Eight years ago, the World Forgers descended from the skies in their misguided mission to bring back order to a world embroiled in a devastating civil war. Yet, their action unknowingly crushed humanity's hope for a bright future. The world bled for their mistake, and many would pay the price of blood for generations to come. Yet, today, they descend once again, corrected from their misguided path to bring hope back to where it was once extinguished. Mike, this time, was no longer just a servant of another tyrant's will, but a man operating on his own accord, on a mission to undo the dark fate set for humanity.
As the fleet approached the orbital defence stations, the once formidable defensive network stood no chance now that the New National Empire had dissolved and its forces had evacuated. In salvos, thousands of assault pods smashed toward the orbital stations, tearing through their walls and unleashing their payloads of World Forger Marines. The defenders, consisting now of only demoralized crews and regular human guards, could only watch as whole sectors inside the stations were cleansed of lifeforms.
Inside one of the stations, a squad of guards with access to Chimera carbines left by the station's previous occupants waited for the assailants around a corner. As soon as the footsteps crossed into the fireline, the guards unloaded their weapons, which, in theory, should be able to kill a few of the Marines with a few lucky shots. Yet, what emerged from the smoke was a Marauder Marine, a specialist Marine reinforced with a set of heavy armour and even heavier weapons.
Unharmed, the Marauder advanced with impossible speed toward the guards who didn't even get the chance to crawl up and run. With a brutal bash of his shoulder, the unlucky few men caught in his advance were pulverized into an incoherent mess of gore. Then, with a turn of his massive body, the Marauder threw one of the men across the hallway, instantly killing the guard as his bones were shattered upon impact with the wall.
[Oak] - "It was way less fun than the Antinoids. At least the alien bastards had a little bit of durability. "
Mumbled the Marauder as he continued ahead of the formation.
[Lambda] - "In your armour, maybe, but in our plates, their weapons still leave painful bruises when shot at certain areas. "
Said Captain Lambda of the 14th company, 1st Marine Division.
Reaching the bridge of the station, the Marauder easily ripped the reinforced steel door out of its hinges before Lambda, and the rest of his squad moved in. The bridge crew, being mostly unarmed, quickly surrendered to the Marines before being escorted out in a line by the squad's Commissar Marine. Soon, a crew from the World Forgers moved into the abandoned positions and took control of the station's systems.
Moving toward the front window of the bridge, Lambda watched as drop pods and gunships descended past the stations toward Earth. Around him, not a single defence gun reacted to these crafts as the stations were now completely in their control. Taking up the speaker on the commander's panel, Lambda established communication with the nearby station 2.
[Lambda] - "Gamma, how long on your side? Five minutes and fifty seconds on our side. "
Asked Lambda as he stared at the bridge of the other station.
[Gamma] - "Five minutes and thirty seconds from our entry to reaching the bridge. "
Responded Captain Gamma of the 15th company, 1st Marine Division.
[Lambda] - "You lucky bastard! If only we hadn't encountered those few guards with carbines, we could've left Big Oak behind instead of calling him forward! "
Said Lambda while smashing his fist against the deck in frustration.
[Gamma] - "You're being too careful, you coward! Should've rushed the lines as you did back in the days, haha. "
Mocked Gamma while his men cheered at their victory.
[Lambda] - "Being careful meant I still have both legs, unlike you. "
Retorted Lambda, referring to Gamma's mechanical legs.
[Gamma] - "Eat dirt then! I'll be at the front in my metal legs, while you stay behind to polish the shoes of the tortoises in the 12th fleet. "
Said Gamma, laughing and not the slightest bit offended by the jab.
Meanwhile, nearly 2500 drop pods landed in the Capital of the Allied Empire, situated in Washington, D.C, delivering the full strength of the 2nd Marine Division. Stepping out of his own drop pods with his squad, Marine General Epsilon watched as his Division had already assembled their tanks from the delivery pods and secured a perimeter with tactical squads and Marauder support. Then, the final supporting element to the assault came in the form of two Monsoon-class titans, massive bipedal war engines standing at over 100 metres tall.
[Epsilon] - "Report, has the city been secured? "
Said Epsilon as he established communication with his captains.
