Chapter 36: Valerian Gate
****
- What do you think?
- They won't leave it at that. They're not like us.
- Then we must make this the last war, or we won't survive. I'll give you the order.
****
The majestic station drifted slowly over the planet. Like a dozen others, it was the centre of trade between the two space sectors. Here, caravans of huge transports from the Empire and space stretched out. It was here that a representative of almost every race could be found. What was sold here attracted everyone, from statesmen to assassins and smugglers.
Originally built as a small terminal, the station had expanded into several docks, warehouses and terminals within a few years. The flow of cargo increased daily, as did the profits of the trading houses. This day promised to be identical to hundreds before it, but fate had other plans...
An elongated white ship entered the system abruptly and headed for the station. A small squadron of five cruisers was immediately dispatched to meet it, as the station's pleas to the newcomers were ignored. There were more than enough Merchant House defences to put any intruder in its place. With hundreds of kilometres between the intruder ship and the squadron, the front of the unknown glowed green. An energy beam struck one of the Empire ships a moment later, causing it to flicker. The escort ships opened fire immediately, but by then, another cruiser had taken a hit in the engine room and broken into pieces. Spinning in the void, the severed engines began to detonate, sending chunks of the hull into nearby ships.
Meanwhile, the volley reached the attacker. The pulses melted through the hull at the impact points, causing a chain reaction and depressurisation inside the ship. But despite the damage, the strange cannon on the bow kept firing volley after volley. The Empire's shields held back the attack for a time, but they were quickly unleashed, and death gathered its prey, ripping open the hulls. Soon the ships were finished. The attacker began to turn towards the station, and more and more ships emerged from the 'transition' from behind, lining up in attack order. Green beams and accelerated bolts began to pierce the structure's hull. In a few minutes, the station entered the planet's atmosphere like a burning stone. Thousands of lives were cut short instantly as the melting metal failed and hit the ground. Now only a scorched crater stretching for hundreds of kilometres and a smouldering hulk remain reminders of the painful death of the station's inhabitants.
Huge fleets of invaders, having massacred the inhabitants of this system, have moved on, bringing death and vengeance...
Terra | Imperial Palace
The peace and tranquillity of today were disturbed by the clatter and bustle of the many military personnel. Officers were returning urgently from leave all over the planet, heading for their units. Ships were launched from the spaceports and roared off into the blue distance. Messengers scurried between the higher ranks, relaying dispatches and orders. And everyone wondered what the true cause of this madness was.
- So what can you tell me? - I sat at the head of a table with all the military leaders of the Empire. - The Tribune?
- The combined Union and Hierarchy fleets have crossed our borders in several systems. Nearly all the Trading House stations have been destroyed, and no survivors exist. There's also no communication with the border colonies. They are believed to have been incinerated from orbit. - The heavy gazes of those present converged on me. Everyone understood this was no longer a conventional war for resources or territory - it had become genocide. In such a case, fighting to the point of total annihilation, there would be no peace after this war.
- I didn't think they wanted another war. What are their numbers?
- The attack is divided into three directions. The central fleet, about fifteen thousand ships carrying up to ten million soldiers, is breaking deep into our territory. The other two, about a thousand and a half each, cover its flanks. They're not suitable for anything other than protecting the central grouping.
- That's pretty... What can you tell us about the new weapons? Karos?
- We still need to understand how it works. It is similar to the weapon of the Ancient Machines. But only in appearance. - A short recording of one of the last battles appeared above the table. - The Tungsten Weapon was able to withstand the Tungsten Weapon we tested in the Battle of Termas. This will penetrate the field in literally half a minute. There is a theory that the battleship's reactor can withstand it for longer. Still, we can only verify that in combat. The Collegium believes that the difference is due to a different principle of controlling energy fields that is not yet within our control.
- I assume this is the weapon discovered during the excavation?
- You are correct, my lord. They've been able to manufacture it, but there's not enough production capacity to rearm the entire fleet. I don't know about the ground forces, but they may also have these emitters.
- That's not good. What's the ratio of the newest ships to the standard ships? - There was silence for a few seconds before the Fabricator continued.
- About one to fifteen. Mostly large ships, maybe even dreadnoughts.
