'My Next Heir,
I leave you this note, to be handed to you by an automated system within the network on the anniversary of my death and the anniversary of the Empire's massive collapse. I, first must congratulate you on your continued reign.
If you've managed to do what my Calculations have predicted (Primarily occupy a significant portion of a Galaxy), then you've already proven yourself a capable leader in my stead. Although this may seem unlikely, I wish to inform you about something that even your Sibling, Kelsy was not aware of, but might have expected.
You do have many siblings, this much is true considering the amount of consorts I had, and the sheer amount of children I had in search of an Heir for the Throne. You were the first choice, being the first child to be born between an Emperor of the Leviathans and a Notable Human Specimen.
We believed that your human-adaptability and Leviathan-Biology would make sure near unstoppable; perhaps giving birth to a new race altogether, but we also chose you due to your blood as an Emperor-Class.
We did, however, have an obvious 2nd Choice who would have taken the throne by now should you have never taken the Throne.
She would have become Empress Steele the 14th rather than you, Emperor Steele the 14th.
If a Human-Leviathan Hybrid never took the throne, then a Pure Leviathan would have taken the throne.
Our 2nd Choice was Ashley Brynn Steele; a Secret Emperor-Class Leviathan disguised in records as a mere Grunt. Do not mistaken, she is not your age at this point of time, as we speak, she is only a mere child.
By your time, she may only be starting High School even.
Her mother was administered an Amnesiac and fed false information as to the class of her child and who the father was.
I wish for you to take the young, secret Empress under your wing and immediately begin taking over her education to prepare her for the responsibility of taking the throne. I wish for you to prepare for a Contingency should you perish for whatever reason and for their to be an Empress ready for the throne who is qualified.
She shall be your immediate replacement should you die.
That is the reason for this note.
She will essentially become your surrogate daughter... but more than likely more like a Younger Sister. She is one of many children; the youngest amongst them as when I impregnated the Leviathan, she already had several children with her husband.
Show Ashley's mother this document, and the phrase below in order to get her to hand her daughter over willingly. I will leave it to you to choose whether she will completely forget her old life or if she will remember it as a fond memory.
Also, to celebrate your posting as the Emperor successfully for one year; I wish for you to find one of my past advisors; a scruffy old Overseer by the name of Hammond who should have retired into the Triangulum... probably Hearthfire from what I would predict. He is holding onto some of my old equipment... equipment that could potentially be useful to you.
Seek him out, and ask him, 'When does the Songbird sing?', and he will understand that you are his true heir and you deserve what he holds.
Congratulations Dearly, my Heir.
I do wish that you shall bring the Leviathans back to glory... to the good old days.
Sincerely, your Father and ever-watchful Guardian,
Victor Steele; the 13th Emperor'.
...
...
Hearthfire, 1:30PM, shortly after Kyle's return
"What's our sitrep, Kelsy?".
"We've maintained our foothold in their Region", Kelsy was walking briskly alongside Kyle as they were leaving the Drydock where the Harbinger had landed.
"How about those Arachnus Reinforcements?".
"Our spyrings have said that they've just recently came through", Kelsy shuffled through some of her papers before handing one to Kyle and furthering, "They're looking like they're mounting up for a large attack on our Positions in hopes of gaining back the choke-hold we've secured into their Borders".
"So we have an oncoming siege on our hands?".
"It seems so. I've ordered all Troops into the Mariposa Central Base for the entire sector. The Arachnus knows that if they want the sector; they'll have to take Mariposa... so it will be a traditional siege, Kyle".
"So a base against the Might of an Entire Fleet?", Kyle looked incredulously, "They could literally bombard the planet and raze the Base to the ground...".
"I forsaw that possibility", Kelsy shook her head, "I had several nuclear reactors installed within base parameters wired up to multiple dreadnought generators installed within some of the key structures to set up a shield-dome to prevent artillery bombardment. Of course... this also prevents us from sending in reinforcements from the air since the shield is only by-passable with a 20 meter height before the shield becomes impossible to step through".
"That's high enough for us to bring in Titans on foot at least", Kyle mused, "The Troops are already working on making the base defensible?".
"Yes Sir", Kelsy tilted her head, "Yang, Samus, and Master Chief wish you the best of luck since they're hospitalized. But they should be out by the time the siege is over with... IF the siege lasts 4 days as we predict from the numbers of Enemy Reinforcements".
"I'll be joining it then... as a Pilot", Kyle grinned, "Not a Huntsman nor a Reaper... but a Pilot! Man, I'm getting excited. I haven't been a Pilot since the early days of the Militia!".
"Are you sure, Liege?".
"I am!", Kyle's tail began to wag hopefully, "Now, is my vehicle ready to make haste for Hearthfire High School? We need to pick up my Emergency Empress".
"And contact Hammond", nodded Kelsy.
"World's full of surprises", Kyle coughed, "Hammond... same name as Hammond Robotics; the Human Mother-Company for the IMC... which set me on the path for war".
"Oh, I should tell you; the Reconstructive surgery for Hazel went well", Kelsy and Kyle turned the corner and were immediately joined by a few Royal Escorts and Crucian Inquisition Members, "Doctors say she's recovering faster than expected. She should be ready for therapy by the end of the week".
"That's nice...", they both entered the vehicle swiftly; and they were on their way.
...
...
Hearthfire Highschool; Classroom 351A, Mister Hartigan's History Class
"Now, Garrett, which Emperor was responsible for the Contact War against Humanity?".
"Ur... Emperor Steele... the... 11th?".
"Wrong Garrett... How about you, Josh? Do you know which Emperor was on the throne at time?".
Josh stared hard at the board. He bore a hole through it with his eyes alone. He bit his lips, glanced around for help with fleeting hope. Nobody was giving a signal, so it was all up to him.
He opened his mouth and answered, "E-Emperor Steele th-".
"Emperor Steele the 10th", a voice intrudes upon the class before Josh could finish, "Quite the man, I must say. Did well Politically; but was a terrible tactician and was a meek ruler. His assaults against Humanity was only successful due to the sheer brute force behind each well-trained Leviathan in the war, and he was without the will to enslave humanity and instead listened to the Federation; which at the time was still in its infancy".
"The idea of enslavement was only used by Empress Steele the 11th and the first few Emperors who united the Leviathans... and they were all successful. I'm hoping to continue the tradition by enslaving the Arachnus and hopefully humanity when the time comes that we start our campaign against the Federation".
"Ah, class, this is our current Emperor. Emperor Steele the 14th", Mister Hartigan calmly gestured to Kyle's presence at the doorway, "Responsible for the massive annexation of the Triangulum and known for leading the fastest military campaign in History; which was less than 2 days against an Empire multiple times larger than ours".
"He is also the First Human-Leviathan Hybrid, something that has raised controversy due to the fact that it meant both a Leviathan and a Human was on the throne".
"A controversy that ended when I proved myself more than capable", Kyle glanced throughout the class, "Quite a class, Hartigan".
"They're one of the better ones", shrugged Mister Hartigan, "There are worse ones".
"I'm sure", Kyle eyed a few girls with a playful grin, "Reminds me of my younger years as a Human... How terrible those years were", he snorted before nodding, "I hate to interrupt... but is Ashley Brynn Williams in this class?".
"Ashley? Stand up please".
"Huh? U-Uh, Okay!", nervously, a girl near the back stood up.
Kyle took the sight of her in just as Kelsy poked her head through the door, "Is she here?".
"It's her alright...".
He took in the sight of Ashley Brynn Steele in all her glory.
Which... isn't too glorious.
It was less of glorious and more of...
