Rookie

23:47hrs

Orbit around the planet: Akom VIII

Jan. 25th 2285

Rookie is slouched in the corner of the hanger bay inspecting his firearms and equipment in the distance he looks straight through the open hanger bay doors gazing his eyes upon Akom VIII.

One of the humans colony worlds it was one of their main trade centres within their civilization that was before the war however. Twenty five years ago humanity made first contact with the Vhabak but instead of blowing each other to pieces with their weapons. Humanity made an alliance to work alongside the Vhabak to achieve their goals together.

This only lasted for fifteen years the alliance when the Vhabak declared war on humanity for the assassination on their Hierarchy King. A person whom is elected into the position from the Hierarchy Council within Vhabak political system.

So for the last ten years both the United Nations Alliance and Vhabak have been at war. A war that we've been losing due to our enemies' superior technology compared to ours.

Rookie goes back to looking over his LA-55a assault rifle one of the latest designs within the United Nations Alliance military it fires a thirty two clip armour piercing slug rounds that are electromagnetically discharged from the firing chamber. The same goes for the LA-P7 pistol instead it has a clip that holds twelve rounds.

As Rookie continues looking through his equipment he notices that Gunnar is making his way over to him. He's a Captain he's been in the field longer than Rookie. Rookie is only sixteen as for Gunnar he's twenty seven years of age. He has short brown hair military cut and dark brown eyes.

"Lance Corporal" he salutes at Rookie.

"Sir" Rookie returns the salute.

Gunnar just nods but with an irritated motion to his movement.

"Enough of the niceties Rookie we're not in boot camp" as he says this he laughs under his breath. Rookie just nods in approval of his comment.

Rookie continues checking over his equipment as Gunnar sits down next to him. He was Rookies commanding officer during his Orbital Paratrooper training and he's still his CO in the 52nd Orbital Paratroopers Division. Not that Rookie has anything against him but sometimes he feels as if Gunnar expects more from him than what he's actually giving to the team.

"We're expecting our orders soon" Gunnar suddenly breaks the silence between them. Rookie turns to look to him but instead Gunnar's eyes are gazed upon something in the distance.

"Have they told you our mission parameters?" Rookie ask him that's when Gunnar turns to look at him.

"No...not yet but whatever it is better be worth it" Rookie doesn't say anything he just looks back at his equipment not even planning to do anything with it.

"What was it like on your first drop?" he asks him.

"I was scared if that's what you're asking...but it hit me after a while that...if I survive today then there's hope to do so tomorrow" Gunnar gives Rookie an uncertain smile along with that answer.

For the next ten minutes Rookie and Gunnar just sit where they are in quiet waiting until they're informed of the mission. Suddenly the Colonel walks in ordering them to come to him. There's two thousand OPT's in this hanger that's the same for four other Human Alliance Assault Carriers. Everyone circles the Colonels position waiting hesitantly for his speech he then clears his throat. And takes his military cap off revealing his grey hair he's about fifty or sixty years of age.

"Troopers the mission parameters are as follows...the 9th, 15th and 21st Army Divisions on Akom have been taking heavy casualties." Everyone starts to talk in hushed voices the Colonel puts his hand up for silence.

"Vhabak military forces have crippled pretty much every defence we have on the planet...our only asset is time."

"We have orbital drone imaging showing that Vhabak have set various landing zones across the planet's surface." a large holographic imaging of the Vhabaks offensive lines appear in the middle of the room. The Colonel walks around the holographic image pointing and various places on the image.

"Our guys however need the time to evacuate all civilians from major population centres. There will be five drops one assigned for all five companies of the 52nd Orbital Paratrooper Division."

For some reason Rookie suddenly gets a tense feeling build up within him this is his first tour there's a tense shift in Rookies stance. And for the first time in a long time he actually feels scared.

"You'll drop deep behind enemy lines during the night...you're objectives are to either neutralize or hinder enemy forces movements to and from their landing zones or assist in defending evacuation sites. Does everyone understand the mission?" the Colonel shouts out to everyone.

No one says anything just mostly everyone nodding in response to the Colonels question. When the Colonel starts leaving the room everyone returns to their stations readying up their equipment before the drop. Rookie gets all his rations, flares and med kit into his container pack.

For the OPT armour it's vacuum sealed allowing him to have up to thirty minutes of outer planet atmosphere operations. The body suit is made of Kevlar to allow protection against small arms fire as well as implementing heating and cooling systems for various environments and climate conditions, this also means a heat resistance material for orbital drops when going through a planet's atmosphere.

The outer shell of the suit is comprised of titanium, carbon nanite and ceramic materials for armour plating around the chest, shoulders, legs and feet these are sealed into the body suit.

Although everyone is ready and prepped for the operation Rookie realises he still have two hours until his company make the drop so he decides to grab some brunch with his fire team and wait. Before he knows it's only twenty minutes away from making the drop so he and his fire team rush to their OEVIP it's an abbreviation for Orbital Extra-Vehicular Insertion Pods.

As Rookie is getting his equipment into his OEVIP someone to his right calls out to him. When he turns to see who it is he realises its Wren she's been his friend since they met on their first day of training.

She had her hair dyed in crimson and cut into a pixie hairstyle she has grey eyes which is rare among humans.

"Hey Rookie I'll see you on the ground!" she smiles at Rookie then throws her OPT helmet on as she gets into the OEVIP near her. What she said then makes an uncertain tension and shift in stance for Rookie as if something bad might happen.

He throws his OPT helmet on as it's sealed in place the HUD display appears showing a compass at the top, motion tracker bottom left and weapon and equipment status in the bottom right.

He places his LA-P7 pistol in the holster on his right leg and then secure his LA-55a into a compartment to the left of the seat within the OEVIP.

When he gets into the seat of his OEVIP that's when the hatch came down and sealed shut. Right below their pods that's when the ships hanger bay floors expanded revealing the planet beneath them. Before Rookie is even ready their pods are launched out of the ship searing towards the planet.

"All troopers in Bravo Company direct your pods to given coordinates which'll be up on your screens...now!" it was Captain Gunnar speaking to all the troopers within Bravo Company. As the coordinates appear on his screen in front of Rookie just to the right he redirects the pod to those coordinates.

"Captain I'm getting serious readings on radiation build up near the planet's atmosphere!" one trooper is shouting over the TacCom channel.

"Can't be check your source!" the Captain replies.

