The aggressive chatter of bullets and screams of the dying filled the corridors of Station Alpha-1-4. A combined force of six companies of Willows forced their way from the landing platform, determined to secure a foothold from which to control and extract the resources of Zephyra, the CAS war machine required it.
Surrounded and massively outgunned, the Zephyran Commandos fought bravely, taking down Willow after approaching Willow, but their fragile and revealing uniforms, perfect for the jungles of Zephyra, provided no protection from the Willows close range fires.
Chloe had been the first of Zephyran squad Foxy-7 to fall as they tried, in vain, to counterattack, the bullets slammed into her and threw her towards the open floor panel. Karen was next, blasting Chloe’s killer, but suddenly a Willow’s bullets threw Karen against the wall, as she slid down leaving a blood trail, her final sight was her killer spinning to the left as Rose’s bullets shredded her chest.
In a desperate move, Jojo ran towards the corner round which the Willows streamed, she was moving too fast to change course as a Willow dropped to her knees and a salvo of bullets tore into her vulnerable flesh, stitching up her torso and throwing her backwards, landing next to the body of Katarina lying prone in the middle of the corridor.
Turning the corner, as Carina watched the blood flying out of Jojo’s back, heard the crack of a bullet whipping past her and saw her dead squad mates spread before her, she realised that this was a one way charge, as she tried to select a target. Carina and Rose, the last two surviving squad members, knew it was their time to sacrifice themselves for Zephyra, there was no escaping, only selling their own lives dearly.
Surrounded and massively outgunned, the Zephyran Commandos fought bravely, taking down Willow after approaching Willow, but their fragile and revealing uniforms, perfect for the jungles of Zephyra, provided no protection from the Willows close range fires.
Chloe had been the first of Zephyran squad Foxy-7 to fall as they tried, in vain, to counterattack, the bullets slammed into her and threw her towards the open floor panel. Karen was next, blasting Chloe’s killer, but suddenly a Willow’s bullets threw Karen against the wall, as she slid down leaving a blood trail, her final sight was her killer spinning to the left as Rose’s bullets shredded her chest.
In a desperate move, Jojo ran towards the corner round which the Willows streamed, she was moving too fast to change course as a Willow dropped to her knees and a salvo of bullets tore into her vulnerable flesh, stitching up her torso and throwing her backwards, landing next to the body of Katarina lying prone in the middle of the corridor.
Turning the corner, as Carina watched the blood flying out of Jojo’s back, heard the crack of a bullet whipping past her and saw her dead squad mates spread before her, she realised that this was a one way charge, as she tried to select a target. Carina and Rose, the last two surviving squad members, knew it was their time to sacrifice themselves for Zephyra, there was no escaping, only selling their own lives dearly.
Rose stood at the head of the hangar, her voice carrying over the hum of idling dropships and loading vehicles. Her uniform bore the insignia of the CAS, glinting under the hangar’s cold lighting. Before her, over 300 Willows stood in ranks, clad in sleek combat suits, weapons in their left shoulders. They were the sharpest tool in the CASN Spear Of Vengance's arsenal, and they were hers to command.
“You know the mission,” Rose began, her voice sharp as the clank of boots on metal. “Phoenara’s surface is a deathtrap. Hostiles everywhere. The Corsairs will fight to the last, and some of you—” she paused, her steely eyes scanning the rows of soldiers, “—many of you, will not make it back.”
A murmur passed through the ranks but was quickly silenced.
“Remember your training. Remember your comrades. You are Willows. You are the edge of the blade.” She pointed toward the waiting dropships. “Now, go. Strike hard. Strike fast. For the Confederation.”
The hangar doors rumbled open, revealing Phoenara’s blazing sun. Its light cast a golden light on the Willows over Rose’s left shoulder as she stood motionless. As one, the Willows snapped a crisp salute.
“For the Confederation!” they echoed, their voices a unified roar.
“You know the mission,” Rose began, her voice sharp as the clank of boots on metal. “Phoenara’s surface is a deathtrap. Hostiles everywhere. The Corsairs will fight to the last, and some of you—” she paused, her steely eyes scanning the rows of soldiers, “—many of you, will not make it back.”
A murmur passed through the ranks but was quickly silenced.
