CHAPTER 4

Three more mechanized drillers bore its way to the ground reaching the long dark tunnel that leads to Japan's Iruki Defense Center. The drillers converge, long steel connections connect to one another. The drillers began transforming into a large sphere. Three different levels of energy shields envelopes the sphere. The sphere churns, then sparks of energy emanates from the exterior as it began to roll towards the target faster and faster.

Inside the shielded base, the Japanese are shocked to discover the sphere is generating massive amounts of energy as it rolls faster towards them. The mini-cannons were refocused and fired! However to their surprise, the lethal energy that came from the mini-cannons are absorbed by the sphere.

"The weapon is absorbing the energy from our cannons!" says the one manning the control panel.

"That's not all. According to my readings, the weapon is 10 times stronger than it was before." says another.

Defense Manager Sako hurried to the main control panel. "We're switching to non-energy based weapons."

Outside, several chain guns appeared and fired explosive bullets. The sphere rolls through the barrage seemingly unaffected. Explosive charges bounced off the energy shields hitting concrete and exploding on impact. However, when the sphere reaches the large metallic door that protects the center, it stops.

Defense Manager Sako stared at the monitor. The sphere is just sitting there, its shield deflecting explosive charges with ease. Sako clicked on a button and the barrage stops.

"What... is it doing now?" Sako thinks.


"Okay! That's it. We're returning to point Alpha." the team leader of the Philippine X24 jet declared. The jets have been stretched far beyond their territories to pick up data streams that may shed light on what happened to communications. The engines roared as it picks up speed. Mach 1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.2, 2.5... The jets screamed in the air at 32,000 feet with wings pulled in to avoid V-Max. Suddenly, the inboard computer picks up something from behind.

"Bogey at 6 o'clock!" the team leader said alerting his teammates. Behind them a couple of UCAT AF300A Stratojets fired missiles that are designed to fly close to hypersonic speeds.

"Evasive action everybody!" says the team leader. "And prepare for combat!"

The X24s circled back, the engines roaring and the airframe is fighting the wind pressure. The inboard computer automatically tracks where the missiles are going. Plasma repeaters are automatically chosen by the computer.

The team leader shouts. "Fire!"

Balls of plasma energy shoots out from the X24 jets at the speed of light. The missiles were hit and destroyed. From a distance AF300A jets are hovering and watching the action.

"They destroyed our missiles like it was tin foil." says the lead pilot. "Fortunately, we have a similar weapon of our own."

The AF300A surged from zero speed to Mach 1 in 5 seconds. Its inboard computer has selected the Particle Chain Gun as the primary weapon.

BAMBAMBAMBAMBAM!!! Particle energy shoots out of the AF300A hitting the X24s at the speed of light. Deflector shields deflected the energy but created some sort of a backlash that rattled the pilots inside.

"Away! Away!" shouts the team leader. The X24s scrambles away to regroup. The AF300A jets surges forward catching up with the X24s and firing balls of particle energy.

KABLAMMM!!! Deflector shields are holding at 50% already. "Return fire! Return fire!" the team leader screamed! Plasma repeaters are activated and fired hitting the AF300A jets.

BADABADABADABOOMMM!!! It is now the UCAT's turn to scramble. Their own deflector shields are almost compromised. They fight a close fight. Both sides, hesitant to use a larger weapon for fear of hitting one of their own. The fight raged on for five minutes. The team leader of the X24 realized the enemy's plan is not to destroy them but prevent them from broadcasting the data streams they recorded.

"One of us must be able to reach the mainland." says the team leader while dodging particle beams aimed at him by the enemy. "Who has the most recorded data streams?"

"That would be me sir!" says Berrona, the third pilot. "I'm able to record 300 Terrabytes of data stream from multiple sources."

"How is your condition?" asks the team leader.

"My jet is 80% functional!" says Berrona. "But I can still fly at hypersonic speeds."

"Okay!" the team leader says. "The UCAT jets have a faster speed burst than us but I doubt they can sustain it for very long. We will cover you as long as we can but you will have to max your speed to reach point Alpha. I'm going to transmit the plan. Activate multi-encryption encoding to make sure the enemy can't read our messages."

"But sir, that would take a little longer for the computer to enact the plan!" says the other pilot.

