Not waiting for Natasha to get into space Marcus again moved both control throttles full forward and rocketed headlong into the lead enemy frigate. By now the iron fist had entered effective weapons range of the four assault ships. Laser bolt upon laser bolt would collide with the ship only to be stopped meters away by the ships shield yet its M generator kept the ship from receiving any real damage. Energy discharges could be seen playing out all across the ship as the laser bolts energy dissipated back into space.

Drake and Vladimir’s MFs where already battling with five enemy MFs. They would attack together; one would draw the enemy’s attention while the other moved in for the killing shot. Each pilot almost effortlessly dodged enemy fire.

“Captain, these assholes are actually good. We might need some help sir.” Vladimir spoke over the open comm as he made his Mf twist and turn in space each time a bolt of enemy weapons fire missed him by only a few feet.

“Damn it, these guys aren’t playing, Val, take the one on the right I take the left.” Drake screamed as he performed complex barrel roll maneuvers to dodge missiles fired from an enemy night wing.

Both shades flew in a broad formation, then as soon as the two pursuing enemy night wings came within 100 meters they both separated and each doing a tight circle to engage their pursuers. The Night Wing pilots where simply not prepared for the maneuver and both were caught in a hail laser fire from the hyper shot rifles the shades where equipped with.

The hail of laser ripped the head and arms of one night wing while its generator was breached causing the MF to become a ball of burning metal, gas and even human flesh. The second tried to evade the shower of searing death but several lasers ripped through the torso and disintegrated the pilot inside.

“You guys alright? I am going for the lead ship, they using it as a targeting designator. We kill it and it should disrupt their communications for at least several seconds.” Marcus image appeared on their screens at the upper right corner.

“Yes sir we will move in to give you back up.” At once both shades fired all there after burners and flew towards Marcus MF, which was already rocketing for the lead ship.

“Don’t you forget about me now Hun?" Natasha’s face appeared next to that of Vladimir’s on Marcus’ upper right screen. He always kept, an active audio and video feed of all communications while in combat.

“You my dear never, else you nag me to death later on.” Marcus smiled at her as he piloted his MF towards his intended pray.

“Ha, like I haven’t heard that before. You’re so full of yourself. I’d say more but we are in combat”

Aboard the Faithful, a highly modified EAP high-speed attack frigate, the bridge crew began to panic as they saw the approaching squad of 4 MF’s. “I don’t care about the Iron Fist, target those four MF’s, deploy all anti air defenses and don’t let them get near us.” The captain screamed at the bridge crew. All across the ship’s hull, missile batteries had been installed which were designed to fire up to 5 high speed and accurate missiles. The missiles were all equipped with D12 warheads, the most powerful explosive ever designed against MFs.

“Alright they are locking onto us, get ready people.” Marcus called. As he did, Natasha, Drake, and Vladimir all moved their MF's into a bilateral formation. Vladimir was to the left as Drake moved to the right and Natasha took the bottom of Marcus MF.

“Remember wait one second after they fire.”

They all responded with a collective “ROGER”.

“Sir I got lock on all four of them” The anti MF weapons officer called out onboard the Faithful. “What are you waiting for? Shoot them down.” Almost instantly, hundreds of missiles launched out from all across the Faithful as if a horde of killer wasps had been let loose from the ship.

In one exact second each of the 181st MFs split in different directions and took parts of the missile swarm with them. Marcus, however, flew straight on towards the Faithful. At about 60 meters from the ships bridge he fired his retro boosters and stopped his OZ MF. Raising up the cannon towards the bridge Marcus smiled.

“Goodbye.”

On board the faithful, the crew only saw a millionth of a second as the beam from Marcus' cannon instantly ripped through the bridge vaporizing everything in its path on its way to an eternity of travel amongst the stars.

With the bridge completely gone the Faithful was left floating dead in space. Atmosphere pumped out into the endless vacuum of space from the whole that was once the Faithful Bridge.

As predicted by Arturo the remaining 3 EAP frigates began to move erratically, as the Faithful was serving as command and control ship, with its destruction came a halt of all battle data, and communications, as well as targeting.

Not wasting a moments notice the Iron Fist fired up it’s one good engine and moved into full weapons range. Fire ring all its missiles, the EAP sensors where overwhelmed with so many targets all appearing at once. All 3 forward facing anti-ship cannons moved at once towards their intended targets.

“Hahahahah, even with massive damage to one engine your all still insignificant compared to the might of the Iron Fist. BURNNNNNNNN!” Arturo screamed over all open radio frequencies as the Iron Fist main guns powered up and fired at full power. In mere seconds two EAP frigates took a direct hit. The beams tore throw the ships turning them into miniature suns. A third frigate was impacted a mere second later, the force of the beam was such that it traversed the ship form one side to the next and continued traveling in space. Fire erupting in its wake as the ships atmosphere was consumed in a deadly firestorm.



Sitting inside his MF Marcus contemplated the day’s work in approximately 3 minutes they had dispatched an entire division of EAP frames and 4 battle frigates. He allowed himself a smirk, when suddenly he realized, he forgotten all about red fury or more importantly that useless excuse of a man Michael Lythe.