Without a long delay, Epsilon received confirmation that the whole city had been secured from multiple captains assigned to the task. Due to the fragile structure of the Allied Empire, once Jagger was gone, its system, which revolved around him, collapsed as expected. Not that it had a chance to put up significant resistance against the likes of the Imperial Forces in the first place.
Looking up, Epsilon watched as one of the titans passed right beside his landing zone, its point defence weapons blasting at the scattered resistance in the city below. At the titan's size, even when the massive battleship cannons on its body fired their 250mm shells, they looked like small fireworks shooting from the machine's frame. Then, with a roar, the 15m Fuji-plasma siege cannons on both arms of the titan fired onto the enemy position, reducing the area to nothing but a scorch mark on the map.
Before even the day came to an end, Epsilon received the formal surrender of the Allied Empire. As the fighting in the Capital city stopped, the Titans and Marines also held their ground, refraining from causing further destruction than what was needed to achieve their goal. Many Marines whose skills were applicable in construction and civil engineering even began to draw up plans for rebuilding the devastated city.
At the same time, the leaders from the Allied High Command emerged from their bunkers, expecting fair treatment as prisoners of war. However, what met them were the cold, unwelcoming barrels of the World Forger Marines. For their crimes against humanity, their complicity in Jagger's evil and the brutal purges they took part in during the Lynching Games, Mike had already issued orders for justice to be carried out.
Admiral Jack, with a face covered in ashes and concrete dust, was marched in a line with his fellow officers and co-conspirators to a grassy field. However, just as he expected a swift end, just like the group of Allied officers who met their end before him, one of the Marine Captains pulled him out of the line and dragged him by the uniform away.
[Jack] - "What are you doing? Stop, it hurts, stop! "
Yelled Jack as he struggled against the marine's inescapable grip.
Throwing him to one of his subordinates, the line Marine then handled Jack like a log as he lifted him up and carried him away on his shoulder. Behind, Jack could only hear the loud crackle of Chimera carbines before his fellow men dropped dead on the ground. Now finding a slight reassurance in his special treatment, Jack turned toward the cold helmet of the Marine carrying him.
[Jack] - "Where are we going? To whom do I owe my thanks? "
Without a word, the marine threw Jack into the back of a gunship. The landing wasn't soft as Jack hit the floor, knocking the wind out of his lungs. However, as Jack struggled to get a look at his surroundings, he spotted Dunkel, who was also captured and thrown in here with him. At the same time, the ramp slammed shut, trapping the two in there with an Imperial Marine Captain, who stared at them with the same stillness as a machine. With a loud rumble, the gunship took off, heading back toward low orbit to rejoin the fleet.
[Jack] - "Ugh, they brought you too? Why are we getting special treatment? "
Said Jack as he painfully sat up from the ground.
Having no idea of the fate that awaited them, Dunkel assumed that she was spared due to her value as the lead scientist of the Allied Empire. Yet, a keen eye would've spotted the obvious contradictions. Where Dunkel was arrested, her fellow scientists paid for their crimes in blood. While she was being transported away, World Forger firing squads had just finished eliminating any remaining scientists who partook in Dunkel's mad experiments.
[Dunkel] - "Probably because we have skills they need. We designed some really crazy contraptions after all. "
Said Dunkel as she looked at the Marine's yellow visor for answers.
Yet, even as the minutes passed, the Marine Captain remained silent while still coldly surveilling his prisoners. It was then that Jack began to feel that they might not truly be as safe as he had initially thought. If only Dunkel had been brought in, he would've understood, but why also him, an Admiral and officer of the Allied Empire, no more different than those same men who were shot on the spot.
[Dunkel] - "Hey! Say something, you dummkopf! I'm willing to cooperate, but at least give me some fairer treatment! "
Screamed Dunkel as she stepped toward the Marine.
Looking at the emotionless yellow glow in his visor, Dunkel grew even more frustrated as the man refused to utter a single word. With finger raised and pointing at the captain's helmet, Dunkel once again demanded explanations.
