Chapter 1: Priority New Ginza

- Eden Alpha Station, Eden Prime Planetary Defense Headquarters, Orbiting Eden Prime -

22nd February, 3001 - Unification Day

Commander Ava Bennett marches down the sterile, buzzing hallway, her boots pounding heavily against the gleaming metallic floor. The air smells faintly of burnt ozone and industrial cleaners. As Commander of the 5th Special Interstellar Force (SIF) Platoon, 2nd Interstellar Special Operation (ISO) Division, she is the leader of a unit responsible for the annihilation of the Marikar Empire's military command structure. The mission, which had been labeled a "suicide mission" had succeeded against all odds. It had taken the lives of one-third of her platoon, but it broke the back of the Empire.

Despite the victory, Ava's eyes are haunted by the faces of the dead. It's a constant weight on her shoulders, one she'll carry for the rest of her life.

- Commander Ava Bennett -
Name: Ava Bennett
DOB: 10th March, 2973 (28 years old)
Rank: Commander
Origin: London, England Sector, Earth
Unit: ISO, in command of 5th SIF Platoon

- Interstellar Special Operation (ISO) -

The 5th SIF Platoon, like all SIF units, consists of 16 elite operators, including 2 junior officers. The team is complemented by 4 to 6 SAT-8 combat bots, the war machines built for raw destruction. The ISO is not a traditional military division; rather, it deploys its platoons where the need is greatest, in the most dangerous of environments, with devastating consequences.

- SAT-8 Combat Bot -
The SAT-8, a 1.5-meter, 4-legged killing machine, is outfitted with 10mm rotary guns, grenade launchers, and a KEL composite armour. Its advanced AI and linked sensors feed information directly into the operators' helmets, relaying real-time data. The bots are designed for one thing: slaughter. Every SAT-8 carries a replicator capable of producing more ammunition when needed.

- New Ginza, Eden Prime -

Ava steps into the lounge, a refuge of warmth amid the cold, clinical corridors of the station. She's met by a group of familiar faces: Lieutenant Commander Ashley Le, Lieutenant Rob Anderson, Lieutenant Jimmy Parson, and Lieutenant David Smith. They are laughing, recounting some old tale from their past. But Ava can't bring herself to laugh with them. The weight of war is never far from her mind.

"Comanderrrrrr!" Rob calls out, his voice full of mock cheer. "Happy Unification Day, Commander. How're you holding up?"

Ava smiles weakly and takes a seat. "I'm fine, Rob. Just tired. What are you guys talking about?"

Ashley grins, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Just reminiscing about old times. We were just talking about how David got so drunk, he stumbled into Admiral Taylor's office in nothing but his underwear. The Admiral nearly lost it stormed into the barracks so hard we thought the base was under attack."

David groans, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "You were the one who made me drink that damn bottle! It was a stupid bet. I shouldn't have agreed to it."

Jimmy laughs loudly. "And then there was Ned, so drunk he couldn't even stand. But you were too busy making sure David didn't collapse on the spot."

Ava chuckles darkly. "Yeah, that was three months before the suicide mission. Taylor spent an hour yelling at me in his office, saying 'You're the SIF unit, Commander, control your damn men!' Then he threatened to have our platoon cleaning toilets for a month. But it's all water under the bridge now. Then came the mission...and all the death."

Ashley looks at her with soft eyes, her hand resting on Ava's shoulder. "You know it wasn't your fault, right? The mission... it was a suicide run. Nobody could've predicted how it would go down."

Ava leans back, her eyes blank stare. "I know. But I can't stop thinking I could've done more. Maybe I should've gone back... Maybe I could've saved someone. Maybe I could've saved Ned."

David lifts his glass. "Ned saved us, Commander. If he hadn't held that blast gate, we would've lost more men. Don't carry that burden. He made his choice, and we'll honor it."

The group raises their glasses. "To Ned."

Ava feels a lump form in her throat. She takes a deep breath, trying to push the emotions down. "Thanks, everyone. But I've still got ghosts to face. And they're not letting me go."

Ashley gives her a smile. "You ever think about what you're doing for Unification Day? You're coming with us, right? We're heading to Eden Prime's moon for the wheel car race. You need a break."

Ava shakes her head. "Thanks, Ash, but I've got plans. I want to check out the Unification Exhibition on New Ginza. They're showcasing 21st and 22nd century weapons. I'm already late." She stands. "Have fun, guys."

