At the end of the First Extrasolar War, The Earth's ISA force had crushed the rogue colony of Helghan.
The victory did not bring peace,but instead brought humiliation,hardships and bitter resentment.
Driven by the vision of Scolar Visari, The population of Helghan transformed from a defeated nation to a military superpower.
They would become the greatest threat humanity ever faced.
They called themselves the Helghast…
Provoked into war,the neighboring planet of Vekta,launched an invasion fleet to deal with Visari.
Within seconds of entering Helghan's atmosphere,Ground-To-Space defenses ripped the apart.
Uncountable lives were lost over the next few days.
But against all hope,a small elite unit managed to fight their way into the heart of the Helghan nation. Visari's Palace.
With the ISA forces on his own doorstep,Visari resorted to extreme measures.
The nuclear devastation of his capital,the city of Pyrrhus.
Visari's Palace.
Pyrrhus City,Helghan
Ten minutes before Red Dust detonation.
Orlock: My Autarch, All preparations have been made.
Visari: Where are Radec and Stahl?
Colonel Radec and Jorhan Stahl,52, were waiting for him. They saluted him as he came to them.
Stahl: The package is ready for delivery sir.
Visari waved them away to send it off
He entered the broadcast room where the Helghan Senate, his daughter, Hera and her lover,Argos are waiting for them.
Hera: Father.
Argos: My lord.
He sits on his throne with Admiral Orlock and his daughter and Argos beside him as he gives his final broadcast to his people.
Visari: "My People, sons and daughters of Helghan!"
[Meanwhile,outside the Palace]
A Helghast royal guard snuck away to follow where Stahl and Radec went. She follow them to the courtyard where she sees the ISA nuke,Red Dust, on a Helghast Strike Fighter flying off in their direction of the city. Stahl and Radec both saluted the Helghast soldier who loaded the nuke, and as soon the ship carrying it took off, Radec executed him with his pistol so that there would be no witnesses of the fact that an ISA nuke was being launched by the Helghast, blaming the ISA for the incident.
Seeing this unfold makes her questions herself and her leader as she quickly headed back inside to take cover from the impending blast.
"On this day, as our enemy's ships burn away in orbit, as their bodies lie broken in our streets, we are once again reminded of the depths of their depravity."
"For years we have suffered unbearable hardships. Banished by our enemies to die from disease, from famine. They scarred us, they weakened us... But that time has passed.
{Although Visari speaks of his own self-proclaimed care for the people of Helghan, a statue of two Helghan women cradling their babies looking up towards two Helghast soldiers leading and protecting them is transformed. The two Helghast soldiers turn on the women in an oppressive manner as the statue is melted by the heat of the nuclear bomb, being seen to bludgeon the child-carrying women with the butt of their rifles as the statue melts.}
For years we worked away on empty stomachs, slowly rebuilding our strength, our pride and our nation... But that time has passed.
{Likewise a picture of proud Helghast miners, being led by a wealthy Helghast pointing forward, transforms into another oppressive image of the miners cowering from a newly formed whip in the hand of the wealthy Helghast.}
All these years, I have been humbled by the honor to lead you. Ever, EVER onwards! From this day, till the end of days!"
(But most importantly is a proud Napoleonic portrait of Visari surrounded by his most loyal subjects affected in the heat of the explosion. The subjects are transformed into monstrous demon-like creatures, while Visari himself is portrayed as an evil, almost devil-like figure. This imagery possibly represents the reality of life in Visari-controlled Helghan, as the facade of nationalistic propaganda is lifted up to reveal an oppressed people enslaved to the whims of a power-hungry dictator.)
Orlock:Sir, We need to now, The ISA are here.
Scolar Visari's Memorial
Parade Grounds ,Pyrrhus City Ruins
Six months later
Six days before Helghan Terracide
The scene takes in front of a memorial building in dedication to Visari. Admiral Orlock stands on the podium to address the people. In front of him stood millions of troops with a frightening fleet of MAWLRs, Cruisers,and Strike Ships , all ready for an all-out invasion.
Orlock: Six months ago, Our enemies,the ISA and some of our own people, have murdered a great man. Scholar Visari,Our nation's father. Today, We remember the hope he gave us! The vision we gave us he gave us! A vision in which the Helghast people reclaim their rightful place in this universe! Years from now, We will tell our children of this day! The day his vision became our reality.
