[HERO POV]
MORNING,
HIGH LAND AREA,
PEAK MOUNTAIN,
230 km FROM ARKSHIP,
FORWARD BASE OPERATION,
COMMAND CENTER,
MED BAY.
I sustained heavy injury after fighting in a melee engagement against that giant behemoth monstrosity. Who could have thought that bastard could breathe laser beams or some shit? Thanks to that, I lose my freaking right arm clean as that energy plasma ball punches through and melts a massive boulder. Even though I have simulation training, it can never prepare me for the real thing. Still, having a near-death experience can help me in the long term even though it hurt like hell.
For the first time in my life, these injuries are the most painful and shocking I've ever felt. I doubt this is the only experience I have to face. Again, thanks to advancements made by the Koruplu survivor, my injury, limited only to my arm, can easily be replaced with cloning technology thanks to decades of study of Zerg biology and other areas. If you can make metal regenerate, why not some simple human organ and locomotion, which we have studied since the introduction of medical science? All bioscience-related fields have improved by a huge margin. This might be one of the reasons that colony can sustain itself for decades.
The most shocking thing I learn is that blue sci-fi katana sword I have had since the beginning. It turns out it's a next-gen prototype energy blade based on the Nova DLC monomolecular blade. Instead of only having the ability to split armor effortlessly and to extend bypass Protoss shields. A raw destructive power in the form of a psychic energy wave travels at subsonic speed. By simply overcharging the power module and slashing horizontally as hard as you can, you can form that spectacular light show. Powerful enough to slice a six-meter-tall hulking mass and a giant boulder at a ten-meter range.
Although I noticed late, this sword has too much resemblance to the Star Saber from Transformers Prime, even with that blue energy wave. Although it lacks the guard part, the blade with the light blue cybernetic design resembles its Cybertronian counterpart. This is obviously derived from Protoss energy blade technology. Instead of plasma, the blade was made by a khaydarin crystal shard fused with high-end starship-grade neosteel with potent biogenerative properties.
If the blade were made of pure crystal like the kyber saber from Star Wars, the risk of unforeseen accidents might jeopardize the entire colony's safety. With psionic property combined with a lack of understanding of Protoss tech, they might know the Zerg might be attracted to the unique energy emitted by the crystal. Overall, all precautions and safety measures are already finished in this prototype, and the only thing left is for live testing. Like the dumbass I was, I fought with no clear strategy, which led me into this mess.
At the very least, in the last minute, though, I managed to slay that beast using that powerful slash before succumbing to the injury. After that stunt I pulled, the adjutant immediately retrieved me and the Monolith back to base. I think I've been out of commission for days now. Right now, that device and the Tyrant carcass sample are currently being transported back to the Arkship for further study. Since the air unit finally unlocked, logistics and transportation have sped up this base construction time frame. Especially in rugged and sloped terrain, it can be hard for robots, let alone heavy vehicles, to navigate.
Right now, exploration activities have become easier since we can send a unit there and establish a sensor tower for mapping the area. Since launching a satellite for some unknown reason can't be done. Every time Adjutant PAIMON tries to send any satellite to space. Some kind of supernatural interference is preventing the said satellite from leaving the orbit. Either the satellite blows up midair or simply stops functioning despite Terran having mastered space travel for hundreds of years. What should be a simple task for a spacefaring civilization has become a hassle. Which is forcing me to abandon hope to continue the project.
The alternative to the GPS system is by planting those sensor towers modified to gather geography data to form some sort of map grid. With the help of AI for translation in the main computer, the improvised GPS 3D map was born. Now I can monitor the whole region more accurately, not just a dot and a line on the screen. Inspired by the Xenoblade X FrontierNav system and the Battleship movie tsunami buoy detector grid thing.
Right now there are hundreds of sensor towers that the grind has established both near the base and the Arkship at a range of a hundred kilometers wide. The progress of expansion so far has run smoothly but is stopped for now. Not until the Tyranid threat is dealt with. As usual, Terran insane tech once again surpassed my expectations. This base is meant to be a staging ground to assault the enemy; it's just a simple outpost and logistics hub turned into a fortress.
Every part of the mountain has cannon turret placement and a thick iron wall between rock formations. The mining facilities have also significantly upgraded with more efficient automation, mineral refineries, and powerful laser drills. Although not much output compared to the other seven mining outposts. More facilities have been built, such as a supply depot, cantina, hydroponic plantation, water purification and pipe system, and anything that could support human occupants. After all, this place will be a new home for future colonists and soldiers. Of course the most important place I waited finally bore fruit. The new airfield located not far from here shows it is fully functional, with dozens of automated aircraft flying.
"Adjutant, any movement from Tyranids?"
