• Date: January 23, 2183


  
• Time: 5:30 PM


  
• Location: UGS Howling Knight Bridge


  

  The Kaynian vessels positioned their broadsides toward the unseen stealth ship and unleashed a volley of fire. However, the Howling Knight's cloaking system rendered their attacks ineffective, causing the energy beams to miss their target. Meanwhile, at the helm of the stealth ship, Merci skillfully navigated the controls, focused on ensuring her Ghosts reached their destination—the Kaynian Dreadnought.

  [Incoming enemy fire.]

  Merci informed as the West's eyes widened, witnessing one of the beams from the Kaynian broadside missing the Howling Knight's bow through his terminal.

  ''Evade!''

  West barked as his ship banked hard to avoid the incoming broadside. The Howling Knight would approach a Class II Frigate and fly underneath to seek cover. Doing so resulted in the frigate being friendly fired upon. Explosions erupted within its hull as it took the brunt of the broadsides.

  ''Commander West, our cloak is at sixty percent operation. If we keep this up, our defense against Kaynian firepower would be gone.''

  ''We don't have a choice, Bishop. Either we go to our objective, or die trying...''

  ''...Keep an eye on the cloak percentage. Inform me when it goes critical.''

  ''Understood, sir.''

  Bishop responded while maintaining the cloak that kept the Howling Knight concealed. However, their progress wouldn't remain smooth for long. As they approached their target and navigated past the flotilla's defenses, the situation would grow increasingly challenging with time.

  [Commander West, we have a situation!]

  ''What is it, Merci?''

  [Kaynian Galleon on our twelve!]

  On cue, the massive Class I Galleon presented its sides at the approaching stealth ship as it powered up its broadsides. Although the danger presented wasn't an issue. It would cost them time, and time was running out due to their cloak percentage dropping.

  ''Get us above it!''

  [Very well, brace yourselves!]

  Immediately, the Howling Knight climbed above the galleon as it blindly fired its broadsides. Unbeknownst to the Kaynian vessel, the stealth ship was already above it, rendering its broadside useless. Not only that, but the corvettes in front of the galleon were the ones to receive the potent energy beams fired. The shields of the Kaynian Corvettes shattered as they took the brunt of the galleon's reckless firing.

  {Lord Commander, the Kaynian vessels are attempting to track our magic signatures!}

  ''Can you block them?''

  {Yes, but we cannot hold for much longer!}

  ''Understood, keep at it.''

  Their target, the super capital, was visible to everyone on the bridge. Meanwhile, the Class V Dreadnought wasn't alone per se because it was escorted by several galleons, and with the rest of the flotilla behind them, it would be a miracle if the Howling Knight weren't missing a wing when it reached its destination.

  [Kaynian Dreadnought right in front of us.]

  ''Good, keep us steady.''

  [Of course, command- Incoming Kaynian Paladins, wing pattern!]

  The A.I. exclaimed as the super capital released several hundred wing-pattern paladins to intercept them. Upon seeing the formation of paladins heading for them, West knew it was time to counter-attack, but it would give out their position. However, with how grim things were looking, he may not have a choice.

  ''Nomad, weapons systems?''

  ''Ready, sir!''

  ''Then let those paladins have a taste of it.''

  ''Roger that!''

  The four-point defense lasers on the hull of the Howling Knight spur to life as they fired at the incoming paladins. One by one. Each paladin forming the formation fell as they couldn't dodge the near-instant power of a laser that travels at the speed of light. Due to the Kaynians being well within the three hundred thousand kilometer instant hit range of the Howling Knight's lasers, they didn't even have a chance of dodging.

  ''Cloak at twenty percent!''

  Bishop reported as the cloak enveloping the Howling Knight began to falter. Upon hearing his subordinate's update, West couldn't help but curse at their predicament.

  ''Damn it...''

  ''...Merci on the double!''

  [Understood!]

  As the fiasco continued, the Ghost Operatives of Sword and Shield situation worsened as the paladins, now aware of their ship's location due to the constant laser fire, returned fire. The stealth ship trembled as energy beams struck its shields, but the Ghosts remained undeterred, focused on their mission.

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  "Tale! Sarroth! Prepare your magic! The only way to bypass the dreadnought's passive energy shield is through teleportation!"

  West barked as the Hero of Eldrant and Former Queen of Elvania nodded at his command. Of course, to perform such magic would require precise skills to pull it off.

  ''Understood, Commander!''

  {It will be done, Lord Commander!}

  Answered the master and servant in unison as they prepared to perform the required magic needed to bypass the energy shield of their target.

  [Commander West, shields at seventy percent...]

  [...Although missing their shots, every attack they connect will damage our shielding. We can't keep them off for long.]

