As dawn broke, casting faint orange hues through the dense canopy, Sahaad's communicator chirped, the gruff voice of General Harisburg cutting through the morning stillness.
"Imperator Sahaad," the General greeted. "We're launching the strike in one Terran hour. Intel suggests the hive doesn't have its heavy cavalry deployed on Rhys. They weren't expecting much of a fight, which means no Leviathans or Veinwalkers."
Sahaad took a moment to process this. The absence of Leviathans—massive, planet-crushing beasts—and Veinwalkers, powerful ground-commanders for the Brood, was unexpected good news. They'd have one less factor to worry about in the chaos of the assault.
"Understood, General. We'll time our approach with your forces' distraction," Sahaad responded, his voice low but steady. "Once we're in the hive's range, we'll neutralize the tendrils and make an exit before the bombs detonate."
"Good," Harisburg replied. "Give 'em hell, Imperators. We'll keep their attention on us as long as possible. I'll keep you posted on our progress."
The comm link clicked off, and Sahaad turned back to his squad, who'd gathered and listened attentively. They looked ready, their eyes sharp and their focus steeled.
"Alright, team," he announced, addressing them as they finished prepping their gear. "The general and his forces will launch a frontal assault in sixty minutes. We're moving in under that cover to strike the tendrils at their core. No Leviathans or Veinwalkers, which keeps things manageable, but don't get complacent. We're still dealing with Brood—and that means unpredictability."
Kato tightened the wrist rockets on his arm, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "So just us against a sea of drones and phages. Sounds like a great start to the morning."
Ji shot him a glance, rolling his eyes. "Always eager, Kato. But yeah, no one gets careless. The phages can still surprise us."
Sahaad nodded, gesturing for them to form up. "Exactly. Move in tight formation, clear any obstacles fast, and keep eyes on the objective. We'll push through to the tendrils with the path we mapped out last night. Once there, Kato and Nate, be ready to plant the bombs as soon as the area is secure."
The Imperators synced their communicators, calibrated their weapons for the mission, and settled into the tense silence that always came before an operation. In less than an hour, they'd be racing through enemy lines to strike at the heart of the Brood's grip on Rhys.
"Let's make this clean and efficient," Sahaad concluded, locking eyes with each squad member. "The quicker we're in, the quicker we're out. We've got one shot—let's make it count."
With that, they moved out, heading toward the edge of the forest where the open ground of the hive's outskirts waited.
The ruined city sprawled below, a desolate skeleton barely clinging to its past identity. Towers that had once touched the sky now lay cracked and hollow, their shattered windows like empty, accusing eyes. Streets that might once have bustled with life were now choked by writhing masses of the Brood, the creatures skittering over fallen structures and squirming through broken alleyways like an unending nightmare.
The air itself seemed thick with dread, filled by the constant droning hum of the hive, vibrating with a frequency that seemed to crawl up one's spine.
Shadowy Brood drones, twisted mockeries of their former human forms, drifted in thick waves like a horrifying, unholy sea of bodies, each one mutated beyond recognition. They swirled and shifted in eerie, synchronized waves, the mass pulsing and twisting in a macabre dance as they fed off the decay and ruin around them.
Everywhere, appendages from the hive pulsed, twitching like nerves in a creature that knew it was being hunted, knowing it would not be caught. It was a city consumed, transformed into an alien nest.
The team crouched low, hidden behind the jagged remains of an overpass that gave them a partial vantage over the devastated city. Each Imperator held binoculars to their eyes, scanning the ruined streets and the dense swarms of Brood entities infesting every corner of the skyline. They watched as groups of drones shifted in droves, some scattering toward the city's perimeter while others clung to the thick, pulsing tendrils spiraling up from the ground.
Sahaad's keen gaze moved methodically from block to block, studying every shadow and movement. His mind worked in silence, calculating the Brood's patterns and searching for any openings that would allow them to make a clean approach. Beneath his binoculars, his jaw was set, tense yet focused.
"Looks like the horde's drawn to the outskirts," Kato whispered, his voice barely audible. "They're all moving as one, like they sense something out there."
"Good. The general's assault is pulling them away," Sahaad replied softly, keeping his gaze trained on the city. He noted the thin gaps forming as groups of drones vacated sections of the streets, funneling away to engage the Federation troops.
Zara scanned another sector, her binoculars trained on a gnarled cluster of Brood drones clawing over an old barricade. "There's still a fair number sticking close to those tendrils, though. I doubt they'll be leaving anytime soon."
"Right," Sahaad murmured, watching as thick plumes of Brood creatures began moving toward the outer perimeter, leaving brief gaps in their wake. "But the tendril guards are fewer than expected… that's good news for us."
