Fiction:Eriaroon-Yorchi Conflict

Within the expanse of the Milky Way Galaxy, two very different civilizations began their journey to take their place amongst the stars.

The Yorchi Union, a militaristic society of beings who inhabited a sulfuric volcano world, dispatched probes across space, seeking out new worlds, new locations to colonize, new resources to exploit. They were newcomers to the interstellar community, yet to encounter another intelligent species. For them, merely touching most other species would result in death, for their biology was adapted to a highly acidic and water-lacking environment.

The Eriaroon Eugenic Republic, a star state of aquatic cephalopods who lived within an ocean beneath frozen ice, sent crewed vessels- they lacked mechanical computers, and their curiosity led them to consider venturing into space as great accomplishment, if a risky one- to gain new information on the systems that surrounded them. Space- or the Great Beyond, as they knew it- was a recent and revelatory discovery. The moment they had first broken the ice to witness the void of space, seeing the dim yet detectable light from the distant furious blaze above that most would call a star, their world had changed from limited to infinite.

To one civilization, water was a deadly acid. To the other, it was the air they breathed, the world they moved in. One saw any other beings as a possible threat to their security, the other saw other such beings as demons from beyond.

Their first encounter with one another would not be a pleasant one.

First Contact
The Iopel system was a relatively small and insignificant one. Filled only with barren worlds and frozen wastes, it was certainly not a very inviting location, perhaps fit only for a mining base or space station. The searing blue star scorched the world closest to it, yet even its vibrant light and intense heat could not bring warmth to the small icy world at its outskirts. Between these planets was Iopel II, a warm barren planet with no atmosphere, covered in craters, and mostly comprised of dust and rocks.

In orbit above this easily forgettable world was a vessel of the Eriaroon Eugenic Republic. Onboard, Eriaroons swam through the water-flooded hallways, using their tentacles to grab onto holding points on the walls- to an Eriaroon, all such surfaces were walls, not ceilings or floors- and pull themselves towards their destinations. The craft was a small one by Eriaroon standards, and certainly so by the standards of most civilisations.

Floating through the water inside the vessel’s primary chamber, the equivalent of a bridge or command centre, was Rangoa Shemnum Luso-Teressu, Vibrant Scholar of the Eriaroon Eugenic Republic. Surrounding her on all sides- for she could see it all at once- was a holographic display, showing data from the world she was currently observing. Orbital speed, length of day, estimated content of minerals and valuable resources, habitability rating, all of these details and countless others were revealed on the hologram.

To her, this world seemed to be made of dust and rocks. The materials found at the bottom of the abyssal ocean floor on her home planet, Uroncayde. At first, such missions had been fascinating, even exciting. Eriaroons enjoyed furthering their understanding of the universe, and a Scholar even more so. But gradually, even Rangoa had begun to experienced tedium as she discovered planet after planet of dust and rocks.

She was not yet aware of the vessel that appeared, the distorted mass becoming clear and solid as the probe warped in.

The heat outside was sweltering on the volcanic planet of Moriahra, as the personnel of the Yorchi Union’s Interstellar Operation’s Bunker prepare themselves for another exploration mission. Unwilling to spend resources on sending crewed vessels simply to look at new, slightly different planets, the Yorchi preferred robotic probes for such assignments.

The craft was directed by living personnel- their robotics technology had not yet achieved sentience, and they didn't trust automated systems enough for space exploration- as it began to send back scans of the surrounding area. There was a fiery rock planet, a barren rock planet, and a frozen ice world. Orbiting the rock world was a pair of small, irregular moons and a strange energy source.

“Wait. What’s that energy source? Tell the thing to get closer.” commanded Director Seroktamchun, who was the one in charge of the mission. He paced around the room slightly to ensure everyone was operating their computers and doing their jobs right, his deliberate stride giving him an air of authority. He kept his upper pincers clenched the screen faded into static, a result of the probe warping to its destination. The Yorchi had access to superluminal communication, but they could not send or receive information between vessels and bases whilst said vessels were travelling in warp.

After a brief moment, colour returned to the screen. The Yorchi present now saw a closer image of the batten world’s cratered surface lit blue by the starlight, the distant stars far beyond this system, and a black and cyan vessel the likes of which the had never before witnessed.

“It can't be…aliens?”

Meanwhile, inside the Eriaroon craft, Rangoa’s tentacles spread further apart, as the holograms revealed the presence of the mechanical explorer. Her eyes were incapable of seeing true colour, as her kind saw only light and dark, but if she could have seen the craft in full colour, it would have seemed a dull grey and brown metallic vessel. Her mind raced, as she prepared herself to operate the joint-mind. These biologically engineered brains served as the computers of Eriaroon vessels. The crew around her blinked their bioluminescent flesh in surprise as they too witnessed the information flooding in.

“Demons?”

The two species send communications to one another. In the Yorchi bunker, the screen had an extra panel added to it. Appearing upon the screen was an abhorrent organism, blurred somewhat by the liquid that surrounded it. Its tentacles drifted slowly in the substance, cyan patches glowing on its black, slimy skin. On top of its head were four horns, some kind of armoured plate in the space left between them.

In the Eriaroon starship, a holographic image appeared. If Rangoa could have seen colour, she would have seen the brown and grey on the being’s chitinous armour. It was a monstrous creature, with a pair of legs and two pairs of arms encased within exoskeletal plating. One set of arms ended in three-fingered hands, whereas the other set ended in three-pronged graspers, lacking an opposable digit. This particular individual had a few pieces of clothing- specifically, a captain’s hat and a few military decorations.

It was the Eriaroon who spoke first. Rangoa decided she would say the most courteous greeting in her society. She interfaced with the joint-mind, hoping translation would be accurate. Her own language often involved tactile and optical communication, which she wasn't certain these demons were capable of.

The distorted mechanical voice blared out the words in the Yorchi Bunker.

“My condolences.”

In the bunker, panic began.

“Condolences? For what?” came the hasty reply.

“For your presence in this world.”

To an Eriaroon, this statement was a simple explanation. Their greeting was an offering of apology, that another being had been trapped within this accursed afterlife of the unworthy. To the    Yorchi, however, this statement was seen as a dire insult. These aliens had only just made contact, and already they mocked the Yorchi Union. Seroktamchun himself pressed a button, arming the probe’s limited weapon system.

“How dare you insult us!”

Rangoa was now confused. How had they been insulted? Did they consider her greeting to be too informal?

“I know not to what insult you refer. We seek only to aid you in your liberation from this existence.”

Rangoa was attempting to be diplomatic. She was offering these beings assistance, the support of her government, so that together they may one day ascend from this afterlife. But Seroktamchun did not see it that way. As far as he was concerned, this “liberation” had two possible meanings- liberation from their government of order, which he would not allow. Or, allternatively, they viewed the end of life as liberating. Both were hostile.

The Eriaroon vessel was shielded. The Yorchi only shoulder their military ships, and saw no reason to send such a large craft just to explore. The Director concluded these craft were going to attempt an attack on the Yorchi Union. This was war. And in war, it was always beneficial to get the first shot.

“You seek to destroy us, and call it liberation? Enough! You are the ones who will be “liberated” from your existence, aliens!”

A pair of missiles streamed from the probe. Bullet fire began. The Eriaroon craft, designed purely for exploration, was not designed to withstand this assault.

