Chapter Thirteen: Chaos

“Heheh, those fuckers are finally giving us a challenge eh sir?” Marcus’ excitement could barely be contained. His dark black hair flowing through the cool air that flowed gently out from the vents just above his captain’s quarters. His eyes remained focused on the small LCD display screen protruding from his wooden desk. The man on the side was none other than Vice Admiral Von Schuler along with his receding silver hairline. Regardless of the Vice Admiral’s appearance he had the untainted respect, loyalty and dedication from Marcus Falden. A soldier that he had watched grow since the very first day he put on a uniform almost ten years ago. Throughout the years he sculpted him, molded him into the soldier that he is today; a relentless man once on the battlefield, a man who would never second guess his orders, and a man who would only obey the command of the Vice Admiral.

The 181st division was separate from the rest of the TA military, making them the elite force that didn’t have to answer to anyone. The Vice Admiral allowed his trained dogs to run free, this of course lead to many slaughters and unsolved mysteries in regards to the disappearances to many TA soldiers who were thought to be traitors. It was only natural for the Vice Admiral to give his personal squad first crack at the tragedy making its way to Mars.

“It would appear that way Commander Falden. Our recon teams detected the high energy source a few days ago. We’re not a hundred percent sure what it is that the EAP has sent out, but our analysts have deduced that the object is heading straight for Mars.”

“And you want me to kick the living shit out of this cocksucker right?”

“Not exactly the words I would use Commander, but yes, something like that. We’re in the middle of preparing a campaign to Mars to get rid of this Red Fury before they become a threat. You can not let this weapon reach Mars and compromise the mission. I’m counting on you like always Marcus; you’re the only one I can trust with this assignment.”

“Yes sir! Hail the glory of the Trinity Alliance!” Marcus yelled as he snapped to attention. The wheels on his leather chair began to turn as the chair shot backwards once Marcus jerked upwards. The Vice Admiral calmly replied in kind, the palm of his right hand tilted at a slight angle as he saluted back to his number one soldier. The small LCD screen flickered as the image of the Vice Admiral dispersed from sight leaving Marcus alone in his own solitude. Staring out into the nebula of stars just outside his pane glass window Marcus began to smile, his lips thinning as they reached the outer edges of his cheeks, the adrenaline was what he loved about the job. The extreme rush before a mission, it was a high that no drug could ever hope to imitate.

“Love can make a man do a lot of things, turn him into someone else entirely. Of course, you of all people should know all about that.”

Marcus’ eyes cringed at the thought of those words spoken by a traitor.

“Her eyes were green weren’t they Marcus? Or was it blue, I can’t remember...”

His fists began to quiver slightly at his sides; anger was one of his shortcomings. He had missed the day the academy had a session on anger management.

“Ah, would she have approved of such language?”

“….you asshole…what the fuck would you know? What the fuck would you ever know about me and her?! I can never forgive myself for letting a piece of shit like you go Michael Lyhte. Don’t let anyone kill you yet you asshole, destiny has reserved that pleasure for me. This cocksucker will be a fine warmup. Once I’m done with that piece of shit I’m coming for you. I have never let a traitor live…”

“Commander Falden! Report to the bridge immediately, we have an anomaly on radar and its heading this way fast!”

“Already? Fuck the bridge, Arturo I’m heading straight for the hanger. Don’t fuck things up ok? I’ll be taking this bastard on personally!” Marcus screamed just as he dashed towards the door grasping onto his helmet. There was little time to waste in Marcus’ mind; the fact of the matter was that it was hard for him to completely forget about the words that Michael Lyhte had said to him about a week earlier. For years he tried to block out the memories of her, the time that they had spent, even tried to forget her name. Unfortunately for Marcus every so often those forbidden memories would creep up on him like a moth to fire.

As he ran down the corridors of the Iron Fist his surroundings were nothing more than a silver blur, no detail, shaking his head in an attempt to dispose of the memories lurking around every corner of his mind he tried to envision the enemy that awaited him outside in space. The Vice Admiral left him no descriptions to go on, Marcus found this even more attractive. He liked surprises, and it wasn’t like it was the first time he would be jumping into a situation blind.

“Get the hell out of the way!” Marcus screamed as he pushed himself through the crowd of mechanics and pilots surrounding the hanger doors. Once each member of the 181st realized it was their commanding officer they quickly dispersed and ready to roll out the red carpet for their Marcus Falden. Ignoring his adoring crew Marcus jumped into the gravitation-less docking bay floating up towards his MF, the OZ-054d NFD. Its cockpit was opened and ready waiting for the only pilot it would ever fight alongside with. Strapping on his helmet and sliding the visor down Marcus grabbed hold of the throttles. His grin remained forever planted on his face as the cockpit doors encased him in his metallic armor.

