* Date: January 23, 2183

* Time: 3:10 PM

* Location: Secundus Military Headquarters

Seated across the table were the admirals present within Eden's military forces. The Fleet Admiral, Sasha Zveroboy, with her Vice Admirals, Abraham Gaft, Picket Cob, and Accelerate, had tired expressions but remained awake for this meeting. But two more admirals were present, Rear Admiral Oxton Hue of the Planetary Defense Group responsible for overseeing Eden's defense against any extraterrestrial threat. Nearby was his counterpart from the Marine Corps, Rear Admiral Shin Zaka of the Marine Expeditionary Group.

''Vice Admiral Abraham Gaft...''

''...Vice Admiral Picket Cob...''

''...Vice Admiral Accelerate...''

''...Rear Admiral Oxton Hue, and Rear Admiral Shin Zaka.''

Stating their names, the Fleet Admiral received the approving nods of her subordinates.

''Thank you for being here at such short notice. Let us begin.''

Sasha would gain the approving nods from her subordinates. Seeing how they would have to make do with receiving no potential help, what they plan here would dictate the course of their history. It doesn't matter whether they are remembered or forgotten. They remain as faceless figures wielding authority over Eden's people.

''Vice Admiral Gaft, Cob. What have you created as a strategy for a defensive war against the Kaynians?''

Hearing the admiral, Gaft sighed as he remained focused. He would need to present his strategy with high regard, recognizing that there was no straightforward way of dealing with the incoming alien threat unless he devised something out of the box.

''Ahem, Cob and I discussed how we should proceed with this. But we soon discovered there's no holding the Kaynians when they appear over Eden's system...''

''...Unless we bait them.''

"Bait" is a term Gaft would use lightly to describe something foolish and a cunning way to characterize a plan.

[Care to explain?]

"Right now, we only have two battlegroups and a strike group prepared for action. We're outnumbered ship-wise, even with the Hell Cannon Platforms protecting Eden. I doubt that they would last, even with energy shielding.''

He answered, and it was a fact that everyone present in the room was aware of. An example could be drawn from the battle of Babylon and its fall to the Kaynian flotillas. But this time, the battle that would take place over Eden would have a one-hundred-kilometer-long capital ship.

''So, Cob and I created a plan that's essentially a trap.''

Now things were getting interesting, another trap. The first one may have taken out the Kaynian flotilla with minor losses. However, the Kaynians would learn and be more cautious about another trap laid by the A.F.E.

''How would you proceed with this?''

''Simple Fleet Admiral, we place our ships outside Eden's system, leaving only two battlegroups present to distract the Kaynians. Those battlegroups will be mine and the Planetary Defense Group. Along with the Marine Expeditionary Group that would stick tightly with Eden's Hell Cannon Platforms.''

''Gaft, you're aware that Rear Admiral Oxton's defense group lacks a capital ship, right?''

''Yes, that's why, to address this problem, we would need to transform the Atlantis Space Station into a flagship supercarrier for the defense group and my battlegroup. When the Kaynians arrive, they will focus on our ships and the Hell Cannon Platforms. Positioning the fleet outside the system and retaining only two battlegroups for defense. We would gain a significant advantage of surprise.''

The Vice Admiral added that his reasoning for positioning the Second Fleet outside Eden's system was intriguing. However, that would mean that the Planetary Defense Group and a Battlegroup Yorktown would have to fend off a numerically superior force.

''When the Kaynians are spotted, we will launch an attack. Hopefully, we could destroy some of the Kaynian ships before they retaliate. The battle would essentially rely on the fact that Atlantis would be lost, and we would be forced to retreat to the Hell Cannon Platforms. And we would bet on that defeat, for when they push for a ground invasion, thinking that they got us cornered. The fleet would appear over the Kaynian flotilla before massacring them.''

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

[Hmm, this heavily implies that Kaynian ground troops will be on Eden's surface.]

''Regrettably, that is correct. However, it underscores the importance of having the Marine Corps holding out on Eden. They would deploy their marines, armor, and air power to subdue the invading aliens. Of course, Eden's cities wouldn't be defenseless either. Cob has already had marines preparing each city on Eden...''

''...Speaking of which, Cob, tell the admirals how the Marine Corps will handle things when the Kaynians reach the surface.''

Being placed in the spotlight, Picket Cob exhaled, knowing it was his time to explain his part of the strategy. Understanding the inherent risk involved, it stood as their sole assurance of having any chance of victory against the Kaynians.

''Thanks, Gaft...''

''...Fleet Admiral when the Kaynians make landfall on Eden. The Marine Corps will enact an all-out defense against the alien menace. However, we'll be limited to cities since that's where most of our defenses are located. If luck is on our side, efforts will be made to reclaim any lost territory.''

''I suppose Admiral Shin has already given his say in this?''

Sasha asked as the mentioned admiral would respond with a nod to signify that he was already on board with the plan.

''Yes, Fleet Admiral. Cob and I already discussed this early on about the ensured safety of any civilian. Along with emergency evacuation on standby if the Kaynians arrive at a moment's notice. Emergency bunkers are being prepared right now to house any civilians who will not make it to the evacuation.''

''I see.''

Hearing that the Vice Admiral and Rear Admiral already stage plans. Sasha sighed in relief, knowing things were ready for the upcoming battle. But she wondered what would happen to her fleet if they were to have the element of surprise. Then how should they use it?

''But what of the fleet? What shall we do while you distract the Kaynians?''

''Same as before, but this time, you'd have to wait until we have lost Atlantis Station and retreated to the Hell Cannon Platforms. When that happens, the Second Fleet comes in and gives the Kaynians a taste of their medicine.''

