One day, the night adorned the sky...
And the moon illuminated it, with its remnants floating nearby...
The clouds obscured the grandeur of its view, and the city, which shone from the artificial light of buildings, houses, lampposts, and streetlights, was captivated by the natural satellite that graced the sky.
Nexus City, somewhere in Nevada, stood... amazed. Before the beauty and presence of this natural satellite that left its inhabitants dumbfounded.
There was no explanation for the Nexus City residents regarding how or why there was now a moon in the sky, or why the sky was adorned with stars. Moreover, gravity was lighter, much lighter than before.
The inhabitants of Nexus City were always accustomed to darkness. There was never a blue sky or a dark sky with a moon and stars adorning the darkness.
When the "day" arrived, instead of the golden star appearing to illuminate the day with its presence and beautiful golden glow, they were greeted by a sun of bloody red and eerie brilliance.
It made its presence known in the black sky, cruelly reminding them that they were living in hell, and what was once Earth would never return.
How did the sky disappear? Why was a red, eerie sun over Nevada all the time? Why did all the inhabitants of Nevada, including those in Nexus City, have skin as pale as a corpse?
There was only one answer to one of those questions—the last one. The red sun was unnatural, and its existence remained a mystery. It provided just enough light to illuminate Nevada, but it wouldn't burn you like the golden star that once bathed Earth in light. This caused all the inhabitants of Nevada to lose the color in their skin, as if they had never stepped outside.
And the first two questions?
The disappearance of the sky and the birth of the red giant remain shrouded in mystery. Some theories suggest that it might have been the onset of a hypothetical third world war that plunged the world into darkness. However, so many years have passed that all information about that supposed war has faded into oblivion. We can only speculate that it began sometime around the early 2000s.
Humanity adapted to this new reality—living without a sky and under the eerie illumination of the red giant. The absence of trees, fauna, and life stretched for kilometers. But now, in Nexus City, somewhere in Nevada, residents who lived in buildings near the protective walls—shielding them from bandits and terrorists—witnessed a remarkable transformation. Those once barren and gray lands were now teeming with life: natural life, trees, and even glimpses of wild animals seen through binoculars.
At the pinnacle of Nexus City's science tower stood Director Phobos of the Nexus Core—an ancient organization that gradually amassed power. Soon, they would establish their own city and government in Nevada, all under the unwavering leadership of Director Phobos. Nexus City's inhabitants, as members of the Nexus Core, held immense respect and admiration for their leader. His achievements included creating a stable city and a powerful government, marked by groundbreaking advancements in science and ballistics. Nexus City had become one of the most coveted places in the world.
The achievements led the city and followers of the Nexus Core to start calling him Emperor Phobos.
Something that Phobos gladly accepted due to his immense ego.
Currently, he was the director of the Nexus Core, the supreme leader of its government, and the emperor of Nexus City.
From the scientific tower of Nexus City, he gazed at the shattered moon in the sky.
The director's size exceeded that of an average human, and his face remained hidden beneath a large helmet with a round red visor—a single lens positioned in the middle, giving him the appearance of a cyclops.
His mouth was covered by bandages beneath the helmet. He wore a light gray coat over a dark gray suit, complete with a grayish-black tie.
Around his neck hung a red cape adorned with the Nexus Core logo, while white gloves with subtle black details covered his hands. His light black trousers matched the gray laces of his boots.
The Nexus Core's director stood completely still, his expression concealed as he stared at the sky.
Phobos was far from content with these events—far from it indeed.
The disruption had thrown a wrench into his long-term plans. The large-scale production programs for soldiers and super-soldiers were now delayed due to the strange incident witnessed not only by him but by all of Nexus City. His ascent to divinity and absolute power had been either completely ruined or significantly postponed.
Phobos had convinced the scientists that their projects were for the benefit of Nexus City's citizens, promising a better life in their chaotic world. The Nexus Project itself was a multi-decade endeavor, and he knew that some of his scientists would eventually uncover the truth behind his intentions. But now, those plans were simply set back.
