* Date: January 24, M2100
* Time: 7:55 AM
* Location: Class V Dreadnought Oblivion Teleportation Chamber
At the massive chamber of the Oblivion, tens of thousands of Kaynian troops were gathered to prepare for an invasion of the human world of Eden. Kaynian Guardians, Knights, Paladins, Warlocks, and Sentinels were amassed by the recently recovered Warmaster. All had awaited the Kaynians waiting for their Warmaster to arrive. Meanwhile, the mighty dreadnaught hovered above the exosphere of the human world. The defenses that would deter them were gone, and the fleet that safeguarded this world was obliterated, leaving only one ship behind them.
''Make way for the Warmaster!''
One of the Kaynian Lords announced and arrived at the teleportation chamber. Warmaster Kostas, along with several Honor Guards, approached the center stage of the chamber. The Kaynian troops stepped aside to create a path for the Warmaster. Some kneeled, while others bowed to show their respect.
''Warmaster Kostas.''
A Kaynian Lord greeted by bowing down to the Warmaster. Kostas, in turn, placed a hand on the bowing Lord to appreciate his show of respect.
''Lord Zeon, what is the status of our Arc's troops?''
''They are eager, my Warmaster. They have not engaged in combat in years, so they are eager to face the chosen of the deities.''
Facing the crowd, Kostas saw in their faces the eagerness to serve him and their Arc. This, after all, was a momentous occasion. Their Arc has given him the task of leading his loyal troops into battle against the demons. A fitting way for him to repent for his failures, and now he would ensure that he accomplished the tasks given to him.
''What will you say to our Arc's warriors, my Warmaster?''
Lord Zeon asked as he stood beside the Warmaster. Looking at the Lord, Kostas gave a smile.
''I will remind them of what they are fighting for.''
He stated before stepping forward to meet the crowd of Kaynian troops. His face was visible for all to witness, as were his scars. The demon he faced had sliced off his arms, and when he was saved by his Arc. His arms were replaced with a new pair to ensure the demon he faced would meet its end.
''When we followed the Arc Betrayer, we took an oath!''
''In the defense of our galaxy against all foes!''
The crowd responded with one unifying voice. Each Kaynian spoke loud and true with conviction in their tone. Not wanting to disappoint their Warmaster.
''For the prosperity of the galaxy! For the prosperity of the Arc Dominion! For the prosperity of the Kaynian Race!''
''We shall not yield against those that bring ill intent to us!''
''Even the chosen of the deities will crumble as we march to their worlds and burn them without mercy!''
''Only for the vision of our Arc shall the galaxy be set free!''
''Victory will be ours as we show our blinded brethren within the Arc Imperium the error of their ways!''
''Lies and corruption from the Imperials will be cast away!''
Summoning his energy saber, the Warmaster raised it to empower the oath that his Arc's troops had relied on him. This was well received as the Kaynians started chanting their approval by tapping their foot loudly onto the deck of the teleportation chamber.
''We shall accomplish our goals and bring about a new age!''
* Date: January 24, 2183
* Time: 8:00 AM
* Location: UGS Howling Knight Bridge
Flying above the ravaged capital of Lumina, the stealth ship Howling Knight, along with several other A.F.E. warships, headed toward the six Kaynian vessels hovering in the thermosphere of Eden. Beside the tiny stealth ship was the venerable battle carrier, UGS Yorktown, and its strike group of four others. The strike group served as the spearhead of the attack against the alien contacts just one thousand kilometers away from them.
''Ma'am!''
[What is it, Agent Thomas?]
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
''Orders coming from the Yorktown.''
[Very well, patch it through.]
Immediately, the agent manning the communications of the stealth ship displayed the holographic video from Yorktown's bridge. Their Agent Indigo and her colleagues saw the visage of the Vice Admiral in charge of the battle carrier.
''All ships, this is Vice Admiral Abraham Gaft of the Yorktown. Kaynian vessels one to six are clear for engagement. Weapons free!''
