Chapter 10: The Brave New World Pt2

The year was 2020, a time of uncertainty and unprecedented events. The world had already faced its fair share of challenges, but nothing could have prepared humanity for what was about to unfold. Seven mysterious portals had opened across the globe, each one unleashing massive monsters that wreaked havoc wherever they appeared. It took the combined efforts of entire nation and their firepower to stand against these creatures and protect their cities.

White House, the United States of America

The air in the Situation Room was tense as President Dirrel B Johnson, a narcissistic and egocentric politician, sat at the head of the table. He still couldn't believe what had just happened a week ago when a magic portal opened in the middle of New York City, unleashing death and destruction. But thanks to that catastrophic event, his approval rating had skyrocketed. It was a strange turn of events for the president, who had always craved the spotlight.

"Do we have any information on what lies on the other side of that portal?" Dirrel asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and excitement.

Secretary of Defense James T. Conway, a composed and stoic man, opened a video file from a reconnaissance mission that had taken place the previous day. The room filled with anticipation as they waited to see what the footage revealed.

A Darkstar hypersonic UAV, small and nimble, flew into the Manhattan portal at an immense speed. The mission objective was to enter the portal, gather as much information as possible, and return without engaging the alien forces if possible.

The Darkstar, a cutting-edge unmanned aerial vehicle, was designed to operate at hypersonic speeds and altitudes beyond the range of conventional aircraft. It was a technological marvel that had never been tested in such extreme conditions. The Darkstar was equipped with state-of-the-art stealth technology and a suite of advanced sensors, including high-resolution cameras, radar, and infrared imaging capabilities. It was the perfect tool for the reconnaissance mission.

The video feed showed the signal being lost for a few seconds before it regained clarity. The other side of the portal was revealed—a devastated island littered with artillery craters and the lifeless corpses of countless insectoid monsters.

Dirrel stared at the screen in awe and horror. The scene reminded him of recorded footage from the naval bombardments of Pacific islands during World War III. It was clear that this was a place scarred by warfare, a scence both eerily familiar and vastly different from Earth.

"What in the name of God is this place?" Dirrel whispered, his voice barely audible amidst the silent awe that had gripped the room.

The footage continued, revealing what appeared to be a perpetual bombardment of the island from the horizon. Countless blurred shadows of artillery shells streaked across the sky, hurtling toward the beleaguered landmass.

House Speaker Mike Jackson couldn't help but voice the question on everyone's mind. "Where are these shells being fired from?"

Secretary James Conway turned to a large screen displaying a map. He pointed towards a distant location, approximately 350 kilometers away to the north of the portal. "That's where the shells are being fired from," he explained. "Let me show you something."

He brought up a map on the screen, revealing a much larger landmass on the other side. The world displayed had a much thicker atmosphere, enabling aircraft to reach unprecedented altitudes. Secretary Conway pointed to a spot on the map, indicating the location of the alien fleet.

The Darkstar UAV took a mere three minutes to climb to an ideal height of 150km, capturing jaw-dropping images of a colossal fleet as it drew closer. The room fell silent as the image became clearer, revealing the sheer magnitude of the alien armada.

"We count forty battleships armed with twelve 20-inch guns, along with one hundred and sixty smaller battlecruisers equipped with twelve 16-inch guns. In addition to that, there are six hundred and forty massive destroyers armed with twelve 12-inch guns. And let's not forget about their air power - forty large carriers and one hundred and sixty smaller carriers," Secretary Conway explained, his voice filled with awe and disbelief.

Dirrel couldn't help but interject, astonishment evident in his voice, "That fleet is larger than the entire US Navy, gentlemen."

Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Clayton, sensing an opportunity to boast about the superior capabilities of their own fleet, chimed in, "But our fleet is technically advanced compared to the aliens in every possible aspect."

Conway's response was cautious but firm, "We must not underestimate these aliens. While we have found no evidence of percision guided missile technology in their possession, their vessels surpass our own in terms of speed and maneuverability. Their ships can travel at a staggering 300 knots, far exceeding anything we have ever encountered. But what truly baffles us is their aircraft. Rather than employing traditional turbojet designs, they seem to utilize complex ornithopter designs. These huge ornithopters are capable of flying faster than sound while maneuvering like hummingbirds. This allows them to easily land and launch their aircraft vertically from their extraordinary dual-hull catamaran aircraft carriers. These carriers boast two runways, enabling them to carry double the number of aircraft."