Although they still had contact and access to Nexus energy from "the other side," it was far inferior to what it had been before. Accessing it was more complicated than in its early days, and reestablishing stable contact would take years—a blow to their projects and plans.
Phobos silently appreciated having acquired the Sheriff's MERC Industry. With their presence, knowledge, and assistance, stabilizing the connection and obtaining Nexus energy would be faster than anticipated.
Yet, deep within him, Phobos harbored a desire to eliminate the instigator of this disruption.
The mysterious event could indeed be the work of a divine force. Despite his egocentric nature, Phobos knew there were beings best left unprovoked. Legends spoke of entities that called themselves "the Employers."
Ancient rumors suggested they were deities or beings who defied the laws of physics at their whim. Phobos remained uncertain about the veracity of these ancient tales; after all, he lacked concrete evidence of their existence.
However, the Nexus City's abrupt relocation to this world, beyond his comprehension, served as irrefutable proof. It began with a blinding glow that enveloped the entire city, as if God Himself had descended. Then, just as suddenly, the brilliance vanished.
Phobos blinked, his eyes recovering from the intense light. In the blink of an eye, they found themselves in another world.
He inhaled sharply beneath his bandages and exhaled. While this event confirmed the Employers' existence, he still wondered whether they were truly responsible.
Why? What were their objectives or plans in transporting not only him but the entire city and its inhabitants to this new realm?
Before he could delve further into his thoughts, alarms blared throughout Nexus City, jolting him from his reverie. The sound of the elevator opening on the rooftop of the science tower accompanied hurried footsteps approaching.
Phobos jerked his head and body to face the newcomers.
Certainly! Here's the English translation, preserving the grammar:
"First, he saw the woman, whom he recognized instantly.
She was the General of Nexus City, Emily, accompanied by different Nexus Soldats at her side—the latest and beta-phase participants in the Nexus Project.
General Emily was a loyal warrior to both him and the Nexus Core, having been by his side since the organization's inception. Her silver hair framed her face, and she wore a red beret similar to the present Nexus Soldats, albeit with some golden details.
Like the Soldats Nexus, she had a Uni-Visor on her face, specifically over her right eye. A black mouth cover with red stripes and a small microphone near her mouth completed her ensemble. The most intriguing feature was the set of horns protruding from the sides of her
head—an unintended side effect of her participation in the Nexus Project to enhance her abilities.
Emily donned a black suit with a red tie, complemented by black ballistic shoulder pads with red accents. Her black trousers and polished, shiny black heels completed the look. Unlike the Nexus engineers, she didn't wear any protective gear or vests. Her physical abilities surpassed those of an average human, making her one of the most feared individuals within the Nexus Core ranks—second only to Director Phobos himself."
Beside General Emily, there was a colleague of hers—a man who had demonstrated immense potential and innate intelligence. Dr. Jebediah Cristoff. A good man with strong morals and intelligence, Phobos considered him a long-term problem if he ever discovered the truth behind their plans.
Dr. Cristoff had long, straight black hair that fell to his shoulders, and his neatly trimmed beard framed the face of a young adult brimming with energy. He wore black glasses, adjusting them as he approached.
Phobos noticed deep concern etched on Cristoff's expression. While he had seen Cristoff worry about project failures before, this time the concern seemed even greater than that of their other colleague, Dr. Hoffnar.
Cristoff donned the standard white uniform of Nexus Core scientists, paired with blue trousers and brown shoes.
Phobos knew that both of them held the answer to why Nexus City's alarms blared.
Emily held a tablet, her gaze fixed on it. As they stood before him, Phobos snatched the tablet from the General's hands and examined the live video feed displayed on the screen.
The images revealed hundreds of helicopters swarming over Nexus City. Explosions and anti-aircraft missile fire drowned out the thousands of shots fired by the wall guards' weapons.
