112: Front Line

Front Line

CRONOS I0

The battle was bloody. Human and Orc corpses littered the battlefield.

The humans were overwhelmed at every battle line. The overwhelming numerical superiority of the Orc Empire on the battlefield threatened to consume them, forcing the Federation to a desperate strategy of resistance.

The Orc species was known for its aggressiveness, and this was on full display on the battlefield. The Orcs' physical aspects and their violence terrified the human foot soldiers, who were quite physically inferior to them.

Fortunately, the humans were better-equipped with anti-personnel weapons. Otherwise, the fight would have been short indeed.

But unfortunately, the main factor keeping the humans in the fight was cruelty, rather than courage.

The human soldiers bore neural implants, devices forcibly placed into every Federation terrestrial soldier. These implants forced them to obey orders. If the implant detected that its host had deserted or surrendered, it would inject a neurotoxin directly into the brain.

Fortunately, the Federation infantrymen could rely on their Eternal brothers in arms. The players on Cronos I were formidable fighters, fearless and inspiring.

Many of the Federation soldiers held on and kept fighting due to the inspiration of Eternals standing by their sides and fighting to the death alongside them! They found this behavior astonishing, having only heard evil things about the Eternals in the media.

Nevertheless, these factors were far from being enough to assure Federation victory. Even the players were totally overwhelmed by the waves of Orc invaders! Only the guilds who already operated with iron organizational practices could survive. The others died quickly.

***

NORTH CONTINENT—FEDERATION WAR ROOM BUNKER

Another round of artillery fire shook walls!

In the central room, on a huge holographic table, Marshall Androf was managing the Terrestrial Division, trying to counter the advance of the Orc Empire.

One officer said, "We've just lost two cities, Gio City and Jasly City in the south. 90% of the southern continent is already under the control of the Orc Empire! Our troops are either routed or destroyed!"

Another officer said, "We just lost Eastor, the mainland capital of the east! Our mainland forces have been completely routed! I will order the activation of the nuclear charges we planted in the city—"

Marshal Androf replied, "And the Planetary Capital in the west, and Nokful in the north?"

The officer answered, "The Orcs continue to avoid the Planetary Capital. However, Nokful was heavily assaulted... Hold on, it seems that a strong Eternal force pushed the orcs back! It seems to be one of the few major cities that is completely under our control."

The situation was horrific, and Androf knew it. Yet,he'd been entrusted with a mission that had almost been doomed before it began. It was his duty to see it through with whatever means he had.

Suddenly, Androf's holo-watch rang with a video message from Chancellor Souley.

The marshall isolated himself and played the message.

"Hello Marshall. You are on the front line, so I guess you haven't been informed of the latest news from the Federation. An unprecedented wave of attacks has hit the entire nation. Most of the Federation's major institutions lie in ruins. Only a handful of senators, and myself, are left. This unspeakable crime was committed by the Eternals. I have, therefore, decided to deprive them of all their civil rights. We will expel them from the armies of the Federation… As soon as the Battle of Cronos I ends, you will place them all under arrest."

Androf had been under great strain for almost two days. He lacked men and logistical support, and it was almost a miracle that he'd been even as successful as he had in the battle under these conditions.

This newest news truly disgusted him. Yet how could the Chancellor be so out of touch with reality? The Eternals were valorous fighters, not to mention the primary force able to defend the planet against the Orc assault!

Androf's first instinct was to disobey this immoral order…

But he had no choice, because he also had a neural implant in his head.

The choice was clear: obey the Chancellor or die.

pqdm.com