Omega Complex, East Hollow, Centralia.

21/Kryo/2467 R. S. 18:40:20

Anti-Aerial Flak explosions litter the sky, expulsing massive amounts of shrapnel all over the air as the Amaranthine makes its way towards the complex.

Inside the cockpit, sitting in the ComVis seat, Ellindel raises the Dropship's heavy barrier, protecting them from incoming fire.

Vultar attempts to make contact with the complex's flaming control tower.

"This is MT Four One Seven to Omega Complex. Does anybody read me?"

Seconds go past, and no one replies, causing her to bite her lips in frustration. She prepares to repeat her transmission, but before she does, Michael puts his left hand over her right shoulder and points at the nearest landing pad.

"They need our help, just land us right there!"

Michael tells Vultar.

"Don't tell me what to do, Fifty-one!"

Vultar replies as she proceeds to slowly descend but repeats the message before doing so. The hostile anti-air begins to get a bead on the Dropship, suddenly, she receives a confirmation by Trooper Fifty.

"Hurry up and land, Four One Seven!"

Michael then turns around and heads to the back hatch of the Amaranthine.

Thorian and Arnes stand ready next to the hatch, while Fox disconnects himself and the prisoner from the support straps holding them in place.

He walks toward the back hatch along with the prisoner and his squadmates.

Michael, on the other hand, is pulling his MTR out of his satchel and hoisting it on his back.

98: "I expect this to be over quick, Troopers, Arnes take the prisoner to the facility along with Ellindel."

23: "Understood, Sir!"

98: "Thorian, Vultar, and Michael with me, we'll defend this complex with Omega."

Thorian nods at his squad leader and turns his head at the hatch as Arnes smacks the open button.

The Amaranthine rotates one hundred and eighty degrees before the hatch opens, showing the pale dunes from which the Millitant forces are attacking before landing.

Omega Complex is built like a wedge, offering the defenders a much longer time for target acquisition and larger ground to cover for the enemy before they even enter the complex itself.

Inside the base, there is a small airfield, with an Aerial Vehicle landing capacity of eight, this makes Omega Complex the best outpost you could use to refill supplies before venturing into the No Man's Land. There are other bases and outposts along the borderline, but none with the capacity that Omega Complex has to offer.

Perhaps this is why the Militant forces decided to attack here first, but how?

There must be a Militant base somewhere in the No Man's Land!

The Amaranthine rattles as it finally lands on the complex's AV. The back hatch completely opens, revealing two Omega Squad Members known as "Ghost" (0081) and "Wraith" (0050).

Which quickly greets the Troopers into the base, they notice that Fifty-one is inside with Phaeton, and Wraith makes a remark.

50: "Well, Phaeton, now you've got Dovyo's Private Security?"

To which Phaeton Leader, Fox cordially replies: "Just doing this for the Greater Good, we didn't know your base was going to be under attack..."

50: "The Greater Good? Huh, that's new from you, we knew you were comin', we just weren't ready for the Militant Republic. "

81: "We are wasting time here, Phaeton, get out of the dropship and give us a hand!"

98: "Not so fast, we need to use the underground facility for this prisoner, we'll help, of course. "

81: "Yes, we know, I shall lead you to the Facility. Wraith, take the others and rejoin our squadron, go!"

50: "You heard the man, let's go, let's go!"

Phaeton Squadron splits into two cells, Ellindel, Arnes, and the prisoner follow Ghost into the red concrete building in front of the landing pads. Meanwhile, Michael, Fox, Thorian, and Vultar follow Wraith as they jog over to the base's Bulkhead.

As the Troopers make their way across the Complex's elaborate plaza and bypass the residential area, Fox asks for a briefing.

"Do you want to share your defense strategy with us now?"

Wraith turns around.

"We hold the line all at the top of the ramp. They won't dare to push their vehicles up there, in which case we have plan B... Never mind, they don't stand a chance, trust me! "

He replies, demonstrating great confidence toward their defense strategy.

Michael, meanwhile silent, is paying close attention to the surrounding area.

As the group of four Troopers makes their way up a long flight of stairs, multiple Centralian Military Dropships achieve to land inside Omega Complex.

50: "Now we're talkin'! It wouldn't be fair if we manned the vehicles."

Wraith refers to the reinforcing Marines that are quickly jogging out of the Dropships towards the Bulkhead's interior, where the vehicles and ammunition are stored.

