Welcome back to another chapter of The Will of Repay! Previously, we've seen Ester committing to the task given to her by Aquexymeva and traveling across the Earth to try rebuilding the White Squadron. After rather little surprising round of nos, at last second, Lena, Yuko and Arlette decided to ultimately join the reformed White Squadron, together with Suvi.
Now, with hat said, let us get to the story, shall we?
Chapter 4
February 1, 2169
11:56
Narum Prime
Pina walked down the corridors of a military base near the capital city of the planet. Hamilton walked beside her, looking at the data on her datapad. They passed by the base crew, which saluted her at each step. Today was the day.
February 1st. The official starting date of Operation: Uncharted Shores. After weeks of preparations, all forces that had to take part in the first phase of the operation where already gathered at Narum Prime. Millions of soldiers both on the surface and in the orbit, waiting for orders to set off on the most important military operation since the Great Galactic War.
"My schedule, Hamilton?"Pina asked.
"On 15:00, you are to give the speech at the Glass Fields and officially start the operation, Pina."Hamilton replied, looking into her datapad."Until then, you have several meetings with the commanders of fleets and other units, to talk through several other aspects of the expedition."
"Time to get to work then."
"Indeed."
Pina sighed.
"It's already the time…"she said.
"Yes."Hamilton said.
"Hamilton…Do you think we have a chance?"
Assistant looked at her Queen and frowned.
"What do you mean?"she asked.
"I know we prepared this operation for years now."Pina replied."We gathered support and forces, but in the face of what we're going to stand against, I can't help but feel…doubts…"
"It's understandable. Except of what we have now, rest of Andromeda is basically unknown ground for us. Not to mention that we already know there exists a vast and powerful enemy empire which is trying to destroy us."
"Exactly. And I fear to fathom what other horrors hide within our galaxy…"
They both shuddered and then walked for a few minutes in silence.
"So, who am I supposed to meet first?"Pina finally asked.
"With Fleet Admiral Tyuule."Hamilton replied.
"Good. I have to also personally thank her for her efforts in the Border Battles. She deserves to get a new medal."
"That can be arranged."
Queen nodded and the two continued to walk.
February 1
12:08
Orbit of Narum Prime
Ester stood on the bridge of UNSA San Antonio Stelath Frigate. She was positively surprised, when it turned out that when Aqi started recreating Special Operations Force, she went about it thoroughly. She even go the same ship the whole unit used to be stationed aboard. When it came to manpower, though…
Currently, SOF aboard the ship consisted of 200 operatives, 1/5 of their manpower from 2nd Galactic War. Which wasn't surprising. Many former members of SOF were either retired, got new positions that kept them from joining back with SOF or died. It was expected.
Fortunately, there were some good news.
"What are you looking at?"Dora asked, approaching from behind.
Ester looked at her wife as she stopped next to her, looking at the holographic map being projected in the air above the holo-table. It presented the map of Narum Prime's closest vicinity, with hundreds of dots surrounding the planet, all representing the allied fleets and warships. And if one would look really closely, one could see San Antonio being surrounded by eight other ships. Three Heavy Cruisers and five Destroyers.
After the call Dora received from Ester all these weeks ago, she immediately contacted her superiors in Sharkline HQ on Luna. She presented the idea of combining SOF and Sharkline forces together for the entirety of Uncharted Shores. Dora's superior and CEO of Sharkline, Xuo Zhang, thought about it for a moment and agreed relatively quickly. As he said, this will be a good opportunity for Sharkline operatives to receive additional training and learn from the experience of other veterans like Dora. With that out of the way, when the time has come, command structures of both entities were joined together, forming one, coherent combat force.
"Just seeing how it looks."Ester replied."That's a lot of ships."
"Still less than at Mobius."
"True. I kinda expected the gathered fleets to be equal, or even bigger than that one."
"Not after post-GGW disarmament."Dora pointed out.
"I forget about that one sometimes."
"Me too."
They then looked out the bridge's windows, towards the gathering of ships in the orbit, all formed into neat columns and rows. It was all being organized for the official operation starting ceremony. Ships from both galaxies were mixed, as a sign of solidarity between Milky Way and Andromeda in face of the new danger.
