Thus Saith the Lord (PT-PMT) (Semi-Open) (IC)

[The Rapture Republic]

Kafair, Palace

Zakkin calmly walked from the fighter, towards where he knew the meeting was happening. Walking through the corridors, with a face that looked like murder. He nodded to the guards, and entered. Walking to Drakkin, and speaking in low, hushed tones...

"Zkto's been shot. His train was bombed. Two military divisions have gone rogue. New Asan has been hit by a chemical attack. Its our ball, Drakkin. We're being recalled, now."

Drakkins face turned pale as a ghost. He stood, and nodded to Zakkin, before turning to the delegation.

"I am sorry about my abrupt departure- But the Civil War has begun. We are being recalled..."

He glances at Mercer, clearing his throat, and speaking so that only Mercer, and SilverNet, will hear.

"Zkto' has been shot."

He then turns on a heel, and walks out, quickly. Zakkin following, as they head for the fighter...

"It seems the show has officially begun. " Said John Mercer in response to the news received by Drakkin, the Representative for War Minister Ztko Teno. Mercer would signal SilverNet to follow in the same direction as Rep Drakkin, a portal would blast open in front of Drakkin before he could react in time and was already on the other side of it as John Mercer wished Drakkin to along with him. It was to be a magical journey to Uvoan as the military firepower of the Leviathan Republic would be unleashed upon the enemies of Ztko. As Drakkin found himself on the other side of the portal he would have probably notice he was standing inside of a command control, it was very futuristic in his eyes, and if he was a fan of science fiction movies or franchises, he would know it was a bridge that could only be found on a spaceship/voidship. In terms of the vessel he was teleported it would be referred as a voidship as the RDF Chancellor Class Dreadnought as these types of spaceships were capable of transcending time and space and freely travel in the immaterium without succumbing to the demonic entities that dwells in immaterial realm. Finally, John Mercer and SilverNet would enter the bridge from the portal, where it would disappear behind them. John Mercer would give a smile and starting asking to Drakkin. "Welcome abroad, the RSF Chancellor. Today our destination will be the Glorious State of Uvoan. Please find a seat and wear a belt at all times." Mercer would say in a voice very akin to Captain's voice on a passenger finding himself a seat at a command chair looking towards the monitor screen, revealing that the vessel was already ascending from the ocean floor, rising high above the clouds and entering into the stratosphere at full speed though given the gravity generators this was not felt or notice at all.

"Drakkin, my friend." Said the Chancellor, resting in the aforementioned chair. "Can you inform me of all the affairs your beloved Fatherland has been doing lately before Lord Zkto was shot by heretic?" His eyes at Drakkin turned to a hovering 'torture' drone similar in shape and size of the one used by Darth Vader on Princess Leia or was that Han solo in the Star Wars Movies. So, saying no, to the Chancellor wouldn't be the wisest of options, when regarding his actions in the meeting in mocking dismissal of human lives. SilverNet read: "10 minutes until arrival in Uvoan." from the monitor, which the varying information presented on the monitoring screen was in latin, which was the official language of the Rapture Republic and its brilliant denizens.

30 seconds until we arrive in New Asan was reported SilverNet from reading the monitoring screen and for those soon to have eye-witness of the might of Aquarian technology, the physical appearance of the RSF Chancellor would bear resemblance to a cuttlefish or squid, with a bulky semi-cylindrical body, a tapering plate over the rear and five tentacle-like "legs" or arms extending from its front end, in addition to six jointed legs extending from its body. The rear-most of the larger legs have crescent-shaped extensions. And in terms of the size being a dreadnough class warship would be two kilometers as it would cast a large shadow, when it descended upon the port city of New Asan. However, in terms of weaponry and firepower that would remain ominous mystery for unsuspecting/suspecting victims.

RSF Chancellor Appearance found here.

[Yegla Islands]

Approximately 200km away from New Asan
Open seas

The Adrianna seemed to slow as it approached some invisible mark. Its escorts were surfacing, one by one. Three Aegaeon-class cruisers, four Charon-class destroyers, and a single Krugis-class active defense vessel. Far too much protection for mere pirates - but then, these waters were home to more than just pirates. Now, the warships deployed their turrets, the gunners already searching for targets to lock onto. Such things were plentiful - the rebels had clearly seized a sizeable chunk of navy. Not sizeable enough.

On the bridge, captain Sheremetyev was confused once more.

"A... freighter? And it's flying the flag of Kafair? What sort of... you know what? Never mind that. Don't target it. If it's a freighter, it won't do us much harm. Although an arsenal ship isn't out of the question. Redirect the batteries aboard one of the Charons to have it locked, but hold fire until hostile action is detected. And I want the Krugis to be on standby at all times - if I don't see you firing at the first sign of a missile, heads will roll."

Now the mighty kinetic batteries had found their targets. A few seconds of charging was all it took - the capacitors were primed, the rounds were chambered. Sheremetyev grabbed the transceiver once more.

"FIRE!"

The shots rang out over the expanse of ocean, as rods of high-density alloys made their way towards their targets at mach-10. There was no need to search for weakpoints - the data gathered during Uvoan's modernization deal gave the targeting software plenty of material to work with.

At the same time, the Adrianna itself was abuzz with activity. Its side gates slid open, and a series of elongated shapes seemed to hop into the water from within. These were Koschei units - eight-man amphibious combat vehicles. Now, ten of them were making their way across the seafloor, trudging towards the theatre of battle. A few transport craft followed, not far behind.

---

YIV Izumrud
Brig

The commissar listened to Adama's muttering. The microphones in the cell could barely pick up most of it, but a few sections were audible.

"What do you mean, "your failure"? You had very little to do with this, I'm afraid. Though I suppose if you mean your failure to prevent a civil war, then yes, your actions have helped little."

He sighed.

"I understand, in some small way, the justifications for your actions. But now is not the time for subterfuge and plots - I'm afraid we're going to have to go in there and clean up this mess. For once, Uvoan does not stand alone."

[Veise]

//Reinserting this little bit from my most recent post.

Shortly before her ultra-stealthy disappearance, Franziska couldn't help but utter a "What a pathetic little man. How fun is it on the receiving end?" as Mercer went through the portal.

[Uvoan]

The behemoth of a ship stopped at the harbor. It was a container ship, old and clumsy. The ship was able to sail by the Uvoan battle zone, with it flying an unknown flag. Most assumed it was some small far off nation. It was a flag with a large sun, and 19 stars around it. Nothing too strong. As it pulled in, a group of 10 large hover robots began to lift the two huge containers, each the size of a transport ship. As the massive cargo ship pulled away, the robots, all bearing the same flag moved in the direction of the hospital. People, not recognising it, apart, avoiding the bots, as they had a few weapons on em. As they arrived at the hospital, the constant shelling was still happening. Seeing the shells continuing, 5 bpts with one container turned towards them and moved on. The other 5 dropped their container. Then, they waited. Seeing the huge guns, the 5 bots sent to them set down their containers. A small group of Uvoan troops came to investigate. Seeing Nothing odd, they look into the containers. Than they were blown back. The containers collapsed away, seeing troops. Troops with turbans and swords. The Kafairians had arrived. The same flag was raised,and the men formed ranks. This was no small national flag. This was the flag of the 19th Interdiction Force. 30,000 men, sent to to help Zkto' win this war. As the troops yelled at the Uvoans, and they turned to see this hug force appear out of nowhere, the men yelled, and charged at the guns, weapons blazing and grenades flying. They were dropped behind the trenches, so they had surprise. May the Sun have mercy on their souls. The other 15,000 set down near the hospital burst out of their container, and charged the rebels. Caught off guard, they Kafairans slammed into them, and the battle intensified.

At the artillery guns, the troops had been caught entirely off-guard. The artillery had been quickly over-run, but the Uvoanians, highly outnumbered, had proved incredibly fierce in close-quarters combat. Pistols and rifles firing until the last round, and then knives and bayonets slicing into troops which weren't fast enough. The artillery guns fell, one by one, as the crews turned into fighters.

At the Hospital, the surprise had been total, with the Kafairians troops easily over-running the distracted rebels. The thick gas-cloud had made long-range fighting difficult, and the Uvoanians were brutal in close quarters- Showing no mercy, and fighting dirty. Cracking gas-masks, stabbing troops with knifes soaked in chlorine, and suicidal attacks with grenade... But the two sides were clear. Zkto's troops were the ones fighting much more nastily than the rebels. Gouging out eyeballs with knifes, and having little to no mercy on there fallen foe.

The same officer from earlier walked over, twirling a ceremonial sword. "How nice of you all to join us!" He yelled over the sound of the battle. "Fill in the defensive lines, and prepare to repel an assault!" He called, as his own forces rallied.

---

Approximately 200km away from New Asan
Open seas

The Adrianna seemed to slow as it approached some invisible mark. Its escorts were surfacing, one by one. Three Aegaeon-class cruisers, four Aegaeon-class destroyers, and a single Krugis-class active defense vessel. Far too much protection for mere pirates - but then, these waters were home to more than just pirates. Now, the warships deployed their turrets, the gunners already searching for targets to lock onto. Such things were plentiful - the rebels had clearly seized a sizeable chunk of navy. Not sizeable enough.

On the bridge, captain Sheremetyev was confused once more.

"A... freighter? And it's flying the flag of Kafair? What sort of... you know what? Never mind that. Don't target it. If it's a freighter, it won't do us much harm. Although an arsenal ship isn't out of the question. Redirect the batteries aboard one of the Charons to have it locked, but hold fire until hostile action is detected. And I want the Krugis to be on standby at all times - if I don't see you firing at the first sign of a missile, heads will roll."

Now the mighty kinetic batteries had found their targets. A few seconds of charging was all it took - the capacitors were primed, the rounds were chambered. Sheremetyev grabbed the transceiver once more.

"FIRE!"

The shots rang out over the expanse of ocean, as rods of high-density alloys made their way towards their targets at mach-10. There was no need to search for weakpoints - the data gathered during Uvoan's modernization deal gave the targeting software plenty of material to work with.

At the same time, the Adrianna itself was abuzz with activity. Its side gates slid open, and a series of elongated shapes seemed to hop into the water from within. These were Koschei units - eight-man amphibious combat vehicles. Now, ten of them were making their way across the seafloor, trudging towards the theatre of battle. A few transport craft followed, not far behind.

---

POST IS UNFINISHED

The Ticonderogas and Arleigh Burkes exploded on impact of the rods. Missile and ammunition storages going up, as the light PT boats darted around. Some were swamped simply by the shells impacting- Others managed to ride the chaos out, and started organizing. A skipper grabbed his radio. "Long-range fire, Long-range fire! We need support!"

"Negative, PT-33. Negative. Return to port, and prepare for naval battle. Elements of the First Armada are fifteen minutes out- Coming in from sea."

"... Affirm, Command." He set the radio down. "Return us to port! We don't want to be caught at sea when this shit goes down!"