  Merci pointed out, and West's answer was to turn to Nomad and give him the confirmation to fire rapidly. This way, they could keep the paladins away, but their exact location would be exposed, potentially rendering their cloak useless.

  ''Nomad, rapid fire!''

  ''All you have to say, commander!''

  Smirking beneath his helmet, the close-quarters specialist switched to full-auto mode and began firing rapidly at the pursuing paladins. More Kaynians were killed as the Howling Knight finally went loose with its defensive armaments and honed in on the paladins. But as the Ghosts busied themselves with their tasks, they hadn't realized their target was several hundred meters ahead.

  [West, we're approaching the target.]

  Merci informed as she placed on West's terminal the camera feed at the bow. It was time for them to enter the belly of the beast and face the countless Kaynains on board.

  ''Good...''

  ''...Tale? Sarroth?''

  He called out as the duo's magic signature surged beyond normal levels, rivaling the Kaynian Arc's presence within the dreadnought. The immense power of Tale and his eternal servant spread throughout the hull of the stealth ship, enveloping it in their magic to execute teleportation magic.

  {Ready!}

  ''Let's do this...''

  ''...Iniate teleportation sequence!''

  Immediately, Tale and Sarroth performed the teleportation magic, which allowed the Howling Knight to bypass the passive energy shield of the Kaynian Dreadnought.

  ''Sword and Shield, brace for landing!''

  West shouted as his ship reappeared on the capital ship's hull, causing structural damage upon impact. The Howling Knight's shields held, safeguarding its occupants from the intense and perilous maneuver executed by its operatives. However, it should be noted that the stealth ship successfully teleported to the lower decks of the Oblivion. No damage was inflicted on the ship's hull, as its shields absorbed the impact upon materializing within the dreadnought's structure.

  

  
• Date: January 23, 2183


  
• Time: 5:45 PM


  
• Location: Class V Dreadnought Oblivion Lower Decks


  

  The lower deck of the venerable dreadnaught echoed with footsteps as guardians rushed to the crashed stealth ship. Energy beam rifles were pointed at the wreckage of the Howling Knight. Their enemy had landed on the most powerful ship ever to sail the Milky Way, and they would do everything possible to protect both her and their Arc.

  ''Looks like they came prepared for us.''

  Nomad said as he aimed his double-barrel shotgun. Beside him, Tale had his battle machine rifle ready as they waited for their commander.

  ''Sword and Shield, we're sprinting this, so don't fall behind.''

  Commander West ordered while his subordinates nodded in agreement. They were outnumbered a hundred to one, so it was best they find their target, execute, and leave afterward.

  ''Roger.''

  ''Crystal.''

  ''Affirmative.''

  Although outnumbered, they had one advantage: the Kaynian Guardians wouldn't hit them because of their power armor cloaking as energy shielding and cloaking technology nullifying the numbers gap.

  ''Ghosts, let's go!''

  The Howling Knight's hangar bay doors opened, and the Ghosts Operatives sprinted out guns blazing. The alien defenders were picked off, but those that survived retaliated. However, due to the operatives being cloaked, the energy beams fired would instead miss.

  ''Bishop, the door!''

  ''Affirmative...''

  ''...Engaging MK152 Anti-Tank Missile Launcher!''

  The dark-skinned Ghost replied as he fired his shoulder-mounted launcher. The one-hundred-fifty-two millimeter missile made contact with the sealed door and exploded. Those near the door were caught by the blast and suffered injuries.

  ''They have broken the- Ack!''

  ''Where are they?''

  ''Keep firing!''

  The line of guardians began to panic as the entrance they were supposed to guard was destroyed. Unbeknownst to them, from the burning wreckage caused by the anti-tank missile, the Ghosts entered and braved the fires before emerging out of it and continuing their sprint.

  [West, the hallway leading to the target is littered with Kaynian personnel.]

  ''Then we'll have to make due and push forward.''

  Merci warned as Kaynian Farers, with their pistols, fired at the destroyed entrance. But much like their guardian counterparts, their shots did not hit. Meanwhile, the Ghosts sprinted past the panicking Kaynians, rapidly firing their weapons. Nomad pumped his double barrel shotgun and ejected a four gauge quadruple-ought shell before firing, and dismantled a Kaynian's shields before firing again, which resulted in its head being shredded.

  {Master Tale, your ammo counter!}

  Sarroth warned as the forty-round drum magazine ran out of twelve-point-seven-millimeter rounds to fire. Heeding his companion's advice, Tale quickly removed the spent drum and replaced it with a new one. With his weapon loaded, the Returned Ghost resumed firing at the countless Kaynians.

