Avalon:Volume 0 Chapter 14 - Revision history

Aorii at 15:44, 6 May 2013

2013-05-06T15:44:16Z

Aorii at 14:46, 30 April 2013

2013-04-30T14:46:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:46, 30 April 2013
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	The finishing line was already in sight. Marshal Sidika was just across the room, protected by a single force barrier generator. If he could just take out Shirayuki, nobody else would stand a chance of stopping his final assault.		The finishing line was already in sight. Marshal Sidika was just across the room, protected by a single force barrier generator. If he could just take out Shirayuki, nobody else would stand a chance of stopping his final assault.

	He had ~~a spell~~ in mind. It wasn't a good one, but he ~~had no~~ time ~~to think of better ideas~~.		He had an idea in mind. It wasn't a good one, but better plans were a luxury he did not have time for.

	Arkadi pretended to lay unconscious for a second. Then, as the crimson blur sped towards him to reach his remaining troops, he finished declaring his spell over telepathy. His entire body suddenly spun off the ground. His limbs jerked unnaturally, muscles tearing and bones cracking as his body underwent contortions not intended for a human being. ~~But~~ his hands held onto the swordstaff with an iron grip, thrusting it out even as he spun.		Arkadi pretended to lay unconscious for a second. Then, as the crimson blur sped towards him to reach his remaining troops, he finished declaring his spell -- most of it over telepathy with one last syllable verbalized to increase power. His entire body suddenly spun off the ground. His limbs jerked unnaturally, muscles tearing and bones cracking as his body underwent contortions not intended for a human being. His will ruptured two prepared pouches in his magical utility belt, hurling out glowing crystals that that trembled and detonated. Explosions engulfed the room as his hands held onto the swordstaff with an iron grip, thrusting it out even as he spun.

	''Telekinetic Whirlwind'' was meant to be an offensive spellword that either enhanced a thrown weapon or incapacitated an opponent. Arkadi used it to turn himself into a human buzz-saw instead.		''Telekinetic Whirlwind'' was meant to be an offensive spellword that either enhanced a thrown weapon or incapacitated an opponent. Arkadi used it to turn himself into a human buzz-saw instead. To provide cover, he triggered his last two defensive backups -- pockets fulls of crystal-cartridges with ''Contingent'' blast spells attached. Their undirected bursts could only break through the weakest Vector Shields, but was more than capable of blinding every visual, electromagnetic, and magical sense, sowing chaos to conceal the true threat.

	But desperation alone could not bridge the gap in ability, and luck was not with him this day. Shirayuki broke off her trajectory before ~~she could collide with him~~. Turning to his left, she cleaved through three more commandos before accelerating back towards him.		But desperation alone could not bridge the gap in ability, and luck was not with him this day. Shirayuki saw the human shredder for a split second before the air erupted with fire and lightning. She broke off her trajectory just before a bloody collision. Turning to his left, she cleaved through three more commandos before accelerating back towards him.

	Every advantage was now in her hands. Arkadi's final defense made him a dangerous target, but it was still no match for her speed. Her blade would go in, rend flesh, and withdraw before his barely controlled swordstaff could scratch her. But...		Every advantage was now in her hands. Arkadi's final defense made him a dangerous target, but it was still no match for her speed. Her blade would go in, rend flesh, and withdraw before his barely controlled swordstaff could scratch her. But...

Aorii at 03:25, 24 April 2013

2013-04-24T03:25:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:25, 24 April 2013
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	"<u>In the name of the moon, let's dance!</u>"		"<u>In the name of the moon, let's dance!</u>"

	With eight Ecliptics following her, Shirayuki and her team split into five groups -- four pairs of ~~sworn~~ sisters and herself -- to intercept the five inbound sections. Ample seconds of warning provided by ''Anticipate Teleportation'' was more than enough to lay appropriate ambushes. Half of the invaders found themselves spraying blood within seconds of entering the base, and the rest followed moments later as the sharpened blades of twirling maidens sliced into them.		With eight Ecliptics following her, Shirayuki and her team split into five groups -- four pairs of sorority sisters and herself -- to intercept the five inbound sections. Ample seconds of warning provided by ''Anticipate Teleportation'' was more than enough to lay appropriate ambushes. Half of the invaders found themselves spraying blood within seconds of entering the base, and the rest followed moments later as the sharpened blades of twirling maidens sliced into them.