Ester smirked, remembering how after picking up Suvi from Mars, they went to Angier System and had to wait for three days before Tertan task force meant to take part in the operation was being assembled. Aqi decided to go a bit early, while she left the last preparations to other officials in the Protectorate.
"We're gonna venture into the unknown soon."Ester said.
"Something that didn't happen for years, since most of the Milky Way is known."Dora replied.
"Indeed."
"What do you think we're gonna find out there?"
Dora shrugged.
"Beats me."she said."We might find anything. Starting at small, intelligent viruses, ending at large, spaceborne whales that eat ships."
"You sure have imagination."
"I do. But what we will surely find there will be untold billions of angry lizard people trying to kill us."
"That's for sure."
They looked at the map again.
"You think we will find something there that WON'T try to kill us?"Ester asked.
"There's always a possibility."Dora replied.
"I just hope it's big."
"So do I."
Ester turned around.
"I'm gonna go and see how others are doing. Coming?"she asked.
"Right behind ya."Dora replied.
They left the bridge, saluting to the captain of the ship, who saluted back at them. They walked down the corridor and towards the elevator, which took them to the lower decks of the ship, where training facilities were located. As they entered the Training Deck, as it was called, they quickly made their way towards the nearest gym, where upon entering, they saw numerous SOF and Sharkline operatives training together. Some where training hand-to-hand combat, while others trained disarming enemies. Fortunately, Sharkline mercenaries were really fast learners and were taking in everything SOF operatives taught them relatively easily.
"You prepared them well."Ester said, looking at the mercenaries.
"Nothing else but perfection."Dora said proudly."That's what I expect from my subordinates."
"Can't argue with that."
Ester looked around and spotted the rest of their team. Lena was teaching a Sharkline mercenary how to disarm an enemy, Arlette and Yuko were double tagging another one and Suvi was standing in the corner, kissing with another mercen…
Wait.
"Suvi!"Ester and Dora exclaimed.
Suvi Felinainen, Prime Minister of Mars, stopped kissing the mercenary and looked towards them.
"Oh, hey guys."she said casually.
The two were at her within seconds.
"Suv, what did we tell you?"Dora asked.
"No seducing people!"Ester added.
"Hey, not my fault he was easy to get."Suvi said, pointing at the mercenary.
They all looked at the guy, who blushed.
"You better leave."Dora said.
"Y-Yes, ma'am!"the mercenary said and ran off.
The two looked back at Suvi.
"What does Persia say about this?"Ester asked.
Persia, Suvi's wife, was a cat person from Flare Prime and former maid at Count Formall mansion in Italica. They married after the end of War of Flare Prime. It was one of the most important weddings of the time. Persia even now decided to come with Suvi for the operation, what was pretty surprising for everyone.
"Oh, you know that our relationship is pretty open."Suvi replied."Besides, nobody can give me as much pleasure as my dear Persia."She smiled brightly.
Ester and Dora looked at each other.
"Just don't overdo it."Ester said."I bet even Persia has her limits."
"Yeah. Nobody can go with it forever."Dora added.
Suvi sighed.
"Party poppers."she said, pouting.
"Stop acting like a child!"Dora hissed.
"I'll be doing what I want!"Suvi exclaimed and ran off.
Ester and Dora looked at her run and sighed.
"She'll never change, will she?"Dora asked.
"Nope."Ester replied."I think I just found one of the dangers we will face on this voyage."
"That being?"
"Suvi's unsustained hornyness."
"True that…"
"Let's go see how is the rest doing."
"Good idea."
With that, they walked out of the gym and went to visit the other facilities on the Training Deck.
February 1
13:21
RFNS Queen's Light, mess hall
"For Flare Prime!"Emmy exclaimed.
"For Flare Prime!"other members of 1st Warrior Bunnies exclaimed.
They all clanked their mugs and quickly emptied them. Delilah looked at them.
"Hope these were not alcoholic?"she asked.
"As if you could get those here…"Emmy said.
"You can always try to smuggle."Ves said.
"Then the MPs will get your ass."Heley stated.
Emmy rolled her eyes.
"If it's not alcoholic…"Delilah said."For Flare Prime!"
She then proceeded to chug down her own drink, causing shivers to run down her spine.
"Not alcoholic, but cold. Damn…"she said.
"If I didn't know you, I'd think you've gone soft."Macy said.