"Either that or we kiss the data streams goodbye!" says the team leader.


BACK in Philippine territory, more Philippine warships have arrived outnumbering the UCAT warships. At the same time, three UCAT warships have already been destroyed, prompting Captain Moore of the USS Silver to declare the intention to retreat.

"All captains! This is Moore speaking. Retreat! Retreat to international waters!"

"The admiral is not going to like this captain." says his exo.

Moore's face is red with anger. But his heart is thumping wildly inside him. His Exo is right. But it is not the admiral's wrath that he is afraid of.

"They are retreating!" shouts the serviceman manning communications from the PWS-Santiago.
"Are we going to follow them?" asks the exo.

"You bet we will." says the captain. "The order is to destroy the invaders and that is what we will do."

X31 Fighters swooped from the sky and fired projectiles damaging the warships. Torpedoes were launched by Philippine warships further damaging the retreating ships.

"Damn it!" Moore screamed. "They are really intent on destroying us!"

The other fighters have joined the X31 jets in their assault. The UCAT warships are already aflame. Four warships are already dead on the water. Smoke fills the air and the water fills with debris from the sinking ships. Captain Saturno from the PWS-Macapagal looks on with a dark brow.

"They shall pay dearly for polluting our waters."


BACK in the air, the AF300A jets fires repeatedly at the X24s. The X24s respond in kind shattering an AF300A's deflector shields and damaging the jet severely. However, the UCAT jets still outnumber the X24s. The team leader decides to execute the plan now.

"I received confirmation that my plan has been received by your inboard computers." says the team leader. "We are about to execute the plan. On my mark... NOW!"

Thrusters engaged! Three X24s broke free with Berrano's jet leading the way. The UCAT pilots were surprised and tried to follow, but the remaining X24s launched missiles damaging the jets before they can get far. However four AF300A jets were still able to follow and is now gaining on Berrano and company.

"Mach 2.0, Mach 3.0, Mach 4.0, Mach 4.5..." Berrano is reading the status display from the monitor. His jet is pulling away faster than the two as planned. The four AF300A who managed to follow are gaining fast. The jets are reaching speeds of Mach 4. At this speed, the missiles are no longer the preferred weapon since by the time the missiles are launched, the jets would've been farther away and it will take some time for the missiles to follow.

The X24s released shock pods that crackles with strong electrical current as soon as it leaves the tail opening of the X24s. The pods cling to the nose of the UCAT Jets and released a tremendous amount of electricity that confused the jets inboard computer just in time for the X24s to unload three balls of plasma energy that goes through the shields of the AF300A Jets destroying it in the process. The two pilots shout for joy, but they shouted too soon. Two hypersonic missiles came from behind so fast that the X24's computer failed to spot it in time. The X24s exploded in flames.

"Shit." Berrano said when his computer picked up the explosions. "Now I'm all alone."

From a distance, two AF300A Jets zoomed by at supersonic speeds. The lead pilot punched the comm button to report progress. "Beta Nine Zero, this is Flashback reporting. A bogey is still on the way. Repeat, a bogey is still on the way." From hundreds of miles away, a UCAT warship received the message. At once, three AF220 fighters were launched to intercept Berrano's X24.

"Acquiring connection." Berrano says as the computer tries to find out if it can transmit the data. However, the computer returned the message CONNECTION FAILED.

"Damn!" Berrano said. He is still far away. He hoped that the communication bridge the X22s have broadcasted has extended far enough for him to transmit the data and call for help. He knows the UCAT will try to intercept him and he doesn't know if the jet can still fly faster than Mach 6. The AF220 fighters have a maximum speed of Mach 8. With the jet's weakened condition, the AF220 jets are sure to catch up with him.

"Only one chance!" Berrano said to himself. He began punching keys in the mini-keyboard. The monitor displayed a simulation of the memory bank being attached to the missile shaped emergency pod. The computer detached the explosive compartment and put the memory bank securely inside it. The engine was also detached and a long range one was attached for maximum distance and speed. From a distance, Berrano saw the three AF220 fighters gaining up speed to intercept him. The computer monitor displayed the words EXECUTE. Berrano has a finger over the execute button. He tried to acquire a connection for the last time. The AF220 fighters launched their missiles.

CONNECTION FAILED.

