* Date: January 24, 2183

* Time: 8:55 AM

* Location: Gilgamesh Research Facility

Making their entrance, the Ghost Operatives of Sword and Shield engaged the Kaynians at the chokepoint of the research facility. Leading the charge was Commander West, along with Nomad and Tale following his lead. Automatic fire from their battle machine rifles peppered the surprised aliens as the knights and guardians panicked to locate the operatives. Engaging in close-quarters combat, the Ghosts used their psionic abilities to break through enemy ranks and kill the injured Lord.

''Nomad, make a hole!''

''Right away!''

Immediately, the close-quarter specialist unleashed his psionic prowess as he launched multiple psionic projectiles at the Kaynians. The guardians were the first to be mowed down as their energy shielding wasn't durable enough to resist the potent attack from the Ghost. Meanwhile, West and Tale took the opportunity and charged for the injured Lord's position. However, an obstacle blocked their path as Hoof Pattern Paladins protected the injured Kaynian. Seeing this, the commander engaged his third arm system and fired a missile at the Paladins. The missile connects and explodes on the energy shield of the Kaynians. However, it wouldn't be enough to shatter. Still, it was enough to distract them for the two invisible operatives to teleport inside the perimeter. Tale and West pointed their weapons and unleashed hell on the Lord and his aides. The Warlocks were quickly picked off as they were healing the injured Lord. Meanwhile, Tale dealt with the knights by slicing the torso of one and beheading another.

''Tale, get the Lord!''

''Affirmative!''

Tale responded, wielding Sarroth tightly on his person. The injured Lord would parry the first strike from the invisible Ghost by instinct as he utilized his psionics to predict Tale's movement. However, he could not protect himself from a quick dash courtesy of the propulsion system of the MK60GV3 power armor. Before the Ghost finally dealt the killing blow to the Kaynian Lord.

''Argh!''

The alien grunted as the elven spirit impaled deep into his chest. His energy shielding wasn't enough, nor was his armor. Thus, in the end, the Kaynian perished. Its red eyes were replaced with dull gray.

'It's done my master.'

'Right...'

'...now to the others.'

The Paladins quickly recovered from the explosion and turned around and saw the Kaynian Lord lifeless. Besides the dead Kaynian, they also noticed the two operatives with their weapons in hand. Quickly, the Paladins turned to charge at the Ghosts, but they were halted by gunfire from the Marines on Gilgamesh. Causing their energy shields to fall and their armor to be ripped to shreds by the small arms fire and vehicle-mounted weapons fire. The Ghost quickly took the opportunity to slip out of the perimeter by teleporting away.

''Lieutenant, Kaynian Lord down.''

''Good work, Ghosts! Now get your asses over here because the Yorktown is about to rain hell on these motherfuckers!''

''Acknowledge.''

Returning to the sides of the closed quarter specialist, Tale was greeted by the sight of Kaynian corpses littered as he saw Nomad pumping his shotgun and nailing a guardian in the head. Meanwhile, the dark-skinned Ghost fired at the panicking Kaynians as they engaged with the rest of Sword and Shield combined with the weapons fire from Cobra Company. The two rivals worked in tandem as they cleared the path of their fellow Ghosts to retreat.

''Nomad, we're done here.''

''Affirmative, sir!''

Immediately, the three operatives utilized their psionic capabilities and teleported out of the chokepoint. Meanwhile, above them, scores of missiles raced to the surface of Eden as they headed to the pathway leading to the research facility. By this time, the Kaynians had finally regained their bearings and retaliated. However, with the loss of their Lord, their counter-attack was minimal at best. The guardian firing line turned to the Marines and opened fire, with the Kaynian Knights and Paladins charging together as they raced to reach the three Ghosts, two of which were responsible for the death of their Lord.

''Death to the demons!''

''After them!''

''Charge!''

''For Lord Zeon!''

The aliens shouted as they continued their attack on the defenders of Gilgamesh. The Marines responded in kind as small arms fire combined with vehicle-mounted weapons fire peppered the incoming knights and Paladins. However, without any more explosives or mines preventing the Kaynians from engaging the Marines in melee combat, they were about to inflict heavy losses on the Marines. Unbeknownst to them, missiles began to rain from the sky, pummeling the Kaynian charge, their firing line, and the still-standing Sentinel about to fire its potent arm cannons at the shieldless research facility. In space, the battle carrier, Yorktown conducted her missile barrage.

