* Date: January 23, 2183
* Time: 5:05 PM
* Location: UGS Howling Knight Bridge
[Arriving in three...]
[...Two, one.]
The hull of the Howling Knight shook as it slowed down and reached its destination. But unbeknownst to them, one Kaynian ship, the one hundred-kilometer-long dreadnought, has spotted and identified the stealth ship even with its advanced cloaking device, but hasn't done anything yet.
''Merci status.''
[We're currently three hundred forty thousand kilometers from Babylon and, by extension, the Kaynian flotilla.]
''Have they spotted us?''
West questioned, and the Merci immediately glanced at what the Kaynian ships were doing and found nothing irregular. Thus, the A.I. would conclude that nothing is out of the ordinary.
[For now, no. But that could change if we stay in one spot.]
Responded the A.I. and the commander gave an approving nod to his partner.
''Have our engines running, but ensure our cloak won't be breached.''
[Of course, I'll see to it.]
Merci vanished from the terminal, dematerializing as she set off to carry out her duty. Meanwhile, West stood from his seat as he stared at his fellow Ghosts. Bishop calibrated the cloak of the Howling Knight with the help of his partner, Archer. While Nomad and Tale took notice of him standing up and immediately stood up as one.
''Listen up, right now we're outside U.G.E. controlled space. This means we'll have no communication, resupply, or someone to call for help. This is an assassination mission, so there's no surprise there...''
''...With that said, from our briefing, our target is a Kaynian leader figure codename Arc. I.C.E. knows nothing of this individual, but they hope we could take this leader figure of the Kaynians out of the picture to win the war.''
The two Ghosts Operatives nodded in agreement to their commander. Whoever this Arc was, they were about to see why Ghosts were the best of the best that the U.G.E. had to offer. But right now. They had to prepare as they approached the vessel housing the Kaynian leader figure.
''Right now, we are approaching the super capital housing our target, so it may take time due to the possibility of them detecting us even when cloaked.''
West stated, unaware of the vigilance the dreadnought had on them. Nevertheless, the Howling Knight and its Ghost Operatives remained unaware of the perils in the super capital.
''Commander, are we packing everything we got?''
Nomad asked as he wanted to wreak havoc on Kaynians onboard the dreadnought. In the aged Ghosts mind, it did hold merit, knowing that this was a potential one-way trip and there would be no return once they started.
''Yes, Nomad...''
''...We'll bring all our armaments to bear against the Kaynians on board. After all, I don't think that the Kaynians wouldn't want to have one of their leaders killed. So we should expect heavy resistance when we go in. We won't hold back. We'll inflict as much damage as possible, whether we complete the mission or die trying."
Even with the grim situation, Nomad smiled at the idea of slaughtering hundreds of Kaynians and dying in the attempt. Meanwhile, Tale wasn't fazed at the prospect of dying in the line of duty against the alien menace. They were Ghost Operatives, and it was their duty to kill the monsters of the night.
''Now, get to the armory and stock up on ammo and explosive weapons. Understood?''
''Crystal, sir!''
''Affirmative, commander.''
Responded Nomad and Tale at the same time. The commander nodded as the two operatives left to carry out their task in the armory.
TALE: Arc Killer
Walking along with his comrade, Tale was quiet as he and Nomad approached the armory. Soon, the entrance came into view. As they approached, the doors opened, revealing a vast array of weapons.
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''Finally! We can go guns blazing on those Kaynian bastards!''
Nomad exclaimed as he happily approached the gun locker, which bore his name. In contrast, Tale remained silent, concentrating solely on the mission ahead.
''Sarroth.''
''Yes, master?''
Sarroth immediately materialized on his heads-up display as he approached his locker with his name on it.
"I need you to scan the super capital for any magical readings. Since we're entering enemy territory, we must be well-informed."
''Of course.''
The blade spirit immediately went to work and performed several magics that would search for any large magical users onboard the ship. Sarroth would need to divert her attention to searching. Meanwhile, Tale took out his battle machine rifle from the locker. Checking the operational status of the weapon, Tale found it functional and put it on his back. Afterward, he took several fifty-round drum magazines off the locker and placed them on his pouches. As Tale examined the MK84 Multi-Shot Rocket Launcher, he attached it to his third arm system. The hydraulic mechanism sprang to life and moved forward, displaying the launcher on the Ghost heads-up display.
''Hey Tale, ya done?''
Turning around, Tale saw Nomad prepared and fully equipped with armaments. The returned Ghosts could sense that their close-quarters specialist was enthusiastic about the mission.
''Affirmative.''
Tale responded, gaining a nod from Nomad.
''So, whatcha think about this one? Besides the possibility of death?''
Questioned the close-quarters specialist. The returned Ghost contemplated what was there to think about the mission. Because for him, there was none. Ghost Operatives generally don't feel anything when given an order, but remembering his experience on Eldrant. That has proven to be wrong for Tale, at least.
''I can't think of anything.''
"Well, it seems a decade of floating through space hasn't made you any more mature, huh? Oh well, you are the youngest of the four of us..."
''...When were you commissioned?''
"I was created in October 2171 and commissioned in April 2173."
Tale responded, and Nomad's brain immediately knew his age. As of January 23, 2183, the Fourth Generation Ghost Operative, codename Tale, was eleven years old. Usually, newly commissioned Ghosts would have ten years of training to become accustomed to their powerful bodies and to learn how to become proper operatives. But in Tale's case, he was rushed due to the Kaynian's arrival.