"... There's no way someone can be that adorable... could it?", he mumbled, "... She looks so much like Cilcia".
Ashley Brynn Steele stood at only 5 foot 2, and had a terribly impossible identical face to that of Cilcia Romana's own during her time in High School. She had vibrant blue eyes, an adorable & heart-rending face that would melt the coldest of war criminals into a puddle of fawning fanboys.
Her hair was long blonde hair was kept free to do as it pleased; merely straightened neatly and designed so that her bangs would symmetrically exist upon her beautiful features and only enhance her eyes. Her milky white skin portrayed perfected innocence... and it was only a mere fragment of the sheer innocence behind her; something that was only fully understood by Kyle when he looked her in the eyes.
Kyle felt his features soften on instinct.
Brotherly Instinct; it felt oddly like seeing Lilly be born for the first time and having her understand that he was her brother.
Kelsy nudged Kyle out of his reverie by discreetly asking to him, "How shall we play this?".
"Ashley? I'm Kyle Lazarus Wasser... or rather, Kyle Lazarus Steele. The 14th Emperor of the Leviathan and...", he bowed politely, "We're actually related by blood. I am your half-sibling, and so is Kelsy here".
He brought out the tablet with his Father's message on it and handed it to Ashley, "You are actually an Emperor-Class Leviathan. You were actually destined for the throne should I have never been born".
"Your Father, Victor Steele; or the 13th Emperor had a request that I take you in once 1 Year had passed under my rule and that I began tutoring you to become my replacement should I perish permanently", Kyle cleared his throat, "Your real name is Ashley Brynn Steele. Your Mother was administered an Amnesiac shortly after your Birth and the missing memories implanted with false ones in order to hide your nature as an Emperor-Class to prevent the possibility of a Civil War for the Throne when a time period came up without an Ruler".
"I have come personally alongside my Sister to come and pick you up to bring you to the Imperial Palace... To bring you to your room and to...", he swallowed his saliva, "... Have you meet me and your Sister".
"You sound a little sentimental, Kyle", Kelsy coughed uncomfortably.
"She reminds me of a younger... girl I used to know", he glanced at Kelsy briefly to notify her of who he was thinking of, "... This also reminds me very much of the first time I met my Human Siblings".
Ashley looked pole-axed by the revelation as she read through the tablet, "I-I'm a-an Empress?".
"You were destined to be it if I was never conceived", Kyle bowed his head slightly.
The class was silent, and Mister Hartigan was staring at Ashley in amazement.
Mister Hartigan mumbled, "... 2 Emperor-Class Leviathans within the same room... this is unprecedented... amazing even...".
Kyle stood patiently as Ashley began reading the parts of the letter he was requested not to read. He had no idea what its contents were, so he had nothing to do but wait for Ashley to read it.
But even in the times like this, the War was still going on.
One of the Royal Escorts, a Vanguard Enforcer quickly stepped into the room, bowed politely before he quickly whispered to Kyle, "Liege, the Spy Rings have reported that the Arachnus have brought out a fleet carrying classified cargo that is known only to the Empress... They're reporting that it's a possibility of a super-weapon of unknown technologies... They're requesting directions pertaining to the new development".
Kyle frowned and stepped aside momentarily as he turned around with the Vanguard, "Do we have any Spies acting as Cargo-Masters or acting as a High-Ranking Official?".
"We don't, Sir. The Arachnus have cracked down on High-Ranked Officials after the Super-Weapon fiasco where you seized it and many of our spies were demoted and transferred to irrelevant positions from Classified Information... We do, however, have a multitude of spies acting as a Cargo Workers... a whole team in fact".
"Would it be possible to have some strings pulled in order to have the team assigned to the Ship with some of the unknown cargo?", Kyle whispered softly, "I want the team to investigate and report the cargo".
"We'll see if we can get any of the Spies to work together to do that, Liege", the Vanguard bowed and walked out holding their ear-piece.
Kyle turned around to face Ashley with his brotherly smile. He asked her politely, "So Ashley... Would you be willing to join us in the Palace? You don't have to if you wish to stay... but I'd prefer if you stayed with us... To be...", he hated the following line due to its cheesy nature, but he needed to win her over, "... closer to family. Our. Family... there's only so many of us left".
Kelsy beckoned to Ashley, "Come on Sis... I promise, you'll love the palace".
"It's certainly not bad", Kyle chuckled, "I mean... I don't like the decor of the curtains; but the Staff keep complaining against my suggestion of velvet ones rather than the monarch-purple... How come they listen to your suggestions though?".
"I have fashion sense", Kelsy eyed Kyle up and down, "And while you certainly retain the fashion for men... I wouldn't trust you with decor of the Throne Chambers".
"Harsh", Kyle winced.
"It's not bad decor, mind you, but it's outdated. And... HUMAN".
"Even harsher", Kyle bit his lip, "Fair point. Maybe I'll just bug Ashley to get them to do what I want... IF, she comes along".
"That feels more like an incentive for her to NOT come with us".
"Women all over the Universe would fight each other for my attention. Some of my girls would argue that it's unfair that I'd bug her and give her so much attention".
"You're so cocky".
"And the Empire loves me for it", he cleared his throat, "Ashley? We would like your answer now. The war continues and I will have to begin writing up plans for our impending siege".
Ashley seemed almost delighted; as though the argument and attempts of persuasion was unneeded, "Of course I'll come! You didn't even have to convince me!".
"Oh...", Kyle glanced at Kelsy before he smugly turned up his nose, "Told you my irrefutable charms would come through anyways".
Kelsy scoffed, "So cocky and full of yourself".
"You're full of me too".
"What does that mean?".
"You know what it means ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)", it's Kyle's 'sexy lewd' face again.
"Do I?".
"Do you want me to demonstrate?".
"I'll pass".
"You sure? I think Yang would want a round with me considering I've yet to ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) her".
"Li-Liege, w-we're lagging behind schedule".
"Shit. Alright Hartigan; I've taken Ashley Steele out of the school under direct imperial orders effective immediately. Here's the legal papers that you should hand to the Headmaster and to the Parents as soon as possible. We shall be leaving.
Come along Little Sis, we've got Spidey-Peeps to piss off, a Bigger Sis to pester and a Big Bro to love".
"Why are you referring to yourself as a seperate entity?".
"Because I can", they filed out with Ashley following right behind Kyle and Kelsy, "I've seen it in some of the films too. Stupid Characters like to talk of themselves from the 3rd perspective. Figured I'd give it a try".
"Embracing your nature, are you?".
"Geez; who pissed in your coffee this morning, Kelsy?".
"A certain somebody".
"Come on, it wasn't piss... it was just some creme".
"AHEM", Kelsy shot him a glare.
"... It was funny though".
"No. It wasn't", she turned up her nose.
...
...
"Sir, your presence here will prove to be the difference we need between victory and defeat", as soon as he arrived; the Lieutenant-Colonel in Command saluted him.
This was the stage for a massive defense the Crucian Empire had prepared in the face of the impending Arachnus Assault. The Arachnus need to capture this Base in order to gain control of all the Ground-To-Space Beams riddled through the System and to gain the system in its entirety.
There was no other choice; since this was a critical choke-point that could be an incredible asset for the Crucian Empire if they decide to invade further into Arachnus Territory.
The Lieutenant-Colonel in command was Xartis (Sartis) Grilhem, a War-Hero who was promoted from his positioning as a Major for his work in the Altmeri-Crucian War a while back.
Kyle nodded to Lieutenant-Colonel Grilhem, "Do not mind my presence, Colonel. You may go about your day as per usual. I will in the Command Deck should you need me".
He walked away.
