His name was Rob Day. He was twenty-four years old and had three years-worth of experience in the American States Armed Forces and two years in the Terran Military Forces. He was currently the High Commander of a small dispatch sector for scouting information for the Terran military. His branch's goal was to gain information about their enemy, the Amix race.

The Amix were an alien race who continuously and viciously bombed Terran settlements once they discovered the people's existence. Ever since the humans gained the ability to become mobile in space, they peacefully began to settle into various earth-like planets which could sustain plant growth and provide people with living conditions. The aliens used their advanced military technology to bully the people from settling into their homes. At first, politicians tried to reason with the Amix but with no avail. It seemed that there was no ground for communication between the two races, so humans did the only thing the knew best. They began a war. At first, they mindlessly attacked the alien spaceships with various missiles and guns. Their attempts were futile as the alien spaceships seemed invulnerable to Terran's attacks. Forgetting their differences, people began copying and innovating new versions of the Amix weaponry and spacecrafts. Once they realized they had something to counter the aliens, people began bombing any stray ships found flying around. They would often scavenge the destroyed spacecraft, hoping to find more information about their enemy. However, the only thing they ever found was a hollow spaceships with its motherboard destroyed and a toxic liquid on the ground.

"SGT Daniel reporting with information on an Amix craft!" a young officer stood stiffly inside his office with one hand placed roboticly on his forehead.

"I'm listening."

"Our dispatch bombed another alien craft not to far away. Lieutenant Sanders believes the ship was spying on us."

Robert leaned back in his chair, "Calm down kid, Sanders thinks everything is spying on him. Is the main-board intact?"

"No sir! It appears that the.... thing operating the craft suicided once it found itself surrounded by our forces."

"Dammit!" he muttered under his breath. How was the Terran Military ever going to gain any of the enemy's knowledge if every time they took their spaceship, the fucker suicided? Of course humans were able to recreate many of the weapons and vehicles, but none of them were nearly as capable as the Amix's. "Did you receive any more information from this expedition?"

"There was a frequency that was released shortly before suicide. Our soldiers were able to capture the details of the frequency."

His mood was suddenly much more hopeful, "Have you released this information to anyone else?"

"No sir! We were only able to give the message to the scientists at our dispatch."

"Were they able to decipher it yet?" he wanted all the information he could get.

"I don't know, we only gave it to them this morning."

"No time to waste, we're going to the lab sector right now." he grabbed his jacket while following the Sergent. Maybe this was the break that the human race was looking for. If they could figure out the message, people could finally communicate with the aliens.

Nestled in an asteroid about 200 AU from the Amix craft, a near invisible settlement was buzzing with life. The inconspicuous chunk of what used to be a planet’s moon was hollowed out, and what was inside was a feast for the human imagination.

A network of small oval pods interconnected by narrow tunnels shaped in a spider’s web. The entire web glowed with ultraviolet light, creating a dim glow undetectable outside of the inner workings. Inside, the tunnel walls were made out of a strange silvery substance, which at first glance appeared to be mercury. They led to a number of complex facilities that teemed with visual screens, strange devices, and dangerous looking weaponry. But more dangerous than that were the inhabitants.

Tall, with slender limbs that had a more delicate sheen of silver than that of the walls, the Amix took a biped form that distantly resembled the human. Their arms seemed unnaturally long, and where hands would be there was a device of some sort, sometimes a tool, a communications screen, or even a weapon. Their faces were harsh in their angles, but their eyes seemed gentle, more human, and changed colors in the light. But the most frightening part was their insect-like exoskeleton, which covered their entire body like a twisted armor.

The science sector was rapt with attention, as they watched the scouting ship fly into the nest of knri-sih on a large screen above their equipment. Calyx, a Beta researcher in the Enemy Analysis sect, was suddenly struck with an inspiration, pulling up her communication, she murmured a message to the scout in their strange tongue. Perhaps the Engineering sect wasn’t the only one that would have a mission tonight. Images flashed in on her wrist of the cockpit. Hideous pink flesh and the cruel glinting eyes of the defenders. But they had a similar fervor in their eyes, the sihlq of war. Now would be the time to discover their weakness, before the battle that was inevitable. Calyx released her communicator to the system and began her research. Seconds later the blow came. The ship and its scout served their purpose well, Calyx noted, and she revealed the images to her colleagues.

