Plasma_Wolf's Tweakblog

“Leyton!” Yelled Funky in response. “What are you doing here?!”
“I don’t want to miss the end of the Infinite War and if it is even remotely possible, I’d like to play a major role in it, so that the end is a good one.” Answered the former UEF captain.
“So you’re piloting a Cybran ACU?” Interrupted Eric. “Why?!”

“Well, I think you can come up with the answer by yourself, if you think about what you said some time ago.”
“Some time is several years, Dygonn, the days we designed the Matar Fortress were about the last that we’ve worked together and since we aren’t very good friends...”
“You’re right about both things. I’ll just tell you then, as this isn’t really the time for games.” Said Leython.

“It’s nice that you’ll tell, but don’t take too long, we’ve got a war to fight and your explanations are a dangerous distraction.” Replied Jeff, Leython’s best friend.
“I hope none of you are too angry with me, but while I was away, I didn’t think of myself as enemy of the UEF. Anyway, I basically joined the Cybrans because they gave me a proper reason to fight. As you know, especially Eric, I didn’t really have a motive for joining the military, they only accepted me because the UEF needed pilots so much.

When I was on the battlefield, I quickly learned of a reason to fight. The Aeon were merciless...”
“Hey.” Interrupted an unknown voice, or at least unknown for the three pilots in the UEF ACUs.
Leython ignored her, continuing on the matter at hand. “...but when I was captured by doctor Brackman, he told me about what the Symbionts really were in the UEF: they’re all slaves. A truth that we all happily ignore because of the Federation’s propaganda.”

“So that’s true then? The fact that we live on without a second thought makes us pretty shallow, doesn’t it?” Said Funky. The people of the UEF were just so ignorant. The Symbionts as slaves, Brackman as a criminal, it was all accepted while many people actually knew better.

“Yes it is.” Said Leython. “When Brackman told me of that, I knew that I could never go back to the UEF, I’d fight for freedom when I’d stop one of the many Aeon commanders, but I’d also support the system of slavery. I cannot be such a hypocrite.”

Eric Temera and Jeff Lanced didn’t say a word. Leython knew that he left his old friend thinking about the UEF, but he wasn’t so sure about Eric, the person he always argued with. He knew that Eric would fight for the UEF indefinitely, he could think that what the Cybrans said was propaganda or not care in either way. However, commander Temera knew all too well that Leython never did something without thinking it through.

“There’s no need to tell me what you think about it, I can already guess, if you’re still the same.” Said Leython, hoping that he could get everyone with him again.
“The thing is, Dygonn...” Replied Temera, while he sent a new group of Titans to clash with their Aeon counterparts. “...I am not the same person as I was several years ago. Go on though. It’s a nice story.”

“Somehow, I knew that Brackman didn’t lie. So I knew I couldn’t get back to the UEF and fight for Clarke or Riley. However, I also knew that I couldn’t just fight any battle with the Cybrans. What if I met one of you on the field? I couldn’t even ruthlessly kill you, Eric.”
“Oh, that’s a good thing to know. One person less who wants me dead.” Said commander Temera sarcastically. “But I think that five Aeon pilots here are enough to get that job done. Could you give us a hand over here. They’ve recovered and are attacking once again.”

“That’s what I’m hoping for. They’re distracted. Jeff, fill your strategic missile launcher up, you’re going to need all of the missiles to destroy the enemy bases. I’ll ensure that the defences go down.” Said Leython, forgetting about the story of his life for now. Stopping the enemy was a more important task.

“I have thought of a sound plan to thwart this Aeon assault.” Said a female voice. “I hope that you can work together with an Aeon pilot.
“Let’s see, we’re talking with someone who left the UEF only to fight with the Cybrans, like this guy is our best friend. So we must also be able to work together with an Aeon pilot too.” Said Josh.

Eric wasn’t so convinced: “Who are you actually?”
“My name is Marisa Gawain, I am Leyton’s girlfriend.” She said.
“To be his girlfriend, you must really be of the same mind as he is, so you really have to be a strategist as well.” Replied Eric.
“I am, maybe not as good as he is, but I’ve worked this plan out with him, so it will work.”

“Then let’s do it already, we’ve got to hurry up because they’re coming quite close now.” Said Josh.
“Ok, you will only concentrate on the Harbingers.”
“Those are? The tier three bots? We have little intel on the Aeon’s arsenal. We know what the experimental assault bot is named, but that pretty much is it.”
“Yes, Harbingers are the tier three bots. While you do that. I will take down the enemy Colossi.” Answered Marisa and on those words she sent two squads of twenty strategic bombers to bomb the enemy experimentals. Being with two as well, the sacred assault bots didn’t last long against their aerial threat. Leython had managed to keep the enemy air force occupied.

