* Date: January 24, 2183

* Time: 9:30 AM

* Location: UGS Howling Knight Bridge

In the confines of the Howling Knight's bridge, the I.C.E. Agents and Ghost Operatives watched the explosion that occurred after the Vice Admiral rammed his battel carrier at the Kaynian dreadnought. Afterward, the First and Third Fleet fired their hell cannons at the alien vessel, damaging it. However, the hell cannon strike didn't deal as much damage as everyone had hoped. The Kaynian super capital endured and slowly began to turn its broadsides.

[Agent Thomas.]

''Yes, ma'am.''

[Get us close to the Kaynian vessel.]

''Right away.''

Hedding his superior's command, the agent quickly punched the engines of the stealth ship and began to close the distance. Meanwhile, Agent Indigo turned to meet the Ghost Commander, West.

[The Vice Admiral has cleared the path for you, commander.]

''Indeed.''

The commander responded while staring at the alien vessel as it was fired upon by hell cannon strikes. The scene that he had just witnessed made him feel powerless in the situation. Seeing how the admiral of the Yorktown makes the ultimate sacrifice made him guilty of not doing enough. Of course, this wouldn't go unnoticed as his partner would be notified about his chain of thought by his heart rate increasing.

[West, your heart rate had increased.]

Merci noted, making the Ghost Commander sigh as he lowered his head. The A.I. appeared over his heads-up display with a worried look. Thus, West instinctively chose to close his emotions as he knew what was ahead of them.

[Is something the matter?]

''Nothing.''

Turning his attention to the agent, West wanted confirmation on how they would enter the Kaynian vessel.

''Ma'am, how would the Howling Knight conduct infill?''

Suddenly, a holographic projection appeared between the commander and the agent. At its center was the Kaynian vessel, with the Howling Knight slowly approaching its position. The agent swiped her hand over the terminal and enhanced the hologram directly at the alien ship.

[The Howling Knight will perform a direct teleportation to get you on board. With the shields down and the First and Third Fleets attacking, our window will be short due to the immense firepower directed at our target. When we hover above the dreadnought undetected, you will be teleported immediately, so you should stock up on weapons and ammo before going. Remember Ghost. Once you're in, we won't be returning for you. So you'll have to improvise in your exfil.]

The agent pointed this out, and the commander understood. Given the current situation, their second assassination attempt needed perfect coordination. Remembering how they were lured in by their target and escaped to live a tale about it. West wouldn't make the same mistake twice.

''Understood.''

[Good. We'll have the teleporter set up for you and your Ghosts.]

Not saying another word, the Ghost Commander turned around and signaled to his subordinates to follow. The operatives of Sword and Shield exited the premises of the bridge, leaving the agents on their terminals as they maneuvered the stealth ship to their target.

TALE: Arc Killer

In the confines of the armory, Ghost Team Sword and Shield gathered. Restocking their ammunition for their mission. Twelve-point seven-millimeter rounds, four gauge quadruple-ought shells, and twenty-millimeter anti-material rounds were hoisted on their respective weapons. Each operative was stocking themselves with what they needed to engage with their alien adversaries. Nomad would reach out for an MK88 Multi-Shot Rocket Launcher and place it on his third arm system. The arm extended forward and allowed the Ghost to mount the launcher. Simultaneously, Tale equipped the same launcher onto his third arm system. Both operatives advanced, allowing their partners to scan their armor. After the scan was completed, both Ghosts would approach their commander.

''Ghosts, listen up. Our objective is to attempt an assassination on the Kaynian leader's figure.''

Immediately, a holographic projection appeared in the center of the teleportation chamber. Allowing the Ghosts to see the Kaynian super capital front and center. Afterward, West would enhance the holographic projection of the alien vessel.

"Our infiltration of the Kaynian vessel will require hacking their teleportation chamber, but if they detect the Howling Knight's approach with their advanced quantum scanning. We will encounter stiff resistance from the crew aboard the vessel. Therefore, we must sprint to our objective without hesitation."

The projection showed a miniature simulation of the Ghost Team arriving in the Kaynian super capital's teleportation chamber. Afterward, the projection showed them sprinting through the masses of Kaynian crew members present. Knowing that a teleportation chamber is mostly where Kaynian ground troops were stationed due to their role. The simulation featured several unique Kaynian combatants, including Kaynian Paladins, Warlocks, and Sentinels.