BBGN-01 'Zkto' Zovban' - 2,954
BBGN-02 'Zakkin Teno' - 2,950
16x CG Ticonderoga - 5,280
2x CVN 'North Ridge' - 8,932
32x DDG Arleigh Burke Class- 9,696
16x LCS Freedom Class - 1,040
16x LCS Indepence Class - 1,200

4x Supply-class fast combat support ship - 3,712

Air-Wings -
CVN North Ridge Class 'Birch' -
40x P/F-36 'Herald' Air Superiority Fighters
30x P/F/A-36C ‘Sea Herald’ Multi-Role
10x P/G-30 ‘Massacre’
Total : 130 Personnel

CVN North Ridge Class 'Oak'-
40x P/F-36 'Herald' Air Superiority Fighters
30x P/F/A-36C ‘Sea Herald’ Multi-Role
10x P/G-30 ‘Massacre’
Total : 130 Personnel

120x 'Special' SpecOps Personnel

Total = 36,144

Kafair, Palace

Zakkin calmly walked from the fighter, towards where he knew the meeting was happening. Walking through the corridors, with a face that looked like murder. He nodded to the guards, and entered. Walking to Drakkin, and speaking in low, hushed tones...

"Zkto's been shot. His train was bombed. Two military divisions have gone rogue. New Asan has been hit by a chemical attack. Its our ball, Drakkin. We're being recalled, now."

Drakkins face turned pale as a ghost. He stood, and nodded to Zakkin, before turning to the delegation.

"I am sorry about my abrupt departure- But the Civil War has begun. We are being recalled..."

He glances at Mercer, clearing his throat, and speaking so that only Mercer, and SilverNet, will hear.

"Zkto' has been shot."

He then turns on a heel, and walks out, quickly. Zakkin following, as they head for the fighter...

"It seems the enemies of my friend are desperate to be butchered like the pigs they are, it seems? What a shame. " Said John Mercer in response to the news received by Drakkin, the Representative for War Minister Ztko Teno. Mercer would signal SilverNet to follow in the same direction as Rep Drakkin, a portal would blast open in front of Drakkin before he could react in time and was already on the other side of it as John Mercer wished Drakkin to along with him. It was to be a magical journey to Uvoan as the military firepower of the Leviathan Republic would be unleashed upon the enemies of Ztko. As Drakkin found himself on the other side of the portal he would have probably notice he was standing inside of a command control, it was very futuristic in his eyes, and if he was a fan of science fiction movies or franchises, he would know it was a bridge that could only be found on a spaceship/voidship. In terms of the vessel he was teleported it would be referred as a voidship as the RDF Chancellor Class Dreadnought as these types of spaceships were capable of transcending time and space and freely travel in the immaterium without succumbing to the demonic entities that dwells in immaterial realm. Finally, John Mercer and SilverNet would enter the bridge from the portal, where it would disappear behind them. John Mercer would give a smile and starting asking to Drakkin. "Welcome abroad, the RSF Chancellor. Today our destination will be the Glorious State of Uvoan. Please find a seat and wear a belt at all times." Mercer would say in a voice very akin to Captain's voice on a passenger finding himself a seat at a command chair looking towards the monitor screen, revealing that the vessel was already ascending from the ocean floor, rising high above the clouds and entering into the stratosphere at full speed though given the gravity generators this was not felt or notice at all.

"Drakkin, my friend." Said the Chancellor, resting in the aforementioned chair. "Can you inform me of all the affairs your beloved Fatherland has been doing lately before Lord Zkto was shot by heretic?" His eyes at Drakkin turned to a hovering 'torture' drone similar in shape and size of the one used by Darth Vader on Princess Leia or was that Han solo in the Star Wars Movies. So, saying no, to the Chancellor wouldn't be the wisest of options, when regarding his actions in the meeting in mocking dismissal of human lives. SilverNet read: "10 minutes until arrival in Uvoan." from the monitor, which the varying information presented on the monitoring screen was in latin, which was the official language of the Rapture Republic and its brilliant denizens.

30 seconds until we arrive in New Asan was reported SilverNet from reading the monitoring screen and for those soon to have eye-witness of the might of Aquarian technology, the physical appearance of the RSF Chancellor would bear resemblance to a cuttlefish or squid, with a bulky semi-cylindrical body, a tapering plate over the rear and five tentacle-like "legs" or arms extending from its front end, in addition to six jointed legs extending from its body. The rear-most of the larger legs have crescent-shaped extensions. And in terms of the size being a dreadnough class warship would be two kilometers as it would cast a large shadow, when it descended upon the port city of New Asan. However, in terms of weaponry and firepower that would remain ominous mystery for unsuspecting/suspecting victims.

RSF Chancellor Appearance found here.

Drakkin adapted easily to the sudden shift... He was more used to unusual situations that one might think.

"Chancellor? It is simple." Drakkin said, turning to look out...

"Modernization. I am not privy to every detail of it, but modernization. Army, air-force, naval... Targeting arrays, missiles, satellite equipment... Trillions of Gella. Hundreds of trillions, actually. Expect a foe well underneath the process of modernization... And I am not privy to the rest. I simply know the over-view, as Zkto' kept his affairs secretive... The only man who might know in full, is Commander Olot, Zkto's personal overseer of the modernization program."

---

New Asan, Industrial District
Across the city, fighting momentarily stopped... And then raged on, more fierce than before. Troops fighting fanatically to secure their positions, or to break away and run.

Kazak looked up from her command post in awe- As the armored train ground to a halt, reversing back into a tunnel to cover itself. Hazzantian forces around the city did much the same, scrambling for cover. "In the name of the Gods, what is that...?" She asked, staring in awe...

---

FOB 'Charlie'

"Sir! Signature of 2 kilos in the air- Some kind of aerial dreadnought!" A message flashed on the view-screen.

"Two ki.... Only one nation can field something like that... Lock and load the KE-15s." He types the response out, sending it away...

"And so, the Leviathan speaks...." He mutters to himself, safely away from the city within his command-tent

[Yegla Islands]

YCV Adrianna
Bridge

Sheremetyev frowned. This wasn't everything, was it? Their ships were being scattered like skittles - half of them seemed to be over-stocked with ammunition and explosives, and were being torn asunder at the slightest impact. He turned to the comms officer.

"Get me a wide-spectrum sensor sweep, with as much reach as you can manage. I sincerely doubt that this is all the rebels have managed to procure - if anything, this seems like bait. There have to be additional ships somewhere in the area."

Sure enough, the screens lit up. Currently out of firing range, but certainly headed towards them. And their numbers were considerable. Sheremetyev whistled quietly. Then, something very unusual was picked up, in the direction of the city. Sheremetyev tapped the screen. Surely, the readings were off? That looked like it was above...

He directed a pair of binoculars in the direction of New Asan. And promptly dropped them, cursing loudly.

"What in the name of all creation..."

He grabbed the comms officer.

"Alright, get me a direct line to Command, right now. I need to get authorization for something - if I don't, we're probably in some very deep shit."

The Adrianna was a miracle of engineering. Fitted with the best armor, propulsion and sensors that the Islands could develop. And yet, there was more to her than met the eye. Everything truly was very experimental.

---

Stiln Outpost Delta
Dock

Rasputin stood at the concrete pier, as he watched the reinforcement fleets assemble. His tie, torn loose by the wind, fluttered wildly. Then, his phone rang.

"Yes? I... see. That is indeed unfortunate. I'll be sure to forward the abridged reports to you at some point, but... really?"

There was a momentary pause, as the Vozhd listened.

"Alright. Authorize it - yes, I mean full authorization. Access code 22D591, asymmetric cypher 3J. We need to establish a foothold - having the Adrianna sunk would most certainly not contribute to such an endeavor. Besides, this will be an excellent test. Yes, you can let them know that, and then direct them to me if they need any clarification. Good. Farewell, and thank you."

He put away the phone, and stared out to sea for a few minutes more. Then, glancing at his watch, he picked up a leather-bound suitcase, and headed to the end of the pier. A ramp already awaited.

[Uvoan]

YIV Izumrud
Brig

The commissar listened to Adama's muttering. The microphones in the cell could barely pick up most of it, but a few sections were audible.

"What do you mean, "your failure"? You had very little to do with this, I'm afraid. Though I suppose if you mean your failure to prevent a civil war, then yes, your actions have helped little."

He sighed.

"I understand, in some small way, the justifications for your actions. But now is not the time for subterfuge and plots - I'm afraid we're going to have to go in there and clean up this mess. For once, Uvoan does not stand alone."

"... I suppose all is not lost." Adama says, stopping his prayers for a second... "But, there are many factors..." He pauses, before continuing to pray. Ancient litanies flowing...

---

Inbound to New Asan, Armada One

Captain Calder had been promoted through the ranks so quickly, he found it dizzying... And now he had a million conflicting orders. None of which came from Zkto'- So he'd gone with his gut. He was trusting Olot- He was a good general, afterall, and served Uvoan well...

"Sir? We're detecting a super-massive at range."

"Hrm?" Calder said, turning to look at the signature. And then freezing. "... No. Turn us around. We are not getting to New Asan with that signature there..."

"Aye aye sir!" The Junior officer saluted. Within a minute, the fleet turning. And not to engage- To add distance. "... Where to sir?"

Calder paused...

"... Take us towards the Pacific. We'll figure out our course of action from there."

[Yegla Islands]

YCV Adrianna
Bridge

"Sir, hostiles are retreating! They're headed due east - I can't really pinpoint an exact point of arrival, but their destination seems to be somewhere in the pacific."

Sheremetyev took his hands from the console. He had been about to hit a very specific set of inputs...

"Alright, get the word out. All ships are to continue bombarding shorebound assets, as well as any rebel assets they can identify on land. Once no naval hostiles are identifiable, we move in. Decrease alert status to moderate."

He wiped his brow. Not yet then - but now he had full authorization. And what an asset he could now unveil... turning to New Asan, he wondered whether he would have to.

---

New Asan, Industrial District
Dockyard 03

At one of the piers, the remains of a destroyer guttered. It was unclear which faction it had belonged to before everything had gone to hell - all markings had been scorched off, and oil leaked into the water to obscure any bodies that may have washed up in the shallows. The military rebels had set up an encampment, of sorts - haphazard emplacements littered the dirty sand, and men sat in small trenches and dug-ins. They were tired, and their greatest battles still lay ahead - still, a few of them were attentive enough to spot that something wasn't quite right. The water seemed to be moving in odd ways - waves cresting the shoreline in a manner quite unnatural for mere, unguided water...

The waves burst. A row of black hulls cut their way through the shallows and the sand, and split open lengthwise. Out of each craft poured a stream of bodies. They appeared not like men - clad in angular, faceless armor, the soft whir of servo motors betrayed the cause of their unnatural speed and fluidity of movement. They carried weapons chambered in calibers that would normally be considered too large for common soldiery, especially when considerng fully-automatic fire. The shock-absorbers and stabilizers of their Dolya suits paid little heed to notions of recoil, however.

They opened fire almost immediately - after all, they were the ones with the element of surprise, and marine deployment was a Yeglan staple. They put faith in the shock of their enemies, the reliability of their arms, and the protective plating that shrouded them.

Amidst all this, smaller shapes arose, on sets of eight sturdy legs. They clambered their way onto the shoreline, even as angular barrels extended from within their armored hulls. These were the Koscheis - fearsome eight-man amphibious tanks, fitted with naval-caliber weapons. Autocannons gyrated, searching for targets. Here and there, a Gorynich array lit up with an opalescent sheen.

The Yeglan Heavy Infantry had arrived, as yet another obstacle between the rebels and Zkto'. And come hell, high water or chlorine gas - little would slow their advance.

[The Rapture Republic]

Leviathan’s Landing.

