IMPORTANT AUTHORS NOTE: This story has been updated and rewritten. In order for readers to understand the premise of the story, I'd highly advise to go back and start from the beginning.
~Mazzi
Humanity as a species lives and breathes like every other being in this universe.
We deserve to exist in every way. We deserve to roam where we want, what we choose to do, and who we love.
It's been that way for as long as Humanity can remember. It's been that way as long as I can remember. It's something I learned to appreciate as I grew over the years. It's what my father taught me. It's what my mother taught me. Now I follow them in their footsteps, protecting an idea that many have fought for before.
One's right to exist.
-Excerpt from the Journal of Captain Ian Carter, 27th CDF Expeditionary Marines, 2183
Act 1: First Contact
Chapter 4: This is Not Your Grave
Shanxi, Khuvi City
Central Administration District,
Colonial Administration Center
Sub-level J
May 7th, 2169
"Central has confirmed that AATIS Defense Networks failsafe is green. The risk of AATIS Falling into enemy hands has been rendered null…though that won't stop them from disabling the Network by more…conventional means."
"It's a risk we all have to take. The Central Administration District is the only standing stronghold that remains in the hands of the CDF. We would have more if the AATIS Network had more defense batteries at its disposal. Sadly, this is the reality we currently face."
Silence had now filled the dark room, it's the only light source, the glow from a holotable.
"Any word from Sol?"
"Interplanetary Communications reported significant movement around Vernan."
"ETA?"
"Unknown. Communication was cut when Fort Ying went black."
General Williams gave a long sigh before resting against his cushion sheet. "The time will come when we'll have to rely on the wits we were born with instead of automated machinery."
"You believe AATIS won't hold?"
"The tools of war won't always shine when the storm has passed, Daniels."
"They'll rust. Just like everything else.
Within the steel corridors of the Colonial Administration building, numerous personnel of many creeds and colors were going about their business amidst the ongoing warzone that was taking place right in front of their doorstep. Colonial Defense forces were regrouping and reevaluating strategies and defenses, Colonial Administration and Medical Personnel were busy regulating and tending to the civilians who didn't make it to the shelters in time. Everyone had an important task at hand.
Except for Matthew.
The young marine was sound asleep on one of the various supply crates that were strewn about in the communal area. After making it back to the Administration building and offloading the wounded to the medical area, what remained of Zulu went their own separate way throughout the building. Some went on their way towards the mess hall, others went down into the sub-levels the building to complete the task that they were assigned to do. And then, there were others like Matthew, the very few who would stand upon the gates of Colonial Administration and stare among the cityscape.
The sounds of boots and heavy machinery had become faded noise as Matthew rested against the base of a statue that stood tall amongst the upper steps of the Colonial Administration Center. Surprisingly, the young marine had managed to recuperate from the minor injuries he had sustained when their transport crash-landed a few blocks away from the CAC. Matthew didn't remember much after the crash. There were the sporadic flashes of recent events, but the pieces were mainly fragmented. It didn't matter though, it was apparent that he had blacked out and was transported here for further medical attention.
Matthew's train of thought was broken when he noticed someone step into view. "Looks like you're taking it easy." The noticeably playful feminine voice said. Matthew lifted his head to see who was talking.
"Sergeant Venner?" Soon he realized who he was facing, Matthew quickly stood up and gave a formal salute to his superior.
Venner gave a wry smile. "No need to be all formal, Corporal. We're not in combat right now."
Matthew brought his down to his side and relaxed in front of his superior.
"Here. Take this." Venner put her arm forward with a can in hand. Matthew calmly reached for the can and took it from her hand. He spun It around, eyeing the cover. "TerraZona?" Matthew inquired, implying that he had no idea what he was holding.
"It's a drink. From Earth. It used to be called Arizona. Then they changed it for some odd reason." Venner explained as she opened the tab of the can and proceeded to take a long sip from it. Matthew proceeded to do the same, opening the tab and taking a large swig from the can.
"Tastes like Passion Fruit." Matthew Commented.
"Yeah. That's what it says on the can. Pretty hard to miss."
Matthew gave an eye roll before taking another sip from the can. "How long was I out for?" Matthew questioned. Deciding it be good to break the silence that came between them.
"A few days give or take. The crash was bad. Knocked you out cold."
"Shit. We're we able to complete our objective?" Venner took another sip from her can before replying.
