Inside the ship, the squad members were scattered, each attending to their duties. It was not a pleasant place to be for long, but it was mandatory. The food was prepared by a chef of the highest class, along with her many helpers. The engineers were busy running along the vast corridors, while Yorden stood at command, observing the approaching fleet.
As planned, reinforcements had arrived the previous week. Even if the enemy had superior firepower, their sheer numbers could easily overwhelm them.
Yorden rose and issued his first order as the fleet drew closer—just three days away. He ordered the engineers to ready both primary and secondary cannons. The marines were ordered to man the Anti-Fighter Guns, located in a small room, while the ship's defense mechanisms engaged, drastically changing its tone. The sounds of shells, rounds, and missiles loading were muffled by the ship's thick walls.
"All fleet, this is Capt. Nathaniel Xander. I suggest if you want to keep that head of yours, you'd better start the battle procedures immediately."
Captain Nathaniel sat aboard his capital-class ship, The Divine Revelation, gathering intel on the enemy fleet. His plan was to obliterate them in a single volley. His crew took the opportunity to sleep while they could, knowing the battle would commence the moment the first shot was fired.
The Titans and marines relaxed for now; it was the pilots' turn to shine. Meanwhile, the engineers worked tirelessly. By the end of the day, every cannon had a target lock, with half loaded with 'Armageddon Ammunition'—nuclear-grade weaponry. It was guaranteed to be a mess; war was never clean. Victors write history, but for the defeated, the story is far different.
---
"Charge the rail cannons!" Announced the captain.
The final hours of peace were gone—it was time for the hunt. As the guns charged, the hangars opened, releasing hundreds of fighters. The freighters reversed thrust to ensure no supplies were damaged.
"Release the primary, hold charge and engage with the secondary." Yorden commands the officers in the bridge.
All ships fired their first shots—nuclear rounds—then quickly reloaded with high-explosive (HE) and armor-piercing (AP) shells. Missiles shot out of their silos at such speeds that they resembled rays of light. The Hollow fleet fired countermeasures, but they couldn't withstand the power of humanity's weapons.
Nuclear explosions erupted one after another, like fireworks in the sky. It was simply beautiful. The only thing they leave behind was destruction. Despite the devastation, many Hollow ships survived and fought back. The anti-munition guns engaged, relying on light-based weapons, unlike the Hollow's kinetic shells.
A Brutal dogfight erupted between the human and Hollow forces. It was quickly turning into a one sided battle as the other human ships provided support. The once empty space between the stars were now filled with streams of missiles, rays of light and the roar of auto-cannons. Hundreds if not thousands of fighters weaved and darted across. Human squadrons flew in tight formations, executing precise maneuvers that forced the Hollow fighters to scatter in disarray.
Captain Nathaniel's voice rang out over the comms, commanding the fighters- "Push them back. Do not let them regroup."
The Hollow ships relied on their strong defenses, launching heavy kinetic rounds in all directions in a futile attempt to retaliate. Their tactics faltered against the humans' precise coordination. Human fighters zipped between the hulking Hollow vessels, targeting weak points with surgical strikes. Laser fire reflected off the Hollow ships' armor, and one by one, the alien crafts began to crumble under the onslaught.
Still, however, the Hollow's destroyer-class ship was still intact. Hoping to establish what kind of communication the Hollow use, the officers in the bride attempt contact.
"Begin transmission. Log 1- This will be the first attempted communication towards the hostile forces." The captain sat on his seat, looking at the screen above. "Send in the signals. Log 2- We're sending signals in all possible frequency available in the spectrum. However, there is no response from the targeted ship."
The only response was silence and anticipation. It was clear that it wasn't going to respond. Perhaps, it doesn't use signals outside of the spectrum or just a vastly different frequency. "No response received from the targeted ship. End log. What a waste of time... Just damn destroy it." At the words of the captain, the machines quickly loaded the main cannons with a new batch of Armageddon Ammunitions. The cannons took aim and locked on, firing half-a-dozen shells at the destroyer and once again filling the space with flashes of lights. It was like watching small suns form and disappear.
