed energy. Reid and Clara hurried to lift him up.


    ¡°How many Clara?¡± the Lord Knight muttered weakly.


    ¡°Thirty-Two,¡± Clara uttered as they sat him down inside one of the Dune¡¯s passenger seats


    Wolfe looked at her with unnerving eyes and nodded. ¡°That would be fine I think.¡±


    With Hesitation, the female Knight raised her right hand in front of the ailing Lord Knight torso and channeled a sickly green-colored energy to him. After a couple of minutes the Lord Knight stood up like nothing happened.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure all those marine lives would not be in vain.¡± Wolfe vowed.


    Reid than proceeded to raise his right arm on Wolfe¡¯s face, The Lord Knight gasped in surprise, in the process he had taken a whiff of his fellow Lord Knight¡¯s armpit. Wolfe gagged while Reid laughed.


    ¡°You also promised that Wolfe,¡± he mused.


    ¡°We¡¯re back full circle again Wolfe-san,¡± Reid said, mocking a Japanese accent, ¡°every time we¡¯re together they stop attacking for some reason-nu.¡±


    Reid was now leaning on the wall¡¯s makeshift battlements. ¡°The Mole-GEOMs haven¡¯t tried to dig under the wall since they have tripped some of the deep mines and sonar-blast traps we¡¯ve set up around the perimeter. That boy Cairo concocted the scrap detection gear we¡¯ve salvaged from the downed destroyer and made these traps that blow up them Moles¡¯ eardrums, genius.¡±


    Wolfe nodded, scanning the horizon, ¡°I¡¯m sure they¡¯re massing. Make sure you stick to the simple plan you moron.¡±


    ¡°Hey the FOB is still standing right?¡± Reid Jested.


    Wolfe broke a smile then one of the mines blew up, spraying red sand like a geyser---then another exploded, followed by another. Before long a whole section of the minefield had exploded creating a gap almost directly at the South-West gate.


    ¡°Moles going through the gap sir!¡± One of the Legionnaires at the rampart shouted, his red eyes glinting in the dark.


    ¡°How many?¡± Wolfe shouted back.


    ¡°About twenty Sir!¡± the legionnaire shouted, using his x-ray vision to monitor the incoming threat, ¡°They¡¯re going to trip the sonar traps!¡±


    The sonar traps exploded creating a vertigo-inducing resonance that gave the defenders a slight headache but they knew the side effects to the GEOM Moles would be fatal.


    ¡°They¡¯ve stopped sir!¡±


    Wolfe was already scanning the horizon; the incapacitated moles were the last of their problems. The dark sky making it hard to detect the GEOMs until they were close, he became more grateful to the quick-minded Captain that provided them the ocular-enhanced battalion.


    ¡°Contacts ten-o-clock through two-o-clock!¡± The Legionnaire with the black pupils shouted, ¡°Hundreds of them! They¡¯re coming!¡±


    Wolfe nodded to Reid. The latter jumped down the rampart and went towards the group of soldiers standing by behind the gate. Wolfe heard Reid saying Steady boys-su. Not letting up with his Japanese shenanigans.


    The legionnaire with night-vision ran towards Wolfe shouting sir repeatedly. As he reached the lord Knight, gasping for air and double-taking at the darkness.


    ¡°Spit it out soldier!¡± Wolfe rasped.


    ¡°They have aboms sir!¡± He finally exclaimed, ¡°I counted two hundred more or less---I bet its more.¡±


    Wolfe gritted his teeth; abominations were the last thing they needed. Memories of a GEOM-nistics lecture raced his mind: Abominations are infected-humans that have mutated further, gaining size and strength after being infected by the GEOMs by too long, the human-host having inert potential or¡­ Wolfe hesitated on thinking about the last option¡¯s possibility.


    He went towards the ramparts opposite end and called Reid¡¯s attention. Before he could say anything about the presence of the Abominations he was already brandishing an okay gesture. Reid had heard the legionnaire¡¯s report. Wolfe considered their options against the giant GEOMs. The mines would slow the Abominations down but they would have to step on them and Dims could take on multiple Abominations but the Dims had to be mobile to stand a chance in at least taking down two ---that poses a problem since they only have one disabled tank. He and Reid could take out multiple Abominations but his stamina is limited and it takes too long to take down one that other Aboms could go past him and Reid and attack anyone or anything else aside from them. The odds were against them, even having the Black hawk Legionnaires it was a long shot to hold the gate. The initial plan has to work more than perfect so they could postpone the GEOMs¡¯ attempt to proceed to Second Phase for a day or so.


    ¡°They¡¯re passing through the gap in the minefield sir!¡± A legion knight reported.


    ¡°Steady-yu.¡± Reid Shouted.


    Wolfe could now make out the Abom figures running towards the FOB, a hundred Hornet variations flew over them and most ran flanking the brutes.


    ¡°Steady.¡± Reid said seriously.


    As soon as the first of the GEOMs entered the choke point in the minefield Wolfe shouted, ¡°Charge!¡±


    The South-West gates opened and spilled the war-crying humans it held within. Reid led the first half of the Legionnaires and bee-lined towards the bottleneck. The Abominations ran and challenged the Lord Knight and his detachment of Legionnaires. Reid unsheathed his weapon and swept it across the legs of the leading Abomination severing its legs from the knee down; the Abominations behind it hopped over latter¡¯s legless body, roared something incoherent then lashed at the Lord Knight with their mutated arms. Reid held the base of his sword and raised it block the pummeling strikes---he successfully blocked three of the arms and broke the fourth. The Lord Knight then ducked and used the momentum to do a downward slash to also sever the two Abominations. Though the slash did not cut thoroughly through the two Aboms¡¯ legs but it sliced enough flesh that they collapsed face first akin to a tree being felled.


    The flying Hornets tried to flank the forward party¡¯s position by going over the minefield but were focused by the marines stationed at the wall and fire bases they have established outside the gate. They dropped on top of the mines but they didn¡¯t explode, not until being triggered by a certain weight. The GEOM moles now tried to flank the forward party¡¯s rear by following the burrowed tunnels below the gap, as the Moles emerge behind the advance party the other half of the legion company engaged headed by Lord Knight Wolfe---the oblivious GEOM Moles were felled simultaneously.


    The first part of the defense was in play. They have been successful but Lord Knight Wolfe can¡¯t help to think that it still wasn¡¯t enough but there wasn¡¯t a lull in combat long enough to dwell on the thought. Reid¡¯s detachment was to hold the minefield bottleneck while the marines would hold their flanks and Wolfe¡¯s group of legionnaires would hold their rear and the gate opening. The second part of the defense proceeded when the carcasses of the GEOMs formed a decomposing barricade around the entrance; The Marines moved their foxholes forward to relieve the fatigued Black Ravens Third Company. Lord Knight Reid was out of breath, he had strained his limits fending off the GEOM waves and slewing them precisely to build the wall of bodies. He rallied to Wolfe¡¯s group, also fatigued from the fighting.


    ¡°Fuckin Aboms Wolfe, ¡°Reid rasped, inhaling deeply after, ¡°With this much thrown at us on the fourth day we got here makes me think that we hit the mother lode and Intel really fucked up.¡±


    Wolfe nodded his hand on his knees, ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking Reid and I agree.¡± A whistling sound became evident at the battle field and Wolfe knew what it was right away.


    ¡°Retreat to the base!¡± He ordered.


    The marines ran up the ropes they had prepared at the walls while the Black Ravens and the remaining marines ran back through the gates. It became unbearably hot, Wolfe made sure he was the last man to enter the gates and just as he looked back a great blue ball of organic bolts exploded on where they were standing before. The ensuing explosion knocked the defenders back and disintegrated both GEOMs and humans alike; dirt flew and body parts splattered at the walls.


    As Wolfe recovered, he saw the carnage the simultaneous Firefly GEOM barrage had dealt. Half torsos of marines decorated the battlements so did severed human arms, memoirs of men who had not made it in time. A black and red, ten-foot deep crater was what had remained of their forward position and part of what was left of their makeshift wall of body parts dropped inside the crater. Most of the defenders was still recovering or disoriented when a flying wave of Hornets continued the assault. The GEOM attack was answered by the machine gun barrage of the Dune turrets, decimating the nest of hornets. The lone Dim fired a trio of rounds to kill two Aboms trying to enter the gate.


    ¡°Close the goddamn gate.¡± Wolfe ordered, getting on his feet.


    The gate closed painfully slow, The Dunes provided covering fire as the marines and Black Hawks regrouped. The mortar pits provided what little artillery support they could before running out of shells.


    One of the Dune machine guns swirled empty.


    Wolfe felt a hand on his shoulder, Reid did not bother looking him as he spoke, ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking buddy, this is going to be different.¡±


    Wolfe looked at his wearied defenders and can¡¯t help to think about the Lion¡¯s Streaks Alpha Company and the first battalion he was assigned to---twice he had been the lone survivor. Wolfe gripped his rapier tighter and thought of the men and women that gave their lives selflessly for honor or humanity or for the soldier beside them. He can¡¯t help to think that he might fail another one of his promises.


    Do or Die.


    Every soldier now looked at Lord Knight Wolfe, each waiting for his orders. He stared at each one of them; there was only half of Bravo Company left, Forty Black Ravens are still combat ready with regards with the circumstances and two of the Dunes still have ammunition. He heard distinct explosions towards the North-Eastern gate where Clarahart is leading the defense.


    He patted Reid¡¯s shoulder as he straightened himself; the creeping side-effect of Clara¡¯s power was slowly overcoming his body.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about you but I¡¯m not going to die easily from these pathetic pieces of shits.¡± He exclaimed, ¡°Do or die boys!¡±


    The soldiers shouted three Hoorahs then preceded to their battle positions. The Marines on the ramparts had ran out of ammo and had retreated behind the Dunes and drew their sabers. The legionnaires formed a concave shield wall formation around the thumping gate; a second line of marines who still had ammo formed another concave line behind the shield wall in attempt to cover the knights from aerial attacks.


    ¡°Steady-yu!¡± Reid jested, trying to uplift morale. Wolfe knew that Reid had reached his limit.


    Wolfe and Reid stood at the bisecting point of the concave; he nodded at his fellow Lord Knight.


    ¡°Steady-yu!¡± The two shouted in unison.


    A burst of light erupted as the South-Western burst open.


    Wolfe waited for the forthcoming silence he knew so well.

 Chapter 6: Obviation

    SOLAR YEAR 2429, LEO SYSTEM, SECTOR ONE, PLANET RED 420 ORBIT. 1238 HOURS, THE MARSHAL THIRTY EIGHT MINUTES AFTER INVASION


    ¡°Full Charge LS cannon. Aim at one of those Teras!,¡± Captain Hawkins ordered, ¡°We¡¯ll take out as much of the GEOM bastards as we can before they get close enough to outmaneuver us. Rita, take hold of our comms and relay the Vasily and the Epitome to form a V formation on us.¡±


    ¡°Yes Kepten,¡± A Female disembodied voice acknowledged.


    From the few working cameras of the heavily damaged Marshal, the bridge displays show the other two remnants of the Eleventh USTF squadron slowly positioned themselves on the Marshal¡¯s port and starboard sides before moving forward to form a V formation. While the USTF ships were repositioning, the GEOM ships edged closer. Captain Hawkins noticed that the GEOM-controlled ships seemed weary of attacking directly; he had to take advantage of the enemy¡¯s hesitation.


    ¡°LS cannon running hot, Sir,¡± Lieutenant Shizuka reported.


    ¡°Fire Lieutenant,¡± commanded Captain Hawkins


    ¡°Round away.¡±


    A flash of light hit one of the GEOM-controlled cruisers right on its prow¡¯s center, its lights dimmed, leaned heavily to its starboard and started to tumble towards Red 420¡¯s moon---slowly being pulled by the moon¡¯s gravity.


    ¡°Target disabled Captain,¡± Shizuka Reported, ¡°Seven hostiles left!¡±


    ¡°Kepten Hawkins,¡± Rita¡¯s electronic voice resonated from the bridge speakers, ¡°The GEOM ships are trying to flenk es from all sides.¡±


    The Bridge display flashed the seven ships spreading out from different directions preparing to out maneuver the three slow ships.


    Captain Hawkins expected this to happen sooner but since the GEOMs where hesitant on going all out after annihilating the Eleventh USTF squadron¡¯s second formation, they had time to prepare a last stand.


    ¡°Rita relay to Epitome and Vasily to arm their missile pods with ten kilometer armed detonations and to spread chaff all over our formation.¡±


    ¡°Yez Kepten,¡± an automated voice acknowledged


    ¡°Shizuka distribute all power to the LS gun and keep firing.¡±


    ¡°Aye Captain,¡± The long brown-haired Lieutenant answered.


    ¡°Herrard get me simultaneous head on collisions courses on the nearest GEOM ships,¡± Captain Hawkins ordered, ¡°our static energy would be enough to crush their smaller ships.¡±


    Herrard didn¡¯t answer as he computed and relayed the suicide orders. No one in the bridge contradicted the Captain. Even if they did oppose the order, everyone thought they were going to die anyway. Captain Hawkins¡¯s stoic face hid his admiration and regrets towards his crew, some fought with him through numerous battles and even at their bleakest moment they still follow him unwaveringly---the guilt that such brave and faithful people had to be under his command slowly overwhelmed him. The ship¡¯s display showed three blue broken lines intersecting with three red broken lines--the collision routes had been set.


    ¡°Sir, remnants of the GEOM boarding party are going through the main elevator well,¡± Lieutenant Shizuka reported, ¡°they passed Fire teams A through G and are heading towards the bridge.¡±


    A thuds followed by several slurping sounds came from the bridge¡¯s bulkhead inching closer the entrance. Captain Hawkins drew his side arm and pointed it at the bridge door; several crew members did the same. The thuds and liquid sounds are now directly behind the heavy metal door.


    ¡°Shizuka direct the fire teams to the bridge now!¡± The Captain exclaimed.


    Hawkins¡¯s brows furrowed, he could only hope that their standard issue side arms could slow down the GEOM breed that lie beyond the bridge doors. The parasites now slammed the door, its hinges giving way after every hit.


    ¡°Shizuka how long do we have on our fire team!¡±


    ¡°Two minutes on the nearest squad sir,¡± The tactical officer stammered as she looked at the Captain. That¡¯s the first time the Lieutenant looked at him throughout the whole battle and Captain Hawkins saw how Shizuka¡¯s eyes betrayed her steely demeanor.


    One of the hinges now popped off.


    Hawkins steadied his aim; cold sweat ran down his pores. The slamming of metal in sync with his heartbeat.


    An orange white color flashed on one of the bridge displays, Hawkins peripherals just caught of sight of it. Herrard then acknowledge the orange white streak, it was a USTF fighter. A second later Rita¡¯s holographic mouth gaped open.


    ¡°GET DOWN!¡± Rita exclaimed. The bridge crew didn¡¯t question the change of the A.I. voice resolution, which sounded more human than automaton and more male than female, hurriedly laid prone and braced themselves; the Bridge door burst open.


    In his prone position, Hawkins could just make out the GEOM Humanoid variants with slug-like skin. Liquid with mucus-like consistency dripped consistently on their pores. The once human faces now deformed and their skin was a sickly green. Hawkins blinked as the five GEOMs rushed towards the nearest crewmembers. Puffs of vapor emanated from the cold bridge air and appeared nearer the five GEOMS ¡°Slugs¡±. The bridge echoed of flesh being sliced through the bone until Hawkins only heard his heartbeat once more.


    Footsteps clanging to metal inched to wear he was lying until he could see the vamps of the wearer¡¯s boots in front of his face. He looked up and saw a tall dark-haired young Caucasian. He looked up at the cloak-wearing Knight and locked eyes with him. Hawkins smiled and the Knight smirked, reaching out his hand.


    ¡°Get up you idiot,¡± The Knight mused.


    ¡°So they sent you huh?¡± Hawkins took the Knights hand and lifted himself up.


    ¡°Yeah, Vyse saw this coming by a long shot and Max relayed the info,¡± Lyon answered, ¡°When we were phasing from Herodutus we receive your SOS transmissions confirming Vyse¡¯s predictions.¡±


    Hawkins nodded. The power of the remnants of the first class of Knights ceases to amazed him, ¡°What about the GEOM squadron?¡±


    Lyon raised an eyebrow and beckoned at one of camera feeds that showed two Tera-class cruisers limping away while the still unknown flesh-colored GEOM ships were on full retreat towards Red 420¡¯s moon, ¡°When we flanked them a while ago they scattered.¡±


    ¡°So they¡¯re regrouping.¡± Hawkins concluded, ¡°And you have Enigma-class frigates.¡±


    ¡°Yes, we calculated that there is, at least, a fifty ship armada behind that moon,¡± The Knight responded, ¡°The forward party consisted of Three Enigma-class frigates. We have twenty five ships inbound soon.¡±


    Fifty ships.  Hawkins pondered, his hand stroking his chin, ¡°So did Vyse concluded that a queen is at Red 420? Or was it something else?¡±


    Lyon grinned, ¡°Three queens and he predicted further than that old friend.¡±


    Hawkins stared at Lyon with surprised eyes. Three queens on Red 420?


    ¡°Do you mean there¡¯s something bigger than having three queens in one planet?¡± Hawkins asked with a flabbergasted gape.


    ¡°You should know better Hawkins having that probability prediction potential of yours.¡± Lyon said his hands now behind his back, ¡°The next target after this would be the turning point of this war against the GEOMS but before that we must focus in controlling Red sector¡¯s space.¡±


    Hawkins nodded, ¡°What do you have in mind?¡±


    Lyon looked at the Captain with mischievous smile, ¡°An old Knight tactic.¡±


    SOLAR YEAR 2429, LEO SYSTEM, SECTOR ONE, PLANET RED 420 ORBIT. 2400 HOURS, THE FRANCISCO TWELVE HOURS AFTER INVASION


    Captain Hawkins collapsed on his bed and gave a deep sigh. He had just finished supervising the repair crew after a five hour briefing with Prime Banneret Knight Lyon Vermillion about the GEOM heat signatures they found. They had compared the readings with the conclusions of Prime Lord Knight Vyse Kunze and concluded that the strategic three cities where the three battalions dropped were where the three GEOM hives are likely to be.  They had the Marshal, Vasily and Epitome docked at the repair ship Francisco. It would at least take two more hours to have the Marshal repaired by fifty percent according to Rita; also, Lyon had directly ordered the Captain that the remaining Eleventh fleet ships would just be doing a supporting role in the upcoming battle.


    Then there was the second part of the briefing.


    Lyon had an enigma-class frigate recon the GEOM moon base and it reported that the GEOM¡¯s haven¡¯t started mobilizing their ships. Lyon knew better and decided that they would wait for the remaining reinforcements to jumped into Leo system but that didn¡¯t dissuade him from taking a somewhat aggressive move. Hawkins mulled at Lyon briefing them about the aggressive maneuver, unusual of the Prime Banneret Knight since he was always the passive one and tends to follow someone else¡¯s lead.


    Five years could change a lot in someone, Captain Hawkins thought.


    The attack on the GEOMs would commence at Four Hundred hours and the Captain hoped that Lyon was successful as he went to get some much needed sleep.


    SOLAR YEAR 2429, LEO SYSTEM, SECTOR ONE, PLANET RED 420 ORBIT. 2400 HOURS, THE PHOENIX, TWELVE HOURS AFTER INVASION


    ¡°Green leader this is Green Prime,¡± Lyon beaconed, ¡°Fold into column formation and follow me.¡±


    ¡°Roger Green Prime.¡± A deep voiced Pilot answered.


    The Three Squadrons of FF-42 Phantom Ospreys formed three lines behind the Knight¡¯s fighter ship. Lyon took a couple of deep breaths before gunning the engines towards a pre-empted flanking route to Red 420¡¯s moon.


    ¡°Steady boys keep those burners down.¡± Lyon ordered, ¡°We are passing A -point of the route, leaders keep the boys in line.¡±


    The column made a turn around the floating wreck of the Nobunaga and dove. Lyon was cautious of the fact the GEOMs could have scouts on the debris field or some survivors that could pounce on their fighters and ruin the ambush.


    ¡°Approaching point B,¡± The Knight said on the fighter comms. The three squadron leaders acknowledge. When the squadrons reach the next point, they pulled up and were almost directly below the moon. They have carefully calculated the moon¡¯s orbit speed and should intersect their route in three minutes.


    ¡°Green Prime you got to see this.¡± One of the Squadron leaders reported. A tab popped out on the Knight¡¯s tactical display. A huge object was lumbering towards their flight path.


    The Knight analyzed the situation. The ambush group was cruising for a Hundred Twenty Kilometers per hour and the debris was about two minutes until it hits their course.


    ¡°Anna what would you recommend?¡± Lyon asked.


    ¡°Now you want my suggestion?¡± A disembodied female voice answered.


    ¡°Now come on,¡± Lyon protested, ¡°that drop maneuver on the Marshal was different. I didn¡¯t know what happened, I panicked.¡±


    ¡°Cause you¡¯re an indecisive prick,¡± Anna corrected and made a sound close to that of a sigh, ¡°I¡¯ve calculated the flight path beforehand; I¡¯ll project it on every squadron display.¡±Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Thank you baby,¡± Lyon teased. The A.I. flashed his helmet display blinding the Knight in answer.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ever call me baby.¡±


    ¡°Alright, ALRIGHT!¡± Lyon said rubbing his eyes. ¡°Jeez Anna! You don¡¯t have to play so hard to get.¡±


    ¡°If I had eyes, I¡¯d be rolling them right now.¡±


    ¡°If you had eyes, I¡¯ll bet they¡¯ll be beautiful.¡±


    ¡°Shut up.¡± The A.I. retorted.


    Lyon smiled and started to follow the new route. Acknowledgements from all the squad leaders filled the comms. The squadrons dove below the Carrier debris and when they reached the other side pulled up and followed their previous route.


    ¡°Cruise at One Hundred Fifty Kilometers,¡± Lyon said.


    The squadron comms crackled and orange and red plumes filled the Knight¡¯s monitors and his rear view mirror. He looked back and saw several of the Ospreys had exploded.


    ¡°Green Prime! Green Prime!¡± The comm rattled, ¡°GEOMS are behind the Nobunaga debris their jumping on us!¡±


    ¡°Anna!¡± Lyon exasperated, ¡°Didn¡¯t you calculate this?¡±


    ¡°You distracted me,¡± The A.I. responded, ¡°it seems only the tail end of the formation has been attacked. They were slightly closer the debris that¡¯s why the GEOMs reached them.¡±


    ¡°Now they know we¡¯re here,¡± Lyon gritted, ¡°All Pilots head towards the moon full speed! Element has been compromise!¡±


    Lyon heard one of the squad leaders yell Go! Go! Go! Lyon enabled his afterburners. Consecutive booms on the comm informed the Knight that the squadrons have fired their afterburners as well. They rushed towards the GEOM moon hive. Lyon did not realize it until Anna had pointed it out. The debris field blossomed thousands of clustered GEOMs---survivors of the recent clash.


    ¡°Damn it Anna! What were you doing when I told you to scan the debris field?¡± Lyon rasped irritably.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, you¡¯re the one who programmed me,¡± Anna irked.


    ¡°Now I know why I didn¡¯t consult you earlier.¡±


    ¡°GEOM hive Three Hundred Kilometers out,¡± The A.I. said with an annoyed tone.


    Lyon opened the comm relay, ¡°Squad leaders sit rep.¡±


    ¡°This is green leader--- we¡¯ve lost green five and seven.¡±


    ¡°Green Prime this is acting red leader, red one, ,¡± a female pilot reported, ¡°We lost red leader and red three through five.¡±


    ¡°Blue Squadron is intact Green Prime,¡± The final squad leader reported, ¡°We shook them off.¡±


    ¡°Well that¡¯s a lot of good news,¡± Lyon murmured, ¡°I hope you¡¯re happy Anna.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± The A.I.¡¯s voice was so pitched it stung the Knight¡¯s eardrums, ¡°You¡¯re pinning this on me now?¡±


    ¡°Well I don¡¯t expect sympathy from you since you¡¯re a heartless tera-processed bitch.¡±


    There was an awkward pause between Anna and Lyon. The Knight knew that Anna was now analyzing his voice patterns for his emotional address from his last retort.


    ¡°Ok, I¡¯m sorry,¡± she finally answered, ¡°Maybe if I¡¯ve focused enough I would¡¯ve spotted the GEOMs in the debris field.¡±


    Lyon sighed. He programmed Anna to have human-like emotions so that he could enjoy more realistic conversations and rebuttals since his courage didn¡¯t go as far as actually conversing with the opposite sex. Having a hard time talking with something he created convinced him that avoiding direct female contact was the right decision.


    ¡°Where¡¯s my GEOM hive scan Anna?,¡±


    ¡°Aye Captain,¡± Anna mocked.


    ¡°And She¡¯s back,¡± Lyon murmured. They were close enough for Anna to make a 3D display of the initial layers of the GEOM hive. The hive was shaped like an open-pit mine but with inner walls like that of a bee hive. The shaped surfaces of the walls and its colors vary depending mainly on how old the hive is, the queen or its purpose.


    ¡°Bogeys coming from the debris field sir!¡± A Pilot shouted on the comms.


    Sure enough, five GEOM ships were wading through the debris field heading towards the USTF formation.


    ¡°All pilots ignore hostiles and stay on mission,¡± Lyon commanded.


    They were close enough to see the gaping mouth of the GEOM hive located at the under belly of Red 420¡¯s moon. Just then, a partial model of the hive popped out from the Phoenix¡¯ display.


    Lyon was astonished.


    ¡°I believe that you¡¯ve realized what my findings of the GEOM hive are Lord Lyon,¡± Anna said, ¡°We really need to destroy this hive Lyon.¡±


    Lyon nodded, ¡°We can¡¯t have the GEOMs produce more organic-based ships. HQ would want to have data on this thing Anna.¡±


    ¡°Roger that,¡± Anna replied, ¡°Head towards this crevice, it seems the production line starts through there.¡± The hologram zoomed in on a huge crack on the almost perfect outer ring of the GEOM hive.