Rob led the way to the miniature transportation pod which was resting at one of the ships outpost units. The ship itself was hidden in the darkness of space, only emitting light on the inside and not transmitting any messages larger than an exabyte. No one but the Teran military was aware that such crafts were strategically position in various neighboring galaxies. Such outposts were used to spy on any suspicious activity.

Punching in the destination code he relaxed in his seat as the lights brightened the small, circular vehicle. The man beside him sat tensely unsure if he should make small talk or not. "I'm a commander but I'm still human." Rob tried to lighten the mood.

"I'm sorry, it's just that I've never been around anyone so high ranked. You look so young too."

He snickered at the sergent's surprise at his age. Rob was very young for such a high rank, but he did work for it. Ever since he was a boy he was fascinated with the military and how it worked. He trained hard and overcame his parents scrutiny and disapproval with even more dedication. Rob had replaces his love life and his relationship with his father for devotion to the military. However, his dedication didn't go unnoticed. The mans rank continued to increase and he didn't plan on stopping at commander, "How old are you, sergent?"

"Twenty-one."

"Why did you join the military?"

"My family moved to BX6 a while before the Amix attacked them. Only my younger sister and I survived and there were no jobs on Earth. The military was the only place to go and I can beat up those bloody bastards now for what they did to my family."

"BX6..." Rob muttered to himself. He could recall that it was the tropical desert planet that was brutally massacred a year ago, "I'm very sorry for your loss." The short ride came to an abrupt end and a short tune rang from the speakers telling the two men that they arrived at their desired destination. Rob stepped out on the metal platform and headed to the observatory that the lab was stationed in. The laboratory didn't look like one per-say. It wasn't dedicated to chemical work like one would imagine. The hollowed out ball of a room was covered with peculiar looking devices used analyze and sort various data. Hundreds of glass squares that could store kyratbytes of memory were stored on the metal shelves. Two professionally dressed men and one woman sat in the middle of the room, discussing something.

"Did you figure out what the message says?"

"No, it's only incoherent sounds. Even if it does mean something it would probably take weeks or even months to decipher." one of them men replied, not looking up.

"Does the message tell us anything at all?"

One of the scientists looked up from the table, took his ear-pieces off and stiffened, "I apologize Commander Sir. We've been working on this since morning and haven't found out anything that could link us to Amix language."

Rob was becoming increasingly annoyed by the incompetent staff he had to work with, "That's unfortunate."

"We were able to find something that might interest you." the woman spoke up, "I noticed that the message was pointed at a certain direction the moment it was deployed. If you look at the angle in which the frequency was sent out and the fact that the angle remained constant even after the ship was attacked we might be able to pinpoint where the Amix's core is."

"Excellent work," Rob glanced at her name-tag, "Mrs Swanson, but do you know where that point is?"

One of the men turned on a large holographic image of the interstellar network and zoomed into the Onyx solar system, "By our calculations the destination at which our message was to arrive is supposed to be here." He pointed at a small burning star.

Rob glanced at the star which the scientist was pointing at. He didn't want to question the liability of some of the most talented men in the Terran league but he couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that something didn't quite fit.

"Very well, I'll notify the Marshal of our findings. Commendable work, you will all be rewarded."

The following week the Terran Military released that they would be infiltrating the alien land. The people were going crazy with excitement as recruitment began for the attack. All compies and able men were gathered to fight for what they called the 'Final Battle'.

The images produced a flurry of frantic activity, as they were crosschecked with every photograph of the defenders from the last decade. Engineering confirmed that the technology aboard had advanced to a less crude imitation of their Amix counterparts. The equipment they were using was for tracking Amix scout ships. The weapons in their possession still made Calyx shudder. Cruel blades composed of a carbonic compound that sliced right through the soft fyusit of Amix skin.

“It appears the Enemy still knows how to play,” the Alpha officer of her sect, Diente, checked the images over her shoulder, “Be careful what you ask the Scouts for. They are too close to the Enemy. Time be on our side.”