"Sir reading pings above the planet's atmosphere!"

Suddenly out of nowhere multiple Vhabak battle cruisers exit slip space before anyone can communicate the EMP discharge from the slip space rupture hits multiple OEVIPs making them unusable.

The EMP then hits Rookies pod making it go out of control.

"Fuck the controls aren't responding!" he grunts to himself within a minute he's entering the planet's atmosphere unable to slow the descent of the pod, soon he starts seeing the ground. Every couple of seconds he's getting closer to the ground faster than he should be.

"Oh fuck!" Rookie grunts to himself once again as he realises trying to control the pod is useless instead he wraps his arms around his head to protect him from the impact.

As his pod makes impact with the planet's surface that's when he blacks out completely.

2: Chapter Two

Aela'Adas

20:25hrs

Planet: Chulia

Jan. 25th 2285

As Aela walks through the halls of the Hierarchy Chambers she admires the intricate designs across the walls they don't represent anything specifically. The blue and purple lines craved in to the black wall creates depth and beauty in these chambers.

When she nears the chamber she starts hearing multiple voices speaking in contest with one another as if the Hierarchy Council is competing with one another.

Aela enters the room as she does some of the Hierarchy Council members notice her enter and immediately go silent as for the others they take a few more moments to notice she's standing before them in the room.

"Ah Vice Admiral Aela how nice of you to join us!" one of Hierarchy Council members calls out from across the room.

"The pleasure is mine Council" Aela bows in allegiance it's a common form of showing respect to your superiors.

"Do you know why you're here Vice Admiral?" another Council member asks Aela from another area of the room. All the Council members with staring at Aela with diamond tinted eyes.

"Yes Council" Aela replies to the question with uncertainty as if not knowing the honest reason for why she's standing before the Council.

"The artefact you discovered on the planet surface of Mizar V could have provided valuable information to wining this war!" a Council member starts raising his voice at Aela.

"Forgive me Council if I hadn't of done anything the humans would of captured the artefact instead of us!" Aela raises her voice too but soon realises it's a bad move and soon returns to her subtle tone.

The same Council member was about to speak when he's then interrupted by different Council member sitting three places to his left.

"Rava she does have a point...if she hadn't of done nothing imagine all the information the humans could of gathered from that artefact"

Rava then sits in on his own seat tapping the table in front of him impatiently as if struggling to come to terms with his fellow Council member's comment.

"Okay Vice Admiral...you'll be let off this time...but try to bring an artefact back...intact if you can!"

"Yes Council" Aela immediately bows her head before departing the room as she does down the hallway waiting for her is Fleet Admiral Han'Kaddi, Aela's commanding officer.

As Aela draws closer to him she tries to act as if she hasn't noticed him standing there. But before she can even past him he stretches his arm out stopping her from doing so.

"So...Aela what they say in the end?" Han keeps a straight face as he asks her.

In response Aela thrusts Han's arm out the way "They said try to bring an artefact back...intact!"

As she walks past Han he closely follows beside her keeping in pace with her. As the two walk through various corridors they suddenly emerged into a ship docking yard. In front of them is their own ships Aela commanding one and Han who commands all ships due to his rank of Fleet Admiral.

As they both walk towards Aela's ship Han breaks the silence between the two of them.

"Aela...you need to watch yourself...if you keep making the Council angry they're going to dispose of you"

"I don't need your lecture...I'll decide my own fate!"

As Aela starts walking up the ramp to her ship when Han suddenly grabs her arm.

"Look Aela...I promised your mother I'd look after you...don't make it harder for me to do so!" as if insulted by Han's comment Aela wrenches her arm free from his grip.

"I don't need protecting...I can look after myself!" before Han could say anything Aela rushes up the ramp to her ship. As she enters her ship she immediately heads to the elevator. Once inside she's surrounded by purple walls that have a faint lizard scale pattern to it by clear to notice that the material is some type of metal.

Once the elevator opens up on the bridge if goes straight to the seat in the centre which is surrounded by multiple crewman working the ship. Swiping and touching controls upon blue holographic screens in front of them.

As she seats down at the Admirals seat she looks around as if trying to gaze her eyes on something that'll keep her mind occupied.

"Vice Admiral incoming transmission from Fleet Admiral Han...that we're to slip space to the planet Akom VIII?"

Aela sits there for a few seconds thinking to herself "Approved" she grunts.

It's common among Vhabak fleets if a Fleet Admiral wishes the whole fleet to slip space to a specific location. The crew of each ship needs an approval from the highest ranking officer to do so.

Aela continues to seat in silence preparing for the future while learning from the past.

3: Chapter Three

Rookie

03:08hrs

Akom VIII

Jan. 26th 2285

As Rookie started to wake up from his slumber he was still disoriented slightly he impatiently started looking around trying to form an image of where he is. Soon he realized that he was still in his OEVIP which bombarded its way through a skyline.

As he pull the emergency lever to open the hatch it wouldn't as he kept trying the hatch still struggled to wedge itself open. As he looked out the glass he saw a pile of concrete obstructing the hatch. Rookie then went for his sidearm then aimed it at the glass which large enough for him to fit through.

He fired five rounds into the glass then lunged his foot into the concentration of bullet holes shattering the glass completely.

As he climbed out his OEVIP he looked around his surrounding area as he did he could make out in the distance flashing lights and the sounds of gunfire. He turned to his OEVIP then wrenched the compartment holding his assault rifle he checked it over making sure it was still functional.

Once finished he started to make his way to the nearest stairs or elevators. As he moved up to the elevators they were offline the power must be out he thought to himself.

Shortly afterwards he came across a door that lead to the staircases he opened the door cautiously in case enemies occupied or were searching through this building.

There weren't anyone on the staircase so Rookie continued down until he reached the ground floor. In the lobby there was multiple bodies lying around across the floor both human and Vhabak. Rookie checked most of them for signs of life but there weren't instead he exited the lobby out onto the street.

The street lights were out and nearly all the surrounding buildings power was out. Scattered along the streets were generator powered lights but there weren't enough to illuminate the streets.

Rookie lifted his right hand to the right his helmet pushing a small button then on his visor everything before him lighted up. The scenery outlined with golden lines, enemies both alive and dead were outlined in red and the friendlies were outlined in green.

On top of that it made everything he looked at more noticeable and clearer allowing him to navigate around the streets without too much trouble. This visor technology is called the Advanced Visual Schematic System also known as the AVSS.

