1
“War is a machine designed to kill us as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
-Sentium Pilot
Gregor awoke to the confines of his spartan quarters as air raid sirens howled in the distance. Alarmed, he snapped out of his haze. What…_ As if answering him a soothing, automated voice echoed across his chambers.
“Captain Gregor Lasko activated. Report to North Hangar Bay Kilo-Four.”
Gregor quickly slid into combat garb and, clasping his head mounted display, headed for the skybridge several levels above his quarters. Once in the primary corridor that ran along the habitat complex, he noticed hundreds of personnel all headed in the same direction. How many were activated_ Among the horde of bodies Gregor spotted one of his squad members.
“Isaak! Over here!” waved Gregor.
The youngest of the squad, Gregor had known Isaak since they were children. Capable and agile, Isaak had proven proficient with any A-class axe. Gregor admired the man immensely and considered him family.
“Skipper, what the frakk is going on_” Isaak shouted as he made his way over.
“I have no idea, looks like the old man’s activated every pilot all at once.”
Stepping inside one of the vertical conveyors that led to the skybridge anchor, Gregor and Isaak were greeted with an impressive view of Helikon’s north district. A military city at its core, Helikon stood as testament to Sentium’s architectural genius. Nightfall radiated the final vestiges of Kepler-11’s resplendence while clouds enshrouded entire sections of ashen sky. Stone and steel high-rises adorned the metropolis while various aircraft hovered about invisible boulevards. At the heart of the great city lay Helikon Citadel; a massive dome that comprised of all military operations.
As the two men ascended the conveyor a mega-carrier abruptly appeared overhead. Clouds were gently wisped away over the colossal hull as the leviathan came to rest over the inhabitants of Helikon.
“That’s why” Gregor remarked.
>>
Deep within the citadel’s core Commander Varek observed the mega-carrier from the combat information center. How the frakk did we miss this_ Adjutants stood by and relayed information to operators across Helikon’s districts.
“Drones seven through thirteen are neutralized. Auxiliary drones in north and west districts repositioning. Activate reserves…”
Varek once more focused on the floating behemoth above him. Where’s the rest of you_
>>
Astonished, Gregor and Isaak observed the mega-carrier open its maw as the behemoth quickly began to disgorge aerial battleships and fighters, darkening the skies overhead. Aerial fighters flew defensive formations around each of the battleships, and in turn the battleships around the mega-carrier, like some colossal hive-mind.
The two men stood in awe of the surreal display.
While Gregor and Isaak continued their ascent, Helikon’s air protection system hummed online as dozens of anti-aircraft missile batteries blossomed from the various pyramidal structures set up across the district. The contrails from perpetual missile fire streaked across the horizon towards their prey. The leviathan brandished dozens of its own missile batteries like jagged teeth along its hull and began to unleash a cascading barrage of metal hail.
Recovering from the unreal scene Gregor looked to Isaak and spoke swiftly.
“Isaak, the only way this ends is if we can reach the hangar.”
>>
The air was saturated with a nervous haze as the walls reverberated from the distant volleys of missile and machine. Varek stood before a vast orchestra being conducted by its composer; Prosk. Adjutants hastily depressed keys on their consoles as if stringing a symphony to the destruction. One of them, a gaunt-looking man, silently intoned a curse as he looked up from his console.
“Commander_” inquired the adjutant.
“What is it, Daniel_”
“We have approximately one hundred and thirty new signatures approaching Helikon’s south district.”
The other side of the pincer.
>>
Eventually reaching the anchor of the skybridge, Gregor and Isaak marked their way towards the skybridge proper. The monumental structure was a critical artery that connected the habitat complex directly to the hangar bays. Within them would be the only hope Helikon had of repelling such a force. Hundreds of personnel awaited their turns to be ferried across the skybridge on one of the four mag-levs. After several minutes crept by while waiting in line, Isaak spotted their impetuous third member.
“Looks like Jakob’s already made it onto one of the mag-levs, Skipper. He’s just up ahead.”
Concentrating on one of the mag-lev’s cars Gregor could barely make out Jakob’s silhouette as the man waved to him.