The concept of ornithopters has a rich history, with its origins dating back to ancient civilizations. Ancient Egyptian and Chinese cultures possessed myths, legends, and drawings depicting human fascination with bird-like flight. These early ideas influenced the development of ornithopters in later centuries, paving the way for the emergence of Leonardo da Vinci's groundbreaking designs during the Renaissance. Da Vinci's ornithopter sketches laid the foundation for further exploration into this unconventional method of flight. Ornithopters, unlike conventional aircraft utilizing fixed-wing or rotor-based designs, mimic the wing-flapping motion of birds to generate lift and propulsion. The complex mechanical systems within ornithopters mirror the structure and movement of avian wings, enabling them to achieve sustained flight. However, the idea had never progressed beyond small-scale prototypes due to the immense technical challenges involved.

"That's scientifically impossible," House Speaker Mike Jackson exclaimed, breaking the silence. "How can such a design achieve supersonic speeds and agile maneuvers? It defies everything we know about aerodynamics."

Conway nodded, fully aware of the incredulity of the situation. "Indeed, it goes against our current understanding of flight principles. The aerodynamic theories and engineering principles we have developed on Earth simply can't ecplain for the capabilities exhibited by these ornithopters."

President Dirrel B. Johnson, sensing the growing excitement in the room, spoke cautiously, "Is it possible that these creatures have access to some form of advanced magic or supernatural energy that allows them to achieve what we perceive as scientifically impossible?"

The question hung in the air, as everyone contemplated the unknown possibilities. Magic had always been dismissed as a mere concept of fiction, but faced with such extraordinary circumstances, it became a viable consideration. Regardless of the explanations that lay ahead, one thing was certain - understanding the alien ornithopters would require a complete reevaluation of the laws of physics, aerodynamics, and engineering as humanity knew them.

The room fell into an uneasy silence as they absorbed the magnitude of this alien threat, far more formidable than initially anticipated. It was clear that the battle ahead would be like nothing humanity had ever faced before.

President Dirrel's mind raced with conflicting emotions. On one hand, the threat was daunting, and their superior technology might not be enough to ensure victory. On the other hand, this situation was just what he needed to secure his political legacy and further boost his approval ratings.

As the room continued its discussion, plans were quickly assembled to prepare for the first true encounter with the alien fleet. The fate of humanity rested on the shoulders of Dirrel and his administration, and they knew they had to rise to the occasion or face annihilation. Little did they know, this confrontation would be just the beginning of a fierce battle for survival against a foe far more powerful and enigmatic than anyone could have imagined.

Jakarta, the Islamic State Indonesia.

It was a beautiful day in Jakarta, with the sun shining brightly overhead. General Yahya Sinwar, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic State Indonesia, sat in his office, surrounded by reports and intelligence regarding the mysterious portal that had opened in the Java Sea. As he read through the information, the weight of the world seemed to rest on his shoulders.

Indonesia had long been facing numerous challenges, with the nation under an economic blockade since 2004. The blockade had crippled the country's economy and left its people suffering. Sinwar sighed, feeling the weight of his responsibilities as the leader of Indonesia.

But the troubles faced by his nation paled in comparison to the events that had transpired in the not-so-distant past. The Russian Empire, an ever-expanding totalitarian force, had unleashed a genocidal campaign against Muslims in the Middle East during the 1960s. The devastation had wiped out ancient civilizations and irrevocably changed the geopolitical landscape.

In the aftermath of the Muslim Genocide, survivors had found refuge in Indonesia, where they had rallied together and overthrown the local government, establishing the Islamic State of Indonesia. Seeking revenge for the atrocities committed against their people, General Ghazala, the Supreme Leader of Indonesia at the time, had unleashed a powerful biological agent inside Russia in the year 2000.

The biological agent had quickly spread worldwide, resulting in a global pandemic that claimed the lives of millions. Russia had vowed to retaliate against Indonesia with nuclear weapons, but the United States and the Franco-British Union had intervened, sympathetic to the grievances of the Muslim community and their collective disdain for the totalitarian Russian Empire.

A compromise had been reached, placing the entirety of the Islamic State of Indonesia under a complete embargo for 50 years as a punishment for their actions. The world had teetered on the brink of nuclear annihilation, but a fragile peace had been achieved, albeit one filled with resentment and animosity.

