(MP, Mechanic) CPL Ezikial Zalas
Location: Planetary Capital Rebecc, System Capital Andar-III “Andaria”; Andromedan Military Defensive
Local Date & Time: January 29th, 192 After Colonization; 2949
National Date & Time: January 29th, 192 After Colonization; 1008
Main Unit: Andar Police Corps, Andar-III Police Division, 1st Andar-III Police Brigade “Rebel Bane”, 3rd Battalion, Rebecc Company, 3rd Platoon
Specific Position: Armory and Nexil Repair
Specific Callsign: “RA3-11”
Race: Synthetically Augmented Human
Voidic Mage: Y/N
Mage Variant: N/A
Age: 24
Sex: Male
Gender: Male
Faction Report: Andromedan Military Defensive, Military Police
Memory Transcript: *Data Corruption Detected, impartial report available. Hostile tampering with Nexil Unit.
Core Functionality: *Inoperable. Nexil Unit, deceased.
Frame Fu-
As the screen continues its diagnostics, Ezikial sighs, and speaks, “Sir, there’s no saving him. Core’s inoperable. Sergeant Bacchus is dead. Fully. There’s data corruption in his memory transcript.” The man crouches beside Ezikial, his cloak blowing a little in the wind, as he speaks, “Is any memory salvageable? I hate doing this to a Nexil, but they’re the best leads we can get, especially when their memory can be salvaged, at least a bit.” The mechanic nods, “I should be able to get something off of his memory. But I can’t guarantee it will be perfectly clear.” The man nods in response, “That’s all I need, Corporal. Just some kind of lead. If it was the Rebels, then we’ll find them easier. If it was IIA, we’ll start scanning the planet for cloaked IIA vessels. If it was a third party? We’ll kill them. No one fucks with an Andromedan, and especially not a serviceman.” Ezikial gets to work, and his screen starts to play the memories of one Sergeant Mason Bacchus. The man watches intently.
(MP, Patrol Officer) SGT Mason Bacchus
Main Unit: Andar Police Corps, Andar-III Police Division, 1st Andar-III Police Brigade “Rebel Bane”, 3rd Battalion, Rebecc Company, 3rd Platoon
Specific Position: Patrol Enforcer
Specific Callsign: “Rebecc-288”
Race: Nexil
Voidic Mage: Impossible
Mage Variant: N/A
Age: 38
Sex: None
Gender: Male
Sergeant Bacchus was sprinting through the alley, his hand on his sidearm’s holster, and his other against the button on his helmet, “This is 288, in foot pursuit after suspect near 17th and 9th, moving towards 18th. Requesting back up.” He turns the corner, and finds twelve rifles aimed at his head. Then the feed goes dark.
(MP, Mechanic) CPL Ezikial Zalas
“Holy hell.” Ezikial stares at the still image, counting the rifles. The man stands up, and speaks, “You’re free to go, Corporal.” A vehicle turns off the road and onto the curb, where it slows to a stop and several MPs step out. One walks to the back of the vehicle and opens it up, while another unpacks a flag, and the last walks to the back, pulling a stretcher out. Ezikial stands up, and looks over waiting for the three to come over. He speaks, looking at the robotic body, “I think I’ll stay until he’s getting carried off. Pay my respects to the Sergeant now, instead of later.” He then looks at the man, “You know that feeling, Commander General?” The Knight Commander General nods his head solemnly, and then speaks, “Far more times than I can count. From friends, to leaders.” He sighs through his nose, then looks at Ezikial as he says, “It gets hard, but eventually your heart can’t shed anymore tears. Just have to keep moving forward, or the deaths of those we care about would be for nothing. We’re all just people. Whether we’re Human, Nexil, Galian, Mahte, whatever. We’re just people.” He turns and begins walking away into the night, “Mourn the loss, and move forward.” Ezikial watches the Knight walk off, his cloak billowing behind himself as the wind begins to pick up and then slow again. Sergeant Bacchus is loaded onto the stretcher, and the Andromedan flag is respectfully placed over him. The black on the left of the flag, with its silver star, is placed at his head. The green at the top is on his left, and the red with its white and black wolf head, stares up at the MPs on Bacchus’ right. The Staff Sergeant, who had arrived in the vehicle, speaks, “Salute-” he pauses for just a second, then says with no hesitation, “-honor.” The four MPs bring their hands up to their foreheads, angling the hand slightly, and pointing the fingers straight. They salute honor to their fallen comrade, and after a few seconds, the Staff Sergeant speaks solemnly, “At ease. Let's get him home for a proper burial.”
