Chapter 2.3
Quake II Mission Pack 2: Ground Zero
(Historical file TCM-Q2-9904-21-GZ)
The War against the Strogg
Special operation: "Ground Zero"
The Final Hours and the Gravity Well
Despite the catastrophic initial losses, Operation "Alien Overlord" slowly and grindingly began to achieve its objectives, thanks to the selfless efforts of the survivors that had miraculously reached the planet surface intact. The TCM fleet, maintaining positions in high orbit above the planet, began to prepare for its withdrawal, before the second wave of the invasion could start. As several squads were launched to conduct a few low-priority missions, the fleet started its engines to slowly pull away from the planet, only to discover that they could barely move. A quick analysis indicated that a strange gravity force was emitting from the planet surface, impeding the ships' movement. The Intelligence Division determined that the gravity field was gradually increasing in power and thus it would eventually start pulling the human ships back towards the surface of Stroggos, until they eventually crashed upon it.
The situation was clearly critical, so all TCM marines currently not engaged in another battle were immediately ordered to head towards the presumed origin point of the gravity field, in what was soon dubbed Operation "Ground Zero."
Domain of the Black Widow: R0G3-02
This region of Stroggos seemed quite unimportant during the initial scans – an arid and barren volcanic wasteland, covered with a thick layer of soot and gravel. Several enormous industrial structures were observed in the region, yet they all seemed very old and abandoned, which further reinforced the notion that there were no targets of interest in these badlands. Once the Gravity Well was activated, however, its source was traced to grid coordinates R0G3-02, prompting a deeper scan from orbit, which revealed a number of concealed facilities, which were brimming with activity – some of them obscured by magnetic anomalies and strange energy fields. These peculiar phenomena were later found to have been caused by the presence of Thaelite – a rare and still poorly understood ore with unusual properties, such as a capacity for generating antimatter after the proper treatment.
Recovered fragments of data indicated that the volcanic wasteland was ruled by a powerful Strogg known as the "Black Widow." This Widow was believed to be one of the Warlords ruling over Stroggos, the strongest of which wore the mantle of Makron. While the Widow did not assume this supreme position during the War, she was nonetheless one of the most powerful among the Warlords, holding absolute authority over the region, possessing her own munitions plant, and commanding her own army of Strogg troops, which featured a number of unique new types, as well as modified variants of pre-existing models. Her crowning jewel was the Gravity Well device, which could manipulate the planet's gravity field and project it towards specific objects in orbit (such as the TCM fleet).
Several marines managed to find their way into R0G3-02, among them – a younger recruit with the callsign "Stepchild." His drop pod crashed through the planet's surface, landing into the volcanic caverns below. While initial estimates did not give him a high chance of survival, he still managed to carry out Operation "Ground Zero" to its successful conclusion.
Archive #05-24/02
Operation "Alien Overlord"
Special Assignment: "Ground Zero"
Location: planet Stroggos; region: Volcanic wasteland R0G3-02
Operative: "Stepchild," TCM Space Marine; real identity: (classified)
Mission Unit 01: The Mines
Location: R0G3-02 zone, Volcanic caverns, Thaelite mine complex
Objective: Destroy the Strogg Tectonic stabilizer
General description: Deep beneath the scarred surface of Stroggos lay lava-filled tunnels, unstable caverns and dark chasms. Much of the planet's crust was cut by mine shafts and most of them contained Steedium crystal deposits. The mines in the Black Widow's domain, however, were dug to search for a rarer and far more valuable substance – Thaelite ore. Appearing as a red crystalline material, Thaelite could be used in advanced slipgate devices, singularity generators, and antimatter creation. It is believed that the majority of the planet's supply was under the Widow's control, which placed her in a unique position of power. Another notable feature of this mine complex was the Tectonic Stabilizer – an experimental device that was used to manipulate seismic phenomena, and was likely an important energy source for the Gravity Well complex.
Structural elements:
1. Lower Mines: A number of caverns were devoid of any useful resources or just flooded with lava, and were therefore used by the Strogg as storage and maintenance areas. Targets of interest within this area included a communications node connected to antennae on the surface, the machinery driving the ore transfer systems, as well as a secured elevator to the nearby Base Complex.
2. Thaelite Mines: The deeper reaches of the mines were where the primary Thaelite deposits could be found. The area could be described as a treacherous maze of dimly lit tunnels and unsecured chasms. Access to the tectonic Stabilizer required a security pass, as well as getting through a sizable detachment of guards.