“Know that with this idiotic action, you have entered a state of conflict with the Eriaroon Eugenic Republic. May you be purged, degenerate demon!”

Those were the final words of Rangoa Shemnum Luso-Teressu, as her craft shattered in an explosive blaze, fragments of water boiling into steam and freeezing into blocks of ice as the vacuum of space consumed all on board.

The Yorchi Union and the Eriaroon Eugenic Republic were now at war.

Battle of Naraduul
The Yorchi Union, being a highly militaristic civilization, had the initiative in the conflict. To combat the Eriaroons, they formed the Union Interstellar Expeditionary Force out of their armed space forces. Robotic exploration probes were refitted into missile gunships and scouts. This fleet was divided further into two theatres- the Offensive Theatre and the Defensive Theatre. The former would launch an assault on alien worlds, whilst the latter would defend Yorchi colonial holdings and mining bases.

From distant observation, the Yorchi found their first target- the frozen moon of Naraduul. This world was in the outskirts of Eriaroon territory, serving mainly as a research base for low-gravity environments and forge world. The Yorchi believed it to be a mining base, as the Yorchi Union used small worlds for such considerably. The Union Interstellar Expeditionary Force dispatched a small scout force to a nearby fringe world as a distraction, before the fleet proper approached Naraduul. The Yorchi sent a considerably sized force, to demonstrate their strength.



As soon as the force arrived, the attack began. Yorchi interceptors launched from their carrier craft, moving at rapid speed to wear down the Eriaroons. Commanding the attack was Admiral Aryakmanchinor, a fearsome if arrogant leader. The Admiral did not command from the front. Rather, he directed his forces from the safety of his bunker on the volcanic planet of Ohrandaka.

Eriaroon vessels were larger and more ponderous, yet they did not require agility as their bubble shields absorbed the incoming projectiles. Flashes of blue and violet light glowed as laser fire began, tearing the Yorchi interceptors apart with pinpoint accuracy. Compared to Yorchi bullet- or rather, round shot- fire, theses beams had a very much slower rate of fire. However, when they were fired, they were far more likely to hit their mark. The speed advantage of smaller vessels was minimised by this weaponry, causing the Yorchi interceptors to pull back from their attack runs.

The Yorchi fleet still had a significant numerical advantage, even disregarding their ineffective interceptor craft. The constant barrage of bullets, flak rounds and missiles was beginning to wear down the shields of the Eriaroon vessels. The heavier, armoured Yorchi warships were designed to take a large amount of damage even when their shield shielding was taken down. Even as one gunboat exploded in a vibrant blaze of fire and energy, its missile bays were emptied as shot after shot trailed through space, most of them hitting their large, bulky targets.

Admiral Aryakmanchinor examined the information inside of his bunker, shouting commands to each craft under his command. With its shields disabled, the largest of the Eriaroon craft present was torn to shreds by flak, dismembered fragments of the former warship scattered across the stars. Some Yorchi officers let out a loud, high-pitched roar in celebration of the destruction of the greatest hostile threat. Even Aryakmanchinor allowed himself a slight smile. The Eriaroon ships, without their shields, lacked heavy armouring. As such, their main advantage began to falter as shields were finally taken down. Yorchi victory was certain.

Then, it happened.

Out of nowhere, there was a flash of brilliant white light, then another and another, as a battle fleet of Eriaroon vessels materialised. The forces that had been sent to deal with the Yorchi decoy assault had predicted that the Yorchi would launch a follow up there, and amassed massive numbers. When they had realised the Union fleet was attempting to attack another system, they had moved with haste to reinforce. The Yorchi Fleet, many of its ships in tatters and flames, was no match for these unexpected defenders.

"Commence tactical withdrawal!" ordered Aryakmanchinor, his voice holding a tone of fury. The Yorchi vesssels began to turn around to warp out of the approaching massacre. However, many Eriaroon ships had already begun firing. Torpedoes were launched into craft with damaged engines, devastating the defenceless warships. Many Yorchi ships were about to escape, when ionic weaponry impacted their hulls. With their controls short-circuited and their power supplies disrupted, these unfortunate Yorchi vessels were trapped, unable to escape their fates. The few remaining Yorchi vessels became distorted as they left the system, in shame, anguish and terror.

As the final Yorchi warship departed, Aryakmanchinor received a transmission from the enemy. Calming himself, though still frustrated at his failure, the Admiral opened communications. An alien appeared in the screen, writhing its tentacles and emitting glows that did not quite synchronise with the belated mechanical translation of its words.

"I offer no condolences, demons who dare to assault our worlds. The strife you seek to bring upon the Eriaroon Eugenic Republic has been extinguished, the dying light of your faltering will soon to follow. I am Merulmnos Zolom-Rashaal, Purgator of the Demon Retribution Fleet, and I have been tasked with the enactment of your destruction. I inform you of this, to offer you one final opportunity. You have one chance to concede, before the full extent of my wrath, and that of all my kind, is brought upon you."

The image vanished, the screen returning to its display of combat data. Aryakmanchinor did not even try to give a response, his seething rage only growing as he closed communications. The Yorchi Union would never surrender to these aliens. They would fight, with all of their strength, until their foes had been crushed beneath their feet.

Offensive Preparations
Merulmnos Zolom-Rashaal drifted inside the central chamber of the Infinity class battleship Avenger of the Forsaken. The Purgator had performed in a satisfactory manner during her defence of Naraduul. The enemy had been aggressive, but their decoy strike had been too obvious a diversion for an Eriaroon commander such as herself to fall victim to the fallacy of believing it to be the primary attack. These demons- the Yorchi, they called themselves- had proven their strengths and weaknesses in their disastrous assault. They had courage, were capable of decoys, but their confidence had been turned against them. Their appeared to lack a command ship, and this led her to believe that the enemy commander did not lead from a vessel, but remotely from one of the Yorchi Union's core worlds.



The Purgator examined the holographic display surrounding her in all directions. It was a three-dimensional representation of her segment of the Demon Retribution Fleet. Her tendrils connected with a nearby interface, which itself was integrated with the vessel's joint-mind, which served as biological main computer. After manipulating the controls for a few seconds, her communication was broadcast to the entirety of her forces.

"Enlightened of Uroncayde, the demons dare attempt an assault upon our worlds. The speed at which they were defeated indicates that they suffer the delusion that they possess an opportunity to achieve victory. We shall correct that degenerate belief. The Council of Salvation has convened, and we have been provided with our orders. We are to commence our own attack, to bring desolation to a colonial holding on the outer expanse of demonic territory."

Upon all their displays, a hologram of the world in question appeared, accompanied by information on the planet. "Our offensive shall commence in orbit around the world they have designated as "Hrandurka". This is a planet of rock and fire, a wasteland upon which colossal geysers spew forth magma and sulphur. The demons find such hazardous locations as these comfortable to inhabit. Our observations have confirmed that they have a presence there, believed to be mining complexes stretching deep into subterranean caverns."

The Purgator now addressed a specific individual, the natural lights upon her body blinking between brightness and darkness and tendrils making gestures as she "spoke". "Director Nozol Zhalai-Sho, are our surface forces prepared for deployment?"

Nozol Zhalai-Shaal was the Director of the fleet's lead Absolution class reclamation vessel, a ship designed to carry, transport and deliver surface forces of the Eriaroon Eugenic Republic. "That is correct, Purgator Merulmnos Zolom-Rashaal. Considerable resistance is anticipated."