"Farewell my country." Berrano whispered then maneuvered the jet to the right. The missiles have already targeted him and with the jet's belly clearly visible to the missiles optic scanner now, the missiles stamped a definitive lock on Berrano.

Suddenly, something launched from the nose of the X24 jet. The UCAT missiles detected it but it is already too late. The missiles hit the jet creating a large balls of flame. The UCAT pilots maneuvered their jets to follow the emergency pod. However, the emergency pod has already gained speed and with less load is moving a lot faster than the AF220 jets. As soon as the pod reached Mach 8.5, the AF220 jets gave up.

"Spearmetal to Beta Nine Zero. A bogey is still away." reports the pilot.


MEANWHILE IN LONDON. Fleet Commander Trudd is walking the carpeted hallways of the office of the President. His steps are heavy and his face has that 'Don't mess with me' look. Trudd is definitely not happy. He thinks coming here is a waste of time. For Trudd, this place reeks of bad politics and men of times gone who have lost their flair for adventure. Definitely not the place he wants to be.

The man who summoned him is Hugh Barter, a man in his sixties a former economist and were once President of six multi-national corporations. Barter and Trudd are no strangers to each other. In fact, they met years ago and Hugh came to know Trudd very well. Maybe too well that Hugh is also not happy that he summoned Trudd all the way here to update him on the progress of the war and clear some issues that is troubling him. After all, Barter is currently the President of the WORLD NATIONS LEAGUE.

"Mr. President, Fleet commander Trudd is here." says the secretary.

"Good," says Barter. "Send him in."

Trudd walked in the room as if he is on fire. When he reached Barter's desk he threw his jacket aside and talked insolently at the President.

"I hope you have a good reason for this meeting Mr. President because if you haven't noticed... I am busy winning the war." says Trudd.

"Jason." says Barter. "It is always a thrill meeting with you."

"Why do I have to fly a thousand miles when I've already sent you my report?" asks Trudd. "I have to be on the command center, directing operations. We are winning Mr. President. And I intend to keep it that way!"

"You knocked down their satellites." says Barter. "Very good. Unfortunately, you also knocked down the American satellites and the British and the Russians..."

"A574 did a remarkable job detecting armed satellites and obliterating it." says Trudd. "When we put the satellite in space we weren't able to thoroughly test it. It's a minor bug Mr. President."

"Jason how long have I known you?" asks Barter. "Fourteen years isn't it? Back when you were still directing that job you botched in Jordan."

"That has nothing to do with this." says Trudd. "What I did then, I did for my country."

"You tried to take over an operation that wasn't yours that resulted in the killing of six thousand innocent victims!" says Barter. "I know who you are Jason. Maybe more than you know yourself. You have a homicidal streak that seems to fit your personality very well. You want power don't you Jason?"

"First of all, don't call me Jason." says Trudd. "Call me Trudd or Fleet Commander. Secondly, I already have the power. I control the world's mightiest armed forces. And I am winning Mr. President! The power that you said I wanted? I'm giving it to you and to the state leaders when this is over! I am your man for the job Mr. President."

"You don't fool me Jason." says Barter. "I can see you're lying in my face! But I can't prove it. Not yet." Then he leaned closer. "I know you shut down our satellites on purpose. I know you do. But heed my advice. Whatever your plans are. Don't do it. Because I'm on to you."

Trudd smiled then leaned forward. "UCAT is my business Mr. President and winning this war is my obligation. Be informed that I will do everything in my power to ensure victory for the WNL and believe me that victory is at hand. So if you may Mr. President. Please. Don't ever summon me again unless it is really REALLY IMPORTANT!"

Trudd starts to walk out of the room but Barter called on him to halt. "We are not yet finished!"

Trudd stops in his tracks and turned to Barter. "Oh yes we are Mr. President. We're out to win the war aren't we? I make sure we do."


MEANWHILE the X22 which formed a bridge in the air to intercept data streams have begun picking something up.

"I'm picking something at port 99." the pilot reports.


MEANWHILE AT SEA. The emergency pod screamed past A UCAT warship which launched hypersonic missiles to destroy it. The missiles began to gain speed. The pod continued to broadcast information.


BACK IN THE tunnels of Iruki. The sphere lies motionless besides the giant door that protects the defense center.