Missiles sped toward the alien combatants and impacted the path near the facility. Explosions erupted all around the research facility base as the missile barrage targets the entire Kaynian Vanguard. Meanwhile, the Marines and Ghosts watched from a safe distance as their adversaries were claimed by Yorktown's missile barrage. In mere seconds, the Kaynian Vanguard was reduced to just a thousand. However, the ones still standing were injured or had their bodies torn by the explosions. There were only some that were still combat-worthy. The Sentinels were all but destroyed in the process. None made it out alive, but their deaths weren't for nothing, as their corpses were used as cover by their lesser Kaynian brethren.

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[Lieutenant, the Kaynian Vanguard halted.]

''Good! Focus on restoring our energy dome. The sooner that gets back, the better we'll perform against the red cans.''

[On it, sir!]

The sergeant major responded as he disconnected himself from the Lieutenant's comms. Having ordered his friend to restore the shields of the research facility, Jackson turned to meet the newly arrived Ghost Commander and his operatives.

''Welcome back, Ghosts. You sure did create a scene, I tell ya.''

The Lieutenant stated as he pointed out their unorthodox way of killing the Kaynian Lord, but nevertheless, he accepted it. Knowing that without the Lord, the Kaynian rank and file would collapse.

''It was only our duty, Lieutenant.''

''Yeah, I hear ya. Listen, Yorktown's recent missile barrage halted the Kaynian Vanguard. We could take care of what's left them now...''

"...You, meanwhile, have to go. I heard about your failed assassination attempt on a Kaynian leader figure. While you failed, you did butcher your way to your objective on board the Kaynian super capital."

West looked confused. What was the Lieutenant going at? Now was hardly the time to put threats at each other. But from the looks of it, the Lieutenant had something in mind because West observed from his body language that he was getting somewhere.

''I'm assigning you back to the Howling Knight, commander.''

''Lieutenant?''

''You heard me. I'm assigning you back to the Howling Knight on a mission to infiltrate the Super Capital and kill the Kaynian leader figure. Codename Arc.''

Hearing the Lieutenant's command, West and his Ghosts couldn't help but wonder if he could order them. Nevertheless, the situation pretty much didn't care if the Lieutenant could order them or not.

''Sir, is the Vice Admiral aware of this?''

''Yeah, he already gave me the thumbs up. And he'll personally help you get on board on that Kaynian dreadnought. I don't know how he'll do it, but he said he'll find a way for you to be there.''

Immediately, the stealth ship, Howling Knight, hovered directly above the research facility base as it fired its point defense lasers at the remaining Kyanians on the chokepoint. Meanwhile, Agent Indigo would establish a connection with the Lieutenant and the Ghost Commander to inform them of their mission given by the Vice Admiral.

[Lieutenant Jackson. Commander West. Do you read me?]

The I.C.E. Agent spoke as she awaited a response from her counterparts. Jackson smirked behind his helmet as he listened to the agent's voice.

''Yep, we hear you loud and clear, agent.''

[We've received orders from the Vice Admiral about your proposal for the Ghosts to board the super capital and kill the Kaynian leader figure. Lieutenant, I'll be frank with you. I don't know how you acquired the information or how you convinced the Vice Admiral. But I doubt I'll live long enough to know.]

A true sentiment from the I.C.E. Agent. It was rare to hear an agreeing opinion from an individual in line with I.C.E, but the Lieutenant accepted it without question. Right now, what matters is for the agent to deliver the Ghosts safely to the super capital. They only had so much time before the Kaynians attacked Gilgamesh, and it was wise to attack them now while they were recovering.

[Ghost Team, Sword and Shield. Teleportation solutions are in progress.]

''Understood, ma'am.''

The commander responded as the elite sniper, Bishop, caught up with them. The dark-skinned Ghost merely stared at his colleagues and approached the commander and Lieutenant.

''Sirs, reporting.''

''At ease, Bishop. We're reassigned by the Lieutenant to infiltrate the Kaynian dreadnought and kill the leader figure. Codename Arc.''

''Sir, I'm not one to judge, but we failed to assassinate the Kaynian leader figure last time, have we not?''

"Yes, I'm aware, but the situation demands we do it again."

''I see. Sir.''

It wasn't long until the teleportation sequence began to occur as energy readings burst wildly on their bodies. Noting the energy readings, Tale guessed it was finally time for them to board the Howling Knight, take off to the Kaynian super capital, and finish their botched job.

[Sword and Shield, prepare for immediate transport.]

