In the desolated land of New Torrington, silence shrouded the darkness of the pitch-black. The former large shelter brimming with survivors throughout the Goshen Country had lost its hopeful image.
The fall of New Torrington brought a new era for the survivors of Goshen County. For most, it ushered in the era of despair, but for one, it started the era of hope.
Within the blackness of the night sky, several radiant and twinkling stars moved through the heavens in a formation. If one were to look upward, one would see humanity's hope for the first time.
The brilliant stars headed onward into the black skies of the Dark Cataclysmic Era with courage against the unknown.
But they soon reached their destination and hovered above the desolated lands of a fallen shelter.
That's right.
Their destination was the fallen shelter of New Torrington. It was an area recently liberated by the first and second platoons of the Initial Cerberus Army.
Echoes of the propelling blades resounded throughout the land, and the twinkling lights unveiled the appearance of such mobile stars.
They were priced aircraft of the Cerberus. Vehicles of the 1st Airborne Company of the Cerberus Air Force. Consisting of Sparrows, Condors, and Vultures.
The nimble Sparrow Transport Helicopters landed first and immediately deployed 1st and 2nd platoons of the 1st Stormtrooper Company.
Various Sentinels, Grenadiers, Marksmen, War Medics, Combat Engineers, and Mechanic Specialists Squads scattered throughout the desolated ground.
All of them had the trademark crimson-lensed gas masks of the Sentinels, making them look cold and terrifying for the ordinary survivors.
Of course, that was if there were survivors.
Following the Sparrow Transport Helicopters was the landing of the Condor Heavy Transport Helicopters.
The Heavy Transport Helicopter transported various supplies and building materials for the Combat Engineers. They also carried the 3rd platoon of the 1st Stormtrooper Company.
As the doors of the Condors slid open, the Combat Engineers began taking out the required materials to build a perimeter in the fallen shelter.
Anyhow, with the safe landing of the Sparrows and the Condors followed the Vultures. The dual-rotor aircraft landed with grace and swiftly unloaded its personnel.
The two symbols of the Cerberus Headquarters also stepped out of a Vulture.
"It's been a while."
Duke took a deep breath and wore his advanced monocle to observe his surroundings. He was in his Director's uniform, which resembled a luxurious version of the officer's coat.
On his head was a jet-black peaked cap that combined well with his outfit. He also had his favorite weapon, the Dobermann, in his holster. But he looked completely different from when he first started with the Protocol.
Before, he looked like the typical handsome dictator. However, now. Duke looked like a military general who became a dictator.
His body was tall, his shoulders were broad, and he exuded a natural aura of domination.
Beside the Director was the Administrator of the Cerberus Headquarters. She was a gorgeous beauty with a seductive body. She wore a black secretary uniform clad in a couple of personal armaments.
Her golden eyes in the grasp of her silver-rimmed glasses glowed with allure as she surveyed the place her Director came from.
Aurora noticed the destruction and desolation of the fallen shelter of New Torrington. She saw the results of the liberation and took notice of the broken walls, giving out stories of how the shelter fell.
The words of her Director seemed to be covered in nostalgia, which wasn't surprising. After all, before transferring to the Cerberus Headquarters, this was the home of her Director.
"I have read your plans for this location, Director."
"And I agree with your conjecture. It is the perfect place for a Cerberus Branch to reside."
"It also stands as the best staging ground for when the time comes to take back Torrington."
Aurora mentioned the document about Duke's plans during the operation of the Test Flight. The plans were about the Cerberus Branch's construction in the fallen shelter of New Torrington.
The reasons were its natural advantageous geographical location and distance from the largest aberrant-infested area in Goshen County.
Torrington.
A Cerberus Branch was a unique structure that could only be built in small numbers. In the Protocol, the current doomsday base has a limit of 3 Cerberus Branches.
Duke wanted to build them in the best positions, which would be neat in his future plans for Goshen County.
The emergence of the major Liberation Quest also made his decision more determined. It was a requirement for the Cerberus to expand.
"But it will take time to build a Cerberus Branch, Aurora. My wallet is currently bankrupt from our recent expansion."
"Though for now. Building a perimeter, an outpost, and a logistical line will be enough for this place."
