Destruction's Aftermath: 7

"We are approaching the drop zone."

The pilot was nervous. The cargo he and his wingmates carried was very precious. He was supposed to drop them on the outside of what was known as the "Dead Zone", or Position 1, near the entrance to a tunnel network which led under the city.

A whole team of Secret Provision for Enforcement, Assault and Reconnaisance (SPEAR) troops were on their way, with four squads of Armorian Marines for backup. The flight of 5 VTOL-4 Albatrosses were just out of triple-A range. The guns had an estimated acquiring range of 5 klicks, and fired homing projectiles at anything in the air. 2 M-4 Pigeon ground-attack aircraft had already been destroyed. M-22s wouldn't stand a chance.

"LZ IS HOT! I REPEAT, LZ IS HOT!"

"I'm on it."

The ground near the LZ was covered in entrenched Erans. They had dug in facing the LZ, but they were surprised at the VTOLs.  Most of the Erans opened up with their EN-4 assault pistols or EN-8 assault rifles, while others rushed to cover them with energy shields. The Erans seemed poorly armed for air defense. It was as if they expected something to come up out of the ground. There were no rockets or plasma launchers. Not even Deathrays, the famous solar-powered portable anti-armour guns they were famous for using. Only pistols and rifles.

"Fire at will."

Pod rockets streaked forth from the Albatrosses, slamming through Eran shields and flesh. The 12.7mm autocannon on the front took care of the rest.

"Packages free."

The drop containers holding the Marines and SPEAR team dropped down and opened.

A lone man stepped forth, SPEAR troops behind him.

"Knife One to mission control. Objective achieved."

"Mission control to Knife One. New Objective: Destroy the triple-A guns defending the city. We're going to call in a nuclear strike to eliminate the bioweapons threat. SWORD has not agreed, and their agents have been authorised to use force to stop this mission. Neutralise all SWORD agents in your way."

"Knife Onel. Isn't SWORD on our side?"

"Mission control. You've fought SWORD agents before, and they've fought us. Don't question orders."

"Knife One. Roger that. Over and out."

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Glossary/Explanation:

SWORD: The Special Warfare Operations and Research Department (SWORD) was originally an Armorian Land Forces division for the development of new types of Mage warfare. They focused on enhancing natural Mage abilities in troops instead of having to rely on Mages. They were separated from the Land Forces and soon formed their own combat divisions consisting of augmented troops with increased strength and agility. They had also created the first artificial Mages, Fireteam Alpha, who were lost in an ambush at Position 1. As the sole controller of all Mages in the Armorian Military, they often come into conflict with the Secret Provision for Enforcement, Assault and Reconnaisance (SPEAR) when their interests clash. This "war" is an open secret, and nothing has been done by the Armorian government about it.

SPEAR: The Secret Provision for Enforcement, Assault and Reconnaisance (SPEAR) was originally a covert intelligence agency dedicated to neutralising foreign threats and conducting secret missions in wartime. They later diversified into developing new, cutting-edge technologies which increased troop potential without bodily augmentation, such as enhanced armour and Restorative Serum, which uses pure energy to heal wounded troops. SPEAR forces are non-Mage. Formerly a division of the Armorian Intelligence Agency, they were separated when the purpose of the Agency was changed to domestic intelligence. Their objectives are often at odds with SWORD, and blood has been spilt several times before during the secret "war" which exists between the two divisions.

Mage: Someone with supernatural abilities. The 4 types of mages are Kinetics (psychic powers beyond reality), Physicals (physical abilities based on reality-altering), Magicals (altering of reality) and Superhumans (all powers within reality).

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