The Marines manage to open the massive metal gate, allowing them to use the Base's vehicular arsenal for its defense.

The Troopers are close to the top of the Bulkhead, awaiting them, a block of dark blue sky pierces the gray clouds and black facade of the stairway.

417: "I've noticed, how come the only damaged component of your base is the airfield's Control Tower?

I expected your base to be on high alert, not this."

50: "We were rapidly hit, I believe they are part of last night's reinforcement. We're doin' what we can, in case you didn't notice, our dropship isn't docked, wait 'till you get topside, you will all understand."

Michael and Fox both hold their silence, but they both grow eager to see what lies beyond the end of the staircase.

The Troopers finally make it to the top of Omega Complex and witness the scale of the massive building, including its uniquely designed defense mechanism, the Bulwark.

Wraith quickly sealed his mouth and sprinted to his allies on the opposite end of the pavilions. Meanwhile, Phaeton Squad pulls out their carefully customized weapons and join Omega Squadron.

Fifty-one makes his way up to the top and takes a look at the sky. Flak detonations attempt to take down the Centralian Dropships as they retreat. Michael opens a private log, and he begins:

"It is now that I see the blue sun is protecting us. Its warmth feels different today, to me, it is a sign that great challenges await me, last night was only the beginning. Perhaps Jade is right and this is all connected. If so I intend to live through this day and get to the bottom of this, end log. "

He puts his MTR against his shoulder and walks over to the other squads.

Where Omega Leader Revenant (Two-Zero-One) welcomes Michael to the defense.

201: "Good seeing all of you, as you can see our ranged cannons seem to be doing all the work for us, some hostile vehicles attempted to go around us but we've been able to intercept them. Our Comms Relay was destroyed alongside the Airfield's Control Tower by the commencing artillery barrage."

98: "So they haven't fired again since? What are they plotting?"

201: "No, we're getting ready for a second wave, but this time we'll meet them head-on! Unseen Fate is gathering all sorts of intel for our advantage, it is only a matter of time until we know what they're hiding behind those dunes."

51: "There must be an outpost nearby, it seems unlikely that this force crossed the desert in under a day."

201: "Once we receive confirmation, we'll act, for now, we defend. Colonel Altarus was crystal clear with his orders not to cross borderlines."

98: "Understood, you heard him, Phaeton, defensive positions and await further instructions."

Phaeton Squadron proceeds to walk near the beginning of the massive wedge, they man the installed Stationary Defense Machine Guns that go along the preliminary wall that separates the pavilion from the Bulkhead.

Michael walks to Omega squad members Wraith and Revenant and begins to talk to them.

51: "How long has Unseen Fate been away for?"

50: "Less than an hour for sure, Banshee and Phantom are on it, two less for defense but we have Phaeton's three to make up for the two."

201: "Fifty-one, I wonder, why are you here? I thought Ino was under attack as well, what's with the escort?"

51: "The General separated me from my Squadron, to make sure the Prisoner gets here safely, though I don't agree with the decision, I have to follow orders."

201: "I understand. But I'll take any help we can get. This is our home, and I won't let these Millitant terrorists take it away from us. So everyone, pray to the God of your choice, this won't be easy."

50: "When the end comes my way, then I'll drop to my knees and pray."

Michael relates to Wraith's statement while both Omega members climb a small tower armed with a semi-automatic Recoilless Rifle that requires a two-person crew to operate.

Most Troopers are void of any religion, the way they were raised, influenced by war and cold science, their learning pattern was biased and went against believing that an omniscient being created all known life and planets. Though Classical Mikan Religion beliefs seeped into Official Galean Science, such as the names of the celestial bodies within the known supercluster.

For example, the Class B Giant blue Sun, Aankhi, the creator of everything, this celestial being is responsible for the creation of all lesser beings that orbit around it.

The first planet of the Abath System, named after the Lesser God Searus-1, the high levels of heat and radiation render the planet uninhabitable.

Second on the list is the larger planet Dimmitus-2, named after the Lesser God, the large world is responsible for eclipses that shut the light out of many of the System's planets. One of those would be Galen-3, the homeworld of the Galenician Race and Galean Culture, once an untamed wilderness filled with fearsome creatures and an unstable climate until Aankhi planted seeds of self-awareness throughout the world and tasked the Lesser Goddess Galen to breathe life into these vessels.

