* Date: January 22, 2183

* Time: 11:45 PM

* Location: UGS New Jersey Bridge

Surrounding the twenty-two-kilometer-long space station was the complete strength of the Second Fleet. Split into three battlegroups led by Essex Class Battle Carriers, UGS Yorktown led the first battlegroup, UGS Lexington led the second, and UGS Bunker Hill led the third. But in the middle of the three battlegroups was a strike group led by the Iowa Class Super Carrier, UGS New Jersey.

''Tempest. Is the fleet ready?''

[Yes, Fleet Admiral.]

''Good, we're right on schedule.''

The Fleet Admiral replied as she observed the ships under her command on her terminals, all waiting for her decision. They were partaking in the first counter-offensive ever conducted by Earth's military, and it was something that they had never dreamed of. The A.F.E. Navy had always struggled to keep pace with their Kaynian counterparts, but now everything has changed. Due to the genius of Vice Admiral Abraham Gaft to set up a trap via the Kaynian frigate Derelict, they would lure the Kaynians and take them by surprise.

'Father, wherever you are. I hope you understand that I'm taking a chance. When you lectured me about responsibility, you said that if I were to sacrifice one life to save us all, you'd rather be that one life. Unfortunately, that is precisely why you are not present here. You stubborn old man...'

'...I wish I could thank you for being my father and for all you have done for Earth and her people. I hope you're resting well and that I could make you proud by doing this. Вперёд к смерти, и пусть наша жертва будет помнена.'

Sasha phrased the motto of her family, Вперёд к смерти, и пусть наша жертва будет помнена. In English, it means; Forward to our deaths, and may our sacrifice be remembered. The motto encapsulates the spirit and ethos of the Zveroboy family, which is rooted in a legacy of bravery and selflessness. The Zveroboys face challenges with bravery akin to Fleet Admiral Tsar Zveroboy's resilience during the initial phases of the First Contact War. It symbolizes a tradition of resilience and a profound sense of duty that binds generations of the Zveroboy family together, forging a legacy that echoes through time.

''Tempest, establish communications across the entire fleet. I need them to hear something.''

[Understood, opening fleet-wide comms...]

[...The mic is your Fleet Admiral.]

The A.I. assistant slash Executive officer responded. For once in her life, Sasha Zveroboy was on the brink of delivering a speech that might be the final one in her career. They were about to embark on a dangerous and suicidal mission to hold back the Kaynian menace. Looking across her bridge, her officers stare at her, awaiting her words. Taking a deep breath and recollecting her thoughts, the Fleet Admiral took her time as she prepared to give her speech.

''Today, we shall embark on an offensive never done before, not in our modern history, not against our foe, the Kaynians. The most serious challenge of our generation is currently confronting us. Babylon has already fallen, and it won't be long until Eden and Mesopotamia suffer the same. And yet, much like ten years ago, we shall not yield, and we shall not surrender. Every man, woman, marine, sailor, officer, pilot, and captain must know that everything we are doing will be the change we all have been thirsting for, a way to strike back...''

''...All of the pain, suffering, and misery caused to ourselves and those around us will now be given respite. For all of us will wage a battle against an enemy we have never seen before. Not all of us will return in one piece. There will be those who will perish, and there will be those who will be mourned. One hundred ships, all culminating in an offensive never done in the entirety of the history of Earth. May we collectively pierce through the darkness and bring forth the much-needed light we all need. We shall show these aliens that we are fighting not for our freedom, not for our survival, but for our right to exist in this godforsaken Galaxy!''

The delivered speech had such a profound impact that it instilled a sense of encouragement among the crews and individuals listening. They were reassured of their duty, especially knowing their Fleet Admiral would accompany them to the impending battlefield of formidable war vessels. Thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands of souls, would partake in this counter-offensive, and not all would return home. But despite this, the bravery and loyalty of the crews of each ship stay hardened and willing to see through this til the end.

''Tempest, set condition one on the entire fleet, and give the command to warm up the real space drives fleet-wide.''

[Understood, Fleet Admiral. It shall be done.]

Taking control of the comms of the entire Second Fleet, Tempest situated himself to deliver the command of the admiral. As crews rushed into their quarters, Tempest of the New Jersey coughed in the comms to garner the attention of every human and A.I. present in the Second Fleet.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

[Ahem, attention to all personnel, the fleet is set to condition one by the Fleet Admiral and initiate FTL drive warm-up. I repeat, attention to all personnel, the fleet is set to condition one by the Fleet Admiral and initiate FTL drive warm-up.]

As soon as Tempest said those words, the fleet hurried to warm up their respective real-space drives to set course to the Kaynian derelict. Each vessel began to hum as radiation spiked on the entire fleet. Stealth Ships, Corvettes, Destroyers, Light Cruisers, Heavy Cruisers, and Battle Carriers were evenly spaced to not cause an incident. The process would take a few minutes due to the number of ships present, and assurance was particularly heightened by the flagship's presence in the counter-offensive.

''Give me comms.''

[Of course, admiral.]

''This is Fleet Admiral Sasha Zveroboy. All battlegroups report in.''

Taking over, Sasha issued an immediate call to the battlegroups present. Of course, the Vice Admiral in command of each battlegroup would acknowledge their superior's command and respond immediately.

''Fleet Admiral, this is Vice Admiral Abraham Gaft of Battlegroup Yorktown, standing by.''

''This is Vice Admiral Picket Cob of Battlegroup Lexington, standing by.''

[This is Vice Admiral Accelerate of Battlegroup Bunker Hill, standing by.]