''Huh, eleven years old. Well, that explains a lot. Anyway, we have a job to do. Let's get going.''
Moving on, the two Ghosts approached the doorway, but suddenly, a scream took the operatives by surprise.
''Ahhhhh!''
Sarroth screamed out loud as she materialized her form in front of Tale. The blade spirit was clearly in pain, but her suffering was not due to physical harm; instead, it stemmed from magical or, in this case, psionic sources. The scream of agony erupting from his partner, Tale immediately approached Sarroth, granting her access to his magic, easing her condition.
''Sarroth!''
''Argh. Master, they- they know!''
Answered the blade spirit, and it perplexed Tale. Who were they that his partner was informing him of?
''Who?''
''The dreadnought, it has a powerful magic user, and he knows about our approach!''
Sarroth revealed, and Tale immediately turned pale. He was no stranger to magic users, especially powerful ones. He had already encountered one on Eldrant, the Kaynian Lord Atlant. His victory over him allowed him to save Eldrant and its people from the Gate.
''How does he know?''
''He- He perceived through the stealth capabilities of the Howling Knight by searching for magic.''
Hearing his partner's response, Tale's confidence in the mission's success vanished. If this Kaynian could see through the cloak concealing the Howling Knight, Tale knew he would need to inform the commander that the enemy was aware of their mission.
''Nomad-''
''Already; heard it. Come on, let's report back to the bridge. West needs to hear this.''
''Affirmative.''
Moving along, the two Ghosts sprinted across the hallways leading to the bridge of the Howling Knight with vital information that could change the outcome of a suicide mission at hand. They needed to inform their commander about the Kaynian's possible awareness of them. And if that were the case, then they would be in trouble.
''You know, for you to be someone that represents another species, you sure do have a great way of informing us about this crap.''
''Apologies for my outburst-''
''Don't want to hear it...''
''...You know more about code magic than we do, so I'd be an idiot to deny anything that comes out of your mouth.''
Nomad said, clearly grimacing at the fact that things have turned for the worse. I.C.E. had limited knowledge of magic, and the close-quarters specialist wasn't inclined to dismiss a warning from someone whose planet is steeped in magic.
''Save your breath. You'll need it when you converse with the commander.''
It didn't take long for the duo to reach the bridge, and they saw West and Bishop conversing with each other. Approaching the two, Nomad hurried to inform them about Sarroth's warning.
''Sir!''
''What is it?''
''Tale's partner experienced a magical probing from someone onboard the Kaynian super capital. She asserts that the Kaynians know our location and approach toward our target."
Looking at the blade spirit, the commander raised an eyebrow. He had already reviewed the file on the elven spirit Sarroth; her mastery and understanding of magic far exceeded that of any Ghost but Tale.
''Sarroth, how are you certain that the Kaynian super capital knows about us?''
Materializing in front of the commander. The blade spirit gave a respectful nod to the commanding officer of the Ghost Team. Convincing the aged veteran Ghost would be her task for them to react accordingly against the Kaynians.
''Lord commander, I have attempted to search for any magical users on board the ship and found lots scattered across the super capital. But one in particular stands out as the most powerful magic user I have ever seen.''
She explained, and clearly, she got the commander's attention. Whoever this Kaynian was, it may be a warlock since they were the only ones that the A.F.E. had faced that utilized psionics as a means of combat. This may get tricky, knowing how difficult it is to subdue a warlock, let alone the most powerful one.
''This Kaynian saw through the cloak of the Howling Knight by searching for the psionic spine implants that you, Bishop, and Nomad have. Not only does my master possess a natural way of utilizing magic, but with me beside him-''
''Both of you are shining like a light bulb for this Kaynian to see.''
''Regrettably, yes.''
Outside, the Kaynian vessels converge on the cloak stealth ship as it begins to close the battle flotilla. Broadsides light up as the weapons on those ships prepare to fire on the cloaked stealth ship. But due to the lack of a visible silhouette, the shots fired at the Howling Knight would most likely be missed due to being invisible.
''Commander West! We have movement on the Kaynian flotilla.''
''On screen!''
The hologram immediately displayed a three-dimensional model of every Kaynian vessel present as they converged on the Howling Knight. The commander's heart went cold upon seeing the Kaynians reacting to their approach.
''Merci! Initiate full thrusters on our afterburners!''
[Understood.]
The stealth ship's engines roared as it produced thrusts to maximum. A sudden kick shook the standing Ghosts as their ship propelled itself toward the Super Capital.
''Bishop, Archer, ensure the Kaynian ships don't see us! Nomad, Wave, get our weapons system online! Tale, Sarroth masked our magic signatures!''
''Understood, sir!''
''Crystal!''
''Affirmative!''
West barked out as he seated himself on his chair. The Ghosts and their respective partners immediately went to perform their assigned tasks. Meanwhile, outside the ship, the entire Kaynian flotilla noticed the approaching stealth ship and quickly moved to establish a defensive formation around the super capital.
''Merci, status?''
[The Kaynians are converging on us: they may attempt to block us from the super capital.]
''Then ensure that doesn't happen.''
[It would be my genuine pleasure.]
Merci responded as she increased the thrust of the stealth ship, placing immense stress on the cloak enveloping the ship's hull. Their only hope was to get near the super capital and board it.
To Be Continued.