* Date: January 24, 2183

* Time: 8:40 AM

* Location: Northern Hemisphere of Eden

In the vast coldness of Eden's north, four invisible silhouettes observed the distant march of Kaynian troops. High up in a vantage point, they observed the massive Sentinels thumping the frozen ground as they slowly strut across the singular path leading to the research facility. Bishop, the elite sniper, aimed his Anti Material Rifle at the advancing aliens as Nomad lay at the back, relaxed and awaiting for the battle to start. Meanwhile, the commander of Sword and Shield and the returned Ghost had their eyes on the enemy.

''Hmm, it seems our adversaries are steadily marching to Gilgamesh.''

Sarroth commented as she witnessed the slow movement of the Kaynians. Utilizing the advanced systems of the MK60GV3 power armor, the blade spirit had a good look at aliens from afar.

''So it would seem, Sarroth...''

''...Commander West. How shall we proceed?''

Tale asked as the commander turned his attention to him. Seeing that they have achieved their objective already. It would be wise to report everything they have seen to the Lieutenant and his company.

''We'll report to the Lieutenant immediately.''

The commander responded as he opened his palm and materialized his partner. Merci appeared at a moment's notice, ready to relay the message her partner would give her.

''Merci.''

[Yes, commander?]

''Inform the Lieutenant that the Kaynians are on their way.''

[Will that be all?]

Pausing for a moment, the commander contemplated. Taking another look at the Kaynians below, he should note to the Lieutenant that the Kaynians have taken a different formation for their assault on Gilgamesh. Facing the elite sniper, West would acquire their enemy's formation from him.

''Bishop, give me the compositions of the Kaynians.''

''Right away, commander...''

''...Paladins are at the front, guardians and knights at the center. Warlocks and Sentinels at the rear. They're doing this formation for every column.''

''What of their Lord?''

Another pause followed as Bishop analyzed the ranks of the Kaynian forces. Searching through them, the sniper found the Kaynian Lord beside the guardians and knights at the center of the column. This particular Lord must be looking for glory. Thus placing himself near the front of the column, specifically the third column. Of course, this meant that the Kaynian was vulnerable. However, it would take a significant amount of munitions to kill him and disrupt the leadership of the Kaynian Vanguard.

''The Kaynian Lord is located at the center of the third column. Beside the guardians and knights, center formation.''

''I see.''

Acknowledging the analysis from his fellow Ghost. The commander returned his focus to his A.I. partner. Merci awaited the command as her partner fixed his gaze on her.

''Add to the report that the Kayians have placed their Paladins up front, guardians and knights with their Warlocks and Sentinels at the rear for every column, which would suggest that they would provide direct fire from behind. Meanwhile, their Lord is at the center of the third column.''

[Very well, commander. I shall have the report sent to the Lieutenant.]

Nodding at his partner, the A.I. immediately disappeared from his palm as she sent the report to the Lieutenant. Meanwhile, the Kaynian Vanguard continued its march toward the research facility, intent on crushing the last resistance of A.F.E. troops capable of fighting back.

* Date: January 24, 2183

* Time: 8:45 AM

* Location: Gilgamesh Research Facility

Amid the bustling network of defenses set up by the Marines of Cobra Company, they waited for the eventual arrival of their alien adversaries. Hound Armored Personnel Vehicles, Infantry Fighting Vehicles, and Light Mobility Armored Vehicles were scattered throughout the research facility, ensuring their firepower couldn't be destroyed en masse. The potent anti-air and missile artillery were online and waited for their targets to present themselves. Meanwhile, mines and explosives were set up outside and inside the energy shield dome enveloping Gilgamesh.

[Lieutenant, the Ghosts have sent their report regarding the Kaynians.]

The sergeant major announced, gaining the attention of the Lieutenant. Jackson would approach his friend to confirm the matter of the report.

''Hand me a copy.''

[Right away, sir.]