The video then cuts out as the strike group fired simultaneously. Six hell cannon strike, UGS Amagi has two hell cannons, made instant contact with the energy shielding of five Kaynian vessels. The super-type hell cannon of the battle carrier instantly destroyed its target, a frigate. Meanwhile, the Amagi, with its two hell cannons, managed to take out another Kaynian frigate. The sole destroyer and the twin corvettes focused fire on the Kaynian corvette. The light-type hell cannon of the destroyer managed to weaken the alien vessel's shields to allow the A.F.E. corvettes to deal a devastating strike at its stern, which erupted in a violent explosion due to piercing the reactor of the alien ship. In the opening stage of the battle, three Kaynian ships, two frigates, and a corvette were destroyed.
[Thomas, report.]
''Ma'am, the strike group had just destroyed three alien contacts. Two frigates, and a corvette...''
''...Should we engage the Kaynians, ma'am?''
Thinking about it, Indigo knew the Howling Knight wouldn't damage a Kaynian ship head-on. However, given the situation, she and her colleagues had no choice.
[That we are...]
[...Ready our hell cannon and torpedo tubes one and two for firing. I want full afterburners and our cloak online. We'll get close and fire on the Kaynians before they do.]
''Understood, Agent Indigo. Cloak online in ten seconds. Afterburners at full. All agents onboard prepare for an increase in g-force.''
Fastening their seat belts, the agents on the bridge immediately prepared for the initial increase of g-force. Meanwhile, those injured in the stealth ship's hangar were either clamped to the floor or seated themselves in the available seats.
''Engaging afterburners!''
Immediately, everyone onboard felt the increase of g-forces, but soon, it would normalize as the artificial gravity adjusted. Meanwhile, outside the ship, a sphere enveloped the hull of the Howling Knight, making it invisible to the naked eye or advanced sensors. The stealth ship was going at speeds of Mach 1000 and would reach its targets in three seconds. The Howling Knight would unleash its firepower to bear on the unsuspecting alien ships.
''Stealth ship cloak online. Approaching Kaynian targets in three seconds.''
The stealth ship immediately closed the gap between the strike group and the Kaynian ships. When the A.F.E. warships revealed themselves with their first hell cannon strike, the alien vessels began to orient toward Yorktown and her strike group as they slowly presented their potent broadsides.
''Target lock on Kaynian Corvette.''
[Open fire!]
''Acknowledge, firing hell cannon.''
Facing the aforementioned alien Corvette. The Howling Knight opened fire on her main cannon, and instantly, the laser made contact with the alien ship's energy shielding. However, the light-type hell cannon was ineffective at shattering the shields of the Kaynian Corvette. Thus, accompanying the hell cannon strike, two nuclear-guided torpedos were launched and impacted the same Corvette. Nuclear readings went off as the explosion shattered the alien ship's shielding without issue.
[Report!]
''Hell cannon strike proved ineffective, ma'am. However, it did weaken the shields enough that the nuclear torpedos managed to shatter it.''
[Pull us out and prepare for another run.]
''Understood, ma'am-''
Cutting the agent off was the sound of multiple explosions coming from the same Corvette they had opened fire on. Indigo looked for the source of what possibly destroyed the alien ship, and it didn't take her long to see who did it. Hundreds of drone craft from the strike group followed them. The drones had released their payload of torpedoes and missiles at the shieldless Kaynian Corvette.
''Ma'am, I read several hundred A.F.E. drones swarming the remaining Kaynian vessels.''
[All the more reason to have our weapons charged and ready to fire.]
''On it, ma'am.''
Immediately, the stealth ship bypassed the Kaynian vessels as it prepared its hell cannon for another run at their alien adversary. The torpedos were automatically reloaded as the complex system responsible took action after the torpedos it had readied were launched. The Howling Knight would perform a one-eighty turn and face the remaining Kaynian vessels.
