Rules of Engagement

Miiora
In orbit around NAC fortres world Sandalphon. Orion platform-32. 5 lightyears from sol. 2168AD/105AC.

The planet being displayed on the screen is beautiful, and almost resembles Tymer-prime in appearance at a glance but that is where the similarities end. As the image comes into focus I am struck speechless by the humans yet again.Unlike the other Human planets I have visited the surface of the planet is black.

Its charcoal color contrasting with the lush green forests, and vast streaks of ocean the color of human blood, with the polls covered in vast areas of pink and white snow.

Three of the most striking features of this world being first the two massive craters on its surface. Hundreds of kilometers across the largest of these craters connect two of the strips of ocean while the second slightly smaller crater connects another, each of them filled with crimson water. The second feature of the planet being a set of beautiful glinting rings in orbit around the planet.

Each of the particulates glinting light from the system’s star, its moon and its parent planet a black and green gas giant. And finally adding to the foreboding planet is its moon.

The planetoid itself is rather three quarters of a moon. A large portion of it having been blasted away. Exposing its glowing innards to the vacuum of space and its core still glowing brightly.

“So this a fortress world, the humans certainly have strange taste in planets.” The voice of Durge breaks me out of my thoughts.

“Furthermore, I do not believe I have seen a planet this heavily defended besides earth. I doubt even Equis is this well equipped.” He adds bringing my attention to the fleet of human ships in orbit around the planet. As well as the orbital shipyards and the vast array of orbital defence platforms, like the one we are currently on.

“Avery Fallon says this is planet's name is Sandalphon, but also says that some of his people call this planet Steel world.” she explains.

“Why would they call it that?” the zaltule asks clasping two of his large arms behind his back, and crossing two across his chest.

“Well according to him it is because the planet has a high concentration of Iron and carbon with relatively low numbers of silicates. Creating a planet that is mostly naturally occurring steel with veins of rock.” as I complete this sentence the three traitorous UEC ships that had been the Manitoba’s escort join the Helghast and damaged COG vessels at one of the massive human anchorages.

“...Steel world. A fitting name indeed.”

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Avery Fallon
NAC space elevator platform. Sandalphon surface. 5 lightyears, 1 node from sol. 2168AD/105AC.

==============================

The ride down to the surface wasn't very eventful. Miiora’s was sitting next to me and had her tail draped across my lap as the chair didn't have a hole or a clamp for it go into. It wasn't very uncomfortable and the scaly appendage wasn't very heavy, in fact I think I fell asleep in the elevator.

*Thunk*

A jolt shook me awake and I start looking around. Around me the other veterans and troopers were either sleeping or talking to one another. And the formers, well they just looked stumped. It is then that I noticed that my vision was canted to one side.

Groggily I lift my head and discovered that I was resting my head on Miiora’s shoulder. The lizard to her credit wasn't throwing up but she does look a little strange. Her ruby scales look pale, and don't have their usual shine to them.

Not a lot of people know this, but Steel world’s magnetosphere is very powerful. Nearly triple that of old terra’s, a result of a planet mostly composed of metal. The result of this never occurred to me but as we all started standing up and the doors opened revealing the scarlet sky the realization hit me.

Air flooded into the hold and I start to hear the sound of a retching. And after managed to guide her down the boarding ramp. Miiora threw up a blue fluid, and almost fell to her knees. Quick as a whip I snapped my arm out and hauled her to her feet or claws in this case.

The sound of retching met my ears again and I looked around to see that almost every alien in our group was throwing up or swaying. The few unicorns and changelings were on their knees grasping their heads in pain. Grey coronas surrounded their horns as small flakes of steel collected on their horns like iron filings on a magnet.

The weird thing was that most of us humans were just fine. And then as Trombley pitched over and threw up his lunch, understanding hit me. I started laughing, me and the other veterans all started laughing.

“Why are… you.... laughing at Miiora…. Avery Fallon?” Miiora asked me through gouts of blue viscous liquid.

“Because you all aren't acclimated. Every one….” she tripped me. Her tail had come around and swepped my legs right out from under me.

Because I was able to wrangle her down the ramp. I managed to fall onto the black sand, and into one of the puddles of blue liquid.

“Uugh what the hell is this shit?” I ask trying to brush the strange smelling liquid off of my person. The smart cloth seemed to be having trouble figuring out what camo pattern to take, shifting from black, to red, to blue.

“Anyway as i was saying. You greenies, as we like to call you have never been to Steel world. Your body's aren't acclimated to the atmosphere. Don't worry you’ll be fine in a few hours.” I had stood up during the explanation and Miiora snarled at me.