(KC, High Command) KCG Chase Zephyr
Specific Position: Defensive Military Federation High Command of the Knight Corps
Race: Human
Voidic Mage: Y/N
Mage Variant: *Classified*
Age: 41
Sex: Male
Gender: Male
Chase walked silently, and turned his head to look at the purple-clad cowgirl-like mercenary who was accompanying him. She spoke, fixing her hat a little, ensuring it didn't fly off her head, “What was that about, Bossman?” Chase shakes his head, “Just an MP shot down in his pr-” He’s cut off by her speaking, “Not what I mean. The honesty.” Chase looks forward again, and closes his eyes for a few seconds, then opens them and says, “You want a story? That your goal?” She shrugs, “If that’s what it’ll take to hear what the fuck the honesty was about, you curt fuck.” He frowns, and speaks, “Fine. However, you’re paying for the drinks we get.” She smirks, and chuckles, “You pay damn fine, Bossman. I don’t need to worry about cost, so you’re not getting out of this now.” He properly sighs, then says, “After work.” Her smirk fades, and she frowns, “Dammit.” He looks at her, “I’m not going to become you. You need to get a better work ethic.” She tsks at him, and they head off.
(Mercenary) Zephra “Zeph” Pandora
Location: Planetary Capital Rebecc, System Capital Andar-III “Andaria”; Andromedan Military Defensive
Local Date & Time: January 29th, 192 After Colonization; 4118
National Date & Time: January 29th, 192 After Colonization; 2137
Crimson Corsair Under: Andromedan Military Defensive High Command/Defensive Military Federation High Command
Hired For: Classified Special Operations
Race: Human
Voidic Mage: Y/N
Mage Variant: Augmenter
Age: 25
Sex: Female
Gender: War (Self Proclaimed… Documents say Female.)
Entering behind Chase, she looks around. It's a very quaint apartment, as if some old Earth photo had come to life. Just forget that it's on a military shipyard. She sets the drinks down on a table, and then sits on the couch, waiting for Chase to speak. He instead begins taking off his cloak. Setting it on the back of a chair, a low rumble quietly begins taking over the noise of the room. Zeph sits up quickly, and then says, “Rebels? But we’re so far away from the frontline.” Chase walks up to a window, and pulls the blinds, as he says calmly, “Not Rebels. Did you forget the spaceport, dockyard, and drydock nearby?” She calms down and relaxes, as he continues, “AMCV Bountiful Harvest, GMLS Falconer’s Rest, WMSS Weisswein, ECC Lion’s Den, and AMCV Alice. Which means Battlegroup Uniform-2 is in orbit.”
Zeph frowns at him, and asks, “Why the hell do you know so many ships?” He looks back, now walking over to get his drink, “I don’t. It's simply on the side. Be more observant.” Zeph messes with her hat a little, as she asks, “What is that convoy doing here anyway? We’re super far from the front.” Chase takes a seat, and puts a straw into his drink as he answers, “Andar-III produces a rather specialized set of goods. From body armor to armored hardware, rifles to gun batteries, even medical supplies. It is a sector-wide military industrial complex, Andar is just the major trading point within the sector. Almost all Federate Forces have armaments produced within the Adonis Sector, primarily the Andar System. With a shipbreaking yard near the edge of the system, shipyards around the system are capable of mass production. Add on the fact that the best of the best is made here, and you have a powerhouse. In short, we can move on to the actual topic.” He takes a sip from his drink, then smiles contendly, before setting it down and elaborating, “There are many different stories. Which do you want to hear; Zion, Angelis, or the AD Gravita.”
