Battalion Commander Colonel Rourke surveyed his assembled battalion, his gaze cold and confident. The Iron Elites and their allies gathered around, waiting for the next phase of the mission.
The night before, under the cover of darkness, reinforcements had arrived. Ray watched troop carriers descended smoothly from the sky, delivering fresh E-ranked soldiers, additional troops, and crucial equipment. Unlike his chaotic arrival, the anti-orbital guns had been mostly neutralized, allowing for a seamless insertion.
As Ray listened to snippets of conversation, he discovered that eight newcomers were beginning their tutorials in this batch. He couldn't help but feel a pang of gratitude for his own fortunate start, trying to pick up a card at this late stage must be almost impossible.
Colonel Rourke, with a sharp nod, began briefing the group. A holographic map flickered to life, displaying the Financial District. "The alien artifact we need is located in the center of the Financial District, inside a fortified skyscraper," he said. "This area is a maze of towering buildings and dense infrastructure, ideal for the enemy to make a stand."
Rourke continued, his voice steady. "Intel suggests the Aliens have about 16 E-ranked Elites holding the Skyscraper. But we hold the advantage—we’ve got 26 Elites."
Colonel Rourke outlined the plan in detail, dividing it into two parts: "the open conspiracy" and "the knife in the dark." The F-ranked companies would engage in a direct assault, focusing on attacking and destabilizing the skyscraper that housed the alien artifact. Their goal was simple—destroy the lower levels, bring the structure down, and force the artifact to the ground.
Meanwhile, the E-ranked Elites would be split into teams, scaling the skyscraper's exterior using gravity boots. This was the open conspiracy, forcing the Aliens to choose between defending against the climbing Elites or dealing with the ground assault. The knife in the dark, however, was a more clandestine operation.
Ray recalled the secret briefing he had received the previous night alongside Stark and Lt. Parker. The three of them possessed a combined total of seven E-ranked cards, a force to be reckoned with. Stark had been granted the highly coveted E-ranked "Integrated Command Elite Battlesuit," which offered exceptional combat bonuses, scouting abilities, and the ability to network real-time data with allies.
Lt. Parker, a commando who had arrived with Colonel Rourke, wielded two E-ranked cards. His Thunderfist card gave his punches electrifying power, able to shatter both enemies and structures, while his Fortify Shield provided a nearly impenetrable defense. In addition he also had an E-ranked title, Demolisher, amplified his destructive potential, particularly against buildings—a perfect asset for their mission.
Ray stood alongside them, pride swelling in his chest. Not long ago, he had been an ordinary college student, worrying about exams and games. Now, he was part of an elite team, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with exceptional soldiers. One of the three selected from a whole Battalion.
Colonel Rourke’s expression darkened as he addressed the gathered troops. “Before we move forward with the mission, there’s something you need to know about the orbital battle,” he said, his voice weighted with concern. “Things aren’t going as we’d hoped.”
He activated the holoprojector, revealing a three-dimensional display of FOW Intrepid, encircled by a chaotic clash of Federation and alien ships. “As you can see, both fleets are converging on our location. The fighting has been fierce, and the losses on both sides are mounting.”
Colonel Rourke adjusted the holoprojector, zooming in on the orbital battle above. Federation and alien ships clashed violently, energy blasts streaking through the void. Reinforcements from both sides were converging—sleek alien destroyers slipping through the chaos, while a fresh wave of Federation warships emerged from hyperspace. The projector highlighted key points: alien interceptors targeting vital Federation supply lines, while a squadron of Federation battleships moved to intercept an approaching alien flagship, its shields glimmering with the suspected power of D-ranked cards. Both fleets were preparing for the final, decisive push.
Unease rippled through the ranks. Ray felt his heart tighten as he took in the scale of the conflict above them. Card convergence was at the center of his mind and he tried to examine the battle for any indication of D-Ranked cards.
Colonel Rourke’s tone turned resolute. “This makes our mission even more urgent. We need to secure the alien artifact before the situation in orbit deteriorates further. Our success on the ground will be the tipping point in this battle.”
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His eyes swept over the troops, meeting each soldier’s gaze. “I believe in every one of you. Together, we can change the course of this war. Now, let’s move out and remind these Aliens what the Federation is made of!”
The troops erupted into battle cries, their spirits reignited by the Colonel’s clarion call.
