Eurasia and NADUR forces have finally learned to work together upon realizing both of their situations. However, they have unexpected company.

  "Object, 2km west!", shouted the radar operator.

  Eleanor bursted in the bridge.

  The screen lit to life.

  "Eleanor, I'm afraid to distrupt your afternoon but it seems that we have company."

  A window popped up on the screen.

  "This is live footage of a core-type Harbinger moving towards our positions by one of our scout aircraft."

  "This early?", she was shocked.

  "Apparently so. The Laniakea and our forces are ready, how about yours?"

  Eleanor looked to the Radio operator who put rhe head engineer on the line.

  "Kent, how is the Aegis?", Eleanor asked.

  Franks replied regrettably.

  "Unfortunately, we might need another half hour. We just need a few adjustments and additions. You think we can last that long?"

  Eleanor thought for a moment while she was fidgeting her fist.

  "Yelena, what do you think?", she asked upon looking at her still waiting.

  She considered their options.

  "Half hour max. We might be able to delay that much."

  Eleanor noded in agreement.

  "Then it is settled."

  The windows closed and the bridge grew silent.

  "Status:R, all men to battle stations. We've got company."

  The Nova sparked to life.

  "Load missile launchers with Thermites and Plowders. Prepare the main cannons."

  "All fighting forces to respective Hangars, await deployment!", said the radio operator.

  Orders flooded the bridge and gears started moving inside the ship.

  The two forces were now ready.

  "Fire!", ordered both in both ships as hundreds of beams and missiles fired at the core-type.

  As expected, the beams did not do much but force the enemy to deploy its drone-like weapons.

  However, this was indeed the plan.

  The beams dissipated on the force fields.

  Following them were the missiles.

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  It was a clever test, use beams to force the forcefield and use missiles to destroy the drones.

  They knew it wasn't going to do much, but it was enough.

  Moments later, James, Justin, Luna and Lex were all deployed.

  "Remember James, no rushing."

  "Well, I meaan-"

  "No.", said Luna.

  James' eyes rolled in annoyance.

  "Fine."

  "Looks like they're trying another wave."

  Suddenly, another voice entered the communication line.

  "I grouped you all into a seperate unit because I have another task for you.", it was the captain.

  They looked confused.

  "I need this team to look for enemy weaknesses. You people are the smartest in this unit. Understood?"

  The four nodded in agreement.

  "Yes, ma'am."

  You see, the four were the greatest tacticians in the NADUR force. They could find weaknesses easily in the enemy.

  However, it was now the Harbinger's turn.

  The drones redeployed to orbit the core, facing towards the two forces.

  Then a flash, then 12 beams of light pounded the ground, creating cisible scars.

  Dodging was all they could do, the Aegis was the only thing that could block one of these beams.

  After 3 grueling seconds, the attack was over.

  However, the two forces thought, "the battle was not over."

  In response, the the ships raised altitude and decided this battle was now a dogfight.

  Suddenly, the Deputy Chief had a spark of genius.

  "Unload the Thermites, load more Plowders! Hold the main cannons and fire on command!"

  The captain was confused.

  "Will Merlin! This does not follow our battle plan!"

  "Ma'am, trust me on this. This will be able to take out the drones. Constant fire isn't working."

  The captain, fidgeting her fists, called the Zabytaya.

  "Yelena, change of plans. Our Deputy Chief wants to try something."

  The other side was rather silent for a moment.

  "It seems what we're doing isn't working anyway. Enlighten me with this plan."

  The captain turned to the Deputy Chief.

  "What is this plan, Deputy?"

  "Well, uhhh, we use the beams to force the shield and then we use Plowders to burst through the field."

  She considered it for a while.

  "It may be worth a try.", commented Yelena, still listening.

  "Let's follow your plan, Merlin."

  For one moment, the firing stopped. Seconds ticked by as crew members frantically loaded and unloaded missiles.

  The rest has also given the Harbinger time to breathe and it was now preparing a reply.

  "Fire!", ordered the captain.

  Main cannons hit the enemy's forcefields and were deflected.

  Then, the Plowders punched through the field with a focused high explosive blast.

  As expected, the explosion tore through the shield and hit the core.

  The Deputy Chief was right all along.

  For a moment, soldiers admired the fireball that surrounded the core, showing a sight in the midst of battle.

  Cheers erupted as they saw two massive drones from the Harbinger fall from the sky.

  They were doing damage.

  "Take the opportunity and fire now!", ordered the captain.

  In a second, multiple more beams headed for the Harbinger.

  However, in the cloud of dust and smoke, they saw silhouttes of moving objects.

  Then, beams of light rained from above, firing eratically in every direction.

  The soldiers' faces turned from amazement to horror as they attempted to dodge the attack.

  As the dust settled, they saw a Harbinger that seemed perfectly fine.

  Below the drone forcefield was another shield surrounding the core.

  "I knew it wouldn't be that easy.", thought the captain.

  Meanwhile somewhere in the battlefield.

  "Okay so what in the world are we supposed to do", asked James.

  "What have you guys observed? Any power hubs? Where do the drones dock after firing?", questioned Justin.

  "We won't find anything here. We don't matter in this battle. We might as well offer ourselves to die."

  Frightened was James.

  "Oh, don't be like that to him. That's just how Lex really is."

  However, something caught Justin's eye. A single connection between the ring of drones and the core at the back.

  "Guys, look at that! If that is destroyed, we can drain the drones of energy!"

  Their eyes followed.

  "But how are you supposed to destroy that and how are you sure that's the only way those things get power?", James wondered.

  Then, Luna interrupted.

  "I mean, if you really think about it. Those drones look like they use battery since they can't fire forever."

  With his hands on his chin, James replied.

  "It might just work, but we already know the Laniakea can't do anything!"

  The Laniakea all this time was supporting main cannons in attempting to burst through the shields with no luck.

  Suddenly, another person entered the line. It was the captain again, and she had news."

  "Do you have any plans yet? Well, tell it to Suzina. The Aegis is ready."