Beyond Galen-3 lies the Temperate tundras of Septus-4, Lesser God of Credence, this planet is locked in an almost identical orbit as Galen, causing Septus to stay in the same position in the night sky all year long, through both of Galen's planetary Cycles.

Turos-5 and Varus-6 are the Twin Lesser Gods of Health and Disease, the largest of the celestial bodies besides Aankhi itself, these Gas Giants are hyperdense planets with tons of meteorites and space debris trapped in their mesmerizing rings. Turos being a beautiful light beige color, meanwhile, Varus sports a menacing dark violet tint, emitting a wine-colored atmosphere.

The last two worlds are labeled as outcast planets, due to their small mass and far orbit, the planets are named after the Lesser Gods of Rebellion and Isolation, Centus-7 and Bakkus-8.

Frozen, desolate worlds devoid of any life on their surfaces, in exception with several "hot pockets" on the icy surface of Bakkus, there is no flora or fauna to be found.

This makes Michael think about the private log which he had just recorded, in a way, he felt like it was a tribute to Aankhi, yet at the same time, it was more of a reassurance that he will have to make it out of this mission alive.

He looks at his MTR, he has never felt this way before, he remembers his dream, and the dunes seem similar. As he continues, a slight rumble is felt, this is followed by two consecutive sounds of heavy artillery being discharged.

Michael quickly looks up at Omega Leader, Revenant, which turns to Phaeton and him and yells: "Brace yourselves, second barrage incoming!"

Three streaks of dark smoke carve their way across the sky until they reach the crown of their arch. The trails seem to vanish, rendering the projectiles nearly invisible. At this point, Michael prepares himself by running next to Ninety-eight and leaning against the metal wall. Suddenly a huge detonation occurs right in front of the Bulkhead, lifting absurd amounts of sand and gravel into the air, the Troopers grip their weapons with intensity as they prepare for what is to come. Before the sand and gravel fall back to the surface, there is another explosion, this time on the beginning of the Bulkhead itself, followed by another heavy detonation on the middle of the bulkhead, leaving small but noticeable damage.

The Complex's AutoCannons begin tracking hostile transport trucks as they accelerate from behind the dunes in an attempt to push directly forward.

201: "Hostile vehicles have been deployed, autocannons online, prepare for contact Troopers!

The Complex's two Autocannons open fire at the Millitant vehicles as they transition from a sandy terrain and make it to the beginning of the defensive Bulkhead. A truck gets blown up, pieces of the Millitants are spewed into the surroundings, but it only provides cover for those other Soldiers just arriving. Upon seeing this, Revenant starts to form a counter plan.

50: "Open fire Troopers! Hostile Soldiers are using their wreckage to advance, use your SDMGs to shred their cover!"

Wraith yells at Phaeton Squadron as he aims with his High Powered Sniper Rifle, with only five rounds in its magazine, he aims at a peeking soldier, as soon as the soldier notices, Wraith pulls the trigger, unleashing an incredibly strong round aimed at the destroyed Truck. The Soldier takes cover behind the wreckage but when the bullet impacts the Truck, the massive force penetrates the vehicle and rips the Soldier apart. The light gray color of the bulkhead begins to get painted with crimson blood and black Detonation marks. Meanwhile, the Millitants do not give up and a third Truck makes its way up the bulkhead. Four-one-seven concentrates her fire on this accelerating vehicle, destroying the front left wheel, the Truck's rim begins to scrape against the structure before getting stuck, the Soldiers quickly make an attempt to escape the vehicle as Vultar lights it up.

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Michael, without an SDMG to put some heavy firepower downrange, takes aim with his MTR and puts a couple of shots into the escaping Soldiers, killing two Soldiers in the process. The Millitant forces do not seem phased by their destroyed vehicles, and as their casualties stack up, they only seem to become more persistent in their attack. This causes Two-zero-one to SatCom their dropship for the reconnaissance that was requested a while ago.

201: "This is Revenant to Unseen Fate, do you read me?"

Since Michael is on Phaeton's private channel, whatever Revenant gets as a reply is up to him to disclose.

The complex's autocannons continue to fire their continuous ordnance towards the enemies emerging from the dunes, while three destroyed trucks lie on the bulkhead.