She leans forward, and speaks, “I wanna know the arm story.” Chase shakes his head, answering with a frown, “Not an option. You want to hear that story, ask anyone that was alive and paying attention to news about the Andromeda when she was still a kid. Zion, Angelis, or Gravita; your only options.” She slumps back, crossing her arms and frowning, “Fine. Zion.” Chase nods slowly, “Planet Zion, you know there was a major battle on its surface surrounding a former stronghold known as ‘Plant Zion’. It was a near indestructible megaflora, which harbored Andromedan Forces, until our servicemen were pushed out by Rebel Forces. On our attempt to take it back, we burnt the plant to cinders, and killed all Rebel Forces within. This story will take some time, so expect a few meetings to continue the story. No, they are not optional, thanks to you asking in the first place.” This annoys Zeph, and she pouts a little, but starts to listen as he begins.
(LFC, Infantry) PSC Otto Robert
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
Location: Sector Victor1-5, Sub Sector Delta-3, Alta-IV “Zion”; Andromedan-Tamwyhn Front
Local Date & Time: January 21st, 181 After Colonization, 1623
National Date & Time: January 21st, 181 After Colonization, 1556
Defensive Military Federation Main Unit: Land Force Command, 430th Mixed Battalion “Demon Shields”, 5th Company, 3rd Platoon
Defensive Military Federation Squad Callsign: “Echo-5”
Nationality: Everan Protectorate
Specific Position: Anti-Armor Infantry, Rifleman
Specific Callsign: “Echo-5, 2-3”
Race: Human
Voidic Mage: Y/N
Mage Variant: N/A
Age: 20
Sex: Male
Gender: Male
“GET DOWN!!!” Otto hit the dirt hard, as the mortars landed within the treeline. He heard a scream of pain in between the hammering of the mortars. As it calmed down, he could hear no more screaming, but he heard his Sergeant yell out, “Move! Move! Get out of the treeline! They’ll be hammering us again! Leave Mendoza! She’s already dead!” Otto quickly began getting up, raising his rifle, and then glancing back to see the dismembered and disfigured Corporal Mendoza. He could see her left leg a few feet away from her body, and her right arm was only attached by strands of sinew. Gagging for a second, he focuses forward and then starts running as a few others in his squad run to the edge of the trees.
As Otto follows behind his squadmates, he hears Specialist Conner yell out, “Hostiles!” The gunshots were sudden, and Otto watched as Private Andy took a round to the helmet and hit the ground, dazed and confused. Running up to Andy, Otto grabs the newer soldier, and yanks him to his feet, and behind a rock, “Get it together, Andy! Gun up, we’re getting out of here, got it!?” Otto does not wait to see Andy’s reaction, and raises up to fire at the enemy, just as the Sergeant and Specialist take their own shots. In the distance, Otto can barely hear something with an engine, and he calls out, “Vehicle incoming!”
Private Andy pulls himself together and plants his rifle on the rock, firing at the Rebel squad. Otto begins putting away his rifle in favor of the good old Anti-Tank. Rushing from cover, Otto breaks through the treeline, and turns, aiming his rocket at the hostile armor. The tank charges at him on the road, already beginning to fire with its machine gun, but even with the glancing blow it is a futile attempt, as the rocket flies, and hits a nice sweet spot just under the turret, and bounces shrapnel into the gun. This doesn’t stop the tank, but the fact the MG stopped firing means he might have taken out its weaponry. Dropping the now empty AT, he jumps out of the way of the tank, which goes past, showing no signs of stopping.