...
...
The Siege of Mariposa; 2 Minutes before the Arachnus enter Orbit
The base was fortified to the best of their ability. Shield generators were up and running all around the clock to maintain an anti-artillery dome to prevent the base from being hit by a Cruiser's artillery beam. The Enforcers stationed knew they were taking part in an epic battle.
One that could very much decide the outcome of the war.
Mariposa Military Base is a critical and integral position to Kyle's grand scheme to wipe out the Arachnus in this universe and the next. If they lose the position; it would not only severely damage the strategic advantage that the Crucians have; but also severely damage the military for the sheer amount of armed forces having been stationed across several bases in the sector.
Mariposa is simply the most important because it acted as Headquarters for all Anti-Cruiser Beams riddling the surface of most planets. Mariposa was also the fore-front planet in the system to where the Arachnus would enter from.
The Crucian Fleet was stationed along the edge of the Sector; with the bulk of the remainders being stationed all along the border in preparations for a storm once he gives the signal.
An Enforcer Marine raised his black visor to salute his Commander before speaking, "Commander, we have system confirmation that the Arachnus have entered the System. 10 Enemy Fleets have entered the system. 7 of the Fleets seem to be specifically intent on attacking Mariposa; the remainder are splitting to the other outposts".
"Then it has begun", Kyle grimaced as he connected with the Harbinger, "Victoria; keep your signature masked and stay in close-orbit over the sun. If you're spotted; you're clear to run the overdrive on the Plasmic Lance to ward off any assaults on you".
"Understood... Stay Safe, Commander".
"No promises, Victoria", he turned to the Enforcer Marine, "Gather the Men. I'll give a speech and we'll get ready for the first wave".
...
With the massive platoon of Enforcers who knew of the suicidal defense they were on; their unease was more than excused.
Leviathans silently prayed to their Goddess quietly for safety as they stand amongst each other and come to terms with the suicidal defense they were to take a part in.
Elven Troopers huddle together, hugging each other and giving heart-felt farewells as they understood the grim chance of survival they all had. They knew they may never see each other again, yet they knew they were playing an integral part.
UNSC Marines were serene. They have faced similar odds in their past against 'The Convenant', and they have confidence that they would come through victorious... yet they knew it wouldn't be without their own losses.
With people under his gaze, Kyle cleared his throat and began in earnest.
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Empire,
We are all different from each other. Humans, Elves, Leviathans... we all have a hatred for each other, I do not ignore that fact. Our races couldn't care less if the others went extinct, and we all don't have any real attachment to most members of the rival races.
I understand that. Some would say I share the sentiment of the common leviathan: Hatred of everything not Leviathan because of a sense of superiority.
They're wrong. I don't believe in such a thing. I only have the sentiment of superiority over any Empire that doesn't stand as a part of our Imperial Might. Together, we all stand unified under 1 banner, the Banner of the Crucian Empire.
Some of you may have been forcefully integrated. Some of you may hate the Empire and me in particular. Others may embrace the Empire; and some of you are undoubtedly devoted to keeping the Empire alive.
Today, we all stand together against a common threat: The Arachnus Empire. The Crucian Empire is YOUR Empire, whether you like it or not. Your Families are a part of the Empire. Your Friends are safe at home, waiting for your return. Here you are, at the head of a grim defence that plays an integral role in keeping those you care of safe back home.
The Arachnus Empire have terrible plans for those you care about. They plan to enslave the few of us they see fit, and execute the remainders. They will be hitting us today with everything they have in hopes of accomplishing that goals.
Thankfully, the Empire has your brave, loyal souls all gathered here today to work together to ensure that those Spider-Fuckers won't succeed. Today, we assure a Crucian Victory. Today, we shall repair our walls with the bodies of the Arachnus, and squash them as the pests they are for a better future.
Today, we are unified under the Crucian Banner, and stand against the Arachnus in an attempt to secure our dominance. You do not need to love the Empire. You don't even need to like it.
You simply need to know the Empire is your home.
The Arachnus plan on taking it.
And it is our duty to make sure we send them out of the house with teh door hitting them on the ass.
So whaddaya say... Shall we butcher us some spiders?".
"Yes!", shouted the Leviathans.
"Shall we secure our dominance?", he smirked.
"Yes!", cheered the Elves.
"And most of all... shall we stand... Unified?".
"Yes Sir!", shouted the UNSC Marines.
"Who are we?".
"The first to stand!".
"Who are we?".
"The last to fall!".
"Who are we?".
"The Bravest Lads!".
"Who are we?".
"The Enforcers' Men!".
"Who are we?".
"The Authority!".
"Who are we?".
"The United Command!".
"Who are we?".
"The Crucian Empire!".
"Long Live the Empire! Long Live the Emperor! Long Live the Empire! Long Live the Emperor!", the chanting echoed the base roaringly as Kyle stood smiling at his stand.
The dull rumble of war was in the air.
The battle begins.
Kyle calmly smiled down to his troops, and gave the order, "To your stations. The Enemy are bringing themselves down upon us... and it's our job to take them off their cloud and bring them falling towards the sky".
...
He lowered his visors down over his face as the rain begins to beat down upon the base. Raindrops splattered against his visor as his Plasmic Pistol gave a soothing glow at his hip with his rifle armed and ready to dispense torturous pain.
Death's Messenger was finally taken off the Harbinger and was being put to use once more. Its spray-painted black and yellow hadn't been scratched in the slightest; its firing mechanisms still fresh as new.
He flipped the plexiglass sight up and began calibrating it to his optical FAS system.
The Leviathan HCOG is similar in design to the IMC & Federation's standard issue; but Leviathan-Technological Superiority has made it so that the HCOG was capable of adjust zoom to 3 different optical zooms.
The Lieutenant-Colonel calmly began directing command from his safety inside the central Command Building.
This was also a test on his subordinates. If they were incapable of maintaining defenses; Kyle would reveal himself, utilize his formidable might before taking control and acting as a Superior Officer once more.
He was playing rogue Pilot until further notice.
The first pods breach the atmosphere as a rainstorm of countless metal canisters holding arrays of troops containing Arachnus Troops start coming down.
The beat of the drums begin.
War was coming for Mariposa.
This was something Kyle never went through before... and he was going to do it without a chance for reinforcements. Yet, he was calm.
He was serene as the world echoed the sounds of thousands of pods slamming down and the cacophony of Arachnus shouts came from the woods opposite of the small plains that sits affront of the base.
The Base was pushed right up against a mountain, and was surrounded from its sides with plains.
Arachnus Troops could breach into the mountain and descend from above; but they would be forced to survive a 100 meter drop into the base and pass the automated turret system aimed at the skies.
He quickly began running and jumping with his jump-pack; floating gracefully through the base as he leaped over boundaries, climbed over buildings and vaulted easily over obstacles.
He decided he would try and frighten the approaching mass of enemy troops.
"This is Lieutenant-Colonel Grilhem. We have visual confirmation of an encroaching army of Arachnus Troops with several unidentified races grouping in bulk opposite of the North Plains. All Troops are to prepare for a charge and have their Snipers ready to fire upon my order".
Kyle radioed in, "All Units, this is Emperor Steele. I will be running out to cast a speech upon the Arachnus. I will cast fear and doubt upon them and expect all Troops to begin firing enmasse the moment I turn around".
"My Orders still stand; but all other units are to prepare accordingly to the Emperor".
Kyle left the base and was walking right in front of the Arachnus within minutes.
