Brigade commander Luca and his coop crept up the hillside which looked over a clearing in the wild-lands over the south of Ajera. Most of the forest had, for the most part, been burnt away years ago, leaving only sparse trees scattered in the plain fields. In the distance, the two could see the target of their planned assault-A Kridora forward base established for gathering information on any movements from the southern cities of Ajera kingdom on Kridora annexed parts. Under normal circumstances, it was fruitless to hit this base since it was in close proximity to the Diablo mother-ship, one of the three massive Kridora ships that entered Qura many years ago and declared war.
"Hmmm...It would be difficult to launch a frontal assault from here...It's mostly barren land with no cover."
Without turning away from his scope vision glasses, Luca replied to Soru's concerns,
"True, but then again, having them notice us is the whole point of this operation. We need them to feel we're committing a lot to this supposedly small corner outside the city borders. Otherwise-"
Soru just sighs and puts his hand up,
"Yeah, yeah I get it. Still, I think this is too risky of an idea. Especially if it works out. I say we call this off."
"You had your chance to veto this operation during the meeting. Why didn't you voice your concerns then? Got cold feet?"
"Of course I did. You saw the look on their faces. I didn't have the heart to veto this operation after what the Kridora did in Pandira city. Although, in some way, I too wanted revenge, I guess..."
"Alright, time's up for chatting. Let's get to it. We'll create a wedge of chaos from here to the forward base for our brigade to follow and then take control-"
Luca then switches to the brigade communications frequency so that everyone behind him could hear,
"Listen up! The two of us will rush head on at full pace. You have to follow in behind the chaos and take control of the base. Remember, fight with everything you've got. We need them to believe we're desperate to take control here. Out!"
Luca and Soru immediately jumped over the cliff and landed on the other side and took cover behind a tree stump that barely covered the two of them. Then both emerged quickly from behind the cover, pointing their weapon gauntlets at one of the two turrets on top of the entrance gate. The explosion rang through the region which had otherwise not seen action in days past. Kridora troops began scurrying around, dazed and startled from the explosions that rocked the main gate, as they were not expecting any attacks on this base.
Kridora troops began emerging out of the entrance but they were immediately shot down by Luca and Soru as they ran towards the gate. Luca loosened a grenade belt from his hips, released the pin and threw it just beyond the gate. The brigade followed quickly behind the two as they weaved through the incoming fire from Kridora troops stationed on the walls and shot them down, one by one. Finally, they reached the entrance and kicked it open.
"All troops engage! Do not leave anyone alive! We need to capture this forward base at all costs!"
(In the Bridge of the Diablo)
"Multiple Qura warriors detected entering the forward base T334! Requesting orders."
One of the commanding Kridora officers raised an eyebrow and rushed over to the main screen where footage from the forward base was being relayed. Hundreds of Qura warriors had swarmed the base and taken control. One foot soldier began running towards the camera as a spear came flying from behind, impaling through his skull and into the camera, cutting the feed. The officer watching the feed was taken aback as this situation made no sense.
"What the- What is happening here?"
One of the soldiers monitoring the situation replied,
"Qura soldiers rushed the forward base from the hillside. We did not anticipate an attack on this base since the Diablo is in close proximity and we expected the threat of an aerial bombardment would deter any threats there. Shall we send a few bombers to that base-"
The soldier was cut off by another who spoke in a hurried voice,
"Sir! A drop-ship which happened to be in the area flew in to assess the situation since that base did not have anti air reinforcements but it was shot down. That leads me to believe that the Qura brought some form of their own anti air weaponry amongst the troops somehow."
The confusion and shock on the Commander's face only grew as he tried to process the information.
"Why attack there and why now? They could not have brought enough anti air arsenal to hold the base against the drop-ships we can send from the Diablo. This base was outside the city limits and did not hold any strategic value to them so why...? Could it be that there is something there that they want to acquire? We must not let them. Send the closest group of drop-ships to the area at once!"
"Sir, the closest armada of ships are the ones guarding the Diablo's stern. Shall we send them in?"