* Date: January 24, 2183

* Time: 9:15 AM

* Location: UGS Yorktown Bridge

On board, the Yorktown, sailors and officers rushed to their stations. The recent missile bombardment from the battle carrier had drawn unwanted attention from the Kaynian dreadnought. Without their hell cannon, they were essentially in a twenty-second-century version of David versus Goliath—only this time, David was unarmed.

[My dear, the Howling Knight has successfully retrieved the Ghost Team.]

''Good, inform them that they have to be cloaked. While we handle the super capital's shields for them to enter.''

[Very well, orders sent.]

Looking at his terminal, Abraham was anxious. He hadn't exactly explained how they would shatter the shields of the Kaynian dreadnought. However, there was one idea, but they could only do it once, and if it failed. Eden and Earth will suffer from their loss.

'Without Yorktown's hell cannon, we wouldn't be able to shatter the shields of the Kaynian vessel. I'm forcing my ship and crew to face a giant amongst the stars without any hope of success. Still, I have an idea, though it was a stupid idea. But, it was an idea nonetheless...'

'...Yorktown's real space drive is still functional, and the ship weighs several million tons. If I play this right, I could turn my battle carrier into a slug moving at the speed of light. And hopefully, shatter the super capital's shields. But that could only work if I stay behind and steer the ship.'

The Vice Admiral contemplated on his idea, but unbeknownst to him. Something unexpected would occur. The bridge detected several fast objects emerging from FTL. It was similar to their real space drive, but the question remained: who were they?

''Sir, we have a situation!''

''Hmm, what is it?''

''We got two hundred contacts coming out of FTL...''

''...And there A.F.E.!''

''What?''

Immediately, Gaft accessed his terminal and saw them. Two hundred or so ships bearing the identification of the A.F.E. First and Third Fleet. The leading supercarriers, Iowa and Missouri, were clear on his terminal. The Vice Admiral stared blankly at the masses of ships because never in his life would he suspect this to occur. They were backed up to the wall, and he was about to give out an order for him to stay behind while he steered Yorktown, activated her drive, and rammed her to the alien flagship.

[Oh my. It seems the First and Third Fleet have heard of our plight.]

Luck uttered, and Abraham couldn't help but agree with her. It was surreal that this was happening. Suddenly, the A.I. X.O. straightened up as she received an important call in history.

[My dear, Fleet Admiral Arthur Kingstone is hailing for you.]

''Patch him through.''

[Understood.]

What appeared over the terminal of the Vice Admiral was the stern and respectable of the First Fleet. The defender of the Sol System. Fleet Admiral Arthur Kingstone.

''Vice Admiral Abraham Gaft.''

''Fleet Admiral, sir!''

''At ease, son...''

''...We came as fast as we could after beating the Kaynian combat flotilla over Mesopotamia. Suffice it to say, we're saddened to see that your ship is what remains of the Second Fleet.''

The Fleet Admiral said with a hint of regret in his tone. Nevertheless, they had a job to do. Thus, they needed information on what had occurred over Eden, and the first order of business was the status of the battle carrier, Yorktown.

''What's the status of your ship, admiral?''

''Damaged, but we're fairing well, sir. We recently lost our hell cannon, and our shield generators have taken a beating from the energy beams from the various Kaynian vessels we had to deal with.''

Abraham responded, and the reaction from the Fleet Admiral could only be described as impressed. From Kingstone's perspective, the reports on how the Second Fleet dealt with the Kaynian battle flotilla with its demise against the super capital were truly impressive.

''You've done well, Vice Admiral. However, with how damaged your ship is. I will command you to stay out of this fight against the Kaynian super capital.''

''I wouldn't, sir.''

''Pardon?''

A pause occurs between the two admirals. Gaft knew what would happen if the First and Third Fleet faced off against the Kaynian dreadnought. It would only be a massacre before the alien vessel is destroyed, but maybe he could ensure that doesn't happen.

''I have an idea, sir. To shatter the shields of the Kaynian dreadnought.''

''Could you please elaborate?''

''I can't, sir.''

''Why is that?''

''Because it's a one-way trip.''

There was another pause, but the Fleet Admiral caught on to what the Vice Admiral was going for. It was risky, yet if it worked, it could allow them to destroy the super capital with light losses. However, it would only take one ship to do it.

''I see. Very well. Have it your way, Vice Admiral. I shall await your signal.''

''Thank you, sir.''

Just like that, Yorktown's fate was decided. To become a million-ton slug going at light speed to shatter their enemy's shielding and give the rest a chance. The Fleet Admiral disappeared over the terminal as the connection was terminated. Looking at his X.O., he saw the expression of dread on her face.

''Luck, inform everyone to abandon ship.''

To Be Continued.