Imperials Vs. Sentinels- Verana's fate

Part 3- The empire's secret weapon

The battle for the barricade didn't last long. The imperials damaged it, but weren't able to bring it down. After taking casualties of large proportions, they retreated, regrouping at their camp.

When the emperor heard of it, he was furious.
"These Sentinels... They're no more than a brief distraction! I'll crush them- every last one! Alexander, is it ready?"
Shadow asked.
"It is, my Lord."
"Good. Load it onto my capital ship and take it to Verana. Take the ammunition and have it ready to operate immediately."
He commanded.
"Yes, my Lord."
Alex left the room to oversee preparations.

The surviving sentinels that fought beyond the barricade were fighting off an imperial troop when they saw a large ship approaching. After cutting down the troop, they made a terrifying discovery.
"Alert the troops at the barricade!"
One shouted. They began to run, but they were too late. After seeing the weapon, they were crushed. The empire had a weapon that would surely turn the rides of the war, and the Sentinels had no knowledge of it.

"Report the effect of the weapon as soon as possible."
An imperial commander ordered, a group of imperial soldiers going to inspect the weapon's ability. They returned, reporting no survivors.
"Excellent. Now, set the weapon to fire at their barricade. We'll break them now and the country will be ours."
The commander said, the weapon being reloaded.
"Are you certain this will work?"
A lieutenant asked.
"We have the empire's best mathematicians that work out the trajectory and power needed to make a precise shot. Of course it will work."
The commander retorted, returning to the weapon.
"Ready... Aim..."
An imperial stood ready to set the weapon off.
"... Fire."
The weapon was set off, catapulting a large flaming rock about the size of a small house into the sky above Verana, travelling a great distance. The sentinels would surely be crushed under its power. Little did the empire know that sentinel spies had found the weapon, and were gaining information on how it worked.

General Xavier was commanding the troop at the barricade when he saw it coming. It cast a dark shadow over the barricade, falling at great speed. It hit a building, crashing right through and not losing speed, suddenly landing right in the centre of the barricade. The large flaming rock lay in the centre of the barricade, bringing up a large cloud of dust with its landing aside with a large crushing sound if the barricade caving in beneath it. It suddenly my made a loud crashing sound, burrowing into the ground, leaving the barricade a pile of rubble. Debris from the building followed, raining on the sentinels beneath, injuring a few from stray shrapnel. Xavier looked at the large rock.
"What could have possibly sent this toward us?"
He asked, perplexed.

"A good effect."
The commander observed, seeing the dust and rubble from where he stood.
"Prepare to fire again, same target."
The weapon was loaded again. The spies fled to tell the queen of their knowledge. This would need a smart plan- the empire would soon be unstoppable.

They reached her quickly, frantic with the news they had.
"My queen- we have urgent news. The country is in grave danger."
One spy said.
"What makes you think so? What did you see?"
She asked.
"The empire have a super weapon- a catapult of extraordinary size. It's safe to say that the empire are in possession of a super catapult."
The queen was shocked.
"It just keeps getting worse. How heavily guarded is it?"
"There were about fifteen soldiers stationed with it."
"Okay, take a sabotage team and attempt to destroy it. We need that catapult out of commission."
The queen commanded.
"Yes, my queen."
The three spies left to assemble a sabotage team.

"... Fire."
The third rock was launched from the catapult, with the same target as the second.
It flew through the air, picking up a lot of speed. Soon, it clashed with the second, causing both to smash into small pieces, harassing the already surprised sentinels rebuilding the remains of the barrier. The fire endured no scraps survived, leaving the sentinels surprised, unequipped and defenceless. After observing the damage, the commander turned to the lieutenant.
"That should have foiled them. Send in your troops."
He commanded.
The lieutenant turned and commanded ten of the troops to follow, leaving the commander, two mathematicians and two soldiers. When the Spies got there with their sabotage team, their work was cut out for them.

General Xavier saw more imperial troops coming at them.
"Something tells me this is the work of the imperials, yet I struggle to comprehend how."
He drew his sword and shield.
"Rally up, soldiers! We turned them back before, we can do it again!"
He shouted as both sides charged at each other, ready to attack.