Ji adjusted his position, a smirk forming as he spotted a particularly clear route through the dilapidated buildings. "If we're quick, we can slip past. If the swarm's attention stays on the outer perimeter, we can hit the tendrils before they even know we're there."
"Everyone, keep scanning," Sahaad ordered. "We'll need to know every possible fallback point if things go south. This city isn't exactly crawling with cover."
<10 minutes before>
Private Rallis took a deep breath, his hands trembling as he adjusted his helmet. Around him, the camp bustled with intense activity, every soldier on edge. The quiet tension weighed on him, sinking deep into his stomach as he ran through his final checks. Fear gnawed at him—a dark, pulsing certainty that he might not survive this fight. He turned to his squad mate, Private Joza, who was packing her equipment with a steady, unhurried calm.
"Hey… do you ever wonder if… maybe this is it?" Rallis whispered, barely able to mask the tremor in his voice.
Joza looked up, studying him for a moment before reaching out to clasp his shoulder firmly. "Look, we're soldiers of the Federation. We're here to defend something bigger than ourselves," she said, her gaze unwavering. "We must do it for the Imperators. They are counting on us."
"To think... we need the Imperators. Maybe we will all die here", Rallis mumbled to himself, before slapping his cheeks, shaking off the morbid thoughts.
Rallis managed a small nod, gripping the reassurance as he straightened up. A few meters away, the gruff voice of General Harisburg rang through the camp.
"All units, prepare for deployment! Start your engines and assemble by your assigned positions!" Harisburg commanded, his voice cutting through the din with practiced authority.
The soldiers around them sprang into action, tightening the straps on their armor, exchanging brief nods of solidarity, and moving with renewed determination. Rallis felt his heart pick up speed as he holstered his pistol, double-checked his rifle, and slung it over his shoulder. With a final, steadying breath, he stepped away from the supply station and followed his squad into the clearing where the vehicles awaited.
Towering tanks rumbled to life around him, their massive frames casting long shadows over the soldiers as they lumbered to the frontlines. They were Stormbreakers, heavily armored siege tanks that dwarfed the soldiers around them, their tracks grinding forward with undeniable force.
Ahead of him, APCs lined up, engines humming, ready to transport the infantry into the heart of the assault. Above, Federation drones buzzed like a swarm of wasps, cutting through the sky as they carried out aerial scans and tactical surveillance.
Each was outfitted with ballistic arms—small but precise—ready to engage any Brood forces that threatened their line.
Rallis exhaled, steadying himself as he climbed aboard an APC alongside Joza. The steel walls felt cold and confining, but he clenched his jaw, reminding himself of Joza's words. Across the camp, General Harisburg boarded his own Stormbreaker, his gaze cold and determined as he observed the troops from his vantage.
"Move out! All units to the outskirts! The Brood won't wait, and neither will we!" Harisburg's voice boomed, and the army surged forward.
The tanks led the way, massive engines roaring as they cleared a path, while APCs and infantry units moved in a powerful formation behind them. The armored column pushed forward, carrying thousands of Federation soldiers like Rallis into the shadow of the city, where the swarm of Brood forces lay in wait.
As the column advanced, more Federation forces from neighboring encampments joined the march, converging from multiple directions. The ranks swelled with thousands more soldiers, stretching out in all directions in a seemingly endless wave of steel and grit. Rallis peered out the small slit of the APC, catching glimpses of the coordinated formations moving as one—tanks, armored vehicles, and soldiers all driven by a singular purpose.
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Rows of infantry marched alongside hulking tanks, each unit stepping in rhythm with one another, their faces set and weapons at the ready. The massive Stormbreakers were at the heart of the force, rolling forward like unstoppable fortresses, their reinforced armor glinting under the smog-laden sky. APCs trundled behind, packed with troops who would spill out into the fray at a moment's notice. Rallis could feel the hum of his own vehicle as it moved with the cadence of the army—a vast, unwavering beat that vibrated through the ground beneath them.
From above, Federation drones soared, maintaining their formation in a coordinated flight, scanning every inch of the path ahead. The whirring of their motors mixed with the rumbling tanks and the synchronized march of thousands of boots, creating a thunderous symphony that resounded across the valley. The sheer magnitude of the army was both awe-inspiring and humbling, reminding each soldier of the stakes. They were no longer just individuals; they were a single, relentless force, gathered to face an unimaginable threat.
Ahead, the twisted skyline of the ruined city loomed closer, darkened by the ceaseless activity of the Brood swarming above it. The high-pitched shrieks of the creatures carried on the wind, chilling each soldier to the core, but none faltered. Every man and woman knew what lay ahead, and none turned away.
As Rallis clutched his weapon, his previous fear was slowly replaced by a grim resolve.