[Dunkel] - "I'm the chief scientist of the Allied Empire! My name is known far and wide across the American continent. Whoever you think you are, you owe me some answers! Who am I working for and what does he or she demand of me? "
Said Dunkel, her confidence growing bolder as she stared down at the seated Marine.
In a flash, the Marine Captain grabbed Dunkel's hand and squeezed. In a loud, horrifying crunch, all the bones in Dunkel's hand were reduced to shards as she screamed and passed out from the shock of the pain. Turning toward Jack, who immediately recoiled in terror, the Marine raised a finger to his mouth.
[Marine Captain] - "Prisoners have the right to remain silent! Have I made myself clear? "
Said the warrior in a monotone voice.
Glancing at Dunkel's unconscious body and then back at the Marine, Jack nodded his head as if his life depended on it. Satisfied, the Marine returned to observing the two prisoners in complete silence.
On the other side, during this time, gunships carrying Mike's courier captains reached their intended destinations. Alone, these captains of the World Forgers fleet met up with the leaders of the fleets on Earth, deep in enemy territory. To the West, the 10th and 21st fleets both immediately swore loyalty to Mike, as they neither wanted to perish in a meaningless war nor did they oppose the regent's legitimate rule. As for the 9th fleet, they were among the first to join the World Forgers' effort directly, their ships taking to the sky to join their brethren against all opposition.
Moving further East, the 16th and 17th fleets stationed on the African continent also swore their loyalty to the Grand Knight. After all, the 17th and the World Forgers go way back during the Sundering as the first boots on the ground against Michele's forces. As for the 16th, they did not forget the Grand Knight's blessing on their fleet, which now proudly changed its name from 'Devoted of Armageddon' to 'Devoted of Enlightenment'.
In the Middle East, having fully devoted themselves to the worship of the old Emperor Apogee, the 7th fleet escaped into exile with Judge. In contrast, the 4th fleet declared its allegiance to the Lord Regent of all of Imperial Forces right as the dark silhouette of their ships appeared on the horizon. On the same boat as the 4th, the 6th fleet, the Ice Krakens of the North also joined the Lord Regent in his crusade against those who had forsaken humanity's future.
At last, in South Asia, after some basic negotiations and a few promises, the 12th and 14th fleets both recognized Mike's leadership and plans for the future of Earth as favourable. Thus, the two fleets turned their guns on their own elements, who were still loyal to Judge or other emissaries of the New National Empire. Within hours, Valkyrien Marines from the exiled 20th fleet and other ideological agents from the exiled forces were purged cleanly out of their systems.
As for the final two fleets, things wouldn't be so clean cut. In North-East China, the 1st and 18th fleets had already begun combat operations against the leading elements of the World Forgers. Unfortunately, negotiations weren't able to begin as the gunship carrying the World Forger emissary had been shot down, perhaps deliberately by a third party. In its stead, another figure slittered his way into the command room of the 18th, the golden Roman numeral 'V' on his coat shining brightly under the light as he stepped out of the shadows.
[Valentine] - "Pardon my intrusion, Yu Di, Lord of the 18th. "
Said Valentine as he stepped into the room while slowly slipping the black glove off his hand.
The leadership in the centre immediately shifted their gaze toward the uninvited intruder. Yu Di, Marshal of the 18th, turned his head to meet Valentine's gaze.
[Yu Di] - "Back to work! I will deal with this situation! "
Screamed Yu Di to the curious gaze all around the room.
Immediately, the hundreds of officers went back to focusing on their computer screens. However, before Yu Di made any move, 1st Marine General Wu Kong stepped toward Valentine and Konigsburg, his hand extended in a demanding gesture.
[Wu Kong] - "Your guns. This is a place of civil discussion. "
Valentine gazed at the marine from the corner of his eye before concealing his annoyance behind a cough. Placing his pistol in Wu Kong's hand, Konigsburg also handed his carbine and other weapons to another Tianbing Marine in proximity. With Valentine disarmed, Yu Di finally began to approach the Lord of the 5th, but with careful steps.
[Yu Di] - "What brings you here to us, Knight Marshal? "
Said Yu Di as he reluctantly shook Valentine's hand.