“Why don’t you bomb the Harbingers as well?” Asked Jeff. “Why do we have to spend our Titans on them?”
“Because the bombers are going to take down some missile defences which will be to your advantage. Your assault bots are unable to breach the enemy base defences while my air force can get through.” Answered Marisa without hesitation.

While the three UEF commanders concentrated on the Harbingers, their new ally bombed the Colossi into oblivion.
“Get all of the fighters you’ve got left away from my bombers. I have lost some already, we should have thought about that.”
“Why haven’t we exchanged our friend-or-foe codes?” Asked Josh. “We really have to do that.
“We don’t want to disclose our location.” Interrupted Leython. “Don’t forget that the only allies I’ve got are the other Cybrans and those are not here.” He said, while he teleported from one base to another, so he could take out the enemy missile defences that were not directly protected against any land threat.

“We’re no enemies, are we? You help us protect the city, so I don’t get what’s wrong with that.” Said Eric while his fighters retreated from the scene.
“That is true, but I know that people like Riley might want to have me dead and force you to turn against me. If you don’t do it, he might send in other men to kill me and Marisa. We can’t allow that.”

____________
“They are systematically destroying all of our strategic missile defence structures. This is a problem.” Halley said. “Have you contacted the Avatar-of-War? We are in dire need of instructions against these two. They are about to destroy us and we cannot do anything but to watch.”

“We have to predict where this Cybran ACU is going now. We can at least take him down if we have a Colossus waiting at the last place.” Suggested one of her subordinates.
“That would be the one close to my quantum gate, I will send all of the Harbingers I have, you should do the same.” Said the Templar.

“What about your defences near the edge of your base? Those are protected fairly well but might not survive if that commander comes and fires his laser.”

“The enemy ACU will not go there, he will be destroyed. Our enemy does not wish to die. He clings on to life.” Halley had barely said it before Marisa’s bombers arrived and destroyed every single missile defence structure that Leython had left. The SAM sites responded immediately and fired their missiles, which found their targets and blasted them in thousands of parts.

The damage was already done though. All of their strategic missile defences were destroyed, safe from the one near Halley’s quantum gate. With their bases almost completely defenceless, they knew that the battle was lost. How long it would take before it was completely over depended on how much the UEF commanders could destroy with their nukes. The more of their economy was taken out, the sooner it would end.

“Inform The Choir, we are retreating. I will construct additional gates so we can get out of here at the same time, we will be safe then.” Halley said.
“I shall do that.”

____________
“They are sending all of their units towards the last defence structure. I’m going to take a look on how to deal with it, taking that out means we can take out the enemy commanders.” Leython said.
“Wait, let them escape.” Replied Marisa.
“What?! Why? If they’re leaving, they’ll cleanse somewhere else.” Eric retorted.

Leython thought Marisa wanted to persevere because, like he, Marisa was reluctant to battle her own people, far more reluctant than an unknown and unforgiving enemy.
However, Marisa agreed. “You are right. These are the merciless people that have possibly killed millions. If we have to destroy them to save many others, so be it. However, we may never forget that this is not the right way to end a war. This is exactly what makes the Infinite War.”

“We’ll think of that later. Besides, they’re commanders, no innocent citizens,” Josh said. “Leython, I found a way in so I can destroy that missile defence, but you’ve got to take out their air defences at one side of the base. Create a path, so to say.”
“I can do that.” Leython answered.

He had already thought his plan through. There was simply no way that anyone would watch their base defences be destroyed by a simple trick. No matter what commanders formed the enemy lines, they’d do something about a teleporting enemy commander.

Seconds later, he introduced the Monkeylord. Brackman had told that both the Aeon and the UEF had met this weapon and could tell the story. Its existence was no longer a secret as several commanders had survived its attack a week ago.

The experimental spiderbot had a laser as powerful at the ACU’s chest laser, but had much stronger armour. It also had stealth integrated in its hull design, allowing the weapon to go unnoticed until omni sensors picked it up. Without cloak, it was vulnerable to any visual contact, but most of the enemy air force was down and none of the commanders expected this unit, let alone that they knew from which side it would attack.