- New Ginza City, Eden Prime –

Ava steps out of the Planetary Transit Hub and into the gleaming metropolis of New Ginza. The city towers above her, massive, imposing, with glass and steel stretching into the sky. Despite being over a century old, the city is pristine, shining under the golden rays of Eden Prime's sun. The air hums with energy, and the streets are alive with the hustle and bustle of civilians enjoying the holiday atmosphere.

Ava ponders, "Maybe I should grab a snack before heading to the exhibition," and checks her phone for nearby convenience stores. After noting a 7-Eleven near her destination, she inputs the location into the transit pod's console, transferring the fare. The transparent pod lifts off, revealing a magnificent view of the city, with skyscrapers towering as high as 2 kilometers (1.24 miles).

In the heart of New Ginza Square, an enormous, mysterious Roman-like structure materializes out of nowhere, drawing the attention of bystanders. Police swiftly secure the area and begin evacuating civilians. Despite detecting no radiation or energy emissions, the enormous gate measuring 10 meters in width and 15 meters in height opens to a pitch-black abyss.

"First Contact Protocol initiated," orders the police captain after receiving word from Eden Alpha that the structure is alien in origin. "Clear the area within a 2-kilometer radius. Move, now!"

First Contact Protocol, established after the formation of the UNE, was designed to manage encounters with alien civilizations. Originally based on diplomatic relations, it was revised following the First Intergalactic War, instructing UNE forces to assume all unknown extraterrestrial entities are hostile until further analysis can be conducted.

- Eden Alpha Station, Eden Prime Planetary Defense Headquarters –
Rear Admiral Zhang strides into the Command Information Center (CIC). "What's happening? Any updates?"

"We don't know, sir," a crew member reports. "The structure just appeared out of thin air. Our sensors didn't detect any anomalies before it materialized. No wormholes, no energy signatures, nothing. Eden Prime's planetary shield is still active. It shouldn't be possible."

"Apparently, something did get through," Zhang replies. "I want a full diagnostic of our systems and a scan of the planet's surface. Contact Admiral Robert of the Eden Prime Defense Fleet."

After the line connects, Admiral Robert appears on the communication screen. "Zhang, we're on yellow alert here. The data matches. We'll prepare for deployment."

Planetary defense is a robust system composed of multiple layers designed to protect UNE colonies and territories. At its core is a planetary shield, capable of withstanding sustained bombardments from orbital weapons. Complementing this is a network of automated defense platforms strategically positioned around the planet, equipped with railguns, missile batteries, and point-defense systems to intercept enemy vessels and projectiles.

Every colonized planet or system capital is safeguarded by a defense fleet stationed permanently in the system. These fleets, named after their respective planets or capitals, adhere to the Guardian Doctrine optimized exclusively for defensive operations within UNE borders. A typical defense fleet includes 60 frigates, 30 destroyers, 30 cruisers, 20 battleships, 6 carriers and a single command ship.

The command ship is the centerpiece of the fleet. Larger than a battleship but with only slightly superior firepower compared to a cruiser, it excels in resilience and electronic warfare. Its shield systems are the most advanced in the fleet, capable of withstanding prolonged attacks, and it is equipped with cutting-edge electronic warfare (EW) and counter-EW suites, making it invaluable for disabling enemy communications and disrupting targeting systems.

For ground operations, the command ship carries 2 marine divisions, including tanks, infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), and extensive logistical support. Each battleship in the fleet houses a marine battalion, ensuring rapid deployment capabilities for planetary engagements. Each carrier capable of carrying 5 marine divisions, 10 SAT8 iron legions and replicator that capable of produce more SAT8s. For air and space support, every battleship is equipped with two wings of multi-mission SF-40 starfighters, while the command ship carries 10 wings of SF-40s alongside two wings of GS-12 gunships for precision airstrikes and close air support.

This layered defense structure ensures that UNE colonies remain bastions of security, capable of repelling even the most determined assaults.

- New Ginza City, Eden Prime –
Meanwhile, back in New Ginza Square, the black portal widens, and a regiment of armored soldiers, resembling ancient Roman legions, march out. At the front, a commanding officer on horseback delivers a speech in an unknown language.

"Sons of Sadera, today we fight for glory! Today we honor our Empire! Show no mercy!" With that, the legions charge, unleashing wyverns and monstrous beasts into the square, slaughtering civilians and police alike.