"Not soft."Delilah retorted."I just don't wanna get court martialled. Especially not after becoming the Commander of Fighter Infantry Corps."
"Fair."
They sat like that in silence for a few minutes, watching people come and leave the mess hall.
"So. It's today."Kenya finally said.
"Yup."Macy said.
"Uncharted Shores begins."Emmy said."I'm so excited."
"Be careful."Heley said."Too much excitement can be bad for you."
Emmy just waved her hand dismissively.
"Nah, you're thinking too much. We're just gonna go there, grab Zorzal and his hoes and get back. It will be easy."she said.
"I think you're forgetting about a giant, galaxy spamming empire that protects them."Ves said.
"Like that would be a problem for us. Didn't we kick their asses during the Border Battles?"
"Every time, barely."Heley stated."Our losses during Border Battles were higher than they should be."
"Still, I have full trust in our abilities. We will make it and we'll be home before 2180."
Others looked at each other.
"Pray that this whole thing won't last that long."Macy said.
"We don't need another war as long as Great Galactic War."Kenya said.
"I doubt it will be that long…"Ves stated."…but the risk exists."
As Delilah sat there, she didn't participate in this conversation, instead thinking. There were many things that could lead to the failure of the operation. Erecans were still widely unknown enemy. It was basically for certain, that they hide something deep within their space. Large, evil empires tend to do that.
"They're gonna pull something out of their ass, won't they?"she thought.
"And what do you think, Deli?"Macy asked.
Delilah looked at the others, blinking, as they looked back at her.
"What?"she asked.
"How long do you think all this lasts?"Emmy asked.
Delilah shrugged.
"I bet on five years max. Give or take."she replied.
"That would be good."Ves said."Not too long, not too short."
"But it depends on how hard will the enemy resist."Macy said."They had some time to prepare."
"Too much time in my opinion…"Emmy said.
The conversation continued for the next few minutes, before Delilah noticed that it was time for the final round of pre-operation training. The team quickly left the mess hall soon after.
February 1
13:58
EDS Shannar, Erysia Anchorage, Erysia System
Captain Tashar or-Arash sat in the barracks alongside his squad members, cleaning his gear. He worked so hard to reach this position as someone who was born in the Erecan colonial undercity. He wasn't going to lose it just because his armor was unpolished.
"Hey, Tash!"one of his teammates exclaimed."Come with us, we're going out on the surface!"
He looked towards his squad and shook his head.
"I'd rather finish this."he stated.
"Come on, nobody will find out."
"Sorry."Tashar returned to cleaning.
Others just shook their heads and walked away.
Tashar shook his head, too. He could not leave stuff like that for later. If he had to choose between taking care of his presentation in public as an officer of Erecan Dominion Armed Forces or going out and getting drunk in the club, he would always pick taking care of how he presented himself. It was too important to him. This life was what got him from the gutter that his home undercity was.
Not to mention, that he was one of the few non-nobles that got to such a high position by his hard work, not through connections. Actually, he may have been the very first person from the working class to ever reach the rank of captain. He was not going something as simple as dirty uniform degrade him.
Erecan Dominion's class structure was pretty easy to comprehend. On the highest place was of course, the Imperial Family, followed by Nobility, then Artisans and Middle Class and at the very bottom, were the Workers. Tashar came from the Workers. Even thought it was his social class that made the Dominion operate, seeing how it was the Workers who worked in the factories and other facilities, making things that allowed the Dominion to operate, they were basically considered as barely more than other races.
Not to mention that undercities were complete lair of scum and villainy. Guard Force barely ventured there, deeming them as 'too dangerous'. And what about the people living there? Well, it's 'too dangerous', but for the Guard Force. Gang violence and all other sorts of crimes were commonplace there.
And Tashar grew up in one of them. His family was of an extremely low rank, even among the Workers. It was always hard for them to tie both ends. This is why when Tashar was allowed to join Military Academy on his home planet, his parents and younger siblings were overjoyed. Now, with him so high in the hierarchy, he was getting good enough pay, which he sent fully to his family. He could live off of what the military gave him.
As he thought about it, he sighed. It's been a few years now since he last visited his home and family. But after what happened a few years ago, when Sons of Sadera failed in their campaign aimed at reclaiming their birthright, majority of Dominion's forces were put on high alert and combat readiness. Most people didn't understand why. They were told the enemy was weak and would be easily defeated by Dominion's forces if they tried anything.