- I see your point. - Fingers began to beat a rhythm on the armrest. - Tribune, I want your men to attack their worlds. You can soak the streets in blood; it doesn't matter. Their leaders must not see the dawn from the Commander of the farthest garrison to the Primarch and Dalatressa. - The hooded figure nodded and rose from behind the table. - I will give you two days to destroy as many military installations as possible, especially the orbital ones. After that, you can work at your discretion, especially on civilians, until the airborne forces arrive and the landings begin. - Waiting for the end of the mission, the head of the guard quickly made his way to the exit, where an adjutant was already waiting for him. - Now, let's talk about the fleet. What do you have to say about that?
This time, a naval officer with the insignia of an admiral appeared. He dialled a combination on the terminal next to his chair. He waited for the galactic map to appear before beginning his report:
- My Emperor, we have been able to determine the routes of the enemy fleets. - The map zoomed in on the systems in a particular region, showing dead colonies and enemy fleets. - If the trajectory of the central one does not change, they will soon be approaching the Perseus Nebula. We can control their path by placing small groups in adjacent systems, creating the illusion of our presence and the appearance of a corridor. In this way, we can lead them into the nebula.
- And what is in this nebula that the enemy has decided to launch a full-scale offensive?
- As you know, their FTL cannot penetrate this type of nebula. The effect would be the same as ground vehicles and dirt. They'd simply lose their ships in the clouds for hundreds of years. But there is a gap between these clouds. - The map has changed again, concentrating on the gap. - It's directly in the path of the main enemy fleet.
- And in the middle...
- You are right, my lord. This is the Holy World, the Valerian Gate. It was colonised in 467 AD and then given to the Sisters. It's the only way into the central systems. Our plan is to meet the main enemy forces in the system and engage them. At the same time, the Quarian fleet, along with the autonomous Rannoch Defence Force*, comes in from the flanks, destroying secondary enemy groups and engaging the enemy from the rear. In this way, we will spring the trap and cut off the enemy's supply lines.
- Well, I'm happy with the plan. But we have no margin for error; if the enemy breaks through, we must wage war in the centre with enormous military resources.
- I understand. We will not let you down, Overlord. - There was a look of seriousness and concentration on the officer's face. I looked into his eyes and gave a satisfied chuckle before continuing:
- Let's move on to the question of troop movements...
***
*- A fleet of Geth ships.
***
The fiery trails of falling landing pods and shells tore the pale orange morning sky. Plumes of smoke covered most of the sky. The landing began ten minutes later, after all the ground defence batteries had been destroyed from orbit, and was accompanied by the long roar of sirens over the city. Now its ruins blazed in the distance, a huge black plume of smoke rising into the sky. But the answer was short in coming...
In the vast fields that covered the planet, the lids of the mines began to open, revealing to the world what lay beneath them. Thousands of rockets glittered in the sun a moment later, and dozens of anti-aircraft guns shot from towns and villages into the sky. The clouds were dispersed by the abundance of tracers and explosions. In a meteor shower, the first fragments from the exploding pods and landing craft began to fall on the city, crushing buildings and burying people.
Nevertheless, the invaders managed to break through the wall of fire, and soon the first troops were engaged in a firefight with the militia and garrison. The majestic spires and gardens were engulfed in flames that spread from building to building, devouring everything in their path.
***
Galan Kerus, like every other Turian in the army, took the news of the Hierarchy's defeat with difficulty. Still, unlike many of them, he did not seek revenge. He had seen the new race become an important part of Spaceland. Still, even so, the number of those who wanted revenge did not diminish over the years. When the new weapons arrived, the number of those who wanted to join the troops increased tenfold. Galan didn't want to join the army again, as he remembered the war battles for Repeater 314. How shells falling from the sky wiped out entire regiments in the blink of an eye. Chains of infantry and huge fighting vehicles were under attack. The war left its mark on everyone, but it was different for everyone. Some dreamed of a quiet life, others longed for a new battle. Galan was among the former.
He was ready to work in the factories and support his army but not to attack again under the damned rays that mowed down soldiers by the hundreds. Fate, however, had other plans. The mobilisation that had begun affected almost the entire population, including veterans of all kinds of conflicts. They were placed at the head of units.