The crowd cheers with a thunderous roar.
Stahl Arms Deep South Facility
26 hours before Helghan Terracide
A cable car ascend its way to the top of a mountain to a Stahl Arms complex. Two HAZMAT troopers exited before two other troopers, who was escorting a man who a bag on his head and his hands bound behind his back. They went to the desk guy to give their report.
Helghast: Unit name?
Helghast: Argus 2. We're taking this suspected target, Alex Draken to Stahl.
Helghast: Stahl is in the broadcasting room. Take him and this component there now.
They walked to the broadcasting room where past some holding cells where they see Narville, Key'ra,and two others are taken to the broadcasting room.
They eventually made it to the broadcast room where Draken is taken to where others are on their knees.
As he stood on his knees with others, he begins think back to where it started.
Visari's Palace,Pyrrhus City.
Six Months Earlier
SIx Months before Helghan Terracide
Draken,Sev,and Key'ra sat on the steps trying think back of what just happened moments ago. They managed to defeat the ruthless Colonel Radec that stood in their way...only for Rico to shoot Scholar Visari ,the Autarch of the Helghast Empire to death. It got worse when a large fleet of Helghast ships, which were believed to be destroyed by the first ISA wave, initiating an assault on what is left of the ISA fleet.
Rico came down to them.
Rico: Sev, Alex, you guys okay?
Key'ra: No,Rico. We're not okay
Sev:We had the guy. We had him. And you killed him! You killed Visari!
Alex got up to where the medics tending to Visari,where Ryan Va'lien, a Helghast combat medic is trying to resuscitate him. Meanwhile, Captain Jason Narville is speaking to an ISA general on the the radio.
Narville: Yes,Sir...across the river…Can do. Absolutely. Of course General.
Ryan:Clear...nothing.
Draken: Ryan, Please in the name of all things pure, can we save this guy?
Narville: Tell me he's doing better than he looks.
Ryan shook his head.
ISA medic: I'm calling it, As of today, Autarch Visari is dead. Time of death is 21:20 hours.
Draken: ARRRGH. Rico,you meat headed idiot.
Narville: Oh,this is just perfect. Just goddamn perfect. Troops,listen up! We are mobile in five,so pack up your shit. Delta! You know the drill! Hooper,wheels,ASAP. Where the hell are Velasquez and Sevchenko?
Rico: Look,Sev, I just did what had to be done.
Key'ra: By shooting Visari!?
Narville: And I will make damn well sure he gets court-martialed six ways to Sunday for it.
Sev: Captain…
Narville: Cpl. Sevchenko, Sgt. Velasquez , Pvt. Draken, Command's pulling the. They want us to execute an emergency exit scenario. We're pulling every soldier off this planet.
Sev(surprised): We're retreating?
Rico: I ain't leaving. This war isn't even half finishing. What is this bullshit?!
Narville:Oh,no. This is NOT how this is going to go down. You insubordinate son of a bitch. I should just fast-track that court-martial and have you three shot. Now, you shut your trap and you listen to me. Is that understood? Is that understood?!
Rico:Yes,sir…
Narville: Sergeant Velasquez! Are you too stupid to follow a direct order to shut the fuck up?
Sev and Draken: Captain!
Narville: Okay. Listen up. Intel has an advanced Helghast cruiser fleet zeroing in on our position. The General wants us en route before they show their faces. The best chance we have is to cut through the Visari district and cross the Corinth river. From there it's due East to the extraction point,which is a crater the size of Kansas somewhere underneath that mushroom cloud. We've got one shot at this. So we're doing this strictly by the numbers.
Hooper, Orvo, Sheena and Annie show up with several HAMMRs and BULLs
Narville:Nice Job,Hooper. We don't have a lot of these babies but they are best bet against whatever the higs put in our way.
Rico; What the hell is that?
Suddenly,they began hear electricity building up they turn to see a Helghast cruiser firing a petrusite cannon toward the ISA forces at the palace,taking out a number of troop and vehicles.
Narville: We need to Evac NOW! Sev! I need you to carve us a safe corridor. MOVE! MOVE! MOVE!
