• Date: January 23, 2183


  
• Time: 1:25 AM


  
• Location: UGS Howling Knight Bridge


  

  One hundred slip-space portals appeared fifty thousand kilometers near the Kaynian Frigate derelict. So far, they haven't detected the Vice Admiral's Battlegroup, thus giving the Second Fleet the element of surprise. Meanwhile, the ten stealth ships were invisible to the instruments of the Kaynian Flotilla, giving them an opening for infiltration.

  [Kaynian vessels have surrounded the derelict frigate...]

  [...Shall I proceed?]

  ''Affirmative, Merci. Inform the other Ghost Teams to move in.''

  [Very well. Transmitting.]

  Giving the go-ahead to the other Ghost Teams, the stealth ships immediately engaged their main engines and proceeded to move. Being invisible to all known instruments, including Kaynian technology, they could safely approach the Kaynian Flotilla without issue.

  ''Commander West, Kaynian vessels are accelerating to the derelict and- What the hell?''

  Bishop stuttered as he noticed the increased energy levels from the flotilla's broadsides. It seemed as if they were preparing to fire on their own without proper communication, searching the derelict frigate for any survivors.

  ''What is it, Bishop?''

  ''Sir, the Kaynian ships are charging weapons and pointing their broadside on the derelict...''

  ''...They're going to destroy it.''

  On the terminals and consul on the Howling Knight's bridge was the live feed of the Kaynian lead ship and several other vessels presenting their broadsides and charging their weaponry. Seconds passed before a barrage of energy beams rained down on the lone frigate, reducing it to fragments and vaporizing its hull. It triggered alarms in the consciousness of each Ghost Team. Were their adversaries anticipating such bait to draw them in? Or was there something else going on with their adversaries? A single action alone raised concerns among the Ghosts and, more broadly, the entire Second Fleet. If the Kaynians anticipated this scenario, they could eliminate them one by one before they realized what was happening.

  ''What the fuck!''

  Nomad shouted, clearly horrified about what the Kaynians had done. Meanwhile, noticing the outburst of his subordinate, West quickly turned to the close-quarters specialist.

  ''Calm it, Nomad. This new development practically points to the Kaynians knowing what the Second Fleet is up to. So, it's up to us to alter the course of this battle..."

  ''...Merci, punch the engines at maximum and get us above our target. Inform the other Ghost Teams not to wait for a synchronized teleportation sequence. We may need to rush this.''

  [Of course.]

  Nodding to his partner, the commander felt the increase in thrust of the Howling Knight as they neared their target. Unbeknownst to the Kaynian Flotilla, ten stealth ships hovered above them, stealthily breaching their systems as the A.I.s of each Ghost Team executed their infiltration. The Howling Knight was hovering above the leadship of the flotilla, the Hakkar. Simultaneously, the remaining stealth ships targeted other high-value assets, like other galleons within the flotilla. If done right, they would dismantle the chain of command of the flotilla.

  [Commander West, we're above the lead galleon codename Hakkar, and our hacking solutions are ready.]

  ''Good...''

  ''...Sword and Shield, we're heading to the teleportation station.''

  West commanded, and his subordinates immediately rose from their seats. The operatives left the bridge and moved toward the teleportation station of the Howling Knight. Upon arrival at the station, the Ghosts immediately saw the circular platform. It glowed a bright blue as its systems operated automatically, linking its teleportation sequence to the one aboard the Kaynian Galleon.

  ''The mine?''

  ''Prepped, sir.''

  Tale responded, keeping the warhead of a nuclear mine hidden behind his back. Armed with the same weapon configuration they had used during their boarding action on the derelict frigate, the Ghosts of Sword and Shield were eager to engage their alien adversaries and destroy their flagship.

  ''Very well. Merci, get us in.''

  [Understood, commander...]

  [...In three...]

  [...Two, one...]

  [...Initiating!]

  

  
• Date: January 23, M2100


  
• Time: 1:30 AM


  
• Location: Class II Galleon Hakkar Teleporter Chamber


  

  "This is Lord Cipher! Hear me, for, at this moment, the heretics aboard the Bane of Flare have been purged for interrupting the grand vision of our Arc!"

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  The voice of the Kaynian Lord boomed throughout the Hakkar's teleportation chamber. The heretical frigate, the Bane of Flare, was purged with broadsides. Immediately after its destruction, the trusted aid of the Warmaster, Cipher, released a statement flotilla-wide for his crew to hear and rejoice about the deaths of the heretics.