---

”Ah, and as expected for an accomplished leader such as Zkto.” Said John Mercer with confidant smile. Turning to SilverNet. ”It seems they are ignoring us, according to the monitor. How dreadfully rude. Fix it.” He said, agitated by the fact nobody seems to have noticed his best toy in the Republican Defense Force. SilverNet complied with his master’s orders as always, the Dreadnought’s spinal mounted "magnetohydrodynamic" cannon with a yield of 132 to 450 kilotons of TNT started to glow brightly in the midst of the poisonous cloud, only 132 kilotons would be unleashed down on the city. As SilverNet calculated it would be enough to cease the fighting with everyone realizing they are outmatched and outgunned by the Dreadnought.

It fired, a beam of blinding light reigned a heavenly fury from above, slamming the city down below with unimaginable power annihilating block by block, person by person, tree by tree, bug by bug and so forth in a straightforward line cutting a scorched canyon were buildings and soldiers use to stand, all there was now obliterated and decimated wasteland. If there was anything survivors from such a earthquaking attack, they would have to immediately be treated for third degree burns and radiation poisoning to define the definition of ‘surviving’ that was witnessed in only a couple of seconds. Although if they were the Chancellor who launched the assault upon the city then yes, they would have truly survived without a scratch on their person and only complains about their favorite uniform being scorched off by the heat ray, otherwise survival was absolute zero from directive by the Chancellor. ”Excellent. All we have to do now is await a response from those rude bastards. Who thought they could get away from ignoring the power of the Leviathan!” Said John Mercer with a villainous expression taking form on his face.

[Uvoan]

Leviathan’s Landing.

---

”Ah, and as expected for an accomplished leader such as Zkto.” Said John Mercer with confidant smile. Turning to SilverNet. ”It seems they are ignoring us, according to the monitor. How dreadfully rude. Fix it.” He said, agitated by the fact nobody seems to have noticed his best toy in the Republican Defense Force. SilverNet complied with his master’s orders as always, the Dreadnought’s spinal mounted "magnetohydrodynamic" cannon with a yield of 132 to 450 kilotons of TNT started to glow brightly in the midst of the poisonous cloud, only 132 kilotons would be unleashed down on the city. As SilverNet calculated it would be enough to cease the fighting with everyone realizing they are outmatched and outgunned by the Dreadnought.

It fired, a beam of blinding light reigned a heavenly fury from above, slamming the city down below with unimaginable power annihilating block by block, person by person, tree by tree, bug by bug and so forth in a straightforward line cutting a scorched canyon were buildings and soldiers use to stand, all there was now obliterated and decimated, anything that survived such a powerful strike would have to be a immortal being like the Chancellor himself, who watched from the comfort of his command chair with oozing childish excitement at the ravaged burning carnage caused by the primary weapon of the mighty Dreadnought. Those who thought they could just ignore the majesty of Aquarian science just had a rude awakening in the punishment that was just displayed within only seconds and ended before the clock stuck 12. ”Now we wait a response from them.” Said the Chancellor,

The city recoiled- The entire western half wiped out. In seconds, artillery guns had swung about. Forces that had them opening fire-

And, as far out into the country-side, KE-15s recoiled. Sending payloads of death flying at the ship... As on the ground, the fighting continues... Expect for the entirety of the western district now gone, leaving forces free to wheel about on the New Asan general hospital, as two armored spear-heads start closing on it...

---

YCV Adrianna
Bridge

"Sir, hostiles are retreating! They're headed due east - I can't really pinpoint an exact point of arrival, but their destination seems to be somewhere in the pacific."

Sheremetyev took his hands from the console. He had been about to hit a very specific set of inputs...

"Alright, get the word out. All ships are to continue bombarding shorebound assets, as well as any rebel assets they can identify on land. Once no naval hostiles are identifiable, we move in. Decrease alert status to moderate."

He wiped his brow. Not yet then - but now he had full authorization. And what an asset he could now unveil... turning to New Asan, he wondered whether he would have to.

---

New Asan, Industrial District
Dockyard 03

At one of the piers, the remains of a destroyer guttered. It was unclear which faction it had belonged to before everything had gone to hell - all markings had been scorched off, and oil leaked into the water to obscure any bodies that may have washed up in the shallows. The military rebels had set up an encampment, of sorts - haphazard emplacements littered the dirty sand, and men sat in small trenches and dug-ins. They were tired, and their greatest battles still lay ahead - still, a few of them were attentive enough to spot that something wasn't quite right. The water seemed to be moving in odd ways - waves cresting the shoreline in a manner quite unnatural for mere, unguided water...

The waves burst. A row of black, angular hulls cut their way through the shallows and the sand, and split open lengthwise. Out of each craft poured a stream of bodies. They appeared not like men - clad in angular, faceless armor, the soft whir of servo motors betrayed the cause of their unnatural speed and fluidity of movement. They carried weapons chambered in calibers that would normally be considered too large for common soldiery, especially when considerng fully-automatic fire. The shock-absorbers and stabilizers of their Dolya suits paid little heed to notions of recoil, however.

They opened fire almost immediately - after all, they were the ones with the element of surprise, and marine deployment was a Yeglan staple. They put faith in the shock of their enemies, the reliability of their arms, and the protective plating that shrouded them.

Amidst all this, smaller shapes arose, on sets of eight sturdy legs. They clambered their way onto the shoreline, even as angular barrels extended from within their armored hulls. These were the Koscheis - fearsome eight-man amphibious tanks, fitted with naval-caliber weapons. Autocannons gyrated, searching for targets. Here and there, a Gorynich array lit up with an opalescent sheen.

The Yeglan Heavy Infantry had arrived, as yet another obstacle between the rebels and Zkto'. And come hell, high water or chlorine gas - little would slow their advance.

The military rebels on the beach had fallen quickly- Caught out of position, and unready, they had died in droves. Tanks were now left abandoned, and their immediate line of sight was clear...

But multiple blocks of skyscrapers, and fighting, lay between them and the hospital. The thick fog of chlorine gas soaking its way into the buildings- Impeding line of sight, for anyone stupid enough to walk through the chemical mess- But they'll have to...

---

New Asan, General Hospital
"90 over 70... He's stabilized." The head doctor announced, finally. Taking his gloves, literally soaked with blood, off. "What's the status of outside...?" The doctor said, turning to the officer who was inside.

"Holding. Reinforced, but we've lost contact with the Rail Brigades. Rail control says we're expecting an armored train... They can't tell us whose it is though. Can we move him?"

"... Maybe?" The head doctor said. "In a complete vacuum chamber, yes. He'll have open wounds- And chlorine will not play nice with his insides. We're keeping him sedated, for Maongaurds sake, he's barely alive on that bed! You can move him, but he won't get out of New Asan!"

The Officer turned, and swore. "Then find me an option- They're going to come crashing down on us with an armored train! We can't repel one of those! Hell, I doubt our reinforcements can repel one of those! It's a 'battle-field' set! That's more guns than the average battleship!"

"Well, I'm sorry Officer. But he isn't in condition to be moved." The Doctor said, as a machine next to Zkto' started to beep. "... By Maongaurd, stop dying already!" He shouted, as he rushed over...

---

New Asan, Industrial District

The armored train slid out of the concrete tunnels. Advancing onto elevated rail-lines, as unlucky crew members picked there way towards switches in zero visibility. A Battlefield train set was one of the deadliest things fielded within this entire city- Eighteen gun cars, each with four 127MMs, and two heavy 12.7MMs. A full infantry complement. Twelve tanks. It was easily enough to destroy an entire armored division-

And now it was a stalking specter of death, advancing towards the New Asan general hospital. Kazak intended to kill Zkto' before the sun had set- And he had fallen right into the closing jaws of the Hazzantian rebels.

[Kafair]

Kafairian Royal Palace

"I am sorry my friends. I think this meting must be ended for now. I ca have the staff show you to your quarters. We can continue this later. I need time to think."

As the members are guided to their rooms, and in the case of the turtle to a controlled habitat area. The Sultan walked out, to see Astre talking with the other members of his group. Walking up to them, the Sultan asked him a question.

"Hello prince. Would you like to spar now?"

[Yegla Islands]

New Asan Industrial District
Dockyards

Lieutenant Strelnikov was neither afraid nor particularly concerned, but he was acutely aware of his encroaching schedule. He was unused to VIP recovery - that task generally fell to REVENANT, and similar specialized units. But his heavy infantry compliment had been the only force available at the time, and Zkto' very much needed saving. Urban warfare was something they were well-versed in, in any case - in this maze of narrow streets and dead ends, they felt quite at home. The same could not be said for their Koschei escorts - the spiderlike craft had been forced to take an alternate route. They were now essentially on standby, though he wouldn't be surprised if he found himself backed up by naval-caliber batteries as the fighting reached its peak. From what he knew of Captain Zhukina, she was not one for conventional tactics.

The chlorine was not as problematic as it had first appeared. Their Dolya suits were fitted with filters as part of their standard configuration, and no skin was left exposed to the irritant effects of the gas. Its effect on visibility had merely forced them to switch to thermal vision - now, the world was outlined in monochrome. The soldiers trudged onwards at a steady pace.

For the movement of Yeglan heavy infantry, one could say this - while they were not the fastest, they were... consistent. Very few things were able to impede their advance. Pockets of resistance presented themselves in the form of booby traps, and stray rebel squads. And still, the soldiers walked onward. Bullets bounced off their armored plating, and fire was returned with doubled intensity. Support troopers would raise vehicle-grade heavy machineguns, and chew through the brick walls that served as cover for their adversaries. Grenades would knock them to the ground, but they would inevitably get back up and launch explosives of their own. Most of their opponents didn't even get that far - they were often sighted long before the found the direction from which the enemy was advancing, and swiftly gunned down.

A few desperate souls lunged at them with knives and bayonets. And the soldiers retorted with their own particular brand of unarmed combat. After all, what use was a knife when one could simply swing an armored fist or heavy rifle, backed by servo motors and hydraulics, with sledgehammer force? A few drew straight-edged nanopolymer blades - solid, heavy things, more machete than sword, and wielded with the same augmented strength.

Strelnikov glanced at his map, on the heads-up display of his helmet. Only a few blocks left before they reached the main railway lines. Those could then be followed all the way to the hospital. Suddenly, he stopped, and motioned for his troops to likewise do so. There was an odd sort of rumbling, as one would expect from a... train? But what sort of trains still ran in a situation like this? Directing his troops to the interior of a nearby building, he addressed one of the support thaumaturges.

"Get a projection out onto the railway tracks - observation only. Make sure you're not seen. I'm not entirely sure what that sound is, but I'm starting to get an idea. And if I'm right, then we might have a problem."

[The Rapture Republic]

”I realized something, the city is covered by chlorine gas making my sword impossible to see. Huh, I guess. All that frustrated about being ignored was for nothing. Should’ve pay more attention to the readings on the monitor instead of playing the egomaniac. Anyway, return fire on the enemy positions.” After this, John Mercer would remain silent for the majority of the foreseeable time with giving SilverNet full command over the situation. The ship was extremely durable, capable of taking the continuous and simultaneous fire of four dreadnoughts before they start to lose their kinetic barriers. Although with this stoning throwing by the enemy it wasn’t doing much to affect the barriers and the generators for barriers was stable, though the enemy could have the means to rock the ship slightly but SilverNet wasn’t to take the chance by simply waiting out the attack. So, the point-defense system began a continuous yet surprisingly silent barrage of lasers, which were equivalent to your MT/PMT naval bombardment but highly accurate at striking the origin of artillery with a serene fury. The bombardment would not end until enemy units have been eliminated. After initiating the laser bombardment, SilverNet opened a transmission on all vox/radio frequencies to locate where Zkto Faction was located as that was priority adjective of Aquarian forces being present in the ongoing Uvoan to safeguard Zkto Zovban from potential threats that would limit his chances for victory. ”This is SilverNet of the Republican Defense Force Voidship, the RSF Chancellor. If you are out there, Lord Zkto. Please contract us immediately. So we may deploy units to defend your man from the heretical Forces that dare betray the Uvoanian fatherland.” The transmission ended with SilverNet standing by to await a response as he looked at the monitoring analyzing the battlefield and making a few adjustments to the accuracy of the blazing turrets pounding the earth.

