The Predator of the Depths

Through the Veil

A few Meowficers and Manjuus run past Alicorn as she enters a briefing room, filled to the brim. Alicorn sees dozens of familiar faces, Including Strider and Cyclops squadrons.

Prez looks nervous, but Flare pats her back and laughs. Jaeger is looking at several messages on his phone, Count looks rather bored as he leans back in his chair. Húxiān twiddles her thumbs as her knee is bouncing. Lanza is eating a corndog he got a few minutes earlier, and Tailor lets out a loud yawn. Fencer is writing something down in a notebook.

The room then goes quiet as Commander Silica enters the room from a door on the side. A Meowficer follows right behind her, and jumps onto a podium as Silica reaches it.

Silica clears her throat after letting out a quiet sigh. The Meowficer turns on a large TV behind Silica.

"To-To-To-oday will be the turning point of the war. It's been a long 3 months, but today will change it all." Silica then grabs a remote and presses a button, it shows Europe and Asia, most of it's red, but there a several large blue spots, mostly on the coasts. "As you all know, the Sirens have brought back the Arsenal Bird, controlling the skies of Northern Parliament. So, Iron Blood has generously given us a Prototype weapon, for a long-range attack. The Schwere Gustav."

The monitor zooms into a small blue zone in Ukraine, the Kyiv, the Capital. Just on the border of large red circle, the Arsenal Bird's patrol zone.

"Iron Blood has been secretly putting it together for the past few weeks, having to slowly bring the parts in and put it together. But they've noticed. The enemy is keeping a tight lock on Northern Parliament, even getting near the boarder can cause a massive retaliation. But currently the final touches are being put together on the cannon. Once preparations are complete, it will be able to fire."

Several blue forces are shown around the cannon, stationed a mile outside the city.

"However, the officer in charge has yet to confirm whether it can be fired more then once. In other words, it is looking like we may have only one chance to be able to bring down the nearly Invulnerable Arsenal Bird. We're going all in on this one plan. The Separatist forces have detected our movements and are marching on Kyiv."

Several red lines surround Kyiv.

"The Arsenal Bird is closing in, but if our operation goes as planned, we should be able to shoot it down before it reaches the operation area."

Several blue circles appear around the cannon.

"We've set up strongpoints we call 'Menhirs' around the Cannon. Provide them with air support, while keeping air superiority. Our mission is to protect the Gustav until it can shoot down that monster bird. If we can shoot it down, my team will enter Northern Parliament in the morning, and cut the head off the snake. Gustav is our only way of brining down the Arsenal Bird. Missing is a luxury we cannot afford."

Then the map zooms out to show large blue circles around the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea

"Two fleets of ships will be on standby, to prevent any Siren reinforcements. Bizmark and her fleet will be in the Baltic Sea, and Hornet's in the Black sea. They have been instructed to retreat if they come across Equus, so we must pray she doesn't show. And during this operation, Eagle Union forces will be pushing on Normandy, wedging our way into Enemy occupied Iris Orthodoxy."

The map then zooms back into Kyiv.

"Today will be one for the history books, so be prepared for bloodshed. Today maybe the bloodiest day in history. God speed, and may he have mercy on you all."

With that, Silica exits the room, and everyone starts whispering to each other. Alicorn takes a deep breath, dread filling her heart. A hand is place on her shoulder and she looks up, seeing Enterprise nodding down at her.