3. Tectonic Stabilizer: This area was the heart of the Tectonic Stabilizer project. The machine's core was built from a singular giant Steedium crystal and placed within an unstable volcanic chamber. It was supported by several auxiliary system, as well as a number of wall nodes that balanced the energy distribution throughout the caverns. The Stabilizer's primary purpose was to redistribute seismic energy, preventing earthquakes for the sake of maintaining the mines safe, as well as redirecting this energy to other facilities, so that it could be utilized. A failure in the Stabilizer's operation could result in a catastrophic localized earthquake.
4. Mine Engineering: This sector of the mines was normally fully automated and thus sealed from the rest of the complex, yet it could be ruptured in an extraordinary event, such as Tectonic Stabilizer failure. The engineering area housed a number of advanced tools, as well as a power core that powered up many of the mine's support systems.
Mission outcome: TCM Marine Stepchild survived his crash landing through the planet's surface and engaged the enemy within the mines. He used Strogg communications equipment to establish an uplink to the command ship and receive further orders. Stepchild caused a major system failure that resulted in the destruction of the Tectonic Stabilizer, causing various degrees of seismic disturbances through the entire region. The marine left the area through the service elevator to the Eastern Warehouse.
Mission Unit 02: Base Complex
Location: R0G3-02 zone, Military base and command center
Objective: Disrupt Strogg ground to air transmissions
General description: In the southern reaches of the volcanic wastelands, near the shores of the only (and heavily polluted) lake in this arid region, was a major logistical base that served the needs of the Black Widow's entire domain, as well as the neighboring regions. The base was an important supply hub, as well as a command center that coordinated a large portion of the Strogg fleets. Multiple layers of security made the task of infiltrating the facility quite difficult, yet TCM Intelligence managed to come up with a plan to feed scrambled data into the tactical computers, which was expected to severely disrupt Strogg air control communications.
Structural elements:
1. Eastern Warehouse: This warehouse was designed to store and transfer Thaelite ore and was therefore built right next to the cargo elevators that emerged from the mines below. It served as a distribution center not only for Thaelite, but various military supplies as well, through underground railways. The facility took some damage during a series of TCM bombing runs, which may have compromised building integrity, creating a risk of flooding.
2. Waterfront Storage: Built right at the shore of a murky lake, this warehouse seemed to be a remnant from an era when the Strogg still used water transport. At the time of the war with Earth, all cargo transfers were conducted by air. The warehouse had a very large capacity and was the primary supply dump for the volcanic wastelands.
3. Logistics Complex: This sector was the "brains" of the base facility, controlling many of its functions and security devices. It was equipped with a powerful sensor array that allowed for downloading and uploading data from remote sources. The lower levels of the complex housed a small detention block with advanced security measures, such as a full-purge laser grid.
4. Tactical Command: Housed within a heavily armored structure, the tactical command center featured a communications laser device and a control computer, which handled the formulation and distribution of orders throughout the Strogg fleets and local defense aircraft. A disruption within this system could cause major damage to the Strogg air force. A potential exfiltration route was identified in a nearby water drain access.
Mission outcome: Operative Stepchild infiltrated the warehouses and managed to exploit weaknesses in the security system to reach the Tactical Command facility. Having received defective control data from the command ship, he recorded it onto a data CD and fed it into the tactical control computer, disrupting its operation and all surface to air transmissions.
Mission Unit 03: Research Hangars
Location: R0G3-02 zone, Experimental hangars and airfield
Objective: Cross lava-filled canyon, Secure Strogg experimental fighter
General description: Built alongside the cliffs of a treacherous lava-filled canyon, the Research Hangar complex was one of the Stroggs' foremost research and development centers in the field of aeronautics and experimental spacecraft. The location was probably chosen due to its natural defenses, as well as the readily available abundance of geothermal energy. Adjacent to this facility was a subterranean waste disposal system intended to process the toxic byproducts of the Strogg experimentation and spacecraft construction activities. Significant security forces were deployed throughout the area, as well as a powerful Strogg flier known as the Carrier. An experimental fighter model was undergoing final development during the war and it was targeted by TCM R&D as a potential resource of Strogg technology to analyze and reverse engineer. The recovery of this fighter was assigned as a primary mission objective.
Structural elements:
1. Research Hangar: Several landing bays and maintenance areas comprised the southern sector of the research complex, as well as a semi-automated anti-air cannon that prevented any major TCM air raids. The primary research hangar that housed the experimental fighter was located directly across the lava canyon. Reaching it would normally require extending a bridge, yet its systems were damaged by recent seismic activity – an unfortunate side effect of the Tectonic Stabilizer's destruction. The main hangar was also connected to a subterranean tunnel system.
2. Waste Processing: The damage to the canyon bridge forced marine Stepchild to seek an alternate route through the sewer system. This sector was dedicated to the collection and redistribution of dangerous waste substances throughout the facility. Most of the unusable substances were dumped into the deeper cavern recesses or directly into the lava canyon.