“Hold up…”
Gregor was cut off as subsequent explosions suddenly ripped through the skybridge. Support beams buckled while hydraulic hoses snapped free and began to vent superheated gas. The bridge’s reinforced casing fractured, exposing the pilots to Illal’s upper atmosphere. A battleship loomed overhead, checking its mark and preparing to launch a second volley.
“Jakob! Get the frakk out of there!” Isaak screamed.
Some of the personnel already onboard the mag-lev attempted to evacuate as the skybridge began to break apart. A second volley of projectiles smashed into the structure, sending the mag-lev hundreds of meters to the city beneath.
Staring after the collapsed section of the skybridge Isaak shouted vehement curses to the Prosk battleship. Gregor grabbed onto Isaak’s combat suit and pulled him back towards the anchor point.
“Isaak, we have to get back to the conveyors. Now.”
Isaak looked at his friend and simply nodded. Both men then hurried towards the vertical conveyors and attempted to reach one. At their altitude the surviving pilots still on the skybridge clamored to get to safety before the poisonous atmosphere rendered everyone unconscious.
>>
Varek’s baritone voice shouted orders from within the belly of the citadel to nearby adjutants, desperate to stall the incoming force.
“Pull all of Axe Division’s recon forces from the east and west districts and have them reposition to the south.”
The adjutants rapidly relayed the commands to the district operators, who would impart the orders to the precious few axe pilots who were combat ready.
“Have our fighters focus on the battleships, ignore that mega-carrier for now. Any missile batteries still operational are to provide support fire. Daniel, report: where are my frakking pilots_”
“Commander, north district’s skybridge has been neutralized.”
Shite. We have to get those pilots up.
“How many pilots are already operational_”
“Twenty-one are reporting, sir.”
“Have nearby Sword and Arrow Divisions escort our pilots to the North Hangar Bay.”
>>
Upon arriving at the base of the skybridge, Gregor and Issak hastily approached the central chamber of the pilot habitat. There the soothing automated voice echoed orders once more:
“All pilots are to proceed to North Hangar Bay by way of convoy. Sword Division support authorized. Arrow Division support authorized.”
The two friends headed to the habitat’s antechamber that led out into the city. Once outside, ropes of intermittent light lashed out at Prosk fighters overhead while battleships continued to hammer the city. A super skyscraper only a few blocks away began to crumble and collapse sending up a plume of grey smoke and ash. A small convoy of five armored personnel carriers were pulled up to the habitat entrance with several armored soldiers ushering pilots into the vehicle holds.
Both men were loaded into one of the vehicles and shortly thereafter began their exodus. Looking out of the vehicle Isaak observed the chaos and destruction unfolding across the city. Gregor simply stared at the floor, remembering why he was here. Eighteen months ago he had been assigned to a massive complex in the middle of the Augre. It was here that Gregor first encountered Second Lieutenant Anatolia Vasco. Recalling the piercing sad eyes of the woman he found himself whispering a silent prayer. I hope you found what you were looking for. After she had disappeared six months ago Gregor had wanted nothing to do with the desert and put in for transfer. No amount of scrips would convince him otherwise. Additional high-rises began to crumble and fall beneath the relentless assault, enshrouding the convoy in clouds of smoke.
>>
“Commander, we have visual on signatures from the south district periphery.” Daniel calmly reported.
“Put it up.” Varek snapped.
Images bled to life on the central monitor displaying a massive force of incoming axes and mechanized infantry. At the crux of the formation was a unit of elite Prosk Royal Guards.
“Prosk is pouring everything they have into this one.” Varek quietly spoke to himself.
“Commander_”
One at a time, here.
“How long until Axe Division is up_”
“East and West Hangar Bays are seventy percent operational; with South Hangar Bay already mobilizing protective formations against incoming Prosk ground forces, sir.”
“How are north district’s forces holding_”
“Over ninety percent of Arrow Division is neutralized with Sword Division operating at forty-three percent, sir.”
We don’t have enough…
>>
An endless fusillade of rockets slammed into the convoy eventually disabling the lead personnel carrier and causing a halt half-way to the hangar bay. A troika of Prosk aerial fighters screamed overhead, preparing to circle around for another pass. Looking up Gregor watched as concussion rockets lit red hot in their tubes before streaking towards Gregor and Isaak’s vehicle next. The rockets detonated in a patterned spread causing the vehicle to rip apart. A ringing noise in Gregor’s ears sang a bittersweet melody as he choked on the aroma of charred flesh. Communications began to flood into the hold overwhelming his senses.
