First meet with Commander White.

"I need everyone available to recover the vehicles and scavenge for metal that can be recycled for resources!" I shouted at the bustling people below ground, focused on their tasks.

"And make it a priority to help the injured!" I pointed towards the wounded as they hurried through the streets.

...The battle had exceeded my expectations, I had anticipated the machines attacking, but the extent of the damage was far worse than I had imagined.

..For now, My main objective is to recover anything that can be used again.

Even though a lot of losses were confirmed, I manage to haul a lot of good stuff that we can salvage to upgrade our technology for example....

I turned my gaze toward the massive mechanized titan being analyzed by our researchers.

You may have already guessed it but these are Engels.

A titan that can decimate a city, not to mention its laser managed to melt the wall that took me weeks to build around my city.

If we could understand its inner workings, we could enhance our chances of survival. Alternatively, we could use the defeated machines to extract materials for building and upgrading more vehicles and fortifying our GDI forces.

I continued to give orders to the troops overseeing the recovery of vehicles when someone ran toward me. Upon closer inspection, it was Lieutenant Noah from the intelligence division.

"Commander, I have a report stating that six divisions of androids from the Army of Humanity have just arrived. They are currently assisting with the injured and the damage," he informed me.

'One division equals 1,000 androids, and each android is as strong as five humans. They definitely don't mess around,' I thought to myself.

"Good, thank you for the report, Lieutenant," I acknowledged him with a nod, and he saluted before heading in the opposite direction.

After hours of grueling work helping the injured, I finally found a moment to gather my thoughts. I gazed at the ruins of the city,

As I surveyed the ruins of the city, I couldn't help but wish our encounter had turned out differently.

"... I Wish our meeting was a lot better, this historic moment will definitely traumatize many androids here"

It felt strange. I had lost around two-thirds of my GDI military force, and our resources and ammunition were depleted. Not to mention the significant number of injuries. However, the machines suffered a total defeat, losing 135,000 units, including the Goliath Class and Engels. They were decimated in this region.

From certain perspectives, one could call this a victory for humanity.

But...

As I watched another bag of fallen soldiers being loaded onto a truck, I knew time was of the essence.

I witnessed the deaths of countless men.

But how did I feel?

Nothing.

I should have cried, felt guilt, or experienced something!

But instead, I felt empty.

It frightened me, as I couldn't comprehend why I felt this way.

Yet, at that moment, I realized I had reduced them to mere numbers.

Like Heart Of Iron 4, they were expendable resources, replaceable with the touch of money, or in our case, Tiberium.

This was no longer a video game where "[Unit Lost]" serves as a reminder of a unit's destruction during battle. In real life, it goes far beyond that. These soldiers are real people, not just pixels or computer models. They are not soulless machines blindly following orders or pawns on a chessboard. They may be tools for me, an RTS player, to use effectively and discard once our goals are achieved.

Although I acknowledge that they are fellow humans like me, my mind still struggles to see them as anything more than units in a game.

For instance, if there were a conflict between Germany and the Soviets resulting in one million lives lost, and the Soviets suffered 600,000 casualties while I only lost 100,000, I would naturally feel a sense of relief because the soviet lost a lot more than me.

However, despite this mindset, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disgust at the sight of scattered bodies and blood. As a modern person who had never witnessed such gruesome deaths, it was deeply traumatizing.

...But I couldn't shake the feeling that if I continued to wield this power, I would gradually become a heartless individual.

As I walked on, I noticed the androids patrolling the perimeter. Their distinct attire differentiated them from humans: YoRHa androids adorned in gothic clothing, Resistance androids wearing rugged attire, and the Army of Humanity donning sturdy military-grade uniforms in neutral colors like olive green or desert tan.

The Army of Humanity, YoRHa, and Resistance androids had established temporary camps amidst the free land, trying to repair the damage caused by the artillery bombardment and assist the humans in restoring the functionality of the city.

Shuttles, ships, and transports continued to arrive, pouring out more androids.

As I observed the growing numbers of androids and the assortment of vehicles that accompanied them, including trucks, tanks, and unfamiliar machines, a wry smile crept onto my face. The intelligence we had received regarding their numbers was clearly outdated.

Now, a tinge of guilt washed over me as I realized the gravity of what I had done. I had brought them here without warning, disrupting their ongoing battle.

As I gaze at the surrounding area I heard the sound of footsteps from behind.

As I surveyed the area, the sound of footsteps caught my attention. I turned around to find Commander White, the familiar blond-haired android in the distinctive white dress, accompanied by a group of imposing bodyguards.

"You must be Commander White," I greeted her.

"Indeed, and I have been informed that you are the leader of this enclave," Commander White responded, her voice carrying a sense of authority.

"I am the commanding force of the GDI Military, and welcome to what remains of the Blue Zone... or what's left of it, I suppose," I said with a tinge of sadness in my voice.

Despite my words, the entire Blue Zone had been devastated. Nearly everything had been reduced to rubble, engulfed in flames or destroyed. There wasn't a single building standing within a 10-kilometer radius. It was a victory, but the cost was too high to truly call it a triumph. At best, it was a pyrrhic victory.

Nevertheless, we had no time to dwell on the devastation. "Come, there is much that we need to discuss and prioritize," I continued, gesturing for Commander White and her entourage to follow..

