While communicating with Admiral Vonn Redd via radio, Vincent and Rhox began strategizing their next tactical move high above the clouds.
"We should temporarily pull out the flyers, Admiral," Rhox suggested firmly over the radio.
Admiral Vonn Redd, his curiosity piqued, replied, "And your reason being?"
Rhox explained, "We should probably infiltrate the walls on foot. We're losing too many flyers to the defensive cannons, and we can't damage the city due to the shield dome."
Vincent, supporting the plan, added, "Admiral, I believe this strategy is solid. Let the flyers retreat while we infiltrate. Once we deactivate the shield dome, we can have all the flyers strike simultaneously."
Rhox continued, "And we can meet up with Gunn once we're inside."
After a thoughtful pause, Admiral Vonn Redd agreed, "All right, I'll pull out the flyers for now. Vincent, guide Rhox to where you last met up with Gunn."
With the conversation concluded, Vincent guided Rhox to the area where he had landed and encountered Gunn. As they approached, they observed the pilots withdrawing to a safe distance, out of the range of the defensive cannons.
"The area should be around here, Rhox!" Vincent called out as they navigated through a dense forest.
"All right! Let's find a landing spot," Rhox replied.
The duo continued to fly through the thick foliage until they found a suitable location to land. Successfully touching down, they prepared for the next phase of their mission.
"All right, prepare your gear, Vincent. We won't be fighting space fighters this time," Rhox instructed while donning her gear.
Rhox wore a combat long coat armored with bulletproof material, yet light enough to allow swift movement. She equipped her customary hand launcher and plasma pistol, completing her combat-ready ensemble.
"Good luck, boss. Kill them all!" Thron called out as Rhox exited her ship, the ACE, with a determined stride.
Vincent, already outside and geared up with tactical equipment and a suppressed rifle, turned to Rhox. "All right then, let's get moving," Rhox said, leading the way into the dense forest.
The forest was a labyrinth of thick foliage and towering trees, making it difficult to navigate, especially at night. Rhox's innate night vision capabilities allowed her to see clearly in the darkness, providing a significant advantage.
"Can you even see in that helmet?" Rhox asked, glancing at Vincent's headgear that covered his entire face.
Vincent nodded, "Yeah, it's equipped with night vision. I can see just fine." Rhox gave him an approving nod and a thumbs-up before continuing their path.
As they made their way deeper into the forest, Vincent checked his navigational device. "We should be on the right path according to my sensors. What's strange is... it shows Gunn is already inside the wall. Must be a glitch," he said, shaking the device in confusion.
Rhox chuckled softly, "It's not glitching. Gunn has probably already infiltrated the walls."
Vincent's eyes widened in shock. "What!? Isn't he in danger? He's alone against hundreds of thousands of soldiers stationed at the wall!"
Rhox, with a calm yet admiring tone, replied, "Despite his size, he's pretty nimble and stealthy for a Valkaryann. And his battle instincts are impressive. He can handle himself better than most."
Vincent, still concerned, added, "Let's hope his instincts and skills are enough to keep him safe. We need to find him quickly."
Rhox nodded in agreement, her focus sharp as they continued their cautious advance through the forest, ready to assist Gunn in any way they could. The weight of the mission pressed upon them, but their determination was unwavering.
As they drew nearer to Gunn's location, the blaring sound of the city's alarms filled the air, a cacophony of warning and chaos. Rhox picked up on the urgency of the situation and turned to Vincent, her tone brisk, "We're near. Let's pick up the pace," she urged, breaking into a run towards the pinpointed location. Vincent nodded and quickened his stride, matching Rhox's determined pace.
As they sprinted through the dense forest, they came upon a gruesome sight: the mutilated, cut-up, and mangled bodies of soldiers strewn across the ground. The scene was a testament to Gunn's deadly efficiency.
"Well, what a sight," Vincent remarked grimly as they dashed past the carnage.
"Gunn's doing," Rhox replied, her voice steady with grim acknowledgment. "It means we're heading in the right direction." She leaped over the bodies, effortlessly clearing the obstacles in her path.
Their progress was abruptly halted by a barricade of fallen trees blocking the route. Vincent surveyed the situation and suggested, "Let's circle around the area. It might be safer."
Rhox, glancing at the barricade, shook her head. "We don't have time for that. Let's climb over the barricade instead," she said decisively.
She inspected the barricade, gauging the height and her ability to jump over it. "Hey Vincent, I think I can carry you and jump over these barri-" Rhox started, but her words trailed off as she turned to look at Vincent.
To her surprise, Vincent was already hefting a massive missile launcher onto his shoulder. He gave her a confident wave, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Or that... yeah, that can work too," Rhox conceded, a hint of amusement in her voice. She ducked behind a boulder for cover. "Fire away, Vincent!" she called out, her tone a blend of encouragement and anticipation.