"Then we shall have optimism that the recently developed Extermination Striders placed under your command shall serve their purpose effectively. All vessels, we shall commence our assault immediately upon conclusion of the next twenty zhoms."

The communication ended, and Marulmnos began her contemplation. The enemy had access to many small craft, similar in concept to the Eriaroon Eugenic Republic's subfighters. Depending upon agility, they had found themselves ineffective against the high precision weaponry and operation of Eriaroon vessels. However, it was possible their swarming would delay assaults upon larger craft. The portion of the Demon Retribution Fleet she commanded had possession of several Redemption class destroyers, the primary ship used by the Eriaroon Eugenic Republic. This was in addition to the Avenger of the Forsaken and the Transcendency, both Infinity class battleships with powerful defences and a high amount of firepower.

The most unusual addition to the force was a type of vessel that had not been present for the defensive effort. This was the Disruptor class support vessel, a craft that was designed with only ionic weaponry and which could interfere with and jam enemy communications. If her hypothesis about the enemy remaining safely within the Yorchi Union's core territory was correct, this would prove to be a valuable asset, as if could prevent the demons from receiving orders and cause confusion during chaos amongst them.

Her objective was simple- destroy all space defences, and deploy the invasion force to destroy any ground-based defensive structures. From there, orbital bombardment would assault the Yorchi with impunity until capitulation or obliteration. If Eriaroons could smile, Merulmnos would have. Instead, she allowed herself to glow dimly with pride.

''This combination of our advanced technology and superior tactics against a foe that displays such brazen tactics shall be the ultimate culmination of the power of righteous strength of the Eriaroon Eugenic Republic. I shall demonstrate my aptitude, ensure the annihilation of my adversaries, and purge these demons until they repent their needless violence and submit to reason.''

Defensive Preperations
Admiral Aryakmanchinor was disgraced. His failure to achieve victory was infuriating. Time seemed not to reduce his anger any further. ''Those aliens can go to Akh after this. They worked out my plans...well not this time! Not THIS TIME! My forced are replenishing. We'll strike back soon enough! The fury and fire will destroy those aliens!'' He slammed his grasper into the table in front of him, furious at his humiliating defeat.

He examined the reports in front of him, bot the digital displays and the physical copies. His interceptors had proven to be completely useless, and they formed the backbone of his strategy. Adjustments would need to be made. Perhaps they could at least prove a distraction to keep the enemy from firing upon more important ships.

The remnants of the Yorchi Forst Expeditonary Fleet were stationed at Hrandurka, a minor mining outpost on the outskirts of their territory, to resupply and recover after their loss. It would take some time for morale to return to acceptable levels. But he had to prepare for another attack. If the enemy had the initiative, things would be even more difficult.

''If they do go on the attack, where will they strike? Will they target our home woled, Moriahra? Maybe they think they can break through our defences there. But these monstrous abominations are in for a rude awakening if they believe they can defeat us Yorchi in our natural habitat! The flames will consume them, those alkaline-swimmers. Especially with our defensive platforms.''

Aryakmanchinor was already growing impatient. He wanted progress, and he needed everything to be in order before his attack. He activated the communicator, contacted Harachkimdarin, the General of the Hrandurka. Garrison, who was in command of the logistics of resupplying the Admiral's fleet. The General was known for being a courageous warrior, and his exceptional ability to endure intense monotony allowed him to run a mining base effectively.

"General! This is Admiral Aryakmanchinor. I need to know when my fleet will be ready for the attack!" he shouted. Patience was a virtue rarely possessed by an arrogant, irritable and recently defeated Yorchi military commander. It was all Aryakmanchinor could do to avoid damaging any objects around him.

"It will be three rotations before the repairs are complete." came the calm response. Harachkimdarin was not easily angered or concerned, and he was adept at maintaining a polite and unemotional demeanour in the face of extreme hatred or drastic situations. "I cannot make things any faster. I'm sorry, Admiral, but you're going to have to wait."

"If you diverted less fuel to your mining drills and more to my starships, this would be over by now! I can't believe how many resources Kerikoyamchigor wasted on puny defences for outlying worlds, instead of more decently sized actually useful ships!" Aryakmanchinor was ranting now, venting his fury to the General who he viewed as subordinate.

"Sir, with respect, those words resemble treason." Those words caused Aryakmanchinor to pause for a moment. ''Truth is treason now, is it? The last thing I need is to be punished in the middle of a war.'' "Admiral, you have to consider the strategic importance of defending our colonies. Without..." The General trailed off. Now what!?

"What is it!? Why are you silent? General! I demand an explanation, now!" he shouted. Now his inferior was refusing to speak with him? If the General insisted on being so stubborn in undermining his authority, punitive action would be loudly advised to the Supreme Leader. Incompetent and disobedient commanders were the last thing the Yorchi Union needed in times of war.

"Sir...they're here. The aliens. We're under attack! Get to your command post now, sir! Missile batteries, fire! Attention all units! This is not a drill! We are under assault. Assume defensive positions, immediately! Show them no mercy!"

''Of all the times! Right as we're refuelling...we're vulnerable...gah! Those defence stations better be worth the expense. It'll be a while before every ship is ready.''

Aryakmanchinor opened communications with his own fleet. "All ships! Deploy interceptors! Assume formation seventeen! The defensive platforms will annihilate them, just hold them back! Reinforcements will arrive from the repair yards quickly. Follow my orders, explicitly, and we shall avenge the fallen on this day!"

The Onslaught Above
Yorchi gunboats unleashed their missiles. Strikecraft stormed towards the Eriaroon vessels, hoping to delay the enemy attacks on the main Yorchi vessels. But the alien craft did not waste many of their shots on the interceptors, instead targeting the larger craft. Defensive space stations and weapons platforms fired. They had missile pods and heavy guns, but these weapons failed to penetrate the shields of the Eriaroon ships alone.

Down on the surface, several launch stations were loaded. These missile batteries were designed to fire powerful anti-ship guided explosives through the atmosphere and destroy hostile spacecraft with precision, whilst making it difficult for the stations to be targeted from orbit. The combination of defensive structures made the battle far more difficult for the Eriaroons.

Merulmnos observed the battle from within her chamber, the conflict outside failing to disturb her inner tranquility. One of her destroyers exploded in an vibrant flash of light, the volume of projectiles too much for its shielding to handle. The shattered fragments of the hull drifted apart in the void of space, which was now filed with energy beams, missiles, round kinetics and torpedoes.

"Director Nazulm Harashol Semnus-Ralashos, activate disruption field." she instructed. The time had arrived to bring pandemonium upon these demons. ''With our orders, they shall fail to find cohesion. Without cohesion, they shall break, and our victory shall become certain. Their defence is considerable, but they shall falter. No protection is invulnerable, no foe undefeatable. The moment we break through their position, our surface forces shall be deployed. Our foes shall gain their first look at us with their own eyes, and they shall tremble in terror at that sight.''

The Disruptor activated its disruption field. It did not affect the Eriaroons. However, the Purgator immediately noticed the reactions of the Yorchi. Many refused to move, remaining stationary, unwilling to disobey their latest orders. Others had different plans, moving in various directions, trying to predict what their commander would have wanted. A few vessels simply fell back behind the front lines, self-presevation instinct overcoming military honour.