	A fresh wave of red exclamation marks flooded the display as a third wave of teleporters rode on the tailwinds of the second: five squads of eight congregated towards the third level, while a sixth squad aimed for the corridor just outside the briefing room headquarters -- a scouting group more distracting than threatening.		A fresh wave of red exclamation marks flooded the display as a third wave of teleporters rode on the tailwinds of the second: five squads of eight congregated towards the third level, while a sixth squad aimed for the corridor just outside the briefing room headquarters -- a scouting group more distracting than threatening.

Aorii at 15:36, 23 April 2013

2013-04-23T15:36:44Z

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Aorii: 3P edit

2013-04-20T05:16:37Z

3P edit

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Aorii at 22:40, 27 December 2012

2012-12-27T22:40:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:40, 27 December 2012
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	"<u>Execute ''Fortify''. All Platoons ready ''Crossfire'', execute on my mark. Kayeten swivel half the center against the southeast.</u>"		"<u>Execute ''Fortify''. All Platoons ready ''Crossfire'', execute on my mark. Kayeten swivel half the center against the southeast.</u>"

	As my orders went out, I refocused on the large sensors plot being projected over the round briefing room table: the perimeter's skirmishing screen, a roughly-circular line of small blue dots, were already pulling back to the eight outer strongpoints. Each strongpoint had five ''Lanciarii'' ~~self-propelled artillery pieces~~ dug-in and hidden under illusory spells, as well as ten heavy electrolaser repeaters deployed like machine-gun nests of old. The ~~self-propelled artillery~~ used the same chassis as the IFV and APC, but traded speed for firepower as their power output weren't sufficient to provide for both the engines and the heavy railgun at the same time; yet this suited the defense and line-combat oriented heavy-infantry just fine.		As my orders went out, I refocused on the large sensors plot being projected over the round briefing room table: the perimeter's skirmishing screen, a roughly-circular line of small blue dots, were already pulling back to the eight outer strongpoints. Each strongpoint had five ''Lanciarii'' mobile guns dug-in and hidden under illusory spells, as well as ten heavy electrolaser repeaters deployed like machine-gun nests of old. The mobile gun used the same chassis as the IFV and APC, but traded speed for firepower as their power output weren't sufficient to provide for both the engines and the heavy railgun at the same time; yet this suited the defense and line-combat oriented heavy-infantry just fine.

	Then, as the red symbols coming in from the east neared the half-kilometer distance, half of formation red-four from the south turned back, splitting towards two strongpoints...		Then, as the red symbols coming in from the east neared the half-kilometer distance, half of formation red-four from the south turned back, splitting towards two strongpoints...

Aorii: em-dash fix

2012-12-27T00:34:59Z

em-dash fix

Aorii: major grammar pass (end of 2012)

2012-12-25T09:40:17Z

major grammar pass (end of 2012)

Show changes

Aorii at 19:24, 13 December 2012

2012-12-13T19:24:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:24, 13 December 2012
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	"<u>Execute ''Fortify''. All Platoons ready ''Crossfire'', execute on my mark. Kayeten swivel half the center against the southeast.</u>"		"<u>Execute ''Fortify''. All Platoons ready ''Crossfire'', execute on my mark. Kayeten swivel half the center against the southeast.</u>"