[Uvoan]

New Asan Industrial District
Dockyards

Lieutenant Strelnikov was neither afraid nor particularly concerned, but he was acutely aware of his encroaching schedule. He was unused to VIP recovery - that task generally fell to REVENANT, and similar specialized units. But his heavy infantry compliment had been the only force available at the time, and Zkto' very much needed saving. Urban warfare was something they were well-versed in, in any case - in this maze of narrow streets and dead ends, they felt quite at home. The same could not be said for their Koschei escorts - the spiderlike craft had been forced to take an alternate route. They were now essentially on standby, though he wouldn't be surprised if he found himself backed up by naval-caliber batteries as the fighting reached its peak. From what he knew of Captain Zhukina, she was not one for conventional tactics.

The chlorine was not as problematic as it had first appeared. Their Dolya suits were fitted with filters as part of their standard configuration, and no skin was left exposed to the irritant effects of the gas. Its effect on visibility had merely forced them to switch to thermal vision - now, the world was outlined in monochrome. The soldiers trudged onwards at a steady pace.

For the movement of Yeglan heavy infantry, one could say this - while they were not the fastest, they were... consistent. Very few things were able to impede their advance. Pockets of resistance presented themselves in the form of booby traps, and stray rebel squads. And still, the soldiers walked onward. Bullets bounced off their armored plating, and fire was returned with doubled intensity. Support troopers would raise vehicle-grade heavy machineguns, and chew through the brick walls that served as cover for their adversaries. Grenades would knock them to the ground, but they would inevitably get back up and launch explosives of their own. Most of their opponents didn't even get that far - they were often sighted long before the found the direction from which the enemy was advancing, and swiftly gunned down.

A few desperate souls lunged at them with knives and bayonets. And the soldiers retorted with their own particular brand of unarmed combat. After all, what use was a knife when one could simply swing an armored fist or heavy rifle, backed by servo motors and hydraulics, with sledgehammer force? A few drew straight-edged nanopolymer blades - solid, heavy things, more machete than sword, and wielded with the same augmented strength.

Strelnikov glanced at his map, on the heads-up display of his helmet. Only a few blocks left before they reached the main railway lines. Those could then be followed all the way to the hospital. Suddenly, he stopped, and motioned for his troops to likewise do so. There was an odd sort of rumbling, as one would expect from a... train? But what sort of trains still ran in a situation like this? Directing his troops to the interior of a nearby building, he addressed one of the support thaumaturges.

"Get a projection out onto the railway tracks - observation only. Make sure you're not seen. I'm not entirely sure what that sound is, but I'm starting to get an idea. And if I'm right, then we might have a problem."

New Asan, 8th Avenue, 4 Blocks East of New Asan General Hospital
There was a heavy armored train on the rail-line. It shook the ground as it passed- All guns, with small upside-down bowls ontop... Some sort of radar? Whatever the dome were, there was still a fully armed, and armored... And it didn't have the typical symbol of the Uvoanian rail battalions painted onto its cars- Instead, it had a skull, with a sword and rifle crossing over behind it. There was small lettering under it- Which could be roughly made out to 'FREEDOM NO MATTER THE COST'... It was coming into an elevated section of rail-line, above where the street was choked in chlorine gas. Visibility was still limited- Maybe 75 feet, but it was still a dramatic increase.

Its guns suddenly began to turn, as a tank came around a corner. It stopped, and then its 75MM roared. The shot bouncing off the train, richoteting into a nearby building. In response, a gun-car opened up. The tank detonated as the heavy shots ripped it apart, and then the train was engulfed in an ambush. More tanks coming out of hiding, shots bouncing off armored plating as the gun-cars began slamming shots off. Ripping tanks apart like they're wet paper. Machine guns roaring aswell, slicing down infantry which come out of hiding to try and support the tanks.

The battle is over as soon as it began- The support Thaumaturge getting to witness an utter massacare, as the train continued on its way... A switch-track taking it towards the New Asan General Hospital. It soon descended down the section of elevated rail-line, and onto the city-streets... It was obscured from vision, but the rumbling of the heavily armored train-set shook the ground. The burning wreckage of the battle behind it told of its power, and its destination would certainly be an issue.

---

”I realized something, the city is covered by chlorine gas making my sword impossible to see. Huh, I guess. All that frustrated about being ignored was for nothing. Should’ve pay more attention to the readings on the monitor instead of playing the egomaniac. Anyway, return fire on the enemy positions.” After this, John Mercer would remain silent for the majority of the foreseeable time with giving SilverNet full command over the situation. The ship was extremely durable, capable of taking the continuous and simultaneous fire of four dreadnoughts before they start to lose their kinetic barriers. Although with this stoning throwing by the enemy it wasn’t doing much to affect the barriers and the generators for barriers was stable, though the enemy could have the means to rock the ship slightly but SilverNet wasn’t to take the chance by simply waiting out the attack. So, the point-defense system began a continuous yet surprisingly silent barrage of lasers, which were equivalent to your MT/PMT naval bombardment but highly accurate at striking the origin of artillery with a serene fury. The bombardment would not end until enemy units have been eliminated. After initiating the laser bombardment, SilverNet opened a transmission on all vox/radio frequencies to locate where Zkto Faction was located as that was priority adjective of Aquarian forces being present in the ongoing Uvoan to safeguard Zkto Zovban from potential threats that would limit his chances for victory. ”This is SilverNet of the Republican Defense Force Voidship, the RSF Chancellor. If you are out there, Lord Zkto. Please contract us immediately. So we may deploy units to defend your man from the heretical Forces that dare betray the Uvoanian fatherland.” The transmission ended with SilverNet standing by to await a response as he looked at the monitoring analyzing the battlefield and making a few adjustments to the accuracy of the blazing turrets pounding the earth.

The distant artillery positions were suppressed- Falling silent, as they were either destroyed, or the crews abandoned them in the face of overwhelming firepower. They ran, and soon vanished into the plains sorrounding New Asan, and the positions they had been firing from...

---

New Asan, General Hospital, Radio Room
A radio operator inside the hospital jumped as the transmission came through. The chaos had been interfering with communications- But he swore he heard the words 'Voidship', 'Silvernet', 'Zkto' ' and 'Heretical'. He grabbed the transmitter, and tried to tune it.

"Zovban Forces, calling 'Voidship' - We are held up in New Asan General Hospital- I repeat, New Asan General Hospital. We're kept pinned by hostile infantry- Zkto' in critical condition. Repeating, we are held up in New Asan General Hospital. I repeat, new Asan General Hospital. We're kept pinned by hostile infantry."

The heavy static caused by the air choked with other transmissions, chlorine gas, half-destroyed radio towers, corrupted the message as it bounced about. It did eventually reach the Voidship- Garbled by the mess of radio-towers it had been forced to bounce through to even get to the Voidship.

---

New Asan, General Hospital, Exterior

The troops had heard the armored train- That kind of firepower was impossible to miss on the ground, afterall. They had rushed the Kafairians into the defensive positions, and dug out anti-tank rifles. Sending a runner to recall the squads that had been sent to secure the nearby radio-towers, as they waited with baited breath for the armored train to reveal itself. Moving into ambush positions, before a scout came running, in screaming at the top of his lungs -

"TANKS! COMING FROM THE SOUTH! FULL FUCKING BATTALION! AND THEY AIN'T FRIENDLY!" He screamed, even as he skidded to a stop next to the lead officer. "It's the K core, sir! Reports indicate they're under rebel control- And they're inbound to send our arses right to Moanguard, Kvona, and Shoan!"

"Get our line re-orientated- And tell that radio operator we needed the airforce yesterday!

[Yegla Islands]

New Asan Industrial District
Abandoned Manufacturing Hall

Strelnikov listened to the report, his face grim beneath the featureless helmet. Things were indeed looking dire - the train was heavily armored, and even more heavily armed. If they had naval support, this wouldn't be a problem - Leshiy batteries could tear the carriages asunder from hundreds of kilometers away. And yet, they had no Leshiy batteries. Their naval contingent could, in theory, do some serious damage - unfortunately, there was no way they could target the train through the gas-filled expanse. And if it reached the hospital, it would be game over for Zkto'. Its armor was outdated, but undeniably sturdy, and its guns were both plentiful and powerful. So direct combat wasn't an option. What remained, then? Logically, they would need to bypass the armor entirely...

He opened the small impromptu database he had been issued for the purposes of this mission. Now, where could... there. Interior schematics - armor thickness, entry points, gun angles. Everything was here. Uvoan had provided quite a bit of oversight for the extended modernization programme. Though it had never gone through in its entirety, these plans would very much come in handy.

He turned to his troops.

"Alright ladies. We're up against a land-borne battleship. We can't let it reach its destination, or this entire deployment will have been for nothing. We probably can't derail it, and we sure as hell can't fight it head-on. That leaves us with the spaghetti western method. Let's go hijack a goddamn train."

---

New Asan Industrial District
Hill overlook

Captain Zhukina sat in the command chair of the leading Koschei unit, and stared dejectedly at the faint outlines of buildings. Thermal sensing leeched away at the yellow-green chlorine tint, and any living targets would show up in a blazing white. There was a crackle from the radio beside her.

"Come in... Captain, new... followed immediately!"

She grumbled a little, and started fiddling with the dials. The city was not a welcome environment for radio transmissions, but their equipment was fairly powerful, and they weren't far from the transmitting party.

"I repeat, new orders have been issued. Proceed along the transmitted path, and prepare for further instructions. Upon reception, they are to be followed immediately. Do you copy?"

The captain sighed.

"Sure do. We'll be along shortly."

As her screen lit up with updated battle data, she smiled.

"We're going after a train now? Back to world war two, I guess."

Flicking a row of switches, she felt the motors hum to life. As the Koscheis set out towards their destination, Zhukina began whistling a merry little tune to herself. This was going to be fun.

[Kafair]

The captain in charge of this force was both terrified and interested. He had a contingent of 500 elite men. These were 500 from the 1st Elite. Similar in duties to their brothers on Skyhooked. Their job? Take the train. On the tracks, they had used the guns of the old cargo ship to dislodge houses and boulders. The train would have no way forward if it continued on this path, and It had just passed by a rail switcher. The men were in buildings, waiting. Once the train was stopped, they would jump into the first compartment, where the train was conducted, and take it over. From their they were to turn its guns on the troops outside of the hospital. Than, they heard the noise of the train coming to a stop. It had reached the road block. The men charged out, armed with large wooden poles and metal rods. They quickly slammed them into the hwheels of the first compartment, and the rest of the men started throwing grendas, flashs and smaokes throuigh the vison slitds on the trains front. The rest of the men assumed a defensive role. Armed with hugeiron shields, around 3in thick. The men wor advanced xowear, to allow them to lift it. They stood in front of the men workng on the terain. A few stray bullets would make it throught he line, but most were taken in strid. The MGs were no match.