"Concentrate fire upon their defensive platforms. Ignore their light craft until further instruction. Battleships are to maintain defensive stance around the Disruptor. Confusion has beset the demons. We shall enlighten them to remove their degeneracy, through the purgation of those who remain in opposition to our advance. Bring them destruction. We shall liberate them from their abhorrent forms, and cast them and their ignorance away from this afterlife."

The Yorchi interceptors began to converge. Larger strikecraft accumulated as well, joining the group. The cluster was lathe and without a powerful area of effect weapon, the Demon Retribution Fleet could do little to stop them as the strikecraft swept in, each targeting the same destroyer. The vessel exploded, some of its assailants colliding with the debris. ''It appears they are capable of independent action. However, for how long can they continue this cooperation before their differing perspectives conflict?''

The group scattered, pursuing different targets. Some tried to recombine, but Merulmnos would not allow it. "Prevent any enemy craft from forming a group of significant size. In swarms, they are dangerous, but alone, they are worthless." she commanded. Soon, the lead destroyers would be within range to fire their torpedoes with precision. In that moment, the culmination of her efforts would come to be. The fleet just needed to break slightly further through the demonic forces.

One of the missiles from the surface slammed into her sheep, the shields devastated by the damage. The operators of the weaponry had been too occupied dealing with the strikecraft to intercept. ''Their surface-based missiles are dangerous tools of war. Their destruction will be paramount to a swift victory. However, we must eliminate their primary astronautical defences first, or it is likely our surface units will be intercepted before landfall.''

"Merulmnos Zolom-Rashaal, we are within accurate firing range." came the transmission. The Purgator glowed. The time has come to bring an end to this battle.

"Forward vessels, ionise and obliterate their defensive platforms. Battleships, began advance. Devastate their defences. Destroy all craft observed. Their defeat approaches." The ships obeyed, and she felt the gentle tug on the water in which she drifted as the Avenger of the Forsaken drove forward through space, its turrets opening fire to destroy any opposition it faced. She watched the holographic projection around her, vessels vanishing on both sides.

The ion beams fired, draining away the shields of the defensive platforms. Heavy guns fired back, only to be silenced by the paralysing weapons. Torpedoes rushed through the void, detonating and sending shrapnel scattering across the stars as the demon's orbital platforms were destroyed. The Yorchi fleet, at this point, was also scattered, divided into small impromptu flotillas and strike groups. Disorganised, without cohesion, and already demoralised from their past defeat, they stood no chance against the Eriaroon forces.

"Forward divison, proceed towards their maintenance station and enact its annihilation. Rear division, advance and destroy remaining demon vessels. Reclamation craft, the time has arrived to deploy ground units. Your objective is the destruction of their anti-ship missile weaponry on the surface of Hrandurka, and the subsequent pacification of the colonial population. This world shall be known as territory of the Eriaroon Eugenic Republic." And these demons shall know that their destruction cannot be averted.

The invasion craft began to fire objects towards the surface, but these were not torpedoes. They were pods, designed to withstand entry through atmospheres and colliding with solid surfaces. Countless pods filled space, heading towards Hrandurka, orienting themselves so that they would land as close to the enemy as possible without being shot down immediately. After landing, each pod began to morph. Armoured Assault Striders emerged from them, stepping onto the ashen surface. They began their advance, the machines of war revealing no mercy as their operators braced themselves for battle of a most unusual kind to an Eriaroon- war on the surface of planet.

The Battle Below
Yorchi troops raced to their defensive positions, warning sirens blaring in the distance. Some of them carried light weapons, others carried heavier machine guns. Beside them Inferno light tanks and LK-7 battle tanks rumbled across the ash-covered surface, leaving marks behind them as their treads tore through the soil. General Harachkimdarin exited his bunker, taking in the ash and noticing the flow of molten lava nearby, mining equipment being abandoned as the civilians were rushed inside the reinforced structures.

"We have no clue what might be out there, soldiers. Prepare for anything." he ordered. The Bombard mobile artillery platforms, a form of Yorchi artillery, moved slightly forward, facing in every direction, it being unknown where the enemy would come from. They had seen pods fall, but they had no idea where the enemy could be by now.

''They could attack from anywhere, with anything...I hate facing unknown opponents. Do they seek to invade us? Destroy us entirely? Is this a precision strike?'' The General held a flamethrower, wearing on the needed armour to be safe with such a weapon. ''It's likely I'm going to die today. If I'm going to fall, I'm doing so as a soldier, not cowering in a bunker!''

He walked, tanks beside him, infantry sprinting past to reach better defensive positions. Taking cover behind rocks, some of them throwing grenades to create small craters in the ash in which they could find limited safety. The orange sky became clear, storm clouds and accumulations of smoke seeming to dissipate. The tanks had formed a line, ready to push back anything that came close. "Hold your ground!" ordered the General. "The alien threat will not defeat us on the ground-"

Smoke rose on the horizon. Shadows moved within the black mist, which spread almost like fog, an ash storm sweeping in from the distance. Then he saw it, what the enemy had sent for attack them.

Their armour was black, two bizarre guns attached to each side of a pod placed on top of the striders. Each had four legs, which carried them forward with unnerving speed for machines that should seem so lumbering. Artillery fired, craters forming as ash was sent flying through the air. Machine gun fire commenced, yet seemed to do nothing against the striders.

They marched closer. Then came the flashes. Vibrant blue beams of light emerged from the guns, sweeping across the ground. An infantryman was struck, and there was a bright glow as part of his shell was turned to vapour. He writhed in pain, as though being electrocuted, before falling lifeless to the ground, the twitching ceasing shortly afterwards.

The light tanks moved forward. They fired their guns, denting the armour, only to be torn apart as the electrifying beams touched them. They were set alight, spiralling out of control. Another surge of energy from the enemy machines, and one tank was upturned, it's comrade racing away to avoid being hit by the terrifying weapon. The battle tanks opened fire.

The shell of one of the striders shattered. A cloud of steam rose from the decapitated vehicle as it fell to the ground. The vehicle responsible for the casualty was fired upon, left in flames and shambles as the enemy advanced continued. The striders began emerging from other directions, ascending cliffs effortlessly.

"Fall back! Defend the base!" ordered Harachkimdarin. The Yorchi raced back, tanks turning around, their turrets continuing to aim at the striders and firing as wildly as they could. A few remainee to distract the enemy so that the others could escape. Another strider was torn apart by cannon fire.

Then, it emerged.



Appearing on the horizon, smoke clearing around it, the monstrous machine approached. Four giant legs moved this lumbering colossus with uncanny sped. It had four larger versions of the electrifying and vaporising death rays used by the lesser striders. The gargantuan machine also had a massive main gun. Electricity surged through the weapon, visibly charging and preparing to fire.

The beam emerged, a bright purple, tearing through the ground and leaving a massive crack where it moved. The ruptured ground soon arrived at the tanks, which began to move backwards. But it was not enough, and soon they were cracked open, incinerated and left sparking by the devastating weapon.

Harachkimdarin saw one of the strikers use its foot to grasp a Yorchi corpses, thrashing the body as it stepped forward. Anger filled him. So many had fallen agains these mechanical monstrosities! He raised his flamethrower. I die a soldier...not cowering...