	As my orders went out, I refocused on the large sensors plot being projected over the round briefing room table: the perimeter's skirmishing screen, a roughly-circular line of small blue dots, were already pulling back to the eight outer strongpoints, each with five ''Lanciarii'' ~~Mobile Gun Carriers~~ (~~MGC~~) dug-in and hidden under illusory spells, as well as ten heavy electrolaser repeaters deployed like machine-gun nests of old. The ~~MGC~~ used the same chassis as the IFV and APC, but traded speed for firepower as their power output weren't sufficient to provide for both the engines and the heavy railgun at the same time. Yet this suited the defense and line-combat oriented heavy-infantry just fine.		As my orders went out, I refocused on the large sensors plot being projected over the round briefing room table: the perimeter's skirmishing screen, a roughly-circular line of small blue dots, were already pulling back to the eight outer strongpoints, each with five ''Lanciarii'' Self-Propelled Artillery (SP-ART) pieces dug-in and hidden under illusory spells, as well as ten heavy electrolaser repeaters deployed like machine-gun nests of old. The SP-ART used the same chassis as the IFV and APC, but traded speed for firepower as their power output weren't sufficient to provide for both the engines and the heavy railgun at the same time. Yet this suited the defense and line-combat oriented heavy-infantry just fine.

	Then, as the red symbols coming in from the east neared the half-kilometer distance, half of red-four from the south turned back, splitting towards two strongpoints...		Then, as the red symbols coming in from the east neared the half-kilometer distance, half of red-four from the south turned back, splitting towards two strongpoints...

Aorii at 00:40, 2 December 2012

2012-12-02T00:40:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:40, 2 December 2012
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	Even small battles were messy, chaotic, and far too difficult for one person to grasp everything. The display was positively overloading itself as my eyes flickered between new flashes and markers and pop-ups and...everything, trying to grasp the information that poured in without stop.		Even small battles were messy, chaotic, and far too difficult for one person to grasp everything. The display was positively overloading itself as my eyes flickered between new flashes and markers and pop-ups and...everything, trying to grasp the information that poured in without stop.

	~~---~~The teleportation wards protecting the command bunker glowed as they fell under attack from anti-magic sources at over a dozen places...		...The teleportation wards protecting the command bunker glowed as they fell under attack from anti-magic sources at over a dozen places...

	~~---~~Five APCs bombed two southern strongpoints, followed by an 'assault drop' --- spider drones, feared for their bladed legs and suicide charges, followed by sword-bearing grenadiers, charged straight into the defenders as they fell from their vehicles...		...Five APCs bombed two southern strongpoints, followed by an 'assault drop' --- spider drones, feared for their bladed legs and suicide charges, followed by sword-bearing grenadiers, charged straight into the defenders as they fell from their vehicles...

	~~---~~Two northwestern strongpoints were also being bombed and strafed by eight IFVs...		...Two northwestern strongpoints were also being bombed and strafed by eight IFVs...

	~~---~~Kayeten's center, held by twelve ''Langskip'' ADATS (Air-Defense Anti-Tank Systems) and two dozen automated turrets, coordinated from six ''Signifier'' LCVs, came under two assault drops from the south and east while hostile IFVs in the northwest continued to pin them under fire...		...Kayeten's center, held by twelve ''Langskip'' ADATS (Air-Defense Anti-Tank Systems) and two dozen automated turrets, coordinated from six ''Signifier'' LCVs, came under two assault drops from the south and east while hostile IFVs in the northwest continued to pin them under fire...

	The bunker shook again, and I pulled my focus back, my recognition taking in the entire battlefield display while Sidika's pre-battle advice repeated in my mind:		The bunker shook again, and I pulled my focus back, my recognition taking in the entire battlefield display while Sidika's pre-battle advice repeated in my mind:

	''Successful coordination lay in the chain-of-command. Focus on your tier of responsibility and trust your subordinates to handle the details.''		"''Successful coordination lay in the chain-of-command. Focus on your tier of responsibility and trust your subordinates to handle the details.''"

	"<u>Incoming teleportation.</u>" Aurora noted nonchalantly through the inner command network as she watched the red exclamation marks and their accompanying data, fed into the main display from the ''Anticipate Teleportation'' ethertech sensor.		"<u>Incoming teleportation.</u>" Aurora noted nonchalantly through the inner command network as she watched the red exclamation marks and their accompanying data, fed into the main display from the ''Anticipate Teleportation'' ethertech sensor.
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	She felt a steel tip graze her arm, drawing blood like a searing hot dagger. But it was a light wound, and now she was inside his defense.		She felt a steel tip graze her arm, drawing blood like a searing hot dagger. But it was a light wound, and now she was inside his defense.