“Marcus Falden, OZ launching!” The crimson boosters behind the MF slowly flickered at first while emanating a quiet but resounding hum. All the personnel inside the hanger quickly ran to safety as the OZ MF burst out from its stationary position and into the space region.

Marcus quickly cut to the right and began to move away from the Iron Fist.

“Arturo, send me the information on the anomaly, I want to be able to see this cocksucker personally. And feel free to back him up if more EAP units decide to crash the party!” Marcus commanded and within seconds the data recorded on the anomaly began to scroll down the LCD inside the OZ cockpit.

“Alright dick-licker let’s see where it is you are….AHA! Found you. Who the fuck would be dumb enough to make themselves so obvious to an enemy fleet?”


“Huh?” The pilot inside the Diabolos slowly awakened from his slumber. Ever since he had left the sanctity of the Prometheus space station he allowed the Diabolos to fly on A.I. control. He was supposed to wake the minute he had reached the crimson atmosphere of Mars, but the beeping of his radar interrupted that plan. Pulling his silver bangs away from his pupils the pilot began to grin devilishly. His wide grin slowly opened until he was drowned in his own satanic laughter.

“Hahahahahaha….another target….oooh, this one’s not a Night-Wing, nor a Shade. I wonder where its allegiance lies. I wonder if it’ll be able to amuse me more than the previous targets. Hehehehahahahaha!” Suddenly the cerulean boosters ignited sending the fighter state of the Diabolos straight towards Marcus’ position not too far away.

At first glance Marcus was far from impressed with what appeared on his display screen.

“What the fuck is this? It’s only a fuckiing fighter? Ugh…it’s not even deserving of my God damned time!” Marcus screamed. His arrogance blinded him slightly creating an opening in his defenses.

The Diabolos quickly charged its two ion-particle cannons extending outwards as it continued to fly. Spheres of humming electrical energy quickly gathered lighting up the darkness that filled the space region.

Just as Marcus realized what was happening he quickly grabbed onto the throttles forcing the OZ unit to sway to the left narrowly avoiding the two beams of energy that shot passed.

“Since when does a fighter have that much fucking power?!” Marcus screamed.

The OZ lifted its right arm firing its machine gun but missed with every shot that it fired. The fighter zoomed and zig-zagged around everything that Marcus threw at him.

“Son of a bitch, this ain’t no typical fuckng fighter. This is definitely something much more advanced! Even so, I AIN’T ABOUT TO BE OUT MATCHED BY YOU, YOU COCKSUCKER!”

Marcus’ infuriation continued as the fighter sped past him nearly causing a collision. Marcus cringed at the obvious speed advantage that the fighter held in its possession.

“If I could only land one shot! I just need one fucking shot with my cannon and it’ll be over with! WHAT THE FUCK!?” Marcus screamed as his radar blared loudly warning him of the oncoming swarm of silos that took to the void.

With quick work the OZ dashed from side to side flying around each warhead that swarmed towards him. Diabolos quickly sped crashing into the torso of the OZ causing the cockpit to shake violently. Marcus’ body was thrown in all directions, his helmet crashed into the side display screen and his arms flailed around like a rag doll. His ivory teeth grinded against one another, the small veins began to pulsate under his skin.

“WHAT THE FUCK!?” Marcus screamed. Diabolos sped along a curved path turning heading back towards Marcus.

“I swear that won’t work again you prick!”

“I was hoping that you would be more of a challenge. But right now, I’m just not having any fun!” The pilot of Diabolos screamed.

Smirking, Marcus awaited for the high flying agile weapon to make his way into close range territory. While heading straight towards the OZ the two ion-particle cannons once again began to charge. At the last second Marcus dropped his machine gun grabbing onto his Excalibur sword. Staring back at the massive fighter form of the Diabolos OZ held the sword out front, its massive angular blade stretching out towards the oncoming fighter.

“Hehehehahaha…” The pilot laughed at the show of extreme bravado that Marcus was displaying.