Abruptly, a Droider... or a Male Arachnus as they are more known as sent the 'hold-up' signal, causing the entire mass of alien troops to stop moving forward abruptly. The Droider narrowed his eyes at Kyle before speaking out with a tone on the verge of being hostile, "I am General Marxis of the Web Brettigan. Who dares approach us?".
"I, am Emperor Steele the Fourteenth", Kyle sneered imperiously, "I am here to give your army a simple warning of what will happen should they move forward any more".
He smiled as his voice soon thundered over the Rival Army.
"How does it feel? Knowing that all your efforts will fail?
All that you've built will be torn down.
The hopes of your people assailed.
Form your armies.
Make your plans and plot your schemes.
Send your Fighters, one and all.
Then in battle, watch them FALL.
Sacrifice them for your needs.
Slaughter is coming, the end is drawing near you.
You'll regret your deeds.
The People you mislead.
You can watch them all bleed.
Your might cannot win.
The force of our steel against tin.
The blood of the people will be spilled for your sins.
Send your Guardians, they will fail.
Your Legends and Heroes will be crushed and perished.
It will be you, who ended their lives.
Their blood on the floor; payment for challenging someone you shouldn't dare tread over.
The People will turn.
No longer citizens, merely what-was-once tools pointed at the enemy to win a victory.
Hatred will sprout.
Suspicion grows Doubt.
Your Kind will be slaughtered.
Yet you will turn on each other.
Friendships begone, and Allegiances die.
That taste will be sweet.
The rage that will seethe.
You'll take what you've earned.
And you'll cry when it ends.
But know that...
We will...
Watch you burn".
He turned around, laughing terribly as the Arachnus's spirit is broken before even facing battle.
The thunder of thousands of Enforcer Rifles firing in collaboration echoes the plains as a huge shower of bullets come spraying from Mariposa. A few bullets nick and pierce through his body, but he smiled in satisfaction as the screams of pain behind him began to deafen his ears.
"Confirmed Effect on Target; 25% of Enemy Units are pulling a retreat".
"Bravo 2, one of 'em's trying to make a break for it. Take 'em down".
"Alpha 1 here, Enemy Officer is down. I repeat, Enemy Officer is down".
"Shit! Echo Team! We've got Enemy Spiders breaching through the walls of the Mountain! We need back-up to secure the cavern immediately!".
Wait, what?
Kyle began to run after hearing the last transmission. They breached the mountain? How did they do it that fast?
"Hartigan! They're coming from the walls!".
"Eleanor, look out! Spearman behind you!".
"Colonel! We're pinned down on the West Flank. We have an Arachnus Contingent forming and firing at our Positions on the Wall!".
"Foxtrot; reposition from the North and reinforce our West Flank. Zulu Team, move away from the East and go help the Southern Portion fight off the unknown force breaching through the Mountain".
"Those aren't spiders! They're like... Mantises!".
The screams of the dieing and gurgles of blood was apparent in the background of the radio as Kyle jumped over the walls with the use of his jumppack.
Gunfire was everywhere.
A bullet from somewhere behind him finds home into his left calf as he winced and landed. A few Enforcers charge past him with shouting of orders going in between them.
Their black boots beat against the dirt just as the rain starts to come down.
He took off running once more, holding his rifle in hand with a grimace beneath the visor as the Enforcer's Uniform began to cool from contact with the rain.
Aside from the standard-issue Black-Visored Helmet that was a signature of the Enforcer's Uniform; the main colours of the uniform were a mixture of a grim, lifeless gray and blood red.
Dark Tones for intimidation.
Kyle soon found himself at the back of the base; where the former-wall of the Mountain had come down to reveal a huge cavern that was easily 80 meters tall.
Surging out of it was...
"Zergs!?", Kyle was just as surprised as his Troops; who were being cut down in equal measure as they eliminated the Mantis-like-Snake-Insectoid Zergs.
An Enforcer is bounded by a Zerg's body before it brings its head down and begin mauling the Enforcer's head. Within moments, the screams of pain devolved into a gurgle followed by a snap as the Head comes off and the Zerg uncoils itself from its victim.
A Zerg falls as an Enforcer-Titan steps on it before smashing another one with its metallic, bloodied fist; spraying a nasty, vibrant green all over the mud and cavern floor as the Crucians struggle to keep them from invading the base.
"How the hell did they...", he paused and ran through his options, "A preliminary preparation on the eave of battle? No... Perhaps they're in league with the Arachnus? No, Kerrigan's an isolationist... Unless...".
He contacts Victoria, "Victoria; please identify what system we're in".
"Sector: Nymphalidae".
"Nymphalidae?", Kyle side-steps a smaller Zerg that rushes ahead. He gives a fierce pilot-style roundhouse kick to its face; sending it reeling before unloaded a few bullets into the back of its skull until it drops like a fly, "... Victoria, cross-reference with the Map of the Triangulum. Dated shortly after the Defeat of the Dominion".
"The Sector: Nymphalidae was part of the formerly-restricted area of the 'Zerg Rush'".
"Figures", Kyle fired a few shots at the Zergs that continue to rush into battle from the huge cavern, "I knew something about this general sector felt familiar. Thank you Victoria", he cuts the connection and began thinking once more.
Many planets within the Sector must be hosts to Nests of the Zerg. They may be attacking the other outposts; and if they are... well... he'll have to hope for the best. There's little he can do to help from his position.
If worse comes to worst, he could always rain down a plasmic fire to wipe out the planet's surface.
In any case; there's nothing he can do now except adapt to the case.
The Titans were making short work of the Zergs; but the Arachnus still press from the remaining walls.
Kyle dashes aside as a Zerg rushes him, and fires a KRABR round straight into the back of its skull as the bullet breaches the chitinous plating and disintegrate what little sat inside its head.
He ducked under another swing by a mandible of a Zerg before blasting its head wide open with his Rifle planted right in its open mouth. He winced as the bullet in his calf continues to agitate his body.
And before he knew what happened, he felt a terrible pain blow straight through his forehead.
Like a really nasty headache, he winced as he tried to move away.
But finds his head firmly stuck in place. He soon noticed the apparent... spike that had literally impaled straight through his skull that was the source of the problem. He eyed the spike and discover it to be the spine of a Zerg...
A Zerg of which was massive and lurched forward slowly from the cavern's opening; firing out its spines left and right and impaling Enforcers and Troopers with ease.
He felt his body lift from the ground as the Zerg screeches.
The corner of his vision darkened as the cold grip of death began to wrap its fingers around him. Is this really his end?
The Zerg's mouth opened even wider as it begins to retract its spine with him impaled upon it. Was he to end his legacy in the belly of a Zerg?
He didn't live long enough to find out.
He blacked out before he could.
...
...
A Distant Memory
"I honestly thought we were playing Football".
"We are!", Kyle grinned to Cilcia, who sat next to him, "It's just... American Hand-Egg (Football), not the World Football".
"Do the people in the stands know?", Cilcia gestured to the Bleachers around them.
Kyle laughed as he shook his head, "No. Ted thought it'd be hilarious if we confused everyone by saying it's football, but not specifying which one. That was why he had me play Commentator rather than on the Field like he'd want me too... not that it matters; I'm not a member of the Team. I wouldn't play either way".
"Why are you commentator?", Cilcia asked, "And why am I up here?".
"To watch the game!", Kyle laughed, "And commentate. Willy isn't in today, so Ted figured I'd make a good enough commentator. Realizing this is my chance to make history for the school; I decided to take it".
"Well...", Cilcia blinked, "That still doesn't answer my second question".
"Wouldn't be fun unless someone I trust plays along", Kyle nudged her playfully, "You catch onto my jokes quicker than others. We'd keep the people interested even if most of them don't even like American Hand-Egg".
