A/N: Hi guys! I'm through with my exams so I worked triply hard to bring this to you. Hope you enjoy!

1: The Meeting

1400 hours Standard Earth Time (SET), 25 February 2111. United Sol Colonies (USC) High Command HQ secret meeting room (turn left at fifth floor, push button on the wall that's disguised as a panel, then tap in TR-77-45-ZW-7294967-BLIZZARD…Oops!), Area 51. North American Republic, Earth, Sol.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the United Sol Emergency Military Government, I am Admiral Harold Smith of the United Sol Space Navy. I am here today to make a short announcement on the war.

The Space War, as it is now known, is a massive drain on our resources and energy. Yet, despite our efforts, we have been slowly pushed back. Since it started in 2108, we have lost 30 military vessels, 100,000 military personnel, 4 colonies and almost 15 million civilians.

The aliens have been closing in on Earth. They ravaged the young colonies of Epsilon Eridani in 2108 and that of Gliese 581 in 2109. They found Sol, our home and cradle of humankind, in 2110.

By then Project Raze was operational and ready for action. We've been fighting on the Jovian Moons, then establishing a Maginot line on Mars, where we were fighting toe-to-toe for every square inch of land, making them pay as much blood as possible for every millimetre they gained.

However, Raze Task Force (RTF) was deployed there on 5 February 2111, and succeeded in driving them off a quarter of the planet in a fortnight. The aliens have not been reinforced since they started the war, and we are driving them back. The do, however, still outnumber us 2-1.

But, comrades—as of 0000 hours SET, 23 February 2111—the aliens have been confined to two cities on Mars! The news was all over the papers, but few know that the RTF Alpha suffered a 50% casualty rate.

Victory may be near, my fellow humans, but remember, so is extinction. We must never drop our guard until this extrasolar threat is rid of once and for all. Thank you all for your attention. "

~Admiral Harold Smith of the USSN Godspeed, addressing the USCG Council on Earth

General Mendes slowly nodded, subconsciously scratching the greyed stubble on his chin, "I am inclined to agree with Admiral Smith. Raze has surpassed even the most far-fetched predictions made. 1000 supersoldiers can make a huge difference. People, I believe the Battle of Mars happening now is the Battle of Stalingrad of World War 2 for us!"

Fleet Admiral Nelson nodded in agreement and ordered in his famed husky and authoritative tone, "Admiral, you are dismissed."

As Admiral Smith saluted and left the room, Nelson turned and said, "This is the proof that Lt. Gen. Addison's idea was brilliant. Alpha made startling progress. Now, a vote; how many believe we should proceed with Bravo?"

Most of the 20 representatives raised their hands. The only ones that didn't were Fleet Admiral Nelson and Gen. Mendes, who were smiling like they didn't have a care in the world.

2000 SET, 1 March 2111. USC HIGHCOM HQ secret meeting room, Area 51. North American Republic, Earth, Sol star system.

Once the last figure was seated, the meeting began.

"Well, is it a go?"

"Too risky; a RTF Instructor, Razers from Alpha-1 and raw recruits from Bravo-1? That's putting all your eggs in one basket."

"It's the best team, and all but the Bravos have seen at least 3 battles. The Bravo-1 kids may still be pulled out of a debriefing room after a battle."

"Yes totally viable."

"I'm convinced, but who should be the leader?"

"Lt. Matthews is always looking for a ship; maybe he should get the job."

"Bu-but he's a first-rate sonuva bitch asshole!"

"Don't forget that he keeps flooding our mail with complaints regarding a lack of ship."

A datapad pinged, prompting a shadowed hand picked it up.

"Yep, and he just sent another."

"Alright, Lt. Michael S. Matthews it is."

"Then it is sealed. Operation Counterstrike is go for 1 July 2111."

"So long?"

"Supplies, augmentations for the ship, USSN Into the Night, RTF Bravo is pumped out in a month…"

"I see."

"Very well, dismissed.

Thus the mysterious council ended.

A/N: Alright, so I kind of based this on the secret ONI room in Ghosts of Onyx. Anyways it is still way more mysterious, right?

Please tell me what you think.

Till next month!

Q282_