[Valentine] - "A negotiation, of course. I know you do not wish to get buried under the combined forces of the Grand Knight. Yet, Judge had already abandoned you to your fate. Now, even the 1st is leaving their position to join Judge in exile, leaving you to die defending a doomed position. "
Said Valentine in his usual confidence.
[Yu Di] - "What do you propose? What could you possibly offer us? "
[Valentine] - "I've heard about an incident... That practically doomed your fleet. "
Said Valentine while fainting innocence.
Hours ago, positioned on a hill, a squad of Blitz Marines special forces, equipped with stolen 18th fleet weapons, began to look for their target. Upon spotting the World Forger gunship carrying the emissary flying across the mountains, the lead marauder took aim and fired. In a streak of blue plasma, the ship's body was ripped to shreds before crashing into the snowy ground below. Then, using an 18th fleet communication channel, the marauder reported a World Forger gunship shot down.
[Valentine] - "An unfortunate accident that the Grand Knight would not be so keen to forgive. Now, he will not halt until he sees your fleet decimated. "
Hidden under his helmet, Konigsburg smirked at Yu Di, mocking the Chinese leader's obliviousness.
[Yu Di] - "Then, what do you propose? "
[Valentine] - "I'm glad you asked. I've spoken with Judge, and he promised me a large reward for letting the 1st fleet get away mostly unharmed. The deal is, you will let the 1st escape cleanly. In return, I will share a part of that reward with your fleet. As a bonus, I will claim responsibility for shooting down that gunship to clear up your fleet's name. "
[Yu Di] - "Good, it's a deal! "
Said Yu Di without hesitation.
[Valentine] - "Pleasure making deals with you, old friend. "
With a firm handshake, Yu Di quickly ordered his men to escort Valentine and his general out of the room. As Yu Di returned to his seat at the table, the rest of his command staff were in shock at his sudden decision.
[Wu Kong] - "Sir, it was obvious they did something! Valentine had planned all this! "
Said Wu Kong, confused at Yu Di's decision.
[Yu Di] - "I am not stupid, Wu Kong. I know Valentine had planned this from the start. However, you must remember, we have 5000 years of experience, while his people have only entered sapiency, not even one thousand years ago. If he wants to play, we have already won. "
Said Yu Di with confidence.
The eyes on the table were still clearly not assured by his words as they kept looking around and between themselves. With a grunt, Yu Di stood up and tapped on the holographic screen in the middle.
[Yu Di] - "Let the 1st fleet start their evacuation. Meanwhile, continue to hold the line against the Grand Knight's forces. At the same time, Valentine's transport ships will bring us the resources and materials he promised. "
Said Yu Di before pressing the simulation button.
Like a movie, the projection began to simulate the next few hours of combat according to Yu Di's initial inputs. Then, as the 1st fleet began to leave and Valentine's promised supply mostly arrived, Yu Di paused his simulation.
[Yu Di] - "We do not need to play by Valentine's rules! Nor do we need to make compromises! We make our own fortune! "
Said Yu Di before his hand switched a few of their positions on the map.
Immediately, the room's doubts were silenced as they understood their leader's genius. Valentine's hasty and cowardly plans will not yield the result he expects. For all his schemes, his biggest mistake was to think he could fool the fleet that had emerged from the ashes of betrayal. If anything, Valentine will soon be the one being played instead.
On the frontline, the forces of the 18th didn't even attempt to hold their positions as they pulled back as soon as the enemy made contact. Time after time, as soon as a proper frontline formed, the Tianbing Marines made a strategic withdrawal, their nearly clean departure from every position seeming almost planned in advance. Yet, there was no trap or surprise for the World Forgers or their allies; the 18th were seemingly retreating as if they wanted to preserve their forces for something else.
In the sky, the first transports of the 1st fleet were beginning to head toward the wormhole in high orbit. In exchange, Valentine began to send his cargo vessels downward from a different wormhole, transporting the promised supplies to the 18th. Watching from the other side of the portal aboard his carrier, Valentine couldn't help but smirk, thinking he was the victor in this situation.