"Well...", she was hesitant.
This was going to piss people off.
Most of the students and parents in the bleachers came expecting a Soccer (It's Football!) Game, yet they will end up watching American Football.
Kyle took her hand, "Chill, Cils. We'll keep 'em entertained. You and I have got, hands-down, the best jokes in the School. We're comedians by nature, and my life is the running gag".
"Well...", she sighed and straightened up, "I guess I might as well try and keep this whole game running. Are your Sisters here?".
"Suzy's with the Cheerleaders to fill in for you", Kyle replied, "Lilly, Christine, Vanessa, and Athena came to watch. They're in the stands; near the front to the left there", he pointed them out, "Lilly's bringing them popcorn".
"They know you're commentating?".
"Yeah", Kyle replied, "Suzy knew about the joke... She might of accidentally blurted out what was going to happen during dinner. The rest thought it'd still be a good thing to watch; so they showed up".
"They like American Football?", Cilcia asked.
"Not too fond of it", Kyle shrugged, "But they figure it'd still be entertaining with us as Commentators".
"They're starting", she nudges him just as the Football Teams begin to line up.
People are immediately confused.
Why are Boys in American Football Gear coming onto the field?
And now that they think about it... why would soccer be played on an American Football Field?
With the national anthem and the standard obligations out of the way, that game was about to begin.
As the teams began to line up, Kyle began to speak.
His voice was amplified by the speaker system installed near the bleachers, "Gooooood~ Morning Canada! It's a wonderful Saturday! The Birds are chirping, the sky's still blue, I didn't fall off the bed this morning and I actually woke up to my alarm!".
He smiled as he winked at Cilcia, "My Name's Kyle Lazer Wasser.. Laser with a Zed, and I'll be one of your hosts for the Game".
Cilcia took over with grace, "Indeed, today really is a beautiful day. Not as beautiful as me, but hey, we all can't be winners. My name's Cilcia Romana; Kyle's Partner-In-Crime, and I'll be your OTHER...", before whispering conspiratorially, "and better Host!".
"She's a wily one", Kyle winked at her before he continued, "Today, we're going to be seeing a good ol' game... of American Hand-Egg!", he grinned.
Cilcia corrects him, "American Football, Kyle".
"No, it's Hand-Egg", Kyle retaliates, "They hold that ball more than they kick it... and it's less of a sphere and more like an egg... Therefore: Eggball, which is: Hand-Egg".
"Kyle, you're pissing off the Americans".
"Well, too bad", Kyle smiled, "They're playing American Hand-Egg; and that's what we're watching... or actually, this is also International Egg-Ball-Foot".
"Egg-Ball-Foot?".
"You'll see, sweatheart. Now, lovely Cilcia, will you tell us who is playing?".
"Today: We're witnessing the Mowat Mustangs against the Laurier Longshanks".
"Longshanks!", Kyle exclaimed, "The term used to describe a Street Urchin who outgrows their gang!".
"Well, lets look at the Quarterbacks here", Cilcia replied, "It's Theodore Strombeck playing Quarterback and Desmond Miles for the Longshanks".
"Playing on Mustang turf, nonetheless", Kyle grinned, "That's why we're gracing the Commentary for the game. If Mister Miles isn't careful, he may find himself long-shanked a million miles from his home".
"Was that a joke?".
"Indeed".
"It sucked".
"Nothing new for me", he coughed, "Ah! It looks like the Longshanks will be kicking the ball first!".
The ball is kicked.
"And the game begins! That was a clean kick", Kyle began commentating, "Arc is pretty solid. I guess there's spin or rotatory force... or maybe I'm pulling all of this out my ass".
Cilcia gasped, "Kyle! Language!".
"English, my Dear", he replied, "I just spoke English".
A Mustang Player catches the ball... it was Jose; another one of Kyle's friends.
"Jose Regalado, catches the ball", Cilcia announced.
Kyle frowned, "Woah! Handball! Handball!"
Cilcia chimed in, "It's okay Kyle, he's the Goalie!".
"Oh... Is it okay for Goalies to be running at the other team's goal?".
"Why not?", Cilcia replied, "Shit happens".
"Language, Cilcia!", Kyle gasped.
"English, Sweet-heart", Cilcia sang in return.
Jose is tackled. Both Kyle and Cilcia give groans before Kyle announced, "Rest in Peace, Jose Regalado. A minute of silence for a dead player please... oh, and foul. Penalty Kick".
"It's a throw-in, Kyle", Cilcia replied, "God. It's not JUST American Hand-Egg. It's also American Hand-Egg-Foot-Ball".
"I'm sorry Cilcia", Kyle apologized, "I'm just shaking in my seat in anticipation, as I'm sure the audience is too. Now, the Egg is in Theodore Strombeck's hand".
"He's going to have to make sure that somebody gets that Egg", Cilcia commented, "Otherwise it'll go splat all over the floor".
"On the plus side; everybody could share an egg sunny-side-up if he messes up the throw", Kyle replied, "Though, the threat of the Longshanks pulling upon their Urchin talents and stealing the egg is also apparent... Don't let them steal the egg!".
"The egg is precious to the Mustangs... and... Oh? It seems the players have resorted to hugging...".
She was referring that the play had started; and the players were trying to shove each other aside while the Quarterback looked for an opening.
Ted throws the ball.
"By the sweet nectar of Laudanum!", Kyle gasped, "He threw the egg! We could very well have an omelet if it isn't catched; Ladies and Gentlemen".
"We both did skip on Breakfast, isn't that right Kyle?".
"Unfortunate, but sacrifices were made to enthuse the audience with our presence", Kyle replied, "Oh! Number 54 catches the Egg and is running towards the goal?".
"Handball! Handball!", Cilcia gasped repeatedly.
"Cilcia! It's okay! He's a goalie too".
"Is he?".
"I think so. Goalies can hold the ball... so he must be a goalie!".
"Or a dirty cheater!".
"Ooh, she does raise a good point", Kyle mused, "He could very well be cheating... Oh? It seems Theodore Stromboli is showing us the middle finger. Yes! We do see it! You do indeed have the finger!".
"Stromboli? You're making me hungry, Kyle".
"You know who else is Hungry? The Longshanks! They're voraciously hunting down the Egg! Oh my! What a tackle! What a foul! It's a coup!".
"What a coup indeed!? Tell me, Kyle, who tackled him!".
"Number 64... according to the spreadsheet... Thomas Matterson!".
"The Man!".
"The Myth!".
"The Legend!".
"Thomas Matterson!", they both howled.
Kyle suddenly gives out, "Ouch!".
Cilcia goes, "What's the 'Matterson'?".
"Hahaha!", they both began laughing.
A few others in the Bleachers seemed to be laughing too.
They were having fun.
That was all that mattered.
...
...
...
...
He blinked.
Wait, he blinked?
Only when the realization that he had blink had settled into his mind; only then did he realize what was happening.
Corpses of Countless Zergs are strewn all over the battlegrounds of the Soutern Area of the base. Dead and mutilated; some corpses look half-consumed as the blood on his uniform became apparent.
His visors were cracked from where the spine had once impaled him.
He touched his forehead.
Smooth and flawless as it always was... at least before taking a spine straight through it.
There was no blood around his face...
"Odd...", he frowned to himself.
"The Fuckers are squealing and running the other way!", an Elf was cheering, and that brought him back to pay attention to his surroundings.
He turned around to find rallied Enforcers, Authority Members and UNSC Troops rallied in a brilliant line all behind him. He blinked slowly as an Enforcer ran up to him, clutching his shoulder with tears running down their face.