The commander hesitated for a second but immediately made up his mind.
"We shouldn't hesitate here. Those Qura soldiers are aware of the Diablo being right on their doorstep and yet chose to send such a huge battalion to a small base as this is. There is something there that they want which is worth risking that many troops. My intuition tells me we should not let them have it. Deploy the armada at once!"
(Aboard a Qura drop-ship drifting over the Ajera Kingdom capital)
The group aboard the ship was making small talk until all their voice communications woke up to static noise,
"Alexio, they took the bait. We've detected multiple Kridora ships headed towards our location. Move to capitalize immediately. We will not last if they actually make it to the base before-"
The young man playing cards with the pilot set his hand down and turned to the rest of the team,
"Yes Luca, we will head out immediately. We only need the ship to cross the constricted air space around the Diablo. Once we're near, I will get us inside."
The drop-ship fired its thrusters and flew up towards the Diablo at full speed. Once they reached the airspace around the Diablo, a few Kridora ships detected the rogue ship which had come into proximity with the stern of the Diablo. As one of the ships came closer to the Qura ship's rear, the cargo bay door swung open. The Kridora pilot squinted his eyes when a red glow appeared in the bay area of the ship. Before he could react, a plasma spear flew at incredible speeds and impaled the pilot's face, killing him instantly. The ship itself swerved and fell towards the ground.
Alexio peeked out from the bay area to note two more Kridora ships chasing his own. He then looked back at his team and shouted over the loud screeching of wind,
"Most of the rear guard was diverted by Luca and his troops but some still caught our tail! I'm gonna take them out! Someone, be ready to catch me!"
On hearing this, Sunna came forward to stand beside Alexio. Her short brown hair fluttered to the fast winds as she too peeked at the ships giving them chase, their guns beginning to hone in.
"Go. Remember, just let yourself fall if something goes wrong. I can jump after you and we can float to the ground. Your life is too valuable, after all."
(In the forward base)
"Commander Luca! Our troops have taken defensive positions around the Kridora base and deployed the two anti-air artillery we brought with us. However, the radar suggests over fifteen Kridora drop ships headed our way. We have to evacuate this place or else-"
Luca looked at the soldier who was slightly surprised by Luca's smile,
"No need. I had you take defensive positions as a precaution but we will not need it. They'll soon turn back towards their floating fortress when they realize our plan."
(Back in the Qura ship headed towards The Diablo)
Alexio smiled and nodded as he leaped out of the drop-ship and let himself fall towards the first Kridora ship closing in. The Kridora pilot failed to notice him in time as Alexio extended plasma tendrils from his arms. The tendrils reached the ship's bow and buried themselves in the metal. Using the hook as a pivot, Alexio pulled himself towards the Kridora ship and spun to one side, aiming at one of the wings with a plasma blade extended from his right hand. Using the momentum, he sliced through one of the wings of the Kridora ship. As the ship yawned to one side and Alexio flew past, he extended his tendrils now towards the rear end of the ship and pulled himself forward and up on top of the ship. Running to the cockpit, he found the pilot and drove his blade right through his skull. As the ship began to fall off, Alexio ran to the back of the Kridora ship and let himself fall towards the second chasing ship. The second pilot was ready, however; and fired his turret at Alexio who was rapidly approaching him. Alexio extended his blade once more and swung it in a wide horizontal arc, releasing a column of plasma that sliced through the turret shell and flew towards the Kridora pilot's head, severing it instantly inside the cockpit. Alexio then landed in the cockpit himself, pushed the Kridora corpse aside and flew the enemy's ship towards his own. As the ship closed in, he leaped out of the cockpit and landed in the bay area, catching Sunna's hand and the team closed the bay doors.
"Woo! That was exciting. I love these aerial acrobatics. Right about now, they would've realized what is happening and pulled away from the forward base. Haru, contact Luca and let his team know we're close to the Diablo mother-ship. His battalion can take anything salvageable from the base then retreat to the capital. It's time for us to take this fortress down."