[The Rapture Republic]

”I realized something, the city is covered by chlorine gas making my sword impossible to see. Huh, I guess. All that frustrated about being ignored was for nothing. Should’ve pay more attention to the readings on the monitor instead of playing the egomaniac. Anyway, return fire on the enemy positions.” After this, John Mercer would remain silent for the majority of the foreseeable time with giving SilverNet full command over the situation. The ship was extremely durable, capable of taking the continuous and simultaneous fire of four dreadnoughts before they start to lose their kinetic barriers. Although with this stoning throwing by the enemy it wasn’t doing much to affect the barriers and the generators for barriers was stable, though the enemy could have the means to rock the ship slightly but SilverNet wasn’t to take the chance by simply waiting out the attack. So, the point-defense system began a continuous yet surprisingly silent barrage of lasers, which were equivalent to your MT/PMT naval bombardment but highly accurate at striking the origin of artillery with a serene fury. The bombardment would not end until enemy units have been eliminated. After initiating the laser bombardment, SilverNet opened a transmission on all vox/radio frequencies to locate where Zkto Faction was located as that was priority adjective of Aquarian forces being present in the ongoing Uvoan to safeguard Zkto Zovban from potential threats that would limit his chances for victory. ”This is SilverNet of the Republican Defense Force Voidship, the RSF Chancellor. If you are out there, Lord Zkto. Please contract us immediately. So we may deploy units to defend your man from the heretical Forces that dare betray the Uvoanian fatherland.” The transmission ended with SilverNet standing by to await a response as he looked at the monitoring analyzing the battlefield and making a few adjustments to the accuracy of the blazing turrets pounding the earth.

The distant artillery positions were suppressed- Falling silent, as they were either destroyed, or the crews abandoned them in the face of overwhelming firepower. They ran, and soon vanished into the plains sorrounding New Asan, and the positions they had been firing from...

---

New Asan, General Hospital, Radio Room
A radio operator inside the hospital jumped as the transmission came through. The chaos had been interfering with communications- But he swore he heard the words 'Voidship', 'Silvernet', 'Zkto' ' and 'Heretical'. He grabbed the transmitter, and tried to tune it.

"Zovban Forces, calling 'Voidship' - We are held up in New Asan General Hospital- I repeat, New Asan General Hospital. We're kept pinned by hostile infantry- Zkto' in critical condition. Repeating, we are held up in New Asan General Hospital. I repeat, new Asan General Hospital. We're kept pinned by hostile infantry."

The heavy static caused by the air choked with other transmissions, chlorine gas, half-destroyed radio towers, corrupted the message as it bounced about. It did eventually reach the Voidship- Garbled by the mess of radio-towers it had been forced to bounce through to even get to the Voidship.

SilverNet responded. ”Attention, Zkto Zovban. We are on route, estimated time of arrival ten minutes. Prepare for immediate evacuation. Praise be upon the Rapture Republic.” The thrusters of Voidship roared, as the point defense system intensified the bombardment and redirected themselves to avoid hitting the New Asan General Hospital as the ship would move closer and to closer, where many of the lower turrets would fall silent as it was too risk aim for enemy forces without accidentally killing everyone inside the facility. 11 sentinels would be dispatched to continue the defensive strike, where the sounds of enemy troopers would mark the locations of the sentinels in the perimeter as flesh and bone were torn apart as the sentinels played with foolish troopers trying to melee combat, oh yes, the heat ray that sprouted from the heads of sentinels would target the scared units’ leg to watch them crawl as the poison took affect as the protection at there legs was incinerated. It truly was horrific set to be behold as fear tactics was a specialty of the Republic to crush moral, no matter how strong or fanatic a trooper was. They will break, when seeing their comrades skinned, cooked, and butchered like animals. The sentinels recorded this horror to the voidship displayed disgustedly on the dude monitor. However, they may appear to be invincible killing machines, they were not, not yet at least there was still more tests to be done before the ultimate weapon could become reality, five sentinels would be obliterated from heavy anti-tank fire, sentinels would decimate thoroughly as a mechanism to prevent Aquarian tech from falling into the wrong hands. John Mercer would order Drakkin to follow him to the shuttle bay, where John Mercer would have him Vassgun and anti-chemical weapon suit with anti-projectile armour. John Mercer would wear nothing but just typical politician suit as cloture gas to his immortal lungs was just like breathing in regular air as him and Drakkin took a shuttle towards the front entrance of the hospital, which this was communicated to the sentinels to defend their comrades from unsuspecting attacks.

The remaining six sentinels covered in blood and guts would receive the message from the Chancellor and sprinted to the main entrance, where they communicated to the Zovban troops to leave now, while the voidship and sentinels provided covering fire. As Mercer’s shuttle landed with its hatch slamming open with John Mercer just standing unfazed by the chaos with his arms a crossed as he waited patiently.

[Yegla Islands]

New Asan Industrial District
Railway Junction

As the behemoth train made its way back to the switching station, its wheels screeched. The branches and logs stuffed into them certainly slowed it down, but the locomotive managed to pull through. Gunshots were still ringing out - a few of Kafair's troops remained on the sidelines, lobbing grenades and harassing the crew. But now, as its backside cleared the side of an old canning factory by the tracks, there was a mighty bang, and a cloud of roiling smoke enveloped the rear sections of the train. Within this smoke, faint silhouettes could be seen. The train's crew, uncertain, fired blindly into the veil, but most of their shots found only empty space. A few ricocheted off armor, and bounced back in the direction of the train. A few moments later, a hatch on the rear carriage began to buckle. Little by little, the metal was strained, until finally the entire doorway was torn open by a mighty force from without. Immediately, a fragmentation grenade was lobbed into the interior.

Strelnikov waited for the explosion, then for the frantic pinging of shrapnel against the armored interior. When that too had died down, he leapt inside, hefting his heavy machinegun and firing it down the carriage's central corridor. It was heavily-modified, with an express-built shortened barrel, allowing him to wield it in confined spaces without much difficulty. A heavy bayonet adorned its muzzle, along with a blocky compensator. A few of his men piled in behind him, providing backup fire, while several more clambered on top of the carriage, and started to pick off any gunners present on the roof. The rest fired from within the smoke, as their infrared visors provided clear-cut targets - tiny viewing slits that were lit up with brilliant white.

---

New Asan Industrial District
Munitions Plant No. 6

The solitary Koschei unit scaled the building with unusual grace. It seemed far too heavy for such a structure to support it - and yet, Uvoanian construction had been unusually sturdy in that regard. Soon, the craft was perched atop the roof, and captain Sonia Zhukina was laughing. She adored this feeling - to have maneuvered this behemoth into such an unexpected area, to see the city laid out below. That skill, that achievement, was hers, and hers alone. And she reveled in it.

Turning her eyes towards the horizon, she engaged the targeting optics. There it was - the train, in all of its glory. And yet, from this distance, it was hard to identify individual cars. All was a contiguous mass of plating. And that, in itself, posed a problem.

"Attention to Alpha Squadron. We're going to hold off on lighting this fucker up - hold your fucking fire. I see one preemptive shot go off, and what I'll do will make that train look like a fucking Volkswagen Beetle by comparison."

Each Koschei was an eight-man unit - two pilots, four gunners, a comms officer and a commander, working together in unison to direct the mighty craft both on sea and on land. Unit-01 was an exception. Sonia controlled it alone, using a command interface built specifically for her. The prodigy pilot, captain of the 16th Mechanized Recon division. She understood the machine better than even those who had designed and built it - the clanking monstrosity was practically an extension of her being. All the space that had been taken up by the other seven command positions was now fitted with additional armaments, defensive systems and miscellaneous gadgets, each of which she had tinkered with for hours on end. Sonia grinned in anticipation. This train was an interesting diversion, but she could already see past that. This war was starting to look like a wonderful, chaotic mess, and she definitely wasn't going to miss out on any of it.

[TURTLESHROOM II]

"Zkto's been shot. His train was bombed. Two military divisions have gone rogue. New Asan has been hit by a chemical attack. Its our ball, Drakkin. We're being recalled, now."

Drakkins face turned pale as a ghost. He stood, and nodded to Zakkin, before turning to the delegation.

"I am sorry about my abrupt departure- But the Civil War has begun. We are being recalled..."

"My glob." Anatoly muttered, flashing a sincere, saddened look to the Uvoan delegation.

"I'll be prayin' for you and your people, sir."

[Uvoan]

”I realized something, the city is covered by chlorine gas making my sword impossible to see. Huh, I guess. All that frustrated about being ignored was for nothing. Should’ve pay more attention to the readings on the monitor instead of playing the egomaniac. Anyway, return fire on the enemy positions.” After this, John Mercer would remain silent for the majority of the foreseeable time with giving SilverNet full command over the situation. The ship was extremely durable, capable of taking the continuous and simultaneous fire of four dreadnoughts before they start to lose their kinetic barriers. Although with this stoning throwing by the enemy it wasn’t doing much to affect the barriers and the generators for barriers was stable, though the enemy could have the means to rock the ship slightly but SilverNet wasn’t to take the chance by simply waiting out the attack. So, the point-defense system began a continuous yet surprisingly silent barrage of lasers, which were equivalent to your MT/PMT naval bombardment but highly accurate at striking the origin of artillery with a serene fury. The bombardment would not end until enemy units have been eliminated. After initiating the laser bombardment, SilverNet opened a transmission on all vox/radio frequencies to locate where Zkto Faction was located as that was priority adjective of Aquarian forces being present in the ongoing Uvoan to safeguard Zkto Zovban from potential threats that would limit his chances for victory. ”This is SilverNet of the Republican Defense Force Voidship, the RSF Chancellor. If you are out there, Lord Zkto. Please contract us immediately. So we may deploy units to defend your man from the heretical Forces that dare betray the Uvoanian fatherland.” The transmission ended with SilverNet standing by to await a response as he looked at the monitoring analyzing the battlefield and making a few adjustments to the accuracy of the blazing turrets pounding the earth.

The distant artillery positions were suppressed- Falling silent, as they were either destroyed, or the crews abandoned them in the face of overwhelming firepower. They ran, and soon vanished into the plains sorrounding New Asan, and the positions they had been firing from...

---

New Asan, General Hospital, Radio Room
A radio operator inside the hospital jumped as the transmission came through. The chaos had been interfering with communications- But he swore he heard the words 'Voidship', 'Silvernet', 'Zkto' ' and 'Heretical'. He grabbed the transmitter, and tried to tune it.

"Zovban Forces, calling 'Voidship' - We are held up in New Asan General Hospital- I repeat, New Asan General Hospital. We're kept pinned by hostile infantry- Zkto' in critical condition. Repeating, we are held up in New Asan General Hospital. I repeat, new Asan General Hospital. We're kept pinned by hostile infantry."

The heavy static caused by the air choked with other transmissions, chlorine gas, half-destroyed radio towers, corrupted the message as it bounced about. It did eventually reach the Voidship- Garbled by the mess of radio-towers it had been forced to bounce through to even get to the Voidship.