He rushed forward, the enemy striders trying to sweep their beams across his body, but he was able to able to evade them long enough to stand in front of one of the enemy constructions. It turned its guns to face him directly, but it was too late. A seating flame emerged from his weapon, melting away one of its legs. The machine tumbled, but then the fire was projected upon its shell, and it was forced open. He saw a being inside, surrounded by the steam that rose from within, one of the hideous aliens that had done this. It seemed to writhe within. He fired again, leaving the machine alight, and turned to face the others, to be instantly crushed by the legs of another strider, which gripped him tightly, piercing his armour and crushing his bones, before casting him aside. The beam approached, and he knew in that moment, his fate had been sealed.

Soon, the striders reached the base. The Yorchi defended desperately, artillery firing at point blank range. But it was not enough. The Eriarons overran their position, scaling the reinforced walls with ease, striking with a height advantage and tearing other defences asunder. The missile launch platform was struck by a world-cracking beam from the massive strider, and the last Yorchi firing was left incinerated.

The Eriaroons had achieved their second victory of the conflict.

Change of Command
The shuttlcraft descended into the fiery atmosphere of Ohrandaka. The scorching world was a key industrial and military asset to the Yorchi Union. It also served as a penal colony. Even to the Yorchi, the world's heat was considerable, and unpaid menial labourers would work without rest for days on end to mine, refine, produce materials and assemble craft. However, there was a storm approaching. Kerikoyamchigor, Supreme Leader of the Yorchi Union, anticipated that the world would be next to be attacked by the alien menace.

The shuttle landed, the ramp opening with a hiss. A group of Storm Raiders sprinted out, ensuring the area was secure out of instinct. They wore face-concealing gas masks, the elite soldiers serving as a brutal asset in battle, made immune to chemical warfare by their armour and a a terrifying force that could emerge through toxic fog to strike down all in their way.

Commander Marakchamkander followed in their wake, walking forward with confidence. The structure they approached was the planetary command bunker, where admirals, generals and other officers instructed their forces across the Yorchi Union from relative state. Ohrandaka was the only world besides Moriahra to feature such a structure.

Admiral Aryakmanchinor approached him. The Admiral was clearly anxious- he had likely figured out what purpose Marakchamkandar had arrived here for. "Commander Marakchamkandar. Why are you here? Your assignment is with the Moriahra Garrison-"

"There has been a change of command." said the Commander, cutting off the Admiral. He spoke clearly, doubt absent from his words. "I have been reassigned to the command the Defensive Theatre of our space forces in your place. Your performance in this conflict has been deemed, thus far...inadequate."

"They cut communications! My orders couldn't go through. There was nothing I could do. I'll make sure-" he became silent, as Marakchamkandar raised his KCh-51 SMG and pointed it at the Admiral's face. He truly is a fool if he believes such excuses will save him.



"You are correct, Admiral Aryakmanchinor. Due to an astounding lack of preparation, communications were disrupted. It was a very unfortunate occurrence to those valiant Yorchi fighting on the front lines, but it is very fortunate for you. If it had not been for such extenuating cirucumstances, you may have been forced to resign entirely after your repeated failure. These are your new orders. I suggest you follow them." Marakchamkandar handed the Admiral a datapad. Aryakmanchinor's eyes expanded at the sight of it.

"Colonial Defence Fleet at Marrakh? That place is a backwater!"

"The Supreme Leader was explicit in his instruction for your incompetence to take place away from any crucial theatre of war. You will undertake a course of rehabilitation, that will ensure when you next command, you will be prepared to achieve victory successfully. Considere it fortunate we have dedicated this much effort to salvaging your career despite your obvious ineptitude. You are to depart within the day."

The Admiral glared at him. ''Ah, such anger...but he cannot act upon it. His rage does not serve him well, for it consumes him. He does not have control, and if one cannot control themselves, how do they expect to control an entire armada? He whimpers and whines from the safety of his bunker. My approach shall be different.'' "That's not much time to prepare-"

"Evidence suggests your preparations would be ineffective regardless, Admiral. Collect your possessions and depart as soon as you can, within the limit provided. I will take your place, and I will prove far more effective. You blame everything for your failure, save the single common link- yourself. But do not waste time arguing with me. For these orders are from the Supreme Leader, and neither of us have authority above his command."

Aryakmanchinor resigned to his fate. ''Helplessness...despair...to bring forth these feelings is my duty as a commander. It is my responsibility. I take pride in bringing my foes to their knees. I enjoy watching them squirm and struggle, their futile resistance unable to best my superiority. The looks upon their faces, the sounds of their screams, it is delightful to behold.''

Marakchamkandar, knowing his first job was done, proceeded to stride forward into the complex. Grey corridors, some areas filled with brown, some areas connecting the caverns of Ohrandaka leading to a mix of natural and artificial surroundings. ''But these aliens are diffferent. They have no faces to watch, no screams to hear. To some, they are inscrutable. To others, they are terrifying. But to me, they are neither. Their strategic prowess should not be underestimated, but neither are their immune to defeat. It simply takes the right approach, and they will be made to crumble like all other opposition to the Yorchi Union.''

The sealed door opened, and he stepped into the command room. Maps decorated the walls, both star charts and planetary cartography present. On screens, data about troop numbers, positions and capabilities was displayed. Marakchamkandar sat at the table within. Shortly afterwards, another Yorchi entered the room, with reddish-brown pigmentation and the uniform of a general.

"Chergnanmenk, General of the Ohrandaka Garrison. I was informed you had information on what forces to expect?" said Marakchamkandr. He had more respect for the General than he had the Admiral, but he was not optimistic the same mistakes would be averted. People take so long to learn from their errors, and even longer to learn from those of others.

"Commander Markchamkandar. Your reputation as Destroyer of Dissent proceeds you. You are correct, of course. A few of our ships fled here before being destroyed. The captains are in prison now, but gave us some interest recounts. Additionally, a single shuttle escaped the surface of Hrandurka without being destroyed, carrying some civilians and one soldier who faced the enemy head-on before being forced back."

Three datapads were slid across the table to the Commander, who read them with interest. A few minutes of silence passed. ''It appears their battleships were protecting a vessel...a ship which was not present in the prior engagement. It is likely the cause of the jamming. Unless that is their invasion craft. Speaking of invasion...''

"Is the soldier who survived here?" he inquired. Chergnanmenk nodded. "Bring him in. I'd like to make some personal questioning. Official reports tend to leave out some crucial elements of the true experience." The General held up a communicator, and pressed a button. The doors opened, and a soldier stepped inside, sitting down beside him. So the General was already prepared for that action...excellent.

The soldier began his recount. "We'd been ordered to be ready for anything...that's a very hard one to follow. There was an ash storm, and that's when I first saw it...he strider, walking on four legs, two big guns attached to it. This...this blue light came from it, and I watched the two soldiers in front of me get hit...there was a flash, and they started convulsing. Machine guns did nothing. A tank managed to break one, steam came out of the wreck. Then I saw it...the massive one, a huge strider far taller than the others, towering over even the hills...it fired a purple beam with cracked the ground, sent our tanks toppling over...then we fell back. It's amazing we got could alive...

"Thank you for your account. But there is one more question I must ask of you. What about their infantry?"

"There was none, sir. Just the machines."

