I successfully landed Siszha on the outpost, but I remained inside, I analyzed the situation of the outpost by switching the camera to detailed radar that displays everything within a small range. It's like having a surveillance camera up the skies facing directly down. Everything that is moving is recorded on my screen.
"Zan, increase the personnel at the west. More Rangers are appearing from that direction" I began to manage the garrison of the outpost, from switching positions to efficiently using what firepower is available on the outpost. I also tasked them to keep sending reinforcement from the portal. If left without command, Zan will fall on its own, my arrival was perfect timing.
The outpost's defense wasn't enough. They were able to withstand the pressure for a while, but soon more and more Zakana was able to slip through the lines and overwhelm the warriors. We needed more reinforcement from the portal than ever. "Zan! We are losing numbers! I order an increase in reinforcement from the other side of that portal!" I shouted an order to the outpost.
After a while, the warriors and armors coming from the portal have increased and our time has extended. Although we are being heavily reinforced, the Zakana kept overwhelming the defensive lines around the outpost. We lose some warriors while we get more. The flow of reinforcement has to keep going or everything will fall.
"Ladrak, any news about the first Loyalist?!" I momentarily switched to Lurza'Far. "I have found her, my Lord. She is safe and breathing. I'm phasing her to your ship" I sighed in huge relief. "How is she?" I asked with worry. "She's wounded, my Lord. While she sustained multiple wounds, none of them are fatal. Though, she still needs immediate care" She has multiple wounds?! Just how much fight did the higher Zakana put up against her?! To think they can harm a Loyalist like that...!
I feel regret having her wait there for longer, but I pushed those feelings away. At least she's now safe. "Ladrak, I want you to tend to her on your own. You can't let anyone know about this" "Yes, my Lord" Ladrak will take care of her. Though, I still have to give her some of my energy. Amidst the chaos, I heard the warriors outside screaming curses in the name of Arkula. Along with them are the sounds of the guns that are not Narukh'za's. I guessed Kirin Solana is here.
I focused back on my screen and sure enough, I saw Arkulan signatures behind some ruins, exchanging fire with the warriors. They have left their Lancers temporarily behind them and proceed on foot toward the portal. "Defend the portal at all costs! Don't let the Arkulans destroy it!" I said that as If I'm not planning on facing them personally.
I watched the fight between the warriors and the Arkulans. Kirin Solana is actively instructing her young warriors while not having a single miss with her gun. Her eyes are definitely overpowering the garrison, they won't hold for too long. "...Pesky eyes..." I cursed as I watch the warriors fall after each fire from Kirin Solana. The gunfire continued until flying creatures started to appear from the skies. Even I was surprised.
Perhaps they were warped in together with the higher Zakana? Just as I wonder about it, I received an alert from my fleet that a long line of winged Zakana is entering the planet. They came from other planets, but how did that happen? These are called Ravens, they are an annoying bunch who pecks and spits acid at their victim. Right now, they are raining down acids on the warriors and getting their attention away from the Arkulans.
Of course, Kirin Solana took advantage and advanced. She even brought down a building to make themselves cover when they advanced. I saw her smile as she hid behind the rubbles, how annoying. I had the urge to come out there and punch her face.
Perhaps I should do that after I get out? I asked myself that. Of course, I won't do it, it will jeopardize my plan. Kirin Solana will never come around anymore once I dealt her harm, even if it's just because her smile infuriates me.
I continued to observe them. A moment later, a Devastator arrived from the portal which got their attention. Its presence definitely shook the Arkulans, I can feel it from here. "Shit...! Averthos!" Kirin Solana called someone out. Who was that? I can only guess a backup from the outside.
"Devastator, help reinforce the western line. Let the garrison deal with the Arkulans" I ordered the Devastator to ignore the Arkulans. A shot from a Devastator will definitely devastate them. So I sent the armor away. After I ordered a priority, I saw Kirin Solana rising up from their cover with her eyes bright red. She's gonna burn through the Devastator! I almost leaped out of my Siszha. Devastators are very limited, this one is one of the few who arrived here, we can't afford to lose one to the Arkula!
Fortunately, the Devastator found its way to a turn into which it drove. The armor aided the defensive line in the west instead. Kirin Solana went back down into hiding. That was close. I was ready to stop her. That turn saved the heavy armor from being holed by laser. I quickly calmed my breathing.
As I relax, I went tense again. "Damn... Alright, that's it. I'm taking my chances here!" Chances! She meant her chance to destroy the portal! Behind the Devastator before was the portal. She will use her eyes to destroy the portal! I had no time to alert the outpost, the garrison is scattered around the outpost preventing the Zakana from getting in. I had no choice but to phase out there!
I quickly moved into action, I phased out of my Siszha to Kirin Solana. As I wait for my figure to appear outside, I quickly felt anxious. I'm going to face Kirin Solana once more, and the start of this whole thing. I wonder if Lurza'Far is watching me right now? Perhaps she's asleep?
