Chapter 16 The War Plan

Max

July 23rd, 2017

4:40 PM

USCC Oregon

"It's been a tragic couple of weeks for us all," said Penske. "But in unprecedented times like these, we will always prevail. We may have lost Seattle. We may have lost San Francisco. We may have lost Beirut. But thanks to Caulfield, her team, and their independent endeavors, we now have all the answers we've been searching for since this war started. Commander Madsen, over you."

The debriefing had begun with me, the admiral, Captain Harvest, Secretary Mattis, and David at the forefront. Valor Team, Chloe, Rachel, Alex, and Bryan all sat down in the debriefing chamber with the rest of the crowd paying attention to the final orders of their final mission to end the war at ground zero. That is Meridian Prime. David spoke up first and showed everyone the details projected on the holo-table.

"It would seem according to Max's intel," he began. "ConDef's plan all along was to obtain what Caulfield describes at the Eternity Shards for their leaders. Elias Alkaline and Joanna Prescott were never the true benefactors behind this. It was Ares that had been the head of the snake overlooking their actions. With the rest of his followers who became ConDef themselves. From Seattle to Beirut, it's all connected Ares's machinations."

David projected a map of Meridian Prime. Presenting the layout of all ConDef and Dark Order activities.

"Our recon teams have mapped out all activity relating to ConDef and the Dark Order," he continued. "Commander Welch, over you."

A soldier from the recon teams was speaking under communications.

"Thanks, Commander Madsen," said the commander named Welch. "If our reconnaissance is accurate, ConDef has been busier than ever on this island. They appear to be making a base of operations in some old colony called New Exodus. We also have intel that some ConDef teams are digging underground a strange mountain for some machinery we don't know the nature of."

"That machinery, Commander," said Penske. "Is what we can assume is what Ms. Caulfield calls the Ark of Genesis."

"Thanks, Admiral. Perhaps that girl can be useful to us after all."

The comms were cut and the debriefing went on.

"Caulfield, I think it's your turn to discuss whatever plan you have rehearsed for everyone," said Penske.

I cleared my throat. Still nervous about how well I'll perform in front of the troops who look amused to see a young adult come up with a plan. Here goes nothing.

"Thanks, Admiral," I said. "I can assume I need no introduction for you all and most of you have heard a lot about me over the years since my trial and Triple 4. But as of now, its time you all understood how this all ends. Over the three weeks, my team and I have been traveling from Vancouver to Meridian Prime to understand what Ares is up to. Ares has five elemental shards known as Eternity Shards. One of them I have with me in my possession. He gets this one and its all over for us. He'll also need this."

I pull the Eon Codex out of my pocket to show everyone.

"This here is called the Eon Codex. He'll need this and the other shards to activate the Ark of Genesis. Should he succeed, we not only lose this war, but we also lose half the people living in this world. Everyone you care about, every one of your friends and family, everyone you know and love, will be gone forever. Maybe even yourselves alone will be lost as well. Ares believes that killing half the population will alleviate the wants and needs of many reduced to the wants and needs of few. A goal we'll never agree to even if he does away with it. We can all prevent that if we stick to this one plan and one plan only. David."

David starts highlighting the plan on the map of Meridian projected on the war table and starts discussing my plan to begin the final assault on Meridian Prime. Using the holo-table projecting the map of the island.

"Chronos and Max have developed a plan to keep ConDef occupied and prevent Ares's endgame," said David. "We will have troops on the frontlines entering from the beach and into enemy territory. Then we will have air support take care of any sentries ConDef has defended the island for us to push forward. Our main priority is to fight our way towards Mount Genesis. Which will be our gateway to an underground city built underneath the island called High Providence. Where we will find the so-called Ark of Genesis to end the war as Caulfield says. Even if not many of us make there, what imperatively matters is that our time-bending friend does."

David and I step aside and let Admiral Penske step in front of the crowd to give his final speech before the final battle of Meridian Prime. The Admiral himself cleared his throat before speaking.

"I know the lot of you aren't so confident in Madsen and Caulfield's plan and the lot of you may not agree to it," he began. "But here's one thing the lot of us can all agree on. This war is not what we once thought to be. This war started with a myth. A myth that soon became a nightmare. A nightmare comes true. And that nightmare is not Elias Alkaline. Not Johanna Prescott. But Ares the god of war. In the beginning, it started on a day of independence. A day that soon subverted that independence into an all-out war between the Chrysalis Corps and the Continuum Defense Front. Since then, we have fought for our lives, our pals, our families. In the events between Seattle and now, one brave time-power young woman chose to do the impossible and alter the tide."

So far, so good with the speech, Admiral.

"Know this before you all step into that battlefield that may be your last. Maxine Emily Caulfield shall be your icon of hope to ending this conflict once and for all. Together, we shall secure our sovereignty of balance that shall oppose Ares's to the bitter end. After all that we've endured, after all that we've suffered, Chrysalis is not yet lost. Max is not yet lost. We are not yet lost. There and back again."

"There and back again," repeated the crowd.

"He's pretty good for an admiral," said Alex. "Away with words he is."

"This debriefing is adjourned," said Penske.

Note: It might go without saying, but I have many reasons I've put this short chapter on this much of a hiatus. A, back in college again in the safest way possible. B, trying out games I've never played before such as Crysis, FEAR, Homefront, etc. C, catching up on new games such as Ghost of Tsushima and Marvel's Avengers. D, catching up on the 007 franchise from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig. The list is infinite.

Made this chapter as short as possible since I didn't know how else to end it. However, the best news I can offer is that I'm only a few more chapters short of this penultimate installment! With that said, you all stay safe out there in this worldwide pandemic, and until next time, stay tuned and golden!