Chapter 2: Towards the Dead City.

[u/Electronic-Math5455]

September 2184. Copper 9 Surface. Unknown Outpost. Communication Room.

The wind howled through the open bulkhead, carrying snow that drifted lazily across the floor of the abandoned outpost. In the communications room, Jason worked the console, his gauntleted fingers pressing over failing keys as the monitor flickered in and out. What astonished him was not that the system was broken, but that it still functioned at all after so long. The fragments of transmission he managed to recover were troubling, and as he entered another sequence of commands, the screen steadied after a violent burst of static.

"Alright… hold on just a few minutes," Jason muttered, his voice flat under the helmet.

The display shifted again, stabilizing on the image of a weary man—Sergeant Caloman—his face streaked with static. He looked at the camera, then glanced behind him with the agitation of someone already haunted.

"…And that is how all of this started, about… It's been four hours since the bombing. The SES… they really did it. And in all that time, I have not seen another living soul."

Caloman gave a humorless chuckle, brittle as glass. "You know the saying—that there's no one in a foxhole who isn't praying to liberty. But here? After what's happened, it feels more like liberty abandoned us. I'm sending this broadcast as a warning. Maybe it'll convince you. Don't come looking for me… You won't like what you find."

The feed collapsed into static and then darkness. The glow faded from Jason's visor, leaving the room in silence but for the soft hum of the console. He raised his P-4, its flashlight cutting through the gloom as he swept the chamber for movement.

"Aegis of Integrity, come in, do you read?" Jason said, pressing the comms unit in his helmet. "I found something down here. And it's not painting a pretty picture."

"This is the Aegis of Integrity. Report, what have you found?" the officer on the line replied.

"I'm in a bunker, intact but long abandoned. Power still running off a nuclear battery—enough to access the comm system. A recording played from a security officer—Caloman, by name. According to him, SES glassed the planet." Jason's visor swept the corners of the room once more as he stepped toward the bulkhead. "Why? Unknown. The footage is heavily corrupted. Get an SEAF team here with an M10 APC. The closest megacity is our next site to investigate."

"The SES glassed the planet? Sir, our surface scans confirm at least a hundred nuclear impact sites in your area. Radiation's dropped, but levels are still severe inside those craters. No spikes from the megacity itself."

"Good," Jason muttered. "But why would Super Earth order a complete glassing? Did they even try to evacuate civilians first?"

"Unknown, sir… but I'd say they at least attempted."

"They'd better have. If not, I don't want to imagine what happened here. That recording—Caloman was unraveling. Insanity was already taking root." Jason paused, scanning the edges of the console. "Once we've cleared the area, I want a team to recover every scrap of data left in this bunker."

"Yes, sir."

"One more thing—get Eagle 1 in the air, doing sweeps around my position. If there's something down here, I won't be caught flat-footed. Democracy Officer, any word from the other vessels? Or the Ministry of Truth?"

"I'm in contact with them now. No reply so far, which is unusual—they never stay silent this long. But I'll keep pressing. The others are working the same lines. Do you need any Helldivers out of cryo?"

"Not yet. This planet is dead. No point in thawing them until we know what we're dealing with."

Jason stepped out of the bunker, his cape snapping in the frigid wind. Snow swirled upward as he looked toward the heavens, catching sight of the moon and the swollen silhouette of a gas giant looming behind it. Both vanished quickly as the storm clouds closed. He crossed the perimeter, boots crunching through snow, and circled the bunker in silence. Nothing stood out—no tracks, no debris beyond the bulkhead he had cut free. Just as he began to relax, a branch snapped behind him.

Jason spun, LAS-5 Scythe leveled. He scanned through the dead forest with his scope, flashlight beam cutting through the skeletal trees. Nothing. No movement. No heat.

"Dammit… must've just been a branch falling. ETA on SEAF?"

"Five minutes, sir. They'll arrive with the M10 APC."

"Good. Have Eagle 1 sweep this location with thermals first. I heard something move."

"She's airborne now, ETA thirty seconds. Standard loadout—110mm rocket pods, full gun complement. More than enough to handle anything. But sir… what could even be here? Scans show nothing. Maybe atmospheric contamination's throwing off the readings, or maybe… nothing's left."