"We're still doing it. Kieran and Sanders went Into the Sub-levels to help whatever the CBAI are trying to accomplish. The rest are either getting shrapnel out of their asses and or waiting for the coming storm." she explained as she took another gulp and finished her can of TerraZona. Matthew didn't feel the need to say anything as he gave a slight tilt in acknowledgment.
"I've been hearing that AATIS might fail," Venner spoke up. Matthew paused from finishing his passion fruit before turning towards his superior.
"What?" he managed.
'"The AATIS Defense line has been hit hard for the past few days. Lots of good people died. They're hanging on a thin line over there."
"That's impossible. Wasn't the Sixth and Seventh Armored supposed to send some Tanks in with the Ninth Company?"
"That was the plan...until Kyri Station went up in flames."
"What do you mean?" Matthew pressed. "What happened?"
"The bastards ambushed the Columns last night while they were crossing through Kyri. The Battlenet was saying that they had encountered an entire battalion worth of troops crossing through the same area. Comm Chatter was chaotic. Then "Boom". Some unlucky motherfucker hit a gas pipe and vaporized the entire block."
"So the Defense Line is on their own?" Matthew asked with worry.
"Seems like it. Between here and Defense line is occupied territory. Command doesn't want to risk a few lives to save a dozen."
"So the fall of the AATIS Tower is inevitable? Is it possible that they use it against us?"
"Depends, if they can figure out how to make it work. They'll most likely deactivate it and let their ships know that they can descend from Orbit."
After that, the silence began to build up before Matthew pressed for more information.
"How long until the reinforcements get here?" Venner scoffed at the question.
"Fuck if I know. All I do know is that they're coming. No one has told me how long it's going to take them to get here."
"Shit!" Matthew cursed. "I can only assume things can't get any worse?" Venner turned and gave the Corporal a Judgmental glare.
"Shut up."
She then proceeded to throw her empty can at him.
-XXXXX-
The sun that shined over Shanxi had set long ago, now only darkness remained along with the whispering sounds of crumbling concrete and burning embers the flickered under the light drizzle
Among what remained of the AATIS Defense line stood now Private First-Class Christopher Raymond Dalton. The recent promotion was a slight morale boost for the young trooper as the last 48 hours was an endless firefight between two opposing forces. Now all Christopher could do was quietly eat his MRE while what remained of Shanxi's Ninth CDF Company did what they could to help reinforce the Defense line. From repairing Disabled Mech Units and tanks from the Second Armored Division that were stationed there within the first few hours of the Invasion, any possible improvement was a big help for morale in the long run.
Looking around, Christopher could see Diaz and Dunstan discussing something well out of earshot. The Lieutenant is obviously pissed off as she could see the anger build up in her face while Dunstan leans against a table that was located within a Communications tent. Christopher continues to gaze upon his squad mates he enjoyed his Shredded Barbequed beef and with Seasoned Black beans.
Unsurprisingly, Diaz left the Communications tent, leaving the radio operator alone to do whatever tasks he was occupied with. Christopher continued to eat his warm chow as he watched the Lieutenant walk off on her own accord. While it was unnerving to see his superior be so upset, he didn't really pay any mind to whatever she was doing now. All he cared for was his meal and the somber atmosphere.
Elsewhere within Khuvi City, lied the main Turian FOB. Out of several occupied districts: FOB Fellius was the beating heart of the current Invasion force.
With the arrival of the famed Turian 10th's Fleet, Orbital Superiority was assured enough to continue on with the 12th's Protracted Orbital Siege. What didn't change was the number of casualties that the invasion force was taking as The large Orbital Defense Weapons were still active.
Resistance on the ground was another story. The enemy they were facing wielded weapons and machines that Most Council species hadn't been able to create on their own terms. What made things worse is that there had been multiple reports rumoring that the Mechs were being driven by some sort of artificial intelligence. A controversial thought indeed but it's nothing worth getting the troops riled up about.
"General Desolas?" a voiced called out. The General's train of thought was broken when a subordinate of his approached him. "The company commanders are waiting for you."
"Tell them I'll be there shortly."
The subordinate saluted. "Yes, sir." He walked away from him, leaving him be. Desolas took one last look at the datapad he had in his hand. His eyes seemed to be lost in it.
He then took his leave towards the base's CIC. As he made his way there, he looked upon his troops as they went along with their duties. Restocking, resupplying, tightening and filling up holes in formations. Textbook routines.