The former sergeant was ready to obey the orders of the Hierarchy, but the news that his sister had joined the army threw him off balance. He could only apply for a command position in her unit, which he got almost immediately. When the order to start the war was given, he looked at the young soldiers who had rejoiced at the news with pain in his heart. They had not yet realised that this was not a patrol raid or a conflict in space - this was a battle with an entirely different enemy that outnumbered us quantitatively and technologically. Once they realised that, there would be no turning back.
The beginning was... Pathetic? We were just shooting up trading stations and discussing it as a great victory. The Commander of the main force was a psychotic madman. He made us kill or brutalise every Imperial we captured. When he ordered the burning of orbiting colonies that didn't have decent homes yet, there were conflicts with some of the ship captains. But training and discipline paid off, so there was no insubordination. The only thing that surprised me was the lack of resistance, except for a few enemy cruisers in the systems. I remembered the huge armadas that filled the skies, but now it was as if they were extinct.
- Are you still angry? - the girl quietly walked over to the large panoramic window through which I was observing the planet. In her hands, she held her helmet and her recently acquired rifle. - We're winning!
- Not angry. - In time, my anger at my sister faded, leaving only a sense of responsibility. - And as for winning... I have my doubts. I feel like we're trapped.
- Come on, two giant clouds aren't a trap. And they haven't attacked once. - She smiled and stood beside me, looking out over the planet where occasional explosions erupted. Soon the rest of the group pulled up beside us.
- Another colony? - The big Turian in the black armour was a command machine gunner and was always trying to show off his coolness, maybe to show off to his sister. - When I heard your stories, I imagined it differently. - And grinned as if mocking. There was no point in answering him; he only understood the language of violence.
As the first pods flew from the ships to the planet, something glittered on the planet and in an instant, the nearest cruiser exploded in a cloud of debris. Sirens howled a second before impact, and then debris hit the shield and hull, causing many to fall or grab onto something. Meanwhile, another of the ships burst into flames and disintegrated into several pieces. Suddenly, the speaker came to life:
"Begin landing the entire landing force immediately. Enemy fleet has entered the system." - The message was repeated repeatedly, and the capsule bays filled with paratroopers who hurriedly loaded into the capsules and began the long flight to the planet.
- This is what I was talking about. - The frightened faces of the young Turians, as they looked at the wreckage of the dead cruisers, spoke eloquently of the momentary loss of confidence. - Everybody into a capsule, now! - I put on my helmet and followed the fleeing soldiers. Soon we were inside the capsule, and after checking it for leaks, it shook violently for a minute, which was a run-up in a special shaft. The shaking soon stopped but was immediately replaced by the unusual ease of flying in zero gravity. All that remained was to wait for the capsule to reach the planet.
- Steady as she goes. - The machine gunner was still making jokes. But this time, it was more from nerves. The rest of the crew supported his joke, and laughter erupted. Combat required concentration, not amusement. I checked the capsule's console, showing we had already entered the atmosphere. I quickly typed a certain combination of keys on the terminal. The capsule's walls flashed, and the images from the external cameras began to be projected onto them. Many of them immediately covered their eyes as the flashing lights and explosions overboard hit them hard after the darkness of the compartment. As their vision stabilised, the squadron saw a sky filled with fiery bundles of tracers and rocket trails. A capsule flying nearby collapsed from a sudden hit. In front of our eyes, several soldiers were pulled out and thrown into free fall. Another was engulfed in flames, burning everyone inside alive. It just kept falling in a burning ball to the ground.
- Do we have any protection? - asked one of the fighters, his voice shaking.
- Pray to the spirits. - I managed to grunt through clenched teeth and closed my eyes, surrendering to my fate.
But we were lucky. The capsule began to brake sharply and soon hit the ground with a thud. After checking the gear and inspecting the crew, I pulled the switch that opened the doors. The process took only a moment, and then we all rushed out. We were greeted by a burning city. There were dozens of bodies everywhere, of people who had not escaped the blast. Among the dead, we even found one survivor. A young boy with a rebar through his stomach. The whole squad had gathered around him and were now actively discussing his fate.
- Let's finish him off and be done with it! - shouted the machine gunner again. The rest of the squad also split into several groups, which made me want to howl. They were standing around, discussing loudly and without any fear.
- Idiots! - All the soldiers, except the medic beside the wounded man, stretched out. - Get down, or I will kill you all right here! - The pistol in his hand clearly showed his seriousness, and the squad scattered behind the pile of rubble. - What about him? - He turned to the medic.