SilverNet responded. ”Attention, Zkto Zovban. We are on route, estimated time of arrival ten minutes. Prepare for immediate evacuation. Praise be upon the Rapture Republic.” The thrusters of Voidship roared, as the point defense system intensified the bombardment and redirected themselves to avoid hitting the New Asan General Hospital as the ship would move closer and to closer, where many of the lower turrets would fall silent as it was too risk aim for enemy forces without accidentally killing everyone inside the facility. 11 sentinels would be dispatched to continue the defensive strike, where the sounds of enemy troopers would mark the locations of the sentinels in the perimeter as flesh and bone were torn apart as the sentinels played with foolish troopers trying to melee combat, oh yes, the heat ray that sprouted from the heads of sentinels would target the scared units’ leg to watch them crawl as the poison took affect as the protection at there legs was incinerated. It truly was horrific set to be behold as fear tactics was a specialty of the Republic to crush moral, no matter how strong or fanatic a trooper was. They will break, when seeing their comrades skinned, cooked, and butchered like animals. The sentinels recorded this horror to the voidship displayed disgustedly on the dude monitor. However, they may appear to be invincible killing machines, they were not, not yet at least there was still more tests to be done before the ultimate weapon could become reality, five sentinels would be obliterated from heavy anti-tank fire, sentinels would decimate thoroughly as a mechanism to prevent Aquarian tech from falling into the wrong hands. John Mercer would order Drakkin to follow him to the shuttle bay, where John Mercer would have him Vassgun and anti-chemical weapon suit with anti-projectile armour. John Mercer would wear nothing but just typical politician suit as cloture gas to his immortal lungs was just like breathing in regular air as him and Drakkin took a shuttle towards the front entrance of the hospital, which this was communicated to the sentinels to defend their comrades from unsuspecting attacks.

The remaining six sentinels covered in blood and guts would receive the message from the Chancellor and sprinted to the main entrance, where they communicated to the Zovban troops to leave now, while the voidship and sentinels provided covering fire. As Mercer’s shuttle landed with its hatch slamming open with John Mercer just standing unfazed by the chaos with his arms a crossed as he waited patiently.

---

New Asan Hospital, Exterior
The troops had quickly fallen back the moment the Sentinels had touched down- A fighting retreat to ensure that troops could get out safely. Executing wounded for whom there was no hope in this hell-scape, as they guided Kafairians though the chaos. The rebels quickly routed- Vanishing into the clouds of chlorine, as they shot their own wounded aswell. Nobody would spare resources in this fighting.

Doctors inside the hospital spent a final few seconds ensuring that the sedation was well and truly in effect- The perimeter was secured from any snipers, that the wounds were sealed... The gas-mask worked. Then they wheeled the hospital bed out, even as Uvoanian troops quickly guided the evacuation. Organizing quickly, as they started placing charges all around the hospital.

Drakkin winced as he saw Zkto' rolled out on the hospital bed- But grabbed it, and helped get it inside the shuttle. Zkto' had survived worse- But not in this scenario.

---

New Asan Industrial District
Railway Junction

As the behemoth train made its way back to the switching station, its wheels screeched. The branches and logs stuffed into them certainly slowed it down, but the locomotive managed to pull through. Gunshots were still ringing out - a few of Kafair's troops remained on the sidelines, lobbing grenades and harassing the crew. But now, as its backside cleared the side of an old canning factory by the tracks, there was a mighty bang, and a cloud of roiling smoke enveloped the rear sections of the train. Within this smoke, faint silhouettes could be seen. The train's crew, uncertain, fired blindly into the veil, but most of their shots found only empty space. A few ricocheted off armor, and bounced back in the direction of the train. A few moments later, a hatch on the rear carriage began to buckle. Little by little, the metal was strained, until finally the entire doorway was torn open by a mighty force from without. Immediately, a fragmentation grenade was lobbed into the interior.

Strelnikov waited for the explosion, then for the frantic pinging of shrapnel against the armored interior. When that too had died down, he leapt inside, hefting his heavy machinegun and firing it down the carriage's central corridor. It was heavily-modified, with an express-built shortened barrel, allowing him to wield it in confined spaces without much difficulty. A heavy bayonet adorned its muzzle, along with a blocky compensator. A few of his men piled in behind him, providing backup fire, while several more clambered on top of the carriage, and started to pick off any gunners present on the roof. The rest fired from within the smoke, as their infrared visors provided clear-cut targets - tiny viewing slits that were lit up with brilliant white.

---

New Asan Industrial District
Munitions Plant No. 6

The solitary Koschei unit scaled the building with unusual grace. It seemed far too heavy for such a structure to support it - and yet, Uvoanian construction had been unusually sturdy in that regard. Soon, the craft was perched atop the roof, and captain Sonia Zhukina was laughing. She adored this feeling - to have maneuvered this behemoth into such an unexpected area, to see the city laid out below. That skill, that achievement, was hers, and hers alone. And she reveled in it.

Turning her eyes towards the horizon, she engaged the targeting optics. There it was - the train, in all of its glory. And yet, from this distance, it was hard to identify individual cars. All was a contiguous mass of plating. And that, in itself, posed a problem.

"Attention to Alpha Squadron. We're going to hold off on lighting this fucker up - hold your fucking fire. I see one preemptive shot go off, and what I'll do will make that train look like a fucking Volkswagen Beetle by comparison."

Each Koschei was an eight-man unit - two pilots, four gunners, a comms officer and a commander, working together in unison to direct the mighty craft both on sea and on land. Unit-01 was an exception. Sonia controlled it alone, using a command interface built specifically for her. The prodigy pilot, captain of the 16th Mechanized Recon division. She understood the machine better than even those who had designed and built it - the clanking monstrosity was practically an extension of her being. All the space that had been taken up by the other seven command positions was now fitted with additional armaments, defensive systems and miscellaneous gadgets, each of which she had tinkered with for hours on end. Sonia grinned in anticipation. This train was an interesting diversion, but she could already see past that. This war was starting to look like a wonderful, chaotic mess, and she definitely wasn't going to miss out on any of it.

---

Industrial District, Rail Interchange

There's a pause, as orders are shouted in panicked Uvoan. The crew firing through the veil in focused bursts- Before the interior exploded into fragmentation rounds. Troops died, but others remained alive. Turning to fire down the corridor, before the focused burst of machine gun fire cut them down. The rest of the cars quickly 'buttoned up', sealing exterior hatches, and transmitting a single order to the engine. Full reverse. Damn whatever might be in the way, and the jammed up wheels.

The trains whistle shook the air, as the roaring of the heavy turbine engine began to shake the streets. Gunners opening hatches to the enclosed turrets on either-side of the engine, and swiveling the 127MMs about. Firing into nearby buildings with heavy burst rounds, as the trains defenses roar into life. 127MMs spitting fire up and down the line, even as troops rally to repel the boarding effort.

---

New Asan Industrial District, Munitions Plant No.6
Uvoanian construction, as was its nature, was easily enough to support the weight of the spider-tank. The particular layout of this building told a lot about its history- But that could be ignored in a combat scenario. The train, on the streets below, was preparing to move. Its guns had started swiveling, and begun firing into the buildings that surrounded it. Machine guns, heavy 127MMs, shredding the buildings around it... What was it trying to do?

And then one of its 127MM turrets snapped upwards- Not to fire on Sonia- Even higher...

And then it began firing heavy flak rounds. Any idiot could put two and two together.

The air-force had arrived... But whose airforce?

---

5 Kilometers West of New Asan, 1500 Meters

Jet-fighters broke the chaos of the air even more. Slicing through the clouds like knifes through butter, even as they double-checked everything. Olot hadn't spared a dime for purchasing 'Waveriders' from Viomanchia- And they were expensive as hell, but worth it.

"All fighters of Wolf squadron, throttle full! Master-arm, engage! Watch that Dreadnought!" The flight-lead called, and then the Waveriders leapt forward. They broke in different directions- Heading to provoke different sides of the city, but almost as one, they all dropped a single bomb...

[The Rapture Republic]

SilverNet responded. ”Attention, Zkto Zovban. We are on route, estimated time of arrival ten minutes. Prepare for immediate evacuation. Praise be upon the Rapture Republic.” The thrusters of Voidship roared, as the point defense system intensified the bombardment and redirected themselves to avoid hitting the New Asan General Hospital as the ship would move closer and to closer, where many of the lower turrets would fall silent as it was too risk aim for enemy forces without accidentally killing everyone inside the facility. 11 sentinels would be dispatched to continue the defensive strike, where the sounds of enemy troopers would mark the locations of the sentinels in the perimeter as flesh and bone were torn apart as the sentinels played with foolish troopers trying to melee combat, oh yes, the heat ray that sprouted from the heads of sentinels would target the scared units’ leg to watch them crawl as the poison took affect as the protection at there legs was incinerated. It truly was horrific set to be behold as fear tactics was a specialty of the Republic to crush moral, no matter how strong or fanatic a trooper was. They will break, when seeing their comrades skinned, cooked, and butchered like animals. The sentinels recorded this horror to the voidship displayed disgustedly on the dude monitor. However, they may appear to be invincible killing machines, they were not, not yet at least there was still more tests to be done before the ultimate weapon could become reality, five sentinels would be obliterated from heavy anti-tank fire, sentinels would decimate thoroughly as a mechanism to prevent Aquarian tech from falling into the wrong hands. John Mercer would order Drakkin to follow him to the shuttle bay, where John Mercer would have him Vassgun and anti-chemical weapon suit with anti-projectile armour. John Mercer would wear nothing but just typical politician suit as cloture gas to his immortal lungs was just like breathing in regular air as him and Drakkin took a shuttle towards the front entrance of the hospital, which this was communicated to the sentinels to defend their comrades from unsuspecting attacks.

The remaining six sentinels covered in blood and guts would receive the message from the Chancellor and sprinted to the main entrance, where they communicated to the Zovban troops to leave now, while the voidship and sentinels provided covering fire. As Mercer’s shuttle landed with its hatch slamming open with John Mercer just standing unfazed by the chaos with his arms a crossed as he waited patiently.

---

New Asan Hospital, Exterior
The troops had quickly fallen back the moment the Sentinels had touched down- A fighting retreat to ensure that troops could get out safely. Executing wounded for whom there was no hope in this hell-scape, as they guided Kafairians though the chaos. The rebels quickly routed- Vanishing into the clouds of chlorine, as they shot their own wounded aswell. Nobody would spare resources in this fighting.

Doctors inside the hospital spent a final few seconds ensuring that the sedation was well and truly in effect- The perimeter was secured from any snipers, that the wounds were sealed... The gas-mask worked. Then they wheeled the hospital bed out, even as Uvoanian troops quickly guided the evacuation. Organizing quickly, as they started placing charges all around the hospital.

Drakkin winced as he saw Zkto' rolled out on the hospital bed- But grabbed it, and helped get it inside the shuttle. Zkto' had survived worse- But not in this scenario.

Home safe.

”Everyone here? Oh, hello Kaifarese. How was your hike on this beautiful day?” Said John Mercer as the hatchet of the shuttle slammed shut, the shuttle AI began a decontamination process to clean the transport ship of any unwanted pathogens as it filtered into breathable oxygen safe for mortal consumption. ”You all may remove those nasty helmets, the air is clean. your are safe. Also, my name is John Mercer, the Chancellor of the Rapture Republic. Pleasure to meet you all!” Smiled, the Chancellor seemingly unbothered by the situation. The shuttle surprisingly without incident thanks to the humming cannons of the Voidship, returned back to the hangar untouched by enemy shells. The Chancellor would be first one to step out, he hailed a medical droids to see to the wounds of Zkto Zovban, while other droids would instruct the soldiers to further decontamination processes and refreshing showers to ease the stress of the battlefield below. ”When everyone is sound of mind, please meet me in the war room. You be directed there by my six Sentinels. Or if you are sick of talking about war, you will be directed to the ship’s arcade plus spa, along with sleeping quarters and the cafeteria. Otherwise, important heads are required to speak with me. After you are cleaned up, of course.” Said John Mercer firmly.