''So, they depend on vehicles for everything...then we needn't worry about surprise attacks by infantry units. And there is no account of aircraft either...'' "Thank you. Return to your duty." he said, before facing the General. "General Chergnanmenk, I-"

"I wish to deploy our heavy tanks and airships. If they have only vehicles, their mobility will be limited. We can use our heavy vehicles with impunity." ''Then we are in agreement, General. I hope your skill in battle is sufficient to give us a victory. If we lose Ohrandaka, we will never recover from our losses.''

"I shall leave the ground affairs in your capable hands. I must prepare my space forces. Good luck, General. Let us demonstrate the resolve and strength of the Yorchi Union, properly."

Before the Inquisition
The Eriaroon Eugenic Republic's Demon Retribution Fleet had demonstrated its power on two occasions. The first had been the foolhardy assault on Naraduul, where an enemy attempt at using decoy strikes had been thwarted easily, their deception seen through and their forces obliterated. Upon the second occasion, it had been the demons of the defensive, attempting to hold back an invasion of a mining colony.

Purgator Merulmnos Zolom-Rashaal had learned many things from her encounters with the demons. They preferred an environment of corrosive air and searing heat. They had vastly different technology to the Eriaroons. Thus far, it had been unable ro prevent the righteous forces from achieving victory. But the assets of these Yorchi were formidable, even if they refused to deploy them to their full potential.

Their strikecraft, for instance, were capable of devastating the vessels of the Demon Retribution Fleet when targeted against individual vessels at once. Yet the enemy had only performed these manoeuvre once, in a time where orders from higher command could not get through. Their surface forces, too, were far more varied and seemingly specialised than that of the Eriaroons. But they had been unable to withstand an concentrated assault from Armoured Combat Striders. The Extermination Strider had also proven highly effective.

Victory, however, was never certain. As the Purgator attempted outmatch the enemy, so too would they progress further in adapting to her tactics. Thus far, she had relied largely upon bringing new technology into the field of battle. The demonstration of their superlmunial velocity to catch an enemy offensive off guard, the use of jamming hostile communications, the deployment of their most powerful type of combat strider to incite fear and bring destruction upon the enemy, these were all tactics that had proven useful. But they were able to be countered. She could not continue simply surprising her foes with unknown equipment. There was nothing left to use for this purpose.

The demons, however, were different. It was possible they too had more powerful craft, defences and tactics to bring forth. As a result, it was necessary to bring this conflict to a conclusion before the Yorchi adapted to her strategies and Eriaroon equipment. On her holographic display, the next target for purgation appeared.

Ohrandaka. After extensive interrogation, the demons had revealed that this was the location of their commander. Many of them had been purged to gain this information. The rest now languished in the same cells they had designed for their prisoners. It was a strange concept to Merulmnos, forcing degenerates to perform work rather than cleansing them of sin or otherwise purging them. It would not resolve their state to have them labour. Demons thought strangely. That factor of the unknown was the greatest threat the Purgator faced.

Her ultimate objective this time was more complex. Rather than simply destroying their defences and subjugating the world, Merulmnos needed to target specific locations. It was expected that the demons would possess considerable space and surface defences. If they had more of those missile platforms below, getting into bombardment position would be impossible, and they would slowly be picked away by the demons. Therefore, a surface attack would need to commence as soon as they arrived to destroy these defences. Then, whilst the battle commenced in space, the ground forces would divert their attention towards a different target- the structure from which the enemy safely commanded their forces. If their leadership was purged, they would struggle to recover. The loss of Ohrandaka would be the killing blow of the conflict, and the Yorchi Union would submit to the demands of the Eriaroon Eugenic Republic or be annihilated.

The amount of surface forces needed was too large to efficiently coordinate from the Great Beyond. To that end, a new military commander had been appointed to direct the surface assault. Her reputation was that of a highly competent leader, who excelled at commanding large forces. Merulmnos interfaces with her ship's joint-mind, and the transmission began. Before her appeared the image of the Eriaroon who would lead the assault, and destroy all demons in her path.

"My condolences, Fushaal Selomnai-Rashiros, Inquisitor of the Eriaroon Eugenic Republic. I wish to ensure that the forces you have been provided with are adequate for the coming operation."

"My condolences. The forces I have been provided shall prove enough for this. The demons possess a variety of surface forces, but their unprotected bodies are easily desolated, and their vehicles are unable to withstand our weaponry. Only their heavy craft may cause significant damage to us. I have performed the necessary calculations, and it is certain that based upon our previous attack, their forces will be unable to destroy our Extermination Striders. My concern lies within the theatre of the Great Beyond."

"You show certainty, Inquisitor. However, it is unlikely they have used every asset available for them. They are not creatures of liquid, but of solid ground, which they have fought for centuries to dominate. I believe they have surprises awaiting us, both in the Great Beyond, and within the atmosphere of their colony."

"I am aware of the possibility. The demons are not without their strength. But they shall fall before us regardless. Their minds are limited. I have received the anatomical data results. Their brains cease growth early in development, their bodies are inflexible, and their society values submission over merit. We are superior, righteous, and we shall obtain victory."

"May your assessment be correct. I must depart. There are few zhoms remaining before our assault commences." With that, the Purgator ended the transmission, and drifted in her chamber. ''The Inquisitor believes Hrandurka to be a typical example of a Yorchi defence. I am far more uncertain. However, I will ensure that they are destroyed, so their enlightenment may soon begin. This fight shall make the point of no return for th demons.''

Our victory at Ohrandaka shall be our victory in this war.

War Amongst The Stars
Marakchamkandar stood inside of his command ship, the Insurmountable. It was a Tyranny class, the largest military spacecraft developed by the Yorchi. Only three had been produced thus far, two orbiting Moriahra, and the last under his command. The Commander disliked commanding from a bunker on the surface. Response was delayed, one couldn't eaisly see the big picture let alone the little picture, and it was far less exciting that witnessing combat first-hand.

He predicted that it would not be long before the enemy approached. Ground defences were operational, including missile launch platforms and even a reinforced underground silo for launching anti-ship explosives through the atmosphere. While Aryakmanchinor's tactics had proven ineffective last time, he had made good use of ground defence. ''Thus, so shall I. Our objective in space is simple. We are to defend against them long enough for our defences to bring down their vessels. They may launch a surface attack to eliminate these defences. That is where General Chergnanmenk will demonstrate his skill. Ammunition is of no concern on the ground- Ohrandaka's factories produce munitions at a rate fast enough to make sure our forces are supplied. By the time lack of ammunition is a problem, the battle will already be decided.''

Commander Marakchamkandar gazed into the void of space. Each star out there was a blazing fire. But even they would not burn as brightly as the rage of the Yorchi Union, when the aliens arrived. The Yorchi had suffered defeats, setbacks, and were now anticipating an assault on their greatest colony- Moriahra, their most important world, was their home planet- and so each felt differently. Some were frustrated, some were enraged, some were losing hope.

Marakchamkandar would restore the spark of determination to his soldiers, by showing that the alien menace could be defeated. That they could be driven back, and that they were truly weak against a powerful enough mind. However, he knew the price for failure here would be far worse than merely being reassigned to an unimportant frontier world.

''If we lose Ohrandaka, our ability to retaliate effectively will be heavily limited. Our industrial areas here fuel the Union, and although Moriahra can do more, it's still a significant loss. A loss that will mean our defeat in this war, even if we attempt a stubborn last stand on our homeworld. At the end of this day, I will be one of theee things. The hero that saved the Yorchi from destruction, hailed and recognised as a rightful champion. The disgraced failure that allowed the enemy to perform the killing blow to the crumbling Union. Or a lifeless corpse, drifting through the void of space, slain in battle''

I'd rather be the last one of those than the second.