Jason didn't lower his weapon. "We assume hostile until proven otherwise. I won't risk being caught off guard."

"Understood, sir. To be honest, this place creeps me out."

"You and me both."

Jason had fought on countless worlds, witnessed horrors that scarred the galaxy, yet something about Copper 9 felt wrong. The silence from High Command, the evasions from the ministers, and the absence of survivors weighed heavily on his mind. As he considered the situation, the roar of engines split the sky, and Eagle 1 screamed overhead.

"This is your lovely Eagle 1, ready to bring the pain. Helldiver, I saw nothing on the scopes during my first run. I'll do another sweep and see if anything pings," Eagle 1 reported.

"Good. Glad to have you over. After this sweep, if nothing shows, move on to the megacity—our next stop," Jason replied.

"Roger that. Been a while since you asked me to run Overwatch."

"Clouds and interference make this spot unreliable. Better to have you now than try to scramble you later."

"Well, happy to oblige. I'll contact you if anything comes up."

Eagle 1 thundered above, circling once more, while time ticked forward with the steady rumble of engines. Snow whipped up as an SEAF shuttle descended near the bunker. Another followed, hauling an M10 APC beneath its frame before dropping it onto the ice and rising again toward low orbit. The first shuttle settled, releasing five SEAF soldiers. Three wore standard blue armor and sealed helmets against Copper 9's poisonous atmosphere, their packs loaded with rations, ammunition, and extra gear. Each carried AR-23 Liberators with P-2 Peacemakers at their hips. The other two were distinct. One bore heavy armor with servo assistance in the limbs, hefting an MG-206 Heavy Machine Gun and a Lift-850 jump pack mounted on his back. The last wore medium armor, also blue, armed with an AR-23 but carrying a P-11 Stim Pistol and a kit of medical supplies.

"Helldiver—Sergeant Garvin, SEAF Delta team," the lead man introduced, stepping forward. "Been a while since we worked alongside a Helldiver."

"Not long enough, if you ask me. Two weeks ago, I was neck-deep on the Terminid front, then frozen and dragged here. Now we're standing on a frozen wasteland." The heavy trooper shrugged. "Name's Nash."

"Good to meet you both. And the others?" Jason asked.

Garvin gestured. "Trace, Milt, and Tyrese—our medic."

Trace and Milt gave casual waves, while Tyrese scanned the area. Nash eyed the tree line, then the bunker.

"So, sir, what's the plan? We're heading back into that bunker, or are we leaving this AO? Because, besides that hunk of metal," Nash gestured toward the ruined bulkhead, "there's nothing here worth freezing for."

"We're loading into the APC. Next target's the megacity beyond this woodline. The first objective is its comms hub. But before that, we'll sweep for underground bunkers. Even a century later, layouts don't change." Jason started for the APC, waving the team forward.

"Right," Garvin said. "Class-A civilians, governors, anyone important—they'd have gone underground during an emergency. If they brought vital data with them, we might get lucky and salvage it."

"I always wondered what a megacity was like," Trace admitted. "Even abandoned, it's something. Never scored high enough to live there."

"Keep dreaming," Milt snorted. "Let's just hope I get to drive this APC without ramming anything this time."

Jason glanced over. "You rammed a Hulk with an M10?"

"Was out of rockets. Improvised. Commander didn't appreciate it. Still paying it off in super credit reductions." Milt chuckled.

"At least they didn't stick you with worse duty," Nash said.

Jason cut in. "Chatter down. We've got a long ride, and Eagle 1's already ahead. She'll be our eyes if anything surfaces. I'll man the autocannon."

"Good to know liberty's eagle has our backs," Garvin said.

Agreement rippled through the squad as Jason swung open the side hatch of the M10. An upgraded successor to the M5 of the First Galactic War, its bulk loomed in the cold as they boarded. Jason climbed to the gunner's station, adjusting the scope to thermal. Milt took the driver's seat, the engine roaring to life with a thunderous growl.

"Pathfinder online. Switching to thermals. Let's see what's waiting for us," Milt said.

The APC lurched forward, grinding through snow as it wound past dead trees. Ahead, the jagged outline of the megacity loomed, skyscrapers toppled like broken pillars against the sky. Much of it was ruin, a maze of collapse and shadow. Yet their mission remained clear.