While everyone who survived the seize of the hospital was cleaning up themselves, the Chancellor would standing in the war room, right next to the bridge looking over a holographic map of Uvoan. With that said, SilverNet would authorize a ten minute barrage of canisters filled with mustard gas that has a hydrogen-peroxide based instead of a sulfur base, making it able to defeat conventional gas masks, therefore, a nightmare scenario for any unlucky sucker wandering around in the city of New Asan. As the canisters drowned all sentient life in the city in a foggy tsaumani of death. Afterwards, the Dreadnought would ascended far above the city to the point it was practically in outer space were it would remain for time beginning till new priorities are set and allowing the weapons system to temporarily shut down, cool down, and recharge.

[Yegla Islands]

New Asan Industrial District
Railway Junction

Strelnikov lowered his weapon. Its barrel steamed, and spent casings littered the floor. The end carriage had been secured. Now, as one of his men worked to tear down the reinforced doors leading to the next, the carriage lurched. Strelnikov cursed.

"They're starting to move! EVERYONE, GET ABOARD!"

As one, the Yeglan troops made their way towards the armored bulk of the train, even as it started to accelerate. Some anchored themselves to the sides of carriages, while others joined the fighting on the roof. Still others clambered into the open doorway of the end carriage.

One of Strelnikov's subordinates was already tearing down the door to the next compartment, even as another approached him.

"Sir, are we going all the way to the front of the train?"

He chuckled.

"Of course we are. We need to clear this whole behemoth. Although the locomotive should be somewhere in the middle - the first thing we need to do is stop it."

He switched to the squad radio channel.

"Let that be a notice to all squad members - the locomotive is priority one. We need to stop the train, then clear it of any remaining hostiles. Try to avoid permanent damage to any machinery and weapons - we need to bring back a trophy, after all."

There was a screech as the door finally gave way. Raising his weapon once more, Strelnikov joined the charge.

---

New Asan Industrial District
Munitions Plant No. 6

Sonia frowned. High-altitude sensor signatures had just shown up in droves - an airforce? But whose? As the blips began peeling away from each other, she could discern a few smaller objects falling away. She swore.

"Какого хуя? Who are these fuckers and why... SHIT!"

She opened comms with the rest of the squadron.

"All units, we've got air to ground munitions incoming! Intercept immediately - protect the fucking train! Anything threatens to hit those tracks, I want it shot down before it gets within a hundred metres!"

Flicking a series of switches, she diverted power to the capacitors. All six Homados batteries gyrated in their gimballed mounts, each finding a target for itself. Sabot after sabot was launched at hypersonic speeds - all around the district, a further fifty-four similar cannons fired in sync. Bombs exploded at every altitude imaginable - their shockwaves tore apart rickety shacks and set trees ablaze. The train was safe, for now. And yet, all focus was on the train - one singular bomb was not intercepted. It landed not too far from the munitions factory, and its detonation cracked one of its four supporting pillars.

Sonia was laughing now, punching buttons and flicking switches. As the building shook and quaked, a series of graviton thrusters on the underside of Unit-01's hull gave off a brief pulse. Spider-legs flexed, and the entire craft was launched up into the air in a mighty leap. As the plant collapsed, Sonia punched the pulse button repeatedly, pulsing the thrusters again and again to slow her vehicle's descent. It landed on a smaller factory, and though the roof seemed to buckle slightly with the impact, it held.

"Alright, now focus fire on the bastards that dropped those! We won't give them the chance for another volley!"

A series of clicks emanated from each craft. Now their dual purpose torpedo tubes were cycled, and a duo of guided missiles streaked from each vessel, seeking out airborne targets. A total of twenty high-explosive packages, each with its own set of targeting parameters. At the same time, the Homados batteries were re-locked, and proceeded to open fire at any aircraft within range.

[Uvoan]

---

New Asan Hospital, Exterior
The troops had quickly fallen back the moment the Sentinels had touched down- A fighting retreat to ensure that troops could get out safely. Executing wounded for whom there was no hope in this hell-scape, as they guided Kafairians though the chaos. The rebels quickly routed- Vanishing into the clouds of chlorine, as they shot their own wounded aswell. Nobody would spare resources in this fighting.

Doctors inside the hospital spent a final few seconds ensuring that the sedation was well and truly in effect- The perimeter was secured from any snipers, that the wounds were sealed... The gas-mask worked. Then they wheeled the hospital bed out, even as Uvoanian troops quickly guided the evacuation. Organizing quickly, as they started placing charges all around the hospital.

Drakkin winced as he saw Zkto' rolled out on the hospital bed- But grabbed it, and helped get it inside the shuttle. Zkto' had survived worse- But not in this scenario.

Home safe.

”Everyone here? Oh, hello Kaifarese. How was your hike on this beautiful day?” Said John Mercer as the hatchet of the shuttle slammed shut, the shuttle AI began a decontamination process to clean the transport ship of any unwanted pathogens as it filtered into breathable oxygen safe for mortal consumption. ”You all may remove those nasty helmets, the air is clean. your are safe. Also, my name is John Mercer, the Chancellor of the Rapture Republic. Pleasure to meet you all!” Smiled, the Chancellor seemingly unbothered by the situation. The shuttle surprisingly without incident thanks to the humming cannons of the Voidship, returned back to the hangar untouched by enemy shells. The Chancellor would be first one to step out, he hailed a medical droids to see to the wounds of Zkto Zovban, while other droids would instruct the soldiers to further decontamination processes and refreshing showers to ease the stress of the battlefield below. ”When everyone is sound of mind, please meet me in the war room. You be directed there by my six Sentinels. Or if you are sick of talking about war, you will be directed to the ship’s arcade plus spa, along with sleeping quarters and the cafeteria. Otherwise, important heads are required to speak with me. After you are cleaned up, of course.” Said John Mercer firmly.


While everyone who survived the seize of the hospital was cleaning up themselves, the Chancellor would standing in the war room, right next to the bridge looking over a holographic map of Uvoan. With that said, SilverNet would authorize a ten minute barrage of canisters filled with mustard gas that has a hydrogen-peroxide based instead of a sulfur base, making it able to defeat conventional gas masks, therefore, a nightmare scenario for any unlucky sucker wandering around in the city of New Asan. As the canisters drowned all sentient life in the city in a gassy tsaumani of death.

The troops let out sighs of relief- And dispersed quickly. Following orders, getting food, and de-stressing from one hell of a siege. Zkto's wounds were minor, at this point, despite the fact he remained heavily sedated... Eventually, two corporals did make there way to the war-room, the two organizers of all this chaos. All the other troops had taken the offers to decontaminate, shower, eat, then sleep... And could anyone overly blame them? Even after cleanup, the two corporals looked like hell, as they saluted upon reporting to the war-room.

"Corporal Jevvan, reporting. Commander of the 6th." One of them said.

"Corporal Takka, reporting. Commander of the 7th. You arrived just in time- We weren't about to survive that next round of assaults." The other one said, both perfectly formal. "We were both here as apart of efforts by Minister Zovban, to secure a speaking podium ahead of a speech... Which has obviously been cancelled. 340 men of our original 750 have survived... And I can't even begin to estimate rebel casualties, Sir." The other said

---

New Asan Industrial District
Railway Junction

Strelnikov lowered his weapon. Its barrel steamed, and spent casings littered the floor. The end carriage had been secured. Now, as one of his men worked to tear down the reinforced doors leading to the next, the carriage lurched. Strelnikov cursed.

"They're starting to move! EVERYONE, GET ABOARD!"

As one, the Yeglan troops made their way towards the armored bulk of the train, even as it started to accelerate. Some anchored themselves to the sides of carriages, while others joined the fighting on the roof. Still others clambered into the open doorway of the end carriage.

One of Strelnikov's subordinates was already tearing down the door to the next compartment, even as another approached him.

"Sir, are we going all the way to the front of the train?"

He chuckled.

"Of course we are. We need to clear this whole behemoth. Although the locomotive should be somewhere in the middle - the first thing we need to do is stop it."

He switched to the squad radio channel.

"Let that be a notice to all squad members - the locomotive is priority one. We need to stop the train, then clear it of any remaining hostiles. Try to avoid permanent damage to any machinery and weapons - we need to bring back a trophy, after all."

There was a screech as the door finally gave way. Raising his weapon once more, Strelnikov joined the charge.

---

New Asan Industrial District
Munitions Plant No. 6

Sonia frowned. High-altitude sensor signatures had just shown up in droves - an airforce? But whose? As the blips began peeling away from each other, she could discern a few smaller objects falling away. She swore.

"Какого хуя? Who are these fuckers and why... SHIT!"

She opened comms with the rest of the squadron.

"All units, we've got air to ground munitions incoming! Intercept immediately - protect the fucking train! Anything threatens to hit those tracks, I want it shot down before it gets within a hundred metres!"

Flicking a series of switches, she diverted power to the capacitors. All six Homados batteries gyrated in their gimballed mounts, each finding a target for itself. Sabot after sabot was launched at hypersonic speeds - all around the district, a further fifty-four similar cannons fired in sync. Bombs exploded at every altitude imaginable - their shockwaves tore apart rickety shacks and set trees ablaze. The train was safe, for now. And yet, all focus was on the train - one singular bomb was not intercepted. It landed not too far from the munitions factory, and its detonation cracked one of its four supporting pillars.

Sonia was laughing now, punching buttons and flicking switches. As the building shook and quaked, a series of graviton thrusters on the underside of Unit-01's hull gave off a brief pulse. Spider-legs flexed, and the entire craft was launched up into the air in a mighty leap. As the plant collapsed, Sonia punched the pulse button repeatedly, pulsing the thrusters again and again to slow her vehicle's descent. It landed on a smaller factory, and though the roof seemed to buckle slightly with the impact, it held.

"Alright, now focus fire on the bastards that dropped those! We won't give them the chance for another volley!"

A series of clicks emanated from each craft. Now. their dual purpose torpedo tubes were cycled, and a duo of guided missiles streaked from each vessel, seeking out airborne targets. A total of twenty high-explosive packages, each with its own set of targeting parameters. At the same time, the Homados batteries were re-locked, and proceeded to open fire at any craft within range.

---

'Battle-field' Armored Train, Interior, New Asan

The interior swayed as the train picked up speed. Troops firing as the door was busted open, with bolt-actions slamming round after round home. They were easily tossed aside by the armored behemoths, of course, but they were being damn stubborn. The door actually flew open from the next car, as heavy anti-boarding shotguns recoiled. 12 Gauges filling the corridor with lead. The door, open behind them, revealed troops swinging onto the outside of the train... And a command-center.

As the outside troops got ontop of one of the gun-less cars, troops suddenly kicked hatches open. Heavy shotguns roaring, as they slammed them shut after exiting... But a trooper could get a small glimpse. The car didn't look like a troop transport- Or tank carrier. It was a command center. Troops grabbed handles, but kept firing.

Kazak grabbed her heavy pistol, an incredibly rare 25.4 MM 'Biteback', as she swung about. Focusing on the door, where shot-gun troopers were now firing.

"Ma'am!" A trooper called. "Get another set of cars back- We can't stop them here!"

"No- I'll die, fighting!" Kazak replied, as she stared at the door. Prepared to fire the moment the first hostile trooper walked through.

