The hangar was alive with chaos. Forklifts whined, engines roared, and squads of soldiers hauled container after container into the massive troop transport—a steel giant built to carry thousands into the heart of a battle. Fuel fumes mixed with the metallic tang of oil as mechanics shouted over the noise, securing final cargo.
At the base of the loading ramp, Ian and Optimus emerged from the armory, fully suited in their STF combat gear. Armor gleamed under the hangar lights, helmets locked in place, and both carried the calm focus of men who had done this too many times before.
Optimus glanced at the towering ship. "Looks like we're taking one giant ship."
Ian adjusted his gloves, scanning the movement around them. "Yeah… but we're also going to have air support. Gunships, interceptors—the whole package. We're going in heavy."
From behind them, Billix and Roger walked out, gear strapped tight, rifles slung over their shoulders. Following them—holding a small camera drone—was Vex, already filming.
Vex jogged up beside Ian. "Hey, think I can come with you guys?"
Ian smirked under his visor. "Yeah, sure. Might help you lose a few pounds."
Vex lowered his camera in disbelief. "Are you serious?"
Ian didn't answer, just kept walking toward the ramp.
Inside the ship, the massive interior swallowed the noise from outside. Troops filled the waiting bays, strapping in, running checks, and syncing comms. The constant hum of the engines rattled the floor.
Ian and Optimus made their way to the war briefing room, where Voltron, Blade, and a squad of mission leaders were already waiting around a holo-table. A 3D map of the demon-infested planet flickered in the air, marked with red zones of enemy concentration.
Ian leaned over the map. "Here's the plan. Voltron—you're leading the frontlines with the heavy vehicles. Tanks, walkers, everything you've got. You're the distraction. Pull as many demons as possible away from the portal site."
Voltron gave a low mechanical growl of approval.
Ian continued. "While they're focused on you, me, Blade, and Optimus are going in light. Electric dirt bikes. We'll ride through the chaos, reach the portal, and plant an explosive charge big enough to collapse it."
The hum of the ship deepened—the engines throttling up for departure. Optimus checked his chrono. "We move as soon as we land. No delays. The longer that portal stays open, the more demons flood in."
Ian locked eyes with the team. "This isn't a search-and-destroy. It's get in, blow the portal, get out. No hero stunts. Understood?"
The group nodded, silent but tense. The room emptied, boots echoing in the steel corridors. The ship groaned as the hangar doors closed behind the last soldier, sealing them in for the long ride to the battlefield. Somewhere deep inside the hull, the war drums were already beating. The troop transport touched down in the shadow of jagged mountains, its massive landing struts crushing rock and snow beneath them.
The front gate hissed open, lowering with a thunderous clang. Tanks, walkers, and attack jets rolled out into the icy air. A moment later, the horizon lit up with incoming fire—demon warships and armored beasts pushing forward to meet them.
In the chaos, Ian, Optimus, Roger, Billix, and a small strike team mounted their electric dirt bikes and peeled away from the main force, engines humming almost silently as they weaved through forests and hills.