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''Owing to our previous failed assassination. We would need to counter the Kaynian leader figure's psionic abilities. Fortunately, we have two specialists capable of holding their own in psionic engagements...''

''...Tale, Sarroth. If the Kaynian leader figure, codename Arc. Makes a move on us. We will rely on you in countering him.''

The Ghost in question and his partner nodded at the commander's words. Knowing that it was up to them to deal with any magical/psionic threat the Kaynian ''Arc'' would pose to them.

''My master and I will perform our best in this regard, Lord Commander.''

Sarroth responded, gaining a nod from the Ghost Commander. Seeing as their short briefing was over. West shut down the holographic projection. At the same time, Agent Indigo decided to call the Ghost Team. Accepting the call, the commander saw the visage of the A.I. agent.

[Ghost, were nearing the target. Prepare for an immediate teleportation sequence.]

''Understood, ma'am.''

The commander responded before terminating the call. Afterward, he would look at his Ghosts, who began equipping their helmets. Quiet hisses erupted from their helmets as they prepared for the battle ahead.

''Ghosts, if our assassination would prove a success. Our exfil would rely on us finding our way out of the Kaynian dreadnought. The Howling Knight will not be coming to our rescue.''

West stated before dawning his helmet. The commander's heads-up display illuminated, providing information about his status and surroundings.

[Ghosts, initiating teleportation sequence.]

Merci stated as arcs of energy enveloped each Ghost Operative holding their weapons. The operatives stayed calm as they waited for the process to be finalized and for their mission to begin.

[Initiating in three, two, one...]

[...Activating teleportation.]

* Date: January 24, M2100

* Time: 9:40 AM

* Location: Class V Dreadnought Oblivion Teleportation Chamber

Within the teleportation chamber of the Oblivion, the last of the Kaynian troops were being sent to the surface of Eden. With the dreadnought's shields shattered by the A.F.E., the Kaynians had no choice but to evacuate as much as they could before the arriving human fleets destroyed their vessel. They knew the ferocity of the chosen of the Deities couldn't be satiated with how they ravaged a world that belonged to theirs.

''Farer!''

A high-ranking farer exclaimed as he addressed his subordinate, a farer like him. The low-ranking farer would turn to face his superior and salute.

''Sire!''

''Are the teleportation sequence ready?''

"Yes! I just need to input the last code to send the final Vanguard to their destination.''

The farer stated this as he received a nod from his superior, signaling him to proceed. Approaching the teleporter console. The farer interfaced with its systems and typed the necessary code to start the teleportation sequence. The bridge had already provided the coordinates; all the farer needed to do was input them along with the code, and the final Vanguard would be sent. However, something would interfere and cause a problem.

''What the?''

The Kaynian exclaimed, dumbfounded by what he saw on the teleportation console. In front of him was a malfunction he had not encountered before, causing the teleporter to receive something instead of prioritizing sending the final Vanguard.

''That shouldn't be possible.''

Hopping leaving the consul, the Kaynian approached the teleporter and inspected its systems. But as the farer interacted with the systems, the teleporter would suddenly function and bring four individuals to the teleportation chamber. The four beings stood tall, unseen to the naked eye, weapons in hand, aimed at the lone farer and those behind him.

''Sword and Shield engage!''

Exclaimed the unseen intruder before sprinting at the Kaynian farer and firing multiple projectiles at hypersonic speed. Causing the farer to drop dead with a thud as the intruders sprinted past his corpse.

''Ack!''

The Ghost Operatives of Sword and Shield have arrived and have begun their mission. West and Tale led the sprint, firing their battle machine rifles at the confused and oblivious aliens. Meanwhile, Bishop aimed his anti-material rifle and picked off any guardian present, as even with their energy shielding, a twenty-millimeter round could shatter it and kill them. At the right flank of the Ghost Team, Nomad fired his double-barrel shotgun at any unfortunate Kaynian farer near his sight as he followed the waypoint leading to the objective.

''Demons have infiltrated the ship!''