They smiled in unbridled joy, "That was brilliant sir! You routed them yourself! You saved our lives!".
"I... did... what?", he blinked again.
"You took them head-on!", the Crucians were still cheering as the Zergs begin to flee back into the various cavern systems connected to the Central Cavern that was open to the base, "Cut straight through a good hundred of 'em on your own before you ripped the head of one and sent 'em running!".
"I see", he removed his damaged helmet with a grimace and threw it aside, "Then there's no use to the helmet anymore. Get some Men from Reaper Squadron and Members of Elven Authority and assign them to clear and hold the cavern", he frowned, "I'll go to reinforce the West Flank. Move your Men to the East Flank and reinforce it there. We believed Trappers and Swindlers are coming in for a pincer attack; so we best hold them off".
"Roger that, Commander!".
"At the trot Gentlemen! We have a base to hold!".
...
...
Elaine, Cilcia, Sydney, and Tillday were walking through a Underground Facility devoted to some of the illegal sciences that were banned by the Conventional Treaty of the Sciences made by the Federation during its infancy.
The Treaty was recently recognized as void; and some of the many illegal sciences were legalized for Government Research only as a method to find advantages to build their military might in order to prepare for the inevitable Leviathan Invasion that loomed in the distant future.
"London, England though?", Tillday didn't look the slightest bit different from how we last saw her.
She still had her blonde hair, had the white bandana-bow on her head and still had the same eyes.
"It isn't my decision where Callahan decided to place the Base", shrugged Elaine, "Not that it matters. Most of the Agents were former war-criminals, mercenary, or generally scum. A few here are Heroes though. We simply forced them together to form an Elite Organization similar to the Freelancer Program to aid in maintaining Unity in the Federation & Andromeda in order to keep ourselves at full strength for when Wasser brings his Empire calling".
"What's it called?", Sydney asked.
"Overwatch".
"Over... Watch?", Cilcia repeated with a raised eyebrow.
"Overwatch", nodded Elaine, "I didn't choose the name either".
"Right... And... what are they doing?", Cilcia began walking again.
"Right now? Overwatch is researching methods to make perfect assassins and ways to manipulate time... A last-resort measure to have them go back in time and assassinate Kyle".
"Though, I doubt it'll come to that", Elaine brought the group into one of the doors along the main hall, "Here, I want you all to meet somebody. Apparently, she's one of the few people we could come across who haven't heard of Kyle in some way".
"They exist?", Cilcia's mind looked blown.
"Indeed. She's one Overwatch's Test Pilots", explained Elaine, "They've been looking more into integrating FTL Technology into Fighter Pilots to grant them inter-stellar capabilities to prevent the need of having Fighters to re-dock with their Cruisers to leave Systems".
"Essentially, it's 'teleportation' then...", Tillday coughed.
"The Egg-Heads don't want to call it that", Elaine sighed, "But, that's not the point. The Woman I'm taking you to meet is actually one of the youngest Agents the Overwatch Program currently has".
"What's her name?".
"Lena Oxton; Callsign – 'Tracer'", Elaine took a small, brown keycard out of her persona before swiping it through an automated lock system, "She's a big fan of yours, Cilcia. She'll be damn-near starstruck to meet you".
"There's a few others too", Elaine calmly replied, "If Wasser ever turns up again, I have no doubt he'll catch wind of the facility and will sneak his way in. That's why I'm bringing you here. To have you help teach them what he's like in order for them to come up with potential methods to deal with him".
"So I'm coming in like a Teacher?", asked Cilcia.
"In a sense, perhaps", Elaine replied, "Callahan has already visited. Some liked him, others were fine with him. Nothing too crazy; though I did notice he seemed disappointed that they all didn't love him".
"Callahan does... tend to be a bit...", Tillday pauses, "Over...bearing at times".
"At times?", snorted Sydney, "The guy's a pompous ass who thinks the world is his oyster".
"Not an alien train of thought, now is it?", frowned Tillday in return, "Kyle thought of the world the same way".
"Less of an oyster and more of a mirror", Cilcia corrected Tillday, "He knew at the very least that if he wanted to make the world the way he wants it; he'd have to adjust himself to make something he would like to see".
"We can debate this later", frowned Elaine as they come to a stop before a holographic door, "Alright. This is an equipment station. Make sure to slip on a Pilot's Vest and take a Visored-Ballistic Helmet, bullet's are flying all over the place constantly; so it's best you be safe rather than sorry".
"Are they that proactive?".
"It's the only way to keep them sharp", shrugged Elaine, "They fight just about as good as Kyle during his Pilot-Grunt Days... if not, they could probably match up to Hellsing at their peak".
"Individually?".
"Individually", confirmed Elaine, "I'd say Widowmaker has a sharp enough shot to match Wasser... though she's not the only one".
"They can match his speed though?".
"Dunno. How fast can he shoot?".
"Fucking Fast", Cilcia coughed, "Fastest Shot in the Universe; I'd say. 100% accuracy and the fastest shot. It'll take a big team to take him out".
"Any possible tips you can give 'em?".
"Make Kyle think", giggled Cilcia, "When he thinks, he has little pauses every now and then. That's the best times to kill him".
"Fascinating", Elaine tightened the vest to her body before gently putting on the helmet, "Then all I need is to ask him a question".
"A difficult one", Cilcia chided her, "Or a sex-related one. Those are the only questions that Kyle requires time to think about".
"Any other question?".
"Well, less of a question and more of an action".
"What is it?".
"You send everything you've got at him".
...
...
His body was practically thrown off the base wall as the explosion rocks the Planet in its sheer magnitude. He landed hard into a small puddle of mud, blood, and rain; kicking up a splash as numerous members of his Empire fell after him.
An Enforcer atop of the wall screamed, "TAKE COVER! ENEMY DESTROYER-BEAM COMING IN!"; moments before a brilliant red light lit up the entire wall.
Kyle barely managed to press himself firmly into the mud fast enough just before a terrible heat ripped across all over his front and the screams of burning-agony filled the air. He could feel molten metal spill to join the puddle as steam rised into the air incessantly once the quick heat disappeared.
He opened his eyes and rushed back to his feet, picking up his dropped rifle on the way before he rolled into a piece of melted metal debris.
The wall had been incinerated apart; and Reaper Squadron (The Regiment Stationed at the West Flank) had taken heavy casualties. This battle was a struggle, he had to admit it.
His plans were all ruined when the newest batch of unidentified Arachnus Troops came in. They wrecked havoc and disorganized the defensive abilities of the base.
All automated security has damn-near shutdown; with only a few still-operational Titans walking about and a few squads of Isolated Spectre Droids still running to reinforce the walls.
He turned around and shouted at the top of his lungs, "GET A FUCKING MOBILE ARTILLERY BEAM HERE IMMEDIATELY! ENEMY DESTROYER-DROIDS ARE PUSHING IN WITH 2 PLATOONS!".
"I CAN'T FEEL MY LEGS!", an Enforcer was screaming to his immediate left.
"I-I WANT TO BE BACK HOME!", cried an Elf holding his own entrails inside his body, "I-I WANT TO SEE MY WIFE!".
Gunfire, Lasers, and Plasma began continuing in earnest.
Bullets and Lasers bounce all about his piece of cover as Kyle popped out of cover and took aim.
BANG
An Arachnoid that was firing at his position was gone; their head nothing more than a bloody pulp of gray and red.
BANG
His bullet bounced harmlessly off the carapace of a Beatloid (A Humanoid-Beatle Person. Part of the New Rush of Arachnus Troops who were brought in to capture Mariposa).
