The battle began in earnest as the UOP forces launched their offensive against the CMC's outer defense fleet. The silence of space shattered as massive engines roared to life, unleashing an orchestra of war. Dominic's mech, the Giant Halo, surged forward, its immense weight sending tremors through the deck as he steered it out of the launch bay and into the chaos unfolding in the void. The UOP fleet moved as a unified front, but it was Dominic and his team that would spearhead the assault, cutting through the CMC's outer line with brutal efficiency.
On his comms, the voices of his squadron echoed in sync with the roar of his mech's thrusters. "All units, stay sharp," said Lieutenant Hartley, the leader of his squad. "We're cutting through their outer defenses. Focus on the destroyers—clear the path for the main fleet."
Dominic's fingers tightened on the controls, adjusting his mech's targeting systems. The scanners came to life, pinpointing the positions of CMC forces scattered across the battlefield. There were CMC light-class destroyers, each packed with heavy weaponry, their sleek forms darting across the void. But they were no match for the firepower Dominic brought to the table.
"Target locked," he muttered, setting his sights on the nearest destroyer. With a flick of his wrist, a burst of plasma erupted from his mech's right arm, engulfing the target in searing light. The destroyer's shields flared before crumbling, the vessel disintegrating into fragments.
The battle was brutal. Explosions rocked the vacuum of space, sending shockwaves across the battlefield. Dominic's HUD flashed with incoming enemy fire, but his targeting system was already ahead of the curve. His mech's massive arms swung around, launching a volley of guided missiles that cut through the enemy lines, striking CMC ships with pinpoint accuracy. The Giant Halo was a juggernaut of destruction, its massive cannons tearing apart enemy craft like paper.
"Watch out, Dominic!" Hartley's voice came through, tinged with urgency. "You've got a battleship coming in from the right!"
Dominic's instincts kicked in. He jerked the mech's controls, activating the defensive shielding just as a massive CMC battleship fired on them. The blast collided with his shield, sending a shockwave of energy coursing through the mech's systems. His cockpit shook violently, but the shield held strong.
"Take this!" Dominic roared, releasing a barrage of plasma rounds, targeting the battleship's weak spots. The ship's engines flared and the vessel began to tilt, its shields cracking under the relentless barrage. But it wasn't done yet—before it could explode, it released several smaller fighter-class mechs, their thrusters flaring as they rushed toward Dominic.
"Time for some real action," Dominic muttered under his breath, flipping a switch that activated his mech's secondary armament. The massive fists of the Giant Halo whirred to life, their armored fists slamming into the approaching fighters with devastating force. Each punch sent mechs flying, breaking them apart mid-flight. His targeting system picked off the remaining ones with pinpoint accuracy, leaving nothing but debris in his wake.
"Enemy lines are breaking!" Hartley's voice broke through the chaos. "Push forward! We've got to clear a path to the CMC flagship!"
Dominic's pulse quickened. This was it—their chance to break through the heart of the CMC's defense. The flagship was still well-protected, its shields intact, but with the outer lines crumbling, it was only a matter of time before it fell.
"We're on our way," Dominic responded, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. "No turning back now."
As the Giant Halo continued its march through the CMC's forces, a sudden alert flashed on Dominic's screen. A new CMC mech had entered the battlefield—a towering behemoth of a machine, its armor a deep crimson red, and its arms bristling with weaponry. The mech's signature energy signature was unmistakable.
"Juggernaut-class," Dominic muttered under his breath. "They're bringing in the heavy artillery."
The CMC's Juggernaut-class mech charged toward him, its massive feet causing the very stars around it to tremble as it stomped forward. Dominic adjusted his targeting system and fired a volley of plasma rounds, but the enemy mech's shield absorbed the hits without flinching. The Juggernaut responded with a swift counterattack, sending a barrage of missiles and energy beams his way.
"Incoming!" Dominic shouted, jerking his mech to the side just in time to avoid the blast. The missiles exploded behind him, sending debris flying. He quickly recalibrated, launching another round of plasma fire, this time aimed at the Juggernaut's legs.
It didn't flinch.
The battle between the two giants was savage. Every strike sent ripples of energy across the battlefield, shaking the very fabric of space itself. Dominic's mech was fast, but the Juggernaut was a wall of destruction. The two mechs clashed in a brutal contest of power and strategy, each trying to outmaneuver the other.
Dominic's hands flew across the controls, calculating his next move. He launched himself into a desperate charge, using his momentum to deliver a devastating punch to the Juggernaut's midsection. The force of the blow rattled the enemy mech, causing it to stumble back. But the Juggernaut wasn't finished.
With a roar, the Juggernaut's fists came crashing down on Dominic's mech, sending him sprawling across the battlefield. The Giant Halo skidded across the space debris, its systems flashing red as it fought to regain control.
"Not today," Dominic muttered under his breath. With a final burst of energy, he activated the mech's thrusters, launching it back into the air. He grabbed the Juggernaut's arm, using his superior agility to twist it to the side. The enemy mech staggered, its shield flickering.
Dominic saw his opening. With a swift motion, he fired a concentrated blast directly at the Juggernaut's exposed core. The blast hit its mark, and the Juggernaut's systems began to overload. It was only a matter of seconds before the mech's internal reactor exploded, sending shockwaves through the battlefield.
Dominic watched as the Juggernaut disintegrated into a mass of burning debris. The enemy's heavy-hitter was down.
"We've broken their front lines," Hartley's voice came through his comms. "Get ready, Dominic. We're going for the flagship."
Dominic's breath was heavy, his pulse still racing from the intense battle. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, his hands trembling slightly from the adrenaline. The battle was far from over, but with the Juggernaut down, they had a chance.
The path ahead was clear. They would take the CMC flagship, and this war would finally begin to tip in their favor.
"Let's finish this," Dominic muttered as he steered the Giant Halo toward the CMC's heart. The fight was far from over—but now, he felt the thrill of victory within reach.