* Date: January 23, 2183

* Time: 2:00 PM

* Location: UGS New Jersey Admiral Office

''Mister President, Kaynian activity on Babylon has reached an unprecedented level. Reports from I.C.E. state that one of their Spy Satellites, A.I. program seven zero seven one, has confirmed that the one hundred kilometer long Kaynian dreadnought has released high radiation readings. So much so that the satellite was destroyed due to the radiation.''

Explained the Fleet Admiral as she stared at the shadowy figure of the president. The hologram showed the sitting figure of Orion Epta, the cold-hearted devil. Sipping tea from his cup, the president sat idly without any care while the Fleet Admiral of the Second Fleet was boiling with anticipation.

''I see. This is certainly a development, but not one we did not expect. However, this leaves the question what will your fleet do?''

Asked the president, and this edged the daughter of the Famed Defender of Pluto. Keeping her cool, Sasha Zveroboy wouldn't stoop low and offend the president of the U.G.E.

''My fleet is already in a state of damage due to our previous engagement. But with that in mind, we are preparing for an eventual invasion by the Kaynian flotilla.''

''Hmm, go on.''

"I humbly inquire whether the First Fleet will assist Eden when the time comes."

Even though Battlegroup Yorktown was out of commission, the Second Fleet still had two battlegroups, one strike group, a defense group of thirty ships, and a ring of Hell cannon platforms available for an upcoming battle. However, it wouldn't be enough against the one-hundred-kilometer-long dreadnought that the Kaynian flotilla would bring with them. The A.F.E. navy had never faced a Kaynian capital ship this massive and powerful. Hence, the absence of one battlegroup would leave the Second Fleet lacking. They needed all the ships they could muster against the Kaynians. Although progress has been made in restoring Battlegroup Yorktown's numbers, only the corvettes and destroyers are being replaced, leaving a gap in the crucial cruisers needed to command those vessels.

''Fleet Admiral, the First Fleet is engaging with the Kaynians on Mesopotamia. Thus, they are unable to assist. They have their priorities set. Even if they managed to finish the Kaynian flotilla present there, they would be too late to make a change.''

Answered the president bluntly, which shook the resolve of the Fleet Admiral. She was aware that the First Fleet was busy helping the Third Fleet with the second flotilla assaulting Mesopotamia and that it would be their priority to deal with. However, she hoped that the president would at least send a word to Fleet Admiral Arthur Kingstone and aid her defense.

''Without any clear intentions of where this third flotilla would end up, the First Fleet will continue its mission of aiding Fleet Admiral Jaxing Sun and his Third Fleet. Therefore, Eden will have to fend for itself as of this time.''

''Mister President, if the Kaynians do arrive here on Eden. We would be powerless to stop them from eventually getting to Earth!''

Sasha argued as she raised her voice at the shadowy figure of the president. But that would be a crucial mistake on her part, as the cold-hearted devil wouldn't have any voice raise their tune at him.

''And you think of that, how? Must I remind you that Earth is currently defenseless? The Kaynians have a superior mode of Faster Than Light Travel. That means they could bypass Eden and head straight for Earth if they wanted to...''

''...Let me remind you that not everything will go smoothly for us, even though we have been preparing for ten years since the First Contact War ended. We still don't have the numbers and technology to face the Kaynians head-on. That's why we must rely on our wits and stay our ground long enough to achieve victory.''

Responded the president as he leaned forward to face the Fleet Admiral, which caused the admiral to stutter, knowing that she may have made a mistake by raising her voice at him. Realizing this, she straightened herself and calmly waited as the president finished his response.

"Whether you like it or not, Fleet Admiral Sasha Zverboy, Eden will have to hold the line by itself, with no aid coming to its side."

The final verdict of the president wasn't cruel but truthful. With the entire state of the war right now, things could not get any better for them. They needed to stall the Kaynians long enough for the others to retaliate. But with the others being preoccupied, it seemed like a long shot.

''Until the invasion of Mesopotamia is dealt with. Then only could the fleets arrive to your aid, but I suspect it wouldn't be long until the Kaynians arrive and bring havoc to Eden. Do you understand my point, admiral?''

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''Yes, Mister President. Eden will hold the line once again.''

''Good, with the rate things are going on with Mesopotamia. I would send word to the First Fleet If you're fortunate enough. The First and Third Fleets would rush to your aid, but I wouldn't guarantee it. For now, admiral, you manage yourself and your fleet as we're stretched too thin."

Exclaimed the president, gauging his point as to Sasha on how she should act and deal with the circumstances given to her. It was a hard pill to swallow, but considering the circumstances, the admiral concurred with the president's statement. Things were getting desperate; they were bleeding ships more than they could replace them, and it would only be a matter of time until the Kaynians arrived in full force.

''As last time, Earth and Mars will commit several shipments of supplies to Eden as long as you are on the lookout for any Kaynian threat. We will keep supplying you with precious material and weapons for the incoming Kaynian flotilla.''

''We will ensure all routes to Eden will be monitored heavily, sir, as long as those materials and weapons reach us.''

''Good, ensure that Eden holds.''

With those last words uttered by the president, he then disappeared. A deep sigh came out of the Fleet Admiral, knowing that once again, she would have to be content with no help coming from the U.G.E. However, it barely mattered, for she knew that Eden was on borrowed time. With how things were, she thought that her fleet could only do so much before everything turned upside down.