  ''With the heretics dead. We may pursue our journey to the demon colony called Eden and burn it to the ground!''

  The lord declared, disregarding the painfully obvious battlegroup roughly two hundred thousand kilometers from his flotilla. Thus, it would be his undoing as the teleporter would light up as farers and guardians busied themselves.

  ''Glory to our Arc's vision!''

  ''Hail the Arc Betrayer!''

  ''Those heretics deserve to die!''

  Cheered the various guardians and farers on the teleporter chamber as they celebrated the demise of the Bane of Flare and its surviving occupants. Unbeknownst to them, an A.I. had stealthily breached the teleporter's systems.

  ''Hmm, by the Arc's name, why are our systems malfunctioning?''

  Stated a Kaynian Farer as he checked whether or not the systems of the teleporter were functioning correctly. His struggles would cause his fellow farer to approach and wonder what was happening.

  ''Is something the matter?''

  ''Yes, but worry not, I shall take care of it. Go on, and celebrate with the others...''

  ''...Now, let me see what's- Ah!''

  Shouted the unfortunate farer who came to investigate why the teleportation sequence was activated. But would be met with the barrels of the MK23 Double Barrel Shotgun of the close-quarter specialist, Nomad. The operative in question would smirk beneath his helmet before uttering the words.

  ''Mahalo motherfucker!''

  A loud bang echoed as the four gauge quadruple-ought of the MK23 blasted the entire torso of the farer. The energy shield protecting the Kaynian wasn't durable enough to stop the power from the four gauge buckshot, which punched through.

  ''Sword and Shield engage!''

  In unison, the Ghosts Operatives of Sword and Shield fired their weapons at the unsuspecting Kaynian, mowing down multiple combatants in mere seconds. The combined firepower forced the Kaynians to seek cover, but fortunately for the aliens, two Hoof Pattern Paladins were in the teleportation chamber and saw the events that unfolded.

  ''Intruders!''

  ''By the Arc!''

  ''Demons have infiltrated our ship!''

  Screamed the Kaynians as they took cover behind whatever object they could use. The hail of twenty-millimeter rounds, four-gauge buckshot, and fifty-caliber rounds domed the unlucky heads and bodies of any guardians or farers. Several would equip their energy-beam pistols and rifles to fire at the Ghosts. That wouldn't be the only problem the operatives would have as the two paladins began to advance.

  ''West, they got paladins!''

  ''Don't let them regroup and counterattack. Fire as much as you can! I'll handle those paladins...''

  ''...Firing missiles!''

  The commander shouted as he unleashed two MK127 missiles at the still-standing paladins. An explosion followed suit, and smoke obscured the vision of the aliens, but as if that was going to kill a Kaynian clad in heavy armor and protected with a powerful energy shield. Galloping out of the smoke, the Hoof Pattern Paladins advanced, rapidly closing the distance.

  [Commander West, your missiles were none effective against the paladins.]

  ''I've noticed, Merci...''

  ''...Sword and Shield, concentrate fire!''

  Upon hearing the command from their superior, the Ghosts promptly unleashed a barrage of fire upon the advancing paladins. Bishop's MK20 Anti Material Rifle would be the only weapon to shatter the shields of the first alien combatant. Afterward, a hail of twelve-point-seven millimeter rounds and four gauge buckshot would shred its armor plate before a clean headshot was delivered to shut down the paladin.

  ''One down!''

  Nomad uttered just as the other paladin fired its energy lance, striking one of the operatives. Though traveling instantaneously at the speed of light, the elite sniper was spared as his energy shield absorbed the energy beam before exploding, which sent him backward.

  ''Bishop!''

  Nomad shouted as he raised a hand at his rival before turning around and activating his MK84 Quad-Shot Rocket Launcher. Firing all four eighty-four millimeter rockets at the paladin is responsible for hurting Bishop. However, despite its passive energy shield remaining intact at first, the overwhelming barrage of rockets ultimately shattered it.

  [Nomad, the paladin's shields are down!]

  Wave, the A.I. partner of Nomad, pointed out as the alien's shields were shattered. However, even without its energy shield, the paladin persisted, aiming its energy lance in a final attempt to fire before its demise. Before the Kaynian could fire, a missile flew and impacted its torso, which finally killed it.

  ''Huh?''

  Wondered the close-quarters specialist as he turned around and saw his rival, Bishop. It seems that the dark-skinned Ghost had fired his MK152 Anti-Tank Missile Launcher, which possesses the potency of shutting down Kaynian Paladins in one shot.

