General Voss stood at the edge of the command deck, his hands clasped behind his back as he observed the fleet preparing for its most decisive mission yet. The hum of engines, the flurry of activity in the hangars, and the coordinated movements of his officers and soldiers were all signs that the CMC was ready for the next phase of its campaign.
The Black Dawn—the flagship of the CMC's stealth fleet—was preparing to launch. Its matte-black hull shimmered in the dim light, practically invisible against the backdrop of the distant stars. The stealth-class ships, equipped with the latest cloaking technology and EMP devices, were primed for the strike on the UOP's Aegis Station. A mission that could change the course of the war.
Voss's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the final preparations. He felt the weight of the moment, the weight of the lives in his command. The fate of the CMC and its war against the UOP rested on this strike. If they succeeded, it would cripple the UOP's entire logistical structure, leaving their frontlines exposed and vulnerable. If they failed... well, there would be no room for failure. He knew better than to entertain such a thought.
"General," Commander Halix's voice broke his concentration.
Voss turned to face his most trusted officer. Halix's expression was stoic, as always, but there was a faint glint of anticipation in his eyes. "Everything is in order, sir. The fleet is ready. The juggernauts are on standby, and the EMP devices are primed for deployment."
Voss nodded curtly. "Good. Make sure everything is timed perfectly. I want no room for error. This needs to be swift, clean, and precise. We strike, we take the Aegis, and we send a clear message to the UOP. If they want to continue this war, they'll have to do it without their supply lines."
Halix saluted sharply. "Understood, sir. The men are ready."
"Then let's begin," Voss said. He turned away from Halix and walked toward the holographic display table at the center of the room. The projection flickered, showing the UOP's Aegis Station, a heavily fortified orbital facility near the frontlines. It was essential for UOP logistics, providing everything from ammunition to medical supplies to their forward fleets.
This is it, Voss thought. One swift strike, and the UOP will be on their heels.
The plan was simple but audacious. The stealth fleet would approach the station under the cover of its cloaking technology, bypassing its defenses undetected. Once within range, they would deploy their EMP devices, taking down the station's security grid long enough for the juggernauts to land and secure the facility. Voss didn't just want to take the station. He wanted to break the spirit of the UOP, show them how vulnerable they truly were.
"General Voss, we have received confirmation," came the voice of Lieutenant Senn, the communications officer. "The stealth fleet is in position. We are prepared to launch on your command."
Voss took a deep breath, feeling the gravity of the situation settle in his chest. He wasn't nervous, but he knew that the UOP would soon realize they had made a grave mistake in underestimating the CMC.
"Prepare for launch," Voss ordered, his voice resolute. "Give them hell."
[Aboard the Stealth Fleet]
The stealth fleet moved silently through the void, a shadow among the stars. Its ships, silent as ghosts, coasted toward the Aegis Station like a predator closing in on its prey. Inside the lead vessel, Voss stood before the command console, eyes locked on the digital readouts. He could feel the anticipation mounting, the calm before the storm.
"We're within range of the station's outer perimeter," Halix reported from his post, his voice as calm as ever. "Cloaking technology is holding steady. No sign of detection."
Voss nodded. The first phase of their plan was proceeding without a hitch.
"Activate EMP devices," he commanded. "Deploy on schedule."
As the order was given, the first wave of EMPs activated, their electromagnetic pulses silently rippling through the cold vacuum of space. The Aegis Station's defense grid flickered and sputtered, the once-mighty shield of the UOP now a malfunctioning husk. The silent war of technology waged in the void.
"EMP successful. The station's defenses are offline," Halix confirmed.
"Prepare to deploy juggernauts," Voss said. He turned to his operations officer. "Get me a visual on the station's interior. I want to know exactly what we're dealing with once we land."
The holo-map updated with data, showing the interior layout of the Aegis. Voss studied it carefully. The station's security had been significantly weakened by the EMP, but there were still pockets of resistance to be dealt with. Security teams, automated drones, and stationed UOP soldiers would try to mount a defense, but none of them stood a chance against the juggernauts.
"Deploy the juggernauts now," Voss ordered.
As the juggernaut-class mechs were released from the hangars, the heavy machines descended toward the station, their massive forms descending like meteorites from the sky. Their enormous frames landed with a resounding thud, their armored feet cracking the station's hull as they stomped forward, guns at the ready.
The CMC forces swarmed onto the station, overwhelming the UOP resistance with brutal efficiency. Gunfire echoed through the corridors, the sound of mech weapons cutting through the air. Voss watched as his forces engaged UOP soldiers, their armored forms crashing into the station's defenses like a tidal wave of destruction.
"This is it," Voss muttered under his breath. "The beginning of the end."
But as he watched the battle unfold, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling in the back of his mind that this would be more than just a victory. The UOP would retaliate, and the real war—one far more brutal than any they had fought before—was about to begin.