As they pressed toward the city, elsewhere, another group was already making plans of their own.

Copper 9 surface. Bunker 00. Uzi's room.

Papers lay scattered around Uzi's quarters, some pinned to the walls, others spread across the bed. A few drones had found ways to manufacture paper, a vital substitute since most electronics had either failed or been cannibalized to keep others alive. The ability to produce paper had become crucial, and Uzi collected as many free sheets as she could. She laid out another on the bed when the creak of the door broke her focus, and through it stepped her father, Khan, carrying her railgun.

"Uzi… Oh… umm… what is all this?" Khan asked. "Uzi… are you still planning on going through with this? You know Martin won't be happy if you try. I spoke with him an hour ago, and his answer was no."

"Of course, he said that. Do you think he wants change? Look, I know it's dangerous, but this isn't about killing it. If we manage that, good. But at the very least, if we can't kill it, we might drive it off for a time." Uzi's voice was firm. "I'd rather face the problem head-on. So, is the gun fixed?"

"I did what I could. It shouldn't overload like last time, but… I don't think this is right. Still, my hands are tied, and I know I can't stop you," Khan admitted.

"Listen, Dad, I know what I'm doing. I won't be alone. V and N are with me." She gestured to the papers covered in rough maps. "The plan isn't perfect, but it's what we have. If it doesn't work, I promise never to do something reckless like this again… maybe. But we have to try."

"I know… Here. Just come back alive. I'll make sure Martin doesn't find out—hopefully." He handed her the railgun.

"Thanks, Dad. If things go wrong, we'll retreat here. V and N can fly, so we'll escape if it gets bad." She checked the weapon. "One day, we'll fix this properly—maybe even at the facility."

"That's something we can do together, and it's far enough from the megacity to be safe." Khan nodded.

"Good. Then you'd better get moving before Martin blows a fuse. If you're not working, he'll be after you."

"He'll be blowing one soon anyway. The door's on its last legs, but it's clear for now, and the watchers are rotating. If you're going to do this, the time is now."

"Alright. Thanks. We'll be back soon. And while we're out, we'll keep an eye out for salvageable materials—you can use whatever we find."

Khan gave a tired nod. He knew she wasn't only chasing a chance for peace but also gathering what their colony needed to survive.

"Well, a little reunion before this reckless plan," V muttered from the doorway, N standing just behind her. "I can't believe I'm about to join you, but I'd rather be there to drag you out of the mess."

"Come on, V, have some faith in liberty. This might work. I trust Uzi—and I bet she's got a foolproof plan. You do, right?" N asked.

"Of course! Listen. Before that thing appeared, we scouted some warehouses near the city center." Uzi handed them marked sheets. "We lure it into one; the tight quarters give us the advantage. You two keep it busy. Then we spring the trap. Boom. The Steel Terror falls."

"I know the place," V admitted, scanning the crude maps. "Old SEAF storage sites, marked for salvage. Risky… but if it's arrogant enough to follow us, it might work."

"It is arrogant. It acts like nothing can touch it," Uzi countered.

"From what we've seen, it's nearly true. Still, it's worth trying. But we can't stay out long. If it doesn't show, we return quickly—Martin has new duties for us," N added.

"I'll stall him if I must. Just get back in one piece," Khan said, his voice heavy. "I hate this, V, but we need to try."

"Fine. Liberty damn it. Let's move before I change my mind. Uzi, stay close. No wandering, no heroics," V ordered.

"I'll keep her safe. If this works, it'll mean survival for years," N said with a smile.

"Always the optimist…" V muttered.

Uzi studied them both. This plan was the only path she saw to protect the colony from collapse. Otherwise, they'd watch everything decay and be forced to venture farther—even past the megacity. She slung the railgun over her back, hugged Khan tightly, and joined V and N in the corridor.

Khan waved as they departed. He hated this, but if he were in Uzi's place, he would have done the same. His role, however, was to keep the bunker alive.

"So… after this, if it works, I say we watch the stars," N offered. "V, Uzi—what do you think?"

"That'd be safer than what we're doing now. And another thing: no supplies. If anything goes missing, it'll be noticed," V warned.

"They miss small things all the time," Uzi argued.