With a blink of an eye, I got outside. I was standing near Kirin Solana's line of fire. It seemed like she ignored my phasing figure and was focusing on her laser. "Stop!" I yelled loud. It got her attention, losing the laser's strength in her eyes. I made it in time. Kirin Solana looked at me with widened eyes. She was so surprised to see a dangerous Loyalist up close when she was trying to destroy the portal.
She quickly screamed an order to her young warriors to fire at me. I was able to react more quickly. "Don't! I didn't come to fight!" I told them. They had their guns raised at me already, but they were able to acknowledge my words. Even so, one of them fired. It was their marksman, Marve. It was very disrespectful of him to fire when I demanded no harm to each other. If a warrior fires when a peaceful engagement is declared, that means they don't care about any peace talks. But I let that slide, I gave him quite a stare to scare him off. It took every ounce of my strength to hold myself from strangling that man.
The big outcome of my plans will definitely be better to witness than seeing that man suffer. "That's unusual, coming from a Loyalist" Kirin Solana spoke up. Like her young warriors, she had her gun pointed at me. Unlike them, she had the gun at my head. I quickly force myself to change my whole attitude. I had to feel like I'm in need of help.
"As we talk, my people are being slaughtered by these menaces everywhere! The portal is this outpost's only chance of survival! Without it, my soldiers here will die!" Calling my warriors the way they call their warriors will definitely show a bit of respect for their traditions. "Soldiers! Form a circle around me!" I quickly called my warriors to form a large circle that will surround us. This should secure me some time to have a conversation with Kirin Solana.
I watched the warriors fall back inside and get into the position. They quickly surround and defend us from the aliens. "Kirin, you know that this is not an argument!" I called her once I was sure the encirclement is perfect. "That portal is staying for our survival!" I declared. Kirin Solana looked displeased with what I said. "Why don't you just 'phase' out or something? Your portal is being a threat to our base and a nearby civilization! We are tasked to take it down, no matter what!" She insists on her mission, even if I was in front of her. How foolish of her, I almost laughed.
"Are you indicating that we are to fight each other right now?!" I effectively countered her words, she fell silent without response. "I thought you Arkula believes in such thing as peace between our civilization?" I saw her young warriors taken aback by my words. From there, I was certain that they have not been influenced by the Arkulan military. They were definitely looking forward to my next words.
"If you destroy that portal, you're going to break your promises! My people will remark this day as the Arkula's most dishonorable and betrayal act!" I can feel myself riding along with the act. This is perfect. "Such lies from the Arkula will never be forgotten, we will carry that hatred until to the very end of our lives, Kirin Solana" I was indeed acting, but my anger was genuine when I had to say that their belief in peace will just turn out to be a lie. I was eager for her answer and approached her. I stared directly into her artificial blue eyes. I can almost see every bit of detail moving around in her eyes.
"What it's gonna be?" I asked. Her expression is very readable. She was struggling to make a choice. Perhaps her aggression towards us is preventing her from doing the right choice, and greatly fighting against it. It took her a while, but later her expression changed quickly. She made up her mind.
Her eyes moved rapidly, her gaze is focused on the ground showing that she was doing something with those eyes. There, I heard their leader's voice. "Kirin! We detect a Loyalist right in front of you! What's going on?!" Lonara Hamarya was on the other end of that call. Her voice wasn't coming out of the device from her suit but from her eyes. She called back to their base using her eyes. It was a sight to see and an experience to have. I refuse to deny the fact that I was amazed.
"Calm down. This same Loyalist has asked us something" "What?!" Their leader was clearly confused about the situation, you can hear it from her voice. "The First... I mean the Second Loyalist has asked us not to destroy the portal" For a second there, she mistook me for the first Loyalist. I wish that wasn't a mistake. She glares at me as she relays that information. "W-what...?" Their leader couldn't make up any words. She's probably trying to digest the situation in a hurry.
However, she's taking longer than I thought she would. She had my patient run out fast. "The Zakana is increasing dramatically as you second-think your decision, Lonara Hamarya, if you truly believed in our peace, you would have given me an answer the moment you heard my request" I was certain that I shook Lonara Hamarya to her core. I heard her gasp slightly. After what seemed like forever, she spoke up. "Let's make a deal, then. We help you in any way we can, but you will abandon every outpost you have in this region once your soldiers are saved" She made a bargain with us.
So be it. I don't know how this will turn out, but I will find a reason why would we leave our outposts behind. It's going to be difficult trying to explain to the Lord, but I'm willing to try. Although it comes with a result of us leaving our missions on Kryok, Lonara Hamarya directly agrees to stand with us and help secure my warriors. My chest felt warm at that thought. This feeling is something to remember... Whatever comes next will definitely be worth it...!
With that determination, I replied. "That's a promise. You have my most gratitude, Lonara, Kirin" I can tell... That was the best smile I could make... A smile so true... I couldn't find a reason to do it in any of my previous times. These are strange times...