As Rookie headed down the street towards the sound of gunfire and explosions trusting his instincts. As he looking behind he caught a glimpse of multiple H-25 Strike Fighters zooming overhead towards the fighting within the city.

"Good hunting boys...I'm keeping my feet on the ground" Rookie said as if talking face to face with the pilots.

As he continued down the street he eventually emerged onto a courtyard he realises that's it the UNA Headquarters in the distance he could UNA Troopers facing off against Vhabak infantry. However the troopers were struggling to keep the enemy back from the building.

Before Rookie could react enemy soldiers in active camouflage wielding melee weapons cutting down the troopers. Once they did the group of Vhabak infantry rushed into the headquarters leaving three soldiers outside to guard.

Rookie moved in closer with caution making sure not to alert the enemy to his presence. Once close enough he pulled out an EMP grenade in order to disable electronics and shielding the soldier might have. He squeezed onto the blue trigger stepped out from cover then launched the EMP grenade into the direction of the soldiers in front of him.

The EMP grenade detonates sending a current through its detonation radius disabling the Vhabak soldier's electronics and shielding by now all three of them were disoriented. Rookie launched himself over the cover he was behind swiftly killing all three enemy soldiers with a couple bullets in each one's head.

Rookie quickly ran through the main entrance of the UNA Headquarters before anyone realised what happened to the three soldiers outside. As he walked through the lobby he could hear muffled gunshots a couple of floors above him realising there's power in the building but only powering the emergency lights. Heading straight for the staircase Rookie walked up with caution in his stance but with pace.

As soon as he roughly figured out which floor the firefight is occurring on. Suddenly a transmission came through on Rookies TacCom.

"This Lance Corporal Wren...we're taking heavy fire from enemy forces at the UNA Headquarters...if anyone is receiving this we need immediate assistance!"

Rookie kicked in the door leading onto the floor as he did a Vhabak soldier spun round then open fired. Rookie dived for cover behind a wall once standing he turned from the wall then fired a few rounds in the direction of his target. His enemy did the same and dived from cover behind a wall.

In the distance Rookie could see that there was a firefight still happening.

"Wren...its Rookie...do you copy?!" for next few seconds Rookie and the Vhabak soldier exchanged bullets at each other.

"Rookie?!...is that you? Where are you?"

"I'm in the UNA Headquarters I've just come through the staircase onto the floor you're on...do not towards the staircase!"

"Okay! Just hurry don't know how long we can last...out!"

Once the conversation between Rookie and Wren ended he peeked around the wall firing a few rounds towards his enemy. The Vhabak soldier is still behind the same wall Rookie pulled another grenade attached to his chest. Once he threw it at his enemy it floated in the air for a few seconds then flew around the wall and detonated near the Vhabak soldier sending his enemy flying through the wall. With a gaping hole in his chest where the grenade exploded these SMART grenades were few and rare but effective against virtually any infantry combatant.

Rookie dashed towards another piece of cover closer to the firefight. The enemy was totally unaware he's on the same floor on their flank. He reloaded his LA-55a once it was reloaded he emerged from cover then open fired on the enemy.

With the exchange of rounds from the small garrison of UNA troopers and himself they quickly disposed of the remaining enemies.

One of the troopers from the small garrison called out to him "Hey...trooper over here!" as Rookie ran to their position he noticed that they seem to be defending some sort of entrance.

As he walked through the entrance the troopers followed him in and closed the door. The door seemed to be made out of thick titanium possibly a level ten the troopers then started to wield it shut with a type of blowtorch. This confused Rookie why would they shut themselves in down the corridor he could see someone running towards him. He realised it was Wren before he could say anything she flung her arms around him hugging as if she hadn't seen him for years.

"Thank god your alive...I thought you didn't make it" she said while huffing and puffing.

"I'm alright a bit shaken...but good" Rookie replied.

In response Wren smiled and playfully nudged his arm he then smiled in return. However the happiness wouldn't last long before they knew it one of the troopers who were wielding the door together stood before them.

"We got two OPT's good that should slightly improve our chances" Rookie looked to Wren that's when he knew there was something wrong.

"What's going trooper?" Rookie impatiently asked him.

The trooper hesitated at first "its best if the General explains it instead of me"

Rookie and Wren walked down the corridor with the troopers, having a bad feeling of what's to come.

4: Chapter Four

Aela'Adas

06:47hrs

Orbit around the Planet: Akom VIII

Jan. 26th 2285

For a few hours the UNA fleet orbiting above Akom VIII have put a fierce fight as the Vhabak slip spaced into orbit around the planet. However the Vhabak fleet destroyed most of the human ships in a matter of minutes. Some stayed behind till the end others escaped from the system before suffering the same fate.

All that's left of the UNA fleet are the few cruisers on the planet's surface attempting to evacuate as many people as possible.

Aela is sitting at the captains' seat of her ship looking onto Akom VIII as similar ships to hers aimlessly drift around the planet some orbital bombarding the planet. Destroying major human city centres and areas of importance to the UNA.

To Aela's surprise she hasn't had much to do, in most cases the Hierarchy Council would ask of her to go planet side in search of an artefact. However either the Hierarchy know there isn't anything of importance on this planet or are waiting for the moment.

Aela is nervously tapping one of the arm rests to her seat when suddenly a blip appears in the top right corner of her HUD display to her helmet. The blip is a reddish colour with a name next to it says.

Fleet Admiral Han'Kaddi

Aela answered the call in the top left corner of her HUD display on her helmet visor a small image of Han appears this is in real time.

"Aela the Council wants you on the ground for a torch and burn op"

Anger starts to build up within Aela.

"Why give me a job that one of your lackeys should be doing?" she says it as if she and Han were in the same room speaking to one another.

"No...the humans have found the artefact...they've already extracted a lot of data from it...they're preparing to extract it off planet"

Aela's attention is suddenly peaked as if she's never done a job like this for the Council.

"Where's the artefact now?" Aela responds in a demanding tone.

"The Councils agents believe it's in the UNA Headquarters...ready to be moved for extraction...but..."

Han suddenly pauses as if confused on how to portray the next sentence to Aela.

"What is it?" Aela asking breaking Han's silence.

"An Orbital Paratrooper took out six Vhabak Spec Ops troopers...pretty much single handily"

Aela suddenly is surprised by what Han just said it's not impossible to kill groups of Vhabak infantry. Those moments were mostly down to advantage in numbers or firepower even then they would be costly victories against the Vhabak.