The Stormbreaker tank rumbled beneath Harisburg as he issued the order. Its turret rotated with a low, ominous hum, locking onto the heart of the ruined city. The gauss cannon charged, crackling with volatile, high-octane energy that pulsed along the barrel. With a thunderous roar, the weapon discharged, sending the gauss round screaming through the sky—a fiery comet of electric fury.
It struck the epicenter of the city, detonating on impact. The blast shook the ground for miles, erupting in a blinding burst that swallowed the shattered structures whole, vaporizing concrete and steel as a colossal shockwave rippled outward. Debris and dust filled the air, carried by the expanding wave, obliterating the remnants of the city. For a brief moment, there was only silence.
Then, the Brood answered.
From every direction, the black swarm surged forward, a boiling mass of twisted, chittering forms rushing toward the Federation army with terrifying speed. The soldiers in the APCs disembarked with practiced precision, flooding out in waves, rifles raised and ready. They dug in as best they could, forming a defensive line along the outskirts of the city, each soldier prepared for what lay ahead.
Without hesitation, they opened fire, filling the air with the staccato flashes of yellow gunfire. The night sky lit up as tracer rounds streaked toward the oncoming horde. Brood drones fell by the dozens, their bodies dissolving into ash and ichor, but for every creature that dropped, ten more took its place, pressing onward with single-minded ferocity.
The soldiers fought bravely, yelling orders, calling out positions, and firing until their barrels glowed red-hot. Yet, the Brood were relentless, and slowly, they began to breach the defensive line. As the creatures broke through, the scene dissolved into chaos. Firefights erupted in close quarters as soldiers desperately tried to hold their ground, the acrid smell of burning flesh and charred metal thick in the air.
Rallis and his squad found themselves at the center of it, shooting at anything that moved. He watched as his fellow soldiers were pulled down, consumed by the swarm, yet they fought on, grimly determined to take as many of the aliens down with them as they could. Shouts and screams blended with the roar of gunfire and the shrill cries of the Brood, creating a symphony of horror as the Federation forces fought for every inch.
Despite their bravery, the horde was too vast. The lines began to collapse, inch by inch, the Brood pressing their advantage, driven by hunger and malice.
A blast erupted nearby, tossing Rallis to the ground as shrapnel and smoke filled the air. Disoriented and covered in grime, he barely had a moment to breathe before a drone loomed over him, its mouth twisted in a grotesque snarl. Instinct kicked in, and he drew his knife, driving it into the creature's head with brutal force. The drone collapsed, twitching as its life faded, but there was no time for relief.
All around him, the soldiers fought with grim determination. For every fallen comrade, ten more filled their place, firing round after round into the relentless swarm. Yet, even as they took down dozens of drones, the true threat lumbered into view. Towering above the battlefield on spider-like legs, the Brood's Chitin Bastions advanced, monstrous bio-tanks covered in thick, armored plating that deflected bullets with terrifying ease. Their massive bodies glistened under the harsh lights, flesh merged with metal in unnatural fusion.
One of the bastions halted, its maw opening to spew a thick, caustic bile. The corrosive substance sprayed in a wide arc, and soldiers scrambled to escape its path, but for some, it was too late. The acid hissed as it made contact, eating through metal and flesh alike, leaving behind twisted remnants of once-formidable tanks and screaming soldiers.
Rallis gritted his teeth, ducking behind a ruined barricade. He quickly reloaded his rifle, his fingers trembling as he took aim at the creature's legs, trying to find any vulnerable joint or gap in the armor. He fired shot after shot, praying that something would land in the right place. Around him, soldiers did the same, rallying to concentrate fire on the bastion's weak points.
One of the Chitin Bastions stumbled, legs buckling as a well-placed explosion rocked it from below. Rallis saw his chance, yelling for his squad to focus all fire on the weakened creature. Bit by bit, they chipped away at it, the soldiers working as a single, desperate unit.
Rallis's heart raced as he fired relentlessly at the fallen bastion, but it was then he realized just how long its forelimbs were. With a speed that belied its massive size, one of the creature's elongated arms shot out and latched around him, squeezing with a vice-like grip. Panic surged through him as he was yanked off the ground, the world spinning around him as he was dragged toward the maw of this nightmare.
As he drew closer, the creature's face came into horrifying focus. Its mouth gaped open, revealing rows of jagged, bone-like teeth that dripped with a viscous, dark fluid. A foul stench emanated from its maw, a mix of rot and decay that made Rallis gag. The creature's eyes, sunken deep into its skull, glowed with an unsettling orange hue, filled with a predatory hunger that sent a wave of dread crashing over him. It was as if he were staring into the void, a reflection of death itself, and in that moment, Rallis felt utterly powerless.
With its mouth widening impossibly, the creature prepared to consume him whole, but survival instinct kicked in. In a split second, Rallis fumbled for a grenade in his satchel, fingers trembling as he grasped it tightly. As the maw loomed closer, he mustered every ounce of strength he had left, hurling the grenade deep into the creature's throat.