	A simple flourish reversed the blades in her hands, and Shirayuki rammed both ~~pummels~~ into Arkadi with all her might.		A simple flourish reversed the blades in her hands, and Shirayuki rammed both pommels into Arkadi with all her might.

	The force knocked him into the nearest wall, where he collapsed back onto the floor like a puppet without strings.		The force knocked him into the nearest wall, where he collapsed back onto the floor like a puppet without strings.

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:44, 6 May 2013
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	"''Successful coordination lay in the chain-of-command. Focus on your tier of responsibility and trust your subordinates to handle the details.''"		"''Successful coordination lay in the chain-of-command. Focus on your tier of responsibility and trust your subordinates to handle the details.''"

	"<u>Incoming teleportation.</u>" Aurora's characteristically easygoing voice noted through the inner command network as she watched the red exclamation marks and the accompanying data on the main display. These originated from the ''Anticipate Teleportation'' ether-tech sensor, which held coverage over the entire bunker complex and detected incoming teleportation spells as they tried to lock on. Even against low-volume teleportation like a single person or explosive device, it offered ~~at least~~ twelve seconds of warning for the defenders to prepare. The current data indicated that even though the anti-teleportation wards weren't even fully offline yet, Arkadi's men were already preemptively casting.		"<u>Incoming teleportation.</u>" Aurora's characteristically easygoing voice noted through the inner command network as she watched the red exclamation marks and the accompanying data on the main display. These originated from the ''Anticipate Teleportation'' ether-tech sensor, which held coverage over the entire bunker complex and detected incoming teleportation spells as they tried to lock on. Even against low-volume teleportation like a single person or explosive device, it offered up to twelve seconds of warning for the defenders to prepare. The current data indicated that even though the anti-teleportation wards weren't even fully offline yet, Arkadi's men were already preemptively casting.

	''Their coordination is as impressive as ever...''		''Their coordination is as impressive as ever...''
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	"<u>Never counted on you.</u>"		"<u>Never counted on you.</u>"

	At the same instant, five pairs of dots appeared on the main display in five different locations inside the base, then vanished within a blink as the rooms and hallways they stood in blurred with shotgun blasts of bluish-white light. Five more sections of four comprised the next wave. Their landing locations were dispersed among the second and third level corridors, below the briefing-room-turned-headquarters that Kannon stood in.		At the same instant, five pairs of dots appeared on the main display in five different locations inside the base compound, then vanished within a blink as the rooms and hallways they stood in blurred with shotgun blasts of bluish-white light. Five more sections of four attackers each comprised the next wave. Their landing locations were dispersed among the second and third level corridors, below the briefing-room-turned-headquarters that Kannon stood in.

	Meanwhile, one strongpoint in the south and another two in the northwest were withdrawing. Arkadi's troops were regrouping to attack another formation along the perimeter, wasting no time chasing fleeing units. The outer defenses were evidently collapsing. But the attackers had also taken losses, light in men but heavy in organization. Close combat was the most effective method of shattering morale; however, it forced its chaos on even the best trained units -- and it was ~~organizational~~ strength, not manpower, which sustained offensive momentum.		Meanwhile, one strongpoint in the south and another two in the northwest were withdrawing. Arkadi's troops were regrouping to attack another formation along the perimeter, wasting no time chasing fleeing units. The outer defenses were evidently collapsing. But the attackers had also taken losses, light in men but heavy in organization. Close combat was the most effective method of shattering morale; however, it forced its chaos on even the best trained units -- and it was the strength of organization, not manpower, which sustained offensive momentum.

	''Too much at once!''		''Too much at once!''
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	She silently berated herself for not thinking ''properly''. Captain Arkadi might aim for a single goal, but he always tried to apply multiple approaches whenever possible, both to offer himself additional options and to confuse the enemy with distractions. It was no different this time, and the operation was a two-pronged offensive: the incoming teleportation had been moving steadily away from the command center in the central briefing room. If the inner defense force didn't follow, they would detonate a nuke on the lowest level -- a threat already countered by Shirayuki's ''Thermonuclear Suppression'' aura. But if the defense did follow, it would leave headquarters critically weakened for...		She silently berated herself for not thinking ''properly''. Captain Arkadi might aim for a single goal, but he always tried to apply multiple approaches whenever possible, both to offer himself additional options and to confuse the enemy with distractions. It was no different this time, and the operation was a two-pronged offensive: the incoming teleportation had been moving steadily away from the command center in the central briefing room. If the inner defense force didn't follow, they would detonate a nuke on the lowest level -- a threat already countered by Shirayuki's ''Thermonuclear Suppression'' aura. But if the defense did follow, it would leave headquarters critically weakened for...

