BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM C.1017: Sacrifice or Save?

Erik watched as the man reached for a communication device on his desk.

The colonel was frankly worried about the situation. It had never been easy to defend the outpost, but now it just turned into a monumental task.

Frant's troop were already powerful and easy to deal with, but flying thaids were worse. That was, of course, because he hadn't seen the Chimaeric Demons fight in person. There was something he could say with certainty about their commanders, though they were vicious and shrewd, always ready with a counterplan for the counter plan.

The colonel was concerned. He didn't think he had enough men and weapons to stop the creatures and save the outpost and felt a heavy weight on his shoulders, knowing he needed to protect his men and the outpost.

He also had many questions, but no answers to them, since the ones who could give him answers didn't give a damn about him being in the dark. For starters, how did Frant get these strong troops and generals? Why were the thaids here in Mannard so strong? Why were they acting this crazy and out of the ordinary?

It was abnormal and driving him insane because it rendered the operations he needed to check over impossible.

But he wasn't stupid. He knew something was happening, but he didn't know what, where, or why.

The man studied maps and reports, trying to solve a puzzle that seemed to get harder every day. His mind was filled with theories, but without solid evidence, he felt like he was guessing in the dark.

Even in his own country, Hin, things were not as they used to be. Thaids from the Mur continent were increasing their attacks on the shores, yet the blackguards were still maintaining control over everything.

However, this unexpected surge in thaid activity in Frant was a troubling anomaly that hinted at deeper, more complex issues at play. That wasn't all. It was too big, too drastic, and too dangerous because it was at much greater levels than in Hin.

"This is Colonel Vance. Get me a secure line to High Command. Priority Alpha."

Erik became curious when Vance turned on a secure communication device. He moved closer so he wouldn't miss anything.

After a brief static, a voice crackled through. "This is Central Command, General Hawthorne speaking. Sitrep, Colonel."

Vance's voice was tense. "Sir, we have a critical situation. Thunderwing flock estimated at 1000-plus, approaching vector 030. ETA 90 minutes."

"What's your defensive capability, Colonel?"

"We've got 15 M-290 Skybreaker batteries operational, sir. Ten Sentinel-class mech deployed five more at 80% readiness. The problem is our anti-Thaid shield generators are only at 68% capacity and we also lost a convoy from Sector 7, aside from those destined for sector 34."

General Hawthorne's voice hardened. "That convoy," the man said, referring to the one from sector 7, "Carried the new XR-5 power cells from Etrium. Without them, how long can your shields hold?"

"Best estimate? 30 minutes of sustained assault, sir, especially because of these numbers. After that, we're relying solely on ground-based defences and air support from the 103rd Wing and the few soldiers with defensive brain crystal powers."

"Unacceptable. That outpost is the center of our entire eastern supply network. If it falls, we lose our foothold in three sectors in the next 3 days. I don't need to explain how many we would lose in the next few weeks, right?"

Vance hesitated. "I don't have a solution, sir. Only evacuation protocols="

"Denied, Colonel. That outpost does not fall. Initiate Protocol Omega-7. Arm all civilians and integrate them into your defence grid."

"We already started that, sir, but sir, these civilians are from—"

"Even better," General Hawthorne said, interrupting Vance. "We came here to kill them all, regardless, Colonel. Use them as meat shields if you need. I don't care, just Hold. That. Outpost. Central Command out."

The communication ended. Erik watched as Vance input a series of commands into his holo- computer's display before marching out.

As the door closed behind Vance, Erik allowed himself a moment to think.

<These fuckers...>

Erik wanted to save the citizens, but there was nothing he could actually do to make it so. Even if he managed to make them escape, they would be caught by other thaids out there. Erik doubted they had the strength to survive in the wilderness, since those who were not in the army were kids and old people, in general, those who couldn't fight. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

The only possible way for him to achieve this was to attack the outpost before the thaids came, which wasn't possible, especially because he needed a place to bring them, people to coordinate them, and there were simply too many people here to save, and far too many for Erik to fight alone.

<Maybe the sewers?>

However, Erik quickly realized there wasn't even a chance to bring the citizens to the sewers, where they might have been safe, at least for the time being.

The attack was going to happen early in the morning, and the sun was going to be high in the sky. There wouldn't be shadows around to help them. Sneaking them there under such conditions was simply not possible, with Hin wanting to mobilize them to fight. Any attempt to move the citizens would have been too noticeable.

<FUCK! FUUUUUUCK!>

The only thing Erik could do was to take advantage of the impending Thunderwing attack and...

<I have to sacrifice them...>

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However, there was something specific he had to do to take advantage of that attack.

It was simple in theory, but complex in execution. If the anti-thaid shields, the barrier, had no energy, either he could destroy the supply line that powered them or he could somehow make that energy run out. Both options had their own sets of challenges and risks.

The best thing was to destroy the energy generator, and that had to be done at the right moment. Timing was crucial; a premature attack could alert the blackguards, while a delayed one could mean missing the opportunity altogether.

Making the energy decrease gradually would have made the blackguards replenish it as best as they could, but it would also have made it harder for him to destroy the barrier, since it would be a slow and painstaking process.

What if the blackguards killed the thaids before he could end the energy? But the first option, destroying the energy generator, would work.

Erik only had to find the right moment to carry out his plan. He had to be precise and act when the blackguards were least expecting it, ensuring his actions would have the maximum effect.

<I'm going to kill you all... I swear,> Erik said, referring to Hin, Etrium, and most importantly, the blackguards.

With a last look around the office, committing every detail to memory, Erik zipped out through the same crack he had entered.