A/N: Okay, to Fuji92 and GeaRMasteR9. If there is Yuri, it will take place a whole lot later in this fic, and after lots of suffering. I have an idea for a non-yuri pairing to take place... after lots of suffering.
Mastermind: The UED fleet was originally created to fight the Chimera, but then the Neuroi showed up. There were plans to use portals to launch on the Chimeran World, but humanity knew too little about the Pure Chimera and the wormholes to risk it.
Enjoy.
September 16th
Vengeance of Japan Mess Hall
On course to Africa
"You have got to be kidding me!" Minna screamed as she dropped her tray in favor of pointing furiously at Maloney, while the rest of the witches glared at him with varying degrees of shock and hatred. Everyone else in the mess hall stared at the confrontation that was taking place.
And the previous few days had been going so well to...
September 13th
501st HQ
"Sir, are you sure about this?" Minna asked Air Marshall Hugo Dowding, who had been reinstated after Trevor Maloney had been removed.
The commander of the RAF nodded. "I'm sure, you've fought beside the UED before. You saw how desperate the Neuroi were to destroy them, they sent the biggest attack we've ever seen on Brittania just to try to take out those ships." He smiled. "Witches proved invaluable in stopping the Neuroi suicide attackers, and the 501st has the most experience. Besides, the UED fleet will be heading into hot-zones across the war, they'll need the best. You will also be our link to the UED, and we'll need to have constant contact with them if we want to win."
Minna's face reddened a bit at the compliment. "I'm honored sir, but who will protect Britannia once we leave, most of the other witches are forming up in Gallia, won't Britannia be defenseless?"
Dowding smiled. "With Gallia and the Atlantic secure, Liberon is sending us every spare tank and soldier they can. Several more witch squadrons are also coming along. Most will head to Gallia, but enough will come here that we'll be safe from any Neuroi attacks, especially after the blow they just took." He shook his head. "We're counting on you. We'll need the UED to stay with us if we want to drive the Neuroi from Earth. the 501st will be joining with several conventional fighter squadrons on the Vengeance of Japan." Minna gave a quick salute. "You can count on us sir." She replied.
September 13th
Vengeance of Japan
One of the hangers on the port side of the ship
Most of the port side of the Vengeance of Japan had been destroyed by the Mega's beam in the battle for Jupiter. However, a few parts of the hull had been spared, such as this hanger, now being used by SRPA for the creation of the Warlock Mk II.
Maloney grinned as two familiar faces looked up from their work and went to greet them. "Nikola! Frank! What are you two doing here?"
Frank Whittle gave a chuckle as he shook his old commander's hand. "Oh, probably the same as you, Trevor. Some lad in a black suit comes up to you, as you walk around disgraced, and offers you a job with your old crew. How could I saw no?"
"Agreed" Tesla said in support, shaking Maloney's hand after Frank. "You got us through the first Warlock, now we're going to make an even better one." The Orussian scientist grinned. "Maybe this time we can get the Teleforce gun on one."
Maloney returned the grin at the mention of the Orussian's pet project. Tesla had originally proposed the Teleforce gun to Allied command, but had been refused the funding he needed. The same had gone for Whittle and his jet propulsion, though apparently the allies had changed their mind and had just started making Jet Strikers, despite Whittle having proposed pretty much the same thing three years ago. Maloney had taken both in and had done his best to make sure both could do their work.
So far, it had proven successful, Whittle's engines had gone into the Warlock as part of its propulsion. Tesla's Teleforce gun had been in the prototype stages when the first Warlock was produced. Of course, then the project had been shut down.
But now the team was back together. Maloney looked at the two. "Well then, now that we're all working together again, how about you show me what you've done with our new workshop?"
September 14th
Vengeance of Japan
Howin Yeager walked the 501st to their new rooms on the ship. "Glad to see you girls will be joining us, we've done good work together." The group moved over to a pair of rooms filled with bunk beds.
Everyone looked inside. "It's a little cramped..." Shirley muttered. Her alternate universe grandson shrugged. "We try to save space for weapons, armor, and ammo. You get used to it over time. We've just finished moving the previous occupants' stuff out, so it's all yours."