    ¡°god,¡± Lyon gasped. The crevice gap could fit three Olympiad-class carriers stacked on top of each other. The crevice glows a purple hue intermittently and Lyon could just make out the dots that were starting to pour out of it.


    ¡°Ambush squadron, we got multiple GEOM Hellcats,¡± Lyon advised on the comms, ¡°get ready boys, stay on mission.¡±


    Hellcats were one of the first space-based fighters. The first generation of spacecraft were always over engineered since space was still largely undiscovered and not knowing what threats to face had them built to endure the unexpected. The Hellcats had thicker armor than successive fighter models and had stocky but powerful engines. The armaments of the Hellcats were somewhat lacking but GEOM reconfiguration would have certainly changed that.  Being a Prime Banneret Knight, Lyon has several prerogatives, one of which is having personalized and customized equipment. Lyon had his Phantom Osprey fitted with an A.I. co-piloting system; a Hiraga stream bound twin propulsion system and an assortment of armament choices. His customized fighter is faster, has greater firepower and has no need of having a mother ship; though he had to trim the standard panels to three centimeters to compensate with the added weight of the weapon and engines. The reduction of the Phoenix¡¯ armor had  reduce his chance of surviving a direct hit , he remedied this by installing Anna. The Phoenix was as formidable as an Enigma-class frigate but Lyon feared having all the upgrades he had installed was still insufficient in fighting or even surviving the upcoming clash. Unfortunately, his combat group would have lower chances of surviving the battle, most of which use the standard Osprey fighter craft.


    The GEOMs were converging towards the combat group from every direction. They were in the eye of an infected storm.


    ¡°Keep the tight formation boys!¡± Lyon said as he braced himself, ¡°we¡¯re going head first into that crevice. First volley on my command!¡±


    The then ambush group had one trick under their sleeves. Each Osprey has been fitted with a disposable Lebensschmerz rail gun Juniors, coined by the USTF pilots, on their fuselage hard point and five of the best pilots have two napalm bombs afixed to the wings of their Ospreys. The five were the combat group¡¯s top priority.


    Before initiating the attack on the GEOM hive, Lyon ordered an Enigma-class frigate to do a full scan of its immediate area. There was a ten-thousand kilometer radius heat signature on the suspected GEOM spot and x-ray scans showed a lot of GEOM activity. During the briefing, the intel officers had suspected that it was a GEOM production plant, thus they have fitted the Ospreys with scorched earth potential to weaken the GEOM force before the full scale attack. Anna had just confirmed it was the first discovered GEOM ship factory and the mission¡¯s importance rose significantly.


    ¡°Security group! Protect the bombers!¡± Lyon ordered, ¡°Here comes the blank party!¡±


    The infected Hellcats converged into a sickly colored, metallic wall, trying to block the combat squadron from pushing towards the GEOM hive. Lyon turned off his LS rail gun¡¯s safety.


    ¡°Fire! Fire! Fire!¡± He shouted.


    Simultaneous streaks of light zoomed across the vacuum towards the Hellcat blockade and blossomed as they hit the aging fighters. As the struck Hellcats got sucked into the moon¡¯s gravity well it created a gap at the GEOM blockade.


    ¡°Drop the LS boys, breakthrough the gap!¡± Lyon ordered as he set the Phoenix into full throttle.


    The Phoenix was the first one through the broken blockade, several Ospreys followed suit cleanly. The gap was rapidly being closed by the continuously reinforced GEOM fighters, several of which successfully crashed their aircrafts to unfortunate Osprey fighters. When Lyon looked back from inside the alien blockade almost half of the squadron didn¡¯t make it, most of those who did make it had clipped Hellcat fighters. Before Lyon averted his eyes from the death charge he had commanded, a few more Ospreys exploded against the GEOM fighter craft and through the smoke and fire two fighter Ospreys emerged, each had to telltale metal casements on their wings---they¡¯re napalm holders.


    ¡°Red one here,¡± The female pilot bawled, she fought to keep her voice from being wheezy but failed, ¡°---I¡¯m through the blockade with blue leader---the others didn¡¯t make it sir.¡±


    ¡°Dammit!¡± Lyon slammed his fist on his control panel, surprising Anna. He grinded his teeth in anger, they lost the initiative and they paid dearly for it. He hoped the brave actions of the pilots who sacrificed their lives for the completion of the mission would not be in vain. Anna had analyzed the emotions of the Knight and had waited for Lyon to simmer before addressing the next obstacle.


    ¡°Lyon,¡± she said calmly, ¡°I¡¯m having energy readings at the entrance to the GEOM plant,¡±


    ¡°Force fields?¡± Lyon queried, ¡°Charge our phase cannons Anna, we need to override the circuits before we get disintegrated.¡±


    ¡°Aye, Captain. The shield links are located at the top and bottom centers. They¡¯ve also stopped pouring out the Hellcats.¡±


    The squadron had shook off the chasing GEOM Hellcats and fired at the Hellcats that came from the GEOM hive. The Phoenix poured out the missiles from its enlarged pods and tried to blast an opening. A red beam of supercharged light narrowly missed the Phoenix; Lyon looked towards the debris field and saw the GEOM frigates were almost in flanking position.


    ¡°Phasers are charged Lyon.¡± Anna announced.


    As soon as Anna had said that, Lyon fired the Phoenix¡¯ phasers and struck the shield links, depowering the force field.


    ¡°Shield down, everyone rush towards the entrance,¡± Lyon broadcasted on the squadron comms.


    The Anna pinned updated list of the squadron: Green squad still had six fighters, red squad was down to two and Blue squad has three. The good news was the combat group had successfully protected all the napalm bombers. Lyon watched the cavern roof pass overhead as they entered the GEOM plant.


    ¡°Phase two boys!¡± Lyon rasped as he maneuvered through the alien maze, ¡°Anna scan the hive for a backdoor, we are not going back out where we entered.¡±


    ¡°Scanning.¡± Anna replied.


    The tunnel opened up to a humongous chamber, tens of Hellcats were parked inside the chamber and the once human pilots and personnel lumbered around the cave floor. Some of the GEOM-infected looked up and Lyon could just see their mouthed guttural shouts.


    ¡°Blue and Green leader drop them!¡±


    Twin tanks fell from two of the napalm bombers and landed on top of the Hellcats and burned the parasitic monsters and their hosts. As the last of the combat group passed the bombed area, the hellcats exploded and filled the cavern with fire and heated shrapnel.


    The cavern funneled into a tunnel again, several of the GEOMs were waiting for the fighters to pass and jumped on the unwary pilots. One pilot was skewered and his osprey crashed on another fighter, both collided with the tunnel wall and caused a cave in.


    ¡°Anna, tell me there¡¯s another way out because we¡¯re definitely not getting out of here that way.¡± Lyon exasperated. His missile count just turned zero and his chain guns were overheating from firing at the GEOMs that were trying to bring down the fighters.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got another cavern coming up, much bigger than the previous one and another tunnel network after that.¡± Anna replied, ¡°I think this is it.¡±


    A bright light shone from the tunnel end and the combat group emerged into an enormous fissure that was turned into the main production area of the GEOM ships. A purple liquid ran in the middle of the fissure floor and was sucked by throbbing tubes which led into a huge, bladder-like storage. The storage was connected to production lines that were likely moved from mines from the captured worlds. Instead of metal, they use the solidified mucus-like substance and assemble them into parts for the horrific GEOM ships the USTF fleet fears. Lyon studied the purple substance, its color was slowly turning to flesh as it neared the production line¡¯s end and it seemed to be---moving.


    The plant also featured a new type of GEOM, tentacled blobs that slithered to and fro in the production line. They assembled the ¡°parts¡± and seemed to monitor the production machines. The cavern seemed to go on forever with the same production line repeated where the other line ended.


    ¡°Are you getting this Anna?¡± Lyon asked, both intrigued and frightened at the scene. He feared the GEOMS now more than ever. Linking their parasitic nature with the imitated technology they acquired.


    ¡°Yes Lyon,¡± Anna responded, ¡°We¡¯re seeing firsthand how they build their atrocious weapons and ships.¡±


    ¡°We must get the data out of here.¡± Lyon muttered, ¡°All pilots record your camera feeds, we need to get this intel out of here.¡±


    They were nearing the cavern exit when they saw a completed GEOM ship roughly the size of a Marathon-class cruiser.


    ¡°Shit,¡± one of the pilots muttered on the comms.


    ¡°All pilots use all your ordnances,¡± Lyon ordered, ¡°Give it everything you got!¡±


    The cacophony of weapons imploded inside the plant. Bullets pelted the GEOM blobs and the assembling machines, the last of the napalm dropped and what was left of the missiles fired. One of the heavily damaged Ospreys deliberately crashed at the GEOM cruiser which blossomed into flames.


    ¡°Lyon, I¡¯ve found a way out,¡± Anna said, ¡°Kind of.¡±


    ¡°Kind of?¡± Lyon irked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with the exit?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s above us,¡± Anna replied.


    Lyon looked above through his translucent cockpit; the cavern roof looked as intimidating as the now destroyed GEOM cruiser. ¡°You mean we have to blast through that?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and I think everyone had used all of their munitions.¡±


    Lyon fell silent for a moment then guided the Phoenix perpendicular to the cavern roof, ¡°All surviving pilots head towards the cavern roof, that¡¯s our ticket out.¡±


    Lyon counted, five Ospreys---all of which followed blindly his ridiculous command, ¡°Ok Anna, I¡¯ll do the usual, I¡¯m handing her over to you.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Anna answered, ¡°there¡¯s an unexploded ship engine directly below us.¡±


    The Phoenix¡¯ cockpit was filled with smoke and the inner panels were filled with precipitation. The cavern roof exploded a second later, another puff of smoke and Lyon appeared again in the Phoenix¡¯ cockpit. Debris fell from the exploded roof and the surviving Ospreys narrowly dodged each one. The stars were again visible as the smoke and smoldering rock cleared.


    ¡°We¡¯re getting out of here!¡± One of the pilots shouted.


    Then a looming figure appeared on top of the gap. The trio of GEOM frigates was now blocking the exit


    ¡°Shit shit shit!¡± Red one exclaimed as the frigates charge their energy beams.


    Lyon was about to teleport the Phoenix behind the frigates---his thoughts of leaving his squadron behind pained him greatly but the importance of the GEOM ship production data superseded the lives of his men and one of them needed to survive to report the findings.


    Six bolts went through the three frigates amidships and the ships toppled to the right like dominoes. The combat group avoided the exploding ships and emerged from the cavern to be greeted by six USTF ships.


    ¡°I guess we¡¯re even now,¡± A voice jested through the squadron comms.


    Lyon could only smile as hoorahs and cheers of the remaining pilots filled the transmission.


    ¡°Hawkins you bastard.¡± He muttered.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing Captain Hawkins¡¯ random accelerated probability potential had kicked in.¡± Anna said as she sent docking routes for the five remaining, heavily battered, Phantom Ospreys, ¡°He would have been a top class Knight if his potential had an average maturity rate.¡±


    ¡°Sue his parents then Anna.¡± Lyon mused, as he placed his feet atop the Phoenix¡¯ panel while Anna pilots the Phoenix towards the docking zone of the frigate, Silver Eclipse. The USTF Enigma-class ships¡¯ armor shimmered as they waited for their Background Adaptive Camouflage System to render, the main feature of the Enigma-class that had put them ahead of the other USTF ships.


    ¡°Wake me up after we get docked Anna,¡± Lyon lazily said.


    ¡°Let me remind you we¡¯re still at G.E.O.M. controlled airspace Prime Banneret Knight Lyon,¡± Anna said, lacing her words with the best sarcasm technology has to offer. Unbeknownst to Lyon, Anna had turned on transmissions with the Silver Eclipse.


    ¡°That¡¯s goes to show how much I trust you.¡± Lyon teased, ¡°Now let me sleep.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to say this Lyon but you¡¯re going to have to postpone that nap.¡± A voice said through the Phoenix comms, ¡°G.E.O.Ms are now swarming this place and your teleport ability would really be helpful.¡±


    ¡°Why are you such a buzz kill Hawkins?¡± Lyon said, not moving from his sleeping position.


    ¡°Because you¡¯re probable death woke me up from my nap you selfish idiot.¡± Hawkins replied.


    ¡°Should I thank you now or later?¡±


    ¡°Just get on the ship, the attack on the moon is starting.¡±

 Chapter 7: Second Obviation

    Chapter 7: Second Obviation


    SOLAR YEAR 2429, LEO SYSTEM, SECTOR ONE, PLANET RED 420 MOON ORBIT. 2430 HOURS, THE SILVER ECLIPSE, TWELVE HOURS AND THIRTY MINUTES AFTER INVASION


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me?¡± Lyon rasped, he was pacing the around the briefing room hologram module, ¡°Wolfe is on Red 420 right now with my regiment?¡±


    ¡°Was your Regiment and Lord Knight Wolfe only commands a division of the Lion¡¯s Streaks,¡± Captain Hawkins corrected, ¡°You demoted yourself, you should know by now that the Lion¡¯s Streaks, even they¡¯re named after you, are not your responsibility anymore.¡±


    ¡°I know that,¡± The Knight protested, ¡°But why the hell they gave it to Wolfe anyway? You know he¡¯s cursed.¡±


    ¡°Command does not share your superstitions Lyon,¡± Hawkins replied, ¡°Anyway, Studying the surface scans and the photos taken, we have come to believe that Wolfe¡¯s division has been hit hard and are holding out at the Io drop zone . And that¡¯s the good news.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the bad news?¡± Lion held his arms up in discontent, not happy with Hawkins calling Lion¡¯s Streaks ¡°Wolfe¡¯s division¡±.


    ¡°The two other divisions that were dropped at Hanz and New Gettysburg have been completely wiped out--scan-wise.¡±


    Lyon turned around to face the Captain, letting his arms drop. ¡°We must take the moon hive as fast as possible then. Are the Haxes still active?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Wolfe hasn¡¯t disabled any or enough G.E.O.M. Haxes to establish a stable transmission with the fleet. ¡° Hawkins confirmed.


    ¡°That idiot,¡± Lyon said, putting both his palm on top of the bridge hologram module, ¡°All these scans happened during the sixteen minutes we were initiating Operation Moonglaive?¡± Hawkins nodded in answer.


    Lyon was still mulling over for the sudden series of events when the hologram module hummed and glowed. Rita appeared being head locked by a woman wearing a suit worn by businesswomen during the millennial decade---Lyon¡¯s head was through the A.I.¡¯s holographic groin area.


    ¡°Like what you see Lyon?¡± Anna cooed, still virtually head locking the braided girl wearing a soviet-era winter uniform.


    ¡°If I could see anything,¡± Lyon retorted, still bathing half his face through Anna¡¯s body, ¡°Nothing but reflective light.¡±


    Anna let go of Rita, causing the latter to fall flat on the hologram panel. ¡°Well, sue my parent then.¡±


    ¡°This Electra complex is getting old,¡± Hawkins remarked; Anna stuck out her tongue in answer.


    Lyon stepped away from the module and faced Anna, ¡°The data Anna?¡±


    Anna sighed, her holographic arms on her holographic hips, ¡°I¡¯m uploading it now sir.¡±


    Lyon ignored Anna¡¯s antagonizing and waited for the data to upload. Hawkins just shook his head and muttered something about A.I.¡¯s being worse than real spoiled children.


    A holographic display appeared in front of the two officers. The display showed a hollow rectangle slowly being filled with rectangular segments. As the Loading bar ticked away awkward silence filled the meeting room. Lyon shifted uneasily from one foot to another while Captain Hawkins maintained his military poise, his hands behind his back.


    ¡°So,¡± Anna snapped, breaking the silence, ¡°See how boring life is without a little psychosexual competition, Howard.¡± Anna let Captain¡¯s first name dangle at the end of her sentence.


    If the Captain was irritated he did not show it. He just stood silently, waiting for the uploading data to finish. Lyon gave Anna a sharp look, which the latter returned with contempt.


    ¡°So,¡± Hawkins said icily, ¡°How was Herodutus Lyon?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s almost the opposite of Red 420 my old friend.¡± Lyon replied, not taking his eyes off the loading screen, ¡°We had some scattered GEOM resistance in space, a ruse to lure as further in. We were about to start deploying the landing crafts when Max got through to me. Anna was---malfunctioning too much to notice that there wasn¡¯t a single Queen hive in Herodutus.¡±


    ¡°I heard that!¡± Anna exclaimed harrassing Rita again.


    Lyon ignored Anna, ¡°What we found inside the Moon hive was unlike anything we theorize of what a GEOM ship plant would be.¡± The data finally finished loading and templates of video recordings and pictures filled the screen. Lyon tapped on one of the templates, it enlarged and played a recorded feed from the Phoenix¡¯ bow camera. It showed the rows of production lines and assembling stations from either banks of the purple-colored river.


    ¡°Sweet Jesus,¡± Captain Hawkins gasped, ¡°What material is that?¡± he asked when he saw the part of the river was being sucked by tubes which led to the gigantic distribution tank in the middle of the cavern.


    ¡°Unfortunately, as you can see, we were too busy to take samples of the alien material.¡± Lyon continued, ¡°But from what these recordings it seems it is a GEOM developed fluid of some kind.¡± Lyon clicked another template and double tapped it to zoom in the picture, ¡°As you can see, it is alive and has displayed patterns of a GEOM parasite.¡±


    ¡°Hey Lyon, don¡¯t you think they are similar with the exoskeleton fragments we found on Hope,¡± Hawkins finally said.


    ¡°Wait. You mean?---,¡± Lyon stopped mid-sentence then began typing a series of commands on the display¡¯s console and a new set of templates appeared on the screen. He then enlarged a picture with an entry named FOX29T38 then proceeded to compare the picture with the one they took from the moon hive raid, the zoomed photos¡¯ secrets now revealed in high definition.


    ¡°We really have to get down there Howard,¡± Lyon said, his tone shaken.


    ¡°But we can¡¯t go headfirst unless we clear the orbit space Lyon, you just told me this.¡± The Captain replied, ¡°We have to finish Operation Moonglaive---and stop calling me Howard.¡±


    ¡°Sorry to interrupt you lovebirds but the debris field has drifted to your planned escape route Captain Howard.¡±  Anna snapped. Rita¡¯s hologram was nowhere to be seen.


    ¡°Anna, what did you do to Rita?¡± Lyon mockingly crooned.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry I didn¡¯t delete her, not yet,¡± She answered with a mischievous virtual grin, ¡°I sent her to the bridge, she is still this ship¡¯s A.I. and from what I can see I don¡¯t have time to take over.¡±


    A puff of vapor bloomed beside Captain Hawkins causing him to avert his eyes and cover his nose and mouth. A second later, The Knight was nowhere to be found.


    ¡°Knight Lyon is already at the bridge Captain Howard.¡± Anna teased before disappearing from the hologram projector.


    Captain Hawkins gritted his teeth and clenched his fists as he exited the briefing room, ¡°I hate that A.I.¡±


    Captain Hawkins entered the bridge elevator. The elevator reminded him about how he and his crew were almost killed on the Marshall¡¯s bridge. He sighed, thinking that leaving the injured Marshall under Lieutenant Shizuka¡¯s care was a good idea.  Even though she is seemed responsible and level-headed, Lieutenant Shizuka¡¯s social and communication skills are somewhat lacking. Captain Hawkins shook away the worrying thought---he knows he has to focus for the upcoming battle. The elevator doors parted and the illuminations of the bridge filled the elevator.


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem Lyon?¡± The Captain asked as he entered the Silver Eclipse¡¯s bridge.


    ¡°The GEOMs has deployed the rest of their fleet.¡± The Knight replied. He was standing next to a red-haired burly man. ¡°Captain Hawkins, this is Rear-Admiral Ruslan Ivankov. I believe you two have met.¡±


    ¡°Err¡ªyes,¡± Hawkins answered as he shook the Rear-Admiral¡¯s hand, the Captain winced from the Vice-Admiral¡¯s grip.


    ¡°Yes we have met comrade Lyon,¡± Ruslan said, ¡°this Captain was¡ªpersuasive to come to your rescue.¡± He finished with a sadistic grin.


    ¡°Ruslan here is an old friend from Advent.¡± He said, ¡°I was surprised that he let you boss him around.¡±


    ¡°Well, comrade Lyon.¡± The Rear-Admiral guffawed, his hands on his hips, ¡°His persuasion greatly reminded me of you.¡± His distinctive guffaw filled the bridge, ¡°And besides, he brought me a Russian A.I. to help us find you. Our Nordish A.I. is rather¡ªsqueamish as you people say.


    ¡°Haha¡ªRuslan let¡¯s get down to business shall we?¡± Lyon quickly changing the topic, giving Ruslan a petrifying look. The Captain wondered what it was all about but thought not more of it as the sit-rep display appeared.


    ¡°As we can see comrades that the bestards set up a-nother blockade edded from the previous fighter set-up but they had their men bottle-sheps this time.¡±  Ruslan said, the Rear-Admiral¡¯s Russian decent betraying his speech, ¡°This new blocked has effectively closed er initial eskep route.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes.¡± Lyon muttered, cupping his mouth with his hand, ¡°Ruslan, comrade, how much power does all of the Enigma ships still have?¡±


    ¡°Well, half just came from jump so they may have, say, sebenty percent? The rest are werking on foll power¡ªmore or less.¡±


    ¡°More or less?¡± Hawkins repeated, ¡°What are you planning Lyon? We¡¯re in perfect position to flank them now. They have at least six of those GEOM Flagships that destroyed the Eleventh USTF fleet.¡±


    ¡°Exactly Captain Hawkins,¡± Lyon replied, ¡°At least Six. They may be hiding more and the only counters are either we have a successful full LS cannon salvo or if we can get close enough for our weapons to be more effective.¡±Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    ¡°Yes Comrade Lyon is right,¡± Ruslan second the motion, ¡°We must wait for the beast to show all of its fangs.¡±


    ¡°I hope your second-in-command is competent Captain Hawkins,¡± Lyon said, ¡°Unless you¡¯d rather handle it yourself.¡±


    SOLAR YEAR 2429, LEO SYSTEM, SECTOR ONE, PLANET RED 420 MOON ORBIT. 2442 HOURS, THE MARSHALL, TWELVE HOURS AND FORTY TWO MINUTES AFTER INVASION


    ¡°Lieutenant Shizuka what do we do?¡± Lieutenant Herrard asked, ¡°Captain Hawkins hasn¡¯t returned yet or communicated with us and the attack command has already been ordered.¡±


    ¡°We follow orders,¡± Shizuka sternly answered, ¡°Ensign Amelia, confirm orders with Flagship Citadel. Lieutenant Herrard, please get us in formation.¡±


    ¡°Aye Ma¡¯am!¡± Amelia cried. A meek, blonde haired girl tapped slowly on the communications console formerly held by the deceased Lieutenant Buhari.


    ¡°We are approaching cruising level with the Epitome and the Vasily Ma¡¯am,¡± Herrard reported, ¡°We have eighty percent maximum output on both main and auxiliary engines.¡±


    ¡°Good, Ensign Netta, Check weapon safeties and charge the LS cannons.¡± Shizuka commanded a similarly blonde-haired girl, who just nodded in reply.


    ¡°Ensign Netta did you get that?¡± Lieutenant Shizuka pressed.


    ¡°Yes Ma¡¯am,¡± She finally cries.


    The Lieutenant leaned back on the Captain¡¯s chair and sighed. It was highly unusual for an ensign to be assigned at the bridge, let alone two. Lieutenant Shizuka Miyo had checked the backgrounds of the twin sisters when Captain Hawkins had the replacements allocated before supervising the Marshall¡¯s repairs.


    The De Borbon twins were from Royal French decent and are highly ranked on the potential chart. What was peculiar was that the sisters¡¯ potentials were blacked out from their profiles aside from the grade S rank.  Shizuka was definitely sure about how they¡¯ve come to be assigned on the Marshall¡¯s bridge, it was that either the De Borbon Royal family wanted to add military honors and glory to the twins¡¯ profiles or Captain Hawkins has confirmed that the sisters really have S-rank potentials and assigned them to the Marshall when he had the chance. But the choices bodes a lot of questions, what stranglehold does the De Borbon family have if they had twisted the ensigns to such positions? Do they even have S rank potentials? If so, why weren¡¯t the sisters assigned to be Knights? Whatever privileges the two Sisters may have to be assigned to such positions, Lieutenant Shizuka disdained them.


    She had to work hard to get to where she was now. She had no Royal family background or any noteworthy background at all. She grew up in one of the slums in Mars and watched ships launch from the space ports every day. She dreamt taking command one of the ships and exploring the depths of space. When the shortage of USTF troops and naval personnel had caused the enlistment process to shorten and profile restrictions to be amended, Miyo took this chance to enlist for the USTF Navy and applied for naval officer school. When she had enlisted it was the first time she knew she had a potential level--a mere E-rank. Being able to bend a spoon or to lift a paper clip isn¡¯t really Knighthood level. The Lieutenant sighed once more, thinking she might have overthought the situation knowing that it was her first moments of her hard fought dream.


    ¡°Ensign Amelia, can we hail the Enigma squadron?¡±


    ¡°No Ma¡¯am,¡± The Ensign answered, ¡°We are limited to short communications range Ma¡¯am. Even if  can communicate with them our shipped isn¡¯t authorized to relay with them.¡±


    ¡°So we¡¯ll know about them if they wanted to be known?¡±


    ¡°Exactly Ma¡¯am.¡±


    The remaining three ships of the Eleventh UTSF fleet positioned themselves just below the lead ship Citadel to form as a blocking force against a potential GEOM flank which the lacking speed of the three damaged ships won¡¯t be a factor. The Citadel is massive, its shadow enveloping the three ships. It is one of the few surviving Angeion-class carriers, most of which were lost during the Battle for Humanity.


    Lieutenant Shizuka watched the overhead camera feed. She remembered clearly the day Humanity¡¯s last fleet left the ports of the first home worlds. The sky was full of every ship able to reach the first solar system¡¯s southern quadrant. Cargo ships, Container ships, Ferries, Tankers, Tugs and sweepers joined the heavily depleted Navy. Lieutenant Shizuka remembered how the launching of the ships caused the ground to tremble and the smoke laden air caused her eyes to water. That was four years ago, the year when She was about to finish her officers training. A tear ran down the Lieutenants left eye, she quickly wiped it with the back her left sleeve.