It was time for the scavengers and freighters to enjoy the aftermath. From within out came many small shuttles containing researchers and scrapers. It was time for the vultures to feast on the death.
"This is Capt. Nathaniel, Crimson Angel Squadron, you are know free to head to the destination. Remember this was a fleet meant to test our capabilities, more of them will come. Those bastards think they can play the fox. Give them hell in that planet! May He who guides us protect, Amen."
"You heard the man. Issue to all fighters and personnel, this is Maj. Yorden Fall, return to your respective posts and brace for a 'Crusade'. Remember, it is a one way trip, if some of you cowards think you won't make it, I suggest you to pray. For in His name we will decimate those who stands in our path. May He who guides us protect."
"Amen!"
It was finally time for a crusade, a honour to many. To jump across space, sacrificing your engine in the process, this was the way, the thrill of the hunt... A crusade. The fighters boarded the ship and made haste to their quarters as the engine begins to spark, it was a sight of thousands of lighting striking the core every second. The engineers and mechanics, saying their prayers, quickly left the engine room. The officers gathered at the bridge and every crew were in their respective quarters. It was time for the war pray to commence.
One of the officer's prayer was able to be heard amidst the alarms- "All of creation shall bow down to His name, while we stand for Him, guarding His throne. Understand our attempts in creating a world of perfection. Guide us into Your most divine paradise upon our death. May You who guides us rest while we fight for a better world, Amen."
As the crew prayed the core had almost reached it's peak, the final countdown begins.
10...
9...
8...
7...
6...
5...
4...
3...
2...
1...
"Meltdown." The safety shutters inside the engine room closes as the engine begins to reach critical temperatures, producing a large amount of energy in return. This was why the whole process is a one-way trip. The energy produced was immediately directed and focused ahead of the ship, creating a wormhole similar in size with the ship.
The officers gently guide the ship inside as the wormhole slowly loses its energy, it was time for the fuel generators to kick in. The secondary thrusters activates and pushing it close to the planet.
"Still remember the time the Cathedral used to be green." Yorden reminiscence the past, the greenery of this planet clearly surpasses that of his. However, this was not their main planet. The lack of infrastructure clearly indicated the absence of the Hollow. This was also another bait. Still, it will make for a very good resource planet.
The plan also was still the same, but this time as per current data, they will have to gather the scouts and establish a temporary platform. The 95 titans will help in the construction of the platform, while the Crimson Angel Squadron will head to the targeted location. Soon, Angel's Chariot descended down to the crater, the only suitable place to land the ship that is closest to the target.
It was a successful touchdown and the all the gates along with the hangers immediately opened as the Titans and marine, who required the use of transport, moved to secure the vicinity. The crew worked fast, quickly establishing a parameter to secure the location.
Meanwhile, the Squadron were preparing to leave for the mission. "Check everything. We do not want to leave a single organism breathing once we are done." Yorden spoke as he put on his helmet and clutched his rifle.
"Ammo, check. Hell, we finally get to shoot actual targets again." Replied Foster, gripping his 74-caliber sniper rifle- the Utna O7 in anticipation.
Lestford nods in agreement as he ready his great hammer- the thruster veriant Mule Co3 and his 50-caliber machine gun- the viper veriant Entrance T0W.
"Heard we might get ambushed. First time my shotgun is going to be actually useful." Descon said as he slowly loaded dragon's breath shotgun shells into into his semi-auto shotgun- the classic Tm-10.
"Admit it. The only time you used that shotgun, you used it to smash heads with it. I say you stick to your T0W." Isthon mockingly told Descon as he loaded his rifle- the high shrapnel veriant Entrance T0W.
It was time to leave, Yorden headed up the bridge and assigned Halladey as the attending commander. As Titans do not have their own personal vehicle, they had to go on foot. The average speed of a Titan is 30-40km/h when walking and 50-65km/h while on full sprint. It would take a week or two to reach their destination.
They took their first step outsides, the trees looked foreign as the gravity affected their evolution. The water here was a stale, almost a solid mass then liquid. By the time they headed out, the crew had already mapped out the general area and provided them of the way out of the crater. It was a tedious task, the rock formation was not at all solid, as the forest didn't reach the edge there were no support for the rock wall.