In the 31st century, crime is almost nonexistent, and the police force is lightly equipped with stun weapons and no personal shields. They are utterly ill-prepared for such an overwhelming assault.

Ava, browsing the snack aisle of a convenience store, hears screams and explosions outside. A wyvern crashes through the window, tossing the severed torso of a man into the store.

She rushes outside to see what is happening "What the..."

They march like locusts, an army of death. The screams of the civilians are swallowed by the thunderous roar of wyverns as they soar from the blackness, tearing into the helpless masses with claws and fire. The invaders are merciless. They cut down anyone in their path.

Ava watches in horror as the police, unarmed and unshielded, are slaughtered in droves. Their stun guns are useless against the armor-clad invaders. She grips her submachine gun, watching helplessly as civilians are butchered, torn apart by monsters, their screams echoing across the square.

The bloodshed is overwhelming. Children are slaughtered without mercy, their bodies desecrated in ways unimaginable. A mother, carrying her babies, is struck down by an arrow, her leg shattered. As she falls to the ground, the invaders close in. They cut down her children with brutal precision, then proceed to violate her, laughing as they rip the last vestiges of her humanity from her.

Ava's hand trembles as she lifts her weapon, firing plasma bolts that tear through the wyvern's hide, punching holes into the beast with ease. The raider riding it is torn in half. But there are too many. She's outnumbered.

"Admiral, you seeing this?" Ava contacts Eden Alpha, her voice cold, steely

"Planetary defense units are en route," Admiral Zhang responds. "ETA five minutes. Hang tight."

Ava scans the chaos, watching as people scramble for their lives. In that moment, Ava feels the heat of fury rise in her chest, but she knows she's not equipped to stop this. Not without backup. She falls back toward the nearest bunker, her heart heavy with rage and helplessness.

A moment later, a squadron of D-20 Troop Transports and SD-20 Super Transports descends from the sky, their deployment shields crackling with energy. The 5th SIF hits the ground running.

"About damn time," Ashley says, her voice grim.

Ava nods. "Let's end this."

As her tactical armor deploys around her, Ava feels the familiar weight of it settle over her body. The feeling of invincibility washes over her. She grips her plasma rifle, her eyes narrowing.

- Tactical Armor for Combat (TAC)-

By the 31st century, advanced replication technology has allowed the UNE to mass-produce the pinnacle of military equipment for its troops. This means every soldier is equipped with the best gear available, with their effectiveness distinguished only by their training and experience.

The Tactical Armor for Combat (TAC) is the embodiment of this technological supremacy, taking inspiration from 21st-century fictional concepts like nanotech suits but elevating them to an entirely new level of sophistication and practicality.

The suit's helmet features lights visible only to friendly forces, thanks to advanced optical frequency modulation. To their enemies, UNE soldiers remain faceless, an intimidating and dehumanizing presence on the battlefield.

The TAC also integrates an active and adaptive camouflage system. This cutting-edge technology allows the armor to seamlessly blend with its environment, dynamically altering its color and pattern in real time to provide optimal concealment.

Crafted with KEL material, the suit offers unparalleled protection against both ballistic and energy-based threats, maintaining the perfect balance between defense and mobility. Its lightweight, flexible structure enables soldiers to move freely while enduring the harshest combat scenarios. It also has a personal energy shield to further the protection.

The TAC suit isn't just armor, it's a fully integrated battlefield system. It enhances situational awareness with a heads-up display (HUD) featuring real-time tactical data, advanced communication systems, and AI-assisted targeting. Each suit is powered by a compact zero-point energy module, ensuring uninterrupted operation in even the longest campaigns. The suits work with the operator via a brainwave reader that allow perfect sync between them.

With its combination of stealth, resilience, and advanced technology, the TAC makes UNE soldiers an unstoppable force, turning them into living legends on the battlefield.

"Time to kill," she says, as the squad readies themselves for the bloodbath ahead.

The UNE reinforcements hit the ground with thunderous force. From the sky, D-20 Troop Transports descended in tight formation, each shuttle a mechanical beast carrying dozens of soldiers clad in tactical armor, equipped with reinforced plasma rifles, grenades, and the latest in crowd control technology. As they hit the streets, the overwhelming noise of their boots hitting the ground was drowned by the crackling roar of their heavy weaponry opening fire.

"Who the fuck are these guys?" Ashley muttered, eyes narrowing as her visor blinked to life with targeting data.

