• Date: January 23, 2183


  
• Time: 1:05 AM


  
• Location: UGS Howling Knight Vehicle Bay


  

  [Welcome on board. Sword and Shield all systems online.]

  Voiced the A.I. Merci as the Ghosts of Sword and Shield landed with a loud thud on the vehicle bay. The bay doors closed shut as the atmosphere and artificial gravity took effect. The boots of the operatives landed firmly on the solid floor of the Howling Knight.

  ''Merci, set course back to the battlegroup and inform the other stealth ships to lay mines between the Vice Admiral's battlegroup and the derelict. We only got so much time before the Kaynians noticed the distress signal.''

  [Understood, I'll have them informed immediately.]

  The A.I. responded before disappearing. Meanwhile, Commander West turned to his subordinates and formulated a plan of action for them to follow.

  ''Tale, Nomad, you two stay here and prep the mines on the conveyer.''

  As their names were called, Tale and Nomad stepped fort and acknowledged their orders. Their task was easy enough; they had to race against time as the invincible nuclear mines they'd be hauling weighed around half a ton, the same weight as their power armor.

  ''Crystal, sir!''

  ''We'll get it done, commander.''

  Turning his attention to Bishop, West had a unique task for him. The dark-skinned Ghost was tuned into planning things since he was a sniper. It was his nature to plan things to kill his targets. Interestingly, this made him adept at planning ambushes or long-distance assaults. However, the Yokai Class Stealth Ship assigned to the Ghost Teams in this area couldn't compare to its alien counterparts. Thus, it is why he needed Bishop's help.

  ''Bishop, you're with me to coordinate a strike with the other Ghost Commanders to support the Vice Admiral's battlegroup of thirty ships against a hundred Kaynian vessels...''

  ''...In this battle, we'll mostly be doing hit-and-run tactics from a distance. But I want us to do more. Hence why I need your expertise.''

  ''I see. Then you'll have my strategic mind at your disposal, commander.''

  ''Good. Now that everyone is given an order. It's time we get to work, Ghosts. The fate of this battle will rely on us laying down precious mines for the Battlegroup Yorktown's survival. So, let's not disappoint them!''

  Immediately, Tale and Nomad got to work and approached the nuclear mines stored in the vehicle bay, hauling them from their containers and laying them down on the conveyor. In total, there were approximately a hundred mines that they needed to transport to enable the Howling Knight to deploy them between the derelict and the battlegroup. Meanwhile, Commander West and Bishop went off to head to the bridge of the stealth ship. As they walked through the hallways to the bridge, the two thought of ways to go against the Kaynian Flotilla. Deploying nuclear mines could only go so far as to destroy several warships but not outright stop them. They needed to think of a way to divide their attention.

  "Sir, what's the plan you need my assistance with?"

  ''We need a way to divide the Kaynian Flotilla attention. But to accomplish that, we need to get up close, which puts us at a disadvantage. In total, there are ten stealth ships available to support the Vice Admiral and his plan…''

  "...To turn the odds in our favor, we're going to take down their galleons, which are serving as capital ships."

  Bishop was taken aback as he processed the words from his superior. If they were doing this, they needed to be close range for their H.E.L. cannons and torpedos to make an impact, but as the commander said, they didn't have the luxury.

  ''But how, commander?''

  ''That's what we're about to plan when we reach the bridge.''

  The two operatives found themselves on the bridge. On the terminals of the bridge, their A.I. partners were working hard to relay important information and set up the meeting between Ghosts Commanders. Light flickered as the three A.I.s drabbled with coordinates to lay the nuclear mines being hauled by Tale and Nomad in the hangar bay.

  [Commander West, your fellow commanders are waiting for you.]

  ''Thank you, Merci.''

  West accessed the terminal, entered his codes, and was swiftly connected to a virtual call. The screens lit up with familiar helmets and faces of his brothers, greeting the aged operative and revealing that time had marked them just as it had him.

  "West, it's been a while."

  ''Indeed, Echo.''