By the time it suddenly appeared at the enemy base defences, all Oblivion cannons turned at the same time and charged their weapons. Yet, before they could do moderate damage, the Monkeylord had taken out any shields in its path and fried two point defence turrets every second.

At a sudden moment though, the unit was hammered on one of its legs by all that stood left and the experimental almost crashed into the ground. The few air units that the Illuminate pilots had left, joined the fight and dropped their bombs or fired their guns at the same leg the Oblivion cannons targeted.

“I’ve got enough of their cannons destroyed to make it if I teleport there. All that is left is to destroy the enemy air units to ensure my safety. Can you send your fighters to do the job?” Leython asked while the Monkeylord destroyed more cannons as it moved on.

“I will do that.” Answered Marisa, who had managed to build an impressive force of Coronas.

Finally, the combined firepower blew off the Monkeylord’s leg and rendered it immobile. Only five defence cannons stood left, close together. Leython appeared close to them and fired right away. The Oblivions stood no chance as they were, one by one, turned into molten debris.

“It’s going to take some time to destroy those SAM sites and flak cannons, can someone assist? Anything is welcome because they’re sending fifty per cent of the Harbinger force to take me down.”
“I’ve got some Titans left.” Said Jeff, while he ordered the first strategic missiles to be launched. “I’ll send them in, we should fight the tier three bots first. You’ll get mobile shield generators too.”

“That was the unit I missed most when I left the UEF. The Parashields. The Cyrbran stealth generators were a much better alternative for me though and when I met Marisa, she could make up for the lack of mobile shields.” Said Leython while he turned his ACU to the anti-air equipment.
The air screeched as the heavy microwave laser was fired. Within a couple of seconds, several flak cannons and SAM sites were destroyed. The enemy bots came dangerously close though and Jeff’s titans might not be enough.

“Wait a minute, I can just nuke this place and then the most of their anti-air is done for. I’ll do that. You can prepare your drop, Josh.” Leython said, suddenly remembering that he could take a much easier approach in order to clear the enemy base. The sudden advantage was that he didn’t have his ACU on the front line, fighting the enemy Harbingers.

“Leython, you can take on the siege assault bots. The strategic missile will have a better use at a different place.” Said Marisa, as she knew very well how powerful the microwave laser was. It could cut through the enemy lines like a hot knife through butter.

“I know that the maser is extremely powerful, but that force coming at me now is too dangerous.. I’ll be damaged badly even if I have all of Jeff’s support, especially the shields. However, we must realise that they can have a trick on their sleeve as well...” Started Leython and he quickly finished his thoughts in confirmation of his expectations.

“...there it is already, they’ve got a second force coming at me right now.” He said. “But not anymore. I’ve teleported out of there. Continue with your units Jeff, sacrifice them.”
“Why? What’s the use of it?”

“I have launched a strategic missile while my teleporting device powered up. If you send your units to the place where I stood moments ago, the Harbingers will target them and probably be destroyed when my missile explodes. The destruction of many Harbingers will be worth your small loss.”

____________
“Move to my quantum gate as soon as possible!” Hallay said. “They have launched the first missiles and those are certain to arrive within moments.”
She didn’t have to say those words, as Halley’s subordinates were already on the move, they went directly towards the heart of her base. With the complete lack of protection, there was no telling where the missiles would explode.

Only a few seconds later, they could tell it. They could tell by the sudden panicking words of one of Halley’s knights.
“Turn around, Tisia! Turn around and get underneath as many shields as you can.” Said the templar in response.
“It’s no use, that missile is coming down too fast!” Tisia replied while she tried to move away from the strategic missile’s target but like she said, it was no use.

Before she could do anything but transfer her arsenal, the nuke exploded. Halley saw a final terrified look on Tisia’s face before the signal stopped transmitting.

“We have lost Tisia.” The words were utterly unnecessary...

____________
Three more nukes exploded and although none of those killed an Aeon pilot, they did clear more than a path for Josh Funky’s air drop assault that should destroy the last missile defence structure.

“Twenty seconds before the transports drop their units.”
“They’re constructing more gates. If our current missile is shot down, they’ll escape.”
“I’m an excellent in surgical strikes, but I can’t make my air transports fly any faster. Just hope that I make it in time. How long do I have before the missile arrives?”
“Right now, you have twenty seconds.”

“This gives me five seconds to destroy that unit, that’s not enough for my artillery. I hope that the Titans can do just enough.”

But before the last missile defence structure could be destroyed, it launched its missile and destroyed the nuke. Halley’s team escaped thirty seconds later, after all of Funky’s units, vastly outnumbered, were easily destroyed by the Aeon’s army of Harbingers.