These are serving as cover for any Millitant Soldiers that survive the initial run from the dunes to the bulkhead. As more and more Soldiers arrive, they begin to fire at the autocannons from their position, behind the trucks. Although destructive, the SDMG does not have a reliable penetration when it comes to armored vehicles. This causes Vultar to concentrate her fire on any misplaced Millitants, shooting off some knees and feet in the process, she does not see any significant progress. Trooper Four-one-seven goes on to release the SDMG and turns around to look at the Amaranthine. Fox, on the other hand, is having a good time tripling the body count. He howls in excitement. The defense is looking good, it is not perfect but the Troopers have kept the enemies at bay, however, Michael notices how the Millitants are willing to lose as many soldiers as it takes to take down the autocannons, he stops shooting, taking a quick look at Vultar as she stands behind Fox and Thorian, Michael then climbs up the lookout tower Wraith and Revenant are on.

As he reaches the top, he can see that more vehicles and entrenched infantry await beyond the first set of dunes in front of the Complex. Revenant puts down his tactical "binos" and looks at Michael.

201: "Need something?"

51: "I have an idea. It involves a lot of cover fire, but I see now you've got your hands tied up here."

201: "Indeed, take a look for yourself and tell me what you see."

51: "Don't worry, I can see them from here. How could there be so many? "

201: "Banshee told us they have an outpost not too far from here, but tell me about your "idea", I'm listening."

51: "I know that Omega is in charge of letting people beyond this border to the No Mans Land, we can strike them and find their point of origin, or you risk losing your autocannons. I will personally lead the charge if need be."

201: "Negative, we need to play this safe. We can not go on the offensive on this one. And right now, we've got another wave incoming! Fifty One, go and man that SDMG and hold the line!"

"I have a bad feeling about this, Phaeton Squadron's whole demeanor quickly shifted when they got their first kills, all in different ways, this and the fact that they keep coming will cause the Millitants to rally and figure something out."

Michael thinks to himself before turning around and seeing Vultar making her way down the stairs and toward her Dropship. He quickly reacts and slides down the ladder, running to and manning the Machine Gun. He opens fire at the incoming Soldiers as they get pushed out of cover by their ranks. A larger wave of vehicles cut through the sand, filled with armed Soldiers, the autocannons redirect their barrels, and open fire at the incoming trucks.

While the cannons make short work of any vehicle they focus on, the lucky stragglers arrive at the wedge bulkhead and drop their soldiers. The Troopers continue to fire their machine guns. Until Thorian's Machine gun clicks, the ammo box has run empty.

"Fuck, I'm out!"

He yells to let his fellow Troopers know, Thorian pulls out the empty box and throws it behind him, it hits the ground and slides off the platform. He kneels and grabs one out of an ammo crate between him and Fox, instead of pulling out one box, Thorian pulls three boxes out of the crate and sets them on top.

06: "One for each, we've got one more reload, make them count!"

98: "Understood! Hey Vultar, don't think I didn't notice you left the MG, what are you going to do? "

417: "They just keep coming and coming, I'm going to see what we're dealing with!"

98: "I see, then watch out for enemy flak, and quickly report what you see."

417: "Loud and clear, Fox."

Vultar sprints toward her Dropship, as she enters, she quickly smacks the close hatch button and makes her way to the cockpit. At a moment's notice, she activates the Amaranthine's turbines and blasts off into a hovering position, while above her, massive amounts of shrapnel rain down onto the ship, causing her to take small amounts of damage to the hull and ascends as she builds up momentum. She takes the chance of boosting away from the complex with incredible velocity, a dangerous feat to accomplish.

While already above the battlefield she uses the dense sand particles being kicked up by the strong winds from the Desert, as cover to analyze the attacking force.

Vultar quickly sets the Amaranthine to a hover configuration.

Michael maintains various Millitant soldiers pinned down behind destroyed transport trucks, but more vehicles are seen leaping towards the Bulkhead from the dunes. At this point, the main gates for Omega Complex are being opened and the Marines roll out on their armored vehicles.

On the truck nearest to the north turret, a Soldier survives the destruction of his vehicle but arrived with an archaic form of Rocket Propelled Grenade. The turret is completely exposed as the man, wearing a tank top under his dark ferrite armor, kneels and takes aim at it. "Everyone make some room behind me!" The Soldier exclaims to his comrades, concerned for their safety, the desperate Soldiers around him decide to ignore him, their primary concern is to get behind solid cover.

