* Date: January 23, 2183

* Time: 4:25 PM

* Location: Atlantis Space Station

''We meet again, Sword and Shield.''

I.C.E. agent Thomas said as he confronted the Ghosts Operatives, currently in a secured room, the Ghosts were about to be debriefed for their next mission. As it stands right now, it may be another counter-operation against the Kaynians, and if that was the case, they couldn't wait to hear what the agent had in store for them.

''Likewise, Agent Thomas.''

''Indeed, Commander West. As of right now, you have been chosen for an assassination operation.''

Hearing those words out loud, the Ghosts stiffen themselves. Typically, assassinations were reserved for high-ranking opposition leaders. However, when the Kaynians arrived, with their advanced technology, such tactics became futile. Until now, there has been no successful attempt at assassinating a Kaynian leader head.

''Your target is an unconfirmed Kaynian leader head, codename Arc. As of right now, the Kaynian flotilla is still in Babylon. So we will take the initiative and take out the leadership of the Kaynians and hopefully buy us precious time for our defenses to be strengthened...''

''...You'll have to fly in alone without any communication with the rest of the A.F.E. Complete silence is essential for bypassing the sensors of the flotilla. The target is within the one-hundred-kilometer-long dreadnought, so caution is paramount once you board the vessel...''

''...Remember, it only takes one mistake for the Kaynians to know about your approach. So, be careful once you've exited FTL, but be fast enough to board the super capital. We don't exactly know when the Kaynian flotilla will make their jump. So time is of the essence.''

Now, this was something they wanted more of. The Ghosts Operatives of Sword and Shield were eager to prove themselves with this mission. After all, it's been quite some time since they've done something like this, and it would serve as a refresher.

''This is all that I could inform you of Ghosts. You have your orders, good luck.''

''Yes, sir!''

Exclaimed the four operatives without hesitation. Afterward, they would break into formation and immediately go off to prepare for the mission. All of them except one, their commander. Seeing that his work was done, agent Thomas was about to make his leave, but before he could, West would approach. Noticing that the commander was approaching him, Thomas stood tall as he faced the Ghost.

''Sir.''

''What is it, commander?''

Addressed the agent, seeing that the commander had a question in mind.

''What happens if we fail?''

''Then you'll have to initiate your self-destruct sequence in your power armor and hope the Kaynians won't recover any information about you or your mission. I trust that when that occurs, you'll take the necessary steps to ensure neither you nor your team is captured?''

''I understand, sir.''

''Very well. You may proceed with your preparation.''

With that, the agent departed, leaving West as he exited the room. Things were getting interesting if I.C.E. saw it necessary for Sword and Shield to be sent on a suicide mission.

TALE: Arc Killer

On board the stealth ship, Howling Knight. The members of Sword and Shield were seated at their respective stations. Inputting system commands across the terminals, they tuned the stealth capability of their ship for their mission. The A.I.s on board worked to prepare the weapons systems of the Howling Knight. If things were to go south, the stealth ship was equipped with two guided nuclear torpedo tubes and four-point defense laser systems.

''Merci, status?''

[All systems are green and ready, commander.]

The A.I. responded as she materialized over the commander's terminal. West nodded in acknowledgment to his partner that it was time for them to depart and execute their mission.

''Good...''

''...Request clearance from Atlantis control for us to take off.''

[Understood, requesting flight clearance from Atlantis control.]

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Meanwhile, at the Atlantis Space Control Station. The men, women, and A.I. guided countless ships, aircraft, and military vessels. The station buzzed with activity as personnel directed the incoming and outgoing traffic of the space station. Suddenly, one of the station operators received a priority launch alert from a Yokai Class Stealth Ship, the Howling Knight.

[Atlantis control, this is the Howling Knight, priority one for flight clearance, requesting over.]

''Howling Knight, this is Atlantis control. You are cleared for launch, I repeat, you are cleared for launch.''

[Affirmative, Atlantis control. Howling Knight, out.]

''Godspeed, Howling Knight.''

Merci would return to her partner's terminal with a smile on her virtual face. With permission for take-off given, it was time for them to go and do their mission.

[Clearance received, commander. We are cleared for launch.]

''Good, engage the hover thrusters and have us in open space.''

[Right away.]

The stealth craft shook as the hover thrusters engaged and lifted the Hollowing Knight off the ground. The landing gears retracted to their comparts underneath the ship's hull. With the thrusters on and the landing gear retracted, the Hollowing Knight would perform a one-eighty turn, pointing itself to open space.

[Fusion Reactor performing at peak efficiently, and engines one and two are ready for afterburn thrust for launch.]

''Very well. Proceed.''

The commander declared as Bishop, Nomad, and Tale buckled into their seats. Everything within the stealth ship was locked shut or magnetically grounded on a surface. The afterburners of the stealth ship came to life. Seated securely on board, the Ghost awaited the forceful kick that typically accompanied a stealth ship's ascent into the atmosphere. The A.I.s worked their hardest to ensure the launch would go without issues as the Hollowing Knight roared its engines.

[Engaging thrusters.]

The Howling Knight then blasted off from the space station, leaving a condensation trail from its powerful fusion-powered engines. As the stealth ship flew through open space, the gravity and g force from the launch suddenly died down and returned to normal.

''Merci, set course to Babylon and activate our cloak for the duration of our flight.''

[Of course.]

Outside the ship, a sphere enveloped the hull of the Howling Knight, making it invisible to the naked eye or advanced sensors. It was finally time for the stealth ship to activate its FTL drive and perform a jump to Babylon.

[Initiating real space drive...]

[...FTL Engaged!]

