Dominic stood at the helm of the UOP warship Vanguard, now fully outfitted in his new officer's uniform. It felt strange. The armor, though sleek and functional, felt heavy. More so than the battle gear he had worn during his time as a mercenary. The insignia on his shoulder was a reminder of his new position—one that would forever tie him to the UOP.
He wasn't sure how he felt about the weight of it all. Being part of something bigger than himself had its advantages, but it came with expectations that he was no longer used to. He was no longer alone, no longer just a lone soldier working for credits. He had a team now, a squad to lead, and a mission that required his utmost focus.
The Vanguard moved silently through space, its engines humming with purpose. Outside the massive viewport, the dark expanse of space stretched endlessly. Dominic watched it with a sense of quiet intensity. His thoughts were still turbulent, a mixture of adrenaline, loss, and a new sense of responsibility.
It wasn't long before the comms crackled to life. It was Hailey.
"Dominic, report to the briefing room. We have a mission."
He didn't hesitate. A mission was exactly what he needed to focus on, to drown out the endless questions gnawing at him. He made his way through the ship's narrow corridors, the hum of the engines a constant reminder of the power that was now at his disposal. His boots echoed through the halls as he entered the command center.
The room was filled with officers, including General Katlan, who was deep in conversation with a few strategists. Hailey was there too, standing near the holo-table, where a series of maps and images floated in mid-air.
"Ah, Dominic," General Katlan said, looking up from the holographic map. "I see you've suited up. Good. We're about to put you to work."
Dominic nodded, standing at attention. He had grown used to the formalities. It felt strange, but it also felt necessary. A part of him knew that if he wanted to survive in this new world, he had to adapt.
"We've received intel that the CMC has established a stronghold on the abandoned moon of Hypheris," Katlan continued, his voice gravelly with years of experience. "It's located in a highly volatile part of the system, surrounded by asteroid fields and plasma storms. They've been using the moon as a staging ground for a new generation of mechs. Intel suggests they're preparing a large-scale offensive against the UOP, and we need to stop them before they can deploy their forces."
Dominic's mind snapped into focus. He had always been good at reading the enemy, but now he was tasked with stopping them before they even got the chance to strike.
"So, what's the plan?" Dominic asked, his voice sharp.
Hailey gestured to the holo-table, where an image of the moon and surrounding space appeared. "We'll be dropping you and your team on the surface via a stealth insertion. Your objective is to disable their mechs in the hangars, sabotage their command center, and take out any high-ranking CMC officers you find."
Dominic studied the map for a moment, analyzing the situation. "Sounds like a suicide mission."
"There's a risk," Katlan acknowledged, "but with your new unit behind you, we believe it's a risk worth taking. We've also dispatched a small fleet of warships to cover your exit once the mission is completed. It's not just about the mechs. The CMC has been recruiting more personnel—engineers, pilots, and even mercenaries. We need to break their momentum before they can regroup."
"Understood," Dominic said, nodding slowly. He had led raids before, but this was on a different scale.
Hailey added, "You'll be taking your new team with you. Lieutenant Kade and Sergeant Varra will be joining you. They're both experienced combatants. Kade's an expert in heavy weapons, and Varra's one of our best snipers. You'll need them."
Dominic's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the faces of the officers around the table. There was no room for hesitation. He had made his choice. No more running, no more hiding behind the shadows of his past.
"I'll need a recon unit on standby, in case we need to adapt mid-mission," Dominic said, taking charge of the situation.
General Katlan nodded approvingly. "You'll have it. The rest of the details will be worked out in the field. We'll be sending you in hot, so be ready for anything."
Dominic turned to Hailey, who had been silent until now. She offered him a small smile. "You've got this, Dominic," she said. "You're not alone anymore."
He nodded, the weight of her words settling in. For the first time in a long while, he didn't feel so alone.
The drop was swift and brutal.
Dominic and his team boarded the Stealth Hawk, a small, agile craft designed for rapid deployments. The ship's engines hummed low, its stealth systems active as it entered the asteroid field. Outside, the jagged rocks and debris spun in a deadly dance, and the occasional flash of plasma lighting illuminated the darkness.
As they neared the surface of Hypheris, Dominic glanced at his team. Kade, a broad-shouldered man with a grizzled face, was checking his weapons. Varra, quieter but no less dangerous, was fiddling with her sniper rifle, adjusting the optics.
"This is it," Dominic said, his voice calm and composed despite the tension that bubbled under the surface.
The landing was violent. The Stealth Hawk hit the moon's surface with a jolt, throwing them all forward into their harnesses. The hatch opened immediately, and Dominic led the charge. The barren, rocky landscape stretched before them, with the distant silhouette of the CMC compound looming like a dark specter in the distance.
"Move out!" Dominic shouted, and they were off.
They ran in formation, dodging the occasional burst of enemy fire as the CMC had set up perimeter defenses. Their mission was to get in and out quickly, disrupt their enemies' operations, and leave no trace.
The atmosphere was thick with tension as Dominic's team approached the outer gates of the CMC compound.
"I've got eyes on two mechs," Varra whispered, her sniper rifle aimed at a guard post. "Moving in now."
Dominic signaled for Kade to move forward, and with a deafening roar, Kade's heavy weaponry tore into the first mech, bringing it down in a hail of gunfire. The second mech turned to face them but was immediately taken out by Varra's pinpoint shot.
"Clear," Dominic said, his heart racing with anticipation.
But they were far from done.
The real battle was just beginning.