[Königsburg] - "Mein Führer, it seems like we have deceived them well. But why are we giving them so much in return? "
[Valentine] - "This is but a fraction of what Judge promised us. Once the 1st has been fully evacuated, we shall cut ties with them and leave them to die. Overall, a small payment for a huge reward. "
Said Valentine, his smirk betraying his ruthlessness.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Directive 762 was transmitted to every single Tianbing Marine captain and was to be passed down to the individual unit. On the western front in Hebei, after having just relocated from the previous defensive line, a captain received the directive just as he was about to speak with his company staff. After reading through the order on his visor screen, he turned toward his staff and issued a new set of commands.
[Captain] - "Stop all retreats! Fortify as much as you can on all frontline positions, plan to hold the front for 24 hours at maximum. Secondly, avoid inflicting serious casualties against the enemy; we are to be fully defensive from this point onward! "
Yelled the captain to his squad leaders.
Like a wildfire, the order spread across the frontline, causing the previously scantily made trenches to be fortified for a long stay. Field engineers quickly moved in with construction robots that began to lift and dig into the dirt to insert deeper foundations. As the enemy approached, the previously easy-to-retreat enemy suddenly formed a rigid frontline that would not yield.
However, when the same marines from the backline received the same directive, their reaction and orders were completely different from those adopted by the frontline units. Instead of fortifying, they began to gather their forces around the defensive positions held by the rear-guards of the 1st fleet, abandoning their previous positions without enemy presence. Even the carrier and other warships of the 18th began to crowd the areas around the evacuation points and docks of the 1st fleet.
At the bridge of his carrier, Yu Di stared at the time on his hand-held screen. Directive 762 gave them men under his command a total of five hours to prepare. And once all preparation has been completed, all soldiers, crews and marines will execute the last line of Directive 762. This directive will save the 18th fleet from annihilation while making those who betrayed it pay for their treachery. The 18th will live, and not as devastated prisoners of war, but as victors on the side of good.
At the same time, while the men and marines of the 1st were busy evacuating and making the last preparations, they failed to notice the unusual gaze worn by the Tianbing Marines of the 18th. Like predators and hunters, the marines of the 18th watched their brethren, their every move and where they gathered or stored their cargo. Even though their frontline was solidified a whole province away, these marines acted with the same armed caution as their brothers on the frontline; fingers on trigger and eyes on target.
[Auric Marine Captain] - "How bad is the frontline situation for you to come crawling into our facilities like this? "
Said the captain of the 1st as he approached a squad of Tianbing Marines.
[Tianbing squad leader] - "Pretty bad, the enemy's overwhelming numbers had forced us to pull back this far. But worry not, we'll ensure your men evacuate safely before they breach our lines. "
Said the squad leader, his expression showing a predatory gaze that mismatched the desperation in his voice.
The auric marine considered the strange feeling of unease he felt. There seems to be no nearby artillery or plasma cannon impact, yet these men seemed to be fleeing from hell itself. However, the urgency of the situation quickly made him throw these thoughts to the back of his mind.
[Auric Marine Captain] - "Hold the line for another 12 hours, then we should be mostly done and ready for evacuation. I'll send in some of my men to help you hold the line if necessary. "
[Tianbing squad leader] - "That would be appreciated. But how about us after? Do we leave alongside your ships? "
Avoiding the last question, the captain quickly chose to answer the first statement instead.
[Auric Marine Captain] - "I will position five squads of mine around this area to help you. However, make sure they can leave safely once the 12-hour countdown has been reached. "
Said the captain as he deliberately turned around and stepped away from the conversation.
It was clear that the 1st fleet never intended to show any compassion for their brothers in the 18th fleet. And with how the captain viewed the squad leader and his men as cannon fodder, their resolve only strengthened for what they were about to do in five hours. There will be no mercy for men who consider them less than equals. Gripping their carbines tighter, the squad leader switched to his com and contacted the other squads in the area.
[Tianbing squad leader] - "Their positions are set on the holographic map. Make sure to cut off all the exits in the South. Us and squads 7 and 9 will be taking the Northern exits. "
Said the warrior as he placed red dots on his wrist-mounted holographic map.
To be continued...