“And yours, almeita,” she replied respectfully.

“Company! This Enemy is different from the others we’ve faced. They’re unfeeling, they are ever changing, playing the clone to try and defeat us. But we will never be separated,” Diente’s face shone with fervor, “United, we are immortal!”

Enemy Analysis repeated the mantra, shrieking triumphantly and showing their approval with their silvery hands is strange gestures.

“Now, we are still missing the location of the last four enemy strongholds. The expanse of the universe cannot hold them from our touch. The Amix will prevail,” he stopped his tirade, dropping his glimmering arms and letting them fade to their simple sheen. Diante addressed his team, “Beta-C has recent images procured from the Scout. It may be unusual given the original mission of the Scout, but we are in need of new data. Beta-C is to be commended for her ingenuity. However, from now on, there will be no communication with Scouts on informative missions. Beta will begin full analysis of the new images. Any anomalies, any weaknesses, will report straight to me. Gamma-communications. Run it through our newly built translation program, and report to me. Delta, please send the following memos to engineering…”

Calyx returned to the images, letting Diente give the orders to the lower class. She hesitated over the face of an Enemy, standing in the middle of the vessel, his eyes sparking frustration, hopelessness. The only similarity, the only normality of the enemy was their eyes. The angles of his face reminded her of earlier Amix skulls that she had studied, species that had died out or been annihilated by the disasters of their tumultuous planet. She shook her head and examined the veins in his neck, already pinpointed as a chink in the Enemy armor. The vertebrae protruded grotesquely and Calyx dismissed her revulsion as she flicked to another image.
The Enemy’s science facilities were recognizable, though the technology was much diminished from that of her own. She moved to change the image when a familiar shape caught her eye. Calyx caught her breath as she saw what the scientists were working on.

“ Almeita!” She called frantically, “See what the Enemy has been creating.”

Diente swore under his breath and examined her image. There was no doubt, it was a krirn-RZ a communications pinpoint device. A rough model, but able to compute the necessary triangulations for tracing a message.

“Our ships will be pinging all over the settlements,” Calyx murmured.

“We must send out a recode on all communications, on a level above RZ. Your ping was a very dangerous move, Beta. Make sure it doesn’t happen again without consultation.”

“My apologies, almeita,” she inclined her neck, fear suddenly striking her, “Never, I assure you.”

“Thank you, Beta-C. You are a valuable asset. I would hate to have to lose you,” Diante dismissed her and sent Gamma-N to communications mainframe.

Calyx returned to her work with trepidation, unable to shake the feeling that the Enemy had more eyes on her than she thought. She threw herself into studying the Enemy’s physical properties, discovering weaknesses, anticipating reaction sequences, and planning for retaliation. Several days pass, and the Enemy Communications Sect revealed a new threat.

“ Almeita, this just in from communications. Attack. Onyx. Invade. Amix Home. Final.” Igjiote nodded companionably at Calyx, who returned the gesture.

“Onyx. Is the area on our Terran maps?” Diente demanded.

“Affirmative. The Onyx Sect is this galaxy. We anticipate an attack in this area. The Alpha Command of this vessel has been notified, and he has already made the decision to call the other three lunar vessels.”

“It appears the Enemy has boldness. More than we’ve had to face before,” he smirked, an ugly gesture that contorted the Amix’s face, “The Enemy wastes time. This is our opportunity to gain information regarding the last four strongholds. Company!” the entire Sect ceased their activity and turned to face him, “The Enemy has planned an attack for this area. We reunite with the remaining settlements to crush the resistance and ascertain where we will complete our purge of the Enemy. There is no indication that they have the means to detect our lunar vessels. The enduring Enemy ships do not have the weaponry or the numbers to face even two of our personal space armada. Even so, every Amix will be subject to infantry duty save for those on the Aerospace sect, and the Artillery sect. The infantry will take their posts on K-387, better known as Fjoriek. The asteroid belt on the adjacent planet will provide the ideal nest for our vessels.”

The Amix armed for the next week with renewed zeal for the expected bloodshed. Even Calyx could not help feeling the sihlq coursing through her, as she armored herself for surface duty.

“Your thoughts, Calyx,” Igjiote stepped behind her as she prepared.