Yoshika blinked. "This was someone else's room? We can't just take it..."
Howin held up his hands. "It's fine, don't worry, the former occupants, ah... won't be needing the rooms anymore..."
Dead silence.
Howin coughed. "Anyway, my squadron's bunk is right over there." He pointed to a room a bit down the hall. "All the pilots meet in the Recreation Room nearby. Hope you'll drop by if you've got time, if we're going to be fighting together we should get to know each other better. You put your stuff in the compartments on top of your beds. And make sure you pack stuff neatly, you make a mess, you clean it up, this is a warship, we don't have room to spare." He glared pointedly at Erica, who stared at the teen soldier in horror. He grinned and walked towards his own room. "Have fun settling in!"
Most of the 501st went right to work putting their stuff into the compartments. A few minutes into their work Gertrude looked back and saw Erica still standing in place, her eyes wide, with her bags of possessions at her sides, their contents messily stuffed in. "Hartmann? Are you alright?"
Erica's jaw moved at bit. "Help me." She croaked.
September 15th
Together, Gertrude and Erica managed to get the later's stuff into the compartments in something resembling organization. That took most of the day, so after that the entire wing went into their new bunks. It was awkward sleeping in the new, more cramped quarters, but eventually the group managed to fall asleep.
The next day, the 501st was called to one of the many armories on the ship, where they were greeted by several soldiers and a relatively old man, who was about 40 years old. "Well then, you must be the 501st. I'm Quartermaster Martin Galm. Since you'll be operating with the UED for the near future, you'll be receiving UED weapons, to put a bit of ease on logistics."
He turned to a set of weapons neatly placed on the wall and picked up one. "Minna Wilcke, Erica Hartmann, Yoshika Miyafuji, Perrine Cloistermann, Francesca Lucchini, and Charlotte Yeager, you will be assigned the High-Velocity-Armor-Piercing Wraith. This minigun fires at a rate of 1200 Rounds Per Minute. It has a 300 round clip, and as an added bonus, can deploy a shield. Any questions?"
Minna raised her hand. "Um, we already have shields." Galm handed her a Wraith. "Yes, well now you have two shields, and this one can deflect shots back at the user. There's a firing range for you all to practice on once I finish handing out the rest of the weapons."
"Lynette Bishop, you have been given the Type 62 Gauss Rifle. This big baby's designed to fire .50 caliber rounds at multiple times the speed of sound. Its scope can see through solid objects, so you should be able to see right where the core is on a Neuroi. Secondary fire sends electromagnetic pulses into your brain, increasing your reaction time to the point where it seems that time has slowed. Don't worry, it's harmless to you." Lynette held the rifle gingerly as Galm turned to Eila and Gertrude.
"Since you, Gertrude Barkhorn, prefer to duel wield, and you, Eila Juutilainen, likes using an SMG, we've picked the Bullseye Modified 0005 Razor. This energy weapon fires at a rate of 900 RPM, and as an added bonus, the shots automatically lock on, track, and chase after hostiles. Secondary fire uses some of the weapon's 70 round battery to charge up a homing energy blade, the more charge you sink it, the more powerful the blade. It's easily portable, so you can hold plenty of ammo for it."
"Mio Sakamoto, you are fond of using your sword in battle. With that in mind, we are giving you the Reaper Carbine. Like the Razor, it has an auto lock on feature, but has a faster firing rate and is a one-handed weapon. You shouldn't have any trouble with it."He then picked up a large missile launcher and looked at Sanya.
"And finally, Alexandra Litvyak, you have been issued the Multiple-Autonomous-Missile-Launcher, or MAML, for short. This weapon holds six missiles that can track multiple targets at the same time. Mark them in the sights with the button here, and the launcher will launch a missile for a target each time you press it. Of course, you can always just dumb-fire if you need to shoot fast. Of course, each of you will also get the standard UED sidearm, the HE .44 Magnum. As its name suggests, it fires .44 rounds that can be remotely detonated for extra oomph." He passed out the pistols and pointed to a room farther down the hallway. "Firing range is over there, have fun ladies."