____________
They had returned to Seraphim Two. Halley was unable to contact the Avatar-of-War. Apparently, he had more pressing matters on his mind than to coordinate every team that took part in the largest offensive in Aeon history.

But before she could step out of her ACU, one of the Choir’s members contacted her.
“You are to go back to Earth immediately.”
“Excuse me? Back to Earth? We have just left, Elenes. This is no use, we have barely escaped.”
“I realise that, templar Halley, but those are Marxon’s orders. I must say that I do not see the use of a suicidal mission that does not bring any result, the Avatar-of-War agrees. However, with all Aeon forces combined, he will be absolutely sure of our victory.”
“We will assist him whenever we have to. We have sworn our loyalty to him, for the glory of the Aeon Illuminate! Tell us where to go, Elenes. We shall fight in the name of Marxon and emerge victorious.”

“You will go to the city of San Francisco. We are meeting heavy resistance there but when you arrive as reinforcements, we should be able to defeat the UEF commanders within thirty minutes. Afterwards, you will cleanse the city and transfer as many resources to Marxon as possible.”

____________
“Guys, it looks like the city is safe.” Said Josh and he contacted general Stirling. “We’ve done it sir. The city is safe.”
“We know that there are two commanders left. An Aeon and a Cybran one. They are to be terminated as well.” Answered Stirling in an uncompromising tone.
“What’s so important about it sir?” Asked Jeff. “They assisted us and they mean no trouble.”
“You have your orders.”

“That’s not an order you would give, Stirling.” Said Leython calmly. “I, for instance, remember how you allowed a Symbiont commander to retreat, despite for the fact that he was at your mercy. You and he had together fought two Aeon knights and in response your enemies concentrated on the Cybran threat first.

You could’ve killed him, but you didn’t. Only because the two of you were friends for that moment. I couldn’t kill him either. I didn’t even kill the person who killed Simon and Shaldon Beck. So why do you ask Josh, Jeff and Eric to kill me and knight Gawain? Why, general Stirling? Why have you turned into this? Is it because of Riley and Clarke? Are you so urged to support them?”

“Dygonn!” snarled Stirling. “For how long are you in a Cybran ACU already?”
“Since when have you been promoted to general? I think it’s been before the Matar debacle.”

Stirling didn’t say a word.

“When you turned down our design and then came up with something that wouldn’t protect, I realised that the Fortress of Matar was built on bureaucracy and the urge to cut in the UEF’s financial expenditures. More than a year after I joined the Cybrans, I took part in the assault on Matar, the ultimate goal was not to destroy the fortress but to free thousands of Symbionts.”

“But you did take the fortress down. It was our perfect protection because no one had full knowledge about its secrets, not outside the UEF.”
“Intel is the most important part of combat, at least for me it is. Not for Eric and he seems to work fine with that. I however, see it as my ultimate weapon and I used my knowledge to attack and destroy the base. If the highest members of the UEF government had decided to pay a little bit more, then your fortress would’ve been as powerful as mine. Then you didn’t have to think about the ludicrous costs of constructing it.”

“Staying in the Cybran territory after you were destroyed is one thing, but it’s insane to turn on the UEF!” Snarled Stirling. “How could you do such a thing. Where is your loyalty!?”
“Like Eric told me so long ago, I didn’t have the loyalty to fight for the UEF.” Leython answered ferociously.

“Well, he was right! I have the loyalty to protect as many people as possible, see to it that they can live. When I learned the reality about the Cybrans, I knew I could only fight against the Aeon, no longer the UEF. I can only fight for the people’s freedom, not their enslavement. That is why I joined the Cybrans. I must say that doctor Brackman used me a bit, but I prefer it this way.”

When I heard about the plan to free thousands of Symbionts and the involvement also fought to teach the UEF a lesson. A lesson about true warfare. Remember how you praised me as the best student in strategy you have ever had? I used my knowledge to deal with that small piece of injustice done to me and my teammates.”

“Still, you turned on us! Because of you, we now fight on Earth. The fortress could’ve held the Aeon there. Because of your actions, they cleansed millions.”
“I cannot say that I am completely innocent, no, but there is one thing. I based my actions on my immediate information. Every decision I make, is the best option for the current situation. I wouldn’t have imagined that, some years later, the Aeon succeed in taking over at Matar and cleanse everyone on their path. I would’ve thought that the UEF had rebuilt the fortress and this time, they’d have it done properly.”