    ¡°We¡¯re in position Ma¡¯am,¡± Lieutenant Herrard reported.


    Shizuka nodded, ¡°Any new orders from the Citadel Amelia?¡±


    ¡°No, Ma¡¯am.¡±


    Shizuka¡¯s anxious face betrayed the composure she held since the last battle. Are they trying to face the GEOM fleet head on again?


    ¡°Ensign Amelia, zoom in the GEOM blockades please.¡± As soon as Shizuka has said this, the bow camera feed homed in the lines of disfigured ships. The acting Captain saw the frightened faces of the bridge crew. There in front of them was tens of the Flagship-class ships that decimated the USTF Eleventh Fleet.


    The Lieutenant calculated the odds.  The Herodutus invasion fleet has a total of thirty five military grade ships and a dozen maintenance and logistics ships¡ªthe GEOMs have over fifty ships and a hundred single manned fighters.  The Herodutus fleet had several carriers but Shizuka doubted they would have Ospreys half that number. The only advantage the USTF Shizuka could think of is that most of the GEOM captured USTF ships are older models.


    ¡°The new orders and firing solutions are in Ma¡¯am,¡± Ensign Amelia said, ¡°They are using us as a reserve force.¡±


    ¡°Okay, relay the solutions to Ensign Netta please.¡± Shizuka replied, ¡°And enlarged the bow camera feed please.¡±


    The zoomed display expanded, everyone at the bridge craned their necks to watch the battle that was about to start. Motes of light dotted the gap between the two battle lines--the fighters have already begun skirmishing. The sense of helplessness washed over the female officer, she gripped the arm edges of the Captain¡¯s chair. The UTSF battle line was now moving forward --most likely to initiate a blank party. The disadvantage of having fewer fighters would lessen when the blank party starts which would follow into rushing the GEOM carriers and threatening the GEOM hive. The UTSF Galleons began their move.


    The Galleons, named after the multi-decked ships used in the 16<sup>th</sup> to 18<sup>th</sup> centuries, were the modern battleships. True to their origin, the Galleons were enormous in size even compared with the Angeion-class carrier but also, contradicting to its historical background, they were largely unreliable in chases, skirmishes and are expensive to maintain; that¡¯s why most were scrapped or salvaged but the few that remained prove their use in war against the GEOMs for space control with their capability to shore up damage and deal more firepower than other warships¡ªperfect for close quarter GEOM combat.


    The Herodutus fleet had five Galleons and all were strategically placed on one side of the USTF battle line to break open a gap in the GEOM blockade. The fleet comms erupted of reports of GEOM Hellcats trying to crash on the Galleons Poseidon and Deliverance. The GEOMs are known to sacrifice everything to take down threats or to protect crucial objectives. GEOMs aren¡¯t known for their ingenuity and proactivity in tactics. The only time the GEOMs would have new maneuvering strategies is when a queen could get hold of high ranking officers¡ªexpressing the need for USTF officers to also have C5 microchips embedded in their brain cortex.


    In the early years of the First Plague Wave, the GEOMs have gotten hold of several brilliant tacticians. One of which was Admiral Philip Garros. The signature moon shadow ambushes and heavily fighter laden tactics of the late Admiral Garros were consistently used by the GEOMs. It wasn¡¯t until the Battle for Humanity that this theory of GEOM adaptation was confirmed when several knights had identified what was left of the Admiral¡¯s remains at the GEOM hive in Pluto, absorbed inside the first encountered queen.


    Shizuka was reminded of Captain Hawkins. He hurriedly left to board one of the Enigma cruisers earlier and left her in command of the Marshall. She wondered if the Captain intentionally left her in command knowing he could not return in time. She participated in several battles but not at this scale and certainly not commanding a ship.


    The Citadel and her squadron of destroyers now began to move, the last maneuvering phase has started. The five Galleons have successfully lured most of the fighters and the GEOM Flagship-class ships to the left flank; it opened up the right flank which was through one section of the debris field. The USTF flagship squadron has moved in to take advantage of it with plans to stretch the GEOM line thin and attack the blockade from behind. The Eleventh USTF ¡°fleet¡± was ordered to lag behind the Citadel in case they¡¯re needed cover their retreat.  Lieutenant Herrard boosted the engines to eighty percent and followed the Citadel who has now started to deploy some her fighters.


    ¡°Keep an eye out for GEOM ambushes, they¡¯re not surprising us a second time.¡± Shizuka cautioned.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got dots all over the place Ma¡¯am,¡± Ensign Amelia said, ¡°the debris field is interfering with our scanners.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Shizuka confirmed, ¡°Ensign Netta prime all weapons.¡±


    ¡°Yes Ma¡¯am!¡± the Ensign acknowledged.


    ¡°Ensign Amelia, ask the Citadel If she could spare us a few fighters, this debris field is a bit claustrophobic don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¡°Aye, Message away,¡± The Ensign said as she sent the message, ¡°I hate enclosed spaces too Ma¡¯am.¡±


    There was an eerie silence at the Marshall¡¯s bridge. Only the distinct beeping of the scanners and the hum of the ships machinery was to be heard as they waited for the fighters and the expected GEOM ambush. Two small eclipses appeared in the bow camera feed, two Ospreys were heading towards them--their afterburners were overshadowing their fuselages.


    Shizuka felt a sense of relief; they badly needed fighters when they would be forced to fight in an immobile environment. Having only two is not the greatest but it¡¯s better than nothing.


    ¡°This is Orange two-four, beginning escort pattern with Orange two-seven over.¡± One of the pilots reported in. The two Ospreys dispersed and positioned themselves on the cruiser¡¯s starboard and port side respectively. As soon as the two fighters were in cruising speed, a loud blaring filled the bridge and red-lights started blinking.


    ¡°We got hostiles Ma¡¯am! Coming from November-Whiskey-Zulu!¡± Ensign Amelia exclaimed.


    There was a flash of light and the Marshall shuddered. Lieutenant Shizuka gripped the arms of her chair as the ship rocked. ¡°Sit rep!¡± she shouted.


    ¡°No hulls or decks breached Ma¡¯am!¡± Herrard Reported. Shizuka distinctly heard one of the bridge personnel swear. She looked up the displays and saw port camera feed, the Vasily was hit through its prow but It looked like the shot just grazed the ship.


    ¡°Flagship-classes incoming!¡± Shouted one of the Fighter pilots. Shizuka just noticed that the Citadel and her squadron of destroyers were now at the other side of the debris field.


    ¡°Herrard, get us facing the GEOMs! Charge the LS cannons!¡± Shizuka commanded.


    The Marshall lurched towards the incoming threats followed by the Epitome and the Vasily. The Two flagship-class GEOM ships appeared in the bow feed.


    ¡°Shit.¡± The female Lieutenant murmured. It took more than a dozen ships to take out one now they were facing two with three damaged ships and two fighters. Red lights glowed from the GEOM ships¡ªthey were about to fire another salvo. She briefly thought of the saying, be careful what you wish for. She wondered if her first hour commanding a ship would be her last.


    ¡°Evasive Manuevers!¡± Shizuka commanded as the motes of red lights began to race towards them. The three ships dodge the shots cleanly. They were about to return fire when the two GEOM flagships exploded. The destructions of the GEOM ships surprised the Marshall¡¯s bridge crew until Lieutenant Herrard began the series of hoorahs and triumphant cries, not caring what had hit the enemy ships.


    They were safe for now.


    Shizuka didn¡¯t join the shouts of relief. She scanned the displays for anything resembling hostility.


    This can¡¯t be it.


    They was an agonizing scream on the comms followed by three explosions rocked the Marshall. The two fighters had crashed into the cruiser; the third explosion came from the Marshall¡¯s prow. Only with the Lieutenant Herrard¡¯s skilled control prevented the ship from hurtling towards the Vasily.


    ¡°You got GEOMs all over you Marshall!¡± The static-filled communications from the Epitome blasted,   ¡°Stay clear of the junk pile!¡±


    That¡¯s when Shizuka saw it--they went too close with one of the bigger pieces in the debris field. It looked like it was part of a Tera-class cruiser. Shizuka couldn¡¯t believe it, they were being boarded again.


    ¡°Ensign Netta! Get the doors down and get the fire teams to plug the holes!¡± Shizuka ordered, ¡°We¡¯re being boarded!¡±


    The Lieutenant was too busy taking out orders to fend off the GEOMs boarding the Marshall that she failed to notice the shimmering ships appearing from the camera feeds. After a few minutes of barking commands, a puff of smoke erupted beside her. When the smoke dissipated Captain Hawkins and the Knight that rescued them earlier appeared beside her.


    ¡°De ja¡¯vu¡± She heard the Knight murmured.


    Still in shock, she turned to look at the Captain who placed his arm on her shoulder, ¡°Good job Lieutenant, we¡¯ll take it front here.¡±


    ¡°Y-y-yes sir!¡± She stammered, her bottled up emotions now beginning to show. The Captain nodded, patted her shoulder and stepped towards the bridge railing.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got the moon boys! Now let¡¯s get these bastards off our ship!¡±

 Chapter 8: Evolution

    SOLAR YEAR 2429, LEO SYSTEM, SECTOR ONE, PLANET RED 420 MOON ORBIT. 0137 HOURS, THE MARSHALL, DECK 2, SECTION A, THIRTEEN HOURS AND FORTY TWO MINUTES AFTER INVASION


    The blinking lights of the corridor blinded Lyon as they walked through one of the main corridors of Deck 2. The footsteps of the Knight and the two fire teams echoed throughout the dark corridor--Captain Hawkins walked more fluidly, hardly making a sound. Finally, the group reached a bulkhead labeled Section A.


    Lyon looked at the six men with them; most of them are USTF Navy engineers, the bridge couldn¡¯t spare more for this interception. So Lyon opted to lead the non-combatants and besides it gave him an opportunity to confirm one of Vyse¡¯s theories. He heard the Captain draw his pistol.


    ¡°Howard, why did you come with us again?¡± Lyon asked, as the Captain faced him briefly, he saw how sullen his eyes were¡ªhe hasn¡¯t slept for more than a day by now.


    ¡°We¡¯re confirming this mess together Lyon whether you like it or not,¡± He answered, ¡°And stop calling me Howard.¡±


    ¡°Suit yourself,¡± Lyon scoffed mischievously, ¡°Just don¡¯t come running to me when you can¡¯t handle the shit that¡¯s coming to us Howard.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re really the worst of the knights aren¡¯t you?¡± the Captain snickered.


    ¡°No, I rate myself as the better of the bunch.¡± Lyon nodded to one of the engineers to open the pressure doors. The thick and heavy door hissed open, the group readied their weapons. After a half minute of securing the doorway and the immediate corners, the group entered the cold, pitch black hallway. The fire teams turned their flashlights brighter. The hallway was in a state of upheaval. Everything that wasn¡¯t bolted to the floor was scattered on it. It wasn¡¯t long when the deathly stench hit them¡ªa flashlight showed the dozens of dead.


    Lyon and Hawkins covered their noses with their sleeve cuffs. He stole a glance at the six enlisted men who had to wear facemasks having not undertaken the bloodstream nanomite injections him and the Hawkins had. Pros and cons the Knight thought.


    Lyon tried not to retch too much as they walked through the corridor, the Captain just shook his head at him. The only medic of the team systematically checked each body¡¯s life signs, Lyon would argue that checking for a pulse is a waste of time but hope and one¡¯s humanity are sometimes the only thing a person are fighting for. As the medic approached one of the bodies, Lyon heard him curse and cry out to his religion¡¯s god. The Knight made way where the medic was.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong soldier?¡± Lyon could see the terror in the medic¡¯s eyes behind his face mask. The young medic pointed towards one of the bodies.


    One of the dead had black liquid oozing from his orifices. Lyon knew it right away.


    ¡°Shifters,¡± he muttered.


    It¡¯s like what we¡¯ve expected Lyon,¡± Hawkins said, kicking the body on its side, ¡°They¡¯re tracking you people.¡±


    Lyon scoffed, ¡°They¡¯re tracking S-rank potentials you mean? What would the De Borbon family say if they knew you used the two primary Royal French heirs as GEOM bait huh?


    ¡°It was necessary and besides, those kids could handle themselves if their profiles are true,¡± The Captain answered, ¡°These guys came aboard when they crashed one of their ships into us. Shizuka noticed that some of the crew didn¡¯t have tags in them.¡±


    Lyon nodded. The precaution of having injected dog tags aside from having the traditional ones started when they first encountered the ¡°Shifters¡± after the battles for Sierra¡ªwhen the GEOMs started focusing on abducting Knights.


    ¡°They may be more inside the Marshall Hawkins; we need to clear this section.¡± As Lyon said that a scuttling sound echoed in the section. The fire teams pointed their guns at the other end of the long section corridor, the lights of the flashlights barely illuminating the end of the passageway.


    ¡°¡ªwhat was--that?¡± one of the engineers said nervously, his hands tremblingly held his rifle.


    The Captain pulled the skittish engineer by the collar, ¡°Keep it together soldier!¡± he rasped. He then looked at the rest of the non-combatants with them, ¡°Keep your eyes open. We need to clear this section before these shifters infect anyone else.¡±


    Before the teams could answer the scuttling sound was heard again, louder this time. The Captain pointed his pistol towards the corridor¡¯s end. The soldiers also pointed their weapons at the empty space. An eerie silence followed as gnawing anxiety filled the ship section.


    ¡°Shizuka talk to me!¡± Hawkins pressed.


    ¡°I got two fading heat signatures,¡± The female Lieutenant¡¯s voice crackled on their radios, ¡°they¡¯re on the opposite walls of the corridor.¡±


    The Hawkins and the fire teams pointed their weapons closer to the corridor walls and Lyon stood vanguard with his hands inside his cloak.


    ¡°I can hear them,¡± Lyon muttered. The crunching and scratching on metal grew louder.


    Two figures appeared from the darkness simultaneously, they bared their inhuman fanged mouths that contrasted with their human body. The shifters shrieked their ear-piercing battle cry. Lyon revealed his kukris with a bird-like stance but the shifters just ignored him¡ªthey were going for the noncoms and the Captain.


    There was a sharp shriek, a thud and a gurgling sound after. The group tensed up. A flashlight reflected off Lyon¡¯s drawn kukris¡ªanother second and his kukris were now sheathed. Captain Hawkins noticed Lyon wasn¡¯t bracing anymore.


    ¡°What wrong Lyon?¡± The Captain asked. Lyon only glanced at him and stared at his feet.


    ¡°N¡ªN-othing,¡± The Knight stammered, ¡°It¡¯s been taking care of.¡±


    Hawkins sensed the Knight¡¯s sudden change of demeanor, ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    The Knight nodded, ¡°We have to get to the engine room.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± The captain said, confused. ¡°What about clearing this room?¡±


    The Knight started heading towards the exit, ¡°there¡¯s nothing here, have the engineers move the dead to medical.¡± He stopped to wait for Shizuka to open the airlock doors, ¡°Those who still have the stomach to fight, on me.¡±


    Ensign Amelia De Borbon rubbed her eyes.


    My eyes are playing tricks on me again she thought.


    She checked the scanners again and what video feed she can recover from the sector room Knight Lyon¡¯s fireteam had entered. She was sure she saw two GEOM blips on the scanners two minutes into the sector clearing and she played the recordings again for analyzing---there wasn¡¯t a single GEOM reading aside from the lifeless ones. The record of the two GEOMS just vanished.


    She went ahead and reported it to Lieutenant Shizuka. She just shook her head and said that neither the Lord Knight nor the Captain reported any live GEOMS in that sector. She then ordered her to open Sector A¡¯s airlock doors. The ensign answered with an empty ¡°Yes Ma¡¯am.¡± As she was returning to her post, she caught sight of her twin sister who shook her head at her.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    She also knows about the disappearing GEOMS too.


    SOLAR YEAR 2429, LEO SYSTEM, SECTOR ONE, PLANET RED 420 MOON ORBIT. 0142 HOURS, THE MARSHALL ENGINE ROOM, THIRTEEN HOURS AND FORTY SEVEN MINUTES AFTER INVASION


    ¡°You still haven¡¯t said yet why we¡¯re going to the engine room Lyon.¡± The Captain asked.


    ¡°Vyse was at Sector A.¡± He answered bluntly.


    The captain was set aback. He clenched his fist as he looked at his feet. ¡°It was that bad huh?¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Everyone dead. New evolved shifters.¡± Lyon answered as another explosion rocked the ship.


    ¡°So I bet he told you why we¡¯re going to the engine room then?¡±


    ¡°No, he said he didn¡¯t want to worsen the butterfly effect.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Jolly good then!¡± The Captain mocked, ¡°I fucking love surprises.¡±


    The airlock doors hissed open. The Knight and the Captain entered gingerly, weapons drawn. The lone soldier who followed them to the engine room positioned himself behind the debris near the entrance.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t hear blue or see green when you see anyone, even us, shoot.¡± Lyon ordered.


    ¡°Yes Sir Knight Sir!¡± the soldier acknowledged.


    Lyon read the green call sign set on the soldier¡¯s virtual tag, Ox. ¡°Give them hell Ox.¡± He said as they went deeper inside the engine room.


    The eerie hum of the Oxyn-Ford engines bounced on the engine room¡¯s steel walls. It made Lyon nauseous. It reminded him of the hornet-like GEOMs when they swarm in for the kill.


    Most of the engine room lights were out. Even some of the auxiliary lights were malfunctioning. Those that work were coincidently blinking in sync with the Knight¡¯s steady heartbeat.


    What was so important that Vyse would want me to see personally?


    ¡°Do you smell that?¡± The Captain said in disgust whilst covering his nose with his uniforms sleeve.


    The Knight was confused at first before the revolting smell hit him. Lingering with the fuel and oil wretched metallic air was a familiar stench.


    Infected flesh.


    ¡°Shizuka, did anyone from the engine room personnel escape?¡±


    After a few seconds, Lyon¡¯s earpiece chirped, ¡°the engine room cameras were knocked out when the GEOM ships crashed into us during the battle over red sir. They were not deemed priority during the repairs on the Francisco.¡±


    Just then, Ox¡¯ harsh language and machine gun fire became audible enough to hear through the thick engine doors.


    Shit. Lyon cursed


    ¡°This was all pre-meditated Haw--!¡± before the Knight could finish an explosion rocked the ship. The Knight was flung across the room and hit the bulkhead near the entrance hard. He was not the one to wear a helmet even though he was issued one. He mulled over in changing his helmet perspective as he felt his right temple swell. Blood begun dripping from his head wound. The Knight shook his head to try to clear his vision and focus on the situation.


    The Knight was just in time to dodge a G.E.O.M stinger, he immediately teleported away from the regrouping G.E.O.M mob. The artificial gravity core of the ship was faltering after the explosion. Lyon was slowly floating away from the engine room first floor.


    ¡°Hawkins where are you?!¡± he shouted, knowing that there could be a chance that their personal comms got fried by the explosion. He studied the gathering GEOM swarm. They were about fifty of them cramped behind the engines and they seemed to be multiplying before the Knight¡¯s eyes, a drifting sickly, green blob inching towards him.


    The engine room was five levels high so as to house the immense Oxyn-Ford main and auxiliary engines. Even though he was severely outnumbered in an enclosed area Lyon broke a smile. Having little gravity meant that with his superior mobility he can outmaneuver the clumsy GEOM shifters and blobmen.


    He caught something shimmer from the corner of his eye. He looked up and saw the Captain¡¯s body floating aimlessly near the third level of the engine room, his officer badge reflected the intermittent emergency lighting. Just as the Knight was about to teleport towards him the GEOM mob shifted their slow ascend towards the unconscious officer.


    ¡°Shit.¡± The Knight cursed. He appeared a second later beside the Hawkins and he examined him briefly.


    He¡¯s still breathing, he has a bad concussion and cracked several of his ribs.


    The gurgling sound of the GEOM mobs became adherent. Lyon drew his kukris and unhinged his cloak¡¯s clasped.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go anywhere old friend¡±, he whispered.


    Hawkins couldn¡¯t tell if he was conscious or not. He was sure he was still in the engine room with all the blinking lights and the distinctive orange warning signs sporadic illumination. But one distinctive light that kept blinking in a rough pattern that made him second guessed where he was.


    He tried to speak but only a cracked moan slipped his lips. He couldn¡¯t move his arms and legs. He tried breathing deeply but his side began to hurt. He swore he could hear the gurgling GEOMs but he couldn¡¯t turn his head towards the aliens¡¯ direction. For a brief second, the bouncing light came to a stop slowly enough for the Captain to glimpse the Knight¡¯s painfully thin silhouette.


    Lyon? He thought, trying to remember what¡¯s happening. The Knight was now border line malnourish. That could only mean that he¡¯s almost at his potential¡¯s limit.


    Is this a dream? The Captain wondered. The smoke smelled real, the pain felt real, Lyon seemed real but his weightlessness and paralyzed movements made him think otherwise.


    ¡°It¡¯s all too real baby chick,¡± a warm voice echoed in his head from no particular person. He tried to look for the source of the voice but forgot that he couldn¡¯t move.


    ¡°Time to realize who you really are Hawkins,¡± the voice said nonchalantly.


    Before he could question the voice he felt his head and body being rocked by a sudden force. It felt like something inside him was being forced out. Only cracked raps and gasps sounded as he tried to screamed the pain away.


    ¡°Status report!¡± Lieutenant Shizuka bellied.


    ¡°Portside Bay doors were blasted open Ma¡¯am!¡± Lieutenant Herrard reported.


    ¡°Where did the shot come from?!¡± the acting commander questioned, ¡°there¡¯s nothing on the radars and screens!¡±


    The horrified look from Herrard was unmistakable. With is mouth agape he muttered, ¡°It-I-It came from inside the bay...¡±


    ¡°Shifters?¡± Shizuka said the GEOM breed with contempt, ¡°Amelie get the fireteams ready.¡±


    ¡°Yes ma¡¯am!¡±


    A bright ball illuminated the prow screen as a blast shook the bridge.


    ¡°What was that?!¡± Ensign Netta screamed.


    ¡°Another Ship debris hit us! We got GEOM signatures all over us!¡± Lieutenant Herrard reported.


    ¡°Lieutenant Herrard get us out of here!¡± Shizuka commanded, sweeping her right arm in front of her, ¡°Engines and Shields to full!¡±


    ¡°Our engines are down Ma¡¯am and our generators are running on priority status red!¡±


    ¡°Any contact from Knight Lyon and Captain Hawkins?¡± Shizuka queried through gritted teeth.


    ¡°They¡¯re not responding Lieutenant!¡± Ensign Amelie answered, ¡°Cams are also down, transmitting last sensor transmissions on main screen now.¡± The bridge lights shut down substituted by red emergency lights as the system automatically went to power saver mode to play the video recording.


    It showed a marine fending off a stream of GEOM Shifters and ¡°Blobmen¡±. Shooting sporadically and yelling random expletives at the aliens. One got close enough to wound the marine; a second later an explosion fried the engine room camera.


    ¡°Guess that answers the venting from the portside bay,¡± Herrard remarked. ¡°The Emergency engine exhausts and transport modules directly lead to that bay --- One of the significant flaws to the outdated marathon class cruisers.¡±


    The screen switched to another recording, the inside engine room came into view. For the first few seconds the video was only pitched black. Until Ensign Netta pointed out the audio volume, prompting his sister to increase it. The unmistakable shuffling and gurgling sound became clearer then the darkness in the video was seemingly shifting.


    ¡°That¡¯s a lot of GEOMs,¡± one of the bridge crew gasped.


    Herrard you have the bridge, link me the nearest fireteam at the Sector A entrance Ensign Netta.¡± Shizuka commanded, drawing his sidearm. ¡°Let¡¯s hope we¡¯re in time to save them and everyone on this ship.¡±


    Lyon folded the loose sleeves of his flexible armor. He had burned too much of his body weight fighting the GEOM swarm. With harboring breaths and flinching eyes he estimated the GEOM numbers. They¡¯re still steadily increasing despite all his efforts to cull them. He was never suited for extensive combat. His Teleportation power functions like any cardiovascular activity. The real problem is that the energy absorption of his potential is as instantaneous as his power, losing body mass at a dangerous rate in a short span of time.


    He stole a look at the tethered unconscious body of Captain Hawkins. Every high command mistake, poorly attained intel and morale pressured rallying led them endangering one of the United Tertiary Space Forces most important assets.


    Exhausted, Lyon couldn¡¯t help but think that Vyse had sacrifice both of them for the survival of the human race. Vyse¡¯s cruel mindset wasn¡¯t anything new but Lyon wasn¡¯t so keen being left to be another notch in the human death toll.


    ¡°I guessed this is it Hawkins!¡± he said aloud. He was sure he heard the officer croaked as if to reply. He would teleport beside him but he had reached is potential cap. So the knight threw is arms wide, kukris in hand.


    ¡°Come and get it you filthy mutts!¡±


    Suddenly he was hurtling towards the GEOMS.


    As he was thinking about the irony of his maybe last words; Before he could collide with the first ranks of GEOMs, the aliens dissipated into millions of minute blobs, hurtling into different directions as the Knight¡¯s momentum had propelled them so.


    ¡°w-wh-what?¡± Lyon stammered. Before long, the ship A.I. blared via the speakers something about power being stabilize and before the knight could think more for it he was falling, knocking himself out on the metal flooring with a loud dull clang.

 Chapter 9: The Battle for the Marshall

    Shizuka sped down the connecting corridor and swiped her ID on the elevator console. She tapped her right foot impatiently as she waited for the elevator. After several seconds, she thought better of it and rushed down the stairs and slid down several ladders to get to the common traffic hallway of Sector N.


    The Hallway looked more like an extension of the ship infirmary. There were tens of soldiers that sat or that lay on the opposite sides of the hall in varying wounded states. The distinctive smell of rotting flesh and dried blood was in the air.  The medics and various evacuated personnel were rushing and scurrying to tend them or at least try to ease their pain. Those who are able to salute the Lieutenant did so; Shizuka returned it each time.