	~~Three~~ incursion squads landed right outside the briefing room gates. The two Eclipse Mikos did their best before being overwhelmed, cut down by sheer numbers as the girls couldn't retreat from the final defense line. The remainder found the gates locked, which delayed them for but a few seconds.		Several incursion squads landed right outside the briefing room gates. The two Eclipse Mikos did their best before being overwhelmed, cut down by sheer numbers as the girls couldn't retreat from the final defense line. The remainder found the gates locked, which delayed them for but a few seconds.

	"<u>Shirayuki HQ is--!</u>"		"<u>Shirayuki HQ is--!</u>"
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	Arkadi pretended to lay unconscious for a second. Then, as the crimson blur sped towards him to reach his remaining troops, he finished declaring his spell -- most of it over telepathy with one last syllable verbalized to increase power. His entire body suddenly spun off the ground. His limbs jerked unnaturally, muscles tearing and bones cracking as his body underwent contortions not intended for a human being. His will ruptured two prepared pouches in his magical utility belt, hurling out glowing crystals that that trembled and detonated. Explosions engulfed the room as his hands held onto the swordstaff with an iron grip, thrusting it out even as he spun.		Arkadi pretended to lay unconscious for a second. Then, as the crimson blur sped towards him to reach his remaining troops, he finished declaring his spell -- most of it over telepathy with one last syllable verbalized to increase power. His entire body suddenly spun off the ground. His limbs jerked unnaturally, muscles tearing and bones cracking as his body underwent contortions not intended for a human being. His will ruptured two prepared pouches in his magical utility belt, hurling out glowing crystals that that trembled and detonated. Explosions engulfed the room as his hands held onto the swordstaff with an iron grip, thrusting it out even as he spun.

	''Telekinetic Whirlwind'' was meant to be an offensive spellword that either enhanced a thrown weapon or incapacitated an opponent. Arkadi used it to turn himself into a human buzz-saw instead. To provide cover, he triggered his last two defensive backups -- pockets fulls of crystal-cartridges with ''Contingent'' blast spells attached. Their undirected bursts could only break through the weakest Vector Shields, but was more than capable of blinding every visual, electromagnetic, and magical sense, sowing chaos to conceal the true threat.		''Telekinetic Whirlwind'' was meant to be an offensive spellword that either enhanced a thrown weapon or incapacitated an opponent. Arkadi used it to turn himself into a human buzz-saw instead. To provide cover, he triggered his last two defensive backups -- pockets fulls of crystal-cartridges with ''Contingent'' blast spells attached. Their undirected bursts of energy could only break through the weakest Vector Shields, but was more than capable of blinding every visual, electromagnetic, and magical sense, sowing chaos to conceal the true threat.

	But desperation alone could not bridge the gap in ability, and luck was not with him this day. Shirayuki saw the human shredder for a split second before the air erupted with fire and lightning. She broke off her trajectory just before a bloody collision. Turning to his left, she cleaved through three more commandos before accelerating back towards him.		But desperation alone could not bridge the gap in ability, and luck was not with him this day. Shirayuki saw the human shredder for a split second before the air erupted with fire and lightning. She broke off her trajectory just before a bloody collision. Turning to his left, she cleaved through three more commandos before accelerating back towards him.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:34, 27 December 2012
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	He looked towards the time panel: four minutes to midnight. The strike teams of ''Operation Crecy'' should be almost finished in preparing the stage.		He looked towards the time panel: four minutes to midnight. The strike teams of ''Operation Crecy'' should be almost finished in preparing the stage.