[ SAME PATTERN AS BEFORE. HEAVY PRESENCE OF SCOUTING UNIT THROUGHOUT THE MOUNTAIN REGION. SOME ATTEMPTS TO DIG A MOUNTAIN TO BYPASS OUR DETECTION WERE FOILED BY AN ADVANCED SEISMOMETER DEVICE MEANT FOR NYDUS WORMS. ]
"So when can that plan commence?. Are our forces here enough to launch any assault?"
[ NEGATIVE, NEW INTEL FROM SCOUTING DRONE FROM ARKSHIP. THE MAIN TYRANID FORCES HAVE STOPPED MOVING FORWARD AND BEGUN TO FORTIFY THEMSELVES. THE REGION THEY INHABITED POSSESSES RICH BIOMASS AND A NEW TYPE OF MINERAL DEPOSIT. THERE IS NOT MUCH OF NATURAL DEFENSE. BESIDE A COUPLE OF SMALL HILLS AND SWAMP FOREST BETWEEN MINERAL DEPOSITS. LARGE CONCENTRATION BUILDUP OF GAUNT SUB-SPECIES TERMAGAUNT AS PRIORITY, IT SEEMS. ULTRALISK AND MUTALISK EQUIVALENTS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN DETECTED PATROLLING AIRSPACE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, A SPORE COLONY-LIKE STRUCTURE HAS BEGUN TO SPREAD. ANY ATTEMPT TO GET CLOSE RESULTS IN THE DRONE BEING SHOT DOWN BY HUNDREDS OF HIGHLY CORROSIVE PROJECTILES. ]
Asking the adjustant some useless questions despite knowing the answer is pretty dumb. Since I can control two bodies at once, even if the other is asleep. Even if this body was out of commission for a day, my other body seems fine to do any kind of activity. But with no one else to talk to, I use highly developed ChatGPTas a substitute.
Of course some stuff needs to be seen directly, like the defensive perimeter and progress about the factory condition. Still, I have my own independent consciousness to make a choice. Having two brains is better than one, so I decide to make my own plan. Is this more like dividing work between two of me? Anyway, since this FOB is finally fully functional without support from the Arkship supply. I can now commence operation to fight the bug while the other me finishes his own mission.
"Adjutant, assemble all combat-ready automatons. Ready contingency and battle plan to present. I want to scramble all freshly acquired aircraft to patrol airspace and destroy any Tyranids in the vicinity. I will be at the conference room after having some breakfast. Notify me if something urgent comes up; otherwise, do your usual routine."
[ Very well, sir. ]
Well, I might have had beautiful sleep past days. However, I still need to nourish myself with tasty sausages from the 26th century. Killing bugs and doing some commando sheets will be second because I'm starving like hell. But before I lost consciousness, at the last minute before that beam hit me and knocked me off. What was that power surge through my body, I wonder?
[Commander POV]
[Commander's office, Arkship]
"This is very concerning to our military operation. Adjutant, can we compromise ship repair and awaken a few select from cryosleep?"
After the other me pulls a stunt, killing one of the enemy's general equivalents. The Tyranid swarm pattern is once again changing. To make things worse, now they have an air unit, so any attempt for close air support and casual bombing missions will no longer be visible. The good thing is data recovery from the vault has made significant progress. One of the blueprints is for the Strike Fighter and Castillo Viking.
The strike fighter unit from Matthew and Mira's hand co-op is classified as air interdiction or light bomber. Basically a more advanced version of a tactical airstrike equipped with a more powerful warhead and speed compared to its 21st-century counterpart. While the new Viking is more refined, streamlined, and cost-effective, it was developed by Castillo Industry before being destroyed by Amon's minions. Plus, it already has an integrated AI-piloted version with a lot of combat experience, so it's basically a big boon to have compared to the OG model.
The blueprint has already been sent to the FOB database for local production. All they need to do is just build as many as they can. While the automated factory here will produce as many transports and gunships as possible before sending them to the front line. Plus, an already finished transport ship will be sent far away from the defense garrison to carry out harassment while probing enemy defense capability. Priority with heavy armored units such as Warbot ARES, possibly armed with two weapon systems instead of one. Of course, with Escort of Cyber Cat and its smaller cousin Sentry to protect vulnerable areas.
When my home defense was tightened and no longer needed more expansion, the free resources were diverted back to fix the ship. From the remaining 2 weeks, reduce to six more days. With essential personal will, prioritize being awakened to help this poor young adult to fight the war against alien bugs on an alien planet. Gradually, all occupants will have a wake-up call after days, probably weeks, of space travel.
But I can't let those things have more solid ground. So I already instructed the adjutant for the strike fighter. Immediately do a bombing mission fresh out from the factory. Their job is simple: locate and bombard the enemy group from getting close. Due to the limited number available, the combat range is not beyond 100 km but is enough to discourage the enemy from surrounding.