“Shouldn’t you be addressing me as your superior?” she asked playfully, trying to keep her mood up.

“Calyx. Your thoughts,” he pressed.

“I cannot say. My last infantry duty still burns my memory. Perhaps it is best I put it aside-“

“No. I do not believe it is necessary.”

“You never believe losing thoughts is necessary. But it may interfere with my ability to destroy the Enemy.”

“Fair. But I still believe you are stronger than the Enemy. This war is on our side.”

“Fine. I will do as you suggest,” she passed him a shielded helmet for protection from the infrared light, “Time be on your side.”

“And yours. I will be waiting for you on the other side of our victory,” he nodded once more and slid his strange hand over her shoulder gently before exiting down the tunnel. Calyx was left with the strange realization that she did not expect personal survival, though victory was assured. A foolish thought , she mused as she selected the weapon that could save her life.

The Commandor was sitting at the table listening to the privy council of the Terran Rule debate on the formation of the attack. The Chief Chamberlain shook his head, disagreeing with the Space Marshall's intentions of executing a blitzkrieg-style attack. "We aren't in Immobilis Era. This archaic type of warfare won't deter the Amix too much I don't think. Plus our ammunition will run out quickly, " Leon, the Commander of the logistics outpost contradicted the Chamberlain.

"But we don't know much about the Amix, if anything at all. If we force our weapons on the star we might be able to cause the star to collapse into itself."

"That's if we can get close enough to it. The Amix have proven themselves as a difficult opponent."

"I believe," the Chancellor of the Terran Rule spoke up in a monotone voice, "that the only man with any actual knowledge of our foe is Commander Robert Day. After all, it was his sector that has dedicated its outpost to scouting Amix, and it was his crew that found the frequency. He knows better than any of us what the Amix are capable of."

All twenty-eight heads turned to face Rob. The Commander cleared his throat, "Thank you His High Excellency. My crew and I have gathered some information about the alien's technology and psychology. The data we could collect is limited as the Amix seem to be very thorough with their encryption. Unless we are able to decipher the code we can't say what attack style would be most advantageous. It's all up to our data analysts at this point."

"Is the attack still in effect?" the on of the Lieutenants questioned.

"Yes. This meeting is now over, feel free to return to your normal duties." the Chancellor dismissed everyone, "Space Marshall Davidson, I'd like to have a word with you in private."

"Yes His High Excellency?"

"What is your outlook on us winning this battle?"

"Slim to none."

The man rubbed his chin, "That's unfortunate. Our Chief of Ceremonies has already boosted the morale of the people. Not fighting would be out of the question."

"We might be able to gather some valuable data from it. If Commander Rob's analysis proves correct and the Onyx system is where the Amix reside in, we will be able to gain the advantage after the battle. That or the Onyx system is bait."

"Interesting perspective Davidson. I guess we wont be able to find out until after the battle. Please inform Commander Day that he will be responsible for his jurisdictions new recruits. Also, make sure that Commander Niel's and Commander Staven's sects are aware that they will be accompanying them to Onyx."

The Marshall bowed his head and proceeded to do as he was ordered.

*

When he found out he was promoted to High Commander, Rob was surprised. He hadn't expected that such a small observation could prove to be so profitable for him. However, when he realized he would be leading the attack he was even more delighted. The Chief of Ceremonies made his new rank official later that day. The ceremony itself was intended as a morale boost for the men who were about to go to battle. After all, the attack was only in two days.

The following morning Rob sent his personal compy to be upgraded so that he could install firsthand military instincts into it. That way, when he was in battle, the compy could assist him and aid him in dangerous situations. He also had the opportunity to prepare his battleship. He was to ride a small but lightweight interceptor craft, SV-8V, that was created to counter heavy ballistic attacks in space warfare. The ship was arrow-like with two barrels in the front which could shoot two X2R dual headed ballistic missiles every minute. The craft itself was capable of storing hundreds of missiles at once and not put its speed into question.

"Welcome High Commander Robert Day. Weight is one-hundred and ninety-five pounds, height is six-foot-one, eye-color is brown, hair color is brown, heart rate is thirty-five peats per minute, blood type is O positive. Please initiate a command."