Duke said with a smile and walked towards the only standing house in the desolated New Torrington. This was the house of the former shelter leader.
The bastard that ran away while everything was going to hell.
"Director, you look conflicted when looking at the house."
Aurora was curious about the Director's feelings about the simple two-story house. Duke glanced at her and revealed his true thoughts.
"It's the house of someone I truly hated deep in my guts. But it's also the place that protected me when I was at my lowest. So my feelings of it is simply bittersweet."
Aurora gazed at the house after hearing the words of her Director. His words reminded her of the past during her time in the Cerberus.
She smiled bitterly and added.
"I guess it really is bittersweet."
The one that brought her horrific memories and tragedies had become something she regarded as a home and identity. Life really was complicated.
Duke noticed the effects of his words on his precious Administrator. He remembered her past with the Cerberus and how it was similar to his relationship with the house.
"I'll work hard for the Cerberus to become a place you will genuinely love, Aurora."
He said while patting the head of his Administrator. Aurora took a quiet glimpse of her Director, and the edges of her lips rose.
She trusted her Director deeply and wanted him to achieve his dreams. The Director didn't need to work hard so that she could genuinely love the Cerberus.
After all, she already liked the one leading it.
The personnel continued their preparation as numerous SAS, SRS, and LRS inspected their surroundings and created a perimeter for the Engineers to safely construct their key defenses.
Some Sparrows lifted from the ground with LRS to survey the borders of New Torrington and take care of any aberrants that dared to get close to the fallen shelter.
Numerous Sentinels also inspected the house and ensured no aberrants were hiding inside it.
After all, one couldn't be so overconfident when dealing with aberrants.
Especially when those abominations knew where to hide outside the eyes of humanity.
A Forward-Operating Base was soon erected in the middle of the fallen shelter. Its walls were temporarily repaired, and basic defensive fortifications were reinforced.
Duke and Aurora watched the entire desolated shelter become lively, with personnel everywhere. The Cerberus was somewhat efficient in setting up outposts, which the Director found impressive.
"My subordinates are really talented."
Duke smiled at the lively sight since it reminded him of the time before the collapse of New Torrington.
'The Cerberus Personnel is loyal to a fault with Cerberus. But that is what makes them unique compared to other organizations.'
Duke thought to himself while he glanced at Aurora, who was observing the lively sight with curiosity. Such a scene brimming with people would always be intriguing for her.
Especially when these people were not staging an invasion.
"Aurora, call the platoon officers. I have orders for them."
Aurora got out of her trance when she heard the words of her Director. She swiftly nodded and took out a communicator to call the platoon officers.
It didn't take a minute before the three Officers of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd platoons of the 1st Stormtrooper Company arrived before him.
They kneeled ahead of the Director and bowed their heads, calmly awaiting orders.
"Officer Alexandra and Officer Achilles will be stationed in this outpost until the Cerberus Branch Building's construction. The two of you must protect this place from aberrants."
"And perhaps, humans."
"None Cerberus Personnel must not enter this place. You can warn them to stay away from the outpost. But if they do continue heading towards your location despite the warning."
"You two are free to execute them."
Duke hadn't seen survivors in Goshen County for quite a while. But he didn't doubt their existence. Humans were like cockroaches in the apocalypse.
They would always be there and would not be exterminated.
So, Duke gave them orders on what to do if they did get in contact with a survivor or a group of them.
"Afterward, you must report your findings to the headquarters."
Duke continued his orders, and after its conclusion, Alexandra and Achilles recognized their orders.
"Understood!!"
"Your wishes are our command!!"
After ordering the officers of the 1st and 2nd platoon, Duke looked at the officer of the 3rd platoon. He was Kennedy, a brave and intelligent officer.
"You, Kennedy, will be coming with me and Aurora. We will return to the headquarters and start the next phase of Cerberus."
"Understood, my Director."
Kennedy nodded in understanding and bowed deeper. Afterward, he stood up and went to his platoon to prepare for their return.
Since the preparation of the outpost was done, there was no need for the Director and Administrator to continue overseeing the construction.
Duke looked at Alexandra and Achilles and gave them a subtle nod. He then headed towards his Vulture with Aurora behind him.