	Everything was already in motion. For Arkadi, there was but one remaining task to perform --- an objective unplanned until merely six nights ago, yet no less important than the rest.		Everything was already in motion. For Arkadi, there was but one remaining task to perform -- an objective unplanned until merely six nights ago, yet no less important than the rest.

	Victory would guarantee his credit and pave a quick ascension to power. Defeat would spell his certain death.		Victory would guarantee his credit and pave a quick ascension to power. Defeat would spell his certain death.
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	"<u>For our glory as the 1st!!!</u>"		"<u>For our glory as the 1st!!!</u>"

	Then, as though timed by destiny itself, multiple flashes lit up the distant horizon, erupting from the direction of Brocéliande's Capital Rennes in quick, repeated bursts. The telltale signs of rising mushroom clouds followed, glowing orange with burning air, visible even in the depth of the night. Given many kilometers of distance, no one had any doubts of their destructive force --- the chain detonation of multiple strategic nuclear devices.		Then, as though timed by destiny itself, multiple flashes lit up the distant horizon, erupting from the direction of Brocéliande's Capital Rennes in quick, repeated bursts. The telltale signs of rising mushroom clouds followed, glowing orange with burning air, visible even in the depth of the night. Given many kilometers of distance, no one had any doubts of their destructive force -- the chain detonation of multiple strategic nuclear devices.

	More divine providence came almost immediately in the form of explosive fluorescence, illuminating the night skies from lower orbit. There, two flagship fleets locked onto one another, their firepower rolling out to push against the other with tidal fury.		More divine providence came almost immediately in the form of explosive fluorescence, illuminating the night skies from lower orbit. There, two flagship fleets locked onto one another, their firepower rolling out to push against the other with tidal fury.
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	(There must be millions, no... tens of millions, living in a metropolis of that size and scale.)		(There must be millions, no... tens of millions, living in a metropolis of that size and scale.)

	Modern bunkers could shield against unparalleled devastation. But there was no warning, no time to get to those fortified basements the 2nd District installed below every major urban structure. The residents of Rennes simply died in their sleep, or worse --- in terrifying realization after being startled awake.		Modern bunkers could shield against unparalleled devastation. But there was no warning, no time to get to those fortified basements the 2nd District installed below every major urban structure. The residents of Rennes simply died in their sleep, or worse -- in terrifying realization after being startled awake.

	(Just how many lay dead or dying under those clouds of doom?)		(Just how many lay dead or dying under those clouds of doom?)
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	This at least forced those 'allied' troops to... contribute a little more.		This at least forced those 'allied' troops to... contribute a little more.

	"<u>Red-one broken through... red-two deploying troops, but they're staying at ranged. We'll hold at center---</u>"		"<u>Red-one broken through... red-two deploying troops, but they're staying at ranged. We'll hold at center--</u>"

	Kayeten's voice was still calm, but hurried now that he was personally engaged.		Kayeten's voice was still calm, but hurried now that he was personally engaged.
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	Avalonian military doctrine for assaulting fortified positions was to charge in grenadiers and auxilia spellswords, armed with swords and swordstaves. Since the first wave was keeping their range, they probably weren't assault troops.		Avalonian military doctrine for assaulting fortified positions was to charge in grenadiers and auxilia spellswords, armed with swords and swordstaves. Since the first wave was keeping their range, they probably weren't assault troops.

	"<u>---New contacts: three and six o'clocks, designating red-three and red-four, twenty-one APCs total with recon jammers screening!</u>"		"<u>--New contacts: three and six o'clocks, designating red-three and red-four, twenty-one APCs total with recon jammers screening!</u>"