- He's been down for twenty minutes; I doubt he'll make it. Should I try to help? - I looked at the half-dead man, his eyes full of terror.
- Finish him off; we don't have time to pamper everyone. - An approaching machine gunner fired a single shot through the wounded man's head, sending the medic recoiling.
- So much noise and so much to do... - he couldn't finish. A beam of light pierced his head. Immediately, a hail of these pulses hit us, forcing us to duck under the rubble and the whole squad to try and overwhelm the enemy. This had little effect, forcing the fighters to huddle on the ground. One of the group had already begun to panic and tried to run deep into the area but could not make it more than ten metres, taking a dozen hits in the back.
The situation only changed with the arrival of heavy armoured vehicles, which, with a well-aimed shot, brought down the building from which we were being fired upon. Allied units approached from other streets and spread out across the square. They were looking for the enemy who had not been killed. On the other hand, after examining the dead and bringing the squad to their senses, I was able to rally them and get them to search the next street. The town we landed in was small, so the clean-up was quick, and then the troops moved on to the capital.
We were moving through the last area of the city. The unit had already recovered from the first battle and was now carefully searching the houses and cellars under my command. Suddenly, the man before me jerked to the side and pressed himself against the wall.
- What?" I ran up to him as the whole squad pressed against the wall, taking aim at the cellar.
- I heard a crash," the soldier swallowed nervously and wiped his face, "right there. - And he pointed to the trigger with his finger.
- I see." I stepped back and called to two of the soldiers. - Now we throw grenades in there, and then Lern goes and checks it out while we cover. Got it? - After they nodded in the affirmative, we proceeded with the execution. One of the soldiers slowly made his way to the other side and stood by the door on the other side. Gathering themselves, they cocked their grenades in unison and threw them into the room. There was a scream from inside, followed by an explosion and a huge cloud of dust flying out into the street.
At my signal, one squad began moving slowly into the basement. Nothing happened for a few seconds, and then suddenly, he ran out of the room, fell to the ground and vomited. The soldier started mumbling and twitching incoherently, and even the medic who ran up couldn't calm him down. I decided to see what the private had seen for me, so I walked slowly down the stairs myself.
His reaction was now understandable. The floor beneath his feet smacked disgustingly with a layer of shredded organs, chunks of flesh and a huge pool of blood. Bodies and their parts were strewn all over the basement. Mostly women... a few children. After making sure there were no survivors, I returned to the squad. The medic was still trying to regain consciousness. Still, the victim was only getting more panicky, whimpering on the floor. As I approached, I lifted the soldier sharply to his feet and struck one of the handcuffs with a full swing. As he fell, the soldier grabbed at the bruised spot.
- Get up! - I grabbed the lying man again by the collar of his armour, yanked him sharply and placed him in front of me. - Get the weapon!
The soldier grabbed his rifle with shaking hands and stretched out, still trembling.
- What did they teach you in that bloody camp?! - I understood... that not everyone can take it. But the whole squad would die in a minute if it happened in battle. - You're supposed to kill everyone on command, not roar over a corpse.
- But there were no enemies! - My sister appeared before me with anger on her face. - They were just hiding!
- Today, they hide in the cellar; tomorrow, they throw a grenade. - I spoke slowly. - If I give you an order, you must obey it. Even if I tell you to shoot the children, you shoot them first, and then you can lie around in your snot and curse me and everything in sight! Do I make myself clear, Private?
- Yes, sir. - The girl spoke quietly and backed away slightly.
- Then let's keep moving. We will soon be on our way to the capital.
In the distance, majestic buildings could rise far into the sky, piercing the clouds. Our unit, part of a large strike force, was approaching the city from the west. They say the spirits know what's going on in other directions, the high casualties, and the minimal advance. There had been several skirmishes along the way, in which the unit had already proved itself to be a fighting unit rather than a bunch of snot-nosed teenagers. We were going through fields where the grass was up to our waists. The mud squelched under our feet, which was no fun. The command was out because of the enemy's brutal defences, so we often acted without reconnaissance. There was also a rumour that things were not good in space, but have faith in the boys; they should be able to cope.