The white flashes appeared in the cosmos before him. One after the other, a fleet of black and cyan emerged around Ohrandaka. It was the largest Eriaroon fleet ever witnessed by the Yorchi Union. Every ship class was, however, recognisable. "Ground defences! Fire a barrage at their invasion ships!" he shouted. "Space defence platforms, do the same. Left flank, right flank, spread formation. Deploy interceptors, deploy bombers, and have them target their disruption craft. All other ships, handle those destroyers. We will force them back! Show no remorse, show no regret, show no fear, for we shall reign victorious, and these aliens! Shall! Burn!"

Blue beams fired from the alien vessels, Yorchi missiles surging through the void. One of the enemy invasion craft was impacted, its shielding unable to hold against the onslaught of explosives. There was a blue glow as the vessel fractured, launching a single pod before a bright cyan explosion. The pod was destroyed by a flak gun from one of the orbital defence platforms, but it was not alone. The invasion craft that remained fired more and more. One of the pods slammed into a Yorchi frigate, deploying into a strider in space rather than on the ground, able to destroy a turret before finally being blasted to pieces by the cannons of a nearby ship.

Many of the pods were intercepted, but a significant number made it through the defences and approached the the ground. Marakchamkandar could do nothing about it now. His focus was now on preventing the enemy from gaining astronautical superiority. The enemy disruption ship performed its duty, communications with the ground theatre cut off.

The Yorchi strikecraft sent to destroy it finally arrived at their destination. Many wehad been picked apart by the beams of Eriaroon destroyers, but there was so many of them the enemy couldn't do significant damage to the totality of the force. Their target, relying on escorts for protection, fired its single beam turret, destroying several more bombers as they approach. A torrent of bullets, missiles, rockets and bombs cascaded into the ship. It was too much damage to handle, and the disruption craft exploded, its destruction taking many of the fighters with it.

Marakchamkandar gave his next orders. "Strikecraft! Converge, and target their destroyers! Stay together! In a cluster, you can outmatch them!" Battle raged onward, Yorchi ships beginning to fall. The enemy was now in ion gun range, and it only took a single hit to paralyse the lighter Yorchi craft. Torpedoes streamed across the stars, slamming into the defence stations, tearing many of them apart. Another missile emerged from Ohrandaka, slamming into one of the enemy invasion craft and combining with a barrage from the remaining defence stations to obliterate it.

''This is close...we need to keep our defences operational. That'll tear them apart. I hope the General knows what he's doing down there. "Advance! Keep them off of the defence platforms. Bring the Insurmountable'' forward. They'll focus fire on us and the lead ships."

The vessel lumbered forward, dwarfing the lesser Yorchi craft and the Eriaroon destroyers. It's cannons glowed as large projectiles were hurled through the void and into the enemy craft. Missile bays unleashed their payloads, and the elite fighter complement of the vessel was deployed. The Eriaroons had not been prepared to face such a vessel. The beams of their ships began to focus fire on the heavily shielded and armoured craft. Another destroyer fell to the bomber group, however those strikecraft now lacked the numbers to attack effectively, and were deleting explosives and rounds at a rapid rate.

''I shall risk my ship, so that we we have victory. This better be worth the cost...''

Fire and Brimstone
Yorchi forces awaited the enemy. They knew what to expect this time, but that didn't help ease the tension, the mind-gnawing paranoia that the enemy could be anywhere, attack at any time. What if they'd brought something even more terrifying this time? The soldiers had heard the rumours of what had happened on Hrandurka. Giant machines, striding over hills and corpses, beams of death destroying anything they touched, the shells of these constructs immune to rheir infantry arms.

This time, though, they had three things Hrandurka hadn't. The first of these was the Storm Raiders. An elite special forces unit, they were adept at chemcial wrafafe, and also had skill in demolitions. If they could surprise the enemy, it would be possible to plant charges on the striders and take them down. The Storm Raiders worse their signature gas masks, showing no emotion, gripping their weapons firmly. They would gladly give their lives if it meant victory.

The second difference was the presence of Crimson military airships. These aerial vehicles had a pair of powerful dual cannons, and could serve as airborne artillery. It was unknown if the enemy even had the capability to take down vehicles that floated in the sky with their weapons. These would prove a valuable asset, not just for attack, but for reconnaissance.

Finally, there was the Firefortress heavy tank. A massive machine, covered in thick metallic armour and with treads as large as a battle rank, the Firefortress was a force to be reckoned with. Several machine gun positions were present on its sides, a pair of rear tri-guns placed upon it to defend against assault from behind. It's main gun was immensely powerful, capable of destroying lesser targets in a single shot. However, not even that was as terrifying as the weaponry which gave it its name- a pair of dual flamethrower arrays, which would project searing flames and incinerate infantry and vehicles alike, melting through armour with the sheer intensity of the heat.

General Chergnanmenk stood inside one of the airships. He wouldn't normally take a such a risk, but on this occasion, being able to get a clear view of the battlefield was essential. He just hoped he was safe above the ground. Yorchi artillery scrambled below, entering defensive positions with light tanks defending them. The LK-7 battle tanks formed a defensive line to prevent the enemy advancing. Just behind that line was the infantry, including the Storm Raiders. Behind them were the heavy tanks, the behemoths of the Yorchi Union. Airships spread out amongst the clouds, searching for hostile positions. Chergnanmenk's, however, held position between the main force and the artillery.

He received a transmission from one of the infantry brigades. "Minefield established, sid. Resuming defensive positions." The General had ordered an infantry group to set up mines in the outer perimeter of their defences. He wasn't certain how effective it would be, but it could at least slow the enemy down. Stationary machine gun positions had been set up behind some rocks formations. There was no point laying down barbed wire against vehicles, so that element of Chergnanmenk's preferred defence was absent.

''Artillery causes more casualties than anything else in war. We need to keep that aspect of our forces safe. If they try flanking us, they'll have to walk through pools of sulphuric acid, which should slow them down, and they'll get fired upon by our fortifications. Our command bunker isn't far from here. I'm betting that's their target, along with our missile defences. Those have their own security units. But if we intercept the aliens here, they'll struggle to advance any further into our defences. Whether we can hold depends on morale- hence, why I'm in the field of battle- and how many of those striding machines the enemy has sent at us.''

The first sighting report came through. The enemy were approaching the sulphur fields where the defence would take place from the north. Another report from a airship, a flanking force coming in from the west. It would have be limited in range, unless the aliens had designed the things to submerge themselves in the ocean of sulphuric acid in that direction. Another report, this time from the easy, a small force climbing over the mountains to approach. Chergnanmenk heard screaming over the transmitter, and now had his answer to whether the Eriaroons could target aerial vehicles.

"Artillery! Commence scattered bombardment." he instructed. Shells soared through the air, pummelling the predicted positions of the striders. The fiery clouds of Ohrandaka parted just below the General's airship, and he got his first sight of the enemy with his own eyes. The Yorchi had a range advantage on the ground, with enemy beams unable to reach as far as parabolic artillery rounds. One strider exploded upon being hit by one of the shells. Another stepped on a mine, its foot torn apart and mangled, but it continued walking forward on three operational legs.