Kyle felt a bullet sink deep into his shoulder, causing him to hiss in pain as he sat back down behind cover; clutching it. He felt the acid inside the tip release and begin corroding his body, which only causes him to groan as a few more Enforcers slide into cover with him.
An Enforcer Marine to his right grabbed his shoulder and shouted, "Commander! The Cavern Walls have been secure! They're requesting orders!".
"Have them begin clearing out the tunnels", Kyle coughed, "Burn out the Zergs. Have the Flame-Elementals lead the way and fall in after them".
"Understood!", the Marine stood up; fired a few potshots before sprinting away; slipping through the mud as bullets snap and whiz past him.
Kyle popped out of cover once more and took a few more shots at the Beatloid coming at them.
He frowned and drew his Plasma Pistol.
He took aim.
PSH~
PEW!
The Plasma Pistol fires a glob of plasma, searing straight through the Beatloid's carapace as they begin screaming and clutching at the hole in their body.
An Elf with a bolt-action Rail-Rifle takes a shot right next to him.
WUB-WUB-WUB-WUB~!
PSHEW!
A super-magnetized .50 cal fires out of the barrel; sending the bullet straight through Enemy Troops as though punching through paper as nearly 10 fall to 1 shot alone.
Yet, for every 1 Trooper they kill; it seemed like 4 more replaced the gap.
The horde continues to approach.
Kyle gave another hiss of pain as he caught sight of a laser mere moments before he completely lost vision in his left eye and felt a terrible burn rip across his face.
He fell back and landed in the mud, shouting in pain as he brought his hand up to his eye socket.
"Commander! You're gonna be alright!", the closest medic slid through open fire; using the mud to her advantage before she came right up to him and hauled him out of the mud.
She brought his head onto her muddy lap as she ordered him, "Hands off the wound. I'll disinfect it, then bandage it to give it time to heal".
"Understood", hissing in pain once more, he brought his hand back to reveal to her the extent of the damage.
She grimaced, "You look like shit, Commander. No offense".
"None taken", he grinned a bloody grin with chipped teeth and a few broken ones, "I haven't taken a beating like this since I was a child. It's... invigorating, to say the least".
"Eye-Can-Tell", she chuckled slightly, "Sorry, I couldn't resist".
"Eye-Don't blame you", he returned the pun with a grimace, "I'll be handsome again within a week of rest... Here's hoping we all make it back home, eh Captain?".
"Here's hoping, Emperor", she quickly began bandaging his head, but with a sad smile, "At least if I die; I will have known I contributed to your survival; even if you could have survived on your own".
"Lost some of your own?", he asked.
"Yes, Sir", replied the Captain-Medic with a sad smile, "My Brother's dead. He took a laser straight through the visor. I couldn't do anything about it. My Husband's also been mortally wounded. We moved him into the make-shift infirmary in the Southern Area. They say he's likely to die from his grevious wounds".
"I'm sorry for your loss", he replied, "But know that they died for a good cause. When we return to Hearthfire; we no longer return as mere Soldiers... We return: as Heroes of the Empire".
"I better get a medal of some kind", she laughed.
"You'll be integrated into the Elite Force I have planned", he grinned, "Either join the Inquisition; or become a Huntsman of the Empire".
She brought her hands back, "A Huntsman of the Empire, eh? I like the sound of th-".
She didn't finish her sentence.
Before his very eyes, he could only watch helplessly as her head was blown wide open by a stray bullet that smashes straight through her skull.
He could only manage a sad grimace as he watched her body lifelessly land in the mud next to him.
"They're charging through the breach!"; only then did the apparent sound of insectoid feet scampering through the mud become apparent.
He rushed onto his knees and picked up his rifle once more before he pushed it into fully automatic and stepped out of cover.
Perhaps, in a surge of anger or courage, he decided to put himself straight into the firing line of practically everybody remotely near the Western Flank; which was being contested neck-and-neck by the Crucians and Arachnus.
Kyle spat some blood out of his mouth; alongside chunks of his formerly-picture-perfect teeth before he cursed, "This Universe is filled with nothing but problems. I can't let it go on the way it is", he cocked the rifle as all gunfire cease.
All eyes turn to him as everyone is left dumbfounded for a mere moment, "The only way I can let it continue... is TO RULE IT MYSELF"; the Crucians unload a hailstorm of bullets upon the Arachnus with a deafening cheer.
The Crucians rally within moments; and they begin pushing against the Arachnus Invaders.
For every Crucian who died; nearly 10 different Arachnus Troopers paid the price with their lives.
Within moments of slaughtering the Opposition and demoralizing them completely; they were routed.
They turn and begin sprinting for escape from the blood-thirsty avengers of the Huntsmen.
They don't get far.
Corpses were everywhere as the fighting finally dies down in the Western Flank.
The survivors were truly gored in their own blood and the blood of those they once knew.
The Emperor himself proved to be a fearful sight. With bloodied bandages wrapped hastily over his left eye socket and countless gashes and bullet wounds still dripping with blood and hasty medical attention.
His once white and gray uniform was stained with red that was a combination of his and his enemies.
Kyle took a once over at his troops.
Quite a few looked like they were going to be staying in the Hospital for years; even with treatment from nanodroids.
They looked like mauled victims, yet the fire in their eyes seemed to rage harder than before.
Kyle eyed the gash with a grimace... and quickly ran through some ideas to demoralize the enemies and to ward them off.
He gave the order once he came to the most efficient method, "Pile the Dead Bodies into the Breach. Cover it up with the corpses of their own kind and drape whatever remains you can all over the walls. Keep a skeleton-crew here and ward off any further attempts".
"Understood, Sir", the closest Enforcer saluted.
A crying Elven barely managed to sniffle before turning to him, blood and mud all over his leg; that looked like it was barely attached, "S-Sir... What about o-our dead?".
"... Take them and move them to the Cavern at the South", Kyle grimaced harder, "I will be going to the Eastern Flank to reinforce them. What little few of you can still fight; I want you to reinforce our attempts to clear out the Southern Zerg Nests. The Commanding Officers there can give you further orders".
"Y-Yes Sir".
...
...
2 Hours Later; the Eastern Fl-
"THEY'RE COMING THROUGH THE MUD!", the mayhem raged without delay; even as Kyle's combat prowess bloomed into its best.
The orders of the Lieutenant-Colonel didn't register with Kyle anymore. His attention was spent on surviving and killing every damn insectoid creature that dared to intrude upon Mariposa.
There was an absurd amount of blood on him.
His eyes were tainted red with the blood of popped vessels and a rage of unbridled caliber.
Guns were no longer being used.
Both Factions had expended their bullets on each other; and without time to go retrieve more, they had resorted to brawling bare-handed and with their melee weapons.
Kyle sweeped underneath a poleaxe before growling and dashing forward with his fists.
His gloved-knuckles smashed firmly against the side of the Behemoid (An Unidentified Race that stood at a terrible 7 feet tall. Ripped with muscles and looked like a Bull-Man then an Insect/Spider that was characteristic with the Arachnus).
It was the fantastical rendition of a Minotaur; but Kyle had heard whispers of the Empire calling them Behemoids until they could identify them probably.
With strength that would look more at home at something that wasn't Mortal, Kyle punched the Behemoid straight across it's Bull-face. It reels back; dropping its poleaxe as it grabs its snout in pain.
Kyle rushed forward, picking up the poleaxe along the way before spinning into a graceful maneuver.
He hoped for something that would be incredibly odd for Kyle.
'Please be a Male!'.
He spun and swung the poleaxe; dragging it through the mud with an under-swing. It flies straight up between the Behemoid's legs and slams the blade at home into its groin; straight through the leather armor that was padded there to protect the groin region.
