The wind howled through the open hangar of the Basilisk, carrying with it the cold bite of the northern plains. For hours, the 299th KPA Assault Squad had been waiting, their readiness unwavering. The tension was thick, every moment stretching out, amplifying the weight of the coming conflict. But now, something was different. The atmosphere on the command deck had shifted, and everyone could feel it—the countdown was about to end.
Caius stood by the Death Knight, his gloved hand resting on the cold metal of its towering frame. His mind was racing, not with anxiety, but with the focused clarity of knowing what was to come. The Central Powers weren't waiting any longer. The official order to engage was imminent.
"Lieutenant Rest," Lieutenant Harrow's voice crackled through the intercom, pulling Caius's attention toward the nearest speaker. "I need you at the command deck immediately. We've received a priority transmission."
Caius straightened, his heart thumping in his chest. This is it.
"On my way," he replied, his voice steady despite the rush of adrenaline surging through him.
As he made his way toward the command deck, he saw Victor emerging from the opposite end of the hangar, already in motion. His easy-going demeanor was still present, but the tension in his eyes mirrored Caius's. They exchanged a brief look—no words were needed. They both knew what this meant.
When Caius arrived at the command deck, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Harrow stood at the central console, a serious expression etched onto his face. Around him, officers and technicians moved quickly, monitoring the data streams flowing across the screens.
"Lieutenant Rest, the order's just come in," Harrow said without preamble. "The Commonwealth is officially at war. The Central Powers initiated a surprise artillery strike on our southern border two hours ago. Multiple units across the northern and eastern fronts are already engaging."
Caius felt a chill run down his spine. It was happening. The countdown to war was over, and now, the battle for the Commonwealth had begun.
"What's the mission?" Caius asked, keeping his voice calm and collected.
Harrow pressed a button on the console, bringing up a tactical map of the region. "The 299th is being deployed to Sector Seven, approximately 12 kilometers from here. Intelligence suggests a large Germanican armored force is moving into the area, and we need your squad to intercept them before they establish a foothold. We've already had reports of smaller skirmishes in the vicinity, but no large-scale engagement yet. You'll be the tip of the spear."
Caius stared at the map, the reality of the situation sinking in. This was no simulation, no exercise. The decisions he made in the next few hours would determine the fate of his squad—and possibly the outcome of the battle.
"We'll intercept them," Caius said, his voice firm.
Harrow nodded, satisfied. "Good. We're prepping the Basilisk for immediate deployment. You'll drop just outside Sector Seven and engage from there. The Basilisk will remain in the vicinity to provide support, but you're the primary force. It's up to you to stop that column."
Caius glanced over the data again, noting the enemy positions, the potential hazards, and the routes they would need to take. It was a daunting task, but one he was ready for.
"I'll brief the squad," Caius said, turning toward the door.
The hangar was a whirlwind of activity when Caius returned. The squad was already mobilizing, strapping into their KPAs, running last-minute checks on their equipment, and syncing their comms. Victor was standing near his Sun Chaser, its golden armor gleaming even in the dim light of the hangar.
"Looks like the waiting game's over," Victor said as Caius approached, a slight grin on his face despite the tension.
"Finally," Caius replied, pulling his helmet on. His voice came through the comms, calm but commanding. "We're deploying to Sector Seven. Large Germanican force moving in. We're the vanguard."
"Sounds like a party," Victor quipped, but there was no mistaking the seriousness in his tone.
"299th, prepare for immediate deployment," Caius ordered, his voice echoing through the comms as the squad moved into action.
One by one, the KPAs powered up, their systems humming to life. The hangar was filled with the sound of metal clanking and engines whirring as the machines prepared for launch. Caius climbed into the cockpit of the Death Knight, his heart steady now as he settled into the familiar rhythm of combat preparation.
He activated the KPA's systems, feeling the thrum of mana flowing through the arrays. The cockpit displays lit up, showing tactical data, power levels, and communication channels. He linked the Death Knight's radio systems to the squad's comms, ensuring that every unit was connected. In battle, communication could mean the difference between victory and defeat, and Caius wasn't taking any chances.
"Victor, you've got the front with me," Caius said as he checked the formation layout. "Linik, take the left flank and keep the pressure on them."
"Aye, sir," Linik's gruff voice came through the comms.
Victor's laughter crackled in the comms. "Right behind you, Commander. Let's show them what the 299th is made of."
The hangar doors opened, and the cold wind of the northern plains rushed in. Caius felt the familiar rush of adrenaline as the countdown to deployment began. This was it—the moment they had trained for, the moment they had waited for.
"299th, launch!" Caius commanded.
The KPAs leaped from the hangar, the Death Knight leading the charge. The ground came up fast as they dropped into the open plains, the weight of the massive machines barely registering as they touched down. The landscape around them was barren, but far ahead, the faint outline of the Germanican armored column could be seen, moving steadily toward Sector Seven.
"Target confirmed," Caius said, his voice calm. "Move into position and prepare for engagement."
The squad spread out, their KPAs moving with precision as they closed the distance. Caius kept his eyes on the advancing enemy force, calculating the best point to strike. The Germanicans were heavily armored, but they hadn't seen the 299th coming. That would be their first mistake.
"Victor, with me," Caius ordered, his tone sharp. "Linik, hold the flank."
As they moved closer, the enemy tanks came into view, their hulking forms rumbling across the plains. Caius took a deep breath, his fingers gripping the controls of the Death Knight. This was it—the first strike of the war. And it would be his command that determined the outcome.
The comms crackled as Victor's voice cut in. "Ready when you are, Commander."
Caius's eyes narrowed as the tanks moved into range. "299th, engage!"
The first shots rang out, and the plains erupted in a storm of fire and metal. The war had begun.