He decides to act and not waste another second, his fingers touch the trigger and he pulls it. A very loud sound disrupts the ongoing sounds of bullets flying in both directions, this quickly gets Wraith's attention. As the grenade flies through the air at a fast velocity, Trooper Fifty attempts to track it along its path but it is too late as the RPG explodes into the side of the Turret, disabling it. Wraith turns his scope towards the origin of the rocket, and when he does he spots the man aiming toward the lookout tower, Wraith quickly pulls the trigger and kills the Soldier.

21/Kryo/2467 R.S. 21:00:00

Sunlight diminishes from behind the Troopers as they continue to hold the line. Friendly vehicles have been unsuccessful in their interception against the waves of Soldiers.

On top of the watchtower, Wraith fires his last sniper rifle round at the many Hostiles below, he turns to Revenant and asks for any updates on current orders.

50: "Now what? We're being overrun. Can't you see that?"

201: "I do, but we must hold the line here or else Centralia will suffer, we have no way out."

50: "Inform Banshee, redirect them to somewhere else."

201: "I'll send them to Central, listen, if we don't make it..."

50: "We'll make it! Just tell her to fall back!"

Unfortunately, the allied Vehicles have perished in their entirety. The Stationary Defense Machine Guns are out of ammo, with no resupply in sight Fox releases the weapon and kneels behind the metal cover. Millitant Soldiers concentrate their efforts on taking down the remaining AutoCannon,

the incoming small arms fire slowly destroys the robust defense. After which, silence ensued.

With all five Troopers behind cover, and the Marine reinforcement dead, the Millitants use this to perform a land grab maneuver. They spread out in three big groups, formed by various squadrons, each Squad can hold up to ten heads, and two of those are guaranteed Shock Millitants, cybernetically augmented individuals crossing the boundary of what is conceivable with current technological implications. The other eight heads can either all be run-off-the-mill Soldiers or a balance between Soldiers and Sniper units.

Two groups go around the Complex, making their way across the gravel indifference. The carcasses of multiple RAB-1Ts stand out as remnants of a conflict. Unlike the other two groups, the remaining Millitant group carefully advances through the bulkhead, slowly walking behind crashed and destroyed transport trucks. The wind howling as it skips off the tip of the dunes and flows through the spine of the complex.

"Truben, this is your home field, what are our options?!"

Phaeton Squad Leader asks Revenant with desperation, time is running out for the Troopers. As resilient as they can be, immortality is not the virtue Troopers are blessed with.

"They took out all the vehicles, we're on our own, on my go, you, Wraith and I will provide cover fire for Fifty One and Six!"

Truben replies from the tower.

"Where are we headed?"

Michael quickly asks.

To which Truben replies.

201: " Go underground, try to get the others out, there should be a couple of "rabbits" left, try to make it back to Centralia. I was raised here, The Hollow has been my home for as long as I can remember, I'm staying. "

Trooper Two-Hundred and One, Truben Zoul also known as Revenant, was born in The Hollow, like Jacklyn. Michael looks down, while Thorian grunts in anger.

06: "I'm staying too! I can't just leave knowing I'd be leaving brothers behind!"

98: "Thorian, what are you saying?! You are following his orders! Understood!?"

06: "Ahh!"

"HEY! Snap out of it! We have no time to waste I'm counting down!"

Revenant yells down at the men.

98: "Focus, Troopers!"

Michael prepares to run, as Truben begins the countdown.

201: "Alright they're half-way, on my mark! "

"Fucking, shit!"

Thorian exclaims as he is internally conflicted about what is about to happen.

98: "Michael!"

51: "Yes, Fox?! "

201: "Three!..."

98: "Here!- Give this to Ellindel!"

Fox reaches into his left thigh where he has a small hard-shell storage case and hands a metallic cylinder to Michael, as he does the center becomes transparent, revealing a piece of solid metal with a silvery blue shine. After seeing this, Michael looks back at Fox with an astonished look.

201: "Two!...."

51: "Fox, are you sure?"

98: "Just give it to her, please, I have learned a lot from you over the years, and unfortunately, I've come to notice too late. Do this, for the greater good."

201: "One!..."

51: "Come on Thorian, let's move!"