    ¡°Lieutenant Shizuka,¡± A burly, Asian-decent soldier called her attention from the blockaded end of the corridor. The Lieutenant walked up beside him and returned the man¡¯s salute.


    ¡°Sergeant Parks,¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am. Team 11 reporting for duty.¡± The Sergeant looked over his right shoulder, beckoning four worn out soldiers to stand to.


    ¡°At ease.¡± Shizuka eyed them as she returned their salutes. Three of the fireteam members looked no more than Twenty years old.


    ¡°We have reason to believe that GEOM shifters have taken control of the ship¡¯s engines.¡± Shizuka briefed, ¡°Knight Lyon and the Captain investigated the sector two hours ago. We¡¯re here to extract them.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t we need more people for that?¡± One of the young soldiers asked. The young female soldier beside him elbowed him hard. The boy took the hint and ended his query with a ¡°Ma¡¯am¡±.


    ¡°We do.¡± The Lieutenant replied, ¡°But we can¡¯t spare anymore of the Fireteams. We¡¯re spread too thin trying to plug the breaches and protecting the essentials. The earlier we get off this GEOM-infested room, the more flexible will be.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right Jenkins,¡± Sergeant Parks boomed with his deep set tone. ¡°So quit pissing your pants. The sooner we get off this GEOM field the sooner you¡¯ll shit yourself proper.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± Shizuka second the notion (culturally shocked by the language of the noncom. She has yet to experience leading and commanding enlisted men).


    ¡°Lead the way Sergeant.¡±


    They marched towards the barricade Shizuka saw earlier the pungent smell growing stronger with each step. The Sergeant knocked on it which resulted into three dull, metallic clangs. After a while, the lower part of the barricade lowered with a groan then dropped heavily on the hallway floor. When it was Shizuka¡¯s turn to duck and enter the hatch, she realized that the makeshift gate was actually a Dim bay door and almost immediately covered her nose and mouth. The strong rotting smell was unbearable. She heard one of the guards joke about welcoming them to Hell and to not feed the animals because they bite.


    When she fully exited, she saw Sergeant Parks was laughing good naturedly what seemed to be a joke; which surprised Shizuka seeing how he acted earlier.


    ¡°¡­Now tour guide Jones give me the sit-rep on the zoo animals.¡± Shizuka heard the sergeant say.


    ¡°The G¡¯s attacked about¡­see ah..some thirty minutes ago.¡± The one called Jones reported through gapped teeth, ¡°might go about again in the next thirty I reckon.¡±


    Shizuka surveyed the blockade as she listened to Jones¡¯ briefing of the GEOM attack patterns in the past few days. The makeshift blockade consisted of two machine gun nests that flanked the ¡°Hell¡¯s gate¡± on both sides and the scrapped Dim¡¯s auto turret in a more advance position ¨C which looked like a giant severed head from atop the caked bloodstains on the metallic floor.


    Shizuka counted ten sentries. Most of them already wounded. Including tour guide Corporal Jones. Shizuka took note of his bandaged neck which by the looks of it something narrowly missed his jugular.


    ¡°..Madam Lieutenant¡­Ma¡¯am?¡± Jones tapped her off her thoughts. She turned and was greeted by the lopsided grin of Corporal Jones, ¡°If I were you Madam Lieutenant, I wouldn¡¯t step in front of see here door.¡±


    Shizuka followed the Corporal pointed out chin. It was a room on her immediate left labeled AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL DO NOT ENTER. As if Jones was reading her thoughts he continued to blabber, ¡°we¡¯re do you think we keep all the dead G¡¯s holed up?¡±


    A pool of blood trickled from the base of the door.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know when the pow¡¯r hold up. You don¡¯t want to be standing there when it doesn¡¯t.¡± Jones brandished again his signature smile, ¡°and we¡¯ve stacked them high enough that we¡¯ve started using this other room here.¡± He pointed with his thumb the room further down the right side.


    ¡°Ok Jones,¡± Sergeant Parks boomed again, ¡°Stop pestering the Lieutenant with your sloppy housekeeping and get to it.¡± He started walking towards the end of the hallway to the direction where the bloodied and bullet peppered metal sign ¡°Stairs¡± pointed.


    Shizuka then saw the soldiers in a new light. Their contempt curls in their mouths; the sneers being held back. They hated her. They we¡¯re knee deep in GEOM blood and wounded and she was almost as shiny and as a buffed as a freshly issued UTSF boot.


    Parks then laid a hand on her shoulder, might as well be an act of insubordination or sexual harassment but Shizuka let it go when she heard what he said after.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Lieutenant. You have your own Job and we have ours.¡±


    Shizuka nodded almost like a child being chided by his/her parents when the dead pet gold fish is going to heaven after you flush them down the toilet.


    ¡°¡­it¡¯s a shame we can¡¯t use explosives though.¡± Jones chimed once again as he walked towards his post on one of the machine gun nests. ¡°Would¡¯ve been much easier.¡±


    SOLAR YEAR 2429, LEO SYSTEM, SECTOR ONE, PLANET RED 420 MOON ORBIT. 0200 HOURS, THE MARSHALL DECK 2 SECTION A, FOURTEEN HOURS AND FIVE MINUTES AFTER INVASIONIf you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°Section A is just right ahead Ma¡¯am,¡± Sergeant Parks pointed the steel nameplate after consulting his console. ¡°Lieutenant Rivers and the two fireteams under his command were ordered to set up a blockade here right after Knight Lyon confirmed Shifter activity here.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think they were successful on their mission Sergeant.¡± Shizuka replied. She pointed towards the piles of non-bolted objects littering the section entrance. ¡°Looks like they were in the middle of establishing the blockade when they were attacked.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s definitely dried blood.¡± Private Enriquez, The only other female soldier in the fire team was kneeling near the hastily strewn blockades. ¡°It¡¯s G blood ma¡¯am. It¡¯s fuckin everywhere.¡±


    Shizuka nodded, ¡°Stay Alert, they might be still alive or the shifters picked them off one by one.¡±


    They inched closer towards the Section A doors and found the control board shot off.


    ¡°Either they locked themselves in there or we got ourselves a mouse in a trap, ¡°Sergeant Parks mused, ¡°Get on it Bacon.¡±


    The technical specialist opened his tool kit and started working on the door console.


    ¡°Make use of the barricades,¡± Sergeant Parks ordered, tactically distributing the fire team members. Shizuka knelt beside Private Samuel ¡°Bacon¡± Gordon.


    ¡°Bacon huh?¡±


    ¡°Yes ma¡¯am.¡± The young soldier answered non-chalantly, expertly taking apart the console motherboard and docking his own console into it.


    ¡°Why do they call you that?¡± Shizuka asked, ¡°Some kind of sarcasm towards your thin physic?¡±


    Private Gordon, eyebrows raised, eyed her momentarily and continued on to his work, ¡°Ma¡¯am, you officers speak real formal you know that? As for the Bacon nick, they use to call me fresh meat during boot because the drill sergeant thought I looked like I¡¯ll die first. Happened to save some fellas by arming some turrets before getting overwhelmed by some G¡¯s back on Liberty and one of them started saying Saved by the bacon. The name stuck I guess.¡±


    He tapped a few more wires and typed the access protocol on his console and the section A doors opened with a hiss.


    ¡°I¡¯m in Sergeant.¡±


    ¡°Good work Bacon. Enriquez with me.¡± The Sergeant commanded, ¡°Bacon and Porter protect the lieutenant.¡±


    Bacon saluted and positioned himself on the barricade on the opposite side of the lieutenant.


    Sergeant Parks signaled that he was going right and gestured Enriquez to go left. The private nodded and they entered the pitch black section A.


    Shizuka watched the dark closely, her pistol at the ready. Shifters are very cunning assassins. Sergeant Parks was well aware if they were shifters inside section A they would have to seal it off. Whether or not him or Enriquez were still inside.


    ¡°Clear!¡± the Sergeant shouted from inside Section A.


    ¡°I got something in here sir!¡± Enriquez shouted back. There was the clang of boots as the Sergeant ran towards Enriquez¡¯ voice.


    ¡°Son of a bitch,¡± The Sergeant expelled. The Sergeant¡¯s rifle flashlight swayed on the metal floor as he jogged back towards the entrance. Shizuka pointed his pistol when the Sergeant came near enough for his face to be seen.


    ¡°What¡¯s this Lieutenant?¡± he asked his arms up in surrender.


    ¡°You understand that we are dealing with shifters right? Shizuka entailed, ¡°I need proof that you¡¯re not a GEOM in human clothing. Bacon you have an x-ray in your kit?¡±


    The private nodded and scrambled to find it in his pockets.


    ¡°No need for that Bacon,¡± said the Sergeant. He slowly reached for his knife on his belt all the while as the Lieutenant trained her pistol firmly at him.


    ¡°What are you doing Sergeant?¡± Shizuka shouted, ¡°Don¡¯t make me shoot you!¡±


    Her tone made Porter and Bacon also train their weapons on their sergeant.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am you need proof right that I¡¯m not one of those mother fuckers right?¡± He answered, his knife now in his hand, ¡°And we don¡¯t have time to fuck around, so lets get this over with.¡±


    The sergeant proceeded to cut himself on his left forearm and dripped the blood where his rifle light illuminated the floor. A crimson color pooled from the wound.


    The Lieutenant put down her pistol and beckoned Porter and Bacon to stand down.


    ¡°So what do you have for us Sergeant Parks?¡±


    ¡°Son of a bitch.¡± Lieutenant Shizuka cursed, Enriquez and Bacon nodding in agreement from her flanks.


    ¡°Gags,¡± The Sergeant said in discontent, coining the foot soldier term for the slimy, dull-colored, GEOM eggs. Big enough to cramp a fully grown man inside---bodies that the GEOMs to be feed on and roughly molds into.


    ¡°Is this all of eltee Rivers Platoon?¡± Shizuka asked.


    ¡°Yes Ma¡¯am,¡± Enriquez answered, ¡°Exactly Nine, Two look fresher than others.¡± Kicking one of the two lighter colored GEOM eggs to his left.


    ¡°Amelia,¡± Shizuka consulted her console, ¡°Any reports on Lieutenant River¡¯s platoon before they were cut off after the blasts?¡±


    ¡°Yes playing it back now ma¡¯am.¡± The ensign answered. After an electronic beep a static charged message played.


    ¡­.found the shifters on Section Alpha¡­.tssss¡­they infiltrated my men and may have begun their gestation process¡­It¡¯s just me and specialist Petrov now¡­we¡¯ll try to confine them..update soon.


    Another beep followed ending the recording.


    ¡°Is that all Amelia?¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately that¡¯s all Ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Ok, thank you. Stay on coms,¡± said the Lieutenant, her furrowed eyebrows betraying her anxiety, ¡°What do you think of this sergeant?¡±


    ¡°Well in my honest opinion Ma¡¯am,¡± The Sergeant said, gripping his rifle tighter, ¡°Knowing they couldn¡¯t destroy the gags with small arms, they sectioned off A and tried to come back and report.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, tried.¡± Shizuka agreed. ¡°We can¡¯t blow these eggs inside this ship and none of you have flamethrowers. That leaves only one option.¡±


    The young soldiers looked at her waiting for her command.


    ¡°Throw them out,¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am The next hatch here is through section C,¡± Porter asked, clearly dubious of the idea of dumping the eggs into outer space.


    ¡°Well unless there are AWOL incinerator grenades up your ass Porter shut your mouth and get hauling,¡± Sergeant Parks commanded, ¡° there is a cart on one of the barricades we can load them there and carry them off.¡±


    ¡°B-but they could fucking hatch anytime sir,¡± Porter relented, ¡°we could get fucked any second!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re already fucked son,¡± The Sergeant retorted, ¡°But we can¡¯t let this mother fuckers fuck the others up on N.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Lieutenant Shizuka agreed, ¡°Nine Shifters will significantly compromise the security of this ship.¡±


    ¡°So what do you have us do Ma¡¯am,¡± Enriquez questioned.


    ¡°This is a dumb idea,¡± Porter complained.


    ¡°Shut your pie hole Port,¡± Private Dawson exasperated, pushing egg-laden trolley, ¡°I¡¯m tired of your shit.¡±


    Sergeant parks grinned, ¡°You know you¡¯re being an ass when Dawson speaks up.¡±


    ¡°Is it really a good idea to split the team up sir?¡± Porter continued his tirade, ¡°I mean transporting and dumping almost nine gags with three people through three uncleared sectors? That bitch is crazy!¡±


    ¡°Watch your mouth dipstick.¡± Sergeant Parks reprimanded, grabbing the private by the collar, ¡°We¡¯re UTSF troopers, and it¡¯s not for us to reason why.¡±


    ¡°This is a rescue mission but we can¡¯t ignore the threat of shifters fucking us in the ass,¡± The sergeant now nose to nose with the private, ¡°If you want to run away be my guess. Just so you know it will be my pleasure shooting you for desertion.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s just scared Sarj,¡± Dawson appealed as Parks released the terrified private, ¡°But I have doubts that miracle boy Bacon¡¯s contraption would kill any gags that happened to crack while we¡¯re out dumping.¡±


    ¡°Do and Die son,¡± Parks simply answered as they continued down deck 2¡¯s main hallway, ¡°Do and Die.¡±


    It¡¯s this is the route the Captain and Knight Lyon took Ma¡¯am.


    Shizuka double tapped her console to enlarge the highlighted route. Private Enriquez craned her neck over the Lieutenant¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°That looks like a nice stroll through a G-Trap if I ever seen one.¡± She commented.


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± The Lieutenant agreed, ¡°They know we will rescue one of our own.¡±


    ¡°They sure went all out for one B rank potential and one slippery S rank Knight Ma¡¯am,¡± Bacon asked from the point position of their column.


    ¡°GEOMs would do anything to get their slithering appendages on potentials Bacon.¡± Shizuka answered, ¡°I just hope we get to the Captain and Knight Lyon before they do.¡±


    Oh I think you¡¯re just in the nick of time. A prying voice interrupted their thoughts.

 Chapter 10: Purpose

    Lyon opened his eyes. His vision bleary, his eyelids caked with his blood. He can tell he was still floating and that feeling every part of his body ache means that the hull around the engine room wasn¡¯t breached or else he would¡¯ve frozen and be numb by now.


    He needed to find Hawkins but he was too weak even just to move his head around---just another vulnerable body for the parasites to feast on and occupy, until his chip detonates and disintegrates his body.


    What a way to go. Lyon thought bitterly. He imagined the blinking emergency lights to be stars and waited for his head to explode.


    Vyse, you time travelling piece of shit.


    A clang resonated throughout the engine room. The Knight secretly wished it was the Captain rallying up a storm or trying to find him. But he knew he was knocked out before he was even before whatever hit them.


    What the hell was that?


    The clang repeated and was followed by distinctive shuffling sounds. The Knight surrendered all hope at that point. It was clear that some GEOMs survived whatever hit them and were looking for some scraps.


    ¡°Guess this is it for me and you Hawkins,¡± Lyon mumbled.


    Not if I can help it.


    The Knight would have been startled or question if he was hallucinating if he wasn¡¯t used to the voice prying into his mind every now and then.


    Fuck you Max.


    Aw. That¡¯s how you treat the one who save your life and who¡¯s just going to do it again? The voiced cooed coolly.


    How do you guys fucked up Herodutus and Red 420? I thought you were an SS psychic?


    Yet I¡¯m still human old friend.


    Are you? Lyon retorted.


    There was a brief silence. Before ¡°Max¡± responded.


    I¡¯ve notified the rescue team of your plight and directing them as best as I could. I can still feel Howard¡¯s consciousness. Remember Lyon, He is top priority.


    Yeah, Yeah. I¡¯m fine too. Lyon thought in disgust.


    By the way Lyon, before I forget--Hawkins knows.


    Lyon¡¯s eyes widened. Fucking prick passed down to him all the explanations the Captain would want to hear. He made sure Max would have received that last thought. If the Psychic had heard that thought he did not let the incapacitated Knight know.


    He aimlessly floated toward one of the steel foundations of the engine room with a thump--Loud enough for the GEOMS to pinpoint his location.


    Great.


    The shuffling stoped abruptly. An eerie few seconds past before a burst of rushed steps resounded. They were heading right for him. Lyon, floating on his back, counted the landings above him


    One.


    The shuffles turned into dull thumps.


    Two.


    The clangs should mean some have reached the stairs.


    He is in the fourth floor of the engine room and the GEOMs were all clumped at the bottom before the blast. Most likely the GEOMs are now on the second floor trying to get to the third floor. The Knight forced his extremities to move. His fingers twitched a little. He can¡¯t feel anything below his ankle. He can start to move his eyelids more fluidly. A crack and a bang sounded below him.


    The creatures have reached the third floor.


    His neck was so stiff, he tried to look for the nearest staircase or shaft but his body failed him. His training started to kick in. He controlled his breathing, calmed himself and focused. GEOMs are closing in and he was basically paralyzed. He tried nodding to loosen up his neck but as he first successfully lifted his head but his muscles gave soon after and hit his head on the steel foundation he struck earlier; successfully riling up the GEOMS and stirring up his concussion.


    Shit.


    But then he realized he was slowly floating towards the center of the engine room cavaedium. He sighed in relief, thanking the gods and whatnot and cursing Max and Vyse on sending him into this suicidal body guard/ rescue mission,The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    But a tug pulled him back to the fourth floor balustrades steered him from his thoughts and temporary safety.


    ¡°No. No. No! No! No!¡± The Knight mumbled, struggling in desperation. Part of his suit or what¡¯s left of his armor might have been snagged on the balustrades.


    He tried to shake his head and wriggle his arms and legs from the invisible bonds that held him but it was no use. He was completely exhausted.


    He could hear the frenzied growls and snarls of the bloodthirsty aliens. Their writhing flagellates and deformed appendages rapping hard on the steel construct--each GEOM racing for the first bite.


    ¡°FIRE IN THE HOLE!¡±


    Twin grenade blasts raged at the right wing, third floor staircase of the engine room. The staircase collapse and leaned listlessly towards the second floor bays. Pieces of metal erupted from the impact point and hurtled the immobilized Knight towards the left wing, knocking the wind off of him.


    I¡¯m tired of this shit. He exasperated before falling into unconsciousness.


    Drip, drip drip, drip--drip.


    Lyon was annoyed at the never ending leak. He was tired, numb and cold. All he wanted to do was to get up and turn off what¡¯s making the constant dripping sound. Then there was a clank and a slap.


    Then the unmistakable sound of someone breathing over him.


    The dripping sound more ominous than ever.


    DRIP DRIP DRIP DRIP DRIP.


    The Knight gasped for air. Four blurry faces looked over him, one closer than the rest. The woman who may have done CPR to him looked vaguely familiar but before he could think more of it Captain Hawkins slapped him out if it.


    ¡°We thought we¡¯ve lost you there Lyon.¡±


    ¡°Yeah me too.¡± He answered weakly. He can feel his cracked lips and dry throat. ¡°Did you really have to hit me?¡±


    ¡°No. Not really.¡±


    ¡°Give him some water.¡± The dark-browned haired Lieutenant, the one who was closest to him, beckoned the other soldiers. A bespectacled boy produced a canister. The female officer tilted her head and poured the contents gently which the Knight drank greedily.


    ¡°What happened?¡± He finally asked after he has had his fill.


    ¡°UTSF Foot Corps happened sir!¡± The buzzed-cut female private said with pride. Lyon can¡¯t help but smile, making even the weathered Captain Hawkins grin.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean rush you sir,¡± the Lieutenant broke the short celebration of victory, ¡°but as soon as you are able, we need to escort you and the Captain back to safe zone sectors sir.¡±


    Lyon agonizingly tried to sit up and just attempted it. ¡°Give me a couple of rations and we¡¯ll get there in a second.¡±


    The two privates looked at each other in confusion before the Captain reassured them that none of them is going crazy or is infected showing both their blood drenched wounds.


    ¡°And you know you owe me right Lyon?¡± said the Captain.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± The Knight replied, ¡°Let¡¯s get back to the bridge. I have a lot to debrief you about.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of debriefs sir Knight, sir,¡± The Lieutenant interjected.


    ¡°What is it?..err..Lieutenant Shizuka?¡± The Knight carefully reading the officer¡¯s virtual tag.


    ¡°I¡¯ve received reports that we¡¯ve taken control of Red¡¯s moon sir.¡±


    ¡°How many did we lose?¡± Captain Hawkins asked. ¡°We were greatly outnumbered and they had a lot of codename: Flagship ships.¡±


    ¡°¡­Almost total sir.¡± The Lieutenant replied after a brief interlude--which the Captain found strange, knowing the female officer as pragmatic and efficient. ¡°Only the Citadel and the Poseidon are operational, critically and the only other ship that seemed to be intact is the Poseidon but so far they haven¡¯t answering our hails.¡±


    ¡°..mmhhmmmmHhahdmmmrhh..¡± The Knight mumbled, his mouth full of standard foot soldier rations.


    ¡°What now Lyon?¡± Hawkins asked.


    The Knight chewed awhile, swallowed the dry provision and belched, much to the dismay of the Lieutenant.


    ¡°I said, what of the enigma class frigate we were on?¡± Lyon clarified.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have authorization codes to communicate with enigma classes sir without them hailing us first sir.¡± She answered promptly, ¡°Even if we did, I doubt they would reveal their position.¡±


    ¡°Hope Ruslan¡¯s ok.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a smart man Lyon, ¡° Hawkins reassured, ¡°Now, finish the damn rations. I don¡¯t want to stay here any longer to know if we haven¡¯t killed them all.¡±


    The Knight saluted mockingly and started wolfing down the other ration.


    The captain grinned in jest but on the back of his mind he couldn¡¯t help but think what secrets the Knights have been keeping from him.


    The Lieutenant then asked her leave to check on the sentries guarding the engine room entrance, leaving the confused Captain to his thoughts.


    ¡°What do you think this is about Ma¡¯am.¡± Bacon inquired, ¡°I mean some sike pried into our brain and basically help us squirm our way around the GEOMs.¡±


    The private momentarily averted his eyes from the lone corridor he was guarding and looked at the Captain with steely eyes, ¡°this smells a lot of FUBAR and I don¡¯t want to die for it Ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Pig¡¯s feet¡¯s right Ma¡¯am,¡± Enriquez agreed, ¡°No Knight sike would ever mind talks with grunts until he hasn¡¯t got no choice.¡±


    Shizuka nodded but she knew it wasn¡¯t his place to question higher rank commands, especially from Knights. But he learned from Sergeant Parks that sometimes you have to let the privates blow off steam or share their thoughts. Sometimes that¡¯s all they need and some assurance.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± Shizuka assured, ¡°No one else is dying today.¡±


    ¡°Sir!¡± The two privates fell into salute as the Captain¡¯s head peeked through the doors. Shizuka followed suit.


    ¡°At ease,¡± Hawkins returned their salutes, ¡°Knight Lyon has finished eating, sound to Lieutenant.¡±


    ¡°Aye Captain.¡± She answered, following the Captain inside.


    ¡°You can¡¯t expect me to leave my men behind?!¡± the Lieutenant exclaimed, they came to the bowels of this ship to rescue you. We wouldn¡¯t even have gotten this far without Knight Max¡¯ help!¡±


    ¡°I understand the feelings you have towards these men of yours,¡± said the Knight calmly, ¡°I understand it more than anyone else but these aren¡¯t the only men we are responsible for.¡±


    ¡°Lieutenant Shizuka, Knight Lyon could only transport two people with his current strength right now.¡± Hawkins explained, ¡°Just a one way trip until he could fully recuperate.¡±


    ¡°I have also men sweeping GEOM eggs on Sector A sir!¡± Shizuka said emotionally. ¡°I can¡¯t just abandon them.¡±


    The Knight sighed in surrender. Hawkins nodded in respect.


    ¡°Well do what you must Lieutenant.¡±


    ¡°Sir!¡± Shizuka saluted.


    The Knight stood up and put his arm around the Captain¡¯s shoulders.


    ¡°We will be expecting you on the bridge Lieutenant.¡±


    A split second later they vanished in thin air, leaving behind sour vapor.


    The Lieutenant held her salute all the while wishing she knew what she was doing.

 Chapter 11: The Foot

    ¡°Captain on the bridge,¡± Ensign Antoinette Marie De Borbon standing to, the rest of the bridge crew looked at each other in confusion, her twin sister following suit. A second later Knight Lyon and Captain Hawkins appeared on the bridge amidst sour-tasting mist. The rest of the bridge simultaneously stood and saluted.


    ¡°Carry on.¡± said the Captain in response, ¡°Good to be back.¡±


    He walked towards his seat and almost collapsed in it, still exhausted from the engine room fight.


    ¡°Sit reps.¡± The captain laughed inwardly at the unintentional pun.


    ¡°Main Engines are completely disabled.¡± Lieutenant Herrard reported, ¡°Auxiliaries are still Twenty percent functional.¡±


    ¡°LS guns are still inoperable we still have about fifty percent of our missile load out Captain,¡± Ensign Antionette responded.


    ¡°How about our visitor issues Ensign Amelie?¡± Hawkins asked.


    ¡°Sector Alpha through Geronimo are still largely unsecured Captain,¡± Ensign Amelie responded, ¡°Fireteams three through eight have cleared up to Sector I, although GEOMs still keep counter attacking through the mainway to Sector N.¡±


    ¡°We have to assume that the GEOMs have infiltrated personnel,¡± said the Knight, still looking malnourished, ¡°Always check blood samples and green tags.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir!¡± the bridge personnel replied in unison.


    ¡°Herodutus Fleet status Herrard,¡± The Captain inquired, ¡°what¡¯s left of us Lieutenant?¡±


    ¡°Main Flagship Citadel and Galleon Poseidon are at critical condition. The Vasily and Epitome have been largely successful deflecting GEOM boarding attempts. Fleet squadron Four, Frigates Simmons, Lothar, cruiser The Flamboyant and carrier New Arabia came out of radio silence after flanking the GEOM moon fleet Captain. Looks like Rear-Admiral Ruslan had something behind his sleeve after all sir.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of the Admiral,¡± The Knight interjected, ¡°Has he come with radio contact with the Marshall since we left for the engine room?¡±


    ¡°Yes sir, he said something about holding position and clearing our breaches.¡±


    Lyon groaned and leaned against one of the Bridges balustrades. ¡°Yes, we can¡¯t dock with other ships. We risk compromising them too.¡±


    ¡°Someone attach the Knight to an IV line please.¡± Hawkins commanded.