Reading the contents of the copy, Jackson noted the different formations and the Kaynian Lord's position within the alien ranks. However, he wouldn't complain because the sooner they get rid of the Lord, the better.

''Hmm, the Ghosts had done well. At least we know the Kaynian Lord leading the Vanguard is a glory-hungry nutjob.''

[Better for us than them.]

''Indeed...''

''...Ethan, have everyone ready.''

[Understood, sir.]

Turned to see the defenses prepared at the only entrance of Gilgamesh. The Lieutenant dawned his helmet as his sergeant major accessed the comms to broadcast his orders. They were about to face a tide of eight thousand Kaynians with only one hundred Marines. The odds were against them, but even so, they wouldn't go down without a fight.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

[Cobra Company. This is Sergeant Major Ethan. The Kaynian Vanguard is approaching our position. I repeat. The Kaynians are coming.]

All around Gilgamesh, the defenses were activated by several of the A.I. Marines. Utilizing the advanced systems of the MK72 Combat Skin to send commands to the terminals of the artillery network. Meanwhile, the Marines aimed at the choke point, which was littered with explosives and mines ready to be set off at a moment's notice.

''Alright, Marines! You heard the Sargeant! Get into positions!''

''Yes, sir!''

Hedding the Lieutenant's command, the Marines beside him immediately returned to their respective position and joined the others. Jackson was accompanied by several Marines during the raid of the defense center facility, including Corporal Daniels, Private Ying, and Private Yang.

''Lieutenant!''

Greeted a squad of Marines as their commanding officer joined them in the front. Seeing them acknowledge him, Jackson immediately signaled them to stand down with a raised hand.

''At ease, Marines.''

Immediately, the squad acknowledged and returned their sights to the chokepoint. In the minds of the one hundred Marines at the research facility, there was always one thing that they hated. Waiting for their opponent to reveal themselves to them. They were anxious about their hated enemy. However, they didn't have to wait long. In the distance, the squad of drone craft that had escorted them to the facility descended and fired their Low Energy Laser Cannons and missile payloads. Hearing the explosions in the distance, Jackson already knew what that meant. The drone crafts were softening the Kaynians for them. Knowing how durable their energy shielding was, the Lieutenant appreciated the squadron's help. However, Jackson's thoughts were immediately replaced as he heard the thumping of Ogre Pattern Paladins in the distance, along with the marching of Kaynian guardians and knights.

'Alright, here we go.'

The thumping grew louder and louder, signaling that their enemies were just a few hundred meters from the entrance. The advanced scope system within their power armor finally revealed the large stature and heavy armor of the Kaynians. Upon seeing them, the Marines of Cobra Company engaged their third arm system and unleashed their missile and rocket payloads.

''COBRA COMPANY ENGAGE!''

Shouted the Lieutenant as his Marines fired their explosive weaponry. The projectiles sped through and honed in on their targets. Multiple explosions erupted from the barrage as Kaynian Paladins absorbed the attack. However, due to the intensity of the barrage, some were killed in action, having their energy shields shatter and armor plates penetrated by the shaped charge warheads of the missiles and rockets.

''KILL THE DEMONS!''

The Kaynian Lord shouted as the Paladins began to engage their energy lances and fired at the hunkered Marines. Although their attempt was foiled, the energy shield of Gilgamesh spared the Marines, granting them a chance to strike at their hated enemies. Meanwhile, the missile artillery fired their potent missiles at the choke point, casting the remaining Paladins to broken scraps as their armor fell to the intense firepower of the missile artillery.

''Kaynian troops incoming!''

Having dealt with the first batch of armor, the Kaynian Guardians and Knights came to challenge the Marines. The guardians quickly formed a rudimentary firing line. However, the Marines didn't wait as they unleashed small arms fire at the Kaynians before the line could be constructed. Meanwhile, the Kaynian Knights ran toward the gunfire without fear as they charged with their energy sabers.

[Incoming knights!]

