Presidia
0745 Local Time
The briefing had finally begun.
“As President, and Commander-in-Chief of the United Cascadia, I, Keith Vaulande, have the honor of giving you all this briefing.”
A firm voice came up on the comms of the joint forces communication.
“The BETA have pushed us around more than enough, and it's finally time we take the battle to them.”
“We have mobilized the majority of our forces, and even called in aid from Britannia, making this the one of the largest offensive operations planned in our history.”
“Even with all our forces, I doubt this will be an easy battle.”
“Nonetheless, I have the complete and utter confidence in our soldiers to persevere through this difficult battle and emerge triumphant.”
A brief pause held an air of tension over the radio.
“With that said, let me move into the briefing here.”
“What shall now be known as Operation Purgation will begin at 0830 hours. This is somewhat a last minute briefing, but I want everything fresh in your minds.”
“Today is the day that we take back our capital, Presidia, and begin our counter-offensive to this alien threat that endangers ourselves, our family, our friends, and our country.”
“Aided by the Britannians, we will commence a pincer attack on the Presidia Hive, and reclaim our capital. We expect their forces to be at least totaling 100,000.”
“Following a bombardment of Anti-Laser warheads from our Naval forces, we will commence an all-out attack on the hive by both land and sea."
"This assault will be spearheaded by the 03rd and 14th Strike Group, who's task will be to penetrate into the BETA ranks and infiltrate the hive. They will eliminate present BETA and work to establish a supply chain.”
“The 07th, 103rd, 01st, and 34th Assault Groups will make landfall and establish forward operating bases and provide artillery support to our mech forces.”
“Our TSF strike teams, the 09th, 51st, 105th, and 33rd along with the Britannian Strike Forces will provide sweeping strikes against the BETA forces, and thin down their numbers as much as possible.”
“Ahem, if I may interrupt, please. I would like to give my briefing to the 09th, if you wouldn’t mind.”
Another man’s voice came up, honeyed, yet with a sharp edge to it.
“Adolf, you… As you wish.”
“Thank you, President Vaulande”
The man cleared his throat and began to speak.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Adolf König, present CEO of Grunder Industries and tactical advisor to the strategic command of this operation.”
“I would like to continue the briefing, addressing both the 09th Tactical Strike Team, as well as our Britannian Allies.”
“Mobius, along with Lancelot, the Knights of the Round, and Crimson, you will proceed to the Hive and secure the immediate area around the monument. Once finished, I will inform you of your next task.”
“You are our Aces for this Operation, so you’d do best not to let us down.”
“If there aren’t any more questions, I wish you all the best of luck.”
“Thank you, Mr. Konig.”
Vaulande returned to the comms.
“With my final words I would like to thank each and every one of you for your service to this country. Up until now, and from here on; without you, this nation would have fallen long ago.”
“We have persevered until now, and we will continue to persevere beyond today. To the brave men and women partaking in this operation, Godspeed.”
The transmission cut off shortly after.
Off the Coast of Presidia
0800 Hours
"I don't buy it."
"What do you mean?"
"Britannia coming to aid us in this operation. They didn't bother to raise a hand when we took back San Diego, why are they helping now?"
Wolf drank from his packet of jellied rations, sitting on a bench in the locker room along with the rest of his squadmates.
"While I agree that they aren't the helpful type, even though we are allies, perhaps Operation Retribution gave them proof to believe that hive capture missions are possible."
Theodore was stretching his arm across his body, trying to loosen his body before sortieing.
"I don't buy it. They want something out of this operation, and I'm doubtful it'll be beneficial to us."
Wolf squeezed out the remainder of his rations and tossed it into the garbage can.
"There is no point in worrying now, Wolf."
Natalya joined in, sitting next to Wolf.
"All we can do now is follow orders and survive another day."
"...You're right. Worrying about those kind of hypotheticals will only distract us from the main issue."
"That's our leader."
Noa walked in through the automatic door, still in her military fatigues.
"Noa, you haven't gotten changed yet?"
Wolf turned to the latecomer with a sigh.
"...I found a pack of cookies in the cafeteria."
The young girl spoke monotonously.
"C-Cookies...?"
Wolf, Theodore and Natalya all responded in unison.
"Heh Heh Heh... And they aren't synthetic."
Noa's face slowly grew into a grin.
The three comrades gulped with a shared sense of anticipation.
"I can't remember the last time I had non-synthetic food."
Theodore spoke wide-eyed.
"You're going to share, right?"
He asked.
Noa paused, looking to Wolf.
"Are you angry at me?"
Wolf raised an eyebrow at her question.
"Angry? No. I wish you'd get here sooner, but its not like you're late."
"...Then I'll share!"
With a satisfying tear and hiss that could only be described as euphoric to the ears of the four comrades; the smell of all natural ingredients, chocolate chips, and sugar that made the four salivate like hungry dogs. This bag of cookies was alike a pile of gold found miles below the surface of the earth. They each reached a hand in and took out a cookie, looking at the brown-shaded delicacy with anticipation and intent, before slowly bringing the sugary delight to their mouths. Their maws gaped open, before each person bit down on the hard surface of the cookie, their teeth grinding through the crunchy composition of this heavenly snack.
A smile of satisfaction formed on each of their faces as they thoroughly enjoyed chewing on the cookie, a nostalgic yet often forgotten taste that permeated flavor over all 9,000 taste buds; happiness through their whole body.
"While the four of you are enjoying that snack I left for you, I do hope you all are prepared for the operatio-"
A black-haired woman walked into the locker room, a mug of dark brown liquid in her right hand and a tablet in her left hand.
"Lieutenant Brightwind, why aren't you in your fortified suit?"
She spoke in a harsh and cold tone, like a mother talking to her child.
The illusion was broken for the four pilots, as they quickly shifting to attention, saluting the woman. Lacking any kind of military uniform, the woman was dressed in what seemed little more than a white lab coat.
"I know this is sudden, but we have a new member of our squad I'd like to introduce to you."
"A new member, right before this big operatio-?"
Wolf asked, before catching a whiff of his superior's breath.
"Izanami, are you drinking whisky again?"
He covered his nose and waved the air away with his hand.
"That's no way to address your superior, Lieutenant Krieger."
She gave an unapproving look at him.
"And its not whisky, its an Irish Coffee."
Wolf sighed and shook his head.
"So who's this new person?"
"Nine, come in."
From the door, came a young-looking girl, with long silver hair that ran down to her hips, dressed already in what looked like a fortified suit.
"She'll be joining us as Mobius 0."
"Zero? what kind of designation is that?"
"The special kind. She was placed her at the behest of Adolf Konig, the CEO of Grunder."
Nine simply nodded to Wolf.
"Relax, you're still the leader, its just a number."
"...Right."
Wolf walked up to Nine and extended a hand.
"It's good to meet you, Nine. Welcome to our squad."
Behind Wolf, Theodore, Natalya, and Noa all nodded with a smile to Nine. Nine looked at Wolf's hand blankly for a moment before extending her own. The two shook and Wolf gave a smile.
"Don't think I haven't forgotten about you, Lieutenant Brightwind, get your suit on now! Your punishment will come after the operation."
"R-Right!"