“Remember your training. Remember your comrades. You are Willows. You are the edge of the blade.” She pointed toward the waiting dropships. “Now, go. Strike hard. Strike fast. For the Confederation.”
The hangar doors rumbled open, revealing Phoenara’s blazing sun. Its light cast a golden light on the Willows over Rose’s left shoulder as she stood motionless. As one, the Willows snapped a crisp salute.
“For the Confederation!” they echoed, their voices a unified roar.
The Willows pressed forward through the dimly lit corridor of the Ceracen command bunker, each step taking them deeper into the enemy’s stronghold. Orders from CFC Rose crackled through their earpieces as they moved cautiously, rifle held tight, eyes scanning the flickering shadows that danced under the strained light of the emergency fixtures.
A sudden burst of gunfire erupted from a doorway to their right as a trio of desperate Ceracen troops emerged. The lead Willow opposite the doorway took a bullet to the chest, falling to the side. The other Willows reacted in an instant, returning fire with precision. The first attacker fell with a bullet through her temple, her body sprawling across the floor like a discarded doll.
Before the remaining troops could engage, they were cut down by rapid and accurate fire from point blank range as the Willows set two more Ceracen troops to the floor, dark crimson spreading across their chests.
The foremost Willows glanced to the left, where the lead Willow lay motionless, her lifeless eyes staring at the floor. One clean shot had found its mark. She clenched her jaw, there was no time for grief.
Kneeling by the nearest column, she scanned the corridor, looking for any other motion. The others moved past her in swift, silent unison, eyes sharp, weapons poised, ready for the final breach. CFC Rose’s voice came over the radio with fierce resolve as she ordered, “Forward.”
A sudden burst of gunfire erupted from a doorway to their right as a trio of desperate Ceracen troops emerged. The lead Willow opposite the doorway took a bullet to the chest, falling to the side. The other Willows reacted in an instant, returning fire with precision. The first attacker fell with a bullet through her temple, her body sprawling across the floor like a discarded doll.
Before the remaining troops could engage, they were cut down by rapid and accurate fire from point blank range as the Willows set two more Ceracen troops to the floor, dark crimson spreading across their chests.
The foremost Willows glanced to the left, where the lead Willow lay motionless, her lifeless eyes staring at the floor. One clean shot had found its mark. She clenched her jaw, there was no time for grief.
Kneeling by the nearest column, she scanned the corridor, looking for any other motion. The others moved past her in swift, silent unison, eyes sharp, weapons poised, ready for the final breach. CFC Rose’s voice came over the radio with fierce resolve as she ordered, “Forward.”
The noise of the AMV-7’s engine was incessant. The detachment of Willows of Rose Company in the back stared at each other while Rose listened to the crew keeping watch as they crawled through the abandoned streets of Iraven in the dawn light.
Suddenly, a deafening explosion rocked the AMV-7, throwing everyone inside against the walls. The vehicle ground to a halt, the crew silent, incapacitated. Smoke filled the air as Rose forced open the side hatch. "Willows, dismount!" she shouted, but as they scrambled out, a hail of bullets met them. A Willow just in front of Rose fell instantly. She caught the falling Willow and started dragging her backwards to shelter behind the AMV-7, bullets zipping overhead.
"Ambush!" she screamed into her comm unit as she opened fire, but only static answered. The enemy fire was relentless, coming from a bombed-out building to their left. "Covering fire!" Rose ordered, but the return fire from her team was weak and disorganized. As they tried to move, more Willows were cut down.
Suddenly, a burst of fire, obviously intended for Rose, riddled the Willow in her arms. Rose felt the Willow jolt with each bullet, any pity for the now-dead Willow tempered by the knowledge that she was alive because the Willow was dead.
Within minutes, it was over. Willows lay scattered, lifeless, around the smoking wreck of the AMV-7. Rose, injured and gasping, could do nothing but watch as the enemy retreated before backup arrived, leaving Rose Company shattered and defeated in the dawn's first light.
Suddenly, a deafening explosion rocked the AMV-7, throwing everyone inside against the walls. The vehicle ground to a halt, the crew silent, incapacitated. Smoke filled the air as Rose forced open the side hatch. "Willows, dismount!" she shouted, but as they scrambled out, a hail of bullets met them. A Willow just in front of Rose fell instantly. She caught the falling Willow and started dragging her backwards to shelter behind the AMV-7, bullets zipping overhead.