One of the A.I. Marines announced as the charging aliens ran toward the explosive and mine-littered fields outside the energy dome of Gilgamesh. Immediately, the knights fell victim to the mines hidden underneath the snow and ice as explosions erupted on their feet. Some managed to survive, but others were torn to pieces. Thus, the charge of the famed elite warriors of the Kaynians was halted, but the Kaynian Vanguard was still coming.

''Let them eat it, Marines!''

Seeing the downfall of their comrades, the guardians returned fire, but their energy rifles couldn't penetrate the energy dome protecting the Marines. Thus, the alien infantry were quickly gunned down by the intense and accurate fire of the Marines. However, as the Kaynians threw themselves at the chokepoint, it wasn't long before the Kaynian Lord and his Kaynian Knights arrived at the scene. Behind the Lord was a singular Sentinel, fifteen meters tall, firing its arm cannons at Gilgamesh's energy dome.

''Sentinel!''

''Get the IFVs!''

''Take cover!''

The shield of the research facility took the brunt of the attack from the Sentinel, resulting in its shielding percentage going down drastically. Seeing that the alien walker was done firing its arm cannons, the Hound IFVs, along with the missile artillery, focused fire on the siege engine. Due to its small size compared to its larger brethren, the fifteen-meter tall Sentinel had its shields shatter by the missile barrage as the potent seventy-six-millimeter Ultra autocannon peppered the armor plates of the walker. It didn't take long for the alien siege engine to falter to the barrage of autocannon fire from the Hound IFVs. Its chassis quickly fell, obstructing the chokepoint for other Kaynian troops. Coming to replace the fallen Sentinel, the Warlock erected a psionic barrier to deny the small arms fire of the Marines and save their ailing allies.

Thus, in retaliation, the armored personnel carrier and light armored mobility vehicle fired their twenty-millimeter Peashooter autocannon and began to shred at the psionic barrier put up by the Warlocks. With how things were going, the A.F.E. Marines forgot about the close air support of the Kaynian Vanguard. The Wing Pattern Paladins descended from the skies and opened fire on the weakened energy dome of the research facility. However, unknown to the flying aliens, the self-propelled anti-air artillery armed with low-energy laser cannons and anti-air missiles began to lock onto the Paladins. The flying heavy armor was quickly dispatched as laser fire peppered their shields, shattering them before missiles flew and exploded on their chassis, putting them down for good. However, more alien combatants would appear over the path, specifically Warlocks.

[Lieutenant, we have more Kaynians incoming!]

''Aye! I see them.''

Quickly, the psionic barrier fell, and in return, the Warlocks fired their respectful psionic power at the Marines. Psionic lightning, beams, and projectiles were launched at the weakened energy dome of Gilgamesh. Despite the Kaynian Warlocks' harsh attacks, it remained defiant, preventing the psionic assaults from piercing through. Having seen the ineffectiveness of their psionics, the exhausted Warlocks retreated, but some were picked off by Marine designated marksmen.

''More Kaynians!''

''Light them up!''

''Engaging!''

Arriving at the chokepoint were Kaynian Knights and Guardians eager to engage in combat with the defending Marines of Cobra Company. The knights charged with their energy sabers held up high as they closed the gap between them and the Marines. Bypassing the corpses of the previous knights that charged, they neglected to see their mistake and fell into the same trap as before. The explosives and mines within the energy dome halted the second charge done by the Kaynian Knights as the guardians formed a proper firing line and fired. The fallen chassis of the thirty-kilometer-tall Sentinel was quickly cleared as another Sentinel arrived. Its potent arm cannons fired and impacted the energy dome of Gilgamesh. However, this time, the energy dome would shatter as the energy beam fired by the siege engine was enough to destroy it. Thus, the Marines of Cobra Company no longer had a barrier between them and their alien adversaries. But despite this, they kept firing at the guardian firing, which was taking heavy losses.

[Lieutenant, missile barrage inbound.]