"Initiating flight."

"Voice analysis complete. Flight is initiating." the motors of the Spearhead started running for the first time, taking Rob into flight. He spun the craft around a couple of time until his communicator turned on unexpectedly, "High Commander, your X2R missiles are ready to be loaded."

"Very well, I'll be down in a moment." he told his Spearhead to conclude his flight.

The day proceeded to be busy and hectic in anticipation for the attack. Ranks had already been established to the new recruits but many of them had little to no training especially in flight combat. The Commander was also being increasingly aware of the lack of men that were available to him. He had been under the impression that there were more reinforcements for the Terran Military. However, he didn't think much of it because his jurisdiction wasn't the only one in the military. Later he found out he would be fighting with his fellow Commanders Neil and Staven. Both of them were talented men who dedicated their lives to their careers but none as determined as Rob. Nevertheless once the three military sectors set out to the Onyx system their worries became solely focused on their upcoming onslaught.

On the small and lush planet designated K-387, the Amix war machine was moving at light-speed. With the recombination of data from various sects of the asteroid settlements, it was confirmed that a powerful enough di-fusion reactor could break a planet out of its orbit to act as a completely mobile base. All four communities of Amix were working tirelessly to mobilize the planet, not only for the suspected battle, but the planet would be designated as the launch point for the Amix’s final campaign, or so the Alpha Amix claimed.

On the pristine surface of Fjoriek Calyx supervised the Gamma Science Sect as they unloaded the advanced artillery. The hulking Kvlis-G Launchers, which released huge tracking projectiles that latched on to enemy artillery vessels and released a deadly acid before self destructing. Opujr outposts sprang up all over, designed for launching the controlled fusion tipped missiles. But the weapon that was guarded the most fiercely was the Yqinl-A a spiderlike device dispersed in the cloudiest areas of the planet’s surface. The released weapon was no bigger than a tennis ball, but had the senses and reaction time of an Amix soldier. It was the closest to artificial intelligence that the Amix had ever attempted, and its mission was control. Breaching the enemy vessels through the smaller openings, the device could latch on to the mainframe and reroute the ship in any way the Alpha Amix desired.

“Action-Target Enemy, Almeita ?” asked a young Gamma programming the Yqinl-A.

“No. Action-Destruct. This will end quickly,” Alpha Srikwe of Artillery Sect replied.

“Almeita,” Calyx interjected, bowing her head briefly, “Would it not be prudent to preserve some enemy ships for Intelligence Sect.”

“Affirmative,” he seemed surprised at her brazen suggestion, “Ten per thousand will be designated Action-Crash. That should be sufficient. What is your rank and sect?”
“Beta-C, Almeita. Science Sect, Settlement 3.”

“Noted. Continue.”

“You appear to be attracting much Alpha attentions, Calyx,” she turned to see Njaito, her comrade from Artillery Sect.

She made a playful gesture, “The Alpha look for ingenuity. I believe I could be one of them.”

“Impossible, Calyx. Birthing never mistakes. Beta is what you are born, Beta you shall be. Be happy you are not a Gamma, or even an Epsilon,” the two females exchanged glances and touched their silvery hands companionably.

“Indeed. But there have been…exceptions. Made for specific individuals.”

“You would know. But come, put this out of your mind. I believe tonight is the Kjin’qius.”

“In true honesty? I did not expect such a situation merits it.”

“It is a defense. You know well how the Alphas feel about that.”

“I think I feel it myself. If it will be tonight, than we must redouble our efforts. The fortifications will be flawless.”

“Perhaps you are correct regarding the Alpha tendancies,” Njaito blinked deeply and moved her arms, elegantly, like a dancer. The Amix gesture for goodbye.

******

Calyx donned her full battle armor that evening, the fortifications on her plated exoskeleton now dulling her glimmering body from Enemy eyes. She checked a pair of localized combat weapons that could shoot both projectiles and close range lasers to protect the outpost she would be stationed at. Finally, she arrived at her tungsten and silicone fused helmet. She slipped it through the crook in her arm and followed the main tunnel to the epicenter of her asteroid settlement.

