CRONOS I—ONE HOUR BEFORE THE BATTLE
The MK.1 landed in a forest at the planet's north pole.
Apophis and his crew disembarked and followed the instructions General Ralfot had given them to find the Federation command bunker.
It was located ten kilometers deep at the planet's pole, an interesting place to put a command center. As the planet was mostly a desert biome, the north and south poles had a relatively temperate climate.
Apophis wore his new Federation colonel's uniform, a sober uniform with a cape bearing the crest of the army of the Federation of United Planets.
Now that he'd been recognized in a position of responsibility, he had to play the game. Especially now, since the recent wave of attacks would cast much doubt on his loyalty. It was best to prove his credentials by wearing the uniform for now.
Eventually, Apophis and his group found the command post, where Marshall Androf and Colonel Zareil—who had to "supervise" him—were waiting for his arrival.
The bunker's entrance was extremely well guarded! Apophis had to pass through a dozen checkpoints with identity, fingerprint, and retinal verifications before he could enter.
The goal was to eliminate any potential spy, of course. This showed that the Federation had been considering a border conflict with the Orc Empire for a long time, since all these operational tools had already been installed before the current situation arose.
Apophis entered the central war room. There were about ten generals on terminals displaying life-sized maps. They were organizing the main axis of defense, while Marshall Androf was establishing the defense strategy on a planetary scale.
Apophis stood in front of Androf and gave him a military salute. The marshall gave him back and said, "Colonel Apophis! We've been expecting you. I hope that your people will keep their promises, because we've mobilized enormous means to transport them to the planet. I regret to say that your men are already acting well out of line! Looting, outrage, massacre. They're even worse than Icarian mercenaries, so try to discipline your troops!"
Apophis answered, "Don't worry, Marshall. I'll quickly take matters into my own hands. Rest assured, my men will fight to the death for the Federation. Nevertheless, I hope you've established an adequate strategy against the Eternals in the enemy camp, for they'll be at least as numerous as our own!"
Androf answered, "I know. I was very surprised by the reports we received on the matter. I hope your troops don't desert, Colonel. I will hold you responsible if they do. But, as we received warning, I obtained a thousand V5 assault mechas capable of facing one Rank-A Ascensionists, or a hundred Rank-B's. I guess that will be enough, especially, according to the Secret Service, your people are mostly of Rank D, with a few Rank C's among them. The enemy Eternals will be perfect cannon fodder for our mechas!"
As the two men discussed this, Colonel Zareil entered the room. His powerful aura terrified everyone, as he was one of the ten strongest Ascensionists of the Federation—a true monster of power!
He interrupted the discussion between Apophis and Androf. Despite the immense difference in rank between colonel and marshall, he completely ignored Androf, seeing the man as a mere gnat.
It was only Apophis whom Zareil addressed. "Colonel. We finally meet again."
Apophis muttered something respectful in reply. He had a hard time understanding Zareil. The man's appearance wasn't human at all. His face was terrifying, deformed, expressing a kind of physical infirmity.
Moreover, Apophis knew absolutely nothing about Zareil, which troubled him. A member of the Secret Service, a former member of the Human Supremacists, and then, suddenly, he was named Apophis's supervisor?
Everything about Zareil seemed designed to blur the truth, to obscure his true position and purpose. The most disturbing element was Zareil's power level.
The man was a Rank A, while Apophis was a Rank B. The difference between these was as vast as between Rank B and Rank E, making the two colonels hardly comparable in power!
Those of Rank A were considered demigods, true machines of mass destruction. Regnier was evidence of this, a single creature capable of turning the tables in a space battle!
Zareil spoke again. "Colonel Apophis! Establish the deployment of your troops with Marshall Androf, then follow me. I have a mission for you!"
This was what Apophis had feared. The Federation wanted to keep him out of their strategic decisions. He was only there as a symbol and figurehead, but, in the end, he would make no decisions.
Apophis was very disappointed. He couldn't allow this to continue. If he was to redeem his image and reclaim his own agency within the Federation, he must, at all costs, get rid of Zareil as soon as possible.
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