* Date: January 23, 2183
* Time: 1:25 AM
* Location: UGS Howling Knight Bridge
One hundred slip-space portals appeared fifty thousand kilometers near the Kaynian frigate derelict. So far, they haven't detected the Vice Admiral's Battlegroup, thus giving the Second Fleet the element of surprise. Meanwhile, the ten stealth ships were invisible to the instruments of the Kaynian Flotilla, giving them an opening for infiltration.
[Commander, Kaynian vessels have surrounded the derelict frigate. Shall I proceed?]
''Affirmative, Merci. Inform the other Ghost Teams to move in.''
[Very well. Transmitting.]
Giving the go-ahead to the other Ghosts, the stealth ships immediately engaged their main engines and proceeded to move. Being invisible to all known instruments, including Kaynian technology, they could safely approach the Kaynian flotilla without issue.
''Commander, the Kaynian vessels are accelerating to the derelict and- What the hell?''
''What is it, Bishop?''
''Sir, the Kaynian ships are charging weapons and pointing their broadside on the derelict...''
''...They're going to destroy it.''
On the terminals and consul on the Howling Knights bridge was the live feed of the Kaynian lead ship and several other Kaynian vessels presenting their broadsides and charging their weaponry. Seconds passed before a barrage of energy beams rained down on the lone frigate, reducing it to fragments and vaporizing its hull. It triggered alarms in the consciousness of each Ghost Team. Were their adversaries anticipating such bait to draw them in? Or was there something else going on with their adversaries? A single action alone raised concerns among the Ghosts and, more broadly, the entire Second Fleet. If the Kaynians anticipated this scenario, they could eliminate them one by one before they realized what was happening.
''What the fuck!''
Nomad shouted, clearly horrified about what the Kaynians had done.
''Calm it, Nomad. This new development practically points to the Kaynians knowing what the Second Fleet is up to. So, it's up to us to alter the course of this battle..."
''...Merci, punch the engines at maximum and get us above our target. Inform the other Ghosts not to wait for a synchronized teleportation sequence. We may need to rush this.''
[Of course.]
Nodding to his partner, the commander felt the increase in thrust of the Howling Knight as they neared their target. Unbeknownst to the Kaynian Flotilla, ten stealth ships hovered above them, stealthily breaching their systems as the A.I.s of each Ghost Team executed their infiltration. The Howling Knight was hovering above the leadship of the flotilla, the Hakkar. Simultaneously, the remaining stealth ships targeted other high-value assets, like other galleons within the flotilla. Although destroying these targets would hinder the Kaynian's firepower, it wouldn't route their forces in a panic.
[Commander West, we're above the lead galleon codename Hakkar, and our hacking solutions are ready.]
''Good...''
''...Sword and Shield, we're heading to the teleportation station.''
West commanded, and his subordinates immediately rose from their seats. The operatives would make their way out of the bridge and move towards the teleportation station of the Howling Knight. Upon arrival at the station, the Ghosts immediately saw the circular platform. It glowed a bright blue as its systems ran automatical, attaching its teleportation sequence with the one on board the Kaynian galleon.
''The mine?''
''Prepped, sir.''
Tale responded as he had with him the warhead of a nuclear mine behind his back. Armed with the same weapon configuration they had during their boarding action on the frigate derelict. The Ghosts of Sword and Shield were eager to engage with their Kaynian adversaries and destroy their flagship.
''Very well. Merci, get us in.''
[Understood, commander...]
[...In three...]
[...Two, one...]
[...Initiating!]
* Date: January 23, M2100
* Time: 1:30 AM
* Location: Hakkar Teleporter Chamber
"This is Lord Cipher! Hear me, for, at this moment, the heretics aboard the Bane of Flare have been purged for interrupting the grand vision of our Arc!"
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The voice of the Kaynian Lord boomed throughout the Hakkar's Teleportation Chamber. Soon after quickly dispatches the frigate derelict and opens fire on it. Cipher would release a statement flotilla-wide for his Kaynians to hear and rejoice about the deaths of the heretics.
''With the heretics dead. We may pursue our journey to the demon colony called Eden and burn it to the ground!''