    One of the bridge assistant personnel ushered the Knight towards the elevator.


    The Captain and the Knight caught sight of each other. Lyon knew he would have to explain soon but the Captain knows that clearing the Marshall is top priority right now. The Captain then nodded and Lyon responded with a thumbs up.


    ¡°You know Lieutenant,¡± Private Enriquez said, clearing a corner before a stairwell, ¡°I didn¡¯t know you had it in you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s Private Enriquez talk for I love you Ma¡¯am.¡± Private Gordon mused, covering their rear.


    Shizuka can¡¯t help but smile. The privates have started to open up to her more ever since she volunteered to stay and help the fire team get back to Sector N. She surprised herself when she told the Knight and the Captain that she would help fireteam team eleven get back and clear Sector A--one of the forefronts of the Shifter breaches. Checking her console, she was trying to backtrack Master Lord Knight Octombrie¡¯s prior directions.


    ¡°Do we take a left or a right Ma¡¯am?¡± Private Enriquez asked.


    ¡°Right,¡± The Lieutenant answered without looking up. There will be another stairwell at the other end of this corridor. We were clearly being directed away from something below and above us.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s a right Ma¡¯am?¡± Private Bacon asked nervously, staring at the corridor lit by intermittently powered lights.


    ¡°Yeah, why?¡±


    The Private shakily pointed at the hallway with his rifle, shadows were dancing with each blink of the LED lights.


    ¡°What do we do eltee?¡± Enriquez whispered, the fireteam slowly backing towards the stairwell.


    ¡°Ensign Amelie,¡± Shizuka radioed. After a brief paused the Ensign¡¯s voice chirped.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Do you have reading on the floor we are on? Deck eight Sector Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Patching scans Ma¡¯am.¡±


    The Lieutenants console loading screen shimmered for a few seconds then bore the bad news. Cold blue spots with bright red cores littered the corridor in front of them and behind them.


    ¡°We have blobmen,¡± The Lieutenant briefed.


    ¡°Then we just blow them up like we did on the engine room.¡± Private Enriquez rasped. She fished for one of her grenades on her belt but Gordon¡¯s hand stopped him.


    ¡°We can¡¯t grenade them here Enriquez.¡± He said with a cold stare.


    ¡°He¡¯s right.¡± Shizuka seconded the notion, ¡°Deck 8 is one of the Engine room¡¯s storage depots. Fuel is packed in these rooms.¡±


    Enriquez gulped and slowly hooked her grenade backed to her belt, ¡°So where do we go Ma¡¯am?¡±


    ¡°Amelie is working on a route for us, checking on immediate routes.¡± She assured. The Lieutenant¡¯s console beeped and the Lieutenant pointed towards the stairwell, back down towards the Engine room.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    The privates answered the officer¡¯s nod with theirs and silently descended the stairwell. Weapons raised, senses alert; the ruddy red emergency lighting on the stairwell emphasizing the anxiety on Lieutenant Shizuka¡¯s face. They reversed slowly, trying to muffle the sounds of their boots hitting the steel staircase to the bare minimum. Even though the blobmen are one of the easiest to fight from the GEOM variants since all you had to do was destroy their cores which would be easily done with explosives or with bullet sprays. But fighting the Blobmen in a volatile environment was a different case. They had to be really accurate to shoot a one inch diameter brain core on each one of them while making sure not to shoot any of the stored fuel.


    The Lieutenant signaled at the dimly lit corridor on the immediate right which runs underneath the floor where the GEOMs were. The route on the officer¡¯s console leads them further down and avoids deck passing through Deck 8 entirely. At least if they had to fight somewhere else they won¡¯t have to worry as much blowing up the Ship.


    They¡¯ve reached halfway point of the corridor when Private Gordon, leading point, signaled the halt sign. The women crouched and Shizuka walked up to him.


    ¡°What is it Bacon?¡±


    The Private pointed with his gun. Something was jittering one hundred paces down the corridor near one of the side doors. The sound of cracking bone and squelch of blood confirms that it¡¯s definitely a turned GEOM. Shizuka weighed their options, they weren¡¯t equipped for stealth ops and the corridor was too narrow to slip past it. They also can¡¯t risk shooting it with the weapons they have else they alert the GEOMs above them cutting off their return path.


    ¡°Amelie,¡± Shizuka radioed, ¡°Can you close Deck nine corridor door number six?¡±


    ¡°Yes Ma¡¯am.¡± Her console chirped in reply.


    Shizuka nodded to the others and led the team towards the GEOM. ¡°On my signal Amelie.¡±


    The officer once again looked towards the two privates who confirmed that they have caught up with her plan. Shizuka steadily avoided one upturned fire extinguisher and shimmied past a trolley. They were several feet away from the monstrosity. Any closer it would sense them. Shizuka saw the bottom half of the uniform of what once was a maintenance engineer, now she was just another meal and another body for the GEOMs to infect.


    ¡°Now!¡±


    As the trio started running the door number six hissed and sandwiched the GEOMs head. Successfully pinning it to place and rendering his jaw useless to signal the other parasites of their presence. It thrashed and flailed trying to get free from the door¡¯s hold.


    They were almost at the corridor¡¯s corner stairwell when Amelie warned them of the GEOM movement above them. They were moving towards the door locked GEOM¡¯s frenzy. They needed to be fast and ascend four flights of stairs and also be quiet enough to not attract the parasites.


    They hurriedly went up the stairs, two at a time and securely placing their foothold to avoid the telltale clank before taking another step¡ªlooking like cranes walking from spot to spot when fishing for food. Private Enriquez almost couldn¡¯t contain her laughter watching the other two¡¯s awkward rushing.


    They were almost past Deck 8 when a group of squelches echoed on the stairwell.


    ¡°And we need to get past at least seven more decks like these?¡± Enriquez grumbled, out of breath.


    ¡°I thought you like your seven decks?¡± Gordon teased and was answered with a gut punch by Enriquez. Gordon crumpled into a heap.


    ¡°Smart ass.¡± Enriquez sneered.


    ¡°What was that?¡± Private Porter nervously asked. His fatigues drenched in sweat. Transporting nine GEOM eggs two at a time through one section length of hallway was playing tricks with his mind. Every hum, clank or whine the Private heard it all too loud.


    Sergeant Parks tried to drill into the boy that he had to keep his head together or risk losing his head, to the GEOMs or to his own gun. Private Dawson on the other hand kept to his own like he always did, silently pushing the trolley¡ªtheir second helping of eggs.


    A hollow thump sounded behind them and Private porter jumped, shooting a spray into nothing. Sergeant Parks pinned the Private by the neck and relieved him of his weapon, throwing it to Dawson.


    ¡°You are going to get troopers killed Porter!¡± Sergeant Parks spat as he increased his pressure on the private¡¯s neck, ¡°You are going to get ME killed!¡±


    The private struggled for air before the Sergeant released him. Porter collapsed all fours and gulped air with throaty breaths.


    ¡°Push the cart Porter.¡± Parks commanded, ¡°At least that will distract you a bit.¡±


    The private slowly stood up and started to lankly push the trolley. When the hollow thump from earlier was followed by a series of quick similar sounds. The Sergeant thumbed the safety of his weapon and Dawson did the same. Porter shakily gripped the handle bar of the trolley looking all around him


    ¡°Steady Dawson.¡± Sergeant Parks mumbled.


    Private Porter¡¯s rifle was still slung on Dawson¡¯s shoulder. His fingers twitch, aching to grab the rifle, His feet poised to run.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it Porter,¡± The Sergeant said without looking at him, snapping the private momentarily from his panic.


    ¡°Sarj Please can I have my weapon back?¡± He pleaded, his sweaty palm oiling the trolley handlebar, ¡°they could be coming any second now!¡±


    ¡°Quiet!¡± Parks hissed, ¡°I can¡¯t hear them with all your bawling!¡±


    As the noncom said that one of the ventilation ducts of their heads burst open and poured out its alien contents, three pulsating blobs dropped just a couple of meters behind them. Sergeant Parks almost instantly fired at the dropping parasites, his bullets ripping parts of the blobs from their main bodies with squashes and splashes. Private Dawson followed suit, his well grouped shots hitting the one of the blobs directly in its brain core while Porter crouched behind the trolley panicked eyed. After a several more volleys and a new clip of ammunition, Sergeant Parks and Private Dawson Successfully eliminated the remaining two blobmen.


    ¡°Is That all of them?¡± Asked the cowering Private.


    Before the Sergeant could spat at his cowardice, wall vents on either sides of the corridor burst with oozes of varying disgusting colors.


    ¡°Does that answer your question!?¡± Dawson yelled.


    ¡°GO! GO! GO!¡± Parks shouted, starting to push the trollied eggs, almost clipping the Private Porter with the trolley¡¯s edge.


    ¡°Move Porter!¡± Dawson said as he dragged the frightened soldier through his collar, ¡°Get up! Get up!¡±


    Coming to his senses, the beleaguered private stood and ran. The sergeant was howling some sort of battle cry while using the trolley as a makeshift battering ram, crushing blobs with disgusting squelches as part of their bodies went under the trolley¡¯s wheels. Dawson stamped on the more whole chunks whenever he could.


    Porter looked behind him, the blobs where almost filling the corridor behind them to the brim and were coming to them like a rising wave. The smell of fetid flesh and syrupy ichor grew stronger as the parasitic wave gained on them. Dawson tripped on what looked like a doorway jam, the panicked porter ran pass him not giving him a second look. But rather than running away from the mass of solidified gestation, the Private ran towards the door console. Entered the closing sequence but massive vault door didn¡¯t budge. Thinking quickly he opened the communication channel to the bridge.


    ¡°Hello! Hello! Is anyone hearing this! Close Sector Alpha door four! GEOMs on our tail!¡±


    Dawson peeked through the gap the huge blob was just a few meters from where he was, he had no time to relay another message to the bridge or outrun the blobmen. The Private raised his weapon and hip fired whilst yelling obscenities. Another two rifles burped bullets.


    Dawson looked behind him and saw Porter and the Sergeant firing their weapons on full auto. Dawson patted his left shoulder, the strap of Porter¡¯s rifle gone. He must have dropped the rifle when he tripped. The two were now parallel to him firing covering barrages.


    ¡°Get on that comms Dawson!¡± Parks shouted, ¡°We may have x-rays behind us too!¡±


    Dawson nodded and raised again the bridge channel.


    ¡°Anyone! Please close Sectio¡ª,¡± Before the private could finish his sentence the door hissed down.


    Through the door porthole they saw the seething mass slam into it, cracking the glass.


    Porter gulped but said nothing. Private Dawson only nodded. The sergeant gave Dawson a heavy pat on the back, surprising the private who had to hold the side console for support from the impact.


    ¡°Quick thinking there Private,¡± He commented, ¡°Almost left you there, good thing Porter here pulled my attention.¡±


    The two privates nodded to one another, a pact of forgiveness and respect between soldiers.


    ¡°That won¡¯t hold long.¡± The sergeant said pointing at the door with his chin, ¡°We have to dispose the gags quick before we clear any more of these bastards.¡±


    Porter gulped heavily but said nothing. Dawson only nodded in return.


    Just another normal day for the foot.

 Chapter 12: Resurgence

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Captain Hawkins asked earnestly, ¡°Are you sure there are no other survivors on Sector A to Sector D?¡±


    ¡°Aside for Lieutenant Shizuka and her team, I have no knowledge of any other survivors on the said sectors sir!¡± Sergeant Parks reported, Private Dawson and Private Porter flanking him standing to.


    ¡°hhhmmm,¡± The Captain paced, hands at his back, ¡°You do know what you¡¯re suggesting Sergeant could lead to the deaths of hundreds of servicemen right?¡±


    ¡°Yes sir!¡± Parks replied, ¡°But judging by the situation sir, the GEOM breaches on those Sectors are too significant to be cleared with personal close quarters sweeping sir!¡±


    ¡°What do you think Lyon? Vacuuming the Sectors once the Epitome has pulled as off this debris filled?¡±


    The Knight was slumped on Lieutenants Shizuka¡¯s chair on the weapons post with an IV line running through one arm, the other holding a half-eaten a food ration.


    ¡°Lieutenant, how long before we get out of this debris field?¡± The Knight asked.


    ¡°Approximately five minutes sir,¡± Herrard answered.


    ¡°There you go Hawkins,¡± said Lyon, ¡°Five minutes for the Lieutenant to get out of those sectors, five minutes for Ensign Borbon to find them and five minutes for me to eat this dry piece of shit.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think we can make it,¡± Private Gordon strained.


    ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡± Private Enriquez questioned.


    ¡°The protocol will be in effect,¡± Gordon answered, switching his fire to the sound behind them.


    ¡°What protocol numbskull?¡± Enriquez whispered, passing by an infirmary with dismembered body parts strewn inside it. Shizuka almost gagged from the sight.


    ¡°Purging protocol.¡± The Lieutenant gasped in answer, averting vomiting disaster, ¡°Thirty minutes after an unclear section is breach, the vacuuming of the said sections will commence regardless of unevacuated personnel.


    ¡°Fuck me.¡± Private Enriquez whispered, clearing another room


    ¡°Damn right.¡± Gordon responded, holding the rear.


    ¡°Can anyone confirm on Deck 3 Sector Alpha?¡± Shizuka asked, dropping her heavy dead console, the only means of communication they had with the bridge. Enriquez pointed her rifle flashlight on a wall with a floor legend, Deck 3 Sector A Door 5.


    ¡°So near yet so far Ma¡¯am.¡± Enriquez grumbled.


    ¡°Maybe if we ran for it we could make it.¡± Gordon suggested.


    ¡°Are you crazy Bacon?¡± Enriquez countered, ¡°The only thing running will get us quicker to is inside one of those G¡¯s¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s right Bacon.¡± Shizuka agreed, ¡°We might run into a blob wall or a shifter pack. At least going in slow and steady we have a chance.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean I have to like it.¡± The private mumbled.


    ¡°It would¡¯ve been great too if the elevators weren¡¯t GEOM mouse traps.¡± Shizuka added.


    They were about to reach the stairwell ascending to the Deck 2, the section where fireteam 11 split up. As Private Enriquez boot stepped onto Deck 2 floor something whirred to life and tracer rounds began illuminating the deck¡¯s half-light followed by innumerable pings as bullets hit the various metallic surfaces. The three retreated back to the safety of the mid-flights of the staircase.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing that¡¯s you Bacon!¡± Shizuka shouted above the din.


    The Private nodded, ¡°Something set off the traps!¡±


    A few stray bullets hit the foundations near the stairwell and the ceramic shard bullets rained over the crouching soldiers. Most internal naval weapons are equipped with ammunition designed not to puncture the ship¡¯s hull. The Problem is ceramic based ammunition that it greatly reduces the weapons lethality in terms of range. After several minutes of non-stop auto-cannon fire, the turret started firing sporadically then coughed the last belt of its ammunition, the twinkling of the shattered bullets blanketing the deck floor. Shizuka peered over the top step and saw some of the twinkling shards go out in a step-like pattern. She signaled to the two privates that there were at least two GEOMS that survived the auto-cannon trap.


    Enriquez did a hand gesture that covered her face with a palm, the call-sign for Shifters. Shizuka shook her head in reply still not sure what they were dealing with or tried to reassure his team that there was a chance it wouldn¡¯t be shifters. Ceramic bullets will not crack gags and the auto cannon was wired to shoot towards movement. Whatever GEOM variant they were dealing with it was fast, stealthy and alive. Shifters are the likely threat.


    Shizuka tried not to think about what might happened to Sergeant Parks and the other half of Fireteam 11 but it was clear that they weren¡¯t successful in disposing all of the gags. Before she had a chance to signal to the two privates her plan of action, bullets whizzed over her head and Gordon was pulling her from the top of the staircase. She felt something plop over her head and something dripping over her cheek. She wiped her face with her wrist and saw the dark green ooze. Enriquez emptied her magazine at the Shifter and Gordon now fired suit. The two did not stop until the GEOMs head was clean off and its headless body slumped over the top step. Its black exoskeleton coated with the dark green fluid oozing out of the bullet holes in it, its sharp clawed hands twitching. The shifter¡¯s exoskeleton where the privates¡¯ rifle lights shone on reflected rainbow colored light and sheened gray white, the aliens adaptive coating reacting to direct light¡ªone of the reasons UTSF scientist think why the shifters preferred stalking in darkness.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    Shizuka only realized after the shifter was killed off that the two privates were shouting. There rasped deep breaths now echoed the deck. Enriquez gave her a nod which Shizuka returned; she would have surely been killed by that shifter if not for the private¡¯s quick reactions. Gordon walked past the Lieutenant and peered past the staircase wall, his body and fatigues also covered with the slimy dark-green ooze. Shizuka became self-conscious and started wiping off the chunks of slime from her long brown hair.


    ¡°I think the other one ran off,¡± Private Gordon whispered. Enriquez crouched on the opposite of side of the male private, rested her back on the stair balustrade and peeked at the other corner.


    ¡°We¡¯re good for now.¡± She reported, kicking one of the dead shifters arms, ¡°I hate these motherfuckers.¡±


    ¡°The other one will be waiting for us to make a move.¡± Shizuka said, giving up the effort to cleanse her hair from the slimy discharge.


    ¡°But if we wait it out will be blown to space.¡± Gordon uttered, ¡°We¡¯re dead either way.¡±


    Enriquez slapped the private on the back of his head, ¡°Talking more like that and you will Bacon.¡±


    Gordon massaged the back of his head and whimpered, ¡°I¡¯m just saying that we take our chances now and ran the fuck away from here.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps those aren¡¯t our only options.¡± Shizuka commented. The two private looked at her quizzically.


    ¡°What do you have in mind Ma¡¯am eltee?¡± Enriquez asked.


    ¡°Five minutes are up Hawkins.¡± Lyon said, checking the bridge time console near him.


    Hawkins nodded, standing over his command console, a red button blinking ominously on its screen.


    ¡°Herrard are we clear out of the debris field?¡±


    ¡°Aye Captain,¡± Lieutenant Herrard confirmed, ¡°The Epitome and Vasily has successfully towed us off the debris sir.¡±


    ¡°Is everything set Ensign?¡± The Captain asked.


    ¡°All sector anterooms towards Sectors Alpha to Delta are now closed Captain,¡± Ensign Amelie replied, ¡°Ready for sector wide dumping.¡±


    Sector dumping, Hawkins thought, what a way to call the massacre they¡¯re about to do.


    ¡°Was Lieutenant Shizuka that kissed me?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Hawkins turned towards the Knight confused, ¡°What did you say?¡±


    ¡°Was it Lieutenant Shizuka that kissed me back on the Engine room?¡± Lyon repeated.


    ¡°Gave you CPR.¡± Hawkins corrected, ¡°Don¡¯t flatter yourself Lyon.¡± He knew what was the Knight trying to do, jarring him off his thoughts of the men and women who had worked with him for almost half a year and was now condemning those trapped in the four uncleared sectors to death.


    ¡°We gave them time Hawkins,¡± Lyon reassured, ¡°They might have escaped.¡±


    Hawkins only nodded and started to release the sector hatch safeties on his console.


    ¡°Initiating purging protocol.¡± He cautioned then proceeded to press the red button.


    Bleeping sounds resonated throughout deck 2 as every bulkhead hissed open. The positive pressure inside the ship rushed outwards with a roar and tried to take anything with it. The Shifter was not worried. Its kind has evolved decades ago to survive the void of open space when the humans started baiting and sacrificing some of their number to desperately flushed its kind from their ship infestations¡ªsuch a resilient and foolhardy species mother would always say.


    It latched to each room¡¯s corner waiting and looking for signs of its prey. It knew that the primitive humans did not have the ability to function without oxygen and will either try to escape or hide. It meticulously destroyed potential hiding spots and stealthy picked its stalking nests, patiently tracking the preys caught in its domain. It studied and avoided the flow of the rupturing airflow, buffeted objects and frozen bodies¡ªboth of human and its kind. The last couple of unhatched shifter eggs were among the first to be vacuumed into space. The shifter licked its set of razor sharped piked teeth--the less competition the better. Something burst on the far corner of the sector and it vigilantly checked it out. A red tube apparently imploded and its shattered casing was bouncing off the bulkheads trying to escape to outer space.


    The last spurts of the vacuum raged out of the sector, the malevolent atmosphere now starting to stabilize. That¡¯s when it caught sight of something peculiar. Something dark and incredibly resistant was holding on one of the corners. It couldn¡¯t see it before since that corridor in particular was one of the direct routes the atmosphere was venting from. It inched towards it, surveying each blind spot on its way towards the out-of-place object. Even how its kind belittles the primitiveness of the humans, their approach in eliminating their kind is brutally effective. How its nest companion impatiently and frenziedly charged towards the group that just stepped onto their pre-hunting zone. Its nest-mate almost got one of the pests.


    Almost.


    It was almost face to face with it now. It was largely similar to one of those fragile humans. How its outer skin flapped and swayed. If only it could smell it right now to confirm it from afar but scent has also been sucked by the void of space.


    It could not help it, it waited too long and wanted a live one and it was sure the struggling human was close to death exposed to the forays of space and depravity of oxygen. It scurried the wall opposite of the human and pounced on it. Its teeth punctured its frozen leathery skin and penetrated the hard skin beneath. But something was wrong. It feasted on dead humans after its hatching and none of their bodies hissed and whistled when it bit on them. A pair appeared from his peripheral but as soon as it looked the trickery it on imploded inside its mouth blowing its head and maimed body towards open space.


    Enriquez gave Shizuka a thumb up. The assembled of acetylene tanks and fire extinguishers scattered on Deck 3 and spare fatigues from one of the upheaved rooms did enough to misdirect the shifter. They knew the GEOM would not look for them through the venting atmosphere and anchored a dislodged drop capsule on one of the main corridors and waited. Bacon¡¯s scanner tracked the shifter as it searched for them through the mayhem of the Purging Protocol. Private Gordon then masterfully distracted the shifter with a remotely detonated fire extinguisher giving them enough time to set up the deceit.


    Shizuka breathed through their shared oxygen tank. Shaking her head as she remembered one of her instructors on officer school: Young GEOMs are often more aggressive, will not pass up an easy kill and tend to go against its GEOM queens commands; so eager to produce, so eager to eat. Although the last Shifter seemed to adapt well enough after they killed its nest-mate and eventually made the mistake, its patience cost them most of their oxygen supply.


    Bacon was entering codes and override protocols on one of Sector A¡¯s connecting anterooms and its blipping of red denied flashes aggravated the young private¡¯s frustrations. All of them wore improvised space suits made from layers of UTSF standard navy uniforms, face masks made from wrapped shirts and safety goggles. It delayed the after effects of space exposure but just by a few minutes.


    Private Gordon held up his hands, his fingers now discoloring to purple and black--the telltale signs of severe hypoxia. Private Enriquez floated beside Shizuka, their makeshift anchoring belts drifted between the three of them. The private placed a gangrened hand over one of her shoulders and showed her the oxygen tank gauge, the needle struck at zero. The officer nodded and grinned behind her makeshift mask, the thought that they at least gave the rest of the ship security from the shifters made her feel at peace. Enriquez nodded in return, seemingly emphatic of the officer¡¯s thoughts.


    Despite herself, Enriquez pulled Private Gordon, who looked worst of the three, towards them and gave him a reassuring hug. The private tried his best and she wanted him to know that. The Lieutenant smiled at the boy; her eyes beaming and bloodshot behind her goggles, embracing the inevitable. Her dream of commanding a ship partially came true but working with the two privates and garnering their respect was more than made up for it.


    They circled around in a grouped embrace, their eyes drooping, their heads swaying sleepily, their bodies shivering and their brains on the verge of blacking out. None of them were conscious when the trio of hand pairs pulled them towards the now open bulkhead doors.

 Chapter 13: Angels

    Lyon placed a hand on Hawkins¡¯ shoulder. The Captain looked at him and smiled emptily. The Knight knew it was hard decision for Hawkins but the mission can¡¯t be delayed any further.


    ¡°Purging on all decks is complete Captain.¡± Ensign Amelie reported, ¡°Ending procedure.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Ensign,¡± Hawkins unsure of the soldier¡¯s real position, ¡°Delegate the fireteams the Marshall¡¯s clean up after hatch down.¡±


    ¡°Aye Captain.¡± answered Ensign Antionette


    ¡°Kepten Hawkins.¡± A voiced buzzed on the bridge speakers, ¡°I see you have replez me with little girls in my absenz.¡±


    Rita¡¯s hologram appeared on the center display trying to pose seductively with very clear differences from her previous iteration. Her Russian overcoat uniform now replaced with a sultry night dress and her virtual hair now held back akin to those worn in Earth¡¯s women in the 80¡¯s; not to mention her awkward pouting.


    ¡°What did you do Anna?¡± Lyon lectured in a very disappointed tone.


    Rita¡¯s hologram froze for a few seconds and fizzled out with Anna¡¯s arrogant coded form sporting a casual t-shirt, jeans and a surprisingly realistic smirk for an A.I.


    ¡°Awww not even an I miss you Anna! Or a Wow Anna! Your coded eye for virtual style and social interaction coding is unparalleled!¡± The A.I. mused childishly.


    ¡°Fix Rita Anna,¡± said Lyon imploringly.


    ¡°Ok! Ok! Fine!¡± The A.I. surrendered with her holographic hands up mockingly, ¡°Just so you know that she is more efficient with my iterations.¡±


    ¡°And what of Rear-Admiral Ruslan Anna?¡± The Captain asked, ¡°If he sent you to deliver Rita here, the next phase must be underway¡±


    ¡°It is.¡± The speakers bellowed with Ruslan¡¯s voice, ¡°Sorry Hawkins but I have to borrow Lyon for a while.¡±


    The fore-camera display flickered and showed the unmistakable sheen of the camouflaged hull of an Enigma Class-Frigate after a brief flash of its coating the emblazoned name of the Silver Eclipse and its magnificent carbon-black sleek hull appeared.


