Chapter 21: Blitzkrieg
Location: Cerros Shipyards
That same time...
He had departed under the cover of darkness, allowing him to travel to the shipyard before anyone realized that he wasn't in Central City. Backed up by a battalion of Cerberus Troopers, Tatarin had seized control of the facility with no one the wiser. Gorgon-class Battlecruisers underwent repairs at the facility, but experimental R&D was also conducted there. One such weapon was the Xanthos; a prototype war machine designed in the same vain as the A2 Viking Armoured Mechanical Hybrid. Heavily armoured, it could withstand multiple shots from a Battlecruiser's Yamato Cannon before compromising the structural integrity.
"We've reports coming in," a Trooper announced as they entered the vehicle's bridge, "Fighting has broken out in Central City."
"Do those fools honestly have a death wish?" Tatarin asked aloud.
"I wouldn't know, General."
"I want us airborne immediately."
"Sir, the Xanthos needs at least twenty minutes in order to launch properly."
"You've got five minutes."
Approaching a nearby computer console, the General studied the schematics of the war machine displayed on the screen. It was armed with a vulcan blaster, a railgun, missiles, and a flamethrower, while also containing a hanger packed with air-superiority fighters.
"Hmm...this machine has a secret combat mode," he commented to himself.
Only a select group of high-ranking individual would be aware of such a transformation, something that he clearly wasn't. Not that it mattered now, control of the craft was his and he would unleash the monstrosity as he saw fit.
"Engines online," someone announced.
As if confirming the man's statement, Tatarin felt a subtle vibration reverberate throughout the entire vessel.
"Weapon Systems?" he inquired.
The response came faster then expected, with multiple individuals issuing status reports on the craft's weapons.
"Vulcan blaster...online."
"Railgun...online."
"Missile batteries...loaded."
"Flamethrower...fueled up."
"Excellent. Begin detachment procedures."
"Acknowledged."
Clasping his hands behind his back, the General waited with growing impatience as the techie began getting to work. He felt the entire vessel suddenly lurch as it detached from the construction cranes that held it secured.
"Engine at maximum output and holding," someone announced.
"Plot a course for Central City," he ordered, "It's time we burn this infestation."
Location: Central City
Ten minutes later...
As the battle raged, it had quickly became apparent that those loyal to the Terran Republic were on the losing end.
"We should do something," Sonic stated, voicing everyone thoughts.
"I'm open to suggestions," Sally announced.
From there position, they watched as a Valkyrie Missile Frigate corkscrewed through the air and crashed somewhere within Beacon Hill.
"I wish we had the X-Tornado," Tails grumbled.
"Even the Freedom Fighter Special could help if we could get to it," Rotor added.
It would be suicide for them to even attempt it, especially since the aircraft had been left at the Central City's Airport. They also had no way of knowing if it was still in one piece, given all of the rioting that had been going on. The shadow of a Minotaur-class Battlecruiser passed over them, heading directly for the City Center. The last thing they expected to see was a metallic slug ripping its way through the side of the vessel, exploding out the opposite side.
"Mayday! Mayday! This is the Helios. We have sustained terrible, terrible damage."
They watched in disbelief as it listed to one side and plummeted, crashing into the downtown core of the city. They felt the vibration of the impact, and watched as a fireball rose up amongst the towering skyscrapers.
"MY SHIP!" Warfield roared, the General having appeared at one of the windows.
His second-in-command had been placed in command of the vessel, which had now ignited a portion of the city aflame. They were fortunate that the Helios' reactor had gone critical, otherwise they would've been incinerated in the blast.
"W-What was that?" Ray stammered.
"If I were to guess, I'd say it was some kind of railgun," Tails announced.
"I don't want to meet the machine that has that type of firepower," Sonic stated.
The hedgehog didn't receive his wish, as the unseen war machine slowly maneuvered itself over the race track.
"Me and my big mouth."
"The Xanthos was undergoing construction at the Cerros Shipyards," Warfield stated, "It shouldn't be ready for field testing."
"HELLO PRINCESS," a voice greeted from the machine, "SO NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN."
"Tatarin," Sally gasped.
"SO YOU DO REMEMBER. I WAS CONCERNED THAT THE STRESS OF YOUR ACTIONS MIGHT'VE SHATTERED YOUR MIND."
"You're the one who made Sally-girl do that!" Bunnie yelled.
"IT MATTERS NOT NOW. ONCE I'VE BURNED THE MOBIAN INFESTATION FROM THIS CITY, I'LL MOVE ONTO THE OTHERS."
"You'll kill thousands!" Amy said.
"SOMETIMES SACRIFICES NEED TO BE MADE."
Without warning, the Xanthos leveled its railgun at the commentator's booth and fired a single a neosteel slug directly into the building.