But it's extremely rare to hear of one human trooper taking out six or more Vhabak troopers especially Spec Ops class single handily.

"Okay...I'll get it done" Aela finally says in response to what Han told her.

Aela disconnected the call from Han without awaiting a response from Han. She stood up from here seat at the bridge heading straight for the elevator. As she entered the elevator she put her hand to her helmet.

"Zeto bring your squad...meet me in the hanger bay"

"Yes ma'am"

Aela stood there waiting for the elevator to reach the hanger bay level. Once it did she walked out seeing multiple air vehicles some small and large some have two, four or even eight jet exoatmospheric propulsion thrusters. These allow for aircraft to work at speed and great manoeuvrability within zero gravity conditions and orbital operations.

Aela saw Zeto with his squad waiting by an FH-217 Transport Carrier it stretches roughly fifteen metres in length, six metres in height and twenty two metres in width from one wingspan to the other.

Aela, Zeto and his squad climbed aboard the FH-217 Transport Carrier inside it is covered in purple and blue metallic walls.

Zeto and his squad are Vhabak Spec Ops outfitted in a grey whitish armour with a nano-based body suit underneath to provide extra protection and temperature controlling systems. But it also allows there metallic armour to be securely sealed to them. As for Aela she is wearing similar armour to her fellow comrades the only difference between her and them. Is firstly she has purple lines going down the armour on her arms and legs while having holographic symbols circle around the edge of both shoulder armour pieces. And finally her suit has a considerably stronger energy shielding allowing to take more damage than her comrades.

As they sit within the aircraft it suddenly lifts off from the ground heading towards the hanger bay exits. As the aircraft entered orbit its thrusters kicked in sending the ship flying through orbit at high speeds. As it entered the atmosphere of Akom VIII the aircraft started to slow down.

"Vice Admiral...nearly at the objective" the pilot called out from his cockpit.

Aela stood up and gestured the others to do so as well.

"Okay we're here to destroy an artefact before the humans can get off planet" Zeto and his squad nodded in acknowledgement "When we're boots on the ground watch your sectors"

Once finished Aela reaches for a NR-50 rifle this is a semi-automatic weapon of the Vhabak it fires fifteen crystalline explosive projectiles. As for Zeto and his squad they picked up both NR-50 rifles and NRa-60 rifles which is forty round fully automatic assault rifle firing crystalline explosive projectiles.

Once they have their equipment and weapons prepped before they know they're already touch down on the surface. The bay door lowers down then Aela and her team rush out onto roof they have landed on, just across the street she notices the UNA Headquarters.

Once the FH-217 aircraft takes off heading back to the ship Aela and her team makes their way down the building onto the street that run alongside the UNA Headquarters.

Zeto and his team checked the surrounding area to make sure there weren't any enemies waiting to ambush them. Once certain Aela, Zeto and the other troopers rushed over to the entrance of the UNA Headquarters.

As they made their way up the building they didn't encounter any human resistance. They eventually get to the floor where they believe a major firefight took place.

When they walk around the rooms there's bodies littered all over the place both human and Vhabak. However something retracts Aela's attention in the middle of the lobby there's a human lying against the wall.

As she walks towards them she notice it's a male with to crystalline penetration projectiles, two of them in the abdomen.

Aela also realises it'll be pointless to get anything out of him. He's lost so much blood that it'll hard enough for him to even say one word. Aela lifts her rifle at him then pulls the trigger the crystalline round explodes in his face killing him instantly.

Aela and her team continue to search through the floor looking for any clues on the whereabouts of the artefact. When they begin to give up on searching Aela suddenly notices something that she should've noticed a long time ago.

The human seemed to have been protecting something most of the human bodies are concentrated in one area on this floor.

She wonders over to this area searching for anything there's nothing until she suddenly realise the strange smell. It's as if metal has been melted onto metal as she tries to figure out where the smell is coming from. It hits her that there's a secret door in the wall.

"Zeto...get over here and bring the others!" she shouts.

Zeto and his squad come rushing towards Aela's position.

"Here Vice Admiral" he responds with a crisp bow.

Aela points to where the secret door is along the wall "We now know where the human vermin are hiding...get a charge on that door"

Zeto and his squad hastily place a charge onto the secret door once it's set to be blown Aela and her team get behind cover. When in place Zeto takes the detonator from his side then clenches his thumb onto the button.

The charge on the door immediately detonates blowing the door completely off. When the smoke and dust finally clears Aela and her team rush through the entrance continuing down the corridor to wherever it takes them.

5: Chapter Five

Doctor Rhea Nowles

14:36hrs

Planet: Valinor

Jan. 26th 2285

As Rhea walked to the entrance of the Testing Facility she pulls out an ID card placing it upon a scanner after a few seconds of running the ID card. A green light lit up just to the left of the scanner indicating the ID has been accepted.

Rhea walks in holding an object outlined in metal with glass making up the whole of the centre object. As she slides her finger down a constant stream of pictures, diagrams, results and information appear then disappear as she keeps scrolling. The information appear in a holographic form of many different colours.

She continues walking while looking at her Personal Holographic Data Pad. The glass within the object reflects the image of herself brown hair tied in a high ponytail and her amber eyes reflecting off the glass from the object.

Rhea continues walking as if she knew the layout of the facility with her eyes closed. Walking into a room she stands before two suits to her left is a metallic carbon nanite alloy armour. If someone worn this it would cover nearly every exposed part of the body. Finally to Rhea's right is a black vacuum sealed body suit it's made out of carbon nanotubes. Across the suit is various seals to attach the armour on top securely but the amazing thing about the suit. Is the inbuilt powered exoskeleton going down the spine, arms and legs.

This powered exoskeleton is run by a mini fusion reactor giving nearly unlimited energy to the suit and armour systems.

As Rheas continues to admire the two suits on display before her to the right a middle aged man walks in cleaning his glasses. He lifts his head looking directly at Rhea as if pleased to see her. The fluorescent lights in the room reflects the grey streaks of hair in his short trimmed brown hair.

He walks to Rhea adjusting his glasses on his face as he does so once he's face to face with Rhea he holds out his hand. Rhea immediately plants her hand in his shaking it professionally and firmly.

"Welcome back Doctor Rhea Nowles if I'm correct you're...my assistant...yes?" he says in a calm tone.