    ¡°Get on board Lyon,¡± Anna¡¯s rapped, her hologram flickered replaced by Rita¡¯s more seductive appearance, her previous attire replaced by a short nightgown, still clumsily displaying poses.


    Lyon groaned, forcibly stood up from the comforts of his chair and ripped of the IV line attached to him.


    ¡°Well, see you around Howard.¡± He bade.


    ¡°You still owe me an explanation.¡± Said the Captain, glancing briefly at the Rita¡¯s holo-form, ¡°And apparently a working A.I.


    The Knight nodded and smiled apologetically, gave a quick salute and disappeared leaving behind his signature puff of smoke.


    ¡°Nice of you to join us Lyon,¡± Ruslan bellowed with a grin. Lyon smiled back but he knew that deep down Ruslan was aching the loss of all the men and women aboard the downed ships of the Herodutus battle fleet.


    ¡°You sly fox, you out maneuvered the bastards again didn¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Ahh,¡± The Ruslan sighed ¡°It could¡¯ve gone better you know but it could''ve gone worst without your Anna, it¡¯s still hard to celebrate with blood in my hands.¡± He said trailing to a whisper.


    The Knight clasped both of the burly shoulders of the Rear-Admiral reassuringly, ¡°Let¡¯s make sure the sacrifices made are not put to waste Ruslan.¡±


    Ruslan nodded on answer than began guiding the Knight out of the Silver Eclipse¡¯s bridge, ¡°Now for phase two, right this way comrade.¡±


    Lyon followed the Rear-Admiral through narrow corridors and lifts towards the ship¡¯s hangar. As he passed each section of the Silver Eclipse, Lyon couldn¡¯t help admiring it. The Silver Eclipse was a magnificent vessel, a beauty even among its sister Enigma-class ships, an engineering icon for all naval command ships or any other naval vessel. She wasn¡¯t as heavily armed as a Tera cruiser or a Icatha-class frigate, the mass produce UTSF frigate, but the Enigma-classes were equipped with very punchy albeit few weapons. She has three Hyper-Charged Ship Rifles, an improved version of the widely used gravity cannon and several EMP and nuclear ordnances. HCSRs are built to be compact and maximize projectile penetration and unlike the Lebensschmerz rail gun, they don¡¯t fire tracer trails or create sonic booms, ideal for the stealthy ship class. HCSRs is not without its disadvantages, less knock out power and lesser range, a weakness remedied with its Background Adaptive Camouflage System. Its sleek, efficient hull design and specialized, ¡°classified¡± Oxyn-Ford engines makes the Enigma-Class one of the fastest ships both in standard space travel and space jumps.


    If only these advantages mattered with the attrition war they have against the GEOMs.


    The last lift finally stopped at the Silver Eclipse¡¯s Hangar. Another advantage of the Enigma-class frigate from the standard Icatha-class is its ability to deploy single manned fighters, maybe not as many as a cruiser but enough for a fighter squadron.


    ¡°There she is,¡± Lyon purred, his arms wide open, ready to embrace the Phoenix¡¯ nose, ¡°Did you miss me?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Anna¡¯s voiced snapped back, her hologram appearing on the Phoenix¡¯ console.


    Lyon frowned and dropped his arms in mock disgust, ¡°Remind me why I programmed you?¡±


    Before the A.I. could answer five pilots greeted the Knight, all in fully equipped flight suits, they stood at the ready close to Phoenix¡¯ right wing.


    ¡°Here¡¯s your squadron Lyon,¡± Ruslan introduced, ¡°The best of what we¡¯ve got right now.¡±


    ¡°They survived the clash with the GEOM moon fleet?¡± asked the Knight.


    ¡°Yes and no,¡± Ruslan replied, ¡°These brave men and women are the survivors of Operation Moonglaive. I rounded them off after your bresh with det.¡±


    Lyon stood abashed for a second. He never tried to get to know the men and women under his command ever since his time with the Lyon¡¯s Streaks, unattachment has become a Knight¡¯s calloused armor. Seeing the pilots who he almost left for dead unnerved him, he hid his shame as he did with his self-consciousness.


    ¡°At ease,¡± Lyon instructed, ¡°Well if we will ride again towards hell together I might as well know your names.¡±Stolen story; please report.


    There was a brief silence after the Knight¡¯s strange order and the five pilots only sounded off when the Rear-Admiral urged them sharply.


    ¡°Second Lieutenant Drayton Palmer sir!¡± the young black haired Pilot wearing the colors of the Black ravens reported.


    ¡°Lucas Mohamed, Warrant Officer Second Class!¡± saluted the other Black Raven, a tall, dark and heavily built Pilot.


    ¡°Avery Walsh, Warrant Officer Second Class sir!¡± a fiery-haired, slender female followed.


    ¡°Alexander Dowling, Second Lieutenant sir!¡± the hard-european decent medium height officer said formally


    ¡°First Lieutenant Kasey Walls sir!¡±


    Lyon was pacing in front of the pilots¡¯ line and stopped in front of the last reporting pilot. Her voice sounded familiar and eyed her curiously. She was an athletic blonde. Her appearance was that of a freshly graduated pilot with her springy step, the nervous shaking of her shoulders and her rapid breathing. The look on her sharp brown eyes had been transformed by the exposure of death but unlike the others whose eyes looked very commonly veteran, unflinching, unremorseful and numb; hers had a different and the more dangerous kind.


    Hopeful.


    ¡°Red One I presume.¡± said the Knight almost despite himself, socializing with new people was not his forte. He knew Hawkins and Ruslan for years and both of them were men. He trained the all male Lion Streak¡¯s for almost two year before their first deployment; bonds were made over that time as well. But with women, he had not had much time with them ever since his interment into the Knight program. Other than his mother and sister, he hasn¡¯t talked with the opposite sex without the front of rank or blood relation before, for a traumatic reason and the lack of chance, but his heart thumped when she saw the First Lieutenant, she made him feel the want to try.


    She responded but Lyon did not hear any of it. He was too distracted watching her mouth gesture ¡°yes sir.¡± Fortunately, they were trained to devoid all emotion in an instant and regained his nerve a split second after.


    The Rear-Admiral had just finished conversing with one of the Silver Eclipse¡¯s Hangar technicians and he beckoned the six to follow him to the main engineering bay. They walked through the double doors of the divider that split the Hangar in two. What greeted them made Lyon forget of First Lieutenant Kasey Halls for a good while.


    There being checked and geared by Hangar personnel, parked parallel to the brightly colored Phoenix were five similarly white and orange painted fighters. The machines were more sleeker than a regular phantom osprey and look a lot more formidable, extra plating, retractable wings, concealed weaponry and, Lyon thinks, might be level with the Phoenix¡¯ combat capacity and stealth capability.


    ¡°You know my ship has copyrights Ruslan?¡± Lyon said which made the Rear-Admiral snort in reply. The pilots looked to themselves on how comfortably the Knight addressed the higher ranking officer.


    ¡°You might have built the Phoenix but the Union has the power to take everything we have comrade.¡± Ruslan replied, ¡°But these are not copies of the Phoenix Lyon.¡±


    ¡°What are they?¡± One of the Black Raven pilots asked.


    ¡°They are Cherubims Lieutenant.¡± The Technician from earlier replied, the six were surprised that the fellow had a very intellectual tone, he was clearly not a regular hangar engineer.


    ¡°This is Scientist Marshall Doctor Edwin Lambert,¡± The Rear-Admiral introduced the gangly, bespectacled scientist, ¡°You might be fans of his work a number of which are the HCSRs and the Background Adaptive Camouflage System.


    ¡°So you basically created the Enigma-Class frigates.¡± Warrant Officer Avery Hall surmised.


    ¡°No, no, no,¡± The scientist stuttered with a waving motion of his hands, ¡°I am flattered that you think that but Teams make everything possible as my predecessor Henrik Lebensschmerz use to say, yes.¡±


    ¡°¡­But didn¡¯t Doctor Lebensschmerz died like half a century ago?..¡± Lyon heard one of the pilots whisper behind him. The Knight tutted inwardly. The Union tended to preserve humanity¡¯s greatest children.


    ¡°¡­as I was saying,¡± Doctor Lambert continued, ¡°these Cherubim fighters are equipped with similar armaments as that of a phantom osprey but overall has changed its purpose to that of a Knight¡¯s unit: Atmosphere entry capability, a mini HCSR autoloader, BACS and deep space survivability and the like, yes.


    ¡°Basically a miniature version of an Enigma-Class Frigate.¡± The Knight interjected and turned to face Ruslan, ¡°Is this thing sanctioned Rear-Admiral?¡±


    ¡°Need to know basis comrade.¡± Ruslan replied with a hearty grin.


    ¡°Excuse me Rear-Admiral?¡± Lieutenant Alexander Dowling inquired, ¡°But what do we have to do with these classified machines? Assuming you will have us pilot them of course.¡±


    The Rear-Admiral¡¯s wolfish grin widened.


    ¡°Well Lieutenant, test them of course.¡±


    SOLAR YEAR 2429, LEO SYSTEM, SECTOR ONE, PLANET RED 420 ATMOSPHERE, 0523 HOURS, THE PHOENIX SEVENTEEN HOURS AND TWENTY THREE MINUTES AFTER INVASION


    ¡°Steady as she goes Cherubim One,¡± Lyon radioed his wing man after seeing the ship sway, minutely, side to side for a few seconds.


    ¡°Confirm Cherubim One, are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Yes Roger that, Prime Banneret Knight, sir! Over!¡± Lieutenant Hall¡¯s telltale chirpy tone cackled in response


    Lyon sighed. Even though he was attracted towards the Lieutenant, he could not help notice her shaky nerves during deployment even before Operation Moonglaive¡¯s execution. But he could not blame the newly christened fighter squadron under his command for nervous spouts of influence. They were the first reinforcement, a small suicide squad at that, since the first wave and they were going in blind on prototype machines.


    Just three hours before as the Cherubims and the Phoenix were being geared, they were briefed of the Ruslan¡¯s plan to reestablish contact with the one FOB they had on Red 420 and provide quick reaction support (the irony of the term did not escape Lyon). They had scans of the surface on their only FOB showing signs of sporadic weapon retaliation and GEOM offenses, clear signs of human activity. Ruslan told them that he wouldn¡¯t make the rushed mistake that the deceased Admiral Axton had done of sending blind one-way trip ground offences.


    So that¡¯s where they come in.


    Using the Cherubims they had in disposal, they would swoop in and cover and report the status of the forward operating base. The only thing that kept them from bombarding the planet surface was the possibility of the Knights¡¯ survival. The Union would not allow the nihilistic tactics unless the survival or the confirmations of death of the sent Knights were assured. The short supply of capable potentials has often drove commanders to sacrificing ¡°unawakeneds¡± or ¡°deadheads¡±, as they were lay-manly called, in the thousands just to secure the survival of a Knight. Unfortunately there was no protocol that assured the Knights¡¯ mental aptitude after such rescues; some have opted out unable to bear the burden. Having the Cherubims would keep casualties to a minimum and provide much needed re-reconnaissance.


    Or confirm the Knights¡¯ deaths.


    They were hurtling through the planet¡¯s lower atmosphere now, the bellies of the fighters¡¯ red hot. The Cherubims have shot past the Phoenix thanks to their better modified aerodynamics. Lyon did not mind it, it made keeping an eye on his squadron a lot easier.


    The thought lingered in his mind once more, lives, again, directly under his command; how long ago since he had done so?


    ¡°Sir we are nearing the end of our decent,¡± Cherubim Two¡¯s comms blurted.


    Lyon checked the legend, Cherubim two and three were piloted by the two Black Raven Pilots. Second Lieutenant Drayton Palmer is a C-Class potential having an incomplete Panoramic Vision capability and Warrant Officer Lucas Mohamed, a D-Class potential with slightly better point clarity, the dream power of the peeping toms.


    The Phoenix lurched as the inertia of the entry and the pull of gravity stabilized. Lyon punched in a few controls and changed the mode of his Phantom Osprey to planetary flight. He smirked, congratulating himself that he was still able to operate the Phoenix¡¯ controls manually, he made sure to leave Anna to back on the Silver Eclipse to hack the Cherubim technology for future use and to keep her out of his way during a delicate operation. He made sure not to repeat the blunder back on Red 420¡¯s moon.


    The Phoenix and the unawakened Pilots formed a four finger formation while thee two Black raven pilots formed a two-fingered formation on their 7-oclock.


    Lyon looked at the holo-map on his display; they were gaining ground in record time. The Cherubims had torque and power but they left minimal trails behind them, a testament to their magnificent engineering. The Phoenix, a more elegant design, needed to fire its afterburners earlier to catch up with the Cherubims¡¯ accelerations. Lyon couldn¡¯t wait to get his hands on those blueprints.


    After passing several rust colored dune formations, the ground beneath them yawned into a flat rolling plain of dust, gravel and craters. Warrant officer Lucas then pointed out that some of the dust wasn¡¯t really upstart red sand, Lyon looked down and gazed at the thousands of parasitic bodies mobbing and thrashing below them, He heard Lieutenant Walsh gasped. Only their stealth technology kept them from being noticed by the horde from the surface or from the swarming GEOMS that sometimes flew too near them.


    The GEOMs seemed to commune to a slightly raised plateau several kilometers in front of them. Orbs of light and smokestacks emanated from the focal point. The Knight glanced at his map, it was right were the FOB was supposed to be. Lyon tried the comms but to no avail.


    Up ahead the flimsy walled compound was enveloped with sickly colored dots, some bigger than the rest, and plumes red sand and burst of light and fire and it seem one side was being overrun. He could now clearly see that the larger specks where in fact the feared grotesque Abominations.


    ¡°You really had your hands full huh Wolfe.¡± The Knight whispered.


    Lyon flicked the red-cap colored switches on his joysticks and toggled the squadron comms.


    ¡°All Units Weapons free.¡±

 Chapter 14: Hope for the Hopeless

    Lord Knight Wolfe was waiting.


    He and his thin line of defenders had charged at Geronimo¡¯s breached south western gate and had waited for a Firefly bombardment to zero in on them. Thirty seconds had passed and none came. He was sure he had heard guffawing blasts and echoing rings of plummeting booms but none of them on where they were. Until one of the Black Raven Legionnaires stationed at the emplacements pointed out the fast moving blurs above them. His view was still fuzzy from exhaustion and Clarahart¡¯s potential side effect but he could discern swift shapes swooping out of place in Red 420¡¯s war torn canopy.


    Another drop of bombs exploded on the other side of the gate. Their resulting belches of red sand and bellows of thumps music to the UTSF soldiers¡¯ ears. An abomination was caught by what seemed to be a long black javelin and got impaled on the base wall, dead and unmoving but equally horrific. Whatever or whoever was supporting them did it with deadly precision.


    It renewed the defending forces¡¯ morale and they fought with hidden vigor and haggard resent. They shot the GEOMs with anything they had, when their ammunition ran out, they hacked and slashed with their issued melee weapons. Wolfe carved the spearhead of the human counter attack, gracefully felling Several Abominations, Hornets and Moles as he tried for the gate. Knight Reid backed him up on his right widening the gap on the GEOM line.


    The Lord Knight¡¯s arms were lead even as he kept his art to its outmost efficiency as his faltering consciousness allowed. Reid seemed to notice his slowing posture and had taken the lead and growled morale boosting invectives as he pushed past the upended gate. The exhausted Knight glanced at the walls and saw that the combined strength of Lion¡¯s Streaks and the Black Ravens have succeeded in routing and killing most of the incongruous creatures off the walkways and over the makeshift buttresses.


    Another strafing run of their guardian angels whizzed over their heads, they flew closer now as their payloads run bare and fired with their alternative array of weapons and spraying six parallel lines that succeeded to recede the GEOMs in their wake into bloody and bursting pulps. The GEOMs landed in heaps over the set minefield and triggered them causing magnificent mayhem, the sky rained with ash, spent shrapnel, noxious sand and disembodied parts.


    Wolfe limped out of the gate and was amazed that even though the terror and destruction caused by their air support the GEOMs kept coming. The horizon was outlined by the rampaging aliens and the dust clouds they left in their wake. The unmistaken boom of an afterburner roared above them and some of the Black Ravens looked up in disbelief. Lyon didn¡¯t need to hear their reports of their enhanced ocular observations. Their saviors were leaving. Their ammo, fuel or both spent.


    The next oncoming horde grew larger as they closed in the distance. Wolfe hastily rallied his men back inside the fragile safety of the base defenses. They were given precious moments more to cull the plague before them and he swears to the gods that he will use it wisely.


    But before he could muster his fatigued force to a last stand a familiar noise flipped his mind back to Sierra, he slowly turned towards the maw of the broken gate and watched with a traumatized spirit the spectacular display of a UTSF concentrated planetary bombardment.


    Balls of Plastite and Nuclear death created boils of vapor and fumes as they penetrated Red 420¡¯s ozone and blossomed into beautiful mushroom clouds addressing the demise of thousands of GEOMs. Wolfe¡¯s eyes traced every projectile, every shell, his shoulders shook and his heart stopped as each trail of fire created the most memorable sound of his past. His trance drowned out the relieved cheers and hearty hurrahs of his battered men. Reid could only look at his friend¡¯s harrowing stare, fighting a battle that he could not support.


    SOLAR YEAR 2429, LEO SYSTEM, SECTOR ONE, PLANET RED 420, 0530 HOURS, THE FOB GERONIMO SEVENTEEN HOURS AND THIRTY MINUTES AFTER INVASION


    Lyon and his squadron circled on the far side of the bombarded plain. The crack and bellows of the Galleon projectiles as they entered the atmosphere was nauseating. They seared the Red 420¡¯s approaching night sky with ominous slaughtering intent. The hundreds of guns mounted on the Galleons¡¯ Ports and Starboards spewing explosive death, their menace known by the pockmarking of the zeroed coordinates.


    Prime Banneret Knight Lyon had called in the planetary barrage after Lieutenant Mohamed confirmed the survival of multiple Knights on FOB Geronimo. The relief of seeing surviving fellow Black Ravens was clear in his observation reports. Rear-Admiral Ruslan hastily formed up the injured Providence and Deliverance to provide necessary cover.


    The crumps of thunderous impacts rattled the air space around them. They sporadically downed straggling flying GEOMs trying to escape the onset of doom. Beyond the desolate fog, the ominous, torn skyline of Io stood defiantly. A reminder of the hurdle they have yet to pass.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    The Knight opened the squadron comms and asked for a weapon and ammunition check. They only had several hundred machine gun rounds in total, with that amount they could hover over Geronimo base for a few minutes before returning to the Silver Eclipse to submit reports and findings and have their ships resupplied.


    Suddenly, a figure appeared on his peripheral, Cherubim one had turned off its Background Adaptive Camouflage System and revealed its brightly colored finish.


    ¡°What do you think are you doing Cherubim one?¡± Lyon hailed, ¡°Are you trying to get us killed?¡±


    There was a brief pause and then the other Cherubims also lay off their BACS. Before Lyon could reprimand their insubordination, the channel coughed.


    ¡°Just showing off for the men sir,¡± Lieutenant Walls replied.


    Incredulous, Lyon switched his bilge camera onto his display and saw soldiers from Geronimo base waving their arms about, jumping in exhilaration or saluting the squadron. He zoomed in and saw Reid and Wolfe¡¯s weathered features even displaying their arms in the signature Knight address.


    The Knight sighed and tapped off the Phoenix¡¯ camouflage system, displaying her colors. He heard Lieutenant Halls giggle over the comms. He broke a smile. The woman was definitely the most dangerous kind.


    She will be the death of me.


    SOLAR YEAR 2429, LEO SYSTEM, SECTOR ONE, PLANET RED 420, 0800 HOURS, THE FOB GERONIMO TWENTY HOURS AFTER INVASION


    Reid collapsed on his hammock, the tent swayed as it strained with the Knights¡¯ combined weight of his armor and somewhat ¡°undernourished¡± body. The day cycles were fast in Red 420. It would have rotated on its axis three and a half times to Earth¡¯s one axial rotation and wreaked havoc on one¡¯s body clock.


    The crunches and heaves of Atlas ship engines hissed and burned as they transported material and men non-stop for the past couple of hours. The lively noise of battle victory and zooms of fresh vehicles was a fresh change of scenery. The thuds of boots and zips of wheels on the hundreds of deployment ramps almost sounded like a lullaby.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to get to relax after sixteen hours of straight fighting queen plagues,¡± he sighed heavily, ¡°Don¡¯t you think Wolfe?¡±


    The Lord Knight was slumped on one of the far corners of the tent, his eyes staring blankly at nothingness. Reid sat up; the action shook the delicate frame of the tent, a worrying look beset on his face. He had noticed that the Lord Knight wasn¡¯t the same after his rescue and, whatever it was, multiplied ten-fold after watching the planetary bombardment up until the Angels of Vermillion (what the men were calling it after recognizing their former commander¡¯s colors) performed their small air show.


    He reached down to pick up a stray rock atop the strewn together tarp they had for a floor, threw it at the entranced Knight and successfully woke him for his reverie.


    ¡°What?¡± he snapped.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you get some sleep bud?¡± said Reid, ¡°We don¡¯t know when they¡¯ll ask to continue the assault on Io; might as well get some while we can.¡±


    ¡°I will,¡± Wolfe answered emptily, paused then pulled himself off the floor and dragged himself towards his hammock. He cradled on its edge for a moment and swung his legs over and willed himself to lie down. Reid had just took his eyes off him when Wolfe asked, ¡°Did you think this is what Vyse meant?¡±


    ¡°About what?¡±


    ¡°The turning point? Bearing the burden is what he calls it.¡±


    ¡°¡ªMaybe.¡± Reid answered. He himself had felt the weight of playing god; when each order he would belay could be the difference between winning and total annihilation. He and Wolfe had lead troops before but not at this magnitude and not without another present higher ranking officer. He couldn¡¯t imagine what the Lord Knight was thinking right now having been the back to back sole survivor of two wiped out companies not to mention being the last living Sierran, dubbing Wolfe back at Advent as ¡°cursed¡± or ¡°Lone Wolfe¡±.


    ¡°¡­This is different, they know the costs Wolfe,¡± Reid finally added, ¡°Nothing else but to do and die.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, do and die,¡± Wolfe turned his back towards Reid. The words acidic in his mouth and hot knives jabbing his mind with insidious memories that rob him of any mental solace but his body rebelled with his minds blundering and eventually lulled Wolfe fell asleep.


    Wolfe awoke, with a stir, with the familiar sound of crunching earth and heavy crumps. Rattling flecks of red dirt, the hammock shuddered with each cratering blast. Reid wasn¡¯t in his hammock. The Lord Knight hastily gathered his weapon and exited the tent. Twin streaks of destructive rain glimmered on the horizon.


    ¡°They are bombarding Hanz and New Gettysburg sir.¡±


    Wolfe turned around and saw a young gaunt-faced squire guarding his tent.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry sir, I¡¯m squire Cairo, Lord Knight Reid ordered me to tell you that as soon as they start but you awoke before I could sir,¡± the boy stammered.


    Wolfe straightened up, his shell-shocked appearance and armored physique must have startled the squire, ¡°What about the forces tasked to assault Hanz and New Gettysburg? I don¡¯t see any of the 23<sup>rd</sup> and 67<sup>th</sup> Storm Raiders here.¡±


    ¡°..sir-uh¡ªthey¡¯re gone sir Wolfe.¡±


    ¡°Gone as in they got redeployed?¡± Wolfe pressed.


    ¡°Gone as in they were wiped out Wolfe.¡± said a deep-set crisp voice behind him.


    Wolfe turned to face the voice¡¯s origin and came face to face with a tall, dark and handsome Knight. Medium built, clad in a dark colored armor with rough blue hues and faded silver borders, the armor colors worn from years of usage, his tattered black cloak emphasizing the muscular form it masked beneath.


    But what¡¯s more distinct about him was the nature of daunting dark eyes, discerning and intense, intelligent and inspiring, piercing and icy.


    There in front of him was the embodiment of humanity¡¯s hope, Mankind¡¯s trump card, the sword on which humanity will stay its offensive, its revenge, or whatever UTSF propaganda wanted him to be but there is no doubt that none of it will be far from the truth.


    There in front of him was Prime Lord Knight Vyse Retter Kunze.


    ¡°Come on Wolfe, Let¡¯s get you briefed.¡±

 Chapter 15: Reunion

    He hasn¡¯t seen Vyse since the Second Battle for Humanity where the largest detachment of S-Class Potentials had been deployed. They walked silently, passing by baying soldiers and evading all kinds of traffic. The now teeming Geronimo base, previously home to just over six hundred men now expanded to house Twenty Thousand soldiers armed to the teeth, ready to be deployed in a moment¡¯s notice. Men from the Americas Regiment, thick moustache-faced soldiers carrying heavy weapon bandoliers speaking in their exotic language, Men wearing mustard colored fatigues and full faced helmets bearing the logos of the Desert Cats, the crimson cloaked warriors of the Mars¡¯ Finest, the mechanized infantry units of the Lightning Reapers and the heavily armored troopers of the Spawn Chasers. There were at least ten other regiments--all uniquely specialized in deserted environment warfare, all under the banner of the UTSF, remnants of those who survive the battles on Red 420¡¯s orbit.


    Each service man never failed to acknowledge the Knights both in salutes and in enthusiastic conversations and hushed whispers, mostly towards the Prime Lord Knight Kunze and the legends that preceded him but every once in a while he would hear stories of The Immortal Wolf and the defense of FOB Geronimo.


    Vyse was always the quiet one, always the first to shy out of a crowd. Wolfe wondered if it was because he was early to experience the woeful and traumatic nature of war. But here Vyse was, stoic and intimidating looking as he is, greeted each saluting soldier and shook their hands, patted their backs and joined in their cheers. How does he do it? Wolfe thought.