And yet, army was ready to take action when needed. This is why Tashar's unit, the 957th Mechanized Legion, was moved to the furthest fringes of the Erecan Dominion, supposedly near the systems controlled by the enemy. They were still in the second line, though, while the first line was made up of scout units and supply ships, trying to gather as many resources as possible from the systems immediately bordering the enemy. Probably to make it harder for them to use them in case they got lucky and actually broke through the first line.
Not that Tashar believed it would happen. Erecan Dominion was too powerful for anyone to beat. He knew it well. They beat anyone who ever challenged them.
And now, it was gonna be the same.
February 1
14:55
Near the Glass Fields
The time has almost come. Pina could feel the tension in the air, as she looked at the gathered soldiers. A small stage for her to address the soldiers was set up on the very edge of the Glass Fields. She thought it was funny how everyone called the glassed part of the planet as if it was here all along. Like it wasn't the sign of the greatest crime ever committed against her people. No. Not only her people. All people of Andromeda, both the ones who were born there, as well as those who came to call this place home.
And now, they were going to make the ones responsible for all pay for this.
"Are you ready?"Grey asked.
Pina looked at her former mentor. She took a deep breath and then breathed out.
"Yes."she said.
"Then let's proceed."
They waited for a few more minutes, until the 15:00 came and then, Pina and Grey stepped onto the stage. On it, they saw other commanders, from Fleet Admiral Tyuule, ending at Sarla. There were also commanders from other nations that were to take part in the operation. Grey patted Pina's arm and joined them. All eyes then turned to Pina.
Queen stood on the stage, in front of the microphone. In front of her, she saw all soldiers who came to the surface to watch and listen to her speech live. Camera drones zoomed around, recording everything and transmitting it to both the orbit and to other planets. She took another deep breath.
She looked at the soldiers and started.
"Soldiers of Andromeda and Milky Way! We are all gathered here today, because of a simple reason! Three years ago, both our galaxies were met with unimaginable tragedy! War, the size of which is surpassed only by Great Galactic War, came to take all that we love from us! Our homes, our families and our friends!"
Soldiers murmured approvingly.
"This war, as it later turned out, was orchestrated by someone, who we long thought was dead! And that person was…"She gritted her teeth."…my brother. Former Crown Prince Zorzal El Ceasar!"
Immediately, boos and shouts erupted from the soldiers, who showed what they think about Zorzal.
"In Andromeda, it was my brother's forces who brought pain and suffering to us! While in Milky Way, it was one of his allies, the Laconian Republic and their Galactic Concordance! However, the Republic and Concordance were already brought to justice for the crimes they committed!"
She glanced around and spotted several Nakatan, Maraqi and other former GC soldiers. They tugged on their collars, gulping.
"My brother and his other ally, the so-called Erecan Dominion, however, still have not!"
Fierce. That's how she could best describe the aura these soldiers were giving. They were ready to go and fight for what they believed in.
"But we will change it!"Pina continued."For today, we embark on the greatest voyage ever seen in Andromeda galaxy! With powers from both Milky Way and Andromeda, we will venture into the unknown depths of the galaxy, find my brother and his sovereigns and we will make sure, that they will all be brought to justice!"
She raised her fist and response to that gesture was eruption of cheers and shouts of approval from the gathered. All across the Andromeda Branch space, people at homes, at bars, all who were watching the speech, all celebrated and cheered. They all believed that the time of retribution has come and that this operation will be the very thing that they need to finally end the terror and fear her brother seethed among them.
Pina glanced behind her, at the gathered higher officers, who all nodded approvingly. She then glanced at the ships that entered the atmosphere specifically for her speech. Among them was Queen's Light, it's massive shape visible among the clouds. It used to be her brother's flagship. And now, it was theirs.
She still couldn't tell if it was a gift, or a cruel joke of fate. Most likely both. But it was one of those, which even she would gladly take.
She looked back at the gathered soldiers.
"I officially declare Operation: Uncharted Shores…has begun!"
Once more, cheers.
XXX
And this is where we end for today. As always, feel free to leave a review, follow and favorite. It will be highly appreciated!
See ya!