"Uh yes Doctor Lockheart...that's correct" Rhea replies immediately to his question.

"Perfect sorry I didn't remember your name it's been a busy day at the office"

Doctor Lockheart waves his hand indicating Rhea to follow him. When she catches up she moves in tune with Doctor Lockheart as they pass a series of rooms there's one room that intrigues her.

In this room is the body armour that she saw not so long ago, in the middle on her side of the room is an automated machine gun turret. As it fires and shoots from various angles and distances Doctor Lockheart walks back slowly to where Rhea stands.

"Fascinating...isn't it?" he finally says.

"Well I've seen body armour in action before...but not to this extent...not like a robotic machine at least" she says still intrigued by what's going on in the room.

On Doctor Lockhearts arm his TacCom lights up followed by a series of sentences. He nods his head in notification of what he's reading.

"Okay...we have a meeting to attend with UNA HIGHCOM" Doctor Lockheart finally says breaking the silence Rhea nods in approval.

"I'll transfer the candidate physiological psychological data to your Personal Holographic Data Pad now"

Before Rhea could even do anything Doctor Lockheart transferred the data to her pad with information of one hundred candidates. Doctor Lockheart starts walking same way they just came up Rhea follows closely behind analysing the profiles of the candidates thoroughly and carefully.

Rhea sits in the corner of the meeting room as Doctor Lockheart takes centre stage in the middle of many HIGHCOM members.

"Me and my team are working on a new project to turn the tide against the Vhabak" says Doctor Lockheart opening the meeting.

Behind me an image of his suits appear before the members attending the meeting both of which Rhea saw not so long ago.

"This project will be the first generation of the human super soldier tackling the weaknesses of the common soldier and excelling the mental and physical capabilities"

At the far end of the table a man sits up in his chair a man in his sixties and bleach grey hair reflects with the room's lights.

"Doctor Lockheart do you have any evidence to support this project?" he asks as if he's been through this thousands of times.

"Yes Lord Gavrin my assistant has a list of one hundred candidates to fill out all one hundred suits. The exoskeleton can allow the wearer to lift three tons"

Everyone looks shocked now they're starting to talk in hushed voices.

"The wearer can also sprint at speeds of up to forty five miles per hour even more depending on the wearer, the suit also allows the wearer to react five hundred times faster"

Once Doctor Lockheart is finished Lord Gavrin seems surprised but he has a hint not believing in what the Doctor just told him.

"Doctor Lockheart...it's alright saying all this but I doubt that..."

Before Lord Gavrin could finish Doctor Lockheart interrupts him as if he forgot to tell him something.

"Sorry Lord Gavrin let me stop you there...I know how it sounds but if you wish I could give you a live demonstration with one of our candidates?"

Lord Gavrin gives an exhausted huff to what the Doctor said he then starts nodding his head.

"Okay...when can we attend?" Lord Gavrin asks the Doctor.

"If I believe so one of the candidates I would like to demonstrate the technology I have...is currently in Akom VIII delivering a package for me and my team to research"

6: Chapter Six

Rookie

08:12hrs

Akom VIII

Jan. 26th 2285

Since Rookie and Wren arrived in the underground UNA Headquarters a few hours ago they've been waiting for word of the Generals arrival. During those hours the two of them have been stocking up on equipment and talking catching up after being away from one another for months.

Finally when the General has arrived they're escorted by UNA Army troopers on their way to the Generals quarters they notice that the other troopers are hastily packing their equipment as if they're in a rush.

Once they reach the Generals quarters the two troopers stand at either end of the entrance facing each other. One of the troopers motions his hand indicating to carry on in.

Rookie and Wren do so without hesitation as soon as they enter someone they don't expect is standing in the room just off to the right. At first its shock for Rookie and Wren but they soon realise it's not a dream. It's Pharaoh he's African American totally shaved hair and facial hair he has brown eyes.

"Hey! Look who it is!" he shouted out as he made his way over to Rookie and Wren he gives them both a hug.

"It's great to see you Pharaoh!" Rookie says this in a playful way patting Pharaoh on the shoulder who dies the same back to Rookie. As for Wren she just gives Pharaoh a friendly smile she doesn't know him as well as Rookie does but she still thinks of him as a friend.

"Finally we have more than one Orbital Paratrooper!" the General shouts out interrupting Rookie, Wren and Pharaoh as they greet each other.

"The General has run through the plans with me before you two arrived" Pharaoh says directing it at Rookie.

"So General what is the plan?" Rookie directs his attention straight to the General.

As the General walks to a table which had many holographic images appear and disappear since he arrived. He waves his hand indicating for them to come closer as they do the General presses a few buttons on the side of the table. Suddenly an image of a completely alien like artefact appears before them a diamond shape with various alien marks on its surface.

"This artefact is why the Vhabak are still on this planet. They want it to get information out of it, before they'd always beat us to one. But not now this time we got to it first" the General talks while admiring the image before him.

"I don't get what's  this have to do with us?" Rookie asks.

The General turns his head looking at Rookie then shifts slightly nearer to him "We need to get it off planet I can't trust my troopers to get the job done. But you...you can"

Rookie nods his head as if still confused but he doesn't question or say anything. On the other side of the room a trooper walks in holding the artefact in his hands. The object fits perfectly into both hands of the trooper it's a diamond shape some kind of metallic surface and the alien markings have a faint blue shining from them.

The trooper walks over to Rookie then hands him the artefact the trooper gives a crisp salute and Rookie responds with a nod. As the General walks out of office Rookie, Wren and Pharaoh follow him closely as soon as they're outside he's about to say something when suddenly they hear an explosion from somewhere.

"Sergeant give me a sit rep!" the General into his TacCom

"They're here! They've broken through we can't....arghhh!"

The General grabs his pistol then loads it with a new magazine.

"You three you need to get that artefact of planet! Take the sewer tunnels then make your way up top then to an extraction point! Me and my men will by you enough time go!" the General points in the direction of the sewer tunnels. As for Rookie, Wren and Pharaoh they run to them without questioning the General.

As they make their way through another large warehouse there's fighting between UNA and Vhabak on the other side of the warehouse Rookie notices a hatch that indicates leading to the sewer tunnels.

He and his team make their way through the firefight ducking behind cover and returning fire at the enemy as they get closer to the entrance of the sewer tunnels. Behind cover Rookie sees multiple crystalline rounds make contact against surfaces. One hits a UNA trooper in the neck then explodes on impact killing him instantly by ripping out a chuck in his flesh the blood continuously spills on the floor.