As Desolas reached the CIC, his Company officers stood at attention. Standing resilient and loyal. Starting with the left was 4th Company Commander Lieutenant Sidonia Nazanio, next was 1st Company Commander, Captain Camrius Maxiraka, then 10th Company Commander Larvus Tanmus and lastly, 121th Company Commander Major Castis Vakarian. A veteran of the 2nd Terminus Insurgency and a close friend of Desolas himself. With all his respective staff present, Desolas began his debrief.
"Before I start, I just want to say that I know that the last few days have been dire. Ever since we engaged the enemy, we've lost dozens of brothers and sisters in arms to these apes, these monsters, these primitives. We all remember what they did to the galaxy all those years ago. To those colonists, how they took innocent lives from families that had no quarrel with them. They had the nerve to strip the futures from their fingertips. Not just any fingertips, not Salarian, not Asari, not Krogan, regrettably not Batarian. But Turian. Our own flesh and Blood, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, Sons and daughters. Gone. And For what! Just for some measly minerals and ores? Materials that are in a great abundance in the galaxy? This! This we cannot stand for! We're Turians! We took an Oath to protect this galaxy, from forces that threaten the galaxy, The council, and most importantly; Palaven!"
The Company Officers gave a brief chant in a native tongue in encouragement.
"We are Turians. Sons and Daughters of Hierarchy. And we will not falter. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR!
The officers chanted again, but with more enthusiasm than before.
"Of course, I do. Now that that's out of the way. It's time we finalize assault plans." Desolas activated the holoprojector, giving himself and the company commanders a 360-degree view of the city. Within the center of the map, what could be seen as the governmental square, a large reinforced building with sandbags and barricades lined around it.
"This is our target. We believe it to be their local command center. At 0400 tomorrow morning, we advance on their position. Once we take them by surprise, we'll hammer them down until they submit."
"Or until they drown in their blood."
-XXXXX-
Somewhere within the borders of the Central Administration District, Two Force Recon Marines were had set themselves comfortable within an office building.
"I mean how large can they be? If a bitch's tits can be that naturally big, she must've been blessed by something. Or someone."
"Jesus Christ Phil, do you ever talk about anything else but a woman's breasts?" Specialist Adrian Middleton adjusted his scope sniper rifle, switching to a higher power setting and scanning the distant city horizon.
"Come on man. It's best if you appreciate the finer things on life."
"Does finer things include not acting like a pervert?" Adrian countered.
Philip scoffed. "I don't think to have a delicate taste in the female body counts as being perverted."
"Phil. You tried to hit on our drill sergeant back in basic. You were just lucky enough to catch her in a good mood when you approached her, Dumbass."
"At least this dumbass- "Philip didn't get to finish as Adrian shushed him. "What's going on?"
"Aerial Drones picked up an abundance of Heat Signatures converging against the AATIS Defense Line.
"What does the IFF say?"
"IFF marked them as one big Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. Same size as before." Adrian activated his commlink.
"Proud-Father this is Rising Son, over?" a few seconds of static rained over the Comm feed.
"Rising Son, this is Proud Father. Go ahead. Over."
"Recon Drone has detected one big ass Whiskey Tango Foxtrot converging east of rally point Alpha. Over?"
"Rising Son, what is the composition of enemy forces?" Adrian switched to the drone's viewfinder and began reading off the drone's threat assessment.
"I'm getting various registrations of light to medium armored vehicles and dozens of singular heat signatures heading towards the AATIS Defense Line.
"Do you have an exact number, over?"
Adrian went silent for a moment before answering. "Does a fuck ton answer that question?"
"Rising Sun, I'd advise you to cut the shit and give me an exact number"
"I'm certain that this one is as large as the one that hit them before. How Copy?"
"Hold one." Silence plagued the line again. "Rising Son, Mission parameters have changed. All Force Recon units are to move and assist the AATIS Defense Line. Do what you can to soften up the enemy before they can reach the Defense line.
"Copy that, Proud Father. Rising Son is on the Move."
"looks like we get to see some Action after all."
Private Tiberius Camraka spent the last few minutes checking over his Phaeston Assault Rifle for what could be the 5th time since they departed for what could be described as a capitol building. Green as he could ever be, Tiberius Camraka was nervous, antsy to say the least. While the others in his group shared the same emotion as him, the only difference was that they were more battle-hardened than he was. More trained, more experience, better tactics. It was evident that someone like him couldn't live up to a legacy like theirs.
