The Paragon of Eden

Part 8

Kod didn't feel remorse as his Shrike chewed through Empire forces. He had spent a lifetime getting used to all the death and destruction that came with his job. With his duty. The fact that he was putting death to the enemy of the UPOA, the Empire of Dawn, weighed nothing in his consciousness. Between each side was a fountain of propaganda, a double-sided blade cutting two skins on either end. Both sides hated each other.

And even though the history of the Empire was far more ancient and rooted in the Angels of Dusk themselves, Kod didn't care. They were too far removed now anyway.

His monster of a Warback crouched, squatting its avian legs of shining silver. He brought his view down below him, his cockpit adjusting slowly to balance him and keep him from the harsh effects of piloting these dangerous weapons. It was unnecessary now, for all it was automated. He wasn't fighting. He was just looking.

Before him, Kod saw a room made of white and gold metals. There were as many elements of modern minimalism and baroque details so that it boasted décor while keeping the required aesthetic that comes with a room made for research. For each monitor and glass tube, there was a crucifix and portrait of some unrecognizable figures. Inhabitants lay on the cold, smooth floor, dead. Each of them had killed themselves. They were indeed fanatics, and suicide was their answer to the attack from the Angels they apparently worshipped.

Kod didn't have a choice.

The Shrike took off, jumping swiftly out through the exposed hole that Kod himself had carved into the building. He flew, his Shrike traveling faster than any known Warback save the Paragon. Its wings mirrored the light of destruction all around him. This mothership, a giant base of research for the Empire of Dawn, was a giant, spiking castle of symmetry, needles of gold jutting out in droves from the creamy white shell that kept the overall shape, more beautiful than any of the ships the UPOA had built, and it had been taking some time to destroy. The fact that Kod was attacking it meant that the Empire was nearly done for. Their defenses were gone, and all that was left were remnants.

He was relaxed in the act of taking lives. The forces that accompanied him openly, UPOA Warbacks and jets, struggled to keep up with him. Even now, they risked their lives in every encounter. Kod was only going after the more dangerous units. He was a valuable resource, and even his Shrike had limited energy.

As he flew among the blurred needles, he saw below him another Warback flying parallel to him. They were of the Empire, and they were definitely up to the challenge. Even though it had been about a week, the Empire of Dawn was fully familiar with their new enemy. In fact, had they advanced only a little more, they would have been able to rival the seven Angels of Dusk with their entire military force.

The Empire Warback curved, going in for a broad strike using a fiery blue blade of energy that extended as it struck.

The Shrike simply swerved out of the way. That wasn't going to work.

Another Warback came from above, and it nearly impaled the Shrike with its own laser lance. That thing was nearly five times larger than the machine itself.

They were getting smarter, it seemed. These Warbacks were the most powerful Kod had seen so far, and they could certainly take out the Shrike. If they landed a hit. And even then, the fact that there were multiple of them proved they were ready for an Angel. Perhaps it was not so easy to attack a research base. They were putting out their desperate measures, Warbacks that weren't quite finished yet.

The Shrike kited their movements, gaining distance. The two enemy Warbacks sheathed their huge weapons amazingly fast, pulling out artillery that matched their armor's design. Now that they weren't moving as quickly, Kod could see it. They sure did like their constant motif of white and gold filigree. The things he fought were barely recognizable as machines, looking instead like heavenly suits of armor. They were even getting close to the Guardian's level of detail.