“Very well, but why is the Fallon creature not suffering as she is?” She asks, hissing out her words. Her barfing fit had stopped during my explanation. The Fallon creature, she has never called me that before.

“Because, the planet is toxic to most alien life. Apparently it’s a result of the terraforming process mixed with the planet's original biosphere….” I explain finally getting most of the blue goop off of my uniform.

“It doesn't affect humans for some reason, and COG equipment hasn't been affected by electromagnetic interference in over a century. That gives humanity a distinct advantage over the Lanky's and apparently most other aliens. They never could take this planet from us.” I finish slightly puffing my chest with pride.

One hundred and five years of war with the Lankys. And every single one of those big bastards that dared to set a single toe on steel world’s black soil died. Do to a combination of the planet's hostile attack on non acclimated persons, and human aggression.

“Look Miiora, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh at you. I forgot to tell you about the acclimation.” my PDP started buzzing as Miiora began talking again.

“It is alright Avery Fallon. Miiora was just projecting her…”

As she talked I pull my PDP and flick on the screen. Now I don't know what I was expecting, but it definitely wasn't a summons from Chief Burbanjack. What does he want? Maybe this is about my embedded squad? Whatever it is I needed to go.

“Avery Fallon are you listening to her?” Miiora asked.

Looking up I see her standing with her claws balled into fists on her hips. Her talons were clutching and cutting at the black sand, and her tail whipped behind her.

“Shit, sorry Miiora I have to go. Chief Burbankjack needs to see me, if you have any more questions ask Levoy.”

Miiora seemed to calm quickly with that and hisses in defeat her shoulders slumping. She is picking up more and more of Charlotte’s mannerisms every day. Before I go I give her a quick hug which she returns, burying her snout in the side of my neck.

With that out of the way I shoulder my space bag and sprint into a nearby long term parking structure. Flashing my MOTH ID to the security robot and the clerk I quickly made it to my personal vehicle.

After reading my ID the white and red hydro repulse sparked to life. Four, foot wide disks on either side of the motorcycle esk vehicle’s ventral half began arcing with bolts of red electricity, and began to lift the vehicle off of the ground.

Securing my space bag in one of the saddlebag like containers I straddled the seat and put on my EPP helmet. The vehicle shifted under my weight and lofted farther into the air with a loud deep stutter.

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Levoy
NAC space elevator platform. Sandalphon surface. 5 lightyears, 1 node from sol. 2168AD/105AC.

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Walking down the ramp last with my hands folded behind my back I am greeted with the usually beautiful sight of Sandelphon’s dusk. The planet's ruby red skyline and visible rings adding to the backdrop.

Around me a few unicorns still grunt in pain. The fullerenes natural superconductors, in their brains battling with the planet's environment. Fascinating, this might help should the UEC arrive on the planet.

If the projections are correct, and the war continues on its current course the chances of a UEC incursion into the steel system would be 85.763 percent. With the news of the Pantheons fall the fleer has a 40.2723 percent chance of winning the battle in space. And that is even with the new ships coming out of the Titan, Series, and Pak shipyards.

“Hey Miiora, where’s your lesser half?” I ask the agitated or forlorn Tymerian.

Miiora’s space bag is on the ground and she is currently sitting on a jersey barrier. Claws fidget, talons sharpen on the concrete, tail hanging calmly. Forlorn then, strange from what Fallon says she should be very excited about being on this new planet.

“He left her here and left. She was talking and he paid no attention to her instead looking at his Data pad and left saying he needed to see Chief Burbanjack. Did Miiora do something wrong did she somehow push her suitor away?” Odd usually women with her perfect figure wouldn't be so self conscious. A Tymerian social trait perhaps?

On top of that should the UEC manage to make planetfall the planet would be their's in a matter of weeks. Maybe two months at best, but the odds of that are low. With a 20.4725 percent chance of defeating the UEC ground troops when they land.

“No Miiora you haven't done anything wrong. Fallon just has a lot on his mind right now. Remember he lost his mech, as well as a good portion of his MOTH team. Almost lost his best friend, you were wounded and at the end of it all he got the Medal of Honor…” Attempting to reassure the Tymerian female, I take a seat next to her.

“Miiora supposed that makes sense. But how would the Levoy creature explain his need to leave so quickly?” She sais dipping her head down and scratching at one of her horns.

“He needs to think and if his superior actively summoned him to spire then he had to go. Just give him time, come on let's get to the barracks.” Miiora nods and retrieves her Space bag.