Abruptly two beams of green energy blazed in between Marcus and Diabolos causing the fighter to jerk to the left just to avoid the blast. Snickering Marcus wasted no time to attack. Both arms of the OZ swung upwards with the brunt of the Excalibur blade slashing through the empty void. Just as the metallic blade approached the fighter the gears near each joint began to turn. The two cannons flipped backwards as the wings inverted. A single rectangular head unit appeared from under the torso as the torso of the core turned outwards. Marcus pulled back his attack knowing that he would miss, and if he were to miss it would only leave the OZ open for attack.

“Seriously?! What the fuck is this?!” Marcus screamed.

What now stood before Marcus was no longer a fighter, but a fully armored MF floating in space due to powerful cerulean thrusters.

“This is the true form of the Diabolos!” The pilot muttered as his image abruptly appeared on Marcus’ screen.

At first Marcus was taken back by what he saw, the pilot appeared to be human except for his eyes. His eyes were reptilian like, nothing more than an obsidian slit in the middle of a crimson sphere. His silver tinted hair covering his forehead along with the left eye leaving only the right in clear view.

“Diabolos? What the fuck is a Diabolos?!”

“Does it matter? You’ll be dead shortly, so why care?”

“YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE!” Marcus screamed. The thrusters pumped energy sending OZ towards the
newly transformed Diabolos.

“Humans….so naïve.” The pilot muttered softly.

Both arms of the OZ swung at a 45 degree angle upwards in an attempt to slash through the core of the MF hoping to end the battle quickly. Just as the blade swung Diabolos effortlessly evaded the attack. Its torso slightly arching backwards allowing for the blade to pass through nothing. Just as Diabolos prepared to counter attack with its energy rifle the OZ’s boosters ignited sending an outburst of flaming energy onto Diabolos disrupting the vision of the pilot. During its short moment of poor visibility Marcus took the opportunity to attack. Pulling both throttles inwards the OZ quickly spun around swinging the Excalibur sword once again only this time connecting with its target. The metal blade and searing crimson energy pierced the outer armor of the Diabolos sending dozens of singed debris fluttering into the abyss.

“TAKE THAT YOU COCKY SON OF A BITCH!” Marcus screamed.

Marcus’ eyes widened as Diabolos once again transformed back into the fighter version. Just as it transformed the engines roared loudly and Diabolos shot forward crashing into OZ. The engines continued to burn and the Diabolos continued to fly with OZ grasping onto the two angular jet-like wings. OZ’s Excalibur sword flung outwards into space leaving Marcus with only his cannon left.

“WHY WON’T YOU JUST DIE?!” Marcus screamed.

A humming sound, a sound like over a million birds chirping filled the void of emptiness in Marcus’ ears. Suddenly the outer edges of each wing began glow.

“Damn!” Marcus screamed. Twisting the throttles inwards he caused the boosters on OZ to turn at an angle to the right just as he pounded on the accelerators. In a single moment OZ’s boosters fired along with the two cannons on the Diabolos. Just as OZ moved away the beams of energy exploded violently through leg units causing them to be eradicated. The intensity of the beams left no traces, no debris from what had acted as the legs for the OZ. Instantly Marcus was sent tumbling through the void, wires flung from the burnt lacerations surrounded by bouncing electricity just below the torso on the OZ.

Marcus threw his fist into the right display screen ignoring the pain as shards of jagged plastic ruptured outwards through the cockpit. Warning signals from nearly every angle of his cockpit flooded into his ears along with flashing warning text messages as the generator was running low on energy. It was sending tons of energy into the radiator in order to cool the MF down and prevent any other serious damages to the machine.

“MOTHER FUCKER!” Marcus screamed as he watched the Diabolos jet away from him and the Iron Fist continuing his journey towards Mars. “ARTURO! GET THE FUCKING MECHANICS READY, I NEED MY MF REPAIRED NOW! AND CHANGE THE COURSE HEADING TO MARS! WE’RE GOING TO GET THAT FUCKING COCKLICKER!”


******


“I’m sorry Michael, but our satellites have picked up way too much EAP activity in the Prometheus region. Going there now would be suicide.” Carlos mentioned.

Michael sighed as he paced around the confined command room. The walls were pure white, sound proof. Red Fury took as many precautions as they could to keep all of their plans secret and secure. Freya glanced away from Michael; it wasn’t hard for her to understand how he felt. It wasn’t too long ago that her comrade, Clive went missing in space. Her fingers slid through her radiant hair as she took deep breaths. She didn’t like the feeling that she was getting ever since their plans to head into space were cancelled.

“But why would there be so much activity? I mean, especially in that region?” Freya interjected.

“Huh?” Carlos had forgotten that Freya was in the room as well. In total 4 people stood in the room, Carlos, Michael, Freya and Jessica.