Meanwhile, the missile artillery fired another barrage at the newly arrived Sentinel. Explosions peppered the walker, its shields beginning to flicker, a sign of weakening durability. The Hound IFVs quickly aimed at the Sentinel and began firing at its chassis. With the concentrated fire from the vehicles, the siege engine had its shields shatter, leaving it open to twenty-millimeter Peashooter autocannon fire, penetrating its armor plates. It didn't take long for the Sentinel to fall as its chassis could no longer bear the automatic fire from the Marines.

''Another Sentinel down!''

Cheered a Marine as the Sentinel in question stumbled to the frozen ground. The unfortunate Kaynian bellows its feet were crushed, their robotic bodies falling under the weight of the Sentinel. The remaining guardians on the firing line were finally taken care of as small arms fire combined with vehicle autocannon fire took down the last Kaynian Guardians.

''Demons!''

A figure shouted, zooming at the fallen Sentinel. Jackson saw the Kaynian Lord, and he was pissed. Warlocks began to open fire on the Marines as psionic projectiles peppered what cover they found themselves in.

''Cover!''

The Lieutenant shouted, and everyone heeded his command as psionic projectiles came to their position. Those unfortunate ones had their shields shatter and ripped their armor apart as the psionic attack ravaged the ranks of Cobra Company. As the psionic attack ended, what greeted Jackson on the chokepoint was Hoof Pattern Paladins, a guardian firing line, and a massive thirty-meter-tall Sentinel at the rear.

'Shit.'

Jackson cursed as he saw the fully organized Kaynian rank and formation. Without the research facility's energy dome, they would soon suffer heavy losses. However, unbeknownst to the Lieutenant, the Kaynian Lord in charge of the Vanguard had other things in mind.

''Hear me chosen of the deities, today, will mark your extinction. The Arc Betrayer's vision for a just galaxy will be realized, and you will not deter him.''

The Kaynian Lord declared as he pointed his energy scythe at the Marines. Doing so, the guardian firing line would open fire at the company, forcing them to take cover. However, amidst the chaos that occurred, hope lingered. Upon giving the signal to charge the Marine position, several energy beams peppered the Kaynian firing line as missiles pummeled them.

''What the?''

Jackson uttered as he looked up and saw the stealth ship, Howling Knight, and several drone crafts circling the Kaynians.

[Cobra Company, this is Agent Indigo of the Howling Knight. Be advised. Yorktown will commence missile bombardment of the Kaynian Vanguard.]

Hearing the agent's voice over the shared comms of the company, the Lieutenant would respond in kind to their rescuer.

''Howling Knight, this is Lieutenant Jackson Domes. You have my thanks for saving our asses.''

[It is only our duty, Lieutenant.]

Taking the advantage, the Marines would open fire on the disoriented and recovering Kaynians. The Warlocks hastily erected psionic barriers to shield themselves, their colleagues, and their Lord from the small arms fire. Those who didn't reach the safety of the psionic barriers were ripped to shreds as fifty caliber rounds flew and broke the shield and armor of any Kaynian.

''Open fire!''

''Don't let them regroup!''

''Sick 'em!''

The warcries of the Marines echoed as they unleashed hell on their alien adversaries. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to both sides, four invisible silhouettes watched from a distance and prepared for their grand entrance. The long barrel of the MK20 Anti Material Rifle extended outward and aimed directly at the recovering Kaynian Lord. The Ghost squeezed the trigger, and the rifle launched its twenty-millimeter round and nailed its target in the chest. However, it failed to kill the Kaynian Lord as his energy shield and exotic armor plating halted the killing blow of the round.

''PROTECT THE LORD!''

Shouted one of the Kaynian Knights as a perimeter was established. However, the looming threat unseen to the naked eye still lingered as three leaped off and joined the fray. Their weapons pointed at the ignorant aliens as they prepared to engage the alien menace.

''Lieutenant, this is Commander West of Sword and Shield. We're gunning for the Kaynian Lord.''

To Be Continued.