* Date: January 23, M2100

* Time: 4:45 PM

* Location: Class V Dreadnought Oblivion Bridge

In the bustling bridge of the mighty dreadnaught, Oblivion. Countless farers busied themselves. The purging of the radiation residue on board the vessel and across the flotilla had finally allowed for a recharge of their slip space drives. However, the patience of the Warmaster and Honor Guard Captain was starting to run out as they wanted to hurry for the conquest that was about to come.

''Report, farer.''

Kostas spoke as he stood beside Trost. The farer called upon for a report had a data slate with information regarding the readiness of the Oblivion and, by extension, the battle flotilla.

''My Warmaster, the Oblivion's slip space drive is almost ready, and half of the flotilla is prepared for a jump. At the moment, we expect that within several minutes, we shall be ready.''

The Kaynian farer responded before setting down his data slate and faced the Warmaster and the Honor Guard Captain.

''Very well...''

''...When the Oblivion and the rest of the flotilla are ready, we shall inform our Arc. Until then, focus on your task and have the Oblivion ready.''

''By your will, Warmaster!''

The Kaynian farer replied before turning around and rejoining his fellow Kaynians to resume their work on calibrating the slip space drive. Leaving the two esteemed leaders of the Arc Dominion subject to the Arc Betrayer's will. Kostas couldn't help but be irritated about his failure.

''What's the matter, Kostas?''

''Grr, nothing of worth.''

"Is that so? At this time, our Arc would likely probe into what you're currently contemplating."

Exclaimed the Honor Guard Captain, trying to break the ice between them. Although they were never close, Trost knew the Warmaster was troubled by his failure; he understood why. The Warmasters of the Arc Dominion are hand-picked and raised Kaynians by their Arc that serve as the right hand of their Arc. It was through this that the Arc Dominion endured, even in the absence of their Arc, all thanks to the Warmasters nurtured and trained by their leader.

''Ugh, I feel shame for my recent failure.''

''Hmm, is that all?''

''I feel as if I could have realized that one report could have changed the outcome of the battle that pitted Lord Cipher's flotilla against the demon fleet.''

Added the Warmaster, and Trost listened well to his counterpart. Knowing that troubled Kaynians wouldn't perform well on the battlefield, he must ensure that this doesn't happen to Kostas, certainly not him.

''You couldn't have known that the demons had a trap laid out for Cipher and his flotilla. It was a situation out of your control.''

''But still!''

''What? Cipher is dead, and the demons have reigned victorious. But do you see our Arc thrashing mad about it? No. He knows the Chosen of the Deities is not so easily defeated.''

Explained Trost and the Warmaster listened as to what the Honor Guard Captain had to say. And for the most part, a part of the Warmaster wanted to deny that, but he couldn't. Trost's argument held merit, and the only thing he could do was learn from his mistake.

''Calm yourself, Warmaster. Our Arc is alive and will be leading us to battle. You mustn't think about your failure. For it is in the past.''

Added the Honor Guard Captain before he turned his attention to a farer to command him to inform their Arc of their recent development. The Kaynian called by the captain eagerly approached and awaited his order.

''Farer.''

''Yes, my lord.''

''Inform our Arc about our development. Tell him that the battle flotilla is ready for our departure.''

''Understood.''

Receiving the Honor Guard Captain's command, the farer exited the bridge and headed to the throne room. The atmosphere within the bridge continued as the Kaynians performed their duty and directed or redirected information across the mighty dreadnaught, Oblivion. As it looked like everything was going smoothly, the sensors of the dreadnaught went off and disturbed the activity on the bridge. The Kaynian farers began to panic as they rushed to locate the issue on their sensor sweep systems.

''What is it?''

''My Warmaster, we have detected an unidentified ship that had exited FTL.''

''Is it one of ours?''

''We're still identifying my Warmaster.''

''Then hurry!''

Hearing the displeasure of the Warmaster, the Kaynians on the bridge heeded their superior's command. What looked like seconds were hours for the pressured farers, knowing that death would be upon them if they failed to deliver. But it didn't take long for the ship to be identified, and it was human.

''My Warmaster, we have identified the vessel...''

''...It's a demon ship!''

Exclaimed the Kaynian farer as the news shook both the Warmaster and the Honor Guard Captain. Why was this? Why were the demons approaching their flotilla? Don't they know that it is futile for one ship to face a hundred? These questions occupied the thoughts of Kostas and Trost. Whatever the Chosen of the Deities were up to, they couldn't discern it.

''Hmm.''

Entering the premises of the bridge. The farers, including the Warmaster and the Honor Guard Captain, stiffen. The footsteps created by their leader, the Arc Betrayer, could only mean that he has heard everything about the arrival of the demons.

''What is the situation?''

''My Arc, a human ship, has exited FTL and is approaching our battle flotilla...''

''...We shall have ships converge on the threat before-''

''No.''

This caught everyone off guard. Why would their Arc decline the suggestion of the Warmaster? Their leader must have his reasons and how they should deal with the Chosen of the Deities.

''There are only four occupants on board that ship, but I sense great power emanating from the humans, and one of them is overflowing with it. Let it pass the flotilla. If I am to wager, the humans have made their advance against us. However, their objective remains uncertain..."

''...Only react to them when they reach the Oblivion. Let them think that we have not spotted them when they grow near. We strike and take hold of the humans on board.''

Hearing their Arc's command, they were reluctant to compromise his safety. But his wish was their command. If the Arc Betrayer wanted to know what these humans were up to, they would obey. After all, it was just one ship. However, unbeknownst to them, the Chosen of the Deities were also aware of their vigilance.

''If that is your wish, my Arc. Then we shall ensure it.

To Be Continued.