The 501st certainly had a great deal of fun using their new weapons. After they got used to the new functions, they quickly learned that the new weapons were far more devastating than anything they had used before. They couldn't wait to try them out for real.
September 16th
Vengeance of Japan Mess Hall
On course to Africa
The 501st spent the next few days getting settled into their new homes. Meanwhile Maloney had united with the rest of his old team from the first Warlock, and soon both groups had settled into a familiar routine. Even as the two groups settled in, new faces arrived as several squadrons of conventional fighters landed on the Japan. Other supplies quickly arrived at the carrier over the next few days, and soon the fleet had been loaded with soldiers, equipment, and vehicles, all bound for the battle in Africa. The hot spots in the war with the Neuroi now were in Africa and Orussia, and according to the Fleet Commander, "The day a UED soldier helps the fucking Tsar is the day the Chimera come to Earth for ballerina lessons."
Needless to say, it was clear that pretty much all of the UED hated the idea of helping the Tsar. Then again, considering the Tsar's history in their time it was a little hard to blame them.
Either way, Africa was closer, and the UED had been perfectly happy fighting in a desert. So the fleet had been filled with hundreds of Liberion Shermans and Britannian Crusaders and Churchills, a few Gallian Char B1s, to name only a few. Even more space had been taken up by loads of supplies to deliver to the humans fighting in Africa.
The ship had just left a couple of hours ago when a rather unfortunate encounter occurred. Maloney had gone to the mess hall to eat with his crew and some of the new pilots. A bit later the 501st had gone to the same mess hall to eat. Minna had been walking out of line when she caught sight of Maloney, leading to the above.
Maloney calmly swallowed his ration before answering. "Well, I was eating, but now I'm talking to the girl who rudely interrupted that."
Minna snarled. "Very funny Maloney. Shouldn't you and your goons be in a jail cell somewhere, instead of on a ship?" The rest of the 501st moved up behind her, while Maloney's friends and co-workers along with most of the fighter pilots stood up in defense of their leader.
Maloney's gaze hardened. He was about to answer back when a group of soldiers broke into the argument. "Alright, Alright, break it up people. Both of you, get your people under control."
Maloney glared, then nodded and sat down, with everyone else at the table doing the same.
Minna turned to the sergeant. "With all due respect, do you know what this man did? What is he doing on this ship?"
The man shrugged. "From what I heard he's in charge of SRPA's latest project, way above my pay grade though."
Minna's jaw dropped, along with the jaws of every member of the 501st. "Someone put him back in command?" Mio asked, not sure she'd heard correctly.
The sergeant nodded. Minna blinked, then began walking out of the mess hall. "If you'll excuse me, I need to talk with Commander Jorges." She said, her voice icy.
Vengeance Of Japan Bridge
"You put Trevor Maloney in command of another Warlock!?" Minna practically yelled at Jorges. "Do you have any idea what happened to his last try at that?"
"Actually yes." Jorges responded calmly. "I read his dossier, the recruiter's interview with him, and his entire damn life story. I think he deserves another chance."
"Another-" Minna sputtered. She wasn't sure if she could believe what had happened over the last hour. She had no idea what the interview had entailed, but after seeing the man who had nearly decommissioned the 501st and gotten hundreds killed with his project, she didn't really care. "Another chance!? Sir, the first Warlock killed sixteen hundred men! Why on Earth would you give him the chance to make another one of those... things!?"
Jorges sighed. "Very well." He stood up. "But keep this in mind, what you're about to learn must never be told to another soul, even on the pain of an agonizing death. Do I have your word, as a soldier, that you will take this truth to the grave if need be?"
Minna gulped, but curiosity made her nod. "I swear."
Jorges nodded, and took her to the conference room, where he turned on a video. It showed the UED's battles with the Neuroi from their world. Minna stared at the dizzying images of thousands of Neuroi, each one larger than most Large types. Nukes, lasers, projectiles and pulses were traded as ships on both sides were blown apart. She stared at the battle scenes for a long time.
A shockship was pounded by a thousand Neuroi, finally collapsing as its reactor went critical.