As Sinwar cursed the names of Russia and the other two cowardly superpowers for the disaster that had befallen Indonesia, he recognized that dwelling on the past would not change the present. He had to focus on the here and now.

Suddenly, in the middle of the room, a burst of purple energy defied existence and a dimensional portal materialized before Sinwar's eyes. From within the portal, a humanoid creature emerged. Tall and impeccably dressed, the figure exuded an air of authority.

The creature appeared to be a human with uniquely dark skin and neatly combed black hair. His squinted eyes, barely visible behind his round glasses, hinted at a mysterious nature. Clad in a British suit with a tie, he carried himself with the grace of a gentleman. Behind him, a silver tail adorned with metal plates and six long spikes swayed ominously.

With a sadistic smile, the being introduced himself, his voice dripping with an otherworldly charm. "I am Ophidian, messenger of the Undead Supreme, Lord Zephyr Belsira."

Sinwar's instincts kicked in, and he swiftly drew his handgun, pointing it at the intruder. "Stay away from me, demon!" he yelled, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger.

Ophidian's smile widened, his eyes glimmering with amusement. In a display of supernatural skill, he caught the bullets fired at him with his fingers, rendering Sinwar's attack ineffective. "How barbaric," he mused, tossing the bullets aside as though they were mere toys.

Sinwar felt a surge of panic as Ophidian cast a spell, immobilizing him within an unseen force. Despite his predicament, he couldn't deny the curiosity that overcame him. "What do you want?" he demanded.

Ophidian's demeanor shifted, his eyes becoming serious. "No need to panic, human. I believe we share the same goals. You desire the destruction of the Triumvirate of Russia, the United States, and the Franco-British Union, do you not? We also have a powerful enemy on the other side of the gates that we seek to eliminate. I believe we can help each other."

Sinwar's eyes widened, a glimmer of hope shining within them. "I'm listening," he said, cautiously intrigued by the potential alliance being presented to him.

The room fell silent as General Yahya Sinwar stared at the enigmatic creature before him. The scent of tension filled the air as the Supreme Leader of the Islamic State Indonesia contemplated the words of this being named Ophidian. Sinwar's thoughts raced, trying to process the situation and determine the creature's true intentions.

Despite his initial fear and mistrust, Sinwar couldn't deny the allure of Ophidian's proposal. For years, he had dreamed of a way to dismantle the Triumvirate of Russia, the United States, and the Franco-British Union, who had imposed an unbearable blockade on Indonesia. The scars of the Russian Empire's Muslim Genocide still haunted him, and the anger burned within his heart.

"I seek the destruction of those who have oppressed us," Sinwar responded cautiously. "But how can I trust that your intentions align with ours?"

Ophidian chuckled, the sound reverberating through the room. "General Sinwar, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. We may hail from different realms, but our common goal unites us. We both desire the downfall of those powers that have brought suffering upon our lands."

Sinwar considered Ophidian's words, realizing the truth behind them. The Triumvirate had been a constant source of oppression and control, stifling the progress and prosperity of nations like Indonesia. If this alliance could provide an opportunity to strike back, then maybe it was worth the risk.

"Fine," Sinwar conceded, his voice filled with determination. "But know this, Ophidian. I will not tolerate any betrayal or manipulation. Our alliance will be governed by trust, and any violation will be met with severe consequences."

Ophidian nodded, acknowledging the seriousness of Sinwar's words. "Understood, General. Trust will be the foundation of our cooperation."

With the agreement sealed, Ophidian began explaining the nature of the dimensional portals that had mysteriously appeared across the globe. He disclosed that these portals were gateways connecting different dimensions, offering access to powerful allies and enemies alike. Beyond the portal in the Java Sea, far beneath the surface, lay a threat that would make the Triumvirate tremble.

As Ophidian continued speaking, Sinwar's mind was consumed by a mix of curiosity and trepidation. He listened intently, absorbing every detail, while his thoughts began to conceive a plan that would not only ensure Indonesia's survival but also deal a crippling blow to the Greater Russian Empire. And so, with the world teetering on the edge of chaos, Sinwar and Ophidian forged an unlikely partnership, united in their shared desire to dismantle the Triumvirate and confront the unknown threat that lurked beyond the portals.