Chapter 8 Titans

July 25th, 2017

11:10 AM

Meridian Prime Warzone

No Man's Land

Ares was still on his Chrono Dragon flying over the battlefield on Meridian Prime. Watching Chrysalis, ConDef, and Fallen kill each other on the surface. The firing of anti-aircraft guns, Chrysalis and ConDef harriers dogfighting as well as Fallen Hydras dogfighting in the air, and AC-130 battle planes patrolling the battle for air support are what Ares could see below his dragon's altitude. Ares himself halted his dragon to initiate another contingency.

It was now time for the god of war to release his titans on the island. Allies of Ares who would unleash havoc all over Meridian Prime and turn his tide to victory. This is what Ares did to release them. The war god himself combined the power of the Space Shard, Power Shard, and Soul Shard on his gauntlet to summon his titans. Space for their emergence, Power for empowering them, and Soul to give them life.

As Chrysalis and ConDef were fighting on the ground, earthquakes began to rumble. The ground shook below everyone's feet. Then cracks began to crackle the surface. That is when a ginormous head started emerging out of the ground. Heads that soon spawned with arms, arms that spawned with bodies, and bodies that then spawned with legs and feet touching the surface of the island.

Lo and behold were fifty-foot moving statues the size of Lady Liberty revealed to be Ares's titans. With glowing eyes energizing firepower of some sort. Then their eyes fired burning lasers onto the ground floor like Godzilla's atomic breath. Destroying Chrysalis forces in their path from ground infantry, tanks, harrier fighters, gunship choppers, and even battle planes out of the sky. Avoiding ConDef in there as Ares deemed them friendly as he had done with his Fallen forces. Chrysalis was now losing the fight for as long as the Titans were present.

Max

July 25th, 2017

11:13 AM

Meridian Prime Warzone

No Man's Land

Our convoy comes to a halt at a Chrysalis checkpoint where other troops greet us with more ammunition and other essentials. Chloe, Bryan, and I get off our jeep. Frank, his driver, and the other gunman get off theirs. Chloe was growing more concerned about her stepdad after being forced to leave him behind after his chopper went down while we were restocking everything.

Chloe: I can't believe we just left David behind like that! He could've been killed!

Max: David is going to be fine, Chloe! Even if he's not, we can't let that stop us from reaching Mount Genesis.

Penske: (comms) Admiral Penske to all units deployed on Meridian. Our radars have detected massive hostile activity on the island. Chronos had identified them as Ares's titans. I say again. Ares's Titans are on the island!

Max: This is Caulfield to Penske. What titans?!

Suddenly, a bean of devastating energy is shot above us and blows up a flying harrier like a firecracker. My team and I turn our heads to see a ginormous walking statue from afar. Marching its way above the trees.

Penske: (comms) The Titans Chronos warned you about at the FOB. He just stopped by to tell us.

Max: Scratch that, Admiral. We've already identified one.

Frank: Sweet Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. How the fuck do we defend ourselves against that?

Harvest: (comms) Specialist M. Caulfield, this is Captain Harvest. Harvest to Caulfield. Do you read?

Max: I read you. What is it, captain?

Harvest: (comms) Our fleet has found a solution to deal with the said titans on Meridian. Our dreadnaught the USCC Maryland is armed with a tactical nuclear missile launcher. Direct hits on the Titans will devastate them with one blow. Chronos's words concisely. But you'll need to reach the next checkpoint four clicks ahead of your position to get the targeting links to fire. There'll be a targeting computer at that checkpoint for you to take control. Can you make it there?

Max: We will try, captain. Just send us the coordinates.

Harvest: Don't just try, Caulfield. Please just do it. I'm sending the coordinates to all of Valor now. Harvest out.

Max: David, did you get that? We're going to that checkpoint. That targeting computer is our ticket to taking down those titans.

David: (comms) We heard everything, Max. Just got the coordinates and Cage is taking us there now. Over and out.

Frank: Nuclear missiles. Now that's a way to take down angry titans.

Max: Okay, Valor Three. You heard the Captain. Let's hull ass and get to that checkpoint now.

Chloe: Maximus becomes a squad leader and uses nuclear weapons. I must be dreaming.

Bryan: I sure hope Alex made it back there with her team and David's taking good care of her.

Max: She's gonna make it, Uncle. I got her this far. Let's not think the opposite now.

Chronos: (Max's mind) Maxine Caulfield. Can you hear me?

Max: (Max's mind) Chronos, is that you?

Somehow Chronos could speak to me and I could speak to him without moving my lips. How is this happening?

Chronos: (Max's mind) We can speak to each other through your mind. A neural link from the Time Shard. Per our deal we made. Now listen. ConDef is advancing to that checkpoint Captain Harvest informed you about. The Chrysalis troops can't hold them back forever. You must hurry.