3. Waste Disposal: The lower sewer sector contained various subsystems for sewage storage and reclamation. Corrosive liquids and gasses were a constant threat, necessitating multiple layers of filters and isolation barriers. Their breach could create dangerous system disruptions.
4. Maintenance Hangars: This sector of the facility was mostly dedicated to aircraft/spacecraft repairs, rearming, refueling and general maintenance. Security presence was increased, especially in the area of the main control room, after the recent seismic disturbances.
Mission outcome: Marine Stepchild successfully took out the AA cannon, allowing for an airstrike to create an alternate access to the sewer system. He navigated the sewage treatment facilities and the maintenance hangars to eventually reach the primary research hangar. Once there, he defeated the Carrier guardian and all other Strogg troops, securing the experimental fighter for takeoff. He would later use it as an escape vehicle at the end of the operation.
Mission Unit 04: Munitions Installation
Location: R0G3-02 zone, Experimental hangars and airfield
Objective: Obtain components and assemble antimatter bomb
General description: Located within the northern reaches of the volcanic wasteland was the Black Widow's monstrous munitions dump, possibly the largest one on Stroggos. This hoard was believed to be a crucial supply node in the Strogg planetary defenses, although several dissenting theories suggested the Black Widow may have been secretly preparing for war with the other Strogg warlords. Besides its function as storage for all imaginable types of ammo, from the simplest of bullets to advanced plasma cells, the installation also housed several sophisticated machines that could produce rare and unusual munition types, such as antimatter cores and containment pods for them. This fact was of particular importance, as TCM Intelligence analysts had concluded that only an antimatter bomb had the sufficient explosive power to destroy the Gravity Well.
Structural elements:
1. Munitions Plant: One sector of the installation was devoted to the manufacture, storage and testing of various munition types. At its heart was a large machine, which could safely compress chunks of purified Thaelite, transforming them into potent antimatter cores. The sector also housed a terminal for the Black Widow's internal transport network.
2. Ammo Depot: Primarily a storage structure, this sector consisted mostly of warehouse chambers, several maintenance areas, and cargo transfer equipment. The high-security section of the depot contained some of the more powerful ordnance, as well a massive device used for the construction of highly durable containment pods, mostly used for the assembly of antimatter bombs.
Mission outcome: Marine Stepchild successfully used the available Strogg equipment to create an antimatter core and containment pod, assembling them into a fully functional antimatter bomb. He was then able to access and hijack a transit system gondola, which could offer a direct route into the heart of the Gravity Well complex.
Mission Unit 05: Widow's Lair
Location: R0G3-02 zone, High-security perimeter, Gravity Well complex
Objective: Destroy the Gravity Well
General description: The only way into the Gravity Well facility was through the Black Widow's inner sanctum, as the pragmatic Strogg Warlord was well aware that no security system could possibly match the power and efficiency of her own reinforced cybernetic body and tank-like battle chassis, which was equipped with a number of exotic and experimental weaponry. The complex was surrounded by a large and deep lava lake, encased in thick armored walls and only approachable through the gondolas of the high-security transit system. Beyond the Widow's lair was the core of the Gravity Well – a place that bent the laws of physics in unpredictable ways…
Mission outcome: Despite overwhelming odds, marine Stepchild defeated the Black Widow and her minions, gaining entry into the Gravity Well core. Once inside, he managed to plant an antimatter bomb, using it to destroy the machine and the entire facility. Exact details of the technology the marine observed remain classified at present.
Operation "Ground Zero" – Outcome & Final Analysis
The Gravity Well's destruction caused a localized chain reaction that pretty much destroyed the entirety of the R0G3-02 region. As the wastelands were consumed by monstrous earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, marine Stepchild managed to escape with the experimental Strogg fighter he had previously secured, reaching the command ship Deimos before running out of fuel.
With the Gravity Well destroyed and the Strogg war machine reeling from the severe wounds that human forces had inflicted upon it, the moment for Phase II of the war had finally come. The TCM fleet gathered all survivors it could reach and retreated into hyperspace, opening the way for the arrival of the even greater invasion fleet.
Despite their significant losses, the Strogg were still quite capable of fighting back, and a new Makron was already being appointed, preventing the internal power struggle that TCM high command had hoped to provoke. The more disturbing element was that Operation "Ground Zero" proved, yet again, the Strogg had access to some highly unusual technologies related to contained singularities and antimatter. High command feared that these could be used in new weapons that could be deployed against the next wave of human marines.
(end of archive file)
For more information about the next phase of the war, please refer to historical archive file SMC-Q4-0512-15 "War against the Strogg - Phase II".
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