---
As the Federation troops surged forward, the assault on the skyscraper began in full force. The air was filled with the piercing sounds of laser fire, explosions, and shouted commands, a chaotic symphony echoing through the financial district. Ray’s heart raced, each breath coming in sharp, rapid bursts as he sprinted alongside Stark and Parker.
The skyscrapers around them loomed ominously, their towering silhouettes casting long, dark shadows that seemed to tighten with the escalating battle. Ray’s thoughts whirled, the sheer magnitude of the conflict threatening to overwhelm him. But the resolve of his comrades kept him grounded—their determination fueling his own.
The ground shook with the impact of heavy ordnance, the companies hammered the lower levels of the target skyscraper with relentless force. Chunks of concrete and twisted steel rained down, debris scattering as their devastating firepower took its toll. But the Aliens struck back with equal intensity, plasma blasts and energy shields creating a deadly dance of destruction in the streets.
Above, Ray and the other E-ranked Elites began their perilous ascent. Their gravity boots clung to the smooth walls of the skyscraper, every step a battle against the pull of gravity and the relentless hail of plasma fire raining down. Ray’s muscles burned, focus tightening as he pushed forward, the chaos below barely registering through the haze of combat.
As they climbed, the Elites were met with a view of pure carnage. The horizon was ablaze, illuminated by the firestorm of countless battles. Lasers slashed through the smoke-filled sky, and missiles streaked like fiery comets, leaving trails of destruction in their wake.
As Ray and his comrades ascended, sections of the wall exploded in violent bursts, sending unfortunate Elites and support personnel hurtling to the ground, their screams lost in the din of war.
Ray’s eyes flicked to Captain Kowalski and her squad, their figures outlined against the chaos as they led the climb as trailblazers. His stomach knotted with anxiety as he watched them ascend, clearing a path through the treacherous terrain and exposing themselves to danger so his commando trio could follow with some measure of safety.
---
Colonel Rourke stood at his command post, eyes locked on the holographic projections flickering before him. The map displayed his troops' positions, their progress, and the steady advance of alien reinforcements. As his forces clashed with the enemy, the weight of command pressed heavily on him. Everywhere he looked, his soldiers fought valiantly, but the aliens met their efforts with brutal resistance.
His gaze tracked the Elite squads scaling the skyscraper like ants on a vast tower, dodging falling debris and plasma fire. Rourke's chest tightened with each close call, sensing the battle was slipping out of control. The longer the fight dragged on, the more he feared it was heading toward disaster.
His attention shifted to his conventional troops, who were being driven back. The skyscraper, seemingly invincible, magically repaired itself, undoing all the damage they inflicted. Rourke's mind raced as the holograms showed alien reinforcements inching closer to their position. The current strategy wasn’t working, and he had to adapt before it was too late.
With a deep breath, he activated the communication channel. His voice came through clear and commanding. "Attention, all conventional companies, we’re changing tactics!"
“The skyscraper’s self-repair mechanism is neutralizing our efforts. Focus on disabling their defense systems. Iron Wolves and Terraform Titans, cease your attacks on the structure and prioritize the alien defense installations. Clear a path for our climbing Elites we are going All-In. All Celestial Sentinels, jetpack up, activate your gravity boots, and reinforce the Elites.”
Rourke’s voice hardened. “Our priority is to support the Elites and secure the alien artifact. Stay sharp, stay focused, and work together. Rourke out."
As the channel closed, a mix of determination and unease settled over him. The new plan was a risk, but he had no other cards to play.. Everything now hinged on the Elites and the success of their mission.
---
The roar of jetpacks filled the air as the Celestial Sentinels launched into action, executing Colonel Rourke’s in unison. Streams of Soldiers rocketed upwards, their gravity boots engaging as they neared the skyscraper’s surface.
A hailstorm of plasma fire met them as they ascended, forcing the Sentinels to weave and dart through the deadly barrage. Some weren’t so lucky—struck mid-flight, their jetpacks erupted in flames, sending them plummeting to the ground. Despite mounting losses, the rest pressed on, their resolve unshaken.
Upon reaching the Elite squads, the Celestial Sentinels immediately formed protective perimeters, absorbing the relentless enemy fire. The sounds of laser blasts, explosions, and the cries of the wounded echoed across the battlefield, turning the scene into a nightmare of chaos and destruction.
Through the haze of smoke and debris, the remaining Sentinels held their ground, fighting fiercely to buy the Elite squads the time they needed to advance. Each fallen soldier fueled the determination of those still standing, knowing their sacrifice was the key to the mission’s success.