“You contributed to it. You betrayed us.”
“To that, I must object. The only secret I gave away was the Fortress of Matar, nothing else. I have given no intel about the rest of the UEF whatsoever. I even assisted Josh and Jeff and one of their colleagues at Luthien to protect UEF citizens, because I quickly realised that a certain distraction involved in our raid on Matar could kill millions.”

“He’s right, sir.” Backed Josh up. Stirling was left at a loss of words.
“Condemn me if you wish, general. Just know that I will never actively let millions of people die. I act on all information I have, to do whatever is best.”

“I have general Clarke her, Funky, she has new orders for you.”
Before Josh could say anything, Stirling closed the Channel and the screen he left blank was immediately filled with Clarke’s face.
“Major Funky, I need you at San Francisco. The Aeon have received new reinforcements there.”
“Isn’t that under general Stirling’s jurisdiction anymore?” Asked Jeff.
“It is, but you are no longer. Not now mister Dygonn has paid a visit again.”

“Hello general. I have to thank you. At least you are not so very rigid that you obey Riley to the letter.”
“I still am, Dygonn, I still am.” Answered Clarke, her cold voice returning. “But now is not the time to do that. We must safe as many people as possible, no matter what. We have just lost Black Sun to the Aeon. We have lost Michelle Aiko. The Aeon are taking control over the planet and right now I don’t care so much about how we set things straight, only about when.”

“This means that the Avatar-of-War controls Black Sun?” Marisa asked, this news was shocking. He wasn’t allowed to control that weapon.
“Yes, but something strange is happening. One Aeon commander controls the Black Sun control tower but they aren’t using it.”

In an instant, Marisa remembered her dream of a long time ago.
“I remember something. A dream.” She said. “A member of a family fights as hard as he can to protect his brothers and sisters. He protects his friends and anyone else who is not hostile to his family. In order to survive, he kills mercilessly, but not without the support of those who love him.

Yet eventually, he slips and turns into an extreme of himself. He does not hold back to achieve total power for himself and his family. There, he meets resistance by those who he thought to be his friends. He sets them aside too, killing them if need be. The outcome is inevitable, he is murdered for the better alternative.”

“What does this have to do with our battle? And how can we safe the UEF?” Asked Clarke.
“Do not worry. My dream represented the fall of Marxon. It is only a matter of time. In the meanwhile, I will assist in the evacuation if need be.”
“The UEF officers won’t accept you. I accept your explanation because I need every bit of information about the battle. It has gone ugly, very ugly. However, I can’t see you as a friend, colleague or comrade just because you’ve been with Dygonn or just because you’ve helped us.”

“I do not blame you. I understand how dangerously twisted this whole history is. You do not even know half of the story about us. I forgive your... cautiousness, so to say.”
“General Clarke.” Leython interrupted. “Why had you overruled Stirling’s orders? What had my appearance to do with it?”

“Stirling took his orders from Riley directly, I am sure of that. The president’s orders were to destroy any ACU of any opposing faction. I haven’t forgotten your work at Luthien though. You saved many people. You are still part of the UEF, you just fight with another paint job on your ACU.”

“It’s all a bit more complicated than that general, but now is not the time to talk about it. There’s something else I’ve got to do and I’m going to do it right now. Marisa will come with me. We will not send our ACUs into the city of course, but our bases will stay where they are. I’m going to be notified in case something happens, but please inform me if you suspect something nonetheless.”
“If I have the time, I might. I’ve spent too much on this matter though. Clarke out.” The general answered.

It was clear that this wasn’t a time for chatting, Leython had realised that Clarke had been monitoring several battles at the same time. Like she said, it was going ugly.

“What is this something you’ve got to do?” Asked Marisa.
“Since I’m finally able to, I’m going to get one of my possessions back. Let’s get out of the ACU, it’s time to fly.”

“What is it, Leython?” Asked Jeff. He, Eric and Josh were still here, but were about to leave for San Francisco. Leython had forgotten all about them, but it was better that he could still talk to Jeff.
“I’m going to retrieve my sword, if that’s ok with you. Since it’s in your apartment, taking it back involves a break-in. I’m sorry about --” Leython said, but Jeff cut him off already. Not to object though.

“I don’t have it anymore. Your father claimed it.”
“He did what?!” Leython asked furiously, this was insane!
“He lives in your apartment now.”
“Good, because I still have the keys! And if I see him, the talk is going to be a bit more ferocious than with Stirling!”