"Deploy smoke! Storm Batallion, set charges!" Upon those orders, the infantry-operated mortars fired, smoke covering the battlefield. Storm Raiders rushed from their concealed positions, several of them being struck by blue energy beams. The smoke hadn't worked. The Eriaroon striders were able to see through the smog and fire accurately. Despite this, the Yorchi Storm Raiders were able to do some damage. A few squads were able to set charges and detonate them, destroying a few striders. Even an unset charge was prone to activation should another explosion occur around it, and this fate one unfortunate strider which had a charge on the foot with which it stepped on a mine.

The striders began sweeping the ground with their beams, detonating the remaining mines unharmed. ''Worked it out, did they? As expected, they're fast learners. It the damages is done. They can't acquire reinforcements, so every loss we make them take counts.'' Chergnanmenk gazed upon the battle from above, seeing the strikers grow ever closer, more and more of them approaching from various directions. Artillery rained down upon them. Time for our next surprise.

"All airships, cease recon and commence bombardment." commanded the General. His own airship followed the others, its cannons turning to face the strikers below, and firing. Death rained from above, cannon fire from each airship leaving craters in the dust, destroying more striders. One airship flew too close, and a blue beam punctured it's airbags, before melting away its cannons. The ship began to fall downward and backward, spiralling out of control, slamming into one of the forward infantry positions. A strider climbed over the wreckage, crushing a fleeing survivor. It's energy beams swept across the Yorchi positions. The enemy was now in firing range.

Tanks fired, shattering the armoured shells of a strider, but the machine collapses on top of a light tank, both vehicles rendered wrecks. Infantry fired their small arms, hoping concentrated fire would destroy the enemy striders. Some were dented by this, but none were disabled by such attacks. Airships continued to bombard them from above, ascending to high altitude to avoid being torn apart. However, from so far above, accuracy was low, and friendly fire a possibility. "Airships, disperse and descend. Accuracy above survivability." Chergnanmenk then ordered his artillery to cease fire as well. Collateral damage was unacceptable when so many vehicles were at risk.

The tank line held, many striders toppled by focused fire, but more always clambering behind them. They adopted tactical manoeuvres such as two striders sweeping their beams at the same target from opposite directions, making escape far more difficult. Battle tanks began to fall back as smoke rose high into the air from all of the destruction, craters left in the ground, flaming husks of former war machines littering the battlefield. Corpses were left crushed or covered in blood and ash, steam rose from the damaged shells of fallen alien fighting machines.

As the smoke began to clear, Chergnanmenk decided to deploy his last new asset in the battle. "Firefortresses, foward!" The massive machines began to rumble ahead. Their machine guns fired, leaving dents in striders, before their more powerful rear tri-guns turn to face the side and finished off the damaged adversaries. Eriaroon vehicles fired their beams, but the armour was too thick to easily penetrate. Even as treads were ruptured or melted, the indomitable machines carried themselves onwards. Their main guns fired, obliterating striders. Their flamethrowers left torrents of blazing fire streaming through the air, incinerating anything unfortunate enough to be in their path. Other vehicles joined them, pushing forward just behind the monstrous behemoths, the symbol of Yorchi might, the pinnacle of their domination of their world, the incarnation of inevitable and unrelenting destruction through fire.

Some of the light tanks pushed further forward, targeting the legs of the strikers they saw, able to deal damage with concentrated fire. The field before them was set alight, but the Yorchi were unafraid of the flames. They pushed forward, the striders starting to fall back. Battle tanks advanced now, opening fire-

They exploded, sparking, their armour cracking as a ray of vibrant purple light tore apart the armoured vehicles. In the distance, rising above the flames, a gargantuan machine strode forward. The machine extended its legs to full height, towering over even the heavy tanks. It feared not the blazing inferno around it, able to withstand the intense heat. Airship cannons fired upon it, but did nothing. A shield surrounded the war machine, not even tank guns able to damage it.



The Extermination Strider had arrived. A ring of flames surrounded a small arena, the heat too much now for lesser strider or weaker ranks to handle. But two monstrosities were able to ignore the flickering fire, the scorching heat. The towering Extermination Strider, the pinnacle of Eriaroon surface technology, turned its attention to face its counterpart. A Firefortress began its approach, treads tearing through the ground, its weapons ceasing fire so that it could divert all attention towards the massive target before it.

The strider fired first, blue beams trying to slice through the heavy tank, but they could not easily penetrate the machine's thick metal armour. The Yorchi creation fired its main cannon, a massive round exiting the barrel, flaming as it soared into the enemy- only to shatter upon touching the Eriaroon shield. The Extermination Strider revealed its next weapon- four cyan tendrils, mechanical but flexible, emerged. They began expelling plasma trying to reach the tank and cut it open.

The Firefortress's flamethrower arrays fired, melting away the exposed tendrils, the flames now surrounding the strider as its shield struggled to keep the heat at bay. The tank's gun fired, a second round striking the Extermination Strider, but the machine's defences continued to hold, smoke surrounding it. A storm of electrical enegey converged on the primary weapon of the Eriaroon machine. A beam of purple was unleashed, sparks flying as the main gun of the Firefortress was destroyed, the molten remains forming puddles and burning upon the armoured chassis of the vehicle. The heavy tank was doomed.

But it did not give up. All four flamethrower funnels now fired upon the strider's legs. For a moment, the flames continued to do nothing. But then, they burst through the shield. The black metal of the Eriaroon machine was scorched, starting to bend and melt under the heat and pressure of the fiery assault. It struggled to balance itself, but the fire consumed another leg. Unable to stay upright, the strider toppled over, smashing into the Firefortress, leaving both machines in ruins.

Lesser striders tried to push forward, but were less coordinated than previously. More Firefortresses pushed forwards, annihilating everything in their path. One strider group sprinted towards a heavy tank, climbing it and focusing fire with every strider's weapons upon its main gun, before clawing through the reinforced armour. Another Extermination Strider emerged on the horizon, only to be met by three Firefortresses. They fired in sequence, flamethrowers spreading their infernos all at once. The first two cannon shots were deflected, but the final one shattered the shell of the strider. The heavy tanks continued their advance, crushing the toppled remains beneath their treads.

Other tanks followed, airships raining death. The strider did not retreat, seemingly frenzied as they focused on destroying the Firefortresses. Chergnanmenk realised in that moment what monumental event had just occurred.

''They can't win. They can't retreat, because they have nowhere to go. They couldn't match the might of our heavy tanks. Even their last giant strider is trying to attack head-on, even though it won't work.'' He watched the purple beam destroy an already heavily damaged heavy tank, before a cloud of steam rose as the alien machine collapsed. This is them trying to as much damage as they can, because...we won.

The final Eriaroon striders made a desperate stand, another heavy tank destroyed by the rapid assault. All five Firefortresses present for the battle had been destroyed. Countless corpses littered the ashen ground, corroded by the steam emitted by the wreckages of the alien wrecks around them. Many tanks had been obliterated, many lives lost. Two airships, including the General's, survived.

The cost had been huge. But for the first time in the war, the Yorchi Union had emerged victorious.

Chergnanmenk commenced a communication to the space forces of the Union. "This is General Chergnanmenk to Commander Marakchamkandar. We have suffered heavy losses. Our heavy tanks are gone. In addition, victory is ours. Every enemy strider has been destroyed. We have defeated the aliens attacking Ohrandaka."