“ARTURO, Target Red fury hit them with the anti frame missiles.” Marcus yelled at the newly establish communications channel with the Iron Fist.

“Ah, yeah, about that. Sorry no can do.” Arturo merely shrugged his shoulders.

“WHAT THE HELL YOU MEAN by…”

“They left already they somewhere on mars now, I lost track of them about 30 seconds after I picked up the 4 EAP frigates.” Arturo cut off Marcus knowing full well, his commander was not one for patience.
“FUUUUCKKKKKKKKK” Marcus banged the side panel, causing the image to flicker and go to static for several seconds.

“Where the hell is Stephen anyway. Was he not supposed to back us up.” Again Marcus could feel the over all frustration of what usually happened when he as forced to work with other unit’s in the military.

“Sir, his last report before going over Mars, horizon was he was in pursuit of red fury, he also said he new you could handle the 4 frigates by yourself. So he decided to give chase to red fury.” Krista’s feminine voice came through along with her live camera feed. He studied her face for a moment, noticing she was rather beautiful.

“So he says.” That’s all the commander of the 181st said before switching off the transmission channel. After fuming for several more seconds he resigned himself to just watch the expanding fireball that used to be the last EAP frigate die down.


Several hours later onboard the Iron Fist, the crew of the 181st sat in the ships large briefing room with its massive tactical display situated across the room wall.

“So, let me get this strait, the Unlimited went MIA for reasons only those fools know, Stephen is also missing all though he has a better excuse then the Unlimited and we still have only one engine as of now, our ammo reserves are at critical. Oh and then there are those strange orbit weapons that appeared and disappeared, and all they left was a large Ion trail. All in all things are turning weirder and weirder, not 5 seconds after I kill that damn diabolos machine all this shit happens.” Leaning more into his chair Marcus folds his arms across the back of his head, automatically flexing his muscles in the process. He wore a tight short-sleeved shirt, while still having the flight suit pants and boots. All in the room did not even noticed the captain sense they where all so accustomed to him, all except Krista, who could not help but stair wide eyed at her new commander.

She kept thinking how unconventional he was, when compared with just about any other authority in the military. All her training and education had come from the strictest of military academies. All of which demanded an argues attention to military decorum. Yet her unit commander seemed to throw all military decorum, which was so high priced while at the academy, out the window.

“Well, we will reach Washington in about 19 hours give or take an hour. Apart from missing one engine and the rear turret out of action the ship is fine.” Arturo talked as he displayed the ships schematics with all technical readout on the large display screen using a small remote control.

“Well place the ship on combat alert, I will leave all ship command duties to you Arturo, you handle it I am going to go to sleep, the rest of you do as you please. I don’t care, we all kicked ass today. So the least you can all get is some rest.” Having said this Marcus stood from his chair stretched his arms a bit and walked out, the rest of the 181st soon following.
Not 30 seconds had passed sense he stepped into his office then a private message came through at his personal terminal. Walking around the large desk he sat down in his conftourebal captains chair and keyed in the answer button. Instantly a holo of admiral Von Schuler appeared.

“Well done Marcus I just received the flight data of the battle with that new enemy unit you did good.” The old Vice Admiral smiled at Marcus this was something rare and far between not even his own daughter had seen him smile as much as Marcus.

“Ah now its all congratulations and praises, and before it was “u loosing your edge” ye I wonder what happen there.?” Marcus said with a sarcastic tone in his voice.

“Well you did loose to him in your first battle, however the important thing is that you succeeded. Now listen I sent word to Washington that you might be heading there for resupplies do not worry there will be a full repair team buy the time you dock. I took the liberty of sending them there just after your battle with the Y-Lights.”

Impressed by the Vice admirals strategic planning Marcus could not help but hold the older man in aw and respect.

“See that’s why in my opinion you should be in overall command of our armed forces, not this pencil pushing limp dick of Luscious Malum.” Smiling at his own insult he leaned further into the comforts of his chair.

“Careful how you speak of him he is our sworn in leader.” The admiral warned him with a not so serious look.

“What, you think he ever been in a fight, all he is, is one dick less politician with no real cojones. You and me, men like us are rare and far between. No balls anymore I tell you sir. No balls. That is why I so do love my unit and all those that fight with me. Real men and Women.” Marcus sighted as he began to loose himself in thought.

“Yes, there are few who still think like us, that’s why we must be strong now, more then ever. We must not let the weak rule the strong. Well enough, about this how is my daughter, she performing up to my standards.” The Old admiral shifted in his chair Marcus noticed, he was at his private office, most likely at his own private estate in Washington DC.

“She, she has surpassed both your expectations and mine. I never thought the academy could produce such talented soldiers as your daughter sir.” Marcus closed his eyes and rubbed his face, he felt he was beginning to get bored, however he also new the Admiral was even more bored sense, all his duties where usually managerial in nature, something he knew the old man hated the most. So one of his many silent duties was to entertain the old man in worth wile conversation. He could relate to the Admiral, he knew he would not last ten minutes in the admirals place.