In the distance another UNA trooper is near the sewer tunnels entrance and he's urging Rookie and his team to move to him quickly. And that they do running through the exchange of fire between the UNA and Vhabak they make their to the UNA trooper.

"Quickly down here!" the troopers shouts to them as he opens up the hatch. He and Rookie wait until Wren and Pharaoh are down the ladder.

"Okay I'm heading back to the fighting" the trooper says to Rookie.

As the trooper runs down the path he fires a few rounds in the general direction of the enemy. As Rookie is about make his way down the ladder he hears the sizzling sound of a superheated plasma blade. He turns around seeing a Vhabak its female due to the body structure of the armour she's impaled a superheated plasma blade into the shoulder down the torso of the trooper.

As soon as she sees Rookie she pulls the blade free from the trooper then starts walking towards him with speed. Rookie responds by grabbing his pistol then shooting at her every shot he fires doesn't slow her down. As soon as they're both a foot from each other she smashes the pistol out of Rookies hand then picks him up by the throat against the wall.

At that very second multiple images or flashbacks go through Rookies mind detailing his life from an infant to teenage years. He sees his father but in all the images there's two other people a girl same age as him but not Wren and a women he doesn't recognize.

Before he knows it he's dizzy falling all over the place including the girl that wanted to kill him just moments ago. Before it's too late he jumps down the hatch Wren picks him up while Pharaoh seals the hatch as tightly as he can.

They continue down the passage way with Wren trying to keep Rookie stable on his feet however he was still witnessing the side effects. They had to stop so Rookie could stabilize himself before he passed out.

"What happened to you up there?" Pharaoh asked him anxiously as he walked to him and Wren.

"I...I don't know" Rookie replies rubbing his head with both hands vigorously.

"You good to go?" Wren suddenly asked Rookie he responded with a flimsy shake of his head. He stood shaky at first but soon steadied himself once he did he grabbed his assault rifle then they started to move before the enemy could catch up with them.

7: Chapter Seven

Aela'Adas

08:33hrs

Akom VIII

Jan. 26th 2285

In the last five minutes Aela spoke to Han she explained the situation to him about what happened in the human UNA Headquarters and that the artefact was in the hands of the human she encountered earlier. However she didn't mention to him what happened as soon as she grabbed this human.

What she experienced when she made hand contact with this human was nothing like she experienced before. This was like a series of images of boy and man whom she could not recognize.

Behind her soldiers were rounding up the human survivors into one group. She turned around looked at them then noticed the General. She walked over to him grabbed him by the throat then lifted him off the ground.

"Now you're going to tell me where those three troopers are going to." The General could barely speak but by the looks of it he wasn't prepared to instead he spat towards Aela.

This response from him infuriated Aela then without warning she sheathed her plasma blade impaling it into the General. She then launched his lifeless corpse across the floor.

"Aela what about the others?" Zeto asked her.

"Dispose of them" She said as if no thought or feeling was added to her response it quick and snappy with hesitation.

The Spec Ops troopers started shooting the human survivors one by one all bullet penetrations to the skull. Zeto walked over to Aela as if cautious of what he should do in her presence.

"Vice Admiral how're we going to find them?" with a shaky tone to his voice.

At that point she approaches the hatch that Rookie, Wren and Pharaoh went roughly fifteen to twenty minutes ago. She grabs the handle then wretches it open with full force then she turns to Zeto.

"They can't of gone far...we'll run them down" with stern tone to what she just said.

8: Chapter Eight

Rookie

08:39hrs

Akom VIII

Jan. 26th 2285

Rookie along with Wren and Pharaoh were making their way through the underground tunnel system of the city, as they continued to progress deeper into the network of tunnels the sounds of battle from the UNA Headquarters started to fade.

It wasn't long until the trio had arrived to an exit hatch that would hopefully lead them up to the city streets. Being a Lance Corporal, the Rookie went up the ladder first to make sure the surrounding area was clear of enemies.

As he carefully lifted the hatch, he peeked out of the slit. Rookie was about to give the all clear when he suddenly heard sporadic gunfire and shouting. He looked out of the slit again in the distance he could see UNA Marines hastily retreating from something, they stopped once to lay down suppressing fire before they continued to retreat down the street.

He suddenly saw a marine drop to the floor as a needle round impacted her right knee cap, effectively immobilizing her. She tried to crawl away when something large and intimidating appeared from behind the rubble to the left.

It stood at almost seven foot tall, it was covered from head to toe in wolf like fur. As it walked closer to the marine, Rookie noticed that it didn't walk like a human, it walked on its toes meaning the alien had digitigrade legs. Rookie also noticed that the creature had four fingers and toes.

Rookie then looked up towards what would be the creatures face, he noticed the elongated snout accompanied by a set of teeth similar to a wolf. The eyes were shaped like snake eyes however they had a low luminescent of orange coming from them.

He watched as the creature stalked towards its prey, holding onto a weapon that seemed to give the impression of a melee weapon. It was simply a long mechanical stick that gave the impression it was a staff of some sorts.

As it got closer the melee weapon suddenly to whir to life and in a blink of an eye, a colour of bright blood red appeared in the shape of a pointed blade at the end pointing to the floor. Rookie could see the searing heat coming from the weapon as small clouds of vapour rise into the early morning sky.

The creature swiftly impaled its weapon straight through the back of the marine, she didn't even struggle or flinch as the heated point of the weapon went straight through her. As the Rookie continued to watch, the creature pulled the blade out from the human it just killed, it looked around swiftly not noticing Rookie peeking from under the hatch.

Then without warning, it let out a low but, loud roar from its mouth as if taking pride in killing the human before it. As a few seconds the growling stopped; the creature then rushed off down the street.

Most likely in pursuit of the rest of that UNA Marine squad, Rookie thought to himself.

Rookie then climbed back down the ladder to two rather confused and concerned companions. He looked at both of them carefully before speaking.

"The ladder leads to the street however..." he pauses taking a deep breathe "...we may emerge behind enemy line, I just witnessed a UNA Marine squad retreating down the street and one of them being picked off"

His two comrades nodded before Wren spoke up, "So how we going to get there?"

"We'll have to stick to the backstreets, if we're lucky hopefully Concordat forces haven't sent out search parties in those areas" Rookie replied.