Michael pulls Thorian out of cover, he forgets to bring his Assault Rifle with him as he is dragged by Michael.

201: "Mark!!!"

Michael quickly sprints his way down the stairs as a huge volley of gunfire is unleashed against the incoming group of Soldiers.

Trooper Fifty, Nicholas Ara, also known as Wraith, dumps a whole HAR magazine, killing multiple soldiers but taking heavy Barrier damage before taking cover.

Trooper Ninety-eight, Fox Leaden, uses Thorian's MTR and jumps over the metallic barrier and towards the incoming wave, he uses the nearest vehicle as cover.

201: "Wraith, let's get out of this shit!"

50: "Go, I'll cover you!"

He says as he peaks out of cover and fires at the Soldiers. Truben slides down the ladder and shoots from the metallic covers once he lands.

Finally making it to ground level, Michael hurries to his left towards the main building. As he is half-way there a sound warps from above him, he stops and looks to his left where the three Troopers held the line, suddenly the sound abruptly ends as a rocket hits the Tower's canopy, the explosion rocks the support beams out of place. From the flames Trooper Fifty is launched outwards and heavily lands on the platform, behind Truben. As Michael sees this he quickly runs near the platform from below. Fifty's impact brought enough momentum to make him bounce once, destroying part of his armor. The momentum ends with Fifty sliding off the edge of the platform. Before he hit the ground, Michael was there to grab him and save him from the fatal fall. A burnt pectoral region, flesh and bone exposed on his right arm. "Nick is either already dead or wishing he would be." Michael thinks to himself. His legs are in good shape, but there's no telling what lies behind his cracked visor. As Michael lays Nicholas down, Thorian tells Michael he will stay with him.

Michael then proceeds to continue his mission and goes inside Omega Complex's Main Structure, a concrete structure reinforced with steel beams, white and red colors were implemented to represent Omega.

As he enters, the atmosphere turns blue due to the many monitors that were left on by the Comms Team. Michael reaches the end of the room and enters the main elevator, he sees there are only three floors upwards and one downwards. The latter being the interrogation room, he presses on the button and the door closes.

The elevator ride is short, but the sounds of war maintains Michael with his guard up.

The building gets rocked as the doors attempt to open, this brings them to a halt and keeps them sealed shut due to the failsafe.

Instantly Michael puts his hands in between the doors and begins to force them open, it only takes one strong decisive move and the doors are open.

Revealing a dark hallway, with only a slit of light coming from a poorly closed metal door on the right side just before the end of the hallway.

The light flickers as Michael moves halfway through the corridor, this makes him hasten his pace as he also readies his weapon.

Without hesitating, he reaches the door and kicks the door, bending it out of shape. He barges inside the room and sees the that the Millitant Prisoner is awake and resisting to the tech-removal process, which Ellindel (0117) began the procedure without consultation, or so Michael believes.

Arnes (0023) turns towards the door with his sidearm. Upon noticing it is another Trooper, he decides to walk closer.

Restraining the Prisoner from behind is Ghost (0081) , making sure he does not escape.

51: "What the hell are you doing? You were supposed to interrogate him!"

23: "Relax , Fifty-one, he isn't very talkative."

51: "Arnes, we don't know the repercussions if we forcefully remove the technology!"

Ghost looks up at the two Troopers and yells: "We don't have much time, the resistance is too great for us to defend ourselves, we have to take a risk!"

Everyone is the room looks at Ghost, each one with a different understanding of the situation.

Ellindel looks shocked to hear this, but she remained focused.

Arnes scoffs in disbelief and turns his back on Michael, looking at Ghost he prepares to reply, but the Prisoner spoke first.

"Running out of time?" He smiles.

"Each and everyone of you has already expired."

"What?!" Arnes exclaims.

Ellindel notices that she cannot find a way to remove the technology from the Prisoner, and stops the procedure.

In silence she stands up and walks to her bag behind her.

81: "You never opened your beak and once you do you use it to run your mouth... Bad choice."

Ghost hammer fists both of the Prisoner's shoulders , the Prisoner let's off an agonizing scream.

"AAAAAAAAH!"

51: "You can't do that! We don't understand it!"

23: "Enough, this is taking too much time."

51: "Look, we are losing on the surface, we have to leave now, we can find another way to use this technology for our advantage. We may have lost Wraith, but I won't stand to see more of us fall, we must retreat!"