Corporal Iris runs out with the second AT, and fires it at the rear of the tank, causing a nice fireworks show, as the ammunition inside begins cooking off. Scrambling to his feet, Otto begins pulling his rifle back to his hands. Turning he begins firing on the enemy squad, who began showing themselves more. Their hasty blue markings help identify them as hostiles, as his squad has no such markings. Rounds fly, and Corporal Iris takes a few, causing her to move to a ditch along the road. The telltale whistling of mortars begins, and his squad begin sprinting out of the treeline, as the Rebels begin panicking. Otto counts who makes it, but realizes Andy had not exited, he yells out, “Where’s Andy!?” The Sergeant looks back to the treeline, and stares with shock for a second, as the rounds stop, and the rebels begin bolting. Otto begins sprinting back into the forest to get Andy out.
The Sergeant called out, trying to stop him, but he was already into the treeline, an explosion nearby is heard, but Otto keeps running. He quickly reaches where he had left Andy, who was now panicking. Otto yelled out, “Andy! We need to get the hell out of here!” He notices Andy’s bleeding leg, and he quickly grabs the smaller soldier, hoisting him up with sheer adrenaline as three more mortars hit the ground around the area. Otto begins sprinting again, as more shells impact nearby, one kicking up dirt in front of him as he runs. He feels a sharp pain in his left leg, and sees a piece of shrapnel skim his cheek, and pin into the side of his helmet, stopped from taking off his ear. Otto keeps sprinting, and as he nears the edge, he feels himself be pushed forward suddenly, launching Andy halfway across the road. Hitting the ground Otto can no longer feel his legs, but he begins crawling with all the conviction he has. The Sergeant, Specialist Conner, Specialist Jack, and Private First Class William begin sprinting out of the ditch, grabbing Andy and Otto. Bringing them both back to the ditch, where the Cropsmen are tending to the injuries. The Sergeant yells out, “Grab them, and start moving back to base! We can’t stay here!”
The squad starts to do so, several taking positions to watch for hostiles while the bombardment concludes. One of the third team yells out, “Tank! It's heading for us!” The Sergeant quickly presses a button on his helmet, “Opcom, Echo-5 1-1, requesting immediate CAS, hostile Armor bearing down on us, marking friendlies with green!” He pulls his hand away, and yells out, “Mark us! Now!” One of the Corpsmen pulls a pin, and throws it up and over the ditch, away from the road. The sound of smoke discharging can be heard just barely underneath the sound of the war and the tank approaching. As the tank grows closer, Otto begins to dread the coming end. Even if the close air support manages to arrive, it will likely be too late. The air war is still running even hotter than the ground war. The Tank gets closer and closer, with each second becoming more and more a threat to their lives.
Then, he suddenly hears three screeching sounds, and the telltale sound of jet engines. The golden crown speeds past, pulling up back towards the air war with its two wingmen, and he stares in shock at the sky, as he hears the three impacts, then the sound of munitions exploding, and the call from one of the soldiers, “Tank is cooking off!” Otto, feeling himself growing tired, chuckles, as they were just saved by an Ace. And not just some talented pilot, but the pride of Air Command, “Dictator”. As he begins feeling himself moved by the corpsman, his mind fades, and he passes out.
Bird’s Eye View
Location: Sector Victor1-5, Sub Sector Delta-3, Alta-IV “Zion”; Andromedan-Tamwyhn Front
Local Date & Time: January 21st, 181 After Colonization, 1627
National Date & Time: January 21st, 181 After Colonization, 1600
From the sky the battle is far clearer. All across the forested landscape, soldiers rush through the trees, dodging and weaving. Attempting to push the enemy further back, or hold the line against the unrelenting assault. The forest continues onto the side of a mountain, and in the background, the looming and unconquerable tree stands tall. Zion, the symbol of the Rebellion on Alta-IV. Their glory and victory would be assured, so long as they could withstand the might of the Loyalists. The aircraft in the sky swarm around each other, warring just like their comrades below. The blue markings on the Rebel aircrafts contrast with the orange wingtips of the Federate fighters. Some do sudden and rapid flips that would knock out any living person from the G-forces alone. Some employ more basic and common tactics. And one, bearing his golden crown, does a mixture of both.