There's a brief moment of silence.
It gives a squeak?
"A Bull just squeaked... I can't wait to tell Cecilia about it", he laughed and pulled the pole axe out.
He spun and slices the head clean off the Behemoid without any more interference; killing it with obvious ease.
Dashing forward once more, he shoulder-checks a Bee Girl off of one of his Elven Authority Officers before planting his feet to her throat and raising the poleaxe for a killing stroke.
Yet he stops when Victoria comes in.
"Unidentified Contact coming in from the Tunnels, Commander. All Hands in the Southern Flank are requesting for you to come down immediately".
He was about to reject the notion; but he stops when he realized that he had successfully routed the enemy force.
They flee with their tails inbetween their legs.
He sneered down at the bee girl before commanding a nearby troop, "Detain this Bee Girl until further notice. I will be helping in clearing out the Southern Caverns".
"Understood sir!".
...
"GARGH!", he ducked just in time as he entered the humid cavern. The corpse of an Enforcer Officer slams overhead and crumples to the ground.
The blood and gore on the ground consisted mostly of his own men.
A terrible figure loomed in the Zerg Nest; standing amongst her roasted kin.
"Sarah Kerrigan", he glanced at the fact that he was the only one standing against her, "What a magnificient duel. I apologize if I don't make quite the sight. I've been through more than a few scuffles recently", he smiled a broken-toothed grin.
"You may look horrendous", she eyed him up and down, "Yet I can tell your genetics are more than capable of breeding me a new breed of Zergs... Come forth and submit. Embrace the Zergs and become a part of the Horde...".
"No thanks", he threw his equipment down before cracking his knuckles, "I was never one for submitting".
"So you will feebly resist?", she asked.
"That's what I want to ask you", Kyle smirked, "Will you feebly resist?".
She narrowed her eyes before a small spike flies at him nimbly, "I won't feebly resist. I won't resist at all. YOU will".
He takes the spike without complaint; and merely hisses in pain before he was pinned against the cavern wall. She practically flew straight up to him and pressed her hands up to his throat, "And to think you are their 'God'... How sad".
She traced her fingers along his gored features with an analytical feel, "Such a charming specimen. You must be quite the heartbreaker", she narrowed her eyes, "I will enjoy breaking you".
"Who said anything about you breaking me?", he cocked an eyebrow, "You'll have to get in line even then. I have quite the list of people who want to break me. But if you're after my heart...".
She hissed and drew back a hand as a small little... leach? Slug Thing protrudes through her palm, "I'll cut the line".
Her hand dashed forward and her slug went straight down Kyle's th-
She is tackled immediately by nearly 10 different Enforcers; and she didn't even realize what had happened before she felt the butt of ten different rifles slam against her over and over.
Just before she could lash out in anger; a terrible shadow loomed over and she stared up.
"Goodnight, Sweet-Heart", he grinned and brought his boot down.
That dealt with the Zerg Queen.
He nodded to his Enforcers, "Excellent Work with managing to keep out of her perception. Brilliant job sticking to the plan".
"It's your orders, Sir", they saluted proudly.
He had planned out the encounter during his journey over.
While he enjoyed theatrics; he always did prefer efficiency where possible.
...
...
3 Days Later
"The Enemy Fleet is leaving the System in ruins. The Siege is over, Commander", Victoria chirped almost tiredly to him, "I'm bringing myself in to pick you up. I will require dry-dock maintenance once we return to Hearthfire".
"I need some maintenance myself", he winced as he lifted his face up to the mirror, "I need sleep too... But I'm still feeling good. We pulled it off".
"Commander", an Enforcer with more bandage than flesh stumbled into his personal quarters... which was wide-open to the rest of the base after an artillery laser shot straight through it on Day 2 of the Siege, "They're high-tailing it out of the system... Orders?".
"We're all getting aboard the Harbinger and going home", his voice was hoarse and his teeth still mending after being broken repeatedly over the days, "You're all getting medals and being inducted into our New Special Orders. You've all done me proud".
"Thank you... Sir", they still looked exhausted.
"Go ahead and gather your stuff", he sighed tiredly, "The Harbinger will be down within the next half an hour... We're all going home".
"We are?", that got their spirit lifting.
"We are...", he smiled sadly, "We lost a great number of Crucians, make no mistake... but today was a grim victory. Grim, but a Victory. We made them bleed".
"We certainly did, Sir", they smiled a peppy smile, "If I may be dismissed?".
"You are dismissed", the Enforcer walked away, a happier beat to each staggering step; careful on their make-shift prosthetic leg.
He silently watched the skies as he finally took the time to glance at his mark upon his left arm.
It had reached his elbow.
...
As he sat quietly on the Command Deck; watching silently as the MARVNs go about repairing the damages that the Harbinger had sustained during the 4-Day Siege, he was contemplating the massive hit he had taken.
As amazing as it was that he managed to sweep the Zerg Rush right underneath the rug by accidentally finding their nest and wiping it out using Flamers and some of the Nechroa Bio-Bombs, he was still sorely disappointed.
This battle alone, between both the Arachnus and Crucians have costed quite a bit of lives.
Here's the Battle Report to give you an idea.
'Battle Report: CLEARANCE OF LEVEL 5 OR ABOVE REQUIRED
OPERATION: INFALLIBLE
Participants
The Crucian Empire
3rd Enforcer's Regiment
"Reaper Squadron" (1st Enforcer's Regiment)
1st Battalion of Elven Authority
1st Elemental Enquiry Unit
The 4th Fleet
The Arachnus Empire
UNKNOWN COMPOSITION
Zerg Horde
UNKNOWN COMPOSITION
Casualty Report
Crucian Empire
Total – 1,000,000
Deceased – 893,120
Captured – 12
Survivors – 6,868
Total Cruisers – 1,240
Decommissioned (Permanently Damaged Beyond Repair) – 839
Destroyed – 440
Still In Active Service – 1 (The HARBINGER)
The Arachnus Empire
Total – 10,000,000 (Approx)
Deceased – 957,100 (Approx)
Captured – 12,000
Survivors – 30,900
Total Cruisers – 10,290
Decommissioned (Permanently Damaged Beyond Repair) – 9,290
Destroyed – 490
Still In Active Service – 510
Zerg Rush
Total – 14,000 (Approx)
Deceased – 13,999
Captured – 1
Survivors – 0
Total Cruisers – 0
Decommissioned (Permanently Damaged Beyond Repair) – 0
Destroyed – 0
Still In Active Duty – 0
Identified Personnel'
The rest of the report is quite obsolete and inconsequential for us, so I'll avoid wasting both my energy and yours.
With casualties like that, he had to call off the Offensive to give time to repair the Harbinger and begin manufacturing more Cruisers and Dreadnoughts to replace the Decimated Fleets. He would also have to make a new enlistment program to encourage more citizens to remake the Decimated Military Platoons who operated in the battle.
Yet, that could wait.
All he wanted right now, was some sleep.
He was tired. He was battered.
He felt his worst in a long time. Yet even then...
A feeling of satisfaction welled up inside him.
He had won.
Even IF the costs were high.
...
...
Author's Note -And that's this chapter, folks! Unfortunately (And once again), I have little to nothing to say about this chapter other than a quick notification!
Characters from Overwatch (The New Game that was released), WILL be making appearances in this story!
Until then, I wish you all the best of luck in your day-to-day lives!
And thank you all for willingly using up your time to read this Fanfic!
It's nice to know that even though people still have their own lives; they're more than willing to spend time to read what I write!
Until Next Time!
- Goodnames-alltaken