	''Scutarii'' Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) were built off the ''Principes'' IFV chassis. But instead of having two armored hatches with platforms where marines can shoot from, APCs carried drones that are dropped before the soldiers. These remote-controlled drones are then directed by the soldiers to spearhead an infantry attack.		''Scutarii'' Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) were built off the ''Principes'' IFV chassis. But instead of having two armored hatches with platforms where marines can shoot from, APCs carried drones that are dropped before the soldiers. These remote-controlled drones are then directed by the soldiers to spearhead an infantry attack.
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	The initial wave of scout pairs had materialized for no more than a second before they died under Aurora's laser mines. Now, the second wave were also being ''Anticipated'' before they teleported in, as their spells' targeting magic were detected by the ether-tech sensors. A dozen seconds of preemptive warning for a personnel teleportation spell was enough to lay an ambush, and half of them found themselves spraying blood seconds after they entered the base.		The initial wave of scout pairs had materialized for no more than a second before they died under Aurora's laser mines. Now, the second wave were also being ''Anticipated'' before they teleported in, as their spells' targeting magic were detected by the ether-tech sensors. A dozen seconds of preemptive warning for a personnel teleportation spell was enough to lay an ambush, and half of them found themselves spraying blood seconds after they entered the base.

	A fresh wave of red exclamation marks flooded the display as a third wave of teleporters rode on the tailwinds of the second: four squads of eight seeking to hook up with those already in the third level, while a fifth squad aimed for the corridor just outside this room --- a scouting group more distracting than threatening.		A fresh wave of red exclamation marks flooded the display as a third wave of teleporters rode on the tailwinds of the second: four squads of eight seeking to hook up with those already in the third level, while a fifth squad aimed for the corridor just outside this room -- a scouting group more distracting than threatening.

	"<u>Third wave, on the lowest level! Aurora, welcome those just outside.</u>"		"<u>Third wave, on the lowest level! Aurora, welcome those just outside.</u>"
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	(I've been tricked!)		(I've been tricked!)

	It was a two-pronged offensive: the incoming teleports have been moving steadily away from our command center in the central briefing room. If our defense didn't follow them, they would detonate a nuke on the lowest level --- a threat already countered. But if we did follow, it would leave defense at command critically weakened for...		It was a two-pronged offensive: the incoming teleports have been moving steadily away from our command center in the central briefing room. If our defense didn't follow them, they would detonate a nuke on the lowest level -- a threat already countered. But if we did follow, it would leave defense at command critically weakened for...

	Three incursion squads landed right outside the briefing room gates, and the two Eclipse Mikos did their best before being overwhelmed. The remainder found the gates locked, which delayed them for but a few seconds.		Three incursion squads landed right outside the briefing room gates, and the two Eclipse Mikos did their best before being overwhelmed. The remainder found the gates locked, which delayed them for but a few seconds.

	"<u>Shirayuki HQ is---!</u>"		"<u>Shirayuki HQ is--!</u>"

	I didn't even finish before bundles of grenades hurled into the room from behind me; a clean, circular hole was in the blast door where half a meter thick of diamondsteel was clearly disintegrated.		I didn't even finish before bundles of grenades hurled into the room from behind me; a clean, circular hole was in the blast door where half a meter thick of diamondsteel was clearly disintegrated.
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	(One mistake and I'm already dead...)		(One mistake and I'm already dead...)

	Searing pain erupted from my left forearm as sharpened diamondsteel cut deep to the bone and cracked through. Even more hellish agony burst from my left elbow as I could almost feel the joint snap and break. But the heavy blade cut neither into my face nor chest. It had stopped... No, it had ''been'' stopped --- barely seen by my reopened eyes through tears of pain --- by the starsteel chain tightly wrapped around my shattered left limb that was still propped up by my right arm.		Searing pain erupted from my left forearm as sharpened diamondsteel cut deep to the bone and cracked through. Even more hellish agony burst from my left elbow as I could almost feel the joint snap and break. But the heavy blade cut neither into my face nor chest. It had stopped... No, it had ''been'' stopped -- barely seen by my reopened eyes through tears of pain -- by the starsteel chain tightly wrapped around my shattered left limb that was still propped up by my right arm.

	The blade withdrew, and my legs collapsed under me; my body fell backwards...		The blade withdrew, and my legs collapsed under me; my body fell backwards...
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	(We've won.)		(We've won.)

	It was my surest thought yet this battle. It was also my last, as my ~~buttocks, then~~ back~~, then~~ head collided hard with the ground while my vision dimmed out from the unbearable pain.		It was my surest thought yet this battle. It was also my last, as my back and head collided hard with the ground while my vision dimmed out from the unbearable pain.