As the last group returned to Ottawa, the Overlord locked down the city. Silent alarms were sounding as HA-40 patrols had taken over on defense. There were reports of increasing numbers of Black Veins in the area. Juno and the Cryptid hadn't stopped working on their best assets against the invaders.
Hand me that wrench.
Wrench.
Well, after some simple modifications, seems Liberty Bell Mk II is ready for deployment.
Juno, you've pushed yourself on this project. Make sure you rest.
I can't.... Everyone is pushing themselves and I have just these two to show for it.
Juno. Liberty Bell and Constitution are both incredibly valuable to our offensive and defensive capabilities.
Thank.....
Airspace alarms began blaring sending everyone into action.
Cryptid! shouted Nolan through the service bay doors. Incoming F-35's escorting troop carriers!
Copy that. Juno get these two ready.
Juno powered up both automatons as the Cryptid rushed into battle. The massive hydraulic limbs of the two automatons flexed and creaked as they stood up.
Orders ma'am?
Both of you are to assist in the defense of New Ottawa. Your targets are known as "Black Veins".
Affirmative.
As Juno ran out of the service bay, the city was ablaze. Ammo-brass hit the ground as the Ottawans held their city line. The other groups had been training under the guidance of Scott and the Busch Hunter to learn to use guns and even some HA-40.
We have to hold them....
We will Juno. Said Tempest hucking a grenade over the perimeter wall.
Meanwhile, the Cryptid and his forces were holding the city entrance, grid-locked in a stalemate.
Delta-1 this is Razor-Phoenix. ETA 20 seconds.
The Doppelganger held his arms in the air as the Cryptid tackled him.
I will burn your city into the ground.
Before the Cryptid could respond, the sound of howling jet engines filled air, as five F-22 raptors lit up Veterans Bridge with a rain of missiles.
We're getting creamed out here! Call for backup!
Chastity! Radio Juno! Emergency priority!
As Chastity manned the radio, the Cryptid held the Doppelganger on the bridge.
YOU WILL NO PASS INTO MY CITY!
NOT ONLY WILL I GET IN! I WILL LITER IT'S STREETS WITH ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS' BLOOD!
As the radio came to life, Chastity began talking into it.
Juno? Juno do you copy?
I copy. What's going on?
This is a priority request from the Cryptid! WE NEED BACKUP! NOW!
Copy that, sending in the twins.
As F-22's strafed the bridge, the Cryptid took a few rounds to the shoulder. However, the ground began to shake as if mythological titans had awaken. An F-22 exploded mid-air revealing Constitution and her sister, Liberty Bell Mk II marching towards the bridge. Both targeted the bridge, the Cryptid leapt away from the Doppelganger. He rushed to Chastity, scooping her up in his arms, then jumped off the bridge as the two automatons removed Veteran's Bridge from the equation.
Biden... What are these things?!
Fall back.. We can't sustain this level of loss.
RETREAT IS IMPOSSIBLE!
FREEDOM SHALL BE RESTORED UNDER THE HANDS OF CONSTITUTION AND LIBERTY BELL! cried out the two automatons as they broke the siege of entrance.
Juno we managed to secure the devasted ruins of the bridge, but Chastity and the Cryptid are unaccounted for.
Copy that. We're still under heavy siege. Our fighter are now airborne! We have the advantage! Tempest! Order the advance!
RIGHT! YOU ALL HEARD HER! MOVE FORWARDS! PUSH THEM BACK!
Meanwhile, Chastity had washed ashore downstream, near lower the Silica Sand Quarry. She coughed up water and pulled herself to her feet. The Cryptid was laying motionless on the bank of the Illinois River.
She went over and tugged on his antlers. Come on! Get up!
With a large cough, the Cryptid opened his eyes and stood up.