However the mission must go on. Yorden instructed the other Titans to help build the platform and soon, they headed out towards their objective.
It took them an hour to reach the crater's edge. There, they encountered the planet's first wildlife: eyeless birds. "Wildlife Log 1: This is Isthon of Crimson Angel Squadron. Class is Aves, overall structure is similar to the Vultur Gryphus. Build is slightly larger and sharper claws and peak, however it does not have any eyes. Possible echolocation or thermal imaging, further study required."
"Isthon, you do remember it is not part of the mission to collect data, we are here for a destroy and rescue mission." Lestford questioned him, seemling annoyed at the fact.
"Well, you don't get to do that everyday. So, might as well do it now." Replied Isthon as he continued to argue with Lestford until stopped by Yorden.
They soon reached the forest, which was denser than the provided satellite image. They pressed on, clearing obstacles as they went. Unlike cathedral, this planet had a lot of carnivorous species of plants. All of them unique in the way they catch their food. Either by smell and trap or just straight up attacking its prey. Isthon noted that further study was required on the plants especially how they sense their food.
Insects of various sizes roamed the area, typically bigger than all the other species they know that live on their planet. Collecting data however proved difficult as all the insects tend to run away immediately on sight. It was a task for the main research force to conduct.
The concerning part soon arrived at the lack of mammal wildlife. The whole place was buzzing with the sound of insects, movements of the plants. Occasional howls and cries could be heard, but discerning their location was impossible. Isthon was clearly frustrated at the fact. It was eerily quiet, it felt as if their whole senses were devoured and aimlessly wandering through.
But, they soon reached a clearing, in the middle was a small lake and visible on the other side was a banner.
"No matter how many species there are. It seems all have invented the 'banner'." Foster joked as he looked at the place with his scope. "Yep that is the first camp."
They reached their first point within 6 hours, they were moving quicker than predicted. It seems that they will get a somewhat rest for the night.
The entrance to the small camp was closed by a mechanical gate, just barely big enough for a Titan to fit through. Inside, there were small camps, towers and bunkers scattered around. Although, it was all deserted.
"Where did the scouts land their ship anyways?" Asked Descon.
"They are camouflaged, that's why we are doing a blind rescue." As Yorden answered him, a loud growl shook the trees.
They quickly draw out their rifles and they scanned their surroundings. The sound moved around them as like a predator stalking its prey. But they were waiting for it to pounce, it was time for a hunt.
"Damn! That looks hideous." Proclaimed Ishton as he spotted the beast. "I can confirm that is indeed a Hollow."
It was the first encounter with a Hollow. It's green skin, buff muscles held a gun. It's face was almost none existant except for a large mouth on it's chin and two eyes in the center of it's face. It stood at least two meter tall, only shorter than a Titan by 2.5 meters. It was wearing some kind of armour, but it felt more attached to its skin.
Foster took the first shot, annoying Isthon who hoped to claim the first kill on a new species. The noise, however, summoned more Hollowings, burrowing up from the ground.
"Ambush... just as I expected."
The squad aimed their rifles, ready to lay waste upon these beasts. No ammunition was to be spared.
Hundreds of Hollows darted across the tree line. Occasionally shooting their rifle towards them, most reflecting off their armour.
"Screw them all! Open fire!" Yorden shouted, his rifle bursting out rounds upon rounds.
Dozens of Hollow creatures burst from the treeline, their twisted forms sprinting toward the squad, screeching in a horrific cacophony.
The Titans unleashed a barrage of firepower, lighting up the dense forest. Gunfire echoed through the trees as the Hollow creatures charged, undeterred by the hailstorm of bullets. One by one, the creatures fell, but more kept coming, relentless in their attack. The squad fought fiercely, but the numbers were overwhelming. But they didn't falter, not a single thought that it would overrun them occured in their minds, because they know that they will win no matter what.
The squad stood in the aftermath, slowly breathing, weapons still raised. The once empty camp was now littered in bodies. Their focus still fixed on the tree line, they began to relax.
"This is only the beginning," Yorden muttered, looking at the bodies piled up on the ground. "Prepare for more. We press on."