"Captain."
On the hardlight screen at his console, the radar observer calmly reported, "We've detected unknown vessels entering Earth's gravitational range in sectors 1789, 2004, and 1176 on the dark side. Currently, there are 30 vessels belonging to an unidentified faction. Data has already been relayed to the forward base."
Upon hearing this, the captain, seated at the command post, lightly flicked his hand to summon a small hardlight screen. The radar display showed thirty ships approaching low-Earth orbit about two thousand kilometers away, arranged in a "△" triangular formation.
The middle-aged captain narrowed his eyes thoughtfully for a few seconds before speaking. "Based on intel, it's likely an exiled fleet of humans and humanoid species called the Exif and Bilusaludo. However, the number doesn't match our reports; they shouldn't have more than twenty thousand individuals. I never expected they'd manage to muster this many ships."
The captain turned to the radar observer and instructed, "Deploy drones nearby for reconnaissance."
"Yes, Captain." The observer promptly took control of orbital drones, originally managed by the forward base, and swiftly directed them to the dark side of the planet.
The captain continued, "Communications officer, alert our forces to prepare for boarding maneuvers at any time. Additionally, order the fighter squadron to escort us. Helm, activate stealth mode and set a course for the dark side of the planet."
"Yes, sir."
The Leviathan's crew moved quickly to carry out the captain's orders.
The ship activated its stealth mode, and the optical camouflage module blended the six-hundred-meter vessel seamlessly into the surrounding environment, even obscuring the blue glow of the engines.
In no time, the Leviathan transitioned from the sunlit side to the dark side of Earth. From the bridge, they could see the exiled fleet of humans, Exif, and Bilusaludo vessels with the naked eye through the observation windows. But long before that, the orbital reconnaissance drones had already uploaded images and video.
This meant that not only the crew aboard the Leviathan but all Atlas personnel in the Godzilla universe could now observe the exiled fleet's vessels in full detail.
Meanwhile, in the relic base's command center, Colonel Price stood by the central control station, gathering information on the states of the Terminator, Gears of War, and Godzilla universes via a hardlight screen.
With cloned soldiers and support from a few adult Astartes, Serene and Xiao Qiang were preparing to assault Skynet's headquarters. The Gears of War universe was under Perturabo's command, so Price didn't need to focus on that front, trusting that if the Primarch couldn't handle the threat, it wasn't his place to interfere.
Finally, regarding the Godzilla universe, everything had been proceeding according to Colonel Quan Ling's "Titan" initiative—gathering combat data on the Titans, obtaining biological samples from the slain beast, and deploying joint reconnaissance teams to establish contact with nanometal entities and the Vultures, as Intelligence had directed.
However, the unexpected return of the human-led exiled fleet posed a new issue. According to Intelligence, humanity had been repeatedly defeated by Godzilla and the other titans, ultimately abandoning Earth in favor of deep-space exile. The Exif and Bilusaludo's advanced technology had given the humans FTL travel, enabling their exodus.
But now, their sudden reappearance left Price's already furrowed brow even more serious as he watched the fleet on the screen. The ships were outlined in red, with labels noting dimensions of approximately 600 meters in length, 400 meters in height, and 400 meters in width.
Most of the vessels in the fleet were similar in design, some outfitted for cargo, others for living quarters, and a few reinforced with heavy armor, external cannons, and close-defense turrets. Two ships stood out, though, each nearing 1.5 kilometers in length—likely the fleet's flagships.
The ships looked hastily assembled, as though constructed in a rush, lacking the compact durability of the Paris-class or Fedes-class ships. Basic data from the drones estimated the fleet's personnel count at around 100,000 to 150,000 survivors. Atlas forces would need to board one of the ships directly to obtain more accurate data.
Seeing this estimate, Price frowned, deliberating on whether to order the Leviathan to initiate a probing strike. If the exiled fleet began sending reconnaissance units to Earth's surface, it would directly disrupt Quan Ling's entire operation. Intelligence had confirmed that the Exif and Bilusaludo were intent on manipulating and betraying humanity.
After a moment of internal conflict, Price raised his hands and typed a command on the hardlight interface, instructing the Leviathan:
"Minimize casualties while disabling the fleet's weaponry. Deploy boarding units to seize critical intel on the exiled fleet's ships."