Declared the Kaynian Lord, as he neglected his attention on the painfully obvious battlegroup about two hundred thousand or so kilometers from his flotilla. And it would be his gravest mistake as the teleporter would light up as the Kaynians busied themselves.
''Glory to our Arc's vision!''
''Hail the Arc Betrayer!''
''Those heretics deserve to die!''
Cheered the various guardians and farers on the teleporter chamber as they celebrated the demise of the Bane of Flare and its surviving occupants. Unbeknownst to them, the systems of the teleporter were breached stealthily by an A.I.
''Hmm, by the Arc's name, why are our systems malfunctioning?''
''Is something the matter?''
''Yes, but worry not, I shall take care of it. Go on, and celebrate with the others...''
''...Now, let me see what's- Ah!''
Shouted the unfortunate farer who came to investigate why the teleportation sequence was activated. But would be met with the barrels of the MK23 Double Barrel Shotgun of the close-quarter specialist, Nomad. The operative in question would smirk beneath his helmet before uttering the words.
''Mahalo motherfucker!''
A loud bang echoed as the four gauge quadruple-ought of the MK23 blasted the entire torso of the farer. The energy shield protecting the Kaynian wasn't durable enough to stop the power from the four gauge buckshot punched through.
''Sword and Shield engage!''
In unison, the Ghosts Operatives of S.&.S. fired their weapons on the unsuspecting Kaynian, mowing down a hundred in mere seconds. The combined firepower forced the Kaynians to seek cover, but fortunately for the aliens, two Hoof Pattern Paladins were in the teleportation chamber and saw the events that unfolded.
''Intruders!''
''By the Arc!''
''Demons have infiltrated our ship!''
Screamed the Kaynians as they took cover behind whatever object they could use. The hail of twenty-millimeter rounds, four-gauge buckshot, and fifty-caliber rounds domed the unlucky heads and bodies of the Kaynians. Some took to arms and fired their weapons. Several Kaynians would equip their energy pistols and rifles to fire at the Ghosts. That wouldn't be the only problem the operatives would have as the two Paladins began to advance.
''West, they got Paladins!''
''Don't let them regroup and counterattack. Fire as much as you can! I'll handle those Paladins...''
''...Firing missiles!''
The commander shouted as he unleashed two MK127 multipurpose missiles at the still-standing Paladins. An explosion followed suit, and smoke obscured the vision of the combatants, but as if that was going to kill a Kaynian clad in heavy armor. The two Paladins galloped out of the smoke and raced towards the infiltrating Ghosts Team.
[Commander West, your missiles seem not to affect those Paladins.]
''Yeah, I've noticed...''
''...Sword and Shield, concentrate fire!''
Upon hearing the command from their superior, the Ghosts promptly unleashed a barrage of fire upon the advancing Paladins. Bishops MK20 Anti Material Rifle would be the only weapon to shatter the first Paladin before running out of ammo. At the same time, the smaller fifty calibers and the four-gauge dealt damage on the charging Hoof pattern Paladin. The leading Paladin would have its shields torn apart but also granted much-needed time for its brethren to recuperate. Its partner fired his energy lance and scored a blow on one of the Ghosts, Bishop. The energy shield reacted quickly and saved the Ghost's life, but it created a miniature explosion that sent him backward.
''Bishop!''
Nomad shouted as he raised a hand at his rival before turning around and activating his MK84 Multi-Shot Rocket Launcher. Firing all four eighty-millimeter rockets at the Paladin is responsible for hurting Bishop. Without any form of shielding, the rockets easily punched through the heavy plating of the leading Paladin before exploding. Angered by the death of its fellow Paladin. The second Paladin was enraged and charged at the Ghosts. Energy Lance at hand galloped at incredible speeds than before and rushed to impale Nomad. Before the Kaynian could even be in range to inflict damage, a missile flew past the Ghosts, exploding on the charging Paladin's torso.
''Huh?''
Wondered the close-quarters specialist as he turned around and saw his rival, Bishop. It seems that the dark-skinned Ghosts had fired his MK152 Anti-Tank Missile Launcher, which possesses the potency of shutting down Kaynian Paladins in one shot.