On the ground, an Andromedan Base begins sending out an Armored Column. As the eight tanks begin moving towards combat, their gunners’ trigger fingers itching, the sounds of thuds and metallic slams can be heard. Then the recognizable loud bang, followed by multiple more, and then even more. The artillery roars and shakes the earth below their tracks, but soon it would do even more than just shake the ground. On the receiving end of this barrage, shield barriers ignite over bunkers and trenches on the side of the mountains. The mountain shakes violently, and the walls crumble, crushing a few positions, despite the barrier. The hundreds of explosions down the line demolish unshielded bunkers and trenches, while hammering down and weakening other positions.
Turning to face the other direction, one could find the Federation’s lines. Forts and positions that look to be made of hesco barriers and defensible metal towers, with prefabricated buildings scattered around for shelter and equipment storage. In the distance, supply convoys can be seen traveling to and from the bases. Even further back, a ship floats slowly and softly down to the ground, landing and beginning offloading procedures. On the side, emblazoned in a silver coat of paint, “WMSS Defiant Arms”. Above, another floats, coming to land as well, with “AMTV Tango-49-a771” emblazoned in a brilliant gold. Far above, the “AMV Echelon” floats towards the frontline. Though large enough to not be endangered by the air war, the ship was small enough that it was not the most dangerous thing in low atmosphere today.
As the Echelon blazes her path towards the frontline, she began turning, bringing her guns to bear. The Echelon began engaging, shattering the crest of one mountain which began crumbling down towards the Rebel positions below, and blowing the peak off of another mountain, which began sliding down the back of the mountain, away from the fighting. A group of Rebel Strike Craft, that had just recently been dispatched to engage armored targets and Federate bases, change their target to the Echelon, and as they near, the anti-air batteries begin opening up. One takes a shot to its wing, and spirals out of control, heading for the ground, its pilot unable to eject due to a malfunction. The rest manage to make it past, and drop their payloads on the Echelon, as she begins speeding away. The Echelon, ever so lucky, manages to escape with gashes in her hull, but otherwise was still space-worthy.
Orbital View
Location: Alta-IV Section, Sub Section Delta-G4, Alta System; Andromedan-Tamwyhn Front
National Date & Time: January 21st, 181 After Colonization, 1600
Above the planet, the war raged even in the vacuum of space. A Rebel Fleet was fast approaching, and the Federate ships exited their orbits, and began moving, as the fleet entered Section Delta at G3. It would be almost thirty minutes until engagement, but the ships were ready. Within the Federate Fleet was a mixture of Andromedan Military Ships, Ankoran Defense Drone Ships, Everan Protectorate Ships, Weiss Defensive Military Ships, and Escutcheon Confederacy Ships. From the small Ankoran Epsilis-A Light Drone Missile Frigate, to the massive and mighty Andromedan Maffei II-A Heavy Battleship. Their force consisted of one Maffei II-A Heavy Battleship, the AMV Fearless Leper; two Maffei Light Battleships, the AMV Starry Queen and EMV Echoing Sun; four Weiss Cygnus II Heavy Cruisers, three Andromedan and Everan Canis Heavy Destroyers, six Ankoran Epsilis-A Light Drone Missile Frigates, and four Escutcheon Lambda III Light Screen Frigates.
On the other side, the Rebels had brought along some new equipment and a lot of the old. Within their force, was a Maffei II Heavy Battlecarrier with heavy scarring on her hull, four Cygnus Light Cruisers only one of which is unscarred, three Lambda II Heavy Frigates, seven Lambda Light Frigates, nine Virgo II-A Heavy Screen Corvettes, and one unknown. The unknown ship was quickly identified as belonging to the Theocracy of Thanatos, and was a Biblical Light Carrier Dreadnaught. Bigger than the Battleships, but not by much. Though outnumbered, the Federate Fleet was undeterred. They would defend to their last breath if necessary, and as they neared, the fight began. Missiles were fired, and batteries opened up on targets.