Admiral Von Schuler felt himself filled with pride, a pride he had long not sensed towards any of his own kin.

“I am glad at least one apple did not turn out rotten. Thank you for looking out for her Marcus, I also do hope you have considered my invitation to you.”

“Old man, really what’s this obsession you have with me and your daughter I mean it’s starting to creep me out. I am not getting married, not now not ever.” His voice hinted at some annoyance at the question.

“What’s wrong with a superior officer ordering his finest soldier to marry his daughter. Do you know how many would kill or the opportunity.” The Admiral countered now leaning closer to the holo projector installed in his office desk.

“Once they got to know you I bet not that many.” Marcus said as he smirked.

“Hahaha. Your humor is refreshing to these old bones of mine. I have a very large, how shall I say acquisitions, and I refuse to leave them all to my useless children, however if you where to marry into my family, I know all my acquisitions will be in safe hands.”

“Have you even talked to Krista about this, I mean does she even know does she care.” Again he had to shift the comforts of the chair were quickly evaporating as shadows from the distant past began to creep in on him. Marcus could begin to fell his mouth go dry and for some reason he felt the need to cry. He always hated that, but sometimes the feeling of just having to cry would come into his very being and threaten to overwhelm him. Forcefully he made the feeling all but disappeared.

“Not yet I intend to once you reach Washington. Well Commander I must be going now.” The old Admiral Saluted and his holographic image fade. Marcus held the salute for several seconds before standing and walking towards his bed. As he was about to reach for the sheets he caught the smell of something. Lifting one arm and smelling himself, “Oh god, I do stink.” Taking off his shirt he throws it across the room and walks into his own private bath.

With a single held breath her mind raised at almost light speed. Anger, fear, resentment, jealousy, even amazement and wonder, all crossed her mind. Having watched the entire conversation from her own room she was now in outer disbelief about what her father had planned for her. Again she thanked her skills as a hacker and the fact that all internal communications onboard the ship had no security screens of any kind. She figures it was unnecessary sense the all incoming signals where heavily coded and decoded and the security acoustic firewall was an impenetrable piece of software.

Shifting around as she sat in her bed her small laptop place on top of her crossed legs. The though of marring Marcus was creepy yet at the same time she could not help but feel embarrassed about it. “I will definitely deal with this in my own way.”




It was the first time the 181st had ever docked in such a far off space station, so naturally the station commander gave the group the grand tour. Marcus and the Grothnec chated to each other as they moved about the station in a small electric car. The rest of the 181st was disperced all around. Drake and Vladimir where already getting acquainted with the facilities two taverns. Natasha was at the stations medical office, getting familiar with the place. In the stations main communications section Krista was already linking the Iron Fist with the stations main network hub as well as doing her usual data dump and routine upgrade.

While Arturo found himself screaming inside a space suit at the stations workers as they went about to replace the ships missing engine.

“So I hear what happen to you guys. Man nasty damage you took back there those Y-Lights where sure something.” Grothnec spoke as he drove the small electric vehicle through large metal hallways.

“You where lucky you know, it could have been the bridge instead of just your engine compartment.”

“Don’t remind me. But they all paid, and they will pay an even bigger price, one thing I will not tolerate is betrayal. The Holy Trinity Alliance cannot afford traitors. What has me perplexed even now is the fact that they managed the whole thing. I mean what kind of moron does lunar command have stationed there as security chief.” Marcus crossed his arms across his chest as he looked around the hallways only ever so often paying attention to staff personal when they happen to be female.

“Hey is it me or are there a lot of women here. What’s going on last time I checked there where only males here for the most part.” Again Marcus looked around paying closer attention to all the officers that happen to walk past the small vehicle.

“Oh it seems some big offensive is going to take place so they reassigned all combat personal. So we got mostly green horns or female officers in non combat duty.” Grothnec made one quick left turn an din seconds they found themselves in the stations main MF hanger bay.

At first Marcus paid no attention to the units all neatly standing side by side. Then something caught his eye. It was a red horn, just like the on from his own private MF, he saw one then another and another. He then realized all of them where the same model.

“WOW, wow, what the fuck is this, when did the model OZ NF-054b start being massed produced.” Marcus asked as he watched each model, with more curiosity.

“Oh you mean the new 035s, we just got them a couple of days ago. They are based on your unit. High command liked your combat performance in that unit enough to order a working production model at a cheaper price. So we got this the APF-035B. The horn is just for physiological purposes, sense because of your last battle you have become so popular and well know we left the horn on these units to imitate your own version.” The Commander stopped the car and stepped out, walking towards one of the silent behemoths. Marcus followed him a few steps behind his gaze fixed on the Mobile Frames.

“Fucking wonderful, so now everyone is going to have my look. Well whatever, as long as it gets the war over quicker I don’t mind too much. I just hope they fight as well as they look.”

Seating in his own private cabin, one reserved for only high-ranking military personal, Marcus began to rethink of past battle with the diabolos machine. Images of the blue grayish MF flashed through his mind as he relived the entire battle. Dissecting it and reconstructing it piece by piece wondering, what could have been done differently or, which strategy would best work against the machine.