They got on their transports and ran off, heading down the road. As went down,a rocket slammed into a jeep,causing them to them fire anything that shot them. Suddenly, a helghast APC came from out of nowhere ,began charge at them. They shoot back at it causing the APC to go up in flames, but knock them over the cliff and crashed into the city.
Key'ra: Alex!
Rico:Sev! You're alright?
Alex:Yeah,we're fine.
They checked their weapons before heading out to the RV.
Rico:This isn't right,man. We shouldn't be running. The Higs are going to pick us off one by one.
Alex: True, but we need to meet up with Narville.
Rico: I don't see anyone...Wait. There's couple Higs up ahead. Let's kill em quietly. Before they see us.
Draken: I got this one.
Draken kills him while Key'ra kills the other one.
Rico: Nice. Where the hell is rest of the convoy?
As they headed over the debris, a group of ISA are fighting off an ambush.
ISA: Hey Sarge! Over here!
Rico: where are the others?
ISA: No idea. We think they're through this square.
They take out the ambushing Higs before moving on. They see the devastation caused by the nuke.
Key'ra(Sadly): Where are you,sister? I hope your not in this place when he did it.
Sev: Oh man…
Rico: Who nukes their own city?
Sev: I don't see Narville.
Rico: River's that way. That's where he said we gotta cross.
Sev: Yep. Just everybody, makes it this time.
Rico: Listen guys...about Visari… I…
Sev: Forget it. What is done is done. I wanted to shoot him too.
Rico: But you didn't.
Sev: No, But that's because we're not jackasses.
Rico: Listen. Those are ISA engines up ahead.
After they fight their way to a pair of ISA APCs, They see some kind of a green light up ahead.
ISA: Jesus Christ!
ISA: What the hell was that ?!
Rico: Find another way around. We'll cut through.
The four went to scout ahead while the rest went around.
Rico: This whole thing's going to shit. No-one knows anyone else is doing. C'mere. I'll boost ya up
As they got up and went through the corner, They crouched down and watched a HAZMAT trooper is gathering the green petrusite and is almost pulled into the crater full of it if not for a Helghast catching him.
Helghast: Be Careful
Alex takes out a captured helghast datapad and begins to take pictures of them,the green petrusite pool, and the STAHL ARMS logo on the overlord.
Rico: Let's get down there.
Sev: There's not our objective,Rico, we gotta stick to Narville's orders this time.
Rico's hand raised up to find it partially covered with the green petrusite.
Rico: What the hell is this stuff.
Alex: I don't know but I think this petrusite is irradiated….
The overlord take off and flew back to base as the four watched.
Alex:...And if that's the case, what is Stahl doing with it ?
They continued on back to the convoy where Narville is at.
Narville (To an ISA Soldier): Verify those coordinates and we'll be fine. You're doing a good job son. Alright,get on it and get back me.
Narville: Sevchenko, Glad you could join us. Valkara, your unit is here with Cpl. Natko and Cpl. Garza. Velasquez.
Sev: Is this everybody?
Narville: The damn convoy's scattered all down the river. We're pushing through so we can secure the crater for the evac.
Sev (To Rico): That's not such a good idea. The thinner we spread ourselves out, the easier it'll be for the Helghast to pick us off.
Rico (To Sev): yeah, good point.
Rico: Sir, with all due respect. I'd like to suggest….
Narville:I think I made it VERY clear that I don't want to hear a SINGLE WORD out of your mouth. Sev, Draken, Valkara, take Velasquez and his mouth out of my face. I need the four of you on point. We're going to the EXO to clear the route.
Sev: Yes,sir.
Narville: Pick up your feet,people! The closer we are to that crater the closer we are to home.
Sev: Try not to think about it.
Narville: Sev, get that EXO moving!
After they escorted the convoy to the river, Narville is contacted by the general.
Narville: How many? Yes, sir. Understood. Our cruisers have got company. They've tracking tracking more than a dozen Helghast battleships.
Sev: Twelve?! How long can they hold out?
Narville: Pray it's long enough. It's gonna be season on our cruisers if we don't get there in time.
Sev: Sir, the rest of the convoy's scattered all over town.