Soon the two of us are on the way to the barracks, near on of the planets many seas. I still don't understand the situation between the two of them. Their relationship is strange obviously do to the two of them being different species.

The best chance of winning or buying more time would be to hit the UEC troops as soon as they land. Before they are able to acclimate hitting them hard while they are throwing up on the pitch colored soil. Possibly the most prudent course of action would be to target the Tymerians in the UEC assault force first.

A sound like a semi submerged boat engine meet our ears. Miiora looks around frantically and soon Fallon Passes the two of us on his Hydro Repulse. The ground under his vehicle is alive with arcs of electricity from the emitters in the vehicle's underside. An interesting color scheme, white and red, and a Helghast scarf strange I don't remember him owning one.

“Fally!” Charlotte yells in an attempt to get his attention as she runs up to us.

“Miiora, you'll love this mon amie. If you look over there Sandelphon’s moon Pak, should be coming up soon”

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Durge
Sandalphon surface. 5 lightyears, 1 node from sol. 2168AD/105AC.

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As we walk through the human city my auditory organs are met with the sounds of the sea. Soon my bristles begin to sway in the ocean breeze, and a strange mixed scent of water and metal reach as me as well.

“You humans have such strange taste.” My exoskeleton is begins to itch again thanks to this planet's damnable environment.

“How so?” the strange human Levoy asks.

The human is a rarity amongst his species from what I have seen. He is so stoic, his face always the picture of calm. The Levoy creature is almost Kleese in attitude, but there is something definitively wrong with the human male. Something every “Former” in the ninth recognized; it made us nervous he just doesn't feel right.

“Well you chose to live on a planet that is so hostile. Yes you have made the planet livable, but from the lunar maps I have studied. This celestial system contains a planet far more hospitable to human life.” A passing pare humans stop to look at us.

The female larva shies away hiding behind her parental unit. Clearly off put by my presence clearly possessing a fear of arachnids. As she should, I am Kleese further more I am a warrior, I am Zaltule.

“I’m so sorry. Megan hasn't met many Formers.”

“No, it's ok really.” the human female Charlotte says.

The UEC subjugated the Kleese and forcibly humbled my kind. And had the races of Equis not won the siege the old empire had plans to subjugate the entire lunar cluster. Given time surely the humans would have been battling the Kleese empire and not the UEC had the empire had won their ancient war in the end.

Soon however the larva spots Miiora beside the human female Charlotte and ceases her cowering and releases the hand of the male and begins fawning over maidens. The male of the two is older, perhaps an elder. Grey hair forms a walrus like my mustache on his wrinkled face. How long has this human lived besides the Master sergeant Fallon I have not seen an elder of the human race.

“You sure are a big spider aren't you.” He says leaning on his rust colored cain.

His small eyes roam scanning my imposing visage. Pitifully weak muscles tense as he truly notices our size difference. I stand two point 9 meters in height with my current posture and could tear this soft creature in half if I wanted to. But he stands his ground, admirable this human had likely battled the Lankys in his youth so his bravado is justified.

“I am Zaltule, elder. We are the warrior cast of my people. Bread for battle if I was not lethal I would not be Zaltule.” The elder's eyes seem to shine with hidden knowledge. A glimmer catches one of my eyes and I am drawn to a bulky robotic leg. That would explain the cain.

“Well don't let that go to your head fella. If us humans are any proof, size and natural combat prowess don't make the soldier. If that were the case we would have lost to the Lankys ages ago.” The humans are staunchly proud of their meager victory against the Lankys and perhaps that is warranted.

“Come along Megan. Leave the pore girl alone.” He says before extending a feeble wrinkled hand

“Master sergeant Sargon. NAC marines Formerly of Nancy's Ninth.”

“Private Durge. Spaceborne infantry. Fick’s fighting ninth.” The elder smiled wide and laughed as I shook his small hand.

“I knew I liked something about you lot. So fick finally made lieutenant, I remember when he was a private when I was mustering out. That kid was so green it wasn't even funny. Well if you lot ever want a drink or a bite to eat come to my restaurant down by the waterfront. I'll send the info to your PDPs the Ninth is always welcome.”

Nathaniel Fick
Sandalphon surface.
Saint Jerome Medical- Alien Ward
5 lightyears, 1 node from sol. 2168AD/105AC

Her blue eyes seemed to be studying me. I watched as she slowly adjusted. Her legs slowly moved. I could see the confusion in her eyes. It was understandable. Before the surgery she was practically immobile from the waist down. Now it was different. She could move, and she was beginning to stand on her own. Slowly she sat up.