A Kaynian Lord shouted as he witnessed the Ghost Team sprinting unopposed. However, that changed when the final Vanguard, who was supposed to be sent, aimed their weapons at the invisible Ghosts. But without their visible silhouettes, the Kaynians couldn't deter the intruders. Try as they might, the alien Vanguard couldn't halt the advance of the unseen operatives as they blasted through their ranks like cutting through paper.

''Sentinel up ahead!''

''Ignore it. Focus on the sealed door behind it.''

Indeed, the Sentinel stood at its imposing height. But it could not do much to halt their advance. Running through its legs, the Ghosts saw the sealed door. Several Kaynian farers were guarding it. However, it wouldn't matter much as the commander had something in mind.

''Bishop ready your MK152.''

''Understood.''

Aiming his missile launcher, Bishop targeted the entrance out of the teleportation chamber and fired. The missile trailed with smoke as it raced to impact its target. Moments later, an explosion erupted, and a powerful shockwave passed over the Kaynians present.

''Entry breached, commander.''

''Good. Let's move!''

Entering the open door, the Ghost of Sword and Shield encountered more oblivious aliens performing their duties. Immediately, Nomad wasted no time and blasted through the alien farers. His double-barrel shotgun dismantled one Kaynian after another. Meanwhile, his arch-rival fired his anti-material rifle at another Kaynian farer, whose torso was evaporated when the twenty-millimeter round punched through its shields and delivered the killing blow.

''Lord Commander, another sealed entrance up ahead!''

The blade spirit warned as another closed door appeared up ahead. The solution to this was another missile coming from the commander's MK127 multi-purpose launcher. The projectile flew and exploded on the door as the guardians guarding it were caught by the shrapnel and shockwave. Bypassing the deceased aliens, the Ghost Team kept their weapons fire as they ran unseen by their Kaynian adversaries. Suddenly, the alarm set off, warning every Kaynian on board about the Ghosts present.

''Hear me! Demons have infiltrated the Oblivion! Stop them before they arrive at the throne room!''

A Kaynian Lord commanded over the comms. Immediately, the Kaynians fanatically guarded every corner and entryway leading to the throne room. Actively firing random shots to see whether the invisible silhouettes of the demons would materialize. However, it wouldn't matter much as the operatives of Sword and Shield ran toward another sealed door. But this time, Kaynian resistance was present due to the command of the Kaynian Lord.

[Commander West, Kaynian Guardian squad detected.]

''Ghosts concentrate fire on the guardians.''

Immediately, Bishop lined his anti-material rifle and fired four shots before having to reload his weapon. In exchange, four Kaynian bodies dropped dead on the floor. Meanwhile, Tale and Nomad took the remaining guardians while the commander fired his last missile before discarding his launcher. Another explosion erupted, cleaving their path to the throne room of the Kaynian Arc.

''The path is cleared! Sword and Shield move in!''

* Date: January 24, M2100

* Time: 9:45 AM

* Location: Class V Dreadnought Oblivion Throne Room

In the confines of the throne room, the Arc Betrayer, with his Honor Guard along with its Captain, and the Warmaster. Observed the situation unfolding within the dreadnought, Oblivion. Never had they imagined the chosen of the Deities would mount another attempt at threatening their Arc's life? However, here they were, rushing toward the throne room with utmost speed.

''My Arc, the demons have made their move.''

''Indeed, my Warmaster. However, it shall be you who shall they face. Do you seek redemption for your failings? Then, face the demons and ensure they meet their end within the premises of my throne room.''

''I shall see to it that they perish, my Arc!''

The Warmaster's eyes lit up like a burning pyre as he responded to his Arc. The Arc Betrayer rose from his throne with his Guard Captain at his right and opened a portal to the planet below his mighty dreadnought. Turning his head to see the Warmaster one last time, the Arc uttered words that reminded Kostas of his purpose.

''You have done much but not enough. Prove yourself again so my dream can be achieved.''

Those were his last words before stepping into the portal with the Honor Guard Captain and several guards coming with him to the surface of Eden. Leaving the Warmaster to wait for the upcoming battle against the demons that have infiltrated his Arc's ship, with several Honor Guard staying with him to assist him in his mission of eliminating the demons.

'Now, I wait.'

To Be Continued.