"It's been there for hours." says Aki, a japanese manning the controls. "Perhaps it's dead?"

"It's doing something." says Sako, the facility's defense manager then he cupped his chin. "But whatever it is I don't know."

"We can send a robot rover to check it." says Iyumi from engineering.

"What the hell. Do it." says Sako. "It's better than waiting around."

The group carried a box shaped robot with four wheels to a small opening in the giant door. They opened the hatch and the robot rover went in. Once the hatch is closed, the robot goes online and wheeled itself in the long tunnel towards another small opening at the end. The robot transmits a digital key to the hatch at the end of the tunnel and it opened slowly allowing the robot to come out. The hatch slowly closed but before it does, it stops. To their surprise, the robot rover went inside the hatch again.

"What is happening Iyumi?" Sako asked. "Why did you let the rover in again?"

"I didn't do anything!" Iyumi protests then she tried to check the rover's status. "Um... Basing from these readings, the robot is performing well. It might have detected something outside that it considers a threat. Then again, the robot shouldn't be doing this at all."

"Your robot is malfunctioning!" says Sako in disgust.

"You're right." says Aki. "And that's not all. Look, the hatch on the other side is still open. It didn't close when the robot went in."

"What?" Iyumi exclaimed then she punched some instructions to the keyboard to close the hatch but the hatch did not move. While she's doing this, the hatch besides the giant door that leads inside Iruki is now opening slowly. Sako saw this then asked Iyumi about it.

"Did you authorized the opening of this hatch?" asks Sako.

"No." Iyumi replied. Sako is wide-eyed.

"CLOSE THAT HATCH!" Sako screamed. But before they can do that, they heard the creaking of metal from the large door. The giant door is opening on its own! Sako moved to his control center trying to close the door. But the computers are ignoring him. Outside, defense systems are shutting down. The sphere which has beem immobilized for hours lights up again.

"What is happening? What is happening?" asks a japanese near the giant door.

"The sphere!" Sako screamed. "It sent a virus or something to the rover! When the hatch was opened, the rover transmits the virus to our systems, infecting it!"

The giant door opened and the sphere that is the size of a car rolls inside. The scared people huddled to the side as the sphere rolled by coming to a stop at the middle of the center. Then without warning, the sphere detonates!

The ground above the defense center cracked then shoots up in the air. The UCAT jets which are hovering above felt the shock of explosion and wobbled in the air for a while. The defense center which served temporarily as the coordination center for the ASIAN ALLIANCE is no more.


BACK TO THE X22s, the pilot receiving the data streams is amazed at the size of data he is receiving. He punched a comm button to his team leader. "Sir, the data stream just passed 100 terrabytes." the pilot reports.

"Good." says the team leader. "The data that you are receiving is now being sent to the main land."

"I suspect there are more sir." says the pilot. "If I'm not mistaken, the X24's have amassed terrabytes of terrabytes of data from the---"

"What?" the team leader asks.

"It's gone!" the pilot replies.

"What do you mean it's gone?" the team leader asks.

"The comm port is no longer receiving data." says the pilot. "We've been cut-off."


A LONG DISTANCE AWAY, clouds of fire and debris is visible above the sea. The captain of a UCAT warship not far away smiles.

"Beta Nine Zero," the captain reports to his comm unit. "the bogey is definitely destroyed."

His exo walks towards him. The captain glanced behind his back. He sees the grim face of his exo and wonders. "What's eating you?"

"Sir," the exo replied in a soft voice. "we intercepted streams of un-readable data."

"Encrypted." says the captain then his face grew dark. "The bogey."

"Yes sir." the exo responds. "The bogey has been transmitting information all along."


BACK IN PHILIPPINE TERRITORY. Fifty warships are being mobilized towards Japan. A hundred more is coming from Indonesia and Malaysia. Armed with Berrano's data stream, the governments knew that the UCAT is concentrating all their efforts in Japan. With maximum speed, they can reach Japan in just three hours. This is hoping they can dispatch any UCAT warship that they may encounter along the way. But the mission is a daunting one. Even if they reached Japan in time, will they be able to turn the tide or will they all be swallowed by the UCAT's superior numbers?

If only China is with them right now.

TO BE CONTINUED