-=+ +=- [COMPLETED] The Second Universe -=+ +=-

Part 12: A Game Changer

"The OFR Has Joined The Chat"

December 21, 35794 - 10:30:22

Joint NWU-OFR Strike Force 'Alpha'

CROS Stronghold codenamed 'Station Epsilon'

Thuian Galaxy

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A joint NWU-OFR strike force, codenamed Alpha, loiters outside a CROS Stronghold. The stronghold, equivalent to the New World Union's own SRFs, was, in fact, the target of the assault. It was being lead by a Supernova-class Carrier Strike Group, which started to now reform and amass its forces. The CSG in particular lead the front of the massive multi-tiered spear formation.

"You are cleared for deployment, Valkyrie fleet." A fleet of a few thousand clandestine transport M60 VTOL, AHM-64, and MPH-07 aircraft filled with elite Special Forces units dropped and flew out of hangar bays, and made their way towards the bustling yet unaware Stronghold. 

The transport vehicles, armed with enhanced thaumaturgical weapon systems that had now become standard across all aircraft in service, used these to great effect. When combined with existing silencer technology, thaumaturgic Photonlasers and Beams appeared invisible and inaudible. When the aircraft prepared to drop off their SF units and were met with heavy enemy fire, the vast majority of enemy emplacements were immediately taken down with pinpoint fire.

Silent explosions rocked the sector, though CROS units in the area did not seem to care, many units nearby audibly passing it off as some usual star activity. Some patrolling CROS craft, in particular three destroyers and several escort aircraft. Recognizing these as a threat, the fleet's AHM-64 immediately open fire, targeting communications equipment first.

The CROS patrol attempted to retaliate, downing two AHM-64s using their main guns with pure luck, but are immediately faced with heavy return fire from the NWU. The CROS ships are immediately ripped into pieces by the sheer volume of fire hitting them, and the escorting aircraft are taken out either by door gunners or air-to-air missiles.

The first SF operators to have landed immediately moved out and secured a 30 meter perimeter around the landing zone, allowing other infiltrators to enter and form their own perimeters.As they did this, more and more operators and vehicles exited their vehicles along with ISUGVs and vehicles of their own. Structures such as defensive barriers and thaumaturgic jammers, as well as CSGEMs [crew served gun emplacements] were all being placed and installed along key chokepoints, which would enable for an easy defense against potential CROS retaliation.

A few minutes later, operators made a steady push out of their landing zone, their M5 rifles and M1127s proving very lethal to whoever was shot by it. Even CROS heavy machine gunners, similar to juggernauts, often fell to a single 50mm MPAR grenade. Special operators were now also dragging the bodies of their vaporized CROS enemies away, then dumping them in designated points marked by holographic signs.

A specially colored AHM-64 flew next to the station and opened up, certain recognizable members exiting. Tempus exited the AHM-64 with a decently sized escort, already in full gear. He walked towards the SF team's leader. "Lieutenant William." The man turned to Tempus. "Yeah, Tempus?" 

"Been briefed on the sitch. Got any plans?" Tempus' accent became noticeable, as the lieutenant nodded. "Yuh. The plan's to get some CROS uniforms, which we already have, scan 'em, activate them with drones, and sneak into their reactor rooms, drop some designators, and call in the fleet."

"Sounds good. The SAD [(EXTF) special activities division]'ll be with ya. Mind if I tag along, though?" The lieutenant nodded in response, and Tempus manifested his M1127, racking its charging handle, which returned to its original position smoothly.  Tempus motioned to his fireteam, who gave an affirmative response. "Let's go." Tempus said.