The tablet's screen shattered, surprising both Emily and Cristoff.
What Phobos witnessed were terrestrial creatures resembling wolves, bears, and two-headed snakes with black and white fur or scales. Some wore bone armor, but all had blood-red eyes radiating hatred and rage. Their teeth, like claws, could easily slice a human in half as if they were butter.
Enormous birds, similar in appearance to the creatures below, also soared through the skies.
Nexus City's defenses performed admirably, downing these avian threats with anti-aircraft missiles and turret fire. Thousands of guards efficiently dispatched the terrestrial beasts—especially those armed with top-quality ballistic weapons. Those with inferior arms faced challenges but still managed to slow down the creatures.
Yet, despite Phobos' respect for his men's efficiency, his anger remained unquenched.
If this was some kind of test orchestrated by those who brought them here, Phobos would play their game.
And if this was their first trial, he was simply disappointed and insulted.
Because this army of monsters—or whatever they were—would be crushed mercilessly when faced with a true monster.
…..
These creatures, whatever they were to the Nexus Core soldiers, have besieged Nexus City, and the situation is critical. They opened fire on any creature with fur and black anatomy that crossed their vision, using their long-range rifles from the walls.
The impenetrable wall surrounding the city was under constant attack, and the Nexus Core soldiers fought with all they had to keep the creatures at bay.
Director Phobos and General Emily are at the heart of Nexus City, assessing the threat and making crucial decisions.
From his office in the Nexus Core scientific tower, Director Phobos analyzed the situation and the threat they faced. Different screens in his office displayed various angles, positions, and zones.
His priority was clear: defend Nexus Core at any cost.
Phobos instructed Nexus Core engineers to reinforce the wall with additional energy barriers—the latest Nexus Core technology created by their scientists, even though it was still in beta.
He also directed available Nexus Soldats to support the wall defense forces, maintaining the defensive line and not yielding ground.
Different armored vehicles began deploying along the roads in various sections of the walls, accompanied by transport helicopters carrying reinforcements to the most vulnerable points of the wall.
The armored vehicles positioned themselves at the impenetrable gates of Nexus City's walls, leading both to the exterior and interior of the city. Hundreds of soldiers and numerous engineers stood alongside the armored vehicles, waiting for the gates to open. Their goal was to create an additional defensive barrier outside the walls, allowing the ground forces and vehicles to strategically position themselves and provide supporting fire.
Director Phobos coordinated efforts with General Emily. Both leaders were aligned and shared information about the situation.
General Emily proposed a coordinated counterattack strategy. Recognizing that they couldn't remain purely defensive, she selected the most agile and stealthy soldiers to infiltrate the forests, led by the elite Nexus Soldats. However, controlling the situation was crucial for this plan to succeed.
Emily dispatched attack helicopter pilots to provide aerial support for the wall defenders, pushing back the Grimms and allowing the ground forces to move outside and form the extra defense line.
Upon Phobos's approval, Emily swiftly communicated the entire strategy to engineers and ground force leaders.
Meanwhile, Nexus Core soldiers rapidly reloaded their weapons before opening fire again. Some struggled to hit their targets due to the creatures' camouflage in the darkness of the night.
Despite obstacles like trees obstructing their vision at a distance of 500 meters, the turrets effectively eliminated many of the creatures. The Nexus Soldats had no trouble hitting moving targets, providing much-needed relief for their fellow soldiers.
The leaders of the wall defense communicated their problems to General Emily, who quickly gave different orders that were followed to the letter.
The anti-aircraft cannons, having eliminated all aerial threats, received a new order as they no longer had airborne targets.
All the anti-aircraft cannons on the walls of Nexus City aimed at the forests and began firing without remorse, causing massive explosions that halted the beasts and terrestrial creatures.
Soon after ceasing fire, different combat helicopters from Nexus Core flew over the outskirts of Nexus City and began firing at any creatures that crossed their path. Combined with rocket attacks from the anti-aircraft cannons, this caused more explosions and destroyed more trees, extending the soldiers' visibility and increasing the distance between the walls and the forests.