An entire moon was devoured to fuel the creation of more Neuroi to attack Earth.
Hundreds of Neuroi disintegrated as a volley of nukes impacted.
A Blazer vanished as a Mega's main gun fired.
Squadrons of Armored Skirmishers and Neuroi drones fought and weaved through fire.
The Prometheus Weapon obliterated an entire fleet.
It went on and on, battle after battle, more firepower than the entire war between the Allies and the Neuroi was expended in minutes.
When it ended, Minna simply stared, open-mouthed.
Jorges looked at her. "That's why we need the Warlocks. Those battles you've fought so far? You've just been fighting a fraction of the Neuroi's true power." He shook his head. "For whatever reason, they're holding back. If they truly wanted to destroy humanity in this world, they would have done so by now. They would've bombarded the planet from orbit, stripping it of its atmosphere, or sent in their massive harvesters to devour entire continents, and there wouldn't have been a damn thing anyone could have done to stop them."
He took a deep breath. "Do you understand? This must never be revealed to the public. If people discover that they're only alive because the Neuroi are holding back, morale will drop into the fucking basement. Do you swear, on you life, never to show this information?"
Minna blinked, then nodded quickly, still in shock from the images. "Good." Jorges gave her a smile. "I'm not asking you to marry Maloney, just tolerate him. Just tell your girls that he's working for a group that's technically outside of my control, you won't be lying. When the Neuroi start playing for keeps, we'll need everything we can get. Who knows? Maybe someday one of Maloney's inventions might save your life."
That idea was almost more terrifying than the Neuroi, but Minna knew a losing battle when she saw one. She nodded grimly. "Yes sir."
September 18th
Africa
Vengeance of Japan, above Allies main base
It was almost a relief when the Fleet arrived in Africa. While there hadn't been any armed battles of the ship, the tension between the 501st and Maloney's project workers was running incredibly thick. The only reason the conflict hadn't escalated was because several shipguards had been assigned solely to break up any fights, which had increased in number over the past couple of days. So everyone was only too happy to have the chance to relieve some pent up frustration on the Neuroi.
Skyrangers quickly began deploying the vehicles and soldiers of both the Allies and the UED down onto the ground. Several jet squadrons set up Combat Air Patrol around the Fleet. Meanwhile, a plane carrying the Allied Commanders landed on the deck of the Carrier, where they were quickly brought to the Bridge.
Jorges smiled at the men. "Ah, hello gentlemen. I'm Third Fleet Commander Holtz Jorges. Welcome to the Vengeance of Japan. The Third Fleet is here to assist you people in taking back Egypt and the Suez Canal."
Montgomery and Rommel smiled back. Rommel went first. "Excellent, I'm Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, and this is Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery. It's good to have some support. We've been planning to take back Africa for some time now, but our last attack a month ago was defeated quite handily."
Jorges nodded, and motioned to one of the bridge bunnies, who quickly turned to a large table, which in turn formed a holographic map of the world, and zoomed in to the immediate area, showing small flags that represented UED and Allied forces in blue, along with several white dots on the edge of the map, which continued to expand slightly.
Jorges grinned and the baffled looks on the Allied Field Marshalls. "This is our Strategy Map, or the minimap, as the grunts like to call it. We use high altitude recon drones, ground command vehicles, wet navy vessels and the ship's own sensors to map out areas in real time. Back on our world, the entire network was linked we could also use satellite signatures and the sensors of other fleets to get a pretty good picture of the entire world. The white dots are our recon drones, and any red will show Neuroi."
The two Field Marshalls nodded. "That's... quite impressive Commander." Montgomery stated. "What kind of ground and air forces can you provide?"
Jorges brought up a list. "Well, there is most of the 17th and 23rd Mechanized infantry and a few parts of the 4th Armored that were on board for repairs and tuning up when we got lost, along with our own Shipguard. We've got a David Superheavy tank, about 30 Osorio Main Battle Tanks, 80 Stalkers, 60 Armored Skirmishers, 150 Lav IIIs, a couple hundred Buffels, maybe 40 Avengers, a dozen M270s, about two dozen G6s, three Inquisitor Command Vehicles several thousand combat drones of various types, and a few thousand infantrymen. Our ships are also loaded with troops, vehicles and munitions from Liberion and Britannia. For air power we-"
He was cut off as an alarm sounded from the table. Several blobs of red had appeared and rapidly began approaching one of the blue flags, while even more began advancing along the entire Allied defensive line.