Concordat was the given name of the enemy both by them and humans, due to the fact that the Vhabak had already established relations or succumbed weaker species into joining their order. It meant that the UNA was fighting a war against a small collection of enemy species hence the name, Concordat.

Quickly and swiftly the trio exited out onto the street they created a defensive perimeter, they scanned for hostile targets fortunately for them their weren't anyone around. Across the street was a back alleyway, Rookie tapped Pharaoh on the arm, his friend looked to him.

Rookie ordered him to take point, Pharaoh nodded then immediately started to head for the alleyway across the street. Rookie then turned to Wren gesturing to follow him which she readily complied to, they both followed Pharaoh across the street all three had their weapons at the ready in case of being attacked.

It wasn't long until they were in the vicinity of their destination, Rookie knew this so he ordered his team to pick up the pace while also staying alert for any threats. So far the trio hadn't encountered any enemies on their march to the destination but, that didn't they were out of danger, yet.

9: Chapter Nine

Aela’Adas

09:14hrs

Akom VIII

Jan. 26th 2285

Aela and her squad emerged onto the street from the same hatch that Rookie and his companions appeared from too. Zeto was still concerned about Aela's mental state since the unexpected event with the human, she had been acting slightly unstable.

"Vice Admiral, maybe you should report to Med Wing back at the ship?" Zeto suddenly said.

Aela stopped in her place turning to Zeto, "What are you suggesting, 'Lieutenant'" she specifically grunted at the last word.

"Forgive me, ma'am..." he pauses for a moment "...but, you seem to be distracted from the mission since your...unexpected...incident with the human"

Aela's face changed from curiosity to anger in an instant, "I'm fine, Lieutenant" she looked towards the alleyway across the street, observing it for a few moments before returning her gaze to the Lieutenant. "Lieutenant, take your squad up that alleyway I'll follow"

Zeto didn't argue, he immediately took his squad across the street and down the alleyway.

As soon as Zeto was out of sight, Aela's stance softened and relax she clenched and unclenched her fingers. What happened to her earlier did leave her distracted, she wanted to know what happened back there with the human.

It was known for Vhabak's to have the ability to use psychic powers however, many didn't pursue those powers due to the psychological and physiological strains on the body. Those that did pursue and complete the training were seen as 'salient' among the Vhabak.

And Aela was a salient, she was gifted in telepathy the ability to read ones mind but, she only used it when necessary however this time when she made contact with the human it was as if, instinct took over her.

Now she wanted to find out more especially as to why this happened with a random human she never met before today. There was only one option, the next time she saw her mother she'll consult with her about these troubling events.

After contemplating to herself she came out of her deep concentration, she shook her head whilst closing her eyes. Still experiencing a slight headache from using telepathy, Aela clenched her eyes shut to funnel out the pain.

Once she was sure that the pain had dissipated, she clenched a hold of her NR-50 rifle more tightly than she needed to. Standing on the spot for a few seconds, Aela then turns towards the alleyway across the street. She dashes towards it in order to catch up with the rest of her squad.

10: Chapter Ten

Rookie

09:26hrs

Akom VIII

Jan. 26th 2285

Rookie and his squad were nearing the extraction point, in the distance they could see the clouds of smoke rising into the sky, indicating that a battle was still being fought against the enemy. Who was winning? That, they had to find out for themselves.

It wasn't long until they eventually made it to an opening, across the courtyard was the main hub spaceport on Akom VIII. In the distance, Rookie could see UNA Marines and Orbital Paratroopers holding down defensive positions outside the spaceport. The trio made their way quickly but, cautiously towards the spaceport.

As they neared Rookie got a clear view of someone he recognized, it was Captain Gunnar. The Captain could also see them signalling for them to come over to his position.

When Rookie and his squad arrived at Gunnar's position, his Captain didn't waste a second getting to the point.

"Lance Corporal, glad you've made it..." he paused as a few UNA Marines fired a few rounds down range at enemy targets "...and I see you've brought some backup"

The Captain swiftly saluted Rookie and his companions and vice versa.

"Sir, we have to get this package off planet" Rookie displayed the mysterious alien artefact before his Captain. In response Gunnar's eyes widen in both interest and caution, it took him a few seconds before he responded.

"What is that, Lance Corporal" he asked.

Too be honest Rookie didn't even know himself except it's important to The Concordat and to humanity, "To be honest, sir..." he pauses for a moment "...I don't even know what it is"

Gunnar contemplated what to do for a moment on what to do, "Okay, get inside the spaceport there should be..." he was cut off from the sudden incoming of needle rounds indicating it was the enemy.

Gunnar peek over his cover aiming his rifle firing short bursts, "Enemy contact, eight o'clock!" he shouted.

In a blink of an eye a couple of UNA Marines shifted to their side and started laying down fire towards the enemy. As Rookie and his squad opened up on the enemy with their weapons, Gunnar tapped his arm vigorously.

"We need to move! Now!"

Without hesitation Rookie along with his fellow Orbital Paratrooper comrades hastily made their way to the entrance of the spaceport. Every so often one of them would stop behind cover to lay down suppressing fire when it came to Rookies turn, he saw the explosion of a crystalline needle grenade.

This detonated right in the centre of the group of UNA Marines they had just left, he could see one marine trying to stand helplessly but, they were clearly affected by the aftermath of the exploding grenade. As the marine tried to make his way up the slope towards the entrance of spaceport, suddenly the marine was kicked to the floor by a Vhabak Spec Ops trooper and was riddled with crystalline needle rounds to the torso.

Rookie instinctively retreated up the slope looking up he catches a glimpse of Pharaoh entering through the main entrance and not far behind was Gunnar and Wren.

Rookie looked to the other side of the slope seeing UNA Marines retreating up the slope whilst being gunned down by advancing Concordat soldiers not far behind. As he got near the main entrance to the spaceport he caught a glimpse to his right of a UNA Marine unluckily being hit by crystalline needle rounds whilst retreating.

He got right to the door placing his right hand on the thick metal door to gain balance, feeling the coldness slightly going up his hand. Out of the nowhere a explosive crystalline round impacted next to his hand, these rounds were designed to exploded upon impact into finer pieces of sharp crystalline.

Rookie cried out in agony as if his hand was shoved in lava, he spun around on instinct due to the pain. As he did so he saw someone that looked familiar. It's that Vhabak that tried to impale me with its plasma blade not so long ago, Rookie thought to himself.