Chrysalis units were hiding out in the ruins of New Exodus. Hiding from an incoming titan crossing their paths. Hiding in the dilapidated buildings and bushes growing there. Preparing to make an ambush firing on the titan from their hiding positions. The titan itself was marching and stomping over a current of water that flooded the ruins. Big splashes on the current with every step it took. Someplace Max and Chloe had traversed through days ago when going after Alex when she was captured. Before it became a battleground.

A female Chrysalis commander leading one unit hid inside a ruined building where her troops were peaking through the charred window holes. Rifles are armed and ready. The whole ambush was staged by the commander herself. Praying her tactic would work. Then contacted everyone in their ambushing positions.

Chrysalis Commander: Take it out any way you can.

The titan then came to a screeching halt. The fifty-foot being turns its head downward and scans its surroundings. Sensing hostile lifeforms beneath it.

Chrysalis Commander: All units, open fire!

Everyone from opposite ends of the ambush set their weapons free on the Titan. Shooting at it with their auto rifles, heavy turrets, RPGs, stingers, and weapons in the manual they can use to kill it. Bullets and rockets were hitting the titan with as much damage as they could take, but the piercing of the speeding bullets and warheads was too minimal for an easy kill. The armor on the Titan was as impenetrable as the armor on the AT-ATs in The Empire Strikes Back. The commander radioed air support from harrier squadrons to AC-130s available to help the firing squad take down their impervious target. But no help was coming.

Chrysalis Commander: Where's our fire support?! We need reinforcement on the –

The commander looked upward while on her comm unit before she could complete her sentence. The titan was now in defensive formation. Warming up its eyes to fire its super laser on the commander's position. Before they knew it, the super lasers fired at the building and disintegrated the commander and her troops into oblivion.

David

July 25th, 2017

11:15 AM

Meridian Prime Warzone

No Man's Land

Cayce: Titans, huh? That'll be the day.

The team and I traverse through the trees of the island. En route to the checkpoint, we were informed to go to in order take control of those missiles that would destroy the Titans. Cage takes point. The rest of us including me follow.

Max: (comms) David, David! Come in! Do you read?!

David: What is it now, Max?

Cage: Caulfield, I suggest you address me when contacting me since I'm still taking charge. Is that clear?

Max: (comms) Affirmative, but we have to hurry! Chronos told me ConDef is advancing to the checkpoint. We must hurry!

Cage: Wilco, Caulfield. Cage out.

Cayce: Out of the frying pan and into the fire. As the old song and dance goes.

Alex: Kristine, tell me you weren't gonna let your auntie shoot us back there, were you?

Kristine: I was…kinda hoping we'd still defend ourselves back there. I wasn't gonna let her have it that easy at least.

Rachel: We're just lucky we gave Joanna a wide berth when we did. If not for Heard's sharpshooting. And you didn't have second thoughts of taking her offer of surrendering, were you?

Kristine: Not in the slightest. Sigh…I freaking shot her.

Cayce: You what?

Kristine: I shot my aunt, Cayce. I don't know if I killed her or wounded her or –

Alex: Are we seriously crying over your bitch ass aunt right now?

Kristine: Jesus, Alex! We fucking lost Newblood, we lost Logos, we lost Dhaled, I don't need your pity on my horrible aunt!

David: Hey, that's enough all of you! Those titans are still on this island and we need to get to that targeting computer at the checkpoint before ConDef does!

Heard: Yeah, Prescott. Save your family disputes for another day. If you live to see that day.

Cage: Agreed. This is what we signed up for coming to Merdian Prime and there's room for self-pity of any kind. Let's move along.

HQ: (comms) HQ to Valor. HQ to Valor. Come in.

Cage: This is Valor Actual. Over.

HQ: (comms) We're getting reports of ConDef boarding the USS Maryland. They're overrunning the crew and they're about to take control of the dreadnaught. You need to get to that checkpoint and find the targeting computer fast. We're sending one of your harriers for one of you to fly over to the Maryland and retake the aircraft carrier.

Lynch: (comms) Grey Leader to Valor One. This is Lynch. Do you read?

Cage: I copy Grey Leader. Are you sending your harrier to us?

Lynch: (comms) No, but my second in command will send his. I gave him the coordinates to the checkpoint for him to land at. Just give him the heads-up once you're there.

Cage: Roger that. Valor One out.

Cayce: Retaking a dreadnaught with a single harrier. Do any of us even know how to fly one?

David: I took some flight classes back during my first boot camp. When I joined the US Marines. Cage and I even flew a chopper together back in Portland. I think I know how to handle a harrier.

Cage: You think, Madsen?

David: I know, captain. Let's just get to that checkpoint before ConDef does. Cayce and I can fly ourselves to the harrier and aid the Maryland. Then we'll launch the missiles.

Cayce: You want me to ride with you?

David: You'll be my co-pilot or gunner. I'll do the flying. Unless you object?