  ''West, the door in front of us is sealed!''

  ''Not for long, Nomad.''

  The commander responded as he engaged his MK127 Multi-Purpose Missile Launcher and fired one of them at the closed door. The one-hundred-twenty-seven millimeter missile made contact with the sealed door and exploded. There were several Kaynian Farers beside the missile's target, and they were caught by the blast and shrapnel that erupted from the explosion.

  [Sir, Kaynian Knights charging in front of us!]

  Archer warned as the mentioned Kaynian Knight's energy sabers lit up with energy. West and Tale lined up their rifles and opened fire, sending a full burst of depleted uranium rounds at the charging Kaynians. Several knights had their shields shatter, but it wasn't enough to deter them.

  ''Hold on, I got this!''

  Nomad exclaimed as he fired all of his rockets at the knights. Four explosions shook the lower decks of the Oblivion and reduced the number of incoming Kaynian Knights. Prompting Bishop to kill the remaining combatants with his potent MK20 Anti Material Rifle. Ten load bangs later, ten alien bodies dropped to the floor as the Ghosts sprinted past.

  ''Tangos down!''

  ''Nice one, Bishop!''

  The close-quarter specialist completed his counterpart. Running further along the designated path toward their target. The entire ship shook as the gravity on the deck where the Ghosts began to malfunction, causing any objects or people within the lower decks to float.

  ''The hell's wrong with the...''

  ''...Ugh! Gravity!''

  [The Kaynians must be desperate to stop us and purposefully turned off the gravity in this section of the ship.]

  ''Well, isn't that ironic!''

  Nomad responded to his A.I. partner as the loss of gravity began to affect them.

  ''Ghosts, engage magnetic boots!''

  The commander shouted as he activated his magnetic boots, firmly planting his feet on the ground. The rest of Sword and Shield soon followed as they activated their power armors' respective magnetic boots. This allowed them to stay on the ground and continue running as they gunned down the unfortunate Kaynians floating through the hallway leading to the target.

  [Commander West, that teleporter will lead us to the target!]

  Archer reported as they rushed toward the teleporter, which was suspiciously programmed to transport them directly to the Oblivion's throne room. Seeing how this could lead to their success, the Ghosts of Sword and Shield rushed to the teleporter post haste.

  ''Then let's take it!''

  West ordered as he, Bishop, Nomad, and Tale approached the suspiciously functioning teleporter. Suddenly, a group of Kaynian Guardians, Farers, and an Ogre Pattern Paladin appeared on the teleporter platform and fired on the Ghosts.

  ''Shit!''

  Bishop cursed as the paladin fired its potent energy lance, which released a beam of energy. Fortunately, their invisibility caused the beam to miss. In response, West locked onto the paladin with his last MK127 missile, hoping it would at least weaken or shatter the armored alien's shield.

  ''Firing missile!''

  The commander shouted as the one hundred twenty-seven millimeter missile reached its target, impacting the paladin's chest area. The resulting explosion knocked the paladin to the ground, and those beside it were thrown off by the blast. Seizing the opportunity, the Ghosts opened fire at the downed Kaynians, firing their respective weapons, hoping it would be enough to clear them a path to the teleporter.

  ''Ghosts, concentrate your fire!''

  West gave orders as he fired his battle machine rifle recklessly at a Kaynian Guardian.

  ''Affirmative!''

  ''Roger!''

  ''Crystal!''

  The rest of the team responded as they, too, fired recklessly. Nomad switched his double-barrel shotgun to the double-fire mode. This allowed him to fire both barrels simultaneously, delivering a powerful blast of depleted uranium spike pellets at the enemy. Bishop prioritized the downed paladin as his anti-material rifle was the only weapon capable of punching through its heavy armor. With its shields down, his job was made easier as he targeted the critical areas of the paladin's armor.

  ''Opening fire!''

  Tale shouted as he unleashed a full-auto barrage, relying on his targeting software and skill to eliminate the remaining Kaynians. It wouldn't be long until they reached the platform, but they would still need to input the commands. Thus, their A.I. companions would be called upon to do such a task. However, they had to act, given the urgency of their situation. Remaining in one place was a death sentence, as every Kaynian on board was actively searching for them.

  ''We're on it! Merci, Archer, Wave, get us to the target!''

  [Acknowledged!3]

  The A.I.s responded in unison as they hacked into the teleporter systems, analyzed its functions, and activated it. With three A.I.s working simultaneously, the task was effortlessly completed.

  [Iniating teleporting sequence...]

  [...Three. Two. One, iniating!]

  Merci initiated the teleportation sequence, triggering the dematerialization of the rest of Sword and Shield as they were transported to a new location.

  To Be Continued.