Before he could dwell on it Wren grabbed him pulling him inside, it was then that he felt the pain rush through his hand and arm again, however this time he was more prepared.

As he was pulled inside he heard the Captain shouting, "Close up the door, now!"

A UNA Marine immediately rushed to the door control panel and within seconds the door started to close then it sealed shut. Wren looked at Rookie's arm which was bleeding from the explosive crystalline round shards.

"Captain!" she called out.

Gunnar looked to Wren and Rookie, he noticed the bleeding arm and knelt to take a closer look. He called out to no one in particular, "Is there a medic?"

Gunnar heard someone acknowledging his question and a few seconds later he saw someone rushed towards them. As soon as the medic arrive, Gunnar gestured to the injured.

The medic immediately pulled out his personal X-Ray scanner running it over Rookie's arm.

Suddenly static came through on Gunnar's in-helmet communications system.

"This is Beowulf three-two on route to Echo Site Landing Zone, if anyone is there please respond"

Gunnar touched a button on the side of his helmet to open up communications, "Beowulf three-two, this is Echo Site Landing Zone over"

"Echo Site Landing Zone, we copy over..." there was a pause for a moment "...can you confirm the number of survivors?"

As Gunnar continued to talk into his communications system, the medic got a report on his scanner.

"You're going to be fine, the shards haven't gone through the main artery" the medic pulled out a container which read 'bio-foam' the medic pressed the nozzle against Rookie's bleeding arm. As the medic pressed a small trigger white foam came out the nozzle immediately filling the entry wounds on the Rookie's arm, however this would only last about two hours.

Gunnar came over towards them, "It's time to go, a APV-A Transport is on route to here..." before he could finish the sentence there was a sudden thud against the thick metal doors "...Now let's go come on!"

Immediately everyone gathered themselves along with their weapons and equipment heading towards the hanger bays of the spaceport.

It wasn't long when the Orbital Paratroopers and UNA Marines emerged in the hanger bay, ahead of them was their ticket out of Akom VIII. The APV-A Transport, it was a aerial based military vehicle its main purpose to transport troops and equipment to and from battle, the vehicle also had on-board dual 30mm Cannons that fired anti-vehicle ammunition.

As the bay door lowered the co-pilot appeared urging them to hurry up. The group of survivors surged forward all of them piling onto the transport.

They all hurriedly strapped themselves in ready to take off, once they were all seated the APV-A Transport immediately took off using superheated thrusters to speed out into space.

Wren was seated next to Rookie whom was still holding onto his bleeding arm, she looked to him, worried.

"Hey you okay?" she asked gently.

Rookie looked to Wren with his helmet still on, he grunts in pain before replying, "Yeah..." he chuckles lightly "...I'd feel much better once these shards have been removed from my arm"

And at that Wren chuckled at his respond and felt him to rest.

Gunnar got out of his seat and walked towards the cockpit, "Where's the rest of the fleet?"

The pilot sighed, "Most of the 7th UNSA Fleet dispersed, they lost three quarters of the fleet when Concordat ships engaged them"

The Captain's face scrunched up into confusion, "So where are we going?"

The co-pilot smirked and answered for his companion in the cockpit, "We're going to the last ship in the system..." he pauses as soon as the APV-A Transport came into range of its target, a graceful and elegant human ship "...the UNSA Titan"

11: Chapter Eleven

Farren

14:56hrs

On route to Valinor

Jan. 29th 2285

It has been three days, since Rookie and the remnants of the 52nd Orbital Paratroopers Division escaped Akom VIII. Since then Rookie just slept, ate and lingered about the UNSA Titan. Before departing from Akom VIII all personnel aboard the UNSA Titan were put into cryo-sleep.

As for the artefact they were carrying, it was put into the ships secure cargo hold. Until arriving at Valinor, it was forbidden for all personnel to go down there.

 The ships Artificial Intelligence was given control of the ship, whilst the crew were in cryo-sleep. As of this moment the UNSA Titan was in the process of slipspace. The bridge was silent, all the monitors were in standby, seeing that the crew wasn't required to operate the systems during slipspace.

Suddenly the lights started to flicker, one by one the monitors on desks and tables started to come to life. All of them depicting something different such as, the status of engines, weapons systems, life support systems. Even the holographic screen at the forefront of the bridge, where the windows were situated detailed the status of all the cryo-pods aboard the ship.

In the centre of the bridge, was the tactical command table. The Captain used it to receive and send out tactical reports with ease, it was also used to get a detailed view of a battle. Allowing the CO to carefully plan out strategies and tactics with little trouble.

On the edge of tactical command table, a small flicker of orange light started to appear. Within seconds a small orange holographical figure appeared. It was roughly thirty centimetres tall, shaped as a female, its form was relatively see through. Along its body, small blooms of orange light ran down its figure of what seemed like holographic wiring.

It was the ships A.I, during its creation, it was given the name Farren. This was because she was known for her 'wandering' antics. Sometimes she'd leave her post or wouldn't report to the Captain because, most of the time she liked researching, learning new things.

But, when the situation required her utmost attention, she made sure that she was present. And this was one of those times, she turned to look out the windows of the ships bridge. Her orange long holographic curly hair never swaying as she moved her head. In a mere few seconds the UNSA Titan exited slipspace, upon exiting, Farren could see the planet, Valinor.

As Farren gazed upon Valinors unique beauty, she pulled up everything she had on Valinor. As she looked through her mind where she pulled up the data, she smiled.

Valinor was where she was born or to be precise 'created'. She thought of Valinor as home for her, she loved looking at the images of Valinors vibrant landscape. Its dangerous yet beautiful mountainous range in the northern hemisphere known as, The Arcanus Mountains. This was due to the local populace, believing the mountain range was under some spell.

Things like this fascinated Farren, she always found ancient human folklore interesting in her studies. Although she came to the conclusion years ago that such tales didn't exist, she still found it enjoyable and calming to read into such things.

As much as she wanted admire the view, she had a job to do. Instantly a small blue holographic screen appeared before her, it had detailed statistics on the cryo-pods. She turned her head slightly to the right seeing two options 'activate' and 'deactivate'.

Activating the cryo-pods would release all the crew members from cryo-sleep. As for deactivating well, Human commanders were glad that A.I's didn't make such sadistic decision's, yet.

Farren didn't waver in her decision, she delicately placed her petite orange blooming fingers upon the activate button.