As soon as the shriek subsided, every human in the Middle Ring turned to look at the colossal shadow above them.
…
Overseer Headquarters.
Upon hearing the loud shriek that could pierce one's mind and soul, the Overseers had retrieved their protective headgear. Each Overseer was a skilled officer that had gone through rigorous training and simulations of countless scenarios.
As such, they immediately knew what to do.
In perfect rows, they all trooped out. Wearing their flexible silicon suit that bled a blue colour from the armpit down to the waist, they carried cybernetic rifles and their somewhat robotic footsteps resounded far and wide.
As they mounted complex hoverbikes and headed for Ajax Sector, an underground path split open in front of the facility, and heavy artillery trooped out in a straight file. Each was a specially built tank with a distinct form and weapon.
Some had heavy cannons that fired omega lasers, others were equipped with automatic plasma rifles. The last one–a huge mechanical robot–carried a gravity vortex gun.
It was going to be an all-out war against whatever damned Alien creature had appeared before them.
…
Ajax Sector,
The painful shriek finally subsided. Nina grabbed her head and tried to shake off the aftereffect. Meanwhile, her eyes perused the vicinity, trying to find Adam.
Everyone was running for safety, whilst some had passed out in the middle of the street. It was utter chaos.
Nina found Adam after a few seconds. He was crouched low next to a wall, hugging his knees to his chest.
She stopped before him and asked, "Is this what you saw in your dream?"
Adam nodded, but gave no response. He swayed back and forth, like a small kid on a rocking horse. His eyes were fixed on a single spot, widened and blood vessels visible.
He kept muttering at intervals, "She'll die.. She'll die…"
"Who? Who is going to die?" Nina couldn't be sure what scared her the most– the gigantic monster in the sky, or Adam's crazed state. "Adam! Who's going to die?"
He looked up when she snapped. With a tearful eye, he shook his head and muttered, "My sister. She'll die…"
Nina crouched low, and suddenly, she struck him in the face.
With a stern look, she said, "Is she dead yet? If not, why are you still here? Get up and prevent it from happening, you dimwit!"
That's right.. She's right… Knowing what happens in the future gives me a chance to prevent it… she's right! Adam's brain almost oozed steam as he rose to his feet immediately.
He prepared to run, but suddenly stopped and asked, "What about you?"
"I have to look for my sister. We'll be fine." She forced a smile.
Right, right… Adam still appeared dazed. In the next instant, he made a dash across the street.
Nina watched him leave. Then, she turned to look at the colossal alien of sorts and trembled slightly.
She remembered the words of the mysterious elder they had met in the past, and she clasped her hand and said, "Lord… whoever you are, if you're watching, please protect us."
Then, her expression fell solemn, reverting to her usual doll-like state. She picked a direction and proceeded forward, ignoring the commotion around her.
…
Marshall Mathew Bates tapped his wristband and made a quick announcement, his voice amplified by a special device.
"The Overseers will be arriving soon. Everyone in the Ajax Sector should immediately leave for Epsilon or Onyx Sectors."
Then, he switched the target audience and spoke into his wristband, "All Middle Ring Marshalls to my location. Overseer squad 'Wild West', to my location."
Each Ring had a maximum of Three Marshalls. The Marshalls controlled their respective Overseer squad, which usually contained twenty to forty soldiers. Then, each Marshall reported to a General that oversaw the affairs of their respective Ring.
The Generals, three in total, reported to a Major General that was the overarching head of the Military.
Furthermore, Overseers were divided into three categories; Patrollers, Enforcers and the Inceptors. Patroller Overseers were regular officers that maintained law and order, while the Enforcer Overseers were combat-focused soldiers that actively pursued criminals and threats.
As for the Inceptors, they were an Elite force that were used for critical missions, and they could only be rallied by the highest authority; in other words, Paragon.
At that moment, an Overseer with a Patroller badge walked up to Mathew. The man was also wearing protective headgear that had a visor-like screen.
"Marshall," He saluted. "Is that what I think it is?"
Mathew Bates whipped out his electronic cigarette and exhaled slowly. He said, "One of many, I'm afraid. I'm only puzzled as to how it was able to bypass the atmospheric dome. It should've been pulverised upon contact."
If this was the level of durability the other Aliens had, weren't they doomed?
He then looked at the Patroller and gave a few commands, "The main force will be arriving soon. Evacuate as many people as you can. Once you're done, linger around in case we need help."
"Alright, sir." The man jogged away.
Mathew Bates, after two puffs of his cigarette, tossed it away. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small rubik's cube. He fiddled with it for a few seconds and finally got the right pattern.
Then, he tossed it to the ground with a smile.
The cube struck the concrete floor and bounced back up, rapidly expanding with a crinking sound and grinding of various gears. As it expanded, various nanites swarmed out from within the cube and transformed into a gleaming black horse with a blood-red mane.
The horse, eyes bleeding a dark red colour, neighed and struck its powerful hoof against the hard floor, birthing sparks.
"Easy there, Grace." Bates chuckled and mounted the horse made from nanites.
At the level of a Marshall, an Overseer could request for a special vehicle crafted to their preference. And of course, Bates who had consumed one too many documentaries of Old's Earth wild west, indubitably requested for a horse.
He adjusted his hat, retrieved his R-9 vector handgun and twirled it with great dexterity. Then, he looked at the colossal alien and said, "Time to hit the griddy."
He had earned the nickname; Gunslinger.