“Feel better?”

“Ja, mir geht es gut.”

Suddenly I was glad that my grandmother had taught me German. I had heard her speak English before, and I knew that all things considered it might be better to have her speak it here. Of course she did look a little green around the gills so to speak. Steel World’s environment was certainly having its way with her. Although I understood the reason for bringing her here. Saint Jerome’s was one of the most advanced medical installations.

I didn’t know everything that had been done to help her, but I knew that the medical staff was basically crawling over themselves to work on her. It made sense. She was an alien, former hostile, that had assisted and aided us in a time of need. Naturally they wanted to see what made her tick. I had a feeling the reason on paper was so they could find weaknesses in her kind, but I almost felt that the real reason was old fashioned human curiosity. As a species, even now, we had this uncanny need to understand the world around us. We needed to find out why things worked the way they did.

She was a new mystery, and one that medical science could solve. I heard the sound of a throat being cleared and I turned around to see an older woman dressed in a white lab coat. She stepped forward, looked at the pony, and gave a faint smile.

“Besteht die Nationalsozialistische Partei in Ihrer Welt?”

The white mare with a blond mane looked at her, “Nein, Es wurde zerstört.”

I watched as the two continued to talk in German for a few minutes. After a bit the doctor looked at me. She motioned for me to follow her. I told the mare I’d be right outside. I stepped out with her and I watched as the Doctor pulled a small device from her pocket. She pressed a button and inhailed what I figured had to be a dose of whatever it was they used to calm their nerves and keep themselves awake. It made sense. They needed to keep awake and they needed to remain calm for their jobs.

“I suppose you caught most of that exchange.”

I nodded, “National Socialist Party sounds familiar.”

She laughed, “It should. Early Earth History, second World War. I asked her if the Nazi Party existed on her world,” the doctor took another hit from her device, “Apparently on her world the Nazi’s were the good guys.”

I looked back at the room. I’d seen the strange looking tattoos on her rump. And when I looked at them I realized why I recognised them.

“She aligned herself with us, and she mentioned a sister far earlier.”

The doctor sighed, “It’s possible that the Equestrians from her part of their world would likely align with us as well. That could be the very edge we need,” she took another hit, “I’ll contact the council and inform them of the situation.”

She laughed, “It’s funny, I never thought that I’d see the day that any part of the North American Forces would even consider aligning with the Nazis.”

Obstacle Course

Jonesy

56AE (after expanse, UEC calendar)

2168AD/105AC (Earth calendar)

I chittered in excitement as I studied the course before me. My human allies had told me what to expect, but this was beyond my hope. There, right before me, was a small city. I stumbled slightly, the atmosphere of this place making me feel almost love drunk, and I had to shake it off.

There was far too much to do. One of the humans, Fallon I believe, said this course was to test a soldier’s ability to read threats, assess their ability to adapt, and see if they could improvise without the aid of any advanced technology. I took my first steps and I heard the sound of a door opening.

Without pause I jumped out of the way. The sound of rapid gunfire and shattering bricks filled the air. I turned slightly and looked behind me. The bricks had holes, real holes, and they looked fresh. The sound of something overhead gained my attention and I headed toward an alley.

“Attention, you are trespassing in a quarantined zone. Escape now, or face termination.”

The excitement grew. This would be a suitable test for any member of the true hive.

===================================

Avery Fallon
Sandalphon surface. 5 lightyears, 1 node from sol. 2168AD/105AC.

===================================

Powering down my Hydro Repulse and securing my helmet to the handle bars I pickup my space bag. Making my way towards the Spire I pass a contingent of spire security.

Two onyx black ATLAS-Bs stand beside two more jet black Siafu mechs. At the feet of the mechs two squads of infantry join the mechs one conventional infantry each of them some being Formers but all garbed in variants COG battle armor. The second a squad consists of the rumored automated infantry their movements measured, lethal and robotic. The darkening sky and rising dull glow of Pak’s core highlight the structure ahead of me.

The spire shined in the dull night light. The secondary command of Humanity's entire defense network gleaned. The entire structure is two miles high, the whole thing looking black tree trunk with no or bark branches.

The building had been a Lanky atmosphere exchanger in a past life. Now, the spire has been hollowed out, and repurposed into one the most heavily armored bunkers in known space. Placing my white and blue bionic on the door and AI reads my ID before causing the door to flash green and slide open.