The fire from the explosions quickly spread through the forest surrounding Nexus City, burning everything in its path without mercy or pity.
This gave an idea to both Director Phobos and General Emily.
All the gates on the outskirts of Nexus Core quickly opened, and hundreds of Nexus Core soldiers poured out along with armored vehicles equipped with high-caliber turrets. They
prepared an additional defensive barrier to shield themselves from the beasts and creatures while the wall soldiers covered them.
Overhead, transport helicopters with open doors passed by. A soldier stood at the edge of each helicopter, holding large gasoline canisters. They began tossing them into the flaming areas, creating a wall of fire around the forest where these creatures emerged."
Due to the flames and fire, fewer of these infernal creatures emerged from the forest. With an expanded field of vision, the soldiers no longer struggled to spot and eliminate their targets.
The battle to defend Nexus City lightened, but tension remained as many of these creatures continued to emerge from the burning forests. However, they were quickly eliminated by the wall defense and ground forces.
These creatures could no longer approach; passing through the flames meant being executed by the thousands of projectiles from the ground forces and the wall.
Once again, black-and-white anatomical creatures took to the air, only to be shot down by the anti-aircraft cannons and high-caliber turrets.
Morale was high at that moment, and what had been a stressful situation for the soldiers slowly turned into child's play.
Some soldiers shouted and laughed in amusement, while others yelled, "FOR NEXUS CITY!" as they destroyed any beast that crossed their path.
After many hours, the flames had extinguished, and the sun had risen. The creatures ceased emerging in such extreme numbers, significantly reducing their forces.
Different helicopters with various squads flew over Nexus City's defenses, heading toward the forests where these creatures had originated, ready to execute their strategy.
The inhabitants of Nexus City were cheering and praising the Nexus Core defense forces, as the attack was being broadcast live throughout the city from the moment it began. The difference between before and now was evident: citizens filled the streets, encouraging their military to achieve victory.
The adrenaline of facing those beasts kept them awake. Those who didn't wear protective eyewear showed dark circles under their eyes due to lack of sleep. Nevertheless, they
laughed heartily as they continued to fire relentlessly at their enemies. Some shouted words of encouragement, while others cracked jokes as they eliminated the creatures in their sights.
And finally... the beasts stopped emerging. It was all over. In the streets of Nexus City, citizens began celebrating and shouting with joy at this overwhelming victory. Soldiers cheered triumphantly, some jumped in pure excitement, and comrades, friends, and brothers hugged, held hands, and bumped heads, their helmets colliding. Others exchanged high-fives in a sign of victory.
From the Nexus Core tower, Emperor Phobos and General Emily observed everything, witnessing the celebration that erupted.
As this unfolded, Phobos observed his men celebrating and the inhabitants of Nexus City rejoicing. It was an intriguing sight. On Earth, he had never seen his empire so lively and joyful. True, the citizens of Nexus City idolized and revered him almost like a deity. After all, he had founded and built Nexus City from scratch, providing them with a home, security, camaraderie, and brotherhood—all contingent on their adherence to the city's laws.
Yet, people had lived disheartened, their morale at rock bottom—a common state in their harsh environment. Witnessing their jubilation now was peculiar. Phobos focused on his soldiers, the Nexus Core troops. "No doubt they relished this battle," he thought as he watched them.
This battle was a delight for his men—many laughed, shouted, exchanged phrases or gestures, and now they celebrated. Phobos then considered that perhaps this turn of events, ending up in another world, could be leveraged in some way. Now he had to focus on their current situation. Walking alongside General Emily, he wondered if there was human life in this world after the confrontation. Ultimately, Phobos wasn't overly concerned, but he would remain prepared for any unfortunate and unexpected scenarios. For now, he allowed his people to revel in the overwhelming victory they had achieved. In the end, it was all child's play…