The normally bustling area was packed with all the Amix from the vessel, but it was near silent in the room. The Kjin’qius demanded it. The area was dimly lit with faintly glowing ultraviolet lights, producing an eerie glow to the exposed skin of the Amix. A low bell hum sounded across the room.

At its toll, the company arranged themselves in four concentric circles, around a huge sphere in the center of the room. The Alpha began with an underlying hum, matching the note of the bell toll. Calyx waited warily before taking her note with the other Beta Amix, shifting to harmonize with the Alpha. The Alpha Amix approached the sphere, moving according to rank. Each gave what was demanded of them for this ancient war ceremony.

The Beta’s turn arrived swiftly, Calyx continued her strange hum till she reached the sphere’s opening: “Time be on our side, we are the Immortals.” She murmured.

She took the pyrite fused dagger and sliced off part of the silvery substance of her left arm, letting it fall into the mass of so many others, nameless. She closed her eyes and slowly took her rank, taking up the hum once more. The Gamma and Delta completed their offering and returned to their positions.

Then came the singing. Strange and ethereal as an ocean’s call, yet wild and uncontrolled as an inferno. It began as a peaceful call in the Gamma circle, then the speed began to pick up, pressing the Delta’s to join in high, piercing pitches. The frantic harmonies reached their peak, and every single Amix present donned their helmet and closed the visor. There would be no more speaking, save for militant orders. The singing ceased and the room became dead quiet.

Each of the Amix returned to the sphere, ordered according to rank, and reclaimed a piece of the communal fyusit. They were now one force, each with some life of the others. Ready to defend, and ready to destroy.

Star glistened in the vast, black abyss of space. Bright flickering from distant burning planets illuminated the many ships that surrounded Robert Day. A celestial band of gases and fragment minerals extended itself in an orbit around the Onyx solar system. The display showed itself in a spectacular array of colors through the GCD screen. To the naked eye the scene appeared to be only a desert with stray rocks moving in a continuous orbit.

Rob inhaled the stale oxygen inside the small bubble of his residence. The air seemed a cheap imitation of the clean, crisp air he was born into. He remembered the energizing and natural aura of the lush and diverse planet Perrenilt. He had often visited it to calm his nerves and to rethink his goals and ambitions and to see the Araya's beautiful face. Rob couldn't remember the last time he visited the rich, green planet and frankly, he didn't want to. His last memories of it weren't fond ones, especially with the girl he felt so strongly to. Shaking his head clear, Rob looked at his positioning unit.

"Commander Day, awaiting orders Sir!" one of the Lieutenant's shouted through the telecaster.

"Have division AF1 through 6 scout the perimeters."

"Affirmative. The haul ships are in their lineup!" the device beeped twice and went back to standby.

Rob relaxed into his seat and took a deep breath.

The Enemy ships came more silently than ever, streaking across the black realm with undisguised purpose. The Enemy thinks they have found us Calyx thought with a smirk, They cannot conceive of what awaits. The team operating the Yqinl-A stood in silence, watching their individual communicator screens on the planet's surface. Waiting for their signal.

The smaller Gamma level ships arose from the planet's core first, flaming the sky with brilliant streaks of violet and blue. Six squadrons burst to meet the enemy lines, each in flawless formation and firing with deadly accuracy. Two Enemy ships fell before the retaliations even began. Space became an inferno of blows from either side, lit with explosions that were beautiful, at least to the Amix who watched silently below. The screen flashed to the larger artillery ships, lumbering in from the asteroid belt and launching the short range ballistics. The explosions became visible through the thickly clouded atmospere, flashing like lightning on the dark clouds hanging above.

Suddenly, the screens flashed brilliant white, sending Calyx and the team into full action. The deadly technology was launched in the air one by one, in successions of ten. They were to be launched every half hour. Calyx relaxed once the first round passed through the atomosphere and watched her screen warily, waiting for any sign of misfire. It was to be a long battle, despite all efforts. And losses would be sustained, but somehow Calyx felt surprisingly light as she loaded the next set. It felt like finality, perhaps an end to the enemy. Victory.