    They turned a sharp corner after passing between two storage depots. Wolfe now clearly saw where Vyse was leading him to, a tall, simple, pre-fabricated three story building, crowds of military and naval personnel endlessly entering and exiting it. An uncomplicated sign lettered Head Quarters was posted over the main entrance way. When the two entered the midst of the crowd, the congregation parted, gave way to the Knights and saluted in unison. Wolfe was mesmerized at the sight, a witness once again of the Prime Lord Knight Kunze¡¯s reputation. He was so distracted that Wolfe didn¡¯t notice the familiar face descending the building front steps.


    ¡°Knight Vyse, Knight Lyon, they are all waiting for you,¡± Clarahart greeted them, guiding them through the building¡¯s double-door entrance. She winked at Wolfe when he walked past her, he answered with a smile. He was glad that she was safe after the latest attack on Geronimo. Vyse waited for Wolfe so they would walk parallel to each other. Clarahart fell in behind the two.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time Wolfe,¡± Vyse muttered, returning salutes left and right.


    ¡°Yes, but it would longer for you I believe,¡± Wolfe replied. Vyse only smiled in answer, an archaic expression on the Prime Lord Knight¡¯s face but Wolfe could tell it was genuine.


    ¡°I have to ask, why didn¡¯t you ask for Clara or someone to fetch me?¡±


    ¡°You know me and issuing orders,¡± Vyse answered, ¡°I rather do things myself if I could.¡±


    Wolfe nodded, that he knew too well.


    ¡°Besides, it¡¯s a Knight¡¯s duty to raise the morale of the men and I try to go around every now and then,¡± Vyse added, ¡°Ah, here we are.¡±


    Vyse guided them into another set of double doors and they entered a rough, basic board room. A long table bisected the room and a dozen chairs lined on each side. The shuttered windows enveloped the room in reddish half-light battled by the dim glows of the halo-lanterns.


    There were five other people in the room some of them familiar to Wolfe: Reid with his foolish grin, Captain Hawkins, Captain of the Marshall, the ship the where the Lion¡¯s Streaks were boarded on, a stoic muscular Knight in his forties (or hundred and forties, Knight ages are hard to decipher because of their extended lifespans) bearing the insignia on his Segmenteta armor, his intimidating eyes milky white, a heavy set man wearing he crests of a Rear-Admiral on his uniform, whom Wolfe automatically saluted to and a tall painfully thin Knight in white and orange colored armor.


    ¡°Lyon!¡± Wolfe couldn¡¯t help but exclaim and shook the Knight¡¯s hand to a half embrace, the formal Knight greeting, ¡°What happened to you? Don¡¯t tell me, you noticed that you were fat?¡±


    Lyon laughed, ¡°I could say the same to you.¡± patting the gap between Wolfe¡¯s armor and shoulder.


    ¡°Was it the Phoenix I saw yesterday?¡± Wolfe asked, ¡°I swear I saw that bad paint job. I can¡¯t believe you had your squadron painted like that too!¡±


    ¡°Hey, we¡¯re the tacky squadron that saved your ass ok?¡± Lyon jested.


    ¡°If we may continue Lyon?¡± The Rear-Admiral interjected, ¡°I am Rear-Admiral Ruslan Ivankov.¡± extending his hand towards Wolfe. Wolfe took it and shook firmly.


    ¡°I am honored to be in the midst of another hero sir.¡±


    Ruslan guffawed, ¡°I like your friend already Lyon!¡±


    ¡°But now to business.¡± Vyse intervened.


    ¡°Yes, yes to business,¡± Ruslan said, releasing Wolfe¡¯s grip.


    ¡°For Wolfe¡¯s information,¡± Captain Hawkin¡¯s started, ¡°There are three queens situated at Red 420, located at Hanz, New Gettysburg and Io. All of the major resource cities¡­¡±


    Wolfe nodded. He and Reid already had thought as much after all the fighting they¡¯ve done almost two earth standard days ago.


    ¡°¡­sweeping forces will be deployed after the planetary bombardments are done.¡± Hawkins continued.


    ¡°Sweeping forces sir?¡± Wolfe asked, ¡°what about the Queens on Hanz and New Gettysburg sir?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve been taken cared of Lord Knight,¡± the Rear-Admiral responded and gestured at Knight Kunze.


    ¡°Only the one in Io remains and on first light we will commence the attack,¡± Hawkins added.


    ¡°Excuse me sir,¡± Reid interjected, ¡°If Prime Lord Knight Kunze could eliminate two out of three GEOM queens in just hours, why couldn¡¯t he do the same on Io?¡±


    ¡°Because of the Butterfly effect Reid,¡± Wolfe answered, his tone urging the short-fused Knight to stand down.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    ¡°What Butterfly effect?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say some things are meant to happen.¡± Wolfe¡¯s comment confused Reid and successfully averted his attention of either mindless jealousy or rebellious insubordination towards Vyse. Unlike him and Lyon, Reid and Clarahart did not experience living, fighting or knowing the Prime Lord Knight. The ignorant mind tends to retaliate in many forms and pride was just Reid¡¯s way. Vyse was as patient as always, standing silently on the table¡¯s crown, observing and waiting.


    ¡°..Now for tomorrow¡¯s battle plan. ¡± Lyon spoke, setting down pictures and scan reports on the table ¡°We have scouted the industrial city and found hundreds of strong points, static defenses, gun emplacements and, most importantly, hive entrances.¡±


    Wolfe checked the pictures as Lyon continued to report of the GEOMs numbers and piece together ground scout reports with his findings. Judging by the reports, Wolfe could surmise that they were almost a million GEOMs in Io alone; the parasites had made Io an impenetrable fortress. There were deadly overlapping fields of fire over the vast open plains surrounding the industrial city where traps and ambushes could be easily set up not to mention that the aliens could be see them from miles away. Io was also tough to crack from above, the volume of GEOM gun batteries and the lethal projectiles that they could inflict will take all the air power they have. Wolfe couldn¡¯t blame Reid for questioning that why Vyse couldn¡¯t terminate the GEOM Queen in Io as well, the other course of action was suicide and it frightened him that they had almost assaulted the city with just one division.


    It made Wolfe shudder with the thought that his longtime friend had eliminated two GEOM queens in infested cities similar to Io¡¯s make up. A monster to battle all other monsters


    ¡°..Wolfe you will take what¡¯s left of the Lion¡¯s Streaks and hold here in reserve.¡± The Rear-Admiral called his attention and pointed at a mountain pass north of the city beyond the deployment areas of the other divisions. Wolfe could see that a Black Raven piece was beside the Lion¡¯s Streaks crest on the map.


    ¡°You¡¯ve met Knight Alexander Silvus of the Black Raven¡¯s right?¡± Lyon gestured towards the milky-eyed hard-faced man.


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t have the pleasure,¡± Wolfe answered nodding good naturedly at the Knight which the man returned, ¡°We were rather pre-occupied.¡± The joke made the Black Raven Knight smile.


    ¡°I hope my boys served you well Lord Knight Sir.¡± Knight Silvus answered in his deep gruff of a voice.


    ¡°They did and more. We couldn¡¯t have held Geronimo without you and your men.¡±


    ¡°..You and the Black Raven¡¯s will hold here while the rest of the invasion force will assault Io on all fronts and keep the bastards occupied after initial precision strikes.¡± Ruslan continued, and you will deploy when the signal is given and eliminate objective number one.¡± He traced a tunnel network on an old map and ended with a rap at the heart of the industrial city.


    ¡°Which is what sir?¡± Wolfe asked, knowing full well the answer would be.


    ¡°The Queen, Wolfe,¡± Lyon answered, ¡°You, the Lion¡¯s Streaks and the Black Ravens will accompany Konig Team in destroying the GEOM Queen.¡±


    SOLAR YEAR 2429, LEO SYSTEM, SECTOR ONE, PLANET RED 420, 1400 HOURS, THE NORTH OF IO TWENTY SIX HOURS AFTER INVASION


    Clarahart was disturbingly enthusiastic. She had met legends yesterday: the persistent genius Prime Knight Banneret Lyon Vermillion, charming and calculating (and attractive) Rear-Admiral Ruslan Ivankov and the legends of legends, UTSF¡¯s heart and gem, Prime Lord Knight Vyse Kunze.


    She was preparing the equipment and vehicles for their mission, checking each crate, box, Dim, Dune and their newly acquired Stygians, hulking armored personnel carrier with heavy weapon capability. Red¡¯s sky was a cascade of dark-ship dots, fading starlight and rain of ash-fall blown from the decimated cities of Hanz and New Gettysburg. The rough, sand strewn wind was cool but smelled rank, another residue of the bombarded cities.


    She was glad for the distraction, the thought of working with the infamous and classified Konig Team and the day to day logistical job excited her but mostly kept her in check. Other Knights often teased him of doing a women¡¯s job or being a workaholic and all that. She avoided silence or boredom because that¡¯s when the voices come in and whisper, having her mind on other things kept them at bay, not that she was religious or anything.


    Clarahart could hear them crawling on the ground, bubbling from the pores of the earth, jittering nonsense or reliving their deaths. Every mark on her checklist or signature on paperwork was a bullet against the ethereal beings that haunt her psyche. They followed her as he walked briskly from depot to depot, from vehicle to vehicle, from tent to tent. They kicked up the dust behind them and whispered to her their regrets and wishes. She was use to ignoring them by now but she would never get used to them, the insufferable ghosts that haunt her every day since she had awakened her potential.


    Her father was the first. She had learned to cradle his spirit and keep him from floating to where ever the life essences go to. Her father was good to her family and took care of them untiringly until he did and died. She didn¡¯t want her to let him go but when her mother got sick too, his father¡¯s spirit was seemingly attracted to his mother¡¯s ailing form, separating from the warmth of her fingers trying to escape as tirelessly as he did when he was working. When Clarahart finally released him, he merged with her mother and for the first time in weeks, her mother instantly awakened and eventually recovered to full.


    She still remembered how her mother wept and talked about seeing her husband, embracing her and bidding him farewell. Since then she tried to view her curse as a gift but nothing was as easy as it first seemed.


    Deathly Hallows only she could see walked among the living staring at her as she passed by with empty eyes or empty sockets. She was nearing the end of her list and so the dead were coming for her, eager to relay their regrets and goodbyes or stake their dissatisfactions of their abrupt end. She steeled herself for the inevitable commune with the spirits as was her duty. An ethereal was right in front of her, his long dark billowing cape and hooded head sent chills on her spine but she kept walking, closed her eyes and eventually will walked past through it as she did many times before with past ghosts.


    Only this time she didn¡¯t.


    She ran into the person hard and fell backwards. She tried not to look up but muscle reflex failed her. The person was no ghost; he was too striking for that. He was pale, had slanting worldly eyes giving away a terran Asian descent. He only looked at her indifferently and finally offered his hand.


    ¡°Uh, Thanks.¡± She muttered, picking up her tablet and brushing off the red sand from her suit. Now that she was close, she noticed the uniformly colored black crown badge pinned on the collar of his dark cloak--The Konig team¡¯s insignia.


    She was again taken a back for a moment. The profiles and whereabouts of the Konig team members where of the highest of classifications and were considered the elite of already elect Knights. Before Clarahart could say anything more the cloaked figure had already started walking.


    The ghosts again tried to swoop in but she tuned them out.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t get better does it?¡± a voice behind her said, when she didn¡¯t respond the voice rasped again, ¡°I¡¯m not one of your ghosts.¡±


    Surprised, she then turned and saw the cloaked figure with his hood down. His head was cleanly shaven and, even at the half-light, Clarahart could see the scars.


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to think that communing with the fallen and using their essence or knowledge could be gift isn¡¯t it?¡± he said, his lips were barely moving that Clarahart thought he was conversing to her through telekinesis.


    ¡°Uh, yeah,¡± she responded, ¡°I don¡¯t talk about it much but I guess it is. Are you a medium too?¡±


    The male Knight looked down and around and answered, ¡°Of sorts, yes.¡±


    Clarahart could tell he was looking at the phantoms and apparitions that were trailing her. The specters gazed at the hooded figure, now aware of his awareness of them but deliberately avoided him like fire to an animal.


    ¡°They¡¯re scared of you.¡±


    ¡°They should be,¡± he answered and started walking away.


    ¡°Hey! Hey!¡± Clarahart called, ¡°I didn¡¯t catch your name. I¡¯m Maria Clarahart Simmons! People just call me Clara.¡±


    The Knight paused as if struggling what to respond to an unfamiliar question.


    ¡°My name is Saito.¡± He answered without turning then continued walking.


    ¡°Saito,¡± Clarahart murmured then giddily turned around and skipped towards her post, the mysterious Knight¡¯s name a shield against the dissented wraiths.

 Chapter 16: Io

    SOLAR YEAR 2429, LEO SYSTEM, SECTOR ONE, PLANET RED 420, 1555 HOURS, THE SOUTH SOUTH WEST OF IO TWENTY SEVEN HOURS AND FIFTY MINUTES AFTER INVASION


    Major Tabansi cook took a deep breath and sighed, savoring the dusty acrid air. The open crimson fields of and dotted late afternoon sky of Red 420 was a welcome change of scenery. He never like the cramp holds and the polished metallic secretes of the navy ships. Aside from the artificially filtered oxygen, eerie atmosphere and claustrophobic isolation, Tabansi Cook hated the feeling of helplessness when dogfights and blank parties occur. The Mars¡¯ Finest division under his command was lucky; they were aboard the mighty Galleon Poseidon. A stoic behemoth of a ship with over two meters of external composite armor built to sustain damage while it dishes out its own from its hundreds of mounted cannons and missile ports. Although none of it comforted Major Cook when the Poseidon was pummeled from all sides in what command is calling the Second battle for Red 420¡¯s Moon¡ªa mouthful, so was his vomit back then cause by the same nauseating cacophony of the unrelenting GEOM fire.


    Cook surveyed the open plain on the outskirts of Io¡¯s south south eastern flank, cratered, blistered and glassed otherwise uneventful. He knew that was about to change in a few minutes. He checked his wrist watch, a gold plated relic with carefully oiled leather bands, his wife¡¯s farewell gift two years ago. The hands clocked five minutes from earth standard 1600 hours. From the open hatch of his Revenant tank he signaled wide palmed gesture to the team commanders parked in a line from either of his sides.


    ¡°Five Minutes,¡± he said through the short range radio band. Dozens of confirmation checks answered him. The GEOMs were still jamming their long range communications so coordination relied on mixed signals and messaging through short frequencies.


    The men he had was one of the most veteran UTSF armored units, over forty skirmishes and five major battles under their belts including the Two Battles for Humanity. In a war where monsters could slice a composite armor in two in one swoop or a parasitic corrosive discharge could melt a tank to a steel meat puddle, the division¡¯s statistics where impressive. Too bad half of their numbers were decimated in ships not in tanks. There was a blessing from the tank corps that goes, ¡°May your steel coffin be your tank not the stank sanks.¡±


    Major Cook watched as the minute hand made its final ticking seconds before striking exactly 1600.


    Ten. Nine. Eight. Cook nodded to the immediate commanders on his flanks; the commanders saluted, their hard faces creasing to prompt grins.


    Seven. Six. Five. The Major pulled the heavy hatch cover and sat on his tank¡¯s command console.


    Four. Three. Two. He switched the division wide channel and picked up the radio transmitter.


    One.


    ¡°All units commence attack.¡±


    Engines roared invectives and exhaust piped wailed resistance, the three hundred strong armored division screened the plain with upturned crimson dust. They thundered through the open stretch of scorched no man¡¯s land, weapons trained and engines at full.


    Major Cook carefully checked the scanners and reports from the lead tanks. The GEOMs had years to fortify the Queen hives on Red and this was clearly a trap and they were the bait to spring it. Revenant tanks were akin to miniature land Galleons: largely armored, resistant and heavily armed land hulks designed to match the largest and most dangerous of threats with pure firepower and thick armor. Each tank of the Mar¡¯s Finest was painted with a bleached skull on three red streaks over a peeling black backdrop symbolizing the regiment¡¯s persistence and the battles they have barely survived.


    Bleeps on a scanner alerted him of GEOMs directly on their positions and that meant three things, they were either above them, below them or both.


    Unfortunately it was the latest.


    ¡°Open fire! Fire at will!¡± Cook yelled at the radio transmitter.


    Tracer fire and all sorts of projectiles erupted from the attack group. Machine gun and flak fire burst from the pintle-mounted auto turrets to meet the flying horde of GEOMs peppering most of the aliens and successfully deflecting the first airborne wave. Cook knew that the GEOM ¡°Moles¡± cannot directly destroy the heavy vehicles from underground or coordinate to dig pit fall traps from Intel given by the survivors of FOB Geronimo. The turret gunners held their fire until the monstrous blind GEOMs popped out of their underground ambush. But none came. He made sure to check every minute or so as they advanced deeper into dead man¡¯s land.


    The experienced division had split into three columns, main guns pointed at drilled directions and firing devastating volleys at the massing horde, startling up a red cloud-dust behind them creating an improvised smokescreen from GEOM artillery and sniper fire, minimizing the effectiveness of their long range weapons. If they wanted to take out the tank division the GEOMs would have to fight closer into the potent range of the Revenant guns. Cook could hear the colorful spouts of Private Alvarez, his assigned tank gunner, as he pelted the smaller and faster GEOMs with his heavy machine gun above the gun turret, pings of large caliber bullet casings rained down inside the command Revenant from his weapon. Tabansi Cook was in his environment, in control of his fate, his men¡¯s fate and in full speed of his preferred vehicle on planetary gravity. Groups of Abominations tried to disrupt the tank formations by attacking tanks mid formation but the adept tank division merely zigzagged and circumspect the GEOMs and dispatched the confused creatures with routine effectiveness. Hornets did their aerial raids trying to pick off the least protected machine gunners but were easily deflected by coordinated batteries.


    They were five kilometers from Io, closer than planned. The invasion force was warned of luring tactics of the Red 420 GEOMs and advised to exercise extreme caution on their missions and this smooth advance rang alarmed Major Cook.


    He checked again his scanners, the red dots still bleeped on top and around their position. As half of the armored division passed them, the red dots started bee lining towards the tail end of the tank column.


    The smartasses are cutting as off! Cook thought alarmingly. He tried to hail their rearguard platoon but the advanced had stretched their column too far out to contact them directly and he had to coordinate with other command tanks to modulate a direct radio band but the process took too long. A low accumulating rumble followed by a resonating crack signaled the success of the GEOM trap.


    After the wall of upstarted crimson sand had dissipated behind them, a deep ravine ran concave from Io¡¯s west to its eastern side. The Mar¡¯s Finest were effectively cornered. They had expected this and Cook knew that HQ was now deploying countermeasures and hypothesizing follow up scenarios to impede. His division did its job and they had entered the second phase of the plan, the phase that the Mar¡¯s Finest took pride off and were lauded for.


    Survive.


    ¡°All units wedge overlap formation Alpha!¡± Cook commanded through the comms.


    The veteran tank division followed with drilled cohesion, Killing GEOMS as they went to form six rows of inverted Vs and a line of fifty tanks faced towards the ravine¡ªthey¡¯ve been in this situation a dozen times before to know that the parasitic aliens attack everywhere.


    The ruins of the industrial city seemed to dance and sway with the sweltering Red 420 day light then burst its millions of alien inhabitants, spreading out to meet the opposing human force. Major Cook repeated the steady command to his men. Revenants have lethal firepower but not the greatest accuracy at long range. They have to hold off the hideous creatures long enough for their aerial and artillery support to range in their targets. Synchronized beats of munitions fire from the Mars¡¯ Finest tanks echoed the scorched warzone, hitting their targets but were immediately replaced by more GEOMs. The aliens answered with their Firefly artillery fire scoring hits on several tanks.


    A modulated comm-report from the rear line mumbled about GEOMs bubbling from the depths of the alien-made crevice and had open fired on them. Cook slammed his chair in frustration, even with all their preparations for this exact maneuver they failed to counteract it. Either the GEOMs had adapted with their responses or the frequently used excuse of ¡°human error¡±.


    The radio-comms blurted of GEOM repositioning, skirmishing attacks and the appearance of more heavily-built parasitic creatures such as Abominations. The foremost wedge formation was temporarily overrun by a group of GEOMs taking out five Revenants but was eventually held and the gap filled up by tanks from the second wedge formation. They were holding but just barely.


    A dissimilar voice came from the comms that commanded the Mars¡¯ Finest to hold position. Cook did not question the command as he would have before the battles he had experienced and immediately commanded his radio-operator to relay the order to all tank platoons. Such odd orders from unknown call signs meant only one thing:


    Knights have brought the Cavalry¡ªor for a more accurate depiction, brought themselves.


    Explosives and munitions carpet bombed and strafed the aliens that surrounded them. Human artillery created blooms of crimson debris and patristic ocher, pummeling the advanced positions of the charging aliens. Their bludgeoning attack was imperfect but did the job. The Mars¡¯ Finest radio band was filled with cheers and whoops as the concentrated fire of their fire support tore through the enemy. Victory strafing runs from brightly colored fighters passed by the wedged tank formation fueling the morale of the ground troops.


    Major Cook sighed in relief. They had managed to survive yet another close call. The platoons had begun reporting their statuses. They were bruised and badly needed resupply but the tank division was mostly intact and would be able to fulfill its role on the next phase of the Ionian attack. He was about to order one of the tank platoons to assist and cover the engineers that would be surely be deployed to frame makeshift bridges over the entrapping ravine when something hot and sticky dripped over his hand. He glanced at the blood drops and instinctively wiped his bleeding nose. He tasted copper and salt, his head whirled. He looked round his crew and they didn¡¯t fare better. They were also nose-bleeding and suffering headaches. Some even had blood seeping from their ears and eyes. The radio bands reported the same occurrences.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    The scanners alarmed. A massive red dot pinged five hundred meters from their position. It was huge; Cook roughly calculated the scale as his throbbing brain would allow him to. It was at least Four Kilometers in diameter and it was resurfacing fast. The Major looked at the manual periscope and watched as the ground before them buckled, quaked and cracked, taking the dead remains and cratered ground aground or about. A sickly colored dome gradually rose from the fast-growing rift, bulbous and boils patches of flaccid hide and bloated mountains of jellied innards littered its surface. Revealing its ribbed lower stem that made it look more like a massive mushroom. The more it revealed its disgusting bulk, the more their headaches swelled and their blood streamed.


    A GEOM Hax has arisen.


    A congregation of infected psionic, A GEOM Hax is a parasitic super bio-weapon. The GEOMs had made use of infected lower level potentials by melding their nervous systems together until they turn into a single life form of gargantuan psychic potential--able to disrupt radio communication, act as antennas for a GEOM hive queen¡¯s commands or, as a final recourse, as a tide-turning weapon.


    Normally dormant to fulfill their duties as psychic signal antennas and jammers, Haxes hide deep within the earth, using its extensive number of flagellants and tentacles to move or bury itself--going through what seemed to be a hibernating process at it telepathically relayed orders to the billions of parasitic monsters assigned to it. Haxes are also known to be carriers of some sort, ferrying infested armies under the billows and inside perforations of its mushroom-like dome.


    But when its culminated powerful infected minds are used to attack, a Hax could level entire armies in one mind blast or pummel hundreds enemies with one strike of its tentacles.


    Tabansi Cook watched the Hax¡¯ hundreds of boils and bulbs glowed scarlet then purple through his command Revenant¡¯s periscope. He gave up staunching his nose-bleed and ignored his throbbing temple mesmerized by the colorful display of impending death. He had only encountered a Hax once before but it was already battered and lifeless--Destroyed by a squad of the Knights.


    The Hax raised one of its massive appendages, about kilometer long and fifty meters wide, preparing to swipe at the stunned, stranded tank division. An explosion had whipped the humongous tentacles aside and a second salvo blasted it in half. The same squadron of fighters swooped past the behemoth.


    ¡°Wake up Major and start opening fire!¡± the same voice yelled from the comm-link.


    It roused Major Cook from his anemic reverie and started shouting commands at the radio receiver employing synchronized salvos at the GEOM Hax at assumed weak spots to maximized damage output with the remaining ammunition they have. Artillery bombardment had started shelling the psionic creature but appeared to deal little damage or none at all. It continued to glow hypnotically.


    ¡°Why is it doing that sir?¡± Sergeant Hernandez, his young loader, asked.


    ¡°To be honest son, I don¡¯t really want to know.¡± Cook answered.


    Black spectacles poured under its umbrella, some crashed to the ground but most seemed to drift into the air. Cook gulped. The Hax had released its hoard of infected inhabitants. Screams of crew of destroyed tanks filled the radio band with static. One heroic tank crew managed to report that Moles had emerged from the ravine along with Abominations and other infected and destroyed the bridges before being taken out. The sixth wedge formation had turned to face the outflanking aliens but Cook knew it would be a fruitless effort. The salvos of tank main guns began to quiet as munitions ran out. Private Alvarez, descended from his hatch, blood drenched the front of his uniform, his eyes bloodshot behind his protective goggles. He told him that the Revenant¡¯s main machinegun had emptied. The radio blurted that their left flank had just been decimated by one of the Hax¡¯ tentacles, more static filled the comm-links.


    Major Cook asked Alvarez to close the hatch and take his seat or stay above and fight with his sidearm. The veteran private chose the latter even though he knew what little effect his pistol could do. Cook nodded and gave an encouraging smile to each of his crew members, joked about being fed up living with them too long anyways, which the his crew laughed at, and commanded what remained of the resilient Mars¡¯ Finest to charge and fight with everything they had. Ninety engines revved to life for the last time, kicking up trails of dusts. The radio frequencies shouted with rallying last words of men fighting for their race, beliefs and families. Each Martian made his peace and faced his death head on.


    The Hax radiated blindingly white as they closed in and forced Private Alvarez down from his hatch and Major Cook to avert his eyes from the periscope. He had removed his wristwatch earlier and now held and felt its aged leather and cold golden casing.


    ¡°Sorry Maria, not this time.¡± He whispered. Seconds later the Hax released its charged psychic energy and disintegrated the tanks and men of the Mars¡¯ Finest to fine specs.


