Ch 5 The First Strike of the Last Light
The winds howled across the frozen wastelands of the South Pole, but beneath the blizzard, Sanctum Polaris pulsed like a beating heart. Its energy shields shimmered faintly, hiding the massive armored transports and Titan drop pods ready to deploy.
Astraea Zenith stood at the observation deck, her golden eyes scanning the jagged ice horizon. Every movement, every shadow, every anomalous energy signature registered instantly in her mind, processed through her internal system.
> SYSTEM STATUS:
HOST: ASTRAEA ZENITH
TACTICAL INTERFACE: ONLINE
WEAPON INTEGRATION: 99.9%
UNIT COORDINATION: 100%
MISSION: RECON AND FIRST STRIKE
Her lips curved into a subtle, calculated smile. The first step toward reclaiming Earth begins now.
---
Deployment
"Captain Raelyn Voren," Astraea said, her voice calm but commanding, "take Alpha Team and sweep the northern Rapture perimeter. Titan support is on standby. Reapers will maintain stealth overwatch. Engage only if necessary."
Raelyn nodded, her kinetic blade secured. "Understood, Supreme Commander. Alpha Team ready."
Spartans moved like shadows, their enhanced speed and strength making them seem almost supernatural. Titan Pilots synchronized with their drop pods, preparing for orbital deployment in the harsh polar environment. The Reapers melted into the white haze, silent and deadly, scanning for any Rapture signals.
Astraea's system interface displayed enemy positions in red, civilian and allied units in green, and potential ARK Nikke signals in blue. Her mind processed tactics faster than any human could comprehend, running simulations for every possible scenario.
> SYSTEM ALERT:
Enemy Type: Rapture Scouting Party – Heavy Units Detected
Threat Level: HIGH
Suggested Action: Neutralize with minimal exposure
---
First Engagement
Alpha Team advanced into the icy wasteland. Snow whipped across their armor, but Astraea Zenith hovered above the ground, her presence commanding the battlefield.
She raised a hand, and nanomaterials surged from her body, forming a luminous shield that rippled outward. The approaching Rapture units faltered, sensing the divine-level energy emanating from her.
With a swift motion, Astraea launched herself forward. Her god-class abilities allowed her to move faster than the eye could follow. A single strike from her reinforced gauntlets sent a Rapture heavy-unit flying into the frozen plains.
"Focus fire!" she commanded, her system guiding the Spartans and Titans in perfect synchronization. Energy blasts, kinetic strikes, and augmented melee attacks formed a deadly ballet of precision and power.
The Reapers struck from the shadows, eliminating scouts and suppressing any attempts at counter-infiltration. Within minutes, the Rapture scouting party was annihilated.
Raelyn approached, breathing hard but smiling. "I've never seen anything like that… Commander. They didn't even have a chance."
Astraea's eyes softened, just slightly. "They were never meant to."
---
Recon and Assessment
After the engagement, Astraea surveyed the battlefield. Her system highlighted every fallen Rapture, potential civilian presence, and environmental hazard.
> SYSTEM UPDATE:
Mission Objective: RECON SUCCESSFUL
Enemy Casualties: 100% Neutralized
Friendly Units: No Casualties
Environmental Analysis: Rapture movement patterns detected for next 72 hours
She turned to Raelyn and the team. "Prepare a forward observation post. I want continuous intel on their movements. We'll strike again when the time is right."
---
First Bonds Form
As the Spartans and Titans set up the observation post, Raelyn approached Astraea. "Commander… may I speak freely?"
Astraea nodded. "Always."
Raelyn's amber eyes met hers. "You're… incredible. Not just for what you can do, but for how you lead. Even in the first battle, you inspire. I've fought in wars where legends died before they could even touch the enemy… but you… you're something else."
Astraea's golden eyes flickered with a warmth reserved only for those closest to her. "Thank you, Raelyn. Your loyalty and skill are invaluable. Together, we will reclaim this world."
A subtle bond formed in that moment—a link of trust, respect, and the beginnings of something deeper, though neither spoke it aloud.
---
ARK Nikke Detection
Meanwhile, far from the South Pole, the Goddess of Victory ARK units reacted. A pulse of energy, alien and radiant, rippled across the Nikke network.
Modernia tilted her head, wings shimmering. "A new force has awakened…"
Alice blinked, curiosity mixed with caution.
Harran paused mid-operation, sensors detecting the overwhelming aura of Astraea Zenith.
Rapi narrowed her eyes. "The last light… it has risen."
Some Nikke would eventually align with Astraea; others would challenge her. But her presence alone had already begun to ripple across their world.