''Targets bearing zero zero zero. Torpedos reloaded and ready for fire. Hell cannon hundred percent charge.''
[Target Kaynian Corvette.]
''Affirmative, locking on Kaynian Corvette. Weapons hot and ready for fire, awaiting orders.''
[Open fire!]
''Understood, engaging hell cannon.''
After charging the hell cannon of the stealth ship, it was time to fire. Another hell cannon strike would impact the swarmed Kaynian Corvette. However, like last time, it would be ineffective and only weaken its shielding. But this time, the drone crafts swarming the remaining alien ships would contribute by firing their own fifty-seven-millimeter Starlight low-energy laser cannons.
''Ma'am, hell cannon strike ineffective.''
[Launch our torpedos!]
''Right away. Launching nuclear torpedos.''
Two nuclear torpedos were launched from the Howling Knight and flew toward their target. The swarmed Kaynian Corvette couldn't even react to the torpedos as the swarm of drone craft kept it distracted. It didn't take long until the torpedos made contact and detonated, shattering the weakened shielding of the alien ship.
''Corvette shields down!''
[Good, pull us out and-]
Cutting the agent off was the Kaynian vessel's last act of defiance as they fired their potent broadsides at the strike group. The Yamato Class Heavy Cruiser was hit by multiple energy beams, causing her energy shield to shatter. Without her shields, the Amagi was open for attacks from the Kaynian vessels, which caused damage across her hull as breaches and explosions erupted. However, even in her state, somehow, the Heavy Cruiser managed to stay afloat. Meanwhile, the Destroyer and Corvettes were hit with multiple energy beams, which shattered their shielding and caused immediate destruction. The Yorktown was also impacted by several energy beams. However, due to her durable energy shielding, the battle carrier managed to shrug off most of the attack. This left her and the Howling Knight as the last two A.F.E. warships in action.
[Report!]
''Strike Group Yorktown lost two Corvettes and a Destroyer with the Amagi venting atmosphere from her multiple breaches and secondary explosions around her hull.''
[Damn it. What of the Yorktown?]
''The battle carrier shrugged off the attack, ma'am.''
[Set course for the Amagi. We'll evacuate as much of her crew as possible. Is she losing altitude?]
''Affirmative, ma'am. It seems her engine was damaged by several energy beams.''
Observing her terminals, Agent Indigo witnessed the rapid descent of the Amagi. The Howling Knight would immediately turn to aid the ailing Heavy Cruiser and flew to it to attempt rescue of its crew. Just as the stealth ship began to approach the damaged warship, a distress call was detected by Agent Thomas, who was controlling the communications systems.
''Ma'am, I've detected a distress call from the Amagi.''
[Patch it.]
''Understood.''
Immediately, the agent intercepted the distress call and uploaded the contents to the terminal present within the Howling Knights Bridge. What Indigo saw was an officer who was bleeding profusely. The senior officer's uniform was bloodied, and around her were other officers who had contracted similar injuries.
''This is Senior Officer Tanaka Lie, acting Captain of the Amagi. Captain Richard Lie, my father, is K.I.A. Requesting immediate evacuation assistance from any A.F.E. vessels!''
The officer stated, noting the dire condition of the officers on the bridge. Agent Indigo couldn't help but wonder about the situation in other sections of the heavy cruiser. However, with how things were going, she had to cast that thought away and focus on responding to the distress call.
[This is Agent Indigo of the UGS Howling Knight. We're currently on our way to the Amagi. Hold tight, Captain Tanaka. Help is underway.]
Responded to the acting Captain of the Amagi. Indigo quickly turned her attention to Agent Thomas, relying on her commands to guide them as they aimed to reach the descending heavy cruiser.
[Agent Thomas set course for the Amagi. And Inform our colleagues in the hangar bay to prepare for injured sailors.]
''Right away, ma'am.''
To Be Continued.