“There’s probably something big going on that we’re not aware of. Damn it….now of all times.” Michael mumbled.

“We’ll get your wife back trust me.” Carlos replied.

“Thanks….” Michael muttered.

Jessica sighed glancing at the radar on the control panel. A small ivory dot continued to blink and with each moment grew in size.

“Hey what’s this?” Jessica asked pointing to the radar screen.

“It’s linked to our satellites in space orbiting Mars. Why?”

“Because there’s a dot growing in size, it looks like its heading our way.” Jessica replied.

“What? Let me see that!” Carlos yelled as he jumped running towards the radar.

“Carlos?” Freya mumbled, almost afraid to ask what was going on.

“Damn, something’s heading straight here. Specifically to Evo. How come our satellites didn’t pick up on this thing earlier?!”

“Not a clue. Maybe this is why the EAP was extremely active before.” Michael replied.

“It’s a damn good possibility. Nonetheless, it looks like we’re going to have to prepare for whatever this thing is.”

“How long until it reaches Evo?” Freya asked.

“A few days, 2 at the most, a 1 at the least. Michael.” Carlos turned glancing back.

Michael nodded pushing up the bridges of his glasses. “Yes?”

“I don’t want to put you through any more trouble. You’re first priority is to find and rescue your wife. I want you to grab your family and head to the shelter. We’ll take care of whatever it is that’s heading here.”

“Carlos…”

“Hell, it might not even be an enemy. The truth is that we don’t have the slightest idea of what’s coming.”

“No. You’ve gone out of your way for me so far. Let me help you.”

“Are you positive about this Michael?”

“Of course I am. I am White Lightning Lyhte after all.” Michael replied with a sarcastic smirk, something that Carlos knew all too well.

“Then it’s settled, I’ll head out in my Viper and the rest of you will take your MFs. Hopefully we’ll be able to avoid a battle with any luck.” Carlos replied.


******


“So you failed Marcus.” The voice of the Vice Admiral loomed through the personal quarters of Marcus Falden. “What happened Marcus? First you failed to kill the traitor, Michael Lyhte, and now you couldn’t even stop one EAP machine? I think you’re losing your touch.”

Marcus continued to bite his tongue with each word that shot out from his commanding officer’s mouth. His anger bottled up all focused into his quivering right fist he stood there, taking every comment that Vice Admiral Schuler threw at him.

“I apologize Vice Admiral.”

“I’m giving you a second shot Falden. You’re to head to Mars and engage this….”

“The pilot called it Diabolos Vice Admiral.” Marcus cut off the Vice Admiral before he could finish his statement.

“Falden…considering you’re failure I have agreed to work alongside the regular military. A support team will most likely have docked with the Iron Fist by now. I am going to ask you to behave, we have come to an agreement that you will be able to command any officer under the rank of Major. Any officer ranked Major or higher will be out of your command, nor will any commanding officer other than me be able to give you orders. Do you understand?”

“You sent a support team?! You don’t believe that I can handle this alone sir?!” Marcus mentioned, his tone of voice raised a few octaves with the changing wavelengths of anger that fueled his blood.

“It’s a precaution Marcus you have to under….”

Marcus quickly shut off the communications display he could no longer stand there and listen to any of the Vice Admiral’s words.

“What the hell is he thinking?! Sending a support team to help me?! I don’t need any help! It’s already been a day, OZ has been fully repaired. I’ll take down that sandbagging son of a bitch myself! I refuse to deal with any other fucjing piece of shit!” Marcus screamed as he stared back out his window. By now Mars was in full view, the glistening planet shone brightly like a diamond in the rough amongst the millions of sparkling white dots and pitch black background.

“Sir…” Arturo mumbled over the loud speaker.

“What the fuck is it!?”

“The commanding officer from the other TA fleet has arrived. Is it ok if I send him into your quarters?”

“Already?! What the hell!?...urg….fine. Send the asshole in.” Marcus reluctantly mumbled.

“Yes sir.” Arturo replied quickly.

Marcus glanced over his shoulders as the door to his quarters slid open. With a few steps another man stepped through wearing a TA uniform. The amount of stars and stripes on his uniform signified his rank as Major. Marcus cringed as he knew right then and there that he wouldn’t be able to order this guy around.

“Commander Marcus Falden of the 181st Independent Special Forces, I am Major Stephen Novus.”

“Stephen Novus? The Crimson Knight? Heh, so they sent you….fucking wonderful.”