With this meeting, I accomplished what I set out to do: making contact with the android leader and seeing if we can join forces.

(Lucas Pov)

After finding some free time, Lieutenant Lucas, a survivor of the Goliath spider attack, decided to visit his bedridden friend who was recuperating on one of the cruiser ships used by the androids to transport humans.

After about 30 minutes of inquiring and asking around, Lucas finally arrived at his friend's location. However, he was taken aback by the sight of a group of androids gathered outside the room.

As Lucas approached, each android glanced at him, triggering a sense of déjà vu from his previous encounter. Without hesitation, Lucas politely requested them to make their way so he could reach his friend.

As the androids murmured among themselves, they reluctantly made way for Lucas, and he entered the room to find his friend, Liam. Lucas couldn't help but notice that the room seemed unusually luxurious, furnished with household items like an air conditioner, plants, and impeccably clean surroundings. However, he brushed off the observation and called out to Liam.

"Liam," Lucas called, and Liam turned his face towards him.

"Lucas, I see you're okay," Liam replied with a slight smile.

Lucas took a few steps closer and noticed the presence of a nurse-like person, dressed in a distinct uniform.

"Can you give us a moment? I'd like to talk to my friend," Lucas politely requested.

"Uh, sure, human!" The android nurse responded with a raised eyebrow, displaying confusion at her unusual way of speaking. However, she quickly ran away, leaving Lucas and Liam alone in the room.

But both of them heard the murmur outside

"I managed to speak with a human! Best day ever!" "I'm so jealous. I want to ask so many things." "Ugh, why did we vote for you to be the nurse?"

Liam shook his head, but he didn't answer Lucas's question immediately. "No, she was just one of the attending nurses. But why are you here?"

Lucas smirked. "Can't a guy check up on his buddy?"

Liam's face softened. "Aww, were you worried about me?" he teased, causing Lucas's cheeks to flush slightly. They shared a moment of laughter before Liam continued. "But seriously, aside from that, how are things out there? I've been in the dark about what's been happening outside. Can you fill me in?"

Lucas leaned back, adopting a more relaxed posture. "Well, it's been two days since the Goliath spider attack. You're currently on one of the cruiser ships used by the androids"

"One of the ships, huh? That would explain the unusual number of androids outside," Liam remarked, reflecting on his earlier observation.

"Anyways, the reports indicate that the casualty count is in the thousands, not to mention the numerous injuries that need attention," Lucas sighed. "Due to that, there's a severe lack of manpower."

Liam's expression turned thoughtful. "Hmm, I thought it would have been even worse."

Lucas sighed. "Well, experts believe that the machines underestimated us. They saw us as easy prey, hence the initial attack with smaller machines like Small Tubbies and Small Flyers."

"What...?!" Liam's body tensed up. "Wait, wait, wait, give me a second to think." He paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts. "You mean, even though they saw us as easy prey, they sent hundreds of thousands of them?"

"Yes... the reports indicate that most of the attacking machines were the smaller types like Small Tubbies and Small Flyers, forming the majority of their forces," Lucas confirmed.

"So, in other words, they let their guard down," Liam concluded.

"That's right. But this time, the reports show that many factories in the region are becoming operational and producing deadlier machines than before, like the ones in this picture." Lucas tossed a photo onto the bed, and Liam examined it closely.

"...This picture," Liam murmured, his face showing a frown.

"It shows a Goliath tank, Goliath Flyer, and several other unidentified types," Lucas explained with a grim expression.

After examining the photo, Liam's face displayed concern as he posed a crucial question to Lucas. "So, this time, the machines are seriously trying to wipe us, humans, off the face of the Earth?"

Lucas nodded solemnly. "Yeah, that's just the first problem we're facing. We're also dealing with a water shortage, lack of electricity, and dwindling supplies of weapons and ammunition."

Silence filled the room as the gravity of the situation sank in for both of them.

Liam slumped down onto the bed, exhaling heavily. "Damn, I wish we could just go back home."

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Already feeling homesick?"

Liam shook his head. "No, not homesick. Back then, my biggest worries were Tiberium and the Brotherhood of Nod."

Lucas couldn't help but give Liam a deadpan look. "And you think this situation and the one before were any better?"

Liam paused, considering Lucas' point. "Alright, listen, maybe a little worse."

"A little, huh?" Lucas retorted.

"Fine, fine, maybe just as bad, you damn monster," Liam admitted with a hint of resignation.

Lucas leaned forward, his gaze fixed on Liam. "But here's the thing: I have a feeling the Commander isn't planning to wait for the machines to amass their forces. He's already rallying everyone from the Blue Zone and recovering any used vehicles."

Liam's eyes lit up with anticipation. "So, does that mean we strike first?"

Lucas set down the bottle he had been holding and met Liam's gaze unwaveringly. "We strike first."

------

ANDDD CUTTT.

Sorry for being a bit late exam is closing on me, so I have to prepare myself to study.

It would last from 11 June for the next two weeks so there is a possibility I won't write any chapter when it happens.

So wish me luck.

Anyways don't forget to leave a review and join my Patreon if you want to see the future chapter

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And with that said see you all next time.