CHAPTER XIII: CONQUEST
With all due respect to my Master, Lord Baphomet often tended to overestimate my abilities. The number of troops he gave me for my mission was too small and I had to use some of my vital energy to summon a few more. Almost all of Hell's minions were engaged in the invasion and I could only muster a few squads of Hell Knights that would still make little difference. My target was your planet's only spaceport. It was too easy to assume that it was your weak spot – providing a great opportunity for us. My Lord instructed me to block the spaceport with a powerful force field that was interwoven with a potent warlock fiery spell that would incinerate any who would attempt to cross that barrier. And I knew about humans, I was sure there would be such attempts.
The marines that guarded the compound still knew nothing of the invasion. Not sure whether this was strategically helpful or promising a boring battle, I opened a Gate in a small valley nearby and my minions silently went through. Then I used an observation orb to look over the compound ahead. Luckily, the security measures were not particularly good as the marines definitely did not expect to be attacked by demons in the middle of the night. I surveyed the entry points... I chose a cargo loading bay and a duct that supported fueling pipes as the starting points of our incursion. The troops only awaited my signal.
I was... well... nervous. I kept readjusting my observation orb with unease and I saw that the marines headed towards the cafeteria, leaving some vital spots unprotected. A good opportunity I could not afford to miss. I gave the awaited signal and the demons charged into the complex as quietly as possible. One big group had to go to the recreation area and take care of the marines. The others had to penetrate vital zones and disable essential systems so that the star port was ready for the deployment of demonic technology. I myself would go to the chosen spot – some old ruins in the very heart of the compound and await the Barons of Hell.
Screams and shots echoed through the star port. Marine patrols had noticed us and were shooting in panic. In the cafeteria, there was a massive slaughter that drastically reduced the humans' ranks. I opened one of my black containers and the dead rose as Former Humans. With this rotting addition, it was only a matter of time before the complex was overrun. Someone had managed to press an alarm button and now everybody knew that we had come... way too late, though. The outer facilities were already under our control and Former Humans had risen to guard them. The Barons of Hell had infested the computer network with demonic powers that twisted and turned the security systems against any marines that were trapped within. Afterwards they headed towards the "Circle of Destruction" as I had named the place.
Meanwhile, the city near the star port was already under attack. Demonic armies marched across the vast fields and laid siege to the city's defenders that had already been alerted by the battle in the spaceport. The marines were pretty good at setting up trenches and artillery, and the demonic armies found themselves facing a worthy opponent that rained fiery death from distance – something that we could do well too. The Spider Mastermind that led that group ordered the Cyberdemons to step ahead and unleash a volley of missiles upon the unfortunate defenders. I felt the explosions and the specific energy shift that marked the sudden simultaneous death of many human beings. The defensive lines had fallen and the hordes charged into the awakening city...
Having gained full control over the spaceport, I ordered my minions to exterminate the last survivors and store all Formers who were not necessary at the moment in the depot at the refueling base. The Barons of Hell had come, bringing the machinery I had requested. I ordered that the constructions work be hurried, yet all elements be assembled accurately. I definitely did not want an explosion! I commanded that Cacodemons, Arachnotrons and an Arch Vile be stationed in the area and guard it with their lives. The loud clank of the assembly work told me that the operation was going as I planned. Humanity would be trapped efficiently and have enough time to contemplate on the building of only one star port for the whole planet... before being exterminated.
Yes, you don't need to ask – your curiosity is like an aura around you. At that same time you had already descended into the Hell Keep and, to my regret, you had managed to pass through it and overcome the demonic guards. To top it all, you had found some weapons, though you were never able to access the Keep's demonic armories. The observation orb allowed me to see you marching towards the Slough of Despair – too confident for a man who was in Hell itself. I decided that the fortress of Pandemonium will be the last stop of your life and I checked my workers. They were ready – the machines and magical components were set as I demanded.
My workers had constructed the chamber of the Switch exactly as I had designed it – with walls of human bones and flesh. I stepped forth and pulled the great lever. A powerful vibration made the whole area tremble. Machines started up as magical orbs sparked into life and shone with inner light. A strong crackling sound was heard, and a dark cloud began to form above the star port. My mission was done and I opened a Gate to the town where my outpost was supposed to be. The Gateway to Hell was already opened there and I had to take care of its fortifications. As I walked into the portal, I looked back – a dome of fire and energy had closed over the star port – the force field was fully operational. The Invasion could begin with full force!
I really hate bad news. And my look must have been really evil because the Hell Knight who reported that you had entered the House of Pain cowered when he saw me. I needed every single demon, so I told him directly that I would not kill him, so he went away relieved. I was really angry – you were becoming a serious obstacle and I could not leave things like that. I contacted the Master Spider and warned him. I implied that as my former servant he had to listen to me – I wanted him to send all troops from Mt. Erebus down into the plains to hunt you down. He wouldn't heed my warnings – he said that they were busy replenishing our warriors with healing potions and soul spheres and the work could not be halted...
The Spider that led the invasion of the city had finished his jobs – the city was in flames and its citizens now roamed the streets as Formers. The Portal was set in an old central neighborhood, within a reinforced edifice. I ordered the space between the buildings, some old desolate park, to be filled with corrosive acid and blood for better protection. The Spider was then sent to one of the buildings with a Cyberdemon as a personal bodyguard. Another Spider, who took care of the pathetic military bases in the region, made his headquarters in the hills nearby. Industrial facilities around the city were transformed for our needs.
I insisted that one of the factories be used for crushing corpses so that we could have an easy supply of nourishment. I also arranged for the healing facility where toxic slime was mixed with blood. Pleased with what I had done, I sent warnings to the Barons of Hell who commanded the Unholy Cathedral and the stronghold at Mt. Erebus. For the latter, I advised him to lure you to the Warrens – the resting place of the souls of the insane. There you would be confused by its close resemblance of the Hell Keep and ultimately fall prey to the Cyberdemon there.
As battles raged across the face of your planet, I watched your efforts and I must admit – you fought well and really tried to resist us, no matter how foolhardy it seemed. In my orb, I saw an experimental UAC facility where they planned to train elite troops – the Phobos troops that look like marines but were clad in orange. Those elite troops were still in the beginning of their training and they were quickly slaughtered.
A band of marines had already tried to penetrate the star port force field – their charred remains now remained as a dire warning for any other fools that would try to be heroes. The battles that raged in Earth's major cities had intensified as Hell's hordes marched victoriously against a panicked humanity. Everyone wanted to escape into space but the force field precluded any such attempts. The earth itself shook as human and demonic armies clashed. War had broken out everywhere. Gripped by despair, mankind tried to somehow push the hideous invaders back and preserve their world. I don't blame them – I recognize their courage to stand against us. This made defeating them even sweeter. None of the wars I fought before made me feel so good, or gave me the opportunity to fully unleash my power. I was... happy.
I smiled – humanity would soon be no more and Hell will become more powerful than ever before. I deserved some rest and I started thinking about a visit to the Obsidian Canyons... after killing you in person, of course. My good mood was very soon spoiled – Baphomet gave me orders to personally observe our assault in the continent known as Africa. A few minutes later, I was informed that the Unholy Cathedral had fallen and you had infiltrated Mt. Erebus...