The beast let go of him, choking and thrashing, its orange eyes widening in panic as it struggled to expel the explosive device. Rallis fell to the ground, scrambling away as the creature writhed, its body convulsing violently. For a heartbeat, time stood still, and then the grenade detonated with a thunderous explosion.
The shockwave reverberated through the air, and Rallis winced, bracing himself as the creature's insides erupted in a gory display of entrails and gore. The blast sent chunks of flesh and bile flying, the force so immense that it caused the ground beneath him to tremble. The bastion's eyes popped out of its sockets, leaving behind dark, empty voids, and with one last shudder, it collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
Greenish blood sprayed across Rallis, splattering his uniform as he lay there, panting heavily. He stared at the fallen creature, relief flooding over him, mixing with the sickening horror of what had just transpired. For a moment, he felt invincible.
a sudden shove from Joza sent him sprawling to the side. He barely registered the danger before realizing that a drone commander had lunged toward him, its wicked claws swiping through the air where he had just stood. The creature was larger than the drones they had faced, its chitinous armor gleaming ominously in the chaos of battle.
Rallis quickly regained his footing alongside Joza, and they aimed their rifles at the menacing figure. But their shots were futile; the armor of the drone commander absorbed their fire without so much as a flinch.
In retaliation, the commander unleashed a barrage of small, spiny thorns from the organic gun mounted on its hind arm. Rallis's heart sank as he watched one of the thorns pierce Joza's abdomen, the impact sending her flying backward.
"No!" Rallis shouted, panic surging through him as he rushed toward her. Joza landed heavily, her face twisting in agony as her blood vessels began to glow an ominous black.
The poison coursed through her system, and she started to foam at the mouth, a horrifying mixture of blood and bile escaping her lips. Rallis could only watch in horror as the life drained from her eyes, her body convulsing before she succumbed to the poison, lifeless on the ground.
Enraged, Rallis turned back to the drone commander, a primal instinct overtaking his fear. He charged forward, bayonet fixed to his rifle, ready to exact revenge for Joza. But the commander was faster; with a swift motion, it sliced through the barrel of his gun, severing it in two. Rallis stumbled, the momentum of his charge sending him crashing to the ground.
As he lay there, struggling to regain his breath, the drone commander loomed over him, its grotesque face contorting into a sickening grin. Its eyes glimmered with malice, and it savored the moment, readying its wicked claws to stab down into him. Rallis's heart pounded in his chest, a cacophony of fury and fear as he scrambled to find something—anything—to defend himself against the inevitable strike.
Suddenly, as if his prayer were answered a sudden shrill explosion reverberated through the air, causing the drone commander to freeze mid-strike. Its grotesque features shifted from malicious glee to sheer panic as it emitted a piercing cry, its long arms flailing in desperation. "Retreat! Retreat!" it seemed to scream, its voice a mixture of fear and fury.
Ignoring Rallis, who was still on the ground, the commander dashed away, its armored form disappearing into the chaos of the battlefield, rallying the remaining brood troops back toward their base.
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The Imperators made their way to the tendril, having picked off the guardians that remained. Thankfully they were only a bit tougher than the drone commanders, so the Imperators were right on time.
Ji and Kato stood side by side, their eyes scanning the area for any sign of danger as they prepared to deploy the viral bombs.
"Ready?" Ji asked, adrenaline coursing through his veins.
"Let's do this," Kato replied, gripping the bombs tightly in his hands.
In perfect synchronization, they attached the virus bombs to one of the massive tendrils that snaked down into the ground, pulsating ominously with energy. Without wasting a moment, the two Imperators dashed away, moving at blinding speed to avoid the impending explosion.
A thunderous detonation followed, but to their dismay, the massive tentacle showed no immediate signs of damage. The Imperators paused, a sense of dread washing over them as they believed their plan had failed. But then, as if responding to some unseen force, the tentacle began to rot at an alarming rate. Splotches of putrid pus erupted from its surface, and strips of flesh began to peel away, falling to the ground like decaying leaves.
The massive appendage writhed violently, gnashing and shaking the very ground beneath them as the virus spread throughout its length. It emitted a horrific sound, a combination of grinding chitin and agonized shrieks that echoed through the air, reverberating in the bones of the onlookers.
The once-powerful tendril, a symbol of the brood's strength, was now reduced to a rotting mass, signaling a significant shift in the battle.
"It's working!" Kato exclaimed, a mix of disbelief and triumph lighting up his face.
"Keep moving! We can't let up now!" Sahaad ordered, rallying his team as they prepared to strike at the remaining tendrils.
The chaos of the battlefield was far from over, but the tide was turning. The Imperators would not allow this opportunity to slip away. They were here to finish what they had started, and the virus had given them the edge they needed.