The Epsilis-As began moving as fast as they could, breaking formation as instructed, and charging straight for the two major threats. As the six Frigates grew closer and closer, they began to take hits. The frontmost Epsilis-A takes a missile to its side, but keeps going, returning fire with its own missiles, and clearing the path of the Lambda and Virgo II-A that had moved to intercept. Though not without a price, as its engines fail, and it becomes a sitting duck that is soon destroyed. The rest continued on their path, half-way to the Maffei II and Biblical. They let loose their missiles, and began to take extreme amounts of fire as they needed to slow and turn to retreat. Only one would manage to escape destruction, but would be so riddled with holes that it resembled swiss cheese more than a ship.
The missiles were intercepted by the Virgo II-As, but plenty still got through, and struck their targets. The Maffei II and Biblical were launching their fighters and transports, in a desperate bid to get the aid so desperately needed to the Rebels on the ground. The AMV Fearless Leper, AMV Starry Queen, and EMV Echoing Sun called for full power to their engines, and burst forward, heading to intercept the fighters. As they neared, their smaller batteries began to open fire, engaging the fighters and transports. The fighters turned their attention to the three Battleships, and began attacking, firing missiles, dropping small payloads, dealing as much damage as they could to the armor, but it wasn’t enough. The three Battleships ripped the fighters apart, while the rest of the fleet was keeping the enemy fleet occupied. It was not long before some of the transports managed to slip past, and the enemy Maffei II and Biblical had broken through to engage them. The AMV Fearless Leper and AMV Starry Queen turned hard to starboard, engaging as they went past the enemy. The EMV Echoing Sun, with the heavier armor the Everans put on her, slows and turns far faster, planning to go head-to-head with the enemy.
Though it would be a costly decision, the end of the battle would be far swifter due to the Echoing Sun’s decision. With her engines brought to full power once again, the Echoing Sun lunged forward, firing everything into the enemy, as they began trying to maneuver out of the way. Only the Biblical would manage to escape, and the Maffei II would feel the full force of the suicidal Everan Navy. With sustained fire on the spot the ship would ram, the Maffei II’s stern came off, and it was dead in the vacuum. The Echoing Sun’s bow would break upon the enemy, and she would continue moving forward, expelling air into the vacuum. Thanks to her crew knowing what to do, she quickly is secured, but begins taking fire from the disabled Maffei II. Taking more damage, the Echoing Sun suddenly lost propulsion, and was also dead in the vacuum, drifting. The AMV Starry Queen came to the aid of the Everans, and opened a full salvo into the Maffei II, while the AMV Fearless Leper chased down the retreating Biblical.
(Mercenary) Zephra “Zeph” Pandora
Location: Planetary Capital Rebecc, System Capital Andar-III “Andaria”; Andromedan Military Defensive
Local Date & Time: January 29th, 192 After Colonization; 4133
National Date & Time: January 29th, 192 After Colonization; 2152
“Okay, okay. I’m gonna stop you there. What the hell does this have to do with the story?” Zeph was a little upset at him stalling. Unless he’s just trying to piss her off, in which case he’s accomplished that and more. He smirks, and says, “It is important to know the situation at the time. Tell me, what exactly happened to the EMV Echoing Sun?” She shrugs as she is not that knowledgeable about the hundreds of fleet combats that happen each day. He continues on getting her answer, “It was towed to port, and almost scrapped by the Federation, when the Everans took it back home instead. Now, how about Private Second Class Otto?” She didn’t understand what he was getting at, but she listened as he continued, “He would make a full recovery, and be at the fall of Plant Zion. Now, will you let me continue? Or are we going to have to add another meeting to the already hefty amount you will be forced to attend?” She is silent now, letting him continue. He continues, smiling, “But yes, I digress, we should focus on the ship and people that actually matter. Do you want me to start with the ship and her crew, or the civilian?” She glares at him, and yells out, “How the hell does a civilian get into the deadliest damn warzone!?” He chuckles, “Well, not quite a civi. But close enough, since she was not meant to go to the field, nor was she one of ours. Remember, everything I tell you is confidential. Even if I say I won’t say anything classified, you will uphold it as if it is. So I shall begin, having given your warning.”