Cayce: Not at all, sir. I'll go with you.

Max

July 25th, 2017

11:19 AM

Meridian Prime Warzone

No Man's Land

My group and I make it to the checkpoint and by the time we do, ConDef had already overrun the place but we manage to fight back for it. Chloe and Bryan take out some ConDef like a natural with Chloe's rifle and Bryan's Spas-12. Frank does most of the damage with his LMG and exo-armor. I use my Time Shard in my exo-gauntlet to shield rifle fire and return the bullets to their senders to kill my enemies while also eliminating the threats the old-fashioned way using my rifle. Once the ConDef threat was neutralized, another threat emerged. Fallen variants were inbound.

Hounds and Revenant came running in every direction. We fire our guns at every Fallen that moves in front of our eyes. Bryan blasted every Fallen running towards him with his shotgun. Frank took out his Fallen trash with every round of his LMG and every cut of his laser sword. Chloe had to kill a Revenant who grabbed her by the arms with the hidden blade Heard had given her. Stabbing it through the neck and killing it instantly Ezio Auditore style. I froze some fallen in time with my Exo-Gauntlet, sprayed some bullets into the time bubble, and received myself a triple kill once the time bubble wore down.

Then all of a sudden, a Hound had pounced me to the ground. Its jaw viciously chomps up and down to devour my head. I struggled against the Hound with my bare attempting to hold it backward with all my might until I saw the opportunity to strike it down. Then a loud blast was heard and the rear of the Hound exploded. Killing it instantly. Blood covered my face and I threw the dead Hound off my stomach. It was Alex who came to my rescue with a one-shot, one-kill using her shotgun.

Alex: Need a hand, sister?

She called me sister. I take Alex's hand and stand my ground. Then notice the other teams regrouping before. David, Kristine, Cayce, Cage, Heard, and Rachel all returned. But no sign of Newblood, Logos, or Colonel Dhaled.

Bryan: Alex, you're safe!

Bryan and Alex hugged it out. Rachel and Frank called each other's names and Frank caressed Rachel with his heavy exo-arms. David was proud to see Chloe and me safe as well and that's when I asked about the missing team members.

Max: Where's Dhaled, Newblood, and Logos.

David: (sigh) They didn't make it. A sniper took out Dhaled. I think one of Ares's goon members killed Newblood. Logos bought Alex, Rachel, and Kristine some time and got himself killed for them.

Alex: Yeah, that bitch Nemesis stabbed Newblood right in the back. The bitch is dead. Thanks to Rachel.

Max: Rachel killed her? How?

Alex: You can ask her later. Didn't you get that Thanatos dude, too, David?

David: Sure did. Cage backstabbed him and saved my skin. We're just all lucky the rest of us are alive.

Cage: Alright, everyone. The coast is clear. The watchers may be KIA, but we still have that targeting computer to find. Where is it?

Cayce: Right here, Captain.

Cayce discovered the computer lying on a bench. Completely untouched.

Cayce: It's a good thing ConDef didn't damage this when they got here. Our timing was perfect. Sort of.

Cage: What do we get?

Cayce: HQ wasn't kidding, sir. This computer directly links to the Maryland. Just call in Grey Two and we're out of here.

Cage: Cage to Grey Two. This is Valor. We've reached the checkpoint. The squad is KIA but we managed to secure the vicinity before they got their hands on the computer. You're cleared to dock here.

Grey Two: Copy that. On route to the checkpoint now.

David

July 25th, 2017

11:27 AM

Meridian Prime Warzone

No Man's Land

Grey Two was now arriving before us. Flying his harrier towards the landing pad of the checkpoint. Then lowered his bird onto the pad and shut down his engines before opening his hatch and exiting the cockpit. Grey Two hopped out of his harrier and greeted the team.

Grey Two: She's all yours, Valor. At your service.

Cayce and I get ourselves ready for the flight while Grey Two gets himself comfortable at the checkpoint with the rest of the team. Cayce hugs it out with Kristine for good luck while I do the same between me, Max, and Chloe.

Kristine: Stay safe up there.

Cayce: I will, Kris.

Chloe: Don't do anything stupid while you're up there.

David: I believe that would be you and Max's job. Not mine.

I climb inside the cockpit with Cayce. I get in the pilot seat. Cayce gets in the gunner seat behind me. I start up the harrier's engine and prepare for take-off once the engines start burning.

Cage: Give them hell, Madsen. And don't come back until you do! That's an order!

David: Yes, sir!

The hatch closes and I fly Cayce and I off the landing pad and set our course for the Maryland. Once we're high enough, I go full throttle and launch ourselves at a higher altitude. On route to the dreadnaught under siege by the ConDef. Ready to take it back from the enemy so we may use the missiles to destroy the Titans.

Note: Might take another small break from this story to write a short Mortal Kombat story or a short The Witcher story. Either way, just stay tuned and golden for next time!