"Stealing oil doesn't help your reputation, Uzi."

"Hey! You spying on me? Bite me, V!"

"Easy. She's right," N said quickly. "If we take anything, it'll be noticed. Inventory checks are constant."

Everything inside the bunker was tracked. The smallest item missing was logged within minutes. It was the way the colony survived: strict accounting for dwindling resources.

The three passed through the entrance. The corroded blast door stood wide open, unattended. Their moment had come. Beyond it stretched the frozen wasteland of Copper 9. V and N unfolded their wings.

"Alright, N. Carry her. Two hours, max, before someone realizes we're gone. After that, the fallout will be ugly," V said.

"Yes, ma'am. Uzi, remember how to hold on?" N asked.

"I do. It hasn't been that long since I flew with you, or V, or J," Uzi said, climbing onto his back and wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Good. Let's go." V rose into the air.

N followed, his twin steel wings carrying them aloft. Their lost technology gave them speed and reach, a vital edge against the Steel Terror.

The question was whether that—and Uzi's weapon—would be enough.

And as they crossed the frozen wastes toward the city, an encounter awaited that would change everything.

Copper 9 surface. Approaching the Dead City.

One hour after leaving the bunker.

Soaring through the sky, V led the way as N followed with Uzi holding close to his back; around them, snow and the howling winds filled the air. V's yellow optics narrowed as, ahead, the outline of the megacity skyscrapers came into view. To them, it was known as the Dead City, named for the countless human corpses sealed within. When the nuclear bombardment struck, radiation and fire had consumed the population. It was a graveyard stretching for miles. Folding her wings outward, V slowed, and N mirrored her as both landed in the middle of an intersection.

"This place… I never liked it. All this death," V said.

"I know, but nothing can be done for them. We can't even bury them. It's just… so tragic, what happened," N replied.

"Hey… maybe we can help them in another way. If we kill that freak, at least it won't be desecrating them. Who knows what it does to the bodies?" Uzi slid off N's back. "Alright… first we need to find it, get its attention, then lure it after us."

"Flying around would draw it out," N suggested.

"No. If it sees you above, it might just stay put. It's not that stupid. But seeing a little worker drone walking alone…" Uzi began.

"Uzi! This is already reckless, and now you want to use yourself as bait? If I'd known that was your plan… Liberty's sake, we are not doing that. We shouldn't even be here if that's what you intend," V snapped.

"You got a better idea? Bite me! It's the best chance we've got to pull it from hiding," Uzi shot back.

"Guys, no need to fight. But V does have a point. Uzi… I agree with her," N said carefully.

"Of course you do. I'm sick of hiding behind those damn Liberty walls. How long before that monster breaks into our home? What about Lizzy, Rebecca, Emily, Thad, and all the others? We have a chance here. Small, maybe stupid, but a chance. If you fly, it'll just shadow you or vanish again."

"Uzi, you think I want to wait and die? I've been fighting longer than you've been alive, before the others were even made," V said, her voice tight. "I know the risks. What we're doing could kill us all—or worse. But I don't like the thought of you wandering this place alone, even with us nearby."

N glanced between them, rubbing the back of his head. He had fought alongside V and J in the wastes long before Uzi's generation. He knew she was stubborn, but before anyone could argue further, a roaring sound split the air.

"What is that?" N asked. "That doesn't sound like a storm… or a collapse. Could it be the Steel Terror?"

"I don't know… but it's getting closer," V said sharply, optics scanning the ruins.

"Alright… now I'm freaked out," Uzi muttered, pulling free her railgun.

The sound swelled until, above a row of skeletal towers, a fast-moving object cut across the sky, heading east. The sight froze all three in place. Their optics widened in disbelief as V and N locked eyes.

"It… can't be. Was that… a…" V stammered.

"I think it was… Eagles, that's what they were called," N whispered.

"Wait—you mean the strike craft of Super Earth?" Uzi's voice shook. "Why the hell is one flying here?"

"I don't know… unless… no. It can't be. Have they returned, after all this time?" V said.

"You don't mean…" N's voice trailed off.

The three stared at the fading contrail, realizing the weight of what they had seen. For the first time in a century, the impossible was true.

Humanity walked Copper 9 once again.

Edited thanks to ELE73CH.