- Vancourt Battlefield -
In a great depression due to collapsing line of command on HRA's side, they're forced to surrender themselves in this battle or they have to face death which is most likely true in this case.
*Swoosh Boom!* One of HRA aircraft fires flare as a giving up sign.
"I'm Capt. Anderson, highest commanding officer right now, hereby declares that we accept our loss in this battle." Capt. Anderson declares.
"I repeat HRA unit. Surrender yourselves immediately before we flatten your city next," Battleship's leader, Jacob, demands.
Afterward one after another aircraft on HRA fires flare to declare that they won't continue their struggle anymore and giving up their base. When the situation looks calming down already, HSU main ship lands on an empty inhabitable space and opens its hatch. Soon after one carrier flies to Vancourt base in order to retrieve their objective, Dr. Ernest and his research team.
- Ernest's hideout -
"Finally we're free. Let's head out into their ship," Dr. Ernest suggests.
"Shouldn't we just go back to Vancourt base first? I think they will pick up there," Dr. Billy argues.
"If you don't mind having your identity verified as deserter you may do as you wish though," Dr. Rio teases him.
"In my opinion Rio's argument makes sense. I guess I'll share meeting point coordinate to their ship to keep our current status as MIA rather than being deserter. It'll let us go back to HRA, later on, to host us if needed to be," Dr. Ernest states.
They send HSU main ship meeting point coordinate so they can avoid getting detected by HRA army remnants. Without further delay, they start to move as soon as they sent rendezvous that they chose earlier. Honestly, they just think of a way to survive their current ordeal and resume their research project which is their interest in going to Revolt-1 in the first place.
That day leaves big trauma for Vancourt citizens as well as Revolt-1 citizens. They just couldn't imagine that several days' invasion already turns one of their cities flat. Passing away victim counts goes high on millions of people. Revolt-1 will surely take a long time to recover that loss which already passes their financial capability. That thought ingrained into all citizens mind including those scientists who on their way escaping Revolt-1 and indirectly cause the whole event that day.
- HSU main ship -
"Captain, we get an incoming email. It seems like our objective tries to give us their position at the moment," the ship operator says.
"Send another small carrier to pick them up on their designated location they shared to us," Edgard, HSU ship leader, instructs.
"It sounds fishy to me, Captain. Shall I and Gregory deploy ourselves to escort them on their way to rejoin us?" Paul suggests.
"Good idea you gave there, Paul. Inform him to tag along with you. We have to retrieve them as soon as we can and go back to reinforce our fleet," Edgard orders.
"Meet me at the hangar," Paul tells Gregory through his comm.
"Alright," Gregory replies shortly after he saw Paul's serious face. Paul explains their next escort mission in a short explanation and begins their operation.
- Research Team site -
"They'll be here soon. That's what they said in their reply," Dr. Rio claims.
"Finally... Unfortunately, this place turns into a huge mess because of our rescue operation. Had they approve our suggestion, it can be better than what it is now," Dr. Ernest says.
"At least they chose what they believe is true. Though their ideals may not be the best, it comforts them to do the thing as they believe too," Dr. Rio adds even if he looks disappointed on how this event turns the entire city into a half-ruined city.
Other scientists look as grim as Rio and Ernest too. Whether they like it or not, they have to succeed in their experiment in order to respect those who fell because of this incident. That heavy psychological burden truly makes them feel nervous about their future. They can only hope they can cause less disturbance in the future so this tragedy won't repeat itself again in the future.
An hour after HSU carrier arrives at their location and lands a block away from their hideout. Suddenly Dr. Ernest comm rings, "Paul, HSU private, speaking here. Are you perhaps Dr. Ernest?" Paul inquires in HSU formal manner.
"I've been waiting for your arrival here. Where's your transport vessel?" Dr. Ernest answers.
"Follow us," Paul directs then he leads the pack.
Ernest's research team changes their stand from HRA to HSU since that day. It doesn't take long for their transport vessel to arrive at their main vessel which located in the middle of their fleet. It looks like they have to remain on standby since their mother ship still getting caught in battle. That's the most possible reason why they haven't reply their request to close in and dock.
- HSU Mother ship -
"Our objective has been secured by a special vessel that we send to sneak into target's location. They're requesting approval to go back and rejoin us, Captain," the ship operator reports.
"Looks like we have to clean up this place faster than I estimated earlier. Tell them to find a secure location and send their fighting unit to secure their parameters," Mother ship leader, shady man, who getting contacted by Ernest orders.
"Attention to all available spacecraft. Prepare to depart immediately. We're going to engage an enemy pursuing fleet that has been chasing our mercenary decoy in 5 minutes. Proceed cautiously and minimalize our casualty number as low as possible," shady man, CAPT Lavard, orders.
All their 5 spacecraft located on an asteroid belt outside of the Revolt-1's galaxy, Revolver, speed up to eliminate their enemy who chased their decoy who they hired to help them on this mission. CAPT Lavard is actually one of the spies HSU planted on HRA borders to get some information about their rival internal affairs. That's nothing new to human civilization because it's been like that since old eras which recorded on the human history log before humanity reach space.
Later on, when they reach Leonard estimated location they head on to, available fighter jets embarks as soon as their carrier ship leaves out of stealth mode.
"All unit charge!" CAPT Lavard commands.
I never thought I can do it faster than I expected! Hopefully, you still enjoy my writing here. Please kindly support me by sharing my creation with your friend and vote on this book using power stone and/or review.
PS: I'll give you a bonus chapter per week if you give me 100 power stones. Thanks in advance. Gideon. :)