“Welcome Sergeant Avery F. MOTH team-1.” The voice of the spire defence system droned.

Two garrison troopers stand near one of the planet's recruitment centers. The two of them were similar and could easily be confused for twins. The twins eyes seemed to gleam for a second before the two of them snapped off crisp simultaneous salutes.

“Sergeant Fallon. I'll have to hold that for you until you leave.” The one on the left says taking my space bag.

They begin talking to each other again as I move past them. Continuing to the elevator I hit the key for MOTH command on the five hundredth floor.

I hate having the medal of honor in my record, I didn't do anything to deserve it. I got it because there were no other ATLAS mechs in the area. I'm not some virtuous person like people seem to think. And after getting the medal people have started treating me different.

I'm just a killer, same as my gran. I don't enjoy killing people, most of the time. But it needs to be done and I'm good at it. I'm not really good at much else really, and I am surprised someone as good as Miiora would choose me out of everyone else.

Granny Fallon said she liked Miiora and would be waiting to hear about her. She never really shut up about the tymerian. But what gets me is why she even puts up with me, being there when the nightmares come. And when I exit my mech and my mind still swims with the red haze she is there to calm me somehow.

“Enter.” Chief Burbanjack says prompting the steel door bearing an Atlas moth inside of a gear to slide open.

The man behind the desk stands and salutes as I enter the room. It’s wired to have my superiors saluting me. It takes and a few seconds to return it, and once I do he sits back down and returns to his work.

Having the medal of honor means that pretty much everyone has to salute you even if they outrank you. Even though the gesture is meant to show respect, I think it’s just weird. On top of this if I want I could change my MOS to whatever I want.

If I wanted to be a fighter pilot they would have no choice but to put me in the training. But I'm a MOTH and I don't want to abandon my guys, or Miiora.

Behind him the window shows a panoramic view of the night city under the rust colored clouds far below. As well as a view of Pak and the glimmering rings against the backdrop of the gas giant.

Because I have not been told to take a seat I decide to stand at rest. There are a few decorations on the walls, and on mounts. Beside him is the NAC flag but what draws my attention is a burned SRA flag over top an SRA marine’s helmet, the shining visor bolstering a bullet hole over the right eye.

Beside the SRA equipment rests a skin. The skin was dried and leathered and no doubt taken from a Lanky. And on the other wall rests a starmap of COG space with various colors marking NAC, SRA and WY colonies.

Then I see another trophy that catches my eye making me do a double take. Below a tattered UEC flag rests the dried head of a UEC soldier on a spike. Beside it a length of blue dragon scales, and finally the pelt of an alien resembling an ugly dog.

“Diamond dog.” Chief Burbanjack’s voice brings my attention and in snap back to attention.

“Sir?”

“The alien there is a diamond dog. Their tough and those paws are powerful, I wouldn't recommend letting them get a hold of you.” He says his dark eyes not leaving my face.

“Um, thanks for the advice sir.”

“Son do you know why I called you here?”

“No sir.”

“Because sergeant, I need to know that medal won't go to your head. I need to know I can count on you to do what you do best, kill.”

“You can count on me sir, I don't even want the thing.”

“Good answer. I have a lot of faith in you sergeant, I see a lot of a much younger me in you. And if you are lucky, you will have your own trophies to share with that Tymerian you are so fond of.” He says before standing and walking to the window hands clasped behind his back.

“Um sir, is everything alright?” the city below shines with the nightlife of Steel World’s citizens. Above the distant crimson ocean a UAF fighter frigate hangs, it's copper colored hull highlighted by its yellow running lights.

“...Yes sergeant. But I feel like as this war continues humanity will be pushed farther. I fear that in order to win the war, we will have to walk into the fire knowingly and that we will do it because we have to. Or face subjugation.”

“I don't know anything about that sir. But I would die before becoming anyone's slave. And I would rather kill Miiora myself than let her go back to that hell.” He nods as I say this and I can see the age in him at that moment.

“Before you go command wants you to take this, straight from RnD.” The chief went back to his desk and retrieved a box before throwing it to me.

I catch the box and draw a knife from it. The knife was a pretty standard combat knife only it looked sharper much sharper.

“Um sir?”

“Its a knife genius, don't sharpen it, it's a monofilament blade. Funny what reverse engineering alien tech can give you. Now get out of my office.”

I don't ever want to be in his position. The weight on his shoulders has to be as heavy as a Lanky. I don't know how long we stood there but eventually he dismissed me. As I hover across the street towards the barracks, I can't help but think that this war will get worse before it gets better.