"Ambush!" she screamed into her comm unit as she opened fire, but only static answered. The enemy fire was relentless, coming from a bombed-out building to their left. "Covering fire!" Rose ordered, but the return fire from her team was weak and disorganized. As they tried to move, more Willows were cut down.
Suddenly, a burst of fire, obviously intended for Rose, riddled the Willow in her arms. Rose felt the Willow jolt with each bullet, any pity for the now-dead Willow tempered by the knowledge that she was alive because the Willow was dead.
Within minutes, it was over. Willows lay scattered, lifeless, around the smoking wreck of the AMV-7. Rose, injured and gasping, could do nothing but watch as the enemy retreated before backup arrived, leaving Rose Company shattered and defeated in the dawn's first light.
The Phoenaran Corsairs ambushed the cargo transport, Resolute Provider, intending to intercept its vital supplies bound for CAS Willows in nearby systems. But the CASN Spear of Vengeance arrived early, trapping the Corsairs. It's company of Willows were deployed to retake the ship.
"Hold the line!" Laura yelled, her red hair flowing behind her. Her squad, outnumbered, formed a barricade of supply crates. The Willows advanced with precision, grey suits blending into the metallic corridors. Laura's blaster took down several Willows, their fragile bodies crumpling to the floor, but more kept coming.
The firefight was intense. Carina, hit twice in the chest, kept firing as she slumped behind the barricade, blood oozing from two neat bullet wounds. Laura turned her blaster on Carina's killer, blasting her twice, causing her to fall backwards. Beside her, Isra took a bullet between the breasts, throwing her backwards over a crate. Incensed, Laura turned and blasted the Willow, whose chest puffed forwards as she fell, just another Willow casualty amongst dozens. "They're breaking through!" Jojo shouted from the other side, blasting an approaching Willow as another Corsair, Theresa, arched her back as she took a burst of bullets in a line up her torso and fell flat on her back.
Laura screamed, "Hold them!" but the Willows pressed on, their numbers overwhelming. One by one, Laura's girls fell. Jojo, bloodied, whispered, "We can't hold them."
"Then we die fighting," Laura said. "For Phoenara!"
"Hold the line!" Laura yelled, her red hair flowing behind her. Her squad, outnumbered, formed a barricade of supply crates. The Willows advanced with precision, grey suits blending into the metallic corridors. Laura's blaster took down several Willows, their fragile bodies crumpling to the floor, but more kept coming.
The firefight was intense. Carina, hit twice in the chest, kept firing as she slumped behind the barricade, blood oozing from two neat bullet wounds. Laura turned her blaster on Carina's killer, blasting her twice, causing her to fall backwards. Beside her, Isra took a bullet between the breasts, throwing her backwards over a crate. Incensed, Laura turned and blasted the Willow, whose chest puffed forwards as she fell, just another Willow casualty amongst dozens. "They're breaking through!" Jojo shouted from the other side, blasting an approaching Willow as another Corsair, Theresa, arched her back as she took a burst of bullets in a line up her torso and fell flat on her back.
Laura screamed, "Hold them!" but the Willows pressed on, their numbers overwhelming. One by one, Laura's girls fell. Jojo, bloodied, whispered, "We can't hold them."
"Then we die fighting," Laura said. "For Phoenara!"
Following the onset of the War of Brothers and Sisters, and having seemingly quelled a military coup during the Ano-Willow War, the militaristic planet of Ceracen did not hesitate to pledge allegiance to the Ordinance as soon as war broke out. As fighting in the now devastated capital city drew towards a crescendo, CAS Willow forces are engaged with Ceracen government forces amidst the remnants of a deserted marketplace in support of their main effort through the city.
Command's orders were simple, advance down the market street of the old town and establish a new base of fire to support forces advancing on the civic temple. Coalition Field Commander Rose gulped, the old streets of the market, once adorned with stone arches and tented stalls, were now a rubble strewn strip that, whilst apparently lightly defended with only a small Ceracen force, was awash at the far end with places to hide and allowed little tactical room for subtlety or flanking.