Gaft answered proudly, knowing that things would have to be different for his trap. But it still had certain things that remained the same, like bating the Kaynians in attacking Atlantis Station due to the A.F.E. navy using it as a pseudo supercarrier for the convenience of the Planetary Defense Group due to their lack of a capital ship.

''And what of the Kaynian super capital?''

A question that made everyone in the war room nervous, and with good a reason. The Kaynian dreadnought was unkillable. Their inventory lacked anything capable of destroying, let alone approaching the Kaynian vessel without incurring substantial losses. They were fortunate that their adversaries had only brought one. However, it also revealed that they hadn't encountered the full extent of what their opponent could bring to the table. Gaft sighed as he looked at his superior, understanding that even if they managed to eliminate the flotilla, they would still be unable to destroy the capital ship. It was too powerful for their current technology to deal with. Even if the other fleets come to their aid, it would still be a blood bath. And that was something the A.F.E. was afraid of happening. What happened ten years ago must not be repeated here in Eden.

''Ma'am, Cob and I have made several attempts at destroying the super capital of the Kaynians. But our simulations only led to one ending.''

''And what is that?''

''The destruction of Eden.''

A revelation that Gaft didn't want to admit to, but it was evident that even if they were ten times the amount of ships present. They still would find it a challenge to deal with the super capital brought by their alien adversary. But the Fleet Admiral wasn't so convinced the Kaynians had advanced technology thousands of years ahead of theirs. However, the A.F.E. wasn't without means to halt their progress.

''Surely, you're kidding?''

''I am not, Fleet Admiral. That's why I planned for the Second Fleet to be outside the system while my battlegroup and the defense group pulled the Kaynians to Eden. We must separate the flotilla from the dreadnought to stand any chance of victory, though success is not assured.''

''There must be another way?''

''I wish there were, but we're limited. We don't exactly know where the Kaynians would arrive or when. We possess the home-field advantage, but its sustainability hinges on our ability to entice some of their ships to Eden. Hence, we're allowing Kaynian troops to engage the Marine Corps on the surface.''

''Purposefully allowing the enemy to land troops on Eden. I wouldn't imagine things would be this desperate for us.''

Looking at it now, if they were allowing Kaynian troops to land for their flotilla to be distracted. Then, it would be a miracle if fifty percent of the population of Eden gets evacuated. The risk of allowing the Kaynians to engage the Marine Corps head-on would be high, and even with energy shielding on power armor, combat skin, and armored vehicles, it would still be an uphill battle.

[Hmm, may I suggest something?]

Spoke the A.I. admiral, and everyone's attention turned to him immediately. Whatever suggestion it was, they were hoping that it was something that could be devised against the Kaynians.

[From what I.C.E. has discerned about the Kaynian super capital. It barely did anything since its opening debut on Babylon. Upon its arrival, it predominantly refrained from direct engagement, instead relying on the escorting flotilla to confront the Fourth Fleet.]

A hologram of the Battle of Babylon then appears, showing the valiant effort of Fleet Admiral Lowe Mendelez and his Fourth Fleet to deny the Kaynians Babylon. The present admirals then realized that the Kaynian super capital remained distant from the naval engagement unfolding above Babylon's atmosphere. As if it didn't want to do anything in the first place, and upon looking at it now, everyone thought of it as odd.

''Hmm, now that you've mentioned it now. It's quite peculiar that the Kaynians' largest vessel was inactive.''

[Yes, Fleet Admiral and I.C.E. have formulated a theory regarding why this is.]

''Very well, you may have the table.''

A holographic image of the one-hundred-kilometer-long Kaynian dreadnought replaced the hologram shown. The broadsides were spacious enough to accommodate a battle carrier effortlessly, and the broadside spread across its hull was extensive. The ornate design of the hull was reminiscent of artwork, evoking images of perfect sculptures and intricate designs that only the most skilled artisans could envision.

[I.C.E. contends that this isn't merely any vessel. It could be a personal ship belonging to a prominent Kaynian leader. One of I.C.E.s spy satellites hidden in Babylon has managed to translate an encrypted Kaynian message. It reads, ''Followers of our Arc's vision heed this request and assist him in his dream.'' It seems whoever this individual called an Arc. Maybe the leader of the Kaynians, if not the entire Kaynian race.]

If Accelerate had their attention before, now they had his support. Hearing that one of I.C.E.s spy satellites decrypting the message. Then, they may have a clue as to what purpose the super capital may have. However, the question remains: what action will they take, even if they receive confirmation that a leader of the Kaynian race is on board?

''Gaft just stated that destroying the super capital was impossible without any losses on our side. Vice Admiral Accelerate, how would I.C.E. deal with this leader figure?''

[Fleet Admiral. I.C.E. proposes a way to deal with the Kaynain vessel.]

''What is it?''

[A Ghost Team will be dispatched to infiltrate and assassinate this Arc figure.]

Ghost Operatives are biologically engineered super soldiers born out of I.C.E.s desire to eliminate any opposition. Their publication was one out of desperation to keep morale high, and it worked, for the most part. After the First Contact War ended, Ghosts were advertised to the public as a secret measure against the Kaynians. A project explicitly designed to counter the Kaynians, and what's worse, the public accepted it unquestioningly. Thinking that Ghost Operatives were volunteered individuals who decided that they would make the ultimate sacrifice.

''Accelerate. You know that Ghosts wouldn't solve our problems, right?''

[I am aware, Gaft. But they would at least give us time to deal with the Kaynian flotilla.]

The words of the A.I. admiral struck Abraham hard. I.C.E. tended to deploy their valuable operatives without discrimination. With a deep sigh, it became evident that Ghost operatives would be essential in stopping the Kaynian dreadnought. However, this necessitated sending a highly experienced Ghost Team to accomplish the task.

''Who do you have in mind?''

[Ghost Team, Sword and Shield.]

To Be Continued.