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Responding to his brother, West smiled at the opening conversation Ghost Commander Echo had started. Echo was a second-generation Ghost. He led the infamous Ghost Team Command and Conquer. Given the circumstances they found themselves in, Echo and his team were on board their stealth ship, UGS Hood.

  ''Fellow commanders, as you all know, we were ordered by the Fleet Admiral to lay mines between Battlegroup Yorktown and the Kaynian Frigate. But I fear it may not be enough. The enemy possesses certain advantages we have no counter to, but now that changes with Vice Admiral Abraham Gaft's plan...''

  ''...You all know of the plan, yes. So, I'll cut to the chase. This is the only time when we could eliminate higher-ranking Kaynians. If we pull it off, we may disrupt the enemy's chain of command. Rendering them ineffective and in a haze of panic over the loss of the Kaynian Lord in charge of the flotilla.''

  This caught the attention of everyone. It was a mad, if not insane, plan to target the leading ship of a Kaynian Flotilla, which was almost and always a galleon. However, considering that Battlegroup Yorktown was outnumbered three to one, they would be forced to give them an advantage over their alien counterparts.

  ''Your plan is something we wouldn't consider, West, but seeing how the Vice Admiral would be outnumbered three to one. How will you plan to destroy the lead ship of the Kaynian Flotilla?''

  Presented with this conundrum, it wouldn't be the Commander of Sword and Shield that would respond. Though silent throughout the conversation between West and his peers. Bishop had thought of a way to disrupt their enemy's chain of command.

  ''It is quite simple, commanders.''

  He started as every Ghost Commander before him turned their attention on him. Though understanding that he was here for a reason, the commanders stood confused as they waited for Bishop's solution. And the dark-skinned Ghost would deliver as was fitting for his nature of planning ahead to kill his target or, in this case, targets.

  ''And what would that be, Ghost Operative Bishop?''

  The second-generation operative, Echo, wondered as he spoke for every commander present before the elite sniper. Of course, Bishop would provide a plan for eliminating the galleons leading the flotilla.

  ''Commander Echo, each Ghost Team will infiltrate Kaynian Galleons by hacking their teleporters and planting a nuclear mine. Thus, with only ten teams present, we could only destroy ten ships...''

  ''...But without their capital ships, the Kaynian Flotilla will be left without their Kaynian Lord or his subordinates to coordinate a proper counterattack to the battlegroup.''

  

  
• Date: January 23, M2100


  
• Time: 1:15 AM


  
• Location: Class II Galleon Hakkar Bridge


  

  On board the three-kilometer-long galleon. Cipher, the trusted Kaynian Lord of Warmaster Kostas, was preparing his combat flotilla for their initial launch and heading. He was tasked with burning and maiming the inhabitants of a human colony called Eden. He readily accepted the task with great honor, knowing he was leading an invasion of a populated human world.

  ''My lord, the entire flotilla is moving into position to enter slip space.''

  ''Good inform me when the flotilla is ready.''

  ''Of course, my lord.''

  Meanwhile, one of the farers intercepted a request from Warmaster Kostas himself. The details and information were verified as authentic, throwing him into a panic. He immediately stood up and turned to face the Kaynian Lord.

  ''My lord!''

  ''What is it, farer?''

  ''The Warmaster is hailing you for a call.''

  "I see; transfer the call to my terminal right away."

  ''Right away. my lord.''

  The Kaynian Farer then returned to his seat and swiftly entered commands to facilitate the transfer of the call to the lord's terminals. Seeing the notification appear on his terminals, Cipher accepted it, revealing the holographic silhouette of Warmaster Kostas.

  ''My Warmaster.''

  ''Lord Cipher, is your flotilla ready?''

  ''We are still positioning ships, but it shall be done shortly. Several of the vessels I have commanded were recently damaged during the conquest of this world, called Babylon by the demons.''

  Kostas paused briefly, examining something on his end, a moment that heightened Cipher's unease. Even in its brevity, fear would insinuate itself into his mind, recognizing that if he were to lie to his superior, death would inevitably accompany the deception. Fortunately, the Warmaster deemed his explanation reasonable, having reviewed the data about the battle over Babylon.