Two large spherical ships emerged from the astral dust that had been hiding them. The deadly structures sparkled in the darkness, reflecting any rays of light that hit them. While the male soldiers stalled to look at their enemy, thousands of ballistic missiles showered onto the human vessels. The explosions were silent in the vacuum of space, but the screams of agony from the men who were targeted screamed through the communicators. Their outcries sounded for a matter of seconds before they disconnected.

"Commander Day, it appears that the defensive was aware of our advancements. Five F6-T liners have already been destroyed," Stevens voice sounded through the receiver.

"Initiate the pitchers. Try to counter their heavy fire."

"Rob, we seem to be on the resistance, are you sure it will work?"

"Only one way to find out!" he lunged his Spearhead forward barely dodging a missile as it exploded inches away from him.

The third round of the Yqinl-A weapons were launched as the battle dragged out in the skies. The already foggy atmosphere was now thick with fallout from the engagement above. Through her communicator screen, Calyx watched the Enemy and Amix ships weave frantically around and above littered chunks of glittering metal. As she slid the final device into the launcher, Calyx noted that it was one of the few Action-Crash that were specified by the Alpha.

She relaxed gently with the rest of her team, not able to make eye contact, not permitted to make conversation. She let her arm drape into her hand weapon, a small and deadly gun that focused Gamma rays. Passing her eyes over the screen now embedded in her arm, she released her weapon and switched the screen to follow the Action-Crash device. It passed through the atmosphere and wove delicately through the space junk into the fray of the battle, flawless to its destructive purpose.

Rob peered through his reflective window, surveying his next strategic move. Dodging in and out of the range of incoming attacks, he ordered his men their actions. Launching a set of ballistic missiles into the air, he didn't fail to notice how the shots didn't seem to deter any of the alien's ships. Forcing more missiles into the enemy he became increasingly worried and surprised. Suddenly the Amix craft stirred out of it's frozen stupor and made it's way straight for the commander. Laser ray aimed themselves towards Robert Day as he skilfully dodged them. He became increasingly aware of how his dodging the shots was becoming more slim. "Sergent GR4-19, immediately back me up," he called out to an idle man beside him, a hint of disparity in his voice. When the ship didn't move, he threatened the man, "Sergent, GR4-19, commence an action this instant or your military rights will be repealed."

"Commander Day, it seems that a series of ships have mysteriously gone idle," the gruff voice of a another man sounded through his communicator. It was Commander Niel. "I've noticed that all the ships that fail to abide by orders are the ASC - Apollo's."

"Weren't they the ones that were invulnerable to gamma radiation."

"I believe so."

"Our fucking government," he shouted into the communicator. His rage gave him a boost of adrenaline and an idea played itself in his mine. Rob began overriding the motionless sergent's command system while continuously dodging the vicious attacks of the Amix. Successfully taking control of the man's ASC Apollo ship, he began shooting the alien craft that was chasing him. Aiming all of his firepower at the oversized behemoth as a ship, the finally managed to make it crumble under the pressure of ballistic missiles and high-intensity lasers.

Calyx watched the small pod take a lock on its target, among many others that would soon be oblitherated. The third division of the Yqinl-A weapons worked nearly instantly, overriding the systems, seconds away from destruction. The Amix ships surrounding the craft retreated to the best of their abilities as ten alternate ships imploded into themselves while the artillery Amix watched mercilessly. This species was born for war.

Time come, the Enemy will soon realise that we have turned their own weaponry against them, Calyx thought almost sadly, noting that these losses were not covered by any Amix fire, as the earlier rounds were. The battle was wearing on, and losses were thickening on both sides. No touch of surface fire yet, however, the Enemy still had the air to contend with.

Her brilliantly blue eyes flicked over the statistics screen emotionlessly. So many ships fallen. And nothing left but to wait from the surface and watch their armada do its work. Calyx sometimes yearned for the instant thrill of the Aerospace Sect, the ability to give oneself away to the throes of war. But her studies always held her back, despite being quite capable when she had made the decision to pursue the Science Sect.

A sudden flash on screen distracted her- the Action-Crash device had locked on to its target, an interception craft that moved with lightning accuracy. Calyx focused excitedly as the technology drove towards the destination mainframe. This was her thrill, the anticipation of new research.