Narville: I'm fully aware of the location of the my troops, sergeant,but we can afford any more hold-ups. Sevchenko,we need a route to that crater now, or none of us are leaving. You've got the HAMRs and the BULLs. When you see Helghast armor, you punch right into it. We'll ram us a route back home. As long as everyone follows orders,we'll be fine. Let's move like we mean it! Time's running out!
They got in the BULLs and HAMRs and proceeded to cross the river.
Visari's Palace - War room
Same time
The hologram tale showed the Helghan senate the battle between the ISA and Helghast. Admiral Orlock walked toward the table.
Orlock: As the senators can, the ISA forces are in disarray. Within three hours,my forces will overwhelm them. Visari's killers will not survive.
They all applauded of his plan….all but one.
Stahl: (cough) Am I missing something here? What about the tank group on the left?
Orlock: Jorhan Stahl. Well,I'm thrilled to see the private sector is interested in state affairs. Again.
Stahl: The ISA tank group on the left. I mean are you ignoring it on purpose, or- This is part of some strategy beyond our understanding, is it?
Orlock: You build weapons,Stahl. I'll decide how to use them.
Stahl: Am I the only person here who is not part of this archaic thinking? I mean overwhelming numbers are simply not enough. Listen,why not bargain the ISA? Lure them toward us. Promise them...whatever. And when they've close...all in one place...then we kill them.
Orlock:Visari may have tolerated you,Stahl. But I - am NOT - Visari.
Stahl: Unfortunately,that is abundantly clear. Does it hurt? Knowing that no matter what you do,you'll never emerge from Visari's shadow? Is that why you and Hera's cat let him die?
Orlock(angered): The Helghast will never, NEVER, bargain with the ISA. There will be no quarter.
He spoke to his troops on the intercom.
Orlock:Attention all troop. This is the Admiral. Double your effort. I want the ISA dead within the hour.
Pyrrhus City Ruins
One hour later….
Sev and Rico in their EXOs are running from the MAWLR. It fired its cannon at them sending them tumbled and crashed. They got out of their EXOs whilst Jammer comes up on the radio.
Jammer: Captain Narville, this is Jammer. Do you read? Our platoon is pinned down by heavy enemy fire. Captain Narville, we can't stay here. Where are those Intruders?
Narville: This is Narville. I'm sorry. If they didn't make it...There's no-one else I can send.
Rico: I'll go.
Narville: Velasquez. Stick to your orders!
Rico: Fuck your orders. I didn't come here to run from the Helghast. I don't leave people behind. Hold on, Jammer. I'm coming.
Sev: Rico…! I get it but we don't time.
Rico: I gotta do this man. I'll meet you at the extraction point.
Sev: Hell no. I'm with you.
Rico: This was me buddy. Besides you gotta tell Narville to wait,okay?
Rico heads off to Jammer's location while Sev heads to the Evac point.
He shot a Pryo trooper before he roasted a couple of ISA grunts on the way. Eventually he made it to the evac point where Draken , Narville, and the others waiting.
As Sev makes his way to the RV, One of the three cruisers lifted off safely while the other one got hit from the MAWLR's Cannon.
ISA-C: Damage Report!
ISA: That last blast took all electronics on G deck. Rerouting system.
ISA-C: What about the other cruisers?
ISA:The Dauntless reports minor damage. And the Arcturus has safely reached orbit.
ISA-C: Thank god. Look like we're going home.
The MAWLR blasted a hole in one of the cruisers.
ISA-C: Tell Narville he has to move NOW!
The ISA quickly scrambled to their transports
Narville: Goddamn,this isn't a drill! Get to your transports! MOVE! Sevchenko! Draken! Valkara! Give me your hands! Where the hell is Rico!?
Sev: I don't know!
Then they lifted off to the cruisers.
Sev: No, No wait! What about Rico?
Narville: I'm sorry Sev.
As they flew off to the surviving cruisers, they spotted Rico and Natko with Jammer and few ISA grunts
Rico:HEY! HEY,NARVILLE! HEY!
Sev: There's Rico!
Rico: GET TO COVER! NOW!
Rico and the others took cover as the ISA Dauntless crashed to the ground in an explosion, sending debris to the ISA Compulsion crashing to the ground.
Narville:Nearly there! This is Captain Narville contacting all surviving personal. Retreat to emergency fallback location. I repeat. Emergency protocol five-niner-echo is in effect. God help us.
Chapter End