Not to mention, this act has prevented combat drones such as Sentry and Cyber Cat from turning into scrap. Since each engagement always ends up as lost due to being overwhelmed and lack of maintenance. All those fighting on the front line, I leave it to the other me to settle. With full authority to command all available assets to crush the enemy by any means necessary. Here my job is not just planning but learning all I can about this vessel's capability and the history behind it.
Investigation of the surrounding area, especially that "supernatural" phenomenon, will be a secondary objective. Since I lack personnel to do actual scientific research. My secret project is still in progress due to the same reason, but the framework prototype already shows a good result. Although it was the AI doing almost all the work since I don't even know the basics of futuristic science.
The best I can do is just assign the work for AI to do minor designing and give suggestions and hope it works somehow. All I know is this week will be really busy for both of us. After all, working overtime is basically a must, or I get another freaking electric shock from a new unseen overlord.
[Hero POV]
[ hours later ]
[ Shooting range ]
"This is a really tough choice. Damnit."
Right now I am facing a tough choice. Something to do with a reward after a submission I successfully completed. The weapons given are nothing to scoff at. In fact, it was not just iconic in the sci-fi genre but also extremely powerful. Easily make any fight into easy mode except maybe a boss fight?.
Plus the ammo is infinite with an indestructible body frame, so no maintenance is needed. The part is the weapon can be upgraded to its full potential or maybe beyond what the original could possibly do. There are four weapons to choose from: two rifles and two sidearms. But the Shetty system allows you to pick one.
ZF1 from The Fifth Element, the semi-automatic energy weapon JKH 0.887 CAW from Zombie Assault 3, the Lawgiver MKII from Judge Dredd, and the Dominator from Psycho Pass. Each of these weapons can easily decimate a small number of space bugs and probably one-shot boss-type enemies, especially with well-placed shots.
I don't care if the downside is high, but I want all this baby for myself. I've been stuck in this dilemma for hours now after having breakfast. Other rewards are more suitable for the other me, which are kingdom builders kits. After almost 30 minutes of thinking about pros and cons, my mind has finally reached full consensus.
"System, I choose."
Right I utter a word, and that annoying, insufferable, invincible floating screen panel appears right in my eyes. A new mission was given, and it was right after Commander (the other me) issued an order.
[ NEW SUBQUEST GENERATED ]
[ HERO SUB QUEST: ACE COMBAT IN ANOTHER WORLD? ]
Objective:
- Target enemy infrastructure with maximum damage possible
- Intercepted at least 100 enemy flying units
- Survive at all costs with minimum damage received
- Complete the mission before time runs out.
Reward:
- Mastery of all weapons and vehicle driving skills
- Subspace garage for your vehicle. Possibly you could summon almost everywhere.
Penalty:
- The enemy will gain air supremacy.
- Collapse of the Frontline
[NOTE!!]
THE MISSION COULD TURN INTO NIGHTMARE LEVEL THE LONGER YOU STAY. BUT IT'S ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO END THE WAR FASTER. YOU ALSO MIGHT LEARN SOMETHING INTERESTING RELATED TO YOUR SURVIVAL ON THIS WORLD.
[ TIME LIMIT ]
7 Hours
I can't really argue with the system anymore aside from cursing. Effective immediately, I head towards the airfield. Weapon selection can be claimed anytime, so no big deal.... *Sob*
"Wait a minute, I don't even know how to fly a goddamn thing. Driving a tank with car driving experience is not the same as driving a freaking space plane."
I pause for a moment. Then I remember a certain technology that makes the Terran military very effective, if not brutal. An easy way to train conscripts, especially those from prison, to be loyal and really good at killing using power armor with minimal training. Although I heard the procedure might be too intense.
I ask the adjutant how long the hypno training thing is needed. It said around 1 hour was needed to endure sitting on that chair strap with a sheet ton of gadgets. Since the only thing I need to know is how to fly space/aircraft. This technology has also had major improvement since training staff and recruiting with traditional methods are considered a luxury.
Side effects range from mental degradation to minor migraines at best. The way the procedure is conducted is more humane and less painful than I expected. Although the equipment appearance really resembles a torturing device with glowing neon lights in a fancy sci-fi lab. It feels like a five-minute experience on those '6D' roller coasters.
After all procedures are finished, along with the medical checkup. When I step outside from that room. The sky is already at noon, and sun rays hit my eyes, disrupting my vision. Probably one of the side effects, which is minor. For the hours-long wait, the adjutant has already prepared two squadron strengths. The aircraft mix between Viking, strike fighter, Banshee, and Liberator with a total number of 37. Each was armed to the teeth according to the role that was given.