My attention was caught by a sudden whistling sound that grew louder by the second. Gesturing for me to stop and get down, I listened, trying to identify the source of the noise. Suddenly the whistling increased, and before I could jump back, something exploded beneath my feet, throwing me a dozen metres away. A sharp pain erupted in my lower body and faded almost instantly. Seeing this, the whole team rushed towards me. The nurse was the first to reach me, falling down beside me and administering painkillers and bandages. When I got to my feet, all I could see were two stumps instead of legs. The armour on my body was also punctured in several places, and blood was trickling out in thin streams. With a groan of pain, I lay back on the ground. Again I heard the cursed whistling...
The soldiers all around fell to the ground, taking cover as best they could, but death chose a different path this time. Within a few metres, the shells exploded in the sky in a thick, white cloud of smoke, immediately falling to the ground and spreading over it. Soldiers caught in the cloud grabbed their throats and fell to the ground, unable to breathe, blood dripping from their mouths and noses and falling in droplets to the ground. Those who made it in time wore a helmet to protect themselves from the gas but were few and far between. My sister managed to get it on herself and me, but the rest of the group was in the death throes that lasted only a few minutes. Soon they fell silent.
In the dead silence came the sound of distant blows. They came closer with each passing moment until they stopped ten metres away. One of the surviving soldiers moved slowly towards the sound. Suddenly, like a thunderclap, a shot rang out in the new silence, and the survivor fell to the ground like a limp dummy. The sound of footsteps on the dirt was replaced by an intermittent hiss. Silhouettes began to appear in the thick, white mist. Their numbers grew, as did their clear forms. Soon the first of them emerged from the shroud.
The lenses of the gas mask glinted ominously in the sun, adding to the scene's horror. Breathing tubes slung over their shoulders were attached to cylinders behind their backs. Previously exposed areas were now hidden under a flexible and durable yellow material. Additional steel plates covered vulnerable areas. Various tools, including a small shovel and an ice-axe-like pickaxe, hung from his belt, along with a sword scabbard. The familiar eagle was surrounded by a stone wall on the armour's breastplate. Behind the eagle, an array of cannon barrels was depicted as a halo. Beneath the decoration were two words, the letters inscribed in gold - Legio Obsidio.
The warrior approached me and kicked me lightly a few times to test my reaction. When he was sure I was alive, he shouted as loudly as the gas mask would allow behind my back:
- Centurio, hic, vivere! - More soldiers emerged from the smoke, one wearing a strange crest on his helmet.
- Miles, velit? - he came to my side and bent over me. Seeing my insignia, the officer pronounced contentedly. - Miles.
- Quid faciam? - the whole trio bent over me as more soldiers passed by, the occasional shot ringing out, apparently to finish off the survivors.
- Adducam in praetorium. Ibi erunt versant.* (Take him to the headquarters. They'll take care of him.) - Suddenly, the sister stirred. The soldiers noticed it and immediately had her in their sights. One of them looked at the officer and approached the girl, receiving a nod in the affirmative. He turned her onto her back and stepped on her chest plate with his knee. All I could do was grab hold of her and watch helplessly, cursing my fate.
The girl tried to struggle but could not escape the soldier's grip. Putting the rifle behind his back, he took a tool from his case to break the locks that held the helmet in place. Soon the mechanism gave way, and the helmet flew off her sister's head, leaving her gasping for air. The soldier stared at her briefly, then swung the blade over my head. I tried to scream, but all that came from my throat was a strangled croak. The clawing sound of the blade entering my head and breaking through my skull became more frequent, and the attacker's armour was covered in fresh drops of blood with each blow. The one coming out of the smoke first tried to twitch and stop it but was stopped by the Commander.
- Non vexatum. - The blows became more frequent, and a scream could be heard from the attacker's breathing apparatus. This caused him to strike harder and faster, now all over his body.
- Suus' crudelis, centurio. - They both stood beside me, watching.
- Ipse enim momento perdidit tota familia. - The officer turned his gaze to the columns of smoke rising in the city. - Sit vindicta.* (He lost his whole family in a moment. Let him have his revenge.)
The fighter struck a final blow, then rose to his feet. Slowly, he replaced the bloody pickaxe in its sheath and approached the Commander.
