Project: Spectre

Chapter Nine: Earth

November 25, 2097

Once we decelerated, we picked up a short range signal coming from Denver station. It was invaded by Alliance spec ops and one extremely deadly mech. However, the docking tubes were either manually locked or occupied by boarding craft. Getting an actual force on the station to retake it would be impossible. I had Strickland mount thrusters on my amor while I prepare a loadout for CQB. Shotgun, check. SMG, check. I slung a bandolier over my shoulder, in order to carry extra grenades. "Boss, I wish you wouldn't do this. You don't know what's over there. Who knows, everyone on the station could be dead by now." She said.

"I'm sorry Wraith, but there were reports of the target on station. I need to complete the mission." I answer.

"Omega squad's mission? Or your own? Boss, you don't know if Smith is over there. We can nuke the station and destroy XD-23. You just want to be sure that you get your revenge. " she said. I just realized I was putting her through the same thing Hawk put me through in his last hours. She wasn't wrong, though.

"I need to do this. You can't talk me out of it." I say. She had finished the mods to my armor and I was already getting it on.

"Well in that case, this may be my last chance to do this." She reached over, pulled me close, and kissed me. "Forgive the insubordination, but I have an order for you. Come home safe, commander."

"I can't promise that." I say as I pull my helmet over my head. "Goodbye, Kaylee." I walked out of the armory and to the airlock. I turn on the comm link, "Williams, get us as close as you can to the station." I saw Wraith walk back to main gunnery, yelling for the crew in that section to lock and load.

"Commander, stand by for EVA." Williams said over the comm. A red light came on in the crew deck airlock. I check the atmosphere seals on my armor one last time. The light turned green, the door opened, and I activated the thrusters. I flew through space for about fifteen seconds before I made contact with the station. I take a demo charge and place it on one of the boarding craft. I went back to the station's docking tube and hit the detonator. I hit the thrusters to get in before the station sealed off damage to the airlock. All of the lights on the station were lit emergency red. This gave the station a very gloomy atmosphere. I pull out my shotgun and proceed through the hallway. Alliance rocket troopers were all over the station. Too many for me to take on my own at least. I used the Spectre armor to slip past a few patrols. I questioned why there were so many troopers on board, and it seemed they felt the same. One soldier asked the others why they were taking orders from a machine, confirming that Omega's target was here.

Once I entered the government district, I came across a group of Denver Station Police officers that were being held captive by Alliance troopers. I cloaked and moved behind one of the troopers. My blade extended and red streaks appeared over my invisible armor. I uncloak and open up with my shotgun. Bang, bang, bang, bang. Four shells and five dead Alliance hit the deck and I start to free the officers. "Thanks Spectre. I don't know how you stayed undetected, but we're in your debt." One of them told me, as the others recovered their weapons from the invaders. Because Denver Station is the center of the USC's government, DSPD officers use gear that is similar to the USC Marines. In fact, their armor is identical to that used by the Corps, except their armor is black rather than blue, and they use the same shotguns and SMGs. They might be able to help me.

"Come with me. I need to get to the control room." I tell the officer. The color seemed to drain from his face.

"Sir, there is a mech that tore through our defenses like a hot knife through butter, and last we knew it was in the control room. We'll help you get there, but you're taking on that thing on your own. Sorry." He said.