Great Intergalactic Warfare | The Rise

Chapter VI | Blood on the Horizon

Six months, six long bloody months, that's how long it had taken to eliminate the Terminid threat. In this time, Vale and Vacuo had been reinforced by a new wave of the Panzer III and Panzer II tanks, as well as the III's respective support variants. Although outclassed by the Scorpion tanks, they still were modern enough to last in a battle with the Hellenic forces, never mind the inferior fighting forces that were the grimm. The cities walls were now reinforced by automated anti-air and anti-vehicle guns, as well as new garrisons from the initial base, which is now based by Echo Company. Recruits began trickling into the Alexandric Empire's reserves, which would be given a set of standard Marine gear and trained by Charlie company before being shipped off to garrison Vacuo or Vale. Roman and Neopolitan had been let loose in Mistral and Atlas with no repercussions from the Empire as tensions between it and Atlas grew hotter and hotter. Reports of Atlas amassing an army outside of Vale alarmed Alex, who diverted all construction of vehicles and weapons to speed up the defensive structures on the ground of Vale and Vacuo. A pair of MAC systems were installed in the two cities with the intentions of providing ground to space support as well as double as a show of force. On top of that, several SAM buildings were installed all around the cities, with a decently powerful garrison consisting of two to three squads and a Panzer II. Alex himself, had set up in a military office building from Vale and turned it into the Joint Alexandric-Remnant Operations Command Center, or JAROCC.

Alex sighed, leaning back in his chair and Roman smiled at him with Neopolitan standing in the corner of Alex's office.

"Lads, I can't have you doing this when things are this hot. The world is already under the impression that I can't be trusted, and when you're going after civil targets, you are making things worse." He softly explained. Roman chuckled,

"Alright, alright, we'll go after military targets." Roman answered.

"No, you're not." Alex firmly stated. Roman's smile faded into a expression of confusion,

"What?" He spoke, stunned by the statement, "What do you mean no?" He asked.

"I mean you're not hitting anything or anyone. War is on the horizon, I can feel it... I cannot risk letting you get captured." Alex stated. Neopolitan tilted her head with a smirk on her face, Roman squinted at Alex,

"Kid, we have a deal." Roman said.

"And deals change." Alex argued, "With Atlas amassing an army I have no guarantee that Vale or Vacuo are safe, and with the risk of you two getting caught, that is a factor I will not allow myself to deal with." Alex stated.

"Then don't let us get caught, what's it to you?" Roman asked.

"You helped me, I'm not going to let our enemies hunt you down to nothing." Alex stated.

"Your empire is eight months old, what use do you have from us?" Roman argued. Alex shot up from his seat, slamming his palms into his desk,

"I have no use for you!" He shouted, "I give a shit about you asshole!" Roman froze, confused while Neo softly smiled in the background,

"I don't need a use for someone to care about them! I don't know what kind of shitty upbringing you may have had, but I'm here to help! As your ruler, I will not let my people waste away their lives in the name of whatever it is you're trying to achieve." Alex explained. Roman smiled,

"Alright kid. What do you want us to do then?" Roman asked. Alex sat down,

"You're going to stay here in Atlas and get ready for the impending invasion." Alex stated. Roman arched a eyebrow,

"You're going to let them attack?" He asked.

"Relations with the people are unsteady at the moment, I will not instigate a war." Alex stated. Roman sighed,