Vincent nodded, his expression serious. He took aim, the missile launcher balanced perfectly on his shoulder, and with a swift motion, he pulled the trigger. The missile whooshed out, rocketing towards the tree barricade and exploding with a thunderous roar. The force of the blast obliterated the barrier, sending splinters and debris flying.
Rhox peered around the boulder, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. "Nice shot, Vincent," she praised, her admiration evident.
Vincent lowered the launcher and returned her smile. "Thanks, Rhox. Let's keep moving," he replied, slinging the missile launcher back over his shoulder.
With the path cleared, they pressed on, the sounds of the city alarms growing louder as they approached their destination, ready to reunite with Gunn and continue their mission.
The two continued their path until they reached the towering wall, where they were greeted by the sight of a gate blasted into fragments. The destruction was unmistakable.
"That must be where Gunn went through, Rhox!" Vincent exclaimed, his eyes wide with realization.
Rhox nodded at Vincent, her expression determined. "Let's go," she said, stepping through the broken gate. As they moved forward, she turned to Vincent and asked, "Where is he now, Vincent?"
Vincent glanced at his navigation device, then looked ahead. "He's heading straight for that tall tower over there," he replied, pointing towards the imposing structure in the distance.
Rhox followed his gaze, her eyes widening as she spotted a beam of light emanating from the tower's apex, spreading out to blanket the entire city. "I think that's the origin of the Shield Dome!" she exclaimed. "It looks like Gunn is targeting the Shield Dome as well."
With renewed urgency, the two rushed towards the tower, moving stealthily to avoid detection by the patrolling soldiers. They navigated through the labyrinthine building passageways until they arrived at the tower's entrance, which was heavily guarded.
"Shit, that's a lot of guards," Vincent muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible.
Suddenly, they heard the familiar clicking sounds behind them and a voice saying, "Indeed, you got a plan?"
Gunn had silently approached, watching the entrance with them. His presence was both reassuring and ominous.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Captain Mandibles," Rhox remarked, her tone laced with a mix of amusement and respect.
Gunn clicked his mandibles in response, his eyes narrowing. "I don't have time for your jokes, Corvi. We need to infiltrate the tower and find the switch for the Shield Dome."
Vincent, assessing the situation, added, "The security is real tight. They've installed surveillance cameras mounted at the tower's entryway, and the soldiers are merely standing guard, not roaming."
Rhox nodded, her mind racing as she formulated a plan. "We need to disable those cameras first. Gunn, think you can handle that quietly?"
Gunn's mandibles clicked in agreement, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Leave it to me," he said, his voice low and deadly.
Vincent looked at Rhox, his face set with resolve. "And we'll take care of the guards once the cameras are down."
Rhox paused to consider her options, weighing the advantages and risks of a direct assault. Finally, she declared, "Maybe we should just blast through the front door?"
Gunn, his mandibles clicking in agreement, scratched his head. "You're right. This stealth shit is getting boring now. Better just plow through them."
"Ah shit..." Vincent muttered, the gravity of the situation sinking in.
Gunn laughed heartily, patting Vincent on the back with his enormous hands. "Why, you already scared, human?" he teased, his voice a mix of challenge and camaraderie.
"I'll just grit my way through," Vincent replied with a determined look, gripping his rifle tighter.
Rhox nodded to Gunn and Vincent, then began counting down from three with her hands. As she reached zero, all three rushed towards the soldiers guarding the tower's entrance.
"Intruder! Intruder ahead!" screamed a soldier, his voice filled with panic.
The soldiers opened fire, bullets whizzing through the air. Gunn deftly parried the shots with his dual blades before leaping forward to lacerate the nearest soldier in his path.
Rhox quickly launched an energy barrier from her hand launcher, effectively deflecting the incoming bullets. "Stand behind me, Vincent!" she yelled, her voice commanding and protective.
Vincent, taking advantage of Rhox's shield, returned fire while seeking cover. With precise aim, he launched a flashbang at the soldiers, the grenade arcing through the air and landing among them.
The flashbang detonated with a blinding light and deafening sound, disorienting the soldiers. Seizing the moment, Gunn moved with lethal efficiency, his knives slicing through the disoriented soldiers' necks, beheading them in swift, brutal motions.
Rhox and Vincent advanced, their coordinated attack relentless. Rhox's plasma pistol fired with deadly accuracy, while Vincent's suppressed rifle picked off any remaining threats. The sound of gunfire and the metallic clank of armor filled the air as they fought their way to the entryway.
"Keep pushing forward!" Rhox shouted, her eyes blazing with determination.
Vincent nodded, his focus unwavering. Together, they continued to press on, their combined firepower overwhelming the remaining soldiers. Each step brought them closer to their goal, the towering structure looming ahead as a testament to their resolve.
Finally, they reached the entryway, the last of the guards falling before their relentless assault. Rhox, her breath heavy from the exertion, looked at Vincent and Gunn, their expressions mirroring her own fierce determination.
"Ready to take down that Shield Dome?" Rhox asked, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins.