"Enemy position 40 miles out. Standby for insertion." The squad comm stated. Tiberius could feel the air rise in tension. The enemy was upon them. The Events that could unfold around him were an enigma. That was the case until everything around him suddenly shifted the wrong direction. Where there once was an armored APC filled with his fellow comrades was replaced with the intense heat and the molten shrapnel.
The blackout was sudden but quick. the deafening silence suddenly shifted into the screaming wails and the staccato of gunfire.
The private found himself lying face down on the asphalt. Realizing he had been pulled out of the wrecked APC, he got himself up and rushed towards the nearest point of cover.
Once Tiberius reached a point of safety, his vision cleared. What appeared in front of him was the insurmountable chaos that lied before him. The convoy that he was a part if was destroyed as the APC's were transformed into heaps of molten slag. Bodies of his fellow Turians were strewn about the wreckage.
The shock was becoming too much for him, that was until he was brought back to reality when he was shaken abruptly. He turned to see his mentor and CO Sergeant Velvius Caellus.
"Stand strong Tiberius! You're not out of the fight yet!" He yelled. Caellus then pushed a Phaeston into his arms "Take this, stay down, and follow me!" Caellus then brought himself into the attention of what was left of his men. "Corporal! Give me a sitrep on our current situation." The corporal shifted herself towards the major.
"Alpha is reporting multiple casualties among the main road. The General's lead APC is out of action and requesting immediate extraction."
"Does the General know that we're not in any position to move? One wrong step and we-" The Turian didn't get to finish his sentence when around had pierced his helmet. Sending skull fragments and grey matter onto the asphalt.
"Spirits! Where are they coming from?" Tiberius yelled.
"Sergeant, we can't move up unless we can take the pressure off from the convoy" The Corporal stated.
"I'm already aware of that. We need to act fast on this before they fully surround us. Is there a chance we can get some air support?"
"I can try sir."
"Then get on it. We need to clean this mess up and continue with our objective"
-XXXXX-
"First Charges Detonated. Readying Secondary Explosives"
"Roger. Relaying Coordinate to Firebase Anthem."
Another set of explosions came without warning. One had hit another APC near Tiberius position, another had taken out an entire squad, and the third had struck a building not too far from his position. The shockwave had sent him flying through a window and into a nearby building.
Tiberius coughed as smoke and debris filled his lungs. The deafening silence surrounded him once more as the ringing grew louder around him. but when the silence was about to fade, all sense around him ceased. In an instant, his body movements failed to respond to his commands. He sense of vision began to fade. All he could taste was his own blood. In that second moment, the Turian that once was Tiberius Camraka fell into darkness.
-XXXXX-
"Jobs did here. All Gold Teams, move to Secondary Positions"
"Roger. Heading towards Secondary."
General Aterius looked at the burning convoy. Furious as he may be, the problem is gone now as reinforcements from Castis' Company had made a detour from their assigned route.
"Damage report." The lieutenant near him drew out his omni-tool.
"We lost 7 APC's, 26 men are wounded, 14 men dead." The lieutenant commented.
"More lives lost to barbaric primitives. Each one we come across will drown in their own blood and show them what true soldiers are."
"Very inspirational sir."
"Yes. Now help the wounded and get the dead back to base. We continue forward."
"General Williams?" a voice called out.
"Yes?" He responded in a stoic and monotone voice. "What is it?"
"Force Recon has reported the enemy less than twenty miles away from the AATIS Defense Line. Expected contact ETA 2 hours."
"Enemy strength?"
"Force Recon is doing their part in slowing down the enemy. Progress is slow, but it's been efficient."
"So that means, the clock is still ticking?"
"The Central Administrative District and the AATIS Tower is the only fortified sector that's currently in CDF Control. All other districts have reported consecutive engagements for the past 72 hours. Same goes for the settlements located across the continent. In all due respect sir, unless God can give us a miracle. We're more fucked than a SetDef Terror Cell attempting to hijack a cruiser."
The man known as General Theodore Geraldo Williams didn't reply at first, so did his associates that were going over the battle plans.
Williams then reached into his pocket and pulled out a box of cigars. He took one and placed it in his mouth, lit the front and dragged out the inhale. Once he exhaled, released the volume of smoke. He took a breath of fresh air and gave his associate an undaunted glare.
"Looks like we're in the Endgame now."