''Argh! I got your back.''
Bishop responded as he got back up and with his energy shield regenerating. But due to the lack of firing at the masses of Kaynian guardians and farers, the Kaynians aboard had themselves oriented. A hail of energy beams peppered the Ghosts as their energy shields took the damage.
[Hate to break the moment, but we still got Kaynians to kill, Nomad!]
''I see that Wave...''
''...Commander, do you mind if you join me?''
Hearing his subordinate's request, the commander saw it as a reckless means to give time for Tale to plant the nuclear warhead.
''Of course...''
''...Tale, we'll buy you time to set up the warhead.''
''Understood, commander.''
''Alright, Nomad, let's move!''
Stepping out of cover, the two Ghosts were met with accurate energy fire on their persons. That wouldn't deter them from charging forward to lay a distraction for the warhead to be planted. Their energy shielding was pushed to the extremes as they blocked incoming energy beams.
[Warning energy shields at twenty percent!]
Shouted the A.I. partner of Nomad, Wave. But that would soon change as both Ghosts utilized their way of reaching the firing line. For West, he used his psionics to teleport himself. Meanwhile, Nomad utilized an illusion of himself to redirect some of the energy beams.
''In coming!''
''Bayonets!''
''The demons are coming!''
Switching to their close-range weapons. The Kaynian guardians and farers engage in short-range combat with the Ghosts. Nomad would fire his double-barrel shotgun twice at an unfortunate guardian before pumping it and ejecting the spent shells. The Kaynians around him were rightfully his to kill as he was a close-quarter specialist. Pointing their weapons at the Ghosts, the Kaynians opened fire. Meanwhile, West charged at a bayonet-wielding Kaynian and slid underneath the attack before turning around and gunning down the guardian. He would line up his shots and engage his enemies at a fair distance; his aim was accurate, given that the aiming software wasn't West's sole advantage. But also, his age and experience allowed him to massacre dozens of Kaynian combatants in a short time. Aiming, the commander fired at a brave farer who also fired at him. However, the weak energy pistol didn't do much to his shielding before two rounds put the Kaynian down. Looking to his side, he saw Nomad butchering entire groups of guardians. As the battle lengthened, the close-quarter specialist neglected a guardian with a bayonet behind him.
''Nomad, behind you!''
The commander shouted as he took aim and fired a short burst at the charging guardian. The rounds fired made contact with the energy shield of the Kaynians, which shattered it but did not kill the alien outright. But coming to Nomad's rescue, a loud bang echoed as Bishop fired his anti-material rifle.
'You son of a bitch, Bishop.'
Muttered the amused Ghost as he turned his attention to the situation.
''Nomad, back to back!''
''Understood!''
Pressing into each other's backs, the Ghosts fired their weapons at the remaining Kaynians. Unbeknownst to the Ghosts, the Kaynian Lord in charge of the Hakkar had just arrived and saw the devastation brought upon his crew. First to notice the arrival of the Lord was Bishop, and he immediately opened comms to warn the commander and his rival.
''Demons!''
Shouted the Kaynian Lord as he brandished his energy saber at the infiltrating Ghosts. Beside him were his aides and guards, Kaynian Knights, who stood tall with weapons at hand. Several Ogre Pattern Paladins joined the lord, whose eyes noticed the destroyed chassis of their brethren.
''Sir, the warhead is planted. We need to extract right now!''
Tale shouted as he saw the Kaynian Lord begin to sprint towards them. Immediately, Nomad and West headed back to the teleportation platform to begin extraction, but behind them was a sprinting Kaynian Lord.
''You dare board my ship! I shall ensure that you may- Ack!''
Cutting the monologue of the Kaynian Lord was a twenty-millimeter round, causing significant damage to the advanced energy shielding of the lord. It wasn't enough to shatter, but it did have the intended effect of slowing the Kaynian down. Enough so that Nomad and West reached the teleportation platform with their back propulsion system just in time as the reinforcing began to open fire on them.
''Merci, we made it! Get us out of here!''
[Iniating teleporting sequence...]
[...In three...]
[...Two, one...]
[...Initiating!]
To Be Continued.