'Hmm, I was afraid that this was going to happen. Not only is my fleet weakened due to our last engagement, but we also have a problem that we must deal with alone.'

The Fleet Admiral thought while she turned her attention to her holo screen with a display of information regarding the defenses of Eden. It was mighty impressive, yes, but not enough for the Kaynians. They need a game-changer.

''Tempest.''

In an instant, the A.I. appeared over her desk. His form flickered and shone brightly with its blue color.

[Yes, Fleet Admiral.]

''Call in another meeting with my admirals, including the Rear Admirals of the Planetary Defence Group and the Marine Expeditionary Group. It's urgent.''

[Understood, I'll have them in the war room.]

''Thank you.''

With his orders, Tempest immediately went off to collect the admirals of the Second Fleet. Meanwhile, Sasha took out a bottle of champagne and poured a glass. Watching the liquid pour reminded her of the situation they were in. The champagne was Eden and the liquid time. And they were running short of it. Putting the cap back on the champagne, Sasha proceeded to drink the glass of alcohol. Knowing that she may die in the upcoming battle that will take place over Eden's space. After finishing, the admiral glanced at the reflection in the glass and saw her weary self staring back. Her body was being forced to go overdrive as she prepared for the Kaynian's eventual arrival, and the stress she had accumulated gradually made her exhausted. Clenching her fist, she wondered how her subordinates were holding with how cornered they were and with little information about the incoming Kaynian flotilla. The Second Fleet would need to remain on high alert, aware that slip space portals could appear at any moment.

''One step at a time. We don't have precise knowledge of when the Kaynians will arrive. But as long as we remain vigilant and fortify Eden to the best of our ability, we stand a chance. We may deter them long enough for a mass evacuation to be commenced. Hopefully.''

With what she had discussed with the president, Sasha could only cling to hope for a miracle. The chances of exacuating all of Eden were slim, so she'd had to do something creative to get the civilians off the planet when the Kaynians arrived. She could only issue an evaluation once the Kaynians arrived, as her authority within the civilian government of Eden had its limitations.

''I could only hope we could hold them long enough to get everyone out. Because we are woefully underprepared for that massive one hundred-kilometer-long dreadnought that the Kaynians have brought...''

''...If only we could do something about it.''

* Date: January 23, M2100

* Time: 3:00 PM

* Location: Class V Dreadnaught Oblivion

''My Arc. We have successfully purged radiation residue from the Oblivions engines, and so had the flotilla.''

The Honor Guard Captain relayed the information to his Arc. With the battle flotilla purging their radiation residue, their power output for travel to the human colony should be much quicker. But it will take some time before they get the right power settings again to commence their slip space jump.

''Wonderful. How long would it take for the engines to charge?''

''It would only take a few hours, my Arc. We have our best farers doing their best in tuning the engines.''

''Hmm, very good...''

''...What about our plan of attack on the human world? What can you tell me about it?''

Asked the Betrayer as he ascertained that the world his flotilla would be invading would be fully defended. They may have advanced technology, but that wouldn't guarantee a flawless victory, evidenced by Lord Cipher's combat flotilla being wiped out by the chosen's trap.

''My Arc, from what we could gather, the chosen world is heavily defended. With a hundred or so ships and orbital weapons platforms floating in its atmosphere. Unlike the world we have taken over, our target is prepared for our arrival and will resist us quite well.''

True to his words, the captain knew that the chosen had adapted quite well in dealing with them. They can no longer ensure they can defeat them in a one-on-one confrontation, let alone invading their colony. Achieving victory would require tactful planning and catching the chosen race off guard.

''Hence, we have devised to split the flotilla into three strike forces. This way, we could move freely. By doing so, we could initiate strikes on their defenses while occupying their fleet.''

''You plan to draw out the chosen fleet?''

''Yes, my Arc. By luring them out and keeping them occupied, we could target their powerful orbital weapons platforms, thus ensuring that the Oblivion remains safe from threat.''

''Hmm, quite a strategy...''

''...But let me ask you something. How will you draw out the chosen fleet when they have no reason to?''

Asked the Arc Betrayer, wondering how his flotilla could draw out the fleet of the chosen. After all, they were initiating the attack on the planet, and the chosen race was in a defensive position. Luckily, the Honor Guard Captain had an idea that solved that issue.

''My Arc, we would send one strike force to battle the chosen race and purposefully be defeated. Afterward, they would make a false retreat, and hopefully, the chosen fleet would follow. When that occurs, the Oblivion will emerge to support the retreating strike force...''

''...Meanwhile, the other strike forces would bypass the confrontation between the Oblivion and the chosen fleet and attack the orbital weapons platforms before turning their attention to the Oblivion and directing their weapons to the chosen fleet.''

''Well done, ensure your plan comes to fruition, captain. When the time finally comes, we will crush the chosen of the Deities. Inform me when we are prepared to enter slip space, for I shall see how the humans will deal with us.''

Impressed by the Trost's plan, the Arc Betrayers couldn't help but feel invigorated. With a plan set for action, they merely needed to wait for their engines to surge in power and initiate their jump. Time will be the only ally of the chosen race, but it shall also be their doom.

''By your will, my Arc!''

To Be Continued.