"Mental cosplayers?" David replied.

The invaders, still tangled in the streets, were no match for the sheer firepower of the UNE forces. Most of the invaders were armored in thick plates that could withstand blades and arrows but not plasma bullets. UNE plasma rifles cutting through the invaders' ranks with surgical precision. Each shot struck with such force that it shredded through their defenses, turn them into red mists of blood.

The first wave of UNE soldiers moved like a tidal wave of destruction. They didn't hesitate. They didn't give the invaders any time to regroup. As the invaders turned to fight, their grotesque, grotesquely armored bodies cracked under the weight of the plasma fire. Bodies burst into flames or were blown apart by concentrated bursts. The streets, already slick with the blood of civilians, became slicker with the invaders' remains.

"Kill them all," Ava's voice cut through the comms, her tone cold, her expression unreadable behind her helmet. She moved with lethal precision, positioning herself and her team in a fluid formation that cut down anything in their path.

The plasma bolts she fired sliced through the air with brutal efficiency. The air reeked of burning flesh and the stench of scorched metal. The invaders, once so confident in their terror, now screamed and flailed in desperation as they fell one by one.

The battlefield was quickly transformed into a slaughterhouse. The unequipped invaders were helpless against the superior firepower of the UNE forces. They ran in disorganized masses, trying to flee—but they were corralled by the overwhelming force. Their attempts at retaliation were futile. Their weapons, crude by comparison, arrows and magic spells ricocheted off the UNE's energy shields, while the UNE's plasma bolts tore through their armor with ease.

"Push forward! No mercy!" the unit commanders barked into the comms, their voices filled with wrath.

The SAT-8 combat bots deployed, emerging from the transports like nightmare machines. Each bot carried a rotary cannon that churned the air with deafening gunfire. The bots advanced, tearing into the invaders like a machine of war designed to break them down, shred their morale, and burn their hopes to ash.

The bots' rotary guns let out a calm cold scream, spitting out rounds that tore through the invaders' bodies, turning them into shredded meat. Their bodies exploded in showers of bone and flesh as the UNE forces advanced. It was not a battle it was a massacre.

"Get them, get them all!" Jimmy shouted as he sprayed a group of invaders with a grenade launcher, the blasts sending their bodies flying through the air like ragdolls.

Every corner of New Ginza Square became a killing field. There were no safe zones. UNE troops advanced on all fronts, methodically clearing street after street with ruthless efficiency. The invaders attempted to regroup, but it was clear from the first moment that they had underestimated the enemy.

Meanwhile, ground forces, with no remorse, plowed forward, cutting down any remaining resistance. As the last groups of invaders attempted to regroup and counterattack, they were met by the full force of the UNE's might. A shell of a Lancer tank detonated among a cluster of invaders, sending pieces of their bodies scattering through the air. The explosion was so violent that it obliterated a dozen bodies in an instant, leaving nothing but smoke and the twisted remains of armor.

-Lancer-2 Hover Tank-

The Lancer-2 is a cutting-edge hover tank designed for versatility, durability, and overwhelming firepower. Equipped with retractable tracks for emergencies or challenging terrain, it seamlessly adapts to any battlefield condition.

Its primary weapon is a 120mm main gun, capable of firing superheated plasma rounds that can pierce even the toughest armor or devastating HEIP (High-Explosive Incendiary Plasma) rounds for obliterating entrenched infantry and light fortifications.

For anti-infantry and air defense, the Lancer-2 boasts two SWARM missile pods mounted at the rear, capable of unleashing a barrage of micro-missiles to neutralize multiple targets. Additionally, it features dual three-barrel rotary 20mm cannons with advanced tracking systems, capable of engaging and destroying jets flying at Mach 3 with pinpoint precision.

The Lancer-2 is a fortress on the move. It is armored with state-of-the-art KEL element, providing exceptional resistance against both kinetic and energy-based weapons. This is complemented by a powerful energy shielding unit, offering an additional layer of protection.

All of its systems, including propulsion, weaponry, and shielding, are powered by a single zero-point energy power cell, granting it near-limitless operational capacity. With its unmatched blend of mobility, firepower, and resilience, the Lancer-2 dominates the battlefield and stands as a testament to UNE military innovation.

"Don't let them regroup!" The command echoed over the comms. Ava's voice came as cold as the metal of her rifle, her team responding in kind. They moved as a single, unstoppable unit, carving through any and all resistance with deadly precision.