---

New Asan, 1500 Meters Up

The moment the bombs got shot down, the swarm of 'Waveriders' swung about to prioritize that sector... And they started breaking, as the missiles came thundering up. Kicking chaff about, and dodging. Pilots swung into insane moves- Dodging missiles.

"Pilots, break! This situation is useless anyway- Unknown assailants, and ground command isn't responding! Break, break, return to Expolia!" The Flight-Lead called, and the fighters started breaking. Peeling off, and escaping from New Asan...

"What the hell happened in that city...?" One pilot wondered, aloud.

"You answered it. Hell." The flight-lead answered.

[The Rapture Republic]

Home safe.

”Everyone here? Oh, hello Kaifarese. How was your hike on this beautiful day?” Said John Mercer as the hatchet of the shuttle slammed shut, the shuttle AI began a decontamination process to clean the transport ship of any unwanted pathogens as it filtered into breathable oxygen safe for mortal consumption. ”You all may remove those nasty helmets, the air is clean. your are safe. Also, my name is John Mercer, the Chancellor of the Rapture Republic. Pleasure to meet you all!” Smiled, the Chancellor seemingly unbothered by the situation. The shuttle surprisingly without incident thanks to the humming cannons of the Voidship, returned back to the hangar untouched by enemy shells. The Chancellor would be first one to step out, he hailed a medical droids to see to the wounds of Zkto Zovban, while other droids would instruct the soldiers to further decontamination processes and refreshing showers to ease the stress of the battlefield below. ”When everyone is sound of mind, please meet me in the war room. You be directed there by my six Sentinels. Or if you are sick of talking about war, you will be directed to the ship’s arcade plus spa, along with sleeping quarters and the cafeteria. Otherwise, important heads are required to speak with me. After you are cleaned up, of course.” Said John Mercer firmly.


While everyone who survived the seize of the hospital was cleaning up themselves, the Chancellor would standing in the war room, right next to the bridge looking over a holographic map of Uvoan. With that said, SilverNet would authorize a ten minute barrage of canisters filled with mustard gas that has a hydrogen-peroxide based instead of a sulfur base, making it able to defeat conventional gas masks, therefore, a nightmare scenario for any unlucky sucker wandering around in the city of New Asan. As the canisters drowned all sentient life in the city in a gassy tsaumani of death.

The troops let out sighs of relief- And dispersed quickly. Following orders, getting food, and de-stressing from one hell of a siege. Zkto's wounds were minor, at this point, despite the fact he remained heavily sedated... Eventually, two corporals did make there way to the war-room, the two organizers of all this chaos. All the other troops had taken the offers to decontaminate, shower, eat, then sleep... And could anyone overly blame them? Even after cleanup, the two corporals looked like hell, as they saluted upon reporting to the war-room.

"Corporal Jevvan, reporting. Commander of the 6th." One of them said.

"Corporal Takka, reporting. Commander of the 7th. You arrived just in time- We weren't about to survive that next round of assaults." The other one said, both perfectly formal. "We were both here as apart of efforts by Minister Zovban, to secure a speaking podium ahead of a speech... Which has obviously been cancelled. 340 men of our original 750 have survived... And I can't even begin to estimate rebel casualties, Sir." The other said.

”Ah, Greetings! Gentlemen. Please take a seat, you must be, well, you are exhausted from this mad mad war and no need to thank me. I would have done this for my friend, Zkto. Even if the entire country was against him. He is and always will be a friend of the Rapture. Would any of you two gentlemen care for wine, water, soda, or coffe? Before we begin the debriefing as I do want to the situation to ensure Uvoan is reunified under Zkto’s banner.” Said the John Mercer looking at Corporal Takka and Javvan.

[Yegla Islands]

'Battle-field' Armored Train, New Asan Central Railroad
Command Car

The shotguns were an issue. While they didn't have the punch to break through the Dolya suits, they were certainly capable of knocking soldiers over. A few had already almost lost their footing on the outside of the carriages, saved only by a timely grab or the helpful hand of a comrade-in-arms. But for now, the entire heavy infantry compliment remained aboard the train. Strelnikov fired, again and again, his high-caliber machinegun rounds tearing through several adversaries at a time. A few got too close, and were scythed down by the mighty bayonet. He glimpsed the interior of the next car, and renewed his vigor.

"We've almost reached their command car! ONE MORE PUSH AND WE'LL SCATTER THEM!"

He diverted additional power to servo motors as he charged towards the doorway. A shotgun blast caught him in the side, denting the armor plating - he barely slowed down. The man who fired the shot had his ribcage crushed with an armored elbow before he could let off another. Emboldened by their leader, the rest of the troops on the interior renewed their charge.

Atop the carriages, Corporal Ignatyevich, support thaumaturge, focused intently. A rebel fired his shotgun with the intent of knocking off an infantryman, desperately clinging to the side of the train. And yet, the shotgun's barrel was capped off by a circle of pulsating blue energy. The buckshot was stopped in its tracks, and the barrel exploded, with the unfortunate rebel being thrown off the train by the resultant blast. Two more rebels advanced. Ignatyevich turned, and a circle of spectral daggers manifested in the air behind him.

---

New Asan Industrial District
Munitions Plant No. 6

Sonia watched the planes veer off-course, desperately maneuvering to avoid the missiles. She giggled with delight, but transitioned to a disappointed "awww" once she realized that none of them had actually been downed. A few looked worse for wear from the CIWS barrage, but they were all now retreating at high speeds. She wound down her cannons, and re-enabled the intercom.

"Alright, I'm officially dejected. How did we not manage to get a single one?"

One of the gunners spoke up.

"They were experienced, whoever they were. Dodged everything like they'd seen it a million times before. Beats me why they decided to retreat."

Sonia considered this. So, likely the rogue military elements. And they'd left because..? She turned to look at the city. Everything was blanketed in gas, buildings guttered. Corpses littered the streets, and burned-out vehicle shells blocked off roads left and right.

"I kinda get them. Why bomb a dead city? Anyway, looks like our brave boys and girls are making headway on the train. How about we go and rendezvous?"

Unit-01 leapt down, its fall from the factory cushioned once more by rapid thruster pulses. It started off at a leisurely trot, and was soon joined by the rest of the squadron. Together, they made their way through the hellish streets, to a point along the railroad that was a few kilometers ahead of the train.

[Uvoan]

The troops let out sighs of relief- And dispersed quickly. Following orders, getting food, and de-stressing from one hell of a siege. Zkto's wounds were minor, at this point, despite the fact he remained heavily sedated... Eventually, two corporals did make there way to the war-room, the two organizers of all this chaos. All the other troops had taken the offers to decontaminate, shower, eat, then sleep... And could anyone overly blame them? Even after cleanup, the two corporals looked like hell, as they saluted upon reporting to the war-room.

"Corporal Jevvan, reporting. Commander of the 6th." One of them said.

"Corporal Takka, reporting. Commander of the 7th. You arrived just in time- We weren't about to survive that next round of assaults." The other one said, both perfectly formal. "We were both here as apart of efforts by Minister Zovban, to secure a speaking podium ahead of a speech... Which has obviously been cancelled. 340 men of our original 750 have survived... And I can't even begin to estimate rebel casualties, Sir." The other said.

”Ah, Greetings! Gentlemen. Please take a seat, you must be, well, you are exhausted from this mad mad war and no need to thank me. I would have done this for my friend, Zkto. Even if the entire country was against him. He is and always will be a friend of the Rapture. Would any of you two gentlemen care for wine, water, soda, or coffe? Before we begin the debriefing as I do want to the situation to ensure Uvoan is reunified under Zkto’s banner.” Said the John Mercer looking at Corporal Takka and Javvan.

---

"Just some water, Sir." Javvan said, as he took a seat, wearily.

"Soda, please. I need a caffinee hit after that storm on the ground, Sir." Takka answered, as he sat aswell. "What do you want to know about the ground situation?" Takka then asked..

'Battle-field' Armored Train, New Asan Central Railroad
Command Car

The shotguns were an issue. While they didn't have the punch to break through the Dolya suits, they were certainly capable of knocking soldiers over. A few had already almost lost their footing on the outside of the carriages, saved only by a timely grab or the helpful hand of a comrade-in-arms. But for now, the entire heavy infantry compliment remained aboard the train. Strelnikov fired, again and again, his high-caliber machinegun rounds tearing through several adversaries at a time. A few got too close, and were scythed down by the mighty bayonet. He glimpsed the interior of the next car, and renewed his vigor.

"We've almost reached their command car! ONE MORE PUSH AND WE'LL SCATTER THEM!"

He diverted additional power to servo motors as he charged towards the doorway. A shotgun blast caught him in the side, denting the armor plating - he barely slowed down. The man who fired the shot had his ribcage crushed with an armored elbow before he could let off another. Emboldened by their leader, the rest of the troops on the interior renewed their charge.

Atop the carriages, Corporal Ignatyevich, support thaumaturge, focused intently. A rebel fired his shotgun with the intent of knocking off an infantryman, desperately clinging to the side of the train. And yet, the shotgun's barrel was capped off by a circle of pulsating blue energy. The buckshot was stopped in its tracks, and the barrel exploded, with the unfortunate rebel being thrown off the train by the resultant blast. Two more rebels advanced. Ignatyevich turned, and a circle of spectral daggers manifested in the air behind him.

---

New Asan Industrial District
Munitions Plant No. 6

Sonia watched the planes veer off-course, desperately maneuvering to avoid the missiles. She giggled with delight, but transitioned to a disappointed "awww" once she realized that none of the planes had actually been downed. A few looked worse for wear from the CIWS barrage, but they were all now retreating at high speeds. She wound down her cannons, and re-enabled the intercom.

"Alright, I'm officially dejected. How did we not manage to get a single one?"

One of the gunners spoke up.

"They were experienced, whoever they were. Dodged everything like they'd seen it a million times before. Beats me why they decided to retreat."

Sonia considered this. So, likely the rogue military elements. And they'd left because..? She turned to look at the city. Everything was blanketed in gas, buildings guttered. Corpses littered the streets, and burned-out vehicle shells blocked off roads left and right.

"I kinda get them. Why bomb a dead city? Anyway, looks like our brave boys and girls are making headway on the train. How about we go and rendezvous?"

Unit-01 leapt down, its fall from the factory cushioned once more by rapid thruster pulses. It started off at a leisurely trot, and was soon joined by the rest of the squadron. Together, they made their way through the hellish streets, to a point along the railroad that was a few kilometers ahead of the train.

---

The moment the first troops came through, they were met with rapid-fire shotgun fire. Kazak fired her heavy 25.4, landing hits on whoever charged through first. All six shots slammed out, before she switched to her heavy shotgun. Slamming shots out, repeatedly, firing as the other troopers in the command center did the same. Focusing fire on the first one to come through, as Kazak dropped the now empty shotgun. Slamming in new shells to her pistol, as he fired again and again.

The fighting on the outside of the train intensified, as the infantry defended the command car. Shotguns roaring, as they reloaded. Focusing fire on troopers, to send them flying off the train with concentrated bursts of fire. The quick nature of the fight had many rebels dying, of course, but more seemed to come pouring out of the transport-cars. Many with heavier weapons- Anti-tank rifles, machine guns...

As a heavy 127MM turned to face those ontop of the train. Loaders slammed shells in, as the rebels hit the deck. And then the firing begins, high-velocity shrapnel shells lancing out over the roof of the train. They're getting stubborn now, as the Yelgans get closer to the engine...