All of the aircraft were already neatly arranged on the newly paved road. The lead craft, which is a more armored and slightly larger version of the Viking, is the Archangel. Instead of twin 30mm autocannons, the aircraft is armed with an experimental prototype dual Phase Disruptor cannon. When I look closer, the cannon design resembles a lot of Protoss' own design, especially with the polished golden line and neon light blue light.
Even the Archangel has the wolf motif that Mengsk always loved. I see the overall spec: a more refined thruster engine, a targeting system for both ground and air targets, a smooth transformation module, and an energy shield. Last but not least, the hull uses the same biosteel used by the Raynor Raider but with more potent generative abilities. Of course, to power all of these, a brand-new cold fusion reactor was installed deep within the Archangel frame.
"Adjutant, any intel from the scout drone?"
[ ENEMY STILL CONTINUES TO EXPAND THEIR OPERATION BASE AT AN ALARMING RATE. NEARBY FLORA AND FAUNA ARE RAPIDLY BEING CONSUMED. TURN IT INTO A WASTELAND SIMILAR TO ZERG SLUDGE LIKE ENVIRONMENT . POTENTIAL CARRIES HYPER EVOLVE VIRUS. ITS MASSIVE ARMY BEGINS TO SPREAD OUT AND PLANTING THAT TOWER DEVICE IN THE SURROUNDING AREA. THEY BECOME MORE ORGANIZED WHEN TOWER INFLUENCE INCREASE, TRAVELING IN SMALL GROUPS WITH HIGH MOBILITY TO AVOID BEING ANNIHILATED BY A SATURATION STRIKE. NO AIR UNIT FLYING FURTHER OUTSIDE THOSE TOWER INFLUENCES DETECTED. NEITHER SEISMIC WAVE FROM POTENTIAL TUNNELING CREATURE. NOT EVEN A SINGLE STRAIN OF DATA MANAGES TO BE CAPTURED ON THE RADAR. EITHER THE ENEMY HAS BETTER STEALTH THAN A ZERG NYDUS WORM OR NEVER HAS ANY. ]
"How high again did those satellites manage to get before mysteriously blowing up?"
[ ESTIMATE HEIGHT IS AROUND 50 KM FROM SURFACE IN STRATOSPHERE. BUT WE BELIEVE THIS PLANET MIGHT BE BIGGER THAN PLANET EARTH OR ANY PLANET CONTROLLED BY THE TERRAN IN KORUPLU SECTORS SO FAR. VARIOUS TESTS ALREADY CONDUCTED, BUT THE RESULT IS STILL THE SAME. NO SPACECRAFT CAN ESCAPE A CELESTIAL BODY WITHOUT PASSING AN INVISIBLE BARRIER. ]
"I see.... Even we destroy those tower as many we could. The enemy ability to organize complex plans might not even be affected. We need to strike the enemy center of command or at least disable that connection. I bet that giant creature is the brain."
[ THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT IT IS JUST CAMOUFLAGE. EVEN SO, THE ENEMY BASE IS FULL OF ANTI-AIR DEFENSE AND PROTECTED BY THOUSANDS OF FLYING UNITS CIRCLING AROUND THE AREA. EVEN WITH CURRENT FORCES, CHANCES ARE BELOW 5%. ]
"How many air units can the factory produce in the next hour?"
I ask with a desperate voice without realizing it. Clenching my fist hard but not to the point of blood flow. I don't know how long it took to fly at the enemy base. But sorting aircraft should also be counted since they are literally fresh out from manufacturing. Even with higher technology, defects are still a major concern.
[ AT LEAST 10 MORE STRIKE FIGHTER OR BANSHEE UNITS, INCLUDING EXTRA FUEL, AI INSTALLATION MODULE, AND MUNITION LOADED. ]
"Good, I want to arm all available vessels with cluster munitions for both air and surface types. For strike fighters, give them something strong to destroy big organic structures. Keep updating info from the scout drone and replace the destroyed or missing unit if possible. Before I forgot, quickly loading a dozensiege tanks and warbots inside the transport ship immediately after they arrive at the airbase."
Little did I know, while I was busy preparing preemptive strike forces. The enemy has already begun its first step ahead. Something horrible will happen, and this act might be an eye-opener to show why Tyranids are as scary as the most ferocious and cunning Zerg could be. Unfortunately, I will learn it the hard way in the upcoming battle ahead.
[ SIR, WE HAVE DETECTED AN UNKNOWN SIGNATURE AROUND 1300 km FAR NORTHWEST. AT THE END OF CONTINENT COAST IN DIRECTION WHERE POSSIBLY TYRANID COME FROM. IT SEEMS THE NATURE OF THAT SIGNAL IS THAT OF HUMAN ORIGIN. FURTHER INFORMATION NEED TO BE GATHERED FOR MORE ACCURATE ASSESSMENT ]
"Huh??"