23: " Well then... We came for nothing, great."

Arnes holsters his pistol and agrees with Michael.

Ellindel comes back with her bag on her back and continues to be in silence.

Ghost looks around and notices it is the best way to comply at the moment.

81: "Fine, sedate the man. We'll take him to your dropship."

117: "I have a problem, there is no more sedative."

Everyone in the room slightly gasps, and the prisoner indulges and smiles.

"But, there is a solution"

Ellindel says as she approaches the Prisoner and gives him a light back hand slap that knocks him out, the sound of two teeth bouncing off the ground followed.

117: "Problem solved."

51: "Let's get him to the surface, now!"

21/Kryo/2467 R.S. 21:44:12

Michael, Arnes, Elindell and Ghost make their way topside, as they burst through the entrance door, The Amaranthine screeches past from above them as Vultar finalizes an attack run. The bullet traces claim the purplesque hue that covers the sky as night begins to fall. The top of the ramp is still secured, but the Millitants have slowly surrounded Omega Complex.

Now that they are in the surface, Michael Contacts the other members of Phaeton Squadron.

Ghost instantly notices Thorian taking cover behind the garden sections of the Complex, along with the gravely wounded Wraith. He quickly makes his way to tend to his squadmate's wounds.

51: "Fox? Are you still up there? Vultar, we need a pick up now!"

98: "Yes, Revenant and I are holding the line, as best as we can anyway..."

Fox lets out a nasty cough right before the end of the message.

Arnes looks up at the ramp and sees the two Troopers taking cover behind what is left of the small metal barriers.

23: "They need our help, I'm going up there."

51: "Negative, stay here and try to get Vultar to land, we need to keep this man away from Millitant reach."

Michael turns away, but then remembers what Fox had given to him, so he could pass it on to Elindell.

He turns around again and hands her the Metallic Cylinder, containing the chemical composition of the substance used on the terrorist attack on the highway.

117: "Did Fox?..."

51: "Yes, now take cover and wait for our ride out of here."

Michael then sprints toward the top of the ramp, the stairway is now riddled with gun holes and the inside is exposed due to chunks of the wall being destroyed. Michael sees how the Millitants slowly make their way around the structure, silently hugging the wall.

He aims down his MTR and lines up a couple of targets, as he pulls the trigger and guns down a few Soldiers, they quickly turned towards the exposed stairway and opened heavy fire.

The bullets crash against Michael's Barrier , as bright orange particles light up the dark stairway, Michael tosses a hand grenade and continues his path to Fox.

Now a block of black awaits at the end of the stairs, accompanied by streaks of small arms fire flying above the complex. Once Michael reaches the platform the grenade blows up and several screams could be heard. Fox finishes firing downrange and turns around.

98: " Michael, You should extract when you get the chance!"

51: "Not without the two of you I won't.

I gave the cylinder to Elindell."

98: "Good, she will make wonders out of that."

51: "Here's hoping, for Centralia."

201: "Hey, very patriotic and all but we need to get the hell out of here, I sent the Unseen Fate away to give Colonel Altarus the inside scoop of what's happened here, you will have to leave using the Amaranthine. "

51: "Things seem calmer, but they are trying to find a way inside the base, once they do there won't be much for us to do."

201: "Well, there is one last thing."

Both Troopers look at Revenant to hear what this one last option is.

201: "Omega Complex is rigged to blow just in case something like this were to happen, destroying this facility and everything within a mile radius. "

98: "Just tell me where it is, I'll do it."

201: "No Fox, this is my home, I won't allow it to fall to enemy hands, I will literally die before I allow that to happen."

Out of complete silence, Vultar finally speaks out regarding extraction.

417: "I'm coming in hot, there are multiple enemy vehicles at the frontal gate, if you want to get out now, I'm your best chance."

Michael looks at the Two weakened Troopers.

51: "So then, what's the plan?"

201: "You and Fox extract with the rest, I will stay and fend off as many Millitants as I can until-"

51: "No, I am staying as well."

98: "So am I.

Michael looks at Fox, he nods.

Revenant looks at the two Troopers and says: "You don't have to do this, you can live to warn Central of the sudden overwhelming power of the Millitants, your stories don't have to end here."

The Amaranthine is heard approaching.

"So why should yours?"

Michael asks, as Fox reloads.

