Chapter 66

　　"Report." The Captain of the Resolute` ordered as he came onto the bridge.

　　The Resolute is an Imperial Guard Assault Carrier tasked with protecting Terra. With a crew of several hundred, and a compliment of twenty Medium Class Mechs, it was a force to be reckoned with.

　　Lacking an Engine, the Resolute patrolled the Terran System, one of over a dozen ships safeguarding the birthplace of humanity.

　　"Nothing, sir. A few traders came by with deliveries, scanned and sent onto the L4 Orbital Platform." The second in command reported as it was time for a shift change. Although guarding Terra was a prestigious posting, it was also rather dull. No one in their right mind would dare to attack the planet or commit illegal activity in the system.

　　Between the Emperor and the nobility on Terra, and the Imperial Guard headquarters on Mars, it was one of the most well-defended systems of the Empire.

　　 "Very good. You`re relieved." The stern captain replied, giving a formal salute. They had known each other for years, but discipline was bred into the Guard.

　　"I stand reliev-" The turnover was interrupted by a crew member`s shout from the center console. The sensors were blaring an alarm, the notifications visible from where the Captain was standing.

　　"Contact, unscheduled Jump! Multiple signatures, the portal`s highly unstable!" The Guard member yelled, pulling up the holo to show a destabilizing Jump anomaly. Already the crew could see its formation in the viewscreens, the undulations twisting space around it.

　　"Prepare for combat! Launch all Mechs immediately and contact command for reinforcements!" The Captain ordered. Judging by the size of the Portal, it could be dozens of Starships Jumping simultaneously.

　　Who would be insane enough to attack Terra?` The Captain thought as streaks of light emerged from the Resolute, Medium Class Mechs speeding to form ranks around the incoming unknown ships. In the distance, other vessels began to burn their thrusters at full in an intercept course.

　　After only a few seconds, the first object emerged from the Jump. A single Starship, its systems powered down as it drifted through by momentum only. There were holes in its hull, vast rents and cracks in the structure.

　　At first, the crew thought the damage could be from the unstable Jump, but the Mechs that came after from the Portal dissuaded that idea. Hundreds of Mechs, light and Medium class, some newer models like the Nyx` and Erebus,` while others were retrofitted Aesir Norns` and Baldurs.`

　　Mixed within them were Heavy class Fenrir and, finally, a massive Assault Mech.

　　Alert, the Guard raised their weapons, waiting for the first sign of hostility from the Machines, but each was disabled. Many were unharmed, but their Pilots were unconscious and their reactors on standby, while hundreds more were heavily damaged.

　　Additional Mechs drifted from the rift with more debris than the Captain had seen outside a battlefield. Joining them were other Starships, each showing signs of damage. Some even had scorch marks from Lasgun fire, an oddity for the fragile Starships to bear.

　　"Open a commlink, universal channel." The Captain ordered, waiting for the communication officer`s acknowledgement before speaking.

　　"This is the Imperial Guardship, Resolute. You have violated Terran space. Identify yourselves immediately." The Captain ordered. They would typically arrest any unauthorized visitors to Terra before interrogating them.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

　　Still, seeing as none of the Mechs or Starships seemed to be capable of resisting, he wanted to ascertain who the hell they were before acting.

　　"I repeat, identify yourselves."

　　"Sir, look." The second in command pointed, her pale finger directing his attention to one of the emerging Starships.

　　On the side, the red stag of Caledon stood prominent. The once hated symbol had taken on a new meaning to the Guard after the Baron`s visit with the Emperor. Rumour even said the Imperial Herald had taken an interest in him.

　　"Contact headquarters, request immediate medical assistance and retrieval crews." The Captain ordered. He wasn`t sure why Baron Caledon had led a force of damaged mechs and Starships to Terra, but he wouldn`t let them die.

　　Over a dozen starships and thousands of Mechs were now drifting harmlessly above Terra, and the portal behind them showed even more significant signs of destabilization. It flickered and wavered, the energy readings spiking on their sensors.

　　In a streak of red light, another Mech shot out of the portal, larger than the rest.

　　An Aesir Odin,` the Captain recognized it immediately. Lacking any trappings or indication of its origin, the Mech was missing half its body and head. The only intact piece was the cockpit, and even that showed extensive damage, like it was crushed by something.

　　"Incoming transmission from one of the Starships." The communications officer relayed.

　　The officer pulled the communication link to the main screen, and a familiar face appeared. The Imperial Herald looked as cold as ever, his face more creased than usual from weariness. He had a welt on his cheek and a bloody lip but appeared primarily unharmed.

　　"Captain. Baron Caledon requests your assistance. We need medical attention and transportation." Samuel said, a tinge of relief in his voice at seeing the guard, although he was concerned that Kal had brought them to Terra.

　　"On its way. What happened, Milord?" The Captain asked, surprised to see the Herald on the command deck of a Caledonian Starship.

　　"We`ve encountered brigands, likely supplied and supported by Aesir Corporation. Any unmarked Mechs or Starships are to be apprehended." Samuel responded.

　　"Sir, the Portal is closing." The second in command stated, looking at the Jump portal`s energy fluctuations displayed.

　　"Our sensors are damaged, Captain. Is there any sign of a Titan Class?" Samuel asked, this time with unmistakable worry in his tone.

　　"Titan Class? Here? No, we haven`t detected anything like that." The Captain responded.

　　Samuel frowned at the response as the portal winked out of existence. The medical crews arrived, working to save as many of the unconscious Pilots as possible. Miraculously, most were unharmed. The Neural Burden increasing attack from the Titan had knocked them unconscious but did minor other damage.

　　The increased gravity waves had wreaked havoc on their Mechs and the Starship`s structures but hadn`t lasted long enough to kill those within.

　　Watching the Guard apprehend Jack and his Corsairs, Samuel frowned from the deck of the Resolute, his ride back to Terra where he would have to report to the Emperor. But the entire time, he had a nagging worry in the pit of his stomach.

　　He had sent one of the Guard ships to the unnamed Icy Planet, where they had battled, but the crew reported that they had found nothing except some lingering debris. There was no sign of the Titan or its Pilot. The chaotic energies from its Celestial Desolation` attack made tracking its whereabouts impossible.

　　Where was Kal?

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　　Within the portal, Kal screamed as the Atlas shredded his mind. His body was nearly beyond repair, but he could no longer feel it.

　　Through the pain of the Titan`s assault, Kal had one overriding thought. He wanted to go home. He had sent everyone away to Terra for the Guard to deal with, but he desired to see Caledon once more before he died.

　　In the space above Caledon, the Titan Class Mech materialized, its arrival unnoticed by most as the chaotic energies of the Jump mostly dissipated over Terra. Its momentum carried it through, the portal winking out of exitance behind it.

　　The Titan`s velocity carried it toward the surface, but the image of the blue marble transfixed Kal as it hung in the darkness.

　　I`m home.` Kal thought before cutting power to the Atlas, severing their connection. Running on its minimum systems, the Titan left a streak of fire through the sky as the atmosphere burned around them.

　　Kal`s last conscious thought was the Atlas landing gently in a grassy field, its cockpit still enclosing him.

　　Like a casket.` Kal thought as he drifted off, falling unconscious., The pain was finally gone. He was free.