Future tense

While writing and editing Chapter 11, I decided to give this little preview of things to come in a future chapter. Enjoy.

Looking up at the darkened sky, the thick dark grey clouds prevent the sun from peeking through, Lieutenant General Alan Chester stands beside his Stryker Command Vehicle. The noise of the ongoing battle creeps ever closer. Looking around him, other command vehicles clutter the area, officers and troops run to their assigned positions, and a few columns of M1A2 Abrams tanks with M2 Bradley IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicle)- the last of his reinforcements- drive along the road next to the HQ area on their way to the staging points. Above his HQ, a flight of F-22 Raptors fly low on their way to their ground strike mission across the river. He climbs onto his command Stryker and looks through his high powered binoculars.

Scanning around the National Mall and across the river, he exhales a sigh at the scenes around him. It used to be a beautiful city once. The seat of power throughout the country, a magnet for tourists, a center of education, and the epicenter of the country's military. Not anymore, the once magnificent city lies broken, battle scarred, and destroyed for the most part.

Feeling a tap on his leg, Lieutenant General Chester looks down to see one of his aides.

"General, sir." The aide addresses. "The Joint Chiefs are on the comm-link."

Climbing down into the Stryker CV (Command Vehicle), the city's defense commander briefly scans the various digital screens that line the vehicle's interior wall, and takes a communications headset. "This is Lieutenant General Chester."

A strong and stern voice comes over the comm-link. "General. We cannot allow the enemy to secure Washington. Destroy the Decepticon positions AT ALL COSTS." The voice pauses for a moment and continues. "IS THAT CLEAR?"

"Yes sir." Replies the General.

Tapping on a few screens, he opens communications to his ground and air commanders. "Ok people. Showtime!" Several seconds later green icons appear letting him know that they received and acknowledged his commands.

The twenty plane flight of F-22s split up and attack their ground targets at Boiling Air Force Base and Ronald Reagan National Airport. Flying through the flak explosions, the first group reaches the airport and drop their munitions. The Constructicons, insecticons, and other Decepticon troops find cover as the bombs explode around their positions. Across the river, the second group begin their strike at the air base. Onslaught transforms into his anti-aircraft vehicle form and fires at the incoming USAF jets, giving his Combaticons, and other Decepticon soldiers time to run for shelter. The bombs fall and burst around their locations sending smoke and debris in every direction. A few troops get injured, but they can still fight.

One of the columns of tanks and IFVs arrive at their staging point; Washington Naval Yard. Very little remains of the naval yard, the Decepticons' massive missile attack has destroyed much of it. Only a few damaged buildings remain standing. The tanks take their positions and the Bradleys unload their infantry at the makeshift fortifications at the beginning of the bridge. To the other side of the river along Anacostia Park, the Decepticon forces, from their defensive positions fire at the massing American troops. The M1A2 tanks, with a few TOW missiles from the M2 Bradleys respond in kind, and explosions ring out among the opposing forces.

To the west, along the George Washington Memorial Parkway, the other Decepticon force brave an artillery salvo, and faces down the American forces assembling across the Potomac river. The tanks, armoured vehicles, and infantry shoot back with everything they have.

Standing atop the gigantic Trypticon in its Battle Station mode, Megatron, flanked by Shockwave, oversees the battle. From his location in Arlington National Cemetery, the Decepticon master directs the flow of battle, just one more push, and the American capital will be his. Magnifying his optics, he can just barely make out whats looks like a group of armoured vehicles in what is called the National Mall, not engaged in the battle, but they emit much radio traffic. Must be where his counterpart is located.

Looking at the various screens around him, General Chester organizes the final details of his attack. This has to work. He says to himself. Grabbing his headset, he listens to his ground commanders at the Naval Yard and along the Potomac river.

"General! Decepticon positions are strong! We need air support!" Bellows the commander at the Naval Yard.

"Sir. Artillery bombardment insufficient! We need direct support from the air!" The commander at the Potomac recommends.

"On the way gentlemen!" General Chester promises and clicks the appropriate screens.

AH-64 Apache Longbows make way to the Naval Yard, while F-15 Strike Eagles head for the Potomac.

Seeing the enemy sending aircraft, Shockwave turns to Megatron. "Lord Megatron. The enemy are sending their air forces to attack our positions."

Looking up with a smile, the Decepticon tyrant responds. "Perfect."

After a minute, the silver mech atop the battle station lifts his fusion cannon over his head and fires a single shot. Among the troops along the G.W. Parkway, the huge Decepticon strategist, General Tankcore opens his comm-link.

"Now." He orders.

Hidden behind wrecked buildings and monuments a hundred shadows leap into the air and transform into various jet aircraft.

Seeing the sudden appearance of many air contacts, the lead F-15 pilot screams over his radio. "IT'S A TRAP!"

Coming to the Naval Yard, the leading AH-64 pilot sees the same thing and yells out. "BREAK FORMATION!"

The mass ensemble of Seekers quickly engage the incoming U.S. aircraft. One by one the jets and helos are blown out of the air, with very few pilots managing eject. Below the air battle, the ground forces simply stare in shock and awe at the sight above them, some dive for cover as pieces of their own aircraft fall on top of them. The simple distraction was just enough for the Decepticon forces across the Potomac and Anacostia rivers to fly over to the American positions and engage them at point blank range.

One of the infantry soldiers looks over as the Decepticons land around his position. "HOLY SH--T!"

General Tankcore kicks over an Abrams tank, and blows the one next to it with a shoulder missile. Driving at full speed across the bridge spanning the Potomac, two Leopard2A6 PSO (Peace Support Operations) tanks fire their 120mm cannons at the troops on the other side of the bridge. The hot plasma rounds reduce the fortifications to smoldering craters. After crossing the bridge, the pair of tanks transform into their robot modes and join the close quarter battle. The Seekers, once finished with ripping apart the U.S. air support, fly to the artillery forces at the Naval Observatory, and Gallaudet University. Without protection from ground or air forces, the artillery batteries don't stand a chance. The Seekers destroy the 155mm Towed guns and M109 Paladin SPA (Self Propelled Artillery) units easily, with their retreating crews being cut down without mercy.

Deeply exhaling, General Chester taps a few buttons and exits his Stryker CV. Slowly looking around, he notices that only his armoured vehicle is left, the rest of the HQ unit destroyed and burning around him. Glaring upward, the human sees a trio of large mechs staring down at him: the one on the left, Shockwave, the other to the right; General Tankcore, and finally the center one; Lord Megatron.

Soaring high above Washington air space, the pilot of the B-2 Stealth Bomber receives a coded signal. Upon uncoding the message, he nods at his mission commander. The bomb bay doors open and a single, white coloured object drops. Guiding itself to the co-ordinates of the message, the B83 nuclear bomb puts into perspective the phrase: at all costs.