The transport gunship, flanked by six HKs in strict formation, shot over the forest. Skimming just above the thick branches. The cries of startled birds and animals exploded from the leafy forest as they flew overhead. This was of absolutely no concern to SkyNet, and by extension, those on board the transport. All that mattered in all of existence, was the current mission. Nothing was worth failing the mission. Nothing. Maybe at some point, SkyNet would see fit to change the mission and then, the new mission would be all important. Until then, there was nothing they would not sacrifice, no task too heinous.

The forest was young and not yet very tall. How it was growing at all in these radiation infested territories was a mystery in itself. A secret that SkyNet was not currently attempting to probe into. It had far worse things to think about. For example, five separate Terminator forces had been lost in this region and regions like it. SkyNet could find no explanation; supposedly, the radiation was still too high for biological live to exist in any normal capacity, and yet this clearly was incorrect. The only plausible reason this could have happened was if an outside agency had taken steps to reduce the radiation and had already beaten off multiple probing attacks. Thus, this task-force. Eight of the new T-101 supported by six HKs and all the fire-power that the gunship could bring to bear. SkyNet was anticipating a quick end to the fight and a speedy return to normality.

Fat chance of that.

The leading HK had already gone into tracking mode, scanning for any threats or targets. The others quickly followed and together, they were able to offer the transport all the protection it could possibly need .

Closing on destination. Hostiles spotted: 0. Kills: 0. Losses 0.

Smoothly, they changed formation. Fluidly, the highest of high technology incorporated into their bodies making it little effort to achieve speed and control that any human pilot would have trouble keeping in hand. The machines did it with ease, as if performing or attempting to awe anyone who might be watching. Someone was certainly watching, but they were not awed.

__

It was dark in the command bunker, a defuse red light was just enough to let them work by but not enough to allow them to make out distinctive features of each other. This was the way the commander liked it, and who were they to argue with him? The one who had saved them from their own, doomed existence and brought them here to this forest, where they could rebuild and rise again?

Boris was watching the main display as it zoomed in on the intruders, he spat, " Bah," he said in a heavy Russian accent, " back home we eat tougher things for breakfast."

A man was outlined by the red light, sitting in his throne of a chair, one hand resting on the battle-control linking system. His uniform was, as always, spotless. He wore his medals with pride, every one of them from a long career in the armed forces. His face was obscured by the darkness, but one could make out the pistol strapped to his side well enough.

" A bigger force this time," he said, his accent not as strong as that of his comrade, but enough to show that he was indeed Russian. " it suspects."

" It would be a fool not too," Boris countered, " we can let them pass if you will, continue to build up our forces."

The man -- the Commander -- seemed to consider this for a minute, " No, we risk discovery every minute we delay. We will end this charade now."

He raised his voice, " Patch me through to sectors two and three."

A mechanical voice answered from the screen before him, " connection established."

The commander leaned forwards, the red light bathing his face and upper body. Two faces appeared on the screen, both of them nodded to him in respect, " Commander."

" Generals," he said simply, " the time has come."

" You mean?"

" Yes, begin the next phase of the plan. We are prepared?"

"We are!" They answered at once.

He smiled, " Then let us take back the world that rightfully belongs to us, gentlemen. Red alert, prepare for war."

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SkyNet Sector 0059

The HK-assault force continued unaware of what was going on, until a sudden movement drew their attention, spinning, they opened fire and reduced the trees between them and the target to so much timber. For a minute, it was still and then.... It moved.

Unidentified tank Target lock, arming missiles

Inside the tank, the call came through, " Comrades, it is begun."

The tank commander grinned to himself, " Apocalypse tank, at your service."

Before the HK squad could act on their chosen course, the ground below them exploded . Flack filled the air as the trucks burst from their ambush points, More of the massive tanks loomed through the foliage and fired barrages of rockets, two of the HKs died then, the rest spun, returning fire with precision firing, but it wasn't enough. Out gunned and surrounded, they were ripped to pieces in the hail of shrapnel. The transport crashed to the ground trailing flames.

The T-101s were still intact however and fully capable of punching their way out of the wreckage. This they did, launching whatever weapons they had at the indistinct forms of the surrounding tanks. One of them died in a messy explosion as a plasma rifle hit something important. The T-101s adjusted their firing solution and were soon causing some damage as the tank shells thudded around them. They moved as well, using the trees to attempt to avoid return fire as they engaged the tanks and flak-trucks.

A sudden flash of boiling electricity threw one of the 101s roughly to the ground, it smoked gently, CPU cooked.

The other spun, their plasma weapons ripping apart the man who had taken one of their number. It was no use, however, and they knew it. The flak-trucks were unable to target them, but the tanks could,m and despite the fact that they were designed to engage other heavy-armour. A direct hit from one of their shells would easily dispose of a T-101. More of the figures were appearing through the trees and the Terminators switched to infantry mode, firing short, rapid bursts and felling as men as they could before they were overwhelmed.

There was a sudden storm of electrical power as all of the Tesla-Troopers opened fire at once, and contact was lost.

__

SkyNet sector C-46, Moscow.

For the first time, human air ships ploughed the skies above the ruined buildings. Explosions ripped across the dead city, sending Terminators flying as SkyNet forces mounted a desperate counter-attack.

The only SkyNet base in the centre was alive with activity as HK squads launched as quickly ass they could, roaring across the distance and spitting plasma at their targets, it was enough to fell many of the might war-Zeppelins, but their escorts quickly returned fire and the HKs were engaged.

Meanwhile, the Anti-air towers in the SkyNet base lit up as the enemy came upon them, with deafening shrieks and cries, the zeppelins fell, but enough were left, a single order was given and carpeting bombing initiated. The grinning mouths painted on the front of the Kirov airships seemed to be mocking SkyNet even as they obliterated them.

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Sector G-89

SkyNet base C-23 was totally unprepared as they came over the hill, like a line of marching ants, coming inexorably to crush the ones who had driven humanity to the brink of extinction. Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, more. Tanks of all seizes, many possessing ant-air abilities to deal with the HK squads dispatched to slow them.

When they hit the base, they hit it like a hammer. Gun-fire rang out as the perimeter defences kicked in, burning many of the tanks where they stood. Many more survived, and sheer numbers would have guaranteed their victory, even if nothing else had. The signature Soviet Apocalypse Tank was of course on the front-lines, forming the spearhead even as it crashed through the walls. Ednos swarmed around them like insects, but they were picked off by the accompanying infantry. A Kirov airship rose in the distance, trailing a Soviet banner in the sky for the first time in many years, as the SkyNet base burned to the ground.

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Command Bunker.

The Commander relaxed into his seat as the reports were sent directly to him.

" It worked perfectly" he said, " SkyNet was caught unprepared for the Soviet Union's return, they were crushed underfoot in many engagements. We have taken land in several dozen areas. MCVs are being dispatched to build up footholds now. We will hold this land until our dying breath, SkyNet is reeling, and we can launch many new attacks. And reclaim this world for the Union."

" So, Commander, does this mean its over?"

The Commander, the one who had been there, been there to guide the Union so many times in the past, smiled " No, comrade. It has just begun."

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