- Gratias tibi, dux. - The soldiers approached me and lifted me up under my arms. - Spero vos omnes mori! - he turned to me. There was anger in his voice, despite the breathing apparatus. I didn't care anymore. With my sister gone, the last thing that held me in this life, there was no point in resisting. The Commander gave me a few more orders, and the soldiers dragged me to their positions. The movement caused the pain to flare up again, and I passed out, unable to bear it.
On the way, I woke up a few times. I saw endless columns of soldiers marching towards the front each time. Many were eating out of work, some wore bandages, and some carried heavy weapons. But one thing was constant - the hatred with which they looked at me. There was so much anger in them that it seemed they wanted to tear me apart with their teeth and bare hands. These moments did not last long, and I would fall back into darkness...
At this point, the fate of the last survivor of the train is unknown.
***
Imperial Defence Line
***
Again and again, with a wild whistle, shells flew over the bunker, killing the infantry in the trenches. Inside, a group of soldiers huddled against the wall, trying to find a way out. The silence inside was broken by quiet words of prayer coming from all sides. Some of those hiding trembled and covered their heads with their hands. Others, trusting in their fate, covered their eyes and waited. The fiery inferno outside disappeared as abruptly as it had begun, and a few minutes of silence followed.
The Centurion, Commander of this line of defence, rose from the ground and limped to the loophole, the barrel of a heavy machine gun protruding from the other side. Dust covered most of the surface, so the gunner quickly shook it off and opened the box with a new belt, inserting it into the chamber and pulling the bolt with a loud click. Nodding to a few thoughts, the Centurion turned his gaze to the valley before the fortifications. It was littered with alien corpses and the remains of burnt equipment.
The rangefinder could see the enemy's position, the ruins of a small town from which they climbed day after day. There were glimpses of silhouettes among the rubble, but they quickly disappeared.
- The Emperor is with us today. - A fighter with half his head bandaged approached the Commander. His rifle resting on the loophole, he stared into the ruins.
- He is always with us, but the path is in our hands. - The Centurion stepped away from the emplacement, patted the machine gunner on the shoulder, and headed for the shelter's exit. The locks clicked, and the air, saturated with the stench of burning, wafted into the room. Breathing it in, the officer made his way further into the trench.
- What about the wounded? - It was difficult with the medics now, but strangely enough... the medics were now a large group of aliens. Many students had come from the Republics to exchange medical experience. At the moment, an Azari with a medic's badge on her clothing was applying healing gel to the wound of one of the fighters. A piece of shrapnel hit the leg and punctured it.
- We couldn't save ten of them. - She looked sadly at the officer, "Four won't be able to walk, and twenty will be back in formation by the end of the day. - She stood up and raised her bloodied hands in the air. - Thank the Goddess; there are enough supplies to help as far as possible.
- Yes, praise. - He walked to the edge of the trench and looked back to the other side. Suddenly, a premonition knocked the soldier to the ground, and a beam of energy sliced through the air a few centimetres above his head, melting the ground behind him. Immediately, enemy fighters and vehicles leapt from the ruins. They all rushed towards the Imperial positions, pounding them with a steady barrage of fire.
- Get to the hospital quickly! - He grabbed the medic and pushed her towards the passageway deep inside the positions. She didn't get confused either and ran quickly down the trench. - The rest of you, take your positions! - The rising fighters quickly approached the edge of the trench and aimed their fire at the advancing troops. The fire from the other side was also targeted so that anyone who stood out for more than a few seconds would fall to the bottom of the trench with their head bashed in. A machine gun roared from the bunker, keeping the advancing men at bay. But then one of the beams hit the loophole, and the gun fell silent. Running to the door, the officer stepped inside and immediately headed down the narrow corridor to the main section.
- Why did they stop firing? - The machine gunner, his armour covered in blood, slowly turned around. Both his hands were stumps... and his torn hands clutched the machine gun mounts. A thin stream of scarlet liquid dripped from them onto the ground.
- Commander, I can't fix the wedge. - He turned back to the weapon. - It-but-but it's not firing. I need to understand. - The officer ran up, grabbed the fighter, and laid him on the ground.
- Medic! - the sounds of battle drowning out almost every scream. - MEDIC!
The unarmed fighter with the Biologik symbol on his armour and a bulky backpack on his back burst into the room. He knelt beside the injured man and quietly began to help him, taking more and more medicine from his bag.
