C25 No Survivors

"As you command, Mr. President. But please consider the consequences. We're engaging a force far superior to ours."

"Just do it!"

Orlov snapped, ending the call abruptly.

Secretary-General Adelaja stepped forward, her voice firm.

"President Orlov, this could lead to a disastrous war. We must think of our citizens."

Orlov, seething with anger, turned to her.

"My citizens are already under attack. What would you have me do? Beg for mercy? No, we will show the Terranum Imperium that we are not to be trifled with."

President Thomas, who had been silent, finally spoke.

"This is a grave mistake, Orlov. We're not prepared for a war of this magnitude."

Orlov rounded on him.

"Then prepare yourself, Thomas. I will not let my people be slaughtered like sheep. The Workers' Union will fight."

As Orlov stormed out of the room, the rest of the leaders exchanged worried glances, aware that his impulsive decision could lead to catastrophic consequences.

The bunker, once a place of safety and strategy, now felt like the epicenter of a crisis that could spiral out of control, threatening the very existence of Thrae itself.

The leaders didn't hesitate to contact Dracula and declare that they had no involvement in Orlovs response despite the flooding In reports of Terranum Militarium forces also wreaking havoc on their soil.

Because unlike Orlov they knew that they couldn't possibly do anything to Dracuals forces, even the option of use of nuclear weapons might not yield any result only spell their race's destruction.

...

In the early hours of the morning, the airbase of the Worker's Union was a hive of activity, its usual calm shattered by the urgency of a crisis.

Sirens blared across the tarmac, cutting through the cool air, signaling the impending deployment of the air group.

Pilot Major Ivanov, call sign "Ivan," stood beside his SU-57 fighter jet, its sleek form imposing against the breaking dawn.

He was joined by his fellow pilots, all clad in their flight suits, helmets under their arms. The atmosphere was thick with tension and determination.

"Alright, comrades,"

Ivan addressed his men and women, his voice steady despite the chaos around them.

"This is not a drill. We're up against Terrans whose true capabilities are unknown to us apart from that they possess energy shielding and advanced weaponry, so we need to be at our best. Stay sharp, follow my lead, and watch each other's backs out there."

The pilots nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. They were veterans, skilled and experienced, but the uncertainty of facing the Terranum Imperium weighed heavily on them.

Lieutenant Anya, call sign "Falcon," Ivan's wingman, chimed in, her tone resolute.

"We've trained for tough scenarios, but this... this is different. Let's make sure we all come back."

As they spoke, ground crews worked feverishly around the aircraft.

Fuel hoses hissed as they pumped jet fuel into the planes, and armament teams loaded missiles and checked ammunition with practiced efficiency.

Sergeant Petrov, leading one of the ground crews, called out to Ivan.

"Major, your bird is ready to go. We've double-checked everything. She's as ready as she'll ever be."

Ivan gave him a nod of thanks and turned to his squadron.

"You heard the man. Let's mount up and show them what we're made of. For the Union!"

The pilots saluted and climbed into their cockpits, strapping themselves in as the ground crew removed wheel chocks and gave the final thumbs up.

One by one, the jets roared to life, their engines a thunderous chorus that echoed across the airbase. Ivan keyed his comms, his voice now broadcasted to the entire air group.

"This is Ivan to all units. We are clear for takeoff. Stay in formation and wait for my signal to engage."

The control tower crackled over the radio.

"All units, you are cleared for takeoff. Godspeed."

The SU-57s taxied onto the runway, their movements synchronized and precise. As Ivan's jet reached the runway's head, he paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. He knew the risks; he knew what was at stake.

"Control, this is Ivan. Rolling out."

With that, he pushed the throttle forward, and his jet surged ahead, quickly gaining speed. One by one, the rest of the air group followed, their jets lifting off the runway and soaring into the sky.

The sky turned a lighter shade of blue as the air group formed up, heading towards their mission's coordinates. The pilots checked their systems, ran through their protocols, and prepared for the unknown challenges ahead.

As the Worker's Union's air group disappeared into the horizon, the airbase was left in a tense silence, the ground crews and control tower staff watching them go, each silently hoping for their safe return.

Little did they know that this mission would be their last, a tragic testament to the overwhelming might of the Terranum Imperium. The bravery and skill of the pilots would be remembered, but the day would end in loss and mourning for the Worker's Union.

... 

Onboard the TIS Einherjar, I sat In my command seat, the vast expanse of space serving as a backdrop through the main viewport.

The serene view of Thrae from orbit contrasted sharply with the turbulent events unfolding on its surface.

"Imperator, we have incoming communications from Thrae's leaders,"

Reported James, my communications officer, his tone neutral yet attentive.

"Patch them through,"

I instructed my voice calm but laced with an undercurrent of authority.

My console's glass see-through holographic screen flickered to life, revealing the anxious faces of Thrae's top leaders, each set against the backdrop of their staff.

"Imperator Dracula, this is President Thomas."

Thomas began, his voice betraying a hint of strain.

"We urgently need to discuss the situation unfolding on our planet."

I listened, my expression stoic, as Thomas continued.

"We want to assure you that we do not condone President Orlov's decision to engage your forces. It was an impulsive act, and we are not part of it. Our priority is to de-escalate the situation and seek a peaceful resolution."

Secretary-General Adelaja interjected, her demeanor more composed yet earnest.

"Imperator, we understand the severity of the threat posed by this paramilitary group, Humanity First. We are willing to cooperate in your efforts to neutralize them but within the bounds of our laws and sovereignty."

Premier Zhou, representing another faction of Thrae's leadership, added his perspective.

"We seek to avoid further violence and casualties among our people. Any assistance we can provide, we will, but we implore you to exercise restraint in your military actions."

For a moment I sat In silence confused because so far no one dared to engage my forces only for first Lieutenant Mark Vasquez's console to crackle to life.

"Imperator an air group of workers union's fighter jets are en route to Intercept our taskforce youre orders?"

Mark asked after listening to the report, hearing this I glanced at him.

"No survivors"

I gave the ruthless order to the morbid horrification of Thraes leaders.

"And prepare mass accelerator canon I for firing"

I added which caused Thraes leaders to almost have a heart attack.

...

High above the clouds, the airspace above the Worker's Union territory transformed into a battleground as an air group of sleek SU-57 jets roared into combat formation.

The pilots, experienced and resolute, prepared to engage the alien threat invading their skies.

Major "Ivanov," leading the Worker's Union air group, surveyed his air group through the cockpit of his SU-57.

The familiar hum of the jet engines and the crisp air outside offered little comfort against the unknown capabilities of their adversaries.

"Alright, team, stay sharp and stick to the formation. We're not sure what we're up against," Ivanov communicated over the radio.

Meanwhile, in the Terran task force, composed of advanced fighters and interceptors, the pilots observed the incoming SU-57s on their holographic radars.

The utilitarian design of the Terran craft, with their rough lines and menacing profiles, contrasted starkly with the more conventional appearance of the SU-57s.

"Raven Squadron, we've got company,"

Called out Captain "Raven," the lead pilot of the Terran fighters.

"Vulture Squadron, do you have visual?"

"Affirmative, Raven. Enemy fighters on approach,"

Replied the lead interceptor pilot, codenamed "Vulture."

Falcon contacted the Terran command for instructions, his voice calm but alert.