Moving out, she led the Willows of Rose Company down the street, the sounds of dozens hundreds of pairs of feet pounding filled the air, the Willows were genetically modified and trained from birth to be calm but, as a natural born, Rose struggled to keep her head in the fight and her fear under control. For a few hundred metres, nothing, then the Willows started taking fire from a small unit of Ceracen soldiers that had erected a sandbag position, one Willow taking a shot to the abdomen and falling forward with a small cry. Immediately, the others returned fire, catching one of the Ceracen's in the upper chest, spinning her round as her black ponytail flew, falling with her back to the Willows, her lung pierced. The weight of fire panicked the other two, one, who had been shouting obscene taunts, leapt to her feet to try spray the Willows, before taking two to the upper abdomen and falling sideways onto the top of the sandbags, the other started to move back, it was only a few steps before she too took a shot to the left of her chest and fell away from the sandbags, reaching out as if to signal waiting support.
"That was too easy..." she thought, as Rose Company reached the fighting position. Suddenly, fire erupted from unseen positions, the Willow in front of Rose taking one to the belly. The sound was a sickening, a dull thud followed by a muffled cry of pain, the Willow uniform that both she and the Willows wore, provided no resistance to the bullet's passage. The dying Willow spun and fell backwards, landing on an abandoned sandbag. Rose and the Willow to her left dropped to their knees, there was little cover beyond this point so getting low was the only option, Rose opened fire on where the shots seemed to be coming from. Instinctively, Rose placed her left hand on the wound of the motionless Willow beside her and attempted to stem the blood flow, Willows were viewed by CAS High Command as expendable, but these were girls she had trained with for months, years in some cases, she cared deeply for them all, clone or not.
As Rose fired, the others continued to move up, a Willow to her right screamed as two shots to the chest sent her flying backwards. The volume of fire intensified, but Rose knew that they had to push on, high casualty mass assaults straight into the guns of the enemy were a Willow Company's bread and butter. This was about to become another one...
Command's orders were simple, advance down the market street of the old town and establish a new base of fire to support forces advancing on the civic temple. Coalition Field Commander Rose gulped, the old streets of the market, once adorned with stone arches and tented stalls, were now a rubble strewn strip that, whilst apparently lightly defended with only a small Ceracen force, was awash at the far end with places to hide and allowed little tactical room for subtlety or flanking.
Moving out, she led the Willows of Rose Company down the street, the sounds of dozens hundreds of pairs of feet pounding filled the air, the Willows were genetically modified and trained from birth to be calm but, as a natural born, Rose struggled to keep her head in the fight and her fear under control. For a few hundred metres, nothing, then the Willows started taking fire from a small unit of Ceracen soldiers that had erected a sandbag position, one Willow taking a shot to the abdomen and falling forward with a small cry. Immediately, the others returned fire, catching one of the Ceracen's in the upper chest, spinning her round as her black ponytail flew, falling with her back to the Willows, her lung pierced. The weight of fire panicked the other two, one, who had been shouting obscene taunts, leapt to her feet to try spray the Willows, before taking two to the upper abdomen and falling sideways onto the top of the sandbags, the other started to move back, it was only a few steps before she too took a shot to the left of her chest and fell away from the sandbags, reaching out as if to signal waiting support.
"That was too easy..." she thought, as Rose Company reached the fighting position. Suddenly, fire erupted from unseen positions, the Willow in front of Rose taking one to the belly. The sound was a sickening, a dull thud followed by a muffled cry of pain, the Willow uniform that both she and the Willows wore, provided no resistance to the bullet's passage. The dying Willow spun and fell backwards, landing on an abandoned sandbag. Rose and the Willow to her left dropped to their knees, there was little cover beyond this point so getting low was the only option, Rose opened fire on where the shots seemed to be coming from. Instinctively, Rose placed her left hand on the wound of the motionless Willow beside her and attempted to stem the blood flow, Willows were viewed by CAS High Command as expendable, but these were girls she had trained with for months, years in some cases, she cared deeply for them all, clone or not.
As Rose fired, the others continued to move up, a Willow to her right screamed as two shots to the chest sent her flying backwards. The volume of fire intensified, but Rose knew that they had to push on, high casualty mass assaults straight into the guns of the enemy were a Willow Company's bread and butter. This was about to become another one...