“Artemis punch out, punch out!”
“This is Zeus; Mike-Charlie bearing at two five one.”
“Hera; Pegasus is disabled. Three bandits bounce tap, how copy_”
“Apollo Fox Two, Fox Two.”
Screams echoed nearby from the survivors of the convoy. A memory pervaded his senses. This is purgatory, Gregor. There is no heaven for people like us. Seconds later he blacked out.
>>
“Commander, we’ve just lost Axe Division North.”
Closing his eyes Varek fought the despair that had begun to well up inside of him at the news. Focus. Other lives are present. Varek regarded the adjutant as he silently observed the Prosk carrier group wreak havoc upon the city.
“Daniel, have Arrow Division focus on evacuating as many people as they can.”
Peering once more into his monitor Varek desperately hoped his remaining pilots could save those that still had a chance.
>>
“Sand. Endless sand. Cascading through the cracks it pours. Ebbing and flowing like the chaff of war…”
“What are you reading_” Gregor softly inquired.
Anatolia set the book she had recited from gently upon the bed.
“His notes.”
“It’s beautiful. From what you’ve described of him he seems to know a great deal about the desert.”
Anatolia simply sat crossed legged and stared at the musty, foxed pages that lay before her. While lying next to her Gregor caught himself admiring her bare, ivory form. Chestnut hair flowed about her face covering copper eyes, eyes that cloaked an incalculable rage.
“This is purgatory, Gregor. There is no heaven for people like us.”
>>
“The Prosk carrier group has arrived, sir.”
Viewing the mega-carrier on his monitor Varek watched as the leviathan came to rest over the citadel. Although outfitted with its own missile batteries the citadel would prove to be woefully inadequate. Abruptly Varek’s monitor pinged with a transmission request. Tracing his fingertips over the screen Varek accepted as a bleak-faced man in his late 20’s visualized.
“Hello, old friend.”
“Damon” Varek solemnly acknowledged.
“The fight’s finally over for you.”
As the bleak-faced man spoke the citadel shook under the combined bombardment of Prosk’s aerial forces overhead.
“I know” was all Varek said in return.
>>
Gregor awoke to a piercing crack from the skies as dust and debris shot around him from an immense shockwave. Looking up he noticed the Prosk mega-carrier poised over Helikon Citadel like a predator checking its kill. The great dome had collapsed and lay in ruin. The communication channels were silent with only the distant, reverberating explosions giving voice to the city.
Gregor unstrapped himself from his harness and fell to the ash blanketed stone. Several corpses still inside the vehicle hold crackled from the burning wreck. Upon closer inspection one of the corpses bore the callsign Icarus; Isaak. Disgorging the contents of his stomach Gregor screamed in labored gasps. This is purgatory, Gregor.
“No!” Gregor shouted, causing an echo of his voice to resonate.
Standing up he noticed his right forearm and parts of his shoulder were severely charred with his flesh beginning to peel away from the sinews. I can still fight. Taking note of his surroundings Gregor realized he was less than a klick away from the north hangar.
After what seemed like an eternity crossing his way through shattered stone and searing infernos Gregor finally reached his destination. For all the noise and activity the hangar once produced it now served as a necropolis for those unfortunate enough to have occupied it during the initial assault. Gently stepping over eviscerated corpses and cluttered debris he sought out hangar bay kilo-four. Reaching it he surveyed his Heppten to insure it was intact. Satisfied, he accessed the cockpit and began to power up the various systems while the hum of the reactor heightened his resolve. Status readouts flowed over Gregor’s eyes as he cringed to work his right hand over the keypad aside the joystick.
“I can still fight.”
Author’s Note
Credit for the original artwork goes to Alex Ichim.
Certain words were edited so as to not have dozens of fuzzy bunnies wandering about.
Please forgive any editing errors as the HAWKEN: Chronicles are still a work in progress.
Edited by Magnolia1038, October 14 2014 - 03:31 PM.
Enjoy!
Great read too. I liked all the detail in it.