Realising he wasn't needed, the Centurion got to his feet and looked around the dugout. A shrunken soldier came into view, sitting in a corner with his hands over his head. The Commander moved quickly towards him, hearing the words of a prayer emanating from the trembling man.
- Get up, fighter! - The command had no effect. I had to grab the fighter by his armour and lift him up. - Fight for the Emperor! Stand at the cannon! - Awareness began to show in the fighter's eyes, but more wild fear existed. - RETURN! - At the deafening shout, Awareness immediately pierced the veil of fear. Understanding the nature of the order, the fighter immediately fell behind the stationary. Checking his ammunition, he pulled the trigger. Muffled gunfire could be heard outside, and the first smoking shells began to fall to the ground. Thanking Tron for giving his warriors both anger and reason, the Centurion ran out of the bunker. A squadron astropath met him on the way out.
- My lord, this is HQ! - Trying to shout over the din of the firefight, the soldier thrust the device into the officer's hands.
- Yes, sir! - The clatter of rifles became more frequent, symbolising the enemy's approach. - Right... Aye... - he went to the front and looked out. Seeing something, he returned to the conversation. - Confirmed... Yes... How soon? - He shifted his gaze to the time display on his wrist. - Confirmed... His will is with us! - With these words, he returned the device to the Astropath and disappeared into the labyrinth of trenches. The Centurion walked to the centre of the fortress and said:
- Legionnaires! - The soldiers were distracted by the return fire and surrounded the Commander. - In ten minutes, the offensive will begin. - At that moment, a growing noise was heard from behind the trenches, and heavy tanks and other vehicles began to crawl slowly into the wasteland. - With the armoured vehicles, we will push the enemy back to where they crawled from. Remember what you are fighting for. Now get ready! - Everyone took cover behind the trench wall. Hard seconds of waiting passed. Even the attackers dropped their fire, unable to see the defenders' resistance.
At the last moment, something behind the trench flashed like the light of a thousand stars. A rumble like the explosion of millions of shells. A wind like Terra's worst storms. Two seconds after the light, a mighty shock wave hit the trenches, bringing with it huge clouds of dust and debris. Having waited out the wave, the officer freed himself and straightened up.
- Legionnaires! - The soldiers turned their gaze back to their Commander. - Let anger be your weapon! Let faith protect you in battle! Avenge all who have fallen defending the Empire in this hour of need! - The first tank began to roll slowly across the trench. - And now, bayonet to bayonet! - A second later, steel blades gleamed menacingly in the background of fire. The Centurion snatched the banner from the standard-bearer's hands and rose from the trench. - You are righteous warriors! So carry his name into the darkness, where it will light your way!
The man drew his sword from its scabbard and gripped the banner tightly with his other hand.
- And remember, the Emperor loves the brave! Then show him what you are worth! Let's go! - The heavy vehicle finally came over the moat. The tracks clattered to the ground, and the cannon barked. At the same moment, thousands of people came out of the trench, screaming and attacking the enemy in a frenzy. The sun's rays, obscured by a nuclear mushroom cloud, added colour to the battle.
The first ranks of both sides fell, mowed down by hurricane fire. Equipment exploded, scattering burning debris and maiming soldiers. Two huge avalanches raced towards each other... and soon they met.
Here, the legionnaire is bayoneting the Turian with more and more blows. Moments later, he falls with a hole in his chest while another enemy stands behind him. The bullets, accelerated to tremendous speeds, pierce the Imperial armour, turning it into a sieve. But those who fired them are scattered, body parts scattered, by the explosion beneath their feet. Two soldiers, having lost their weapons, fight on the ground. One man drowns the alien in the mud, and the alien, kicking but losing strength, finally stiffens.
The two fighting vehicles, spewing fire from their cannons, collide in the middle of the battle. The engine roared, and the tracks slipped, but the Imperial tank began to crush its rival under the weight of its more fragile hull. Almost running over the Hierarchy's vehicle, the tank froze, taking a hit in its lower front armour. A small hole, in the beginning, in the end, exploded in a huge cloud of debris, destroying the crew in an instant. The vehicle became a flaming tombstone, burying humans and Turians alike. The battle continued for a long time, the forces of both sides coming and going, but still, the battle in space began to tilt towards the humans, followed by victory on Earth. The beautiful planet was in flames, and from orbit, more and more blossoms of nuclear explosions could be seen...
Weekly Power Status
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