"Sirs!" One of the Bridge crew exclaimed. "Neuroi signatures detected all along the front line, both air and ground units. Half of their force has surrounded the Liberion II Army Corps."
Montgomery paled. "Damn, that's Patton's unit, he went out to inspect the troops."
"Then we'll have to pull him out of the fire. Scramble all planes and witches, and get the Skyrangers to drop the rest of our armor on Patton's location. Everyone else will reinforce the defensive line. "Jorges quickly turned on the inter-ship comms.
"GENERAL QUARTERS! GENERAL QUARTERS! ALL HANDS TO BATTLE STATIONS!"
Outside the Carrier
Outside the forces that had already landed quickly deployed to the front line. The Osorios and Lav IIIs quickly began moving to their positions, while infantrymen piled into Buffels and LAVs to get to the combat zone. Artillery began moving into positions to deploy. Squadrons of Skyrangers loaded with vehicles and men began moving towards the II Corps. over 60 fighters, including Wolverine Squadron, an AWACS and the 501st moved out to protect the Skyrangers.
"This is Airborne Warning and Control System Overseer, I'll be your guide for today. Strike Witches and all fighters, those Skyrangers are carrying the rest of the 4th Armored and 17th Mechanized towards the II Corps. They are precious cargo, do NOT let the Neuroi shoot them down, take the hits for them if you have to."
"Understood Overseer, we'll keep the transports safe." Minna responded, with similar statements coming from the rest of the fighters.
The flight continued for a few minutes before a warning came. "Heads up pilots, we've got two dozen Large Type Neuroi heading in on attack vectors, ETA 2 minutes. Get ready ladies and gentlemen."
"Copy that Overseer, give us a lock and we'll thin their ranks." Howin cheerfully stated.
A few seconds later, the sky was filled with hundreds of missiles streaming towards their targets.
UNIT 01 OF FORMATION 8042 OPERATING ON FARMING PLANET 9865 OF UNIVERSE 2012 LAUNCHING ASSAULT ON HOSTILE FORCES. OPPOSITION CONSISTS OF 11 HUMAN FEMALES OF DESIGNATION FARMERS FROM PLANET 9865 OF UNIVERSE 2012, 60 COMBAT AIRCRAFT OF PLANET 9865 OF UNIVERSE 2015, SINGLE COMMAND AIRCRAFT AND 40 TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT OF PREVIOUS WORLD AND UNIVERSE.
ERROR. HOSTILE FORCES CONSIST OF UNITS FROM SEPARATE UNIVERSES.
ANALYSIS: FORCES OF UNIVERSE 2015 HAVE BEEN TRANSPORTED TO UNIVERSE 2012. RESUMING STANDARD COMBAT SYSTEMS
TIME UNTIL ENGAGEMENT: 1/1440 OF PLANETARY ROTATION.
WARNING. 1/2 OF FORMATION 8042 DESTROYED BY UNIVERSE 2015 CRAFT VIA LONG RANGE GUIDED PROJECTILES.
NOW CLOSING WITH HOSTILE FORMATION. TARGET PRIORITY: UNIVERSE 2015 TRANSPORTS.
WARNING. FORMATION 8042 HAS BEEN REDUCED TO 25% NUMERICAL STRENGTH. HOSTILE FATALITIES CONSIST OF 2 COMBAT AIRCRAFT OF UNIVERSE 2015.
IRRELEVANT. CONTINUE ASSAULT. INDIVIDUAL LOSSES INSIGNIFICANT. HOSTILE NUMBERS FINITE.
ANALYSIS OF HUMAN UNIT FARMERS: FARMERS HAVE ENGAGED FORMATION 8042. USAGE OF AMBIENT ENERGY IS HIGH. NOTICE: FARMERS ARE EQUIPPED WITH INFANTRY WEAPONRY FROM UNIVERSE 2015. BLEEDOFF OF ENERGY HIGH. ENRICHMENT OF LAND PROCEEDS AT HIGH OUTPUT.