With his authority over recon operations in the Terminator and Godzilla universes, Price could order the Leviathan to engage the fleet. This move would address any latent threats to their mission in one stroke.
Soon after, on the Leviathan bridge, the communications officer turned to the captain. "Colonel Price has authorized an offensive, sir, but reminds us to prioritize the lives of human compatriots wherever possible."
The captain nodded and quickly reviewed the current situation on the hardlight screen. After a few seconds of silence, he issued rapid orders:
"Gunners, target all ships in the fleet and fire electromagnetic interference rounds toward their engines to disable their propulsion. Secondary batteries, lock onto any armed vessels. If the interference rounds fail, neutralize their defenses instantly."
"Yes, sir." The gunners sprang into action.
The captain then activated the ship's internal communications system, announcing:
"All ODST and SAT units, board Thunderclap assault craft and prepare to board the fleet's two likely flagships. Fighter squadron, provide escort; the boarding operation will commence when the Leviathan's assault begins. Remember: prioritize the safety of all personnel and comrades at all times. Over."
A tense silence fell over the bridge as the broadcast ended.
The Sangheili Assault Team (SAT), mentioned in the broadcast, was similar in mission profile to the ODST but consisted of veteran Elite warriors. Since the signing of the "Human-Sangheili Cooperative Agreement," an increasing number of Elites had integrated into the Atlas combat structure, their formidable combat abilities well-recognized.
An ODST injected with Inquisitor Serum or equipped with Advanced Emergency Combat Systems (AECS) would struggle in hand-to-hand combat against an Elite veteran without powered armor or exoskeleton assistance. Even Spartan-II and III soldiers found it difficult to best Elite veterans in unarmed combat.
As such, Atlas had stationed one to six SAT squads on each of its frigates and cruisers for high-risk, frontline missions.
"Captain, targets locked," reported a gunner, breaking the silence on the bridge.
"Wait for my command…" The captain kept his eyes on the screen, monitoring the final preparations.
Once the ODST and SAT teams were aboard the Thunderclap craft, and the White Claw Falcons and Ghost III fighter escort was in the launch bay, he commanded, "Fire."
"Understood."
At the captain's order, the gunner pressed a button on the control panel.
With a resounding thud, the missiles loaded with electromagnetic interference warheads launched from the vertical missile bays, sending vibrations through the ship. The central console and hardlight screens showed thirty missiles streaking toward the fleet.
Soon, through the observation windows, they could see the missiles trailing bright exhaust as they passed the Leviathan on either side. The missiles accelerated in phases, reaching speeds of Mach 60 or faster as they closed the distance.
The exiled fleet finally detected the incoming missiles and attempted a weak defensive barrage with a few close-defense guns. But before the flak could intercept, the missiles changed trajectories erratically, rendering the fleet's defenses useless.
With silent explosions, EMP waves engulfed the rear engines of each ship, causing the entire fleet to stall. Only emergency lighting systems remained functional, indicating that the interference rounds had succeeded.
As the fleet lay helpless, the Ghost III and White Claw Falcons, along with twenty unmanned combat drones, escorted six Thunderclap assault craft toward the fleet. The fleet launched purple-glowing drones in response, but the enemy crafts were effortlessly obliterated by long-range strikes from the Atlas fighters.
Despite a few of the fleet's turrets being repaired and functioning, the Thunderclap craft split into two groups and, using the fighter cover, breached the fleet's perimeter. High-energy beams melted through two central vessels, paving the way for the ODST and SAT teams to board.
Inside one of the breached ships:
Boom! Boom!
Alarms and explosions blared.
"Security forces to Cargo Zone 04! Repeat, security forces to Cargo Zone 04! Hull breaches and intruders detected!"
Overhead, frantic announcements echoed down every corridor and compartment of the ship. Clad in gray-white coveralls and armed with live ammunition, security personnel raced toward the lower levels, muttering nervously:
"God protect us…"
"What in heaven's name have we done…"
"Why'd we ever come back to Earth?!"
They rounded a corridor, when—
Hum—hum—
A strange charging sound filled the air, and two faintly glowing blue plasma blades appeared before them.
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