And with that, the broadcast ended. Silence hung in the room, the tension palpable. What was there to say upon witnessing such a horrific sight? What emotion could we have felt?
Though I couldn’t imagine what the others must have felt, I can say for sure that my heart, at that very moment, was filled with rage.
Mai’wen, with a neutral expression, broke the silence. “Remember this image well, soldiers. Seal this moment into your psyche as we advance towards the enemy. They must not be given mercy nor reprieve. We shall exterminate their civilization.”
“...” Derrick shuddered. I, too, could understand how concerned. How could we, with our meager army and limited technology, defeat such a force?
“Excuse me, General Mai’wen.”
“Speak, Ereth.”
“What exactly is our game plan? It’s not like we have a weapon capable of wiping out an entire planet.”
“You are half-correct. Though we do have weapons capable of such a feat, such weapons are conditional at best and nearly impossible to fully utilize at worst. They also come with exorbitant costs. Our only choice is a ground invasion with us six as the vanguard.”
With the flick of a wrist, the projector changed, displaying various information and tactics.
“We will be using teleportation talismans as our means of transport, along with protection talismans to prevent freezing or oxygen deprivation while in space.”
Talismans, hm? They seem incredibly versatile. I knew her position was high, given her incredibly dense Mang, but to think Adra of the Fourth Seat was this pivotal to our military success. Perhaps this gave me a newfound respect for the woman, whom I thought to be odd, unpredictable, and slovenly beyond measure.
“What will our roles be?” asked Derrick.
“Firstly, we will need to dismantle the barrier. Sahyat and I are best suited for that task, so we will assist the rest of Barrack 12D in disrupting the barrier and enabling a ground invasion. Then, Atreides will dismantle the barrier from the inside and set up teleportation circles. It's one-way, so don’t expect any means of escape during the mission. As for Keresaspa, she will serve as our vanguard, taking on the majority of enemy forces.”
“HAH!” Keresaspa guffawed passionately. “A wise decision, General! I will not fail you on the battlefield.”
“Dully noted, soldier. Now then, as for you, Derrick, you will be partnered with Ereth, your role being the assassination of Apostle Skadhi.”
“U-Understood!” There was a slight difference in his voice, a difference in conviction. He no longer seemed like the weak, sniveling child I once saw him as, but a man trying his best to provide for others.
Still, I found our positions most strange. He and I, facing Apostle Skadhi alone? I wasn’t scared by any means, but this seemed like too little of a fighting force. Do they truly trust in our talents this much? If so, what talent did Derrick have?
I could ask these questions all day, yet I could never come closer to the answer. There was no point. I need only move forward, just as I always have.
———
“Reinforcing magic circuits!”
“Calibrating teleportation coordinates!”
“Primary Unit on Standby.”
“Secondary Unit on Standby.”
“Stability approaching 87%. Ready in T-15 seconds!”
Members of the Magic Association spouted technological jargon beyond my understanding, though I could understand the gist of what they were saying. The raid was about to start, and our plan would go into motion.
At the head of the operation was Adra of the Fourth Seat, dressed in a snow-white lab coat. Her voice boomed with passion and urgency, orders deliberate and clear. She gave off a far more professional energy than when I first met her at the capital. Perhaps I am far too judgmental.
“T-10…9…8…”
The countdown invoked both maddening excitement and joy. My fighting spirit had grown dull in the coming months, only tempered by the occasional Co-Examination. It was…uninvigorating, to say the least. This was not to say that I didn’t appreciate the moments I experienced with my comrades, but a warrior’s path is one of war, and nothing else.
I wanted to slay them, the scum who toyed with life so easily while sitting atop their throne of righteousness. Today, they would be avenged. Today, I would fulfill my sword’s purpose.
“5…4…3…2…1!”
It was as fast as a blink, a flash of light, before we arrived on Urr’s moon. From here, the distance requirement was fulfilled. General Mai’wen and Lieutenant Sahyat could proceed with the ritual.
They drew combat daggers to pierce their own hands, forming alien symbols with their blood. Rather than fall, the coagulated blood stood still mid-air, shimmering with a scarlet glow.
”Om Sahasrakshaya Vidmahe Vajrahastaya Dheemahi Tanno Indrah Prachodayaat”
Sparks of lightning danced atop the rings of blood, vibrating and converging at the center of the magic circle. The overwhelming plasma condensed, lengthened, and sharpened as it took the shape of a three-headed spear.
“ Trishula (त्रिशूल)! ”
Upon uttering the command, the lightning trident soared across the void of space. It took only 4 seconds to make contact with the world barrier.
BAM!
The barrier withstood the blow for but a moment, but the lightning trident made its mark. Its surface was torn, frayed like burning wool, with various patches of the atmosphere completely exposed.
“Go, everyone!” Shouted the Lieutenant.
“Ha!”
As expected, Keresaspa was the first to delve into the fray. With but a single step, she propelled herself across the void of space into the exposed atmosphere of Urr.
“It seems someone is rather eager,” jested Atreides. “I’ll see you all shortly.” He glanced at his watch and sighed with relief, before departing for his mission as well.
I did not have the luxury of time. None of us did. The world barrier had already begun repairing itself.
Extending a helping hand, I screamed, “C’mon, Derrick!”
“R-Right!”
He took my hand, came in close, and allowed me to hold him in my arms. Derrick’s additional weight hardly mattered in this situation. With my speed, I should easily enter the atmosphere in seconds.
“Will you be able to handle the heat and air resistance?”
“I’m not that fragile, you know? I can handle it if I focus on my Mang Fortification.”
“Okay; hold on tight!”
Summoning every ounce of strength from my body, I leapt off the face of the moon, following my compatriots into battle.