By the time the final stragglers were being mopped up, the streets of New Ginza were choked with the bodies of the invaders. The few who survived long enough to retreat had fled into the gate, but even they knew the game was up. The invaders who had believed themselves invincible now understood that they were mere insects, crushed under the weight of a military juggernaut.

The soldiers, filled with righteous fury, take their oath to the United Nations of Earth. They are ready. And nothing will stop them from getting their retribution

- Plasma Weaponry-

Among all the known civilizations in space, the UNE stands alone in its mastery of plasma weaponry—a technological marvel unmatched by any other faction. This advanced technology, one of humanity's most closely guarded secrets, spans from infantry weapons to the massive armaments used on spacecraft. While the exact specifications remain classified, the general principle is understood.

A plasma round is essentially a multilayered projectile. Upon pulling the trigger, the mass driver mechanism accelerates the round to near light speed, while a powerful electromagnetic field envelops the projectile in the firing chamber. This field strips away the outer layers of the bullet's matter, completely ionizing it in the process. As the projectile exits the barrel, the transformation continues, converting the bullet into a bolt of superheated plasma, reaching temperatures of 10 million degrees Celsius (18 million degrees Fahrenheit).

The result is a devastatingly powerful bolt of energy capable of obliterating any target in its path. The plasma beams used by UNE warships are even more potent, carrying an order of magnitude more power, turning them into unstoppable forces of destruction in the vastness of space.

-New Gina Square-

After intense hours of clearing buildings and relentlessly pushing the enemy back, the UNE forces had successfully halted the invasion. The Marines were unable to prevent the enemy from taking civilians through the gate, but they had managed to trap and eliminate the entire high-ranking command structure of the invaders. It was estimated that around 104 individuals, both civilians and police officers, were taken through the gate. The death toll among the civilians was catastrophic, numbering in the thousands.

"Bravo Zulu, Commander. We've won the day," Admiral Zhang's voice crackled through Ava's helmet.

Ava's voice was tight with frustration. "We weren't fast enough, sir. Too many innocent lives were lost." She paused, her eyes scanning the aftermath of the battle. "Do we have a plan for a counterattack?"

"Terra Sphere has sent word," Zhang replied. "The 9th Terra Fleet is en route. We'll set up a blockade around the gate. Once we have the situation contained, we'll launch a full assault. The fleet will follow our lead and proceed to the designated coordinates for a final strike."

Ava's hand snapped to her forehead in a crisp salute. "Understood, sir."

-Two weeks after the New Ginza Incident-

"Citizens of the United Nations of Earth, never before in our history, since the First Interstellar War, have we faced an enemy so merciless and brutal. Our people were slaughtered, violated, and enslaved by an unknown force that believed they could break humanity so easily and they paid dearly for that arrogance. But let it be known, their punishment was just the beginning. The cry for retribution has been heard, and retribution shall be delivered. The other side of the gate is now designated Special Region. There, our warriors, the 6th Marine Division and the 5th SIF, will spearhead the invasion. We will establish a blockade, and when the time comes, we will broadcast the Special Region's location, enabling the 9th Terra Fleet to arrive. Operation Retribution begins!" The president of the UNE concludes his speech, which echoes across all UNE frequencies. A wave of cheers erupts from the citizens, their hearts burning with the fire of vengeance, while families of the missing find new hope in their anguish.

The full invasion force comprises the 6th Marine Division, 5th SIF, 75th Armor Division, 14th Logistic Division, 3rd Recon Battalion, and the 29th Marine Division, with the 2nd ISO joining the assault via the 9th Terra Fleet. All have gathered at New Ginza Square and the connecting avenues for the pre-invasion ceremony.

"I am General Adam Nguyen, and I will command this joint operation in the Special Region. For those of you seeking further details about my service record, you may access them via MNet. But trust me when I say this: I will not fail you. Soldiers! Oath!" General Nguyen addresses his troops, his voice unwavering.

"I, soldier of the UNE, solemnly swear,

To dedicate my life and abilities,

To defend the United Nations of Earth,

To protect the civilization of Man,

To preserve the universal rights of all sentient life,

From the deepest trenches of the Marina to the furthest reaches of the Universe,

For as long as I shall live!"

Every soldier recites the oath in perfect unison, their spirits ignited with the fervor of what lies ahead.

The invasion has begun, and with it comes the promise of retribution.