"Let's do it," Vincent replied, his eyes shining with resolve.
Gunn clicked his mandibles in agreement, a satisfied grin on his face. "Lead the way, Corvi."
With a final nod, the trio prepared to enter the tower, their mission clear and their path set. The battle outside was just the beginning; inside, the real challenge awaited. But together, they were unstoppable.
As they approached the door, a loud alarm began blaring from the tower itself, its wailing sound echoing through the night. Rhox quickly scanned the area, her sharp eyes catching sight of hundreds, if not thousands, of hostile combatants rapidly converging on their location.
"Gunn! Enemy reinforcements!" Rhox shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos as she alerted Gunn, who was still busy dispatching the remaining soldiers with brutal efficiency.
Gunn assessed the situation quickly and decided to retreat toward the door. With a powerful swing, he smashed a stone column, causing it to collapse and temporarily block the tower's entrance. "That should keep them at bay for a while," Gunn said, his voice gruff with satisfaction.
The three then began their ascent up the spiral steps of the tower, their footsteps echoing off the cold, stone walls as they climbed. The journey was grueling, but their determination drove them forward. Eventually, they arrived in a chamber filled with the hum of running machinery, the air thick with heat and noise. Without hesitation, Rhox raised her plasma pistol and fired, taking out a few soldiers who were inside the room. Their bodies crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
Gunn's mandibles clicked loudly in frustration as he turned to Rhox. "Why did you kill them all, idiot!?" he shouted, his anger clear. "Now we won't know how to turn off the Shield Dome!"
Rhox met Gunn's furious gaze with a calm, calculating look before turning and firing at the reactor-like machinery. The chamber filled with a series of sparks and explosions as the machinery was destroyed.
"Alarm! Alarm! Alarm! Shield Dome Engines malfunction! Shield dome is inoperative!" an AI voice exclaimed from the control panels, its mechanical tone laced with urgency.
"Overthinking can waste valuable time, Captain Mandibles," Rhox said coolly, stepping over the fallen soldiers and making her way to the tower's balcony.
Gunn fell silent, his irritation evident as he clicked his mandibles furiously. Vincent patted Gunn on the back, trying to diffuse the tension before following Rhox to the balcony, with Gunn quickly trailing behind.
As the three stepped out onto the balcony, they observed the shield dome gradually deteriorating until the city was completely defenseless. Rhox's radio crackled to life, and Admiral Vonn Redd's voice came through, filled with elation.
"I don't know what all of you did, but it damn worked well! The shield dome is gone!" Admiral Vonn Redd's voice was jubilant.
While Rhox was speaking with the admiral, a huge explosion rumbled beneath the tower. Reinforcement soldiers began to flood into the tower below, even as thousands of flyers could be seen moving from the skies, preparing to dive down once again.
"You need to get out of there fast! I've got the flyers ready to swoop down at any time! Contact me again once you're out!" Admiral Vonn Redd's voice was urgent.
"All right, roger that," Rhox responded, her tone resolute.
"So, how do we get out of here? Do we jump down?" Rhox questioned her companions, her mind racing for solutions.
"I do have some ropes on me; we can try to slide do—" Vincent began to suggest.
But he was interrupted as Gunn grabbed both Rhox and Vincent, hoisting them onto his broad shoulders.
With a shocked tone, Rhox exclaimed, "W-What are you doing!?"
Gunn replied with a confident smirk, "Just like you said, overthinking can waste valuable time."
Without further hesitation, Gunn leaped from the balcony, using his immense strength and agility to jump through the buildings and finally over the wall, landing in the forest where they had initially come from. He then released his companions gently.
"We still need to get far away from here! Follow me!" Rhox shouted as she sprinted towards the location of their ships, her urgency palpable.
Simultaneously, she radioed Admiral Vonn Redd to report that she and her colleagues had successfully escaped the city. Admiral Vonn Redd acknowledged this, and she could hear him ordering the flyers to re-attack the city.
As the three ran swiftly through the forest, with Gunn carrying Vincent, they could hear the sounds of the flyers growing louder and more menacing. Finally, after sprinting at maximum speed, they reached the site of their ships and quickly boarded. Gunn climbed aboard Rhox's ship since he had given Vincent his space fighter.
They launched their aircraft just in time, as the flyers began their assault on the entire region. As they ascended into the sky, the three of them looked out from their ships and heard the chilling screams of the thousands of flyers descending from the heavens.
The skies darkened with the mass of flyers, and the battlefield was filled with their cries, followed by the deafening booms of explosions. From their vantage point, Rhox, Gunn, and Vincent watched as the flyers dropped bombs on the city, their assault causing massive destruction. The horrific screams of the millions of Lavina citizens echoed in their ears, a haunting symphony of chaos and despair.
"Shock and awe," Rhox muttered as she gazed down at the city being bombarded by the relentless flyers, her voice filled with a grim satisfaction.