Revenant looks at Michael and replies.

201: "Heh, I've been beaten, my cannons destroyed, my lookout tower demolished, my home pillaged, what is left is for the Millitants to scrape the armor right out of my flesh, there's no reason for me to leave."

51: "You're wrong, Truben, you aren't beaten, you just want to give up."

201: "After everything that they made us go through when we were children, who wouldn't want it all to finally end?"

51: "I've been there, wanting to give up and die, but there is always a reason to live onto the next day, trust me."

Revenant now remains silent, meditating on what measures to take.

He finds reason within Michael's words, and so does Michael, as he considers everything Revenant had said as well.

201: "Well, Michael, I owe you one, big time. Also, there may be a plan."

51: "Is that so? Well, what's the plan?"

201: "We can hold out here, remember those bombs I mentioned? Well I can detonate them separately, we can lure the Millitant Soldiers then blow up that area."

51: "Well then, grab the detonators and let's head outside."

Revenant smiles as he taps his helmet, and replies.

"I have it with me."

The young night is lit up by the heavy small arms fire that shred through the sky. Multiple Millitant guns open fire at The Amaranthine as it dodges every critical hit, and the ship's heavy barrier protects against most direct hits.

Michael looks up, locating The Amaranthine.

"Vultar we're ready for pickup, come get us!" Michael ordered.

Meanwhile inside the Dropship.

Vultar remains silent, yet complies to the order.

She gains massive amounts of velocity as she dives towards Omega Complex, the Millitant weaponry concentrate their fire, the heavy barrier reacts and spreads the orange metallic armor around the cockpit. The barrier begins to crack under so much firepower and a chunk breaks off, destroying a Millitant Vehilce as it crashes into the ground. Vultar pulls up and rolls the dropship in an attempt to evade more hits. She approaches the Complex upside down, and as she reaches the landing pads she opens the back hatch while simultaneously rolling the ship back into its straight position.

"Get in, now!"

Vultar yells within the comms channel as she fires a volley of rockets towards the main gate, destroying the gate along with everything and everyone behind it. Ellindel, Thorian and Arnes hasten inside The Amaranthine, along with the prisoner. Ghost puts Wraith in one of the seats and walks outside to look for Revenant and the other Troopers.

Vultar hovers off the ground while the ship's turbines kick up all the dust and shell casings. Michael, Revenant and Fox stand on the platform, they look down at The Amaranthine.

201: "Last call out of Omega Complex, you guys sure you want to stay?"

98: "My Squadron will understand."

Michael thinks of his Squadron, taking a moment to imagine what each of them are doing right now.

Ankiros, laying on the medical bed with tubes attached to his body, and plenty of medical equipment monitoring his health.

The Millitants put their new ammunition to the test and so far it seems to be certain, the Millitants have found a counter to the Centralian's advanced Mikundrian Troopers.

Jacklyn and Vera, preparing Fort Ellis for an incoming invasion alongside Lambda Squad. Jacklyn has his dual handguns ready, and Vera directs the local Marines to their defensive positions, informing them of the secondary line of defense in case the threat is greater and the primary line is overwhelmed. Though they miss Michael, they have other priorities, that any Trooper would understand.

Jade, sitting infront of the Datapad that started it all, extracting huge amounts of data collected by orbiting satellites, slowly but surely, she is uncovering the Datapad's secrets.

She understands that by doing this, she could be helping more than being on the field.

"Yes, I'm sure"

81: "Sir, are you not coming?"

201: "No, take care of Wraith, he'll make it through this."

81:"...Yes, sir."

Ghost boards the dropship and smacks the close hatch button. Instantly Vultar notices Fox stays at the platform.

"Wait, you too Fox?!"

98: "Kid, I order you to get these Troopers out of here, now!"

With a bit of reluctance, Vultar increases her Dropship's height and prepares the turbines for a blast off.

Fox turns around and opens fire down the bulkhead at the incoming Soldiers.

201: "Alright Troopers, it's up to us to hold them off for as long as we can. "

Suddenly a volley of bullets fired from the Bulkhead crash against the Amaranthine's exposed hull. Upon seeing this, Michael and Revenant also provide fire support so that everyone could leave. Ghost catches one last glimpse of the three Troopers opening fire, their gunshots lighting up the darkness around them before the hatch finally closed, and the Amaranthine speeds off.