    SOLAR YEAR 2429, LEO SYSTEM, SECTOR ONE, PLANET RED 420, 1600 HOURS, THE WEST OF IO TWENTY EIGHT HOURS AFTER INVASION


    Sergeant Parks had narrowly dodged a swinging GEOM arm. He slid sideways and fired a full clip at the infected. It shuddered and fell lifeless. He controlled his erratic breathing. He had to stay calm to make it through, for his squad to make it through. He ran from crater to crater rallying his disjointed squad. The GEOMs had made a counter pushed when the combined forces of 114<sup>th</sup> Spawn Chasers and the 9<sup>th</sup> UTSF Footmen made their advance. Unlike the other main avenues of Io, the western outskirts were hilly and craggy. Armor was all but useless in these conditions so command had the Spawn Chasers to take point in the attack while the numerous conscripts of the 9<sup>th</sup> UTSF foot would support them. The parasites had punched through their lines and succeeded in splitting their forces. The front was in chaos, every man for himself.


    The Sergeant finally found one of his lost troopers, a woman named Joan Fisher. She was crouching on a hurriedly made foxhole trying to make herself small. She was wide-eyed with fear, muttering incoherencies.


    ¡°Fisher! Get up Fisher! You¡¯re a sitting duck here!¡± Parks shook her and tried to drag her upright, ¡°You¡¯ll die here soldier! Is that what you want?¡±


    Fisher screamed and crumpled once again over her hole. Parks noticed all her finger nails were peeled off, her hands bloody from the wounds. She had dug the hole with her bare hands out of blind terror.


    ¡°Sir! Sir!¡± A soldier shouted from the thermite smoke about them, five shadows jogged towards the non-com.


    Recently promoted Corporal Dawson and Private Porter briskly and, almost mockingly, saluted followed by three others. Parks read their green tags, Ynu, a middle-aged Martian mechanic now squad engineer, Delgado and Lee, remnants from other divisions that survived incapacitated UTSF ships.


    ¡°Where are the others Corporal?¡± Parks asked. Serving in a conscripted regiment meant that they had double man squads to compensate for the inexperienced of the troops.


    The quiet corporal only shrugged. The sergeant sighed, ordered Dawson to drag Fisher with them as they searched for the rest of his squad. They were too deep into enemy territory now to safely escort the terrified Fisher back to friendly lines. He couldn¡¯t risk separating his troops or retreating with his whole squad just to attend one soldier. Also with this largely inexperience regiment, friendly fire was commonplace and walking back towards frightened soldiers would achieve just that.


    Weapon fire and explosions hazily lit the smoke shrouded battlefield. Roars of GEOMs, buzzing of wings and wails of killed or dying soldiers damaged the morale of Sergeant Parks¡¯ squad besides Dawson and Porter. Their encounter with the GEOMs on the Marshall had changed the young men. Being cornerstone pieces of the ship¡¯s defense had numbed them and molded them into hardened soldiers. He had Porter take point. Parks knew that he had the best hearing in his squad and was an inexhaustible runner albeit because of curious circumstance. The Sergeant glanced behind him and saw that Delgado had propped up the becalmed, treated Fisher over his shoulder in a fireman¡¯s carry followed by Lee and Ynu. He could just make out Dawson¡¯s silhouette from the heavy smoke, the corporal holding their rear.


    ¡°Look out!¡± Porter suddenly shouted.


    The sergeant tried to tackle Delgado with his human load but was too late. An Abomination with largely dissimilar arms swatted the two soldiers with his heftier fist and launched Delgado and Fisher a good dozen yards, instantly killing them. A high caliber round whizzed over Sergeant Parks prone figure, hit the monster and stunned it. Porter had fired his sniper rifle.


    Ynu and Lee hip-fired their weapons riddling the Abom with bullets, the GEOM crouched and used its larger arm to try to shield most of its body. Parks rolled sideways, took a flanking position and open fired at the GEOM¡¯s stubby legs and succeeded in turning one of its legs into a bloody pulp, careening it off balance. It roared as it felled on its heavier side.


    Parks loaded his grenade launcher fixed on his rifle, yelled at the two to take cover and fired the explosive and hit the Abom squarely on its disfigured head. It erupted in a plume of rotting meat and splattered the sergeant with post-mortem revenge.


    ¡°Clear!¡± The Sergeant shouted as he walked towards the prone bodies of Delgado and Fisher. Delgado¡¯s head was twisted and was almost decapitated; a flaccid patch of skin was only what connected his head to his body. Fisher did not fare better; her head was bashed into her ribcage, only bloodied black hair was above her shoulders. Sergeant Parks was impassive as he commanded Lee and Ynu to dispose the bodies as properly and hastily as possible. The two weren¡¯t immune to the emetic scene as Sergeant Parks was and poured their guts out. Sergeant Parks wiped the gore off his face and fatigues. He and a hundred other officers and non-coms were assigned to train and lead the inexperience conscripts after the Second Battle for Humanity, one of the battles where most of the fighting population was wiped out.


    He used to be part of a Saturn orbit city regiment called August¡¯s Sons, brave, stubborn men-- traits that contributed to their inevitable downfall. The few that survived were assigned as drill instructors for new recruits and then as officers of conscript regiments. Sergeant Parks spat out a ball of abomination secretion that strayed inside his mouth as he watched the pale Privates stacked the bodies inside a shallow crater. Lee gingerly took Delgado and Fisher¡¯s bloody dog tags, the boy puked twice before he successfully ripped the tags off the bodies. Parks sighed. He has to fight with what his got. A few meters behind the Abomination corpse, Corporal Dawson was signaling him to come. The sergeant checked his weapon and marched towards the Corporal.


    ¡°What do you have for me Dawson?¡±


    The Corporal pointed at the cesspool of mauled and maimed bodies stacked like a giant bonfire just below a shallow rock ledge. Some of the remains still had active green tags and Parks confirmed that some of the corpses were part of his squad, but not all of them. He heard the Corporal say a silent prayer.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t know you were the religious type.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not Sarj.¡± He answered as he walked towards his position behind the column.


    It was hard for them to identify where they were with all the smoke and natural makeup of the land. Sergeant asked Ynu again if he made contact with the other squads in their company but he only shook his head. They were limited to short-range comm-links and it was too quiet, very quiet. They had fought sporadic GEOM resistance so far but none of coordinated strength. The GEOMS they recently encountered seemed lost or forgotten. The weapon-fire had died down; the roars and incoherent chatter of infected hosts were distant or hushed. Either they were too far from any friendlies or they were too close to something they weren¡¯t supposed to be.


    The squad scaled a rocky hill face which scraped their elbows and shins, scarlet starlight barely penetrated the battle-fog but it was fierce enough to shield their eyes from it. Just when they were about to crest the hill, Two iron-clad soldiers were rushing towards the rough slope, a third one hung unmoving on one¡¯s shoulders. Before Sergeant Parks could question them Private Porter was shouting right behind the shock troopers.


    ¡°TAKE COVER! TAKE COVER!¡± He waved frantically as he ran towards them at full speed.


    The Sergeant didn¡¯t second guess the private and shoved his remaining squad members off the hill¡¯s craggy crest, kicking the traumatized Lee behind the back.


    ¡°Move! Move!¡± Sergeant Parks bawled. He glanced behind him and beckoned Porter to quicken his pace.


    And there he saw what Porter and the armored men were retreating from. A mushroom-shaped GEOM with its beating incandescence was in the horizon. Writhing humongous arms littered its physique lashing them on something. They were often briefed of GEOM Haxes being top priority, second only to queens¡ªbeing the most dangerous kind of GEOM, second only to queens. Blood dripped from the Sergeant¡¯s nose.


    ¡°Get down sir! Get down!¡± nimble Porter had finally reached the sergeant and dragged him by the collar. They rolled down the steep edge, bruising and cutting themselves on the sharp rocks. Before they reached the bottom the smoke cleared for a brief moment, Sergeant Parks momentarily saw the autumn colored Red 420 sky. It reminded him of Saturn¡¯s many ochre-colored storms that he used to watch on galleries back home. The smoke then retracted back as fast as it went like being sucked by some sort of vacuum. Parks was buffeted by the invisible force like a rag doll before hitting his head on an outcropped rock, knocking him unconscious.

 Chapter 17: The Koenigs

    Wolfe winced as the first volleys of artillery barrages boomed an hour before the timed assault on Io. He tried to block the disturbing thoughts flooding in his mind but he always failed. He cowered in cold sweat and impulsively flinched with every reloading artillery crunch. The pieces were several kilometers away from their position but his enhanced senses and scarred pass amplified each roaring round. Earlier, he shied away from the mustering battle group and found himself on a cliff overlooking the city.


    A hand shook him off momentarily from his ordeal and returned when he saw who it was. Knight Vyse nodded at him as he startled from another thumping crash of an artillery round. He knew he could always be himself with Vyse, his longtime friend, his superior.


    ¡°How many years was it since Sierra?¡± Vyse asked.


    Wolfe quivered, both from the question and from another set of barrages.


    ¡°A-About Nine? Ten years ago?¡±


    The Prime Lord Knight nodded, ¡°So it was most a decade since Jane died.¡±


    Wolfe froze. His sister¡¯s name was somehow a paralyzing trigger word. No one had talked about Jane for a long time. Not since when he finished his Knight training. His sister. His protective and loving sister.


    ¡°..Wolfe, I¡¯m losing you again.¡±


    He only moved and pulled from his trance when Vyse shook him harder. He stared at his feet, embarrassed at his hopeless state. Vyse or not, he should not act what he did. Disturbed. Shocked. Afraid.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay to be afraid Wolfe.¡± Vyse said. Wolfe glanced at the him briefly and look once more at his feet in confusion.


    ¡°It¡¯s natural to be fearful, especially in times like this.¡± Vyse continued, ¡°I¡¯ve been there before. I¡¯ve seen it too many times, especially on Knights like you and I.  I know that shell shocked look too well Wolfe.


    ¡°..B-but they taught us to control our emotions in the field because it would fog our decision-making and focus¡ª¡°


    ¡°¡ªAh, we may be Knights but we are also human Wolfe.¡± The Prime Lord Knight cut him off, ¡°I¡¯m not saying what you said is not correct but it¡¯s okay to be you sometimes but you are feeling right now is something only you can fix, willingly at that.¡±


    ¡°¡ªWhat do you mean?¡± Wolfe asked, jolting from another recent volley.


    ¡°Jane.¡± Vyse said as a massive crack of artillery blasted the air around them, ¡°Who I meant is Jane.¡±


    Wolfe¡¯s head inadvertently covered his ears and he fought himself from collapsing on the red sandy ground. Vyse reassuringly held his shoulder and he relaxed a bit.


    ¡°There was nothing you could do back then Wolfe.¡± Vyse assured him, ¡°I know, I went there multiple times myself, it was always almost the same result, she dies or turns into something worse.¡±


    ¡°¡­I-I¡ªI couldn¡¯t save her Vyse.¡± Wolfe muttered.


    ¡°No one could Wolfe.¡± Vyse replied, ¡°The only thing we could do now is to let go and move on, to prevent it from happening to someone else.¡±


    The initial artillery bombardment on Io stopped and the horizon plumed with red dust clouds. The cowering Wolfe straightened slowly and warily removed his hands from his ears.


    ¡°Sometimes what we can only do is to face them head on.¡± Vyse added, ¡°You¡¯re a Knight, Wolfe. The Best of the best. The Elite of the elite.¡±


    Wolfe nodded, more involuntary than of confirmation. His old friend went from confidant to his superior ranking officer and that meant he should be his better self now, his duty, his burden.


    Vyse started walking away when Wolfe stopped him.


    ¡°Did Jane die or turned to something worse?¡±


    Vyse turned just enough for Wolfe to see the shadowed half of his face.


    ¡°Some things are better off left unsaid.¡±


    Vyse then continued walking, leaving the rattled Wolfe with his thoughts.


    SOLAR YEAR 2429, LEO SYSTEM, SECTOR ONE, PLANET RED 420, 1600 HOURS, THE NORTH OF IO TWENTY EIGHT HOURS AFTER INVASION


    The swiftly setting sun beat heavily on Red 420¡¯s surface, casting long brooding shadows. The distant rumble of artillery pieces also followed suit. Clarahart wiped her forehead with the cuff of her sleeve. She had been routinely double checking each vehicle and weapon pieces under the searing Red 420 sun for an hour now. The last sputters of shots signaled the end of the preliminary assault, and the start of their mission.


    She was almost at the end of the convoy when someone called her attention behind her.


    ¡°Knight Simmons is it?¡± the voice repeated.


    She turned and tried to salute in response but failed. ¡°Prime Lord Knight, Sir!¡± she managed to stammer.


    The Prime Lord Knight was in full battledress, his faded armor joined by twin katanas sheathed skewed in parallel behind his back. He was also fitted with modified greaves and breeches, and like the Prime Lord Knight¡¯s armor, designed with the lightest materials that offer maximum protection. Probably mined from Mars or on one of the mining colonies on Jupiter¡¯s many moons Clarahart thought. Only the best of UTSF were given such equipment.


    ¡°I see our logistics are in good hands,¡± Vyse said, nodding towards her tablet and resting a hand on the nearest truck¡¯s fender.


    ¡°Just doing my duty sir,¡± Clarahart answered simply.


    The Knight tapped the fender with three sharp clangs and sighed, ¡°Small talk isn¡¯t my strongest suit Knight Simmons so I¡¯ll get to it, I have a task for you Knight Esquire.¡±


    ¡°¡ªAn-Anything Sir.¡±


    ¡°I need you to keep an eye on Wolfe.¡±


    ¡°Sir?¡± Clarahart said in confusion, ¡°Is there something wrong with Lord Knight Vlacic sir?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Vyse paused, ¡°and no.¡±


    The Prime Lord Knight walked a few steps closer, and to Clarahart¡¯s realization, was to keep their conversation move private.


    ¡°You were in Wolfe¡¯s batch in the Knights Academy and were in several other battles before Red, and I know you can tell something is different about him. Something has¡­changed.¡± He said close to a whisper.


    The female Knight only nodded. The Prime Lord Knight had confirmed her suspicions ever since they had rescued Wolfe after the fight against the GEOM Fireflies almost two days ago.


    ¡°¡ªI knew him before he became a Knight and he has tendencies that he kept contained.¡± Vyse continued, ¡°And I can¡¯t watch him throughout our mission, can you do it Knight Esquire?¡±


    ¡°Uh-Uhm, Yes Sir!¡± Clarahart battled her hesitation. Thoughts of what Wolfe was hiding from her and Reid since their time in the academy that the legendary Prime Lord Knight Kunze would give her such a task terrified her.


    ¡°Good, I¡¯m relying on you Simmons. If you need anything just come to me.¡± The Prime Lord Knight said as he pointed on her tablet.


    It was about a few meters off when Vyse heard rushing on feet behind him and turned around. Sure enough, Knight Clarahart Simmons was there hesitant; of what it was he wasn¡¯t sure.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    She was staring at her feet for about ten seconds when Vyse broke the silence.


    ¡°What is it Knight Simmons?¡±


    The female Knight glanced at him and back towards the ground, she did this at intervals as she spoke, ¡°U-uhhm, I know it¡¯s not my place to ask b-but I-I..¡±


    Vyse smiled and it disarmed the nervous Knight, ¡°It¡¯s okay Clarahart, what is it?¡±


    ¡°I know the divulging of a Koenig Knight¡¯s potential is classified sir and..I-I just wanted to know what¡ª¡°


    ¡°-What Saito¡¯s power is?¡± Vyse finished her question. Clarahart stared back to ground and did a slow nod. Vyse held back his grin.


    ¡°Koenig related information is classified information well above your jurisdiction level Knight Simmons,¡± Vyse said in a mocking tone, ¡°But since I somewhat owe you now Knight Simmons and you are part of a joint assignment with the Koenigs that I may disclose some information regarding Lord Knight Saito.¡±


    Hearing the title of Saito made the anxious Knight straighten up, she was sure that the Prime Lord Knight knew why she was eager to know more about Saito but she didn¡¯t care. If there was another one like her, she needed to know.


    The Prime Lord Knight leaned in and whispered to her ear. What he said made the Knight Esquire smile. She tried to contain her happiness as she thanked him and tried to finish her checklist. The Prime Lord Knight then went to the other direction and frowned, it was clear that what he said was the right thing to do. It wasn¡¯t a lie but it wasn¡¯t the whole truth, Vyse reflected as walked off the other direction towards his assembled command.


    It is a Knight¡¯s duty to raise morale of the men, and women.


    Expertly hidden in the shadow of a dune were over a thousand men, in full battle gear, checking their equipment and armaments. The Black Ravens, donned in their ebony and fire colored armor, fitted their protective goggles over their priceless eyes. Vyse needed close quarter specialists and the best recon units for the mission and it was fortunate that three hundred Black Raven Knights survive the prior battles, half of which fought under Wolfe¡¯s command. He passed the commander of the Black Ravens, field promoted Knight Marshall Alexander Silvus. The aging man saluted him and Vyse returned it. Aging was more of an adjective regarding his lifetime not of his physique. He was old but has a body almost as if he was in his prime. His Sharp unnerving eyes earned Knight Slivus the epithet ¡°Silver-Eye.¡±


    The reinforced Lion Streaks was almost the opposite of the Black Ravens. In their signature orange and dirty white colors, the Streaks ¡°Deadheads¡± trained by Lyon to be a vanguard force specializing in quick raids and short to medium firefight engagements. They were also excellent support vehicle specialists. From driving Dunes to piloting Atlas transports, the Lion Streaks were one of the best. Lord Knight Reid was showing the officers how to use the recently issued ¡°pocket javelins¡± in response with the emergence of Aboms. Abominations are resilient against most type of shot-based weapons and the sleek, retractable, impact triggered explosives were one way to counter the thick skinned monstrosities, penetrating their tough outer layer and injecting them with a funnel shaped explosive. Reid caught sight of him and hesitantly saluted, an act more of drilled training rather than that of respect. Vyse saluted back. From what he read on Lord Knight Reinhold Kruger¡¯s profile, the boy is a loose cannon, A wild card, A recruit discovered in one of Luna¡¯s prison, has an excellent battle record. Vyse walked on, the boy will have his use.


    He crested the dune that shadowed his men and carefully peeked over the ridge. So far they were successful in concealing their motive and strategies but the GEOMs will eventually be aware of their plan to infiltrate Io through an abandoned mining facility two kilometers from their position. Vyse caught sight of a lone black spire, half buried in the crimson sand, its thin long shadow an anomaly in the red barren expanse. He checked his wrist watch. They should have been back by now.


    ¡°We are back by now, sir¡± A female voice said beside him.


    ¡°It is not like you to be late Antoinette.¡± Vyse said, not turning at the hooded, petite, blonde girl, ¡°How¡¯s your sister and our friend Howard?¡±


    ¡°VIP is secured Prime Lord Knight, and my sister is fine as well.¡± She answered.


    ¡°Who said she was fine?¡± Vyse pressed.


    ¡°Her.¡± Netta answered, tapping her temple.


    ¡°Amelie, with Knight Lyon occupied Captain Hawkins safety is in your hands.¡± Vyse bellied and Antoinette nodded in reply, confirmation telekinetic reception, ¡°and Saito.¡±


    ¡°..Yes Prime Lord Knight.¡± A dark cloaked figured suddenly appeared on his other side, the Koenig¡¯s bald head gleaned with the setting sun¡¯s reflection.


    ¡°..What do you have for me?¡±


    ¡°¡ªI have scouted the facility and its surrounding and taken care of the GEOM skeleton crew assigned to guard its entrance. I have surveyed about two kilometers in and it is an almost intact as the map suggests.¡±


    ¡°Good. We proceed as planned.¡± The Prime Lord Knight commanded. The two bowed in reply.


    ¡°Oh and Saito,¡±


    The Knight looked up, ¡°Yes, sir?¡±


    ¡°How does Knight Simmons know your name?¡± Vyse asked.


    Saito was silent for a moment before he answered, ¡°Because she asked sir.¡±


    Vyse looked at him with a smirked, ¡°Okay Saito and Netta, you are dismissed.¡±


    ¡°Sir!¡± they saluted and disappeared.


    Vyse looked again at the horizon. The red desert was blanketed in rapidly receding golden light which made its many crystalized particles sparkle under the smoky dark sky. A beautiful and dangerous place, much like Infatuation is Vyse thought, casting a glance on his wrist watch once more.


    When Sergeant Parks woke, it was so pitch black he thought he was blind, or dead. When his eyes had adjusted with the darkness he found that he and his squad, with the exception of Dawson, was huddled inside what seemed to be a shell crater dug deeper with entrenching tools. It was circumvented with a hurriedly made short stone wall. His head was bandaged. He touched his head wound and it stung. He found Ynu tinkering with his damage radio set beside him and heaved his aching body towards the mechanic.


    ¡°Sitrep Private?¡± He asked, he tasted dried blood as he spoke.


    ¡°You weren¡¯t out long sir. GEOM attack busted us up real good, waves of them after the mind blast that they kept talking about, destroyed most of our equipment. The m-blast decimated half the hill we were hiding on.¡± He muttered traumatically, still tinkering with the broken radio.


    His eyes now accustomed to the dark, Sergeant Parks saw what he was talking about. The hill they had hiked earlier was almost even out; part of the Ionian Skyline was now visible on the night sky.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Dawson, Ynu?¡± He questioned as he sat as comfortably as he could against the sandy edge.


    ¡°He¡¯s scouting the perimeter with the Chasers sir.¡±


    As if on cue, Dawson and two other men appeared from the other side of the flattened hill but none of them were donned in their heavy armor.


    ¡°I see you have awakened Sergeant.¡± A clean-faced muscular Captain greeted him. He and the sergeant beside him wore black under armor and brandished tube-launchers, drummed fast-fed rocket launchers that dwarfed the two Spawn Chasers. Sergeant Parks was amazed that they were able to carry such weapons without their power armor.


    ¡°Sergeant Hyun Parks sir!¡± Parks instinctively saluted. His arm felt it was about to fall off.


    ¡°At ease Sergeant.¡± The Captain knelt on one knee and laid his heavy weapon beside him, ¡°I¡¯m Captain Alasdair Stainton and this is my first Sergeant Halstead Weaver, 114<sup>th</sup> Spawn Chasers.¡±


    ¡°What happened to your other man sir?¡± Parks asked, remembering the soldier one of them carried as they retreated from the blast.


    The Captain shook his head, ¡°Corporal Gardner unfortunately did not make it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure he was a good soldier sir.¡± Parks replied.


    The Captain nodded, ¡°Yes a good soldier. I¡¯ve lost quiet a number of good soldiers today Sergeant.¡±


    ¡°Did we get hit by a GEOM psionic attack sir?¡±


    ¡°Yes we did Parks, they hit us hard. We and your man right here scouted ahead and confirmed that the Hax had completely annihilated the Mars¡¯ Finest. Also, it appears that at least fifty percent of our combat strength of our first wave here has been annihilated and unfortunately, in our last transmission with HQ before the blast, we were the lucky ones.¡±


    Sergeant Parks remained stoic; it wasn¡¯t the first time he heard such terrible loses. Private Ynu beside him was surprised and started mumbling chants.


    ¡°..They cut right through us sir.¡± Parks reported, ¡°Our Company were torn to pieces sir and we hadn¡¯t seen a friendly until you.¡±


    ¡°..Well son, I¡¯m afraid to tell you that this is the farthest extent of our push and it¡¯s time to consolidate what remains of our forces.¡± The Major replied, ¡°I¡¯m sorry about your men Sergeant, but it looks like we¡¯re a joint squad until we link with the others.¡±


    ¡°Sir!¡±


    The Major nodded and slumped next to the Sergeant and closed his eyes, and endeavor for a quick respite.


    ¡°Excuse me sir, I couldn¡¯t help to ask but what do we do now sir?¡± Parks asked.


    ¡°Well there¡¯s not much we can do about that Hax with what we¡¯ve got but I¡¯m sure the Knights are on it as we speak.¡±


    ¡°I mean what do we do now about our mission sir?¡± Sergeant Parks clarified as he sat upright.


    The Captain smirked as if the Sergeant had passed some test, ¡°Why, what we were trained to sergeant. Do or die. Now get some sleep unless you want to substitute my man for first watch. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll be happy to oblige.¡±


    Sergeant Parks limped towards what was left of the blasted hill and positioned himself on its highest point. The desolate carnage appeared before him. The scorched crystallized sand smelled like roasted almonds combined with something rancid Parks did not really want to think about.


    Death was busy. The carnage awed him. He has seen many wars and acts of destruction but this is surely one of the worst if not the worst. Smoldering wrecks and blackened remains littered the newly created no man¡¯s land. He tried to avoid all the abandoned human bodies. Thousands of deceased service men and women left behind to rot or be eaten. Some still had functioning green tags and as much as the Sergeant tried to avoid looking at the bodies but due to his tedious post he eventually read some of them.


    Most of the dead humans on the barren swathe of desert in front of him were Spawn Chasers. Parks now knew why Captain Alasdair Stainton offered him to relieve his Sergeant¡¯s watch duty. The sight of their dead comrades was too much even for the bold and noble Spawn Chasers. Parks noted the intermittently exploding energized power packs; it looked like the Abominations had somehow ambushed the Spawn Chaser vanguard since the volatile unspent ammunition of their power suits were discharging and they were a lot of the random explosions¡ªenough to light the night for Parks to witness the post-slaughter.


    The desert evening air was freezing. He sat on lip of the foxhole to escape the damp makeshift freezer. Parks shuddered as he attempted to warm himself by wrapping his arms around him; his breath came in as wispy mists. His mind wondered back to the Hax mind blast attack as he tried to ignore the cold but how he was knock out cold did not comfort him any better.


    He couldn¡¯t make out the ominous bulb head of Hax in the darkness. Somehow he knew it was there. The feeling made him wonder about his lost squad members, the regiment and of Saturn. He never believed the propaganda UTSF kept spreading about the Knights especially with the ones leading the attack on Io. All the media-spun legends and far-fetch fictions they feed to civilians and ailing service men to keep on fighting but at this moment, as he gazed at the massacre in front of him, he prayed that they were true.