Chapter Twelve: The Fall of Dominion
The storm over Wyrmfen had finally begun to dissipate, leaving the battlefield slick with mud and ash. The forces of the Golden Eternal Kingdom were on the brink of victory. The Dominion, once a formidable power, now clung to its last bastion of resistance, their forces entrenched in the broken ruins of a fort city.
King Jakob Monn watched from atop The Eternal, the carrier stationed on a nearby ridge overlooking the battlefield. The gentle hum of its engines carried through the air as Knights and Marines prepared for one final push. Beside Jakob, Ghost observed the field with a critical eye.
“They’re down to their last few defenders,” Ghost said, pointing to the crumbling Dominion lines. “If we press now, they’ll fold.”
Jakob nodded but said nothing, his focus on the distant horizon. In the distance, the distinct roar of dropship engines heralded reinforcements.
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From the skies, the new Havoc-Class Dropship descended, its bulky frame designed for the sole purpose of deploying heavy war machines. The Havoc was a marvel of engineering, its dual rotors and powerful thrusters allowing it to carry even the heaviest loads into combat zones. Its dark gray plating was reinforced with ablative armor, and its four stabilizer arms gave it an insect-like appearance as it landed.
The roar of the Havoc’s engines grew louder as it dropped its payload: a towering Peregrine Mk. IV Walker.
The Peregrine was an imposing machine, standing nearly thirty feet tall. Its four legs were jointed like those of a predatory bird, allowing it to move with surprising speed and agility over uneven terrain. Its central chassis housed a heavy plasma cannon mounted on a rotating turret, while smaller anti-infantry plasma guns jutted from its sides. A sharp prow-like plating extended from its front, designed both for ramming and deflecting incoming fire. The Peregrine’s dark metallic frame shimmered faintly under the dim light, a testament to its advanced alloy construction.
Marines cheered as the Walker’s legs unfolded, stabilizing it on the battlefield. Its cannons hummed to life, ready to bring ruin to the Dominion’s defenses.
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The Peregrine strode into the fray, flanked by squads of Eternal Marines. The Dominion’s remaining tanks fired desperately, but their green plasma bolts fizzled harmlessly against the Peregrine’s energy shielding.
“Peregrine One engaging,” crackled the pilot’s voice through the comms. With a whine of charging capacitors, the Walker’s main cannon unleashed a blinding yellow plasma bolt that tore through a Dominion bunker, reducing it to molten rubble.
The Dominion’s soldiers began to falter, their formations breaking as the Peregrine advanced.
“Push forward!” shouted Sergeant Tavor Lynes, rallying the Marines under his command.
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Above the battlefield, Zeta Squadron and the remnants of the Eternal Fighter Corps provided air support, strafing enemy positions with precision plasma fire. The Dominion’s green plasma bolts were sporadic now, their air force obliterated in the previous dogfight.
Inside the Peregrine’s cockpit, the pilot directed the Walker toward the last Dominion stronghold, a reinforced command structure bristling with weapon emplacements.
“This is Peregrine One,” the pilot reported. “Targeting command center.”
The Peregrine’s main cannon fired again, its plasma bolt piercing the command structure’s core. A massive explosion followed, sending debris flying in all directions.
With their command destroyed, the remaining Dominion soldiers threw down their weapons.
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As the dust settled, Jakob descended from The Eternal alongside Ghost, stepping onto the battlefield. The Dominion’s banners had fallen, their soldiers rounded up by the Marines and Knights.
A Marine approached, saluting. “Sire, the Dominion’s forces have surrendered. The field is ours.”
Jakob nodded, his expression unreadable. “Good. Ensure their wounded are treated. The war ends today.”
Ghost smirked. “Merciful as always.”
Jakob shot him a glance. “Mercy wins hearts, Ghost. Fear only lasts so long.”
As the Kingdom’s banners were raised over the ruins, Jakob turned his gaze toward the horizon. Beyond Wyrmfen lay other nations, other powers that would resist the Kingdom’s rule. Unification was far from complete.
End of Chapter 12.
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Eternal. (A Star Wars Story.)
Fantascienza"They stood with us, side by side, Fighting through battles as the nights got colder. Their blades once lit up the battlefield, And their voices were strong-but now, it's quiet. I can still remember the way they laughed, The way they'd charge into t...
