Chapter 20 – The Silent Tempest
Location: Imperium Caelestis Command Headquarters
Castellan Ursarkar E. Creed stood in a holographic map room. Around him, high-ranking officers of the Astra Militarum and Officio Prefectus were studying a world map. Information continued to flow across the screen—military maps, communications traffic, nuclear weapons bases, and even the political weaknesses of each major power.
> Creed:
"Before we issue an ultimatum, let's make sure there are no surprises from these losers."
He pointed to several glowing red dots on the map.
> Creed:
"The US has nuclear weapons in silos in Montana and North Dakota. Russia has ballistic missile systems under the Urals. China has underground in Xichang. Send in infiltrators."
Creed activated the command. A team from the Officio Prefectus, the Imperium's elite secret intelligence and execution unit, was immediately deployed. Alongside them were Inquisitorius agents ready to eliminate anyone who could pose a threat.
Silent Operation:
Agents infiltrate NATO headquarters, the Kremlin, and Zhongnanhai.
Several leaders are quietly replaced with "Imperium loyalists."
The missile and nuclear systems are subtly disabled, either through sabotage or the Mechanicus tech virus.
After three days, all strategic points in the world have been mapped, neutralized, and ready to be controlled.
> Creed:
"Now it's time to show them the sky…"
[Place: Temporary Command Tent – Calm, But Tense]
Varn sits at a large table, staring at a map of the Los Angeles area. Calros Oliveira, Alice, and Claire enter after being called.
Varn:
Calros Oliveira, Alice, Claire. Thank you for coming. We need to talk about the next plan.
Calros:
Sure. How can we help you?
Varn:
First of all, Calros. According to reports, you are a former elite soldier. Your skills are needed. Starting today, we will appoint you as the leader of the local battalion. Your troops will work together with the Astra Militarum. Agreed?
Calros: (straightens up)
I'm ready. As long as it saves more people, I'll do it.
Claire:
Then... what about my brother, Chris? He's still trapped in the Los Angeles Central Police Department.
Varn:
We'll send a rescue team. We'll also clear the area for the construction of a large city. Chris will be a priority target.
Alice:
Then... what about the other survivors who don't know about the antivirus? We need assurance that they can be saved.
Varn:
You'll all see for yourself. We'll hold a public demonstration. The infected will be injected with the antivirus in public. This is not an empty promise. This is the beginning of the end of the nightmare.
Calros: (looks at Claire & Alice)
This is... the hope we've been waiting for.
Claire:
If you can really turn things around... we'll help you as much as we can. Don't waste our trust.
Varn:
I won't.
Temporary Base - Southern Safe Zone
There was silence in the command room before departure. In front of a holographic map of Los Angeles, Colonel Schaeffer stared intently at the screen, his arms crossed. Behind him stood Varn, fully armored with Cadian insignia, and on his other side Calros Oliveira, still wearing his Raccoon City combat gear.
"The city will descend into total chaos in 48 hours if we don't intervene," Colonel Schaeffer said matter-of-factly.
Varn replied curtly, "Units are ready. Armored formations and air support are in position. Omnissiah's Breath are being carried by the Mechanicus team."
Calros raised an eyebrow. "Omnissiah's Breath? Wait, that's kind of—"
"Not a kill bomb," Schaeffer interrupted. "These are antiviral bombs. Designed to destroy active pathogens and neutralize infected areas. We'll drop them on the epicenter of the infection. Once they explode, a 5 km radius will become a sterile zone."
Calros fell silent, nodding slowly, trying to understand even though half the terms were foreign to him. But he knew one thing for sure: this was way above Umbrella's level.
Los Angeles Sterilization Mission (Initial Deployment)
Mission Leader: Colonel Schaeffer
Key Personnel:
Varn (Cadian Heavy Gunner)
Calros Oliveira (former local troop, local scout & local battalion leader)
Tech-Adept Toren (Mechanicus mechanic, activate and oversee the deployment of the Omnissiah's Breath)
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Troops & Equipment Brought:
1. Astra Militarum (General Guard):
Infantry: 2000 troops
Sentinel Walker: 20 units
Leman Russ Tank: 10 units
Basilisk Artillery: 5 units
Chimera Transport: 10 units
2. Mechanicus:
Skitarii Rangers: 30 troops
Skitarii Vanguard: 20 troops
Biological Magos: 10 + 50 assistants
Omnissiah's Breath (anti-virus bomb): 3 unit
Effective radius per bomb: 100 km
Initial total coverage: 120 km radius (enough for 1/2 a large city like Los Angeles)
3. Space Marines (limited support):
Tactical Squad: 2 squads (20 troops)
Assault Squad: 10 troops
Thunderhawk Transport: 1 unit (logistics & fast air support)
Valkyrie Gunship: 5 units
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Special Notes:
Calros: provides local information only, does not lead the Imperium military.
Colonel Schaeffer: holds full military command.
Varn: direct liaison to frontline troops.
Mechanicus: focuses on implementing and overseeing the Virus Bomb.