  ''Hmm, I see. The second flotilla has already been confirmed to be ready, but your reasoning is still valid. I will grant you time for your ships to be placed into position and after that. You are to leave and head to your target immediately.''

  ''My thanks, my Warmaster. I shall ensure that this shall not go to waste.''

  "As you should. We wouldn't want to disappoint our awakened Arc, would we?"

  ''Of course not! Our Arc mustn't hear of any failure!''

  The Kaynian Lord shouted as he vowed to uphold the promise that no ill news or defeat mustn't reach the Arc Betrayer's ears. It was a standard introduced to ensure complete competence among all Kaynian Lords. Those who seek glory in their Arc's name would find themselves in a sticky situation.

  ''Very good, you may continue your duties, Lord Cipher. Inform me if your flotilla is ready to enter slip space.''

  ''Understood, my Warmaster.''

  With that, the holographic silhouette of Warmaster Kostas disappeared from the terminals. This calmed the Kaynian Lord as he turned to his farers, knowing they needed to enter slip space immediately to catch the demons by surprise.

  ''What is the status?''

  ''The flotilla is positioned, my lord, awaiting your command.''

  The farer responded, and it placed a smile on Cipher's face. However, before he enters slip space, he must inform the Warmaster. After all, he mustn't anger his already busy superior, knowing that without him present as his aid. Kostas would formulate more plans without his counseling and expertise.

  ''Inform the Warmaster that we are prepared to enter slip space.''

  ''Right away, my lord.''

  The information was sent immediately by the Kaynian Farer, and it didn't take long for a response from the Warmaster. Stating, ''Very well, may our Arc's vision blossom in your conquest, Lord Cipher.'' responded Warmaster Kostas.

  ''The Warmaster sends his regards for our task, my lord.''

  ''I see, get us to our destination.''

  Cipher ordered, prompting the helmsman to simultaneously prepare the galleon's slip space drive for their intended destination.

  ''Understood, initiating slip space...''

  ''...In three...''

  ''...two, one...''

  ''...Entering slip space!''

  It wasn't long until each vessel present in the flotilla engaged their slip space drive and entered their portals. One hundred warships composed of corvettes and frigates led by galleons were heading toward the human colony, Eden.

  ''All ships have entered slip space, my lord. We should shortly arrive on the designated planet with little to no-''

  The farer halted as he stared blankly at his console. The Kaynian Lord noticed the dumbfoundedness of his subordinate as he stood perplexed as to why the farer halted in his speech. Unbeknownst to everyone on board, the particular farer had detected a distress signal emanating from a recently lost frigate.

  ''My- My lord! I have detected a distress signal from the heretical frigate, the Bane of Flare!''

  ''Say, what?''

  Cipher asked as he stood up and approached the farer. Examining the console, he identified the familiar name as the heretical ship his Arc had instructed them to investigate. A hint of anger and relief escaped the Kaynian Lord's body as he checked the authenticity of the signal and found nothing out of the ordinary.

  ''Have the flotilla halt in its travel and set course for the heretical frigate!''

  Shouted the lord as his subordinates immediately went to work and called to the vessels present in the flotilla. This was something that their Warmaster had informed them about and ordered them to search and destroy the Bane of Flare. Executing the heretics on board for desecrating the vision of their Arc.

  ''Redirecting coordinates, new heading Bane of Flare.''

  ''All ships have recalibrated their slip space drives.''

  ''Weapons decks one and two are ready, my Lord.''

  The farers hastily prepared the Hakkar for combat as they would teach the heretics of the Bane of Flare not to disobey orders.

  ''Very good. Once we exit slip space, immediately have our broadsides on the frigate and open fire.''

  ''By your will, my lord!''

  While in slip space, the entire flotilla took a turn and headed to the location of the Bane of Flare. The galleons took the lead as their size and powerful FTL drives gave them an advantage. The three-kilometer-long Hakkar was the tip of the spearhead in the flotilla. The armaments onboard were being prepared as they neared their destination.

  ''Exiting slip space.''

  ''...In three...''

  ''...two, one.''

  To Be Continued.