Hearing her admiral's report, Sasha looked at her terminals as all the ships got into position for their jump. Monitoring the readings and information on her terminal concerning her fleet's FTL charge, Sasha saw they were clear for the jump.

''Battlegroup Lexington and Bunker Hill flank my strike group sides after we exit the jump. Battlegroup Yorktown, take the lead to ensure you get eyes first on the Kaynian derelict.''

''Understood, Fleet Admiral. Yorktown and her battlegroup will take the lead.''

After giving out a command on what to do after they exited their jump, the Fleet Admiral took a deep breather as she oriented herself on her seat. This marked the moment, and once they carried out this action, there would be no possibility of turning back.

''Today, Operation Trojan commences!''

* Date: January 23, M2100

* Time: 12:25 AM

* Location: Class V Dreadnaught Oblivion Bridge

The Arc Betrayer, formerly recognized as the Arc Bishop, stood as the most formidable individual in the current century of the Galaxy. His power was mighty, his reputation fierce as his deep hatred for the Deity Race and what they have done to his people. After losing the Civil War against his twin brother, the betrayer slumbered to heal his wounds, and after two hundred thousand years. He was awake and sought the destruction of the chosen of the Deities, Humanity.

''Today is the end of the Chosen Race of the Deities. An end to a species created solely for one purpose. To be a weapon of mass destruction. At this moment, the entire Galaxy and the Arc Imperium turned a blind eye to the children of our enemies. This opportunity granted to us must not be wasted as the chosen are a formidable foe greater than my brother's Arc Imperium. Their numbers are minuscule, but their tactical genius is palpable. Even though this is the case, we, the Arc Dominion, shall persevere and will bring about the extinction of the Chosen Race! Humanity!''

At the end of his speech, the various Kaynian troops under the betrayer's command raised their fist as a sign of respect and dedication to his dream of a unified Galaxy. Guardians, Knights, Warlocks, Paladins, and Sentinels watched in awe as their Arc stood mighty with their leader at its steed the chosen race would perish. Amidst the cheers of his fellow Kaynians, the hologram of the Arc Betrayer would disappear, spreading invisibly across the irradiated surface of Babylon and throughout the flotillas hovering above its atmosphere. This marked the beginning of the end; whether for the better or for worse, Humanity must be exterminated to prevent a catastrophe from brewing.

''Quite a speech you gave to your troops, my Arc.''

''Lord Cipher. My Warmaster told me that the plan for invasion has been revised.''

''Of course, my Arc. We have thought of your concerns regarding the missing frigate. Our voyage to the colonies of the Chosen Race will be slowed as to search specific key locations that the frigate may have arrived at.''

''And if the frigate is found?''

''Then we shall execute the traitors of your vision.''

''I see. Very well.''

Hearing the response of the Kaynian Lord, the betrayer watched in thought as he approached his throne on the bridge. Upon sitting down, the sound of the entrance to the bridge caught his attention as he swung around and saw the Honor Guard Captain, Trust, and his Warmaster, Kostas.

''Ah, my Warmaster and my Venerable Guard Captain.''

''My Arc.''

The Warmaster responded before immediately kneeling in the presence of his Arc. Beside him, the Honor Guard Captain followed the motion and kneeled. A gesture from their Arc signaled them to rise.

''More vessels have arrived for your protection, my Arc.''

''How many?''

''A hundred have answered the call to escort your Dreadnought, the Oblivion. And I suspect more would soon follow once the entire Arc Dominion hears of your return.''

This was good and bad at the same time. If only a hundred vessels came after the Arc Betrayers return. Then, the situation with their naval prowess must be dire, so much so that only another flotilla has answered his hail for reinforcement.

''What of the flotillas are they prepared to inact your plans?''

''Yes, you merely need to give your word, and they shall depart immediately.''

''Then you have my word...''

''...Go and command them to burn the other colonies of the chosen.''

''By your will, my Arc.''

Hedding the word of his Arc, Kostas signaled for Cipher to come with him. After all, the Kaynian Lord would lead the second flotilla towards the second colony of the Chosen Race, Eden. The utmost importance of the destruction of said world would ensure that the third colony, Mesopotamia, would perish.

''Come Cipher.''

''Of course, my Warmaster.''

Leaving the premises of the Oblivions Bridge, the Guard Captain stood silent as he awaited for his Arc to hear him.

''Trost, what news do you wish to report.''

''It is a concern about another of the Deities creation.''

This shattered the mood of the betrayer immediately because, to his knowledge, the Deities should have created only one of their bastard creations, and that was Humanity. Yet, here was his Guard Captain, telling him there was another; did his twin brother perhaps hide this information from him, or was it his mentor who did so?

''Where and what are they?''

''They are located at the outer ring of the Galaxy, and their homeworld seems to be unseeable in any means of intelligence gathering from our sensors...''

''...But we suspect it has something to do with the frigate that suddenly turns traitor on the Arc Dominion.''

''What of their homeworld have you knowledge of it?''

''Yes, although their homeworld is unseeable. We managed to decrypt an Imperial signal about a world filled with primitive psionic users.''

This spiked the betrayer's curiosity. An Imperial sent a signal due to a race of primitive psionic users. But how does this correlate with them being another of the Deity's creations?

''But how is this related to your claim?''

''My Arc, we've investigated the traitor frigate's arrival and escape from us. We discovered a psionic trace akin to the magic wielded by the Deity Race...''

''...What shall we do, my Arc?''

''If what you say is true, contact my apprentice, Warmaster Crisis, and give him the task of finding this particular race. Confirm your claim and if they are indeed a part of the creations of the Deities. Then have them be conquered and erased.''

To Be Continued.