  ''I got your back.''

  Bishop responded as he stood up, his energy shield regenerating. However, since the Kaynian Guardians and Farers had not been fired upon, they were able to establish a proper firing line to counter the intruding Ghost Team.

  [Hate to break the moment, but we still got Kaynians to kill, Nomad!]

  ''I see that Wave...''

  ''...Commander, do you mind if you join me?''

  Hearing his subordinate's request, the commander saw it as a reckless means to give time for Tale to plant the nuclear warhead, which he obliged by nodding.

  ''Of course...''

  ''...Tale, we'll buy you time to set up the warhead.''

  ''Understood, commander.''

  The Returned Ghost responded as he took off to find cover to plant the warhead. Meanwhile, turning to Nomad, the commander would signal for their charge to begin.

  ''Alright, Nomad, let's move!''

  Stepping out of cover, they were met with accurate energy fire on their persons. However, that wouldn't deter them from charging forward to lay a distraction for the warhead to be planted. Their energy shielding was pushed to the extremes as they blocked incoming energy beams.

  [Warning energy shields at twenty percent!]

  Shouted the A.I. partner of Nomad, Wave. But that would soon change as both Ghosts utilized their way of reaching the firing line. For West, he used his psionics to teleport himself. Meanwhile, Nomad utilized an illusion of himself to redirect some of the energy beams.

  ''In coming!''

  ''Bayonets!''

  ''The demons are coming!''

  Switching to their close-range weapons. The Kaynian Guardians and Farers engage in combat with the incoming operatives. Nomad would fire his double-barrel shotgun twice at an unfortunate guardian before pumping it and ejecting the spent shells. However, he made the mistake of overextending and became surrounded on all sides. Yet, it hardly mattered as the close-quarters specialist activated his psionic spine implant, rapidly accelerating his speed. He was merely a blur to the guardians and farers as time slowed for him, allowing him to eliminate each alien one after the other.

  ''What the- Ack!''

  ''The demons are using psionics!''

  ''Quickly we must- Argh!''

  Meanwhile, West charged at a bayonet-wielding guardian and slid underneath the attack before turning around and gunning down the alien. He would line up his shots and engage his enemies at a fair distance; his aim was accurate, given that the aiming software wasn't West's sole advantage. But also, his age and experience allowed him to massacre dozens of guardians in a short time. Aiming, the commander fired at a brave farer who also fired at him. However, the weak energy pistol didn't do much to his shielding before two rounds put the Kaynian down. Looking to his side, he saw Nomad butchering entire groups of guardians. As the battle lengthened, the close-quarter specialist neglected a guardian with a bayonet behind him.

  ''Nomad, behind you!''

  The commander shouted as he took aim and fired a short burst at the charging guardian. The rounds fired made contact with the energy shield, which shattered it but did not kill the alien outright. But coming to Nomad's rescue, a loud bang echoed as Bishop fired his anti-material rifle.

  'You son of a bitch, Bishop.'

  Nomad mused as he turned to see his rival's silhouette before shifting his attention to his surroundings as his commander approached.

  ''Nomad, back to back!''

  ''Understood!''

  Pressing into each other's backs, they fired their weapons at the remaining combatants. However, unbeknownst to the Ghosts, the Kaynian Lord commanding the Hakkar had just arrived, witnessing the devastation inflicted upon his crew. Bishop was the first to notice his arrival and immediately opened comms to warn the commander and his rival.

  ''Demons!''

  Shouted the Kaynian Lord as he brandished his energy saber at the infiltrating operatives. Beside him were his aides and guards, Kaynian Knights, who stood tall with weapons at hand, and several Ogre Pattern Paladins whose eyes noticed the destroyed chassis of their brethren.

  ''Sir, the warhead is planted! We need to extract right now!''

  Tale shouted as he spotted the Kaynian Lord sprinting toward them. Without hesitation, Nomad and West bolted toward the teleportation platform to begin extraction.

  ''You dare board my ship! I shall ensure that you may- Ack!''

  A twenty-millimeter round abruptly interrupted the alien lord's monologue, damaging his energy shielding. While it wasn't enough to penetrate, it slowed the Kaynian down. This delay allowed Nomad and West to reach the teleportation platform just in time, using their back propulsion systems as reinforcements began opening fire on them.

  ''Merci, we made it! Get us out of here!''

  [Iniating teleporting sequence...]

  [...In three...]

  [...Two, one...]

  [...Initiating!]

  To Be Continued.