NOTICE: UNIT 01 HAS SEVERELY DAMAGED COMBAT AIRCRAFT OF UNIVERSE 2015. NOTICE: COMBAT AIRCRAFT NOW ON COLLISION COURSE WITH UNIT 01. BEGINNING EVASIVE MANEUVERS.
ERROR: AIRCRAFT HAS CORRECTED APPROACH. STILL ON COLLISION COURSE. DISTANCE: 2000 METERS
ERROR
1500 METERS
ERROR
800 METERS
ERROR
200 METERS
ERRORERRORERRORERRORERR-
The large Neuroi was annihilated as the pilot slammed his mortally wounded F-111 into its core, going up in a massive fireball.
II Corps location
601st Tank Destroyer Battalion
In military terms, the situation could accurately be described as "Fucked".
The II corps was completely encircled by Neuroi ground forces, which were only being held back by volleys from anti-tank weapons, while Neuroi air forces continued to pound them from the sky, the surviving soldiers were firing desprately in all directions, tank guns roared and lasers streaked out in reply. Infantrymen screamed in agony as their limbs were disintegrated.
Oh and General Patton's jeep had been wrecked, with him crouched behind its smoking shell, firing is revolver at the Neuroi, while the three Patton's Girls and several anti-tank guns did likewise.
"Damn it, we're getting our asses handed to us, do we have any word on reinforcements?" He screamed to a nearby radioman.
"No idea sir! Everything's a mess right now, but I'll see what I can do!" He shouted back.
At that moment a laser beam sent two crewmen of a nearby 57mm tank gun screaming as they were incinerated, leaving the gun without a loader.
"Shit!" He glanced at the advancing Neuroi, then burst out towards the gun, firing along the way, until he had reached the gun. He quickly picked up a shell. "Sir!" The gunner protested.
"You just keep firing that gun soldier! I'll be your loader for now!" The gunner nodded, the gun resumed firing.
A Heavy went down as a dozen anti tank rounds impacted into its hull. In response, a nearby M10 exploded from several powerful beams. Several more rounds punched open Neuroi hulls, but it was clear that the II Corps was being overrun.
Then the radioman started yelling. "Sir! I've got backup, they say they'll be here in a few minutes! We've gut got to hold on!"
Those few minutes seemed like an eternity as lasers continued to blast at the human positions, but just as one laser blew apart a nearby 37mm a volley of rockets and missiles tore into the Neuroi, and from above a few dozen transports began dropping off their cargo.
A half dozen Osorios were dropped, as well as about 50 LAV IIIs. Hundreds of infantrymen deployed, armed with Augers, HVAP Wraiths, Ion beam cannons, and Rockets and missiles. An Inquisitor quickly deployed and began setting up shop. But the big prize was a David Superheavy tank. As it touched down, it immediately began moving towards the Neuroi Heavies. Its Mega laser cannon tore through ones armor and core in an instant, while railgun batteries brought down another, then a volley of missiles came out of its launchers and blew apart a Large Type overhead. Osorios flanked it, forming a armored spearhead, while LAV IIIs covered their rears, their twin Hellfire cannons spewing plasma pulses in a constant stream, melting right through any armor they encountered. Meanwhile the infantry organized into companies and advanced, with Wraith users powering on shields to protect their comrades, while the Neuroi were taken by suprise as Auger shots blatantly ignored armor in favor of simply destroying their cores.
The Neuroi in the air did no better, armed with new UED weapons, the battle was a curbstomp. Lynette found that with her new rifle's scope and time slowing, she could take out large Neuroi with ease, and HVAP Wraiths, Razors, and the Reaper raked through Neuroi hulls like they were made of paper. The MAML locked on to six different small types, and destroyed them all in seconds. Each Witch had at least a dozen new kills in her name, and the fighters were just making it easier.
General Patton stared at the site, the situation contained enough for the guns to stop firing. "Damn." He muttered, then walked over to find the leader of this bunch.
Vengeance of Japan
Bridge
Nighttime
Battles along the main Allied line ended in similar ways, and not just because of UED ground forces. Across the skies F-111s and A-10s tore apart entire formations. A-10s proved near impossible for the Neuroi to destroy or even severely damage, and B-70 Valkyries tear through distant positions before their targets could react.
Eagle VTOL Gunships fired anti-tank missiles and rockets across the desert, and after a few hours of grueling combat the battle was won, and the loss of so many forms allowed a general advance, and soon the Allies were on the outskirts of El Alamein. There Auger armed squads fired through buildings and cover as their rounds emerged to rip apart Neuroi cores, and with the support of a very encouraged Allied army the entire city was secure.
By the end of the day the commanders and soldiers on both sides were congratulating each other, both sides impressed with the other. The Allies were amazed by UED technology and skill, while the UED was very impressed that the Allies were able to fight the Neuroi with technology that they considered 50-year old relics.
General Patton grinned at the other leaders. "Well, I think I can safely say that this has been the single most productive day I've ever had! By the end of the week we'll be at the Suez Canal!"
Jorges nodded. "I hope so General, the sooner the Canal's open again, the sooner we have a secure supply line to and from Fuso. Speaking of which, what do we know about the Neuroi fortifications there?"
Patton shrugged. "Not much, I'm afraid, they put a Hive there a few months ago, and anyone who got too close to the Canal never returned, but we're pretty sure that they have a few Ultras and Neuroified field guns and artillery pieces, but how many we won't know till they start shooting."
Jorges sighed. "Well then, I've sent over some recon drones to get a closer look, so we should have a decent idea next morning. Right now we should all get some rest for the big push tomorrow."
Everyone nodded and left, feeling very optimistic about the following day.
Next Morning
Jorges walked in on the Bridge crew muttering to themselves. "What's going on here people?" He frowned. Normally the crew would be dutifully at their posts, not whispering to each other with frightful expressions.
They all looked at him, then back at each other, each one seeming to be begging someone else to explain. Then one girl stepped forward. "Well sir, the Eagle Eyes came back from their recon, and they got quite a few images. There are several Neuroified tanks and field guns and Ultras but that's not the main problem."
Jorges raised his eyebrows.
"S-sir, the Neuroi are digging something out there, so we ordered one of the drones to get a closer look. It was destroyed , but we got these images before we lost it sir, take a look." She pressed some buttons and a nearby holoscreen showed the picture.
Jorges looked at the image and paled.
There, a third of the way excavated, was a Chimeran Tower, on the exact same coordinates as one that had been placed on their Earth.
Codex:
F-111: The F-111 is a slap in the face to those who say you can't please everyone. The F-111 is a highly versatile craft that can fit a number of roles, from electronic warfare to air superiority to strategic and tactical bombing. Just like all UED vehicles, it comes equipped with an energy shield projector. Mach 1.8 capable
B-70 Valkyrie: The B-70 is the most famous bomber in history, capable of going over Mach 3.5 and staying there for quite some time. It's most famous role was in the carpeting of Russia, where hundreds of these bombers dropped nuclear bombs on every fortified Chimeran position in the destroyed nation. Its advanced computer allows it to drop its ordinance without ever leaving its high speed, allowing it to strike fortifications with near impunity.
R-95 Eagle Eye: A UAV designed for reconnissance purposes, the Eagle Eye can record in real-time and transmit what it sees back to its command ship, a nearby AWACS, or an Inquisitor Command Vehicle.
Buffel: The APC for UED, the Buffel is a versatile, mine-protected transport normally armed with a rapid-fire pulse cannon, but can be customized. It is also known as the "Piss-mobile", since for a quick refuel, soldiers can simply use urine as gas for the APC, since it only requires water.
A/N: Well edboy4926, you wanted to know if there were Chimeran Towers on Earth... the answer is yes.
I chose to make the Fleet go to Africa for reasons that will become painfully apparent later in the fic.
For now, review, if anyone was OOC, let me know so I can fix it, and tell me what you enjoyed and what else you would like to see.